|
|
|
|
 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello and Happy Holidays. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to this special edition of NH Outlook. |
| Preshow #1 Return to index of stories... |
In this program, It's a wonderful life. Performers experience an adaptation of the film first hand. |
| Preshow #2 Return to index of stories... |
Author Tomie dePaolo reads an Early American Christmas. |
| Preshow #3 Return to index of stories... |
And later, remembering a Christmas at Canterbury Shaker Village. |
| Intro Wonderful Life Return to index of stories... |
We begin with a look at a holiday classic. For many, the holiday would not be complete without watching the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart. A group of performers have taken taken that experience to a new level. They've participated in the production of a reader's theater version of the play. Chip Neal takes us to the rehearsal at Portsmouth's West End Studio, home of the Pontine Theatre. |
| It's a Wonderful Life Return to index of stories... |
Clip from movie "It's a Wonderful Life" Track - For many the holiday season is not complete without watching It's a Wonderful Life. Dissolve to rehearsal of same scene. Track - And this Pontine Theatre workshop taps into that spirit with an 8 week program that takes a group of untrained people from the seacoast community and prepares them for a readers theatre presentaion of this popular movie. 10:43 CN: What is Reader's Theater? Greg Gathers: Well, it means that people are on book, they're not expected to memorize lines, so they carry around their script with them. Not that they're reading verbatim, through the whole play, they get to know their lines, but it allows them to concentrate on their interperetation, and it allows us to have a very condensed rehearsal process without burdening people with having to memorize. Rehearsal clip 16:00 Cast;member: Well, I think one part that's kind of nice with this kind of theater is that we haven't had a lot of time to rehearse, so the fact that we still get to read the lines, I don't have to be so focused on memorizing and all that 18:06 cast member - Without having to memorize lines it really gives you an opportunity to concentrate on what your body is doing, especially in this format with Pontine which really accents that. It's been really nice to have someone there kinda talking you through sort of how to use your body more efficiently on stage. Margurite - 5:35 I've always wanted to do a production of It's a Wonderful Life, and my partner Greg who I do all my productions with didn't want to work on it, it finds it a little sweet for his taste, so I continued like reading all of the versions I could find, stage adaptations for it and uh, religiously watching the film over and over, and eventually in all of my looking around I found a recording of a 1940's radio play. And it was wonderful it had Jimmy Stewart in the role of George but it had the man who did the voice of Elmer Fudd in the voice of Clarence, so it was a little tongue in cheek, and it also assumed that you had seen the film, that you knew the film so that it was really highlights of. And I just decided that I really wanted to work with it, once I found this radio adaptation I could imagine doing it with an untrained troop of actors, and just throwing my hat in the ring and see what happened, and so this is our 3rd time of doing it and our challenge is whoever walks in the door and signs up on the first night and signs up for all the workshops gets included in the production. Rehearsal clip 11:10 Greg - And it is about like watching a radio play being enacted in some ways, because you're also, people aren't in costume, there aren't elaborate sets, so its kind of like watching a rehearsal in a way, although a polished one. And the other thing that I think is really interesting for audiences is that we have 13 people, and only a few parts, we spread the parts around, George is played by a half a dozen people throughout the course of the play, Clarence as well. Actors keep coming in and out of parts. Men read women's parts, women read men's parts, and I think the audience really enjoys following the story through all those different changes of people. Cast member - 16:48 Like I said I have a copy of the movie version and its one of those things that I never get through it without bringing the tissues over cause you know, its just that kind of story. But yeah, to be involved in it and to actually perform it it actually does help to bring the holidays more to heart and to be able to share it with other people. Rehearsal clip 18:40 cast member - It definitely helps intensify the holiday spirit. Its, as you sort of rush around with the minutia that the holiday provides, shopping and everything, its nice to have one day a week where you come in, gather with a group of people that you really get to know, and concentrate on a story that has such a great plot, and that everyone is familiar with. 14:00 Greg - I should say that over the years we've offered educational programs in a lot of different forms. We've done a lot of different classes, um, acting classes that are pure movement, we've done puppet making and mask making workshops, we've done body language workshops. We're always looking for ways of teaching people about theater in a format that is fun for people, and that entices new people to come in. Rehearsal clip ending Track In Portsmouth for NHO I'm Chip Neal Dissolve into clip film ending Tag Upcoming activities at the West End Studio Theatre can be found on their web site at Pontine.org |
| Tag Wonderful life Return to index of stories... |
If you want to see the new West End Studio Theatre, you're invited to a holiday celebration and open house on December 28th at 2:30. Their next community workshop is in mid May. Fairy Tales Al Fresco will include mask making and puppetry. |
| Intro Tomie dePaola Return to index of stories... |
New Hampshire is home to some of the world's most beloved authors. One of those authors is Tomie dePaola. dePaola is this year's recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the New Hampshire Writer's Project. Producer Barrett Lester sat down with the author and illustrator who looked back at his forty-year career. |
| Intro Christmas Return to index of stories... |
