We interviewed the cast and crew of Addition: An Unconventional Love Story and asked them each four questions. Here is the interview with Justen Bennett, the Director and Playwright for the production.
Keep watching for the rest of the videos to be posted in the near future!
Justen Bennett
Director/Playwright
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Interview with Justen Bennett (Director/Playwright)
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Cuts
Today was an interesting day. The show has been running over time for a while. Just today we've been able to bring it back to just barely within the 65-minute slot we have at the Fringe. Rehearsal today was really tight and I don't know how much more time we can cut off the play, taking into account we need some buffer room to account for laughter and potential mishaps.
In light of the tight run-time, I made the decision to cut some small sections at the beginning. This was especially hard because I know that in the next version, the piece itself should actually be longer (potentially two acts). The sections I'm snipping will be put back in the script after our run, but given the Fringe's very strict guidelines on adhering to one's run-time, it had to be done. I even have another small section in the back of my mind in case further cuts are required.
These have been the most difficult cuts to make because I've already spent time with edits and, while they aren't essential to the plot, they're nice character sections that help give the audience a stronger sense of Ben and Logan's relationship.
In other news, details on the fundraiser next weekend are almost fully confirmed. I just need to hear back on specific times so I can begin promoting it. Also, a quick shout-out to The Travelling Tickle Trunk, a fantastic company that has contributed to making the upcoming fundraiser just a little bit more fun. Tonight, I'm hoping to work on the sound design I've delayed too often for my liking and tomorrow I plan to post the fourth of the five cast/crew interviews.
Justen Bennett
Director/Playwright
In light of the tight run-time, I made the decision to cut some small sections at the beginning. This was especially hard because I know that in the next version, the piece itself should actually be longer (potentially two acts). The sections I'm snipping will be put back in the script after our run, but given the Fringe's very strict guidelines on adhering to one's run-time, it had to be done. I even have another small section in the back of my mind in case further cuts are required.
These have been the most difficult cuts to make because I've already spent time with edits and, while they aren't essential to the plot, they're nice character sections that help give the audience a stronger sense of Ben and Logan's relationship.
In other news, details on the fundraiser next weekend are almost fully confirmed. I just need to hear back on specific times so I can begin promoting it. Also, a quick shout-out to The Travelling Tickle Trunk, a fantastic company that has contributed to making the upcoming fundraiser just a little bit more fun. Tonight, I'm hoping to work on the sound design I've delayed too often for my liking and tomorrow I plan to post the fourth of the five cast/crew interviews.
Justen Bennett
Director/Playwright
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Songs of the Logan
So one regular feature that we haven't been telling everyone about is our usual post-rehearsal routine. It's called the Carry Rehearsal Furniture Back Up To Justen's Apartment routine. It's pretty much what it sounds like. Our esteemed director has begun bribing us up there by showing us some of the show's awesome in-progress media stuff each time- posters, photos, handbills, press releases, and recently, a music playlist.
I mention this last one because, after scanning the thirty-odd songs that are under consideration for the show, I realized I... have a very different musical bent. Like, not even in the same zip code. Not in a disliking way; (the snippets we heard were catchy and fun and I very much approve), but the style of music that fills my iPod airwaves is... just so different that it'd be very weird to think what the show would sound like if I was doing the music for it.
With that in mind, I'm sharing something I've been assembling for the last month or so: Logan's Playlist. Behold a smattering of songs from my music library that represent bits of his general personality. Now, this isn't the music he personally listens to, (though I'm reasonably confident he does listen to Matthew De Zoete). They sort of chart his progress through the play, and sort of not; it's not verbatim, and it's not perfect, but what I know is that if you diagrammed these tunes on a grid, there'd be a tiny area of overlap, and he'd be somewhere in there.
The selections, like my iPod, are eclectic; I've got everything in here from Newfie folk rock to Christian punk to light country, but it's a very fun set; I've been using it as my morning workout / travelling music for awhile, and it's uplifting and fun enough to not get dull. It's not music from the show itself by any means, but it's a small window into where I'm going with this guy.
(I considered doing a write-up of each track to explain why I chose it, but I decided it'd be better just to let the songs sell themselves. Enjoy!)
Knock Yourself Out (Jon Brion)
Why we're put in this mess is anybody's guess;
It might be a test. Or it might not be anything we need to worry about.
Bite My Tongue (Relient K)
Sweepin' up the seconds that tick off the clock,
Saving 'em for later when I'm too ticked to talk,
And I need some time / to search my mind,
To locate the words that seem so hard to find.
The More Boys I Meet (Carrie Underwood)
Cheap date, bad taste, another night gone to waste,
Talkin' bout nothing in so many words.
It's not like I'm not trying;
I'll give anyone a shot... once.
