In the Eyes of Stone Dogs

We now interrupt our regularly scheduled bloggatical to bring you this important news: Six years ago, my dear friend Linda (then Culbert) asked me to audition for a show her boyfriend wanted to put on. The show was We Won't Pay! We Won't Pay! by Dario Fo. At first I didn't even want to audition because I was 100% certain that said boyfriend did not like me, so what would be the point? But she insisted. And I did. Though I don't quite remember all the details, I do have a email dated October 17, 2005 from Miss Culbert that states: "Hey Nancy, First of all, congrats! Aren't you glad I asked you to audition? hee hee. Anyhow, here's the copy of the script as promised. See you soon!"

So, I'm pretty sure I got the part.

The rest, as they say, is Evolution Theatre history.

Six years and eleven productions later, two world premieres among various other types of Ottawa premieres, rave critical reviews, season sponsorship and multiple grants, charitable status and board of directors, a short pause for a wedding and a baby (though thanks fully not at the same time), mentorship through the Great Canadian Theatre Company, Resident Company of the Arts Court Theatre, and now a partnership with the Ottawa Theatre School... Evolution Theatre has come a long way from a bare-bones set in the basement of the University of Ottawa.

Which brings me to the reason for this little break from my break from writing my blog (does that sentence even make sense?) - Tomorrow night, Evolution Theatre will be opening their latest production, In the Eyes of Stone Dogs by Daniel Danis, directed by Christopher Bedford (said boyfriend from the previous anecdote), featuring Catriona Leger, Andy Massingham and the graduating class of the Ottawa Theatre School. This is the company's first production in their new home at Arts Court and the first of what I'm sure will be many fruitful artistic collaboration. That said, for the first time in six years, I'm not involved and, worse yet, I can't be there.

But hopefully, you can.

My spies tell me it's a really great show and I'm willing to believe them since it looks like this:

It breaks my heart that I might not be able to see it, so would you do me a really big favour? Go see it for me. Tickets can be bought online and it looks like you can still get some for opening night. That usually means you get a party with your ticket. A party! So please, for me, buy a ticket and then let me know what's going on at the party by live tweeting with the #StoneDogs hashtag the cast and crew have been using. And then come back here and let me know what you thought of the show in the comment section below.

To the cast and crew: Break a leg! Thank you for opening up this new chapter in Evolution Theatre history.

To Chris and Linda: You've worked hard and I am so proud of you. Merde!

Crisitunity

Lisa: "Did you know the Chinese use the same word for 'crisis' as they do for 'opportunity'?" Homer: "Yes. Crisitunity." The summer run of Roller Derby Saved My Soul ended on Saturday night and I immediately became depressed less than a day later. It makes sense. I've worked on this show for about 3 years, on and off, now and here it was over for the foreseeable future.

I've spent the last two days pretty much bumbling around either mumbling "What now?" or crying "OMGIMADENOMONEYIHAVENOJOBMYLIFEISOVERWHYDIDIEVERTHINKICOULBEANACTOR." You know, the regular actor downward spiral that shows up after a show. We're a lot of fun at parties.

In order to get out of this funk, I really have to see the summer run of my show as a very successful workshopping and not a job per se. Why? Because I made no money. However, I did get a fun show on its feet, got some great reviews/credibility as an artist, won some awards, managed to tape a good archival of the show which will be used to create a promotional trailer, and got a lot of people to see me as an actor/writer in a new light. Way too much good came out of this run for me to focus on the bad. And since the bad is strictly from a personal financial stand-point (and even then, I lost nothing), I prefer to see it as a friend once said to me: "If your problem is about money, that's not a real problem."

I've got lots of goals and dreams for the future right now, some that include RDSMS and some that are brand spanking new. That's what I want to focus on now. That and finding a job...

Anybody want to hire me?

One Is the Loneliest Number

I got used to a Fringe Festival Production schedule: 15 minutes prior to your show actually starting, you get to go into the venue - maybe 20-25 if the show before you ended early and you have a nice technician - but pretty much 15 minutes is all you've got to get dressed, set up your stage and put on a show. Opening night in Arts Court, we still had plenty of work to do. I taped the floor with my stage manager, took a few spins around the new floor, checked out some blocking and lighting cues, puttered around with my director over certain parts of the script, before finally getting dressed, putting on makeup, fixing my hair, ect. Time flew by pretty quickly.

But last night, everything was already set and good to go. So I arrive super early in order to avoid rush hour traffic, warm up, start getting ready and then... wait. And wait. Alone in the dressing room. And wait some more.

In a regular show, I'd probably have a little chat with my other cast members. We might do a warm-up together or run lines. But this is not a regular show. It's just me. And though every once in a while I can chat with my stage manager, he's busy doing other things.

So, I'm lonely. And kind of bored.

Maybe tonight I'll just come in a bit later...

Last chance to see Roller Derby Saved My Soul in Ottawa tonight!

More Reviews!

