Two new Modcasts just posted

We've just posted to new Modcasts (Modlin Center podcasts) on our site.

One is a post-performance Talkback following the October 1 Shanghai Quartet concert featuring the world premiere of Dick Hyman's Quartet in G. This was a wonderful discussion, and worth a listen whether you attended the concert or not.

The other is an interview with Punch Brothers' fiddler Gabe Witcher. Punch Brothers will visit the Modlin Center for two nights (November 11 & 12). Having made their first appearance on the country music scene only a year ago, the Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile are already playing to sold-out crowds across the United States. Composed of the blazingly talented Chris Thile (mandolin), Gabe Witcher (fiddle), Chris Eldridge (guitar), Noam Pikelny (banjo) and Greg Garrison (bass), this fledgling band has won the hearts of music lovers everywhere from fans of bluegrass to devotees of the classics. Tickets are on sale now!

So, listen online or subscribe with iTunes. Check it out now!

Sixteen Wounded: first day of rehearsal (Hans meets Mahmoud)

A few minutes ago, we began our first rehearsal for the upcoming Monday Night World Theatre series dramatic reading of SIXTEEN WOUNDED by Eliam Kraiem. Today, Walter Schoen (left, playing Hans) and Adam Saunders (right, playing Mahmoud) met for the first time (Adam just flew in from Los Angeles). Together, they are working with Donna Coghill (director) and Martin Sulzer-Reichel (dialect coach/cultural consultant) on nuances of the piece including accents, cultural issues, etc. Amy Berlin (stage manager) is here to keep the rehearsal moving smoothly.

Earlier today, Donna and Amy arrived to get the space ready, tables set and check out the greenroom (which had been prepped by Nancy Balboni and Elizabeth Kirkwood). Since there are only 3 days to rehearse, it is extremely important that everything be ready-to-go. Time is everything.

Special thanks to Dana Rajczewski and Ben Paul for their help setting up Cousins Studio Theatre this afternoon and to Sean Farrell and Mike Burns for hanging the lights and setting the platforms yesterday. We are in very good shape for this reading.

Tomorrow, the full company arrives for the first read-through. It will be very exciting to see all of the pieces come together. Stay tuned for more updates.

The quiet before the storm

Ahh. It's quiet and peaceful around the Modlin Center today. The greatly anticipated Fall Break has finally arrived! Two days with no classes, when students exit campus in droves, looking to relax or blow off steam after busy weeks of mid-terms and papers. However, that doesn't really affect the Modlin Center. Sure, we don't have performance when students are gone, but there is still much to do to prep for upcoming events. The first group of Russians (Saratov Academic Youth Theater) have arrived on campus, and will be followed shortly by the Germans (Max Raabe & Palast Orchester), then the hip musicians from New York's East Village (East Village Opera Company). They are followed quickly by the Africans (Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited) and then the Hollywood crowd (L.A. Theatre Works). And that's just October.

So, although it's called Fall Break, the only break we have at the Modlin Center is a break from the students. There are always tickets to sell, ads to design, mailing lists to create. And a few quite days to enjoy before the halls fill up again with students practicing their dance moves, running lines or drawing in the hallways. I'll enjoy it while I can. That is, when I'm not responding to e-mails, selling tickets, designing ads, running reports... Know what I mean?