Casting Call: 'Mame'

Playhouse 22 will hold auditions for the musical "Mame" next week.

The madcap life of eccentric Mame Dennis and her bohemian, intellectual arty clique is disrupted when her deceased brother's 10-year-old son Patrick is entrusted to her care. Rather than bow to convention, Mame introduces the boy to her free-wheeling lifestyle, instilling in him her favorite credo: "Life is a banquet, and most poor sons-of-bitches are starving to death."

Auditionees should prepare up to 32 bars with sheet music from musical theater in the style of the show  that reflect their vocal range and shows their personality. Disney, country, pop and rock songs and songs from the show should be avoided. An accompanist will be provided. A capella is prohibited. Auditionees should also wear clothing comfortable for dancing in, and bring a list of conflicts throughout the rehearsal period, which lasts from early Sept. through Nov. 7.

Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 and 5. Callbacks will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 6.

Mame (mezzo [solid F3-F5], 30s-early 50s)	An eccentric, madcap, bohemian free spirit. A strong dancer is preferable.
Young Patrick Dennis (boy alto/high tenor [F3-D5], age 10)	Mame's young nephew. Acting and singing lead role.
Agnes Gooch (soprano [G3 - Bb5], 30s-early 40s)	Patrick's dowdy nanny. A comedic role.
Vera Charles (alto [solid Eb3-Bb4], 30s-50s)	Mame's best friend and an over-the-top flamboyant actress. A comedic role.
Ito (tenor/high baritone [G3-G4], 18+, male)	Mame's Asian butler. A comedic role.
Lindsay Woolsey (none)	A publisher. One of many of Mame's male friends, and her closest male confidant.
Dwight Babcock (none)	A pompous and self-righteous guardian/lawyer; the villain of the piece.
Beauregard Burnside (baritone, 30-45)	A wealthy southern gentleman who eventually marries Mame.
Mother Burnside (alto/contralto [E3-G4], 55-70)	Beauregard's overprotective mother.
Sally Cato (soprano [C4-Bb5], 23-30)	A southern belle competing with Mame for Beauregard's affection.
Patrick Dennis (baritone [C3-E4], 19-25)	Patrick as an adult.
Gloria Upson (19-25)	The New England snobby girl engaged to Patrick.
Mrs. Upson (35-45)	Gloria's uptight New England snobby mother.
Mr. Upson (35-45)	Gloria's uptight New England snobby father.
Pegeen Ryan (19-25)	The girl whom Patrick ultimately marries.

Performances will take place at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays Nov. 7-23. The show will be directed by Gerry Appel.

For more, information, call (732) 970-6308 or contact mame@playhouse22.org. Playhouse 22 is located on 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Casting Call: 'Aladdin (Prince Street Players Version)'

Cranford Dramatic Club will hold auditions for "Aladdin (Prince Street Players Version)" in two weeks.

Using the art of Ancient Chinese staging, an all-knowing and all-seeing stage manager and his two assistants tell the story of Aladdin, an "idle rag-a-muffin" and kite-flying enthusiast. After happening upon and falling hopelessly in love with the emperor's daughter, Princess Mei Ling, Aladdin is determined to become the richest man in China and marry her. Fate, however, is a fickle mistress, and Aladdin's is about to take a few treacherous and hilarious turns before he can have his Happily Ever After.

Auditions for the child/teen ensemble will take place at 12 p.m. Sept. 13 and should sign in within the first fifteen minutes. These auditionees will be taught a short piece of music and a dance combination. Open auditions will take place at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 13 and at 7 p.m. Sept. 15. These auditionees are asked to arrive by 2:30 Sept. 13 and by 8 p.m. Sept. 15. Auditionees should prepare 16-32 bars of an up-tempo song from musical theater, with sheet music in the appropriate key. An accompanist will be provided. If needed, callbacks will occur Sept. 20.

Stage manager (baritone/tenor, 25+)	Is the narrator. Also plays Aladdin's father, a neighbor, the prime minister, and an executioner, and moves set pieces and props with his two assistants.
The two assistants (15+)	Non-speaking roles. They are assistants to the Narrator. Also play attendants to the Princess and Emperor, as well as court members, cave people, cloud people, and street urchins with the ensemble. Additionally, they will move set pieces and props.
Aladdin (lyric baritone, 15-30)	A carefree street urchin who becomes more serious after meeting the princess. Mime skills a plus.
Emperor of China (baritone, 30+)	Princess Mei Ling’s father. Wishes his daughter to marry a wealthy man.
Fatima, the dancing doll (15-20)	A mechanical doll, brought to life by the Genie. Pointe experience a plus.
Lamp/Ring Genie (tenor/lyric baritone, 25+)	Lamp Genie: Arabian. Must be played with great zest. Actor must be able to relate well with the audience. The ring genie is his twin brother. Actor playing these parts should preferably be at least six feet tall.
Magician (baritone, 25+)	The villain of the piece; a magician and whirling dervish. He assumes a friendly character to Aladdin and his mother, then later becomes a formidable enemy. Mime skills a plus.
Mrs. So-and-so (mezzo soprano, 30+)	A poor widow; stern with Aladdin.
Princess Mei Ling (lyric soprano, 15-25)	Daughter of the Emperor of China. Is delicate and demure.
Ensemble (10–18)	A chorus of 8-10 singers/dancers. Parts include street urchins, cave and cloud people, and court members.

