V olume 5 Number 11 April 10, 2009 Ruthless, The Musical at Talent Anne Frank at Syracuse Stage The story is simplicity itself. A young girl, alive to Company everything around her and awakening within her, with hopes Fasten your seatbelts, it’s gonna be a laughed-so-hard-I-al- and dreams of the life she may one day lead with friends and most-fell-outta-my-seat night! What happens when you take family, confides to her diary the secrets of her heart. That the classic movies The Bad Seed,All About Eve,Gypsy, Auntie diary, as we all know, becomes one of the lasting documents Mame and roll them all together? You get Ruthless! The Mu- of the 20th century, a testament to the indomitability of the sical the story of eight-year old Tina Denmark, who would kill human spirit in the face of the horrors we know so well. for the lead in her school play! Add her split-personality Running March 31 to May 3, The Diary of Anne Frank will mother and a few other bizarre characters, and you have a hys- be directed by Stage’ s Producing Artistic Director Timothy terical spoof filled with infamous deeds, mysterious pasts, hid- Bond. Cast members include professional actors from New den identities, outrageous plot twists and loads of laughter. York , professional actors from Syracuse , and students from One of the funniest musicals of all times, the the Department of Drama in Syracuse University ’s College New York Times called this show “malicious, delicious and of Visual and Performing Arts. Tickets are available at the outrageously funny.” Syracuse Stage Box Office at 820 East Genesee Street , by Based on the 1956 Academy Award-nominated film The telephone at 315-443-3275 or www.SyracuseStage.org. Bad Seed , Ruthless! The Musical Off-Broadway in 1992 to An impassioned drama about the lives of eight people critical success and became an instant hit. With book and lyrics hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage annex, The by Joel Paley and music by Marvin Laird, it was nominated for Diary of Anne Frank captures the claustrophobic realities of five Drama Desk Awards. Its wins included the Drama Desk their daily existence—their fear, their hope, their laughter, Award for Best Musical, the Drama Desk Award for Best Lyri- their grief. Each day of these two dark years, Anne's voice cist and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway shines through: "When I write I shake off all my cares. But I Musical. It launched the careers of Laura Bell Bundy, actress want to achieve more than that. I want to be useful and bring Natalie Portman, and pop diva Brittney Spears who all played enjoyment to all people, even those I've never met. I want to the role of Tina Denmark in the original Off-Broadway pro- go on living even after my death." duction. See Talent page 12 Anne’s Diary, first published in 1947, See Bond page 9
Regional Theatre Groups Don’t Feed the Actors in Owsego Announce Joint Venture How do you become a contestant on the "Dating Game"? The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse and the Musical How do you play a "Super Hero" without being the subject Theatre Festival, Inc., sign an agreement to join forces in of every joke at the office? How do you see "Whose Line Is creating a summer long Festival in Auburn, NY that has the It Anyway" now that it's off the air? Where can you get two potential to create more than 400 jobs and have an economic hours of hilarity and celebrate completing your taxes? impact of nearly $30 Million annually. You probably already know that these are challenging Mary Tucker, President of the Merry-Go-Round times. Just turn on the TV, listen to 3 minutes of any news Playhouse and William Dorr, President of the Musical program, and you'll hear enough doom and gloom to last a Theatre Festival signed a cooperative agreement that calls for life-time. Just imagine how it will feel when you turn off the the organizations to join together to create a summer long 'boob-tube', get out of the house, and spend the night Musical Theatre Festival. The aim of the undertaking is to laughing with ten of your closest friends, family, and co- establish a major destination festival that celebrates the workers. diversity of the Musical Theatre art form and will attract an What can you do to celebrate finishing your taxes? Be the audience large enough to have a transformative impact on first to buy your tickets to Don't Feed The Actors! An the economy of the Finger Lakes region in Central New Interactive Comedy Improv that will have you laughing so York. As a part of this effort it was announced that Michael hard you will be hungry for more! Wednesday, April 15th at Chamberlain has been appointed Managing Director for the Bridie Manor, 1830 Bridie Square, Oswego at 7pm! Festival and that Ed Sayles will serve as Producing Artistic With your illustrious host for See Improv page 8 Director. Mr. Sayles will continue as the Producing Director at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. Kitchen opens world premier Located at the eastern gateway to the Finger Lakes, What do you get when you combine time travel, Möbius Cayuga County's Emerson Park has long been the home of strips, a suspicious earthquake, and four quirky and the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse - one of the most successful charming twenty-somethings? It couldn’t be anything but musical theatres in the country and one of upstate New Archaeology , a brand new play by The Daily Show with York's largest professional See MGR Page 6 Jon Stewart writer Rachel Axler receiving its world premiere INSIDE on the Kitchen Theatre Company Main Stage, April 8 to May 10. Auburn Public Theater Page 4 Rachel Axler was until recently the only woman writer on Auditions/Scripts wanted Page 5 The Daily Show. Now she has left that show to write for APT Children’s program Page 6 Parksand Recreation, the upcoming NBC mockumentary Hangar Wedge plays Page 7 starring Amy Poehler (SNL). And her writing for theater Hangar’s Dirty Blonde Page 7 continueshere at the Kitchen with her new play Armory Square reading Page 7 Archaeology . It tells the story of roommates Claire and Running to Places Page 8 Astin who awake oneday to discover that their house is the Adams Foundation Piano series Page 8 only casualty of a strangely strategic earthquake. The arrival Black Sheep Theater Coalition Page 9 See KTC page 10 1 Winter Schedule