I know it's just a three show run, but it's still really nice to get reviewed. These new ones, as well as all the others (that's three links - one for each word), will fit in nicely when I do grant and festival applications over the next year. So yes, the show opened last night to a fairly large and supportive crowd at the Arts Court Theatre. Though I felt a little shaky since we didn't get in a full run the night before at the tech rehearsal and had all these new bits that were incorporated into the show, I'm pretty sure only director Tania Levy and myself noticed. The reviewers sure didn't.

Here's what they had to say:

First up, one of the fine ladies of inanutshell.ca said some very nice things, including "For a truly outstanding display of acting, Roller Derby is a show not to be missed." - Kate Lalumiere, inanutshell.ca

Full review can be found here: http://inanutshell.ca/2011/08/12/roller-derby-saved-my-soul/

And then my favorite theatre chud (and one of the most eminently quotable theatre reviewers in town, even though he doesn't like being called that... theatre reviewer, not eminently quotable... though I didn't ask... maybe he doesn't like that either... ANYWAY) was back in his usual seat in the front row for a THIRD time no less and nicely explains some of the new additions to the show, while mentioning what still makes it all work, including such gems as: "...Nancy makes a funnier drunk every time I see this show." Years of practice, my friend. Years of practice.

You can read more from Kevin Reid at The Visitorium here: http://visitorium.wordpress.com/2011/08/12/roller-derby-saved-my-soul-redux/

Only two more chances to see Roller Derby Saved My Soul in Ottawa!

Grow Your Own Way

I'm over thinking it. Tomorrow, Roller Derby Saved My Soul opens at the Arts Court Theatre and I am totally over thinking it. I don't know why I suddenly feel like that's not enough. Like I need to have a some kind of huge big budget production all of a sudden, even though I have no money to do such a thing, or I need to have a completely different story of sorts so that people will still laugh and be interested.

This is ridiculous. The show that was chosen for this remount is they show that the selection committee saw at the Ottawa Fringe Festival in June. And yes, it has grown and developed over the past two months in ways that make me happy - some new scenes, different sound cues and perhaps *gasp* a makeshift set. So why don't I feel like that's enough?

Probably because even though the show is awesome, I want it to be awesome-er. And I want it to be awesome-er yesterday. It's as if I'm happy my child has now learned how to crawl, but dammit why haven't you learned to drive a car yet? That is just LAZY! But you know what? Baby's going to learn something new when it's good and ready.

So today, in the midst of getting final polish on everything for our opening night tomorrow, I'm going to go easy on myself.

It's a good show, Nancy, now just go out there and have fun with it.

You will come out and join me, won't you?

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT: Roller Derby Saved My Soul at the Arts Court Theatre - 2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa (ON) - August 11, 12 & 13 at 8 p.m.

Sooner Than Later

After a slightly cryptic ending to my last post, I can finally let you in on my not-so-little secret: Roller Derby Saved My Soul is getting a REMOUNT in Ottawa!

That's right, one of the most talked about shows at the Ottawa Fringe Festival is coming back!

Considered a "highlight" of the 2011 festival, Roller Derby Saved My Soul has been selected for the Fringe Benefits presentation as part of the Summer Fling programming of the Ottawa Arts Court Foundation and the Downtown Rideau BIA.

Fresh off a run at the Hamilton Fringe Festival, where it won an award for Best in Venue, the show also boasts at least 5 more minutes of new material never before seen in Ottawa - but after a rehearsal today with my director and production stage manager, that number might actually go up. For those of you who saw the show at the Ottawa Fringe, this is going to be a great reason to come back!

Three performances only:

August 11 - 8 p.m. August 12 - 8 p.m. August 13 - 8 p.m.

Tickets: $12 with all proceeds (minus a $2 surcharge) going back to the artists involved.

Tickets on sale now! Box Office: 613-564-7240

ROLLER DERBY SAVED MY SOUL Broken Turtle Productions written and performed by Nancy Kenny directed by Tania Levy stage managed by Nicolas Alain 55 mins | Comedy | PG - 13 - Warning: Language August 11 – 13, 2011 - 8 p.m. Arts Court Theatre - 2 Daly Ave.

Sibling rivalry, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and misplaced superhero worship: one woman just wants to conquer her world, one hip-check at a time.

WINNER: Best in Fest and Juror's Honourable Mention, Ottawa Fringe Festival, 2011 WINNER: Best in Venue, Hamilton Fringe Festival, 2011

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: “(Kenny) celebrates the hero in all of us, and makes us want to go out, lace up pair of skates, and like this play, kick some ass.” – Hannah Christie, Fully Fringed Ottawa

“...tons of laughs mixed with genuine warmth, and a transformation-to-derby sequence that must be seen to be believed... Nancy K is one of the premiere comedic actresses in town... and it sure as sh*t won’t be a secret much longer.” – Kevin Reid, The Visitorium

“This is a feel good funny show with serious undertones. Go see it!” – Alvina Ruprecht, CBC Radio

“I can’t stress the fact that this show is pure gold.” – Matthew Champ, Shouldyouseeit.com

