Tequila Checkers Productions

Saskatoon ho!

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 21:46:48 GMT

We're here in Saskatoon!

I have very little time now, so I won't do a final review of Winnipeg. That will come in the next few days. In the meantime, here's our schedule in Saskatoon:

VENUE #2 - VICTORIA SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

Friday, August 4th - 9:00 PM
Saturday, August 5th - 10:30 PM
Sunday, August 6th - 4:30 PM
Wednesday, August 9th - 7:30 PM
Friday, August 11th - 6:00 PM
Sunday, August 13th - 3:00 PM

Anyone you know in Saskatoon, let them know!

Ooh - one last review in the meantime, near the bottom of this page:

http://www.uptownmag.com/current/arts/arts.htm

B [that's our grade - woohoo!]
Lovin' Large
Tequila Checkers Productions
Venue 10
Vancouverite Scott Taylor's life is all about sitting in front of the TV, eating microwavable dinners for one and sucking back Kokanee. After a hilarious but thoughtful rant about how the makers of such products are in conspiracy to keep him single and fat, he recaps his life and tries to figure out how to break free of the cycle. His speech about taking chances and living in a rut was cutting and would make anyone in the audience secretly pondering their past life decisions hang their heads in shame. (And really, who doesn’t think like that?) Essentially a series of stories about personal relationships — perhaps a few stories too long — this one-man show hit its dramatic peaks and valleys with enough laughs to keep it from getting tedious. I left happy to know that he got out of his rut and wrote a great Fringe play. — SJ

It suffers from Scott Taylor syndrome again, but it's the best review that we have so far, so I'll take it, most definitely. Too bad it came too late to do any use for the S'toon fringe. >.<

Must run, but hope all is well, and will post again soon!

-Benn

One last self-review, plus a few more reviews of other shows

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 20:26:30 GMT

http://www.umfm.com/theatre/large.shtml

Not too bad, not too bad. Course, it would have helped if he hadn't viewed it as a comedy through and through - the parts where we're trying to touch your emotional core, you probably shouldn't laugh at those points. It's a comedy with heart, in the end.

Ah well, at least he showed up at my 3:00 show that day, instead of the 4:30. At the 4:30, we had someone who fell asleep five minutes in - and let out some snores that shook the rafters. On the bright side, I don't think it was my performance - he was almost asleep by the time he sat down. So I'll take that as the booby prize, I guess.

Last batch of reviews for a bit. There are a lot of shows that I saw that I haven't had a chance to review yet (I saw over 20 shows on top of my own), and I'm sorry guys, but I'll try to get reviews up for them as soon as I can. Just running a little short on time. Here's what I've got so far:

"Burden of Poof" - another great clowning show. Crowd interaction, excellent comedic timing, and very witty. A wonderful performance.

"Dishpig" - TJ Dawe co-wrote it. Enough said. It's classic Dawe - a solid script that may not be to the same level as, say, "The Slip-Knot", but still damned good. Greg Landucci did great characterizations throughout - his Murray impression was funny as hell. It takes so much energy to get through a Dawe script, and Landucci pulled it off without a hitch. Great stuff.

"Can't Get Started" - more people should be out to see this show. Great performances by the two actors. I know that it's hard to be an actor who's portraying the writer of the piece, so good work by Colin to make it his own and make me believe that the two were intertwined. The geometric puppetry show was possibly the funniest thing I saw in ages. Made me want to break out the old King Crimson CD's.

...or not.

"The Bold and Spiky Poetry Show" - held at a BYOV (bring your own venue) just a few blocks off the main section, it was well worth the extra walk. Performance poetry has always been hit or miss with me. This was a very big hit. Both poets were amazingly good - Steve's stuff was generally darker, while Rob's was focused more on humour, but they were both brilliant. Catch them together if you can, but if you're at the other fringes, they'll be splitting off into two seperate shows, so see them both.

Out of time again. Last show is on Sunday afternoon, and I'm hoping for one big last push to finish us off in style. Hope to see you there!

-Benn

Shows #3 and 4

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 18:08:01 GMT

Well, the last two shows had fewer people showing up, but they went all right, I think. Most of the audience members seemed to be pleased by what they saw, which cheers me greatly. If you catch the show, be sure to post on http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/features/fringe2006/lovinlarge.html so that people know that I'm worth seeing! :-)

Today is a bit of a day off - no performances, and rainy skies and thunderstorms. However -

BIG NEWS UPDATE!!!!!!!

Tomorrow, an extra show of Lovin' Large is running! You'll be able to catch us at both 3:00 AND 4:30! Tell all of your friends! Even tell your enemies, and be reunited with them over a heartfelt comedy!

TELL THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!

