Tympanic Theater Company Blog

Dear Friend of Tympanic,

Our third season is now drawing to a close – and what a season it's been! With our short-play festivals, Bastards of Young and And Then It Burst, we were thrilled to be able to stage no less than twelve new pieces for the very first time as well as collaborate with a score of new playwrights, directors, actors, and other theatre practitioners from Chicago and beyond. Our season's feature length, Ozma and Harriet, has also been a great feat in workshopping a new script from conception to its first staged realization. If you haven't seen Ozma and Harriet yet, there is still time! Buy tickets now before the show closes April 18th and see what critics are calling "intriguing" and "terrific date night fare that is a swift, funny and sexy comedy filled with satirical bite."

And don't worry, because things won't quiet down for Tympanic over the summer! The company is currently awaiting its pending designation of non-profit status, and also has some fun events planned for the warmer months as well as upcoming decisions about next season's shows! It is an exciting time for Tympanic and it is in this spirit of growth and excitement that we ask you for your support.

Between now and September 1st 2010, Tympanic will be working hard to meet its fundraising goal of $3,500 to continue to grow and bring Chicago's community the fresh, energetic, and visceral work that we have become known for.

Make a donation today through our website and you will receive the following gifts as a thank you!

Tympanic Show Soundtrack – $10-$19
Music and soundscapes have always been a strong and present force in Tympanic's productions. Make a donation between $10-19 today and you will receive the soundtrack from any one of our past shows – it's your choice!

Tympanic T-Shirt – $20-39
Wear our ear over your heart! Make a donation between $20-39 and we'll send you a stylish t-shirt with Tympanic's logo on the front. Plus, you get to choose a soundtrack from any of our past productions!

Season Subscription – $40+
Best deal in town! If you donate $40+, you will receive one ticket for each of our next season's three shows. You'll also get a sweet Tympanic t-shirt and a rockin' Tympanic soundtrack!

As a young theatre company, we rely heavily on you – our friends and patrons – to bring daring new theatre to the stage. We thank you, as always, for your support.

Donate Now!

Boys & Girls!  Lads & Ladies!  Dudes & Dudettes!  Robots & Robotettes!

There are only 8 measly performances left of OZMA & HARRIET.  Well, the number of performances are measly, not the show … don't believe us?  Well, perhaps you can take these folks word for it?

"Ozma & Harriet is terrific date night fare that is a swift, funny and sexy comedy filled with enough satirical bite to be effective.  This work has experimental theatrical elements  with hints of insanity and loads of humor. Ozma & Harriet is worth a look." RECCOMENDED!

- Tom Williams, Chicago Critic

"Timothy Bambara's staging of the script by Tympanic artistic director Daniel Caffrey is an intriguing if not wholly successful effort…"

Albert Williams, Chicago Reader

"Olansky as an understated Harriet, Martinez’s uptight Frank, and Acevedo’s sweetly confused Ozma…"

Megan Powell, TimeOut Chicago

To get your tickets just click here.  Industry and Student tickets are available for $12.00 by e-mailing admin@tympanictheatre.org. 

Thanks for reading!

Susan

What’s on the page or on the stage should speak for itself.  The audience is already gracious enough to listen to me for a couple of hours each night, and a personal essay on what I was trying to say feels a little overreaching and indulgent.  I’m not trying to be grumpy or snotty or act like I’m above a note from the author, honest, but I truly feel uncomfortable whenever I’ve tried to write them.

However, I did want to take a moment—and just a moment, I promise—to say thank you to the entire production team and cast of Ozma & Harriet.  I’m pretty sure this is the play that taught me how to rewrite, I mean really rewrite, and it couldn’t have been done without the intense and rewarding collaboration with everyone involved.  I am soooooo proud and excited for this cyborg puppy to do back flips in front of a live crowd.  If you’re reading this blog, chances are you know the details.  So come check out the incredible work created by the actors, director, design team, dramaturg, stage manager, and crew.  It’s just as much their story as it is mine.  And seeing is believing, so here are some lovely/awesome/haunting/funny/kickass photos taken by our very own dramaturg and photographer extraordinaire, Heather Moats.  Enjoy!

 Dan

 

What’s your character’s name? Grip

Where did you get your “real person” name? I was supposed to be named after my Greek great grandmother. Her name is Malamo. My mom did not like the idea of me being tormented throughout my childhood years with a name like Malamo so she settled on Alexandra. My classmates in pre-school could not pronounce Alexandra so in turn they started calling me 'Ali'.