Death Warmed Over,, Through April 30, Acme Mystery for the Cortland Repertory Theatre Guild, Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 S. Clinton St., Syracuse, 475-1807 Ruthless! The Musical, Through April 25, The Talent Company, NewTimes Theatre, NYS Fairgrounds, 479-SHOW. Much Ado About Nothing, April 24 through May 3, Auburn Players Community Theatre , Irene Bisgrove Theatre at Cayuga Community College, Franklin St., Auburn, 406-7435
The Talent Company presents Ruthless! The Musical From page 1 Ten-year old Julia Goodwin stars as Tina Denmark, the aspiring child actress in Talent Company’s production of Ruth- less! A student at Reynolds Elementary School in Baldwinsville, Julia has appeared in seven musicals, including the title role in Annie and as Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden. In February she appeared as Chip for Baker High School’s pro- duction of Beauty & The Beast. She has sung the National Anthem for the Syracuse Crunch Hockey Team and the Syra- cuse University Women’s Basketball Team. Recently called back after her first NYC audition, Julia was one of the finalists for Broadway’s Mary Poppins. Ruthless! also stars Julia Berger as Judy Denmark and Jimmy Curtin as Sylvia St. Croix , with Adrienne Foster as Eve , Christine Lightcap as Lita Encore, and Suzanne Tiffault as Miss Thorn.It is produced by Christine Lightcap and directed by Dan Tursi with music direction by Josh Smith. Costumes are by Jeanette Reyner, wigs by Karen Procopio, lighting de- sign by Cindy Shippers, sound design by Matt Spagnola, set design by Navroz Dabu, and set construction by Stephen Beebe. Brenda Neuss is associate producer. Ruthless! will play April 3 to April 25, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2pm, at the NewTimes The- atre, NYS Fairgrounds. For tickets and information call the Talent Company Box Office at (315) 479-SHOW.
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2 Interfaith Ceremonies
The Reverend Pamela Anderegg
Voice: 253-5630 e-mail: [email protected]
Where are they now?
Mark DeMichele (Skaneateles) is currently appearing in the World Premier of Parted Waters for the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company. He has appeared in variety of readings and workshops of the play over the past year in both Arizona and New Mexico. The commissioned work focuses on three generations of New Mexican men and their ties to Crypto- Judaism, a result of the 15th Century Roman Catholic Inquisition. (Review at www.theatermaven.com) This summer Mark is currently scheduled to again appear for the New Works Theatre Festival at Phoenix Theatre. Marc Petrosino (Auburn) has formed Monkey Boys Productions with three other puppeteers and builders. They recently built puppets for Nickelodeon’s Go, Diego Live! stage show. Marc is also working with the Lincoln Center production of Madama Butterfly, and in April appeared with Basil Twist in Lincoln Center’s Petrushka. This summer he came home to Merry-Go-Round Playhouse to manipulate Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. Joe Petrosino (Auburn) is now a technician with the permanent Las Vegas production of The Blueman Group. Adam Rigby (Auburn) Recently served as sound mixer for Shout! The Mod Musical, at the Julia Miles Theater, Off- Broadway in New York. Georgia Martin (Union Springs) is a Theater Professor at Campbell College in North Carolina. Joe Sheppard (Auburn) Is Technical Director at Florida Grand Opera in Miami. He and his wife, Kristen, recently produced a new member of Theater Appreciators of Tomorrow, Daniel. Kiff Scholl (Auburn) has wrapped filming his first feature Scream of the Bikini , and expects to complete post- production in March 2009. He will be directing Bill Robens original noir comedy Kill Me, Deadly at Theatre of NOTE in Hollywood this summer. Kiff just shot a national commercial for Marshalls, which should air soon. Kristin Fox (Homer) Is Director of Production at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. She previously worked at Alley Theatre in Houston as Production Manager. Matthew Fox (Homer ) is Associate General Manager of Jujamcyn Theatres in Manhattan and is the Manager of the August Wilson Theatre where the '06 Tony winning musical Jersey Boys is playing. Sarah May (Homer) is on the stage management team at the Walnut Theatre in Philadelphia. Ellen Kasperek (Homer) has just started as Assistant House Manager of the Nashville Symphony. Austin Sayles (Auburn) was recently named Coordinator of Casting at Fox and he will be over-seeing casting for the next season of Are You Smater Than a Fifth Grader. Rob McNeill (Auburn) received his degree in Vocal Performance from SUNY Fredonia and now lives in Chicago, performing with the