Check out my NEW PROJECT on the Works in Progress page!
lily mercer
lily mercer
Just a peak at past DIRECTING projects
Just a peak at past DIRECTING projects
Directing is mystifying. It's a long, long, skid on an icy road,
and you do the best you can trying to stay on the road...
If you're still here when you come out of the spin, it's a relief.
But you've got to have the terror if you're going to do anything worthwhile.
Mike Nichols - one of 17 EGOTs in the world, he is the winner of nine TONY AWARDS,
four EMMYs. three BAFTAs, an ACADEMY AWARD, and a GRAMMY, to name a few.
A PIECE OF MY HEART by Shirley Lauro
A PIECE OF MY HEART by Shirley Lauro
Starring: Francine Sama, Pamela Clay Magatha, Nina Petronzio, Johanna Parker, Tricia Dong, Irene Wiley, Floyd Van Buskirk, and Adrian R'Mante
BACKSTAGE WEST PICK OF THE WEEK
"Shirley Laura's play deals powerfully with the women who served (in Vietnam). Act 1 deals with the traumas of the war itself, while Act 2 explores the toll it took on the women's later lives. Lily Mercer's direction is near faultless, and the actors are all terrific - tough, eloquent, unsentimental, and funny." - Neal Weaver, BACKSTAGE WEST
"Lily Mercer's direction encourages the inevitable violence of the momentous times, pausing for moments of unexpected tenderness, a touch of sentiment, and some gallows humor, but always tugging at our tear ducts." - Madeleine Shaner, Los Angeles NITELIFE
THE BOYS NEXT DOOR by Tom Griffin
THE BOYS NEXT DOOR by Tom Griffin
Starring: Roberto Guajardo, Steven Hartley, Patsy Kittridge, Michael Beard, Dick Levy, Kyle McDonough, Ron Ritchie, Andie Snyder, George Staczko, and Judy Ellickson.
"Rumors keep circulating that the Actors Theatre of Sedona has fallen on hard times, but producer Lilly Mercer (sic) apparently hasn't heard them. She has mounted a well-received production of THE BOYS NEXT DOOR about a group of mentally challenged men who have bonded together to live on their own... and it is worth a trip to Sedona." Kyle Lawson, THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC
"Lily Mercer has done is again. She has chosen a funny and thought-provoking play and cast it meticulously to give us another reason to keep the fabulous (Actors Repertory Theatre of Sedona) alive and well and living in Sedona." Earl Sennett, SEDONA RED ROCK NEWS
AN O. HENRY CHRISTMAS by Peter Ekstrom
AN O. HENRY CHRISTMAS by Peter Ekstrom
Starring Theresa Ann Goehring, John Halmi, Floyd Van Buskirk, and Lynne Wieneke
"For Lily Mercer and the Actors Repertory Theatre of Sedona, hang a star upon the highest bough. An O. Henry Christmas is a triumph... (re: Mercer) She brought to her staging all the warmth of O. Henry... Her direction is neat, pointed, and first rate. She uses well every inch of her given space." Earl Sennett, SEDONA RED ROCK NEWS
"I set off with some trepidation to the opening night of An O. Henry Christmas, featuring The Gift of the Magi and The Last Leaf. To say this production of the Actors Repertory Theatre of Sedona (A.R.T.S) does justice to these stories is an understatement. I was delighted... (The cast) charmed a packed house with lilting lyrics, hilarious interchanges, and tender, poignant moments." Lorna McLeod, INSIDE PERFORMING ARTS
"The true holiday hit of the season is the Actors Repertory Theatre of Sedona's production of An O. Henry Christmas... displaying such high quality acting and singing that even though the stories are familiar they still tug at your heart.... Delightful costumes and a wonderful use of space, combined with excellent direction by Lily Mercer make this show a must see. I give it an A." - Nancy O. DeMilner, Flagstaff ARIZONA DAILY SUN
What I love about DIRECTING -
What I love about DIRECTING -
These three shows represent just a few of my 35 directing projects, which range from productions in a 2,000 seat Opera House to a small black box theatre. Each was informative and life changing in it's own way.
But what always amazes me about directing is how instantly the cast and crew become a family. No doubt, some families are more fun than others, but at the end of the day, every single one huddles together to make something called art.