Tony Award Nominations

   It's a big day for theatre fans as this year's Tony Awards nominees were announced this morning.

   Here's the complete list:

Nominations for the 2013 American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards®
Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing

 
Best Play

The Assembled Parties

Lucky Guy

The Testament of Mary

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Best Musical

Bring It On: The Musical

A Christmas Story, The Musical

Kinky Boots

Matilda The Musical

Best Revival of a Play

Golden Boy

Orphans

The Trip to Bountiful

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Best Revival of a Musical

Annie

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Pippin

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Best Book of a Musical

A Christmas Story, The Musical

Kinky Boots

Matilda The Musical

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

A Christmas Story, The Musical

Music and Lyrics: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Hands on a Hardbody

Music: Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green
Lyrics: Amanda Green

Kinky Boots

Music & Lyrics: Cyndi Lauper

Matilda The Musical

Music & Lyrics: Tim Minchin

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Tom Hanks, Lucky Guy
Nathan Lane, The Nance
Tracy Letts, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
David Hyde Pierce, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Tom Sturridge, Orphans

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Laurie Metcalf, The Other Place
Amy Morton, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Kristine Nielsen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Holland Taylor, Ann
Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Bertie Carvel, Matilda The Musical
Santino Fontana, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Rob McClure, Chaplin
Billy Porter, Kinky Boots
Stark Sands, Kinky Boots

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Stephanie J. Block, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Carolee Carmello, Scandalous
Valisia LeKae, Motown The Musical
Patina Miller, Pippin
Laura Osnes, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Danny Burstein, Golden Boy
Richard Kind, The Big Knife
Billy Magnussen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Tony Shalhoub, Golden Boy
Courtney B. Vance, Lucky Guy

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Carrie Coon, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Shalita Grant, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Judith Ivey, The Heiress
Judith Light, The Assembled Parties
Condola Rashad, The Trip to Bountiful

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Charl Brown, Motown The Musical
Keith Carradine, Hands on a Hardbody
Will Chase, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Gabriel Ebert, Matilda The Musical
Terrence Mann, Pippin

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Annaleigh Ashford, Kinky Boots
Victoria Clark, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Andrea Martin, Pippin
Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody
Lauren Ward, Matilda The Musical

Best Scenic Design of a Play

John Lee Beatty, The Nance
Santo Loquasto, The Assembled Parties
David Rockwell, Lucky Guy
Michael Yeargan, Golden Boy

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Rob Howell, Matilda The Musical
Anna Louizos, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Scott Pask, Pippin
David Rockwell, Kinky Boots

Best Costume Design of a Play

Soutra Gilmour, Cyrano de Bergerac
Ann Roth, The Nance
Albert Wolsky, The Heiress
Catherine Zuber, Golden Boy

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Gregg Barnes, Kinky Boots
Rob Howell, Matilda The Musical
Dominique Lemieux, Pippin
William Ivey Long, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Jules Fisher & Peggy Eisenhauer, Lucky Guy
Donald Holder, Golden Boy
Jennifer Tipton, The Testament of Mary
Japhy Weideman, The Nance

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Kenneth Posner, Kinky Boots
Kenneth Posner, Pippin
Kenneth Posner, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Hugh Vanstone, Matilda The Musical

Best Sound Design of a Play

John Gromada, The Trip to Bountiful
Mel Mercier, The Testament of Mary
Leon Rothenberg, The Nance
Peter John Still and Marc Salzberg, Golden Boy

Best Sound Design of a Musical

Jonathan Deans & Garth Helm, Pippin
Peter Hylenski, Motown The Musical
John Shivers, Kinky Boots
Nevin Steinberg, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Best Direction of a Play

Pam MacKinnon, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Nicholas Martin, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Bartlett Sher, Golden Boy
George C. Wolfe, Lucky Guy

Best Direction of a Musical

Scott Ellis, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots
Diane Paulus, Pippin
Matthew Warchus, Matilda The Musical

Best Choreography

Andy Blankenbuehler, Bring It On: The Musical
Peter Darling, Matilda The Musical
Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots
Chet Walker, Pippin

Best Orchestrations

Chris Nightingale, Matilda The Musical
Stephen Oremus, Kinky Boots
Ethan Popp & Bryan Crook, Motown The Musical

