Peter Adamson
Reading through these postings has brought back a number of memories of both BBHS and Mr. Trautwein. Now aside from past teachers (who,, when Blind Brook first opened, may have been only 3 years older than the students), I am likely amongst the oldest of the group of students, being part of the first graduating class alongside a few other theater “regulars” including Patty Stern, Nili Yelin, March Schechter and Michael Caplan (and yes, I know there were more, but it was long time ago.)
So I will share four short stories that point to the brilliant ways of Mr. Trautwein, touching upon the works of Andrew Lloyd Weber to William Shakespeare.
In Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Chris Halliburton was cast as Pharaoh. As way of relevant background, Chris is tall, African-American, talented, and can sing. A few days later Mr. Trautwein decided to have dual casts for select shows, and invited me to also play the role of Pharaoh. I was short, had a high-pitched voice (basically, I only entered puberty at the age of 27), am Jewish, but could sing. Unfortunately, I could only sing 3 notes, and they were not always the same 3 notes. I will never forget when Mr. Trautwein first had me sing the part; he quickly marched all over the keyboard until he found the place where I appeared to be on key some of the time. The rest of the time he told me to just belt it out, and not to worry. He took care of the fact that the choir would have to sing in two very different keys. But with Chris and I alternating Pharaoh performances as different as, well, night and day, Mr. Trautwein pulled it off.
Another year it was Amahl and the Night Visitors, referenced earlier in these posts. I was in the choir, and may have had another line or two, but certainly nothing memorable. I also happened to be an avid sports fan, and on the evening of our final dress rehearsal, was asked to a Rangers game at Madison Square Garden. Now I knew a hockey game was not going to cut it as an excuse for Mr. Trautwein. So I did what any enterprising 11th (I think) grader would do; I told him I had to go to a wedding. It was only later pointed out to me that very few people have weddings on Wednesday evenings. So the next day, prior to our performance, Mr. Trautwein inquired how the wedding was. Thinking that I had successfully pulled this off, I was about to answer with some pleasantries when Mike Caplan chimed in, “I heard it was exciting. The bride won in overtime, 3-2.” Mr. Trautwein of course did not blink, as he knew exactly what each of us was up to long before we ever realized it.
Following graduation in 1976, a number of us returned for other performances. Two standout. The first was The Wizard of Oz. In this production, Mr. Trautwein brilliantly leveraged the talents of Jeff Schechter in the role of the Cowardly Lion. For this performance, Jeff did not sing a single note on key. What was happening on the piano had no relationship to what was emerging from Jeff’s vocal chords. If Jeff trended towards singing on key, I am quite certain Mr. Trautwein quickly deviated keys on his piano to assure the great comic effect that ensued.
And on the other end of the spectrum was A Midsummer’s Night Dream. This was long enough ago that I probably have all the details wrong. There was one actor, perhaps a 10th grader (?), who was superb. So why do I think this may have been Craig Bierko? If I am right, more kudos to Mr. Trautwein for his great eye for talent. If not, for whoever it may have been in this comic role, please do not let it go to your head 30+ years later…
Thanks to all for sharing memories. And to Mr. Trautwein, who continues to inspire.
Comments:
Amy Bessen
You were better than you think!
Leslie Perlman Reiff
That's too funny...you were great!!Another testament to George's creativity and pure will. I don't remember Jeff being off key as much as I remember his expressions were the best. Mr. Trautwein undoubtedly pulled it off, as he did with everything. As for me, I shouldn't have worn my "chai" necklace...totally unprofessional,loll!! I have to try to find those photos. They're priceless!!
Mark Schechter
No...Jeff was definitely off key. That was part of Trautwein's genius - it added to how great Jeff was in the role rather than detracted.
Ellen Silverman
Jeff was awesome in that role as I remember.
Jeffrey Smith
Peter, even though I was the "Narrator" of Joseph, and a bigger party, you definitely had the best song, and I was always envious.
Patti Stern Winkel
Peter, you have me laughing and crying. We sure did have some great times! lots of love to you...
Peter Adamson
Jeff, indeed remember your role as the Narrator! And yes Patti, we had loads of fun in theater and music; hard to believe how long ago this really was. All the best to you and the family. Let's figure out how to catch up soon.
Scott Bierko
This is a hilarious post. Thank you, Peter! BTW, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was the only time in BBHS when Craig and I were in a show together. In one scene, I had to put my arm around him and we had to walk downstage conversing. For some reason, this staged moment (directed by the always serious in rehearsal, Peter Tarshis) caught Craig and I as kind of funny. Every time we tried it, we would try and hold our laughter, but we kept losing it. Tarshis would get serious and that only made it funnier to us. Craig and I got through it and we're gread buddies to this day. Peter, however, hasn't spoken to me in 30 years and I think this is why ;)
Peter Adamson
Hi Scott. Well, at least I had some of the details right! Of course I should have remembered that A Midsummer Night’s Dream was a Peter Tarshis production, and Mr. Trautwein may not have even been involved (the musical version of Midsummer Night’s Dream would have to await the Sondheim interpretation, “East Side Story,” with great songs such as “Good Luck Puck” sung by the ever talented Mechanicals..). In any event, the BBHS production was great, and I am glad to see how successful both Bierkos have become, with early signs of talent evident so many years ago.
Peter Adamson
More than 30 years later, I can still hear him have each of us practice, "Where shall I hit him today."
