June 2012 Rat Rag - South Suburban College

Grease was the word
in the Kindig Performing Arts Center April
24th-29th.
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June 2012 - Page 1
The
Pink
Ladies
Scanning the PAC for all the news that’s NOT fit to print!
Featured were
Samantha Pacyga as
Sandy and Wesley
Perkins, Jr. as Danny.
Photos will soon be
online in the 3 Stages
Photo Gallery.
Building a better Mousetrap: Fall Show Announced
Both the director and the Fall Show have been selected. Albert
Clark will take the reins. He has chosen Agatha Christie’s famous murder mystery, The Mousetrap for the September slot.
The Mousetrap is the longest running play in the world and for
a very good reason. Authored by the greatest crime writer of all
time, it’s one of the finest plays ever written; its ingenious plot
engages the audience from start to satisfying finish.
2012 marks the 60th anniversary of its opening in London’s
West End. Over 24,000 performances have been given. “The PR just writes itself,”
says PAC Rat president Angela Martin.
ABOUT THE SHOW: A group of strangers are stranded in a boarding house during
a snow storm, one of whom is a murderer. The suspects include the newly married
Mollie and Giles Ralston who run the house, and the suspicions that are in their
minds nearly wreck their perfect marriage.
South Suburban
College president,
George Dammer,
has decided to retire.
Again. Really. This time
for sure. At the end of
June, George will be leaving SSC for
other pursuits (perhaps appearing on
stage??). All of us in the PAC will miss
George and hope he comes to visit us
often. Even Laura, the “Food Nazi.”
Many thanks to “Georgie” not just for
being a great friend to the theatre, but
for being a great friend.
So long, pal!
Others are Miss Casewell, a spinster with a curious background; Christopher Wren,
an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef; a retired Army officer, Major
Metcalf; Mr Paravicini, a strange little man who claims his car has overturned in a
drift; and Mrs. Boyle who makes life miserable for everyone. Into their midst comes
Detective Sergeant Trotter, traveling on skis. He no sooner arrives, than a murder
is committed. Two down, and one to go. To get to the rationale of the murderer’s
pattern, the policeman probes the background of everyone present, and rattles a
lot of skeletons.
Each character is scrutinised and suspected. Mollie and Giles get into a fight, and
Chris Wren and Giles argue over who should protect Mollie. Suspicion falls first on
Wren, who fits the description of the supposed murderer. It quickly transpires that
the killer could be any one of the guests, or even the hosts themselves. The characters re-enact the second murder, trying to prevent a third.
Auditions: Will be held Wednesday, July 11 and Thursday, July 12, 2012 from
7pm to 10pm in the Kindig Performing Arts Center, 15800 State St., South Holland,
IL. Albert will choose 3 women and 5 men, aged 18 and up, to fill the roles needed
for the show.
No prior experience or prepared material is necessary.
Everyone is encouraged and welcome to audition.
See the audition notice on page 6 for more info and descriptions of the characters.
In Alabama, it is illegal to…
•Play dominoes on Sunday.
•Wear a fake moustache that causes
laughter in church.
To de-grease and clean barbecue grills,
make a paste by mixing equal parts baking
soda and water, apply with a wire brush,
wipe clean, and dry with a cloth.
• How come you
never hear father-
in-law jokes?
•If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
9 Summer Street Fests Not to Miss
Get Out Your
Picky-Nick
Baskets
submitted by Joey Tassin
For more info, or to let her know what you
can bring, email Angela.
Patriots Park is located at 187th Street
and Center Avenue in Homewood, IL, right
across the street from Barb and Pat
Nevins’ house.
Common Errors in
English Usage
ALUMNUS/ALUMNI: We used
to have “alumnus” (male singular), “alumni”
(male plural), “alumna” (female singular)
and “alumnae” (female plural); but the
latter two are now popular only among
older female graduates, with the first two
terms becoming unisex. However, it is
still important to distinguish between one
alumnus and a stadium full of alumni.
Never say, “I am an alumni” if you don’t
want to cast discredit on your school. Many
avoid the whole problem by resorting to the
informal abbreviation “alum.”
