JAMES CRAIG PHOTOGRAPHY

b&w images • blog • project journal

Sweeney Todd – "My Friends"

Monday, October 21, 2024
Sweeney Todd – My Friends

A couple of shots from the number “My Friends” as Sweeney is presented with his old razors. Mrs Lovett had saved them. Three tries and never did get the presentation shot I wanted – in the best one they were just too far apart to make for an effective shot....

Sweeney Todd – "Poor Thing" – #2

Sunday, October 20, 2024
Sweeney Todd – Poor Thing – #2

As the “Poor Thing” number moves along, Lucy is tricked into going to the Judge’s, where the following sequence takes place. It ends with Mrs Lovett telling Sweeney that she took arsenic afterwards…                                          

I’m making...

Sweeney Todd – "Poor Thing" – #1

Friday, October 18, 2024
Sweeney Todd – Poor Thing – #1

“Poor Thing” was, I’m sure, tricky for whoever was on lighting – a spotlight had to be separately on the two areas at the same time. Of course they weren’t equal, so working up thr first two images was a little time consuming. Mrs Lovett is telling Sweeney...

Sweeney Todd – "Worst Pies in London"…

Thursday, October 17, 2024
Sweeney Todd – Worst Pies in London…

Sweeney enters the pie shop below his old home and barber shop, and meets Mrs. Lovett. She gives him one of her “Worst Pies in London”. In the first shot he’s “a customer” the first in weeks – then you quickly discover why. More in the sequence below…....

Sweeney Todd – Meeting the Beggar Woman…

Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Sweeney Todd – Meeting the Beggar Woman…

These were all part of the “No Place Like London” sequence, I just liked too many of the first appearance of the Beggar Woman on the scene to add them to the previous posting. In the first pair Anthony is approached, only to be shocked at her sudden metamorphosis…....

Sweeney Todd – "No Place Like London"…

Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Sweeney Todd – No Place Like London…

The first thing one sees in the actual show numbers, just before Anthony comes on, is Sweeney standing in a very, very dark corner of the stage. It took a bit of magic to bring this exposure to life. I avoid shooting at iso 51,200 because I don’t like how...

Sweeney Todd – "Parlor Songs"…

Monday, October 14, 2024
Sweeney Todd – Parlor Songs…

Skipping around a bit checking off the thirty some scenes. In “Parlor Songs” – Beadle decides he has a singing voice. The first exposure is actully from dress rehearsal, where I could grab a better vantage point, limiting any interference from the music...

Sweeney Prologue – First of 30+ show segments/numbers…

Sunday, October 13, 2024
Sweeney Prologue – First of 30+ show segments/numbers…

Took some doing to organize all of the Sweeney Todd images into something I can approach logically. I’m staring at at least thirty more scene/number folders of selecteed images (to work up). Attacking these in order – while I move on to some new work – is...

Sweeney Todd – “Green Finch and Linnet Bird”, and pre-show exercises…

Friday, October 11, 2024
Sweeney Todd –  “Green Finch and Linnet Bird”, and pre-show exercises…

OK, I’m back working on Sweeney Todd images. First the Rogue Hard Drive filled up on me and had to be replaced with a much larger one (should have seen that coming) and the very next day my computer back-up drive failed – only 2 months after warranty was...

Sweeney Todd – Behind the Scenes, the Orchestra (two views)

Monday, October 7, 2024
Sweeney Todd – Behind the Scenes, the Orchestra (two views)

Katie, quite wisely, always requests a second shot with these, telling everyone to act up, be goofy, etc. And it’s almost always better than the standard group shot. The intro shot is just that, the second. Note, the conductor – Jarett Rettman – picked up...

Sweeney Todd – One reason you shouldn't miss what's happening in the shadows…

Saturday, October 5, 2024
Sweeney Todd – One reason you shouldn't miss what's happening in the shadows…

With this last performance I began working to chatch some of the little nuance stories taking place in the shadows. With this shot I finally get why Alli is described as a prostitute. Ensemble members have occupations that are connected to their peripheral...

Sweeney Todd – Toby, where are you? No one will hurt you……

Friday, October 4, 2024
Sweeney Todd – Toby, where are you? No one will hurt you……

Two quickies before tonight’s performance. Sweeney and Mrs Lovett don’t have such good intentions at this point, but Toby is nowhere to be found. In the second shot, Anthony is courting Johanna with song…

Simply too shot right now to come up with...

