Don't take it from us, take it from our patrons!

Of course it's easy for those of us at Taking Flight to be proud of our shows. But its when our patrons let us know what they thought that we're really proud. As a theater company, cast, and creative team, our primary goal with every show we put up is to captivate our audience. Next to Normal does just that from the first note sang to the final bow. Take a look at what some of our patrons are saying so far...

• I saw this show twice in New York with the original Broadway cast. Alice Ripley originated Diana and, over the course of a tour, completely devastated her voice. The acting and vocal chops required to portray Diana are intense, and I was thrilled to see that leading lady Holly McDade was more than up to the task. Apparently she's a new face in the DC community theater scene and I'll be sure to see whatever she's in! Second, the role of Gabe requires a true tenor with an impressive range, and the guy in this cast nailed it. "I'm Alive" and "There's a World" gave me goosebumps. Third, the chemistry between Henry (Michael Bigley, a DC community theater veteran) and Natalie (Claire O’Brien) was perfect. O'Brien's voice and characterization combined with Bigley's solid comedic timing made their scenes very enjoyable.
  
  
• There are THREE other DC-area community theater shows mounting productions of NEXT TO NORMAL over the next year or so, and they'll have to work hard to rival this impressive production. Kudos to the cast and crew. I'll be returning to see the show again before it closes!
  
  
• Outstanding performance....extremely powerful show...actors were all very strong with great voices...not an uplifting story but moving
  
  
• I'm still pinching myself. I really didn't think that the Taking Flight company could pull off this complicated musical. I saw it at the Kennedy Center last year, and I actually think I enjoyed this production more. The singing was excellent and the acting was pretty darn good too. Standout performances were Holly McDade and Keith Miller, but I thought that Claire O'Brien was outstanding. great singer and great actor. I really think she has a future as an accomplished actress. Really enjoyable evening. Well done!
  
  
• This was an amazingly powerful production...I saw the debut of the play at Signature Theater way back when, and this cast at TFT was in every way their equal. The music and lyrics are poetic and moving. I told my friends at the NAMI No Va chapter to get the word out about it, and also will tell everyone at the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance to check it out. Bravo!
  
  
• Emotionally disconcerting! How many families have turmoil at home hidden from others? This show can really shake-up one's recollections and grab you around the heart. This is a brilliant entertaining show that I recommend to everyone.
  
  
• I had seen this at the Kennedy Center last year so I knew the story line (which is VERY powerful and very emotional!) They did a wonderful job--both in acting and singing (some really GREAT voices!) I cried the first time I saw it and I cried this time too! If you can--go see this GREAT production--there are two more weekends--BUT make sure you take tissues!
  
  
• Good script...good singing...had a good time
  

So, what are you waiting for? Buy your tickets online now, or pay with cash, check or credit card at the door!

Next to Normal Cast Announced!

We are excited to announce the cast of our summer musical, Next to Normal! We wanted to thank everyone who came out to audition, and for supporting our theatre and its mission. We hope to see you at auditions for the children's show next month! And now without further ado...

Diana: Holly McDade

Dan: Keith J. Miller

Natalie: Claire O'Brien

Gabe: Daniel DeVera

Henry: Michael Bigley

Doctor: Jason Krage

Next to Normal is the profoundly moving Pulitzer Prize winning musical. Taking Flight Theatre is proud to be the first community theatre in the area to present this masterpiece. The show follows the disintegration and rebirth of Diana, a bipolar suburban housewife and mother. Her struggles and their effect on her family are set to an exciting, rock score that is emotionally challenging and deeply moving for the audience.

Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey
Music by Tom Kitt
Produced by Denise Perrino
Directed by Jessie Roberts
Music Direction by Bobby McCoy

Next to Normal opens June 1

2 Weeks Out!!!

We are almost 2 weeks out from opening night, ladies and gentlemen. Who's ready?