INK PEN/PEN: If there were any
danger of confusing pens for writing with
other kinds of pens (light-, sea-, pig-) the
phrase “ink pen” might be useful, but it
seems to be mainly a way of saying “not a
pencil.” Plain old “pen” will do fine.
Source: Common Errors in English
Usage, by Paul Brians, Emeritus Professor
of English, Washington State University.
GOT GEEK?
Got Geek is ALL
Scott Begin’s fault
Toys from www.thinkgeek.com
Dress-up your belt
with LEDs!
Do you have something
intelligent to say? Feel the
need to put it on your belt buckle?
Even if you don’t this product is still quite
nifty. 147 colored LEDs surrounded by a
chrome frame that can be attached to a
belt or set on a desk or shelf. Your own
personal billboard ready to announce your
brilliant thoughts to the world. A perfect gift
if shopping for Ian Echols.
The weather isn’t the only thing heating up. From food fairs to outdoor concerts, Chicago’s
summer street festivals are about to rock the city.
1. Randolph Street Market Festival............................5/26–27, 6/23–24, 7/28–29, 8/25–26
Called “the Barney’s of Vintage,” Randolph Street Market sprawls indoors and out.
Shoppers make a day of it, trawling the antiques, indie designs and vinyl swap; then they
settle in with a glass of vino to hear the live bands.
June 2012 - Page 2
On Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 1:00pm,
join us at Patriots Park for a PAC Rats
Picnic! Bring your own goodies or something to share. Ready to eat food is recommended as the grill in the park is rather
dicey. It’s a public park, so NO liquor is
allowed on the premises.
2. Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest................................................................ 5/26–27
Sway to tunes from the region’s favorite tribute bands — including those paying
homage to Dave Matthews Band, Journey and Weezer — at this swinging
Lakeview street fest, complete with food and libations to fuel the festivities.
3. Lincoln Square Mayfest.........................................................................6/1–3
Don the lederhosen, tune the accordion and tap the keg. Lincoln Square
welcomes spring with a traditional bash as beer steins clink, brats sizzle, and,
when the oom-pah’ing crescendos, everyone flaps for the Chicken Dance.
4. Ribfest Chicago......................................................................................................6/8–10
Join food and music lovers as they chow down on the best barbecue around, watch the
Midwest’s only professional rib-eating competition and enjoy the sounds of 20 fantastic
bands. It’s a finger-lickin’ good time.
5. Andersonville Midsommarfest..............................................................................6/9–10
Here, folks gather to wear flowers in their hair, dance around the maypole and eat
lingonberries for the solstice. The fest, like the neighborhood, has morphed into a diverse,
family-friendly, GLBT favorite, with non-stop bands and street performers.
6. Old Town Art Fair/Wells Street Art Festival....................................6/9–10
Well-heeled urbanites mull paintings, photography and ceramics in the Old
Town Triangle before traipsing along a garden walk. A few blocks away, at
Wells Street’s shindig, the crowd is younger and the art more raucous.
7. Printer’s Row Lit Fest.............................................................................................6/9–10
Bookworms, rejoice! Head to the near south side for what is widely considered the largest
free outdoor literary festival in the Midwest. Browse the booths for books and book-related
merchandise (such as vintage comic books, movie posters, handwritten postcards from
the 1900s, journals and more) from book sellers, publishers, literacy groups and cultural
organizations.
8. Old St. Pat’s Block Party......................................................................................6/29–30
It may be a church, but St. Pat’s knows how to party. Here, the young and beautiful sip
libations and pump fists in the air to pop bands. Fun fact: More than 100 couples have met
in the crowd and eventually married.
9. Northalsted Market Days............................................................ 8/11–12
Revelers gay and straight alike prowl the incense-wafting vendors along
Boystown’s Halsted Street. Drag queens in feather boas, Twister games
played in the street and disco divas on the main stage (here’s lookin’ at
you, Donna Summer!) are a sure bet.
