Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: anyone seen this show?

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alice
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Topic: anyone seen this show?
Posted: 7/27/06 at 7:57pm

Hi All,

Do any of you know anything about the play "WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT" written by Jack Sharkey. I am thinking about doing this at my high school. Again our theater is shut down for the fall and I will be doing this in an alternate space. Is it any good? Blah blah blah. Thanks!

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slicksister
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Posted: 7/28/06 at 12:09am

While I've never seen the play I do own the script and it is on my list of "Plays I'd like to direct someday" Gotta love Jack Sharkey, eh?

The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

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alice
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Posted: 7/29/06 at 10:06am

Hi Slicksister, Can you see a high school performing this script? I think I might set it in the 1940's for some costume fun. I know nothing about Jack Sharkey. I have never directed or been in one of his shows. I am not looking to do "a high school show". How does the audience react to Jack Sharkey shows? Do you think a high school audience would get a kick out of it? Alice

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castMe
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Posted: 7/29/06 at 10:12am

Alice, take a moment and order the play and read it for yourself.
Search for Jack at doollee.com

Investigate. Imagine. Choose.

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alice
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Posted: 7/29/06 at 7:38pm

Yes, I already thought of that. I just did another read thru today. Just wanted some more input if possible. Alice

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castMe
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Posted: 7/29/06 at 11:53pm

Did your latest read-thru help bring you closer to a decision?

Investigate. Imagine. Choose.

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slicksister
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Posted: 7/30/06 at 3:21pm

Hi Alice,Sorry I didn't respond sooner. I was out of town and didn't check this message board. I know! I know! How disloyal of me. Anyhoo... The thing about most of Jack Sharkeys stuff is that it has to have impeccable timing. In this show in particular there are exact things that need to happen at exact times. If you think your kids are up to the challenge then I say go for it. My only problem with high school theatre is that I hate seeing kids perform adult roles but that's just me. If everyone felt like me alot of kids would miss out on some great theatre experiences!

The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

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alice
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Posted: 7/31/06 at 7:10pm

Yes, I agree with you totally. I don't like casting kids in adult roles any more than older people playing too young. I read the script again and liked it better. I will do this show unless something better lands in my lap...I guess I will be doing this show.

Thanks for your input.
Alice

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Unclepeter
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Joined: 7/26/05
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Posted: 7/31/06 at 9:46pm

I agree with Slicksister, like all JackSharkey.

Interesting to note, prior to Jack Sharkey quitting his "day job" and becoming a full time playwright, he penned several great plays under the name "Monk Ferris". One of my personal favorites, "Let's Murder Marsha". He also wrote under the name Rick Abbott, "Play On" being one of his best.

Most of his stuff, either as Sharkey, Abbot, or Ferris is really good.

"Good judgement comes from experience - and a lot of that comes from bad judgement." (Will Rogers)

Uncle Peter

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Author	Message
alice Player Joined: 5/15/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 28	Topic: anyone seen this show? Posted: 7/27/06 at 7:57pm
	Hi All, Do any of you know anything about the play "WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT" written by Jack Sharkey. I am thinking about doing this at my high school. Again our theater is shut down for the fall and I will be doing this in an alternate space. Is it any good? Blah blah blah. Thanks!

	IP Logged

slicksister Celebrity Joined: 3/20/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 105	Posted: 7/28/06 at 12:09am
	While I've never seen the play I do own the script and it is on my list of "Plays I'd like to direct someday" Gotta love Jack Sharkey, eh?
	The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
	IP Logged

alice Player Joined: 5/15/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 28	Posted: 7/29/06 at 10:06am
	Hi Slicksister, Can you see a high school performing this script? I think I might set it in the 1940's for some costume fun. I know nothing about Jack Sharkey. I have never directed or been in one of his shows. I am not looking to do "a high school show". How does the audience react to Jack Sharkey shows? Do you think a high school audience would get a kick out of it? Alice
	IP Logged

castMe Celebrity Joined: 11/02/05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 206	Posted: 7/29/06 at 10:12am
	Alice, take a moment and order the play and read it for yourself. Search for Jack at doollee.com
	Investigate. Imagine. Choose.
	IP Logged

alice Player Joined: 5/15/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 28	Posted: 7/29/06 at 7:38pm
	Yes, I already thought of that. I just did another read thru today. Just wanted some more input if possible. Alice
	IP Logged

castMe Celebrity Joined: 11/02/05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 206	Posted: 7/29/06 at 11:53pm
	Did your latest read-thru help bring you closer to a decision?
	Investigate. Imagine. Choose.
	IP Logged

slicksister Celebrity Joined: 3/20/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 105	Posted: 7/30/06 at 3:21pm
	Hi Alice,Sorry I didn't respond sooner. I was out of town and didn't check this message board. I know! I know! How disloyal of me. Anyhoo... The thing about most of Jack Sharkeys stuff is that it has to have impeccable timing. In this show in particular there are exact things that need to happen at exact times. If you think your kids are up to the challenge then I say go for it. My only problem with high school theatre is that I hate seeing kids perform adult roles but that's just me. If everyone felt like me alot of kids would miss out on some great theatre experiences!
	The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
	IP Logged

alice Player Joined: 5/15/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 28	Posted: 7/31/06 at 7:10pm
	Yes, I agree with you totally. I don't like casting kids in adult roles any more than older people playing too young. I read the script again and liked it better. I will do this show unless something better lands in my lap...I guess I will be doing this show. Thanks for your input. Alice
	IP Logged

Unclepeter Lead Joined: 7/26/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 37	Posted: 7/31/06 at 9:46pm
	I agree with Slicksister, like all JackSharkey. Interesting to note, prior to Jack Sharkey quitting his "day job" and becoming a full time playwright, he penned several great plays under the name "Monk Ferris". One of my personal favorites, "Let's Murder Marsha". He also wrote under the name Rick Abbott, "Play On" being one of his best. Most of his stuff, either as Sharkey, Abbot, or Ferris is really good.
	"Good judgement comes from experience - and a lot of that comes from bad judgement." (Will Rogers) Uncle Peter
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Topic: anyone seen this show?( Topic Closed)