Shows on a Halloween Weekend

   It's a busy weekend, what with Halloween and all, but you can also scare up some great shows (sorry, couldn't resist) being presented by your community theatre groups.

   Here's the list:

- Selections from The Twilight Zone - AAC presents this adaptation of stories from the classic TV show on Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 6 and 7 at 7 p.m., and Nov. 1 and 8 at 2 p.m. at The Alban Arts and Conference Center at 65 Olde Main Street in St. Albans, W.Va. Tickets are $15 each. Group rate available of $10 per ticket for groups of 10 or more.

- Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde - Kanawha Players will present the play on Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the LaBelle Theater at 311 D Street in Charleston. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, senior citizens and children under 18.

- Murder and Merriment present Interactive Murder Dinner Parties, including: The Haunting Party on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Tops Off Barber Shop & Beauty Salon at 229 Hale Street in Charleston. Tickets are $45 each by reservation only - call 304-389-5334; and The Haunting Party on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. at the Greenbo Lake State Resort Park. Tickets are $40 per guest by reservation only - call 800-325-0083.

 

   So get out there and see a show!

Busy Days Ahead - and Broadway on Your TV?

  Whew! Apologies for the sporadic posts of late, gentle readers, but your pal Chuck has been swamped lately, working with the incredibly talented cast and crew of Disney's The Lion King, Jr. - the show takes the stage in just 10 days at Huntington's Renaissance Theatre!

  We'll have lots more about that in the days ahead, including interviews with the cast, so watch for that!

   I also wanted to share an interesting story from Variety about a new streaming service - like NetFlix, Hulu and the WWE Network. It plans to offer recordings of live theatre performances!

   According to the story, the service will be called BroadwayHD.

   The service reportedly has a library of more than 100 titles - including Memphis and Jekyll and Hyde.

   You can read more about it right here: http://variety.com/2015/legit/news/broadwayhd-launch-1201625343/#

On Stage This Weekend

   As Halloween draws near, there are fewer shows to choose from - but you don't want to miss these holiday offerings: 

- The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - The LimeLight Theatre Company present the classic play on Oct. 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students - or 4 tickets for $40!

- Murder and Merriment present Interactive Murder Dinner Parties, including: The Haunting Party on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at the 4H Camp in Barboursville. Tickets are $40 each by reservation only - call 304-302-6025; The Haunting Party on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at Crumpets and Tea in Huntington. Tickets are $35 each by reservation only - call 304-522-1112; and The Ghost of Windsor Manor on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at Angela's On The River Restaurant at 2 Sixth Avenue in St. Albans. Tickets are $45 each or $85 per couple by reservation only - call 304-721-8896.

Shakespeare On Stage

   There are two Shakespeare opportunities taking the stage soon:
  
   On Friday, Oct. 23, the American Shakespeare Center's touring company will perform Julius Caesar at the Scottish Rite Temple theatre at 406 Capitol Street in Charleston at 7:30 p.m. Get there by 7 p.m. to see these talented actors entertain prior to the play. Tickets are $20 and $10 for students (and well worth it).

   On Monday, Nov. 2, The Rustic Mechanicals, a West Virginia-based touring Shakespeare company will perform Macbeth in the Skeen Blackbox Theatre at West Virginia State University in Institute, W.Va. The performance is at 7:30 p.m., and admission is free to all. But arrive early - seating will be very limited as the space is small. 

   Don't miss them!

"Disney's The Lion King, Jr." Takes the Stage in November

   First Stage Theatre Company will present the musical Disney’s The Lion King, Jr. live on stage at the Renaissance Theatre at 900 8^th Street in Huntington, W.Va., on Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays, Nov. 8 and 15 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under and senior citizens.

    The musical is based on the beloved Disney animated film and the musical that is still being presented on Broadway. First Stage is the first West Virginia theatre company to stage the “Junior” version of the production. The cast and crew are made up of more than 60 young performers from local elementary, middle and high schools.

