On Stage This Weekend

   It's slim pickings this weekend if you're looking for a show to see - in fact, the only show is a musical in Pikeville! (But it is a great show!)

   Here's the rundown:

- Little Women the Musical - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the musical on March 29, 30, 31 and April 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Mainstage in Pikeville, Ky. Tickets are $10.

  So go see a show!

"Shrek the Musical"

   Hey, here's the poster for the upcoming production of Shrek the Musical by First Stage Theatre.

   The story of everyone's favorite ogre, his friends - a princess (with a big secret) and a talking and singing donkey - and a wicked King, a Dragon and lots of fairy tale creatures all takes the stage at Huntington High School in five weeks!

On Stage This Weekend

   You have four great shows to choose from this weekend, all based on classic stories or movies for young readers (but grownups will enjoy them, too)!

   Here's the list:

- Disney’s The Little Mermaid - Paramount Players present the musical based on the animated film on March 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and March 24 at 3 p.m. at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Ky. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students (additional charges may apply).

- Wolf's Head: A Tale of Robin Hood and the Sheriff -  Astral Theatre Collective presents the play on March 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. and March 25 at 2 p.m. at the Alban Arts Center at 65 Olde Main Street in St. Albans. All tickets are $15.

- Anne of Green Gables - The play is a benefit for the victims of child abuse. It will be presented on March 23 and 24 at 8 p.m., and March 24 at 2 p.m. at The Capitol Theater at 123 Capitol Street in Charleston. Evening tickets are $15, and $10 for students, senior citizens, and military with valid ID. All matinee tickets are $10.

- Little Women the Musical - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the musical on March 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31 and April 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Mainstage in Pikeville, Ky. Tickets are $10.

   So go see a show!

Auditions for "Shrek the Musical, Jr." in Ashland

    2018 is really shaping up to be the Year of Shrek!

   In all fairness, the Paramount Players was (I believe) the first to announce their plans to tackle the musical based on the animated film - and their production will take the stage on May 3, the same day that Huntington's First Stage Theatre will present its first school performances (with four public shows to follow that weekend), and then HART in the Park will present the musical this summer in Huntington's Ritter Park!

   Auditions for the Paramount's show will be held on Monday, March 26 starting at 6 p.m.

   It's open to anyone between the ages of 6 to 18. You should arrive prepared to sing a song from the show and read from a page of script (which will be provided). You will be taught a short dance combination.

   If you are auditioning for a specific part, you should be ready to sing a specific song. For: Lord Farquaad - What's Up Dulac Part 2; Shrek - Big Bright Beautiful World, Dragon - Forever, Young and Teen Fiona - I Know It's Today, Fiona - I Know It's Today and Morning Person, Donkey - Travel Song, and Pinocchio - Story of My Life.

   All others auditioning should be ready to sing Freak Flag or I'm a Believer.

   Sheet music is available at the box office at the Paramount Arts Center.

On Stage This Weekend

   There are three shows taking the stage this weekend - all based on popular stories (or films) for young viewers, but mighty entertaining for all ages.

   Here's the list:

- Disney’s The Lion King, Jr. - Children’s Theatre of Charleston presents the musical based on the animated film on March 16 at 7 p.m., March 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and March 18 at 2 p.m. at the Civic Center Little Theater. Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for children.

- Wolf's Head: A Tale of Robin Hood and the Sheriff -  Astral Theatre Collective presents the play on March 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. and March 18 and 25 at 2 p.m. at the Alban Arts Center at 65 Olde Main Street in St. Albans. All tickets are $15.

- Anne of Green Gables - The play is a benefit for the victims of child abuse. It will be presented on March 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 8 p.m., March 17 and 24 at 2 p.m. and March 18 at 3 p.m. at The Capitol Theater at 123 Capitol Street in Charleston. Evening tickets are $15, and $10 for students, senior citizens, and military with valid ID. All matinee tickets are $10.

   So go see a show!

