Today was a field trip day! Headed to the campus of the Peterborough Players to do an onsite interview with some of the cast for their upcoming production of “Native Gardens”. From their site: “Native Gardens is a high-spirited Horti-Culture Clash by Karen Zacarías. Melissa Crespo will be directing the comedy. Pablo, a high-powered lawyer, and doctoral candidate Tania, his very pregnant wife, are realizing the American dream when they purchase a house next door to community stalwarts Virginia and Frank. But a disagreement over a long-standing fence line soon spirals into an all-out war of taste, class, and horticulture. The hilarious results guarantee that no one comes out smelling like a rose.” The cast members interviewed were: Robert Ariza, Bianca Rivera-Irions, Anne-Marie Cusson and Kurt Zischke. 

Todays guest is Jordan Reeves from The Barnstormers in Tamworth. “The Barnstormers Theatre is premiering a brand-new play this month — “Front Row to Murder,” a cozy, comedic murder mystery inspired by Agatha Christie and written by longtime Barnstormer Jordan Reeves. It opens July 24 and runs through August 2. Directed by Blair Hundertmark and featuring a cast of professional actors, the play is both a love letter to theatre and a fun nod to the Tamworth community, which was directly involved in the development process. In fact, Jordan hosted feedback sessions at the local library to help shape the final script.” Tickets can be bought here.

Today’s WKXL NH Unscripted show is about the upcoming Ovation TC production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and our guests were Meg Gore (AD), Katy Gore (choreographer), Debrah Hernandez (Esmeralda) and Jillian Mastroberte (Gargoyle).”Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Menken and Schwartz. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame who longs to be “Out There,” observes all of fifteenth-century Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools.” Tickets can be purchased: ovation.ludus.com/index.php

Todays WKXL NH Unscripted guest was Emma Cahoon. Emma stops by to chat up tKapow’s first show of their 18th season. From their own marketing: “theatre KAPOW and Ballet Misha bring to life the greatest love story and most epic tragedy of all time. Seven actors and sixteen dancers lay their scene in fair Verona in this fresh and physical reimagining of Shakespeare’s transcendent play. Featuring musical selections from Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet ballet and performed on the beautiful green space in front of the iconic Alumni Hall at Saint Anselm College.” it opened July 18th and continues this weekend July 24,25,26.

We at WKXL's NH Unscripted focus a lot on entertainment on this radio/podcast but what good is it if you can’t experience the entertainment? Amy Evans, board member of NHhears.org, graciously comes by to talk about hearing loss in this day and age. And she came armed with stats, technology currently being used and the evolution of that technology going forward. Red River Theatre is one example of some of the cutting edge tech being employed in theaters. They have something called “The Loop” that aids in assisting those with difficulty hearing. Fascinating stuff actually and we in the entertainment industry should perk up because we want to entertain everyone not just the healthy! Also check out Northeast Deaf & Hard of Hearing!

Well it’s summertime and we (okay I) at WKXL's NH Unscripted decided to try a little more laid back approach to the show. Introducing “Quad Intro Music”! I felt that it was time to start introducing some of the songs and artists that I reference to the listeners in a longer version. For some it’s a new music find and to others it’s a time to reminisce. So each block starts with a song from wayyyy back followed by me chatting about the summer theater scene in NH. Companies mentioned are The Barnstormers, The Peterborough Players, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse, Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative and The Village Players. Oh and songs from Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show.

In this episode of WKXL's NH Unscripted: I had no idea that the traumatizing movie I saw when I was younger, A Clockwork Orange, was now also a stage play! And here to correct my ignorance was Angèlica Forcier Rosenthal, assisted by Mackenzie Goodwin, on a return trip to talk all about her upcoming October production of the play as well as giving us some audition info. She’s, eerily,  more versed in the history of movie and play than I had expected and that made for some hilarious banter.

Today's WKXL NH Unscripted guest, Ethan Paulini, Artistic Director for the Weathervane Theatre, graciously came all the way from Whitefield NH and drops by to chat up the Weathervane’s 60th season. It’s packed to say the least! With a themed season focusing on icons it features productions such as Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill”, “Becoming Dr. Ruth”, “Grease”, “Dirty Blonde”, “The Producers” as well as a play called “The Shark is Broken” in which 3 actors take on the roles of Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfus who “…are crammed into a too-small boat, entirely at the mercy of foul weather and a faulty mechanical co-star. Alcohol flows, egos collide, and tempers flare on a chaotic voyage that just might lead to cinematic magic…if it doesn’t sink them all.” And all of that is just SOME of their seasons offerings. (Tickets can be purchased here: ci.ovationtix.com/35289)

On today’s episode: Angèlica Forcier Rosenthal & Mackenzie Goodwin from the Actors Cooperative Theater served us up all the deets on their upcoming production of “American Idiot” opening this Friday at the Derry Opera House. Controversial, striking, dark and thought provoking the musical is derived from the Green Day (certified 6x Platinum) album of the same name. It features all 13 songs from the album plus 5 from their album “21st Century Breakdown”. Don’t miss “American Idiot” At the Derry Opera House June 27-29! Tickets: kidscooptheatre.ludus.com/200480428

There’s some new life being injected into downtown Concord and it has the community buzzing. A new building that’s being called Arts Alley is being constructed between the COOP and the BNH stage and it’s frickin’ wild! And in their word: “The Rooftop 20 – Our sky-high bar featuring the Ciel Airstream (because why not), cocktails, and sunsets: The Main Venue – Our largest indoor event space for weddings, galas, and private parties; The Rose & Rye – A retro style diner by day, intimate private events by night, and lastly, The Courtyard – Outdoor hangout for lawn games, live music, & weekend markets.” Oh and a Friendly Toast tossed in for the fun of it. Crazy!!