Broadway Closed Until January

   Sad news today as the announcement was made that shows on Broadway are extending their shutdown into January. 

   Here's the latest from Playbill (you can read the complete story at this link): 

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   As performing arts organizations across the country announce plans to forgo their fall programming, Broadway is following suit. The Broadway League has announced that all productions will remain closed through at least January 3, 2021.

   While it is now official, the decision does not come as a surprise. The League stated in May that while shows would be dark through September 6, this date serves more as a determination of how late productions would offer refunds and exchanges than as a look into when the curtain will rise again.

   Once that is able to happen, audiences can expect shows to return on a rolling basis, rather than on one specific date. Details concerning this scheduling and ticketing will be announced in the coming weeks.

Love Streaming "A Wrinkle in Time"

   The Alban Theater is continuing its theatre productions via streaming services, and the next one is coming up this weekend. (For more info go to www.albanartscenter.com.) 

   Here's the info:

   A Wrinkle in Time

   A Live Streaming Theatrical Experience

   June 26, 27, 28

   A Wrinkle in Time is the story of Meg Murry, a high-school-aged girl who is transported on an adventure through time and space with her younger brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin O’Keefe to rescue her father, a gifted scientist, from the evil forces that hold him prisoner on another planet.

   This production will be live streamed from the Alban Theater. The actors will be performing on stage at the same time you are watching the show, so please plan on watching at the scheduled time. When you buy a ticket you will receive a confirmation email, and then on the day of the show you will receive a link that will take you to the Live Stream. So please use your preferred email when purchasing a ticket, and log into the stream 10 - 15 minutes early so you can make sure that everything is working correctly before the show starts. 

   We will be streaming the show via YouTube so anyone with an internet connection should be able to access it. The Link you receive will take you to an unlisted Stream, and you will not be able to use your YouTube App to search for the stream. 

   So if you are planning to watch the show on your television make sure you can either cast to your television from your computer or cell phone, or directly connect the device to your television.

"9 to 5" Has Been Canceled

   This afternoon the Paramount Players announced that their auditions for the musical "9 to 5" were canceled. 

   Here's the statement they released on Facebook:

To all Paramount Players: Due to the large number of people who have traveled to or are planning on traveling to hot spot areas for COVID-19 during the time period of 9 to 5 rehearsals and shows, the Paramount Arts Center executive committee has made the decision for the safety of our community and performers to cancel the upcoming auditions and performances of the musical 9 to 5.  

We are sorry for the late notice, but we were holding out until the last possible minute in hopes that this show would be possible. The safety of our cast, crew and audience remains our biggest concern. 

We look forward to being operational as soon as possible and hope to announce an abbreviated season shortly.

Auditions for "9 to 5"

   The Paramount Players have announced their next show - and auditions next week:

   Audition dates for The Paramount Players Production of "9 to 5" will be Tuesday, June 23, and Wednesday, June 24.

   June 23 will be music auditions.

   June 24 will be dance and cold readings.

   Both will begin at 6 p.m.

   Auditions are open to all ages 13 and up. 

   You can pick up music cuts at the PAC Box Office, open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday - Thursday. 

   If you'd like the music emailed to you, email awiisonhammond@gmail.com .

Auditions This Weekend of "The Dixie Swim Club"

   As COVID-19 restrictions start lifting, area groups are starting to hold auditions for shows. 

   Here's the first one for Huntington:

   Alchemy Theatre will hold auditions for "The Dixie Swim Club" by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten. The play will be directed by Mary Poindexter Williams.

   Auditions will be Friday, June 19 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, June 20 at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Church at 520 11th Street in Huntington (enter at 11th Street Door). ALL ROLES ARE OPEN, and Alchemy encourages women of ALL ETHNICITIES to audition! The age range for roles is 30 - 100! Ladies, you probably fit in there somewhere! Whether you've done a ton of shows or have always wanted to try it out, this is a great time to give it a shot!