Chicago Symphony (baritone) and as a member of the acapella group, An Octave Above. Jeffrey Bower (Auburn) is Theatre Department Chair at G-Star School of the Arts. His adaptation of Pericles has been published by Baker’s Plays. He has performed at the Producer’s Club (NYC), Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival, Promethean Theatre, Palm Beach Dramaworks, Mosaic Theatre, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Public Theatre, Atlantis Playhouse, and Rude Mechanical Productions. Jeffrey received the Best Actor Award at the Palm Beach International Film Festival for his work in the film Pissed, and was awarded Best Screenplay and Best Picture for the short film Driver’s Seat . Carrie Manolakos (Syracuse) who starred in the title role of Annie for The Syracuse Talent Company is performing on Broadway in the starring role of the daughter in Mama Mia . Leslie Goddard (Southern Cayuga) is currently playing Frankie’s daugter in a Las Vegas run of Jersey Boys. She has appeared on Broadway as Penny in Hairspray. If you have any information you’d like to share about a former local talent who’s made good (including yourself)
The CNY Theater News is published electronically throughout the year by: Dramatic Improvements, 226 Perrine Ave., Auburn, NY 13021, 315.255.1527 [email protected] Subscriptions are available for $15 per year and help defray the costs of production. Advertising rates are available by calling 315.255.1527 or email: [email protected]
3 Auburn Public Theater news and upcoming events
AUBURN PUBLIC THEATER CINEMA Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm * All movies only $5 ($4 online)
April 10/11 The Sound of Musi c 8pm (matinee TBA) April 17/18/24/25 The Linguists 8pm Guest Speaker Producer/Director Seth Kramer
April 23rd MAKING MOVIES Film Series (produced by The Schweinfurth Art Center 7:30pm
May 1st and 2nd PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL Sundance Film Festival Documentary
Main Stage April 4th Writer's Workshop with award winning writer Patricia Roth Schwartz 10am
May 9th Stand-up Comedian PAUL MECURIO 7:30pm & 9:30pm
May 12th A Concert with SNATAM KAUR 7:30pm (Children's Yoga Class taught by Snatam at 4pm)
May 16th JULIA NUNES at 7:30pm
EVERY THURSDAY - BALLROOM DANCING LESSONS For Class Info, contact Jeanne Cramer at 209-7452
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Thom Filicia STYLE - Inspired Ideas for Creating Rooms You'll Love
An exclusive reception and book signing party with Thom Filicia, renown designer from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and STYLE’s Dress My Nest.
Anyela’s Vineyards 2433 West Lake Road Skaneateles, New York $50.00 per ticket
Portion of ticket sales will support local Breast Cancer organization, Positively Pink Packages.
Limited space of 200.
Tickets available for purchase at Bijou Salon, Creekside Books & Coffee and Laurasbooklist.com
To rent Auburn Public Theater for your social or corporate event, please contact Janie MicGlire at [email protected]
FOR TICKETS AND UPCOMING EVENT DETAILS, VISIT www.auburnpublictheater.com
AUBURN PUBLIC THEATER 108 Genesee at Exchange Street
(315)253-6669
Convenient parking next door in the City Parking Garage
4 Attention Director s: The Auburn Players are seeking The Auburn Players Community Theatre Directors, who have a desire to direct a comedy, drama or The Auburn Players will hold Open Auditions for it's musical that will be presented during the 2009-2010 Season. June musical OLIVER!. Please submit your proposal or ideas to our play selection committee by writing Joel Weirick, 25 Grover Street, Auburn, Ages 8 to 16 will audition on Tuesday 4/14 starting at 6 NY 13021 or by EMail at [email protected] PM and Ages 17 to Adult will audition on Wed 4/15 at 7 PM Also, Volunteers needed! The Auburn Players need an individual to supervise the House. That is, to set up and Auditions will be held at The Willard Chapel, 17 Nelson maintain the refreshments between Acts, and to supervise St., Auburn, NY other volunteers that help with the refreshments and those that handle taking tickets and handing out the programs and/or Dickens' characters are brought to life-perhaps larger ushers. Currently, Bourke Kennedy has been filling the than life-with all their facets glowing in this production. position but we need someone to handle some of the shows. Bourke has done and will continue to do a wonderful job but This award-winning musical includes some of the most we have expanded our shows and need to fill this position. To memorable muiscal numbers of all time. Food, volunteer, please call Bourke at 315.253.4315 or Tom Hoey Glorious Food, I'd Do Anything, Where is Love?, at 315.370.6041 Consider Yourself, As Long As He Needs Me, Who Will Buy and Reviewing the Situation are musical theatre classics. GTG Holds Auditions for Two Summer For more information, please contact the Director, Dia Musicals! Carabajal at (315) 283-2146 The Geneva Theatre Guild is will be holding two sets of auditions for the two summer musicals. Show dates are ealry June 2009 The first will be May 21 & 22: She Loves Me. Auditions for this show will be held at 7pm at the Park Presbyterian Church in Geneva. Use the Washington street entrance. For this audition, actors need to bring a prepared piece to sing and clothes for a dance audition.The show is about George and Amalia, two feuding clerks in a European perfume shop during the 1930s who secretly find solace in their anonymous romantic pen pals, little knowing their respective correspondents are none other Private Vocal Lessons with than each other. She Loves Me is a warm romantic comedy with an endearing innocence and a touch of old world elegance and Amy Bellamy nostalgia, yet as universal and relevant as ever in this age of internet romances. Music and lyrics are written by Jerry Bock B.A SUNY Geneseo and Sheldon Harnick (the songwriting team of “Fiddler On The Roof”) with book by Joe Masteroff (the bookwriter of M.M Binghamton University “Cabaret”). “She Loves Me” showcases a small but strong ensemble cast Offering professional, affordable private playing a range of vivid, memorable characters of all ages. Parts vocal are available for two women (ages 20-50), five men (ages 16- lessons to all age groups and skill levels. 