On Stage in October

   Hokey smokes, there are loads of shows on tap for October! Twelve, to be exact. (UPDATE: More than 12, actually - I've added several to the list - thanks to those who sent along additional info!)

   Here are the ones I've tracked down - if I've missed any, let me know and I'll add them to the list:

- Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. - First Stage Theatre Company presents the musical based on the beloved animated film. The show takes the stage at the Renaissance Theatre at 900 8th Street in Huntington on Oct. 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 27 and 28 at 2 p.m.

- Macbeth - ARTS presents one of Shakespeare’s bloodiest and most popular plays. The show takes the stage at the Renaissance Theatre at 900 8th Street in Huntington on Oct. 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. Dinner and Show available by reservation $25 (Fri & Sat Shows Only) - call 304-733-ARTS for dinner reservations.

- Dracula the Musical - Curtain’s Up Players presents the Halloween thriller at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center Oct. 26, 27, Nov. 1 and 2 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 at 2:30 p.m. 

- The Crucible - The Marshall Theatre Alliance presents Arthur Miller’s parable of mass hysteria based on the Salem witch-hunt of 1692. The story of how the small community of Salem is stirred into madness by superstition, paranoia and malice is a savage attack on the evils of mindless

persecution and the terrifying power of false accusations. The play will be presented at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center Oct. 10 - 13 at 8 p.m.

- Alice in Wonderland - Huntington High School's Theatre Department presents the classic play based on the book by Lewis Caroll as adapted from Anne Coulter Martins. The show will take place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11, 12 and 13 as well as 3 p.m. Oct. 14, at the school.

- Phantom of the Opera - ACTC presents Andrew Llyod Webber's famous musical on the ACTC stage Oct. 18, 19, 20 and 25, 26, and 27 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 21 and 28 at 2:30 p.m. 

- The Woman in Black - Portsmouth Little Theatre presents the scary story of a man who recalls his encounter with the mysterious woman in black, who haunts his memory. The drama will be presented Oct. 26, 27, Nov. 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m.

- Hello, Dolly! - One of the most enduring classic musicals of all time will be presented by the Charleston Light Opera Guild at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences on Oct. 26, 27, Nov. 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 at 2:00 p.m. 

- Peter Pan - The Children’s Theatre of Charleston presents the play based on the classic story of the mischievous boy who can fly and spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with mermaids, Indians, fairies, pirates, and occasionally ordinary children from the world outside of Neverland. The show will be presented at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theater Oct. 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 13 and 14 at 2 p.m.

- The Legend of Ginger and Billy Joe: The Stock Car Musical – Contemporary Youth Arts Company presents this original Dan Kehde and Mark Scarpelli musical at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. The musical comedy is a parody of redneck culture – a bit raunchy and very funny. Shows are Oct. 4, 5 and 6 at 8 p.m. 

- Evil Dead: The Musical - Kanawha Players presents the horror musical Oct. 5, 6,  12 and 13 at 8 p.m. at the Kanawha Players Theater.

- Animal Farm - Charleston Stage Company presents the play based on the classic George Orwell novel at the WVSU Capital Theatre on Oct. 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m.

- West Side Story - the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland presents Troika Entertainment's first two showings of the national tour of this beloved musical Oct. 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.

- All My Sons - WIll be offered by Shawnee State University Theatre Department. on Oct 3, 4, 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts at Shawnee State University, 940 Second St. in Portsmouth.

- Music Man, Jr.- Portsmouth Area Children's Theatre will present the musical October 11, 12 and 13 at Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.

- Sleepy Hollow: the Musical - JAX Theatre is staging the Halloween classic on October 19-21 at the JAX Theatre in Wheelersburg.


   Whew! It'll be tough to catch them all, but pick your favorites (or try something new) and get out there and support your community theatre!

"Scrooge" Cast List

First Stage has announced the cast for its holiday show Scrooge - here's the note from director Justin McElroy: 

Thank you so much to those who auditioned for Scrooge, we had a, frankly, amazing crop of talent and some of these decisions were truly agonizing. If you're on the list and do not accept your role or have any questions, please email scroogequestions@gmail.com. Otherwise, we'll see you Monday Oct. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the First Stage Children's Theater Building (yep, the same place you auditioned). Parents, you'll meet at the same spot (at least one parent per child, please). Don't expect this first meeting will last longer than an hour or so. Thanks again, and here we go!

Scrooge - Tommy Smirl
The Ghost of Christmas Past - Sarah Metz
The Ghost of Christmas Present - Jennifer Leist

The Ghost of Christmas Future - TBD
Bob Cratchit - Chad Lovejoy
Mrs. Cratchit - Cindy Westbrook
Annie Jenkins, the soup vendor - Sarah Bryan
Jacob Marley - Allan Stern
Ebby - Ian Carlton
Jen (Ebby’s sister) - Samantha May
Fezziwig - Bill Rawlinson
Mrs. Fezziwig - Jennifer Williams
Dick Wilkins - Andrew Edwards
Young Ebenezer - Levi Kelley
Isabel - Meg Barber
Harry, Scrooge’s nephew - Salem Carlton
Helen, Harry’s wife - Rileigh Smirl
Tiny Tim - Braylon Balandra
Kathy Cratchit - Kathryn Jennings
Julia Cratchit - Madeline Rupp
Martha Cratchit - Zoie Fornash
Matthew Cratchit - Dylan Lovejoy
Peter Cratchit - Nathaniel Fornash
Belinda Cratchit - Paula Ames
Molly Cratchit - Amelia Westbrook
Ms. Dilber - Hannah Clay
Mrs. Dilber - Shannon Card
Punch and Judy Lady - Claire Aulick
Harley, the charity lady - Maggie Donahoe
Jollygood, the charity lady - Emily Harless
Boy with sled - Ethan Lovejoy
Topper - Andrew Edwards
Mary - Maggie Donahoe
Lucy - Emily Harless
Lizzy - Claire Aulick
Stuart - Jameson Reynolds
Charles - Nathaniel Fornash
Sarah - Madalein Jackson
Bess - Macenzie Simmons
Wine merchant - Samantha May
Mr. Carstairs - Jameson Reynolds
Bisset the butcher - Ian Carlton
Pringle, the toy seller - Andrew Edwards
Mrs. Pringle - Madalein Jackson

Dancers - Kathryn Booth, Ayla Williams, Emily Branam, Shannyn Kyle, Shannon Rawlinson, Hunter Morrison, Angie Reynolds, Maggie Donahoe, Meg Barbour, Hannah Clay, Jennifer Williams, Rileigh Smirl, Salem Carlton, Emily Harless, McKenzie Simmons, Anastasia Burdick, Madison Plybon

Urchins - Patrick Dempsey, Brody Reynolds, Owen Jennings, Abigail Parks, Ellie Reynolds, Sophie Eastone, Jack Eastone, Luke Lovejoy, Olivia Roberts

Party Goers - Lily Browning, Lauren Wills, Katelynn Higginbotham, Christian Higginbotham, Dustin Spencer

Congratulations to all who were cast! This is going to be great!

Auditions This Weekend: "Scrooge" and "Marvin's Room"

   There are two shows holding auditions this weekend:

- Scrooge – First Stage Theatre Company presents the holiday musical based on A Christmas Carol. Auditions are open to all ages (both adult and children encouraged to try out! Be prepared to sing up to one minute of a song (cd player and piano accompanist provided or you may sing a cappella. Be prepared to read. Wear something you can dance in. Auditions will be held Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the First Stage Theater Company building at 222 7th Avenue in Huntington. The show will be directed by Justin and Sydnee Smirl McElroy.