Dreams Are What You Make of Them
Some of you may remember our friend Kim Irwin Dildine, who
appeared in Shakes, Rattle and Roll and Story Theatre. In 2007,
Kim moved to Los Angeles, CA to pursue his dream of becoming a
professional / working actor. He’s still in La-La Land, now with 14 film
or television credits, including a guest spot on Criminal Minds. Check
out Kim’s listing at IMDb and his YouTube Channel, which features
interviews with other up and comers as well as clips from his work.
It’s tough work being a working actor. Keep that dream going, Kim!
•A lobsters blood is colorless but when
exposed to oxygen it turns blue.
•The flag for Libya is unlike any other
being a solid green color.
•Goldfish can see both infrared and
ultraviolet light.
•There is no such thing as naturally blue
food.
•Black on yellow are the two colors with
the strongest impact.
1st.............Flip a Coin Day
2nd...........National Rocky Road Day
3rd............Repeat Day (I said “Repeat Day”)
13th..........Sewing Machine Day
16th..........Fresh Veggies Day
17th..........Eat Your Vegetables Day
18th..........International Panic Day
19th..........World Sauntering Day
29th..........Waffle Iron Day
June 2012 - Page 3
June is National
Accordion Awareness Month
RANDOM THOUGHTS
eMy short-term memory is not as sharp
as it used to be. Also, my short-term
memory’s not as sharp as it used to be.
eA bartender is just a pharmacist
with a limited inventory.
eI may be schizophrenic, but
at least I have each other.
PAC Rat Meetings:
Summer Schedule
The College is closed on Fridays for the next ten weeks.
PAC Rat meetings will be
on Thursdays, June 7,
July 5 and August 2, 2012.
We will meet either in the PAC
lobby or inside the theatre.
You Know You Work in Community Theater If…
Top 10 Pick-Up Lines You
Can Use While Wearing
Your Scout Uniform
submitted by Scott Begin
10. I was going on a hike
and my compass led me
straight to you.
9. The khaki in my shirt
brings out the color in
your eyes.
8.Baden Powell really was my uncle,
honest.
7.It’s true, this arrow is a sign for virility.
6.Let’s go identify wild plants in the forest.
5.Can I practice giving you CPR?
4.Yes, in fact I do have the Rabbit Raising
Merit Badge.
3.Come on, I’ll give you a tour of my tent.
2.I know how to tie 27 different knots. Can
I tie you. I mean show you?
1.These pants really are made of
polyester, go ahead, you can feel them if
you want to.
IN HONOUR OF STUPID PEOPLE…
On a Swedish chain saw:
“Do not attempt to stop
chain with your hands.”
• Your living room sofa spends more time on stage than you do.
• You have your own secret family recipe for stage blood.
• You’ve ever appeared on stage wearing your own clothes.
• You can find a prop in the prop room that hasn’t seen the light of day in ten
years, but you don’t know where your own vacuum cleaner is.
• You’ve ever appeared in or worked on a production of Love, Sex and the IRS,** or any
other show written by Van Zandt and Milmore.
• The set designer has ever told you not to walk on the left half of the stage because the
floor’s still wet — five minutes before curtain.
• You have Frequent Shopper Cards at the Salvation Army and Goodwill.
• You’ve ever cleaned a tuxedo with a magic marker.
• You’ve ever said, “Don’t worry — we’ll just hot glue it.”
• You’ve ever appeared on stage in an English drawing room murder mystery where half
the cast spoke with southern accents.
• You’ve ever appeared in a show where the cast outnumbered the audience.
• You’ve ever gotten a part because you were the only guy who showed up for auditions.
• You’ve ever played the father of someone your father’s age.
• Your kids know your lines better than you do.
• Your kids SAY your lines better than you do.
• You’ve ever appeared in a show where an actor leaned out
through a window without opening it first.
• You’ve ever appeared on stage with people you’re related to.
• You’ve ever heard the head of the set construction crew say,
“Just paint it black - no one will ever see it.”
• You’ve ever menaced anyone with a gun held together with
electrical tape / hot glue / gaffer’s tape.
• You’ve ever appeared on stage in a costume held together
with hot glue / staples / gaffer’s tape.
• You’ve ever had to haul a sofa off stage between scenes
wearing a dinner gown and high heels.
