MARION APRIL/MAY 2017 An official newsletter of the historic Marion Palace Theatre NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE alace Theatre -PAID- P & MAY PAVILION 276 W. Center St., Marion, OH 43302 MARION, OH Phone: 740/383-2101 PERMIT NO 54 Web: www.marionpalace.org Email: [email protected] UPCOMING RENTAL EVENTS Sat, April 29, 2017 pp The Marionaires present I BELIEVE IN MUSIC A lause Sat, June 10, 2017 Marion City Firefighters Local 379 present DIRECT ENERGY - May 13 g adu tio SAVE THE DATE! MTC r a n Rushmore - May 23 DINNER THEATRE TRECA - Jun 4 ● Tri Rivers - Jun 9 Movie Weekends THE ALTOS Titles to be announced: FRI, APR 7 MAR 31-APR 2  MAY 5-7 JUN 16-18  JUN 23-25  JUN 30-JUL 2 SAT, APR 8

FAMILY COMEDY JEFF ALLEN

Box Office Hours A Proud SAT, APR 22 Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, 9a-5p Member of Please visit www.marionpalace.org for more info about all our upcoming events! SUMMER MUSICAL ANNOUNCEMENT MON, APR 24 JEFF ALLEN is regarded as one of the premium clean mention how old the Devil was when comedians working today. He seamlessly combines fresh, he rejected God’s authority. My guess MOMMY & ME hilarious humor with a good dose of inspiration, creating a would be about 15.” show for the whole family to enjoy. After three decades on Jeff has been seen on every cable the comedy circuit, Jeff has proven he is the best at what he PRINCESS TEA comedy show in the U.S. including SUN, MAY 7 does – making people laugh as hard as humanly possible. Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and He’s a comedian who can have the audience roaring with VH1’s Standup Spotlight. His one hour special, Happy Wife, Happy Life® aired mystery dinner theatre in the may SUMMER MUSICAL laughter at a casino in Vegas and then bring down the house Comedy murder “ Clare Cooke directs this hilarious comedy mystery at the Baptist Youth Missionary Board -- doing the exact same on the Odyssey Channel and Family " spoof inspired by the famous HBO series. However, AUDITIONS act. He says, “Funny is funny. What makes people laugh Net. With a unique perspective on his being a fan of The Sopranos isn’t required to works anywhere. I don’t change a word.” experience of marriage gone wrong the enjoy this interactive dinner theatre production- SAT, MAY 20 and redeemed, he’s given laughter and which happens to be a funeral wake for local MON, MAY 22 Ironically, Jeff’s own story was not always funny. It’s hard to encouragement to millions of people. mob boss, Tony Alto. Audience members are pulled believe the Jeff who performs for family-oriented audiences He’s been featured at some of the into the action by a cast of crazy characters and fundraisers is the same Jeff who used to bear the most prestigious comedy venues in who include DOUG FORD as Tony Alto, JONI CARLSON ’S nick-name “Mr. Psycho” because of his insane rants fueled the world, such as the Grand Ole Opry, as Toffee Alto, CHRIS WILEY as Chris Alto, by alcohol and rage. His career began at a comedy club in the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen MIKE COCHRAN as Father Flip, BRUCE CUDD as Uncle Chicago in 1978. After Arsenio Hall got him his first paying and the Montreal Just for Laughs Senior, SHARON GALE as Nona, and MARGIE BOWMAN as FRI, MAY 12 job, his career skyrocketed straight to the top….and then to International Comedy Festival. He also Dr. Malaise. Be prepared to dodge bullets, laugh the bottom as his addictions took over. Ridden with anger, headlined his own national comedy at the chaos, and see if you can figure out who debt, and near divorce, Jeff made the decision to clean up his tour, Jeff Allen & Friends: Funny People put a contract out on the crime boss. Seating is 2017-18 SEASON act, both figuratively and literally. He tackled his dark side and of Faith. turned his life around at the age of 40. LIMITED, and expected to sell out. Please order ANNOUNCEMENT Get your dose of laughter this spring A Palace Production your tickets early! $40 includes the show and MON, MAY 15 “Comedy equals tragedy plus time,” Allen said quoting when “The World’s Funniest, Most dinner by All Occassions. The family style Italian another comedian. Given time to heal from the wounds, Inspiring Comedian,” performs at the directedtos by Clare Cooke themed dinner is served in courses throughout the Order tickets at the painful experiences often can be the basis of funny jokes or historic Marion Palace Theatre. Order A show. Doors open at 6 p.m. with light appetizers like the sopranos...only lower fri, april 7 & sat, april 8 Palace Box Office stories, he explained. your tickets early for the best seats! and cash bar available. The show will start at 276 W. Center St. These days, Jeff’s everyday family life and a healthy marriage Reserved Seating: 6:30 p.m. each night. Marion, OH are his shtick. The humor he packs into his performance $20, $25, $30, and Mon, Tue comes rapid‐fire, and doesn’t stop until the end. His favorite $35. Thu, Fri subject is raising teenagers: “Nowhere in the Bible does it MARY H. HOLLAWAY 9a-5p KATHLEEN E. O’SHEA y p pm THE ALTOS is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. Please note: Gun shot sound effects will be used during this production. 740.383.2101 marionpalace.org Saturda , A ril 22, 2017 @ 8 pm pm play, James and the Giant Sat, May 20 @ 1 -4 & Peach. The stories I heard Mon, May 22 @ 5pm-8pm from cast families following From the this production echo those SUMMER MUSICAL ’ I’ve heard after other local s productions. These fill the AUDITIONS! Director “something bigger” category for me. Even though the Summer Musical title is being kept under tight wraps until April 24th, Director Chair... “He thinks he found something Clare Cooke is busy preparing for auditions. Cooke Executive Director that ‘sticks’…has tried announced she will be looking for adults and children Bev Ford everything, and does not fit to fill various ensemble and featured roles ages 8 and up ASCAP OF THE YEAR ● ASCAP SONG OF THE YEAR ● BILLBOARD COUNTRY SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR into the mold of ‘boy’ hobbies, in the production. All participants may audition either day phil vassar If you’ve been watching the thermometer this mom