Danny Troob, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

* * *

Recipients of Awards and Honors in Non-competitive Categories

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre

Bernard Gersten

Paul Libin

Ming Cho Lee

Regional Theatre Award

Huntington Theatre Company, Boston

Isabelle Stevenson Award

Larry Kramer

Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre

Career Transition For Dancers

William Craver

Peter Lawrence

The Lost Colony

The four  actresses who created the title role of Matilda The Musical on Broadway - Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro

* * *

Tony Nominations by Production

Kinky Boots - 13

Matilda The Musical - 12

Pippin - 10

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella - 9

Golden Boy - 8

Lucky Guy - 6

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike - 6

The Mystery of Edwin Drood - 5

The Nance - 5

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - 5

Motown The Musical - 4

The Trip to Bountiful - 4

The Assembled Parties - 3

A Christmas Story, The Musical - 3

Hands on a Hardbody - 3

The Testament of Mary - 3

Bring It On: The Musical - 2

The Heiress - 2

Orphans - 2

Ann - 1

Annie - 1

The Big Knife - 1

Chaplin - 1

Cyrano de Bergerac - 1

The Other Place - 1

Scandalous - 1

"Evita"

   Lots of shows on the way, I'm working on the lineup of community theatre shows for May - but I wanted to give you a "head's up," gentle reader -  starting this weekend is a certain show you'll want to catch:

"A Delicate Balance" - A Review

   I think I'm suffering from theatre whiplash. After seeing a madcap musical comedy on Wednesday, last night I got to see a preview of Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance, a serious play that's loaded with interpersonal conflicts, character studies and tension.

   Presented by the Alban Arts Center, the drama features a cast of six - a (mostly) dysfunctional family that seems to live a quiet existence, but there's a whirlpool of emotions bubbling just below the surface.

   The story centers around an older couple - Tobias (played by Mark Felton), the ever-calm father who tries to be the perfect host, and his wife Agnes (played by Susan Marrash-Minnerly), the one who actually keeps everything under control at all times - especially her own emotions.

   They hardly live a quiet life - Agnes' sister Claire (played by Mel Larch) is a constant presence, a commanding, demanding, mercurial and often upsetting force that sweeps regularly through the setting. Hers is the liveliest and most entertaining of the characters - she even provides some musical accompaniment!

   The couple is facing the return (yet again) of their daughter Julia (played by Stacie Sheppard), whose life has been a string of failures - especially in the husband department. She's a fragile and overly-emotional addition to a house that's already straining to be normal.

   The final conflict is provided by Tobias' best friends, Harry and Edna (played by Rob Boone and TiAnna Toney-Billups), a couple who imposes on their friends after suffering from nameless terrors. Will their friends take them into their home, which is already on the verge of a meltdown?

   That's the setup - what follows is an entertaining verbal fencing match, as each character struggles to find their place in the house so carefully maintained by Agnes. The wordplay is a delight, as each character skillfully uses hints, cutting remarks, past mistakes and generally snippy observations in their war of words.

   Don't be surprised if you work up a thirst during this show - the bar gets a lot of use throughout, and the alcohol powers quite a bit of the conflict.

   Kudos to the actors for an amazing job throughout - the show rides entirely on their mastery of the lines, and they do an excellent job wrangling Albee's carefully-smithed dialogue.

   The Alban Theatre is a wonderful setting, especially for a show like this (which takes place entirely in the living room of the home) , and if you're ready to tackle a very serious play (one that does feature some barbed humor) - and the emotions that are stirred up - then you should definitely make time for A Delicate Balance.

The play will be presented April 26 - 27 and May 3 - 4 at 8 p.m. and April 28 and May 5 at 2 p.m. at the Alban Arts Center, 65 Olde Main, St. Albans. Tickets are $15 Adults / $10 Students and Seniors. For more info, call 304-721-8896. 

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" - A Review

    I had a terrific time Wednesday evening (along with my lovely wife) catching the first performance of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, one of my all-time favorite musical comedies.

   It's silly, over the top and very, very funny. (Anyone at the show last night can testify that my annoying laugh was heard constantly throughout - I haven't laughed so much at a show in a long, long time.)

