Your first look at ANNIE at Fountain Hills Theater

photos by Patty Torrilhon

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through August 9

Cast announced for ANNIE at Fountain Hills Theater

Manuel Alba-Berger… Hooverville-ite

Lucy Alston… Tessie

Kameron Archer… Burt Healy

Alexandria Avise… July

James Avise… Drake

Doug Behm… Ensemble

Bill Bennett… FDR/Mr. Bundles

Kathleen Berger… Boylan Sister

Emily Blatter… Ensemble

Olivia Carey… Molly

Hailey Cranford… Star to Be

Reagan DuFour… Duffy

Cha Cha Giffen… Annie

Emma Giffen… Grace Farrell

Evelyn Giffen… Pepper

Adam Gobeski … Rooster

Courtney Jacobs… Boylan Sister

Gina Kim… Lily

Sylvia Kociuba… Kate

Tom Mangum… Daddy Warbucks

Nikki Reeves… Miss Hannigan

Ollie RobertDavis… Hooverville-ite

Tanya Schoenwolf … Boylan Sister

Kalinka Taylor… Ensemble

Robyn Tye-Lennex… Ensemble

Annie… Sandy the Dog

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs July 17-August 9

Auditions for COME FROM AWAY at Fountain Hills Theater announced for July 6

Book, Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein

Directed by Chanel Bragg

Musically Directed by Kathleen Berger

Choreographed by Andrew McDuff

AUDITION DATES:

Monday, July 6 at 7pm and Tuesday, July 7 at 7pm

Callbacks (if required) Wednesday, July 8 at 7:00pm

Rehearsals Begin Saturday, July 18

Audition sign up 480-837-9661 X 3 or fhtaz.org/auditions

PRODUCTION DATES:

September 11 – October 4, 2026

Performances Friday, Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm

A musical in the Noël Irick & Peter J. Hill Playhouse

Fountain Hills Theater

11445 N Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

What started as an average day in a small town turned into an international sleepover, when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from around the globe, were diverted to Gander’s airstrip on September 11, 2001. Based on the true story, Come From Away depicts the events when the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, played host to the world. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander cheered the stranded travelers with music, an open bar and the recognition that we’re all part of a global family.

To audition:

Auditioners are asked sing 16-32 bars of a song of the style that also that best shows off their voice and range. An accompanist is provided. No recorded accompaniment, please. Please dress for dance audition following. Auditioners should be prepared with a short monologue if requested.

Auditioners should:

– Complete the digital audition form (https://fhtaz.org/auditions)   

– Sheet music

– Bring headshot, and resume if available and if not already submitted via link above

Video Auditions:

Must be submitted prior to July 5th and may substitute for appearing at the Monday and Tuesday auditions at 7PM. Auditioners must be available to attend in-person callbacks Wednesday, July 8 at 7pm (if they are called). Video should include a short monologue, 16- 32 bars of a song that best shows off their voice and range, 1 minute dance routine demonstrating dance training, and be uploaded with a headshot, and a resume (if available) when filling out the digital audition form linked above.

FHT seeks to include persons of every race, color, culture, age, gender, creed, physical disability, and sexual orientation. Character ages are not set in stone and all roles are open to all ethnicities unless otherwise stated. Actors should consider roles if they feel they can represent the characters and age range listed.

CASTING FOR:

Claude:

The gregarious and well-liked Mayor of Gander, Newfoundland, Claude loves his work, the townspeople and his daily traditions, but he’s never had to deal with a crisis of this magnitude before.

Also plays Derm and Brenda’s Brother, Eddie.

Bonnie:

A no-nonsense mother of three, Bonnie is the head of the Gander area SPCA. When she discovers animals are trapped on the planes, she stops at nothing to ensure their safety – but in frustration, she often lashes out at those around her.

Also plays Martha.

Beulah:

The head of the Gander Legion, with a firefighter son, who walks Hannah to her church and prays with her.

Also plays Delores.

Oz:

The quirky constable in the two-person Gander police force. When the town’s population suddenly doubles, Oz helps out in unexpected ways.

Also plays Joey, Customs Officer, Mr. Michaels, Terry, Matty, Rabbi, and Head Cardiologist.

Janice:

An eager new local TV reporter, Janice is thrown into the deep end on her first day. Initially naïve about the world, Janice must face the pain and confusion around her.

Also plays Britney and Flight Attendant.

Beverley/Annette:

Beverely: The first female captain for American Airlines Pilot, Beverly Bass has always loved flying, when her world suddenly changes.

Annette: A schoolteacher at Gander Academy with an active fantasy life.

Also plays Reporter.

Diane:

A traditional divorcee from Texas, who is terrified that her son may have been flying at the time of the attacks. When she finds out that he’s safe, she’s given a new lease on life and discovers a wilder more carefree side of herself.

Also plays Crystal and Brenda.

Nick/Doug

Nick: An English oil engineer who is focused on his work, Nick’s life is turned upside down when he falls for Diane.

Doug: An Air Traffic Controller, married to Bonnie, who tries to help his wife and the animals.

Also plays Officer Stephenson, and Male Townsperson.

