The Mystery of the Missing Moon

What's next for our intrepid performer, now that The Memory of Water has wrapped? As mentioned briefly back in December, Carol has signed on with The Mystery Shop as one of their Children's Mystery performers. Carol plays an astronaut on a mission to the moon. Judging by the name of the show, you might be able to figure out that something goes a bit wrong, and they must make a slight detour from their mission in order to solve The Mystery of the Missing Moon (with the help of the young astronauts in the audience).

So, if you have any grade school children, and are looking for a fun and educational show for a party or other special event, why not give The Mystery Shop a call? You can even get $20 off using this coupon!

Production Photos from The Memory of Water

Only two chances left to see The Memory of Water-- tonight at 8:00pm, or tomorrow at 2:00pm. Don't let this opportunity slip away! You can view some production photos here.

The Memory of Water Opening Night

Wow.

Yes, that's what I said; just Wow. After the many weeks of memorizing lines, rehearsal, nervous tension, and sleepless nights, the payoff came yesterday at The Memory of Water opening show. I am usually more wordy and descriptive, but I just have to say-- Wow. I knew that Carol was ready. I mean, she had her lines memorized and all (I had heard most of them many times over); but finally seeing her on stage in a major role was really amazing. Like I said... Wow. She nailed it!

Of course, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the other excellent performances... but then again, this is the CAROL TOWNSEND FAN SITE. Let those others hire their own Biggest Fan if they want the spotlight! On this site, it is all about Carol!

Seeing Carol on stage in her first major role was kind of surreal. I kept thinking, that's not her-- she's so different. She was a sarcastic English doctor, having an affair with a married man, trying to cope with her mother's death, dealing with demons from her past and the dysfunctional relationships with her two sisters. I was lost in the performance, and I sometimes forgot I was there watching Carol. She was equally as convincing breaking down in tears, or laughing hysterically in a whiskey and pot-induced stupor. I'm so proud of Carol, and I look forward to seeing the show again on the 18th. If anyone else would like to join, here's your invitation. As added incentive, there is a discount of $3 off the ticket price if we can get a group of 15. Please email Carol at babestownsend@yahoo.com if you are interested.

There was a write-up about the show in the Downers Grove Reporter. As I've said in a previous post, this show will have something for everyone to enjoy. There's drama, comedy, tragedy... there's booze, sex, drugs, tears, booze, startling revelations, ghosts, (did I mention the booze?), ninjas, pirates, and a one-armed man! And if you don't believe me, then you'll have to go see it for yourself to see if I'm lying. I give it my highest praise!

Congratulations Carol, and to all of the cast and crew, on the opening of a wonderful show!
I love you, babe.
YBF

The Anamnesis of Dihydrogen Monoxide

More details on the Memory of Water (opening this Friday!). I take no credit for the following, as it was taken directly from a posting to a local theater newsgroup (so some of you may have seen it before). I would credit the author, but I don't know who it is.

The Memory of Water humorously examines what normal people do in abnormal times. This touching and hugely entertaining comedy provides an insight into the lives of three sisters who are reunited for their mother’s funeral. A neurotic maternal sister (Lanie Brown of Joliet), a paranoid doctor (Carol Townsend of Carol Stream) and a brattish youngest sibling (Kathryn Meiners of Chicago) recall their childhood, but find that personal grievances have clouded their memories, memories which differ greatly and cause immense friction. One dead mother, three living daughters, and two hapless male companions wrangle with their expectations and disappointments when they are brought together for a few bitterly cold days on the English coast.

The cast also includes Marilyn Weiher of Downers Grove, Robert Plowman of Westmont and Tony Shannon of Joliet. The Memory of Water is written by Shelagh Stephenson and directed by Jorge Bermudez of Rolling Meadows and assistant directed by Dave Docekal of Downers Grove and Katie Libby of Lemont. The show is produced by Downers Grove resident Marilyn Ludwig.

The Memory of Water runs for 2 weekends, February 9, 10, 11 and February 16, 17, 18. Friday and Saturday night performances begin at 8pm; Sunday matinees begin at 2pm. All performances will be held at Lincoln Center, 935 Maple in Downers Grove.

Ticket prices are $14 for Adults; $11 for Senior Citizens and $8 for Students. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Consider It Done, 5133 Main Street in Downers Grove, or reserved by calling the Grove Players Box Office at 630-415-3682. For further information, call the Box Office or visit www.groveplayers.org.

Who's That Blur?

Last night's episode of ER marked the second half of Carol's ER premier. During the scene where Luka was being held at gunpoint on the roof by Curtis, Carol was one of the bystanders just in front of the fire engine. She was clearly (ok-- perhaps not quite clearly) visible in her blue coat and light-blue jeans, in two shots. The first shot was at 40:40 into the episode, as the camera looks past Curtis and focuses on the crowd below, as shown here:

The second shot is in the last two seconds of the episode, at 43:06, just before the fade to black and the credits. The helicopter searchlight illuminates the crowd standing in front of the fire engine, as shown here:

What? You can't see her? She's right there! Just in front of the fire engine. There's a guy in a light coat, and just next to him is a woman in a blue coat. That's her! Ok, ok... you need some help. Allow me to focus your attention. See the screen grabs below. Click to enlarge.