Sweeney Todd – A couple of the lighter moments

Thursday, October 3, 2024
Sweeney Todd – A couple of the lighter moments

The stage production of Sweeney Todd has lighter moments throughout – it’s a little bit of a roller-coaster ride. The intro shot is the finale moment of Act 1, celebrating Mrs Lovett’s scathingly brilliant “idea”. 
In the second shot the “Judge” that...

Sweeney Todd – Another Batch of Hot Pies Coming Up…

Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Sweeney Todd – Another Batch of Hot Pies Coming Up…

Way behind but gaining on the backlog. Show reviews are fantastic – bet that my camera and I will be moved back a few rows for the last two shows. Really only a few shots left that I want to concentrate on catching. In the opening shot here Matt Cannon,...

Sweeney Todd – This shot makes Nan laugh the hardest…

Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Sweeney Todd – This shot makes Nan laugh the hardest…

I thought I was done for the day when Nan just couldn’t help herself for the third time over this one. She wanted to see it done up (tricky, from the rear of the theater and in harsh lighting). Caleb as Pirelli is singing away as he tries to blackmail Sweeney...

Sweeney Todd Cast Photo – and Be Yourselves…

Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Sweeney Todd Cast Photo – and Be Yourselves…

Rogue traditionally requests two cast photos, one straight (at least for that particular show) and one Katie calls as “Goofy”. She might as well just say to “be yourselves”. The orchestra was shot at the same time – coming soon. The intro shot is, naturally,...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Sweeney and Mrs Lovett at home, while making an "honest living"…

Friday, September 27, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Sweeney and Mrs Lovett at home, while making an honest living…

Only time for one quick one today – far too many exposures to go through at this point. This is by far the most demanding performance to cover yet. The image is from the number where Mrs Lovett is looking to a “normal” future for them…
First performance...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Wait for it…

Thursday, September 26, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Wait for it…

Right at the start of the second act Toby has a monologue number, duriing which at one point he leaps off a chair. I’m gonna try this one again, compensating for the fact that he leaps almost completely above the spotlight into the dark. Anyway, I manage...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Tastes like chicken…

Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Tastes like chicken…

Close to burn-out at this point, and the show isn’t on us yet. Ouch. These shots are from show run-throughs as stage, lighting and orchestral sync are worked out. Tonight should be full dress rehearsal. Here Mrs Lovett’s new “hot pies” are a huge hit with...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Doing it on the stage…

Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Doing it on the stage…

Finally, midst all the back and forth coordinating with the orchestra (better than listening to “rehearsal track” every 30 seconds), the cast gets to rehearse on stage. Me, I’m busy trying out camera-lens combinations, vantage points, etc. For this rehearsal...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Sweeney pouts and Mrs Lovett offers "comfort"…

Monday, September 23, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Sweeney pouts and Mrs Lovett offers comfort…

Last few days before performance, and I’ve got a lot to work out. Busy week. “Should” be the last off-stage rehearsal shots. Sweeney is pouting because he was thwarted in giving the “shave” he wanted to – Mrs Lovett at first offers unwanted comfort, before...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – I'm not crazy, are you?

Sunday, September 22, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – I'm not crazy, are you?

The title here refers to the intro close-up of one of the inmates at the local asylum. April, as a number of Rogues, has a talent for putting her crazy on. Anthony has just arrived looking for his beloved who has been committed in order to keep her from...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Focus on Jesse and Lisa

Saturday, September 21, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Focus on Jesse and Lisa

Jesse plays Anthony, so has a number of solos – it’s fun to see him have to work so hard. In the intro image, he’s just been forbidden to ever approach Johanna again. In the image below Lisa, who doubles as a town member, here plays Lucy in a flashback background...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – You there, do you want a shave?!

Friday, September 20, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – You there, do you want a shave?!

