Wednesday, October 31, 2018

SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD - Arizona Regional Theatre - November 30-December 9


Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Originally Produced by the WPA Theatre, New York City, 1995
(Kyle Renick, Artistic Director)
Original Orchestration by Brian Besterman and Jason Robert Brown

It's about one moment. It's about hitting the wall and having to make a choice... or take a stand... or turn around and go back. The first musical from Tony Award winner, Jason Robert Brown (Parade, Bridges of Madison County), this moving collection of powerful songs examines life, love and the choices that we make.

Xandra Gunnel - Woman 1
Alicia Ferrin - Woman 2
Nathan Sheppard - Man 1
Darren Friedman - Man 2

Friday & Saturday Evenings at 7:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday Matinee at 2:30 pm

All performances take place at Third Street Theatre at the Phoenix Center for the Arts


cast announcement - THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES: CAPS AND GOWNS - Hale Centre Theatre


CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs from January 15-April 16

Cindy Lou: Rebecca Bryce
Missy: Gina Kim
Betty Jean: Melissa VanSlyke
Suzy: Heidi-Liz Johnson

audition notice - DISASTER! - Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre - November 18



Directed by Gary Crumm

It’s 1979, and New York’s hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. Also attending is a faded disco star, a sexy nightclub singer with her eleven-year-old twins, a disaster expert, a feminist reporter, an older couple with a secret, a pair of young guys who are looking for ladies, an untrustworthy businessman and a nun with a gambling addiction. What begins as a night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as the ship succumbs to multiple disasters, such as earthquakes, tidal waves and infernos. As the night turns into day, everyone struggles to survive and, quite possibly, repair the love that they’ve lost… or at least escape the killer rats.

AGES 16 and older

AUDITION DATE & TIME:
Sunday November 18th
6-10pm

CALLBACKS:
Monday November 19th
6-9pm

Bring headshot and resume
Please prepare 16-32 bars of a style appropriate song (accompanist will be at the audition)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

CAST OF CHARACTERS (ALL ROLES OPEN):

CHAD [Male, 25-40, Rock/Pop Tenor]
A handsome, flirtatious caterer at the casino. Pretends to be a player, but is still heartbroken over the loss of his first love, Marianne.

SCOTT [Male, 25-40, Sweet-sounding Tenor]
The goofy nerd who wants to be cool. Is friends with Chad and also a caterer at the casino.

TED [Male, 35-50, Tenor]
A professor and disaster expert who tries to warn everybody of the impending doom. The dry, serious, non-emotional type.

MARIANNE [Female, 25-40, Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano w/ High Pop Belt]
An attractive and focused journalist hiding insecurity beneath the surface. Chad’s ex-fiancĂ©e who left him to pursue her career.

TONY [Male, 35-50, Tenor]
The deceitful, somewhat sleazy owner of the casino. A charming & attractive schemer who lacks morals.

JACKIE [Female, 30-40, Mezzo-Soprano]
An aging but still sexy showgirl turned lounge singer. Dumb but honest (a la Goldie Hawn). She is hoping that Tony will propose to her.

BEN/LISA [Male or Female, 9-13, Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano Belt]
Smart boy and girl twins played by one actor. Jackie’s son and daughter; honest and direct, with an amazing pop voice. Belt to D5… think a young Michael Jackson/Andrea McArdle.

SISTER MARY DOWNEY [Female, 25-50, Soprano w/ High Pop Belt)
Hilariously awkward, judgmental nun desperately trying to hide her gambling addiction. Top note is B5.

SHIRLEY [Female, 50-65, Alto]
Lovable and jolly Jewish woman. Maury’s wife. Tap dancing and great comedic instincts are a plus.

MAURY [Male, 50-65, Tenor]
Lovable, jolly, and devoted to his wife, Shirley.

LEVORA VERONA [Female, 30-50, Mezzo-Soprano Pop Belt]
A flamboyant and glamorous faded disco diva, hoping to hit it big at the casino. Pushy, sassy, and in love with her precious dog named “Baby”.