   It tells the story of a young lion named Simba who was born to be a king, but a cruel trick forces him to run away from his responsibilities. He must remember his heritage and join his friends to face great dangers if he wants to reclaim his crown.

   The show boasts a string of beloved songs, including “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to be King,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Hakuna Matata.”

   “It’s an honor to be among the first theatres in the nation to get to tackle this show. Our cast has been working hard to learn the challenging songs and dances that make up the show, and it’s a big job to create the costumes and set pieces,” said director Chuck Minsker. “It’s a great show – that’s why it’s been running on Broadway so long - and it will be a lot of fun for all ages!”

    The show’s directing team includes: Director Chuck Minsker, Music Director Mark Smith, Choreographer Melissa Marcum, Assistant Choreographer Brynne Kyle, Assistant Directors Robyn Welch and Ashleigh Bailey-Bannon, Costume Designer Trish Woods and producers Leslie Comer-Porter and Becky Craig.

   Disney’s The Lion King, Jr. is the first show in the 26^th season for Huntington’s long-running children’s theatre.  Shows coming up in Spring 2016 include the play Pinocchio and the musical Junie B. Jones, Jr.

   The mission of First Stage Theatre Company is to provide opportunities for children to develop social and communication skills by participating in the performing arts and to promote fine arts education through the presentation of theatrical productions to children and families in our community.

   For more information, call 304-416-KIDS (304-416-5437) or go to www.FirstStageTheatre.org.

On Stage This Weekend

   Lots of great shows on stage this weekend, including your last chances to catch a couple of beloved musicals. Here's the list:

- Brigadoon - Arts Resources for the Tri-State (ARTS) presents the classic musical by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe on Oct. 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. at the ARTS Renaissance Main Stage at 900 8th Street in Huntington. Tickets are $15 for the show only and $30 for dinner and the show (reservations required – call 304-733-2787.

- The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon - Huntington High School presents the play on Oct. 16, 17 and 18.

- Mary Poppins - Charleston Light Opera Guild and The Clay Center present the musical based on the Walt Disney film and the book by Pamela Travers on Oct. 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences at One Clay Square. All seats are $25 for reserved seating.

- A Midsummer Night's Dream – The Alban Arts Center will present the classic play by William Shakespeare on Oct. 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. at 65 Olde Main Street in St. Albans, W.Va. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and senior citizens. 

- The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - The LimeLight Theatre Company present the classic play on Oct. 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 18 and 25 at 2 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students - or 4 tickets for $40!

- The Haunting Party - Murder and Merriment present an Interactive Murder Dinner Parties on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at The Greenhouse of Teays Valley in Hurricane, W.Va. Tickets are $45, reservations required. Call 304-397-6316.

   So get out there and support your local theatre - they need you!

Brooklyn on Broadway

   My pal Jean Tarbett Hardiman wrote a great article recently for the Herald-Dispatch about Barboursville's own Brooklyn Nelson, who's appearing on stage on Broadway in the show Matilda the Musical!

   You can read the story right here - here's an excerpt:

---------------------

   What Brooklyn Nelson likes most about Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical, in which she is now performing on Broadway, is that it's about children overcoming, not being held down, and showing their absolutely amazing side.

   Kind of like she is.

   This 11-year-old, the daughter of Todd and Tara Nelson of Barboursville, first saw "Matilda" last year on Broadway and decided she wanted to be in it. This year, she is.

   As a "swing" actress in the show, she plays the roles of Lavender and Amanda and is either performing or on standby for seven of the production's eight shows per week. Her mother has relocated there along with her younger sister, Lacey, and both girls are now being homeschooled. Brooklyn formerly attended Village of Barboursville Elementary, where she did her project for last year's social studies fair on the history of Broadway.

    She's also performed in several local stage productions with First Stage Theater Company, Curtains Up Players and the Huntington Area Regional Theater (HART) at Ritter Park.

   This year, she's watching her dream unfold before her own eyes.

