My Blog

Peter Pan is flying to Fairfield for 2 long magical weekends in November. Sir J.M. Barrie's classic tale of the boy who never grew up will light up the Sondheim Center stage for yet another fantastic Way Off Broadway production. Presently the Armory has been transformed into rehearsal space with dancing and singing ringing the rafters. So far, for me the best thing about Peter Pan, aside from the

We’ve been feeling a little anxious about facing fall without the usual stellar season of events from Hancher Auditorium. So we’re thrilled to report that, yes, there will be a 2008-09 season—although not exactly at Hancher. Venues all around Iowa City will host events while ongoing renovations continue inside the flood-damaged building on the river. (Below: West side of Hancher on June 17,

Since January when I arrived at the Sondheim Center my office has been in what we've lovingly called "the troll hole." It has near legendary status at this point. It's the space between the Box Office and the theater. It's the place beneath the back orchestra seating...kinda like Harry Potter's room, but a bit bigger. There's fluorescent lighting, no windows, pipes and metal and boxes and stuff.

I sat in on part of the Banjo Boy dress rehearsal. Again, so impressed with the quality of talent, costumes, and the music. The music - more and more in musical theater there is less and less live orchestrated music. What a difference it makes to hear Justin Hill, our musical director, lead the sweet, woodwind-rich orchestra in the opening overture. This is a big show, there are many set changes,

It is such a joy to be involved in the process of bringing this new work, Banjo Boy, to the stage at the Sondheim Center. As rehearsal unfolds, the hands of creation have added a new song and even a new insight into what this production is about. I received an email from the composer and playwright of Banjo Boy, Randy Hobler, passing this latest insight on to me: “Banjo Boy is Meredith Willson’s