Wednesday, January 27, 2016

'Blood Brothers' at Villagers Theatre

Is it Mother Nature or Mother Nurture who makes us who we are? Audiences will have the chance to decide for themselves next week when Villagers Theatre presents "Blood Brothers."

A hit musical that ran for 24 years in London’s West End, "Blood Brothers" tells a provocative story filled with humor and heartbreak. Mrs. Johnstone is expecting twins, but knows she can’t afford to raise them both. The affluent woman for whom she cleans house, devises a plan to raise one of the twins as her own. In despair, and hoping to give at least one child a better life, Mrs. Johnstone agrees. Despite attempts to keep them apart, the boys, Mickey and Edward, meet and become close friends. Their lives become increasingly intertwined as the drama unfolds toward the inevitable day that they discover the truth about their heritage with explosive results.

Directed by Marie Fiorello, "Blood Brothers" features the talents of Hunter Chadeayne as Mickey Johnstone and Christopher Neuman as Edward Lyons, his twin brother who gets adopted. Other performers include Denise Jobes as Mrs. Johnstone; Christopher Pica as Joe the Milkman, who serves as a narrator; Kristen Umansky as Mrs. Lyons and Thom Boyer as Mr. Lyons; Jillian Wagner as Linda; Justin Luckenbaugh as Sammy; Lisa Sudfield as Donna Marie; and ensemble members Christopher Russoniello, Dwight Merritt and Katie Hilosky.

A musical with book, lyrics and music by Willy Russell, "Blood Brothers" is a winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. It ran for more than 24 years in the West End, with more than 10,000 performances. It is the third longest-running musical production in West End history. It also has enjoyed successes on tour and on Broadway.

Tickets for the Villagers Theatre production of "Blood Brothers" cost $20, or $18 for students and seniors. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 5-21. Tickets are available online, or by calling the box office at (732) 873-2710.

Villagers Theatre is located at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

'Eye of God' at Circle Players

In a small, dying Oklahoma town, a young woman finally meets her beau: a just-released convict with whom she’s corresponded for three years. We watch her story weave in and out of the memories of a weary detective investigating a grisly case in a nearby lake, and a broken, mute boy who may hold the key to the mystery. Playwright Tim Blake Nelson conjures a ghost town filled with damaged, desperate people and dark secrets in this haunting drama, "Eye of God", which will open at Circle Players in a few weeks.

The show features James Houston as Sam Rogers, John Thompson as Jack, Arielle Beth as Ainsley, Heather Denges as Dorothy, James Jones as Tom, Lewis Decker as Willard Sprague, Michael Stratton as Les, David Bronovicki as Glen, Elizabeth Stamat as Janice, Frank Lankey Jr. as Del and John W. Kennedy as Lee. It is directed by Christie Leigh Carter.

Performances will occur at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays February 19-March 5, with a closing performance at 3 p.m. March 6. Tickets cost $18 per adult and $17 per student or senior.

To purchase tickets, click here. For more information, contact circleplayersnj@gmail.com. Circle Players is located at 416 Victoria Avenue, Piscataway.

Villagers Theatre seeks props master

Villagers Theatre is seeking a props master, also known as a properties coordinator, for its upcoming production of "Picnic."

The props master supervises the acquisition or building of hand props. She or he also will manage props backstage during rehearsals and performances, setting props on the props table, and tracking their positions on and backstage during the show. The prop master will be expected to work closely with set designer Bree Guell. There is no stipend available for the position.

Rehearsals are scheduled for Monday through Thursday nights in February and March. Props should be prepared by tech week, which will run March 20-30. Performances will begin at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays, April 1-17. The props master is not expected to attend each rehearsal, although she will be expected to be present for tech week and performances.

Interested volunteers should contact Producer Darren Nye, at darren@villagerstheatre.com or at (732) 429-8258.

Villagers Theatre is located at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset.

Casting Call: 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Auditions for "A Midsummer Dream" at Kelsey Theatre will conclude January 28.

In one of the most famous of literary love quadrangles, "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" tells the tale of Hermia, Demetrius, Lysander and Helena, four misguided lovers whose journey into the woods lands them in even more trouble as members of the fairy kingdom decide to use them as veritable pawns in their own love games. This production sets the story in India during the 1920s, adding dance into the mix.

Auditionees should prepare a monologue up to two minutes in length from one of Shakespeare's comedies, prepare a list of all conflicts between February 1 and April 16, and wear clothing comfortable for dancing in. Although they are not required, appointments are encouraged; walk-ins will be seen on a time-available basis. The auditions will go from 7-9:30 p.m.

Actors are sought between ages 18 and 65, as well as a boy aged 5-12.