Performances will occur at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6 and at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 7. The show will be directed by Gira Derise-Weaver.

Cranford Dramatic Club is located at 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford.

Open Youth Auditions for 'A Christmas Carol' at McCarter Theatre

McCarter Theatre will be holding open youth auditions for their annual production of "A Christmas Carol".

This year, sign-ups for audition slots will be on September 17 from 3 - 6 p.m. at McCarter Theatre. If you are unable to attend in person sign-ups, you will be able to sign up for any remaining audition slots online starting on September 18. If you have trouble with this, you can call the theatre at (609) 258-6505. If you attend the in person signups, you will be given some details regarding the audition and rehearsal process, and give the theatre some information from you about your child. After that, information will be exchanged in order to schedule for the audition, and you will receive the specific audition time and materials. There will be plenty of time for you to ask the theatre any questions you might have. It is strongly encouraged to come to the sign-ups. There will be a fun, educational activity for children to participate in during sign-ups.

The theatre is looking for 14 children, ages 5-13. All children perform at every performance. There is no double casting. Roles are:

Belinda Cratchit	6-10
Martha Cratchit	10-13
Christmas Pasts 1, 2, and 3	8-13
Ensemble Girls	6-12
Female Fezziwig Dancer	12-13
Tiny Tim	5-8
Boy Scrooge	9-12
Peter Cratchit	11-13
Ensemble Boys	6-13

Each audition will last 2-3 minutes. Your child must come prepared to perform the scene he or she has been given at signups and to sing a one-minute a cappella song (or verse of a song) of his or her choice. We recommend songs from mucials rather than pop songs. All children will sing and perform their prepared scene. The director may then work with the child for several minutes. If you have a younger child who is not comfortable reading, he or she may prepare another piece of text instead. This can be anything your child is comfortable with--a nursery rhyme, short story, poem, something memorized for school, or even an anecdote from his or her own life.

Please bring a copy of the scene and song lyrics to the audition, even if both pieces are memorized—these copies are for the child’s own reference just in case he or she needs it, since nerves can sometimes cause us to forget. Please bring a photograph of your child to the audition with his or her name on the front. While an 8x10 headshot is preferred, a smaller size will suffice. An enlarged photo printed on computer paper or a Xerox of a photo is fine. Photos will not be returned. You are welcome to submit a “resume” for your child outlining past experiences and lessons that might be of interest to us. Children should dress as they normally would on schooldays or weekends. New outfits, dancing clothes, special hairdos, etc. are strongly discouraged.

Due to Union regulations, the theatre cannot consider any child who is fourteen years of age or older. This includes any child who will turn fourteen before the end of the run. Children fourteen and over may be considered for an adult Supplemental Extra role. Please call the casting office at (609) 258-6505 for further information regarding Supplemental Extra auditions. Children should never, under any circumstances, be at the auditions unless they want to be there. We will not see children who are too terrified to speak. Parents are not allowed to attend or observe their child’s audition or callback. Parents and children should both be aware that there are very few roles available. We see over 150 children each year, and our casting policy is based on many factors in addition to talent (e.g. physical appearance in relation to other cast members, chemistry with other young actors, personality, etc.). Should you be requested for a callback audition, it will take place on October 13 from 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

If you are cast, parents may not stay at the theater during rehearsals and performances (unless they are an usher). The facility does not have the space to accommodate cast members, staff, children, and parents. Therefore, it is requested that parents pick up and drop off their children for rehearsals and performances. There will be a Young Ensemble Supervisor on staff at all times to supervise the children once they are at the theater. All parents and children cast will be required to attend a parent orientation and Young Ensemble rehearsal on Thursday, November 13 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We ask that you do not cut your child’s hair until you discuss it with our costume shop. Each child cast will have a costume fitting prior to November 12 at a mutually convenient time.

'Arsenic and Old Lace' at Main Street Theatre

The Sayreville Main Street Theatre Company will be performing Joseph Kesselring's "Arsenic and Old Lace".

Performances are September 12 to 27 at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $12 for children under 12, $16 for seniors and students, and $20 for adults.

