I saw Drew Sarich my dear dear friend in his West End Opening of Les Mis on Monday. The production seemed more intimate than the Broadway version, the theatre is quite smaller and so is the stage. But I think that intimacy is very good for the show. It was wonderful and Drew was, as always, fabulous on stage.
Yesterday then I saw "Parade" at the Donmar Theatre. What a production. The show itself is wonderful and so is the music. But most exciting was the cast, the characters, the acting, the set, the atmosphere, the staging and the choreography as well as the orchestra. This is definitely one of the best Musical productions I have seen in a long time. The show to see in London. Even though it is completely sold out apart from standing room, the standing room is quite easy to deal with and the view is fantastic. And the show is so good that one does not even realize that one is standing, I totally forgot about it, that's how much I was captured!
DG
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October 17, 2007
London
I know it has been a long time since my latest blog entry. I guess I was just too busy to sit down and write or when I was not too busy I did not feel like it.
In the meantime I have been to Lake Balaton in Hungary to teach a Tap Dance Workshop for the Nomadic College which was wonderful.
Then I went for a week to Budapest. What a wonderful city. The people, the buildings, the Danube, the bath houses, the food, the music ... ah paree people used to say. I say AH BUDAPEST! Go there if you ever get a chance. The day before my Birthday was a National Holiday with beautiful fireworks on the Danube!! What a present!
After Budapest I went back to London where I still am. I took a trip to Germany, coached some students at the Folkwang Hochschule's Musical Theatre department. And I had a blast. It was wonderful, the students so talented and willing to explore and work! What a joy!
Now back in London I am trying to catch up with life and work.
So expect more news, hopefully, soon on here.
XOX DG
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July 21, 2007
Surface to Air
Last night I went to see "Surface to Air"at Symphony Space. It is an absolute must see theatre piece in a very nice production. Such important theatre! The cast, the direction, the play, the words, the characters! I was sad that so few people went to see this. Why is everyone just running to see shows on Broadway? Symphony Space is a wonderful space and the mission and vision is a great one. And with this production they are again true to themselves, but not only that ... outcome is great theatre on Broadway level. Bravo! Bravo Symphony Space and Bravo Isaiah!!!
And thank you!
DGW
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July 16, 2007
Check out this event: TAP DANCE WORKSHOP NYC
I will be giving an intensive TAP DANCE WORKSHOP in New York before I head out to Hungary on August 8th to teach at the Nomadic College a Tap Workshop for a week.
Please spread the word.
Here is the info:
TAP WORKSHOP
Location:
Bridge for Dance
2726 Broadway, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10025
Dates:
July 30, 31 August 1, 2, 3
Time:
4pm-6pm
Price:
The entire 5 day workshop is $125.00, which is a real good deal. that is just $25.00 per 2 hour class!
It is suggested to take the entire 5 day workshop as a package, but drop in's are welcome too.
The website of the studio is:
www.bridgefordance.com
Spread the word, send this out to your data base. I want to have a big crowd so we can have lots of fun.
Oh, by the way ... I am teaching Theatre/Broadway Style in this workshop. And one has to call the studio and RSVP: (212) 749-1165
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May 11, 2007
Helen's Hideaway Cabaret Show
So the date for the Cabaret performances are changed! No June 7th and 14th, instead the shows will be June 11th and 19th at 9:30 pm.
We kept the price low so that everyone can afford to come (have in mind though that there is a $15 minimum at the venue. Good thing is that it does not have to be drinks, it can be your sandwich...)
It's gonna be fun.
DGW
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The Symphony Space Performance
Hi Everyone-
The gig at Symphony Space will be at 8 pm on Saturday, May 19th. This is a free event which means there will be a long line. Our section is at 8 pm right after a break. So I was told that if you get there at 7 30 pm there should be a good chance to get in.
Hope to see you there.
DGW
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April 10, 2007
Dutch Schultz at Wall to Wall Opera
On May 19, 2007, Wall to Wall will focus its collective energy on opera—offering a full and varied program of operatic works from the last 400 years by musicians and singers from throughout New York's artistic community. Symphony Space is presenting Wall to Wall Opera at a particularly exciting time for this art form—a great deal of public and media attention has been focused on the Metropolitan Opera's and New York City Opera's largely successful efforts to connect with new and younger audiences through new technologies and innovative marketing and outreach programs.
WQXR will be doing a live broadcast of Wall to Wall Opera from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm the day of the event. In addition, as in past years, Wall to Wall Opera will be recorded by Murray Street Productions and distributed by WFMT Network, where it will reach a total of 1.6 million listeners over 90 radio stations. Excerpts of Wall to Wall Opera also will be broadcast as part of Symphony Space Live, a new public radio program being produced by Symphony Space that features original performances from its two theatres.