   "It's such an amazing opportunity to be on stage with such high-caliber actors," Brooklyn wrote in an email from New York. "At first, I was star struck with a couple of them that I had followed. I couldn't believe I was actually in a show with them. But they are nice and down-to-earth, and I'm learning so much from them - about making your character your own, even if others have played it before you - and so much more."

Starting Tonight: "Brigadoon!"

 

   Starting this weekend in Huntington is a show beloved by - well, everyone who's ever seen it.

 

   ARTS presents the musical Brigadoon, a magical love story loaded with great songs.

 

   My pal Dave Lavender has a great story in the Herald-Dispatch (which you can read here - and and there's a photo gallery here) - here's an excerpt: 

 

------------------

 

   Gene Anthony knows what a little night music and laughter can do.
   And he thinks we could all use a little right now.

   So this weekend you'll find him and his wife, Coni, and the company of ARTS pleasantly whisking audiences back in a sentimental way to the 1940s for the fairytale love story musical Brigadoon, written by the team of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, who gave the world such classics as My Fair Lady and Camelot.

   The sixth ARTS production of the season, Brigadoon hits the stage at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. The production also runs Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17.
Call 304-733-2787 to make dinner and show reservations. Dinner and show tickets are $30, and show only is $15. Dinner tickets are sold out for opening night but available for other nights.

   While the Arts Resources for the Tri-State's season has skated back and forth between edgy contemporary fare, larger musicals and even a Greek tragedy, Anthony said with everything going on in the world, Brigadoon could not come along at a better time.

   "A wonderful way to escape has always been the theater," Anthony said. "When we (Marshall Theater) did The Foreigner, we did it three or four weeks after 9/11, and the show is an absolutely hilarious farce, and the audience was packed, and literally the laughter was like a shockwave. It was so apparent and so present that you could feel the energy pushing backstage because everybody was ready to laugh, and that escape that it provided was glorious, and that, I think, had something to do behind our decision, that we need something to smile about and to feel good about."


WHAT: Arts Resources for the Tri-State (ARTS) fires up a Broadway classic, the 1947-written Brigadoon.

WHERE: Arts Resources for the Tri-State, 900 8th St., Huntington

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. The production also runs Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17.

HOW MUCH: Dinner and show tickets are $30, and show only is $15. Dinner tickets are sold out for opening night but available for other nights.

GET TICKETS: Call 304-733-2787 to make dinner and show reservations.

WHO: Brigadoon stars Mike Murdock, Cindi Mac Fuller, Dylan Clark, Andrew Surber and Ashby Foutch.

On Stage This Weekend

   Lots of great shows taking the stage this weekend - here's the list:

- Brigadoon - Arts Resources for the Tri-State (ARTS) presents the classic musical by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe on Oct. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. at the ARTS Renaissance Main Stage at 900 8th Street in Huntington. Tickets are $15 for the show only and $30 for dinner and the show (reservations required – call 304-733-2787.

- Ah, Wilderness - Marshall Theater Alliance presents the play by Eugene O’Neill Oct. 8, 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center at Marshall University in Huntington. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and faculty, $7 for children 5-12, and free to full-time Marshall students with a valid ID.

- Mary Poppins - Charleston Light Opera Guild and The Clay Center present the musical based on the Walt Disney film and the book by Pamela Travers on Oct. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences at One Clay Square. All seats are $25 for reserved seating.

- A Midsummer Night's Dream – The Alban Arts Center will present the classic play by William Shakespeare on Oct. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. at 65 Olde Main Street in St. Albans, W.Va. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and senior citizens.

- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - the play will be presented by Capital High School Theatre on Oct 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital High School Performing Arts Center in Charleston. Tickets are  $10 for adults, $6 for students and senior citizens, and free to kids under 5.

- The Addams Family - Southern Coalition for the Arts presents the musical based on the beloved TV show Oct. 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. All shows will be at the Coalfield Jamboree Theater at 308 Main Street in Logan, W.Va. Tickets are $12 each.