LysanderA young man of Athens, in love with Hermia.
HermiaEgeus’s daughter, a young woman of Athens. In love with Lysander.
HelenaA young woman of Athens, in love with Demetrius.
DemetriusA young man of Athens. Initially in love with Hermia.
EgeusHermia’s father, who wishes her to marry Demetrius.
OberonThe king of the fairies.
TitaniaThe beautiful queen of the fairies.
TheseusThe heroic duke of Athens, engaged to Hippolyta.
HippolytaThe legendary queen of the Amazons, engaged to Theseus.
Puck/Robin GoodfellowOberon’s mischievous servant.
Nick BottomA member of the terrible acting troupe the Rude Mechanicals; plays Pyramus in their play. His head is turned into that of a donkey's by the fairies.
Peter QuinceA carpenter and the nominal leader of the Rude Mechanicals.
Francis Flute The bellows-mender chosen to play Thisbe in the Mechanicals' play.
Robin StarvelingThe tailor, chosen to play the moon.
Tom SnoutThe tinker, chosen to play the wall.
SnugThe joiner, chosen to play the lion.
PhilostrateTheseus’s Master of the Revels.
Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth and MustardseedFairy servants to Titania.
Dancing ensembleVarious courtiers and fairies.

Rehearsals will run from 7 p.m. to about 11 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from February 1. There will be more scheduled in the two weeks before opening. Performances will be at at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays April 1-10.

To schedule an audition, add your name to the sign-up list here. Auditions will be held in room CM122 of the CM building adjacent to Kelsey Theatre. For more information, contact gazenbej@mccc.edu. Both the theater and the CM building are located on the Mercer County Community College campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

Casting Call: 'Lost in Yonkers'

Playhouse 22 will hold open auditions for the Neil Simon play "Lost in Yonkers."

This Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a coming-of-age story of 15-year-old Jay, who lives with his younger brother Arty, their mentally-challenged Aunt Bella, small-time hoodlum Uncle Louie, and their cold and tough grandmother Grandma Kurnitz. Their father travels, desperately trying to scrape enough money together to pay off his debts to a loan shark, and their mother has died of cancer.

Auditionees should prepare a short monologue. Auditions will be held at 7:30 p.m. February 8 and 9, with callbacks at the same time February 10.
Jay Kurnitz (15)Forced to be more mature than he is prepared to be when he and his brother are left with their grandmother.
Arty Kurnitz (13)Jay’s younger brother. More of an observer than the rest of his family and often goes with the flow of things. Can be a little childish.
Bella Kurnitz (35)Jay’s aunt. She is sometimes a bit “off-center” and is mentally challenged, but despite this she is also loving and protective of her nephews. Much of the second half of the play is focuses on her attempts at independence from her stern mother.
Louie Kurnitz (30s-40s)Jay’s flamboyant, jovial uncle. Comes to live with his family to hide from the local mob. Considered by Grandma Kurnitz to be the “survivor” of the family. He is a strong, volatile, temperamental type with a dark side who works as a “bag-man” for the mob.
Grandma KurnitzJay’s grandmother, a very old and stern woman. Owing to her harsh childhood, she has always been very intolerant of what in others she calls “weaknesses.” She is blunt, sometimes even in a funny way, and always knows what is going on with the people around her.
Eddie Kurnitz (30s-40s)Jay’s middle-aged father. After the death of his wife, he is forced to send his two sons to live with their grandmother while he repays his considerable financial debts. A nervous wreck around his mother.
Gert Kurnitz (30s-40s)Jay’s aunt, a very interesting addition to the family. When she breathes she has a tendency to suck air in while still speaking, the result of childhood trauma.

Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays between April 1 and 17.

For more information, contact yonkers@playhouse22.org or call (732)254-3939. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

'25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' at Playhouse 22

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home life, the tweens spell their way through a series of [potentially made-up] words hoping to never hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get juice boxes.

Playhouse 22's production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" opens February 5, and will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 21. Tickets cost $22 per adult and $20 per student or senior.

The show features Katy Widmer as Olive, Julie Stein as Logainne, Jenny Weiner as Rona, Maria Aromando as Marcy, Anthony Competello as Barfee, Stephen Belfatti as Mitch, Brett Hennessey Jones as Chip, Jack Tomy as Leaf and Patrick Andrae as Panch. It is directed by Mark Kalet.

To purchase tickets, click here. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

'Arms and the Man' at Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center

As Valentine's Day approaches, Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will present the classic romantic comedy "Arms and the Man."