“Nancy Kenny is funny and charming.” – Noreen Fagan, Capital Xtra

"Kenny mesmerizes as she exits her cocoon and drinks and rolls her way to new levels of self admiration. This is a must see: comedy, romance, violence and victory." - The Hamilton View

“Roller Derby Saved My Soul is the kind of light-hearted, honestly funny story you want to find at Fringe – and Kenny has it for you, geared up in elbow pads and a mouth guard.” – Holly Gordon, The Wig

"...one must applaud anyone who delivers lines, with aplomb, while moving about the stage on roller skates!" - Barbara Popel, Ottawa Community Review

"It is impossible to list every good thing that came out of this show." - Ryan Trepanier, Hamilton Community Review

"This is an outstanding play in every respect. Nancy Kenny’s performance never flags, and endows each character with distinctive and instantly recognizable traits. Her physicality, especially when getting changed into her roller derby outfit, is remarkable. This is a show that deserves to sell out each performance." - Julian Nicholson, Hamilton Community Review

Fringe Wrap-up

Has it really been over a week since the Ottawa Fringe shut it down for another year? Time seems to have flown by so fast! The 2011 Ottawa Fringe is going to be a defining moment in my life. After 9 years of Fringes, I feel like this one was just everything I ever wanted it to be. I created something, on my own terms (with a little help from my friends), that I not only was proud of, but others seemed to like a heck of a lot too. Not a single bad review (seriously, I checked!), three sold out shows with more people still trying to get in, constantly mentioned in people's top 3 shows on Twitter, huge buzz at the tent, a Best in Fest additional performance, family members who finally got to see me perform, and an Ottawa Fringe Festival Award as just a little bit of icing on the cake. And all this for a show that I still consider a work in progress.

So you'd understand if, after all that excitement, I just wanted to disappear, relax and chill out for a bit.

The two days post-Fringe went by in such a blur. I didn't really allow myself to think it was over. Monday was spent eating free food (won at the Ottawa Fringe, natch) and settling the financial accounts for the show. Tuesday, I had a promotion job, packed, had a post-mortem for the show followed by drinks with one of the last touring performers still in town and had an, ahem, date (which was really nice, btw).

Unfortunately, by Wednesday, ye ol' show withdrawal kicked into gear and I had a mini-meltdown in front of a very patient Air Canada employee who I wish I could still thank today. And I was off to New Brunswick to spend time with the family and shut my brain off from all things theatre related.

But this is me we're talking about, so of course that did not happen. Not really. I spent some pretty great times back home, reconnecting with aunts, uncles and cousins I never see, as well as spending some real quality time with my sister and nephew all ON A BEACH! Note to self: going home at a time other than Christmas is a lot more wonderful and stress free - must look into doing it more. And at night, after everyone had gone to bed, I'd get on my laptop and do some work.

It seems that my little show that could did has caused more of a buzz than I could have possibly imagined. I've handed in one festival application, I'm in talks for a few potential remounts in Ottawa and, to top it all off, a friend of mine has given me her spot at the Hamilton Fringe Festival so in about a week and a half I'll be donning my roller skates once more (since this is a very last minute entry, the website has yet to be updated - another post will be written as soon as it is).

So here I am writing this from the Moncton Airport, having just said goodbye to my sister and nephew, feeling pretty sad to be going so soon, but filled with hope and possibility for what's to come next.

My flight will be boarding soon, so I'll just leave you with some special thanks that I had included in my show program, as well as a few others I may have missed the first time around. The gratitude I feel right now simply cannot be properly expressed into words:

Tania Levy, Nick Alain, Heather MacDonald, Natasha Jetté, Donna Williams & Arts Court, City of Ottawa, Natalie Joy Quesnel & the Ottawa Fringe Festival, the crew at the Studio Leonard-Beaulne, Patricia Allison, Christopher Bedford, Emily Pearlman, Mikaela Dyke, Peter Janes, Paul Hutcheson, Jayson MacDonald & the Big Comedy Go-To, Uncle Leon, Coffee, Kismet, Knee Socks, all solo performers, the audience and those who read this blog, everyone who’s ever put up with HoboKenny and, of course, Roller Derby Guys and Gals from across the globe.

Best In Fest!

You know there are those times when you just can't believe things are going so well? This is one of those times. Roller Derby Saved My Soul is pretty much a big hit at the Ottawa Fringe Festival. The reviews are in and there isn't a single bad one among them (link now updated with one from Capital Xtra). Thursday's performance sold out and now I find out that I get an extra bonus performance on Sunday night for Best in Fest!

This means you have 3 more chances to catch the show: tonight (Saturday) at 8 p.m., and twice on Sunday at 5 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. - click on the times if you want to buy advanced tickets - which I recommend to avoid disappointment. Tickets for Saturday are now only available at the door.

See you at the Fringe!