    It's almost cheating when you have a star like Jack Cirillo in charge as the slave Pseudolus. A terrific comic actor (and a fantastic singer), he's masterful as the ringleader of this madcap comedy - manic, relentlessly funny, using every weapon in his comedic arsenal - pratfalls, witty asides, slapstick, lewd remarks, double-takes, humor both highbrow and lowbrow - his performance is just a delight from start to finish.

   But he doesn't carry the show alone - the cast is packed with terrific talent, and each one gets a chance to shine.

   Josh Meredith gleefully steals scenes as fellow slave Hysterium, with outstanding songs, dancing, cross-dressing, double-takes and delighted hysterics - a tour de force by a force of nature who was born to be on stage.

   Chase Likens takes bombast to new heights as Miles Gloriosus, a tower of power unto himself (think Robert Goulet on steroids) - he's bombastic, larger than life and very, very funny!

 

    Levi Kelly is a revelation as Senex, the father of Hero who's terribly henpecked and eternally on the prowl. I've seen Levi grow up on stage (literally) in local children's theatre productions, and here he plays a mature, over-the-top character and is an absolute scream. He hits every note (comic and musical) right on the button and does a masterful job.

   Michael Norton plays Marcus Lycus, the proprietor of the local house of Courtesans, and he also takes maximum advantage of his time to score laughs, and he joins Jack, Josh and Levi for one the show's funniest songs, "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid." (I had tears in my eyes from laughing, honest.)

   Playing Senex's shrew of a wife Domina is Emily Pritchard - she delights as the boss of the house and she keeps the action rolling throughout the frantic second act.

   At the heart of the show's lighthearted love story is the young Hero, played spot-on by the handsome Ryan Gallerani, and Philia, played by the beautiful Erika Toderic - she's a willing slave girl with a wonderful singing voice. Equally dim and sweetly in love, they're a perfect match.

  Taking on a wide variety of roles are The Proteans, played by Larry LuckyDoo III, Will Radford and James P. Smith, and they create a Greek chorus by way of the Three Stooges. They're funny, physical, campy and a constant source of laughs.

   You can't have a classic comedy without a healthy helping of sex appeal, and the ladies in the employ of Marcus Lycus more than fill the bill, including Beka Todd, Erin and Meghan Martin, Sumur Neace, Emily Pritchard and Kamerun Stambaugh. They keep the heat on throughout the proceedings, much to the delight of all the red-blooded males in the audience.   

   In addition to the terrific cast, you have amazing, colorful costumes (well presented in these photos from the Herald-Dispatch), the usual fantastic set and flawless tech work from Marshall's Theatre Alliance, and a terrific live orchestra directed by the amazing Mark Smith.

   What you have here is a terrific show, one of the best local shows in recent memory. "Forum" is a classic for good reason - it's a fast, funny blast from start to finish, loaded with big laughs and great songs by some guy named Stephen Sondheim.

   Kudos to director Nicole Perrone and the rest of the directing team for an outstanding show.

   The good news is, you have several more chances to catch this musical - but Sunday wraps it up, and you don't want to miss it. Make time to see the show - you'll thank me later!

   Shows will run Thursday - Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center at Marshall University (1600 5th Avenue, Huntington). Tickets are $20 Adults / $15 MU Faculty and Seniors /MU Students free with valid MU Student ID. To reserve tickets, call 304-696-ARTS.

   

On Stage This Weekend - Lot's o' Shows!

   Courtesy of my pal Ryan Hardiman (who has an excellent show of his own starting in one more week - a little show called Evita), here's the list of terrific local shows available this weekend:

- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - Marshall Theatre Alliance presents the riotous musical comedy April 25 - 27 at 8 p.m. and April 28 at 2 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center at Marshall University (1600 5th Avenue, Huntington). Tickets are $20 Adults / $15 MU Faculty and Seniors /MU Students free with valid MU Student ID. For more info, call 304-696-ARTS.

- Grease - Huntington High School Theatre Department presents the beloved musical about young love in the '50s April 25 - 27 at 7:30 p.m. and April 28 at 3 p.m. at Huntington High School, 1 Highlander Way. Tickets are $7 Adults / $5 Students. For more info, call 304-528-6435.

- How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - George Washington High School’s Theatre of the Nevertheless presents the musical comedy April 26 - 27 at 7 p.m. and April 27 at 1 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre, 200 Civic Center Drive. Tickets are $12 Adults / $10 Students.