One of dePaola's most endearing stories is called An Early American Christmas. The author and illustrator shared his story with us some ten years ago. |
| Intro Bertha Return to index of stories... |
Finally, looking back into the NHPTV archives, we found a story of Christmas memories at Canterbury Shaker Village. In 1989 Fritz Weatherbee learned what life was like for one of the Shakers during the last century. Her name: Eldress Bertha. |
| Tag Bertha Return to index of stories... |
Eldress Bertha was 91 years old when that interview was conducted. She passed away in 1990. There are only 4 shakers left in the United States. They all live in New Gloucester, Maine. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
We'll see you next time. Thanks for watching. Merry Christmas. |
| Founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Stratford Foundation |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. A special edition featuring holiday music from around the Granite State. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| key: History Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/24/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 26:46 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, it's a wonderful life. Performers experience an adaptation of the film first hand. Author Tomie dePaolo reads an Early American Christmas. And later, remembering a Christmas at Canterbury Shaker Village. We begin with a look at a holiday classic. For many, the holiday would not be complete without watching the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart. A group of performers have taken taken that experience to a new level. They've participated in the production of a reader's theater version of the play. Chip Neal takes us to the rehearsal at Portsmouth's West End Studio, home of the Pontine Theatre. New Hampshire is home to some of the world's most beloved authors. One of those authors is Tomie dePaola. dePaola is this year's recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the New Hampshire Writer's Project. Producer Barrett Lester sat down with the author and illustrator who looked back at his forty-year career. One of dePaola's most endearing stories is called An Early American Christmas. The author and illustrator shared his story with us some ten years ago. Finally, looking back into the NHPTV archives, we found a story of Christmas memories at Canterbury Shaker Village. In 1989 Fritz Weatherbee learned what life was like for one of the Shakers during the last century. Her name: Eldress Bertha. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Chip Neal, Barrett Lester, Fritz Weatherbee NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Greg Gathers\Co-Director, Marguerite Mathews\Co-Director, Robert Nichols\Wells, Maine, Peter Michaud\Exeter, Deidre Randall\Eliot, Maine, Tomie dePaola\Author/Illustrator, Eldress Bertha\Shaker |
| key: Culture / Arts Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/24/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 26:46 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, it's a wonderful life. Performers experience an adaptation of the film first hand. Author Tomie dePaolo reads an Early American Christmas. And later, remembering a Christmas at Canterbury Shaker Village. We begin with a look at a holiday classic. For many, the holiday would not be complete without watching the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart. A group of performers have taken taken that experience to a new level. They've participated in the production of a reader's theater version of the play. Chip Neal takes us to the rehearsal at Portsmouth's West End Studio, home of the Pontine Theatre. New Hampshire is home to some of the world's most beloved authors. One of those authors is Tomie dePaola. dePaola is this year's recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the New Hampshire Writer's Project. Producer Barrett Lester sat down with the author and illustrator who looked back at his forty-year career. One of dePaola's most endearing stories is called An Early American Christmas. The author and illustrator shared his story with us some ten years ago. Finally, looking back into the NHPTV archives, we found a story of Christmas memories at Canterbury Shaker Village. In 1989 Fritz Weatherbee learned what life was like for one of the Shakers during the last century. Her name: Eldress Bertha. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Chip Neal, Barrett Lester, Fritz Weatherbee NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Greg Gathers\Co-Director, Marguerite Mathews\Co-Director, Robert Nichols\Wells, Maine, Peter Michaud\Exeter, Deidre Randall\Eliot, Maine, Tomie dePaola\Author/Illustrator, Eldress Bertha\Shaker |
| Tag Simmons Return to index of stories... |
For more information about Phil Simmons log on to www.learning to fall-dot-com. Before he died, Simmons also set up a community arts group. The Yeoman's Art Fund is located in Center Sandwich. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - A special edition featuring holiday music from around the Granite State. |
| WEB PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. . Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| Web Pointer Return to index of stories... |
For more information on our program and links to our guests and interviews, connect with us on-line at nhptv.org. Join our online discussion and tell us what's on your mind. You can also find streaming video of all our broadcasts. |
| website Return to index of stories... |
For information on our program, and links to our guests and interviews, visit our web site at nhptv.org. You can see and hear streaming video of our broadcasts. We want to know what's on your mind. Join our discussion forum and tell us what you're thinking. If you have a story idea or comment on our program, click the feedback button. Or, call us at 800-639-2721. |
| Phil Simmons Return to index of stories... |