- Marvin’s Room – Company of Dreams will hold auditions Sept. 29 at 2:30 p.m. at Fairview High School in Ashland. The production is under the direction of Jim Maggard. Show dates are Nov. 8-10, 2012 at Hillside Community Church in Ashland. Marvin's Room is a dark and mordantly funny comedy by Scott McPherson, which centers on a woman's commitment to caring for her family first, even in the face of personal tragedy.

On Stage This Weekend: Sweeney, Stock Car and Charlie Brown!

On stage this weekend – three great shows!

- Sweeney Todd – 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting the dark musical about the demon barber from Fleet Street this weekend at Huntington's City Hall Auditorium. The show stars Ryan Hardiman and Mary Olson as it tells the story of a barber who seeks his revenge in a unique way - and the woman who helps him dispose of the evidence in a grisly (but efficient) manner. The show will be presented at the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium in Huntington's City Hall on Sept. 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 30 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12. For more information, call the City of Huntington Foundation at 304-696-5522.

- The Legend of Ginger and Billy Joe: The Stock Car Musical – Contemporary Youth Arts Company presents this original Dan Kehde and Mark Scarpelli musical at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. The musical comedy is a parody of redneck culture – a bit raunchy and very funny. Shows are Sept. 28, 29, Oct. 4, 5 and 6 at 8 p.m., and Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors.

- You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown – This is the first show to be presented by the Main Street Players Theatre Company. Based on the beloved comic strip Peanuts, the musical comedy will run Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for youth (18 and Under) and seniors (55+). It’ll be presented at the Alban Theatre in St. Albans.

So get out there and support your community theatre!

"Scrooge" Auditions on Saturday

Auditions for the musical "Scrooge" are this Saturday! The show is presented by First Stage Theatre Company.

Auditions are open to all ages (both adult and children encouraged to try out!). Be prepared to sing up to one minu

te of a song (cd player and piano accompanist will be provided or you may sing a cappella). Be prepared to read from a provided script. Wear shoes and clothes you can dance in.

Where: First Stage Theater Company building at 222 7th Avenue in Huntington, W.Va.
When: Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Can’t make it? Video auditions are also accepted! Just record a minute of singing and read a monologue (short, one person scene longer than 15 seconds) from a film, play or musical. Either email digital version to scroogequestions@gmail.com or mail a DVD or thumb drive to: Justin McElroy, P.O. Box 54, Huntington, WV 25706

Show will be presented Nov. 29 thru Dec. 2 and Dec. 6 thru Dec. 9. (No rehearsals will be held over Thanksgiving.)

"All Grown Up!"

   Great story in the Herald-Dispatch today by Bill Rosenberger about last night's phenomenal All Grown Up Benefit Concert, which brought back some of First Stage Theatre's talented alumni to kick off that group's fundraising efforts. You can read that story right here - there's also a gallery of photos by Mark Webb right here.

   Here's the story: 

   Huntington native J.T. Walker is a singer and actor whose natural talents would likely have led him to where he is now, serving as an actor, manager and administrator at Shadowbox Live in Columbus, Ohio.

   But the 2000 graduate of Huntington High School gives a lot of credit for his development to First Stage Theatre Company, which has provided the Tri-State area with a children's theater since 1990.

Now in its 23rd year, First Stage Theatre held a benefit concert Saturday night called All Grown Up. The performance featured a host of former actors and singers who have gone on to careers in the arts, medicine and law, among others. The group convened at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center in Huntington, where Walker and many others sang and told the audience -- comprised of youth involved in the group's current show The Little Mermaid, Jr. and community members -- the impact First Stage had on their lives.

   "This was my second family, where all my best friends and interactions were," Walker said. "That's what I looked forward to every week. This gives so many people an opportunity to have an outlet in the arts."

   Others who took part in the reunion concert were Mary Ellen Wolfe, a professional acrobat and singer; Kathryn Davis, a local attorney who recently starred as Elle Woods in Huntington Outdoor Theatre's Legally Blonde: the Musical, Josh Meredith, a senior theater major at Marshall University; Sarah Hayes, a junior dance major and theater minor at Radford University; Eric Newfeld, a junior at Marshall; Bronson Bush, a professional songwriter and performer; Justin McElroy, the managing editor of the Polygon video game site; Sydnee Smirl McElroy, an attending physician and assistant professor at Marshall University's Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine; Jessica Lamp Jordan, who works in higher education; Levi Kelly, who recently starred as Horton in Seussical; along with actors Jonathan Lamp, Jennifer Leist, Zach Davis, Robyn Welch and Meag Elkins Muller.

   Proceeds from Saturday night's event will be used in transforming First Stage's new space on 2nd Street and 7th Avenue from a warehouse to a full working theater with classrooms and a stage, said First Stage president Chuck Minsker. He said it will help to provide a theatrical program for children that could lead to more fulfilling a dream to perform on stage.

   "As far as community theater goes, children's theater flies under the radar," Minsker said. "The talent here is really amazing."

Stars of the Benefit Show: Jessica Jordan and Jon Lamp

Our next announced performers for "All Grown Up: A Benefit Concert" are a couple of talented Lamps!

Jessica Lamp Jordan grew up local stages, acting along with her brother Jon Lamp (and sometimes their parents joined the show)! A few of her favorite First Stage roles include the Narrator in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Apassionata in “Lil' Abner,” Gloria in “Bye Bye Birdie,” and Peppermint Patty in “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown” (among many others).

Jon is a Marshall graduate with a degree in Elementary Education and a specialization in both elementary and special education. He performed in many First Stage shows and is currently in rehearsals for his latest role as Dracula in “Dracula the Musical” with CUP. The performances will be the weekends surrounding Halloween.

They'll join Laura LaCara, J.T. Walker, Mary Ellen Wolfe-Nielsen, Kathryn Davis, Sarah Hayes, Eric Newfeld, Bronson Bush and the rest of the cast (to be announced) in the Benefit Concert.

Tickets for the concert are now available - they're $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, and are on sale at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena box office, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or online athttp://www.ticketmaster.com/.

Don't miss it!

First Stage to Present Alumni Concert

   There's a nice story in today's Herald-Dispatch by Dave Lavender previewing the Benefit Concert  (although I have two corrections: Jonathan Joy's play is a one-minute play; and the concert was first suggested by alum Michael Moore.

   Here's an excerpt:  

In less than a month First Stage Theatre group will head underseas with a production of "Little Mermaid." 

But before that song and dance exploration, the group will be piling into the DeLorean and racing "Back to the Future," as an all-star cast of alums has assembled to raise funds for their new warehouse home. 

Called "All Grown Up: A Benefit Concert," the benefit is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. 

"All Grown Up," will feature song, dance, laughs and even aerial acrobatics from a who's who of First Stage alums. The cast includes many who are now performing professionally around the country including Mary Ellen Wolfe-Nielson and her husband Tyce Nielson, who are both working as aerialists and performers in the show, Cirque De La Mer at Sea World San Diego. 

Just a few of the other performers include: Laura LaCara, a professional actress from New York, J.T. Walker, a professional actor from Columbus currently starring as Billy Flynn in the musical "Chicago" and Kathryn Davis, a local attorney who recently starred as Elle Woods in HOT's "Legally Blonde: The Musical" and as Martha Jefferson in ARTS' "1776."

   You can read the rest right here.

Benefit Concert Stars: Bronson Bush

The next announced performer for All Grown Up: A Benefit Concert, which will take the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center stage at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, is a singer-songwriter who divides his time between the Tri-state and Nashville.