Kevin T/Garth

Kevin T: The head of an environmental energy company in Los Angeles, Kevin was on vacation with his boyfriend (and secretary, also named Kevin), when they are stranded in Gander. Inspired by the town’s generosity, Kevin creates the Pay It Forward Foundation.

Garth: The head of the local union, representing the Bus Drivers.

Also plays President Bush.

Kevin J/Ali

Kevin J: Kevin’s boyfriend and secretary. Sarcastic and unhappy, he wants to leave as soon as possible.

Ali: An Egyptian man traveling to America who experiences isolation and Islamophobia but who finds a connection to Beulah.

Also plays Dwight.

Hannah

The mother of a firefighter in Manhattan, Hannah waits for news about her son and is comforted by Beulah.

Also plays Margie and Mickey.

Bob:

A hardened New Yorker, Bob is suspicious of where he’s landed, fearing that it’s World War 3, that someone is going to shoot him and steal his wallet—but instead, he ends up losing his New York jadedness.

Also plays Muhumuza and Captain Bristol.

Fountain Hills Theater adds final performance to sold out run of EVIL DEAD, THE MUSICAL

 

Due to all remaining performances being sold out, Fountain Hills Theater is adding a performance on Sunday, July 5th at 6:30PM 

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets

Auditions for COFFEE MIXED WITH CREAM at Fountain Hills Theater announced for July 2 & 3

COFFEE MIXED WITH CREAM

By Elias Matthews 

WHERE:       Fountain Hills Theater

11445 N Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

WHEN:         Thursday, July 2 and Friday, July 3, at 6:00pm

Callbacks, if required, Tuesday, July 7, at 7:00pm

HOW: Audition sign up 480-837-9661 X 3 or fhtaz.org/auditions

Fountain Hills Theater announces the auditions for the play Coffee Mixed With Cream.

Daniel struggles with the pressure of opening a new play. When everyone in his life tries to help, it makes it even more stressful. After the show becomes a hit, he has to deal with the ramifications… Coffee Mixed With Cream explores identity, biracial relationships, and struggling to accept love from the ones you hold dear. This marks the world premiere of this play by local playwright Elias Matthews.

 

Coffee Mixed With Cream will play August 21 – Aug 30, 2026.  Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. All performances take place at Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N Saguaro Blvd, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. Reservations: (480) 837-9661 x3 or visit fhtaz.org.  Individual tickets are $40.00 for adults and $18.00 for youth 17 and under.

Auditions will be held Thursday, July 2nd and Friday, July 3rd at 6:00pm.  Callbacks (if required) will be held Tuesday, July 7th at 7:00pm. Casting roles for ages 18+. Visit fhtaz.org to sign up and for full details. You can also submit a video audition. Call 480-837-9661 x3 for questions or additional information. Auditions take place at Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd. Fountain Hills AZ 85268.

Auditioners should complete the digital audition form available at the FHT website fhtaz.org and bring a headshot and resume, if not already submitted via the website audition link.  Auditioners are asked to prepare a 1- to 2-minute previously published monologue. 

Early video auditions - which must be submitted prior to July 3 – may be submitted via the link on the FHT website and can substitute for appearing at the regular auditions.  The video should include a 1-2 minute monologue.  The video should be uploaded with a headshot and resume (if available). However, if chosen from a video audition, candidates will be required to appear in person at the callbacks.  

FHT seeks to include persons of every race, color, culture, age, gender, creed, physical disability, and sexual orientation. Character ages are not set in stone and all roles are open to all ethnicities unless otherwise stated.  Actors should consider roles if they feel they can represent the characters and age range listed.

CASTING FOR:

DANIEL - Mixed White-Presenting (Black/White), 20s. Confused, blind, and desperate.

*DANIEL can also be played by a tan-white or light skin black actor.

ANDREA - White, 20s. Supportive, scared, and hopeful. Daniel’s girlfriend.

GRACE - White, Late 30s-40s. Loving, funny, and confident. Daniel’s mother.

TARIQ - Black, Late 30s-40s. Funny, scared, and trying. Daniel’s father.

ROSE - White, 30s-60s. Kind, desperate, and honest.

KAYLA – Person of Color, 30s-40s. Headstrong, divisive, and accurate.

“Coffee Mixed with Cream” is presented through special arrangement with Elias Matthews

Review Highlights: EVIL DEAD, THE MUSICAL - Fountain Hills Theater

Daisha Hill and Grant West
Photo by Patty Torrilhon

 

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 June 28

"The 1980s saw dozens of low budget horror films that went on to be huge hits. One of those, 1981's The Evil Dead, became a cult classic that inspired several sequels, TV shows, and even comic books and video games. It also was turned into a stage musical, aptly named Evil Dead The Musical. The creators wisely chose not to attempt to make the musical adaptation as horrifying as the film, since attempting to create horror on stage isn't an easy task, instead making it a campy, satirical lovefest to the original film and its two sequels. Fountain Hills Theater's production features a cast who throw themselves into the humorous onstage shenanigans, along with smart direction and wonderful creative elements, resulting in a comical and joyful two-hour romp that fans of the films and musical comedies are sure to enjoy."   - Gil Benbrook, TalkinBroadway.com (click here to read the complete review)

Your first look at EVIL DEAD, THE MUSICAL at Fountain Hills Theater

 

photos by Patty Torrilhon

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through June 28