A production company…
I was tired of seeing the same old stuff produced in the QCA, and in 2004, I decided that I was going to independently produce a new show. I wanted to do something that was unique and, yes, that’s right, a good time. I was looking around for some scripts and Chris Jansen (Artistic Director at New Ground Theatre, where I had a winter gig) recommended that I hit up Sean Leary. She had previously produced a workshop reading of his show entitled TIME CHANGES. I read his column regularly and he consistently gave my work great reviews. Needless to say…I enjoyed his stuff. I did not hesitate; I immediately contacted him and I pitched the idea. He loved it. He sent me the script. I loved it…and plans were under way to bring something new and innovative to QC audiences. Enough of that
The Sound of Music bullshit.
We met in late winter of 2004 and we began putting it all together at a ridiculously fast pace. Within six months, we had started a production company (now My Verona Productions), Sean had revised the script, I had hired a director (Melissa Coulter from Ghostlight Theatre Inc.), we put together a stellar cast, found an ideal venue (Comedy Sportz-Quad Cities, which is now our signature space), formed a brilliant rapport with Denny and Brett Hitchcock and Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse (something very rare for production company virgins), filmed the video segments of the show with the award winning film company Bluebox Limited (yes, we were crazy enough to make it a multimedia extravaganza), compiled a soundtrack for the show, marketed the hell out of it, and everything else you can imagine. The result? YOUR FAVORITE BAND. A critically acclaimed show that was a first in the Quad Cities and forever changed the local theatre scene.
YOU FAVORITE BAND was a huge success. It ran to full houses August 5-August 15, and due to popular demand, the run was extended through August 21.
(Shameless plug for a friend: For the complete story, check out Sean Leary’s “Your Favorite Band” - the book contains the sitcom pilot, the multimedia play version we produced, in addition to the back story of its journey. Available at Borders Bookstores, at local Co-Op Record Shops, and on Amazon.com.)
YFB was the beginning of something big. This year we have three major productions on the slate with the possibilities of both a fall and winter show. Our 2005 season will feature the Quad City premieres Patrick Marber’s intense sexual drama CLOSER (stage version that inspired Mike Nichols’ film that starred Jude Law and Natalie Portman) and THIS IS OUR YOUTH by Kenneth Lonergan (the scribe of LOBBY HERO and YOU CAN COUNT ON ME) that will feature a national cast. We will once again break new ground in the QCA by mounting DINGO BOOGALOO 2, a show in the vein of SNL and MR. SHOW that features sketch comedy bits on stage and on screen. DB2 features original work by local and national artists and promises to be one of the coolest shows of the year. This fall, we have tentative plans to bring the live stage version of ROCKY HORROR SHOW to the QCA in addition to David Sedaris’ SANTALAND DIARIES in December. It should be a good time…
My Verona Productions is going places. Within six months of existence, we mounted a hugely successful multimedia show, and within a year have a full summer season planned. And, plans are already underway for a fall and winter show. I would venture to say that we have been, are, and will continue to be a success…
The Weinstein brothers better watch their back, man.