Bronson Bush is a professional songwriter and performer who recently recorded an album for a Nickelodeon cartoon. He appeared on stage locally in numerous shows, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Oliver. Now he is co-writing with hit songwriters in Nashville and exploring record label opportunities.

He'll join Laura LaCara, J.T. Walker, Mary Ellen Wolfe-Nielsen, Kathryn Davis, Sarah Hayes, Eric Newfeld and the rest of the cast (to be announced) in the Benefit Concert.

Tickets for the concert are now available - they're $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, and are on sale at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena box office, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/.

 Don't miss it!

Benefit Concert Stars: Sarah Hayes and Eric Newfeld

   Our next announced performers for All Grown Up: A Benefit Concert are two talented college students who will team up to reprise one of their last roles on stage in Huntington.


   Sarah Hayes and Eric Newfeld last worked together in the First Stage production of Into the Woods, and they’ll reprise one of their songs from that show in the concert which will take the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22.

   Sarah (who will also present a dance in the show) is a junior at Radford University. She’s a dance major with a theater minor and has worked professionally as an actress/dancer the last two summers at WV Public Theatre (Sillibub in CATS) and Theatre West Virginia (Hatfields and McCoys / Honey in the Rock / Rocket Boys - The Musical). Next month Sarah will be performing again in The Choreographers Canvas in NYC for the Bob Boross Freestyle Jazz Company.

   Eric is a junior at Marshall, recently returned to Huntington from Washington University in St. Louis. While in St. Louis, he performed in a Jewish a cappella group called Staam and played varied roles in school plays, including Jimmy Harper in Reefer Madness and Corny Collins in Hairspray.

They'll join Laura LaCara, J.T. Walker, Mary Ellen Wolfe-Nielsen, Kathryn Davis and the rest of the cast (to be announced) in the Benefit Concert.

Tickets for the concert are now available - they're $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, and are on sale at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena box office, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/.

Don't miss it!

On Stage This Weekend: Sweeney Todd

   We've been talking a lot about this weekend's Benefit Concert, but it's not the only show taking the stage this weekend - 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting the dark musical Sweeney Todd this weekend and next at Huntington's City Hall Auditorium.

   The show stars Ryan Hardiman and Mary Olson as it tells the story of a barber who seeks his revenge in a unique way - and the woman who helps him dispose of the evidence in a grisly (but efficient) manner.

   The show will be presented at the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium in Huntington's City Hall. Shows will be offered Sept. 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 23 and 30 at 2:30 p.m.

  Tickets are $12. For more information, call the City of Huntington Foundation at 304-696-5522.

Benefit Concert Stars: Kathryn Davis

   The next announced performer for "All Grown Up: A Benefit Concert," which will take the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, is a theatre major who uses those skills in the courtroom.

   Kathryn Davis is an Ashland native who appeared as Mammy Yokum in First Stage’s 2002 production of "Lil’ Abner." She earned a B.A. in Musical Theatre from Palm Beach Atlantic University and her J.D. from the University of Kentucky. She now practices law in Huntington. She was most recently seen as Elle Woods in HOT’s "Legally Blonde," and, in October, she will play Christine in ACTC’s production of "Phantom of the Opera."

She'll join Laura LaCara, J.T. Walker, Mary Ellen Wolfe-Nielsen and the rest of the cast (to be announced) in the Benefit Concert.

Tickets for the concert are now available - they're $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, and are on sale at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena box office, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/.

Don't miss it!

Stars of the Benefit Concert: Mary Ellen Wolfe-Nielsen

The next announced performer for All Grown Up: A Benefit Concert, which will take the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, is a high-flying artist.

Mary Ellen Wolfe-Nielsen has performed as an aerialist, a stunt woman and performs a high-flying act on trapeze and silks with her husband, Tyce Nielsen (that's the two of them enjoying a day at the beach above).

They're making a return visit to Huntington and will fly above the stage at the Keith Albee Theatre as part of the Benefit Concert.

Mary Ellen grew up in Huntington and performed in a number of First Stage shows, starring as Little Orphan Annie in Annie and in HOT's Wizard of Oz as Dorothy. She and Tyce will join Laura LaCara, J.T.Walker and many other performers in the All Grown Up concert.

Tickets are available from Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com and at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena box office.

Stars of the Benefit Concert: J.T. Walker

Now we continue to reveal the names of the performers who will be taking part in All Grown Up: A Benefit Concert, which will take the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22.

Our second star is J.T. Walker, a professional actor who has been a featured player for years at ShadowBox Live in Columbus, Ohio, and is presently appearing there as Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago (and getting rave reviews)!

He'll join Laura LaCara and a talented cast of performers (more announcements forthcoming) for the event. Here's his bio:

JT Walker is now 30 years old and has been living and working professionally in Columbus, OH since 2003 for the nation's largest resident theatre company, Shadowbox Live.

He was mainly seen in the chorus of various MAG-CT performances ranging from Oliver to Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan. He played the Mayor in Bye Bye Birdie and the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol.

Shadowbox Live ensemble members perform four different shows ten times a week and JT can be seen acting, singing, dancing and playing keys, harmonica and percussion with the house band, BillWho?, in three of them at any any given time (sometimes all four). Highlights from his career include Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Claude in Hair, Dr. Frankenfurter in The Rocky Horror Show and he can currently be seen as Billy Flynn in Chicago.

All performers at Shadowbox Live double as administrators and so working there is a full time job for JT who spends his days as bar manager, hiring and personnel director and as a member of the writing team. 

JT is immensely happy to return to Huntington and even more so for the opportunity to perform again with those who first introduced him to the experience of live theatre. Any time you find yourself in or around Columbus, please pay him a visit!

Tickets for the concert are now available - they're $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, and are on sale at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena box office, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or online atwww.ticketmaster.com.

Tomorrow: another star announcement! 

Stars of the Benefit Concert: Laura LaCara

   We've been talking about All Grown Up: A Benefit Concert, which takes the stage at the Keith Albee Theatre on Sept. 22.

   It's time to start telling you which performers are going to be part of the show (we'll have an announcement every day)! Let's start with the lovely and talented Laura LaCara! After starring in an amazing number of community theatre productions while growing up in Huntington (including characters like Ado Annie, Eponine and many others), Laura is now a professional actress in New York and has carved time out of her schedule to be part of this concert.

   (And if her opening song doesn't bring a tear to your eyes, I'll be amazed.)

   More announcements forthcoming!

A Benefit Concert

Whew! Things have been hopping for your pal Chuck of late, so let me apologize for the shortage of posts.

I've been working on two shows at once (I do not recommend this, although I'm having a lot of fun).

The first show that will turn up is something new and different - it's called All Grown Up: A Benefit Concert. We've invited back some of the alumni of the Huntington children's theatre to once again share their talents on the stage of the Keith Albee Theatre (the show takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 22).

The challenge has been tracking down those past stars and then working within their hectic schedules. Not everyone could make it - some are working professionals, some are tied up with college - but thankfully, we've managed to work it out with about 20 of our talented alumni.

It's going to be a terrific, funny and touching show. I'll be talking more over the next two weeks about who will be appearing in the show, and we'll talk more about the "Benefit" part of the show, which will raise money to provide a permanent theatre home for the kids of First Stage.

Tickets are now on sale at the Big Sandy Superstore box office, or you can order them online through Ticketmaster. Don't miss it!

Oh, and the other show I'm working on? It's the production of Disney's The Little Mermaid, Jr. - lots more about that in the weeks ahead, too!

On Stage This Weekend?

So what shows are on stage this weekend?

