Casting Call: 'Lovers and Other Strangers'

Kelsey Theater will hold auditions for "Lovers and Other Strangers" this weekend.

Written by Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna, "Lovers and Other Strangers" is an evening of five comedic one-acts that explore love and marriage. The first deals with the lead-up to a seduction, the second with a married couple's quarrel, the third with the other woman and her lover, the fourth with a groom getting cold feet the night before his wedding, and the fifth with a father and mother struggling to help their son keep his marriage together.

Auditions will be held at 7:30 p.m. April 7, and at 7 p.m. April 8. Actors should prepare a one- to three-minute comic monologue from any stage work. Be prepared for readings as assigned by the director. Appointments are required. Actors must be 18 or older to audition. From six to eight actors will be cast.

Performances will be at 8 p.m. May 31, June 1, 7, and 8; and at 2 p.m. June 2 and 9.
 

Brenda	Early 20s. Attractive, vulnerable. Very stylish.
Jerry	Late 20s, On the make, tries to be smooth but doesn't quite cut it.
Wilma	Late 30s. Strong, attractive woman looking for her femininity.
Johnny	In his 40s. Ex-Marine fighting a losing battle to maintain his supposed masculine superiority.
Susan	In her 20s. Attractive sensitive young woman. Soft, sweet and passive
Mike	Late 20s. Big, energetic and masculine, yet also open and sensitive.
Hal	In his 40s-50s. Married, with a mistress.
Cathy	In her 30s. Hal's mistress, desperate for him to get a divorce and marry her.
Frank	In his 50s. A strong, stubborn, old-fashioned father without much formal education, but with a street-smart attitude.
Bea	In her 50s. Frank's wife of nearly 30 years
Richie	In his late 20s. Average, introspective
Joan	In her late 20s. Overly romantic and not too bright

All performances will take place at the Kelsey Theatre on Mercer County Community College. To make an appointment, or if you have any questions, contact pierrotatkelsey@gmail.com.

Reading: 'Just So You Are' at Villagers Theatre

Keen to discover the latest plays before they hit the stage?

Villagers Theatre will hold a dramatic reading of "Just So You Are," by Robert Kulow, and "Edmonia," by Barry M. Putt Jr., at 7 p.m. March 18, the second night in a series of four evenings of staged readings by new playwrights. On Monday, March 18, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. the following new works will be read in a casual atmosphere in Villagers Blackbox.

"Just So You Are" tells the story of Darcy Page, a man whose plans to kill himself are interrupted by his estranged daughter, who tries to save him during the final stage of a carefully choreographed suicide. Directed by Brian Remo, "Just So You Are" will feature the talents of Gil Rambach, Laura Casey, Mark J. Bracken and Brian Remo.

“Edmonia” is about the 19th-century sculptor Edmonia Lewis, who was part Native-American and part African-American. Although she was not a slave and she lived in the North, Lewis still struggled to survive in an oppressive society while fostering a talent that made her a world-class sculptor.

Directed by its entire cast, the reading of "Edmonia" features the talents of Arnie Chinich, Carmen Balentine, Christopher W. Hall, Eric Radell, Harriet Trainor, Jennifer Lubach, Kristin Clapcich, Lluana Jones, Vidula Mungekar and Zita Geoffroy-Heinz.

There will be a discussion with the playwrights following the readings. Next in the series is "WMAD," written by Ed Shakespeare and directed by Donna Stiles, on April 15.

Villagers Theatre is located at 475 DeMott Lane in Somerset. For more information, visit the Villagers web site.

Casting Call: 'Godspell'

Kelsey Theater is accepting appointments for auditions for its upcoming production of "Godspell."

"Godspell" is a musical by Stephen Schwartz based upon the gospel of Matthew. The musical is structured around several parables of Jesus, with a brief re-enactment of the Passion story at the end.