Roller Derby Saved My Opening

Well, after all this time, all this hard work, Roller Derby Saved My Soul opened to a packed house at the Ottawa Fringe Festival. And it was better than I could have possibly imagined! The audience seemed to really enjoy it, people I love and respect had great things to say and one media person told me it was the best thing he had seen so far!

And my shirt from Uncle Leon arrived!

This was such a labour of love and I really can't thank Nick and Tania enough for everything they've done for me. This is as much their show as it is mine. And it's only going to get better!

Spending the morning fixing up some minor tech stuff and going over my script before my 3:30 p.m. performance. Then it's a big day of Fringing for me!

See you at the tent!

Roller Derby Saved My Soul runs for 6 performances between June 17 to 27 throughout the Ottawa Fringe Festival.

When It's Not Working, Hit Reset

Roller Derby Saved My Soul opens tomorrow night at 8 p.m. in the Studio Leaonard Beaulne - 135 Seraphin Marion - U of O - Ottawa Fringe Festival Venue #5 Tickets are 2 for 1 on opening night, which means it only costs you $5 if you come with a friend. You can buy advanced tickets for any performance by clicking on the link above.

How great is that?

I'm going to be honest with you. This past week has been a whirlwind of amazing. On Sunday, I finally realized what had not been working with the script and went all the way back to some of my original drafts from months ago. A metaphorical reset button was hit and inspiration was almost instantaneous. Everything, everything, EVERYTHING started falling into place.

I have never been more proud of my team and all the work we've been doing. I breathed a deep sigh of relief when (and theatre creators will understand the sentiment) a few days ago I realized, yes, this is a show. And a pretty damn good one at that.

********************** Tonight's rehearsal was particularly hard though. Blame it on nerves or the heat or just a general sense of fatigue, but it all just felt gross.

I am scared. I feel like a marathon runner less than a kilometer from the finish line. After all this time, after all this effort, could it be that I'm almost there? I sure as hell can't stumble now!

What does NancyKenny say to the God of Death? Not today.

Tomorrow, we get three hours to tech the show. During this time, I hope to familiarize my skates and I with the venue floor and map out some final blocking changes. Then my stage manager will remind me to eat something and help me run lines all afternoon.

Then, for the very first time, I will perform my own words in front of an audience.

I would be honoured if you could join me.

Roller Derby Saved My Soul runs for 6 performances between June 17 to 27 throughout the Ottawa Fringe Festival.

Nancy's MUST SEE List at the 2011 Ottawa Fringe

Every year, I put out a list of shows that I really want to see at various Fringes across Canada and every year it always becomes my most popular blog post of the year. So, without further ado, back by popular demand (I think), here's Nancy's MUST SEE List at the 2011 Ottawa Fringe.

Well, first up, hands down, you need to see my show: Roller Derby Saved My Soul. Once you've done that, you may then come back to this post and find out what else I'll be checking out.

...

Did you go see my show yet? Ok. You may now read on.

STUFF I'VE SEEN Being the theatre traveller that I am, there are many things coming to town that I may have already caught at another festival. The following shows are a guaranteed good-time:

Fruitcake This is Rob Gee's first time at the Ottawa Fringe, but I've seen this show twice already. Yes, twice. Once in Winnipeg and once in Toronto. It's sold out every time. And since he's in the small space that is the Arts Court Library, you can expect more of the same here too.

Canuck Cabaret Ottawa audiences will remember Paul Hutcheson from On Second Thought and Sharon Nowlan from Burlesque Unzipped. They've pooled their considerable talents together for one of the best variety shows I've ever seen. I caught a version at London's Big Comedy Go-To that only included the two of them. This time around, expect a few Fringe favorites (including yours truly!) to pop by and showcase some additional mad skillz.

Fucking Stephen Harper: How I Sexually Assaulted the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada and Saved Democracy I wonder if Rob Salerno would still be presenting this show if the Conservative Government hadn't won the election? I saw one of the very first workshop performances of this piece back when it was just called Fucking Stephen Harper at the, once again, Big Comedy Go-To (where all funny things are born). It was a great little story then and I can't wait to see how it's changed in the past three years. Ottawa audiences will remember Rob from the Best in Venue winning Balls, a funny and touching story about two friends coping with testicular cancer.

Peter n Chris Save the World Since they are two of the funniest guys in the world, it makes sense that they should be the ones to save it. Caught this one at the Toronto Sketch Fest last November. If you saw the Peter N Chris Show at last year's Fringe, you will be pleased to know that the satin jackets once again make an appearance.

PEOPLE I KNOW WHO DO COOL SHIT The following shows I have not seen, but they involve really incredible and talented people I know so I really want to check them out!

Live from the Belly of a Whale Countries Shaped Like Stars broke my fucking heart and then put it back together with glitter and cookie dough. There's no way in hell I'm missing this show.

Complex Numbers I love all things adorkable and Nadine Thornhill. Now I hear she's forgone pants for the duration of the festival. Icky icky pants. If you do not see this show SHE WILL PUT THEM BACK ON! I am pretty sure none of you want that. However, if that's not enough for you, she's the plywright behind past Ottawa Fringe hits Oreo and The Wedding Night. I once called her Norm Foster meets Gilmore Girls. Directed by the wonderful Ken Godmere, good times are pretty much guaranteed.

