Here is the cast list for Odd Couple Female Version which is on stage March 7,8,9 at the Renaissance Center.It's an outstanding cast and a great show - one of Neil Simon's best, altered by the author to flip the genders of the cast members. Should be fun!
Olive Madison - Linda Reynolds
Florence Unger - Amy Knell
Mickey - Tara Hardwick
Sylvie - Therese Kirby
Renee - Amy Browning
Vera - Jordan Bean
Manolo Costazuela - Dylan Clark
Jesus Costazuela - Stephen Vance
Director - Bruce Rous
Producer - Bil Neal
As always volunteers are needed for building, tech crews, and set decoration. Anyone interested should contact the ARTS office at 304-733-ARTS.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Odd Couple Cast List
They're keeping busy at ARTS - my pal Stephen Vance just emailed the cast list for the group's March show:
Coming Up - "All the Colors of Love"
This email arrives from my pal Beth McVey, talking about a change in schedule for ARTS, and their next production:
Instead of doing Jerry's Girls we are doing All the Colors of Love, a Valentine Gift.
It is a musical review of love songs, covering courtship, marriage, love gone wrong, love confused, love conquers all, the whole gambit. We are performing it at Tamarac on Feb. 8 and 9 and at ARTS on Feb. 14 - 17, 8:00 p.m. evening shows and a Sunday matinee at 3:00 p.m.
I am directing, Eddie Harbert is Musical Director and Coni Anthony is the Choreographer. Tickets are $15.00 and you can also have dinner before the evening shows for $15.00. The menu is salad, lasagna (meat and vegetable), rolls, and dessert. You will need to make reservations for dinner by calling 733-ARTS (2787).
We have a wonderful cast of characters, many that Huntington audiences will recognize, including: Michele Conley, Mark Baker, Leann Haines, Chris Bowling, Mary Olson, Chris Chiles, Linda Reynolds, Paul Neace, Mary Beth Withers and Dave Richards
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Call For Assistance with "Phantom of the Opera"
This extraordinary email arrived recently - it's a call for help from the fine folks at Capital High School. Apparently the theatre department has been honored with an offer to be one of the first in the country to stage a "School Edition" version of The Phantom of the Opera. It's similar to they way they've made Les Miserables: the School Edition available to schools and children's theatres around the country.
It's a huge undertaking in every way - needing a huge set, intricate costumes, props, etc. - so they've put out this message:
It's a huge undertaking in every way - needing a huge set, intricate costumes, props, etc. - so they've put out this message:
Capital High School's Performing Arts Department was asked to stage The Phantom of the Opera and, of course, we accepted! HOWEVER, our technical department is currently a bit small and we need both building assistance and running assistance and would appreciate any you would be willing to give. We have nothing to offer for your time and effort but the appreciation of our departments, a place in the program, and my personal enduring gratitude! If you know ANYONE trustworthy who you think might be interested PLEASE forward this along with my email contact information!So if you'd like to be part of this historic effort, give them a call and sign up - it'll be a lot of work, but also a lot of fun!
ALL DATES ARE IN APRIL AND MAY OF 2008
AFTER SCHOOL BUILD CALLS:
April 5 - 6 from 10am - 3pm
Apirl 13 from 10am - 3pm
April 19 - 20 from 10am - 3pm
SHOW CALLS (could change times by a 1/2 hour either way)
Need spot operators, stage crew, rigging, etc.
COULD REALLY USE A GREAT SOUND PERSON!
April 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 from 3:00 - 7:00 = TECH
April 28, 29 from 3:00 - 7:00 = TECH
April 30: Day Show for Middle Schools during school time (aprox. 7:30am call)
May 1: Day Show for Middle Schools during school time (aprox. 7:30am call)
May 1: Evening Show at 7:00 pm with 5pm call
May 2: Day Show for Middle Schools during school time (aprox. 7:30am call)
May 2: Evening Show at 7:00 pm with 5pm call
May 3: Evening Show at 7:00 pm with 5pm call
May 4: Matinee Show at 2:30 pm with minimum 12:30pm call
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
A Night at the Opera
Technology is opening the door to all kinds of possibilities - including the chance to see a major opera performance or even Hannah Montana - all without leaving your home town!
It's possible thanks to a series of shows being made available to local theaters. You can read all about it in this fine story by my pal Dave Lavender.
The photo above is courtesy of Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera Above is a scene from Verdi’s Macbeth. The Metropolitan Opera will be performing Macbeth at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Cinemark’s Cinema 10 movie theater at 400 Winchester Ave., Ashland. Tickets are $22; $20 for seniors; and $15 for children.
EDIT: And if all that doesn't convince you to check it out, here's a look at a promo for the series:
Jennifer Says "Bye-Bye" to Broadway
Charleston's own Jennifer Garner ended her stint on Broadway last Sunday as Cyrano de Bergerac wrapped up its successful run.
You can see some photos of Jennifer greeting fans at the theatre one last time right here.