Mortimer Brewster is a theatre critic raised by his two elderly aunts, sweet old ladies who care for his mad cousin who believes he is President Teddy Roosevelt. What Mortimer doesn't know is his darling aunts have an unusual hobby - poisoning old gentlemen out of “kindness!”

The show is directed by Carly Z. Heller and produced by Vince Tinebra, by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service Inc.

'Kimberly Akimbo' at Circle Players

Circle Players will soon be performing David Lindsay Abaire's "Kimberly Akimbo".

The show will run from September 19 to October 5 at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. on October 5. Tickets are $16 for seniors and students and $17 for adults.

Set in the wilds of New Jersey, "Kimberly Akimbo" is a hilarious and heartrending play about a teenager with a rare condition which causes her body to age four times faster than it should. When she and her family flee Secaucus under dubious circumstances, Kimberly is forced to reevaluate her life while contending with a hypochondriac mother, a rarely sober father, a scam-artist aunt, her own mortality and, most terrifying of all, the possibility of first love.

The cast features Joanne Sternberg as Kimberly, Duane Noch as Buddy, Robyn Mandalakis as Pattie, Mark-Kate Bozinta as Debra, and Chris DeBono as Jeff.

The show is directed by Jon Heron.

Casting Call: 'Almost, Maine'

Circle Players will be having auditions for John Cariani's "Almost, Maine".

Auditions will be held Sept. 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. Sides will be provided at auditions, but actors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the script beforehand.

Needed are 3 to 4 women and 3 to 4 men, ages 20 to 40, to play various roles.

On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s dream. The show is made up of short vignettes all of which take place in the mythical small town of Almost, Maine. The short scenes are funny, sad, heartwarming and quirky.

Performances are Nov. 14 - 30 at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

For additional information, email circleplayersnj@gmail.com.

Masterclass: William Shakespeare's 'Richard III'

Circle Players will be holding a Masterclass focusing on Shakespeare's play "Richard III".

The class will feature four different parts, all taught by award winning director Jessica Damrow. During this four-week seminar, we will work through Shakespeare’s Richard III as an impromptu theatre company, exploring the imagery, meter and language of some of his most prolific characters.

The classes will be on September 6, 13, and 20 from 10 to 1 p.m. and September 28 from 5 - 8 p.m. The cost is $25 per class, or $90 to go to all four.

Not Your Mother's Black Box: Dog Days of Summer at Villagers Theatre

Villagers Theatre will be hosting Not Your Mother's Black Box: Dog Days of Summer.

The event will be a night of stand up comedy, and is only on August 23 at 8 p.m. You can also come early for wine and cheese before the show. Tickets are $15 each.

Performers are:
Dan Boccino has been performing stand-up, sketch, and improv comedy in various forms for over 10 years. What began as a 5 minute open mic spot in the back room of a small bar in Bloomfield, NJ has blossomed into 10 minute spots in clubs just outside of Bloomfield, NJ. He has performed at clubs across NJ, NYC, and Boston. In addition to his solo stand-up work, Dan was a founding member of the Boston, MA sketch comedy troupe Slow Children at Play and a former member of the Montclair, NJ improv group Lunatic Fringe. He is also an avid playwright, having written and produced one-act shows at festivals in both New York City and New Jersey. Dan currently resides in New Jersey with his wife, son, and middle-aged Shih Tzu.

Jessica Sager is a reluctant New York City comedian and road warrior who enjoys pie, whiskey, action movies, Street Fighter and naps. She’s a featured contributor and humor writer for numerous outlets, including the New York Post, because she’s accustomed to being told to keep her day job.

Alex Csedrick has been a stand-up comic since 2011. He’s performed all over the tri-state area and was selected to participate in the 2013 Cape May Comedy Festival and 2014 Black Box Festival in Atlanta, GA. He hosts and produces WOW Comedy every third Wednesday of the month at The Shannon in Hoboken, NJ and every first Saturday of the month at The Brightside Tavern in Jersey City, NJ. Alex was awarded his MFA in Creative Writing Fiction from Fairleigh Dickinson University.


Grant Gordon is an NYC-based comedian and writer. He is a regular at the major clubs in NY and co-hosts the popular weekly alt show Sack Magic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He performs at clubs and colleges across the nation, and for his cat at home.

The Mike and Brian Project is the latest collaboration between long-time friends and musical partners Mike Saulnier and Brian Clayton. The acoustic duo features a guitarist (Mike) and a lead vocalist/percussionist (Brian) performing popular cover tunes from the last five decades Having met in college in the early nineties, Mike and Brian have been performing together in a variety of formats for more than 20 years. In stage performances, vocal ensembles, full bands, and their current duo, they have entertained crowds throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania with their harmonious voices and                                                                                               skilled musicianship.