ENSEMBLE [Males and Females, 20-50, All Voice Types]
Able to play various glamorous party guests/featured character roles. Should be proficient dancers and singers with a lot of personality.

A Conversation with Chris Danowski, playwright of FROGWOMAN


from our friends at B3 Productions:

Ilana Lydia sat down with author Chris Danowski to explore his process and journey in writing FrogWoman, which plays at The SIC Sense Theatre November 9-17, then being reimagined at Aside Theatre in December

How has FrogWoman been featured in your diverse career as a playwright?

It keeps hopping back into my life, haha. There was a production in 2001, then in 2010, and now, so it regenerates and comes back to life every 8-9 years, and I read somewhere that there is a tree frog that only lives outside of Payson, Arizona, that regenerates like this, every 8-9 years. Of course, I read about this after I wrote it down, which is to say, I made it up.

What’s different about FrogWoman from most of your other scripts?

It’s much more linear, and to me feels like a more traditional structure.

Did you learn anything from writing FrogWoman, or seeing various productions of it?  What?

There are some old scripts that come back every once in awhile, and I kind of cringe, because I see so many of the things I forgot to do when I was writing it. This one, though, always makes me giggle, and I get caught up in watching it, and the performers seem to be having a great time, and that’s probably my favorite thing to do in a theatre, watching performers enjoy what they’re doing. So I learned that, I learned that I like that very much. Um. Over the years, there were many drafts and subsequent drafts of this, and with each draft there was more layering, and more attention to rhythm. So I also learned that what they say about writing and re-writing, it’s true, and although the surrealist in me says that the first draft is the rawest and closest to the bone, it’s not always the most interesting.

If FrogWoman were a physical gift you were giving each audience member, what would it look like?

It would look like a little frog in a top hat that is at your feet, and it’s singing to you, and it tickles you as you are having a whispering, giggling conversation with your friends at a panel discussion about media and representation.

Didn’t you just release a new book?  What’s it about?

That’s “Dog’s Ear,” from Hoot n’ Waddle Press. It’s a literary experiment where I want to see if I can put the reader in a particular kind of space where you are having the experience of remembering an impossible love, caught in the tide pool of it, while time is moving forward around you. And you’re not really there, in that tide pool, you stepped out of time, and you can’t find the way back in (and maybe don’t want to so much).

What adventures are on the horizon for you?

By the time the show is open, I’ll be in the U.K. as a lecturer in performance at the University of Portsmouth. Right now I’m waiting for the U.K. visa to come back, so I’m anxious as hell because everything feels very ephemeral and I’m like a ghost, half here and half there. I like in between spaces though, and this one feels massively important, the biggest adventure always being who to become next. There’s always a next.

FrogWoman by Chris Danowski runs 11/9, 11/10, 11/16, 11/17 at The SIC Sense Theatre, curtain at 8PM.  Tickets are available at www.thesicsense.com.  It will then return, reimagined, at Aside Theatre, and play 12/7, 12/8, 12/14, and 12/15 at 8PM, and 12/9 and 12/16 at 2PM.  Tickets for the December shows are available at www.asidetheatre.com.  FrogWoman is directed by RC Contreras.

FrogWoman is the story of a starlet who has surgically turned herself into a frog. She has a manservant named Burley who is as good as three men put together, but side by side and not on top of each other like her circus friends. In a world controlled by an unseen Voice of Authority, will FrogWoman ever break free from the confines of her fame and find her true froggish nature? Will she ever find true love? And most curiously, will she ever find out who’s spending her money?

photos - THE RED VELVET CAKE WARS - TheaterWorks

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through November 11th




















photos by Carly Weekley

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

DISNEY’S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2- Queen Creek Performing Arts Center - November 2-5, 2018




Pricing: Adults $15, Children $13

Disney smash hit movie musical comes to life on your stage! It's summer break and the kids of East High are out for some fun in the sun. Unfortunately, they are all broke and must get jobs in order to be able to afford to enjoy themselves. Troy thinks his problem is solved when he gets a job at Sharpay's family resort, but doesn't realize she has an ulterior motive for hiring him. Luckily, some of his fellow Wildcats have jobs there too.