- A Delicate Balance - the Alban Arts Center presents the play April 26 - 27 and May 3 - 4 at 8 p.m. and April 28 and May 5 at 2 p.m. at the Alban Arts Center, 65 Olde Main, St. Albans. Tickets are $15 Adults / $10 Students and Seniors. For more info, call 304-721-8896.

- The Sugar Bean Sisters - Kanawha Players presents the play April 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. at the Kanawha Players Theater, 309 Beauregard St., Charleston. Tickets are Adults $16 / Children under 18 $10 / Students With ID $10. Call for details at 304-343-7529.

- Speak Easy of Murder! - Murder and Merriment present the murder mystery April 26 - 27 at 7 p.m.at The Greenhouse of Teays Valley, 3554 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane, W.Va. Tickets are $40. Reservations Required: 304-397-6316.

- Cinderella…Ever After - The Limelight Theatre Company presents the play based on the classic children's story April 26 - 28 and May 3 - 5 at 7 p.m. and April 27 and May 4 at 2 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Center Theatre, 123 Summers Street, Charleston. Tickets are $15 Adults / $11 Children 12 and under. For more info, call 304-342-6522.

HOT Names its 2013 Show: "Hairspray!"

   After a short delay, the Huntington Outdoor Theatre has announced its production for this summer - the musical Hairspray!

   That show enjoyed a long run on Broadway and is a real treat, with great song-and-dance numbers and a great message at its heart.

   It's also very funny - it should be a bit hit for HOT! Can't wait!

A "Forum" Photo Gallery

    My pals at the Herald-Dispatch have posted an excellent article about A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (which you can read right here)...

    ... And they're posted some wonderful photos from the show (including the one above) which you can see right here. Remember, the show starts Wednesday - don't miss it!

"A Funny Things Happened on the Way to the Forum"

One of the funniest shows in the history of theatre is taking the stage this week at Marshall University. That's a tall statement, but it's my opinion and I'm sticking with it. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will wrap up the Marshall Theatre Alliance's 2012 - 2013 season in a big way. The show stars Jack Cirillo (reprising his role from Broadway) in the madcap comedy. It's something familiar, something peculiar, something for everyone – a comedy tonight! This classic musical takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from the time-tested, 2000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of vaudeville in its prime. The result is a non-stop laugh-fest in which a crafty slave struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan for his young master in exchange for his freedom. Great songs, terrific performers and a hilarious script - what more could you want? I advise ordering your tickets now, because this one's going to be sold out most (if not every) night. You have been warned! The show runs at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, April 24 - 27, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 28 at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse. For more info, call 304-696-2787.

More Auditions for [title of show]

    It's a general rule of auditions for both adult and children's theatre that you'll get plenty of females auditioning, but never enough guys. 

   (This has always been something of a mystery to me, because you would think guys would tend to gravitate toward a group of gals like that. A subject for a different column.)

   At this weekend's auditions for [title of show], the opposite happened - plenty of guys, not enough gals.

   So the group Company of Dreams is holding another round of auditions. They write: 

Attention all Dreamers! We are going to be holding another audition for [title of show] for FEMALES. We need females playing range 20 - early 30's. Be prepared to cold read from the script, as well as sing 18ish bars of "Secondary Characters" and "A way back to then." Auditions will be held April 30, 6:30 p.m. at Fairview Highschool. 
This will be a great show! If you aren't familiar with it do search it on the youtube! It's a heartfelt show about the passion of doing theatre because it's what you love! BE THERE

On Stage This Weekend

   There are two shows taking the stage this weekend, including a show in Charleston and one in Ona.

   They are: 

- Sugar Bean Sisters - The Kanawha Players presents the play about the Nettle Sisters. Stuck in a Florida swamp near Disney World, the sisters are determined to escape spinsterhood by hopping the next spaceship out of town, and they’re not going to let the arrival of a snake charmer, a handsome Mormon Bishop and a mysterious bird woman stand in their way. Shows will be presented April 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m.

- Footloose - The Cabell Midland Fine Arts Academy at Cabell Midland High School will present the musical based on the popular film in the school's auditorium April 20 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets at $7 for adults and $5 for students. Call 304-743-7400 for more information.

   So get out there and support your local theatre!

