birthday bash = new york state of mind

Holy crap, I’m getting old. Next year my car insurance should drop… oh yeah, I’m excited. I have to say, this birthday  was pretty incredible[THANK YOU DAD!] A few years ago, my dad took my brother to an Atlanta Braves game down in Atlanta[sorry, "Hotlanta" for some] for his 21st birthday. Pretty cool [minus me hating the Braves], so dad mentioned doing the same thing one birthday. We played with the idea and eventually, he made it happen. Off we’d fly from Newport News into La Guardia, spend the day in the city and head to the game that night at Citi Field. PERFECT! What ended up happening, was even better!

An early flight, we arrived in NY shortly after 8 am. Hopped a bus into Manhattan, and headed to W 45th to check on rush tickets for Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me A Tenor. This was a last minute thought. I told dad we could try and get some cheap seats to the show. He saw me in the show a few years ago and was very interested in seeing it on Broadway, especially since the last Broadway show he saw was in 1978. This was something that was not supposed to happen. Well, we didn’t get the rush tickets[sold out of them about 3 people in front of us] but the girls behind us gave us a discount code, we used that, and paid a little more than than their lowest price but for GREAT seats [about 65% discount]. Then we met up with one of my dearest friends and a fraternity brother, Matt Akers, to have lunch. Delicious little sandwich shop away from Times Square and the burger was great. Blackened beef patty cooked medium, covered with jalapeños , grilled onions, pepper Jack cheese, thick bacon and a bayou mayonnaise = delicious.Say goodbye to Matt and off to the matinee.

The show was a lot of fun. Justin Bartha, Tony Shalhoub and Anthony LaPaglia starred with Jan Maxwell[who was phenomenal and my favorite], Brooke Adams, Mary Catherine Garrison, Jennifer Laura Thompson and Jay Klaitz to round out the cast. The women were so strong and I have to say that was unexpected. The show did let the intensity and anxiety drop in the first act but it picked up in the second and was full of laughs and great ideas. Stanley Tucci directed it as well and I could see some of his choices clearly throughout the show. Overall, a lot of ideas for the production I’ll be directing of this show in December at Heritage High School and a great show for my second Broadway experience[first being Spring Awakening]. I’m stoked to get working on it and ideas are flowing. It will be a blast.

Next, it was time to take in Citi Field.

Gorgeous stadium! Love this place. It’s rare I get to surround myself in an area full of Mets fans so I naturally felt at home. For dinner, we ate at the park. Obviously more expensive but the park had some great options. Dad read my mind because he asked what I wanted, I said it didn’t matter and as he left I thought “Man, pulled pork sandwich would be good” and sure enough, he returned with 2 pulled pork BBQ sandwiches and fries from Blue Smoke and two of Blue Smoke’s lagers. DELICIOUS! Game was great too… losing, tie, take the lead, lose lead, tie it again and finished it off with a walk off sac fly by Carlos Beltran. Could not have written it better. Sticking with the trend at Citi Field… there wasn’t even one home run the whole game. Both teams manufactured their runs the old way in a 5-4 victory.

Boys warming up

Victory

After the game, dad and I took a taxi back to La Guardia to spend the night and fly out early the next morning. Needless to say, my sleeping schedule is all out of whack but I am NOT complaining. Thank you all for the birthday wishes and I can’t thank dad enough for the trip. It was incredible and it was great to get some time just for us. Love you dad.

Hamlet & Endstation… STORY TIME!

Well for those who did not know, I am currently in an Endstation Theatre Company production of Hamlet up at Sweet Briar. [FINAL SHOW SUNDAY at 7 PM! www.lynchburgtickets.com/hamlet for tickets.] It’s the final production for their Blue Ridge Summer Theatre Festival. I figured that I would take a moment from my hectic schedule and give you an insight into my experience. Enjoy.

