Since the invention of the radio, technology has driven a wedge between the performer and the audience. The introduction of Tivo and XBox and similar gadgets have enabled us to control who we watch, when we watch, and how we watch. But with television and video games and movies we tend to miss out on the raw emotion and fallibility of humans that you get in live theatre. Before technology completely obliterates the human interaction, get back to basics and pay a visit to the medium that started it all. And who better to reintroduce you to theatre than Orlando’s oldest professional theatre company?
Orlando Theatre Project, formed in 1985, is comprised of professional actors from film, television, other theatres, and schools around Central Florida. OTP provides local talent a chance to break free from their usual roles, some members work in the various theme parks, and take a thrill ride of different proportions.
One thrill for the company is the expansion of its 2002-2003 season to five shows including the return of A Couple of Blaguards, which ran the month of August, and a concert musical production of City of Angels featuring members of Toxic Audio. Bringing back A Couple of Blaguards afforded the company a chance to perform at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Orlando, their first mainstage production in Orlando since their move to Sanford in 1996.
The three regular season performances will take place at Seminole Community College's Lake Mary campus, where OTP has been in residence for almost seven years. Suzanna Letchford, managing producer of the company says of their current location, "Theatre space is a large factor in deciding to expand our season. We plan to continue producing our mainstage theatre with SCC, where we enjoy an amazing relationship with them, but we are also interested in expanding our reach. We would love to find a space in Orlando where we could produce additional shows for our season." Presently, Ms. Letchford is focused on the remainder of the 2002-2003 season. "I think it is going to be our best season yet! ... We were lucky to get the rights to do Proof. This amazing show keeps me up at night because I'm so excited about it."
Coming up next in the OTP season is An Empty Plate in the Café du Grand Boeuf starring company members Doug Truelsen and Darby Ballard and guest artist Philip Nolen with Ray Hatch directing. An Empty Plate in the Café du Grand Boeuf is the story of a man who loses his idol, his love, and his appetite. The staff of his Parisian cafe must foil their sole customer’s plan to starve himself to death by tempting him with scrumptious details of the gourmet meal waiting for him in the kitchen.
Doug Truelsen, Orlando Theatre Project member since 1999, plays Monsieur Victor, former newspaperman and cafe owner. Monsieur Truelsen hopes Empty Plate audiences leave the show famished. "If we do our job properly, the audience should almost taste all the delectable dishes prepared by the chef and lusciously described by the wait staff. The audience should be in for a rompish and fun evening." Of his character, he says, "I suppose Victor and I both become passionate about things we care about, sometimes to our own detriment... I don't think, however, I could sit at a table and refuse to eat the wondrous dishes his staff describes to him -- that will take a hell of an acting job."
Truelsen goes on to compare the season‘s three comedies. "Empty Plate is a darker comedy than either Blaguards or Chesapeake, although it has elements of slapstick in it as well. Blaguards was lighthearted, Irish storytelling, Chesapeake is more of a social and political comedy, and Empty Plate derives its comedy from one man's depression and the ridiculous lengths to which his staff will go to bring him out of that depression."
Aside from the mainstage productions, Orlando Theatre Project has KidsProject, educational theatre shows performed for local schools. All current KidsProject shows were written by company member Chris Jorie and will be performed at SCC's Oviedo campus. Orlando Theatre Project also teams up with Seminole Community College for the Governor's Summer Institute, a two-week program for high school students who seek theatre training and experience.
Though the distance may be off-putting, viewing OTP’s special blend of talent, skill, and passion is well worth the mileage. So, program your Tivo, save your game, return those DVDs to Blockbuster and treat yourself to a grand evening at the theatre.
Reservations and ticket information can be obtained by calling 407-328-2040. To get the latest news or learn more about Orlando Theatre Project, visit them on the web at www.otp.cc.
Mainstage Productions
November 7 to November 24, 2002
An Empty Plate in the Café du Grand Boeuf
by Michael Hollinger
directed by Ray Hatch
January 2 to January 19, 2003
Proof
by David Auburn
directed by Chris Jorie
May 8 to May 25, 2003
Chesapeake
by Lee Blessing
directed by Michael Edwards
Mainstage Performances are held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 pm.
KidsProject Productions
The Real Me
October 12, 2002 at 2:00 pm
Spirit in My Soul
October 19, 2002 at 2:00 pm and February 15, 2003 at 2:00 pm
I Touch the Future
February 22, 2003 at 2:00 pm
OTP Musicals in Concert
Summer 2003
(Ticket prices and location TBA)
City of Angels
by Cy Coleman, David Zippel, and Larry Gelbart