'Curtain Call' Theater Program

Cranford Dramatic Club will host a 13-week theater program, called "Curtain Call," that will culminate in a performance.

There are two divisions of the program. The first one, called "Act One," is for children in 1^st through 4^th grade and will run on Mondays starting September 15. The second one, "Act Two," is for 5^th through 8^th graders and will run on Wednesdays starting September 17. Both groups will run from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Each class will work on multiple aspects of a show. They will create and paint the set, find and make props, sew costumes, and, of course, act.

At the end of the program, both classes will perform prewritten shows. Act Two will perform "A Christmas Peter Pan" at 7:30 p.m. December 19, and Act One will perform "The Nutcracker" at noon December 20.

This 13-week program cost $250 a child. Those interested should contact megferentinos@yahoo.com. Cranford Dramatic Club is located at 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford.

'The Normal Heart' at Cranford Dramatic Club

The Cranford Dramatic Club will open their 2014-15 season with "The Normal Heart,"a searing drama about public and private indifference to the AIDS plague and one man's lonely fight to awaken the world to the crisis.

"The Normal Heart" follows Ned Weeks, a gay activist enraged at the indifference of public officials and the gay community. While trying to save the world from itself, he confronts the personal toll of AIDS when his lover dies of the disease. Originally published in 1985 and celebrated in a passionate and eloquent 2011 Broadway revival, this definitive edition of the play features an updated version of the play, as well as notes on both the original production and the revival. The show will run at 8 p.m. September 5 and 6.

The cast features Chris Abbott as Craig, Sal Navarro as Mickey, Gus Ibranyi as Ned, David Christopher as David, Leslie Reagoso as Emma, Terry Darling as Bruce, Scott Tyler as Felix, Jeff Maschi as Ben, John Sechrist as Tommy, Rob Evans as Hiram, Brian Hall as Grady, Joe Leo as an examining doctor, and Pam Wilczynski and Alan Van Antwerp as orderlies.

Tickets cost $25 each. To purchase tickets, click here.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to TBD, a local AIDS charity.

Cranford Dramatic Club is located at 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford.

Cranford Dramatic Club Seeking Show Submissions

Cranford Dramatic Club (CDC) is seeking show submissions for their 2015-16 season.

They intend to perform one play, two musicals, and one children's show. Those who are interested should send their suggestions, as well as their resumé, to Joanneges@comcast.net by Sept. 1. A director's stipend is available for all shows.

CDC is located at 78 Winans Ave, Cranford.

Season Subscriptions at Playhouse 22

Season subscriptions and individual tickets are now available at Playhouse 22.

The shows in this season will be the musicals "Putting it Together," "Mame," and "Urinetown;" "A Christmas Carol;" and plays "Doubt, A Parable," "Amadeus," "Ladies of the Camillas," and "Last Night of Ballyhoo." Following is a brief description of each show.

"Putting it Together" features many hit songs from some of Sondheim's biggest hits, including "Lovely" (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), "More" (Dick Tracy), "Pretty Women" (Sweeney Todd), "The Ladies Who Lunch" (Company). Performances will occur at 8 p.m. Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays Sept. 13-28, and at 8 p.m. Sept. 12 and 26.

"Mame" tells the story of the madcap life of eccentric Mame Dennis and how her bohemian, intellectual arty lifestyle is disrupted when her deceased brother's 10-year-old son Patrick is entrusted to her care. This show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays Nov. 7-23.
December will bring Playhouse 22's annual production, "A Christmas Carol," with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays Dec. 12-21.

With the new year will come "Doubt, A Parable," a play for mature audiences. Set in the fictional St. Nicholas Church School in the Bronx during the fall of 1964, the show opens with a sermon by Father Flynn, a beloved and progressive parish priest, addressing the importance of uncertainty. The school's principal, Sister Aloysius, a rigidly conservative nun vowed to the order of the Sisters of Charity, insists upon constant vigilance. The play will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays Jan. 9-18.

"Amadeus" is a highly fictionalized account of the lives of composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. At the opening of the tale, Salieri is an old man, having long outlived his fame. Speaking directly to the audience, he claims to have used poison to assassinate Mozart, and promises to explain himself. The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays Feb. 20-March 8.

A hilarious farce about an imagined meeting in Paris, 1897, between the famous theater divas Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse, "Ladies of the Camillas" will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays March 13-22.

Next is "Last Night in Ballyhoo," a comedy that takes place in Atlanta, Georgia, in December of 1939. Gone with the Wind is having its world premiere, and Hitler is invading Poland, but Atlanta's elitist German Jews are much more concerned with who is going to Ballyhoo, the social event of the season. The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays April 17-May 3.