Curriculum Vitae Oh Jimmy Hogg! The guy is so fucking charming and falls into the category of "People I would watch read the phone book." Fortunately, I'm pretty sure he's bringing a real show to town, because where the heck do you find a phone book in this day and age? Ottawa Fringe audiences will remember him from his Best Comedy Award for Like A Virgin.

Every Story Ever Told Anything Monster Theatre touches is pure genius. They have not been back to Ottawa since 2002 with THE CANADA SHOW: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF CANADA IN ONE HOUR. It was incredible. This time, Ryan Gladstone is flying solo and tries to tell every story ever told... By jove, I think he'll do it!

Dying Hard Don't let the fact that it's a drama pull you away. Mikaela Dyke is one of the brightest and most talented women I know working in Canadian theatre today. She wowed me in Winnipeg with her dramatic performance in Reflections on Giving Birth to a Squid and then turned everything upside down with her incredible comedic chops at the Big Comedy Go-To. My bet? This is going to be the sleeper hit of the Ottawa Fringe.

Pick Your Path Matt Domville wrote my very favorite show ever at the Ottawa Fringe. It was so good I can't remember the name right now, but it basically brought in the funny when Hercules, Robin Hood and Sherlock Holmes walk into a bar... I saw it twice. This show includes Amanda Klaman, who is funny as tits, and is a choose your own adventure type show. Like the books I used to read as a kid, there better be a way for me to cheat and see the ending before I pick it...

The Search for a Reason for Murder Remember last year's Dale Beaner and the Turtle Boy? I do! That's these guys! And they're funny!

Vagabond One of my biggest surprises at the Ottawa Fringe was Tribulations of a Failed Vigilante. I think I caught it because it was short and ended up laughing more than I had in a long time. Well, Dunk a Sok is back and it's in a funky site specific place.

Ok, Ok, I really wanted to make this 10, but I got 12 not counting my own... And there's a bunch more stuff I still want to check out!

There's French stuff, like Le rire de la mer. I'm not normally a fan of Improv, but you've got the Set T-Rex guys (more gems I've discovered at the Big Comedy Go-To) with Callaghan!, Crush Improv with Spotlight On... (and man, I would pay good money to see Cari Leslie make shit up) and the gang from Insensitivity Training who kind of sold me with this trailer for Something with Virgin and Chainsaws.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrGmqbSr6KE]

And and and I've heard interesting things about When Harry Met Harry and The Walk has strong local pedigree and and and...

GAH!

This list is no where near complete. Just get out there will ya? And let me know what you see!

Oh You!

I'm going to be honest here. Two years ago, I was severely disappointed by the Magnetic North Theatre Festival when it was in Ottawa. I had bought a full-festival Cultural Industry pass thinking I was going to be seeing the best of the best in English Canadian Theatre and attending fabulous workshops and events. Well, not so much. Of the 8 shows presented, I loved one, liked two, was a bit meh about two more and would have liked my money back for the other three. As for the Industry events, so many panels & discussions were taking place at the same time that I had trouble figuring out what to attend, got bored with some and gave up altogether... happy that, at the very least, Fringe was around the corner to show me a good time.

But this year? Well, a lot can change in two years. We met up again like exes who run into each other at a friend's wedding. Yichud charmed the pants off of me and I was pretty much done in after that.

This year: Six plays instead of eight - which makes it possible to still have a life and prepare for my Fringe show instead of exhausting myself watching plays; for me, it's been three shows I've loved and two that didn't leave me indifferent - one more to see tonight.

A nicely streamlined Industry Series with events that actually interest me - high points for me included the talk with MacIvor and the Rabbits, a talk on performer arts training called Missing Links, as well as the Speed Dating Pitch event. Last time, there was only one pitch opportunity and I wasn't available to watch it, which was disappointing. This year there were two opportunities, as well as the Speed Dating. And how nice is it that all these local groups have been able to pitch shows to a national and international audience this year?

Oh don't even get me started on the social media campaign! Regular blog updates, a Foursquare contest (which I am totally going to win), and a TWITTER WALL! Gosh, you know how I love seeing my name up on walls...

So, I guess what I'm saying, Mag North, is that, if you're up to it, I'd like to give this relationship of ours another go. What do you say?

SHUT. UP.

I know some of you out there don't really care for this internet/social media bubble I live in. You don't want people to know everything you're doing/thinking 24/7. It's too much work. Is anybody even listening? I get it. I really do. Though I check my blog stats all the time from time to time and see people are reading, there are days when I don't know if anyone is ever really listening.

And then there are days when I know that they do.

