Bench Buzz with Tomas and Janna

For more information, visit http://www.bio-rad.com/yt/4/ngc.

Meet Janna and Tomas. After hearing competing claims about the scalability of next-generation chromatography systems, this dynamic duo took it upon themselves to discover the truth. Now let's face it, when you think of protein purification you don't usually think of good times. But somehow Janna and Tomas manage to keep the mood light even as they put the systems to the test by simulating changing protein purification needs. Their conclusion? Vote Yes for Better Chromatography. Vote Yes for Bio-Rad.

Starring Fernando Navales and Becky Hirschfeld

Program bio, Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

Becky Hirschfeld (Sally) has been in many plays at the Dark Room; most recently she appeared as Leeloo in The Fifth Element: Live!  She's very happy to be in Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! which has been super fun and has taught her not only the meaning of Christmas, but also how to sew and, most importantly, how to properly huck a snowball.

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

The director didn't credit himself, so I'll leave it anonymous (leave it anonymous).

That's Cynthia Popper in the purple--I mean "violet"--whom you might recognize from my TIBCO: 2 Seconds video. She played the lead to my customer service rep because she's a beauuutiful model and a wonderful person who now lives in Japan and takes pictures of amazing things and posts them on the internet, for which I am incredibly grateful because, man, there are some cool things in Japan.

From Left to Right: 

Christopher P Kelly (Schroeder), father to adorable twins and worthy Words with Friends opponent

Joy Carletti (Peppermint Patty), of the Pure Moxie Players

Becky Hirschfeld in a pink newsie hat

From Stage Right to Stage Left:

Chris Kelly, Peter Illes (Pigpen), Jenny Keller (Lucy), Misha Trubs (Charlie Brown), Thomas Apley (Linus), Becky Hirschfeld (Sally Brown)

More hats, from Left to Right:

Peter, Andrew Moore (Snoopy), Cynthia, Erin Lucas (Marcie)

Did you notice our cute dresses?  Jenny's friend made hers so I decided to learn how to sew and make my own Sally dress because I figured that would be easier and cheaper than finding and buying one.

I was wrong.  It was not cheaper and easier.  But, hey, I learned how to sew, so, you know.

Just the Becky parts from The Fifth Element Live on Stage

Backstage at the Fifth Element Live on Stage...

IT'S THE DARK ROOM GREEN ROOM AGAAAAAAIN....

Lady Dee Trimble as the Flight Attendant (and President, and other lady parts 

[hahahaha, lady parts; I mean roles, gosh])

Dene "Hallodene" Larson as Luke Perry (not pictured: Nice Scientist and Gymnast Cop)

Well, hello, Somewhat Ancient Priest (played by Ted Speros as Ian McKellen)

Becky "I Will Kick Your Ass in the Space Future" Hirschfeld

Ralph "Say it Three Times" Hoy plays Ruby Rhod AND did all the costumes

Shoresh "I Will Blow Your Mind with My Felting Skills" Alaudini 

Matthew "Hey Neighbor" Nelson picks me up many times throughout the play and I am not terrified,

despite my extreme aversion to heights.

James "James!?" Galileo as that big jerk Zorg

Gary "Watch Me Pratfall and Not Hurt Myself" Richmond as that big jerk Monroe

Thomas "Paid Celebrity" Apley as that big jerk cop

James creeping

 Adam "Becky's Real-Life Boyfriend so Her Normal Nicknames for Him

Won't Really Work in This Environment" Vogel as Fog

James with with Aknot "What Your Country Can Do for You" Mangalore

Becky Hirschfeld in strategically-placed thermal bandages 

(with Luke Perry and Adam as David and Shoresh as a ninja)

 Becky and Marilynn "She Does her Own Makeup and Still Finds the Time to Bring her Camera to Performances and Take Pictures of All of Us Backstage!" Fowler as the Diva Plavalaguna

