============================================================= P E A H E N P L U S P R E S S Bringing you theatre news of interest to young people ============================================================= Volume I. Issue Number 9, December 15, 1999 In this issue: 1. FEATURE STORY - A Tale of Two Christmas Carols 2. WHAT'S HAPPENING? (In alphabetical order, rotating one with each issue) 2.1 Merrimack Community Theatre 2.2 Music and Drama Company, Londonderry 2.3 Palace Youth Theatre, Manchester 2.4 Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Portsmouth 2.5 Acting Loft, Manchester 2.6 Actorsingers, Nashua 2.7 American Stage Festival, Nashua 2.8 Elm Street Junior High School, Nashua 2.9 Kids' Coop Theatre, Derry 2.10 Leddy Center for the Performing Arts, Epping 2.11 Majestic Theatre Trust, Manchester 2.12 Maskers, Manchester Central High School 2.13 MSM Players, Nashua 3. HOW ELSE CAN WE FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING? 4. OFFSTAGE 5. ABOUT THE PEAHEN PLUS PRESS ======================================================================== 1. FEATURE STORY A Tale of Two Christmas Carols (with apologies to Dickens) ======================================================================== This time of year there are many wonderful productions of A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, and other holiday favorites from which to choose. With apologies to Charles Dickens, this article outlines A Tale of Two Christmas Carols. Many of the young cast members in each production have worked with cast members in the other show. It is great to see them supporting each other. (Ed.) Elm Street Junior High Drama Club, Nashua, 12/16 and 12/17 at 7PM - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This experimental theatre version presents the classic tale in a different and creative manner, while preserving the beauty of Dickens' original story and classic language. This production is directed by Mr. Walt Freeman, assisted by Ms. Marsha Yalden. Many additional faculty members, school administrators, and parents of cast members contributed to the success of this show. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students under 18. Congratulation to Elm Street Junior High for continued strong support of the performing arts. (Ed.) The young cast includes: Ashley Woodbury, Andrea Wilson, Sabrina Wilhelm, Marie Stern, Albert St. Aubin, Keara Sexton, Alex Schlesinger, Julie Pyle, Nora Nutter-Upham, Jenny Migneault, Jessica Miele, Tim Marotte, Mike Marotte, Ashley Lord, Valerie Levine, Chrissy Lettre, Julie Langevin, Tony Laflamme, Maggie Kojak, Kitty Johnson, Laura Johnson, Zina Irwin, Katie Ierardi, Jim Ierardi, Matt Greenglass, Michelle Grazewski, Jessica Godfrey, Tim Gilpatrick, Stephanie Gill, Patrice Forrester, Casey Elsass, Stephanie Dubeau, Allison Duhamel, Matt Dickie, Sarah Denner, Shannon DeLong, Bill Crockett, Aaron Chileli, Mike Burnham, Leslie Burnham, and Kat Budni. A Christmas Carol at the American Stage Festival, Nashua, through 12/23 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This professional production employs the familiar script, adding special musical and dance numbers. The fantastic Victorian Village will surprise and delight you. Only the youngest of theatregoers will fear the realistic ghosts and other special effects. The rest will be spellbound! Adapted by Troy Siebels and Michael Dell'Orto. Directed by Troy Siebels. Musical direction by Michele Henderson. The roles for young people are portrayed by different performers on rotating evenings. Best wishes to these area youths who are participating in this equity production: Lauryl Trenholme-Pihl, Aniel Sud, Zachary Severance, Katie Preston, Krystal Muccioli, Oliver Judd, Garett Hawe, Meghan Donnelly, Jocelyn Cordell, Kaylee Dinardo, Trevor Buteau, and Tess Amodeo-Vickery. ================================================================ 2. WHAT'S HAPPENING? ================================================================ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.1 Merrimack Community Theatre +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ web site: http://members.tripod.com/MerrimackCT Merrimack Community Theatre announces Under Milk Wood, by Dylan Thomas, coming in April. The director is Vick Bennison. Performance dates are 4/6 through 4/9/2000, at the American Stage Festival, Court Street, in Nashua. Under Milk Wood is a masterpiece of the English Language. It has it all -- comedy, poignancy, poetry, (subtle) bawdiness, and a little music. It is a day in the life of a small Welsh town full of crazy people. For more information check out the web site. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.2 Music and Drama Company, Londonderry ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ web site: http://www.madco.org MAD Co. announces OPEN AUDITIONS for a spring production of Cole Porter's romantic comedy Anything Goes. Seeking artists with singing, dancing, and acting ability, ages 16 and up. Auditions are Monday 1/10/2000 and Tuesday 1/11/2000, 7 PM, at the Londonderry Middle School. Callbacks are Wednesday 1/12. Auditioners should bring a prepared song with sheet music for piano, comfortable shoes for dancing, a recent photo, and enthusiasm! For more information check out the web site, or call the MAD Co. hot line at 603 434-2180. You can subscribe to the MADCAPS ONLINE newsletter by sending email to MusicAndDrama@aol.com. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.3 Palace Theatre, Manchester +++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Palace Theatre Trust is achieving its vision of developing the Palace Youth Theatre, under Artistic Director Peter Ramsey. Annie was the hugely successful opening production in November, delighting sell-out crowds. Watch this space for audition and production information about upcoming shows. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.4 Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Portsmouth ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Peter Pan is playing at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth from December 15 through January 16. Is it the magic of fairy dust that graces the two Wendys with such a strong resemblance? No, the younger Wendy is played by Lindsey Graham, and the older Wendy is played by Lindsey's big sister Jennifer Graham. (A casting director's dream! Ed.) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.5 The Acting Loft, Manchester ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Pippin Feb 11-13 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The cast and crew for the February production of Pippin are already hard at work. The Acting Loft recently sent an emissary to New York City for a meeting with the playwright. COMING to The Acting Loft in the year 2000: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Pippin Feb 11-13 Blood Brothers May 19-21 Chess August 18-20 +++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.6 Actorsingers, Nashua +++++++++++++++++++++++++ web site: www.actorsingers.org AUDITIONS for the Actorsingers spring production of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, Pirates of Penzance are tentatively scheduled for Sunday and Monday February 6 and 7, with an information night on Friday, February 4. Information night is open to the public, and is a time to learn about the show, find out what the directors are looking for, and to learn some of the music. AUDITIONS for the Junior Actorsingers production of Hey, Ho Pinocchio are Sunday, 12/19, 12:00 at Actorsingers Hall. These are open to students in grades 3 and up who are children of Actorsingers members. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.7 American Stage Festival, Nashua ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ web site: www.americanstagefestival.org A Christmas Carol - - - - - - - - - - - - - See the feature story in section 1 of this issue. Running through 12/23. Peacock Players Banquet - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Plans are in the works for the creation of an annual Peacock Players Awards Banquet. This event would be an opportunity to recognize outstanding work and re-unite those who worked together to put together some fabulous productions. Shows that will be honored in the first celebration are: Bye, Bye Birdie, Little Women, The Sound of Music, ImprovSeuss, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Guys and Dolls. Target timeframe for this event is January or February. The Velveteen Rabbit - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Performances are scheduled for March. A Midsummer Night's Dream - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Performance Dates: Feb. 4-6 and 11-13, 2000. Directed by Deb Schoenberg, with musical direction by Michael Roy. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.8 Elm Street Junior High School, Nashua ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A Christmas Carol - 12/16, 12/17 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - See the feature story in section 1 of this newsletter. Only two performances. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.9 Kids' Coop, Derry, NH ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ web site: http://www.derrynh.com/kct AUDITIONS for a Broadway Revue are scheduled for January 8. Call 434-8524 to schedule a time. There are opportunities for solos and chorus roles, for artists ages 8 to 18. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.10 Leddy Center for the Performing Arts, Epping ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ web site: http://www.nh.ultranet.com/~leddyctr Annie - - - - - AUDITIONS for a July 2000 production of Annie are scheduled for Saturday February 19, 2000, from 9 AM to 2 PM. Seeking: ten girls ages 7 to 11 to play the orphans, including Annie, adults for the adult roles, and mature teens and adults to play the many supporting roles. Audition music is available starting Monday, 1/10/2000 at the Leddy Office, Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Auditioners will be expected to sing a song of the directors' choosing, and may be asked to do a reading from the script or perform directed dance steps. HMS Pinafore - - - - - - - - - - - The classic Gilbert and Sullivan operetta is coming to Leddy Center March 11-March 27, 2000. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.11 Majestic Theatre Trust, Manchester, NH +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ web site: http://www.majestictrust.org Majestic Productions regrets they were forced to change the production dates for South Pacific. The NEW DATES are January 6, 7, 8, 14, and 15 at 8 PM. Tickets are $9. Majestic Productions is offering refunds and exchanges for those who already purchased or reserved tickets for the December dates. Please call the box office at 603 669-7469 for info and reservations. Ed. Note - The December dates listed in the December 10 Encore section of the Nashua Telegraph are INCORRECT. 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. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.12 Maskers, Manchester Central High School ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Maskers of Manchester Central High School is presenting 12 Angry Men early in January at the Palace Theatre, Hanover Street in Manchester. The director is Mrs. Jean Heinold. Watch this space or Manchester newspapers for production information. The cast includes: Steph LeBlanc, Meggie McFadden, Pete Chambers, Matt Adams, Jess Cawley, Mike McCarthy, Mike LaPointe, Ben Auger, Becky Comtois, Mike DeNapoli, Megan Teravainan, Andrew McPherson, Laura Healy, Steph Nelson, and Jenn Nelson. For information about Maskers you can send email to Peter Chambers at baltic_avenue@hotmail.com. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.13 MSM Players, Nashua ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The MSM Players (located at, but not connected with Mount St. Mary's Junior High Concord St in Nashua, NH) is presenting The Music Man 5/19 and 20, 2000. AUDITIONS are scheduled for Jan. 27 from 6 - 8 PM and on Jan 28 from 6 - 9:30 PM at Nashua Catholic Jr. High School. Seeking artists ages 9 and up. Be prepared with a short song and sheet music. For more information contact John Phipps at 603-886-8805 or 781-981-3984 or e-mail phipps@ll.mit.edu. ================================================ 3. HOW ELSE CAN WE FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING? ================================================ 3.1 Check out The NH Green Room at www.nhgreenroom.com, for auditions, performances, and many topics of interest to theatre lovers of all ages. 3.2 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. 3.3 You can sign up with theNH/MA Theatre Lovers list and/or the NH/MA Music Lovers. To do so, 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. Having been on the lists for over a year, we have never received any junk mail. 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. 3.4 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 3.5 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. 3.5.1 Check the Calendar section in Thursday issues of The Boston Globe. 3.5.2 Check the New Hampshire Weekly section of The Boston Sunday Globe. ============== 4. OFFSTAGE ============== NatureWatch coming in the year 2000 to PBS, NH Public Television - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Patrice Forrester, a 9th grader at Elm Street Junior High School in Nashua, was recently selected to be the hostess for a new PBS television program NatureWatch. Way to go Patrice! You may have seen Patrice playing keyboard with the highly acclaimed jazz band from Elm Street Junior High. Miss Teen New Hampshire - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Congratulations to Katie Harwood, who recently earned the title of Miss Teen New Hampshire! Katie will be singing and playing the piano in the next round of competition. (Do you suppose all her stage experience helped out on the runway? Ed.) 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 =================================== Issue #9 is the first issue where the producers sent the news as an attachment in an MS-Word '97 file (prints nicely), as well as an ASCII form (readable by all) in the body of the mail text. Apologies if this fills your mail queue. If you would like to receive (only) one format or the other, please reply with your preference. The default action is to continue to send you both. 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. If you LIKE getting this email -- do nothing! (except maybe reply and tell us what YOU and YOURS are up to, and when and where.) The response to this newsletter has been overwhelming and entirely positive. Thank you all for supplying information to be formatted here. Keep it coming! You can now 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 choose NOT to receive this email, simply reply saying unsubscribe in the subject heading. If you are reading a friend's forwarded copy 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. Look for issue #10 coming at the end of the year 1999.