As most of you should know by now, I'm doing a show at the Ottawa Fringe Festival called Roller Derby Saved My Soul. What you may not know (unless you've been a longtime stalker reader of this blog) is that the show title was taken from a song by Uncle Leon and the Alibis.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlfCPc1ZhCQ]

Well, thanks to the power of the interwebs my little pre-Fringe interview with the Adorkable Nadine Thornhill caught the attention of Uncle Leon himself. He commented today:

Nice. Please tell Nancy to let me know when the show comes to New York City. So I can sue her ass off… I mean, come see it. Derby Love, Leon Uncle Leon and the Alibis

*cough* Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases. *cough*

Now, of course, I did have my doubts. Someone, possibly Nadine, could just be fucking with me. But then, Uncle Leon (if that's his real name) left me his own comments which led to the band's website. I could not be making this shit up.

Can I just say I feel really good that I actually went on iTunes and bought the song legitimately? Phew. Dodged that bullet. And you can too!

BONUS: THEY HAVE T-SHIRTS! I was totally planning on getting Roller Derby Saved My Soul type merchandise. Their stuff is super cheap (and I am seriously considering those booty shorts) so I think I may have to do a little shopping for myself and the crew - for advertisement purposes of course.

Though the show hasn't even premiered yet, for the first time ever I'm seriously considering the Frigid Festival in New York next year. I've never been to the Big Apple and it's been a dream of mine for years. What better way to do it than with my own show?

In the meantime, head on over to see Uncle Leon and download his new album for FREE - including a really kick ass, garage country, live cover of Baby Got Back.

She Just Rules

Twitter has become my go-to source for breaking news.  If it happened, that's where I'll hear about it first.  This morning I became immediately curious when "DePape" kept popping up through my feed.  Could it be?... 2008 was a good year for shows at the Ottawa Fringe Festival.  That year I was doing This Is A Play by Daniel MacIvor with Evolution Theatre, but I remember seeing a lot of other great stuff. That was the year of Nadine Thornhill's The Wedding Night (BTW, check out my interview with Nadine on her blog now!), Die Roten Punke rocked the house at the Alumni Auditorium, A Leave of Absinthe, Crude Love, and some incredible solo performances in Jayson McDonald's Boatload and Brigette DePape's She Rules With Iron Stix.

Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVED Boatload. It definitely impacted me both as an audience member and as a performer.  I never realized until then that one person could do so much on stage with so little and still tell a beautiful and compelling story. But the one that really stuck with me, the one that made me go "Holy Shit!" was the quirky and charming tale of a baton twirler who, when she got angry at the world, threw recyclables in the trash.

Brigette DePape was 19 and this was her third Fringe show.  She wrote and performed in her first one-woman show when she was 15. FIFTEEN! And she was now going on tour.  When the show was over, I wandered over to the beer tent absolutely gobsmacked (and feeling rather old and inadequate at the ripe ol' age of 27).  But after seeing She Rules With Iron Stix. I knew two things: I wanted to write/perform in a one-woman show and I wanted to take it on tour.

I didn't know what I wanted to write about until much later, but at some point before then I contacted Brigette to get her advice. We had tea and talked about theatre and travel and our plans for the future.  Once again, I was instantly taken in and inspired by this smart, charming, passionate and beautiful soul.  And I couldn't help thinking, I was not this brave at 19.

It's a few years later and I'm getting ready to finally present my one-woman show at this year's Ottawa Fringe Festival (What can I say? I've always been a late bloomer), a show that I hope will go on tour next year, when my eye catches a familiar name sliding through my Twitter feed: DePape...  Once again, your passion and bravery never ceases to amaze me.

You can read up on what happened by clicking on her name above, or you can Google her like I did.  And if you do, you might come across this awesome little piece that Brigette wrote herself for Guerilla Magazine about Iron Stix.  I got a little choked up when I made it to the end of the article:

But there was another kind of payoff for me. After seeing Iron Sticks, an Ottawa actress who’s always wanted to do a one-woman show decided she’s going to do her own in next year’s Fringe. Just as the lonely piano player chatting with a dead bird inspired me, my lonely twirler conversing with her baton inspired someone else.

You totally did, B.  My show which opens in less than two weeks?  I dedicate to you. Roller Derby Saved My Soul? Nah, Brigette DePape did.

Roller Derby Saved My Soul opens at the Ottawa Fringe Festival Friday, June 17th at 8 p.m. in Leonard Beaulne Studio - 135 Seraphin Marioan. Advanced tickets available here.

Hero Worship

I am a professional. I have been working in the theatre industry for many years. I have some good skills and I know how to use them. I'd also like to think that I am a pleasant individual, a people person who's passionate about what she does and knows how to get other people passionate too. But most of all, I have a strong professional attitude and work ethic. And then someone comes along that just shakes all that up.

I've been working at the Great Canadian Theatre Company recently and they've got a show coming up that's also a part of the Magnetic North Theatre Festival. That show? This Is What Happens Next by Daniel MacIvor.

