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Tri-State Theater

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Monday, August 19, 2013

Auditions for "Kiss Me Kate" on Tuesday

   More news, as ACTC announces its new season:

   ACTC Theatre will open the 2013- 2014 Theatre Season with Kiss Me Kate, one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals and arguably Cole Potter’s biggest hit. Auditions are Tuesday, August 20 at 7 p.m. in the J. B. Sowards Theatre on the College Drive Campus of Ashland Community and Technical College. Performance dates for the musical are Oct. 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 20 and 27 at 2:30 p.m. in the J. B. Sowards Theatre.

   Combine Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew with Porter's music and lyrics to get 
Kiss Me Kate, an instant success with every cast and audience. This is a play-within-a-play where each cast member's on-stage life is complicated by what is happening offstage. Musical numbers include "Why Can't You Behave," "So In Love Am I," "Wunderbar," "Tom, Dick or Harry," "Were Thine That Special Face," "Too Darn Hot,""Brush Up Your Shakespeare," "I Hate Men," "Always True to You (In My Fashion)" and "Another Op'nin, Another Show." Kiss Me Kate is fun, melodious and sophisticated. The last Broadway revival in 1999 received four Tony Awards for Best Actor, Best Costumes, Best Director and Best Orchestrations. 

   Kiss Me Kate played for 1,077 performances on Broadway at the New Century Theatre and for 501 performances in London at the Coliseum Theatre. The original cast included Alfred Drake, Patricia Morison, Lisa Kirk and Harold Lang. The original cast album issued in 1948 by Columbia Records had the distinction of being the very first Broadway cast recording to be issued on LP. Kiss Me Kate was revived in 1999 at the Martin Beck Theatre on Broadway, where it played for 881 performances starring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Marin Mazzie, and at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London, where it played for about 300 performances starring Brent Barrett and Marin Mazzie. 

   The cast for the ACTC Theatre production will include roles for approximately 30 to 35 performers with equal parts for men and women. There is no advance preparation required to audition and all auditioning are expected to sing. Selections of music from the musical will be taught before auditions. Those auditioning should be prepared to learn a short section of dance as part of the audition process. All performers are expected to sing, dance and read as part of the audition. There are no non-singing roles in the show but all singers do not have to be of excellent voice. High school, college age and adults are encouraged to audition. Preferences in casting are given to ACTC Students with productions generally having equal numbers between college students and community members. Cast member should be able to attend 7 p.m. rehearsals and Saturday work sessions.

   Edward Figgins, ACTC Director of Theatre and Associate Professor of Theatre/Communications will be the Director. Karen Curnutte, ACTC Musical Theatre Director will handle the vocal duties and Eric Akers, ACTC Musical Theatre Conductor will be in charge of the orchestra. Max Jackson, ACTC Professor Emeritus of Music will be the rehearsal/performance accompanist. Paula Krepsik, ACTC Costumer will be the Costume Designer. Yvonne DeKay Sinnott, owner/instructor of Yvonne DeKay’s School of Dance, will be the Choreographer. Mr. Figgins will also be the Scenic/Lighting. Roger Hagley, ACTC Information Technology Staff is the Sound Designer.

   If further information is required please call the ACTC Theatre Office at 606-326-2073.

1 comment:

Charline said...

This is fantastic!