Friday, February 20, 2009

I Want You To Subscribe



2009 is going to be the busiest year yet for The Mammals. In order to get all the latest about our upcoming productions, workshops, and graphic novels please be sure to subscribe to this blog.

Just move you mouse over to the right and click on the words "Subscribe Now".
BTW that picture above is one of the rough cut images we're currently working on for our MEATLOCKER Graphic Novel. You may recognize that actor as Don Hall from WNEP.

The online version of the MEATLOCKER novelization will begin summer of 2009. The full stage production as well as full graphic novel will be available Winter 2009.

Thank you for supporting storefront theatre in Chicago and for visiting the Mammals.

SAVE THE DATE!!!

The Mammals are proud to present

DEVILS DON'T FORGET

part of the Mammals' NOIR TRIPTYCH

by Bob Fisher

May 1st thru May 23rd

Fridays and Saturdays
at 8:00pm

Presented at the RBP Rorschach, located at 4001 N. Ravenswood at the intersection of Irving Park & Ravenswood on the Northeast side of the Metra tracks.

More info regarding ticket reservations coming soon!!!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

DEVILS DON'T FORGET gets a cast

The Mammals are proud to announce the cast of their next Production DEVILS DONT FORGET

The cast will include Dennis Frymire, Susan Myburgh, Don Hall, Gabe Garza, Nicolle Van Dyke, Katherine Swan, Anya Clingman, and Henri J Dugas IV

DEVILS DONT FORGET opens May 1st!!!

More info soon!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Auditions!!!

The Mammals are holding general auditions for multiple projects during our 2009 season. We are looking for bold, energetic performers who are excited at the idea of creating new pieces to be premiered in 2009.

Where: 4001 N. Ravenswood Ave

( Ravenswood and Irving Park - East Side of the Metra Tracks) Suite 405
When: Sunday January 11th 12pm-5pm

To schedule a time call the Mammals at 866-593-4614 or email us at
themammals@gmail.com

What you'll need to bring -

Resume
Headshot
2 Prepared Contrasting Monologues,
Original Created Piece

Regarding your original created piece. The Mammals are excited about working with passionate individuals who consider themselves creative artists. We want to see what you like to create. This can be anything from a monologue you have written to design portfolio/ puppetry/ mask/ sculpture/ music /dance/ movement. We only ask that it be something you have worked on before arriving at the rehearsal. Feel free to share with us pieces you've created at improvisational workshops previously, but we prefer you not attempt to improvise an entirely new piece in front us.



Our 2009 season

Devils Don't Forget - April 2009
The Second Play in Bob Fisher's Noir Triptych

What would you do if you finally were able to forget all the sins of your past, but someone or something you can't quite identify is chasing you down trying to force you to remember? Devils Dont Forget takes all the genre elements of Noir and melds them with Lovecraftian villainy. Previously performed under the title "Save Me From Myself", the Chicago Reader said this play was "like Dario Argento putting flowers on the grave of Raymond Chandler."

Seven Snakes Workshop - Spring/Summer 2009

Described as Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome meets Romeo and Juliet, a story about a mysterious masked bandit who stumbles through a post apocalyptic desert into a abandoned veterans' hospital where the forsaken patients are certain he is their mortal enemy. The only remaining caretaker for the octogenarian military men is a girl raised at the hospital by her recently deceased mother, the last registered nurse assigned to this facility. The young girl must protect the mysterious masked man from the veterans' wrath, and in doing so falls in love. However, the old veterans aren't wholly wrong about the intent of this young enigmatic male. This workshop will be a collaborative approach to staging this Science Fiction Narrative over a number of weeks culminating in a private performance for friends and fellow artists.

The Meatlocker - Fall/Winter 2009

The Third Play in the Noir Triptych, this is the tale of a boxer haunted by demons from his past warning that if he goes down for the full ten count, even if it's a dive, he wont ever get back up. Every time the boxer steps on the mat, he is fighting for his life. The real trouble occurs when the boxer meets a bookie who wont take no for an answer to fix a fight. This story will be told by the Mammals in both graphic novel form as well as a stage production.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

CLAY CONTINENT - The Conclusion of UTTERSON MEETS HYDE




click on image/panel to enlarge

This panel concludes the scenario of Mr. Utterson meeting Edward Hyde.

Oct 19th we will begin the next scene - JEKYLL DISCOVERS SOMETHING DARK

Sunday, September 14, 2008

More Clay Continent Webcomics!




click on image/panel to enlarge


We've been busy on pre-production work for THE MEATLOCKER. As a result, we will have to alter our posting of panels for the Clay Continent Webcomic from every Sunday to every other Sunday. Starting in October, Clay Continent episodes will be posted on the first and third Sunday on each month. The next episode will be posted Sunday October 5th. Thank you all so much for reading. Please keep tuning it!!!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

CLAY CONTINENT - UTTERSON MEETS HYDE continues...



Click on image/panel to enlarge

More Concept Art



Manny the Manager



Here's another shot of Benny the Bookie.