• You’ve ever had to haul a sofa off stage between scenes
wearing a dinner gown and high heels — and you’re a guy.
** The very first PAC Rats show. Really.
Free in Chicago
Buckingham Fountain Trivia
Want to head downtown but are
short on funds? Here’s a short
list of fun and free things to do
in Our Kind of Town, Chicago.
Chicago Cultural Center: The Chicago
Cultural Center lures in hundreds of
thousands of visitors each year with
its numerous free events, impressive
architecture and its proximity to tourist hot
spot, Millennium Park.
Lincoln Park Zoo: An oasis in the city,
the Lincoln Park Zoo is open and free 365
days a year – and just because it’s free
doesn’t mean it’s lacking. The zoo is one of
the most beautiful in the country, featuring
historical architecture and world-class
wildlife exhibits.
Lincoln Park Conservatory: Located at
the north end of the zoo, the Lincoln Park
Conservatory was built over the course
of 5 years between 1890 and 1895, and
features four serene greenhouses – the
Orchid House, the Fernery, the Palm
House, and the Show House, all displaying
fantastic arrays of flora.
Oriental Institute Museum: Learn about
the lives of Near Eastern civilizations at
Chicago’s Oriental Institute Museum.
Visitors to the galleries – which include
artifacts from Egyptian, Persian, and
Mesopotamian societies – can take a
break by strolling through the courtyard.
Jane Addams Hull House: One of the
first settlement houses in the United
States, the Hull House was founded by
Jane Addams in 1889. The museum offers
photographs, furniture, and a collection of
pottery. Groups of seven or more can call
ahead to arrange walking tours.
Movies in the Parks: The 12th annual
Movies in the Parks series kicks off
Monday, June 11 and will feature 176
screenings of current and classic movies
in 128 citywide parks through Oct. 26. All
movies begin at dusk weather permitting.
REMEMBER TO CONTACT US with
any article, photo, want ad or idea at:
[email protected]
June 2012 - Page 4
Buckingham Fountain: Opened in 1927,
the Buckingham Fountain has become
one of the Windy City’s top attractions, and
arguably competes with the Sears Tower
as Chicago’s most famous landmark. See
Trivia article for more info.
• It is not named after Buckingham Palace.
The fountain’s benefactor, Kate Buckingham,
dedicated it on May 26, 1927 as a memorial for
her late brother, Clarence.
• Buckingham Fountain is paid for not by the city,
but through the Buckingham Fountain Endowment
Fund, which Kate Buckingham established so that
Chicago taxpayers would never have the burden
of fountain costs.
•The Buckingham Fountain is one of the world’s largest.
•In 1994, the fountain was part of a $2.8 million restoration project.
•Edward H. Bennett’s design of Buckingham Fountain was directly influenced by the
Latona Basin in Louis XIV’s gardens at the Palace of Versailles in France.
•The fountain and its beautiful four sea horses, built by Marcel Loyau, are meant to
represent Lake Michigan. Each sea horse represents the four states that border the lake:
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.
•The fountain is constructed out of Georgia pink marble.
•The fountain features prominently in the opening sequence of Married...with Children,
and was the starting line for the 6th season of The Amazing Race.
•The fountain is powered by 3 pumps. During the main display, they push 14,100 gallons
of water per minute through 134 water jets, some creating a geyser that shoots water 150
feet in the air.
•The fountain holds 1.5 million gallons of water.
•The base of Buckingham Fountain is 280 feet in diameter.
•The fountain’s lighting display is made up of 820 lights meant to convey an effect of “soft
moonlight”.
•The fountain is completely controlled by a
“Honeywell Excel-Plus” computer located
underground in the fountain’s pump house. Until
the 1994 renovation, the computer was located in
Atlanta, Georgia.
•Buckingham Fountain is actually equipped with a
security alarm, which is monitored by a security
company in Chicago’s Northwest suburbs.
•Buckingham Fountain was the official starting point of U.S. Route 66, the famous
highway of 60s lore.
