Roadmap
Scene Cheat Sheet
It was during tech week that I sat down to carefully plot out my character’s extensive roadmap on my scene cheat sheet, a practice that I started long ago. The sheet includes some cue lines, scene changes, blocking notes and costume notes if needed. During tech week and for most of the first weeks of the run, I would have the sheet out at all times for reference and would carry it with me; finding places to tuck it, or hide it backstage just in case.
It was only last night, the night before the closing night of our production, when I walked off the stage after that energy filled conclusion of the first act, did I realize that the cheat sheet hadn’t been opened for reference but had stayed folded in my first hiding spot since placing it there at the top of the show. I went backstage later to grab it along with my water, telling people around me who were not used to seeing me backstage during that time that I was “housecleaning.” A moment of sadness came over me as I returned to the dressing room, holding it in my hand, knowing that I only had one final show where the sheet would be used. As cast members happily chatted around me during intermission, I opened the sheet, written on the back of a mock pamphlet, and looked at it again. The sheet was now almost as soft as tissue and the writing smudged from frequent handling. As I sat and looked at the summary of my character’s evolution through the production, the sadness was replaced with a realization about my life and what had caused the sadness. There was nothing to be afraid of. Once the roadmap is in place, I can look up and out into the world to live the life I have plotted for myself.
Guys and Dolls Cast Interview Series – Amy Armstrong (Sarah)
When this final interview of our series is published (the tables are turned as I’m interviewed by my co-lead), we will be moving full throttle into our final two performances before we close on Saturday. It will be an emotional finish for me as I’m sure it will be for others in the cast. I am forever grateful to have been given the opportunity to play Sarah again. I gave her life and, in turn, she’s given new life to me.
This concludes our series, which was so much fun to do! A special thanks to those who were interviewed: Joe, Gary, Ellen, Ben, John, and Jack.
Final performances are March 11 (7:30PM) and March 12 (2:00PM). You can buy tickets at the door or online here.
Guys and Dolls Cast Interview Series – Joe O’Neill (Sky)
Our series continues as I interview my co-lead, Joe O’ Neill who plays Sky Masterson in our production. Joe gives some insight into his character, his take on life in the fifties and handles my surprise wildcard (literally) question with ease.
We are coming in to our final week of our Guys and Dolls production with only two shows remaining – March 11 (7:30PM) and March 12 (2:00PM). If you haven’t gotten tickets yet, you have only two more chances to come and witness a cast and crew that is not only dedicated to the production but having the most amazing and joyous time!). You can buy tickets at the door or online here.
Guys and Dolls Cast Interview Series – Gary Snyder (Music Director)
We continue our interview series with Gary Snyder, our Music Director, who was given the charge of taking one of the most wonderful musical scores ever written and making sure that it was portrayed in its truest fashion. In our interview, Gary shares his method for preparing and rehearsing the cast and also shares his interesting music background!
We are coming in to our final week of our Guys and Dolls production with only two shows remaining – March 11 (7:30PM) and March 12 (2:00PM). If you haven’t gotten tickets yet, you have only two more chances to come and witness a cast and crew that is not only dedicated to the production but having the most amazing and joyous time!). You can buy tickets at the door or online here.
Week in Review
Bouncing around backstage, people might think that I was jumping with nerves as I waited for my next entrance. If they looked closer they would see the huge smile on my face; the face of someone having a ball. That is what this opening weekend of Guys and Dolls felt like for me. Satisfied with the months of hard work in resurrecting and reinventing this role cleared the way for an experience of pure fun intermingled with my focus. I couldn’t be happier with what I was able to do my role. The show had a successful opening weekend with an audience that clearly picked up on our fun and love for what we were all doing, evident in an excellent review we received in Stage Magazine. I also had a brush with my 180 seconds of fame on live television at the CW Philly studios at the beginning of last week to help promote the show. Topping off a great weekend was a client appreciation event where I got to mingle and answer questions from a very knowledgeable and appreciative audience.
With six more shows to go, I plan to drink in the experience for all it is worth. Hard work deserves reward and celebration! That goes for everyone in this fantastic cast!
Guys and Dolls – Cast Interview Series – Ellen Schwartz (Choreographer)
We continue our interview series with the lovely and talented Ellen Schwartz, who is the choreographer in the King of Prussia Player’s production of Guys and Dolls. In this interview, I ask Ellen what her process is for developing eye-catching and character-driven choreography and what the challenges are in creating dances for scenes that encompass a large ensemble.
The time is now.
This week, Guys and Dolls opens with the King of Prussia Players. Even after several months of rehearsals, it is still hard to believe that the time is already here. In the last several months, I have gone through a whirlwind of changes, traveled a long road of self-searching and have made some major singing career decisions. I’m not the same person that showed up at the callback audition back in September; what now seems like a lifetime ago. While this show marks the fulfillment and thus the end of a long quest, the closing night curtain call (although full of emotion), will not be emotions of sadness but of celebration, because I will finally be walking through the door towards the next thrilling and exciting quest that awaits me. A quest that will lead me to a life, once made up of only visions and dreams, to one that will be a powerful and joyful reality. Such is life – the life I choose to live.
Guys and Dolls – Cast Interview Series – Ben Fried (Nathan Detroit)
We continue our interview series with Ben Fried, who plays our Nathan Detroit in the King of Prussia Player’s production of Guys and Dolls. We conducted this interview in the beautiful Shannondell Performing Arts Theater where our productions will be taking place. In line with the theme of the day today, Ben shares what he feels is the message this production brings to audience members. He also gives what seems to be the most popular answer to our wildcard question.
Guys and Dolls – Cast Interview Series – John Casertano (Nicely-Nicely)
In our second cast interview in our series, I interview John Casertano who plays Nicely-Nicely Johnson. John shares with us how his own personality compares to the character he plays and also elaborates on the message that Guys and Dolls can bring to theatre-goers who come to see our production. All interviews, plus interesting rehearsal footage can be found on the Guys and Dolls YouTube Channel.
Guys and Dolls – Cast Interview Series – Jack Lynch (Arvide)
This is the first of our series of interviews with the King of Prussia Players’ Guys and Dolls cast! This first interview is with Jack Lynch who plays Arvide Abernathy. Jack gives us some great insight into his character and life in this country during the time that this musical was created. All interviews, plus interesting rehearsal footage can be found on the Guys and Dolls YouTube Channel. Enjoy!
Bio
Amy Armstrong has recently played Sarah in Guys and Dolls, Margaret in The Light in the Piazza, and Julie in Carousel. She also played the role of the Therapist in a Five Day Film Festival short film entry, The Sidewinder. She regularly sings with the Voices of the Pops, the featured vocal ensemble for Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, with performances at the Kimmel Center, and the Philadelphia Singers, the featured choral ensemble for the Philadelphia Orchestra, with performances at the Kimmel Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Saratoga Music Festival. Past engagements included the soprano fairy soloist, Midsummer Night’s Dream, with the Philadelphia Kantorei in their performance with the Pennsylvannia Ballet, the title role in Suor Angelica with the Denver Opera Company, and several performances, too many to name, with Opera Colorado, and the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia.
She has been a contributing writer for Operagasm, and is a regular columnist for Stage Magazine. She has been spotlighted with the Philadelphia Singers in an article that you can read here.
For a full resume, visit her LinkedIn page visit her member page at the Theatre Alliance of Philadelphia website. You can also find her on Facebook , follow her Twitter, see photo posts on Tumblr, or contact her at operamouth@aol.com
-
-
My Flickr
More Photos