Friday and Monday at 7PM and Saturday at 2PM

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

DISNEY’S ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR.- Queen Creek Performing Arts Center - November 16-19, 2018




Pricing: Adults $15, Children $13

Travel down the rabbit hole and join the ever-curious Alice in her madcap adventures in Wonderland.  Alice chases the White Rabbit, races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with the Tweedles, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game! A classic must see.

Friday and Monday at 7PM and Saturday at 2PM

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

ANNIE- Queen Creek Performing Arts Center - January 11-14, 2019


Pricing: Adults $15, Children $13

Living miserably in the New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan, Annie is determined to find her parents who abandoned her years ago.  In adventure after adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil scheming, befriends President Roosevelt and charms the hearts of a new family in the luxurious home of billionaire Oliver Warbucks. This sun does come out Tomorrow in this heartwarming production.

Friday and Monday at 7PM and Saturday at 2PM

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID JR.- Queen Creek Performing Arts Center - April 12-15, 2019



Pricing: Adults $15, Children $13

Journey "under the sea" with Ariel and her aquatic friends as she longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above.  To reach her dreams, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch for the chance to convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl he’s looking for. Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr. is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance.

Friday and Monday at 7PM and Saturday at 2PM

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

OKLAHOMA!- Queen Creek Performing Arts Center - June 21-24, 2019



Pricing: Adults $15, Children $13

Oh What a Beautiful Morning, or is it?  Laurey is a headstrong farm girl and the woman with whom both cowboy Curly and farm hand Jud have fallen in love. When she plays hard-to-get with earnest Curly and instead accepts dangerous Jud’s invitation, tensions rise between the men and capture the interest of the whole town. Oklahoma will never be the same.

Friday and Monday at 7PM and Saturday at 2PM

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

THE BITCH IS BACK - Davisson Entertainment - November 15-17, 2018


Joe Posa, Award Winning actor and celebrity impersonator, joins forces with “Fashion Police” Executive Producer (and the real Ms. Rivers’ joke writer), Tony Tripoli for a hilarious 90 minute Tribute, “The B!tch is Back” !

The show begins with Phoenix native, Tony Tripoli sharing his shocking memories of working for Ms. Rivers: The trouble they got into, the joke that E! refused to air, and how outrageous she was - both offstage and on.

Then Tony passes the baton to Joe Posa, Joan’s FAVORITE Joan impersonator, who brilliantly recreates the comedy legend’s look, mannerisms and signature frenetic energy.

Posa does an hour of Joan’s actual act, and you’ll laugh so hard you’ll swear Joan is back for one last performance.

Seeing is believing!

After sold out shows worldwide, we are thrilled to present this “very-naughty-but-SO-much-fun” evening to Phoenix's audiences.

Thursday November 15 - 8PM
Friday November 16 - 8PM
Saturday November 17 - 8PM

Only three performances, and they’ll sell out, so get you tickets early. Theater seating is limited & intimate, so buy your tickets today!

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets

audition notice - YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN - CYT Phoenix - November 9 & 10



CYT Phoenix is holding auditions for You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown on November 9 & 10.
Performances February 7-10.  This is a no-cut production for kids ages 8-18. 

Contact CYT Phoenix with questions: 480-310-0366 or visit www.cytphoenix.org/shows

photos - FRANKENSTEIN - Southwest Shakespeare Company

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through November 10th




 


photos by Laura Durant

photos - LOVE, LIES AND THE DOCTOR'S DILEMMA - Westbrook Village Players

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs from November 2-11













photos by Mary Wright

photos - JEKYLL & HYDE - Actor's Youth Theatre

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through November 3rd
















photos by Melissa Brassow – Second Star Productions