You can see some photos of Jennifer greeting fans at the theatre one last time right here.
Monday, January 07, 2008
"Footloose" Auditions Next Week
If you're a dancing kinda guy or gal, here's the story about auditions coming up next week for the ACTC production of Footloose, the musical based on the popular Kevin Bacon film.
Here's the story from today's edition of the Herald-Dispatch:
Here's the story from today's edition of the Herald-Dispatch:
ACTC to host Footloose auditions
ASHLAND -- Ashland Community and Technical College Theater will hold auditions for the musical Footloose at 7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Jan. 14-15, in the J.B. Sowards Theater at the College Drive Campus. Auditions are open to adults, high school students and college students.
The musical will be performed March 7-9 and 14-16, and rehearsals will begin later this month.
Edward Figgins, ACTC associate professor and director of theater, will direct. DeNeil Hartley will be the musical director.
For more information, call the theater office at (606) 326-2073.
Hey, ACTC!
My proofreading skills are apparently on the blink, because I have two shows taking place on the same weekend at ACTC, as printed in the last post (which means it's the next one down the page in the upside-down world of blogs).
I suspect The Crucible is actually happening in April or May, but I'm just guessing. Can someone clear up this mystery?
EDIT: This just in - "ACTC Theatre" writes that The Crucible will be staged April 24, 25, 26 at 8:00PM and April 27 at 2:30PM. Thanks!
I suspect The Crucible is actually happening in April or May, but I'm just guessing. Can someone clear up this mystery?
EDIT: This just in - "ACTC Theatre" writes that The Crucible will be staged April 24, 25, 26 at 8:00PM and April 27 at 2:30PM. Thanks!
Sunday, January 06, 2008
ACTC's Spring Season
This comment arrived recently from someone identified as "ACTC THEATRE" - which, of course, stands for Ashland Community and Technical College Theatre, which is based in Ashland, Ky.
It lists that group's Spring season - and it looks like a good one!
ACTC Theatre
SEUSSICAL Jr.
February 8 and 9 at 8:00PM
(School Matinees) February 7 and 8 at 8:00PM
FOOTLOOSE
March 7, 8, & 14, 15 at 8:00PM
March 9 and 16 at 2:30PM
THE CRUCIBLE
March 7, 8, & 14, 15 at 8:00PM
March 9 and 16 at 2:30PM
Production TBA
ASHLAND SUMMER MUSICAL THEATRE
July 25-26, August 1-3
CORRECTION: As noted in the next entry, The Crucible will actually be staged April 24, 25, 26 at 8:00PM and April 27 at 2:30PM.
It lists that group's Spring season - and it looks like a good one!
ACTC Theatre
SEUSSICAL Jr.
February 8 and 9 at 8:00PM
(School Matinees) February 7 and 8 at 8:00PM
FOOTLOOSE
March 7, 8, & 14, 15 at 8:00PM
March 9 and 16 at 2:30PM
THE CRUCIBLE
March 7, 8, & 14, 15 at 8:00PM
March 9 and 16 at 2:30PM
Production TBA
ASHLAND SUMMER MUSICAL THEATRE
July 25-26, August 1-3
CORRECTION: As noted in the next entry, The Crucible will actually be staged April 24, 25, 26 at 8:00PM and April 27 at 2:30PM.
500!
Another milestone only I care about - but this is post #500 in ye olde Tri-State Theatre blog!
And they said it wouldn't last!! Thanks for reading, y'all!
And they said it wouldn't last!! Thanks for reading, y'all!
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Show Choir Spells Fundraiser
Quick, stop what you're doing and head down to the Renaissance Center in Huntington! The ARTS All Star Show Choir is holding a fundraiser this afternoon - here are the details from the story in the Herald-Dispatch:
The ARTS All Star Show Choir is trying to raise the needed coin to take its show on the road to Showstoppers, a national competition held March 13-16 in Orlando, Fla.
You can help this all-star choir as they put on a Basket Bingo and Competition Show Debut Performance that starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5 in the library at the Renaissance Arts Center (the old Huntington High School).
Bingo and raffles start at 1 p.m. and the performance follows at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets to the Basket Bingo, Raffles, and Performance are $20.
Performance-only tickets are $8 and can be purchased by e-mailing the group at wvshowchoir@hotmail.com.
Go online at www.wvshowchoir.com.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Tommy Tune to Direct World-Premiere Musical
Here's some national news (courtesy of our pals at the Associated Press) about Broadway legend Tommy Tune, who's tackling a new show in Chicago:
<< By MICHAEL KUCHWARA
AP Drama Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- Tommy Tune will return to musical theater, directing "Turn of the Century," a world premiere that will be part of an ambitious 2008-2009 season at Chicago's Goodman Theatre.
"The show is an original - not based on a movie, a novel, or a made-for-television anything," the nine-time Tony winner said Thursday in explaining what attracted him to the project. "It's unique."