That's my news. In other news, everyone should go see "Josie With the Toes" by Lisa Olafson. Great clowning act, funny, moving, and very very very well done. See it. Also very well worth the view is "Criteria" by Timothy Mooney - a futuristic sci-fi comedy with lots of great bits. Listening to Timothy Mooney is like listening to the love child of William Shatner and Stuart McLean. A great speaking voice, and a very intriguing script.

More reviews shortly. Until then, have a good one!!

My reviews of other plays

Sat, 22 Jul 2006 18:08:42 GMT

A few brief reviews, for your perusal -

"Get Slayed!" - an improvised DnD campaign. The one review I read on CBC was a bit cranky, but that's obviously because the reviewer had never played DnD. The layout was a bit different from what I was expecting, and more audience participation would have been cool, but if you're a DnD nerd like I am, this is a must-see. Solid performances by all of the cast, but Scoops stole the show the night I was there. Great performances by the ranger, the warrior, and the orc as well. If you like geeking out with your friends in fantasy worlds, this is the show for you.

"Tippi Seagram's Happy Hour" - much more poignant than one would expect from the tagline "Confessions of a Casting Couch Cougar". Acerbic wit, great delivery, and some damned funny moments make for a great hour of theatre. Ironically, the problem here was the exact opposite of "Get Slayed!" - in that show, more audience participation was desired and not used; in Tippi's show, the audience was reclusive when Tippi came out to interact with them. C'mon, Winnipeg, live it up!

"Conclave: The Musical" - This show is huge. Very. Huge. 15 cast members, as many techs, a dozen musical numbers, even more set changes, and costume changes out the wazoo. All in about 80 minutes. So yeah. Big. And very very funny. Cardinal Rottweiler shines in a cast that is almost uniformly strong. "Toe The Line" is possibly the funniest song I've heard in ages. A great show.

"The Package It Came In" - A semi-interactive presentation about United Supermarkets and their plans to expand into Canada shortly. Another reviewer called this show Monty Python-esque. I must agree. It's quite a bit like a Python episode. Many bits you won't entirely remember, or you'll scratch your head in wonderment and confusion, but the scenes that are good (like the horse race) are so good that they'll stay with you.

"Sound and Fury's Canned Hamlet" - The problem with having seen Sound and Fury before is that you build up expectations. Sound and Fury are amazing. Wonderful. Superfantasmagorique. But this isn't their strongest show ever. It starts off great, but kinda fizzles. Now, if you've never seen Sound and Fury before, I highly recommend it if you're at all into the Bard and all things Bard-like. But be warned, if you have seen them before, your most likely reaction coming out will be, "Well, they've done better, haven't they?" Still, remember that their second-rate stuff is just as good as most the rest of our top-notch material, and try not to get lost in preconceptions.

"Folk From the Yolk" - If you like your fringe extra-fringey, see this show. I like my fringe with a bit of fringe on top, I must admit. And this did not disappoint. A new creation myth, born of Paul, presented to us via puppetry, quasi-clowning, and brilliant stage work. You will get lost at points, but they'll draw you back in with their powerful storytelling abilities. If you like experimentation, laughter, and just a bit of thought-provocation, you will be amazed, as I was.

That's it for reviews for today. Off to my next show at six. I'll try to catch a few more shows in the meantime, too, and let you know how they are.

-Benn

Review #2 from the press

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 15:32:58 GMT

http://www.winnipegsun.com/Entertainment/FringeFestival/2006/07/21/1695845.html

Maybe next fringe, I'm going to make it a bit clearer on the posters that I am *not* Scott Taylor. (No offense, Scott - I mean, who wouldn't want to be the almighty StayLor? - but I could use the ego boost of actually BEING CALLED BY MY OWN NAME. >.<)

Next show tomorrow. Today shall be a day of handing out handbills to everything that moves. In the meantime, funny vignette from yesterday's excursions:

As a little marketing thing, I was one of the "celebrity judges" on Improv Idol, one of the many free shows that is in the Old Market Square to promote the fringe and to let local improvisors show off their chops. It was a good little show, I got to do drawings to show what I thought of the acts, and we all had fun.

All of us except for the person with license plate BYL 429. (Or something to that effect.)

Because at one point, someone came up to the microphone after one skit was done, and said the following:

"License plate BYL 429. BYL 429. Your car is on fire."

Appreciative giggles through the audience.

"License plate BYL 429. Your car *really is* on fire. Look back there."

The audience laughs some more, swivelling their heads -

and stops laughing quite so hard when they see the car with smoke and flames coming out of the engine.

The improv troups promptly make a skit about a flaming car. Very well done. It got two smiley faces from me. (That was the limit of my drawing ability.)

Good times, good times.

