Guest written by Diane Janivit
Published November 3, 2011, 12:55 AM
She’s seen the stage from both sides now. Like Joni Mitchell’s wise folk classic, looking at life and love, or, in this case, the stage, logically grants a greater perspective on the art form.
Jennie Eisenhower, director and actor, who directs Chicago at the Media Theatre (closing this weekend in Delaware County) possesses the unique advantage of approaching a script, a casting process, a design team and an artistic vision with the humility and creativity of an actor.
And an acclaimed actor she is. For the most recent Barrymore Awards, which were given just a few weeks ago, she was nominated both for Best Actress in a Musical (Little Women at Bristol Riverside Theatre in Bristol) and Best Supporting Actress in a Musical (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Theatre Horizon in Norristown).
Having begun her career as an actor, Eisenhower feels it is a seamless and informative transition to directing a professional production (she had previously done some directing of educational theater). In her production of Chicago, which she describes as “minimalist, yet definitely inspired by the grit and cinematic quality of the movie (released in 2002),” she has taken liberties, like adding characters to prison scenes and emphasizing the delicate dance between fantasy and reality.
She worked with her actors in collaborative spirit and speaks very highly of her talented cast. Eisenhower says that casting the show was very interesting. She attended both open calls in New York, quite familiar with what actors experience, since she of course had been in those shoes.
She says she knows what it’s like to “wait, prepare your material, and feel, sometimes, like you are unnoticed.” In order to give the actors the respect they deserve, she says she “makes sure to allow everyone to have his or her moment, understand the stress of the day, and relay positive energy to each candidate."
This is the best audition scenario you can ask for, folks.
Chicago at the Media Theatre runs through this Sunday, November 6.
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