loved watching him and should enter through the front theatre doors. Those to determine what season it is, you’re likely show his talents, finally.” interested in participating in the chorus will audition as confused as I am. What crazy weather! PHIL VASSAR has written literally hundreds of songs and successfully in groups. Those (ages 13 & older) wishing to audition But, like the mailman, we’re here to deliver. “Thank you for giving the for principle roles are asked to come prepared to sing a earned 26 Top 40s, 15 Top 10s, and 10 Number 1s. In addition to his In our case, we’re committed to delivering opportunity to the kids to solo. Auditioners are requested to select a one-minute own hits, such as Carlene, Another Day In Paradise, American performing arts opportunities – on stage perform such a ‘big’ show on Broadway-style audition tune. A pianist will be provided. and from the seats – and to maintaining such a big stage! This was No CDs please. All auditioners should come dressed in Child, , Six-Pack Summer, and , this historic building. our first experience, and it casual clothing and shoes appropriate for performing among others, the Country musician has also written hits for was not only very fun but choreography. Those interested in a principle role should The 2016-17 season has been a very special to be able to do artists including Jo Dee Messina’sBye Bye and I’m Alright, as remarkable one. It stands out in many also be prepared to read from the script. For updates, it at the Palace. I grew up in please visit www.marionpalace.org. well as Tim McGraw’s , just to name a ways. If we measure success by the Marion and am very proud numbers, it has been a successful year. of the Palace and all that it few. We had our highest number of members offers. Having this opportunity MUSICAL TITLE TO BE ANNOUNCED to date. I love that statistic. It helps me for the kids just adds to how understand that people see the value MONDAY, APRIL 24! VASSAR recently took a six-year hiatus from hitmaking. During great it is!” Performance dates for the summer musical are July 8, 9 and the benefit of supporting the theatre this time off, he paused to “reflect on the past, ponder the beyond the programming. and July 14, 15, & 16, 2017 “…was backward and bashful, future, and make a record that illustrates my growth as Another stand-out statistic would be the but look at her. After her impact this season’s Palace shows had on theatre experiences, she’s an artist.” The result is AMERICAN SOUL, which you tourism. We recorded a more widespread soaring. So confident and SPRING can expect to hear cuts from on FRIDAY, MAY 12 at audience demographic than across unafraid. Thank you.” previous seasons. That’s good for Marion’s the historic Marion Palace Theatre. economy. And that’s good for all of us. I hope these words will help YOGA inspire you, too. In the next The ultimate numerical success has been few weeks, we’ll begin our Helene Everson, Certified Yoga Instructor will Best known for his heartfelt songwriting style seen in the number of tickets we’ve sold 2017-18 membership drive. demonstrate and lead students through various yoga and phenomenal piano playing, Country music across the board this season. WOW! Who Maybe you’ve considered a postures and teach meditation, stretching, relaxation, knew dogs could sell so many tickets? membership donation before body awareness, and breathing. Students will receive fans can expect a high-energy, rip roaring And country. And Christmas. The list goes but thought, “What difference instruction that is geared to personal needs and abilities. concert! A true showman, VASSAR loves to on. We’ve used the words ‘sold out’ or does my money make any Monday nights are dedicated to beginning yoga students ‘near sell out’ more this season than I can way?” THIS, these stories, and Wednesday nights are for the more experienced interact with his audience. Using the hashtag remember in previous years. are that difference. Stories student. Students are asked to bring a sticky mat and #noPHILter, fans can request their favorite of finding a place to belong, pm pm All of these statistics point to a positive dress comfortably. All classes meet from 5:30 to 7:00 . songs during shows — and the requests the specialness of a historic bottom line for 16-17. And, for that, I am Class size is limited. Please register early! theatre, and of confidence most grateful. Collectively those numbers do not go unnoticed by Vassar. “You know, gained and expressed. Advanced Yoga ($36- 6 weeks) represent the business of the performing Wednesdays, April 19-May 31 (No class May 10) I never have a setlist. I’ve never had one. arts. We have similar stories from Beginning Yoga ($36- 6 weeks) Actually, what we do is we tweet requests, nearly every production, Recently I shared some of these very Mondays, April 24-June 05 (No class May 29) from both adults and youth and people request songs and we play them. thoughts with the staff. We celebrate alike. I hear from audience numbers because they represent some 30pm It’s really been neat to do that,” said Vassar. members about the power of Sun, May 7 @ 12 tangible outcomes to everyone’s hard a performance following every work. show. Your financial support MOMMY & ME PRINCESS TEA Order your tickets early for the best available But there is something bigger than through membership will help Little princesses are invited to attend an seats! Call (740) 383-2101 or order online the bottom line that keeps me going, pen more stories for years to afternoon of frills and fun at the Palace! motivates me when I grow tired, and come. www.marionpalace.org. This MOMMY & ME PRINCESS TEA, for inspires me to strive for excellence. That I’d love to hear from you… children age 4-12 years, will take place where something bigger is represented in the what’s your story? all princesses belong – ON the Palace stage! Enjoy a kid- stories of lives touched and changed by PM media sponsor our work here at the Palace. friendly luncheon, crafts and live music performed by a FRI, MAY 12 @ 8 Youth String Quartet. Reserved Seating $30, $35, $40, $47 Recently we concluded our second junior Bev Tickets: $22 (1 adult & 1 child) 2 Additional tickets $10 adult, $8 child 3