Puppet Planners & Creators- "Seussical-The Musical"

Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Puppets in the Making

Fish puppet molds drying in the shop
and waiting to be spray painted.

Integrating puppets into a theatrical show is a huge collaborative effort. Like a big deal. Lots of components and people and planning and more. There is so much to cover and do...but let's take a step back and refresh on just how many people come together to create a Chaska Valley Family Theater production in general.

The typical CVFT show is a huge and elaborate undertaking in itself. 60+ cast members and then another 120 people or so behind the scenes including orchestra, stage crew, front of the house staff (concessions, box office, ushers) lights & sound technicians and then there is the Production team too - directors, producers, stage design, set construction, marketing, costumes, stage managers.....pppphew! Many, many people...and all volunteer hours go into making our shows.

"The Music Man" wrapped this March 2013 with a cast and crew
of more than 150 talented "River-cityians".

"All those hours!? All those people!? What do they do with their kids during all that time?". Glad you asked. The foundation of CVFT was built on family theater - meaning families come together to create, develop, produce, direct, act, move sets, paint and enjoy/watch the productions together.

That mission continues today and Seussical-The Musical is no exception. There are more than 14 families involved in the show on-stage and behind the scenes. Here is a look at four of those families -two of which are leading the charge and are responsible for bringing puppets to the Seuss CVFT stage.  The other two families are the masterminds behind making the puppets come to life.

Randy Ross and Co-Director Mary Pat Ross review script
and score to bring their artistic vision to life.

Planning & Creating for Suessical-The Musical  began last year when Co-Directors, Randy Ross and Mary Pat Ross, joined up with another father-daughter team, Producers, Tom Stauber and Anna Stauber. Seussical-The Musical  is a show featuring a colorful cast of characters from different realities coming together. The group decided puppets would be an exciting way to creatively and visually represent the magic and power of imagination. Both the Staubers and the Ross families have been involved on stage and behind the scenes with CVFT for over a decade.

Tom Stauber and Co-Producer Anna Stauber
(along with Abe Stauber who will play Mr. Mayor
and Karen Stauber, Stage Manager).

Puppet Designer, Cody Braudt, was brought in to develop the preliminary vision for the production. His sketches and plans emphasize the difference in size of characters through the design of large scale puppets, jungle animals, fish, shadow puppets and more. Currently, Cody is completing a study of Theater Production at CalArts University in California with a concentration in Puppet Design. He also has a long history with the CVFT theater alongside his family including appearances in more than 20 shows and serving as a Student Representative to the CVFT Board of Directors. Cody's father, Reverend Robert Braudt stars in Seussical as Horton the Elephant.

Next week, Cody will return from school and join forces with Scenic Designer, Randy Herget who has been the creative genius for most of the CVFT shows over the past decade. Among his accomplishments are full stage design of Beauty and the Beast and engineering Audrey II for the production Little Shop of Horrors.

Randy Herget and Jane Herget CVFT Designers and performers.
Pictured: River Valley Dance Academy's The Nutcracker, 2012

Speaking of talented, over the last 15 years Randy has worked alongside beloved District 112 teacher and CVFT Costume Designer, Jane Herget to bring the stage to life with her hand-crafted and hand-selected designs. After skillful working on more than 24 shows together the duo decided to wed last summer. Adorable....and boom -another family is created at CVFT!

Jane has also served as Vice President of the CVFT Board of Directors and has worked as an instructor at Dragonfly Theater Camp for the last 6 years.

These talented individuals/families are joined by many others. Stay tuned for more behind the scenes of "Puppets are Possible!"

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Not family, but still havin' fun. Seuss Actors seen here at
rehearsal last week -singing, dancing, acting, etc.

NEXT UP: Behind-the-scenes look at the mechanical aspects of Seuss puppets with Benilde St. Margaret's STEM engineering team!

Again, here are the nitty-gritty details of the shows again in case you want to book early (recommended and appreciated). 

