Tonight I attended the opening night performance of DIRT's production of Who's on First, a wonderful entertaining comedy by Jack Sharkey. The play itself was very good with a quick pace and witty dialog. Add a wonderful performance space, a simple set that was very effective, costumes that transitioned well into various roles with a minimum of fuss and talented actors with a lot of energy and you have a show that is delightful.
The show is directed by Mary Ellen Petti, Set and Lighting by Kevin Larsen and Niall Tinney, and sound by "Big Jay" Fink. Performers were Alison Bernhardt, Matt Meinsen, Brian Petti & Mary Ellen Petti.
The Show is running weekends at the Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre in East Durham through June 22. If you have the opportunity, take in this gem of a show in a picturesque little town. For more info visit the webpage for the Durham Irish Repertory Theater.
About the Show:
Take a husband, wife, lover and friend, add a strange lamp, a gun and a rubber chicken plus a party that begins at 8 p.m., then again at 8 p.m. and then again at 8 p.m. and you have this nightmare comedy." Four people find themselves reliving one horrible hour over and over as themselves, as Japanese, as British aristocrats, as gangsters, and almost anything else you can think of. Camille is giving the party. Don shows up in a jealous funk about his wife, Alice, whom he suspects of seeing another man. When Alice and Ben have arrived, it turns out their relationship is innocent. But by the time Don realizes this he has already shot Ben, Alice and even Camille. Camille wishes that things might have turned out differently and that is what happens. All concerned find themselves back at the party's beginning again and again doomed to live that same hour over and over again until they get it right. Is it all an accident? Or is their dilemma part of someone's fiendish plan? A labyrinth of hilarity exits to a shocker of an ending.
Friday, June 06, 2008
On Stage in the Hudson Valley - June 6, 2008
I'm very excited we have two shows opening tonight! Gilbert & Sullivan Musical Theater Company's The Pirates of Penzance and DIRT's Who's on First. I'll be off to see who's on first myself, I'll let you know how that goes.
If you know of an upcoming show, please let me know at midhudsontheater@gmail.com.
If you know of an upcoming show, please let me know at midhudsontheater@gmail.com.
The Pirates of Penzance
June 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 at 8:00 PM
June 8, 15, 22 at 3:00 PM
Gilbert & Sullivan Musical Theater Company
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Route 308
Rhinebeck, NY
Call (845) 876-3080 or online tickets
About the Show:
In The Pirates of Penzance, Frederic was as a child apprenticed to a band of tenderhearted, orphaned pirates by his nurse who, being hard of hearing, had mistaken her master's instructions to apprentice the boy to a pilot. Frederic, upon completing his 21st year, rejoices that he has fulfilled his indentures and is now free to return to respectable society. But it turns out that he was born on February 29 in leap year, and he remains apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday. By the end of the opera, the pirates, a Major General who knows nothing of military strategy, his large family of beautiful but unwed daugters, and the timid constabulary all contribute to a cacophony that can be silenced only by Queen Victoria's name.
Who's on First by Jack Sharkey
June 6, 7, 13, 14, 21 at 7:00 PM
June 22 at 2:00 PM
Durham Irish Repertory Theater (D.I.R.T.)
The Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre
2119 Route 145
East Durham, NY
Call: (518) 634-2286
About the Show:
Take a husband, wife, lover and friend, add a strange lamp, a gun and a rubber chicken plus a party that begins at 8 p.m., then again at 8 p.m. and then again at 8 p.m. and you have this nightmare comedy." Four people find themselves reliving one horrible hour over and over as themselves, as Japanese, as British aristocrats, as gangsters, and almost anything else you can think of. Camille is giving the party. Don shows up in a jealous funk about his wife, Alice, whom he suspects of seeing another man. When Alice and Ben have arrived, it turns out their relationship is innocent. But by the time Don realizes this he has already shot Ben, Alice and even Camille. Camille wishes that things might have turned out differently and that is what happens. All concerned find themselves back at the party's beginning again and again doomed to live that same hour over and over again until they get it right. Is it all an accident? Or is their dilemma part of someone's fiendish plan? A labyrinth of hilarity exits to a shocker of an ending.