"Turn of the Century" came to the Goodman through Rick Elice, who co-wrote the show with Marshall Brickman. The Tony-winning writers of "Jersey Boys" have concocted what Robert Falls, artistic director of the Goodman, calls "a wonderful comic romp."
"The basic premise involves a young songwriter-piano player and his girl singer who find themselves through mysterious, supernatural, `Twilight Zone'-ish activities thrown back to the turn of the century, the 20th century," Falls said in a telephone interview from Chicago.
"They are playing a gig on the eve of the 21st century and at the strike of midnight, they find themselves thrown back to the dawning of the 20th century," Falls said.
The score will be composed of great American standards written by giants such as Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein and more, according to Tune.
"The fun part is that the couple, Billy and Dixie, realize the songs they are performing haven't been written yet - so they decide to write them," said Tune, who has directed Broadway musicals such as "Nine," "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "My One and Only," "Grand Hotel" and "The Will Rogers Follies."
"The two become the toast of the town," Tune continued. "But for every action, there is a reaction, so they face the results of this fame, fortune and karma and find their relationship is unraveling."
"The hard part is choosing the songs," he said. "That's our work between now and the time we open." Falls said the musical will go into rehearsal in late summer and open in either September or October.
The Goodman's 2008-2009 season also will feature Brian Dennehy in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's rarely seen "Desire Under the Elms"; the world premiere of Lynn Nottage's "Ruined," set in a civil-war-plagued Congo; and "Yohen" by Philip Kan Gotanda, a look at the long relationship between a Japanese-born woman and a black American who first met in post-World War II Japan. The last will be a co-production with Chicago's Silk Road Theatre Project and will be performed at Silk Road's small Loop theater located near the Goodman.
Dennehy and Falls have collaborated on four other O'Neill revivals including "The Iceman Cometh," "A Touch of the Poet," "Hughie" and a Tony-winning production of "Long Day's Journey Into Night."
"O'Neill is the Everest of American playwrights," Falls said. "You can't climb that mountain without spilling a lot of blood and sweat and tears. For this play, you need three extraordinary actors." The two other lead roles are still to be cast.
"Desire Under the Elms" will be part of a major Chicago celebration of the playwright, which Falls is calling "O'Neill in the 21st Century."
"I have invited a number of theater artists, both directors and companies from around the world, to present works by O'Neill in a festival setting," he said. "There probably will be four or five productions playing in January, February, early March 2009.
"The celebration is still coming together but we are looking at theater companies from South Africa, Brazil, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Russia. I don't know where it's going to land but there is some major work being done around the world on the plays of O'Neill, and we hope to get them here."
© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy. >>
<< By MICHAEL KUCHWARA
AP Drama Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- Tommy Tune will return to musical theater, directing "Turn of the Century," a world premiere that will be part of an ambitious 2008-2009 season at Chicago's Goodman Theatre.
"The show is an original - not based on a movie, a novel, or a made-for-television anything," the nine-time Tony winner said Thursday in explaining what attracted him to the project. "It's unique."
"Turn of the Century" came to the Goodman through Rick Elice, who co-wrote the show with Marshall Brickman. The Tony-winning writers of "Jersey Boys" have concocted what Robert Falls, artistic director of the Goodman, calls "a wonderful comic romp."
"The basic premise involves a young songwriter-piano player and his girl singer who find themselves through mysterious, supernatural, `Twilight Zone'-ish activities thrown back to the turn of the century, the 20th century," Falls said in a telephone interview from Chicago.
"They are playing a gig on the eve of the 21st century and at the strike of midnight, they find themselves thrown back to the dawning of the 20th century," Falls said.
The score will be composed of great American standards written by giants such as Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein and more, according to Tune.
"The fun part is that the couple, Billy and Dixie, realize the songs they are performing haven't been written yet - so they decide to write them," said Tune, who has directed Broadway musicals such as "Nine," "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "My One and Only," "Grand Hotel" and "The Will Rogers Follies."
"The two become the toast of the town," Tune continued. "But for every action, there is a reaction, so they face the results of this fame, fortune and karma and find their relationship is unraveling."
"The hard part is choosing the songs," he said. "That's our work between now and the time we open." Falls said the musical will go into rehearsal in late summer and open in either September or October.
The Goodman's 2008-2009 season also will feature Brian Dennehy in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's rarely seen "Desire Under the Elms"; the world premiere of Lynn Nottage's "Ruined," set in a civil-war-plagued Congo; and "Yohen" by Philip Kan Gotanda, a look at the long relationship between a Japanese-born woman and a black American who first met in post-World War II Japan. The last will be a co-production with Chicago's Silk Road Theatre Project and will be performed at Silk Road's small Loop theater located near the Goodman.
Dennehy and Falls have collaborated on four other O'Neill revivals including "The Iceman Cometh," "A Touch of the Poet," "Hughie" and a Tony-winning production of "Long Day's Journey Into Night."
"O'Neill is the Everest of American playwrights," Falls said. "You can't climb that mountain without spilling a lot of blood and sweat and tears. For this play, you need three extraordinary actors." The two other lead roles are still to be cast.