- Murder and Merriment present an Interactive Murder Dinner Parties: The Ghost of Windsor Manor on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at Chief Logan State Park in Logan, W.Va. Tickets are $35 per Guest or $68.98 per Couple, by reservation Only. Call 304-792-7125.

   So get out there and support your community theatre!

ARTS Resident Company Auditions

    Huntington's ARTS organization has an ingenious structure, unlike any other group in our area - it has an in-house Resident Company of actors and technicians who make up the cast and crew for each season!

   You can be part of that crew, but you have to audition to join - and spaces are limited! Here's the announcement the group posted recently (you can get more information on their Facebook page):

----------------------

Presenting… The ARTS RESIDENT COMPANY AUDITIONS 2016!

   As we wind down our second full season at ARTS with the wonderful Lerner & Loewe musical Brigadoon running October 9 - 17, followed by our first ever ARTS New Works Festival December 4 - 12, it’s time once again to gear up for NEXT year!

   For its 2016 season, ARTS will be continuing its ground-breaking reinvention of how community theatre works with both its fourth full season (SIX shows!) and its fourth year of auditions for the ARTS Resident Company! These auditions will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. AND Sunday, October 25, 2015, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

What does that mean?

   ARTS will have auditions to be in the resident company. At these auditions, you will need to prepare a monologue (classical or contemporary / dramatic or comedic - it should be memorized. Show us your best work.), at least 16 bars of a song to sing (there are several difficult musicals this year, and we need to hear your range), be prepared to do some basic movement / dance with Coni Anthony to see how well you can move, and have an interview with some of the directors and choreographers for the upcoming season. The directors for the current season are: Mike Murdock, Bil Neal, Amy Carlson, Gene Anthony and the Resident Choreographer is Coni Anthony.

   There will be an accompanist provided to play your music. Please bring it with you. If you have to sing a capella, you may, but you will still be asked to run scales with the accompanist.

   Monologues and songs may be of any length, just be aware you have approximately 15 minutes in your audition slot for the monologue, song and interview with the directors. A 1 to 2 minute monologue and 16 bars of a song are standard. Show us your very best work. Dress appropriately for an audition and to move a little.

   You need not bring shoes / dance attire to change into, but you can if you wish. The movement will be just that - seeing how well you can move.

   Auditions on Saturday, October 24, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Slots will be every 15 minutes (with an occasional 15 minute break for the directors as well as a lunch break.)
   Auditions on Sunday, October 25, 2015, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.. – Slots will be every 15 minutes (with an occasional 15 minute break for the directors.)

   Please call (606) 571-1603 to book your slot. If you receive a voicemail, please leave a message with your name, phone number and a time slot or block of time that would work best for you and she will call you back to firm up the schedule. YOU MUST HAVE A SCHEDULED TIME SLOT TO AUDITION. We can't take walk-ins at the last minute due to the nature of the audition and how the schedule will be finalized.
   The six-show, 2016 ARTS Season:

As You Like It - directed by Mike Murdock - January 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 (Ballroom)
A Little Night Music - directed by Bil Neal - March 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 (Ballroom)
August: Osage County - directed by Mike Murdock - May 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 (Mainstage)
The Full Monty - directed by Amy Carlson - August 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 (Mainstage)
God of Carnage - directed by Gene & Coni Anthony - October 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 (Ballroom)
ARTS New Works Festival - managed by Mike Murdock - December 2, 3, 9, 10 (all over ARTS)
   There’s never been a better time to be at ARTS! Be a part of it!

ARTS
900 8th Street Huntington, WV 25701
(304) 733-ARTS (2787)
Website: www.artstristate.org
Facebook: facebook.com/artstristate
Twitter: @artstristate
Instagram: arts_resourcesforthetristate

On Stage in October

   Wow, there are some terrific shows lined up for the busy month of October - mark your calendars, you're going to want to see as many of these shows as possible!

   Here's the list:

- Brigadoon - Arts Resources for the Tri-State (ARTS) presents the classic musical by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe on Oct. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. at the ARTS Renaissance Main Stage at 900 8th Street in Huntington. Tickets are $15 for the show only and $30 for dinner and the show (reservations required – call 304-733-2787.