The SF Weekly previews The Fifth Element: Live on Stage!

http://www.voiceplaces.com/the-fifth-element-live-on-stage-san-francisco-bay-area-3239916-e/

The Fifth Element: Live on Stage

8:00 p.m. every Fri., Sat. from October 5 until October 27

@ Dark Room Theater

2263 Mission (at 18th St.)

San Francisco, CA 94110

We never watched the The Fifth Element, in theaters or anywhere else. But we noticed the posters, to be sure. Milla Jovovich wearing nothing but an arrangement of bandages like she had been attacked by a very precise cat — praise be to God. Did you know that dress was designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier? You’ve done cosplay conventions a solid, Jean-Paul, not to mention Halloween. Recently, we saw the dress on a woman in a press release for The Fifth Element: Live on Stage, and after a pathetically large number of double-takes, it sunk in: The Fifth Element is getting the Dark Room stage-adaptation treatment! And it’s being corralled, cast, and directed by Timothy Kay of Numberkay Productions, a veteran of many classic Dark Room stage adaptations. As for The Fifth Element’s plot, it has to do with something something Milla Jovovich bandages the future. The movie also has wonderful names — Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg, Leelo, Diva Plavalaguna, Ruby Rhod, Korben Dallas, Mangalore, the Divine Light, the Great Evil — which means it’s basically perfect. The one with the bandages is called Leelo, and she’s played by Becky Hirschfeld. She is the One. — By Michael Leaverton
Price: $20

Thanks, Michael Leaverton!

Personally, I just remember Milla Jovovich's face on the posters, but it is an incredible costume (recreated for this play by the brilliant Ralph Hoy) and I'm thrilled to be able to wear it, especially because that tiny theater gets to be like a bajillion degrees in October.

Geek Nation: Fifth Element Gets the Stage Treatment

http://www.geeknation.com/blog/fifth-element-live-gets-stage-treatment/

Fifth Element Gets the Stage Treatment

by: maggiegrainger on: 10:5:12

Back in 1997, a movie came out that would launch Milla Jovovich and her bondage dress into the superstar stratosphere. The Fifth Element has obtained a cult following throughout the years and now a San Francisco-based theater company is taking a stab with their totally original adaptation of the blockbuster.

The Fifth Element Live pokes fun at the hit flick, which also starred Bruce Willis and dreamy Luke Perry. Chaos – and fun – are sure to ensue as the cast interprets the story of the taxi driver who not only has to keep his beautiful passenger safe, but save all of humanity. 

The Fifth Element Live plays October 5-27 at The Dark Room in San Francisco.

For more information go to: http://www.darkroomsf.com/#fifthlive

Program bio, The Fifth Element: Live!

Becky Hirschfeld (Leeloo, various voices) akta parae dentana molinita andap The Dark Room, poreno Dr Strangelove, Beetlejuice, Start Trek: The Way to Eden, ato Goodfellas (ebina Live!).  Agnes selna partnay.  Foreten bamono tulu San Francisco State University kolat.  Endanar eesenawa oftenon.tumblr.com tolomo akgart, chacha hamma. 

The Fifth Element: Live! press photos

Official Flyer

I'm playing Leeloo

Bada big boom imminent

This photo is nuts because in real life, the top of my head only reaches about a third of the way up that window.  And I would never ever be barefoot on Mission St.  Crazy!!  Oh also, there's a car driving through The Dark Room's front door.

Asteroids: Live!

I played the off-stage computer voice, which is why I'm hiding behind the sign.

She improvised a motor-boating scene.  This is one of the many, many reasons why you should come see our shows.

Program bio, Asteroids Live!