Auditions for [title of show]

   It's definitely audition time for local theatre companies!

   The group Company of Dreams will hold auditions for the musical [title of show] this weekend, April 19 and April 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Fairview High School in Ashland, Ky.

   Director Jim Maggard is seeking two males and two females for this production. Those auditioning will be asked to cold read from the script and be prepared to sing selections from the show. An accompanist will be provided. 

   The show will be presented June 6, 7, and 8, 2013. Venue to be announced soon. 

   Questions? Contact the director at 606-615-8439.

HOT Announces Auditions - But Not the Show?

   This is the time of year when Huntington Outdoor Theatre starts gearing up for its annual summer production - but this year is shaping up to be a bit out of the ordinary.

   It was rumored that the group hoped to stage Disney's Beauty and the Beast this summer - a reprise of the group's biggest show to mark its 20th Anniversary - but HOT still hasn't made an official announcement, even though it recently announced auditions for its summer production.

   It's possible that a conflict has caused this - a national touring show of the musical might be scheduled to pass nearby at the same time HOT planned to stage its show, and that will interfere with the local show. It's certainly happened to local groups before,  but I'm just speculating.

   Here's the audition plan: Auditions will be held at the Trinity Episcopal Church at 520 11th Street in  Huntington on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Wednesday, May 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

   Callbacks will be Saturday, May 18 at 10am.

   The show will take place every weekend in July at Huntington's Ritter Park Amphitheater.

   Those auditioning should prepare a 30-second musical selection to sing. A pianist will be available or you may use a backup instrumental CD.

   Call 304-412-3393 with any questions.

Auditions This Weekend for "The Princess of Rome, Ohio"

   Here's a fun play to be part of: The Alban Arts and Conference Center in St. Albans, W.Va., will hold auditions for the play The Princess of Rome, Ohio on Saturday, April 20 from 1 to 4 p.m., and Sunday, April 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. at 65 Olde Main Street.

   In the play, the dysfunctional tenants of a ramshackle house air their dirty laundry on the front porch while their young daughter dreams of getting away to start a better life. An outrageous front porch comedy featuring a wide variety of small town characters.

 

   The play was written by local playwright Jonathan Joy. He's a West Virginia native, the author of nine plays and the Winner of the 2005 Write Like Mamet Award. His work has been performed at the Where Eagles Dare Theatre in New York City, First Stage in Los Angeles, the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and numerous venues in Ohio and West Virginia. His writing has been published by the New York Times, One Act Play Depot, Smith & Kraus, Brooklyn Publishers & more. Plays include two award winning full length comedies. American Standard and The Princess of Rome, Ohio and seven one-act plays including Just Another Day in November which recently premiered at the Clay Center in Charleston and at Marshall University.

   The Princess of Rome, Ohio was a finalist in Seven Devils Play writing Conference, Semi-Finalist in Dayton Playhouse FutureFest, Winner 2004 1st Place Maier Award, 2005 Columbus Fringe Festival

   The Comedy / Drama includes parts for four males and three females. The female roles include:

Alma - nervous fidgety woman in her thirties.

Hattie - age 14- lived more life than a typical 14 year old girl.

Lulu - 30- and Hattie’s mom.

   The male roles include:

Jimmy - age 14- new neighbor to Hattie and Lulu.

Dicky, slovenly dressed and drunk – Chester’s Brother (Alma just left Chester and he drove the house right out of town) Also the towns only cop.

Bud -30s- Lulu’s long estranged husband who resurfaces.

England – rubust gentleman with a british accent 30-40.

   The play is basically a story of the three love lifes. Alma, whose husband Chester hitches up the house and leaves after their most recent fight. (Although she is better off and had left him multiple times before.) Chester's brother Dicky insists that Alma tell him where Chester went - because he drove off with their eBay business in that house. Alma finds love online with England who comes to visit - they appear to have a promising potential.

   Lulu got married and pregnant as a teen. She believed she had shot and killed her husband years ago, but gets the surprise of him showing up on her door step with flowers and promises of being a changed man. Despite his promises, the situation quickly goes back to both verbal and physical fights. Lulu sends Bud packing, but he wants to come back and see his little princess (Hattie), although Hattie would rather not see him.