The season concludes with the musical "Urinetown," which takes place in a Gotham-like city where a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides he's had enough, and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom. This interesting show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays June 12-28.

To purchase tickets for any of the above shows, click here. To purchase a season subscription, click here. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Tribute to Nick Pelino at Villagers Theatre

By DAVID LEARN

If you've been involved in community theater for a while, you probably know the name Nick Pelino.

Nick was an actor, director and playwright from Somerset who was active for years in Central Jersey community theater, behind productions like "Dancing at Lughnasa" and "The Who's Tommy" at Villagers Theatre, and shows like "Greetings" and "Hair" at Somerset Valley Players, as well as many others.

Nick had a knack for taking shows like "Chess" that had received middling reviews elsewhere, and impressing audiences and critics alike with his own take on them. He "got" the stage in a way that other people don't; in the time I reviewed community theater for the former Forbes Newspapers group, Nick Pelino's name was one of two I came to not just associate but equate with quality. (The other was Rich Baker.)

Pelino died earlier this year, in February. I am honored -- deeply honored, and thrilled -- to take part in a celebration of his life and work this Thursday at Villagers Theatre, on what would have been his 50th birthday.

The event includes a tribute in music, followed by a staged reading of his final play, "Remembering Sharon." The play -- I'll be joining eight other actors in the reading, including my oldest daughter -- is a tribute to a childhood friend of Nick's who was murdered at the age of 16. Sharon Thor's murder remains unsolved.

Admission to the tribute is free; donations and proceeds of a 50-50 will benefit the Villagers Theatre Nick Pelino Jr., Memorial Fund. A wine-and-cheese reception begins at 5:30, with the show starting promptly at 7 p.m.

For reservations, contact John Graf Jr. at (908) 285-8965, or online at ministerman@verizon.net.

Casting Call: 'Other People's Money'

Edison Valley Playhouse will be holding open auditions for the show "Other People's Money"next week.

Wall Street takeover artist Lawrence Garfinkle’s computer is going tilt over the undervalued stock of New England Wire & Cable. If the stockholders back his takeover, they will make a bundle but what will happen to the 1200 employees and the community when he liquidates the company's assets? Opposing the rapacious financier are the genial man who has run the company since the year one and his chief operations officer. They bring in a young lawyer who specializes in fending off takeovers. Should she use green mail? Find a white knight? Employ a shark repellent? This compelling drama explores whether corporate raiders are creatures from the Black Lagoon of capitalism or realists.

Lawrence Garfinkel (40-50)	An investment banker. Brilliant, crude, charming, large both physically and in presence. Known as “Larry the Liquidator”.
Andrew Jorgenson (60-70)	Chairman of New England Cable, a firm his family started and built. A man of strong opinions and principles, with little ability to compromise.
Kate Sullivan (30s)	An attractive, sharp Wall Street attorney. Bea’s daughter. Has anger issues with both Bea and Jorgy.
Bea Sullivan (60s)	A longtime assistant and “friend” of Jorgy. Mother of Kate. Strong woman, willing to sacrifice for the man she loves. A woman who deals with her past.
William Coles (40s)	President of New England Cable. Polished, professional, middle management functionary. The play’s everyman.

Auditions will take place from 6-8 p.m. August 17 and from 7:30-9:30 p.m. August 18. Callbacks will be from 8-9:30 p.m. August 21. Performances will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 24-Nov. 8 and at 2 pm. Nov. 2.

For more information, or for a PDF of the script, contact the director, Eric Walby, at zengolfguy@gmail.com. Edison Valley Playhouse is located at 2196 Oak Tree Road, Edison.

'Coffee House' at Edison Valley Playhouse

This Saturday, Edison Valley Playhouse will present the latest installment of their "Coffee House" variety show. The show will feature the original sketch comedy "The Pavlovian Dog Show," written, produced and directed by Mike Patierno, Claudio Venancio, and Ryan Correll, with an addition of a Zachary McCullough; the standup comedians Chris DeBono and Liana Afuni; and musical performances from Claudio Venancio and the rock band Waking Rust. The show includes mature language and may not be considered suitable for young audiences.

The show will run from 8 to around 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10. All proceeds will go to Edison Valley Playhouse.

To reserve tickets, call (908)755-4654. If there is a problem with your reservation, you will be notified. Edison Valley Playhouse is located at 2196 Oak Tree Road, Edison.

'Avenue Q' at Somerset Valley Players

Somerset Valley Players will be hosting the Allegra School of Music & Arts Premiere Summer Theatre Workshop's performance of "Avenue Q".

Performances are August 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. and August 16 and 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $13 if purchased online, or $15 at the door.