Raina Petkoff is a young Bulgarian woman engaged to a famous soldier. One night, a Swiss voluntary soldier to the Serbian army, Bluntschli, bursts into her bedroom, and begs her to hide him so that he will not be killed. Raina complies, though she thinks the man a coward, especially when he tells her that he carries chocolates instead of pistol cartridges. As the Petkoff family, their servants, and the soldier struggle to hold on to their secrets and preserve their ideals, they are forced to question their romantic notions about social class, identity, war, and love.

The show features Joe Binenszto as Nicola, Susan Holtz as Catherine, Bassam Kaado as Bluntschli, Barry Leonard as Major Petkoff, Anna Paone as Raina, Shauni Ramai as Louka, and Paul Phillip Sadowski as Sergius. It is directed by Catherine LaMoreaux.

The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Saturdays February 5-13 at the Metuchen Reformed Church. Tickets cost $15 per adult and $10 per student or senior citizen.

On February 12 and 13, in a first-time partnership with the nearby D'novo Fine Italian Cuisine, audience members can purchase tickets for the show and a prix-fixe, three-course dinner for just $35 per person.

To purchase tickets, click here and scroll down. The Metuchen Reformed Church is located at 150 Lake Avenue, Metuchen; D'Novo is located at 205 Main Street, Metuchen.

'Fences' at Villagers Theatre: Special Performance

Missed the two weekends of Villagers Theatre's "Fences"? You have another chance. Due to the play's being canceled on Saturday on account of the snow, there will be an additional performance this Friday, at 8 p.m. January 29.

Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro baseball leagues, now works as a garbage man in 1957 Pittsburgh. Excluded as a black man from the major leagues during his prime, Troy's bitterness takes its toll on his relationships with his wife and his son, who now wants his own chance to play ball.

The show features Arthur Gregory Pugh as Troy Maxson, Diane L. Parker as Rose Maxson, Malik Abdul-Khaaliq as Lyons Maxson, Frederick J. Philip, Jr. as Cory Maxson, Heaven Michelle McCoy as Raynell Maxson, Lawrence Jackson as Gabriel Maxson, and Lionel M. Macauley as Jim Bono. It is directed by Jerome John and produced by Andy Gordanier. Tickets cost $15 per person; neither group rates nor discounts are available.

To purchase tickets, click here or call (732)873-2710. Villagers Theatre is located at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset.

'Lend Me a Tenor' at Edison Valley Playhouse

Get a break from all the snow and see "Lend Me a Tenor" at Edison Valley Playhouse. The show's opening has been delayed until February.

Set in the 1930s, Saunders, general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is primed to welcome world famous Tito Morelli, "Il Stupendo," the greatest tenor of his generation, to appear for one night only as Otello.

The star arrives late and, through a series of mishaps, is given a double dose of tranquilizers and passes out. His pulse is so low that Saunders and his assistant Max believe he’s dead. In a frantic attempt to salvage the evening, Saunders persuades Max to get into Morelli's Otello costume and fool the audience into thinking he's "Il Stupendo."

Max succeeds admirably, but Morelli comes to and gets into his other costume, ready to perform. Now two Otellos are running around in costume and two women are running around in lingerie, each thinking she is with Morelli.

A sensation on Broadway and in London's West End, this madcap, screwball comedy is guaranteed to leave you teary-eyed with laughter.

The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Feb.5-20 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 7. Tickets cost $15 per adult and $12 per student, senior or military personnel.

To reserve tickets for pickup and payment the night of the show, call (908) 755-4654 and leave a message stating name, date you wish to attend, the number of tickets required, and your phone number. There will not be a call back unless there is a problem with your reservation. To purchase tickets online, click here. Edison Valley Playhouse is located at 2196 Oak Tree Road, Edison.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Casting Call: 'Picnic'

Villagers Theatre will hold auditions for "Picnic," by William Inge, January 26 and 27.

The play takes place on Labor Day weekend in 1953, in the joint backyards of two middle-aged widows who live on farms in Kansas. The one house belongs to Flo Owens, who lives there with her two maturing daughters, Madge and Millie, and a boarder who is a spinster school teacher. The other house belongs to Helen Potts, who lives with her elderly and invalid mother. Into this female atmosphere comes a young man named Hal Carter, whose animal vitality seriously upsets the entire group. Hal is a most interesting character, a child of parents who ignored him, self-conscious of his failings and his position behind the eight ball. Flo is sensitively wary of temptations for her daughters. Madge, bored with being only a beauty, sacrifices her chances for a wealthy marriage for the excitement Hal promises. Her sister, Millie, finds her balance for the first time through the stranger's brief attention. And the spinster is stirred to make an issue out of the dangling courtship that has brightened her life in a dreary, minor way.