Dumb Laws In Illinois
In Joliet: Town fathers, reflecting the pet peeve of hearing their town’s name mispronounced “Jolly-ETTE” when all local folk know it’s pronounced “Joe-lee-ETTE”, made pronouncing it Jolly-ette a misdemeanor, punishable by a $5 fine.
In Kenilworth: A rooster must step back three hundred feet from any residence if he wishes
to crow.
In Kirkland: Bees are not allowed to fly over the village or through any of Kirkland’s streets.
In Moline: Ice skating at the Riverside pond during the months of June and
August is prohibited. July is okay.
In Zion: It is illegal for anyone to give lighted cigars to dogs, cats, or any other
domesticated animals.
submitted by Dominic Bellamy-Palma
submitted by
Angela Martin
ceremony in the shop. Other shops include Filtch’s Emporium of
Confiscated Items, Dervish and Banges and The Owl Post, where
you can send postcards to your friends with a Hogwarts postmark
and stamp.
There are three different hotels on the Universal property and I
think we picked the best one, the Royal Pacific Hotel. The hotel is
beautiful and the staff is amazing! Shari has special dietary needs.
The chef made arrangements for anything she wanted to eat to be
gluten free – even pancakes! That was really nice.
Expansion plans are on the horizon. Rumor has it that where the
Jaws ride used to be, they will be creating Diagon Alley and connecting the two parks will be the Hogwarts Express. So there is
more magic to come!
June 2012 - Page 5
When the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in 2010, I knew I
had to take a trip to see Hogwarts. In October of 2011, I and my fellow Potter Peeps, Ashley and Shari, dusted off our broomsticks and
flew to Orlando, FL and into Universal Studios.
The WWoHP is in the Island of Adventure Park at Universal Studios. You are immersed in JK Rowling’s world of Hogwarts from the
minute you walk in the park. The first thing you see is the Hogwarts
Express, in all its bright red glory. It is even steaming, as if it just
arrived at Hogsmeade station. A conductor is there and you can get
your picture taken with him. We told him we were from Chicago and
he replied, “Oh, the Northern colonies.”
If you are any kind of fan of the Harry Potter books and movies you
must make a trip to the WWoHP. Harry’s world is truly magical. For
more photos, check out my Flickr page.
Universal Studio as a whole is really a fantastic place to visit and I
cannot wait to visit again.
The space that contains the WWoHP is not very big at all. The pictures make it seem bigger, but it definitely has narrow streets. We
went in October thinking it would be less crowded. Not the case.
The place was packed.
There are several rides in the WWoHP. The Dragon Challenge
roller coaster, the Flight of the Hippogriff and the main attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey which is housed in
Hogwarts Castle. I recommend this be the first ride you go on. We
waited over an hour the second time we went on the ride and a
little less the first time. The Forbidden Journey is amazing. While
waiting in line you will go through the Herbology classroom and
through the halls of Hogwarts – complete with talking portraits,
including the four Founders. Other rooms you go through are the
Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom and Dumbledore’s office.
The ride itself is a “thrill” ride. You are strapped into a roller coaster
style seat and taken on broomstick with Harry, Ron and Hermione.
I don’t want to give too much away, but you meet all your favorite
characters. If you have issues with smoke machines, and strobe
lights, this ride is not for you.
Even though you are going to pay theme park prices, the food
at WWoHP is really good. It’s worth it. You can dine at the Three
Broomsticks for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu is pub style
food, with fish and chips, turkey legs, Shepherd’s Pie and Cornish
Pasties (not pixies). Adjacent to the Three Broomsticks, is the Hog’s
Head pub. You can choose butterbeer, pumpkin juice or one of the
adult beverages. The butterbeer is not to be missed and is JKR approved. It tastes like a butterscotchy cream soda. So good!
There is not a Harry Potter walking around the park, but you do get
a impressive display from the students of visiting magic schools.
At scheduled times, the boys and girls from Beaubaton and Durmstrang will show you their wonderful skills. You can visit Olivander’s
and go through the experience of having a wand choose you. We
did not do this as the shop is tiny and the line was always really
long.