Amazingly enough - as far as I can tell - there are no shows on stage this weekend. (Please correct me if I've overlooked one.)

But save up those dollars - there are several great shows coming up later this month, including First Stage's alumni concert All Grown Up at the Keith Albee and Sweeney Todd at City Hall!

More about those in the days ahead - but for now, enjoy your weekend off!

Upcoming Shows and Auditions for Company of Dreams

Here's a nifty poster put together to promote the upcoming season of shows for the Ashland-based group known as Company of Dreams.

The poster includes audition dates for the shows, too!

The Cast of "Dracula the Musical"

My pal Danny Ray sends along the cast list for the next Curtains Up Players production: Dracula the Musical!

And a talented bunch it is! Here's the rundown:

Count Dracula - Jon Lamp

Mina Murray - Lara Donahoe

Jonathan Harker - Chris Sunderland

Professor Van Helsing - Alison Smith

Lucy Westenra- Jane Modlin

Quincey Morris - Austin Trimboli

Dr. Jack Seward - Christian Griswald

Arthur Holmwood - Andrew Potter

Renfield - Paul Merritt

Vampire Girls - Kelsey Anderson, Nancy Jackson, Joanna Berner

Vampire Dancer - Chelsey Keathley

Young Child - Brayden Clagg

Ensemble - Kate Jackson, Sydney Smith, Jennifer Simms, Laura Clagg, Ethan Terry, Max Wilson

Music by Frank Wildhorn

Book & Lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton

Conceived by Christopher Hampton, Frank Wildhorn & Des McAnuff

Performances are Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26-27 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 28 at 2:30 p.m., Thursday - Saturday, Nov. 1-3 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2:30 p.m.

The show is directed by Clara Adkins with musical direction by Matthew Moore.

First Stage To Present Benefit Concert at Keith Albee Sept. 22

I admit I'm prejudiced (since I'm one of the directors of the show), but this Benefit Concert promises to be something special. Here's the latest press release:

The First Stage Theatre Company has put hundreds of young actors on stage over the past two decades, and now that group is inviting its graduates to be part of a special event - All Grown Up: A Benefit Concert that will take the Keith Albee Theatre stage on Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m., featuring past stars of the Tri-state’s children’s theatre.

The concert kicks off a fund-raising campaign to help the organization build a new home for the next generation of performers. First Stage President Chuck Minsker said, “The children’s theatre recently purchased a small warehouse near downtown Huntington - our first “home” in the group’s 22-year history. We’re using the space for storage and set construction, but with some improvements, it will eventually include a small theatre space for performances, rehearsals and drama classes.”

The Benefit Concert will star alumni who appeared in a First Stage (or Musical Arts Guild-Children’s Theatre) show. Minsker said, “This gives us a chance to recognize some of the amazing performers who grew up on stage in Huntington - many of whom now have professionals acting careers - and it’s a great chance for them to ‘Pay it Forward’ to the actors of tomorrow.”

“We’ve had quite a few of our alumni sign up already, but there’s still time for others to join in,” Minsker said. Performers interested in taking part can email firststagewv@gmail.com or call 304-736-4366 for more information.

Tickets for the concert are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, and are now on sale at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena box office, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

The Benefit Concert will be directed by Minsker and musical director Mark Smith.

The First Stage Theatre Company is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing an educational, developmental experience for young people through the performing arts. Founded in 1990, the organization has staged more than 50 theatrical shows starring children from the Tri-State area.

"Avenue Q" - A Review

My lovely wife and I just got back from seeing Avenue Q, a show that's been getting raves reviews - and we agree that it deserves every one of 'em.

It's easy to see why the Broadway show won the Tony for Best Musical - it's a fast-paced show with lots of heart, some great songs, some hilarious moments and a clever premise.

It's basically an adult version of Sesame Street, so the story unfolds through a number of amazingly well-craft puppets and muppets. There's no effort made to hide the humans operating the characters, but surprisingly enough, it's very effective - you're so focused on the characters that each actor has created, the puppets really seem to come to life!

The key to the show is the terrific cast, who manage to combine wonderful singing and acting to create a wide variety of funny, zany and surprisingly human characters. I can't imagine any professional cast anywhere doing a better job than this group!

Add to that an amazing set that makes maximum use of the Jeslyn stage, an excellent orchestra and flawless tech work, and you have a show that should not be missed!

You just have one more chance to catch the show Sunday at 2:30 p.m. - I urge you to take it!

Kudos to director Danny Ray and his team for outstanding work!

The show isn't for everyone - the humor is raunchy at times, crude at others - but it's a vastly entertaining show, certainly one of the best community theatre productions in our area in recent years - and is highly recommended!

On Stage in September

Some great shows coming up in September - here's the rundown:

- All Grown Up: A First Stage Benefit Concert - Some of the most talented alumni from Huntington's long-running children's theatre will return for a special concert to benefit First Stage’s building fund. The concert will be presented Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Keith Albee Theatre.

- Avenue Q - Curtains Up Players presents the hilarious adult musical comedy Sept. 1 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. at Huntington’s Jeslyn Theatre.

- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - 5th Avenue Theatre presents the hit Broadway musical Sept. 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 23 and 30 at 2:30 p.m. at City Hall Auditorium.

- John Legend - Marshall Artists Series presents a concert and discussion by the artist Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. at the Keith Albee Theatre.

- Schoolhouse Rock Live - Paramount Players presents the musical based on the ABC animated education cartoons at the Paramount Arts Center Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.

- Dead Man’s Hand - Murder and Merriment present the murder mystery Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. at The Greenhouse of Teays Valley.

It's amazing that so many great shows are available for our enjoyment - so get out there and support your local theatre!

On Stage This Weekend: "Avenue Q" and "Charlotte's Web"

You have two outstanding shows to choose from this weekend:

- Avenue Q - The musical comedy wraps up this weekend, presented by Curtains Up Players (and it's been getting rave reviews). The show is presented at the Jeslyn Theatre in Huntington at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 30-31 and Sept. 1 as well as 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2. Tickets are $15 and $12 for students. All seats reserved. Call 304-942-8576 or Facebook message Shayne Gue or Alayna Paige Berry to reserve tickets.Because of some adult situations, like full-puppet nudity and splashes of Simpsons-like humor, the show may be inappropriate for children under 13.

- Charlotte's Web - The Alban Players present this theatrical adaption of E.B. White's heartwarming novel about a naive pig who is befriended by a magical spider. Join the adults and children who will bring this beautiful tale to the stage. You have one more chance to catch the show - it will be presented at the Alban Arts and Conference Center on Main Street in St. Albans, W.Va., on Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.

So get out there and support your local theatre!

Auditions Today for "Hello Dolly"

The Charleston Light Opera Guild Theatre will begin holding auditions today for Hello Dolly! at 411 Tennessee Ave at Roane Street in Charleston.

Singing audition are at 7 p.m. - prepare a vocal selection; bring music for Guild accompanist.

On Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m., reading and acting auditions will be held. Scripts will be provided; those auditioning for singing ensemble do not need to attend this audition.

On Thursday Aug. 30 at 7 p.m., dancing auditions will be held. Dress to dance; bring jazz, ballet and dance heels for girls; combinations will be taught; BE PROMPT!

In Hello, Dolly!, Dolly Levi, the well-known matchmaker at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century in Yonkers, New York, sets out to find herself a husband in the wealthy Horace Vandergelder. Meanwhile, she matches together a rich widow, Irene Malloy, with Vandergelder’s employee, Cornelius Hackl. She also sets up Molloy’s assistant, Minnie, with Cornelius’s assistant, Barnaby, and then further matches the poor artist, Ambrose, with Vandergelder’s niece Ermengarde. In the end, after a ruckus at an upscale restaurant and a court case, Dolly convinces Vandergelder to marry her and all is well.