What would your robot name be? Meowbot

 What’s something even yo’ Mama don’t know about you?  This could be a little awkward, but…

Which early 90’s television icon would play you in the story of your life?  Will Smith- Fresh Prince of Bel Air . 

 In five words or less, why should we shell out $15.00 to see OZMA & HARRIET?

Not the Mama!

OZMA & HARRIET at The Side Project

March 25th – April 18th

Thurs – Sat @ 8:00p and Sun @ 7:00p

Reserve your seats here or call 773. 442.2882. 

Thanks for reading!

Susan

Dudes and Dudettes, do you hear that?  That's the joy and excitement of OZMA & HARRIET's opening weekend.  We're a mere 48  hours away (give or take a few) and today we celebrate by telling you more than you'd EVER want to know about Sir Christopher Acevedo, Tympanic Company Member and REAL LIFE robot.  He'll tell you it's just a "Halloween Costume" but we know better…

1. What’s your character’s name?

 Ozma Frankenberry Morales Younger….or just Ozma.

2. Where did you get your “real person” name? 

I’m pretty sure my parents named me after Saint Christopher, who as you may well know is the “Christ bearer.”  My whole life, I’ve struggled with the meaning of this.   Perhaps my parents thought that I would someday bear the Christ child.  But I cannot get pregnant?  Perhaps they thought that I would someday carry people across a wide river, but I am quite frail and small and actually am terrified of water.  Perhaps they thought that I would be one to carry the weight of the world on my back….that’s actually pretty spot on.  Or maybe they just really thought the name Christopher was cool.

 3. What would your robot name be?

 I’m kind of partial to Ozma Frankenberry Morales Younger…..my brother used to call me R2Chris2 (see photo above), which I always thought was cool. 

 4. What’s something even yo’ Mama don’t know about you?

That’s tough.  My mama knows a lot about me.  I think the one thing she didn’t know about me growing up, was that I secretly played basketball in high school.  The reason I kept it a secret was because one day, while I was at a party, my body started changing.  I started growing hair in places that I didn’t have hair in.  I realized that my father had gone through this too.  He was practically covered in hair.  I soon found that this new hair growth was actually helping with my basketball skills.  My team went from last to first place, and I also won the heart of the girl of my dreams, all whilst gaining this new popularity, simply because of the hair on my body.  Everyone started calling me “The Wolf,” and while it shot me to stardom at my high school, I soon realized that I couldn’t control this frenzy being caused by my unsightly body hair.  During the final game of the season, I decided not to let this mangle of dark hair grow.  My coach was pissed at me, the school was counting on me, and it all came down to one final foul shot.  It was almost like it took place in slow motion, but I made it and we won the championship!  I quickly realized that the girl of my dreams was actually my best friend, and that I didn’t need all of that body hair to be successful.  My mother, to this day, does not know this about me.  And I will never be able to tell her.  I mean, she can’t stand basketball!

Here is an action shot of Chris during his glory days

 5. Which early 90’s tv icon would play you in the story of your life?

Fred Savage.  The Wonder Years is my life.

 6. In five words or less, why should we shell out $15.00 to see Ozma & Harriet?

 Sex, TGIF, and Whitey-tighties (3 of my favorite things!)

OZMA & HARRIET opens March 25th – April 18th

The Side Project

Thurs – Sat @ 8:00p and Sun @ 7:00p

To reserve your seat e-mail admin@tympanictheatre.org or call 773.442.2882 or go here.

Thanks for reading!

Susan

What’s your character’s name?

TV Ozma

Where did you get your “real person” name?

Just like most people named Jared, age 25-30, my mother was a huge fan of the TV show The Big Valley. Apparently there was a character name Jared on the show and apparently he was very popular with child bearing ladies of the 80′s.

What would your robot name be?

 I dont understand the question…my Robot name is Jared Nell

What’s something even yo’ Mama don’t know about you (or your character’s Mama’s don’t know about them)?

That I moved out a couple years ago. I built a fantastic Ferris Bueller-esque body double on my last day in St. Louis. But I think she may be wising up. I just got an e-mail from her the other day saying she feels like she can't talk to me anymore, that I've become distant. I feel like I can ride it another couple months.

Which early 90’s television icon would play you in the story of your life?

Kirk Cameron.

In five words or less, why should we shell out $15.00 to see OZMA & HARRIET?

 Because it's easily worth $12.  (And after that, whats another couple of dollars?)

OZMA & HARRIET opens Thursday March 25th, 8:00p at The Side Project

E-mail admin@tympanictheatre.org to reserve your seat (HINT: Thursday is FREE PREVIEW). Or go here to buy a ticket in advance.

Thanks for reading!

Susan