BA=Bad Ass

Hmm… a word, what could describe it… how about: UNBELIEVABLE. I mean that in more than one way. Unbelievable in that I could not have enjoyed this show more than I did but also, it far exceeded my expectations. I’ve been wanting to work with Geoff Kershner, the artistic director for Endstation Theatre Company,  since I saw his production of Samuel Beckett’s Endgame in 2006 up at Sweet Briar College. After a movie project that we worked on [MINDEN ROAD, thank you Matt Mitchell], I was just anxious to act under his direction and work with him further.  Well, I finally got that chance.

Sweet Right?

Location: The old dairy barn on Sweet Briar’s Campus

Setting: July of 1864, Denmark, VA… a torn and tattered land as the Civil War comes to an end.

Show: William Shakespeare’s masterpiece, Hamlet

Crazy, right!? Well I was stoked but nervous. Geoff incorporated a live band, Virgineola[YOU GUYS ROCK!],  as well as an intense outdoor lighting design [Thank you fellow Mets fan, Dan Gallagher], the text of Hamlet, doing it completely outside and of course… in the lifestyles of the Civil War era[Praise to Mark Day for setting us straight]. Yea… think about that for a moment, I’ll let you catch up.

Somehow, Geoff conceived it all in his mind… and more impressively, he made it work! How could he have done this you ask?! He has an incredible amount of support behind him. His co-founder and designer Krista “Toe Strangler” Franco is a short but sturdy buttress, Maria “The Merciless” Hayden covering all the Company Managerial things[besides giving me crap and giving me my cues. Sidenote for Maria: I stole some of your blog photos, I'll expect to receive more crap from you for doing so], with Terry “Boots with the FUR” Jachimiak taking care of the set as the Technical Director[with help from his assistant, Brian and the trusty interns Ryan, Hillary, Jessica, Claire, Tania, Catherine, and Christiana],  pair that with amazing costumes by the the Queen of Hearts her self in Sally “Young Lady” Southall[again, with more help from her nimble fingered intern Tania]  and the Director of Communications /box office phenom Ashley “Soon to be Kershner” Zach… [whew] THAT’S A LOT OF SUPPORT! They do the dirty work all day,errrry day. Of course there are always people wandering around helping out where ever they can[thanks Susan Myburgh and volunteers!]

yea... he's playing WOW

Collaborating... I think

Then, there’s the cast!

Ryan Abercrombie and Austin Pike hitting up Bernardo and Marcellus… I actually could picture them as brothers… then I found out that they were in high school together and knew each other fairly well… then it didn’t seem so odd anymore. Lord knows Ryan and I would be up Shit’s Creek without a paddle if it weren’t for Austin’s knowledge and teachings in the ways of pipe tobacco. I’d like to self proclaim I’m a natural now. Thank you boys.

Joshua “Karaoke King” Mikel as the gravedigger and George “EAST” Caruth as the player AND Pappy Hamlet’s ghost. These two have been my “bros” if you will.  Always in a good mood, happy to be here and talented as hell. I’ll miss not having these guys around for the rest of the summer. Keep in touch brothers… I hope to work/hang with you guys soon.

Civil War Sexy

Catherine… who bore my baby throughout the length of the play[Guildencrantz is due any week now! We'll let you know!]. I don’t think I’ll ever be nice to you but it’s all in goooood fun[I've thoroughly enjoyed it!] Props though for not complaining about the giant preggers leotard you had to wear in that heat.

An ad for teen pregnancy awareness

Aww... and by aww, I mean ew

Derek “Queen Horatio” Arey, always a pleasure working with you man and I’ll take this moment to let you know how proud I am of you. I joke and kid and call you my student often[even though you were] but I want you to know I have enjoyed watching you grow as a person and as an actor and I’m very glad you got this opportunity. Also no one, NO ONE, could have made Horatio more of  a Queen, ya biatch!

WORK IT!

Show me LOVE!

Mark “Practical” Foreman, don’t get to act with you often but I always enjoy it. Your fool of a Polonius has been great fun to listen to and watch. Look forward to working with you again, oh so soon good sir.