It's a scary time for a theatre group, to be 2 weeks away from opening. Kevin King (our technical director) and I were talking last night, and he said "I feel like we're behind, but if you think about it, in the old theatre we wouldn't have even been in the space yet, so I guess we're actually ahead!"

It's true. When 2nd Flight was just 2nd Flight, and we performed at the Cramer Center in Manassas, we wouldn't even move into the space until 2 weeks before the show went up (which would be this coming weekend). We'd build stuff ahead of time, but we wouldn't be able to really put it together until we were in the space.

And I have to say, this set is going to kick butt. Right now it's not painted or anything, it's just the skeleton, but it's awesome. Mad props to Kevin and Rick Wilson (our other technical director) and all the others who helped work on it so far (Theresa Bender, Brittany Washington, Asher Miller, Michael Schaaff, Kevin's dad Mike, and I'm sure there are others but these are the people I have actually seen working on it).

On another tech-related note, if you ever need cheap fabic, go to Wal*Mart. Their dollar-a-yard racks have costumed more shows for me than I can count. Go in with an open mind regarding color and weight of the fabric, and you're bound to find something that will work really well. Don't go in planning to be picky; you'll never find exactly what you want. Looking for something specific in the dollar-a-yard rack is like looking for a vintage Versace evening gown at the Sterling Goodwill. Not gonna happen.

That's about all I've got for today, but I have it on good authority that I may have some fodder for a Thursday update coming my way. I won't make promises, since it's not within my control whether or not the photos I've been told of appear in my inbox, but if they do, there will be an exciting story about the making of a certain special prop.

In the meantime, here are a couple more rehearsal photos, courtesy of Traci J. Brooks.

I actually watched this in rehearsal, and in person, it was even funnier than this picture. Poor Tara and Dan were trying to sing lovingly to each other, paper in hand, while Dan grabs Tara's butt to keep her from falling. Without the paper, she'll be able to hold on better, so he won't have to grip so hard, so it won't look as funny. But in rehearsal, it made me laugh.

This is one of two classic Ryan onstage poses. The other pose looks like Superman posing on top of a building with his cape billowing in the wind (though usually there's no billowing cape, for Ryan). When I go to see Ryan onstage, I always look for these poses -- I don't think it's on purpose that he does them, it's just that the roles I've seen him in lend themselves well to these "I'm singing very passionately out ot the audience" types of poses. I'm not making fun of you, Ryan. You know I love you.


A rare tender moment between Ivy and Nadia. I'm not entirely sure if this is actually Ivy and Nadia, or Juliet and the Nurse, but regardless, it's one of the few times Brittany's character isn't calling Tara's character a ho-face.

And finally, we have a not-so-tender moment between Ivy and Jason. Ivy looks like she's about to stab him in the face, then laugh about it. I'm not 100% sure what's actually going on here, but I can tell you that Ivy does not actually stab Jason in the face. Unless Debbie took some interesting directorial liberties that I'm not aware of. Which I don't think she did.

That's all for this particular update Tuesday! Come back on thursday and see if Asher sent me what he was supposed to (and if he didn't, you'll know it's his fault you don't have a story, not mine!).

Meet the Cast, Part 2!

So my original plan was to just run on down the cast list as it's listed in the script, but I'm going to deviate from that slightly today. I had a special request for more of my witty writing from my favorite (and possibly only) loyal reader, Michael Schaaff ... who also happens to be in the cast! So he's getting bumped up a little bit, and is in fact today's very first cast member to be interviewed!

(Right now Michael's my favorite because he's the only loyal reader I know of, and because his picture is pretty freaking awesome. And, you know, he seems to be a pretty cool guy. But if YOU want to be the next Michael Schaff, tell me! I like mail, I like comments, and mostly, I like embarrassing pictures from people who will let me post them on the internet! Maybe I can make this a weekly contest ... )

(I just got an email from Michael that Brittany is also a loyal reader, but since she was supposed to be posted today anyway, I figured I'd give her a special shout-out right here. Holla! ... Yeah, I really just typed that. *hangs head in shame*)

Enough about me. Let's hear about Michael and Brittany and Brian!