Friday, June 21 at 7:30pm - Opening Night and After Show Reception

Saturday, June 22 at 2pm and 7pm

Sunday, June 23 at 1:00 and 4:00pm - Special Meet the Puppet-Makers & Treats Day!

Thursday, June 27 at 7:00pm

Friday, June 28 at 10am, 1pm and 7pm

Saturday, June 29 at 2pm and 7pm

Sunday, June 30 at 2pm - Special Meet the Puppet-Makers & Treats Day!

GET TIX HERE

Chanhassen High School Theater - 2200 Lyman Boulevard, Chanhassen, MN

Until next time!

Jibs

Puppets Are Possible

Behind-the-Scenes Look at Puppets in the Making: CVFT's "Seussical -The Musical"

Chanhassen High School Theater 

June 21-30

GET TIX HERE 

The upcoming production of "Seussical - The Musical" is set to be another Chaska Valley Family Theatre (CVFT) magical and musical extravaganza. The show features our favorite Dr. Seuss characters including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Iazy Mayzie, and a little boy with a big imagination-Jojo.   

But there is more...much, much more!

Thanks to an arts learning grant awarded from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, the show will feature more than 100 specially designed and handcrafted puppets! Please join us over the next few weeks as we take a behind-the-scenes look at puppets in the making! 

PUPPETS ARE POSSIBLE: "Seussical -A Musical"

Cody's Tricycle Bird Sketch

STEP 1: The Puppet Designers:
The talented and dynamic CVFT Puppet Designers are none other than Cody Braudt, a junior at California Institute of the Arts and Randy Herget, Graphic Designer of Edward Sales in Chaska, Minnesota.

STEP 2: The ideas & drawings:
Planning started over a year ago with many discussions and several late night brainstorming sessions. A list of more than 100 puppet ideas were finalized and from there the designers began sketching out plans for each puppet.

One example is Cody's idea for Tricycle Bird. It incorporates the bike and actor into the design. This particular creation is planned to be more than 10 feet tall!

STEP 3: Prototypes:
Once the sketch is approved,  several prototypes are made. These prototypes are then used by the Director, Scenic Designer and Choreographer for more planning.

This paper prototype,  1" to 1'  scale model of the Tricycle Bird, will be on displayed at each performance.

This is Randy Herget hard at work in his crazy cool office. Thanks for letting us get a sneak peek, Randy! We will be back soon to see more of your creations.....To watch and learn as the artists bring the puppets to life, please click here and  LIKE US on Facebook. Updates will be sent directly to your wall. Or you can check back on the www.cvft.org website blog. 

Word has it STEP 4: is making clay and plaster molds of more than 30 fish! Also, next week we will hear from our friends and collaborators at Benilde-St. Margaret's High School on the engineering elements of the puppets. 

Here are the nitty-gritty details of the shows again in case you want to book early. 

Friday, June 21 at 7:30pm - Opening Night and After Show Reception

Saturday, June 22 at 2pm and 7pm

Sunday, June 23 at 1:00 and 4:00pm - Special Meet the Puppet-Makers & Treats Day!

Thursday, June 27 at 7:00pm

Friday, June 28 at 10am, 1pm and 7pm

Saturday, June 29 at 2pm and 7pm

Sunday, June 30 at 2pm - Special Meet the Puppet-Makers & Treats Day!

GET TIX HERE

Chanhassen High School Theater - 2200 Lyman Boulevard, Chanhassen, MN

Until next time!
Jibs

Get to Know the Cast of "Music Man"...Martha Keenan and & Ben Gunderson

Cast of Characters for "The Music Man" Continues...

Martha Keenan as "Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn"

Martha Keenan and her husband, Tom Keenan (Harold Hill) started with CVFT in "Joseph" in 2003.  "Tom was doing photography for CVFT and came home and said "We have to get involved in a show there, it looks so fun", said Martha.