"Annie, Jr." Wraps Up This Weekend

    Today's edition of the Herald-Dispatch includes a great story written by Dave Lavender about the special production of Annie, Jr. that runs this weekend at Huntington High School. (Photo above by Larry Butcher.)

   (And let me just add how proud I am of the director, Zadokite Wood, who's grown up on local stages and has appeared in several shows I directed - and was my Student Director on Disney's Lion King, Jr. Needless to say, she's incredible talented and driven. Congrats to her and her amazing cast!) 

   You can read the full story at this link - here's an excerpt:

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

As a budding actress, Huntington High School junior Zadokite Wood has notched up more than 25 shows with area theater companies from First Stage and Jeslyn to HHS and the Actors for Children's Theater in Ashland.

As a student, Wood has immersed herself in American Sign Language and will get an associate's degree in American Sign Language in May from Mountwest Community and Technical College.

This weekend, those two worlds of theater and ASL come together as Wood presents a theatrical capstone project, "Annie Jr. in ASL and English" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 11, in the Huntington High School auditorium.

"Annie Jr." comprises two casts - there are 17 actors onstage using American Sign Language and 10 actors offstage using spoken English and singing the songs. Tickets are $10 and $5 for children and seniors 65 and older.

Wood, 16, said she is excited to be able to offer such a show that is accessible to everyone. There are two deaf students who are in the production, while other cast members learned ASL to do the show.

"I am so excited seeing these kids come together from these two worlds and watching them work together and seeing students like Steshka Snyder, who is not used to being in an environment where she an communicate with everyone — that is the best part,” Wood said.

On Stage This Weekend: "Annie, Jr."

   Huntington High School is presenting a unique version of a classic musical this weekend - they're staging Annie Jr. in American Sign Language and Spoke English! Shows will be presented Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.  

   This junior production of everyone's favorite redheaded orphan, Annie, is a unique opportunity for the Deaf community to participate and engage in performing arts while bringing Deaf awareness to the hearing population. There are two casts: one on-stage using American Sign Language and a second cast off-stage voicing the characters using spoken English.

   The show is being produced and directed by a Huntington High student - Zadokite Wood, who tackled the show as part of her capstone project for her A.A.S. American Sign Language degree from Mountwest Community & Technical College. 

   The Herald-Dispatch posted some pictures of the show (taken by Larry Butcher) which you can check out here: http://www.herald-dispatch.com/_recent_news/photos-annie-jr/collection_d1a3deb8-224b-11e8-8f90-1fe1c0805812.html

On Stage in March

   On stage in March - seven terrific shows!

   Here’s the list:

- Annie Jr. - Huntington High School  will present a special production of the beloved musical with actors using American Sign Language, and another cast using spoken English. The show will be staged on March 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and March 11 at 3 p.m. at the Huntington High School auditorium at One Highlander Way. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and senior citizens.

- Disney’s The Little Mermaid - Paramount Players present the musical based on the animated film on March 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and March 24 at 3 p.m. at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Ky. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students (additional charges may apply).

- Disney’s The Lion King, Jr. - Children’s Theatre of Charleston presents the musical based on the animated film on March 16 at 7 p.m., March 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and March 18 at 2 p.m. at the Civic Center Little Theater. Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for children.

- Wolf's Head: A Tale of Robin Hood and the Sheriff -  Astral Theatre Collective presents the play on March 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. and March 18 and 25 at 2 p.m. at the Alban Arts Center at 65 Olde Main Street in St. Albans. All tickets are $15.

- Anne of Green Gables - The play is a benefit for the victims of child abuse. It will be presented on March 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 8 p.m., March 17 and 24 at 2 p.m. and March 18 at 3 p.m. at The Capitol Theater at 123 Capitol Street in Charleston. Evening tickets are $15, and $10 for students, senior citizens, and military with valid ID. All matinee tickets are $10.

- The Tempest - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the Shakespeare story of magic and lost islands on March 1, 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Mainstage in Pikeville, KY. Tickets are $14 for adults and $9 for children.

- Little Women the Musical - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the musical on March 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31 and April 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Mainstage in Pikeville, KY. Tickets are $10.

   So go see a show!