Name: Michael Schaaff
Role: Alan

What are some of your favorite past roles? Ken de la Maize – The Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940s

If you could play any role you haven’t yet played, what would it be? Princeton/Rod – Avenue Q (pipe dream, I know, but I’d love to do it)

What do you do when you’re not doing theatre (day job, hobbies, etc.)? I’m a Quality Assurance Engineer for Honeywell. I like to go to the movies, play video games, board games, sleeping (that’s my favorite), dining out, and causing shenanigans when with my friends.

Anything else we should know about you? I like long walks on the beach (bet you get that a lot ... Erin says: You know, I do, actually, everyone wants me to walk on the beach with them), cooking outdoors, dodging traffic, being sarcastic, making a scene in public, and I’ll do just about anything for a laugh (I’ve ordered diet water at a restaurant and they came back to say “I’m sorry sir, we don’t offer that here”).

(Erin says: Those waiters are stupid. Really, really stupid. All water is diet, duh!)

And finally, what is one thing that people would not guess about you upon first meeting/seeing you (can’t be something you’ve said already; make it good – “I’m allergic to cats” is lame, but “I once worked as a dancer in a vampire theme bar” is awesome!)? I’ve dressed up as Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Superman (full spandex) …not necessarily for Halloween, and looked damn good I might add. (Erin says: Heck yeah, you did! I have the Superman picture somewhere, but for whatever reason, gmail won't find it for me. If it decides to give it back to me, I'll post that one here too ... the world needs more men in spandex.)

(Michael was kind enough to resend!)

Name: Brittany Washington (headshot credit: Traci J. Brooks)

Role: Nadia

What are some of your favorite past roles? I've only just hopped back into theatre this year for the first time since I was in middle school, so I don't really have anything to choose from!

If you could play any role you haven't yet played, what would it be? Cathy (The Last Five Years), Helen (Fat Pig), Olive Ostrovsky (Putnam County Spelling Bee), the list goes on but I'll spare you.

What do you do when you're not doing theatre? I'm a receptionist for a company where the phone rings about twenty times an hour max, so I basically get paid for not falling asleep at my desk. It's a pretty sweet gig. (Erin says: You have no idea how jealous I am. No idea. Seriously, her gchat message just said she's watching "Juno" ... at work. I hope her boss isn't reading this.)

Anything else we should know about you? I am pathetically reliant on my TiVo, enjoy singing in the shower, overuse my flat iron, and am a terrible cook unless the only thing you like to eat is toast -- in which case, I can totally hook you up.

And finally, what is one thing that people would not guess about you upon first meeting/seeing you? When I was six, I desperately wanted to become one of the Barney kids -- I knew the words to all of the songs and had my own purple stuffed dinosaur and everything. Obviously it never quite worked out... not that I'm totally bitter or anything.

The other, less-awesome Britney. This was the placeholder headshot until we got a real one, but Brittany and I decided that it still needed to be in here, since when it comes down to it, she and Brit-Brit are essentially the same person.

Name: Brian M. Garrison
Role: Matt

What are some of your favorite past roles? ‘Puck’ in William Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream is my all-time favorite … so far. There’s nothing better than playing a mischievous fairy decked out in glitter and bells. (Erin says: It's so true. And again, I'm so jealous. I don't have nearly enough opportunities to wear glitter and bells in my life.) Portraying the ‘Dauphin’ (Prince of France) in Henry V was another awesome experience. I love any role that allows me to speak French and partake in a brutal sword fight. Outside of Shakespeare, ‘Linus’ in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown was a ton of fun and my friend made me a blanket for the show. I stopped carrying it to work, but I still sleep with it sometimes. And ‘John Landis’ in Fifth of July was probably the toughest dramatic role I’ve taken on to date. John was a very complex individual with very complex circumstances. He’s the antithesis of me in almost every way, but the experience was priceless.

