Announcing the 2015 – 2016 Williamston Theatre 10th Anniversary Season

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Tony Caselli

I’m really excited about next season!

Rounding Third
by Richard Dresser
September 24, 2015 – November 1, 2015

ROUNDING THIRD is the tumultuous, hilarious journey of two Little League coaches through an entire season. Don is the tough, blue-collar, win-at-all-costs veteran coach whose son is the star pitcher. Michael is a newcomer to baseball who believes that the job of the coach is to make sure everyone has fun. Don thinks they should be teaching the kids how to win. Out of these conflicting philosophies, the real issues of the play emerge: How should we raise our children? Do we protect our children as long as possible? Or do we prepare them to be tough enough to win? And what does it mean to be an American man? (An encore presentation from our first season, in celebration of our 10th Anniversary!)

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol
by Tom Mula
November 19, 2015 – December 20, 2015

“Marley was dead, to begin with…”—and what happens to Ebenezer Scrooge’s mean, sour, pruney old business partner after that? Chained and shackled, Marley is condemned to a hellish eternity. He’s even given his own private tormentor: a malicious little hell-sprite who named Bogle who acts as his guide. Desperate, Marley accepts his one chance to free himself: To escape his own chains, he must first redeem Scrooge. So begins a journey of laughter and terror, redemption and renewal, during which Scrooge’s heart, indeed, is opened; but not before Marley—in this irreverent, funny and deeply moving story—discovers his own.

Too Much, Too Much, Too Many
by Meghan Kennedy
January 28, 2016 – February 28, 2016

Following the death of her husband, Rose locks herself in her bedroom for the better part of a year, leaving her daughter Emma to care for her through the closed door. When the church sends a pastor to help coax Rose out of her room, he soon finds that Rose is not the only one using barriers to hide her true feelings. Bittersweet, poignant, and touchingly funny, TOO MUCH, TOO MUCH, TOO MANY is a compelling new drama about the walls we build to protect our hearts––and deciding when it’s time to break them down.

The Decade Dance*
by Joseph Zettelmaier
March 31, 2016 – May 1, 2016

Roger Weems, recently returned from Vietnam, meets Nina Reynolds, an African American student activist, during a Kent State rally. A one-night stand becomes a ten-year journey as Rog and Nina navigate a relationship against the backdrop of a turbulent decade. Ten scenes set against various social events of the 70s provide a glimpse into a country trying to find itself, and two people trying to find their place in it.

Chapatti
by Christian O’Reilly
May 26, 2016 – June 26, 2016

Romance is a distant memory for two lonely animal-lovers living in Dublin. When forlorn Dan and his dog Chapatti cross paths with the amiable Betty and her nineteen cats, an unexpected spark begins a warm and gentle story about two people re-discovering the importance of human companionship.

Summer Retreat*
by Annie Martin
July 14, 2016 – August 21, 2016

Three friends from college days long ago come back together at the cottage where they spent their summers. However, instead of a sweet reunion, this gathering collapses into chaos and comedy. What happen when the bonds of friendship run as deep as family, but it’s a family you would like to strangle? This funny caper stretches the bonds of friendship and asks “how far are you willing to go for the people that hold your secrets.”

* World Premiere

Joy in the Little Things

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Tony Caselli

Walking into the gas station, wearing my Green Lantern sweatshirt. A guy about 20 years younger than me is coming through the door, wearing a Superman sweatshirt. He holds the door for me and our eyes meet as we pass.

“Hal”, he nods.

“Kal”, I nod back.

“Be safe out there” he says, and continues into the parking lot.

A woman waiting for us to clear the doorway looks at me quizzically. I smile at her, “Ma’am”, and keep walking.

Best. Gas. Station. Moment. Ever.

Workin’ for the weekend…

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Tony Caselli

A couple of pics from the show I’m currently directing, Sirens, by Deborah Zoe Laufer. Several settings; travel agency, a home, a cruise ship, a rocky Mediterranean island straight out of Greek mythology.

First, the model, by Scenic Designer Matt Imhoff.

Next, the actual set, in progress, as of yesterday:

And me climbing on the set in the cruise-ship-configuration.

Because sometimes you climb things. To make sure they’re safe. For the actors. I wasn’t just climbing for fun!