   Hattie is a teenager but has lived a lot of life for a 14-year-old. Her mom doesn’t think Hattie knows about her father "death" (though she does). She is the type to grab a beer, though she knows she isn’t supposed to. Hattie even goes to the local strip club to audition, pretending she is 18, because she thought it was funny. She has just lived and watched too much life. An awkward relationship is brewing with Jimmy, the new boy next door. One day, when they couldn’t decide what to do other than get away from the house, they come home married.

   There is a rise in the chaos as Lulu and Bud fight, England surprises Alma by coming to visit, and Hattie arrives a little shaken by what she just did. In the mess of everything Hattie takes a gun, shoots a couple of warning shots, and makes people finally listen to her – and all she really wants is to stop living their messed up lives on the front porch and learn to talk to each other. Show ends with a tentative hint towards a baby step that direction.

School Shows - "Footloose" and "Grease"

   While we generally focus on community theatre productions on this humble blog, we're also happy to promote school performances - and there are two of note coming up:

   Cabell Midland High School will present the musical Footloose April 18 and 20 at 7 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets at $7 for adults and $5 for students.

   Huntington High School Performing Arts will present Grease: the Musical on April 25, 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and April 28 at 3 p.m. Tickets at $7 for adults and $5 for students.

   We're glad to promote those shows, but we need you to send us the info! As always, drop us an email at TheMinskers@aol.com if you have news about upcoming shows.

Back on Duty!

   Sorry to have been so quiet this week, gentle readers - your pal Chuck has been on the road (somewhat inadvertently, thanks to two canceled flights and a major re-routing).

   Things are relatively quiet in local theatre, though there are plenty of shows in rehearsal or getting ready to hold auditions. There's one show on stage Sunday afternoon (and my apologies, I only heard about this show this evening):

  - Hairspray is being presented by Ironton High School - the last performance is at 2 p.m. It's a terrific show, highly recommended!

   There's a lot of news swirling about upcoming projects by local theatre groups, lineups for upcoming seasons are being finalized, summer camps are on the way and a possible big announcement is being discussed.

   So stay tuned - we'll bring those stories your way soon!

   (And don't worry, I plan to keep my feet on the ground for a while.)

The Cast of "Shrek"

   Curtains Up Players plans to present the stage musical version of Shrek sometime this fall. It's based on the entertaining animated film about a grumpy ogre and his encounter with an enchanted princess. 

   CUP is off and running - they had auditions last weekend, and here's the cast list they posted today:

Shrek - Ryan Jackson 
Fiona - Kaitlin DeSpain
Donkey - Mark Radford
Lord Farquaad - David Vickers
Pinocchio - Ethan Terry
Wicked Witch/Queen Lillian - Kelsey Anderson
Sugar Plum Fairy - Cindy Westbrook
Ginny - Maggie Donahoe
Teen Fiona/Ugly Duckling - Ivy Idzakovich
Young Fiona/Baby Bear - Brooklyn Nelson
Shoe Maker's Elf - Laura Gigi Clagg
Bricks/Guard/Puppeteer/Pied Piper - Bradley Leonard
Papa Ogre/Straw/Bishop - Michael Gibson
Big Bad Wolf/King Harold/Captain - Paul Merritt
Peter Pan/Guard/Puppeteer - Chris Sunderland
White Rabbit - Katie Fulks
Fairy Godmother - Sarena Johnson
Mad Hatter - Chad Arthur
Tweedledum - Audrey Fosson
Dwarf - Maddie Johnson 

   It's a great cast loaded with talent - it'll be a terrific show!

On Stage This Weekend - "Love, Loss and What I Wore"

  Surprisingly enough, there's only one show on stage this weekend, and you'll have to drive to Charleston to catch it:

  - Love, Loss and What I Wore - Charleston Stage Company presents the play written by Nora and Delia Ephron based on the 1995 book of the same name by Ilene Beckerman. It is organized as a series of monologues and uses a rotating cast of five principal women. The subject matter of the monologues includes women’s relationships and wardrobes and at times the interaction of the two, using the female wardrobe as a time capsule of a woman’s life. It will be staged April 4-6 and April 11-13 at 7:30 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Center Theatre at 123 Summers Street in Charleston.

The cast includes Jennifer Anderson, Lisa Gandee, Jann Hoke, April Ritter, Sheila Jarrett, Daisy Miller, Jessica Smith, Amber Surface and Terry Terpening.