And the Meatlocker

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Meet Benny the Bookie

Meet One of the Villians from The Meatlocker...
Benny the Bookie


Benny is being performed by Joe Janes...



who also happens to be a wonderful author of among other things WNEP's Metaluna. Closing weekend...See it...see it...see it!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Concept Art for The Meatlocker



Here is the first concept design for STITCH, another of the villians in our next big show THE MEATLOCKER.

Here is a description of the character...

From within the cigar smoke, STITCH begins to manifest. First we see one of his crutches within the light. It appears to be homemade, a concoction of pieces from a cane, a broom handle, and the butt of a rifle. The other crutch enters, it is similarly constructed. Finally STITCH drags himself into the light were we can see him. He is the ghost of an old cut man with a cheap stogie stabbed into his maw. His face and every part of his body is seriously scarred. As he drags himself around on crutches, it sounds like someone scrapping a shovel across the ground, as if his feet have been replaced with something metal, that can’t be seen under the cuff of his pant legs


Ron Kroll will be performing the role of STITCH.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

CLAY CONTINENT and THE MEATLOCKER!!!



click on image/panel to enlarge

Hey there Dear Readers!

Just a couple of Clay Continent panels this week. The reason is we've been super busy getting storyboards and conceptual art lined up for THE MEATLOCKER project...

here's another taste of concept art...



Ohhh man...


I hope you all are as excited to see THE MEATLOCKER comic book and stage play as much as we Mammals are excited to bring it too you.


So, next week we'll have more CLAY CONTINENT as well as more occasional concept art for THE MEATLOCKER!

Friday, August 08, 2008

The Meatlocker - Conceptual Art - AJ the Reporter



Here is one of our screen test shots of Mary Jo Bolduc. She is playing AJ the Reporter in the Mammals production/graphic novelization of
THE MEATLOCKER.

Here's a description of her character

She is in her autumn years, but she still has enough of a figure to let you know she use to be the kind of gal a flyboy would paint on a fuselage. Since she doesn’t have any grandkids to blow her dough on, she’s invested in a smart wardrobe. Dressed to impress, but still adhering to a classy, conservative taste. She can be a chameleon, talking out of the side of her mouth to a cabbie, rolling her r’s with the bullfighter, or crossing her t’s with the jetset.

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The Meatlocker - Conceptual Design - Benny the Bookie



Description of Benny the Bookie from the Script of THE MEATLOCKER.


BENNY is a balding back alley Napoleon with a Bronx accent, confident, cocky, seemingly easy going. He doesn’t notice or care that all the guys surrounding him got a good six inches and seventy five pounds on him. He wears a ratty sweat stained brown suit and tie. He has pinkie rings and a crushed fedora. Still, he wears them as if they were top and tails.


Joe Janes will be Benny the Bookie.

Monday, July 28, 2008

The Meatlocker - Conceptual Design - Manny the Manager



Manny the Manager...

MANNY is in his late fifties. A stocky bull dog of a man, his short sleeve shirt shows his well muscled, sparsely tattooed arms that could beat most any opponent at arm wrestling. But his aching back and soft bacon and burger fed belly mean he doesn’t have too much left when it comes to going toe to toe. His shirt unbuttoned showing the typical wife beater underneath. Time has had its way with MANNY. He wears glasses over an intelligent face full of wrinkles from too much frowning. Despite not having half as much spit and vinegar as he used to, his stance and demeanor belie his military training, and help him retain his well earned dignity.


Dave Lykins will be performing as Manny in the Graphic Novelization and hopefully the full production as well.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

The Meatlocker - Conceptual Design - Rudy the Rhino





These are some of the first conceptual designs for Rudy the Rhino, one of the Villains in our next big Performance/Production.

Rudy is described in the playscript as...

RHINO... an ex-fighter who quit the mitts cause there was more money to be made as hired muscle. He is a dangerous, competent man. Even as he jokes those around him have trouble forgetting this. He has a full head of grey hair and his face appears as if chiseled in stone. He wears a grey suit, grey slacks, no jewelry. He is always rubbing his hands together, Those knuckles of his are always itchy.

Design wise, the most audacious thing about The Rhino is the upturned nose. This is an effect that is achievable for the Graphic novel, but more difficult with the live stage play. The great thing about the upturned nose is that the script's villains owe a debt the grotesque antagonists from Dick Tracy. Hence, if we can pull off the upturned nozzle it would be a nice visual touch.

There is mention made of Rhino's nose in the playscript. Actually, his nose is the reason from his nickname. No one has been able to break it. His nose bone, nor any of bone. In all his time in the ring and performing as a heavy for various bookies and underground business associates, he has never sustained a broken bone. There is even a tale told how back in the day another boxer broken his knuckles against Rhino's nose in the ring.

Don Hall will be standing in as Rudy the Rhino for the Graphic Novelization of The Meatlocker. Don has also been a part of the developmental process since the play's conception, namely enacting the part of Rudy the Rhino at all our previous read thrus.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

CLAY CONTINENT - SCENE THREE - MORE FROM DR JEKYLL




Click on image/panel to enlarge

The Next Scene - UTTERSON MEETS HYDE
will be posted in 2 weeks.

All this week and next, we will be posting
conceptual art and updates for both CLAY CONTINENT as well as
our next upcoming project THE MEATLOCKER