With lyrics and music by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart, based on Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker, the original Broadway production starred Carol Channing and won the Tony Award for Best Musical plus nine other Tonys. The show album, Hello, Dolly! An Original Cast Recording, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002.

The memorable score includes It Takes A Woman, Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Ribbons Down My Back, Before the Parade Passes By, Elegance, It Only Takes a Moment, So Long, Dearie and the title song. The show has enjoyed three Broadway revivals and international success and was also made into a 1969 film starring Barbra Streisand.

Hello, Dolly!, one of the most enduring classic musicals of all time, will be presented by the Charleston Light Opera Guild in a collaborative production with the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences on Oct. 26, 27, Nov. 2 and 3, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4, 2012 at 2 p.m.

The production is sponsored by Ed and Susan Maier and Charleston Area Medical Center. Tickets are currently on sale at the Clay Center. Call 304-561-3570 or visit the Clay Center website. The Guild previously produced Hello, Dolly! in 1969 and 1997.

CAST

Dolly Levi - (40s – 60s) A charming meddling matchmaker in her middle years who has decided to begin her life again. Requires excellent comic timing; strong alto character voice

Horace Vandergelder – (40s – 60s) Proprietor of a Hay & Feed store and a client of Dolly Levi. He is a widower of some means. Requires comic timing; comic baritone voice

Irene Molloy – (20s – 40s) A milliner with a Hat Shop in New York City. Mezzo soprano

Cornelius Hackl – (20s -40) Vandergelder’s chief clerk. Requires comic timing; Baritone

Minnie Fay – (16 – 30) A young girl who works in Irene’s hat shop. Some singing and dance/movement; Mezzo

Barnaby Tucker – (16 – 30) An assistant to Cornelius at Vandergelder’s Hay & Feed store. Some movement required; Baritone

Ermengarde – (16 – 25) The young weeping niece of Horace Vandergelder. Spoken with some movement/dance

Ambrose Kemper – (17 – 30) An explosive young artist seeking to marry Ermingarde. Some movement/dance

Ernestina Money – (40s – 60) An eccentric looking woman in need of Dolly’s matchmaker service. Requires comic timing. A non-singing role, but could double in ensemble.

Rudolf Reisenweber – (40s – 60s) The major-domo of the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant. Bass

Mrs. Rose – (40s – 60s) Sells vegetables and is a friend of Dolly’s from years before. Alto

The Judge – (50 – older) White whiskered night court judge; Bass

Singing Ensemble – (15 – adult) Great choral singing show!; Ensemble plays townspeople of New York plus Harmonia Gardens waiters and others

Dancing Ensemble – (teenagers – adult) Need strong dancers with musical comedy/ballet training; Acrobats and Gymnasts are needed for several features.

Directing team: Nina Denton Pasinetti ~ stage director/choreographer
John Marshall ~ musical director
Thomas P. Pasinetti ~ technical director

For more information call 304-545-6945.

Drama Class for Kids

My pal Eddie Harbert sends along this note:

My children's theatre class will be starting up for the semester at ARTS on Tuesday afternoons from 4:00-5:30. (Classes will be held at the Renaissance Theatre - the old Huntington High School.)

The class will begin Tuesday, Sept. 11 and continue every Tuesday through Tuesday, Nov. 13, when we will do a presentation for the public from the musical Once on This Island.

Cost for the class is $90 which will include all materials and scripts which the children will get to keep. Ages for the class are 6-12 years of age. For more information, please contact Eddie Harbert at 304-544-2831.

Hope to see your little ones in class!

"Crimes of the Heart" - A Review

I finally got a chance to see the play Crimes of the Heart tonight - it's a rare example of a straight play being presented by a community theatre group (in this case, ARTS).

It's a touching, sometimes-dark and sometimes-funny story about three sisters in Mississippi, each dealing with different problems and personality quirks - including one sister who holds the family together, one who runs away from her responsibilities, and one who finds herself on the wrong side of the law.

The small-but-mighty cast does a wonderful job bringing these all-too-real characters to life (including authentic accents), and the strength of the show lies in the fact that you've met (or are related to) people just like them.

The set is fantastic, with authentic touches (including a bottle opener on the counter and a slamming screen door), and it includes an actual working kitchen (I don't think I've seen a working sink on stage before)!

What a delight to see a "straight" drama - kudos to the talented cast and the directing team!

Gentle readers, you only have one more chance to see this one - Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Renaissance Theatre (the old Huntington High School).

Don't miss it!

On Stage This Weekend - Four Shows

You have four great shows to choose from this weekend:

- Crimes of the Heart - It's the final weekend for this fine drama from ARTS. The award-winning Southern drama will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24-25 at Renaissance Arts Center, 900 8th St., Huntington. A Southern comfort dinner of tossed salad with raspberry vinagrette dressing, Shake and Bake chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, biscuits and honey and birthday cake is served at 6:30 p.m. Dinner (by reservation only) is $15. There is also a show-only matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26. Show only tickets are $10. Call 304-733-ARTS.

- Avenue Q - The musical comedy premieres this weekend from Curtains Up Players. The show is presented at the Jeslyn Theatre in Huntington at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24-25 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26. Also, 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 30-31 and Sept. 1 as well as 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2. Tickets are $15 and $12 for students. All seats reserved. Call 304-942-8576 or Facebook message Shayne Gue or Alayna Paige Berry to reserve tickets.Because of some adult situations, like full-puppet nudity and splashes of Simpsons-like humor, the show may be inappropriate for children under 13.

- Little Women: The Broadway Musical - Scene One Theatre presents the musical with book by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland, and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26 at Ironton High School. Tickets are $10. Tickets are available at the door or presale online at www.scene1theatre.com/buy_tickets. Contact number for questions is 740-331-1448.

- Charlotte's Web - The Alban Players will present this theatrical adaption of E.B. White's heartwarming novel about a naive pig who is befriended by a magical spider. Join the adults and children who will bring this beautiful tale to the stage. The show will be presented at the Alban Arts and Conference Center on Main Street in St. Albans, W.Va., on Aug. 24 and 25 at 8 p.m., Aug. 26 at 2 p.m., and Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.

So celebrate the arts and get out there and support your community theatre!

"Avenue Q"

My pal Dave Lavender provides this excellent story about the musical comedy Avenue Q:

On the front door of Jeslyn Performing Arts Center hangs a giant, glittery orange "Q" -- an obvious clue that changes are afoot along this downtown avenue.

For the next two weekends, let's just call this stretch of Fourth Avenue -- "Avenue Q."

Inside the former Camelot Theater, Curtains Up Players are presenting the laugh-out-loud musical comedy, "Avenue Q," that's been described as "Sesame Street" for adults with darling puppets singing straight-talking, politically incorrect songs such as "It Sucks to Be Me," "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" and "The Internet's for Porn."

Directed by Danny Ray and packed with 25 quirky and catchy songs played by CUP's seven piece band, "Avenue Q," takes to the theatrical streets at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24-25 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26. Also, 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 30-31 and Sept. 1 as well as 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2.

Tickets are $15 and $12 for students. All seats reserved. Call 304-942-8576 or Facebook message Shayne Gue or Alayna Paige Berry to reserve tickets.