60), and a chorus. This production will be directed by Steve Duprey with music direction by Jeff Smith and Deb Hodgeman. Located in Auburn. Show dates are July 9-12 at the Vandervort Room in the Scandling Center, Hobart and William Smith Campus. For more Call or e-mail for more information. information email [email protected] The second will be held on May 26 &b 27 for The Wedding (315)224-0691 / Singer. Auditions for this show will be held at 7pm at the Smith Opera House. Actors should come prepared to learn a song and [email protected] where clothes that allow them to move freely. The show takes place in 1985 and rockstar wannabe Robbie Heart is New Jersey’s favorite wedding singer. He’s the life of the party, until his own fiance leaves him at the altar. Shot through the heart, Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own. Enter Julia, a winsome waitress who wins his affection. Only trouble is Julia is about to be married to a Wall Street shark, and unless CALL FOR SCRIPTS Robbie can pull off the performance of a decade, the girl of his Armory Square Playhouse is dreams will be gone forever. Roles are available for adults of all looking for scripts to be presented as part of ages. This production will be directed by Pam Rapoza and Music its ongoing new plays reading program at the Director Annie Bachman. Show dates are August 14-16 at the Redhouse in Syracuse. Scripts may be Smith Opera House. For more information email dramas, tragedies, comedies, experimental, [email protected] but please, no musicals. Payment is between No need to pick a show! Try out for both! This summer in $10 and $50 per reading depending on size. Geneva it’s all about love! Please send a query letter, synopsis, and no For more information check out the website www.gtglive.org. more than a 20 page excerpt of a play in The Geneva Theatre Guild is a not for profit organization. standard format as an email attachment to Geneva Theatre Guild, PO Box 424, Geneva NY 14456. [email protected]. Please write "Play Submission" in the subject line.
5 MGR announces deal with MTF From page 1 theatres. The MTF and the MGR have been studying the concept of creating a multi-venue summer long festival dedicated to musical theatre for the past two years. That planning process included a major study by the University of North Carolina to assess the viability of the Festival. A team of consultants included Paul Nicholson of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Dr. Larry D. Gustke a tourism specialist and co-author of the annual Top 10 Trends in Travel & Tourism; Barry Moore a theatre design specialist from the Gensler Architectural firm in Houston; Rob Fox and Scott Parker of the Institute for Outdoor Drama at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Funding for this planning effort was provided by the City of Auburn, Cayuga County and the Allyn, Fred L. Emerson, Schwartz Family and Stardust of Central New York Foundations. The results of the study were most favorable. Festival President William Dorr pointed to the study's conclusion that "...there is a real opportunity for success..." in launching a summer long multiple venue festival and that it "...would be an extremely exciting project that could energize the local community." The study results noted the potential for an "economic impact in the first season as large as $15 million and ... support up to 221 jobs and by the fifth season have an impact as large as $29.5 million and up to 437 jobs." MGR President Mary Tucker cited the report findings as a key factor in the MGR Board of Directors' decision to enter into the cooperative agreement. When fully operational, the Festival will produce musicals in five different venues - each suited to different types of musical theatre. Several sites have already been selected. The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse will continue to present classic Broadway Musicals in its 500 seat theater located at EmersonPark. The Festival will stage newer, more experimental musical works in the newly refurbished 200 seat black box space in the Auburn Public Theater. The restored Carriage House of the CayugaMuseum will be the site of an intimate 115 seat space where original musicals will presented in concert format. A fourth venue currently under development is a 300-400 seat theatre that would present smaller musicals with broad appeal aimed at attracting new audiences. The planned location for this space is the site of the former Kalet's Department store in the heart of downtown Auburn. The fifth and largest space will house a new 600-800 seat theatre that will be used for large scale musicals which need further development before production runs on Broadway or in other major metropolitan markets. Plans for this theatre are still in the very early stages and a number of sites are under consideration.