 Students in this program train for 3 weeks, learning proper vocal technique, acting methods, and choreography. The program concludes with a full length musical production to show off all their hard work.

For questions or more information please visit the Allegra School's website or call (908) 874-4351.

Reminder: Open Auditions for the Papermill Playhouse Broadway Show Choir

 The Paper Mill Playhouse will be holding open auditions for their Broadway Show Choir.

The Broadway Show Choir is an audition based, exhibition Show Choir that stems from Paper Mill Playhouse’s award-winning Arts Education and Outreach programs. The choir consists of 40–50 singers and dancers between the ages of 16 and 22. Students selected to be a part of this talented group have the opportunity to fine tune their craft with free, intensive instruction that includes private voice training. The Paper Mill Playhouse Broadway Show Choir act as ambassadors to Paper Mill Playhouse with an array of performance opportunities throughout the community and beyond. Over the last two seasons, the choir reached more than 100,000 people with performances at major venues througout the state.

Auditions for the choir are by appointment only on Aug. 24, 25, and 27 from 6 - 9 p.m. If you are not available during these times, the playhouse will be taking a wait list for the next available date. Call (973)315-1640 or email JZeitoun@PaperMill.org to schedule. Auditions will take place at Paper Mill Playhouse. Please prepare an upbeat pop or musical theater piece of approximately 32 bars that best demonstrates your vocal range. Bring sheet music, in the key you will sing it, in a binder or single sheet taped together that contains the full piano accompaniment. An accompanist will be provided. You may not perform a cappella or to an audio recording. Those auditioning will be taught a brief dance combination, so please bring suitable footwear. Callbacks will be held on Sept. 7.

The show choir staff features Shayne Austin Miller as the director, Meg Zervoulis as the music director, Jennifer Forziati as the choreographer, Viraj Lal as the vocal coach, Carrie Rubinoas the stylist and costumer, John Zeitounas the company manager, Mickey McNany as the theatre school director, and Lisa Cooney as the director of education.

Casting Call: 'Count Dracula'

Kelsey Theater will be holding auditions for "Count Dracula," by Ted Tiller, August 9 and 10. Adapted in 1971 from Bram Stoker's Victorian novel of Gothic horror, "Dracula," Tiller's play is tightly constructed and entertaining, with engaging dialogue and a menacing villain.

The auditions will take place from 9-5 p.m. August 9, and 10-5 p.m. August 10. To schedule an audition, click here, call (609) 882-2292, or contact audition@mponstage.com. If all audition slots are full, call and attempts will be made to set up another time to audition.

The readthrough will occur on August 23. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays Oct. 24-Nov. 2.

Dr. Arthur Seward (mid-40s-early 60s)	Chief physician of his insane asylum north of London. Seward is a dignified, kindly, compassionate man. Frequently exasperated by (but affectionately patient with) the wandering vagaries of his sister's muddled mind. Essentially serious and straightforward, he is capable of quiet, unexpected humor.
Sybil Seward (mid-40s-mid-50s)	Dr. Seward's spinster sister. Is addle-pated, occasionally detached from reality and overall harmlessly touched in the head. The mistress of the non sequitur. An unconsciously funny, slightly daft, cheerful romantic who's never known romance.
Mina Murry (early 20s-early 30s)	Dr. Seward's ward. An attractive young woman, gentle, warm-hearted and quick to respond to others needs, but her strange malady has made her listless, inattentive and oddly remote. She does her best to hide her illness from her fiancé, Jonathan Harker. Her personality slowly changes throughout the play to that of a seductive, scheming wanton.
Jonathan Harker (mid-20s-early 30s)	Mina's fiancé. He is a likable, outgoing, successful architect. When it comes to Mina, he is more the brash man of action than a thinker. He is deeply in love with her and will do anything to protect her.
Heinrich van Helsing (mid-40s-early 60s)	Dr. Steward's former mentor. Has the rumpled appearance of a comfortable old shoe and looks on his fellow man with a humorous eye. He is a dedicated scientist and a genial man except when crossed over an issue he deems important; then geniality is replaced by sternness.
Count Dracula (mid-30s-40s)	Distinguished. His countenance is arresting, lupine, cruel and coldly handsome. Evil incarnate, with an almost hypnotic control on those around him. His accent is slightly continental. His voice not only insinuates but threatens.
Ms. Hennessey (late 20s-60s)	Matron and chief attendant at Dr. Seward's asylum. Earnest, hard-working, pleasant and tougher then she looks. She manages both the asylum and the Sewards' household.
Wesley (Late 20s-50s)	An asylum attendant. Has a pleasant nature and an easy smile, a little brash.

Casting Call: 'Hair'

Villagers Theatre will be holding auditions for "Hair".

