How do you guys make a decent return on investment when you only charge $5.99 to see the performance? Puzzling.
Nobody ever accused theater types of being good business people. Besides, it's not about the money. Congrats Jason!
it's a discount on opening week that they do for all the faithfuls and those who need a discount to come out for the first time to get "hooked." This runs for many weeks. btw: do you know what "Development" is in a theatre company?
you don't really care....do you? like heyp said, $5.99 is an introductory opening week price. It's for all the folks who say, "The theatre? It's expensive to go to the theatre!" Soooooooo, IBP makes it affordable for everyone! Regular prices are like $12-$15. BTW, IBP is a 501c (not-for-profit) theatre company...
Hey Batman: Congratulations on pulling it off, I am sorry I will be 1800 miles away. Good luck, and please post any links of reviews or commentary or whatever. cbfc
lower prices early...generate some buzz...some word of mouth...for those who see it later at a higher pop.
I wish you good show and run, man. Our last was our most succesful yet. I have a short piece I wrote going up in June. oomp
Thanks for all the replies and the kind words. If you're planning on coming this weekend, call up and make a reservation. Don't think I have one for heypee and rimmy yet, but maybe it's just under a name I don't recognize. Number to call's 713-522-8443. Here's the preview from today's Houston Press: http://houstonpress.com/issues/2003-05-08/performance.html/1/index.html Pull Up a Stool IBP celebrates its tenth anniversary with Meat/BAR It's hard to believe it's been ten years since Infernal Bridegroom Productions cobbled together its first production, In the Under Thunderloo, in the back room of the Axiom. The rangy show about cavemen and music, written by company founder Jason Nodler, brought down the house, selling out every night of its run.A lot has happened since that fertile, but decidedly scummy, beginning. The Axiom went through numerous incarnations (including one as a transvestite bar), and IBP earned a reputation for putting on cutting-edge, avant-garde theater. Last year, Nodler and his company decided to rent the old building where the madness started and reopen it as a theater. They dutifully gave the bar back its old name -- and a good scrub. Now, in a fitting celebration of its tenth anniversary, the company is putting on a new production by Nodler. The older and wiser theater vet calls Meat/BAR his "best script ever." The story focuses on Teddy, a guy who gets sucked back into his old watering hole when he receives a strange phone call from the owner. "The whole play takes place over the course of one night in that bar," says Nodler. From happy hour to last call, 16 original songs by local musicians play over the jukebox. Meat/BAR (in which Press assistant Night & Day editor Troy Schulze has a role) delves into themes of love, sex, friendship, death, politics and art, telling the story of IBP in the process. Sort of. According to IBP, the play is a "true story in which nothing has been changed except the facts." Nodler admits that Teddy, a theater expat, is based on himself, but he goes on to say that the play is "entirely autobiographical, in my imagination." Hmm. Fact or fiction, Nodler says, "it's the first play I've written from a completely honest place." Meat/BAR promises to be a good time, but bring your hankie just in case. "It's got a lot of funny stuff in it, but it's not entirely a joke," says Nodler. Every time he watches it, he laughs out loud and tears up a little. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays through May 31. The Axiom, 2524 McKinney, 713-522-8443, www.infernalbridegroom.com. $10 to $15; $5.99 opening weekend. -- Lee Williams
Batman, do you do any acting in the play, or mainly focus on the directing/writing? I'm going to try to make it out to one of the performances. I think I could score some points with a chick by taking her to see this. It could trick her into thinking I'm cultured.
Hey Jorge, No, I don't do any acting. The actors in my company love it when I get up and show them stuff, but I only act for them. I got the stagefright. Plus, I know a lot of really great actors and I'm just not that good. Though I went to school for playwriting, I rarely write plays either. Mostly direct. Think I've directed around 25 and only written three. I hope you make it out. Would love to meet you in person. Say hello and I'll buy you a Lone Star. That goes for all cc.net'ers.
So, BJ put me on stage at one of his plays, without warning me. There was a "Dating Game" segment, and they called me down as a contestant. grrrrr Anyhow, stagefright is not the only way to look at it. Those stage lights blind you. You are basically looking at a black wall with bright lights in the background. I don't see how actors do it...express themselves to a black wall.
Went and saw meat/BAR this past weekend and thougth it was really good. If you've ever drank, had a drink in a bar or hung out at a bar, then this show is probably for you. It has some pretty dang funny characters and scenes as well as some serious stuff. The actors do a fine job and there are these two guys that hang out in the bar that are a real hoot! This is a talented group with a lot of drive and if you've never seen an IBP performance, then maybe this should be your first. The show has a limited run, like 2 or 3 more weeks, so make your reservations and check this show out! Support Local Theatre!
I'm going out with this chick tonight and if things go well I'll invite her to see this on Friday. Is the theater over behind Minute Maid Park? I didn't think there was anything over in that direction?! Batman -- You never responded to my email. Is this show acceptable to take someone you don't know really well to? I don't want to scare this girl.
Thanks for the props, rockHEAD. Never got your mail, Jorge. We've been having terrible problems with that. You can try me again at jnodler@infernalbridegroom.com. Or people who've seen the play can weigh in as to whether it'd be appropriate. There is a lot of, how shall I say, bar language? Words which come out as asterisks here. There is also some frank, crude discussion of sex, but that doesn't last long and it's handled comically. Other than that the only thing I'd say is the end could be pretty sad, depending on your point of view, and that could be weird I guess but I wouldn't think too weird. Would love it if you came out and would happily buy your first beer.
Oh, and the theater's more behind the George R. Brown. There's not much else in the neighborhood but we have a guy watching the cars all night and we've never had a problem. It's at the corner of McKinney and Live Oak (five blks east of GRB).
BJ, My wife and I are thinking of coming. She said your "lil play sounds neat". Where do we find you if we wanna say hi?
IMO, I don't think it would be offensive to take a date, unless she doesn't drink!? If you would take a date to a bar, then you can take her to see meat/BAR. For those who aren't sure where the Axiom is click this link (takes you to Yahoo Maps) 2524 McKinney, you used to be able to take McKinney all the way to the Axiom until they decided to E X P A N D the GRB. Now it blocks McKinney and you have to go around it!!