If you could play any role you haven’t yet played, what would it be? I definitely have a list going: ‘Henry Jekyll’ in Jekyll & Hyde. ‘Mark’ in Rent. ‘Matthew’ ‘Mark’ or ‘Luke’ in Altar Boyz. ‘Adam’ in The Shape of Things. ‘Irwin’, ‘Dakin’ or ‘Scripps’ in The History Boys. I also want a part in any future M. Night Shyamalan film.

What do you do when you’re not doing theatre? Acting is my passion and I would prefer to put it first in my life. (Insert shameless plug here: If anyone wants to subsidize my acting career please feel free to contact me!) I’m a project analyst (accountant) for a telecommunications integrator during the sun-filled hours of the day. It pays the bills and I like my co-workers a lot, but it’s not the love of my life. I also like to hang out with my friends, travel, eat at great restaurants, write the never ending screenplay, party-party-party in DC & NYC, shop, play video games, see a lot of live theatre and spend quality time at home with Netflix.

Anything else we should know about you? I’m in an improv troop called ‘Mission Impromptu’. I’m a ‘totally fierce’ cook and avid wine drinker. I’m also ‘Godfather’ (Erin says: Godfather like Marlon Brando? Cool!) to my best friend’s son, Alex, who just turned 1 in May. In the very near future, I plan to move to New York City to further pursue my acting career.

And finally, what is one thing that people would not guess about you upon first meeting/seeing you? I dated a dancer in a vampire theme bar … Wait, no, um … When I have the time, I still read comic books and collect action figures.

Meet the cast of "bare" (Part 1)

Over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be posting some interviews with the cast of "bare". Some of the cast members took the interview more seriously than others (for example, I happen to know that Ryan Khatcheressian's favorite role ever was as my body double in BatBoy, although he failed to list this in his interview ... I am offended.)

This may take a few weeks (or days, depends how often I feel like updating) ... I have to spread things out, create some anticipation ... that, and I can't put the whole cast all in one post. This blog doesn't hold that much awesome.

Name: Ryan Khatcheressian
Role: Peter

What are some of your favorite past roles? The West Springfield HS ensembles of The Sound of Music, South Pacific, and Oliver!

If you could play any role you haven’t yet played, what would it be? Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol

What do you do when you’re not doing theatre (day job, hobbies, etc.)? Sorting socks and catching butterflies.

Anything else we should know about you? I like funnel cake and tennis.

And finally, what is one thing that people would not guess about you upon first meeting/seeing you (can’t be something you’ve said already; make it good – “I’m allergic to cats” is lame, but “I once worked as a dancer in a vampire theme bar” is awesome!)? In July of 1991, I threw up on the Tilt-A-Whirl at Ocean City and cried.

Name: Tara Leigh Moore (real picture coming soon, promise!)

Role: Ivy

What are some of your favorite past roles? Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Columbia in The Rocky Horror Picture show, Echo in Eleemosynary, Alice in Closer, Shelly in Batboy: the Musical, and Little Red in Into the Woods

If you could play any role you haven’t yet played, what would it be? Eponine in Les Miserables (realistic) and Mimi in Rent (unrealistic since last time I checked I wasn’t the appropriate ethnicity) oh and Daisy in SideShow which will never happen since nobody is my size :)

What do you do when you’re not doing theatre (day job, hobbies, etc.)? I’m a speech and language pathologist. I work with children who have communication disorders including articulation, receptive and expressive language impairments, reading and writing delays, etc. ... love what I do.

Anything else we should know about you? I love sushi and lobster. Not together. And chocolate – milk chocolate or with caramel is a plus. Favorite TV shows: Lost, Heros and Buffy the Vampire Slayer

And finally, what is one thing that people would not guess about you upon first meeting/seeing you? I’m a pole dance instructor for DivaFit in Ashburn!!! I’ve been pole dancing for two years. It’s the first hobby in my life that’s rivaled theatre for my attention. And yeah, you could guess it on the days that I have bruises up my legs from too many pole classes but it’s worth it!