Reviews - mine and theirs

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 17:44:17 GMT

Well, we made it through the first performance. And it went pretty well, I must say. I lost a bit of energy at the end, but it was a solid performance, and I nailed a few sections that I had never hit before, so that pleased me very much.

The turnout was pretty good - about 25 people or so, bigger than any crowd that I got at the Fraser Valley Fringe - but I'm hoping for bigger turnouts as the play goes on. And the audience itself was phenomenal. They were chuckling throughout, with some great reactions at points (to the lady who was sitting in one of the first few rows, centre stage - thank you so much, you made my day). I think it was the first time that I actually got a few groans for some of the jokes, which actually cheers me. I'll take groans over silence any day.

The audience seemed pleased, and in the end, that's what I'm hoping for. Well, that and the reviewers to give us perfect ratings. But I suppose that I'll live with this:

http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/features/fringe2006/lovinlarge.html

There's a section there where you can add your own review as well. If you see the show and like it, be sure to add your two cents. (If you see the show and don't like it, well, we just won't talk about that. :-p)

Winnipeg has been amazing so far. I look forward to the rest of my shows. I've got today and tomorrow off, so I'll be catching a few shows, handing out handbills, and enjoying life until Saturday.

In the meantime, one last point - EVERYONE should go see "So Kiss Me Already, Herschel Gertz!" by Amy Salloway. I saw it before I went to my show - I always find I can focus better when I've seen a show before mine - and it was a GREAT time. Funny funny funny and heartfelt. See it very yes.

-Benn

First show is tonight!

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 21:55:51 GMT

So here is the schedule for the play in Winnipeg.

Location - Venue 10
The Cinematheque
100 Arthur St, main floor

Times -

Wed, July 19th 9:30PM
Sat, July 22nd 6:00PM
Sun, July 23rd 11:45PM
Mon, July 24th 9:30PM
Wed, July 26th 3:00PM
Thu, July 27th 7:30PM
Fri, July 28th MIDNIGHT
Sun, July 30th 5:45PM

I've got the first and last show in my venue.

Wish me several broken legs, and I'll let you know how show #1 went, as well as my impression of the first days in Winnipeg, as soon as I get home.

Winnipeg ho!

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 18:16:24 GMT

And we are now in Winnipeg. And lord if it ain't hot here. This should not be legal. I swear.

Bit of a change from the last fringe. 21 different venues, hundreds of shows, bajillions of volunteers - it's big. Real big. Eek.

Welcome to the big leagues, kid.

The first show is on Wednesday. We've had our tech run - it went absolutely terribly, which I choose to take as a good sign. I've hobnobbed with the media as well, and they seemed to like us, which fills me with glee. We'll see how things go there.

I'll update again shortly, when I've got a few minutes to myself. But now, I must move the comfy chair into our venue. (Great spot too - much smaller than the one in Abbotsford, which works for me. It's called the Cinematheque. Cozy feel. It's an indie movie theatre, converted to a stage, which works well except that the entrance is about six inches wide.)

Keep fingers crossed that everyone comes to our shows.

Reports - Days 2 and 3

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 04:56:15 GMT

Sorry I didn't update as soon as the last show finished - I've been getting ready to move, which has taken up most of my time. It's been insanely busy, and this post will be shorter than I would hope, but I'll post more once the move is finished and I'm safely to my new place in once piece.

The last two shows went really well. The audiences were a bit small, but what they lacked in size, they more than made up for in volume. Thanks so much to everyone who came out and saw the show - your support is so much appreciated.

Basically, in the end, this Fringe was a training ground for the rest of the tour. First thing I've figured out - simplification is the keyword. My set was made up of a comfy chair and a table.

Too complex. Table go byebye for the rest of the tour.

Second - never, ever rush where you place something, because if you rush, say, for example, where you place a beer bottle on the ground, then you may potentially kick it mid-emotional section, which just doesn't do wonders for the mood that you're trying to set.

Third - marketing, marketing, marketing. Winnipeg is going to be #@%#ing covered with posters and handbills for this show.

Finally, don't count on the Fringe to make you rich - but definitely count on it to be the most fun you've ever had.

This has been a great ride so far, and I can't thank the organizers of the Fraser Valley Fringe enough for their help. Here's hoping the next 24 or so shows go as smoothly as these three did.

Show #1 down - only another 26 or so to go.

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 16:40:51 GMT

Well, we survived, and there were no public lynchings.

This cheers me.

Small audience, which was good, because this run was my tech, dress, and opening night all at once.

I guess it was directly related to the fact that we hadn't really had a tech or dress run - but the nerves hit all at once, when I was at the 2-minute call. I mean, I was worried before it all started, obviously, but it was the there's-so-much-to-do-and-not-enough-time-to-do-it-all nervousness, not the butterflies-in-the-stomach-I-can't-believe-I'm-about-to-get-on-a-stage-in-front-of-dozens-of-people-oh-my-god-what-am-I-doing nerves. Oy, it was intense.