Get ready for Summer 2009 APT proudly presents our 4th annual Children’s Summer Theater Program! Auburn Public Theater’s 4th annual Summer Children’s Theater Program is one of Central New York’s newest summer theater programs, run by children and for children. It will give aspiring young actors a taste of life behind the scenes--and in the spotlight--of a musical theatrical production based on a brand new musical production, “HARRIET TUBMAN, Journey to Freedom” directed by Carey Eidel. From creating costumes and scenery to playing major roles on stage, children from the local community will have the opportunity to spend four weeks this summer pursuing their passion for drama led by the gifted actor/director/producer, Carey Eidel. PROGRAM DATES: • Monday - Wednesday - Friday • 9:00am - 12:00noon, 6-10 year-olds • 1:00pm - 4:00pm, 11 - 18 year-olds • July 6th - August 1st, 2009
AGES: 6 – 18 COST: $100.00 (A non-refundable deposit of $25.00 made payable by June 1st is required to hold a spot in camp. Refunds (excluding the deposit) are only given for documented medical or family emergencies. The balance is due on Monday, July 6th.) FULL 4 WEEK SESSION REQUIRED WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN OUR SUMMER CHILDREN’S THEATER PROGRAM? For the first three weeks, the program will include both acting classes and rehearsals for “HARRIET TUBMAN, Journey to Freedom,” our final show. The fourth week will include dress and technical rehearsals for the show on Monday and Wednesday, and Thursday with performances on Friday and Saturday. ABOUT CAREY EIDEL Carey is the Managing Director of Auburn Public Theater. He lives in Auburn with his wife, Angela Daddabbo, and their two children, Gianna and Heschel. He arrived seven years ago to open Daddabbo’s Pizza, then, last April, sold the pizza shop to devote himself to Auburn Public Theater full time. B.A. (Before Auburn), he spent twenty-five years making his living as an actor, writer, director and acting coach in NYC and LA. This will be Carey’s first time directing APT’s Summer Children’s Theater Program production.
For more information or to register your child in the workshop, please contact Janie MicGlire by email at [email protected] or call her at the theater at (315) 253-6669. A casting call will be held at Auburn Public Theater on Wednesday, June 24th from 6:00pm-8:00pm and on Saturday, June 27th from 10:00am-12:00noon to allow our team the opportunity to meet enrolled students and cast the play. All children who register for the workshop will be cast in the play. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available. Please contact Janie MicGlire (see above) for more information.
6 Hangar Theatre Hosts Next Generation of Playwrights Every summer for eleven seasons the Hangar Theatre has selected four playwrights to receive a Lab Company Playwriting Residency. The winning playwrights from around the country are brought to Ithaca to develop their play with actors, designers, and a director from the Hangar’s Lab Company. Together, this team transforms the original one- act into a fully executed production in the Wedge, the Hangar’s black-box performance space. Over fifty plays were submitted for this years’ contest, which ended March 15. The winning plays and playwrights will be announced at the end of May. Choosing the four plays is an exciting process for the Hangar artistic staff. “We're interested in each writer's experience, their journey as a playwright, the theme and story they've chosen, and the future they have in American theatre,” said Wendy Dann, associate artistic director for the Hangar. The playwrights will be offered a two or three-week residency with the Hangar Theatre in July and August, providing them the time, space, and creative energy necessary to develop their play. The playwrights work with Drama League directing fellows during their residency and the connections made over the summer continue longer after. The Hangar is also committed to developing the newly forged relationship with the playwrights far beyond one summer. "Since my first production in the Wedge in 1998, the Hangar Theatre has been my true artistic home. Though it’s extraordinarily valuable to me that the Hangar has produced three of my plays, what has been of more value, ultimately, has been the thoughtful and honest nurturing and developing of these works and my voice as a writer,” said playwright Kenny Finkle, author of Indoor/Outdoor, which was produced in the 2009 Mainstage Season. Some other alumni from the Lab Company Playwriting Residencies include Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Kathryn Walat, Heather MacDonald, Betty Shamieh and many others currently making their mark on the American theatre scene. In addition to the four new plays, four previously produced plays will be chosen to complete the Wedge season at the Hangar. Wedge performances are free and open to the public. For more information about the playwriting contest or the Lab Company please visit www.hangartheatre.org or call (607) 273-8588. Armory Square presents reading of new Len Fonte play As Len Fonte's new play "Werewolf" opens, it is feared that a sixty year-old veteran high school teacher has gone over the edge. A district-hired lawyer is dispatched to lay out his options: he can retire immediately or face an embarrassing competency hearing. Instead of addressing the choices directly, he recounts how he got to this point — by beginning with a first year teaching encounter with a disturbed student, who believes he’s turning into a werewolf, and ending with the horrible events of that very day. Donna Stuccio will direct.
What: Armory Square playhouse will present a reading of a new full length play by member Len Fonte Where: Coville Theatre, located in the Barn at Manlius Pebble Hill School 5300 Jamesville Ave. Dewitt When: Sunday, April 26, at 1 p.m. Admission: $7 regular; $5 for seniors and students.