Hudson Valley Theater Auditions - June 2008
Great news! There are some very exciting shows auditioning this month. Grab a Friend, your sheet music and dance shoes and get out there... I may be seeing you starring on a local stage this summer. Am I missing a audition? email me at midhudsontheater@gmail.com.
Camelot
June 8 & 9 @ 7:00 PM
Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Route 308
Rhinebeck, NY
Synopsis:
Camelot is a musical by Alan Jay Lerner (book and lyrics) and Frederic Loewe (music). It is based on the King Arthur legend as adapted from the T. H. White novel The Once and Future King.
The original 1960 production, directed by Moss Hart, ran on Broadway for 873 performances, winning four Tony Awards and spawning several revivals, foreign productions and a 1967 film version. The original cast album was America's top-selling LP for 60 weeks.
Details:
Needed:
Mature actors for the roles of Arthur, Pellinore, Morgan Le Fay, and Merlin.
Actors aged 17 and up are needed for the roles of Guenevere, Lancelot,
Nimue, Mordred, and various court ladies and knights.
A boy, aged 9 to 13, is needed for the role of Tom of Warwick.
Performances are September 5 – 21, 2008.
Rehearsals will take place during July and August.
Interested actors should come prepared with a song from the show or from another show by Lerner and Loewe.
Sheet music for the song must be provided.
There will be some choreography in this production so all auditioners should be prepared to dance and wear appropriate clothing.
Readings will be from the script.
For more information, contact Lou Trapani at (845) 876-3088, ext. 14.
Noises Off
June 15 & 16 @ 7:00 PM
County Players Falls Theatre
2681 W. Main St
Wappingers Falls, NY
Synopsis:
Noises Off is a 1982 play by Michael Frayn. The idea for it was born in 1970, when Frayn was standing in the wings watching a performance of Chinamen, a farce that he had written for Lynn Redgrave. According to the playwright, "It was funnier from behind than in front and I thought that one day I must write a farce from behind."
Details:
Noises Off is "the funniest farce ever written" according to the New York Post. The play follows a troupe of actors in production of a rather silly bedroom farce called "Nothing On". Needed are five men and four women as follows:
Dotty Otley (Mrs. Clackett): an experienced actress facing middle age and the twilight of her career. She plays the role of the housekeeper in "Nothing On".
Brooke Ashton (Vicki): a twenty-something actress, very attractive, who spends a good deal of the show running around in her underwear.
Belinda Blair (Flavia Brent): Belinda is in her 30's and is the only one who seems in control. She's nearly always calm and knows what's going on.
Poppy Taylor: Assistant Stage Manager for "Nothing On". In her late 20's or early 30's. Overworked, underpaid, very nervous but not without her charm. Would do anything for Lloyd (and has).
Lloyd Dallas: Director of "Nothing On". At wits end trying to manage the zany personalities of his cast. Late 30's to late 40's
Garry Lejeune (Roger Tramplemain): Young, handsome actor who can't complete a thought and has a jealous streak a mile wide. Late 20's to late 30's.
Frederick Fellows (Phillip Brent): Reasonably poor actor but likeable. Slightly oblivious and over-sensitive. Late 30's to early 50's.
Selsdon Mobray (Burglar): Aging drunk. Used to be a half decent actor but the years have not been kind. Can't hear all that well and consistently misses cues. Could be any age but played as decrepit.
Tim Allgood: Stage Manager for "Nothing On". Has to be everywhere and do everything. Hasn't slept in days. Could be 20's to 50's
Rock & Roll Broadway - A Musical Review!
June 21 @ 4:00 PM
June 22 @ 7:00 PM
Details:
Performances August 21-24 at The CENTER
A short n' sweet revue, comprised of songs derived from the finest rock
musicals of the 20th Century! Selections from "Rent", "The Rocky Horror
Show", "Grease", "Jesus Christ Superstar", and MORE! A CENTERStage production directed by Lisa Lynds and Dan Landa, with musical direction by Elaine Miller and music performed by Pitchfork Militia!