I don't know if I've ever mentioned this before, but I am a HUUUUUUGE fan of MacIvor's - notice the many U's in HUGE so you know I'm serious. The man's writing speaks to me on a level that hits me square in the gut. I own most of his plays. I've had the privilege of performing in one of them and regularly use a monologue from another for all of my theatre audition purposes. I can honestly say that his work is one of the reasons I was inspired to create my own one-woman show. I was incredibly disappointed when I missed his appearance in Ottawa a few years ago as part of Transgress, an event at the Writer's Festival.

And on Tuesday, I get to meet him.

My mind is racing. Just thinking about it I feel like I must be 12 and my I.Q. just dropped about 30 points. Will he like me? What if I spent all this time with one massive arts crush and it turns out he's a dick? Can I "accidentally" leave a script to my Roller Derby show lying all over the theatre? DoIhaveanythinginmyteethWhycan'tIstopsweatingWHOISTHISPERSONTALKING? Dear Jeebus please don't let anyone catch me mumbling practice conversations...

I am such a dork.

GoInG OfF tHe RaILs On ThIs CraZy TRaIn

Maybe it's the lack of sleep. Or the stretching myself out too thin (which I keep SAYING I won't do anymore). Or it's the overcaffeination and underhydration. Or maybe it's just all of the above. But for some reason, in the last week, I've got completely batshit insane. I seriously do not understand how I am still functioning as a human being and/or getting shit done (And shit? She is getting DoNe!) Time has pretty much lost all meaning. Everything seems both possible and impossible. My mood jumps from a state of tearstained panic to brilliant euphoria. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON!

And I'm too straight-edged these days to blame it on external substances. By which I mean drugs. Which I am not on (Mom).

If When I survive this weekend... well, it will be all worth it. I think.

In the meantime, isn't this a wicked guitar rift?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRbPWcLode0]

Just Shoot Me Now

The last time I wrote a play, I was torn apart by the critics, lost my shirt (metaphorically) and my best friend (literally). So you can probably understand why writing a new play terrifies, nay petrifies me. Though I've been talking and talking about it, my show about Roller Derby, lets be brutally honest here, is barely past the concept stage. Because every time I want to get something done, I freeze. Or something comes up. I need to do just one more hour of data entry for the GCTC. I need to create a better chart for Odyssey Theatre. Hey, a benefit performance for Evolution Theatre's next show sounds like an amazing idea! Let's do that! Please. More work. More distractions. Get so exhausted that I can't even focus my mind, let alone write something coherent. Theatrical. Let's do anything and everything except write a godforsaken play that will probably suck balls and tarnish any goodwill I have built up as an artist.

Sigh.

People have been asking me how it's coming along and I want to throw up in my mouth a little. I can't even look you in the eye. I want to run away, hide in a deep cavern, preferably underwater, never to be heard from again. Because for some reason there are people out there who actually believe I can do this. People who have donated time and money and encouragement. To me, those people must be fucking crazy. I feel so very unworthy of those people.

But the safety bar has come down, the ride has started its slow ascent up that giant hill and it doesn't give a shit whether or not I'm scared of heights. There's no getting off now. My money has been handed in, scheduling is currently underway and, like it or not, I've got deadlines that demand to be respected.

So, you heard it here first:

Roller Derby Saved My Soul By Nancy Kenny Directed by Christopher Bedford

Big Comedy Go-To - London, Ontario April 23, 2011 - 7pm

Ottawa Fringe Festival - Ottawa, Ontario June 16-26, 2011

Venues and Times TBC

The Greatest Review Evah

In June of last year, I discovered THIS BLOG (or CHUD, if you prefer) when I was looking up the Ottawa Fringe and it made me laugh. Here was someone talking about my favourite things (theatre, Fringe) and his writing made me laugh. Like a lot. The more I read, the more I loved this neophyte's (a much cooler sounding word than "newbie" as I'm sure he would agree) approach to the theatre. His pilot light turned on and he just loved... everything. All of it. All theatre. It was so incredibly refreshing to my cold, grinchy heart now jaded from years of working in this field.

I eventually met this mystery writer who somehow sees more theatre than I do (Really? WTF?) and he quickly became a pal, who is currently my cat's roommate throughout what I like to dub my "vagabond" year.

And so I read his blog all the time now. It's funny and insightful and often reminds me why I love this art form so much.

All that to say, yes, I am totally biased. And yes, I am aware that The Visitor is often very kind in his show reviews. That doesn't mean I don't find this to be a very well-written review of a show from a guy who just flat out got it.

I highly encourage you to go and read the Little Martyrs review that includes gems like these:

The set grabs you by the throat and just instantly starts twisting your brain in directions that haven’t even been invented yet. I don’t know what mad scientist’s lab Pierre Ducharme escaped from, but thank fuck his talents have been channelled to good use. The set is bafflingly cool in a way MC Escher only had nightmares about.

...this is the closest you’re coming to seeing a David Lynch movie live on stage in this town anytime soon.

Shows like this don’t come along that often, folks. And like it, love it, flee screaming from it…you should see it. Yes. Yes, you should.

And once you're done reading it, call this number - 613-564-7240 - and buy yourself a ticket to the show. There's only one week left to the run.