The duo has done "Joseph", "White Christmas", "It's a Wonderful Life", and now, "The Music Man". Tom was also in "Cinderella" as the King. The duo are dearly loved by all on and off the stage.  

The two met while performing in a singing and dancing group called Young Americans in 1982. They share the love of performing, making people happy and making people laugh. Martha said, "If  I can take their minds off the troubles in their lives for just a little while i feel great- CVFT has been a place that balances great talent and superior shows with fun and lasting relationships, no envy or competition , just a family feel and the satisfaction of putting on quality uplifting shows." 

Today is the final performance for "The Music Man" on the Chanhassen High School stage. There are tickets but not many -so please call the box office if you plan on attending what is being called, "the best CVFT performance I've ever seen!"...952-250-7206.

'"The Music Man" also features one of our younger members, Ben Gunderson as Winthrop Paroo. Ben is a wonderful addition to the CVFT family. His mom and dad have also played a huge supporting role behind the scenes in making the show a success.

Ben is a Chaska Middle School West 7th Grader who started in "The Music Man " in July 2010 as a chorus member. He has also played Randolph Mcafee in "Bye Bye Birdie" in 2011, and was a horse in CVFT's "Cinderella" as well as a Thief in "Oliver!" 2012.

When asked why theater, Ben said, "LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!! Love to perform live!". Ben also thinks CVFT is "The BEST organization ever!  Best productions! Best Directors! Best EVERYTHING!!!".

Ben has also performed alongside his sister, Leah, who joined him on the "Cinderella" stage. Ben sys, CVFT is also like a family to him filled with wonderful people, talented people and great fun productions. 

Ben alongside Claire Shinners who plays Amaryllis in "The Music Man"

Thanks to all cast and crew for a wonderful production. We are looking forward to the final show today at 2:00 PM. Please join us if you can. www.cvft.org or 952-2500-7206.

Jibs

CVFT Insider and Musical Theater Lover

Director Notes...Meet Joan Nelson

Vocal Director Brings "The Music Man"to Life!

Joan Nelson and her talented husband Dan Nelson

Chaska Valley Family Theatre is thrilled to have Joan and Dan back within the fold of creating yet another smashing theatrical success. "The Music Man", now in the final run of the show has been proclaimed "fantastic" and "the best CVFT show ever" by patrons attending the performances last weekend. 

I guess that should have been expected...Well-known songs such as "Ya Got Trouble" and "76 Trombones" and many more have been expertly crafted to near perfection by Vocal Director Joan Nelson, who has spent her career as a high school choir and musical theatre teacher. Over the last twelve years, Joan has made her mark in the Twin Cities as Vocal Director and actress for CVF and the award-winning Minnetonka Theatre.

By her side, both on stage and off, Joan's husband Dan Nelson, is a talented performer in "The Music Man" cast. A Partner at Best and Flanagan by day, Dan is featured as "Olin Britt" in the School Board Quartet by night. Joan has worked with the group over the last eight weeks and the effort has paid off. "I love working with the quartet and hearing their continuous improvement.  Barbershop quartet music is very, very difficult and these four gentlemen have brought a lot of talent and a huge amount of hard work to this project.", said Joan.

In addition, the husband and wife team have been active volunteers in the Minnetonka School District, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis, as well as serving on as Board of Directors for foundations and organizations. Dan just skied 55 kilometers in the Birkebeiner cross-country ski race Joan also volunteers regularly at the Animal Humane Society.

The talent team hopes to see you at one or more of the final performances of "The Music Man" at the Chanhassen High School Theatre stage this weekend. 
Tickets are still available at www.cvft.org or by calling 952-250-7206. 

Friday, 3/8 and Saturday, 3/9 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 3/9 and SUnday 3/10 at 2:00 p.m.Tickets are $15 for adult and $10 for youth 17 and younger. Discount pricing available for groups of 10+

CLICK HERE for fun footage of the show

Jibs

Get to Know Our Leads: CVFT's "The Music Man"

Cast Conversations continue: Tom Keenan as"Harold Hill"

"The Music Man" Opened March 1, 2013 to rave reviews.  Running this weekend at ChanhassenHigh School, stars: Tom Keenan as Professor Harold Hill and Marina Jurica-Preston as Marian Paroo.