Auditons are Sept. 14 - 15 at 7:00 p.m. Please come prepared with sheet music and dress comfortably, as you may be asked to dance to light choreography.

Needed are 25 free-spirited singers/actors ages 18 - 30. Performers with special and unique talents; ex. circus skills, impersonators, comic improv; are especially encouraged to audition. All singing styles and voice types, R & B, Country & Rock are needed.

Performances are Nov. 7 - 23 at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

The show will be directed by Michael Boyd.

Villagers Theatre is located at 475 Demott Lane, Somerset, NJ.

For further info contact michaelboyd1118@aol.com

9th Annual Labor Day Weekend Concert at Plays-in-the-Park

Plays-in-the-Park will be holding their 9th annual Labor Day weekend concert.

The concert will be on August 31 at 4 p.m. Gates open at 3 p.m. Admission is free.

The contest features the cast of "Beatlemania" and "Tusk". Come to Roosevelt Park to celebrate an evening of unforgettable, high energy entertainment. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chair!

For information call (732) 745-3936

The concert is sponsored by The Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The Middlesex County Office of Parks & Recreation.

Casting Call: 'Mame'

Playhouse 22 will hold auditions for the musical "Mame" in September.

The madcap life of eccentric Mame Dennis and her bohemian, intellectual arty clique is disrupted when her deceased brother's 10-year-old son Patrick is entrusted to her care. Rather than bow to convention, Mame introduces the boy to her free-wheeling lifestyle, instilling in him her favorite credo: "Life is a banquet, and most poor sons-of-bitches are starving to death."

Auditionees should prepare up to 32 bars with sheet music from musical theater in the style of the show  that reflect their vocal range and shows their personality. Disney, country, pop and rock songs and songs from the show should be avoided. An accompanist will be provided. A capella is prohibited. Auditionees should also wear clothing comfortable for dancing in, and bring a list of conflicts throughout the rehearsal period, which lasts from early Sept. through Nov. 7.

Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 and 5. Callbacks will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 6.

Mame (mezzo [solid F3-F5], 30s-early 50s)	An eccentric, madcap, bohemian free spirit. A strong dancer is preferable.
Young Patrick Dennis (boy alto/high tenor [F3-D5], age 10)	Mame's young nephew. Acting and singing lead role.
Agnes Gooch (soprano [G3 - Bb5], 30s-early 40s)	Patrick's dowdy nanny. A comedic role.
Vera Charles (alto [solid Eb3-Bb4], 30s-50s)	Mame's best friend and an over-the-top flamboyant actress. A comedic role.
Ito (tenor/high baritone [G3-G4], 18+, male)	Mame's Asian butler. A comedic role.
Lindsay Woolsey (none)	A publisher. One of many of Mame's male friends, and her closest male confidant.
Dwight Babcock (none)	A pompous and self-righteous guardian/lawyer; the villain of the piece.
Beauregard Burnside (baritone, 30-45)	A wealthy southern gentleman who eventually marries Mame.
Mother Burnside (alto/contralto [E3-G4], 55-70)	Beauregard's overprotective mother.
Sally Cato (soprano [C4-Bb5], 23-30)	A southern belle competing with Mame for Beauregard's affection.
Patrick Dennis (baritone [C3-E4], 19-25)	Patrick as an adult.
Gloria Upson (19-25)	The New England snobby girl engaged to Patrick.
Mrs. Upson (35-45)	Gloria's uptight New England snobby mother.
Mr. Upson (35-45)	Gloria's uptight New England snobby father.
Pegeen Ryan (19-25)	The girl whom Patrick ultimately marries.

Performances will take place at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays Nov. 7-23. The show will be directed by Gerry Appel.

For more, information, call (732) 970-6308 or contact mame@playhouse22.org. Playhouse 22 is located on 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Casting Call: 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee'

The Sayreville Main Street Theatre Co. will be having auditions for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee".

Auditions are August 18 and 19 from 7 - 9 p.m. Callbacks are on August 21 at 7 p.m. Come prepared with sheet music to perform 16 bars of a musical theatre song that best reflects the character you hope to be cast as and that best reflects your voice quality and range. No Happy Birthday or accapella singing will be allowed. An accompanist and an IPOD dock will be available. Be sure your sheet music has the piano accompaniment, usually the bottom 2 staves below the vocal line. Mark your sheet music where you wish to start and finish. If you are auditioning for one of the 6 contestants, please note they are adult actors portraying adolescent children. Songs from shows where that is also done may be good audition song choices, for ex. "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown", "Snoopy The Musical", "Urinetown" (Little Sally), etc.

Six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser. "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is a hilarious tale of overachievers' angst chronicling the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. The show's Tony Award winning creative team has created the unlikeliest of hit musicals about the unlikeliest of heroes: a quirky yet charming cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time.

