May 08, 2013 — Actor/mime Bill Bowers brings his one-man show, It Goes Without Saying, back to the Adirondacks next Monday night. The show, which began ten years ago at the Adirondack Theater Festival in Glens Falls, has traveled around the country from Manhattan to Alaska. When it premiered Off-Broadway, the New York Times called it "zestful and endearing."

He'll perform it Monday at 5:30 pm at the "A Taste of the Arts" dinner at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts.

Todd Moe talks with Bowers about the success of his quirky, autobiographical production based on his life and theatrical career. From a childhood in rural Montana, to Broadway, to training with Marcel Marceau, Bowers says, It Goes Without Saying, tells a funny and touching story of the important role that silence plays both on stage and in life.  Go to full article

Prescott, ON, Oct 25, 2012 — Canadian actor Greg Kramer has been getting rave reviews for his performance in the one-man show, The Player's Advice to Shakespeare. It'll be performed Friday and Saturday night in Prescott, Ontario, presented by the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival. It's been nominated for two Capital Critics Circle awards -- Best Actor and Best Director -- for the best in theatre on stages in the Ottawa area.

Kramer plays one of Shakespeare's actors, imprisoned in the Tower of London, who has some advice for the Bard. But he'd better hurry, because he's been handed a death sentence. Todd Moe talks with Greg Kramer who says the show is a passionate, and at times humorous, plea for theatre.  Go to full article

Prescott, ON, Jul 11, 2012 — The St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival is celebrating its tenth summer season in Prescott, Ontario. The Kinsman amphitheater, along the waterfront, is home to the Festival. A decade ago, a small group of actors brought a production of Romeo and Juliet to Prescott, and it proved to be a success. It's now the largest outdoor professional Shakespeare festival in Ontario, attracts some of the best talent and features two plays as well as an educational program for aspiring actors.

Todd Moe heads down to the waterfront for a conversation with artistic director Ian Farthing and some of the actors for their thoughts on this year's productions of Othello and A Midsummer Night's Dream.  Go to full article

Glens Falls, NY, Jun 26, 2012 — The Adirondack Theatre Festival's summer season in Glens Falls starts this week with A.R. Gurney's Black Tie. The show opens with a matinee on Wednesday afternoon. Todd Moe talks with ATF artistic director Mark Fleischer about the 18th season, which includes Gurney's comedy set on the shores of Lake George, an award-winning Broadway musical and a tribute to Woody Guthrie.  Go to full article

Jun 26, 2012 — An independent feature film, Begin the Beguine, will be filmed in Blue Mountain Lake this summer. Todd Moe talks with director Ari Gold about why he chose the Adirondack hamlet as the location for his next film, and his desire to include as many local landmarks and people in the film as possible. For more information about the film and auditions on Wednesday: guideboatproductons@gmail.com  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Jun 12, 2012 — The 12th annual Lake Placid Film Festival opens Wednesday, with new stars, new movies and a panel discussion on the future of small town theaters. This year's festival will feature screenings of films from local, national and International filmmakers, special guests and events such as the North Country Shorts and the return of the 24 hour student film-making competition, "Sleepless in Lake Placid."

Todd Moe spoke with Tim Brearton, the festival's project specialist. He's helped out since the inaugural forum in 2000. He calls it an event that brings people together, supports local artists and allows film students from area colleges to learn about the rigors of the film industry.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Mar 28, 2012 — SUNY Potsdam's Department of Theatre and Dance will present the play Marat/Sade by Peter Weiss this week. The show opens in the College Theater in Satterlee Hall tonight at 7:30 pm. Marat/Sade is set in a French insane asylum in the early 19th century. The characters are the inmates in that asylum who also become the actors in the Marquis de Sade's play.

The play-within-a play takes place during the turmoil of the French Revolution, as seen through the eyes of de Sade. It dramatizes a debate between de Sade, the staunch defender of the old regime, and Jean-Paul Marat, the radical advocate of revolutionary change. Written in 1963, and long associated with the upheavals of that decade, director Don Mandigo told Todd Moe that Marat/Sade is ever more resonant in 2012.

Note: this show is not recommended for young children.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Feb 08, 2012 — The Grasse River Players' winter production of The New York Idea opens in Canton Thursday night as part of the annual Winterfest. Todd Moe talks with Libby Brandt and Carole Berard, two long-time members of Canton's community theater group, about the show.

The drawing room comedy was a Broadway hit back in 1906. It's been updated for modern ears by David Auburn. The play offers a slice of Manhattan's upper crust and tackles social change and those who can and cannot adapt. Carole and Libby talk with Todd about the joys of community theater and this latest production, starting with the play's opening scene.  Go to full article

Kingston, ON, Nov 23, 2011 — Theatre Kingston has welcomed its new Artistic Producer on board this season. Brett Christopher has been an active member of the Canadian theater community for more than a decade. Most recently he was Artistic Associate at the Thousand Islands Playhouse. Christopher is perhaps best known for his performance in I Am My Own Wife in 2009. Founded in 1990, Theatre Kingston is Kingston, Ontario's professional theater company. Todd Moe spoke with Christopher about his goals, which include collaboration and community connections to keep local theater vibrant.  Go to full article

Nov 11, 2011 — There are support groups for service members and spouses, but what about the children of 10th Mountain Division soldiers sent overseas? Last spring, a theater class at Indian River High School teamed up with a local playwright to produce a very personal look at how teens respond to their parents' deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. In response to positive reaction, the play, In My Shoes, will be performed again tonight in Sackets Harbor and Saturday night in Clayton. Todd Moe met the students and creative team last June.  Go to full article