Auditions are by appointment only, and will be held from noon to 5 p.m. May 18, and from 1 to 5 p.m. May 19, at Mercer County Community College.

To schedule an audition, send an e-mail to auditions@mandmstage.com. Parts will not be available to anyone with significant conflicts between May 23 and July 21. Actors must be available for all eight performances.

Actors must prepare a song from the show that showcases their vocal abilities. They also must perform a one-minute pantomime of their choice. Bring a resume and a headshot, and dress for a light dance exercise.

Parts needed include Jesus, a tenor; Judas, a baritone; and eight to 12 solo singers with good comedic timing and stage presence who move well. These actors will be featured soloists in songs including "Day By Day," "We Beseech Thee," and "Oh Bless The Lord." Kelsey Theater is looking to cast 12-15 actors between 16 and 24 years old.

Performances will begin at 8 p.m. July 12, 13, 19 and 20; and at 2 p.m. July 14 and 21.

Casting Call: 'The Light in the Piazza'

Villagers Theatre will hold auditions this week for its June production of "The Light In The Piazza."

Directed by Tom Martini and musically directed by Timothy Walton, the passion and beauty of Italy abound in this six-time Tony Award-winning musical.  The story is set in the summer of 1953 and tells the story of a mother and daughter traveling through Italy, the daughter's romance with a handsome,  high-spirited Florentine and the mother's determination to keep the two apart.

Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment is necessary. Callbacks will be held March 14.

For the audition, please prepare 32 bars of a classic musical theater piece, operetta or a song in the style of the show. Actors also may be asked to read from the script. Sides will be provided. Many of the characters speak in Italian, so familiarity with the language is a plus.

There will be no dance audition.

Performances will run from June 7-23, with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays.


CAST OF CHARACTERS

Margaret Johnson	Soprano, low G to high G-sharp	An elegant, self-possessed, practical and attractive woman in her mid-40s to 50s. Warm and appealing, with a self-deprecating sense of humor. She is overprotective of Clara and speaks with a Southern accent.
Clara Johnson	Soprano low A to high A	Margaret's beautiful, charming but challenged daughter, 26. She appears younger than she is. Clara is utterly open and childlike. She has the emotional skills of a 12-year-old as the result of a childhood accident. She is composed, spontaneous, ladylike and playfully wry at times. She speaks with a Southern accent.
Roy Johnson	Nonsinging role.	Margaret's husband and Clara's father, in his mid 40s-50s. He is an executive with a tobacco company in Winston Salem, N.C. He is emotionally unavailable and cool. He speaks with a Southern accent.
Signor Naccarelli	Baritone - Low A to high G	Fabrizio's father, in his mid-40s to 50s. He is an elegant Italian who owns a clothing shop in Florence. He is very smooth and speaks English very well, but with an Italian accent.
Signora Naccarelli	Soprano - to high C	Fabrizio's mother, in her mid-40s to 50s. An elegant, patrician woman. She speaks primarily Italian.
Fabrizio Naccarelli	Tenor - to high B	A handsome Italian man in his early 20s who is smitten with Clara. He is any young American girl's dream of what the perfect Italian man should be. Most of his dialogue is in Italian and broken English.
Giuseppe	Baritone- to high G	Fabrizio's brother, in his mid-20s to mid-30s. He is married to Franca but has a wandering eye and pursues other women. He is not terribly bright but certainly manages the dolce vita. He speaks only Italian.
Franca	Soprano - to high F	Giuseppe's passionate, high-spirited, sexy wife, in her mid-20s to 30s. She loves Guiseppe, but is frustrated with his ladies man behavior. She speaks Italian and some English.

There will be an ensemble of eight of various ages and vocal ranges, with some small roles: a priest and a tour guide; and the people of Florence: tourists, townspeople and wedding guests.

For more information, please contact Joe Buz at joe@villagerstheatre.com

'The Normal Heart' at Circle Players

“The Normal Heart,” written by Larry Kramer, is winding up to its final weekend at Circle Players.