This is his Polonius look?

Shannon “I’m always dancing backstage and totally random” Shultz… your crazy Ophelia is actually closer to your real personality… and I love it. Finally glad we got to see more of you, especially since we didn’t have you very much in rehearsals early on… because of the job and work and all[Way to be responsible].

True fact, this is her normal walk

Michael “The Suit” Stablein Jr., I’ve always enjoyed seeing you in shows and finally I got to work with you. I still think your portrayal of Romeo a few summers ago was one of the best performances I’ve seen in that role. I can’t thank you enough for involving me in the Playwright’s Initiative, I had a blast and enjoyed the whole experience very much. Also gotta make a shout out to your style sir, I’m a fan. Keep it classy.

Stoic

Melora “WE HAD A SCENE TOGETHER” Kordos. I absolutely LOVED watching rehearsals between you and Walt… “Like DAGGERS into my ears…” I loved that scene between you two. I have thoroughly enjoyed your Gertrude and wish we had more scenes together but we’re slowly building up to a full scene… one day. PS, your dress has harassed everyone at least once.

She turns a two seat bench into one

John “The Ancient One” Gunnoe … your Claudius… straight BALLA! If any of the characters in this show were going to be compared to Tony Montana… it’d be you. Straight old school gangsta. Nuff Said. In all serious…like seriously, Bad Ass. Glad I finally got to work with you after hearing so much about you for years.

John has been begging me to put this up. HERE JOHN!

Walt “The Golden One” Kmiec … I actually saw you way back when in Endstation’s Edgar Allen Poe piece, loved your performance then… and your Hamlet… it’s alright. In all seriousness, lets see if I can put this into the right words to describe your performance… ok here it goes, if the average performance was a lit match in the woods… yours was a forest fire. How’s that. I’ve really enjoyed working with you every night in the space and I always look forward to what you find in each moment day in and day out. I hope we get to do some more work together soon. I feel like I could learn a lot in doing so.

As he prepares...

ONE is the loneliest number

So good, he's intimidating

Geoff “Boss” Kershner… standing next to you the first night we toyed with lights and the band was jamming during a break I told you “Wow, I can’t even begin to imagine the audience’s experience during this show.” Everyone has come back with rave reviews which is a surprise because I did think you were crazy at first combining all these different elements… I mean Hamlet, outside, in Civil War Attire[Wool Geoff, you made actors wear wool in 100 degree heat]?!?! All kidding aside, I know you’re damn proud of this one as you should be. I can stand firmly with complete honesty and sincerity and applaud you while simply saying “Bravo, bravo.” I am so thankful that we finally got to work together on something. This experience has been beyond what I expected and I’m aching to dive into more projects and productions with you. I definitely want to get more involved with Endstation in the future and look forward to broadening my horizons and even more excellent experiences.

He bleeds Endstation

Not only did Hamlet keep me occupied, I got to do some readings for the Playwright’s Initiative headed up by Michael Stablein Jr. and Joshua Mikel. I loved doing readings and it’s always fun to see the development from the beginning to the finished product, as it is in all creative forms. Mary Laws wrote a play called Mercy that I have to finish once she writes the second Act[seriously, I need to know where the story goes] and I also read for Dan Caffrey in his play Extinction Fantasies: two apocalyptic romances which was a lot of fun. Not to mention, I got to listen to the other plays Magic Man by Lindsay Ferrentino and Muerte del Maestro by Joshua Mikel. I just wish I could have been around more to get to know everybody better, enjoy some food at Protho and save gas money. Maybe next year, who knows.

Well, that’s been my experience. I had a blast, learned a lot, joked a lot and sweated a lot. Hope to see you all next year. Stay tuned with some other updates like “Where is Aaron going to live?!” “What’s Wolfbane up to?” “Is there a better way to grade cheese?” [ no idea but just go with it, I'm rambling]. Thanks to those who came out and suffered in the heat for a few hours. We had a blast doing the show and we hope you REALLY enjoyed it.