Auditionees should fill out the Villagers Theatre Liability/Photo Release Form and be prepared to read from sides. Auditions will occur at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 and 27; callbacks, if needed, will be held Jan. 28.
Flo Owens (~40)A woman who has worked hard to keep her family alive. Her husband is long gone, so she has had to be both mother and father to her two girls. She has raised them cautiously, almost overbearingly, as she tries to lead them on the right path and make sure they are more successful in life than she turned out to be. Flo has big dreams for her daughters, and seems to live vicariously through them. She is hesitant about accepting outsiders, because she is very comfortable with the way she leads her life.
Madge Owens (18)A beautiful girl growing gracefully into adulthood. Spends quite a bit of time with makeup and beauty products. On the outside, she wants to be wealthy and gorgeous all her life. But on the inside, she is sick of always being the pretty one, and she just wants to find her place in the world. Madge desperately wants to be loved, and at first she thinks that Alan is enough for her. But getting to know Hal changes her completely.
Millie Owens (16)Madge's younger sister. For most of the play, she is wild and tomboyish, but has a softer, more artsy side to her. Although she shows herself to the world as a tough kid, she is really nervous about what other people think of her. She wants to be noticed, but in the right way. Millie wants to be somebody. She wants to experience city life and make a difference in the world.
Helen Potts (50s-60s)A bit past her prime, Helen longs for the days when she was a wild young girl. She used to love going against the conventions and challenging authority, which has given her much wisdom in her older years. She is easygoing, still loves fun and wants to share her knowledge with the young people around her.
Hal Carter (early 20s)Hal is young, handsome, crazy, impulsive and has seen some harsh times. He has been to reform school, a few colleges, a part of a fraternity, been chased by the police and claims other things that may or may not be true. He is a confident fellow who loves attention, but is capable of crumbling. Hal has a soft inner side that really wants to be accepted and fit in somewhere.
Alan Seymour (early 20s)A rich young man looking to settle down with a beautiful girl. He loves Madge, whether their relationship is superficial or not. He is usually level-headed and tends to criticize those who make decisions without thinking them through.
Bomber (mid-teens)Tends to reinforce Madge’s beauty and criticize Millie for being the oddball. A small character.
Rosemary Sydney
(40-60)
Rosemary is an aging schoolteacher who likes to call herself an independent. She brags about not having a man and doing whatever she wants. She tends to gossip with her friends and make eyes at Hal when he comes into the scene. She is rather unconventional for a schoolteacher, since she is not reserved and scholarly. She has a breakdown when she realizes that she is not as young as she’d like to be, and ends up begging Howard to marry her.
Howard Bevans
(50-65)
A businessman rather set in his way of life. He has been seeing Rosemary, but is not sure what she wants from him or where their relationship is going. He is easy to get along with and not particularly assertive. When Rosemary begs him to marry her, he is unsure what to say at first. He tries to tell her she is just drunk, but Rosemary is very persistent. He finally agrees and does his best to be happy about it, even though he is unsure.
Irma Kronkite and Christine Schoenwalder (30+)Two of Rosemary's fellow teachers. They are slightly younger than Rosemary and definitely like gossip. Irma has known Rosemary for a bit longer, since Christine just moved to the town and started teaching there.

Rehearsals will run through February and March, with tech rehearsals March 20 through 30. The show will open April 1 and run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays through April 17. The show is directed by Eric Walby.

For more information, contact either Darren Nye or Paul Carver, the show's producers, at darren@villagerstheatre.com or paul@villagerstheatre.com. If you wish to view the audition sides in advance, they are available at the bottom of the page here. Villagers Theatre is located at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Casting Call: 'Lost in Yonkers'

Playhouse 22 will hold open auditions for the Neil Simon play "Lost in Yonkers."

The Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a coming-of-age story of 15-year-old Jay, who lives with his younger brother Arty, their mentally-challenged Aunt Bella, small-time hoodlum Uncle Louie, and their cold and tough grandmother Grandma Kurnitz. Their father travels, desperately trying to scrape enough money together to pay off his debts to a loan shark, and their mother has died of cancer.

Auditionees should prepare a short monologue. Auditions will be held at 7:30 p.m. February 8 and 9, with callbacks at the same time February 10.
Jay Kurnitz (15)Forced to be more mature than he is prepared to be when he and his brother are left with their grandmother.
Arty Kurnitz (13)Jay’s younger brother. More of an observer than the rest of his family and often goes with the flow of things. Can be a little childish.
Bella Kurnitz (35)Jay’s aunt. She is sometimes a bit “off-center” and is mentally challenged, but despite this she is also loving and protective of her nephews. Much of the second half of the play is focuses on her attempts at independence from her stern mother.
Louie Kurnitz (30s-40s)Jay’s flamboyant, jovial uncle. Comes to live with his family to hide from the local mob. Considered by Grandma Kurnitz to be the “survivor” of the family. He is a strong, volatile, temperamental type with a dark side who works as a “bag-man” for the mob.
Grandma KurnitzJay’s grandmother, a very old and stern woman. Owing to her harsh childhood, she has always been very intolerant of what in others she calls “weaknesses.” She is blunt, sometimes even in a funny way, and always knows what is going on with the people around her.
Eddie Kurnitz (30s-40s)Jay’s middle-aged father. After the death of his wife, he is forced to send his two sons to live with their grandmother while he repays his considerable financial debts. A nervous wreck around his mother.
Gert Kurnitz (30s-40s)Jay’s aunt, a very interesting addition to the family. When she breathes she has a tendency to suck air in while still speaking, the result of childhood trauma.

Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays between April 1 and 17.

For more information, contact yonkers@playhouse22.org or call (732)254-3939. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' at Playhouse 22

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home life, the tweens spell their way through a series of [potentially made-up] words hoping to never hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.

Playhouse 22's production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" opens February 5, and will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 21. Tickets cost $22 per adult and $20 per student or senior.

The show features Katy Widmer as Olive, Julie Stein as Logainne, Jenny Weiner as Rona, Maria Aromando as Marcy, Anthony Competello as Barfee, Stephen Belfatti as Mitch, Brett Hennessey Jones as Chip, Jack Tomy as Leaf and Patrick Andrae as Panch. It is directed by Mark Kalet.

To purchase tickets, click here. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Casting Call: 'Dear Edwina Jr.'

Villagers Theatre will soon hold auditions for the junior version of the off-Broadway show "Dear Edwina."

Thirteen year-old Edwina Spoonapple is desperate to be a part of the Kalamazoo Advice-a-palooza Festival and prove herself the equal of her talented siblings. When a talent scout from the convention visits her hometown, she introduces her musical advice giving shows live from the family garage in hopes of finding her place in the spotlight. She is helped by her older siblings, quirky friends, and neighbors. Together they set out to tackle the world's problems with hysterical numbers about everything from birthday party etiquette to the proper table settings.

Auditionees should prepare a verse and chorus of an upbeat Broadway song, and agree to and sign the Villagers Liability and Photo Release form. The show is produced by Ana Kalet and directed by Devin Massi.

Auditions will occur at 7 p.m. January 17 and 21. If needed, calllbacks will be held at the same time January 21.
Edwina Spoonapple (mezzo, 15-18)The creator, director and choreographer of The Dear Edwina Show and is the main-staple of the play. Her character goes through a huge arc throughout the play; from frustration to relief, anger to joy, and horror to happiness. This character needs to pull off her bossy yet lovable self. This actor should be very comfortable onstage along with a strong clear voice with good diction.
Becky (8-18)Edwina's friend, top of the cheerleading pyramid for the Paw Paw Wildcats. Cheerleading consumes her life and creating new cheers for everyday occasions brings her great joy. Becky is a vocally non-demanding role with only a few vocal lines. Stage presence is very important. Athletic ability is a plus, but not necessary.
Scott (tenor, 15-18)Helplessly in love with Edwina. He dotes on her every move and is constantly trying to get her attention. This needs to be a strong actor who is comfortable with being bold with his emotions.
Kelli (8-18)Edwina's neighbor and resident ballerina. Suggested ballet experience, but without use it as a comedic bit! (Any age)
Bobby (8-18)Edwina's new next door neighbor. He is a friendly and compassionate character who goes out of his way to help others.
Lars (8-18)One of the Vanderploonk triplets and a friend of Edwina's. He is incredibly accident -prone and twists his leg in the first scene, returning to the stage in a wheelchair, with crutches, or something similar.
Billy, Cordell (8-18)The other two Vanderploonk triplets who perform double duty on stage in "The Dear Edwina Show" and act as Box Office Manager and House Manager.
Annie (8-18)Edwina's friend, the Girl Scout who works for and collects her Girl Scout badges like they are buried treasure. No matter what problem may arise, she is prepared with know-how and resources to solve it in a flash. Should be perky, energetic, and helpful.