Not On Fire (Matthew De Zoete w. Jenn Grant)
If these walls had ears, why would they listen in
When there's no kissin' in here / and nothing that you desire?
Oh my love... we're not on fire
Morningside
(Sara Bareilles)
I need to let go / need to want to keep letting you know
That we both have a reason to follow
Long as we let this lead,
I'm barely breathing.
Hold On (KT Tunstall)
Searching the land for a hero of a man,
You say I need more than my fair share of attention,
But I think you know that just isn't so.
A Perfect Day(Matt Hires)
So let's not walk away / from the one thing we know is great;
Life can trip you up
On a perfect day.
Second Chance (Faber Drive)
Instead of holding you, I was holding out,
Tried to let you in but I let you down,
You were the first to give, I was the first to ask,
Now I'm in second place to get a second chance.
Pressing On(Relient K)
To go back to where I was would just be wrong,
So I'm pressing on, pressing on;
All my distress is going, going, gone.
And last but not least,
The Entire Movie Soundtrack from Josie and the Pussycats
(2001)
Why do you do what you do to me, baby?
Shaking my confidence, driving me crazy?
David Johnston
Actor (Logan)
I mention this last one because, after scanning the thirty-odd songs that are under consideration for the show, I realized I... have a very different musical bent. Like, not even in the same zip code. Not in a disliking way; (the snippets we heard were catchy and fun and I very much approve), but the style of music that fills my iPod airwaves is... just so different that it'd be very weird to think what the show would sound like if I was doing the music for it.
With that in mind, I'm sharing something I've been assembling for the last month or so: Logan's Playlist. Behold a smattering of songs from my music library that represent bits of his general personality. Now, this isn't the music he personally listens to, (though I'm reasonably confident he does listen to Matthew De Zoete). They sort of chart his progress through the play, and sort of not; it's not verbatim, and it's not perfect, but what I know is that if you diagrammed these tunes on a grid, there'd be a tiny area of overlap, and he'd be somewhere in there.
The selections, like my iPod, are eclectic; I've got everything in here from Newfie folk rock to Christian punk to light country, but it's a very fun set; I've been using it as my morning workout / travelling music for awhile, and it's uplifting and fun enough to not get dull. It's not music from the show itself by any means, but it's a small window into where I'm going with this guy.
(I considered doing a write-up of each track to explain why I chose it, but I decided it'd be better just to let the songs sell themselves. Enjoy!)
Knock Yourself Out (Jon Brion)
Why we're put in this mess is anybody's guess;
It might be a test. Or it might not be anything we need to worry about.
Bite My Tongue (Relient K)
Sweepin' up the seconds that tick off the clock,
Saving 'em for later when I'm too ticked to talk,
And I need some time / to search my mind,
To locate the words that seem so hard to find.
The More Boys I Meet (Carrie Underwood)
Cheap date, bad taste, another night gone to waste,
Talkin' bout nothing in so many words.
It's not like I'm not trying;
I'll give anyone a shot... once.
Not On Fire (Matthew De Zoete w. Jenn Grant)
If these walls had ears, why would they listen in
When there's no kissin' in here / and nothing that you desire?
Oh my love... we're not on fire
Morningside
(Sara Bareilles)
I need to let go / need to want to keep letting you know
That we both have a reason to follow
Long as we let this lead,
I'm barely breathing.
Hold On (KT Tunstall)
Searching the land for a hero of a man,
You say I need more than my fair share of attention,
But I think you know that just isn't so.
A Perfect Day(Matt Hires)
So let's not walk away / from the one thing we know is great;
Life can trip you up
On a perfect day.
Second Chance (Faber Drive)
Instead of holding you, I was holding out,
Tried to let you in but I let you down,
You were the first to give, I was the first to ask,
Now I'm in second place to get a second chance.
Pressing On(Relient K)
To go back to where I was would just be wrong,
So I'm pressing on, pressing on;
All my distress is going, going, gone.
And last but not least,
The Entire Movie Soundtrack from Josie and the Pussycats
(2001)
Why do you do what you do to me, baby?
Shaking my confidence, driving me crazy?
David Johnston
Actor (Logan)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Interview with David Johnston (Logan)
We interviewed the cast and crew of Addition: An Unconventional Love Story and asked them each four questions. Here is the interview with David Johnston, the actor playing Logan.
Keep watching for the rest of the videos to be posted in the near future!
Justen Bennett
Director/Playwright
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tickets Are On Sale!
Tickets are officially on sale for Addition: An Unconventional Love Story and all other Edmonton Fringe shows!
There are 3 ways to buy a ticket for the show:
Online: Edmonton International Fringe Festival Box Office Website
In-person: Fringe Festival Box Office - 10330 84 Ave. (in the TransAlta Arts Barns)
Ticket Hotline: 780.409.1910
General: $12
Student: $10
Venue 5 - Fringe Cabaret
10330 84 Ave.