To those Endstation people taking off in a few days, glad I got to know you and Peace Be Da Journey.

Much Love,

-aaron patches “click click” farr

[sounds of medal horseshoes on the heels of boots while on pavement... walking away]

World Cup losing flair?

Some might read that title and say “When did it ever have flair?” while others would say “Absolutely not! It’s bigger, better and greater than it was 4 years ago” and some might still be saying “What’s the World Cup?” [That last statement is reserved mainly for Americans]. Either way you look at it, please don’t take it as a statement that I don’t respect one of the greatest events in the world. I’ve just lost the drive to be involved and invested with the Cup, I think.

Exactly 4 years ago, I woke up every morning at 7 am during the group stages to watch every game, every day. You might ask you’re self, how is this possible? Well, when you live at home during the summer between semesters in college, you’re unemployed and soccer is a sport you just finished playing the year before… it becomes VERY easy to do so. I lived and breathed World Cup and soccer, from Philip Lahm’s opening goal for Germany in game 1 to Zinedine Zidane’s famous headbutt in the Final, I watched them all and sat on the edge of my seat the entire time [Side note: i'm not one for violence but Italy deserved the headbutt. They play dirty, they whine more than any other team in the world, dive more than any team in the world and they are crude and egotistical pricks on the field.] I was engrossed with it all. Now, I have to fight to find that same drive.

I’ve missed a few matches but the opening matches this time around minus the Germany rout, the Swiss upset of Spain, and the US’s luck against England, we’re fairly reserved and uneventful. Each team was very careful. The Cup has been great for South Africa, however none of the African nations stand a chance of making it through.  Not even the Africa power house of the Ivory coast and Didier Drogba have a chance, but the experience and attention is great for the host nation. That’s worth watching it for, right? Then you’ve got some of the greatest players in the world involved: Ronaldo, Torres, Kaka, Drogba, Rooney, Gerrard, Fabregas, Cesar, Donovan, Robben, Van Persie… etc. On the flip side, so many players are injured this year as well: Drogba, Ballack, Bufon, Davies. It’s just been in my mind the whole time that perhaps each team is not at it’s possible best. Especially considering a Brazil team without Ronaldino… mind boggling [or bottling ha].  Perhaps that’s the root of my slight disinterest in the games this year.

Despite being a little less excited than I have in the past, I’ve become even more interested and excited about the USA’s chances. Lalas is right, if we do not make it out of the group, HUGE disappointment. I love the additions of Altidore and Michael Bradley and I for one have never been a Claudio Reyna fan so I was glad to see him gone. Donovan is coming off a great year and is playing some great soccer and we’ve got some young speedy strikers as well to give us a different feel. So awkwardly enough, my over all interest in the entire World Cup has dropped slightly, but my interest in the USA team has sky rocketed? Does this make sense? Perhaps I’ve become more Americanized in my soccer views [guess I need another European adventure soon].  Before this Cup, I guess I figured if the US made it any further it would be amazing… and I always rooted for my favorite country in England [also where my last name originated from, not German as previously believed] but they often failed to impress. Of course they invented the sport and have only had one World Cup… and every 4 years are expected to win it by their own countrymen.

Perhaps all this is just the result of growing up, not having the time, or not enough sleep, or stress or God knows what. Right now, all I care about is a win against Algeria on Wednesday and advancing out of Group C and onto the top 16!

Potential SUMMER of my life!

First off… apologies for not keeping up. I’ve been horrible at writing something here but no longer. This summer is going too incredible for me not to update people! Seriously… if there was any way I could convey my true excitement via the web, I would but technology isn’t quite there yet [close though, and a webcam video just wouldn't do my excitement justice]. So now you[the few reading this] are wondering what is going on in my summer that could provoke me to ascend to such utter enthusiastic forms of being stoked[I love that word]. Well, without further delay[and to build the anticipation] , this is my summer and why I cannot contain myself anymore.

