P E A H E N P L U S P R E S S Bringing you theatre and music news of interest to young people Volume II. Issue Number 3, March 5, 2000 In this issue: 1. FEATURE STORY - Junior Actorsingers present Hey, Ho, Pinocchio! 2. WHAT'S HAPPENING? (In alphabetical order, rotating one with each issue) 2.1 Actorsingers, Nashua 2.2 American Stage Festival, Nashua 2.3 Elm Street Junior High School, Nashua 2.4 KidPop! Family Concerts, NH 2.5 Kids' Coop Theatre, Derry 2.6 Leddy Center for the Performing Arts, Epping 2.7 Majestic Theatre Trust, Manchester 2.8 Merrimack Community Theatre 2.9 MSM Players, Nashua 2.10 Music and Drama Company (MADCo), Londonderry 2.11 Palace Youth Theatre, Manchester 2.12 Souhegan High School, Amherst 2.13 The Acting Loft, Manchester 3. HOW ELSE CAN WE FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING? 4. OFFSTAGE 5. ABOUT THE PEAHEN PLUS PRESS ==================================================================== 1. FEATURE STORY - Junior Actorsingers present Hey, Ho Pinocchio ==================================================================== The Junior Actorsingers are bringing the enchanting story of the puppet who wants to become a "real live boy" to the stage in March. Hey Ho Pinocchio is a whimsical musical based on the beloved children's fable, and will be performed from March 17 through 19 at the new Collings Auditorium at Daniel Webster College in Nashua. This classic tale with a modern message is about gangs, choosing the wrong friends and, of course, not telling the truth. David Ducharme is the Director and Elizabeth Ierardi is the Producer. Musical Direction is by Ginny Corcoran and Lynn Wifholm is the Choreographer. Show times are set for Friday, 3/17 at 7:30 PM, Saturday 3/18 at 1:30 and 5:30 PM; and Sunday 3/19 at 1:30 PM. Tickets are $5 each. Advance ticket buyers will be entered into a drawing for a beautiful Pinocchio marionette. There are four opportunities to win a marionette, one at each performance. For ticket information call 888-1253. All members of Junior Actorsingers are dedicating this production to the loving memory of Abby Hall, friend and fellow artist. The performers are singing a dedication song on opening night and on closing night. The cast ranges in age from 8 to 16. Look for these young people from the southern NH area: Heather Anderson, Holly Anderson, Heather Antosca, Kerri Antosca, Catherine Balboni, Marianne Bradley, Molly Bruckman, Lizzie Burrows, Ken Clougher, Victoria Clougher, Lauren Duffy, Allison Duhamel, Casey Elsass, Lindsay Ferris, Matt Greenglass, Darius Harper, Katie Ierardi, Michael Ierardi, Robert Kennedy, Kristen Koczarski, Christina Law, Stephanie LeCours, Brianne Lemoine, Kiersten Lemoine, Ben Levine, Meghan McCafferty, Mike O'Keefe, Beth Peterman, Kathleen Peterman, Randy Peterson, Emilee Powell, Rebecca Redman, Jenna Remsburg, Lanéa Ritrovato, Cara Sennott, Katie Tocci, Katherine West, Andrea Wilson, and Sarah Wilson. ==================================================================== 2. WHAT'S HAPPENING? ==================================================================== +++++++++++++++++++ 2.1 Actorsingers, Nashua +++++++++++++++++++ web site: www.actorsingers.org Hey, Ho Pinocchio - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Junior Actorsingers are bringing Hey, Ho Pinocchio to Nashua March 17, 18, and 19. See the feature story in the first section of this newsletter. Pirates of Penzance - - - - - - - - - - May 5-7 (Senior) Actorsingers are returning to their roots, by presenting Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance in May. The Actorsingers are offering two free tickets to any leap day babies. Check out the web site for details. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.2 American Stage Festival, Nashua ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ web site: www.americanstagefestival.org Thank you Peacock Players, for delivering Shakespeare's mischief and mayhem to audiences in Nashua in February. A Midsummer Night's Dream was a midwinter delight! (Ed.) The Velveteen Rabbit - - - - - - - - - - - Performances are scheduled for March 10 through 19. All seats are $5 and tickets are on sale now. Peter Pan - - - - - - - Performance dates are 5/12, 13, and 14 at the ASF in Nashua, and 5/19 and 20 at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.3 Elm Street Junior High School, Nashua ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Oliver! - - - - - The drama club at Elm Street Junior High is bringing the musical Oliver! to the stage April 20 and 21. This production features faculty members in several of the adult roles. Mr. Walt Freeman is directing, when he isn't playing Mr. Sowerberry. Ms. Marsha Yaldin is assisting, when she isn't playing Mrs. Sowerberry. The musical director is Michael Roy, a senior at Nashua Senior High School. In another interesting turnabout, Ms. Julia Oliver-Babb, music faculty at ESJHS, is assisting Michael Roy. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.4 KidPop! Family Concerts, NH ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Judy Pancoast, her choreographers and team have selected the KidPop! Crew - young people between the ages of 12 and 17 who will be touring with Judy -- dancing, singing, and serving as ambassadors this summer. Look for the KidPop! program schedule, due out in April. The first venue for the KidPop! Crew is an appearance in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Manchester in late March. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.5 Kids' Coop Theatre, Derry ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ web site: http://www.derrynh.com/kct Check the web site to find out what's happening at Kids' Coop. Summer and fall schedules are in the planning stages. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.6 Leddy Center for the Performing Arts, Epping +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ web site: http://www.nh.ultranet.com/~leddyctr HMS Pinafore - - - - - - - - - - - The classic Gilbert and Sullivan operetta is coming to Leddy Center March 11-March 27, 2000. Check the web site or call (603) 679-2781 for tickets and information. Annie - - - - - Many hearty artists braved the elements on a snowy February 19, to audition for a July 2000 production of Annie. Congratulations to the adults and young people cast in this show. Surely the sun will come out by July. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.7 Majestic Theatre Trust, Manchester ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ web site: http://www.majestictrust.org In recognition of the interest of young theatregoers, The Majestic Theatre Trust Youth Company was founded in 1999 primarily to educate and provide opportunities for the younger tier of performers, ages 7 to 15. In its first year, the MTT Youth Company division involved over 100 young people. You can get on the mailing list for further information by supplying feedback through the web site, or by calling 603 644-8155. Majestic plans for 2000: - - - - - - - - - - - - Comedy 2K 4/14, 4/15 (Italian Dinner Theatre) Majestic Night 2000 5/19, 5/20 (Majestic's 10th Anniversary Celebration) Call (603) 669-SHOW for tickets. AUDITIONS are scheduled for March 19 and March 26, for Majestic Night (5/19, 5/20), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a Concert Spectacular (June 1, 2, 3, 9, and 11), and Mother Goose (June 23, 24). Call (603) 669-7469 for complete information. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.8 Merrimack Community Theatre ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ web site: http://members.tripod.com/MerrimackCT Merrimack Community Theatre is presenting Under Milk Wood in April, directed by Vick Bennison. Performance dates are 4/6 through 4/9/2000, at the American Stage Festival, Court Street, in Nashua. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.9 Music and Drama Company, Londonderry ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ web site: http://www.madco.org Anything Goes - - - - - - - - - - I Get a Kick Out of You and All Through the Night -- those are just two of the classic favorites first introduced to musical theatre lovers in Cole Porter's Anything Goes. The Music and Drama Company (MadCo) of Londonderry is bringing the complete suite of songs, dances, and the high-energy boy-meets-girl story line to the Adams Opera House in Derry. Ron Godfrey is directing, and Daniella Murcko is producing. Peter Bridges is the Music Director, with Gina Michaud as Choreographer, and Mitchell George filling the role of Stage Manager. The talented, energetic cast includes teens and adults from MA and NH. Dates and times: March 31 at 8PM, April 1 at 2PM and 8 PM, April 7 at 8 PM, and April 8 at 2PM and 8PM. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for full time students and senior citizens. You can reserve by calling the MadCo hotline at (603) 434-2180. For more information, call the hotline or visit the web site. To subscribe to the MADCAPS ONLINE newsletter send email to MusicAndDrama@aol.com. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.10 MSM Players, Nashua ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The MSM Players are presenting The Music Man on May 19 and 20, 2000. For more information contact John Phipps by phone at 603 886-8805 (evenings) or 781 981-3984 (daytime) or email to phipps@ll.mit.edu, or call Mrs. Urquhart at (603) 883-6707 during school hours. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.11 Palace Youth Theatre, Manchester +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Schoolhouse Rock Junior - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Production dates are March 24 and 25. This show is now in rehearsal, and features artists from ages 6 to 18. This first production in the youth program is based on the Emmy Award-winning Saturday morning cartoon series. Under the artistic leadership Peter Ramsey and Roger Scruggs the Palace Theatre Trust is achieving its vision of developing the Palace Youth Theatre. This venture is a new educational performing arts program, organized and implemented by Roger Scruggs. Mr. Scruggs was artistic director for the recent overwhelmingly successful run of Annie at the Palace. The Palace Youth Theatre productions are designed to allow young actors to experience and be part of a professional theatrical performance, both on stage and behind the scenes. The Sound of Music - - - - - - - - - AUDITIONS are scheduled for March 21, for a mainstage production of The Sound of Music. The production is targeted for late April 2000. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.12 Souhegan High School, Amherst +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Brigadoon - - - - - - - - Look for Brigadoon to appear in the mist, when performers from Souhegan High School revive this enchanting musical the last weekend in March. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.13 The Acting Loft, Manchester +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Bravo! and Brava! to the entire cast and crew for your recent successful run of Pippin. You had magic to do, and every performance was truly magical! (Ed.) Blood Brothers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Production dates are May 19, 20 and 21. Coming this summer - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Chess August 18-20 ================================================ 3. HOW ELSE CAN WE FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING? ================================================ 3.1 Most of the theatre groups in the area have web sites, providing dates for auditions and performances. Several of them have links to other arts' web sites. 3.2 You can sign up with the NH/MA Theatre Lovers list and/or the NH/MA Music Lovers. Send a blank message to nh-ma-theatre-lovers-subscribe@egroups.com and/or to nh-ma-music-lovers-subscribe@egroups.com . There is no charge to be on these special interest distribution lists. Many professional and community groups send announcements through this route. Each list has a monitor, who approves submitted announcements, then sends ONE ANNOUNCEMENT to all on the list. The event must be open to all, and must not be for personal profit. 3.3 Check the Encore section in Friday issues of The Nashua Telegraph. You'll find audition and performance information in articles and in the numerous calendar and listings sections. You can peruse the current Telegraph on the web, at: http://www.nashuatelegraph.com 3.4 The Boston Globe You can read today or yesterday's Globe on the web, at: http://www.boston.globe.com/globe For a nominal fee you can order articles from archived editions. 3.4.1 Check the Calendar section in Thursday issues of The Boston Globe. 3.4.2 Check the New Hampshire Weekly section of The Boston Sunday Globe. 3.5 Check the Weekend section in Thursday issues of The Manchester Union Leader. ==================================================================== 4. OFFSTAGE ==================================================================== 4.1 You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, at Matignon High School, Cambridge MA. Justin Nichols, who shared his blanket with Sally as Linus last summer in the ASF Young Company production of Charlie, has stepped up to the plate to play Charlie this time! One night only, Saturday March 11, 7:30PM. Tickets are $10, or $8 each for groups. The cast includes young people in grades 3 through 6. You are right, this is ONSTAGE, not OFF, but your editor didn't have enough info for a complete bullet, and wanted to get this out in time for you to see the show! (Ed.) 4.2 Costumes from the Silver Screen Judy Garland's blue pinafore from The Wizard of Oz is among the costumes on exhibit at the American Textile History Museum in Lowell. The Dressed for the Part: Hollywood Costumes from the Silver Screen exhibit features more than 40 costumes worn by stars from the silent era through the 1960's, including Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, and Rita Hayworth. Costumes in the exhibit are part of the private collection of local film historian and collector John LeBold. The exhibit is now open and it runs through March 12. Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM, at the American Textile History Museum in Lowell. $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, children under 6 free. Call 978 441-0400 for more information. =================================== 5. ABOUT THE PEAHEN PLUS PRESS =================================== Prancin' Peahen Pam (the Mom) and Terrific Tiger Tim (the young person) Gilpatrick will continue to send you theatre news of interest to young people in the greater Nashua area, as long as you enjoy receiving it, or until Tim goes away to college. If you choose NOT to receive this mail, reply saying UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject heading. If you LIKE getting this email -- do nothing! Thank you all for supplying information to be formatted here. Keep it coming! You can access current and past issues of the Peahen Plus Press through the Junior Actorsingers page on the Actorsingers web site. Set your browser to: http://www.actorsingers.org/jr/index.html If you are reading a copy forwarded from a friend or a printed copy and you would like to be on the direct mailing list, send email to: prancinpam@yahoo.com. Editorial comments from the senior editor are flagged with (Ed.). Schedule information is from printed and on-line sources in the public domain, or from other sources confirmed and with permission.