(North end of the TransAlta Arts Barns)
Performances
We'd love to have a blockbuster start to our performances, so if you can come to the Opening Night performance (Thursday, August 13 @ 8:00p), buy your ticket for then! If not, we'd love to see you at any of our other performances, too! Feel free to buy two tickets so you can share the experience with a friend!
As a bonus, the venue has air conditioning, so not only do you get to see a fantastic show, you also have an opportunity to escape some of the summer heat!
We're looking forward to seeing everyone out at Addition: An Unconventional Love Story, so get your tickets now!
Justen Bennett
Director/Playwright
There are 3 ways to buy a ticket for the show:
Online: Edmonton International Fringe Festival Box Office Website
In-person: Fringe Festival Box Office - 10330 84 Ave. (in the TransAlta Arts Barns)
Ticket Hotline: 780.409.1910
General: $12
Student: $10
Venue 5 - Fringe Cabaret
10330 84 Ave.
(North end of the TransAlta Arts Barns)
Performances
| Thursday, August 13 | 8:00pm |
| Saturday, August 15 | 2:15pm |
| Sunday, August 16 | 10:00pm |
| Tuesday, August 18 | 4:00pm |
| Thursday, August 20 | 6:15pm |
| Saturday, August 22 | Noon |
We'd love to have a blockbuster start to our performances, so if you can come to the Opening Night performance (Thursday, August 13 @ 8:00p), buy your ticket for then! If not, we'd love to see you at any of our other performances, too! Feel free to buy two tickets so you can share the experience with a friend!
As a bonus, the venue has air conditioning, so not only do you get to see a fantastic show, you also have an opportunity to escape some of the summer heat!
We're looking forward to seeing everyone out at Addition: An Unconventional Love Story, so get your tickets now!
Justen Bennett
Director/Playwright
Media Photos and Other Updates
We've been keeping quite busy with rehearsals as of late. Tomorrow night (well, technically tonight, given that it's after midnight) will be the first off-book day. The actors have all been excellent so far about doing portions of the show off-book all on their own initiative but now that security blanket is going away. It'll be a little rough at first, as with any show, but once we push through the memorization that's when the real show can finally start to come out.
Outside of rehearsals, promotion of the show has been progressing nicely. We've been working with our sponsor, Play Night Club, to confirm the final details of our fundraiser there on the evening of August 9, 2009. Also, if you take a chance to visit our Flickr photostream you can see images of some other things that haven't even been posted on the blog, like the GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine print ad, the ad for the Walterdale Playhouse Members' Newsletter, and the front and back designs for our handbills.
Though, probably the most interesting things added to our Flickr photostream lately are the official media photos for the show. Enjoy!
L–R: David Johnston (Logan), Robert Medeiros (Ben), Richard Lee (Daren)
L–R: David Johnston (Logan), Robert Medeiros (Ben), Richard Lee (Daren)
L–R: Robert Medeiros (Ben), David Johnston (Logan), Richard Lee (Daren)
L–R: Robert Medeiros (Ben), David Johnston (Logan), Richard Lee (Daren)
Standing: Robert Medeiros (Ben)
Sitting L–R: David Johnston (Logan), Richard Lee (Daren)
For all photos:
Photographer: Justen Bennett
Photo Editing: Tess Chappell
Justen Bennett
Director/Playwright
Outside of rehearsals, promotion of the show has been progressing nicely. We've been working with our sponsor, Play Night Club, to confirm the final details of our fundraiser there on the evening of August 9, 2009. Also, if you take a chance to visit our Flickr photostream you can see images of some other things that haven't even been posted on the blog, like the GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine print ad, the ad for the Walterdale Playhouse Members' Newsletter, and the front and back designs for our handbills.
Though, probably the most interesting things added to our Flickr photostream lately are the official media photos for the show. Enjoy!
L–R: David Johnston (Logan), Robert Medeiros (Ben), Richard Lee (Daren)L–R: David Johnston (Logan), Robert Medeiros (Ben), Richard Lee (Daren)L–R: Robert Medeiros (Ben), David Johnston (Logan), Richard Lee (Daren)L–R: Robert Medeiros (Ben), David Johnston (Logan), Richard Lee (Daren)Standing: Robert Medeiros (Ben)Sitting L–R: David Johnston (Logan), Richard Lee (Daren)
For all photos:
Photographer: Justen Bennett
Photo Editing: Tess Chappell
Justen Bennett
Director/Playwright
Friday, July 24, 2009
Interview with Amanda McLeod (Stage Manager)
We interviewed the cast and crew of Addition: An Unconventional Love Story and asked them each four questions. Here is the interview with Amanda McLeod, the Stage Manager for the production.
Keep watching for the rest of the videos to be posted in the near future!
Justen Bennett
Director/Playwright
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