   Due to COVID-19 restrictions, social distancing will be in effect. You may also feel free to wear a mask if you so choose.

   Rehearsals for this project will begin the following week, with evening performances set for July 31, August 1, 7 and 8, with a matinee performance on August 2.

  The play focuses on five Southern women whose friendships began many years ago on their college swim team. They set aside a long weekend every August to recharge those relationships. Free from husbands, kids, and jobs, they meet at the same beach cottage on North Carolina's Outer Banks to catch up, laugh, and meddle in each other's lives. "The Dixie Swim Club" focuses on four of those weekends and spans a period of 33 years. Sheree, the spunky team captain, desperately tries to maintain her organized and "perfect" life, and continues to be the group's leader. Dinah, the wisecracking overachiever, is a career dynamo. But her victories in the courtroom are in stark contrast to the frustrations of her personal life. Lexie, pampered and outspoken, is determined to hold on to her looks and youth as long as possible. She enjoys being married - over and over and over again. The self-deprecating and acerbic Vernadette, acutely aware of the dark cloud that hovers over her life, has decided to just give in and embrace the chaos. And sweet, eager-to-please Jeri Neal experiences a late entry into motherhood that takes them all by surprise. As their lives unfold and the years pass, these women increasingly rely on one another, through advice and raucous repartee, to get through the challenges (men, sex, marriage, parenting, divorce, aging) that life flings at them. And when fate throws a wrench into one of their lives in the second act, these friends, proving the enduring power of "teamwork" rally 'round their own with the strength and love that takes this comedy in a poignant and surprising direction. "The Dixie Swim Club" is the story of these five unforgettable women - a hilarious and touching comedy about friendships that last forever.

   If you aren't interested in being in the play but would like to volunteer to help backstage or usher, please sign up at the auditions or send a message.

Introducing a New Style of Theatre: The Eugene O’Neill Project

   At last, we’re starting to see signs of life from local theatre groups - and one impressive new experiment!

    The Alban Arts Center is leading the way with a new way to watch a stage show - from the comfort of your home!

    They’re staging The Eugene O’Neill Project - A Digital Experience!

    They taped a performance of the show based on works by the beloved playwright, and you can buy a ticket and watch the play unfold on your TV or computer!

   It’ll be presented Sunday, June 14 at 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 16 at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 18 at 7 p.m., Friday, June 19 at 7 p.m., and June 20 at 7 p.m.

   You can buy tickets at this website: https://www.onthestage.com/show/alban-arts-center/the-eugene-oneill-project-a-digital-experience-90172/tickets  

   The tickets are $10 each. It’s a great way to support your local theatre and their efforts to find a way to keep producing great shows despite the COVID-19 concerns. 

   Kudos to them!

HART Shuts Down for the Summer

   HART in the Park and the Huntington Park Board have announced that they won't be presenting any shows on stage at Ritter Park this summer. 

   Here's what they posted on Facebook:

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   It is with heavy hearts that we have made the difficult decision to postpone Huntington Area Regional Theater's production of "The Addams Family the Musical" until fall.

   Dates will be determined at a later time.

   We hope that you will come out and get spooky with us then!

Southern Coalition for the Arts Shuts Down for the Summer

   

   Another day, another bout of bad news for theatre fans.

   Southern Coalition for the Arts sent out this note today about their summer plans:

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Friends and family of the ARTS,

   We hope this post finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. 

 

   As you all know, we were set to bring "Into the Woods" to the stage at Southern WV Community and Technical College beginning June 12. Unfortunately, the show will have to be postponed indefinitely. 

   We are continuing to monitor the situation and guidelines from the Governor's office, as well as plans from the college. This has been a difficult decision, but one that is in the best interest of our actors and audience.

   We appreciate the continued support from you all, and hope to see you again in the fall if it is safe to do so. 

   And remember, even though we can't be on the stage right now this is only an intermission. We love you all. 

   Stay safe, stay healthy, and spread kindness in this difficult time.