Becky Hirschfeld (Co-director/Computer) met The Dark Room a little over two years ago and has participated in approximately 14 plays here since then; this is the third time in a row she's been a disembodied computer-voice.  She resurrects the role again next month for The Fifth Element (and will also appear on-stage as the titular character).  Becky occasionally posts jokes, pictures of her cats, and other things on her blog: oftenon.tumblr.com

Asteroids Live! promo video

Program bio, From Agnes with Love

Becky Hirschfeld (Agnes/Reoccurring Joke Girl) really likes The Dark Room; From Agnes... is the eleventh staged event she's been involved with at the theater since they were formally introduced almost two years ago.  Next up, she will assistant/co-directAsteroids: Live! in September and act in The Fifth Element: Live! in October.  Becky has appeared in TV shows and commercials, makes art out of paper, and would be pleased if you read her blog: oftenon.tumblr.com

Dental ER

Twilight Zone episodes have commercials!

Dental ER, starring Dene Larson, DDS and Becky Hirschfeld, Nurse

Rhiannon

New Photo Set...

All photos by the illustrious Megan Goldsby...

There are more, but you know that feeling you get when you repeat the same word over and over again, and it starts to lose meaning?  Well, the same thing happens when one looks at too many photos of oneself... but instead of one not making sense anymore, one just starts to look very, very evil...

Twilight Zone, From Agnes with Love

Blogger refuses to recognize this as a YouTube video, but it is, I swear!  Watch the whole thing, or watch my parts, because you're my biggest fan.

The Reoccurring Joke Girl

Agnes

Program bio, Starlight Supply

Becky Hirschfeld (Director) is super happy to be involved with Starlight Supply because she loves it, and because it originally appeared as a short in Becky's first play at the Dark Room, Shawn O'Shea's Sigh-Fi: An Evening of Science-Fiction Themed Comedic Shorts.  Becky has been working steadily here ever since; perhaps you remember her in Star Trek: Live! as Yeoman Rand or maybe in Dr Strangelove: Live! as Miss Scott.  Soon she'll assistant/co-direct Asteroids: Live!, and then return to the stage in The Fifth Element: Live! and Murielle's Big Date.  Her blog might interest you: oftenon.tumblr.com

Twilight Zone LIVE: Season 9!!

I’m involved in TWO weekends of the Twilight Zone Live: Season 9 at The Dark Room…  

The series will kick off at 8pm on June 1 with “Starlight Supply,” written by Shawn O’Shea and Rod Serling’d by Elaine Gavin (whom you might remember as Karen Hill in Goodfellas: LIVE!), and directed by Becky Hirschfeld!!!!  It would mean a buttload to me if you came to this, as I’ve never directed for the theater before, plus the play (staring Craig Souza and The Dark Room’s very own Jim Fourniadis) is really clever and entertaining.

Week four will feature “From Agnes with Love,” an updated version of the original Twilight Zone episode, directed by Rhiannon Charisse.  I play two characters; I’ll be portraying a sentient machine for the second time in my acting career and a hapless nerd for the umpteenth time.  The show is absolutely hilarious and I recommend it to everyone, and I’ll recommend it even harder to anyone who has heard of the Internet, the Mission, and/or Dr Who.

Tickets are $20 at the door, which is located on Mission between 18th and 19th.  You can also buy tickets online at https://www.ticketturtle.com/index.php?show=28023.  June 1-30, 2012. Doors at 7:30, shows at 8pm.

The Twilight Zone Live is a fundraiser for my very favorite theater in this universe.  If you don’t feel like seeing my shows, go see everyone else’s (there are two episodes per night, plus different Rods and “commercials”).  They’re all going to be spectacular.

The Wrong Dick: Backstage!

Always a laugh riot with a coupla dead hoo-ers.

"Maybe if I show off my impressive dance skills, Craig will finally notice me," hopes Photo Becky.

Calliope essentially killed us.

It was like looking into a mirror.  A big, French mirror.

I don't even know, man.

The Wrong Dick: Promotional Photos!

Photos (c) Melissa Schilling, Carrina Maree, and dAMIEN dESIGNED

Jon Snow

There's good a reason behind it.