This is at the point where Sweeney, in a fit of impatience, starts pointing to imaginary victims (the audience) and challenging them to get a “shave”. James can look a little intimidating when he wants to.
The second shot here is one of the final “head-shots”,...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Oops, I told the wrong guy what I'm up to…

Thursday, September 19, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Oops, I told the wrong guy what I'm up to…

I think Jesse (as Anthony) has the expression of horror down as he realizes that he’s been spilling things to Nate (as Beadle). Most numbers in Rogue productions, heavy on Vaudeville, have multiple points where good shots can be managed. In this production...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Three more cast pose for head shots…

Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Three more cast pose for head shots…

Many, but certainly not all, cast members are posing for their head shots as their costumes are ready. Then it’s throw up a quick backdrop, use whatever lighting is available and take my one to three shots I have time for. Only a few to go. The first on...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – when the trunk that holds the body isn't there yet…

Monday, September 16, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – when the trunk that holds the body isn't there yet…

I just had to take a break and do up two exposures that made me smile. In the intro shot Toby (played by Ethan) is sitting on a trunk that, unbeknownst to him, contains the body of his employer. Caleb is a body at this point, in the virtual trunk, providing...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – I believe Mrs Lovett is a little more into things than Sweeney…

Friday, September 13, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – I believe Mrs Lovett is a little more into things than Sweeney…

Searched my brain for a title for this sequence to no avail. I’ll just let them speak for themselves for now. At least they’re to the point now where they can keep stage faces while doing numbers like this Tomorrow is a run-through so I will probably see...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – aah, a nice complimentary shave, oops

Friday, September 13, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – aah, a nice complimentary shave, oops

For this posting I decided to just put up these back-to-back shots. The Beadle is settling down to his complimentary shave in the first shot. The second shot is the instant he reasized something is amiss. In this production the rest goes rather quickly,...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Ode to a Razor…

Thursday, September 12, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Ode to a Razor…

Not a Nightingale or even a Summer’s Day, that being almost romantically celebrated is a razor. Oh well, this IS Sweeney Todd. James and Katie are pretty darn convincing in this scene, though Mrs Lovett is much more focused on her doration of Sweeney than...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – "A Little Priest"

Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – A Little Priest

I love the way they do “A Little Priest” a whole lot more than the movie – it’s more alive and gives the audience a very fun interlude. “A Little Priest gleefully compares the potential taste of those in various occupations. James and Katie, as Sweeney and...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – "Worst Pies in London"

Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks –  Worst Pies in London

Even in early rehearsals Katie and James “become" Mrs Lovett and Sweeney Todd. By the time the show gets here, it will be second nature to them. In the intro shot Mrs Lovett is serving Sweeney one of her “Worst Pies in London” – which his expression confirms....

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – four Gentlemen in want of a "Shave"…

Sunday, September 8, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – four Gentlemen in want of a Shave…

Continuing cast photos for Sweeney Todd. all of these, at some point, go for a “shave”. The first one is Leonard Gilbert who plays “Fogg" – and then after his “shave” is free to play a policeman. First below is Michael Maistros, Fleet Street butcher…

Next...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Moxie herds cast to the table for a video…

Saturday, September 7, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Moxie herds cast to the table for a video…

Generally the only full cast shot is taken at final dress rehearsal, otherwise it would be like herding cats. Somehow Moxie managed to get this group (minus a few) together in order to do a little video clip. I managed to grab a quick take. Nothing like...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Three Swans, two of them new…

Friday, September 6, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Three Swans, two of them new…

Almost finished with the first batch of cast portraits – good thing because tomorrow I “should” be able to load up on another few. I still gotta figure how to hang a backdrop where the rehearsal is being held. The opening shot here is of Alli Beerman – she...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Two new Rogue Swans

Thursday, September 5, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Two new Rogue Swans

Two more in my cast portrait series – at least they are sitting still for these, if only for a minute or two. The opening shot is of Lisa – she’ playing the “market seller” and, in the flashback scene, the young Lucy. It’s a pity the audience won’t be close...

