Drum roll please, we have a show!!! A spectacular show! Ground UP is super excited to have opened the world premiere of Michael Ian Walker’s Letter from Algeria. On Saturday, October 30th, we had our opening night to a full house! It was quite spectacular and exhilarating. I have been so fortunate to be a part of this production from the beginning.To watch it grow, evolve and cultivate into this full production has been mesmerizing.
So many times in theatre you hear about new works getting produced and in most cases, what you see is the end result. I was able to actually watch this from beginning to end. The play came to us as a script submission. From there, Ground UP decided this was too good to keep from a theater audience. This is where the journey began. The play grew to life and got on its feet via a staged reading during Ground UP’s annual New Works Reading Series. After an incredible response from the audience we decided it was time to evolve the play. The next step in this evolution was to work shop the play. We were super fortunate enough to have the chance to do this and at the same time make it a part of our educational program down at the University of North Caroline – Chapel Hill. Using the students of our educational program, the Ground UP Team did a full staged workshop presentation directed by our very own brilliant and talented Kate Middleton. By her side were Michael Ian Walker (Playwright) and Adam Fitzgerald (Director of the NY World Premiere). All there collaborated with the amazing students of UNC to cultivate the final script. From UNC, the production traveled back to NYC where it became the great show that it is today. Now with wonderful poster and graphics designed by Wade Ferguson Dansby 3 and PR by Lanie Zipoy, we are sending the word out about our show!!
It’s been quite an opening week for us. So much goes into a full scale Off-Broadway production. To be honest, there were points were most of us were ready to pull our hair out. Yet, after and exhausting tech week, we were ready!!!! The coming together of the set, lights, props, costumes, and actors was stunning to watch. Have you seen the set yet??? Travis McHale, our resident scenic and lighting designer has OUTDONE himself. This is art at its best!! I may be biased but come see the show and prove me wrong. What he has done is breathtaking. My hats off to Dan Wheeless, Katherine Fry, Kate August and Jerry Sipp (TD and carpenters) who hand built this massive set. Remind me to never get them angry when they are holding a screw gun in their hand. To add to this we have an amazing looking cast costumed by our very own Amanda Jenks, Don’t think I’m not planning to heist Tim’s suit after the run… I want that suit!! Don’t be surprised if Hugo’s tie goes missing either. Let me also mention Ian Wehrle and Alex Wise, who together bring some pretty awesome sound and music to the show. The combination of sets, lights, costumes and sound create a terrific ambiance and feel for this show. Adam Fitzgerald has done a wonderful job directing the show and he could not have done it without this tremendous cast. You must, and I reiterate, you must come see Patrick Murney, JD Taylor , Amanda Jane Cooper and Rufus Collins, who do an amazing job in this show. Thank you to Guy Olivieri, our casting director) for finding these gems. Their performance is one that shouldn't be missed. They have brought this show to life and the amazing young lady parenting this show is Devan Hibbard, our stage manager. Even though the show has opened, Devan’s work continues every single night as she takes the reins and runs the show. She’d have less work if there weren’t so many props to set. This is Mauricio Miranda and Andrew Slater’s fault. LOL. Kidding guys. You did great and a note to you as well. I’m keeping the soccer ball!After all this work from all these individuals, we opened Letter from Algeria and the response has been overwhelming. Every night the audience comes out and tells me they have loved what they have seen. Opening night was quite an accomplishment for us and in good ole fashioned Ground UP style, we had a party to celebrate this event. After all, it was Halloween weekend, so why not celebrate with the monsters and goons.
So this is how Letter From Algeria came to the stage and these were the people that made it happen. Like I said, to watch it grow, evolve and cultivate into this full production has been mesmerizing and I’m so thrilled that we get to share it with you! Thank you to everyone for their hard work, labor of love for the theatre, and dedication to the arts. We have collectively worked hard to produce a phenomenal show. A show that I do hope you can come and see. This edgy and exhilarating play is only running for two more weeks, so hurry up!!!! Don’t miss out. Tickets are available at http://www.groundupproductions.org/.
WORLD PREMIERE!
OCTOBER 29th - NOVEMBER 20th
ABINGDON THEATRE COMPLEX (36th street between 8th and 9th Avenue)
Hope you enjoy the show and here are some great photo’s shot by Randy Morrison.
· Photo 1 (Left to Right): Patrick Murney & Amanda Jane Cooper
· Photo 2: Rufus Collins
· Photo 3 (Left to Right): Amanda Jane Cooper & JD Taylor
Oh, and BOO – here’s one from the opening party!!!
Sincerely,
Phil Ruvelas, Managing Director
P.S. It’s been a year since the Letter From Algeria staged reading which means that it’s time again for our annual New Works Reading festival. Stay tuned and check our website for details!! In February you might be seeing the next great work so don’t miss out. You too can then say you were there from the beginning!
