Shows I’ve Directed – Ruth Silveira

I directed or co-directed four shows at Sacred Fools Theater and I loved them all.

Dracula: a Musical Nightmare 2002

Book by Douglas Johnson Music by John Aschenbrenner

My husband, Richard Marion, was in the premiere production of this play at the Berkeley Repertory Theater. (He played Renfield) Later, he directed a production of the play in Los Angeles. About 25 years after that, Jessie and I directed our own version at Sacred Fools. Jessie also was the choreographer. You can see from the poster it is not a straight forward telling of the tale. The story is told and acted out by a troupe of traveling players who may or may not be vampires, that is never quite clear, but they do frequently have to recast certain roles. I love this show.

Joe Jordan as Chauncey DeVille/ Dracula; Cindy Caddel, Cara LaGreen, and Mary Hayes as Faith, Hope and Charity/ Dracula’s Wives

I Wrote This! by various people 2006

Our title to this show was challenged by someone who already laid claim to it, however the show was closed by the time any actual trouble might have happened. Originally Corey K. and Jessie M. were the Co-Directors of this show but once rehearsals began Jessie had to drop out because of work so I took over for her.

Corey and Jessie gathered pieces that people had written when they were children. We then presented them as though they were written by and for adults. This show was originally scheduled as an Off Night show and would play on week nights instead of weekends. However, a scheduled Main Stage show had to drop out so I Wrote This! coupled with Ten West became the Main Stage show and played the weekends. Pictured on the poster are Stephen Simon and Jon Monestero who made up Ten West. They were also in I Wrote This!

Authors: Jessie M. (age 5), Amir Talai (age 9), Becky Harrison (age 5), Tenaya Cleveland (age 6 3/4), Ariadne Shaffer (age 7), Jenelle R. (age 9), Corey K. (age 10), Vanessa Perkins (age 9), Ruthie Silveira (age 4), Dara Klemow (age 5), Dean Eikleberry (age 4), Padraic Duffy (age 9 almost 10).

Here is a photo of the wonderful cast. From the left: Jon Monastero, Tenaya Cleveland, Stephen Simon, Shelley W., Brandon Clark, Taylor Parker, Kirstin Eggers, and Davis LM McIntyre. They all truly got into the spirit of the piece and just took on anything they were asked to do.

Welcome to the Moon by John Patrick Shanley 2008

This was an Off Night show that stayed Off Night. Directed just by me.

There is a Happiness that Morning Is by Mickle Maher 2015

I loved the way this show looked. That green rug defining the space. Bryan’s colors comfortable with the green and Jessica shining like a jewel. There was also a beautiful mural on the back wall.

John Wuchte as President Dean rounding out the highly skilled cast of three. They were all so very good. I was proud of them and this show.

The alternate cast was also really good: Mark McClain Wilson, Perry Daniel, and Paul Plunkett and Dean.

It’s not an easy show for actors. Bernard and Ellen have most of the dialogue and it is written in rhyming couplets. President Dean speaks in prose.