Start things off with Wolfbane Productions:                                                                                                                                                     We’re under way and although The Last Five Years has closed, the season has started for our young company. L5Y went very well despite a few changes in schedule. Audiences seemed to really enjoy it and I have to say I am so proud of the end result, especially since I’d never directed a musical.

Next on the docket is  the musical Grey Gardens, directed by Dustin Williams and we couldn’t be more excited about bringing this cult classic story to the stage. Following that show, we’re planning projects such as The Laramie Project, a benefit cabaret and Bare: A Pop Opera to cap off the season. Needless to say, as the Production Coordinator for Wolfbane Productions, I’m going to be busy. A lot is going on and we’ll keep you up to date on our BLOG all summer long.

As if that’s not enough, after a few years of missed opportunities and timing conflicts, I’m finally going to get the chance to work with Geoff Kershner and Endstation Theatre Company during the Blue Ridge Summer Theatre Festival. They’ve got a lot planned for the festival that opens with The Complete Works of Williams Shakespeare (Abridged) and continues with a show for young audiences; Lewis Carol’s Alice in Wonderland and finishing up with an interesting production of Hamlet[I'm playing Rosencrantz in my first Shakespeare play]. No doubt the whole festival will be phenomenal but, I’m stoked for Hamlet for multiple reasons. Endstation always brings a lot of professional and extremely artistic and creative people with tons of connections so it’s pretty much a no brainer when you have the option to be involved with them. I’ve been dying to work with Geoff since I saw his production of Beckett’s  Endgame. Now I have the chance, and it couldn’t come at a better time. Our version of Hamlet is going to be set in Virginia during 1864, the last year of the Civil War. It will present some very interesting circumstances for the show but… this feeds my next topic de stokedness.

I’m developing a screen play that takes place during the American Civil War during the year… you guessed it, 1864. While researching some Civil War stories… I kept coming back to Andersonville[if you're familiar with the ACW, you'll know that that means]. It’s a story of despair, moral fiber, power, extreme circumstances, disease, filth, betrayal, murder, crime and malice. I’m going to take history, tweek it a bit and re-introduce the Civil War to America in a gritty, edgy, honest character driven way that our youth and general movie going public would enjoy and associate with.Currently researching the ACW[a topic I've loved and researched a lot... cause I'm a nerd] and the lifestyles/culture/speech of Americans during this time. See?! Perfect pairing with Endstation’s production of Hamlet.

Add a movie shoot in June for a small film, developing a play with Jared Mink and prepping for a directing gig with Heritage High School once more this year… you could say I’m going to have a creative explosion[which is welcome]!  “But wait! There’s MORE!” – from the movie Scream in honor of the 4th installment announced.

About 4 years ago, I spent every waking moment[literally waking up at 7 am] watching the greatest event on our planet, the FIFA World Cup. I couldn’t be more excited for this particular event… June 12th is when the US[ranked 14th] starts their campaign for the World Cup against England[ranked 8th]. One day I’ll experience a World Cup in person but this year, I’ll just have to watch the games in South Africa from my TV on ESPN. This, plus the regular excitement of baseball season, the College World Series, a vacation to the Outer Banks, my birthday[August 1st people], a possible trip to New York City/Flushing to see the Mets play at Citi Field for the first time, trip down to VA Beach, and hopefully starting a new job somewhere[STILL LOOKING BY THE WAY FOLKS]… this could be the most EPIC SUMMER EVER!

I don’t need to say it but I will because it’s my life motto I feel… I’M [wait for it] STOKED!

- The APF

womp womp womp

So today… I found an article online that deeply saddened me. How sad you might ask? Remember when Dan Quayle was Vice President…. yea, that sad. Oh the news. Well read it and weep [as I did]. Here is the link. I’ll keep this short because the thought of it just really dampers my mood.

The Sad News.