This is Havre de Grace – an Odyssey in b&w 2017–2024

Thursday, September 5, 2024
This is Havre de Grace – an Odyssey in b&w 2017–2024

Finally, it’s done. I assembled the print version first, I always do. Then I have to decide whether to go to print – expensive – or just order one copy for Nan and go immediately to pdf eBook. I was sorely tempted to print tthis one, but with having to sell...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – First Cast Portraits

Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – First Cast Portraits

Cast portraits are always an interesting challenge. Some prefer to use those from the previous big production, a few new faces or those looking for another try, and then there’s the difficult to catch up with group. Since these have to be taken during rehearsals,...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Shaving with a Pencil…

Monday, September 2, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Shaving with a Pencil…

While I begin work on cast portraits – yep, it’s that time again – here’s three more from rehearsal that Lilli (the director) wanted to see done up. Sweeney (L.H. James) is practicing his shaving, here with a pencil. Matt plays the blacksmith who is short...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Couple of key moments…

Saturday, August 31, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Couple of key moments…

Finding rehearsal venues seems to be the trials and tribulations or slings and arrows of performance art. Here one of the cast members got the parish hall of their church – and there was almost enough room. In the first shot Mrs. Lovett and Toby (Katie and...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Mrs Lovett, a portrait of "innocence"…

Friday, August 30, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Mrs Lovett, a portrait of innocence…

The final pair from the downtown shoot. The opening shot shws Katie all dolled up for a picnic with Sweeney – isn’t she the picture of innocence? The hot below shows Mrs Lovett and Sweeney, arm in arm, heading off for their day out – each feeding on the...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Sweeney & Mrs. Lovett's "fun" picnic…

Thursday, August 29, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Sweeney & Mrs. Lovett's fun picnic…

Sweeney Todd’s Director, Lilli “requested” all three of these – argh. She’s one of those people who never asks anyone to work any harder than she does – but she works awfully hard. these were shot at the small rocky beach in town, in bright mid-morning light....

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Clandestine Meeting…

Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Clandestine Meeting…

Johanna and Anthony (Moxie & Jesse) meet clandestinely in the bushes in the park. This trek, in costume, to town provided a number of interesting takes on the Sweeney Todd plot line. They were shooting video clips while I did my thing … Actually all this...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Sweeney arrives, seeking revenge…

Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Sweeney arrives, seeking revenge…

Getting outdoors with actual lighting to play with was fun. They were shooting promo video clips and I tagged along to grab a few shots. My job is to get whatever I can as the fly on the wall – the last thing the cast needs is a prima-donna photographer...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Serious trouble & More pies arrive…

Monday, August 26, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Serious trouble & More pies arrive…

Finishing up with the Editor’s picks, while awaiting more that I know will come from the latest shoots. Some very different stuff in there that I’m working up. The intro image is from the flashback fifteen years in the past when Sweeney was Benjamin Barker....

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – a couple of Director picks…

Friday, August 23, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – a couple of Director picks…

As busy as Lilli is right now, as only the Director can be, she went through some recent exposures and sent me some pic “picks”. Here’s two of them – I love the play of faces in the first, as Mrs. Lovett sits down with some of the pie patrons. In spite of...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – What do you mean no more "hot pies"?

Thursday, August 22, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – What do you mean no more hot pies?

As exuberant as the cast is here, these two shots are from an early read-thru of the scene. Things will surely be more coordinated in later rehearsals, but there’s something cool about first tries at complex scenes where everyone has different guidelines...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Fun with Expressions

Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Fun with Expressions

In the first shot here Sweeney (L.H. James) is angry at Lucy. the beggar woman (Amy). One of my favorites. I love the look on Amy’s face, quite formidable. The seccond shot below was taken at the darker end of the rehearsal room. Sweeney had the Judge (Brian,...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks, Slow-Choreographing Chaos & Dance Script Reading…

Monday, August 19, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks, Slow-Choreographing Chaos & Dance Script Reading…

It’s always interesting to watch Katie begin choreographing a complicated dance or seemingly chaotic scene. You get to see it in slow-motion, albeit in a much more restricted space. It’s amazing how much work goes into making a scene like that work on stage....

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Running Scared & Playing Dead

Sunday, August 18, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – Running Scared & Playing Dead

I like it that I’m finally getting to do some fun shots of the Sweeney Todd rehearsals. The opening shot is of Ron (the banker), without the beard he sported a few days ago in a posting, at the head of a pack of citizens running scared. I promished him that...

Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – the Man Himself

Thursday, August 15, 2024
Sweeney Todd Sneak Peeks – the Man Himself

L.H. James IS Sweeney Todd – here is his first script reading as he contemplates the new singing barber in town. In the second shot below he calmly shaves Ryan Kaczmarczyk, the bird-seller, while his competitor is busy putting on a show for the spectators...