"Desire Under the Elms" will be part of a major Chicago celebration of the playwright, which Falls is calling "O'Neill in the 21st Century."
"I have invited a number of theater artists, both directors and companies from around the world, to present works by O'Neill in a festival setting," he said. "There probably will be four or five productions playing in January, February, early March 2009.
"The celebration is still coming together but we are looking at theater companies from South Africa, Brazil, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Russia. I don't know where it's going to land but there is some major work being done around the world on the plays of O'Neill, and we hope to get them here."
© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy. >>
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Getting Involved in Local Theatre
Letters, oh we get letters (well, occasionally). Here's one from someone who goes by the name "Oscar the Grouch" (although something tells me it isn't from the "real" Oscar). The question is a good one, and of interest to anyone who'd like to be involved with local theatre, but doesn't necessarily want to be an actor.
He or she wrote:
He or she wrote:
I love the theatre, and I really want to get involved. But I don't have the talent. How can I get involved backstage?My answer:
That's easy - just watch for auditions for a show, and go there and tell them you don't want to audition, but you'd like to help as a member of the tech crew. You should aim for a show in your age group - in other words, if you're a kid go to a First Stage audition, if you're an adult go to a HOT, 5th Avenue Theatre or ARTS audition.As always, if you have a question or comment, feel free to send it to TheMinskers@aol.com. We'll do our best to track down an answer!
Do not go to a Marshall Theatre audition (unless you're a Marshall student) - they have a professional tech crew on hand and other than that, they only use Marshall students backstage. Shows brought in by the Marshall Artists Series are like any other concert traveling through town - they use professional Union workers to handle tech requirements.
But community theatre groups are always looking for volunteers! They'll try to match you up to an area you have skills in, like sound or lighting, or they may put you to work painting or moving set pieces around, or helping with props - there are lots of jobs to tackle for people with any range of job skills.
Good luck!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Dave's Back, and so is "Young Frankenstein"
Tonight the late night talk shows return after an extended absence brought on by the writer's strike. Theatre fans should note that on Thursday night the cast of the Broadway show Young Frankenstein will perform on The Late Show with David Letterman. In case you don't get to catch it, here's the cast performing the last song in Act One, "The Transylvania Mania."
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
2008 - The New Year
Happy New Year, everyone!
2008 holds a lot of promise, but be warned - the whole picture isn't clear yet. Many theatre groups work off the school calendar, with seasons running from September to May. Most are still thinking about what shows they plan to tackle in the fall, and some haven't announced upcoming schedules at all. But for Huntington, here are some shows to look forward to in 2008:
Marshall Artists Series
Movin' Out - Jan. 18
The Producers - Feb. 2
An Evening with Martin Short - Feb. 15
Teddy Roosevelt & the Treasure of Ursa Major - March 4
Romeo & Juliet - March 11
Little Women - April 23
Hairspray - April 30
Marshall University Dept. of Theatre
The Seagull - Feb. 20-23
The Merry Wives of Windsor - April 23-26
First Stage Theatre Company
Children of Eden - April 11-13 and 18-20
ARTS
All the Colors of Love: A Valentine Gift - Feb. 14-17
The Odd Couple (Female Version) - March 7-9
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - June 13-15 and 20-21
Clue the Musical - October
1940s Radio Hour - December
Huntington Outdoor Theatre
Annie and Anything Goes - the month of July
And that's all I know about right now. There are lots more shows on the way, and lots of rumors running around about possible changes in shows announced and... well, let's just say there are some interesting possibilities being discussed.
I encourage all the theatre groups out there to let me know their schedules for the coming year - feel free to email those to me at TheMinskers@aol.com.
As always, thanks to all of our gentle readers for being part of the Tri-State Theatre blog - hope you have a great year!
2008 holds a lot of promise, but be warned - the whole picture isn't clear yet. Many theatre groups work off the school calendar, with seasons running from September to May. Most are still thinking about what shows they plan to tackle in the fall, and some haven't announced upcoming schedules at all. But for Huntington, here are some shows to look forward to in 2008:
Marshall Artists Series
Movin' Out - Jan. 18
The Producers - Feb. 2
An Evening with Martin Short - Feb. 15
Teddy Roosevelt & the Treasure of Ursa Major - March 4
Romeo & Juliet - March 11
Little Women - April 23
Hairspray - April 30
Marshall University Dept. of Theatre
The Seagull - Feb. 20-23
The Merry Wives of Windsor - April 23-26
First Stage Theatre Company
Children of Eden - April 11-13 and 18-20
ARTS
All the Colors of Love: A Valentine Gift - Feb. 14-17
The Odd Couple (Female Version) - March 7-9
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - June 13-15 and 20-21
Clue the Musical - October
1940s Radio Hour - December
Huntington Outdoor Theatre
Annie and Anything Goes - the month of July
And that's all I know about right now. There are lots more shows on the way, and lots of rumors running around about possible changes in shows announced and... well, let's just say there are some interesting possibilities being discussed.