A Night Cap With Nora

The final weekend of the show you can enjoy a stylish fundraiser for YWCA Sojourners and Charleston Stage Company. Step out to the theatre on Saturday, April 13, and join us for food, drinks, prizes and entertainment immediately following the final performance as we celebrate the life of Nora Ephron.

Tickets to the final performance of Love, Loss, and What I Wore will be $25. Proceeds will assist YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter and help Charleston Stage Company continue to bring exciting theater experiences to the community.

Auditions This Week

   There are auditions being offered for two upcoming shows this week - both from Curtains Up Players (CUP): 

- The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged! - CUP will hold auditions Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center at 1030 Fourth Avenue in Huntington. The show includes all 37 of Shakespeare's plays in 97 Minutes! Now revised for 2013 with the same recycled jokes – just put in a different order. Join these madcap men in tights as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter. The show will be presented May 17 - 26, 2013.

- Shrek the Musical - CUP will hold auditions for their fall musical at noon Saturday at Marshall University's Jomie Jazz Forum, across Fifth Avenue from the Marshall Memorial Student Center. Fall in love, all ogre again - please be prepared for the following:
   * a 16 bar vocal selection (preferably from the show, but not necessary)
   * comfortable clothing/shoes for movement and light choreography
   * a cold reading from the script.

   Casting will occur no more than 24 hours after auditions conclude and will be posted on the CUP website - www.curtainsupplayers.org.

   Shrek will be presented this fall.

On Stage in April

   Not as many shows as March, but lots of great shows coming up this month. Here’s the rundown:

- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - Marshall Theatre Alliance presents the classic musical comedy April 24 - 27 at 8 p.m. and April 28 at 2 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse. The musical takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from the time-tested, 2000 year old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of vaudeville in its prime. The result is a non-stop laugh-fest in which a crafty slave struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan for his young master, in exchange for his freedom.

- The Addams Family - The Marshall Artists Series presents the touring version of the hit Broadway musical on April 28 at 7 p.m. at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

- 50th Anniversary Golden Celebration - Musical Arts Guild will hold a concert April 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Guyan Country Club. Tickets include dinner, drinks and entertainment!

- Cinderella ... Ever After - The LimeLight Theatre Company presents this production with an original take on the classic story on April 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. and April 28 at 2 p.m. and May 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. and May 4 and 5 at 2 p.m. at the Capitol Theater 123 Summers St. Charleston, WV

- A Delicate Balance - The Alban Arts Center presents the play that revolves around the household of an old couple and the cohabiting Claire, who never passes up an opportunity to drink or to make a good joke at someone's expense (including her own). Their uneasy peace is disrupted first by the unexpected arrival of two old friends - fellow empty-nesters with free-floating anxiety who ask to stay with them to escape an unnamed terror - and then by the arrival of their daughter Julia, whose fourth marriage has collapsed. The show will be presented April 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. and April 28 at 2 p.m. at the Alban Arts Center at 65 Olde Main, St. Albans, W.Va.

- Sugar Bean Sisters - The Kanawha Players presents the play about the Nettle Sisters. Stuck in a Florida swamp near Disney World, the sisters are determined to escape spinsterhood by hopping the next spaceship out of town, and they’re not going to let the arrival of a snake charmer, a handsome Mormon Bishop and a mysterious bird woman stand in their way. Shows will be presented April 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 8p.m. and April 21 at 2p.m.

- Love, Loss and What I Wore - Charleston Stage Company presents the play written by Nora and Delia Ephron based on the 1995 book of the same name by Ilene Beckerman. It is organized as a series of monologues and uses a rotating cast of five principal women. The subject matter of the monologues includes women’s relationships and wardrobes and at times the interaction of the two, using the female wardrobe as a time capsule of a woman’s life. It will be staged April 4-6 and April 11-13 at 7:30 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Center Theatre at 123 Summers Street in Charleston.

- The Secret Life of Girls - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the play that presents an honest and unflinching dramatization of teen-girl angst, as a window is opened into the tumultuous and destructive world of girls' bullying. The play will be presented April 25, 26, 27, May 3, 4  at 7:30 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Theatre Pikeville Location at 218 Second Street, Pikeville, Ky.