Caleb as Adolfo Pirelli – shaving competition rehearsal with Ron as the local banker…

Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Caleb as Adolfo Pirelli  – shaving competition rehearsal with Ron as the local banker…

Caleb in his first ru-through as Adolpho Pirelli, the joke of a singing Italian barber. Here he shaves Ron, who is playing the local banker. Note – this will be the last time seeing Ron with his beard for a while. Katie informed him that it had to go for...

Playing Sweeney Todd's Toby – one of the ones you (guiltily) want to see in a pie…

Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Playing Sweeney Todd's Toby – one of the ones you (guiltily) want to see in a pie…

This production is so different, large cast but, in spite of some singing, very little of the action Rogue has had me catching for them. Trying to get my sea legs here. This posting introduces Ethan – easily seen as great casting for Toby in Sweeney Todd....

Reading Scripts and Practicing Dips

Sunday, August 11, 2024
Reading Scripts and Practicing Dips

Getting into the long run covering Rogue Swan’s Sweeney Todd from first rehearsal through the final performance. Every time it starts off slow – a lot of time is spent standing around group-reading scripts – a lot of huirried pencil work making more individually...

Jesse and Moxie – first rehearsal of one of their scenes in Sweeney Todd

Saturday, August 10, 2024
Jesse and Moxie  – first rehearsal of one of their scenes in Sweeney Todd

A pair of images from the first rehearsal, with a lot of script following, of Rogue’s "Sweeney Todd". Jesse and Moxie play the young lovers. I wondered how Moxie’s hair got so long so quickly – turns out those are very well matched extensions, for the show....

First release of rehearsal images for Rogue's Sweeney Todd…

Thursday, August 8, 2024
First release of rehearsal images for Rogue's Sweeney Todd…

Well this is different. Rogue Swan – I do the photography fo them – is putting on Sweeney Todd at the Star Center at the end of September, beginning of August. This time though everything, including my imaging, is official somehow. All use of the images...

Rosie Jack and the Bangtails – the final four

Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Rosie Jack and the Bangtails – the final four

Eight humdred exposures netted six usable images – ab I actually like half of them. Actually not a bad result for b&w. Not to mention the excess labor involved from shooting in the very, very low light of a speakeasy. My head is a little bruised from beating...

Rosie Jack, James and Jesse – The Bangtails at MacGregor's

Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Rosie Jack, James and Jesse – The Bangtails at MacGregor's

I have to slow down a little on these, a lot to catch up on and a book to work up. But if I try to stick to one image at a time, I can probably handlle the multitasking. Besides, I feel like I’m cruising again – the 500 chess.com puzzle rating points I lost...

The Gordon Brothers / Base and Drums / Rosie Jack and the Bangtails

Monday, July 22, 2024
The Gordon Brothers / Base and Drums / Rosie Jack and the Bangtails

The Gordon brothers, Nate and Caleb, play base and drums for Rosie Jack and the Bangtails. Nan and I attended their Speakeasy at MacGregors the other evening – everyone was dressed up for the occasion. But, true to the atmosphere, lighting was so dimmed...

Come Alive – I was convinced I didn't catch the moment…

Friday, July 19, 2024
Come Alive – I was convinced I didn't catch the moment…

In a, what seemed futile, effort to catch everyone at once coming alive, I held the shutter down at five frames a second. Only now did I bother to go through them – this shot was the result. It even catches James’s eye behind Bre on the far right end, Melissa’s...

Wicked Little Town / Phantom of the Opera / Love You to Pieces

Thursday, July 18, 2024
Wicked Little Town / Phantom of the Opera / Love You to Pieces

Onekey moment from each of "Wicked Little Town”, "Phantom of the Opera” and Jimmyo Buril's "Love You to Pieces” from Silver Scream (there are a couple of numbers written for Silver Scream that should be used more often our there). Approaching the end quarter...

"No One Lives Forever" – shooting the dark

Wednesday, July 17, 2024
No One Lives Forever – shooting the dark

The lighting was quite effective in the live performance of "No One Lives Forever" – but the camera is not the human eye/brain combination. Darkened stage, deep blue lighting, precious. The intro image was, again, far back in the right hand corner – a little...

The Rogue Ladies of "Mein Herr"…

Monday, July 15, 2024
The Rogue Ladies of Mein Herr…

The first goal in any shoot, in the back of the mind of any b&w photographer, is to end up woth one or two worthy images, additions to his exhibition collection. I believe I’ve got a couple from the this 10th Anniversary Vaudeville performance, the fastest...