(Erin says: Tara is my pole dance instructor and she's awesome. If you've ever considered taking pole dance, you should really check out DivaFit. Super fun. And now, back to your regularly scheduled interviews.)

Name: Dan Plehal (Erin says: Dan said I should have made his shirt green, but that other than that it's a pretty good likeness ... so apparently, Dan looks like Charlie Brown mated with a Weeble. Watch out, ladies. This one's a hottie.)
Role: Jason

What are some of your favorite past roles? Pish-Tush (Mikado), Willard (Footloose), Pharaoh (Joseph…Dreamcoat), Papa Ge (Once on this Island), Bobby Child (Crazy for You)

If you could play any role you haven't yet played, what would it be? Leaf Coneybear! (25th Annual…Spelling Bee) and (admittedly) Mark in Rent. If I had the range I would love to play Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, but alas, I do not.

What do you do when you're not doing theatre (day job, hobbies, etc.)? Going to School (senior at William & Mary, studying theatre), doing lighting design and direction, singing with my a cappella group (DoubleTake), taking headshots

Anything else we should know about you? I'm a big fan of food, and Lost, bowling, mediocre pizza at 2am, Wii, mint chocolate chip, and that performing thing :) Shameless plug: if anyone needs new headshots, let me know!

And finally, what is one thing that people would not guess about you upon first meeting/seeing you? I may or may not have a relatively extensive collection of improperly acquired street signs. And a traffic light.

(Erin says: Dan just may be my new hero. Sorry, Ryan. He's got an improperly acquired traffic light. That's pretty rad.)

Dan's REAL head shot (credit Traci J. Brooks) ... not nearly as Charlie Brown-esque.

Oh and also, apparently the traffic light works. Dan wired it himself and it is controlled by a normal 3x lightswitch box.

I am impressed.

And they're off!

So the cast has been rehearsing for about a week now, and things seem to be going smoothly!

Last week we had a cast meet 'n' greet at Tara Moore's (Ivy) house. I hear everyone got along great and had a lot of fun mingling -- I got there late as I had dinner plans that I had made before I knew about the meeting, so I missed the fun part and was just there for the administrative stuff where everyone got their scripts and talked about how this is going to be a lot of work but SO MUCH FUN!

Rehearsals so far seem to be very music-oriented at this point, which is good, as it's a pop opera (i.e., not much dialogue).

One day soon I'll start posting some cast interviews!

Oh, and yesterday was also Technical Director Kevin King's birthday -- Happy Birthday, Old Man! ;)

Final Call for Jason

We are holding our final auditions for the role of "Jason" this Thursday, June 5th at 7:30 p.m. Auditions will be held in the black box (room 106) at Chantilly High School.

4201 Stringfellow Road

Chantilly, Va. 20151

Auditions will consist of sides and songs from the show.

Please pass along to anyone you know who may fit the bill.

Actor must appear at LEAST in EARLY TWENTIES if not younger on stage, have a wide vocal range, and be a strong performer.

For additional details visit www.2ndflightproductions.com or call 703-927-5438.

Auditions, Part Deux!

Well, auditions went very well last week, and we have most of the roles cast with extremely talented, wonderful people. However, there are a few male roles we still need to fill, so if you wanted to audition but couldn't, or didn't know about it, come on out!

We are holding a second round of callbacks for the roles of Jason, Matt and Lucas.

They will be held this Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at Chantilly H.S. in room 106.

If you're not a man, but know a man who can act, sing, and dance, send him out!

We're almost there ...

It's almost that time, folks -- Audition Time!

Next Monday and Tuesday. Bring your acting, singing, and dancing hats.

I'll post back next week to let you all know how things went, who got cast, and so forth. All that interesting stuff!

AUDITIONS for "bare" (a pop opera)

http://www.2ndflightproductions.com/
or
www.nvcc.edu/CCT
for more information, directions, etc.