Okay, I was climbing it for fun. AND to make sure it was safe for the actors. Two birds with one stone…

Having a great time working on this show with this group. The cast is fabulous, the production staff and design teams are just amazing. We start previews two weeks from now, I can’t wait to see how audiences respond!

For more info: SIRENS

Back in the saddle…

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Tony Caselli

So, 6 weeks have come and gone since my last blog post.

It’s been a busy time. In truth, I took some time off from posting- after the passing of my father, I took a break. I’ve been, this week, trying to figure out how to jump back into posting on this blog again. After debating, I gave up the question of “how” and decided “now” was the time to just do it.

The outpouring of love for my dad, and our family, has been wonderful, and I’m eternally grateful to everyone for their kindness and warmth. We miss him every day, but celebrate who he was and the life he lived.

It’s also been a busy time – I was in a play, The Best Brothers, which did very well. I had an amazing time during the production, it was a gift to have it happen at this time in my life. Here’s a link to one of the reviews, just for fun.

That closed on Sunday, and I’m now in rehearsals for the first play I’ve directed in a long time. (Well, I spent a week re-mounting a production that I’ve directed several times before, but I’m not counting that.) Sirens, by Deborah Zoe Laufer, is a beautiful and hysterically funny play about life, love, passion, and the ability to see clearly the wonderfulness in your life. The cast is great, the design team is amazing, and I’m lucky to be working with all of them. More about SIRENS…

So – lots more stuff going on: I’m doing a new podcast, a new adventure in my health and medical life-journey has begun that should yield positive and exciting results, my wife and I were the guest speakers at an ICU Workers Convention (an incredible honor and experience) and there are some amazing things happening at work. Also, I’ve been tricked into playing Clash of Clans on my phone, and now I’m a little hooked. I’m not good, but I’m hooked! I’m looking forward to talking about all of that and more here soon.

So – as I’ve been doing since getting out of hospital last April 1st, I am continuing to celebrate life. I’m one of the luckiest guys on the planet, with an amazing family, wonderful friends, incredible co-workers and a great job. Thanks, Universe.

Frank Caselli

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Tony Caselli

When I was about 13 or so, the year before I could Officially go bow-hunting with my dad, he took me up to hunting camp with him, to learn the ropes. I sat in the hunting blind with him, in the woods, no one around for what seemed to be miles. My instructions from Dad: “If you see a deer, quietly and slowly tap my hand, and just point.” We sat there for what seemed like forever, breathing quietly together and, suddenly, I saw gently coming around a nearby tree… A deer. With my father’s instructions firmly in my head, I leapt to my feet and pointed and shouted at the top of my voice “LOOK! A DEER! DAD!! A DEER!! GET IT! GET IT! THERE IT GOES!! GET IT!!”

When my dad managed to catch his breath, with tears streaming down his cheeks from laughing so hard, he got up from the ground and hugged me tight. “Okay. We’ll work on that later. Right now, though, there are no more deer around for a couple miles, so let’s head back to camp and see if your Grandpa has lunch ready.”

When I was in High School, almost ready to finish my junior year, my dad asked me “So. Any thoughts on college?” I looked at him, and hesitated. Here was my dad. A pipefitter for Ford Motor. He worked a hard, dirty job. A man’s job. He had started working at 16, to provide for his family when his dad died, and he hadn’t stopped. I took a deep breath and, prepared to be talked to about life choices and responsibility, said “I think I want to go to college for theatre.” He blinked, looked at me for a beat, and said “Do you think you can make a living at it?” I said “I really think I can.” He nodded, and said “Ok. Then your mother and I will help in any way we can.”

And that was that.

Last year, I got sick. I went into the hospital, into a coma. The week that happened, my mom and dad basically moved into the hospital room with me. No one knew if I would live. The whole hospital stay was almost 3 months long, I was unconscious for most of it.

Partway through, they told my Dad “You can go for a night, get a good night’s sleep somewhere and come back tomorrow. We’ll be here.” He said back to them “I leave when he does.”

And he did.

My dad, Frank Caselli, passed away yesterday. He was my friend, my hero, and my role model. I pray that I can be for my kids even a fraction of what he was for me. I will miss him more than I can say. I love you Dad.

An Odd Anniversary

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Tony Caselli

It was one year ago today that I collapsed at home, and my wife rushed me to the hospital. We didn’t know it at the time, but bacterial meningitis was attacking and swelling my brain, and the 19th of January started a hospital stay that wouldn’t end until almost 3 months later, on April 1st. I’ll be posting a couple more anniversaries like this, because it’s important to me that I don’t forget.

