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 8, September 2000 Favorite Children’s Classics Come to Life on NH Stages -- Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Babes in Toyland, Charlotte’s Web Classic children’s stories, familiar to many of us through the printed page, can create new dimensions when we enjoy them in a live setting. Here is a sampling of some you can see this fall. Little Women - - - - - - - - - Louisa May Alcott authored the familiar story, from her home in nearby Concord MA. Elizabeth Ives is directing the Kids’ Coop Theatre production of the beloved classic Little Women, 10/13 and 10/14, in Derry. Look for Little Women (and lots of little men and friends and families of all ages!) at the First Parish Congregational Church, 47 East Derry Road in Derry. Scheduled performances: 10/13 at 7:30 PM, and 10/14 at 2 PM and again at 7:30 PM. You can call (603) 434-8524 for tickets, which are $8 for adults, and $6 for seniors and students. Tickets are also available in Derry at Lauren’s Country Kitchen and Crystal Reflections, and in Londonderry at the Nutfield Store and Blue Note Music. See the Kids’ Coop Theatre web site: www.derrynh.com/kct. Anne of Green Gables - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kindred spirits yearn to meet their favorite redhead! You can see Anne on stage in this musical version of Anne of Green Gables at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. The story is from the series of books by Lucy Maud Montgomery, and it chronicles the adventures of Anne Shirley in Avonlea on Prince Edward Island in Canada. Roger Skruggs is the Artistic Director of the Palace Youth Theatre. Youth Theatre performances are presented by children for children. This cast includes over forty young people between the ages of 7 and 18. Tickets are $7 for adults, and $5 for seniors and students. Call (603) 668-5588 for tickets. The Palace Theatre in Manchester now has a web site: www.palacetheatre.org. Babes in Toyland - - - - - - - - - - - - Jeff Caron is directing the Kids’ Coop Theatre production of Babes in Toyland, 10/20 and 10/21, on stage at the Salem High School Auditorium in Salem, NH. Musical direction is by Donna Tongue, with Carla Wong designing choreography. This production features the original musical score by Victor Herbert. There are only three performances: 10/20 at 7:00 PM, and 10/21 at 1:00 PM and again at 7:00 PM. Call (603) 434-8524 for tickets. Check the Kids’ Coop Theatre web site: www.derrynh.com/kct to see rehearsal photos, and for more information. (An un-named “babe” from Toyland informed this editor that the director is unexpectedly filling in as the villainous Barnaby. Some might think he is too young and too handsome. Not so fast! The following weekend he must be even more devious, working with the MSM Players as Fagin in Oliver! Come see how talent, unsurpassed dedication, hard work, and the addition of just a little make-up and costuming can work the magic of theatre! PPP) Charlotte’s Web - - - - - - - - Wilbur, Charlotte, Templeton, Fern, Avery, and their many friends begin spinning this tale at Leddy Center in October. You’ve probably read their adventures in the enchanting story by E.B. White. Now you can see these beloved characters on stage in Epping, NH. Performances begin October 28, and run through November 19. Tickets are $12 and $14 for matinees, and $13 and $15 for evening shows. You can reserve tickets through the web site: www.geocities.com/leddycenter, call (603) 679-2781, or send email to leddyctr@nh.ultranet.com In this issue: 1. FEATURE STORY: Favorite Children’s Classics Come to Life on NH Stages 2. WHAT’S HAPPENING? (In alphabetical order, rotating one with each issue) 2.1 Leddy Center for the Performing Arts, Epping 2.2 Majestic Theatre Trust, Manchester 2.3 Merrimack Community Theatre 2.4 MSM Players, Nashua 2.5 Music and Drama Company (MADCo), Londonderry 2.6 Nashua Symphony, Nashua 2.7 Palace Theatre, Manchester 2.8 Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Portsmouth 2.9 The Acting Loft, Manchester 2.10 Actorsingers, Nashua 2.11 American Stage Festival, Nashua 2.12 Exit Stage Right, Groton, MA 2.13 KidPop! Family Concerts, NH and beyond 2.14 Kids’ Coop, Derry 3. HOW ELSE CAN WE FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING? 4. OFFSTAGE 5. ABOUT THE PEAHEN PLUS PRESS New in this issue! – The Prancin’ Portable Pocket Planner +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2. WHAT’S HAPPENING? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.1 Leddy Center for the Performing Arts, Epping +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: www.geocities.com/leddycenter Charlotte’s Web - - - - - - - - - - - - See the feature story section in this newsletter for more about Charlotte’s Web at Leddy Center. More on dates and times: 10/28 and 10/29 at 1:30 PM only -- Leddy deducts $4 from tickets purchased in advance for these two dates. Thereafter, Fridays at 7:30, Saturdays at 1:30 and again at 7:30, and three Sundays in November at 1:30. Special daytime matinees are available. Check the web site or call for complete information. Reservations are always recommended. The Mikado - - - - - - - - - AUDITIONS for Gilbert and Sullivan’s musical masterpiece The Mikado are scheduled for 10/14, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This production marks the eleventh annual offering by the NH Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Auditions are first-come, first-served, with no appointment required. Rehearsals begin in early January 2001, for performances in March. Rehearsal and performance schedules will be distributed at auditions. Committed, mature teens age 14 and older, and adults of all ages are welcome to audition. Applicants should be prepared to sing one of the following songs from the G. Schirmer version of The Mikado: sopranos – The Sun, Whose Rays Are All Ablaze, tenors – A Wand’ring Minstrel, I, altos – Alone and Yet Alive, and basses – Young Man, Despair. Applicants are welcome to obtain music on their own, from Leddy Center during regular office hours Monday through Friday 9:00 AM through 5:00 PM, or request music by email, leddyctr@nh.ultranet.com. Check the web site or call (603) 679-2781 for further information. Oliver - - - - - AUDITIONS for a July 2001 production of Oliver are February 17, 2001, 9 AM to 2 PM. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.2 Majestic Theatre Trust, Manchester ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: www.majestictrust.org The Sound of Music - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music opens at the Majestic Theatre in Manchester this month, directed by Joe Rojek. Is My Favorite Things one of your favorites? How about the familiar Do, Re, Mi? This production at the Majestic features a full orchestra. There are five performances over two weekends. Curtain time on 10/20, 10/21, 10/27, 10/28 is 8:00 PM, and the matinee on Sunday 10/29 is at 2:00 PM. Call (603) 669-SHOW for tickets. The cost is $10 for adults, and $7 for students up to age 17. A special senior rate of $7 is available for the Sunday 10/29 matinee only. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.3 Merrimack Community Theatre ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: http://members.tripod.com/MerrimackCT/ Dark Passages - - - - - - - - - - - Rita Harden is directing the mystery thriller Dark Passages. Performance dates are 11/12-19 at Daniel Webster College, near the Nashua airport. You can call Rita Harden for more information, at (603) 673-4044. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.4 MSM Players, Nashua ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Oliver - - - - The workhouse boys and girls start singing for supper, wishing for sausages but (still) getting gruel, at 7:30 PM on Friday and Saturday 10/27 and 10/28. The Sunday matinee on 10/29 begins at 2 PM, and the same starving orphans are still hungry! MSM Players performances are at the Nashua Catholic Regional Junior High School Auditorium, 4 Bartlett Street off Concord Street, just south of Greeley Park in Nashua. John Zimini is directing this production, assisted by Allison Proctor. Producer Adam Carle, Choreographer Penny Gagne, and Music Director Sally Landis round out the production team, making sure you “consider yourself well-in!” All seating is general admission. To reserve tickets, you can call (603) 882-7011 or send email to MSMPlayers@aol.com. Tickets are now available at rehearsals; if you have friends in the cast or crew, they can pick up tickets. They ask $10 for each adult ticket, and $6 for each senior or student ticket. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.5 Music and Drama Company, Londonderry ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: www.madco.org Hotline 434-2180 Playing Doctor - - - - - - - There are only four performances of Playing Doctor -- 11/10, 11, 17, and 18. William Van Zandt and Jane Milmore wrote this three-act comedy which is set in modern times. Playing Doctor is a combination of slapstick Marx brothers type situations, mixed with puns and sexual innuendo. To subscribe to the MADCAPS ONLINE newsletter, send email to MusicAndDrama@aol.com. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.6 Nashua Symphony Orchestra, Nashua ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: www.NashuaSymphony.org A Symphony of Whales - - - - - - - - - - - The Nashua Symphony Orchestra invites you to a special event on Saturday, 10/28 at 2:00 PM at the Keefe Auditorium in Nashua. A Symphony of Whales is the world premiere of the orchestration of NH composer, author, and musician Steve Schuch. He is the author of the children’s book of the same title. Schuch joins the NSO for the symphonic presentation of his inspiring tale, as he narrates the story and solos on the violin. You can order tickets through the Nashua Symphony Association at (603) 595-9156, or through the web site. Tickets are $15 per person. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.7 Palace Theatre, Manchester ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ web site: www.palacetheatre.org Anne of Green Gables - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For more about the Palace Youth Theatre production of Anne of Green Gables, please see the feature story section in this newsletter. Joseph - - - - - The Palace Theatre continues contribute to first-rate professional theatre in NH, with the recent successful run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The Palace Theatre is a professional company operating under guest equity contract. In Joseph, the youth chorus kept spirits high during Go, Go, Go Joseph and throughout the entire performance. Older brother Reuben gave a new face to Canaan Days. (From the kingliest of kings to a queen...! PPP) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.8 Seacoast Repertory Theater, Portsmouth +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Annie Get Your Gun - - - - - - - - - - Open AUDITIONS are available October 15. Children ages 6 through 15 are invited for 6 to 7 PM. Adults are welcome to audition between 7 and 10 PM. Please call (603) 473-4472 for information. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.9 The Acting Loft, Manchester ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ iMprOV aT The InStitute - - - - - - - - - - - - Join two teams of comedic performers as they compete for laughs and the ultimate victory – to be crowned kings and queens of improvisation! Ten performers are presented with situations and games they have not previously rehearsed. 10/13 and 14, 7:30, at the NH Institute of Art in Manchester. Call (603) 623-0313 x547 for tickets. All seats are general admission, $10. Bye, Bye Birdie - - - - - - - - Baby-boomers will remember the musical comedy that showcases these favorites: Put on A Happy Face, The Telephone Hour, and What’s the Matter with Kids Today? Christopher Courage, Susan Horne, and Sally Landis head up the production team. Performance dates for Bye, Bye Birdie are 11/10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19. Friday performances are at 7:30, Saturdays at 3:00 and again at 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 4:00. All seats are reserved. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.10 Actorsingers, Nashua ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: www.actorsingers.org Fiddler on the Roof - - - - - - - - - - Look for Tevye, Golde, their daughters and suitors, among villagers young and old at the Actorsingers Fiddler on the Roof, coming to Nashua in November. Need a “match?” Ask for Yente! Performance dates are 11/10, 11, and 12. Check the web site for more information. Call (603) 889-2711 after 6 PM for ticket reservations. On the Town - - - - - - Coming in the spring of 2001. The Actorsingers are currently accepting applications for director. Pasta Music, Please! - - - - - - - - - - - Letters to the editor and other sources are cataloging this first Junior Actorsingers Summer Dinner Theatre event as one for the record books. Congratulations to everyone involved in this tremendous, sold-out production. Working together, the Junior Actorsingers, with support from Actorsingers and parents, raised nearly $2,500 for the Actorsingers Memorial Scholarship Fund. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.11 American Stage Festival, Nashua ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: www.americanstagefestival.org Je M’Appelle Madeline - - - - - - - - - - - Continuing the “Stage Too Series” that began last spring with The Velveteen Rabbit, this adaptation is based on the beloved mademoiselle created by Ludwig Bemelmans. Directed by Holly Countie and Scott Severance, the show runs about 75 minutes and is designed for young audiences. Performances are 10/27 through 11/5, Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 11 AM and 2 PM, and Sundays at 2 PM. While not a musical, Madeline features the well-known French songs Allouette and Frere Jacques. Doctor Dolittle - - - - - - - - This production is the world premiere of a musical written by Elliott Baker of Durham, NH. Based on the classic stories created by Hugh Lofting, Doctor Dolittle chronicles the adventures of a kindly gent from England and his menagerie of friends. Performances are 11/10 through 11/19, Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 1 PM and again at 7 PM, and Sundays at 1 PM, directed by Scott Severance. 2000-2001 Season - - - - - - - - - Additional productions planned for the Peacock season include Godspell, The Jungle Book, and Once Upon A Mattress. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.12 Exit Stage Right, Groton, MA ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Fall, 2000 Season - - - - - - - - - - - - - The House of Agatha Mysterie, United Church of Shirley, in November A Broadway Cabaret Evening, Groton-Dunstable Performing Arts Center, in November. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.13 KidPop! Family Concerts, NH ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site for Kidz at Heart Productions: www.kidzatheart.com Web page for more information about Judy Pancoast: www.kidzatheart.com/artists/judy.htm Congratulations to Judy Pancoast and the KidPop! Crew. The teenage Crew just completed a successful first season touring with the popular children’s entertainer. The final performances of this flagship season delighted audiences at Hollis Old Home Days and the Groton-New London Air Show in Connecticut, both in September. Check the web site or this space for information about AUDITIONS for the KidPop! Crew. This team consists of young people between the ages of 12 and 17 who love to dance and sing, and enjoy interacting with young children. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.14 Kids’ Coop, Derry +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: www.derrynh.com/kct Kids’ Coop audiences will want to know – due to renovations at The Adams Opera House in Derry, fall productions are in other locations as noted. PPP Little Women and Babes in Toyland - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For more about the productions of Little Women and Babes in Toyland, please see the feature story section in this newsletter. ====================================================== 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 have links to other arts' web sites. 3.2 You can subscribe to NH email music or theatre interest groups, or both. One service is egroups.com. For a free subscription to this service that does not re-distribute your email, send a blank message to nh-ma-theatre-lovers-subscribe@egroups.com 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 via this route. Each list has a monitor, who approves submitted announcements, then forwards ONE ANNOUNCEMENT to persons who have requested to be on the list. The event must be open to all, and must not be for personal profit. This is also an easy, inexpensive way to advertise your events! 3.3 Check the Encore section in Friday issues of The Telegraph, serving Nashua and southern NH. You'll find audition and performance information in articles and in numerous calendar and listings sections. You can peruse the current Telegraph on the web: www.nashuatelegraph.com. 3.4 You can read today or yesterday's Boston Globe on the web: www.boston.globe.com/globe. For a nominal fee you can order articles from archived editions. Recently, the Globe discontinued its Calendar magazine in Thursday issues, replacing it with an expanded At Home section. 3.5 For a focus on NH events in numerous categories, review the NH Weekly section in The Boston Sunday Globe. 3.6 Peruse the Weekend section in Thursday issues of The Manchester Union Leader. 3.7 Look in the Happenings section of the Broadcaster, published by 1590 AM radio, and delivered on Thursdays, free of charge, to homes and businesses in several southern NH towns. ==================================================================== 4. OFFSTAGE ==================================================================== 4.1 Lauren Doucette and the NEXT BIG STAR competition Lauren Doucette sends thanks to her many online friends who voted for her in Ed McMahon’s NEXT BIG STAR competition. Lauren won the first round, and moved on to the quarterfinals. Look for Lauren Doucette on stage in October, appearing in Anne of Green Gables with the Palace Youth Theatre in Manchester. Recently, Lauren danced, sang, and played violin with the Junior Actorsingers in Nashua, contributing to the success of their first summer dinner theatre. 4.2 Lauren Meehan is Miss New Hampshire! Lauren Meehan will be on-stage and on the runway, while most of us are watching her on the small screen when she represents NH in the Miss America pageant in October. Lauren got her start performing with the Junior Actorsingers in Nashua. In August of 2000, she was the guest star as The Sparkling Lady, singing with the Sparkling Grape Juice Music Makers on The Clarence Welch Show, with the Junior Actorsingers Summer Dinner Theatre. What a sparkling voice! (What a lovely and gracious good sport! PPP) 4.3 Consider a program ad in your favorite playbill One way to show your support for community theatre is to sponsor a program ad, big or small, in your favorite playbill. This is good business as well, since the several thousands of theatre-goers and performers patronize the advertisers. Some companies also offer “applause lines.” For a minimal cost you can send a personal greeting to your friends in the cast