Because of some adult situations, like full-puppet nudity and splashes of Simpsons-like humor, "Avenue Q" may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Called "The most fun on-stage this year," by the New Yorker when "Avenue Q" opened on Broadway in 2003, "Avenue Q," which beat out the popular musical, "Wicked," to win "Best Musical," "Best Score" and "Best Book" that year, uses actors on stage with the puppets to tell a heart-warming story with a mockumentary edge -- poking gentle fun at the preachiness of kids TV shows. There is even a TV monitor beside the stage flashing mock-educational vignettes.

Like a "Sesame Street" set, "Avenue Q," has three, two-story walk-up apartments where Princeton, a poor college graduate with big dreams living in New York City is a new resident who runs into a menagerie of neighborhood characters who help him discover his purpose in life.

Like many Tri-Staters, Gue was blown away when Marshall Artists Series reeled in the Broadway musical tour in 2009 at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

When CUP formed a couple years ago to produce such contemporary fare as "Bat Boy The Musical," "Putnam County Spelling Bee," and "How I Learned to Drive," producer Paul Neace said Gue's dream was always to put on "Avenue Q."

"I am going to give all the credit to Shayne," Neace said. "When it came through town, it made such an impression on everybody that when we started our group in 2010 it was one of the things he defined as wanting to bring -- when and if -- it would ever be available. The second he found out it was, he was like a locomotive and couldn't be stopped in getting this show to town."

Gue, who deftly plays Princeton and Rod in the musical, is not alone in his passion for the play as most folks involved either saw it on Broadway or the Broadway tour of the musical that's promoted as being "part flesh, part felt and packed with heart.

West Virginia University student Kristen Pennington, of Charleston, loves it so much she and her mom have been driving her back and forth from Morgantown this past week to be in the show.

Pennington, who was in the CUP production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" last year, said "Avenue Q," hits home in a powerful way.

"It's very modern, and the importance of that is that it targets to everyone but deals with the plight of young professionals and young people in general who are trying to find out what their purpose in life is and how their reality is not the same as those idealistic views from college and how important it is to not get jaded from it and how to always fight for the dream that you have," said Pennington, who plays two different puppets, Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut, both of whom are going after Princeton.

The musical has some rollicking absurd moments like when the landlord character, Gary Coleman (the tiny, little troubled childhood actor) sings the R&B belter ("You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want When You're Makin' Love") after the two puppets, Princeton and Kate hook up.

Holly Maynard, who saw the show on Broadway, plays the Gary Coleman character for CUP. She's one of several women who have played the part.

"They needed somebody to step in and I jumped at it," Maynard said. "I think what is so good about this show is that it just hits you in the face with it. And it's funny because there are all of these issues that people tiptoe around and don't want to talk about and all of a sudden you hear these puppets talk about it, tough issues like racism or about being gay, and it's hilarious and all you can really do is laugh."

Pennington said it's impossible to pass up the chance to do these kind of roles.

"First off it is just hysterical but it has a great message and that is all about friends and about love and not just your average romantic love but the camaraderie that comes from being young and trying to realize what life is all about," she said. "It's slightly daunting at times but with the right people in your life it doesn't matter so much where you are but more about what you are doing and who you are with."

While Ray, who also saw the show on Broadway, helped erect the stellar two-story set, whose backdrop and sides are enhanced by the theater's high walls of exposed brick, CUP also got an expert's hand in building the puppets.

Nationally-known toy designer and former professional touring actor, Rhett Pennell, who was in a couple CUP productions before moving away earlier this summer, built all of the puppets.

"If I would have been asked what the hardest thing to do in this show would be, it would be the puppets but we had such an amazing toy maker Rhett Pennell make the puppets for us that it made the entire process 1,000 percent easier," Neace said. "That was a huge weight off of our minds, and the whole show has been like that. Normally you have to beg people to come out and work but that hasn't been the case. There have been more people willing to working so hard on this show because of their regard for it."

With Ryan Jackson and Stephanie Sands dancing around and squeaking out the mischievous voices of the Bad Idea Bears (Care Bears who sporadically stir up trouble), veteran props supervisor, Helga Thorn, said after seeing the Broadway tour a few years ago, she has been amazed what is now being recreated again locally with the unique play in which puppeteers are on stage with puppets in hand.

"I was like how are they going to project their voices to the puppets and Danny said 'well, you don't have to because after a while you forget they are there and just see the puppets,'" Thorn said, "and that's true, and that is amazing."

Head On Over to Avenue Q:
Here's a closer look at musical production of "Avenue Q"

WHAT: Curtains Up Players presents the adult-humor, puppet-driven musical, "Avenue Q." Note that the show is for teens and adults as it addresses issues such as sex, drinking and surfing the web for mature content.

WHERE: Jeslyn Performing Arts Center, 1030 4th Ave., (formerly The Camelot Theater)

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24-25 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26. Also, 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 30-31 and Sept. 1 as well as 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2.

THE STORY: "Avenue Q" is a laugh-out-loud musical that tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. There, he meets Kate (the girl next door), Rod (the Republican), Trekkie (the Internet sexpert), and other colorful types who help him finally discover his purpose in life.

GET TIX: Tickets are $15 and $12 for students. All seats reserved. Call 304-942-8576 or Facebook message Shayne Gue or Alayna Paige Berry to reserve tickets.

DID YOU KNOW? When it debuted on Broadway, "Avenue Q," promoted as "part flesh, part felt and packed with heart," won the Tony triple crown winning, "Best Musical," "Best Score" and "Best Book."

CAST: Shayne Gue, Kristen Pennington, Michael Edward Rose, Holly Maynard, Greg Kiser, April Frye, Ryan Jackson, Stephanie Kay Sands and Chris Sunderland.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Directed by Danny Ray, musical direction by Kaitlin DeSpain, produced by Paul Neace and choreographed by Chris Sunderland

ON THE WEB: http://www.curtainsupplayers.org/

One More "Avenue Q" e-Interview!

We've been conducting e-Interviews with the cast of the musical comedy Avenue Q, which takes the stage this weekend at Huntington's Jeslyn Theatre.

Today let's hear from Stephanie Kay Sands:

Q: For those who aren't familiar with Avenue Q, give us the basic story behind it.

Stephanie: The basic story follows Princeton, a recent college graduate, through his transition from legal adult to true adult. The show teaches lessons on personal responsibility, charity, and decision making for adults in a very Sesame Street-style fashion. Music, humor and puppets allow us to discuss serious topics like racism and sexual relationships without losing any of the show's levity.

Q: Tell us about the character and/or puppet you play.

Stephanie: I play Mrs. Thistletwat and the pink bad idea bear. Mrs. Thistletwat is an elderly educator who represents the old-fashioned way of life. While the Bad Idea Bears are adorable scoundrels who follow the other characters around suggesting poor choices to them. As foul-mouthed as they are cute, the Bad Idea Bears are sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Q: What's the most challenging thing about this show?

Stephanie: REMEMBERING WHO I AM!!! I play seven different puppets throughout the duration of this show and sometimes have to switch in a matter of seconds. So it can be confusing to remember who you're playing, which arm they should be on, and which voice you should be speaking in. But the Curtain Up Players have been rehearsing extensively for weeks and promises you an event you won't want to miss.

Q: What's your favorite scene (or song) in the show?

Stephanie: "You can be as Loud as the Hell You Want (when you're making love)" It's hilarious and has an old school R&B riff style to it that permeates your brain. And there is not a single member of the cast not involved with this powerhouse number.

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Stephanie: Put simply, it's different and fun. This isn't like any musical you've ever seen in the Tri-state area EVER. If you have a sense of humor and you're tired of watching sitcom re-runs, come down to the Jesalyn and we'll knock your socks off.

Q: Tell us the dates, times and place for the show.

