Thursday, September 24, 2015

Casting Call: 'The Hot L Baltimore'

Westfield Community Players will hold auditions for "The Hot L Baltimore" around this time next month.

The show is set in the lobby of a dilapidated old hotel. Despite its run-down, sometimes repulsive nature, however, the hotel's inhabitants each have a very personal relationship to the Hotel Baltimore and to their neighbors living in it. The play is comprised of a series of conversations between the residents of the hotel, who are contemplating an uncertain future after the hotel is condemned and scheduled for demolition.

Auditionees should bring a resumé and be prepared to read from sides.

Mrs. Belotti (50s)Mrs. Bellotti is the mother of a former tenant. Described as a whiner and complainer, she tells the audience that her husband just had a leg amputated because of diabetes. When Katz makes it clear that her son will not be allowed to return, she goes upstairs and begins to pack his belongings.
the Girl (18+)A young prostitute, the Girl is caring and concerned about the other residents. She goes to great effort to help Morse. It is she who tells Jackie that she has bought worthless land.
April Green (30+)A prostitute; described as large, pragmatic, quick to laugh, pretty, and foul-mouthed. Protective of Suzy.
Jackie (20+)A hustler traveling with her brother, Jamie. She needs money and tries to get Katz to co-sign a loan so they can go Utah to grow health foods on a worthless piece of land she has bought. She steals jewelry from Morse's room, but is caught and ordered to leave. She tells Jamie that she is going to buy gas, but never returns to pick him up.
Jamie (20+)Jackie's brother. A bit slow. In the last act, Jamie is abandoned by his sister, who simply drives off and leaves him to manage on his own.
Mr. Katz (35+)The hotel manager. A balding, tired man. Gives the residents one month's notice because the hotel is to be torn down.
Bill Lewis (30+)The night clerk at the hotel. He has a difficult time communicating and covers by talking too loudly. Bill is interested in the Girl and is more tolerant with her than the other hotel employees.
Millie (50+)A retired waitress. Considered eccentric, she believes in ghosts and lives in a world more imagined than real.
Paul Granger (20+)A college student who was arrested for selling drugs. He has recently been released from a work farm, and comes to the hotel to look for his grandfather.
Mrs. Oxenham (~45)Day desk clerk. Quick speaking with no commerce.
Suzy (~30)A prostitute. Hopelessly romantic, but hard as nails.
Mr. Morse (~70)Craggy with a high cracking voice. He has much energy and outrage in spite of moving slowly.

In addition to those listed above, there are three minor characters: Suzy's John, a cab driver, and a delivery boy.

Auditions will be held from 6:30-9:00 p.m. October 20 and 22. Performances will run at 8 p.m. January 9, 16, 22 and 23; and at 2 p.m. January 17. If auditionees wish, they may submit an audition form in advance.

Westfield Community Players is located at 1000 North Avenue West, Westfield.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' at Westfield Community Players

"Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" will open next weekend at Westfield Community Players.

Vanya and his adopted sister Sonia live a quiet life in the Pennsylvania farmhouse where they grew up, but their peace is disturbed when their movie star sister Masha returns unannounced with her twenty-something boy toy, Spike. A weekend of rivalry, regret, and raucousness begins.

The show features Garry Tamburro as Vanya, Sharon McGuire as Sonia, Debbie Badal as Masha, Ross Pohling as Spike, Melissa Mugica as Nina, and Vikki Massulli as Cassandra. It is directed by Linda Viel.

The show will run at 8 p.m. October 3, 10, 17, 23, and 24; and at 2 p.m. October 18. Tickets cost $20 per adult and $10 per student or active military personnel.

To reserve tickets, click here or call (908)232-1221. For information regarding ticket purchase, click here. It is important to note that tickets not claimed and paid for 15 minutes before curtain may be sold. Westfield Community Players is located at 1000 North Avenue West, Westfield.

Seeking Volunteers for Disabled Cast

Youth Stages of Kelsey Theater is seeking volunteers to assist the actors in the VSA NJ fall production of "The Secret Garden".

There are sixteen adult actors with various disabilities. Volunteers are sought to work backstage, assisting the actors with entrances and exits so they do not miss cues, and helping them with minor costume changes. A one-on-one match is ideal. The volunteers will also help with set changes.

Volunteers need to be available from 7-9 p.m. Nov. 5 at Project Freedom, Hamilton; and also from 7-9 p.m. Nov. 9-12 at Kelsey Theater, with Nov. 12 being the evening of the performance.

Those interested should contact Jean Prall Rosolino either by emailing manager@youthstages.com or by calling (609)430-9000. Kelsey Theater is located on 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

World of Warcraft Party and Capital Campaign Fundraiser at Circle Players

Circle Players invites you to an immersive themed party to complement its first offering of the 2015-16 season, “In Love and Warcraft.”

This comedy written by Madhuri Shekar filters the romantic ups and downs of college through the popular online role-playing game “World of Warcraft.” Not sure what ‘World of Warcraft’ is? Then come learn about it and celebrate with the theatre at a special preshow event.

There will be a talk on the history, races, and terminology associated with the game as a crash course to get you ready for the show. After the chat, there will be a group game called "Werewolf", with unique "World of Warcraft" prizes for the winners. Pizza, salad, and soda will be provided.