There is a lot of good shopping at WWoHP. You can buy Chocolate
Frogs, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, Sugar Quills, Cauldron
Cakes and much more from Honeydukes. Next to Honeydukes is
Zonkos Joke Shop, where you can buy an Extendable Ear to spy
on your siblings. If you buy a Pigmy Puff, there is a little naming
Hogwarts
Express
Dumbledore’s
Office
Hogwarts
Castle
Portrait Hall
Inside Honeydukes
DADA Classroom
Ceiling
Durmstrang Boys
Beaubaton Girls
directed by Albert Clark
Character Descriptions
June 2012 - Page 6
Audition Notice
• Roles available for 5 men and 3
women, aged 18 and up.
• No prior experience or prepared
material is necessary. Everyone is
encouraged and welcome to audition.
• Prior to audition dates, the rehearsal
schedule may be posted on the
theatre’s website as downloadable
documents (PDF, Acrobat Reader
Required).
• The COMPLETE rehearsal schedule
will be available at the time of
auditions. Bring your calendar as
you will be asked to note any and all
rehearsal conflicts.
• Not all actors will be required at all
rehearsals and minor conflicts may be
able to be worked out.
• You MUST be willing and able to
take off work or classes for dress
rehearsals and performances.
• Casting is based on talent and the
ability to meet (most of) the rehearsal
schedule.
• Copies of the script will be on reserve
in the SSC library about 2 weeks prior
to auditions. These are reading copies
and may not be taken home.
• For more information, email
[email protected].
• Mollie Ralston – Proprietor of
Monkswell Manor, and wife of Giles.
• Giles Ralston – Husband of Mollie
who runs Monkswell Manor with his
wife.
• Christopher Wren – The first guest
to arrive at the hotel, Wren is a
hyperactive young man who acts in
a very peculiar manner. He admits
he is running away from something,
but refuses to say what. He claims to
have been named after the architect
of the same name by his parents.
• Mrs. Boyle – A critical older woman
who is pleased by nothing she
observes.
• Major Metcalf – Retired from the
army, little is known about Major
Metcalf.
• Miss Casewell – A strange, aloof,
masculine woman who speaks
offhandedly about the horrific
experiences of her childhood.
• Mr. Paravicini – A man of unknown
provenance, who turns up claiming
his car has overturned in a snowdrift.
He appears to be affecting a foreign
accent and artificially aged with
make-up.
• Detective Sergeant Trotter – A
policeman who arrives in a snow
storm saying he has come to protect
the guests from the murderer.
Also Needed: Set builders and
painters, prop master, sound and
light board operators, ushers. No
experience necessary - just be willing
to help out!
On June 27, 2012, the Glenwood Fire
Department, in cooperation with Homeland
Security and other agencies, is staging a
full-scale disaster drill. Actors (over 18 and
with a signed waiver
submitted prior to participation) are needed
to realistically play the
roles of victims. There will be a fairly large
media presence.
Actors must be able to transport themselves to and from the exercise site. They
may be transported by ambulance and
subsequently returned to the incident
scene, and one actor may even be transported by helicopter and then returned via
ground transport.
Actors should expect
to wear moulage
make-up simulating
injuries or blood loss
and they should expect to be involved in
a realistic scene of a large scale transportation-related accident, with realistic sights,
sounds and activities; therefore, actors
should wear layers of clothes that can get
wet, dirty, stained, or torn, plus wear a
bathing suit underneath. There will be no
safe storage area, and things will get wet,
so bring a driver’s license and keys, but no
electronics.
Actors should arrive at the Glenwood Fire
Station promptly at 12:30pm, and expect
to be actively involved for no less than 4
hours but no more than 6, between the
hours of 2pm and 7pm on the day of the
drill. Snacks will be provided, but you are
strongly advised to eat a good breakfast
before arrival.
The Glenwood Fire Department would be extremely
grateful for your day’s help
with this important re-creation.
While no pay is involved,
you’ll be given a thank-you T-shirt to mark
the day.
To participate, contact:
Bob Radtke, Exercise Coordinator:
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 708-341-9051
Glenwood Fire Department
1 Asselborn Way
Glenwood, Illinois 60425
General fire station number: 708-753-2440