Stephanie: Aug. 24, 25, 26, 30, 31 and Sept. 1 and 2, Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m. All performances take place at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center (1030 4th Avenue - Huntington). Tickets are available NOW! All seats reserved! Simply call 304-942-8576 or Facebook message Shayne Gue or Alayna Paige Berry to RESERVE your tickets today!

Thanks, Stephanie!

Another "Avenue Q" e-Interview!

We've been talking this week with actors from Avenue Q, the musical comedy that takes the stage this weekend at Huntington's Jeslyn Theatre.

Today, let's hear from Greg Kiser:

Q: For those who aren't familiar with Avenue Q, give us the basic story behind it.

Greg: Well, Avenue Q follows the story of Princeton, a newly college graduate, who moves to Avenue Q while looking for his purpose. Though the plot is primarily about Princeton looking for his purpose, we meet his new neighbors on Avenue Q and the show revolves around them as well. As the show moves from scene to scene we see the characters, for the most part, grow and change their lives. From to living arrangements, lifestyles, occupation, or even marital status the characters will continue to grow. You will find yourself getting caught up in Princeton and his love interest, Kate Monster, go through the scary world of dating; as well as hear some songs that are not only funny and catchy, but touch on topics like racism and homosexuality.

Q: Tell us about the character you play.

Greg: I play Brian, the unemployed comedian, one of the humans who lives on Avenue Q. Brian is a 32-year-old, recently unemployed comedian who lives with his fiancée Christmas Eve.

Q: What's the most challenging thing about this show?

Greg: The most challenging thing about this show was learning to act with the puppets, not the person controlling the puppet. For a while there we didn’t have the puppets to work with, since they were still being built; so it was easy to get use to acting with the people playing the puppet roles.

Q: What's your favorite song in the show?

Greg: I would say that my favorite song in the show would have to be, “There is Life Outside Your Apartment,” the big opening number of act two. It gets the energy back up after the end of act one and the intermission. This is also a number in which everyone in the cast is a part of and are all on stage at the same time.

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Greg: Avenue Q is a nice change of pace from traditional community theater. It pushes the edge more than most shows, but still uses the humor to address various issues. It is a great show full of laughs, and is a great way to spend the evening.

Q: Tell us the dates and times for the show.

Greg: Avenue Q opens on Friday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m., with shows also on the 25, 26, 30, 31, Sept. 1 and 2. Shows on Thursdays through Saturdays start at 8 p.m., whereas Sunday shows start at 2:30 p.m.

Thanks, Greg!

The Cast of "Avenue Q" Speaks!

Hey, it's time for some more e-Interviews! Today we'll kick of the first interview with the cast of the musical comedy Avenue Q, which takes the stage this weekend at Huntington's Jeslyn Theatre.

We'll start with comments from April Frye:

Q: For those who aren't familiar with Avenue Q, give us the basic story behind it.

April: This show is basically an adult Sesame Street. Instead of singing about your ABC's or how to count, we sing about porn, sex and racism. I suppose it could be a show that expresses the reality of growing up.

Q: Tell us about the character you play.

April: My character, Christmas Eve, is a Japanese-American therapist trying to make a better life for herself and her seemingly aimless fiancé, Brian. She's trying to break through the stereotypes of her race and be taken more seriously.

Q: What's the most challenging thing about this show?

April: I think the most challenging aspect of this show is the presentation. A lot of the story line revolves around taboo subjects in a comedic manner, and there's a fine line between funny and offensive.

Q: What's your favorite song or scene in the show?

April: My favorite song is "I Wish I Could Go Back to College" because the harmonies are so beautiful, and I feel like it shows the heart of the show. My favorite scene is when the Bad Idea Bears try to convince Princeton to spend the money from his parents on beer.

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

April: This show is great for anyone with a sense of humor. It has a little bit of funny for everyone and plenty of places to laugh. I think the ideal demographic would be college students, not that anyone else wouldn't enjoy it as well.

Q: Tell us the dates, times and place for the show.

April: Show dates are Aug 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, Sept 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. at the Jeslyn Theatre.

Thanks, April!

A Busy Week Ahead...

Lots happening in Huntington's Community Theatre this week!

The second (and final) weekend of the play Crimes of the Heart takes the stage at the Renaissance Theatre on Friday.

The opening weekend for the musical Avenue Q also takes the stage Friday at the Jeslyn Theatre.

And ARTS is also offering adult drama classes on a limited basis - here's the info from Bil Neal:

Arts Resources for the Tri-state announces the second session of its Adult Acting Class. The session will run for seven consecutive Wednesday nights starting on Sept. 12.

Classes are held at ARTS in the dance studio and begin at 7:30 p.m. until 8:40 p.m. They are taught by Gene Anthony, retired Professor Emeritus of the Theater Department at Marshall University.

There is no cost for the class, it is free and the students are chosen by lottery. Those who submitted their names for the first session need not submit again. Their names remain "in the hat." Prosepective new students are asked to contact Bil Neal at 304-544-3926, request to be considered and give him your contact phone number. The only way to enter the lottery is by contacting Bil.

Students are asked to bring any copy of Death of a Salesman, a journal, and a pencil to each class. The deadline for submission is Sunday, Sept. 2. Bil will call the selected students by Sept. 5.

Good luck and we hope to see you at ARTS in September.

On Stage This Weekend: "Crimes of the Heart"

Just one show taking the stage this weekend - but it's a great one!

Crimes of the Heart is an award-winning drama being staged by ARTS in Huntington.

Hazelhurst, Mississippi is where the three Magrath sisters have gathered to await news of their grandfather, who is living out his last hours in the hospital. Lenny, the oldest sister, is unmarried at thirty and facing diminishing marital prospects; Meg, who outgrew Hazelurst, is back after a failed singing career on the West Coast; while Babe is out on bail after having shot her husband in the stomach. Their troubles are highlighted by their priggish cousin, Chick, and by the awkward young lawyer Barnette who tries to keep Babe out of jail while helpless not to fall in love with her. Doc is Meg's High School sweetheart who livens up the mix even more.

This is the story of how people escape the past to seize the future.

Tickets are $10. The play will be presented at the Renaissance Theatre Aug. 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 19 and 26 at 2 p.m.

Highly recommended!

Another e-Interview with the Cast of "Crimes of the Heart"

Taking the stage this weekend at the Renaissance Theatre is the play Crimes of the Heart, and over the next few days we'll feature some e-interviews with members of the cast.

Let's hear from Jason Kretzer:

Q: Tell us about the character you play.

Jason: "Doc Porter" is your classic rugged country boy who has come back to
Hazelhurst to take care of his father's farm. Though he is married and has two children, he still has a soft spot for Meg. Solid and centered, a couple of life altering events have left him looking attractively worn and older than he really is.

Q: What's the most challenging thing about this show?

Jason: For me, it was getting the level of emotion right. Sometimes, you have to go from really high to really low all in the same breath. There are a number of those instances for every character.

Q: What's your favorite scene in the show?

Jason: I don't want to give away a spoiler but it was the scene of inappropriate laughter in Act 3.

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Jason: Probably not to younger readers, as there are some very heavy topics in this play. However, it is a very powerful drama and I urge people to come experience this slice of life. The dialogue is extraordinary and the performances of the three sisters really hit you in the gut, whether with laughter or tears.

Thanks, Jason! The show runs at ARTS (the Renaissance Theatre) Aug. 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 19 and 26 at 2 p.m.

Talking to the cast of "Crimes of the Heart"

Taking the stage this weekend at the Renaissance Theatre in Huntington is the play Crimes of the Heart, and over the next few days we'll feature some e-interviews with members of the cast.