BIO: Len Fonte is a founding member of Armory Square Playhouse. His plays include "Wasted Bread", produced by Armory Square Playhouse, "Alchemist of Light", which premiered at SUNY Oswego, "Road Trip", and "Holographic Furniture", as well as several interactive murder mysteries. He also directed Armory Square Playhouse’s production of Jeff Kramer’s "Lowdown Lies". Holding an M.A. in Cinema Studies from New York University, he has done graduate work at Northwestern University, University of Rochester, Texas A&M University, and Oxford University. He is also an adjunct at Syracuse University, teaching playwriting. The reading is a presentation of a work in progress and a talkback session with the playwright will follow the performance. For more information, visit the Armory Square Playhouse website: http://www.cnyplaywrights.org/ or phone 478-3590. You may also visit the MPH website for directions: http://www.mph.net/about/directions.cfm. The Coville Theatre is located in the Barn, a large red building on the northwest corner of the campus. After entering the campus from Jamesville Avenue, turn left. There is ample parking next to the building. Casting Announced for Hangar Theatre’s Dirty Blonde
The Hangar Theatre has announced the cast for its summer production of Claudia Shear’s Dirty Blonde. Carbonell award winning artistic director Peter Flynn directs the play, to run June 3-13 at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca. Tony award nominee Emily Skinner ( Side Show, Dinner at Eight, The Full Monty, Jekyll & Hyde ) leads the cast that also includes Joe Kinosian and Kevin Carolan. Skinner plays the legendary actress Mae West whose wit and audacity made her America ’s first sex symbol. Flynn says, “ Dirty Blond e is an irrepressible look at icons, idolizers and how our perception of ourselves is shaped by others. The company we’ve assembled brings a great balance of hilarity, sensitivity, and heart.” Shear’s Dirty Blonde received Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominations for Best Play in 2000. This is Flynn’s inaugural season as the artistic director of the Hangar Theatre. He previously directed the Broadway concerts of Funny Gir l with Whoopi Goldberg and Idina Menzel, and Chess with Josh Groban & Julia Murney, as well as creating three nationally-acclaimed musicals for TheatreworksUSA. Flynn will also direct the Hangar’s political farce November, which runs July 8-18. The design team for Dirty Blonde includes Kent Goetz (sets), Deborah Constantine (lights), Greg Robbins (costumes), and Eric Watkins (sound), all of whom are returning artists to the Hangar. Tickets for Dirty Blonde at the Hangar Theatre go on sale beginning May 1 at the Ticket Center at Clinton House, 116 North Cayuga St. , Downtown Ithaca, call (607) 273-4497 or online at www.hangartheatre.org. For more information about the Hangar Theatre or to purchase a season subscription, visit www.hangartheatre.org.
7 Improv troupe heads to Oswego From page 1 the evening, Dustin M. Czarny, the starving actors will do Improv in hopes of a few table scraps. The actors are led by veteran improv actor Doug Rougeux as well as Terry LaCasse, Megan Flanagan, and Mark Allen Holt Already know you want tickets to their next show on April 15th? Go to http://www.brightstarproductionz.com/ NowPlaying.html to get YOUR stimulus package now. I don't know of another group in Oswego County that is doing what this group does. Don't Feed the Actors! uses a structure similar to TV's Whose Line Is It Anyway? Not sure what that is? Go to http://www.brightstarproductionz.com/ Page5.html to read about their 'delectable' line-up of games created just for you. Filled with games of improvisation, Don't Feed the Actors! Comedy Night does not stop at the stage's edge. Suggestions are culled from the audience and sometimes a few are dragged (willingly) on stage to play along. Don't Feed the Actors! was an improvisational hit with Appleseed's audiences. It had them rolling in the aisles. We can't wait to have the troupe back on our stage again!" ~ Jon Wilson, Artistic Director, Appleseed Productions We guarantee to boost your spirits in 2 hours (which is how long the show is, just in-case you were wondering why we picked that amount of time). All YOU need to do is show up and be prepared to laugh! Click here to buy tickets right now! or call (315) 963-3820 to order them by phone. We will happily take most forms of payment. No, giving us your pet cow will not be accepted as a appropriate form of payment! Tickets are $15.00 per person in advance ($20.00 at the door) Buy a "10 Pack Stimulus Package" ONLY $135.00 - that's ten tickets for the price of nine!! Imagine the joy and delight you will have when you gather ten of your best friends and family together after all that time spent finishing your Income Taxes and come show us just what a "ham" you really are! We can't do this show without you! Buy your tickets at http://www.brightstarproductionz.com/NowPlaying.html now and YOU may be our next STAR of the show! PS: Please Don't Feed the Actors! It ruins their natural feeding cycle, makes them dependent on humans, and could cause side-splitting fun!
Running to Places presents its 2009 Spring Showcase at Ithaca High School’s Kulp Auditorium. April 17-19, 2009, Fridays and Saturdays at 7, Sundays at 2. Sponsored by Moe’s Southwest Grill, with season-long support from CSP Management and Cayuga Radio Group. Tickets are $10 General Admission and $8 for Students/Seniors, and are available at the door and online at www.runningtoplaces.org.