I encourage all the theatre groups out there to let me know their schedules for the coming year - feel free to email those to me at TheMinskers@aol.com.
As always, thanks to all of our gentle readers for being part of the Tri-State Theatre blog - hope you have a great year!
Monday, December 31, 2007
2007: The Shows In Review
This is the time of year when everyone trots out their “Top 10” lists. (Why ten? Who knows?) But I don’t want to miss out on the fun, so here’s mine - with one important difference. Since I was involved to one degree or another with a few of these shows, I’m not going to list them in order - I’m just going to reel off a list of ten good ones that were staged this year in no particular order (so sue me). Here goes:
- High School Musical (First Stage Theatre Co.) - This one was staged by three different groups, including the Backstage Players, the Charleston Light Opera Guild and First Stage in Huntington. They were all entertaining, but of course the latter is my personal favorite, since I directed it and all. (Hey, I never said the list would be impartial.) A terrific cast and the show was staged at the state’s best theater - the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center. A real delight!
- Little Shop of Horrors (Marshall University’s Department of Theatre) - MU always does terrific work, and Little Shop is another jewel in the crown. Funny, clever and loaded with great performances, it was an outstanding show.
- Hello Dolly! (ARTS) - You can never go wrong casting a Broadway star like Beth McVey in the title role, but an incredibly talented supporting cast and outstanding direction didn’t hurt, either. An excellent job on one of the classic musicals!
- Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Free Spirit) - This Steve Martin play knocked it out of the park. A sharp, clever, intelligent and darned funny play with an outstanding cast. The year’s funniest show!
- Oklahoma (HOT) - A real crowd-pleaser, there’s a good reason why this show is a classic. Add in the outdoor setting and a terrific cast and you get what audiences saw this summer - a great show!
- Cinderella (Huntington High School) - It’s easy to forget how much fun this musical can be, and the talented students at Huntington High turned in a top-notch performance here. Lots of fun!
- The Diary of Anne Frank (MU Theatre) - In many ways my favorite show of the year, with amazing performances and a truly moving and heartbreaking show. If you missed this, you missed a great show!
- Nunsense (Renaissance Players) - My feelings are mixed about the sequels, but I always enjoy the original Nunsense, and this was a terrific production with a real All-Star cast doing outstanding work. I couldn’t stop smiling!
- A Christmas Carol (5th Avenue Theatre) - It was tough to choose between this show and The Music Man (another excellent production), but this one wins out by a nose - an excellent retelling of the holiday classic!
- CATS (First Stage) - This was probably the most impressive production of the year, with an amazing amount of talent on display as local teens put on the costumes, wigs and makeup and brought this daunting, dancing show to life. Simply an unprecedented accomplishment in community theatre - and an incredible show!
This list isn't perfect, of course - it doesn’t include the professional shows brought in as part of the Marshall Artists Series, including Menopause: The Musical, The Guys, Wonderful Town and Peter Pan.
There are lots and lots of shows that deserve note as runners-up, including: MU Theatre’s I Hate Hamlet and The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940; Backstage Players’ Miracle on 34th Street; ACTC’s Jesus Christ, Superstar; Huntington High’s Snow White; Blazer High School’s Bell, Book and Candle and Have a Nice Day; Free Spirit’s The Prayer List; and First United Methodist Church’s production of Godspell. Fine shows all!
Apologies to all those I missed - and there are many, I know. I hope to do a better job next year of letting you, the theatre fan, know about local productions.
2007 was a terrific year for community theatre - tomorrow we’ll look at what we can expect in the year ahead.
Happy New Year!
- High School Musical (First Stage Theatre Co.) - This one was staged by three different groups, including the Backstage Players, the Charleston Light Opera Guild and First Stage in Huntington. They were all entertaining, but of course the latter is my personal favorite, since I directed it and all. (Hey, I never said the list would be impartial.) A terrific cast and the show was staged at the state’s best theater - the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center. A real delight!
- Little Shop of Horrors (Marshall University’s Department of Theatre) - MU always does terrific work, and Little Shop is another jewel in the crown. Funny, clever and loaded with great performances, it was an outstanding show.
- Hello Dolly! (ARTS) - You can never go wrong casting a Broadway star like Beth McVey in the title role, but an incredibly talented supporting cast and outstanding direction didn’t hurt, either. An excellent job on one of the classic musicals!
- Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Free Spirit) - This Steve Martin play knocked it out of the park. A sharp, clever, intelligent and darned funny play with an outstanding cast. The year’s funniest show!
- Oklahoma (HOT) - A real crowd-pleaser, there’s a good reason why this show is a classic. Add in the outdoor setting and a terrific cast and you get what audiences saw this summer - a great show!
- Cinderella (Huntington High School) - It’s easy to forget how much fun this musical can be, and the talented students at Huntington High turned in a top-notch performance here. Lots of fun!