Let's start off with Amy Carlson:

Q: For those who aren't familiar with Crimes of the Heart, give us the basic story behind it.

Amy: Crimes of the Heart is a story about three sisters who have had a different and sometimes difficult upbringing in Hazelhurst, Mississippi. The oldest sister has been taking care of a sick grandfather, the middle sister is home from Hollywood with a secret, and the youngest sister has just shot her Senator husband. In the middle of all this there is a harpy crazy cousin, a boyfriend from the past and a young lawyer who has an interest in helping the sisters, especially the youngest sister. You will laugh, cry and repeat at this southern gothic, Pulitzer Prize winning play.

Q: Tell us about the character you play.

Amy: I get to play the middle sister, Meg McGrath. She is a wild child who loves and protects her sisters. She is a singer who left Hazelhurst to pursue a career in Hollywood. But she left behind a ex-boyfriend and a past she has been running away from. She is home to help Babe and ends up helping herself. She is a strong, wild, out spoken, confident and funny girl. I love playing her!

Q: What's the most challenging thing about this show?

Amy: The most challenging this about the show is the constant highs and lows of the story. One minute you are running high on laughs and the next it is a quiet real moment of care and concern. Honesty runs throughout the play and the challenge is keeping the extremes honest and sincere.

Q: What's your favorite scene in the show?

Amy: My favorite scenes to play are really any scenes where the three sisters are on stage together. I love playing a sister and there is a great argument in Act II that is so much fun to play.

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Amy: I would recommend this show because it is not like anything else that I have seen in this town in years. It is a dark comedy that speaks to the strength of family and how love overcomes even the hardest times. Each sister has to overcome the Crimes of the Heart she has committed. Come check it out!

Q: Tell us the dates, times and place for the show.

Amy: The show runs at ARTS (the Renaissance Theatre) Aug. 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 19 and 26 at 2 p.m.

Thanks, Amy! Tomorrow we'll hear from the "Doc."

"Phantom of the Opera" Auditions

Ashland Community and Technical College is tackling a big musical this fall, and auditions are coming up soon:

ACTC Theatre will hold auditions for The Phantom of the Opera on August 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. in the J. B. Sowards Theatre at the College Drive Campus.

Auditions are open to adults and high school and college students, and no advance preparation is required. Cast members should be able to attend 7 p.m. rehearsals and Saturday work sessions. Performances are Thursday to Sunday, Oct. 18 to 21 and Oct. 25 to 28.

The Phantom of the Opera is the first production of the 2012-13 ACTC Theatre Season. The Tony Award winning musical by Andrew Lloyd Weber, with lyrics by Charles Hart, tells the story of a beautiful soprano and the disfigured musical genius who haunts the Paris Opera. The musical is based on the book by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe.

Production staff includes Director Edward E. Figgins, ACTC Professor and Director of theatre, Musical Director Karen Curnette, Choreographer Yvonne Dekay Sinnott, and Orchestra Director Eric Akers. For more information, call the Theatre Office at 606-326-2073.

A Weekend of Auditions

I have to admit that there are times when I think about "retiring" from the community theatre business. Life gets in the way, there are other demands - do I really have the time and energy to work on another show?

Despite those feelings, I offered to direct the First Stage production of Disney's The Little Mermaid, Jr. We had auditions on Saturday and Sunday this weekend.

And now I remember why I keep tackling these things.

It was an absolute blast to see the kind of talent that's out there, with both experienced young actors who have been in a number of shows and the even younger actors who will be the stars of tomorrow.

I can't wait to get to work on this show and to see these young performers breathing life into this wonderful story.

How could I ever think of giving this up?

Improv Comedy in Charleston

The No Pants Players, West Virginia’s renowned improv comedy troupe is taking the funny on the road.

The troupe will premiere their brand of live comedy at the Smoot Theatre (213 5th Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101) in Parkersburg, W.Va. on Friday, Aug. 10, 2012. This show is appropriate for all ages and begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults, $9 for those 18 and under.

So bring the whole family, bring the whole neighborhood for great fun, hearty belly laughs, and a wonderful, interactive theater experience.

The No Pants Players have not forgotten about the local crowd, however. The very next evening, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, the troupe will be live and in color at the Clay Center’s Walker Theater for a “Mature Audiences Only,” uncensored performance.

Improv comedy with an adult edge has been a popular draw for the Players and they hope for continued success. The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets have been lowered to $12. Alcoholic drinks will be served and hysterical hijinks will occur.

Following the show on Aug. 11, you can join the No Pants Players for a chance to eat, drink (responsibly) and be merry at Hooters of Charleston (5615 MacCorkle Avenue, Charleston, WV 25304), the official sponsor of the adult-themed evening of hilarity. If you show up wearing official No Pants Players merchandise, you get a free appetizer of your choice! How’s that for incentive?

Again, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, the No Pants Players perform at The Smoot Theatre in Parkersburg. For tickets and additional information on the show, visit www.smoottheatre.com or call (304) 422-PLAY (7529).

Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, the No Pants Players will be at the Walker Theater, located in the Clay Center. Tickets are available online at www.nopantsplayers.com and at the door (but are known to sell out). Come enjoy a fantastic weekend of improv comedy in your neck of the woods with the No Pants Players, the Smoot Theatre, and Hooters of Charleston.

For more information call the toll free number 1-877-IMPROV-9 (1-877-467-7689), or email admin@nopantsplayers.com.

"Little Mermaid, Jr." Auditions

Auditions are being held this weekend for the musical Disney's The Little Mermaid, Jr. (based on the beloved animated movie, of course).

Auditions are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, and 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, at the Premiere Dance Studio, 716 6th St., in Huntington, W.Va.

Participants can sign up at any time during those two audition dates. There is no charge to audition or to take part in a First Stage Theatre Company production, and no the­ater experience is required. Auditions are open to young people who will be entering grades kindergarten through 12 this fall.

Auditioners should arrive ready to sing a 30-second section of the song of their choice — an accompanist will be provided. They will also be given a few lines from the script to read, and they’ll be taught a short dance step to demon­strate during the audition. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

The show will be presented Oct. 23-28, at the Renaissance Theatre (the old Huntington High School).

The directing team includes: Director Chuck Minsker, Music Director Mark Smith, Choreographer Melissa McGuf­fin, Assistant Director Robyn Welch and Set Construction Director Jack Welch.

Based in Huntington, the First Stage Theatre Company is a non-profit organiza­tion dedicated to providing an educational, developmental experience for young peo­ple through the performing arts.

For more information, contact Min­sker at 304-736-4366.

On Stage This Weekend

You have two fun shows to choose from this weekend:

- Disney's Winnie the Pooh Kids - The show will be presented at 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 at the Liz Spurlock Amphitheater in the Chief Logan State Park in Logan, W.Va. Each performance includes a "Glee" pre-show.

- Dorothy Meets Alice - Ohio River Theatre Company presents this new play of the delightful meeting of two of literature's most famous young ladies. The story unfolds when a young man puts off a book report till the last minute, then suddenly finds himself in a strange place somewhere between Oz and Wonderland. It then becomes his responsiblility to unscramble the stories and steer the familiar characters - the Cowardly Lion, the Mad Hatter, the Scarecrow and the White Rabbit, among others - to their ultimate destinations while avoiding the Wicked Witch and the Red Queen. This hilarious, adventuresome romp is filled with laughter and surprises at every turn. The show will be presented at Ironton High School Aug. 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 12 at 2:30 p.m. All seats are $10.

So get out there and support your community theatre!