New band

So you’re next new band is Mumford & Sons! These guys are great… My favorite find last year was Fleet Foxes [a little late with that discovery] and these guys kind of remind me of them. Their website will give you more details about Mumford & Sons but I’ll give you the skinny[aka... the run down]. They are  4 Londoners who are categorized as an Indie/Folk group that is constantly compared to Crosby, Stills and Nash mixed with Kings of Leon however, I found they reminded me of the Fleet Foxes [as I said earlier] mixed with the old school country backwoods feel of Old Crow Medicine Show and the music compositions of Nickel Creek. Those three bands…. are in my top 5 so you can imagine how much I’m enjoying Mumford & Sons! Go check out their debut album, Sigh No More… you’ll thank me later.

Wolfbane Productions BLOG!

For all the neat insights into Wolfbane Productions, hit up our BLOG! It just went up today and will be updated on a pretty frequent basis. Also we plan to put up all kinds of things like video interviews, rehearsal pictures, company news, fun insights from the actors, directors, producers and maybe even STRANGERS[maybe not]!  Last Five Years will be up first! Stay tuned… it’s going to be fun!

creative juices flow

Things are revving up! Auditions began last night for Wolfbane Productions’ next show, The Last Five Years and I couldn’t be happier to be making my musical directorial debut! The talent I’ve seen so far is going to make it difficult to cast but amazing to work with. I can’t wait to dive in with my production team, cast and crew to tell this incredible, honest and intimate show. It’s going to be a lot of work but I know it will all be worth it in the end.

The ideas keep flowing too. I’m getting pumped… just talking with the Artistic Director, Dustin Williams, about designs and ideas for the set keeps putting me back in the mind set of a young child getting a new toy and desperately wanting to play with immediately! Every idea… ha that’s how I feel!  I just pray they keep coming because that feeling is awesome and of course it will only better the show. I’m so psyched!

GET PUMPED LYNCHBURG… we’re going to give you a hell of a show!

USC… Trojans empire begins to crumble

As many of you may know, I’m a USC Trojans football fan… I’ve been a fan since high school when the Trojans were opening their season at Auburn and all the focus was on Auburn’s Linebackers… how USC stood no chance… USC won 24-17 and from that moment on, I rooted for them. Little did I know the success they’d have and I quickly became labeled an “band-wagoner.” Whatever, I didn’t care! I fell in love with Pete Carroll’s coaching style, his excitement and dominating performance. So you can imagine how sad I was when ESPN alerts sent me a text with the news of his move to the NFL. Devastated… especially following USC’s worst season in 8 years. New questions and concerns arouse… obviously! Primarily the issue of who is taking over. Today, at 5pm the press conference begins to introduce Lane Kiffin, formerly the Head Coach at the University of Tennesse, as USC’s new Head Coach.

New Head Coach

Now Kiffin is very familiar with USC’s department, I mean he was a coach under the program before… and people point out his stint in the NFL with the Raiders… and blah blah blah, I’m still VERY skeptical! Despite my distaste with the situation, UT has to be even more pissed off… as they should be. 1 year and he’s out… and I thought the Athletic Director was very classy in his response: AD’s response

Anyway… we’ll see how this all pans out but Kiffin has a lot to live up to.

Oh, Post Secret

By now you’ve probably heard about Post Secret but if you haven’t, I’ll explain. Post Secret is this really interesting and simple site with a basic idea that really is a lot of fun to view. The host page is http:/postsecret.blogspot.com and essentially it’s a site that Frank Warren runs where he literally scans post cards he receives in the mail addressed to  his house with secrets written, typed or pasted on them. It sounds trivial and stupid but in a way it’s beautiful. It’s a way to let your secrets breathe… stay anonymous while doing so and in the hands of someone who cares enough to honor and respect those secrets above all. You can also buy books just filled with these secrets ranging from topics of acceptance, hate, love, religion, sex, diet, whatever you can possibly have a secret about. His most recent book  PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death and God is already a #1 New York Times Best Seller. I just love the simplistic idea and how this really can help a lot of people. Now he’s on tour, take a look.