In addition to the above, there are the following ensemble roles, which, depending on the size of the cast, may be selected from the company.
Vladimir (baritone/tenor, 15-18)Edwina's scary uncle from far away. The actor should be a strong enough singer to feel comfortable with their own song and a strong enough actor to engage the audience with their story. The lines for this character are written with a Transylvanian "Dracula" accent in mind.
Aphrodite, Carrie, Abigail, Periwinkle, Ziggy and the marching band (8-18)The "Letter Readers" in the "Dear Edwina Show." They all, besides the marching band who sings backup, have vocal solos where they explain the dilemmas in hopes of receiving Edwina's advice.
Frank (8-18)A non-singing role that requires the actor to speak their lines during the musical breaks in "Frankenguest." A rude, self-centered, bratty, offensive character. Must be very over the top.
Chef Ludmilla, William, Sonoma, Fairy Forkmother (8-18)Form a team to instruct the rest of the company on how to set a table in "Fork, Knife, and Spoon."
Susie, Napkins, Johnny, Queen of Boola Boola (8-18)A local band who have just come from a Battle of the Bands concert at Paw Paw Community Center to sing "Say No Thank You." This group should be able to move well.
Lola (8-18)Has just arrived in America and expresses her shyness in the song "Hola, Lola." It would be helpful if this actor speaks Spanish or can do an accent.
Harry (8-18)Lola's cousin, a fun, happy go-lucky character who just wants to make sure his cousin is having a good time.
Mary Sue Betty Bob (Mezzo, 15-18)is Edwina's distant Southern cousin. This actor should have strong comedic ability who also sings well because she carries the song "Put It in the Piggy"
Farmer Jerry, girls and pigsSupport Mary Sue Betty Bob in "Put It in the Piggy."
Katie Spoonapple (8-13)Edwina's little sister and a math whiz. Although she arrives at the end of the play, she has the very important role of influencing Edwina's thoughts and feelings. It is Katie that brings about the climax of the play, showing Edwina the best advice of all.
Myra/Myron and Joe/Jo SpoonappleEdwina's other siblings who take part in "The Dear Edwina Show."

Rehearsals will be at 7 p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays January 24-March 2. Not all cast members will be needed for every rehearsal. Performances will occur at 12 p.m. Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays March 12-20.

For more information, contact the producer, Ana Kalet, at ana@villagerstheatre.com. Villagers Theatre is located at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Casting Call: 'City of Angels'

Maurer Productions of Kelsey Theatre will hold auditions for the musical "City of Angels" later this month.

Set in the glamorous, seductive Hollywood of the 40′s, the world of film studios and flimsy negligees, the show chronicles the misadventures of Stine, a young novelist, attempting a screenplay for movie producer/director, Buddy Fidler. While Fidler professes to be a fan of Stine’s work: “I’ve read a synopsis of every book you’ve ever written,” he assures the author, his gargantuan ego forces Stine to make endless compromises in the script he’s writing. The script is an adaptation of one of Stine’s novels which features his Raymond Chandler-esque hero, a private investigator named Stone. Every movie scene that Stine writes is acted out onstage in the black and white film noir world. With music scored reminiscent of a 1940s private eye film, it is a tale of decadence and homicide with a liberal sprinkling of femmes fatale.

Auditionees should prepare 32 bars of an uptempo song from musical theater, with sheet music in the proper key (no a capella or recordings); at least one monologue from the selection provided on their website; a list of conflicts; the audition application, available here; a headshot; and their resumé. There will be a short dance combination during the auditions, so dress accordingly. Appointments are strongly recommended, although not required. Auditionees must be at least 18 years old.

A list of parts can be found here.

Auditions will be held from 9-5 January 23 and from 12:30-5 p.m. January 24 at the Kelsey Theatre. Callbacks, if needed, will be held Jan. 25. The readthrough will be from 1-5 p.m. January 31, and there will be about three rehearsals per week thereafter, although not all cast members will be expected to be present for all rehearsals. Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays May 6-15.

To schedule an audition appointment, register for CastMe, if you have not previously done so. For more information, contact audition@mponstage.com. Kelsey Theatre is located on the Mercer County Community College campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

Monday, January 11, 2016

Casting Call: 'Bill W. and Dr. Bob'

Circle Players will hold auditions for "Bill W. and Dr. Bob," a play based on the true story of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.

When the stock market crashes in 1929, Bill W. becomes a hopeless drunk, and his wife, Lois, is unable to force him to keep his promise to stop. Meanwhile, Dr. Bob Smith, a surgeon, drinks in secret. He himself is an agnostic, but his wife, Anne, joins the Oxford Group, a real-life group of Christians. Bill W. and Dr. Bob meet accidentally, and a series of completely chance incidents eventually lead to the creation of AA.