and crew. Some companies run an ad for a single show. Others will run your ad for an entire theatre season, and can tell you the numbers in their audiences for the previous season. Examples: The MSM Players are now accepting ads for their Oliver program. October 12 is the deadline for a full season ad with The Acting Loft of the NH Institute of Art. The Actorsingers have a deadline of October 15 for an ad in either or both of their productions. ===================================================================== 5. ABOUT THE PEAHEN PLUS PRESS ===================================================================== The Peahen Plus Press (PPP) newsletter is approaching its 1-year anniversary. In order to provide our ever-growing reader list with reliable timing of information about auditions and events, the editors are evaluating changes. Further changes are expected, but these are certain: o Each issue gives a deadline for receipt of information for the next newsletter, and the target date for the next issue. The editors will continue to collect information from printed and online sources in the public domain. o You are welcome to provide information about performances open to all and appropriate for all ages. This includes professional, community, school, church, and club events. Please include dates, times, cost, location, contact, and how-to-order-tickets information. o Auditions announced here must be open to all, and must be for all ages OR for youths only. Auditions must either be available by appointment as you specify, or open to all who arrive during the times you specify. When offering audition opportunities, please give as much information on requirements as you can. Examples: “five minutes,” “expect to stay for an hour,” “be prepared and dressed to dance,” “solo song and monologue,” “piano accompaniment available,” or whatever you expect and require. Prancin' Peahen Pam (PPP, the Mom) and Terrific Tiger Tim (TTT, the young person) Gilpatrick will continue to send you theatre and music news of interest to young people in the southern NH area, as long as you enjoy receiving it, until we have our own web site, or until Tim goes away to college. If you choose NOT to receive this mail, reply with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject heading. If you LIKE getting this email -- do nothing! Thank you for supplying information to be formatted here. Keep it coming! You can access past issues of the Peahen Plus Press through the Junior Actorsingers page on the Actorsingers web site: www.actorsingers.org. 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, and include the word “subscribe” in your subject heading. Editorial comments from the senior editor are flagged with (PPP). Schedule information is from readers, from printed and on-line sources in the public domain, and from other sources confirmed and with permission. The PPP does not re-distribute email addresses. October 20 is the deadline for receipt of information to be distributed in the late October issue. News items received after that date will be printed in the next available issue. Prancin’ Portable Pocket Planner ================================ 10/13 and 14 – Little Women, Kids’ Coop, First Parish Congregational Church, Derry 10/13 and 14 – Anne of Green Gables, Palace Youth Theatre, Manchester 10/13 and 14 – iMprOV aT The InstITute, NH Institute of Art, Manchester 10/20 and 21 – Babes in Toyland, Kids’ Coop, Salem High School, Salem 10/20, 21, 27, 28, 29 – The Sound of Music, Majestic Theatre Trust, Manchester 10/27, 28, 29 – Oliver, MSM Players, NCRJHS Auditorium, Nashua 10/27 through 11/4 – Arsenic and Old Lace, Nashua Theatre Guild, downstairs at ASF, Nashua 10/27, 28, 11/3, 4 – The Mice Have Been Drinking Again, Second Story Players, Hollis-Brookline High School 10/27, 28, 29, and 11/3, 4, 5 -- Madeline, Peacock Players, ASF Court Street, Nashua 10/28 – A Symphony of Whales – Nashua Symphony Orchestra, Keefe Auditorium, Nashua 10/28, 29, 11/3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19 – Charlotte’s Web, Leddy Center, Epping 11/9, 10, 11, 12 – The Boyfriend, New Thalian Players, Notre Dame College, Manchester 11/10, 11, 12 – Fiddler on the Roof, Actorsingers, Keefe Auditorium, Nashua 11/10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 – Bye, Bye Birdie, The Acting Loft, Manchester 11/10, 11, 17, 18 – Playing Doctor, Music and Drama Company (MADCo), Londonderry 11/10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 – The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle, Peacock Players, ASF, Nashua 11/16, 17, 18, 19 – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Milford HS, Milford 11/16, 17, 18, 19 – Dark Passages, Merrimack Community Theater, Daniel Webster College 11/17 and 18 – The Crucible, Souhegan Senior High School, Amherst 12/21 and 22 – It’s a Wonderful Life, ESJHS Drama Club, Keefe Auditorium, Nashua