Dinnerstein To Appear in Auburn When the first chord of the Adams Foundation piano Series resonated in Auburn, NY, Simone Dinnerstein was fairly unknown outside her hometown of Brooklyn, NY. That much has changed since October, 2001. In the ensuing 7 1/2 years the Juilliard graduate has become a mother, seen her two CDs enjoy unimagined success and adjusted to a calendar of concert dates throughout the world. Next week, between dates on the world stages of Sand Diego, California and Rome, Italy, she will perform at the intimate Westminster Presbyterian Church in Auburn. Concert time is 3:00 pm Sunday, April 19. The daughter of painter Simon Dinnerstein, Simone began studying piano at age seven. Her musical development is portrayed in a number of her father's paintings, many appearing on her web site: www.simonedinnerstein.com. As a young artist in her 20s, she taught piano and performed a range of venues from Philadelphia's Kimmel Center to a state prison in Louisiana. In spite of lacking management, major awards, or recording contracts, Ms. Dinnerstein remained committed to her art. When she became pregnant in 2001 she embarked on the learning of Bach's Goldberg Variations, "a monument of keyboard music". In summer of 2004 Ms. Dinnerstein decided to record Bach's Goldberg Variations. Supported with funding from her friends, it was recorded in spring 2005, generating a demand for her to perform it live. She made her New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall in 2005 and began sending out copies of her self produced CD. When Telarc released The Goldberg Variations in 2007, her career took off. The cd hit the number one spot on the Billboard Classical Chart during its first week of sales and received rave reviews. In November, 2007 she performed with the Berlin Philharmonic and recorded her second CD, The Berlin Concert, released in August 2008. Last year Ms. Dinnerstein performed on the People’s Symphony series at Town Hall and for the Lincoln Center’s Great Performers series in New York. She recently performed at Washington's Kennedy Center and at her third recital at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. In July 2009, she will make her debut with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. Ms. Dinnerstein will perform compositions by Franz Schubert, Johann Sebastian Bach, Anton Webern and Robert Schumann on April 19 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 17 William St., Auburn. A limited number of tickets remain at $15 and $5 for students. For information, call 315-253-3331 or visit www.westminsterauburn.org. Simone Dinnerstein in concert is presented by the Adams Foundation Piano Series, dedicated to bringing world class American pianists to small cities throughout the United States. The Cayuga County Arts Council and Westminster Presbyterian Church host the event.
8 Bond to direct Anne Frank at Syracuse Stage From page 1 was edited by her father, Otto Frank, who, due to the sensitivities of the time, deleted some of Anne’s writings having to do with her dislikes towards others in the annex, her budding attraction to Peter Van Daan, and her thoughts about the darkness of the world outside. The 1995 version of Anne’s Diary restored much of the deleted material, serving as inspiration for Wendy Kesselman’s adaptation of the 1955 play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. Receiving a 1997 Tony nomination for her work, Kesselman has stated that her goal in reworking the play was "to make [Anne's] words shine." “In this version you see Anne as a multifaceted 13-year-old-girl, optimistic yet fully aware of the horrors happening around her. There’s an honesty and power in her humanity that makes this version more accessible, especially to children,” said Director Timothy Bond. “Anne was a born writer, an incredibly self-aware artist beyond her years. She understood what was going on in the world around her, which makes her final page extremely powerful.” After hearing a radio announcement asking for accounts from Jews, Anne set about editing her diary, going back over a two year period. "I believe Anne would absolutely have wanted her story told—she told it herself, revised it painstakingly, wanted it published after the war," stated Kesselman. Writing in The New Yorker in October 1997, the essayist and novelist Cynthia Ozick said: "[Anne] was born to be a writer. At 13, she felt her power; at 15, she was in command of it. It is easy to imagine—had she been allowed to live—a long row of novels and essays spilling from her fluent and ripening pen. We can be certain (as certain as one can be of anything hypothetical) that her mature prose would today be noted for its wit and acuity." Kesselman’s adaptation received rave reviews. “Wendy Kesselman’s finely textured new Diary tells a deeper story. A sensitive, stirring and thoroughly engaging new adaptation,” said NY Newsday. And in The New York Tim es: "Undeniably moving . . . . The evening never lets us forget the inhuman darkness waiting to claim its incandescently human heroine.” Timothy Bond is in his second season as Producing Artistic Director of Syracuse Stage and the Syracuse University Department of Drama. He has more than 20 years experience in leading regional theatres throughout the country, including 11 years as Associate Artistic Director of the famed Oregon Shakespeare Festival where he directed 12 productions, includ-ing works by Shakespeare, August Wilson, Suzan-Lori