Auditions will be held from 7-9 p.m. January 17 and 19 at the Circle Playhouse. The show is directed by Ed Faver.
Bill W (30-40)Lanky, on the tall side, and VERY charismatic. He has a salesman’s touch. When he speaks, he gets the attention of everyone in the room. Using vernacular of the time, one character tells Bill he could “talk a dog off a meat wagon.” He has become what he fears, a drunk like his father and grandfather. Should be able to suggest 60 for a brief section of the play.
Lois (35-45)Bill’s wife, slightly older than he is. Patient and supportive, but she has her limits. Lois is nobody’s “little woman.” She knows she doesn’t want to live with a drunk and isn’t certain that life with a newly sober Bill is any better.
Dr. Bob (55-60) A surgeon and Bill’s partner in the creation of Alcoholics Anonymous. A bear of a man, gregarious, salt of the earth, and as stubborn as a mule. Alcohol is destroying his surgical skills and turning him bitter and hateful.
Anne (55-60)Dr. Bob's wife. Petite. Can appear soft-spoken and shy, but she is a plain-spoken, no-nonsense woman of faith. Anne, like Lois, has patience to a point. She is no longer charmed by Bob’s antics and has no problem telling that to him.
Ensemble (2-4 people, various ages)Plays a variety of supporting characters in Bob's and Bill’s lives.

Performances will take place at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays April 8-23 and at 3 p.m. April 24.

For more information, contact circleplayersnj@gmail.com. The Circle Playhouse is located at 416 Victoria Avenue, Piscataway.

'Fences' at Villagers Theatre

Villagers Theatre's production of the classic play "Fences" will open this Friday, January 15.

Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro baseball leagues, now works as a garbage man in 1957 Pittsburgh. Excluded as a black man from the major leagues during his prime, Troy's bitterness takes its toll on his relationships with his wife and his son, who now wants his own chance to play ball.

The show features Arthur Gregory Pugh as Troy Maxson, Diane L. Parker as Rose Maxson, Malik Abdul-Khaaliq as Lyons Maxson, Frederick J. Philip, Jr. as Cory Maxson, Heaven Michelle McCoy as Raynell Maxson, Lawrence Jackson as Gabriel Maxson, and Lionel M. Macauley as Jim Bono. It is directed by Jerome John and produced by Andy Gordanier.

The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays January 15-24. Tickets cost $15 per person; neither group rates nor discounts are available.

To purchase tickets, click here or call (732)873-2710. Villagers Theatre is located at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset.

Casting Call: 'Veronica's Room'

Westfield Community Players will hold auditions for "Veronica's Room," a chilling mystery thriller by Ira Levin, author of "Rosemary's Baby", that explores the thin line between fantasy and reality, madness, and murder. 

Students Susan and Larry find themselves as guests, enticed to the Brabissant mansion by its dissolute caretakers, the lonely Mackeys. Struck by Susan's strong resemblance to Veronica Brabissant, the long-dead daughter of the family for whom they work, the Mackeys persuade her to briefly impersonate Veronica to solace the only living Brabissant, her addled sister who believes Veronica alive. Once dressed in Veronica's clothes, Susan finds herself locked in the role and locked in Veronica's room. Or is she Veronica, in 1935, pretending to be an imaginary Susan?

There are four characters: "The woman," aged 35-60; "the man," aged 35-55; "the girl," aged 20-36; and "the young man," aged 22-29.

Auditions will occur from 6-9 p.m. January 17 and 7-10 p.m. January 19.

Performances will be at 8 p.m. May 7, 13, 14 and 21 and at 2 p.m. May 22.

Auditionees are asked to submit an audition form in advance. The online form may be found here.

For more information, contact info@westfieldcommunityplayers.org. Westfield Community Players is located at 1000 North Avenue West, Westfield.

Playhouse 22 Seeking Play Submissions

Playhouse 22 is now accepting submissions for their 2016-17 season. For those who have submitted before, it may be beneficial to note that they have altered their submissions process.

The theatre will be considering musicals, comedies and dramas of unknown quantities for the season, which will run September through June. Those wishing to submit for the theater's "On the Edge" black box series should specify, although shows being submitted for the black box may be considered for the mainstage, and vice versa.

There will be two rounds of submissions, with a third round if needed. In the first round, would-be directors should submit no more than four shows, giving the name of each show, a one-paragraph summary of each show in their own words, and the applicant's email address and phone number. If a show is an original work, it should be thus indicated. The deadline for submissions is January 21. Once all submissions are received, the Play Selection Committee will review and select submissions to continue to the second round. Applicants whose submissions have been selected will be sent a questionnaire to be completed in ten days. If the options need to be narrowed down further, a third round of interviews will be conducted.

Once this has been done, the Play Selection Committee will place their suggestions before the theater board, hopefully by mid-February, which will deliberate and make their decision soon afterward.

To suggest shows, or for more information, contact submissions@playhouse22.org. Playhouse 22 is located 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Casting Call: 'Becket'

The Holmdel Theatre Company will hold open auditions for "Becket," by Jean Anouilh, the story of the tragic relationship between King Henry II of England and the introspective intellectual Thomas Becket, who had been his dearest friend but became his implacable enemy when intrigue raised him to the hierarchy of the church.