Roles are:

Rona Lisa Peretti	The number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and returning moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves children, but she can be very stern when it comes to dealing with Vice Principal Panch, who has feelings for her that she most likely does not return. It is implied that she sees much of herself in Olive Ostrovsky. Her favorite moment of the Bee is in the minutes before it starts, when all the children are filled with the joy of competition, before they begin to resent each other. She later declares that she likes how everyone has an equal chance of winning, citing as an example that last year's winner can be this year's loser and vice versa. Another favorite moment is when the last winners go head to head for the top spot because it is so suspenseful and filled with hope. Ms. Peretti herself won the Third Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by spelling "syzygy", which she recounts at the very beginning of the opening number.
Olive’s Mom and Dad	She is in India, he is working late, but they appear in Olive’s imagination to encourage her and tell her they love her. Played by the actors who play Miss Peretti and Mitch.
Vice Principal Douglas Panch	After five years' absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an "incident" at the Twentieth Annual Bee, but he claims to be in "a better place" now (or so we think), thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections.
Mitch Mahoney	The Official Comfort Counselor. An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students. Dan Schwartz: SchwartzandGrubenierre’s other father; he is slightly less insane than Carl but is still intent on his daughter winning the Bee. Played by the actor who plays Mitch.
Olive Ostrovsky	A young newcomer to competitive spelling. Her mother is in an ashram in India, and her father is working late, as usual, but he is trying to come sometime during the bee. She made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her to make it to the competition.
William Barfée	A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts. His famous “Magic Foot” method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy personality. He has an often-mispronounced last name: it is Bar-FAY, not BARF-ee ("there's an accent aigu", he explains with some hostility). He develops a crush on Olive.
Leaf's Dad	Doubtful and finds his son annoying and unintelligent. Played by the actor who plays Will Barfée.
Logainne "Schwarzy" SchwarzandGrubenierre	Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures, with two overbearing gay fathers. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and known she'll return to the bee next year.
Leaf’s Mom	Overprotective and doubtful of her son’s abilities to stand up to the competition. Played by the actress who plays Logainne.
Marcy Park	A recent transfer from Virginia, Marcy placed ninth in last year’s nationals. She speaks six languages, is a member of all-American hockey, a championship rugby player, plays Chopin and Mozart on multiple instruments, sleeps only three hours a night, hides in the bathroom cabinet, and is getting very tired of always winning. She is a total over-achiever, and attends a Catholic school called "Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows." She is also not allowed to cry. She is often portrayed by an Asian actress.
Leaf’s Siblings	Marigold, Brook, Pinecone, Landscape, Raisin, and Paul. Not very confident of Leaf’s abilities. Brook is played by the actress who plays Marcy, while the others are situated in the audience and do not appear on stage.
Leaf Coneybear	A homeschooler and the second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark: the winner and first runner-up had to go to the winner’s Bat Mitzvah. Leaf comes from a large family of former hippies and makes his own clothes. He spells words correctly while in a trance. In his song, "I'm Not That Smart", he sings that his family thinks he is "not that smart," but he insinuates that he is merely easily distracted. Most of the words that he is assigned are South American rodents with amusing names.
Carl Grubenierre	One of SchwartzandGrubenierre’s fathers; he has set his heart on his little girl winning the Bee, no matter what he has to do, including sabotaging William’s foot. Played by the actor who plays Leaf.
Charlito "Chip" Tolentino	A Boy Scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title. Relatively social and athletic, as he plays little league, Chip expects things to come easily but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.
Jesus Christ	Appears to Marcy in a moment of crisis. Played by the actor who plays Chip.
Three or four spellers from the audience	Audience members are encouraged to sign up to participate before the show, and several are chosen to spell words on stage.

The show has music and lyrics by William Finn, a book by Rachel Sheinkin, and additional material by Jay Reiss. It will be directed by Kevin Gunther, musically directed by Teddy Kernizan, and choreographed by Dawn Fulbrook.

Performances will be October 17 - 25 at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Broadway Cares Benefit at Villagers Theatre

Villagers Theatre will be hosting a performance presented by the Teensvill of past and present.

The show is August 4 only at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.Tickets are payable in cash or check only (please make checks payable to Broadway Cares).

Performances from cast members of many TeensVill productions from the past 16 years which could include productions of "Godspell", "Leader of the Pack", "Runaways", "Fame", "Footloose", "Bye Bye Birdie", "Les Misérables", "The Wiz", "Into the Woods", "Seussical", "Aida", "Rent", "13 the Musical", "The Wedding Singer", "Spring Awakening", and "Legally Blonde The Musical". The concert will be held on the Villagers Main Stage. There will be prizes from Broadway Cares.