Our Favorite Number – "Mariner's Revenge"

Sunday, July 14, 2024
Our Favorite Number – Mariner's Revenge

Rogue’s “Mariner’s Revenge” was phenomenal to watch, not so much to try to get shots of. I can’t count how many times Alex was chased across the stage and back, not to mention Bre’s stage ramblings. Then April, with her triangle, would appear and disappear....

Rogue does Fosse…

Saturday, July 13, 2024
Rogue does Fosse…

Katie loves Fosse, and succeeds in drawing Nate into it every time. Intro shot here is from “Me and My Baby” – it morphed very quicly into “Hot Honey Rag” for the two images below…
Working on a couple of shots from everyone’s favorite Rogue number, “Mariner's...

Tap Dancing to "Bottom of the River"

Friday, July 12, 2024
Tap Dancing to Bottom of the River

Boy, catching tap dancing without them looking like they are standing still is tricky. I got to watch the show evolve, including being there to see Melissa become pretty darn good at it – Dane was already proficient. This was just one facet of a stage full...

"Howl" and Jasper on Drums

Thursday, July 11, 2024
Howl and Jasper on Drums

Moxie (Marion) sang “Howl” from way back in the dark far right corner. She did have a bright lignt on her through – awfully bright. Over two nights I gave it maybe three dozen shots º trimming that down to a handful or color jpegs. Zeroing in on the b&w...

"Bitch of Living" images to add to Bre's jump close-up…

Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Bitch of Living images to add to Bre's jump close-up…

As I was getting started on these I posted a close-up of Bre taking flight. Part of that is caught here in wide view. The Star Center is a big stage – a full view is a long thin shot. Two views of the rather intense performance of “Bitch of Living” are here...

April's Veil Dance to Violin and Drum…

Monday, July 8, 2024
April's Veil Dance to Violin and Drum…

I have two shots from the 10th Anniversary Vaudeville to add here to my collection of April Monique bellydance images. One more bring added as I was organizing exposures earlier. 
For this performance, April switched very late to a veil dance instead...

Tara Vin – Mama Who Bore Me

Monday, July 8, 2024
Tara Vin – Mama Who Bore Me

Tara Vin, who has taken her theatrical efforts to New York, came back to rejoin Rogue Swan for their 10th Anniversary Vaudeville. This is the young lady that wowed us by singing stirring versions of both Strange Fruit and Suddenly Seymore in the same performance....

Chandelier – Lilli takes to the air…

Sunday, July 7, 2024
Chandelier – Lilli takes to the air…

Lilli did this twice in this performance, cool. With the ring turning it was a little tricky getting a shot. The intro image did have to be manipulated a tad, adding a little to the top so that the chain would show, relatively minor. I wish I could show...

Welcome to Mystery 2

Friday, July 5, 2024
Welcome to Mystery 2

Now that I’ve set up a sequence of files to work on from Rogue Swans 10th Anniversary Vaudeville – Decayed – I can go back an pick up someof the opening number images. The opening shot shows Katie entering to “Welcome to Mystery”. Rogue does like opening...

Welcome to Mystery…

Friday, July 5, 2024
Welcome to Mystery…

Rogue Swan has a tradition, in their vaudeville productions, of opening the show with “Welcome to Mystery”. This is accompanied by a sort of organized chaos of players interracting and doing “stuff”. Not much there for my short zoom, but I like to grab a...

Hey Big Spender…

Thursday, July 4, 2024
Hey Big Spender…

The first big number of Rogue Swan’s “Decayed” vaudeville, after the opening, was seven ladies performing “Big Spender”, a somewhat naughty ditty. Here are two shots from that number, eked quite painfully from pure red lighting. The intro is the group addressing...

Rogue's "Major Men" – Coney Island

Thursday, July 4, 2024
Rogue's Major Men – Coney Island

Well, this group changes so much – maybe this will be it. For one performance they even had to change their name to The Three Quarters. They sounded good though. My one observation is that in the “other” River City, they are always, persistently, around...

Rogue Vaudeville Cast/band portrait – Which one tells the truth?

Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Rogue Vaudeville Cast/band portrait – Which one tells the truth?