Auditionees are recommended to prepare monologues and should bring resumés. Sides will be provided at the audition. Equity special appearance contracts will be available for this production.


Becket (35-45)Thomas Becket is first the king's friend, later the king's chancellor, and finally Archbishop of Canterbury. Although Becket is a close personal friend of the king's and his most trusted adviser, he is not of the same race as the king. Becket prides himself on doing what needs to be done well. He does not consider himself, however, to be a man of honor. In spite of his self-analysis, he reveals himself to be more moral than he will admit. Although Becket is ambitious, he begs Henry not to name him as Archbishop of Canterbury. By taking on this role, Becket finds the honor that has so long eluded him.
Henry II (25-35)King Henry II is the ruler of England. He has taken Thomas Becket as his advisor, and they have become close friends. He is alternately ruthless, fun-loving, politically savvy, and easily led. He seems to have little regard for the people he rules; as a Norman, he has nothing but disdain for the subjugated Saxons. He is a womanizer, a drinker, and a passionate friend. Henry never forgets that he is king.
Archbishop of Canterbury (50-70)The archbishop of Canterbury is the highest official of the Catholic Church in England. At the time of the play, the archbishop and Henry are engaged in a struggle for power. At issue is who will have authority over England: the king or the church. Ironically, the most important action undertaken by the archbishop of Canterbury is dying. His death opens the way for Henry to appoint Becket to this position, thus setting the tragedy in motion. The actor in this role will play additional characters.
Gilbert Folliot, Bishop of London (25-50)An adversarial bishop who battles with both Henry and Becket; both wildly ambitious and jealous, he allows his insecurity and temper to get the best of him as he struggles to find a way to make his voice heard. Actor will play additional characters.
King Louis of France (25-45)A snobby French King who is equally interested in assisting and exploiting Becket; in many ways, the antithesis to King Henry. Well-mannered, flamboyant and high minded; but owns the room in the same way that Henry does, perhaps even to his detriment. The actor in this role will play additional characters.
Saxon Girl (15-20)A young peasant who is brought to the palace by Henry, as a companion for Becket; naïve and unexposed to the ways of nobility, yet subservient and curious as to its offerings. The actor in this role will play additional characters.
Young Monk (15-25)A young, rebellious monk who first tries to kill Becket before becoming his protégé; like Becket, he finds direction in his life once he enters into the clergy; while he is undereducated and somewhat sloppy, he is perceptive and fiercely loyal to Becket and the Church. The actor in this role will play additional characters.
Gwendolen (20-35)Becket'’s mistress; regal and intelligent but slightly naive, she solemnly and courageously meets her death after realizing that she and Becket will never be together. Sings a ballad while playing the lute/mandolin at the request of Henry. Actress will play additional character(s). Actresses auditioning for the role of Gwendolen should prepare 16 bars of a ballad (not necessarily from a show/musical). Ballad may be sung a capella, or with guitar or mandolin. Ability to play one of said instruments a plus.
Young queen (Eleanor of Aquitaine) (18- 30)Caught in an unhappy marriage with King Henry. Will one day grow into the forceful and skillfully pragmatic Eleanor of Aquitaine; for now, she is more interested in challenging Henry'’s masculinity and intelligence and less inclined to use diplomacy and charm to fall into his good graces. The actor in this role will play additional characters.
King's mother (Empress Matilda) (35-50)Henry's disapproving, over-bearing mother; undermines him at every corner and suspicious of hi’s relationship with Becket. Older and perhaps a tad senile, but still retains a sharp wit and fiery passion for power. The actor in this role will play additional characters.

Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. with 6:30-8 p.m. sign-in January 27-28. Callbacks, if needed, will be held at 11 a.m. January 30. Performances will be held April 8-23.

For more information, contact info@holmdeltheatrecompany.org. Auditions will be held at th Duncan Smith Theatre on 36 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel.

Friday, January 1, 2016

'Triangles' at Holmdel Theater Company

Go to the Holmdel Theater Company's reading of "Triangles," a new play, January 4.

On the first Monday of each month, Holmdel holds a free reading of a play, be it new or established, for fun or for possible inclusion in a future season. This month's play, "Triangles," is by Mike Sockol.

While visiting his grandmother and aunt in Monmouth County, a writer gets a surprise visit from a former lover. She reveals the first in a series of overlapping secrets, connecting five people as they struggle with love, commitment, and an unhealthy appetite for Spam. The reading features Joann Lamneck, C.J. Nolan, Sara Parcesepe, Anthony Potter, Cindy Rich, and Gina Shuster.

The reading will begin at 7 p.m. Coffee will be served.

The reading will be held at the Duncan Smith Theater, which is located at 36 Crawfords Corner Road.