Please prepare a song, preferably from a rock-based musical, and bring your sheet music
For more information, contact producer Lou Trapani (845) 876-3088, x14
Camelot
June 8 & 9 @ 7:00 PM
Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Route 308
Rhinebeck, NY
Synopsis:
Camelot is a musical by Alan Jay Lerner (book and lyrics) and Frederic Loewe (music). It is based on the King Arthur legend as adapted from the T. H. White novel The Once and Future King.
The original 1960 production, directed by Moss Hart, ran on Broadway for 873 performances, winning four Tony Awards and spawning several revivals, foreign productions and a 1967 film version. The original cast album was America's top-selling LP for 60 weeks.
Details:
Needed:
Mature actors for the roles of Arthur, Pellinore, Morgan Le Fay, and Merlin.
Actors aged 17 and up are needed for the roles of Guenevere, Lancelot,
Nimue, Mordred, and various court ladies and knights.
A boy, aged 9 to 13, is needed for the role of Tom of Warwick.
Performances are September 5 – 21, 2008.
Rehearsals will take place during July and August.
Interested actors should come prepared with a song from the show or from another show by Lerner and Loewe.
Sheet music for the song must be provided.
There will be some choreography in this production so all auditioners should be prepared to dance and wear appropriate clothing.
Readings will be from the script.
For more information, contact Lou Trapani at (845) 876-3088, ext. 14.
Noises Off
June 15 & 16 @ 7:00 PM
County Players Falls Theatre
2681 W. Main St
Wappingers Falls, NY
Synopsis:
Noises Off is a 1982 play by Michael Frayn. The idea for it was born in 1970, when Frayn was standing in the wings watching a performance of Chinamen, a farce that he had written for Lynn Redgrave. According to the playwright, "It was funnier from behind than in front and I thought that one day I must write a farce from behind."
Details:
Noises Off is "the funniest farce ever written" according to the New York Post. The play follows a troupe of actors in production of a rather silly bedroom farce called "Nothing On". Needed are five men and four women as follows:
Dotty Otley (Mrs. Clackett): an experienced actress facing middle age and the twilight of her career. She plays the role of the housekeeper in "Nothing On".
Brooke Ashton (Vicki): a twenty-something actress, very attractive, who spends a good deal of the show running around in her underwear.
Belinda Blair (Flavia Brent): Belinda is in her 30's and is the only one who seems in control. She's nearly always calm and knows what's going on.
Poppy Taylor: Assistant Stage Manager for "Nothing On". In her late 20's or early 30's. Overworked, underpaid, very nervous but not without her charm. Would do anything for Lloyd (and has).
Lloyd Dallas: Director of "Nothing On". At wits end trying to manage the zany personalities of his cast. Late 30's to late 40's
Garry Lejeune (Roger Tramplemain): Young, handsome actor who can't complete a thought and has a jealous streak a mile wide. Late 20's to late 30's.
Frederick Fellows (Phillip Brent): Reasonably poor actor but likeable. Slightly oblivious and over-sensitive. Late 30's to early 50's.
Selsdon Mobray (Burglar): Aging drunk. Used to be a half decent actor but the years have not been kind. Can't hear all that well and consistently misses cues. Could be any age but played as decrepit.
Tim Allgood: Stage Manager for "Nothing On". Has to be everywhere and do everything. Hasn't slept in days. Could be 20's to 50's
Rock & Roll Broadway - A Musical Review!
June 21 @ 4:00 PM
June 22 @ 7:00 PM
Details:
Performances August 21-24 at The CENTER
A short n' sweet revue, comprised of songs derived from the finest rock
musicals of the 20th Century! Selections from "Rent", "The Rocky Horror
Show", "Grease", "Jesus Christ Superstar", and MORE! A CENTERStage production directed by Lisa Lynds and Dan Landa, with musical direction by Elaine Miller and music performed by Pitchfork Militia!
Please prepare a song, preferably from a rock-based musical, and bring your sheet music
For more information, contact producer Lou Trapani (845) 876-3088, x14
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