The Calm Between The Storms

Patty McHobo's has come and gone, and rehearsals are imminent!

Wednesday evening kicked off with something I personally have never done before - having headshots taken. Official Sister of the Junction, Sarahflo obliged me in snapping some photos so I could have a pretty one for the new Hobo Junction website design. You will soon be able to find the entire creative team's photos and bios on the site, courtesy of Ms. Breahan Pautsch, the lovely webmistress of HJ.

After our mini-photo shoot, it was off to pick up the lovely Vallery Dolls and her fancy keyboard to transport to The Spot. Val did a fantastic job opening the show and was soon joined by the one and only Chad from "CRASH PAD" (see YouTube link in the sidebar). Chad and Vallery were our MCs for the evening's talent show, which was filled with everything from dollars inside of lemons to Storytime with Beau to dances with pillows. Needless to say, a good time was had by all, and many of us stayed for some karaoke. (Val - thanks for pulling me up onstage for dancing!)

With the FUNdraiser done, we now look forward to the meat of the process....rehearsals! Spent a good chunk of time at Office Max this evening copying Draft 6 of the script, which will be our working version, and re-stocking my supply of pencils, highlighters, etc. I am truly a nerd, because a trip to Office Max for me is like a trip to Toys R Us for a three year old. I was able to contain myself for the most part. I couldn't resist the scented highlighters.

Look for more to come, as well as more frequent posts, after Sunday! On the agenda is Stage Combat Sunday with Beau Forbes. He gave me some more insights into his ideas when we chatted on Wednesday at the benefit and I am excited to see these visions become reality. This Sunday will be laying the basic skills/ground rules/techniques so in the following weeks things can get crazy! Once Beau has worked his magic for the week, we will have our first cast reading since February 11 and the first reading of this version of the script. Stay tuned!

Slainte!

It's tomorrow!

Are you ready?

I am!

...and so is Z-Bot!

'Cause We Find Ourselves In The Same Old Mess...

ONE WEEK UNTIL PATTY McHOBO's TALENT McSHOWBO!

Have you submitted your talent to hobojunction@sbcglobal.net yet? No?! What are you waiting for? It will be the place to be on St. Patrick's Day in Chicago!

Come join the Hobo Junction crew and cast of The Regulars!

Lasagna, Drawings, and Eye Drops

Had our first design/production meeting on Thursday night, which I had been looking forward to. However, I woke up Thursday morning with an eye infection and head cold - neither one conducive to driving an hour to a meeting with people. Thanks to the wonder of modern technology, however, I was able to participate (to the best of my ability) via the wonders of Gmail Video Chat (both Josh and I heavily endorse and use this feature). Shared my ideas for the set, as I am being allowed to try my hand at set design for this production as well as the color scheme for the set (again, very 300). Janna has some incredible ideas for the costumes as they progress through the show...but I don't want to give too much away yet. I will give you this tidbit - I have a strong desire to watch Mad Max and The Road Warrior.

C-Rex chatted about marketing, which is going to be above and beyond previous productions and will be le awesome. Luke brought us up to speed on Patty McHobo's Talent McShowbo, the first fundraiser for The Regulars as well as the first OPEN MIC TALENT SHOW Hobo Junction has put on. I'm debating what talent I should put forth before the masses and Chad the Puppet. Any thoughts? But aside from my personal debate, the better question is what are you going to perform? There are only about 30 slots left, so act quickly! Plus, if you are a performer, you get in for free! Free admission in Chicago on St. Patrick's Day? Sounds like a great deal to me!

The first working version of the script as well as the rehearsal demos for all the songs go out to the cast on Monday! This means we are well on our way to bringing this epic saga to the Apollo! It's been fun watching the written word change over the past few months, it will be even more exciting to see how the actors shape and develop their characters and bring out the hilarity. I've already been privy to some of this work. Josh is meeting one on one with each actor to chat about who each character is. I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to join in the conversation with Bryan Campbell on who his character, Simon, is and will be in the show. So delightfully different from Bryan's last Junction appearance as Mr. Hunt in Horrible.

On a non-Junction note, Chicago Fringe Fest will be holding their lottery for the Fest this September on February 28 (that's tomorrow, folks!). I plan on attending, and the Junction's own Luke Harmon has organized the whole event! Plus, it's free as well. You have no excuse now. Be there.

They Look Thirsty!

I finally watched 300 tonight, the film that started this whole crazy mess. I honestly had low expectations going into it, but had fun watching and it was better (and much more fun) than I thought it would be. Not only am I stage managing this go 'round with the Junction, but I'm also designing the set. Watching 300 gave me some more color saturation/palettes I want to play with in the design. Our first Production Team meeting is this coming Thursday and I'm excited to see what everyone else is bringing to the table and how it will all mesh together. I'm especially eager to see Janna Weddle's costume design.

On another note, St. Patrick's Day in Chicago is always an epic event. The Chicago River dyed green, South Side Irish letting their crazy out even more, Flogging Molly will be in town the weekend before...you get the picture.

Why not spend your St. Paddy's Day with Hobo Junction?

HOBO JUNCTION INVITES YOU TO

PATTY O’HOBO’S TALENT McSHOWBO

Hobo Junction’s St. Patrick’s Day Talent Show and Drink-A-Thon!!

Hobo Junction is taking full advantage of St. Patrick's Day by hosting the craziest stop on your pub crawl! Hosted by Crash Pad's very own CHAD PUPPET (www.youtube.com/crashpad3d) and featuring: YOU! That's right...this is an all-inclusive TALENT SHOW!!!

So if you have a talent, or your friend has a talent or your boyfriend can burp the ABC's and you want to embarrass him in front of his buds, email: HoboJunction@sbcglobal.net with your name and talent and WE WILL PUT YOU ON STAGE FOR THREE WHOLE MINUTES!! And here's the best part:

Talent gets in FREE (talent ONLY, there will be a list).

So email us, get on the list, bring your talent and bring your friends (They have to pay though, this IS a fundraiser)! DRINKS... PUPPETS...TALENT...NO HOLDS BARRED ST PATRICK'S DAY MAYHEM!

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO HOBO JUNCTION’S NEW MUSICAL “THE REGULARS” COMING TO THE APOLLO THEATER THIS MAY.

WHERE: The Spot - 4437 N. Broadway Avenue * Chicago, IL 60640

WHEN: March 17th 7pm - 10pm (7pm-8pm ALL YOU CAN DRINK!!!)

TICKETS: $15.00

So dust off those ol' twirling batons, joke shop magic tricks, swallowing swords, and whatever else is hanging out in your closet or crawlspace and have fun with some Regular people!