I ran long. The techies are going to kill me. I'd love to shave it down, but I think it's solid with the current cuts, so it'll be hard to cut more. And I'm only over by a few minutes - but then again, I don't want to inconvenience the people who perform behind me. The play should tighten, though, over the next two shows, so that should take care of the difference.

Reviews so far have been favourable. They loves ya, Scott. But it is a hometown crowd, so they're more likely to be generous in their praise. I'm hoping to have some reviews up by the end of the show, just so I can throw something in the publicity pack and on the next poster.

Must run again - need to print out more programs, this time not at the exorbitant rates that Staples charged me. Next update soon.

-Benn

Show #1 TODAY!

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 20:43:57 GMT

My first show today.

I'm trying not to be nervous.

And failing miserably.

Can't make a superlong post, since I need to go print out playbills, and then pick up handbills, and then pick up stage manager and head out to Abbotsford.

I'm so happy for all the support that everyone's given me through this - if it weren't for y'all, I wouldn't be able to do this show.

So. Onwards and upwards. I'll post my impressions of the show as we go along.

-Benn

FRASER VALLEY FRINGE INFO

Sat, 10 Jun 2006 17:52:21 GMT

MY FIRST FRINGE SHOW IS IN 12 DAYS.

Eek!

But I'm not going to panic or anything.

*hyperventilate faint collapse*

...

*wakes up again two hours later*

...where was I? Oh, right. Information. That'll probably help if you want to see the play.

The name of the play, which will probably be helpful - Lovin' Large

The first fringe is in Abbotsford, June 22nd - 24th.

Here are the times:

Thursday, June 22nd @ 8PM
Friday, June 23rd @ 10PM
Saturday, June 24th @ 5PM

The location: Matsqui Centennial Theatre, 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford

The number to call for reservations: 604-859-2407 (local to Abbotsford). Ticket price is $8.

It's a big theatre, so I'm going to need everyone to buy ten tickets. Cool? Cool.

Hope to see you all there!

An Introduction

Thu, 08 Jun 2006 15:36:47 GMT

Hello one and all!

The Tequila Checkers Productions blog is up and running!

I'm Benn. Nice to meet you all. I'm the dude who gets to tour our current play, Lovin' Large, across the country. Works for me. :-D

Guess the best place to start is with the history of the company. Last year, I was watching the Vancouver Fringe, and was talking to one of my friends who was just finishing the tour of the play that she was SM'ing. I used to act back in university, and a few other odd jobs back on the East Coast, but since I had moved out to Vancouver (ironically, for the express purpose of acting), I had done almost nothing in the acting community. I fell into what, at the time, seemed like a very good job within a few months of moving out here, and I had gotten fairly comfortable. Acting fell off the radar.

And then, while my friend and I were talking, a little voice spoke up in the back of my head and said, "You hate your current job, you realize that, right? You love acting, you know that, yes?"

I tried to shush it. My life was solid. So what if I didn't really like my job? That's normal, right - I mean, no one *really* likes their job, do they? Who was I to give up all sense of security to go and tour a fringe play across the country? Join the Fringe for the first time ever as a complete unknown? What kind of self-delusional fool would I be if I did that?

Two days later, I had started the process of applying for the 2006 Fringes.

Guess I was that kind of self-delusional fool.

Of course, there was a bit of a detail - I can't write. I've heard that's an asset for a company. So job #1 was to go out there and recruit someone who actually had skill with the process of setting the language down onto paper. Fortune smiled upon me there - I had found Scott Taylor within the month. Another Office Space corporate drone like me, turns out he was also an incredibly talented wordsmith. I gave him a title and a timeframe, and that's basically all he had to work with. Within a few months, he had a working script done, with more and more polishments as time went on.

Maybe someday he'll give me a final draft.

The company grew over time, and now we're four - Scott the writer, Ivy the SM/general all-round goddess, Jen the design guru, and me. And I'm a very lucky person to be part of such a wonderful group, and to take the fruit of our labours and show it across the country.

SNAFUs took away my chances of showing the play in either Vancouver or Victoria, which is a shame, but I did manage to secure dates at four different Fringes:

Fraser Valley Fringe (Abbotsford, BC), June 22nd - 24th
Winnipeg Fringe, July 19th - 30th
Saskatoon Fringe, August 3rd - 13th
Atlantic Fringe (Halifax), August 31th - September 10th

So, if you're in any of those locations during those times, we'd be glad to see you there.

I'll be posting more information about the specific fringes as we grow closer to the performance dates, as well as general observations about Fringe life. Stay tuned!

-Benn
Tequila Checkers Productions