Every major performance needs its cast portrait – and every Rogue performance needs one where they are all just being themselves. That’s where one can get some idea of what each one of them is like, both on stage and in real life. The color version is out...

Bre Soars with Dance in the Graveyard and Does a Great Chair Leap

Monday, July 1, 2024
Bre Soars with Dance in the Graveyard and Does a Great Chair Leap

I have my liiiiisst of needed images from Lilli. The two today I had already begun working on – Bre singing Dance in the Graveyard, and then in Bitch of Living outdoing everyone with her chair leap – I have the whole thing in three stages as she came down....

Focusing in on the Woodwinds – Jake and Amy

Sunday, June 30, 2024
Focusing in on the Woodwinds – Jake and Amy

Haven’t done many of the actual show images yet from Rogue Swan’s actual show nights – but I did work this one up because I was so happy to get it. They’re usually in the dark on the right when playing. Maybe by tomorrow I’ll be recovered enough from exhaustion...

The Ladies Will Be Out Tonight…

Friday, June 28, 2024
The Ladies Will Be Out Tonight…

Just a quick pre-show posting – tonight is pay what you want night, so come one, come all. It will be a great one. Eight at the Star Center here in Havre de Grace. Just had time for two today, too tired and too busy. And of course, both were bears to remove...

Mermaid and Puppet Girl…

Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Mermaid and Puppet Girl…

Just three more of Lilli’s picks from Monday’s rehearsal. One of the trickiest parts of shooting a Rogue performance is catching little extras happening on the edge of the stage, often at the same time as in the center. Here the mermaid, Emily, sits in her...

OK Lilli, Remember that Solid Red-lit Exposure…… magic

Wednesday, June 26, 2024
OK Lilli, Remember that Solid Red-lit Exposure…… magic

Every once in a (long) while I feel like a magician. The exposure for the intro file here was solid red – stage is red-lit for the number, Hey Big Spender, and this was at the darkest point. Forty rough minutes later, working from seemingly nothing, I emerged...

A Number Worth Double Admission – shots from the first stage run-thru

Monday, June 24, 2024
A Number Worth Double Admission – shots from the first stage run-thru

One of my two favorite numbers from this show is Mariner’s Revenge. Even better than last time and that was great. The intro shot is from that number – so cool. All of these are from the first on-stage run through. Everyone is in street clothes, and things...

More Rogue Rehearsal Faces

Sunday, June 23, 2024
More Rogue Rehearsal Faces

Three more of the faces of rogue rehearsals. When the action is that fast, and the lighting that bad, one never has those moments of just knowing that the last shot was the one. The best one can do is hope. Even if you have time to check the exposure to...

Katie being Katie, Amy sings like an Opera Singer and Melissa takes a Break?…

Saturday, June 22, 2024
Katie being Katie, Amy sings like an Opera Singer and Melissa takes a Break?…

This was the last of the major off-stage rehearsals – what a crowd in such a small space. I’m sort of the fly on the wall – most of the time nobody is conscious of my aiming a camera at them. This is actually my favorite way to work – I might as well be...

The Rest of the Rogue Cast/Band Portraits

Saturday, June 15, 2024
The Rest of the Rogue Cast/Band Portraits

This will make seventeen out of the nineteen or twenty this time around. I know of at least two who want to use last year’s for the program. Oh well. All vertical so I can crowd them a little here – they’ll be able to be accessed, and downloaded, full size...

"Hey, there's a shot…" (from Nan) – and the rest of First Friday

Thursday, June 13, 2024
Hey, there's a shot… (from Nan) – and the rest of First Friday

That’s how the intro shot here, and the one following, came about. The young lady stood out First Friday – and was gracious enough to respond to the camera with a smile. Turns out her and her husband, in the second shot here, operate Bay Breeze on Franklin...

Playing Catch-up – More fun with rehearsal faces…

Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Playing Catch-up – More fun with rehearsal faces…

All but one of these were selected for b&w by Lilli. The first two I had already started – Bre being Bre at her best, belting one out while standing on a chair! These are followed by James (thinking/contemplating/confused?) and Jess at a point in a series...

More Cast/Band Portriaits…

Tuesday, June 11, 2024
More Cast/Band Portriaits…

OK, I know these will be reduced to low resolution cropped circles for the program, but the troupe has them if they ever need or want to use them. The intro shot is Nate, Katie’s husband. He plays base and guitar in the band and is also part of the cast....