- The Diary of Anne Frank (MU Theatre) - In many ways my favorite show of the year, with amazing performances and a truly moving and heartbreaking show. If you missed this, you missed a great show!
- Nunsense (Renaissance Players) - My feelings are mixed about the sequels, but I always enjoy the original Nunsense, and this was a terrific production with a real All-Star cast doing outstanding work. I couldn’t stop smiling!
- A Christmas Carol (5th Avenue Theatre) - It was tough to choose between this show and The Music Man (another excellent production), but this one wins out by a nose - an excellent retelling of the holiday classic!
- CATS (First Stage) - This was probably the most impressive production of the year, with an amazing amount of talent on display as local teens put on the costumes, wigs and makeup and brought this daunting, dancing show to life. Simply an unprecedented accomplishment in community theatre - and an incredible show!
This list isn't perfect, of course - it doesn’t include the professional shows brought in as part of the Marshall Artists Series, including Menopause: The Musical, The Guys, Wonderful Town and Peter Pan.
There are lots and lots of shows that deserve note as runners-up, including: MU Theatre’s I Hate Hamlet and The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940; Backstage Players’ Miracle on 34th Street; ACTC’s Jesus Christ, Superstar; Huntington High’s Snow White; Blazer High School’s Bell, Book and Candle and Have a Nice Day; Free Spirit’s The Prayer List; and First United Methodist Church’s production of Godspell. Fine shows all!
Apologies to all those I missed - and there are many, I know. I hope to do a better job next year of letting you, the theatre fan, know about local productions.
2007 was a terrific year for community theatre - tomorrow we’ll look at what we can expect in the year ahead.
Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Looking Back
The end of the year is at hand, so I'm in the process of compiling a list of the shows that we got to see (or wish we saw) in the past year.
We'll divide the shows up between the professional shows (like the ones the Marshall Artists Series brings to town), the college shows (such as from Marshall University), the community theatre shows and the school shows (high school, that is).
Tomorrow I'll present that list, and then on Tuesday (New Year's Day, natch) we'll look forward at 2008 and offer up a rundown of what to expect - as least as far as we know at this point. Most theatre groups are still working on their spring shows, and most don't know what they're doing in the fall - at least not yet.
I expect some surprises in the year ahead, and lots more great shows!
We'll divide the shows up between the professional shows (like the ones the Marshall Artists Series brings to town), the college shows (such as from Marshall University), the community theatre shows and the school shows (high school, that is).
Tomorrow I'll present that list, and then on Tuesday (New Year's Day, natch) we'll look forward at 2008 and offer up a rundown of what to expect - as least as far as we know at this point. Most theatre groups are still working on their spring shows, and most don't know what they're doing in the fall - at least not yet.
I expect some surprises in the year ahead, and lots more great shows!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Broadway 2007
One of the nifty things about this humble blog is that it's part of the Herald-Dispatch, so I can include stories from the Associated Press - including this one that offers a recap of the past year on Broadway:
Broadway Strike Produced No Winners
By MICHAEL KUCHWARA
AP Drama Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - More drama happened off stage than on in 2007 as stagehands shut down most Broadway theaters for 19 days this fall. No Jersey Boys. No Wicked. No Lion King. No Phantom of the Opera.
The strike got Broadway more publicity than all its hit musicals combined. Suddenly, theater was front-page news and all over the Internet. But the cost to producers, the city and theater-related businesses was enormous. Estimates of losses ranged upward of $40 million during what is usually one of the most lucrative times of the year—the Thanksgiving holiday.
So who won?
No one, although the producers got a little relaxation of work rules governing the opening and running of shows and stagehands got modest raises. The only guarantee: ticket prices will rise, probably sooner rather than later.
The strike, which started Nov. 10, dampened what has been the busiest fall season for new plays in years. After curtains rose again Nov. 29, one critically acclaimed hit, a new work by Tracy Letts, emerged.
It's called August: Osage County, and, yes, it is the best play of The drama from Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company is a blistering tale in which family members fight furiously.
The language is brutal but often very, very funny, and the cast, most of them veterans of the Chicago production, is superb. In 2008, August: Osage County could very well win the Tony and the Pulitzer Prize.
There were other good plays, too. Tom Stoppard's Rock 'n' Roll, which follows a Czech writer from the turbulent 1960s into the 1990s, is terrific theater. 2007 was a double-whammy year for Stoppard. His three-part, nine-hour Coast of Utopia won the Tony Award for best play.
Great ensemble acting also could be found in The Seafarer, Conor McPherson's liquor-fueled Christmas Eve fable built around a life-or- death poker game.
And then there was Radio Golf, the final chapter in August Wilson's epic 10-play cycle depicting the black experience in 20th century America. The play, arriving on Broadway nearly two years after Wilson's death, provided a worthy ending to Wilson's ambitious effort.
The best-musical Tony went to Spring Awakening, the story of sexually repressed teenagers in 19th-century Germany. The pop-rock musical by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater opened off-Broadway in the summer of 2006 and moved to Broadway the following December.