8PM-12AM "VARIETIES OF MODERN OPERA"
Center for Contemporary Opera
Eric Salzman's The Last True Words of Dutch Schultz
Directed by Grethe Holby
Musical Director: Victoria Bond
Dutch Schultz: Dirk Weiler
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April 7, 2007
Queer Bent for the Tudor Gent
Hey Friends-
On April 28th I will play Richard, The Tudor Gent, in Clare Higgin's "Queer Bent for the Tudor Gent" at the American Globe Theatre.
The Show is part of the 13th Annual 15 Minute Play Festival which is co-hosted by
the American Globe and the Turnip Theatre Companies.
Selected from over 300 entries from across the country, thirty three short plays are presented over the course of two weeks.
Queer Bent for the Tudor Gent will be performed on April 28 at 8 pm at the American Globe Theatre.
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April 4, 2007
Back in New York City
And again it has been a few weeks since my last blog!! Life can be crazy and time short!!
I arrived back in NYC and went straight into rehearsals.
Coming weekend I will be aprticipating in a reading of a new musical "Elvis Unbound" by Sandra Hochmann, music by Rob Stoner and Galt MacDermot. Then I will do a play at the 13th Annual Short Play Festival at the American Globe Theatre: "Queer Bent for the Tudor Gent" and after that I will sing Dutch Schultz in Eric Salzman's "The True Last Words of Dutch Schultz"at Symphony Space's Wall to Wall on May 19th.
So there is lots to do and work on, but I am very excited about all these projects!
So , now back to work.
Talk to you all soon.
DW
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March 2, 2007
History Boys
The History Boys is a truly amazing show. Started running a little slow but it kept my attention and I got more and more into it. The young actors were wonderful! What good theatre! It is running in London until mid April and everyone who gets a chance to see it should definitely go! I am not so sure how long it will run on Broadway, but go and see it if you get a chance. It is definitely worth it! GREAT THEATRE!
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February 22, 2007
London Gone
I made it safely to London and went straight into rehearsal. Unfortunately it did not work out with the show, so I am no longer involved with it. It is a sad thing but had to be done for there were too many creative differences.. Good luck to everyone still with the show. Now I will just use my time here to audition, see shows etc. Tonight I am going to see The History Boys. Nice treat!
DW
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February 18, 2007
I almost forgot to tell ...
I totally forgot to mention the other day that I saw "Gutenberg, The Musical"at the Actor's Playhouse and it was truly wonderful. A witty and enjoyable show with wonderful characterizations. no big set and orchestra and costumes and yet the most exciting theatre one can see. It was fun! I laughed! Go and see it. PLEASE!
Also I am still getting ready for London. there is quite a lot to do before which, of course, I am trying to avoid! But, alas, comes Tuesday evening it all will be done and I will be on my way .....
DW
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February 15, 2007
Getting Ready
I have a few days more to go to get ready for London. I am of course excited to go there and do the play, but there is always the tiny little bit of doubt if it is the right thing. Somehow deep inside I know it IS the right thing to do, so here we go. I finally got to purchase an i-pod. Of course an older model, but I seem to be behind with these things sometimes and so I get the older model when everyone moved on already and has the fancy tiny things that hold a lot and weigh nothing. Ah well, it took me forever to get a cell phone too. So I am now going through all my CD's and put them on this 20GB music pockety friend and realize how much nicer it will be NOT to have to carry CD's etc. Especially when teaching it will be so helpful to just plug in the i-pod and play whatever is on .... Then of course again, the doubt that I will be lost in case the i pod crashes and I am there without the CD's, hmmmmmmmmmmm Ya see, I gotta think about these things !!!!
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February 5, 2007
Keep Going
So, here we go. Encouraged by a few people on myspace I keep going and try to post some regular messages here. It is not really a diary and the set up is not that of a diary either, such a blog. But it serves the purpose. I just finisheed directing The Merry Widow for Rutgers Mason School for the Arts and had a great time. Now I am preparing for London. I will be playing Aigeus in a new adaptation of Medeia by Jackie Kane at the Union Theatre in London, directed by G. Beaudin. Performances March 13th -31st, 2007.
I also just received my English Equity card and am very happy about that. It seems so much easier to get one's Equity card in the UK than in the US. Even though I have ben living in the States for 9 years now, the fact that I hold an artist visa and not a green card forbids me to join American Equity.
Ah well, we will see what the future has in mind for me. First I am excited to go to London to do the show there, maybe teach some tap classes and go to some auditions.
Hopefully London will not be as cold as NYC is at the moment. this is indeed one of the coldest weks this year, can't imagine that it could get much colder, even in New York.
So, dear Stockpot with your delicious liver in onions and sage, soon I will be sitting at one of your small tables and enjoy what you have to offer.
Dirk
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January 30, 2007
Reminded
Hmmmm. I guess I did not really last too long as I said last time. I am not so sure yet what a blog really is. Silly me. I thought I can post messages here as kind of a diary for people to read what I have been up to. But I guess a blog is more than that and readers can actually comment on what I say etc etc. I am not so sure if that is what I wanted to do though. Let me think about it and then make a decision .....
Dirk
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