- Ah, Wilderness - Marshall Theater Alliance presents the play by Eugene O’Neill Sept. 30, 31 and Oct. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center at Marshall University in Huntington. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and faculty, $7 for children 5-12, and free to full-time Marshall students with a valid ID.

- Selections from The Twilight Zone - AAC presents this adaptation of stories from the classic TV show on Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 6 and 7 at 7 p.m., and Nov. 1 and 8 at 2 p.m. at The Alban Arts and Conference Center at 65 Olde Main Street in St. Albans, W.Va. Tickets are $15 each. Group rate available of $10 per ticket for groups of 10 or more.

- Mary Poppins - Charleston Light Opera Guild and The Clay Center present the musical based on the Walt Disney film and the book by Pamela Travers on Oct. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences at One Clay Square. All seats are $25 for reserved seating.

- A Midsummer Night's Dream - Paramount Players present the play by William Shakespeare on Oct. 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Arts Center at 1300 Winchester Avenue in Ashland. Tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for students (in advance), or $18 for adults and $14 for students (on the day of the show).

- Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde - Kanawha Players will present the play on Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the LaBelle Theater at 311 D Street in Charleston. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, senior citizens and children under 18.

- Hansel & Gretel - Children's Theatre of Charleston present the musical on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m., Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students.

- [title of show] - West Virginia State University Theatre Dept. presents the musical (which features mild adult language) on Oct. 1, 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the WVSU Skeen Theatre in the Cole Bldg at Institute, W.Va. Tickets are $5 each. WVSU students are admitted free of charge.

- The Best of Scarpelli and Kehde - Contemporary Youth Arts Company (CYAC) presents this musical revue on Oct. 1, 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Center Theatre at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.

- Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike – Portsmouth Little Theatre presents the comedy (Rated R) on Oct. 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. at 1117 Lawson Street in Portsmouth, Ohio. Tickets are $12 for Adults and $10 for senior citizens and students.

- A Midsummer Night's Dream – The Alban Arts Center will present the classic play by William Shakespeare on Oct. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. at 65 Olde Main Street in St. Albans, W.Va. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and senior citizens.

- The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - The LimeLight Theatre Company present the classic play on Oct. 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 18 and 25 at 2 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students - or 4 tickets for $40!

- The Addams Family - Southern Coalition for the Arts presents the musical based on the beloved TV show at a special midnight matinee on Oct. 2. The event includes live bands, a “Zombie” 5K run at 9 p.m., curtain at Midnight. Shows will also be presented Oct. 3, 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. All shows will be at the Coalfield Jamboree Theater at 308 Main Street in Logan, W.Va. Tickets are $12 each.

- Murder and Merriment present Interactive Murder Dinner Parties, including: The Ghost of Windsor Manor on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at Chief Logan State Park in Logan, W.Va. Tickets are $35 per Guest or $68.98 per Couple, by reservation Only. Call 304-792-7125; The Haunting Party on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at The Greenhouse of Teays Valley in Hurricane, W.Va. Tickets are $45, reservations required. Call 304-397-6316; The Haunting Party on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at the 4H Camp in Barboursville. Tickets are $40 each by reservation only - call 304-302-6025; The Haunting Party on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at Crumpets and Tea in Huntington. Tickets are $35 each by reservation only - call 304-522-1112; The Ghost of Windsor Manor on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at Angela's On The River Restaurant at 2 Sixth Avenue in St. Albans. Tickets are $45 each or $85 per couple by reservation only - call 304-721-8896; The Haunting Party on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Tops Off Barber Shop & Beauty Salon at 229 Hale Street in Charleston. Tickets are $45 each by reservation only - call 304-389-5334; and The Haunting Party on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. at the Greenbo Lake State Resort Park. Tickets are $40 per guest by reservation only - call 800-325-0083.

   Whew! So get out there and support your community theatre!