P L A Y by P L A Y P R E V I E W Bringing you theatre and music news with a focus on young people Volume IV Issue #6, July 20, 2002 Scroll down for the "In This Issue" Section "Project Shakespeare" with NH Students at The Lyric Stage in Boston Project Shakespeare is a theatre education program-in-residence at The Lyric Stage in Boston. The program this season does not avoid the crises in the world, instead it looks them straight in the eye, by exploring and presenting Shakespeare's "Coriolanus" directed by Peter A. Carey, and "The Merchant of Venice" directed by Deborah S. Thurber. The Lyric Stage is at 140 Clarendon Street in Boston, next to the John Hancock Tower in Boston's Back Bay. Several young people from southern NH are participating in "Project Shakespeare" this season. From Nashua: Sara Lussier, Albert St. Aubin, Thomas Millard, Amada Perlman, Baindu Coomber, and Hannah Crowe. From Merrimack: Alexander La France and Joshua Dennis. Ilyse Robbins assists Peter A. Carey and choreographs both productions. Clifford M. Allen of "Companie Scaramouche" is choreographing the stage combat. Performances are 7/31 through 8/4, 2002. For more information, please call Deborah Thurber at (603) 882-8594. The schedule: - "The Merchant of Venice" -- Wednesday and Friday at 7:30 PM, and Saturday. at 2:00 PM - "Coriolanus" -- Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $11 general admission; children 12 and under are admitted free. Reserved seating is available for special needs patrons. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Boston Cultural Council, a municipal agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Project Shakespeare also gratefully acknowledges the Haymarket Community Corporation, the Henderson Foundation and The Roxbury Highland Community Corporation for their generous contributions. In This Issue 1. FEATURE STORY: "Project Shakespeare" with NH students at The Lyric Stage in Boston 2. WHAT'S HAPPENING? (In alphabetical order, rotating one with each issue) 2.1 Majestic Theatre Trust, Manchester 2.2 MSM Players, Nashua 2.3 Music and Drama Company (MADCo), Londonderry 2.4 Nashua Theatre Guild 2.5 New Hampshire Community Theatre Association (NHCTA) 2.6 Opera Circle, Nashua 2.7 Palace Theatre, Manchester 2.8 Project Shakespeare at The Lyric Stage, Boston 2.9 Windham Performing Arts 2.10 The Acting Loft, Manchester 2.11 Actorsingers and Junior Actorsingers, Nashua 2.12 American Stage Festival and Peacock Players, Nashua 2.13 Leddy Center for the Performing Arts, Epping 3. OFFSTAGE 3.1 Support the arts by purchasing a program ad 3.2 Nashua Arts and Humanities Coalition (NAHC) 3.3 New Hampshire Theatre Committee (NHTC) 4. ABOUT the Play by Play Preview; includes the Portable Pocket Planner 2. WHAT'S HAPPENING? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.1 Majestic Theatre Trust, Manchester +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: http://www.majestictrust.org Box office number: (603) 669-SHOW Auditions number: (603) 644-8155 AUDITIONS at Majestic - - - - - - - - - - - AUDITIONS for "Kiss Me Kate" are 8/4 and 8/5 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, for ages 15 through adult. Majestic Theatre invites people of all levels to audition regardless of past experience. For a musical, please bring piano music or an accompaniment tape with background music only (no vocals or soundtracks.) A prepared monologue is welcome and helpful, but not required. For non-musicals, the audition will consist of stage and scene readings. Again, a prepared monologue is helpful but not required. For more information, call the Majestic Theatre audition number (603) 644-8155. Majestic Theatre Summer Schedule - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "The Adventures of Lewis and Clark," 7/19, 7/20, 7/21 (Youth Company,) directed by Jeff Caron with music direction by Josue Rondon, Jr. "The Wizard of Oz," 8/1, 8/2, 8/3, 8/9, 8/10, 8/11, directed by Roger Scruggs, with music direction by Joel Mercier. "Oliver Twist," 8/23, 8/24, 8/25 (Youth Company) -- directed by A. Robert Dionne, with music direction by Josue Rondon, Jr. This is a new one-act musical adaptation of Oliver Twist. Majestic Youth Company - - - - - - - - - - - - The Majestic Youth Company provides opportunities for youths between the ages of seven and fifteen to expand their knowledge, experience, and love for the performing arts. Check the Web site for additional program opportunities. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.2 MSM Players, Nashua ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The MSM Players are accepting applications for director, costumer, and stage manager for a spring 2003 production of "Hello Dolly." Production dates are April 11-13 at Nashua Catholic Regional Junior High School. Please submit resumes to MSM Players, c/o NCRJHS, 6 Bartlett Avenue, Nashua, NH 03064. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.3 Music and Drama Company, Londonderry ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: http://www.madco.org Hotline: (603) 434-2180 Upcoming shows - - - - - - - - - - - - "Lost in Yonkers" -- fall 2002 "Oklahoma" -- spring 2003 "Nunsense" -- summer 2003 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.4 Nashua Theatre Guild ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: http://nashuatheatreguild.org (New Web Site) The Taming of the Shrew - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Congratulations to all involved with the recent overwhelmingly successful production of "The Taming of the Shrew." Thank you for demonstrating that the arts are alive and well in Nashua. (PPP) The House of Blue Leaves - - - - - - - - - - - - - "The House of Blue Leaves" is coming this fall, directed by Kevin Riley. AUDITIONS are announced for 8/5 and 8/6, at the conference room of the Chandler Library, 257 Main Street in Nashua. For questions or for additional information, contact the director Kevin Riley at KPRiley7@aol.com, call (603) 880-0243, or check the NTG Web site. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.5 New Hampshire Community Theatre Association (NHCTA) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: http://members.aol.com/NHCTA AACT NHCTA Regional Competition - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The New England competition is scheduled for September 20--22, 2002 at the Concord City Auditorium in Concord NH. The New England winners there go on to the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) national competition, scheduled for 2003 in Connecticut. "Waiting for Lefty" presented by the Community Players of Concord and "Feeding the Ducks" from KISTheatre of Merrimack and Manchester, award winners for best production and first alternate production, are representing NH at the New England regional competition. The NHCTA is now accepting program ads for the September playbill. This is an exceptional opportunity for you to advertise your group and your upcoming program schedule to large numbers of theatre-lovers from all of the New England states. The deadline for receipt of ads is September 1. For more information, contact Jerry White at: patandjw@aol.com. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.6 Opera Circle, Nashua ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ricardo Azocar Zavala leads an opera music-listening session and discussion the last Tuesday of most months, 7:00 at Barnes and Noble in Nashua. No sessions are scheduled for July and August of 2002. The Opera Circle is pleased to announce a new program, with a goal toward reaching even more people with informative presentations, facilitating the understanding and enjoyment of the operatic arts. A series of daytime presentations is coming to the Nashua Public Library. Presentations run from 12:00 to 1:00, downstairs in the NPL theatre. The "A Summer of Sopranos" series is scheduled for: - Wednesday 8/21 - Wednesday 8/28 - Wednesday 9/4 For more information, please send e-mail to Ricardo Zavala at operacircle@juno.com. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.7 Palace Theatre, Manchester ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: http://www.palacetheatre.org (603) 668-5588 Summer 2002 Palace Professional Theatre for Children Series - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Another fabulous summer of children's shows was launched this July. All performances are at 10:00 AM and again at 12:00 noon at the Palace Theatre, and will last between 45 and 60 minutes. Tickets are $5 per person, general admission. Tickets are on sale now. Group rates are available by calling the box office at (603) 668-5588, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. "The Ugly Duckling" (a musical) July 23 "Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz" (a participation play) July 30 "The Further Adventures of Maide Marian" (a musical and a participation play) August 6 "Jack and the Beanstalk" (August 13) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.8 Project Shakespeare, The Lyric Stage, Boston ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please see the feature story in this newsletter for information about NH students performing with "Project Shakespeare" at The Lyric Stage in Boston this summer. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.9 Windham Performing Arts ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is in the works for the fall of 2002. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.10 The Acting Loft, Manchester ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web Site: http://www.nhia.edu/theatre_programs.html Acting Loft News - - - - - - - - - The Acting Loft is now established as its own not-for-profit corporation, at 153 Concord Street in Manchester. Lofters will continue to present first-rate performances at the New Hampshire Institute of Art (NHIA) French Auditorium. Christopher Courage is Artistic and Producing Director, and Susan Horne joins the staff as Education Director, to facilitate an enhanced instructional schedule. The forthcoming Acting Loft schedule includes: "Les Miserables" "Footloose" "Jekyll and Hyde" Musical Theatre Camps - - - - - - - - - - - - The Acting Loft Studios is offering musical theatre camps during July and August. Camps are structured to meet the needs of students between the ages of 6 and 16. Each 2-week session includes classes in music, dance, and acting. Students will complete their class experience by performing in a production of The Acting Loft's renowned "Storytime Theatre." Classes meet on weekdays, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM in the Acting Loft Studios, 153 Concord Street. Registration is now underway for sessions scheduled for July 22-August 2, and August 5-16. To register or for more information, call Christopher Courage at (603) 623-0313 x 551. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.11 The Actorsingers and Junior Actorsingers, Nashua ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: http://www.actorsingers.org The forthcoming Actorsingers schedule includes: - "Anything's Pastable" Summer dinner theatre by the Junior Actorsingers - August 2002 - "Titanic" - fall of 2002, directed by Brett Mallard with music direction by Michele Henderson - "Brigadoon" - spring of 2003, directed by Kathy Lovering with music direction by Alene Bonner and choreography by Beth Fenske. Anything's Pastable - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Junior Actorsingers are serving up their third summer dinner theatre, 8/16, 8/17, and 8/18, at Saint Stanislaus Hall in Nashua. The bill-of-fare features a complete spaghetti dinner with the show on Friday and Saturday at 6:30, and a dessert buffet with the show on Sunday at 2:00. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and students. For $75 you can reserve a table for eight people of any age. Tickets are available now through any cast member, or by calling Betty at (603) 595-4692. These shows have sold out every performance, every year. The theme this year is a musical tribute to Broadway and New York City, and the program includes many favorite Broadway themes. Kathy Lovering is directing, Louis Duhamel is producer, Ginny Corcoran is music director, and Valerie Psoinos is choreographer. The Junior Actorsingers are now accepting program ads for the playbill. Your ad will be in approximately 1500 take-home programs. This is a great way to advertise your organization, event, auditions, as well as a creative way to send your best wishes to members of the cast and crew. The deadline for ads is July 28. For complete information, contact Tom Grilli at Tgrilli@attbi.com or Lynette Rawding at LR3@attbi.com. Titanic - - - - - The Actorsingers announce AUDITIONS for "Titanic." Information Night is Monday, 8/19 at 7:00 PM, and all are welcome. Information Night is an opportunity to meet the directors and ask questions about the show. Auditions are Sunday 8/25 and Monday 8/26, 6:00 to 10:00 PM each night. The show goes up one weekend only, 11/8, 11/9, and 11/10. Adults ages 16+ are invited to audition for "Titanic." This show requires a big cast, with 50+ adults. The show requires children, and children's roles will be filled by children of adult participants. There is not a separate audition for cast members younger than age 16. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.12 American Stage Festival and Peacock Players, Nashua ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: http://www.americanstagefestival.org "Birthday Boy" Playreading - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Join the actors for a free play reading and discussion at the American Stage Festival on Monday, 7/22, 7:00 PM at 14 Court Street in Nashua. This is a continuation of the "Early Stages" Playreading events at ASF. For more information, call (603) 886-7000. "Birthday Boy" is by playwright Chris Newbound from Williamstown, MA. Lowell Williams, NH playwright and director, is hosting this program. The "Early Stages" program helps emerging playwrights learn what is working and what needs tuning in their scripts - the audience is encouraged to provide feedback after the Playreading. "Birthday Boy" is the story of a man facing his fortieth birthday who begins to question the choices he has made in life. A romantic comedy with great dialogue, "Birthday Boy" is a story anyone can relate to. Eric Scheiner from WNDS TV plays the title role. Scheiner's real-life wife Sara Scheiner plays his wife, and Karin Delgado, a Massachusetts actress and model, rounds out the cast. Organized Chaos - - - - - - - - The next presentation from the teen Improv Group "Organized Chaos" is Friday 8/2, 7:30 downstairs at the ASF. Tickets are $7 for adults, and $5 for students and seniors. The Future of the American Stage Festival - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sadly, as reported recently in The Telegraph, the ASF is facing a bleak future or a final curtain. The summer 2002 mainstage season is cancelled after the end of the run of "Misery" on July 28. While the link lasts, you can read the story in The Telegraph online, at: http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/main.asp?SectionID=25&SubSectionID=377&Articl eID=60575 For information from the ASF perspective, please see http://www.americanstagefestival.org/Nashua02/cancellation.html. There is an effort underway to continue the Peacock Players children's theatre. You can show your support by attending a rally at the ASF in Nashua on Sunday, July 21, at 4:00. A good venue for expressing your views and continuing the dialogue is the NH Theatre Group Web site, at http://www.nhtheatre.com/default.asp. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.13 Leddy Center for the Performing Arts, Epping +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Web site: http://www.leddycenter.org (603) 679-2781 e-mail: info@leddycenter.org Fiddler on the Roof - - - - - - - - - - "Mazel Tov!" Leddy Center brings Tevye, Golde, and their daughters and suitors to the stage in July. "Fiddler" is already up (on the roof,) now through 7/28, at Leddy Center in Epping, NH. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 PM, with matinees on Sundays and Tuesdays at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $12 to $15, all seats are reserved, and group rates are available. To order tickets, call (603) 679-2781, or ordering through the Web site: http://www.leddycenter.org. Reservations are always recommended for Leddy Center productions. See the Web site or send e-mail to info@leddycenter.org for more information. 3. OFFSTAGE 3.1 Many production companies and schools are now compiling program books for an upcoming season, or for a special fall event. You can support the arts by purchasing a program ad. This is a good way to promote your organization to thousands of people who enjoy music and theatre, and who are looking for ways to support our communities. Please contact your favorite groups, buy ads, and help keep the arts alive in NH. This is a win-win situation for all. (PPP) 3.2 The Nashua Arts and Humanities Coalition (NAHC) meets on the first Monday of each month except July and August, 6 PM, downstairs at the Nashua Public Library. There are no full-coalition meetings in July and August. However, ad hoc teams are already hard at work on "A Taste of the Arts" scheduled for October 5, and the annual "Holiday Stroll" scheduled for November. Web site: http://www.ArtsInNashua.org. 3.3 The New Hampshire Theatre Committee is a new organization, promoting theatrical awareness throughout New Hampshire. Under the leadership of co-founder Matty Gregg, the NHTC recently filmed a promotion piece at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. The first NHTC Awards are scheduled for early 2003 at the Palace, and sponsorship opportunities are still available. For complete information, please visit the Web site: http://www.nhtheatre.com. 5. ABOUT the Play by Play Preview Prancin' Previewer Pam (PPP, the Mom) and Tall Tiger Tim (TTT, the young person) GilPatrick are enjoying sending you theatre and music news with a focus on young people in the southern NH area. If you choose NOT to receive this e-mail, reply with "unsubscribe" in the subject heading. If you are reading a hard copy or an online copy forwarded from a friend, consider adding your name to the direct mailing list. Send e-mail to: PrancinPam@yahoo.com, and include the word "subscribe" in the subject heading. Editorial comments are flagged with PPP or TTT. Information is primarily from readers and printed and on-line sources in the public domain, supplemented by NH-MA-Theatre and Music-Lovers distributions, and additional direct sources confirmed and with permission. The PPP does not re-distribute e-mail addresses. Thanks to support from the Actorsingers and the Web master, you can read archived editions of the "Play by Play Preview" on the Actorsingers Web site, http://www.actorsingers.org => Play by Play Preview. Thank you for your support, and keep those feature story ideas, audition opportunities, and calendar entries coming. * You are invited 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. * AUDITIONS announced here must be open to all, and must be for all ages OR must include some segment of age seven through college age. NOTE: Several professional, community, and independent theatre organizations do not advertise auditions on Web sites or through the news media. To learn about these opportunities, you must contact producers or board members from those organizations. * The deadline for items for the August 3 issue is Wednesday, July 31. Due to the wealth of program opportunities for young people during the summer, the PPP will be issued every two weeks or more often. Portable Pocket Planner 7/11 through 7/28 - "Fiddler on the Roof" Leddy Center, Epping 7/19, 7/20, 7/21 "The Adventures of Lewis and Clark" Majestic Theatre Youth Company, Manchester 7/22 - "Birthday Boy" Early Stages Playreading, American Stage Festival, Nashua 7/23 - "The Ugly Duckling" Palace Theatre for Children, Manchester 7/30 - "Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz" Palace Theatre for Children, Manchester 7/31 - 8/4 "Project Shakespeare" with NH students at The Lyric Stage, Boston 8/1, 8/2, 8/3, 8/9, 8/10, 8/11 - "The Wizard of Oz" Majestic Theatre, Manchester 8/2 - "Organized Chaos" ASF Teen Improv Group, Nashua 8/6 - "The Further Adventures of Maide Marian" Palace Theatre for Children, Manchester 8/13 - "Jack and the Beanstalk" Palace Theatre for Children, Manchester 8/16, 8/17, 8/18 - "Anything's Pastable" Summer Dinner Theatre, Junior Actorsingers, Nashua 8/21, 8/28, 9/4 - "A Summer of Sopranos" The Opera Circle, at the Nashua Public Library 8/23, 8/24, 8/25 - "Oliver Twist" Majestic Theatre Youth Company, Manchester 9/20, 9/21, 9/22 - "NHCTA of AACT New England Regional Festival" Concord City Auditorium, Concord 10/5 - "A Taste of the Arts" Nashua Arts and Humanities Coalition, Keefe Auditorium, Nashua Copyright © 2002, Play by Play Preview, Nashua NH. All rights reserved.