October and November turned out to be a busier month than anticipated!  In the middle of “The Run Around” rehearsals, we veered off to tackle two other projects – “Our Gift from Prometheus” and “Epitaph by Moonlight”.

“Our Gift from Prometheus” was our sequel to the fire-breathing spectacle “Surprise Flash Bang”.  It was performed at the Fall Carnival at Texas A&M – Kingsville (TAMUK) with the ska band One Pin Short accompanying the fire-breathing.  Barry Berryhill, Alan Guzman, Michael Verderber and Chad Wallace were the fire-breathing extraordinaires.

In collaboration with TAMUK’s Department of Art, Zero Untitled revived “Epitaph by Moonlight” for a one-time-only showing.  The play has previously appeared on the Texas A&M University – Commerce stage as well as TAMUK’s.  The play, which was performed at the Lab Theatre, drew a Sunday crowd of 24.  A decent turnout considering the holiday weekend and the show time.

Last time we mentioned the tentative schedule of events for ZUFP.  Here’s the latest update:

“Our Gift from Prometheus” – October 21, 2009 @ 9:00 pm (as part of TAMUK’s Fall Carnival).  Our fire-breathing sequel to “Surprise Flash Bang!”. ZERO-033

“Epitaph by Moonlight” – November 1, 2009 @ 3:00 pm (as part of TAMUK’s Dia De Los Muertos). Short play with a theme of loss and death. ZERO-034

“The Run Around” – TBA. Short comedic farce about deception and blind dates. ZERO-035

Check out the pages for individual cast lists.

Hey Zero Untitled fans and theatre enthusiasts,

We’ve got a tentative schedule for our season in mind.  However, please keep in mind that due to director’s schedules, changes are inevitable and some other shows (like our Happening series) are not included on this list.  Please keep in mind that ZU has always relished in the element of surprise so shows will come and go according to necessity and schedule conflicts.  Here’s what we have so far (more shows on the way):

THE RUN AROUND by M. Verderber

     Dir. Chad Wallace / (Sept/Oct)

[UNTITLED IMPROV SHOW]

     Dir. Chad Wallace  / (Oct/Nov)

TWAS THE FLOP BEFORE CHRISTMAS by M. Verderber

     Dir. ???  / (Dec)

HEART AND STOLE by M. Verderber, adapted to the stage by Gabriel Ruiz

     Dir. Gabriel Ruiz (tentatively)  /  (Feb)

MEDEA: CERBERUS by Euripides, adapted to the stage by M. Verderber

     Dir. ???   / (Mar/April)

Keep posted for any changes.

Our brief run of “Women Scorned” has come to a close after our three scheduled performances.  We had a turn out of 56 people for the event.  A lower attendance figure than usual but considering that this was a summer production, the crowd’s are usually MUCH smaller. It was a lot of fun despite many trials and tribulations; this show has to be Zero Untitled’s most burdensome production to date.  Literally every one in the case was very ill at least once during the rehearsal process.  “Hemlock”, for example, went through a grad total of 2 directors and 5 actresses due to a never-ending list of scheduling conflicts.  In retrospect, these are humorous, albeit frustrating at that moment.

Zero Untitled’s Verderber will spend the rest of the summer working on various writing projects for future endeavors.

Here is the cast information for the forthcoming project “Women Scorned”.

LIBRETTO by Robin Rothstein

Douglas – Rick Saenz

Claire – Stephanie Wright

HEMLOCK by Michael Verderber

Natalie Hemlock – Jannah Morales

THE DEAD WIFE by Don Nigro

Laura – Iris Romero

Maud – Melissa Anne Scott

“Libretto” will be directed by David Gutierrez and “Hemlock” and “The Dead Wife” will be under the direction of Michael Verderber.

PERFORMANCE DATES: June 30, July 1 and 2 @ 7:00 @ the Blue Room in Sam Fore Hall at the Texas A&M University – Kingsville campus.

Our next project entitled “Women Scorned” will be a collaboration with long time affiliates Bloodline Gemz Productions (David Gutierrez) and will be premiered on June 30, July 1 and 2 at the Blue Room at 7:00.  This will be the second collaboration with Bloodline Gemz.  This will be a showcase of several short pieces sharing the common theme of women struggling:

“The Dead Wife” by Don Nigro

“Libretto” by Robin Rothstein

“Hemlock” by Michael Verderber

Gutierrez will direct “Libretto” and Verderber will direct “The Dead Wife” and “Hemlock”.  More news will be available soon.

Zero Untitled Productions’s 31st production, “Safety Critters” officially premiered May 20, 2009 at the Marc Cisneros Center for Young Children to an enthusiastic audience of kiddos and teachers.  The forty minute performance featured a lot of audience interaction from both students and teachers. 

At this point, ZUFP will be attempting to promote “Safety Critters” as much as possible in an attempt to get the show touring and spread the safety message as much as possible.

The official tour for “Random Thoughts and Unfinished Songs” officially began on Wednesday, May 13 at Wise Guys Bar in Corpus Christi, TX.  There were about 23 people in the audience. The show concluded with Berryhill doing an improvisational concert featuring original songs as well as a few covers.  Keep watch for upcoming tour dates.

The new traveling children’s show “Safety Critters” has been cast and rehearsals are underway.  Here is the cast:

The Narrator: Aaron Martwick

Safe T. Bunny: Heraclio Gonzalez, Jr.

Baby Dormouse: Michael Verderber

Our first show will be at the CYC in Kingsville, TX on May 20th.  Starting the 20th, we are officially ready to perform at schools, churches and events.  We are aimed at Pre-K through 2nd grade.

“Random Thoughts and Unfinished Songs” concludes with 2 more shows on Thursday and Friday (Apr 30 and May 1) at 8:00 at the Blue Room in Sam Fore Hall at the Texas A&M Univ- Kingsville campus.  This is a free show.

We’ve had a great turnout so far, so come see what everyone has been talking about!