Little Martyrs runs until February 19 in Arts Court Studio A, 2 Daly Ave.

And Here's the Crash

I haven't done a play since last summer and as soon as rehearsals started on Saturday, I felt that blissful high invade my body. If you are an artist, or perhaps and athlete, of any kind, you know what I am talking about. That incredible rush, a mixture of joy and adrenaline, that comes solely from doing what you love more than anything else in the world. We've had 4 incredibly amazing rehearsals for Little Martyrs where we've explored, tried new things, made discoveries, and, yes, played (there was even a Nancy-sandwich at one point, so you know, I'm not complaining). We've so far managed to work through every single scene in the play at least once and things are looking good.

And tomorrow we get a day off.

My body knows this and, like any good addict being separated from his or her junk, I'm crashing. Hard. Yup, rehearsal ended a few hours ago and the crash was almost instant. I'm feeling moody, experiencing body aches from moving into new physical areas, and then there's the pain.

Yes, actual pain. Because this is more than some kind of show crash.

You see, yesterday, I had minor surgery. Just a couple lumps that I had been on a waiting list to have removed. Seriously no big deal and I've had it done in the past without any trouble. Of course, me being who I am (which is totally crazy), after my surgery, I showed up for rehearsal.

Yes, I showed up for rehearsal after being told to "take it easy" by the doctor (rehearsal is easy, right?), looking pale, queezy probably from the local anesthetic leaving my body, and with blood seeping through the bandages from where the stitches were placed... Cuz I'm a trouper (also RE: totally crazy). I was promptly forced home by the stage manager once the whole bloody bandages thing was discovered and we couldn't find any replacements in the building.

Even showing up today probably wasn't the smartest move because of the awkward location of the stitches, but you know what adrenaline does? It blocks pain! Which is awesome! Until the adrenaline goes away. And you end up going home by yourself crying into a bottle of wine you just bought but realize you probably shouldn't drink because you're not sure how that would work with painkillers. Also, I really wish I had someone to tuck me in. Because when you're sick or you have a booboo, you immediately turn 5 again.

So part of me is happy to have the break to rest and get better, but the other part of me really wishes that I could have more of those adrenaline rush rehearsal blockers because this ibuprofen is just NOT CUTING IT.

He's Dead

On Saturday, I sat on the train in Toronto, heading back to Ottawa, with my director for Little Martyrs, Christopher Bedford. I had been in town for an audition and he had spent the past two weeks studying Bouffon with Philippe Gaulier. Along with directing the show and being Artistic Director for Evolution Theatre, Chris is also a very dear friend. Who after two intensive weeks of training just wanted to sleep before we got back to Ottawa for our first rehearsal that night. I, on the other hand, felt that it would be a much more productive use of my time to bombard my director with all my questions & neuroses about the play. You know, since he couldn't get away.

Before we had even left the station, I had already let it be known that I found the first scene to be hard. I always find the first scene of a play difficult and especially hate having the first line of dialogue. If you have the second line, you can play off whatever the other actor has fed you, but the first line? Fuggeddaboutit.

Chris kindly held his sighing to a minimum and indulged me: "What do you find so hard about it?"

"Well, why am I back in town? After all this time, why did my character choose now? It can't just be because of x, y & z. There has to be more than that and I just don't know what it is!"

He smiled and related a story that Gaulier had said to his group during the intensive.

*For full effect, please picture a scruffy young guy doing an impression of a scruffy old guy with a bad French accent.

...

**To be clear, the old guy doesn't have a bad French accent. I am certain that his accent is quite legitimate.

Chris picked up an imaginary phone and started speaking into his finger: "Hello?... Stani? (pause) Stani? (longer pause) Lavski? ... Stani? ... Oooooooh. Stani? Stani? ... (long pause) Lavski? ... Ooooooh. He's not well. (longer pause) Stani? (long pause) Stani? ... Lavski? ... (pause) Oooooooh. Five minutes? ... Stani? ... Lavski? (pause) Stani? ... Ooooooh. He's sick."

OK, picture this going on for about another five minutes. And it's funny. And the longer it goes it stops being funny. And then it keeps going. And it becomes funny all over again. Like that Family Guy video where Peter hurts his knee.

Anyway, the whole thing ends with Chris hanging up the phone-finger and telling me quite sombrely: "He's dead."

Which, if you are not familiar with the dead man or his practices, basically means that the answer to my questions is a very simple "Who cares?"

What's going on in the scene? There's a knock at the door. Do you or don't you want to answer it. End of story.

I laughed. Because if you are a theatre nerd this is one of those "it's funny because it's true" moments.

Satisfied, Chris put his headphones in, secure in the knowledge that I wasn't going to ask any more stupid questions. At least, not during this trip.

And just like that, my trust level in my director skyrocketed, my actor doubts disappeared and I just knew, in my gut now, that we were going to have a great show on our hands.

Little Martyrs - February 9 to 19 in Arts Court Studio A - 2 Daly Avenue