Parks , Edward Albee, Lorraine Hansberry, Lynn Nottage, Octavio Soliz and Pearl Cleage. Prior to that, Bond spent 13 years with the Seattle Group Theatre, serving as Artistic Director from 1991 – 1996. While there he directed more than twenty plays. Bond has also directed at such prestigious theatres as The Guthrie, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Arena Stage, A Contemporary Theatre, The Empty Space and Indiana Repertory Theatre. Bond received a Theatre Communications Group/National Endowment for the Arts Directing Fellowship Award in 1991 and has twice won Back Stage West’s Garland Award for Outstanding Direction for Les Blancs (1998) and Blues for an Alabama Sky (1997). Bond holds a BFA from Howard University and an MFA (magna cum laude) from the University of Washington . He has served on the faculties of the University of Washington and University of Wisconsin (Lorraine Hansberry Professorship Award). He has been a guest director at Juilliard and Seattle ’s Cornish Institute. In addition, he taught master classes and was an adjudica-tor at the first and third annual Chinese Universities Shakespeare Festival, and taught classes in association with Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and Howard University , among others. Bond has also served on the Board of Directors of the Theatre Communications Group from 1993 – 1997 and of ASSITEJ, the United States Center for the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People. The cast features Craig Bockhorn (Mr. Van Daan), Stephen Cross (Nazi Officer), Catherine Lynn Davis (Mrs. Van Daan), Joshua Nathan Finn (Nazi 2), Peter Hourihan (Nazi 3) , Brad Koed (Peter), Sammi Lappin (u/s Anne Frank),Joel Leffert (Otto Frank), Arielle Lever (Anne Frank), Leslie Noble (Miep), Jamie Olen (u/s Margot Frank), Maureen Silliman (Edith Frank), Alexa Silvaggio (Margot Frank), Joseph Whelan (Mr. Kraler), Luke Wygodny (u/s Peter Van Daan) and Stuart Zagnit (Mr. Dussel).
TICKET PRICES: Adult: $24-$48 Age 40 and below: $20 with ID Rush: $15-$25 day of performance, $9 with student ID *Rush tickets available by phone ($5 fee) or in person (no fee) *Discounts available for seniors, students, groups and subscribers
HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS: Online: www.SyracuseStage.org Call: 315-443-3275 In person: 820 East Genesee Street
Rochester's Black Sheep Theatre Coalition announces that its current production of Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler is the recipient of three acting and directing merit awards from Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS).
The production was awarded an “Excellence in Acting to the entire company and director with special mention to: Meredith Powell as Thea, Excellence in Acting; and Louie Podlaski as Lovborg, Excellence in Acting.
9 KTC offers world premiere play by The Daily Show writer Rachel Axler From page 1 of two disaster relief volunteers doubling as garage band musicians just complicates matters further. The four begin digging in the wreckage of the house, finding unexpected objects and discovering things about themselves in the process. Mathematical calculations, house cleaning, and friendship all play a part in this off-kilter comedy. Directing the play is Kitchen Theatre frequent-guest-from-NYC Margarett Perry. This is the 12th KTC production directed by Perry, including three others this season: THE TWO OF YOU, A PLAY ON WORDS, and TONY & THE SOPRANO (with Rachel Lampert). Other KTC directing credits include OLD TIMES, A MARRIAGE MINUET, CLEAN ALTERNATIVES, STRANGERHORSE, THE JESUS FACTOR and the 2008 summer revival of THE SOUP COMES LAST. Perry is an Artistic Cabinet member at the Lark Play Development Center in New York City, where she directed the first professional reading of ARCHAEOLOGY. For this production, Perry is directing a talented young cast, including NYC actors Jake Paque and Kristin Wheeler. Ithaca College theater majors Ace Heckathorn and Charlie Forray (seen in last year’s hit Family Fare dance play SCOOT, SIZZLE & SLIDE) complete this crackerjack cast. “We are looking forward to a wild ride orchestrated by one of today’s most sought after young writers,” says Kitchen Theatre Artistic Director Rachel Lampert. “How lucky can we get to not only have Rachel Axler’s play premiere on our stage, but to also have a delightfully talented cast of young professionals on board. The KTC’s is always looking to give a home to a new voice. Rachel Axler is a great representative of her generation.” Creating this world turned topsy turvy is set designer Norm Johnson. Lighting design is by Jerry Thamm, costumes are by Abigail Smith, and the stage manager is Abigail Davis. ARCHAEOLOGY is sponsored by Foster Custom Kitchens. Through Sun., May 10, 2009. TICKETS: $21-$36; CALL 607. 273-4497; VISIT Ticket Center, Historic Clinton House, 116 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, or CLICK www.kitchentheatre.org and buy online! SUBSCRIPTIONS: Subscription order forms available at KTC Administrative office, 116 N. Cayuga St, Ithaca, by calling 607. 272-0403, or at www.kitchentheatre.org. Subscribers enjoy ticket exchange privileges and premiere seating. GROUP RATES: Discounts are available when you come with a group. For details, contact Marta Potter: [email protected] or 272-0403. WEBSITE: For more information on the Kitchen Theatre Company, visit www.kitchentheatre.org.
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