CBS Boston names Wheelock one of the Best Family Theaters!

Jeffrey, Audrey and Dale Place, backstage at “Annie”

Best Family Theater Around Boston - CBS Boston - Boston's Best

Check out the article by clicking above!

Today, I went by our first student matinee for “Annie” and it was wonderful! So great to see students working onstage and backstage, and hearing students in the audience asking questions and making comments after -

I’ll write more this week.

Holey Moley, you haven’t seen the show yet?!!

Get your tickets here:

617-879-2300 www.wheelockfamilytheatre.org

Yours in blogging,

Beth Peters

The reviews are rolling in - And not just mine!

View Full Album

Terry Byrne of the Boston Globe  says,

"the children sitting next to me [...] were rapt through the entire show. Marcus McKone-Sweet, 3, said he liked the noise the orphans made with their buckets in “Hard Knock Life,’’ while his sister Maya, 6 1/2, said her favorite part came when Mr. Warbucks said he would find Annie’s parents.When kids can... hear both the musical and the emotional rhythms of the show, the production can call itself a success."

‘Annie’ at Wheelock Family Theatre hits right musical and sentimental notes - The Boston Globe – READ THE FULL ARTICLE!

This description of the reaction to “Annie” is just exactly why I love being part of this theatre!

More to come! Feel free to send me your thoughts on the show, to bethpetersboston@gmail.com .

Didn’t see “Annie” yet? Leapin’ Lizards! Get your tickets here:

  617-879-2300 www.wheelockfamilytheatre.org

Yours in blogging,

Beth Peters

“Annie” Opening is Tonight!!

I scoped out the Final Dress Rehearsal and my investigation led me to create this mysterious list so that I do not ruin any surprises!

TOP FIVE THINGS THAT I LOVED OR HATED* ABOUT “ANNIE”

(and by ‘hated,’ I really mean ‘loved’ . . . Read on!)

1. The opening, the opening, the awesome first ten minute opening of the show.

2. The music, the players, the conductor – I felt like I was maybe, just maybe, in 1933.

3. You know what? It really is a HARD KNOCK LIFE. But at least we can dance about it! I forgot how great that song is and the girls really rock it.

4. I’m not going to say much, and I have to conceal his picture so that the pupperazzi don’t hound him – but there is a dog named Sandy in this musical. An adorably soft, cuddle-tastic doggie.

5. Mrs.. Hannigan (played by Cheryl McMahon) is really really mean. Five seconds after she entered, the school teacher in me wanted to yell, “Be nice to those children, lady!!!” This character is really deplorable and I couldn’t wait for Annie to escape!

Grace as Annie and Cheryl McMahon as Mrs. Hannigan

The show has so much energy and every song makes you want to sing along (you probably should not . . .). The cast is clearly having a great time together, including “Sandy” the dog. The dances are fun and you want to just get up and join (but you also, probably, should not . . .) My personal favorite song was “We’d Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover.”

Tonight is the Opening, and I’m bringing my Mom!

See you at the theatre,

Beth Peters

BUY ANNIE TICKETS BY

CLICKING HERE!

Opening is this Friday at 7:30!! Hope to see you there!

“Annie” Tech Week is here!! Opening This FRIDAY!! Homecoming Party too!

Pinto, Yamin and Sheeran pause for a note from the Director, Jane Staab. 

I LOVE tech week - the last week before a play opens is my absolute favorite time of the whole process, other than a first rehearsal – my WFT students will tell you I really love that one too!

Both tech week and first rehearsals bring out the very essence of theatre – for better or worse(!) – and this is why I love it:

The sense of community that theatre artists share with their audience – nothing is better than spending a whole week making sure you do the very best of that with your fellow artists and for your audience (WHO’S COMING FRIDAY?! DID I MENTION THAT!!??)

The 150% focus that must be given to the production – whether you want to or not, if you’re involved in a meaningful way with the show, all you will do that whole week is sleep, eat, and do things for the show. Sometimes the sleeping and eating is accidentally forgotten. This usually improves over time in the theatre world.

It’s time to “make it work,” - as Tim Gunn says from “Project Runway.” I love watching and being part of all the final decisions being made. Entrances being changed, “bits” being cut for time or because it turns out they don’t work, magical new things going right in last dress rehearsal and hearing “Keep it,” from the director, I love all of it!

I can’t wait for dress rehearsal! I’ll let you know how it goes!!

This overly-excited post brought to you by,

Beth Peters

BUY ANNIE TICKETS BY

CLICKING HERE!

Opening is this Friday at 7:30!! Hope to see you there!

“Opening Our Doors Day” A Success!

Thanks to all who attended and supported “Opening Our Doors Day” by the Fenway Cultural District, and the events at Wheelock Family Theatre, on October 11th.

The event rocked with a performance by BalletROX, who will be returning to WFT this winter to present their original dance piece, “Urban Nutcracker.” I can’t wait! Last year, I missed a BalletROX performance at WFT because I didn’t get my ticket soon enough!

A huge congratulations to WFT regular Grace Napier (Director), Sophie Rich (Assistant Teacher and WFT Alum—currently studying at Northwestern!) and all of the Story Trouper students for their adorable, hilarious performance of  “A Meow Mix of Stories"

Things always seem to be cookin’ over at WFT, and I’ll be sure to get you a behind the scenes glimpse at Annie rehearsal this week . . . maybe even a video!!

Have a great Thursday and type at you soon,

Beth Peters

Box Office -- 617-879-2300 -- tickets@wheelock.edu

“Annie” Rehearsal rockin’ out last night!

Hi everyone,

It’s your friendly blogger, Beth Peters , writing to tell you that I dropped by Annie rehearsal last night and it was rocking! While I visited, the orphans and choreographer Laurel Conrad were reviewing and perfecting one of the musical’s top hits, “It’s a Hard Knock Life.” – Dancing all over the stage and jumping from bunk beds are just some of the crazy antics that these orphans get into at the top of one of Broadway’s most celebrated musicals.

The set for Annie is also looking super cool. Though yet unpainted, the structure is surprising and gives the actors a lot of choices for movement and dancing. I can’t wait to see it all in color and costumes and with the full orchestra!!

Charles Baldwin took some pictures last night - check this one out!

Laurel (center) gives some instruction on the "Hard Knock Life" 10/8/2010.

Scenic Design by Anita Fuchs (this photo, in process, prior to opening)

More from the blog to follow, and see you at the theatre!

Beth

WFT Homecoming!

Calling all workstudy students, performers, designers, back stage crew - it's a Homecoming for all WFT Alum! Join us on Opening Night for ANNIE at 7:30 and a champagne toast at 10:00!