Also, if you really want to get into the Warcraft spirit, there will be a costume contest. All those who come in costume will get a chance to win a "World of Warcraft" prize. Costumes may be of any genre, but weaponry and overly large or distracting costumes will not be allowed in the theater and must be left in the lobby or returned to your car before the show. We also ask that if you remain in costume, you sit in the section of the house directly across from the entrance onto the stage.

This fundraiser is part of our “Raise the Roof” capital campaign, with all proceeds going toward the installation of a new roof for the theatre next summer.

The party is at 5 p.m. on Sept. 26. Tickets for the party are $10 and may only be purchased at the door via cash or check. Tickets for Saturday’s performance of "In Love and Warcraft" are available online at $17 via major credit cards, or at our box office window for $18 with cash or check only.

Casting Call: 'Dinner With Friends'

DinnerWithFriendsCircle Players will hold auditions for Donald Marguiles' "Dinner With Friends."

Auditions will be hold on Sept. 28 and 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the theatre. Please bring a headshot and resume. Sides will be provided. Callbacks will be on Sept. 30.

Two men and two women in their 30s are needed are needed to play Karen, Beth, Gabe, and Tom.

In their Connecticut home, Karen and Gabe, international food writers, are giving a dinner for their married best friends, Beth and Tom. Beth arrives alone, and It soon emerges that Tom has left her for another woman. Gabe and Karen are almost as crushed as Beth is, having expected ‘to grow old and fat together, the four of us.’ Sides are taken and defenses are made – but the real turmoil brewing is between Karen and Gabe, who suddenly find their faith in their own marriage shaken to the core.

"Dinner With Friends" won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Performances run from Nov. 20 to Dec. 6.

The show is directed by Tin Frascatore.

Circle Players is located at 416 Victoria Ave Piscataway, NJ 08854 If you have any questions, please email us at circleplayersnj@gmail.com.

Monday, September 21, 2015

'The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds' at Villagers Theatre

Villagers Theatre's VIP series presents the play "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds."

The show performs at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays, and runs from Oct. 1 to Oct. 11. There will no performance Oct. 8. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. No group rates or discounts are available.

Frowzy, acid-tongued, supporting herself and her two daughters by taking in a decrepit old boarder, Beatrice Hunsdorfer wreaks a petty vengeance on everybody around her. One daughter, Ruth, is a pretty but highly strung girl subject to convulsions; while the younger daughter, Matilda, plain and almost pathologically shy, has an intuitive gift for science. Encouraged by her teacher, Tillie undertakes a gamma ray experiment with marigolds that wins a prize at her high school-and also brings on the shattering climax of the play. Proud and yet jealous, too filled with her own hurts to accept her daughter's success, Beatrice can only maim when she needs to love and deride when she wants to praise. Tortured, acerbic, slatternly, she is as much a victim of her own nature as of the cruel lot that has been hers. And yet, as Tillie's experiment proves, something beautiful and full of promise can emerge from even the most barren, afflicted soil. This is the timeless lesson of the play and the root of its moving power and truth.

The show is produced by Fearless Productions, directed by Brian Remo, and written by Paul Zindel.

erformance Dates/Times: Opens: Thursday, October 1, 2015 Closes: Sunday, October 11, 2015 First Week Thursday/Friday/Saturday 8:00pm Sunday 2:00pm Second Week Same as above except no Thursday Show Ticket Prices: General Admission $20 Adult ~ $15 Senior/Student No Group Rates or Discounts are available Description:  Producer/Director/Stage Manager: Produced by: Fearless Productions, LLC Learn More or Buy Tickets at: www.villagerstheatre.com

Casting Call: 'A Christmas Peter Pan'

Villagers Theatre will old auditions for their production of "A Christmas Peter Pan."

Auditions are from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 5 and 6. Sides will be provided. Please come prepared to dance. Callbacks are from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 7.

Captain Hook is at it again! No longer satisfied with disrupting the peace in Neverland, he has decided to take a "stab" at ruining Christmas. His plan includes preventing Santa from making his deliveries, capturing Peter Pan to keep him from interfering with Part One of the plan, and, for extra-bad measure, scattering all the toys out over the frozen North Pole landscape. Now it's up to Tinker Bell and those darling kids, Wendy, Michael and John (with a little help from the audience), to save the day.

Roles are:

Peter Pan Male or female, age range 16-20
Snow Fairies Four people needed; Male or female, age range 10-16
Wendy Female, age range 16-20
Santa's Elves Four people needed; Male or female, age range 10-16
John Male, age range 10-15
Pirates Three people needed; male or female, age range 10-16
Michael Male, age range 5-10
My Little Ponies Two people needed; female, age range 5-10
Nana/Crocodile Adult
Lost Toys Five people needed; male or female, adult
Mother Female, adult
Father Male, adult
Tinker Bell Female, age range 10-15
Captain Hook Male, adult
Smee Male, adult
Santa Claus Male, adult


Rehearsals will begin Oct. 8 and end Dec. 11. The show will perform from Dec. 12 to Dec. 20. at noon on Saturdays and Sundays and 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

The show is directed by Tina Lee, produced by Paul Carver, and stage managed by Melissa Noble.

For further information, please email paul@villagerstheatre.com or call (732) 666-7294.