1home 29:14:00 well learning to fall is my term of learning for learning to live richly in the face of the losses that we all suffer as human beings- 29:31 Track: Dr.Philip simmons was thirty five years old- a writer and successful college professor when he was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrigs- a fatal neuromuscular condition that paralizes the body but leaves the mind intact- we all have to learn to fall in one way or the other whetgher its through illness or a failed marriage or a crashed carreer- we all have our falls. 29:47 Track: Simmons, drawing from his life in Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, has outlived doctors expectations- now- seven years after his diagnosis he's written a book called, "Learning to Fall; the blessings of an imperfect life". 1home 29:49:00 Phill In the book I tell the story of some of my literal falls.as i was losing my ability to walk.I would find myself with my face in the dirt. and there I am next thing I knew, on the ground.but what I was doing wad learninbg to fall.we fall on our faces when we are revealed as being imperfect people Track: already an award winning writer, philosopher, and Unitarian preacher with a beautiful family- Simmon's greatest contribution might be his decision to share his fatal disease. Simmons relates his experience to Plato's cave allegory explaining that he has been pushed out of the cave- seen the light- and now has the extraordinary opportunity to go back into the dark cave and share his life and illness as a beginning- not an end- and his inspiration is contagious to almost everyone he meets. 1/home 13:34 Phil Ive learned to let go of a lot of the things i thought were important IÕvelearned to focus on the things that are most important which means my family and finding meaningfull work to do with the powers still at my disposal doing everything I can to help people while i can. OUT 14:01:00 Track: With a missionary zeal for his work Simmons shares his disease and his insights with the community- recently he was able to spend and afternoon with a group of students from Kingswood regional High School in Wolfeboro. 2/school 18:02 stuart Stone; student, Kingswood regional high schoolI think in any situation where you see a person who is obviosly having to deal with some daunting cercomstances as he has- the it has put a different perspective on his life and allow you to say- hes gone through this how am i applying it to mine. 18:22 OUT 1/home 14:58:00 PHIL I love to work with people that age-with young people who are so open to questioning the most fundamental issues in their lives and iÕm just ther to facilitate that process that is allready going on for them- 1/school 14:49 Phil I'm gonna have you write a fair amout today so get ready 2/school 22:29Tifany carberry; student, Kingswood Regional High Schoolwhats ultimately meaningful in your life was the third questionand then you really start to think -wow- whats really , really meaningful in my life- and I definelty had to say taking all that we have in this life and being thankful for it whether its good or bad- and taking those things and handleing them with grace. 22:50 OUT 1/home 15:39 Phil there so fresh and come at thingfs spontaniously with such genuineness- its very enlivening OUT 15:50:00 Track: Phil's wife Katherine is a sculptor and teaches art part time at Plymouth State college and at her studio next to their home As an artist traveling to exhibit her artwork has often become difficult since her husbands diagnosis 2/home 17:06:00KATHERINEI havnÕt changed things a whole lot- I still like to spend time in my studio- in that solitude tha we are speaking ofi think that is essential to processing a lot of my own feelings about whats going on. OUT17:23:00 2/home 16:24:00KATHERINEone of the gifts of ALS is that it makes you realize that every day needs to be very full- so you start to live with a keener sense of what it is you want in your life- and some thinsg fall away and other thinsgf becoem more important. OUT16:46:00 1/home 25:15:00Philwe live in a wonderfull commty here, we have a great bunch of friends who- a year and a half ago organized a group called friends of phil and katherine or FOPAK for short and thevÕve banded togfther to help us out in all kinds of ways- uh bringing meals, driving the kids where they neeed to go, helpong out with various aspects of my care, making sure i get outside everyday- and theyÕve been a real blessing in our lives very special. OUT26:02:00 2/home 19:20:00KATHERINE Simmons; Phil's wifeWithout FOPAK my family my chil;dren my artwork- I couldnÕt do it I'm luckyt to have married an artist for many reasons- I think we both understand the place of creativity in our llives and both of us need hefty doses of solitude so we are compatible that wayu as well. OUT16:00:00 1/home 26:53PhilIn the book i talk about going to my kids piano recital and how I usually dread these events and sitting there to my surprise being deliughted by the music- and tehn being saddened by the thought that i can no longer play music myself- and then thinking wll okay at least someoone else is playing and carrying on where I cant I, and thats the conventional solace we give ourselves in those situations- but as i describe in the book- the next step is where something extraordinary happens- when i enter into what i call big mind- where suddenly it was as though we were playing the piano and there was no longer this distinction of the children up there at the keyboard and us down here in the audience- we were making music- big mind is that state where the sense of our separateness from others falls away and is revealed as an illusion and we fall into the experience of our connectedness- its an extraordinary moment and not something i live in al the time but is a nice thing to have glimpsed. OUT28:56:00 |
| Intro Phil Simmons Return to index of stories... |
New Hampshire lost another influential person this weekend. Philip Simmons, an author and educator died of Lou Gehrig's disease. Ben French first brought us his story last year. Simmons told us, in dealing with his disease, he learned the art of living. |
| Intro Fredericka Return to index of stories... |
Early this summer, The Granite State Opera brought Mezzo-soprano, Frederica von Stade to Concord's Capital Center for the Performing Arts. We had a chance to listen to her rehearsal with the Granite State Opera Orchestra. And we got to sit down and speak with her afterwards. Miss von Stade says she's began singing in elementary school. And today, more than 30 years after her debut at the Metropolitan Opera, she's known as one of America's finest artists and singers. |