cast announcement - CHAPTER TWO - Arizona Theatre Company

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs from October 5th to October 22nd

George Schneider: David Mason*
Leo Schneider: Ben Huber*
Jennie Malone: Blair Baker*
Faye Medwick: Diana Pappas*

Director: Marsha Mason:
Scenic Designer: Lauren Helpern
Costume Designer: Kish Finnegan
Lighting Designer: David Lee Cuthbert
Sound Designer: Brian Jerome Peterson

*Denotes members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

review - THE BARTERED BRIDE - ASU Lyric Opera Theatre

the cast
photo by Tim Trumble

highlights from local critics reviews - (click link at bottom of each review to read complete review)

Click here for more information on this production that runs through October 1st.

" Just before the curtain rises on the set of a mid-19th Century bucolic Bohemian village, Brian DeMaris's superb student orchestra leaps into the festive and celebratory overture to Bedřich Smetana's THE BARTERED BRIDE. The tempo sets the tone for ASU Lyric Opera's extraordinary and exuberant performance of a comic opera that, although not often performed, occupies a space in music history as a sort of Czech national anthem....a production that is resplendent with vocal excellence, spirited choreography (by the terrific Molly LaJoie), and the vibrant colors of Alfredo Escarcega's set and Sharon Jones's costumes. Director Dale Dreyfoos has pulled together a remarkable team of talents and added dashes of wit and nuance to spice up both the characters and moments of this funfest....Emily Botts is radiant and poised as Marie, a star equipped with a stellar soprano voice. Justin Carpenter matches her note for note and portrays her committed lover with equal doses of confidence and authenticity. ...It is three hours (including a brief break) of suspension in time for the sake of stage magic, performed by an array of highly gifted young talents." - Herbert Paine, Broadway World (click here to read the complete review)

photos - THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH - Childsplay

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through October 15th

photos by Tim Trumble

photos -THE BARTERED BRIDE - ASU Lyric Opera Theatre

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through October 1st

photos by Tim Trumble

reviews - CAROLINE, OR CHANGE - Black Theatre Troupe

George Johnson and Jennifer Robinson
photo by Laura Durant

highlights from local critics reviews - (click link at bottom of each review to read complete review)

Click here for more information on this production that runs through October 1st.

"With a singing washing machine, a girl group that pops out of a radio to comment on the action, and a luminous, melodic moon, the supporting characters in Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's Caroline, or Change are clearly very different from many musicals out there. But the serious social messages at the center of the piece and the beautiful, sung through score make Caroline, or Change an evocative and stunning work. Black Theatre Troupe's production features a stunning performance by Jennifer Robinson as Caroline, an African-American maid in 1963 Louisiana who is just trying to get through life working in an overheated basement while the winds of social revolution are blowing around her....With many of the songs running just a minute or two, it may prove different and difficult for those used to a more traditional musical theatre score, but it is rich and beautiful and full of emotion,...doesn't try to sentimentalize or shortchange the difficulties of the characters, with their pain, suffering, and pent-up emotion always at the forefront. Director David J. Hemphill has done a lovely job in ensuring the changing styles, shifting tones, and whimsical characters are grounded in reality and, for the most part, his cast delivers both musically and dramatically. Jennifer Robinson's portrayal of Caroline is stunning. ..she expertly shows Caroline's concealed attempt to hide the pain, fury and fear just beneath her stony exterior. Her powerful vocals deliver throughout..While several members of the supporting cast are somewhat weak, Brandi Bigley is lovely as the well-meaning Rose...Ebony Gammage is excellent as Caroline's friend Dotty...Zion Russell is equally good as Caroline's teenage daughter Emmie who sees promise in her future....a deeply moving musical that is full of rich emotion. While there are a few issues with Black Theatre Troupe's production, the stellar performance from Jennifer Robinson and the fact that this is a musical so different from every other musical, makes it a refreshing and must-see show." -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)

"The plot...is as mundane as could be...But with the help of a surreal conceit, giving singing parts to such characters as the Washing Machine, the Moon and the Bus, this show packs enough humanity into that tiny plot to make your heart burst. ..features a powerhouse performance by Jennifer Robinson as Caroline...Robinson creates a character who is not always likeable but becomes enormously sympathetic in her struggle. There’s a lot more to this important work...But the heart of the show is Caroline, and it’s a huge one....In a large ensemble cast, there are a few weaker performances. But this hardly matters in a show that delivers complex characters and complex music that challenge the mind and the soul. " - Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic (click here to read the complete review)

audition notice - NUNCRACKERS - Desert Stages Theatre - October 8

Auditions are here for our upcoming holiday show~ Nuncrackers! A Nunsense Christmas Musical!