It remained one of the big musicals of 2007, along with Mary Poppins and the revival of A Chorus Line. All three proved popular with audiences, and have recouped their considerable investments.
One little musical came to town and scored in a big way. Xanadu, based on the movie musical that pretty much sank the film career of Olivia Newton-John, opened in July. It has attracted a dedicated band of followers called "Fanadus" and has become something of a minor camp classic all by itself.
Only one big musical opened on Broadway in the fall: Mel Brooks' wildly anticipated Young Frankenstein. His follow-up to the smash hit The Producers is based on Brooks' 1974 movie about the nephew of the more famous creator of that giant monster. Its ticket prices generated publicity, particularly the premium priced $450 tickets for the best seats in the house.
They probably aren't selling too many of those since the reviews were mostly underwhelming, but the cast, which includes Roger Bart, Megan Mullally, Andrea Martin, Sutton Foster and Shuler Hensley, works very hard.
One other mammoth song and dance show was to have opened in 2007. But Disney's The Little Mermaid lost more than two weeks of preview performances during the strike. Now we will have to wait until 2008 — the show opens Jan. 10 — to learn if this "Mermaid" will sink or swim.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Auditions to Watch For
For all our acting friends out there, you should know about a couple of auditions coming up - both in Charleston, W.Va.
They are:
- The Pillowman - Jan. 6 & 7 at 7:00 p.m. - The Charleston Stage Company will hold auditions at the Capital Center Theatre at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. They're casting four principal male roles with minor roles for a man, a woman, a boy and a girl. Call 304-766-5721 for more information or visit their website at www.charlestonstagecompany.com.
- Appalachian Children's Chorus - Sunday, Jan. 6 at 3:00 p.m. at the University of Charleston, 2300 MacCorkle Ave. SE. Boys and girls from grades kindergarten through 7th who love to sing are encouraged to attend. Children do not need to have a song prepared for the audition. For more information call 304-343-1111 or visit their website at www.wvacc.org.
They are:
- The Pillowman - Jan. 6 & 7 at 7:00 p.m. - The Charleston Stage Company will hold auditions at the Capital Center Theatre at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. They're casting four principal male roles with minor roles for a man, a woman, a boy and a girl. Call 304-766-5721 for more information or visit their website at www.charlestonstagecompany.com.
- Appalachian Children's Chorus - Sunday, Jan. 6 at 3:00 p.m. at the University of Charleston, 2300 MacCorkle Ave. SE. Boys and girls from grades kindergarten through 7th who love to sing are encouraged to attend. Children do not need to have a song prepared for the audition. For more information call 304-343-1111 or visit their website at www.wvacc.org.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Cast List for "Children of Eden"
The preliminary cast list for the First Stage Theatre Company production of Children of Eden has been announced! It includes one adult - my pal Clint McElroy - and a talented group of young performers.
Here's the list:
FATHER - Clint McElroy
ADAM - Scott Burner
EVE - Brittany Hazeldine
CAIN - Elliot Imlay
ABLE - Bronson Bush
NOAH - Chris Crawford
MAMA - Maggie Saunders
JAPHETH - Josh Meredith
YONAH - Mary Kate Young
STORYTELLERS: Holly Smith, Elijah Boyles, Katy Pettit, Rachel Meadows, Shaina Carter, Jacob Smith, John Purcell, Nathan Mohebbi, TJ Thompson, Cody Verbage, Caroline Hunter, Diane Dawley, Elizabeth Schmitz, Brian Zepp, Emleigh Wilson, Kristen Caviani, Hannah Boyles, Emily Dennison, Rileigh Smirl, Rose Colclough, Kate Colclough, Samantha Young, Andrew Edwards and Lauren Vega
Here's the list:
FATHER - Clint McElroy
ADAM - Scott Burner
EVE - Brittany Hazeldine
CAIN - Elliot Imlay
ABLE - Bronson Bush
NOAH - Chris Crawford
MAMA - Maggie Saunders
JAPHETH - Josh Meredith
YONAH - Mary Kate Young
STORYTELLERS: Holly Smith, Elijah Boyles, Katy Pettit, Rachel Meadows, Shaina Carter, Jacob Smith, John Purcell, Nathan Mohebbi, TJ Thompson, Cody Verbage, Caroline Hunter, Diane Dawley, Elizabeth Schmitz, Brian Zepp, Emleigh Wilson, Kristen Caviani, Hannah Boyles, Emily Dennison, Rileigh Smirl, Rose Colclough, Kate Colclough, Samantha Young, Andrew Edwards and Lauren Vega
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
How Far Will You Go? (To See A Show)
OK, since there are no shows going on right now (though a few are about ready to start rehearsals), let’s take the time to catch up on some past posts.
About three weeks ago an Anonymous poster made this comment:
"Many people, including myself, come from outside of Huntington to support your performances throughout the year. It would be nice to see more audiences from Huntington sending their support to their theater neighbors in Kentucky and Ohio as well.”