This largely autobiographical play focuses on the rise of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City between 1981 and 1984, as seen through the eyes of “Ned Weeks,” Jewish-American writer, gay activist, and founder of a prominent HIV advocacy group.

Weeks favors loud public demonstrations to the quieter strategies favored by his associates, friends, and lover Felix Turner, who do not want to have the media spotlight thrown upon them. Their differences of opinion lead to frequent arguments that threaten to undermine their mutual goal.

In 2000, the Royal National Theatre named “The Normal Heart” one of the 100 greatest plays of the 20th century. In 2011, it won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play.

Ed Faver of Roselle is director, and Fred Cuozzo of Green Brook is the producer.

The show features the talents of Brian Craig of Dunellen, F.J. DeRobertis of Westwood, Faith Dowgin of Spotswood, John Dowgin of Spotswood, Wayne Harris of Freehold, Rick Holloway of New York, Rudy Palma of South Amboy, Douglas Spaulding of Highland Park, and Michael Stratton of Union City.

"The Normal Heart" runs through March 17, with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. There will be a 3 p.m. matinee on March 17.

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The theater is located at 416 Victoria Ave., Piscataway.



For reservations, call (732) 968-7555, or buy tickets online at www.circleplayers.com. ($1 per ticket discount online.) Tickets are $18 for adults and $17 for students and seniors. Sorry, no credit cards can be accepted at the theater box office, but may be used online.

'Puss in Boots' opens at Edison Valley Playhouse

It's a story you don't have to be a marquis or a cat fancier to enjoy.

Adapted for the stage by Brad Howell, "Puss in Boots" is coming to Edison Valley Playhouse for two weekends in March.

"Puss in Boots" tells the story of an boy with the surprisingly good fortune of having a clever cat whose only goal is to improve his young master's lot in life. Along the way, the clever cat makes him a marquis, wins him a fortune, and outsmarts an ogre.

The show will have seven performances, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, at 11 a.m. Sunday, and at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 16 and March 17. Tickets cost $16 for each adult-child pair, and $8 for each additional child.

Edison Valley Playhouse is located at 2196 Oak Tree Road, Edison. Call (908) 755-4654 for reservations.

'Twist of Faith' at Playhouse 22

It's going to be a bad week at the Hendricks' house.

Playhouse 22 will perform "Twist of Faith," an original comedy by Richard Fink, from March 15-24.  The play contains mature content and is not suitable for young children.

The cast features Ken Paris as Jack, Angela Dohl as Camille, John Devennie as God, Damian Muziani as the Devil, Chris North as Brick, Jessica Junqua as Ellen Rupert Ravens as Clifton, and Howard Fischer as Father Bob.

Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 3 p.m. Sundays. All tickets cost $12. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

For more information, call (732) 254-3939 or visit www.Playhouse22.org.

'Snow White' at Villagers Theatre

Jealousy. Murder. True love. Children’s theater.

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is coming to Villagers Theatre this March with a host of local children’s talent. Adapted for the stage by Michele L. Vacca, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” retells the classic fairy tale in a way that will be audiences will find both familiar and engaging.

The show features Samantha Resnick as Snow White, Megan Halvorsem as the evil queen, Éowyn Learn as the Mirror; Frank Marrone as the prince and Sean O'Callaghan as the huntsman; and Lyra Koncsol, Natalie Sheik, Dagny McCann, Ruth Learn, Austin Calvano, Sydney Rutigliano and Brandon Luckenbaugh as the seven dwarfs.

Directed by Alicia Harabin, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” will run weekends from March 9 through March 17, with performances at noon and 3 p.m. Saturdays and noon Sundays. All tickets cost $10.

Villagers Theatre was founded in 1960. For more than 50 over years, Villagers Theater has been providing quality entertainment and community service to Franklin Township and the surrounding area.

For more information, call the theater at (732) 873-2710.