Sunday, March 28, 2010

Epilogue


A year ago, Lucy asked me to have lunch with her. Over sushi, she pitched me her ideas for this new play that she was writing. It was essentially the story of a pariah, an outcast, the lowest of the low. As she continued writing, it became clear that the real question, the more interesting question was: What makes someone a pariah? And so the slow birth of HANGMAN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS began. I was flattered and excited when Lucy asked me to direct this play. I have learned so much along the journey.

It has been an honor and a privilege to work with such brilliantly talented people. I offer my sincerest thanks to everyone who helped to bring this play into being. Thank you to those who have made monetary donations from this side of and across the pond. Thank you to Vagabond and FullStop company members who have donated time and support. Thank you to everyone who came out to our fundraising events over the last few months. Thank you to my shinning designers who have made this show look beautiful. Thank you to my immensely talented cast for filling the stage with life and vitality. Thank you to Meryl for holding it all together. Thanks to YOU, our audience, because without you none of this would ever be possible. But most importantly, thank you to Brian for your infallible dedication and resilience. And without question, to Lucy, the true queen of this classroom. I cannot thank you enough for sharing this story with the world and for inviting me along for the ride.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Chapter Twenty-Four: Final Weekend


We, the Cast and Crew of Hangman School for Girls, are in our final weekend of performances at Manhattan Theatre Source. If you haven't seen it yet RUN (DON'T WALK!) to this fantastical theatrical endeavor brought to you by a truely talented group of artists.
Thanks so much to all of our patrons who have already come out to show their support!

Buy your tickets HERE.

And catch up on your reading with a few more late reviews hot off the presses this week.
See you at the show!!


"Lucy Gillespie... has a way with dialogue; her ear is uncanny and she is able to perfectly capture the innocent cattiness that tumbles from young school girls almost without their thinking."
"The ensemble of girls do an incredible job"
"Nick Afka as The Desk does an admirable job... heartbreaking and creepy"
"Ms. Gillespie writes well beyond her years"

- Karen Tortora-Lee - The Happiest Medium


Lucy Gillespie is "full of lip-biting hope and festering rage"
"a daring, funny, frank exploration into group mentality and the pain of exclusion"
"all actors, under Leta Tremblay's direction, offer stellar performances"
"a must-see"

-Natalie Zutter, NYU News


And finally, from the Village Voice.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Chapter Twenty-Three: HANGMAN a Hit!


Only 9 performances left of


Hangman School for Girls
written by Lucy Gillespie
directed by Leta Tremblay


$15 online, $20 at the door
Click HERE for tickets


And check out our rave reviews!


"I thought this was a new piece by a young company, but it was so polished and professional I second-guessed myself."
"I was genuinely impressed"
"If this is her first work, ... she will doubtlessly be a great playwright"
"Hangman School for Girls is a remarkably good play"
"Gillespie’s treatment of the situation reaches toward theatrical brilliance"
"You should definitely see “Hangman School for Girls” both because it’s a good play, and because it’s a promise or pledge of great things to come"

- Bonny Prince Billy - Culture Capitol

"Pscyhologically engrossing"
"a robust piece"
"sharply driven"

- Jonathon Lim - Off Off Online

Monday, March 15, 2010

Chapter Twenty-Two: Early Reviews


The reviews are starting to come in and we couldn't be more thrilled!!

"Ms. Gillespie's own performance is as quirky and vibrant as her writing."
"Mr. Afka's mesmerizing turn as Desk is the true gem of the production... It has been a long time since I've heard an actor savor every syllable with the relish that Afka does."

-Zach Calhoon, Visible Soul


"it's cute, fun, extremely emotional, and thought-provoking."
Nick Afka "sent chills down my spine"
"director Leta Tremblay does a brilliant job"

"this won’t be the last time we see Lucy Gillespie. She will certainly go places."

- Hilary Topper - blogcritics.org

We still have two more weeks of performances so buy your tickets NOW and see what all the buzz is about!

Also, check out some of our online listings and forward to your friends!!

New York Times

Time Out New York

The Village Voice

nytheatre.com

theateronline.com

offoffonline

NYC Onstage

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Chapter Twenty-One: Opening Night!

It's been a long few months but the time has finally arrived.
You are cordially invited to join us at the Opening Night of HANGMAN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS!!

The Desk has sat in the same classroom in the same school for generations - watching generations of children grow into generations of young ladies. Today, on the first day of school, Hazel Millet makes her way towards him. Will she be just like all the other little girls or will she be different - special - his own beautiful darling?

Thursday, March 11th @8pm

Manhattan Theatre Source
177 MacDougal Street

Post Performance Libations at Affair on Eighth with the cast, crew, and creative team.

Please RSVP to Brian Hashimoto at bhashimoto@fullstopcollective.org to make your reservations.
Also check our listing on PLAYBILL.COM!
And a podcast with the writer and director on Broadway Bullet!
We hope to see you at the show running through March 27th!!

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Chapter Twenty: Lend us your ears!


Friends, Romans, Countrymen! Lend us your ears!

Your ardent support of Hangman School for Girls has been has been incredibly instrumental in making this production happen.

The cast and crew of Hangman School for Girls are but one week from opening at the Manhattan Theatre Source, where we will have a three week run.

Everything that has happened over the past four months – from the first production meeting through a wild week of gift-wrapping at Barnes and Noble: Naughty British Schoolgirl Night through the Staged Reading: And the day Set Designer Jacquelyn D. Marolt found a gorgeous and authentic vintage school desk by the side of the road – all of these experiences have taught us that it is the LITTLE THINGS that count.

We now look to you to help us count the little things in this final heave-ho. If you have been waiting to make your mark, NOW IS THE TIME!

$5 pays for two copies of Sugar Magazine Props.
$8 pays for one pair of black shoes.
$10 pays for one vermillion red sweater.
$15 pays for one plank of lumber.

To make a donation, please visit either of our producing companies' sites:
http://www.thevagabondtheatreensemble.com/
OR
http://www.fullstopcollective.org/

Stay tuned for more interviews, press photos, and reviews on this blog including:

PAPERMAG WORD UP! A Stage Notes interview with Lucy Gillespie by Tom Murrin:

"How is this going to be staged?
It's going to be very physical. The director is working with a lot of choreography and movement. We're figuring out now how the desk will move around. Also, with the girls, there's an element of flocking and pantomime. So we're working on that too. A lot of the scenes with the girls are seen through Hazels's eyes, so there is a delineation of the girls as they really are, and how they are seen by Hazel."
And once more, thank you so much for your support. We are looking forward to performing for you!!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Chapter Nineteen: A Night of Comedy!!

This Saturday, February 27th you are invited to take a journey into the depths of awesomeness.

Jeff Ashworth hosts a stellar lineup of talented humorists who will each take the stage and regale you with tales and yarns that will undoubtedly pleasure your funny g-spot.

Comics include:

Dan St. Germain
Beth Mcgregor
Scott Moran
Rob O'Reilly
and Laura Prangley.

Did I mention this show is only $5? That's less than a dollar per comedian.

Come join the Vagabond Theatre Ensemble in association with FullStop Collective for a night of hilarious comedians to help support our upcoming Production of Hangman School for Girls.

Come laugh, and help us raise money for arts and crafts, and theatre.

There will also be a place to buy drinks. It's a bar. It has reasonable prices that you can take advantage of.

Parkside Lounge
317 East Houston @ Ave C
7:00pm-8:30pm
Saturday Feb. 27.

Come. Laugh. Please.