I thought this was a great point, and it’s one just about everyone who works on shows has asked at some point: why is it that theatergoers tend to only attend shows in their own town?
At any community theatre show, the audience almost always includes:
1) The theatre fans who attend as many shows as they possibly can;
2) Those who attend a show because a loved one or friend is appearing on stage;
3) Those who attend a show because they’ve either seen it before or heard about it and are interested;
4) The casual theatregoer who is looking for something to do that night; and
5) Those who attend a show because a loved one made them go.
Or it could be some combination thereof. However, some shows draw big crowds and some consider themselves lucky if anyone shows up. In my humble opinion, the difference between the two comes down to a simple notion: people only go to shows when they know they’re being staged.
I know what you’re thinking: “Duh, Chuck. No kidding.” But the problem is, most shows are operating with tiny budgets (if any budget at all), and advertising a show is an expensive prospect. It can cost thousands of dollars to buy advertising, and then you have to decide where to buy those ads - newspaper, radio, television, printing posters or banners - there are lots of choices. Most theatre groups can only afford a modest amount of advertising, and as a result the shows are only announced in the local bulletin boards, like those in newspapers, if at all.
There have been more than a few shows I’d love to have seen - but I only heard about them after the fact. For example, Spring Valley High School staged “The Pirates of Penzance,” but I missed it. Ironton High did one of my favorites a few years back, “Camelot” - guess what happened. Charleston has an extremely active theatre community, but I have missed more than a few because I didn’t know they were hitting the stage. Jenny Wiley puts on all kinds of great shows, but I don’t always track down their schedule in time to see it. The list goes on and on.
So what’s the solution? (Other than me paying more attention?) Well, theatre companies operating on a shoestring budget is something that isn’t going to change, and it's almost impossible to promote a show all over the Tri-State area - but the answer may be here in the form of the Internet, which provides an inexpensive way to promote a show.
As always, I urge theatre groups to send out emails with their basic information (the name of the show, where and when it’ll be staged, etc.) to all the newspapers and TV stations in the Tri-State. Don't forget to send it to this humble site and we’ll do our best to get the word out. Tell your friends - put it on facebook - do whatever you can to spread the word!
Perhaps only diehard theatre fans are willing to cross state or county lines to see a show, but you’ll only get them if you get the word out. It’s like the line from Godspell: “If your light’s under a bushel, you’ve lost something kinda crucial.”
About three weeks ago an Anonymous poster made this comment:
"Many people, including myself, come from outside of Huntington to support your performances throughout the year. It would be nice to see more audiences from Huntington sending their support to their theater neighbors in Kentucky and Ohio as well.”
I thought this was a great point, and it’s one just about everyone who works on shows has asked at some point: why is it that theatergoers tend to only attend shows in their own town?
At any community theatre show, the audience almost always includes:
1) The theatre fans who attend as many shows as they possibly can;
2) Those who attend a show because a loved one or friend is appearing on stage;
3) Those who attend a show because they’ve either seen it before or heard about it and are interested;
4) The casual theatregoer who is looking for something to do that night; and
5) Those who attend a show because a loved one made them go.
Or it could be some combination thereof. However, some shows draw big crowds and some consider themselves lucky if anyone shows up. In my humble opinion, the difference between the two comes down to a simple notion: people only go to shows when they know they’re being staged.
I know what you’re thinking: “Duh, Chuck. No kidding.” But the problem is, most shows are operating with tiny budgets (if any budget at all), and advertising a show is an expensive prospect. It can cost thousands of dollars to buy advertising, and then you have to decide where to buy those ads - newspaper, radio, television, printing posters or banners - there are lots of choices. Most theatre groups can only afford a modest amount of advertising, and as a result the shows are only announced in the local bulletin boards, like those in newspapers, if at all.
There have been more than a few shows I’d love to have seen - but I only heard about them after the fact. For example, Spring Valley High School staged “The Pirates of Penzance,” but I missed it. Ironton High did one of my favorites a few years back, “Camelot” - guess what happened. Charleston has an extremely active theatre community, but I have missed more than a few because I didn’t know they were hitting the stage. Jenny Wiley puts on all kinds of great shows, but I don’t always track down their schedule in time to see it. The list goes on and on.
So what’s the solution? (Other than me paying more attention?) Well, theatre companies operating on a shoestring budget is something that isn’t going to change, and it's almost impossible to promote a show all over the Tri-State area - but the answer may be here in the form of the Internet, which provides an inexpensive way to promote a show.
As always, I urge theatre groups to send out emails with their basic information (the name of the show, where and when it’ll be staged, etc.) to all the newspapers and TV stations in the Tri-State. Don't forget to send it to this humble site and we’ll do our best to get the word out. Tell your friends - put it on facebook - do whatever you can to spread the word!
Perhaps only diehard theatre fans are willing to cross state or county lines to see a show, but you’ll only get them if you get the word out. It’s like the line from Godspell: “If your light’s under a bushel, you’ve lost something kinda crucial.”
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