Directed by KatiBelle Collins

Performance dates:
December 01 to December 24, 2017
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sundays at 2:00 PM
Additional showings on 12/20 and 12/21 at 7:30 pm

Rehearsals begin October 30th
Monday- Thursday evenings

Audition Date & Time:
Sunday October 8th at 7:00pm
Sign in begins at 6:00pm

Location:
Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre
Located inside Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall Food Court

What to bring/prepare:
16-32 bars of music sheet music in correct key or CD.
Cold readings from the script
Headshot & resume

Register at http://www.desertstages.org/adult-auditions/

Casting (all parts are currently open):
6 adults-
5 women (but will consider men)
1 man, age range for all 6 roles is 18-60

4 kids-
2 boys and 2 girls, age range is 8-16

photos - SEUSSICAL, JR - Fountain Hills Theater

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through October 8

photos by Chris Bendet

audition notice - CABARET - Spotlight Youth Theatre - October 24 & 25

cast announcement - A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM - Brelby Theatre Company

Theseus: Brandon Sanchez
Hippolyta: Shelby Huston
Egeus: Wendy Warwick White
Titania: Sonya Joseph
Oberon: Brady Anderson
Puck: Christina Maxwell
Lysander: Marina Sharpe
Helena: Caroline Lassetter
Demetrius: Devon Mahon
Hermia: Brenna Jackson
Bottom: Michael Moramarco
Peter: Chris Ulbrich
Snout: Jessie Tully
Snug: Rebecca Ulbrich
Starveling: Rebecca Hoeck
Flute: Tyler Rich
Fairie: Thea Eigo

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs from November 3 - 11

audition notice - child actors and male ensemble needed for IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE - Don Bluth Front Row Theatre

2-3 child actors needed

Young George/Pete Bailey male age 10-14
Young Mary/Janie Bailey female age 10-13
TommyBailey/Beth Bailey male or female age 8-11

Men's roles still available 25+

The show runs November 16th to December 30th.

Rehearsal begins Oct 2nd.

It pays a stipend.

Please contact Cheryl Schaar (director) at 480-707-8273 to schedule an audition.

urgent casting notice - male actor age 15-20 needed for male lead in SIDE SHOW - Limelight Performing Arts

Limelight Performing Arts seeks a male actor age 15-20, tenor, for the lead male role of Buddy in Side Show. October 20-29 shows.

Contact Emma England at studio3arts@gmail.com if you are interested or know of someone who is

photos - KISS - Stray Cat Theatre

 CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through September 30th

photos by John Groseclose

cast announcement - MAN OF LA MANCHA - Arizona Broadway Theatre

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs from October 13 - November 11

Cervantes/Quixote: James Rio
Sancho Panza: Andy Meyers
Aldonza/Dulcinea: Jessica Medoff
Governor: Geoff Belliston
Lobillo/Anselmo: Tony Blosser
Prisoner: Katy  Callie
Antonia/Gypsy: Taylor Caprara
Jose/Gypsy: Maxximillian Carlisle-King
Quinto: Nicholas Hurm
El Medico/Barber: Chaz Ingraham
Scorpion/Pedro: John Knispel
Graciosa/Fermina: Taylor Moskowitz
Duke/Carrasco: Michael O'Brien
Captain: Jason Plourde
Padre/Tenorio: Matthew  Ruff
Torito/Paco/Inquisitor: Brad Rupp
Housekeeper: Meggie Siegrist

photos - ALL SHOOK UP, JR. - Actor's Youth Theatre

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through September 30

photos by Nick Woodward-Shaw