It’ll be overnight all summer

It’s back. It’s been nearly four years since Art-Speak’s first instance of “Overnight Art,” and the organization is sponsoring another, says board member Chris Greiner. The applications for “Overnight Art 2008″ will be available by Jan. 3 at www.art-speak.org.

“For those who don’t remember; it’s a scattered, site exhibit of installation art, at various places around the city, all outdoors,” says Greiner. There are a few changes. First this one, which will be set at 10 city locations, won’t have a theme. Go wild. “We’re really looking for the widest diversity of artists to participate, all media, sculpture, paintings, found installation. …; We want people to design the best pieces of art for those (select) sites.” The other change is the art will stay up for the entire summer rather than a matter of days.

The 2008 artists will receive a $1,000 honorarium and a $1,200 stipend for materials. The sites include the Portsmouth City Hall complex; the new and old city public library; the Islington Street baseball field; the Vaughan Mall; Market Square; Prescott Park; the High-Hanover parking facility; the Deer Street pump station; Memorial Bridge Park, Haymarket Square and the Seacoast Media Group building.

We knew him when

As reported in the past (www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070804/ENTERTAIN/708040306), Bryan Knowlton, former Seacoast Repertory Theatre and Ballet New England performer, and Portsmouth High School grad, is performing the role of Paul in “A Chorus Line” at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in New York City. Thought those that know him might like see his visage as it appears in “The Scene” section of the Dec. 14 issue of Entertainment Weekly.

Necessary compromises

Peter Michaud got in touch to say that the Players’ Ring board has decided to open the theater lobby 45 minutes before curtains-up to accommodate the early arrivals, who are often there to ensure a seat in the general seating venue. Thirty minutes before the curtain was the usual policy.

“Our theater’s layout, with the lobby doubling as the backstage area, provides us with a inimitable challenge when providing services for the production companies that use our stage and the patrons who come to watch them,” says board member Michaud. In the past the company experimented with a partition allowing performers private access to the restrooms and patrons access to the space. Then it returned to keeping doors locked till 7:30 for an 8 p.m. show.

“Recent feedback both from the gossip column and other sources have shown that use of this system in only extreme cases is not enough,” he says. “At our December board meeting we …; decided to open our lobby door at 45 minutes before the start of each show …; (and will) screen the back of the lobby and keep the house closed until 30 minutes before the show. We hope our patrons will understand this compromise as part of the unique experience of …; the 105 Marcy St. building.”

Too much information?

A few lucky folks got a very special show at the Stone Church recently. A night of Gary Sredzienski on the accordion should be enough. But it got better. For those unaware, Sredzienski is prepping for a 6-mile swim in mid January, in open waters, to Appledore Island. To build stamina he swims five hours, three or four days a week in Maine creeks — alongside the ice. “So I’ve been eating like crazy. …; I crave cheesecake. The extra swimming is taking the fat off,” he says.

He’s lost enough that even the last hole on his belt is too loose. Hence, while playing his gig, walking around the Church dining room, “yup, my pants fell off,” says Sredzienski, laughing. “I went out back and the chef gave me string. I tied it in front of the (audience). They loved it!” Of course this begs the question — boxers or briefs. “Definitely briefs.”

Not just a ‘Girl’s Best Friend’

Word is already out that Carol Channing will do a benefit at The Music Hall, April 2, for AIDS Response-Seacoast’s 20th anniversary commemoration. The new news is that 10 local men will sing with her. “They will be singing ‘Hello Dolly’ and ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend,’” says ARS Executive Director Paul Brogan. Chris Bradley, Michael Coppola and Justin Catalino are already on board. (If interested in performing call Brogan at 433-5377 x 2230).

“I saw her this September; she was still doing high kicks. She’s the last of the legends …; last of the musical ladies of that ’40s through ’70s era. So to see somebody like this!” he says.

“When they asked me to be a part of this my jaw hit the floor,” says Bradley. ” …;The first thought that ran through my mind was I get to sing ‘Hello Dolly’ to THE Dolly!” he says. “As an actor, getting to perform with such an amazing icon is an opportunity that doesn’t come along very often.” (Bradley is on stage at the Rep, as Ralph in “Christmas Story).”

Tommy Hensel who recently left his Rochester Opera House Executive director position for a new one in Illinois, will likely fly back to choreograph the show.

At a recent matinee performance of Dramedy Production’s “The Wizard of Oz” at Garrison Players, Toto, in rare form, was upstaging his co-performers. The audience was fixated on his perfectly timed response to the other characters. No question he was pulling all the big laughs.

During one of the Cowardly Lion’s pivotal songs Toto decided to make it a duet and started chiming in to which the Lion, (Michael Tobin) responded in character “If you don’t mind — this is a solo.” Toto actually surrendered the stage.