Tom Keenan

Q: What is your day job?
"I am a USPS Carrier in Chaska and have been for 20 years."

Q: First show?
"My first show was 1979. I played a bottle dancer in Fiddler on the Roof."  

Q. Why theater?and why CVFT?
"Entertaining people and hopefully bringing a smile to thier face brings me joy. The stage allows me to extend both vocally and physically into all sorts of characters that are fun to explore. Theater expects you to "Color outside the lines" and I love to use all 54 Crayolas!"
"CVFT is a group of individuals who unite in a common purpose. Great people who enjoy being creative with one another with an emphasis on clean family fun. I think this is my 5th show. Don't ask me to pick a favorite- loved them all."

Q: Tell us a little about the character you play in "The Music Man"
"Harold Hill thinks he has the world under his thumb. The great pupeteer directs all to meet his needs when sudden love brings clarity to his worldview. In an instant others become his priority and humility engulfs him. Hmm, reminds me of real life somehow?"

Q; Any pre-show rituals?
"Lots of water, stretching both the vocal chords and body for 1 hour and finally prayer that in all things God be glorified by my 120% effort."

Q: Any final thoughts we should know about you?
"I met my wife 30 years ago on a stage in Michigan. Now after raising our 4 lovely children its such a pleasure to be able to continue our theatrical journey together here with CVFT."

The real behind the scenes sweethearts of the stage. - Tom Keenan and his talented and hilarious wife, Martha Keenan, playing the Mayor's wife, Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn.

Get your tickets today! www.cvft.org

"The Music Man" Cast Conversations...

It has been such fun working on "The Music Man" this winter. We can't believe it is already opening week.....but we are more than ready. I saw the run last night and seriously got goosebumps. The song and dance numbers are fun, festive and filled with talent. I truly think you will be asking your seat mate, "You sure this is community theater?!"....Extraordinary performances indeed.

Over the weeks I have been chatting with the cast and crew, taking photos and such...thought you would find it interesting to learn a bit more about some of the "ordinary people" onstage and behind the scenes that make these shows come to life. Here is the first of several:

Bill Coldwell: CVFT Board of Director Chairman and  longtime CVFT performer, designer, director. This is his 29th show with CVFT! Set Design, for "The Music Man", and management of the construction is thanks to Bill. In addition, he has worked on the marketing team and has served tirelessly as the Producer's mentor. In his spare time he developed the quirky and always entertaining role of Marcellus. Song & dance numbers are not to be missed!

***********************************************

Day Job:    Donaldson Company, Bloomington

Why Theater?    “Everyone needs a hobby.”

Family Participation:  “My entire family participated in shows like The King and I, Joseph 2000, Annie, The Wizard of Oz & Peter Pan. I often wonder how we did it. My hat is off to all families who bring their younger kids to our productions.”

Why CVFT?  “My daughter made me do it.”

Pre-Show Rituals:   “…drink a lot of water.”

Other Show Responsibilities:   “Scenery design, construction and keeping the Producer in line!”

Community Involvement:   Science Museum Volunteer, MS 150 rider, E-mentor for Best Prep

Favorite Scene in the Show:   “Well, Shipoopi, of course!”

Bill Coldwell as Marcellus and Jennifer Sopoci-Harden as Ethel Toffelmier

in "The Music Man" -Chanhassen High School, March 1-10th, 2013

Tickets on sale now at www.cvft.org. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Jibs

CVFT Member & Theater Lover

Seussical - Cast List!

What a fantastic time we had auditioning together!  I wish we could have cast everyone - so many wonderful talented people came and sang and danced and played with us!

The Cast List has been published for Seussical.  Congrats all!  Click here for details....