The Chimney-man: Al Gillespie
Edgar Allen Densmore: Patrick Henney
Annabel Lee: Emily Bordonaro
Brother Keyes: John C. Taylor
Gritchpoo (sop. gargoyle): Elizabeth Mondragon
Grokk (ten. gargoyle): Josh Allor
Grindl (bass gargoyle): Brian DePetris

Tickets go on sale July 21. You may purchase tickets online or at the door. Ticket prices are $15. If you wish to purchase tickets at the door, you may only use cash, and purchases begin 15 minutes before showtime. One final thing to note: if you want to purchase tickets online, you must make the purchase at least 24 hours in advance. Because there are multiple shows in each venue, you may not purchase tickets online less than 24 hours in advance. This is to help the box-office staff at the venues do their jobs efficiently.

But, let me say this: I hate casting. I especially hate casting KIDS. They try so hard at the auditions, and they perform their hearts out. Some are more seasoned and talented than others of course, but they all come to the process without the thick layer of emotional protection that comes from years of auditions as an adult. Yesterday, I sent out about 25 emails “rejecting” kids for the production. That was an awful, thankless task. I didn’t like it at all. We even got some replies back from parents and kids thanking us for the opportunity, and letting us know how much fun they had, etc… That made me feel even worse. Blech.

Since we have only about 1 1/2 weeks until the first rehearsal, we need to make our final decision–fast! Once we do that, I’ll post the entire cast list here. I’ll also continue to blog about getting the show up and running. So check back here occasionally for info regarding the show and for info about purchasing tickets.

We’ll be performing the show on the main (upstairs) stage at the Bleeker Street Theater, 45 Bleeker Street in the East Village (@ the corner of Lafayette and Bleeker. The 6, B, D, V, and F subway trains are all, literally, just a few steps from the entrance to the theater.) It’s a great space, seating about 200, and it feels perfect for the work.

Performance dates are:

SAT 8/9 @ 7:45-8:45
SUN 8/10 @ 5:30 – 6:30
WED 8/13 @ 5:15 – 6:15
SUN 8/17 @ 2:30 – 3:30
WED 8/20 @ 8:00 – 9:00

Ticket information will be available soon. I’ll post info as soon as it’s available. We hope you can make it out to one of the performances!

Good news: I’ve completed the additions that Jeff and I decided on, which will add about 7 minutes to the show. Much of the additions are reprises of earlier music, or are re-workings of other material that I’ve previously written. However, I did have to write one new song. But, I got that done last weekend, so we’re ready to go.

Bad news: we’re still looking for a boy and a girl to perform the children’s roles. We thought we had a possible line on the boy soprano role, but it fell through at the last minute. We also have a few more roles to fill–2 of the gargoyles. Still, the major role is filled by the originator–Al Gillespie–who I’m particularly excited about, and I’m happy that he’ll be reprising the role.

No news: we still don’t know the dates of the performances. As soon as the festival organizers complete the venue assignments, then they’ll assign performance dates. I’ll post them here as soon as we know anything.

More updates when they happen.

Jeff and I are also adding some new material to the book. We’re reprising one song (Be Invisible), but with new lyrics and sung by different roles the second time around; adding a little bit of music to one song (Dearest Edgar Allen)–we’re adding a “tag” at the end of each verse; and we’re adding one whole new scene wherein the audience learns exactly how the antagonist gets his comeuppance. These additions should only add about 4-5 minutes of music to the show, resulting in a bare-minimum running time of about 45 minutes. Of course, with applause, adjustments to tempos, and other musical issues, the work will probably come in closer to 50+ minutes. This is still under an hour, though, and I think that’s about right for a work whose intended audience is primarily children.

Jeff and I also had to decide how to handle the instrumental forces for the show. The original conception had 12 players (fl, ob, cl, bn, hn, tpt, perc, pno, 2 vns, vla, and vlc), but even a chamber ensemble of this size had some major problems. The first, of course, was the cost of hiring this many musicians for 5 performances and multiple rehearsals. We just couldn’t afford it. The second problem is that we’re afraid that we’ll scare off any potential presenters. We hope Gargoyle Garden will be picked up by children’s theaters and regional theaters. But, with a large musical ensemble, we’re sure to scare off anyone from mounting a performance. So, Jeff and I decided to go as small as we could: a piano and a percussionist. This is just killing  me. The music I’ve written is, in some places, very dependent on some instrumental effects and orchestration. So, I’ve had to swallow hard and take my lumps on this one.

We’ll find out soon when and where the Fringe Festival is scheduling our performances. I’ll report back here as soon as I learn the details.

Also, the world did not end.

Friday, May 2, 2008, @ 8:00 pm
The Tenri Cultural Institute
43-A West. 13th Street (near 6th Ave.)
Manhattan, NYC
Tickets: $15 online; $20 at the door; $15 for seniors; $7 for students

and

Sunday, May 4, 2008, @ 2:00 pm
Queens Library
41-17 Main Street
Flushing Queens, NYC
Admission to this concert is FREE!

The works on the concert will be:

Jonathan Pieslak Banchetul, for Soprano
David Fetherolf Septuagenaria, for Flute, Piano, and Cello
Erin Rogers Primary Colors, for Flute, Clarinet, & Piano
Manly Romero Remember, Father, for Violin & Piano
B. Allen Schulz Still Life (with Monkey), for Clarinet & Cello
I. The Fruit: Apples and Oranges
II. The Knife and the Bowl
III. (and the Monkey)
Stefan Weisman CalabiYau Songs, for Violin, Piano, & Soprano

The Lost Dog Players are: Laura Barger (Piano), Miranda Cuckson (Violin), Chistine Perea (Flute), Tom Piercy (Clarinet), and Clarice Jensen (Cello).