So. A year ago. It’s so odd. I sit here in my bedroom right now, typing this, and I vividly remember collapsing on the floor *right there*, just a few feet away, in the doorway to our bedroom bathroom. Scared the hell out of our teenagers. What a difference a year makes.

So much stuff to celebrate today. I’m feeling MUCH better than I was then. I’m back to work now, spending a lot of quality family time, working on several projects I love.

In a couple of weeks, in fact, we open The Best Brothers at Williamston Theatre, which I’m in! I haven’t talked about it here, but it’s a fabulous script, and I’m thrilled to be in it with my pal John Lepard, being directed by the wonderful Lynn Lammers. Because of my health I was a little unsure of taking it on, but I’ve been blessed with a good recovery (among other things!), and the process has been terrific.

Here are some pictures from yesterday at rehearsal:

Today was a great day to celebrate being alive! I got to go out to breakfast with my wife and kids, did some script work to prep for rehearsal tomorrow, recorded a podcast, and relaxed. A fantastic day.

So, on an odd anniversary, let me take a minute to say a couple of things: First, thanks for reading this. Second, take a minute to think about a handful of things you’re thankful for. Some of those, I expect, will be the people in your life. Remember to tell them. Don’t wait. Tell them.

And celebrate everything!

Yep. Let’s fix this in 2015.

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Tony Caselli

Because You Can

Posted on December 28, 2014 by Tony Caselli

I love this picture. It just reminds me of the amazing-ness of the world, and the people in it. It’s also a great reminder, a gentle prod, saying “What did you do today? Who did you help? What did you create?” God knows, those reminders are useful. They are for me, anyway. The last couple of months have been busy – new season at the theatre, the holidays, teenaged kids and their crazy schedules, and still a lot of doctor appointments and trying to get more in shape and healthy and re-defining “normal” after the Comapalooza of a year we had around here.

As busy as everything’s been, I still find myself wondering if I’m doing enough. I mean, the schedule says so, but the question is “Is it enough of the RIGHT stuff?” There’s no question – after this year, I really am looking at life differently. This is a second chance. Right now, every day is a bonus. A mulligan. What will that lead to? I don’t know yet. But I’m looking forward to discovering more of the answer!

What if…

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Tony Caselli

Giving Thanks…So Many Thanks

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Tony Caselli

Today, I got to celebrate Thanksgiving with family. I got to chat on the phone and text or email with more family, and a ton of friends.

Right now, as the night winds down, we are relaxing at home. We had a great dinner at my in-laws, then the four of us came back here and watched a movie. Now Jeanne is at the table, working on a beautiful wooden jigsaw puzzle she got as a gift. Max is playing a game online with some of his buddies from school, laughing and yelling as they talk to each other over their headsets. Maggie had a workout and is just about to fall asleep…and I am thinking about how thankful I am to have had today.

Lord, I’m thankful to have been here for this day. I’m thankful for my wife and children, my parents and brother and sister, nephews, nieces, aunts and uncles. I’m thankful for all my in-laws, all of my amazing co-workers, my incredible friends, the wonderful “Team Tony”, and the skilled, dedicated, compassionate doctors and nurses and health-care professionals of St. Joe’s Hospital who very literally saved my life.

I’m thankful for a career I love, and the theatre I get to help run, and the people who support it. I’m thankful for the giant pile of leaves that we should’ve gotten to by now, but didn’t, and thankful for the wonderful way they smell and crunch and blow in the wind and I know that in the Spring they’ll be a mess to clean up…and I’m even thankful for that.

This list could go on until my fingers wear out from typing. Baseball, podcasting for Golden Spiral Media with my pal Joe, Prince’s new albums, directing one of my best friends in a beautiful play this week, my new coat, the pot of coffee my fabulous wife leaves for me every morning, the little jokes that only she and I will get, seeing my kids knock everyone’s socks off in their school play and being the proudest father to walk the planet.

Life. I am so thankful for life. And for the second chance at it. And for the clarity that there is joy to be found everywhere, and reasons to celebrate everything if you allow yourself to recognize and embrace them.

Thanks, Universe…for helping me remember that every day is worthy of giving thanks.