Reading through these postings has brought back a number of memories of both BBHS and Mr. Trautwein. Now aside from past teachers (who,, when Blind Brook first opened, may have been only 3 years older than the students), I am likely amongst the oldest of the group of students, being part of the first graduating class alongside a few other theater “regulars” including Patty Stern, Nili Yelin, March Schechter and Michael Caplan (and yes, I know there were more, but it was long time ago.)
So I will share four short stories that point to the brilliant ways of Mr. Trautwein, touching upon the works of Andrew Lloyd Weber to William Shakespeare.
In Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Chris Halliburton was cast as Pharaoh. As way of relevant background, Chris is tall, African-American, talented, and can sing. A few days later Mr. Trautwein decided to have dual casts for select shows, and invited me to also play the role of Pharaoh. I was short, had a high-pitched voice (basically, I only entered puberty at the age of 27), am Jewish, but could sing. Unfortunately, I could only sing 3 notes, and they were not always the same 3 notes. I will never forget when Mr. Trautwein first had me sing the part; he quickly marched all over the keyboard until he found the place where I appeared to be on key some of the time. The rest of the time he told me to just belt it out, and not to worry. He took care of the fact that the choir would have to sing in two very different keys. But with Chris and I alternating Pharaoh performances as different as, well, night and day, Mr. Trautwein pulled it off.
Another year it was Amahl and the Night Visitors, referenced earlier in these posts. I was in the choir, and may have had another line or two, but certainly nothing memorable. I also happened to be an avid sports fan, and on the evening of our final dress rehearsal, was asked to a Rangers game at Madison Square Garden. Now I knew a hockey game was not going to cut it as an excuse for Mr. Trautwein. So I did what any enterprising 11th (I think) grader would do; I told him I had to go to a wedding. It was only later pointed out to me that very few people have weddings on Wednesday evenings. So the next day, prior to our performance, Mr. Trautwein inquired how the wedding was. Thinking that I had successfully pulled this off, I was about to answer with some pleasantries when Mike Caplan chimed in, “I heard it was exciting. The bride won in overtime, 3-2.” Mr. Trautwein of course did not blink, as he knew exactly what each of us was up to long before we ever realized it.
Following graduation in 1976, a number of us returned for other performances. Two standout. The first was The Wizard of Oz. In this production, Mr. Trautwein brilliantly leveraged the talents of Jeff Schechter in the role of the Cowardly Lion. For this performance, Jeff did not sing a single note on key. What was happening on the piano had no relationship to what was emerging from Jeff’s vocal chords. If Jeff trended towards singing on key, I am quite certain Mr. Trautwein quickly deviated keys on his piano to assure the great comic effect that ensued.
And on the other end of the spectrum was A Midsummer’s Night Dream. This was long enough ago that I probably have all the details wrong. There was one actor, perhaps a 10th grader (?), who was superb. So why do I think this may have been Craig Bierko? If I am right, more kudos to Mr. Trautwein for his great eye for talent. If not, for whoever it may have been in this comic role, please do not let it go to your head 30+ years later…
Thanks to all for sharing memories. And to Mr. Trautwein, who continues to inspire.
Comments:
Amy Bessen
You were better than you think!
Leslie Perlman Reiff
That's too funny...you were great!!Another testament to George's creativity and pure will. I don't remember Jeff being off key as much as I remember his expressions were the best. Mr. Trautwein undoubtedly pulled it off, as he did with everything. As for me, I shouldn't have worn my "chai" necklace...totally unprofessional,loll!! I have to try to find those photos. They're priceless!!
Mark Schechter
No...Jeff was definitely off key. That was part of Trautwein's genius - it added to how great Jeff was in the role rather than detracted.
Ellen Silverman
Jeff was awesome in that role as I remember.
Jeffrey Smith
Peter, even though I was the "Narrator" of Joseph, and a bigger party, you definitely had the best song, and I was always envious.
Patti Stern Winkel
Peter, you have me laughing and crying. We sure did have some great times! lots of love to you...
Peter Adamson
Jeff, indeed remember your role as the Narrator! And yes Patti, we had loads of fun in theater and music; hard to believe how long ago this really was. All the best to you and the family. Let's figure out how to catch up soon.
Scott Bierko
This is a hilarious post. Thank you, Peter! BTW, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was the only time in BBHS when Craig and I were in a show together. In one scene, I had to put my arm around him and we had to walk downstage conversing. For some reason, this staged moment (directed by the always serious in rehearsal, Peter Tarshis) caught Craig and I as kind of funny. Every time we tried it, we would try and hold our laughter, but we kept losing it. Tarshis would get serious and that only made it funnier to us. Craig and I got through it and we're gread buddies to this day. Peter, however, hasn't spoken to me in 30 years and I think this is why ;)
Peter Adamson
Hi Scott. Well, at least I had some of the details right! Of course I should have remembered that A Midsummer Night’s Dream was a Peter Tarshis production, and Mr. Trautwein may not have even been involved (the musical version of Midsummer Night’s Dream would have to await the Sondheim interpretation, “East Side Story,” with great songs such as “Good Luck Puck” sung by the ever talented Mechanicals..). In any event, the BBHS production was great, and I am glad to see how successful both Bierkos have become, with early signs of talent evident so many years ago.
Peter Adamson
More than 30 years later, I can still hear him have each of us practice, "Where shall I hit him today."