Two Fine Ladies and a Tophatted Gentleman

Monday, June 10, 2024
Two Fine Ladies and a Tophatted Gentleman

Three more cast/band portraits. The intro portrait here is Katie – “leater of the pack. vroom, vroom, vroom”. I’m counting on her to muscle the rest to sit for their pictures. The lady has pipes! The second shot below is Bre, another young lady with a phenomenal...

Three of the Very Fine Ladies of Rogue Swan – More cast portraits…

Monday, June 10, 2024
Three of the Very Fine Ladies of Rogue Swan – More cast portraits…

Nan laughs at me for this and says to not get the big head. Most of the cast sits, I fire off a test shot, look at it and throw up my hands – got it, no real need to try more. Often they will strike another pose on their own, telling me to choose one – at...

Some Fun with Rogue Rehearsal Faces

Sunday, June 9, 2024
Some Fun with Rogue Rehearsal Faces

Stage rehearsals make for some interesting facial expressions up close up – add to that reaction to slip-ups, I sometimes catch some good ones – most of which I could never post for frar of one of the ladies setting out to hurt me. I’m probably tking a little...

First Friday in June – #1, Rogue Swan cast hand out show flyers, in full dress…

Saturday, June 8, 2024
First Friday in June – #1, Rogue Swan cast hand out show flyers, in full dress…

I did get a couple of interesting shots from June’s first Friday, but only time to do one up today. Check out Rogue Swan cast members taking a break from handing out mini-flyers announcing their 10th Anniversary Vaudeville show at the Star Center June 28...

Moxie, Katie and Emily – and a rehearsal moment

Thursday, June 6, 2024
Moxie, Katie and Emily – and a rehearsal moment

With Moxie being front and center in Mein Herr, she has to be constantly workin the hat and chair – lots of moments there. It’s difficult to catch Katie other than either very seriously concentrating or during an extreme, lighthearted moment – rarely in...

Wild Roses at Ladew Gardens

Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Wild Roses at Ladew Gardens

We went up to Ladew Gardens for the first time Tuesday. We’ve been, over the years, to Longwood a few times and noted a number of differences. Can’t wait to get therde closer to Fall flowers time. Lots of places to simply park oneself and read, or enjoy...

Rogue Cast & Band Portraits #2 – The Guitar Player and the Sirens

Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Rogue Cast & Band Portraits #2 – The Guitar Player and the Sirens

I have just three more for today, leaving a heavy load for next week. Intro shot is Jess Langley – she sat down / I fired off one shot / I looked at it and threw up my hands – I wasn’t going to beat that. Both Jess and April Monique, below, have something...

Rogue's 10th Anniversary Cast and Band – 1

Monday, June 3, 2024
Rogue's 10th Anniversary Cast and Band – 1

This will have to come in parts – due both to the workload on my part and procrastination on the part of dome members of the troupe. Here’s the first three cast portraits: the intro shot above is Will Conway – violinist with a mischievist nature who can...

Two Sides of James – One of each Moxie and Dane

Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Two Sides of James – One of each Moxie and Dane

Finishing up the last Rogue Rehearsal with three singles that Lilli picked out – and a second one of LH James that I used for the intro pricture here. A completely different side of him. In the second one, below, he manages to look good even when caught...

How is dance like football?

Tuesday, May 28, 2024
How is dance like football?

Check out the blackboard on the right/back of this image. Katie, choriographer and coach, makes diagrams that only the team can comprehend. Then, below, a moment when the cast on the floor were breaking up over something in the script.

Below, Katie...

The Usual Suspects – "Deny Everything"

Monday, May 27, 2024
The Usual Suspects – Deny Everything

Just one image this posting – but one I enjoyed. The instant I took the exposure, I knew just what I wanted to do with it. Unfortunately it was taken in the old music room at the Star Center, an extreme amount of clean-up work to do on the file. Please,...

Just Three Guitars…

Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Just Three Guitars…

I braved the “Garage” again, this time just three guitars were playing. Almost the first thing I noticed through the camera viewer was the lady haunting Josh’s instrument, so I zoomed in on it. Turned out better than I expected. I guess this earns Josh first...

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