'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' Special Performance

At 8 p.m. October 16, Westfield Community Players will hold an additional performance of "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, a program dedicated to assisting injured veterans.


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.

Tickets cost $20 per adult and $10 per student or active military personnel. 50% of the proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

In addition to this special performance, there are still four remaining regular performances; at 8 p.m. October 17, 23, and 24; and at 2 p.m. October 18.

To purchase tickets for the special performance online, here; for other performances, here. They may also be purchased by calling (908)232-1221. 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.

Casting Call: 'Fences'

Villagers Theatre is seeking seven actors for its upcoming production of "Fences," August Wilson's Pulitzer-winning play about black life in the 1950s.

This sensational drama follows Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro baseball leagues who 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 football.

The play won a Pulitzer for drama and the 1987 Tony Award for Best Play. The original production starred James Earl Jones as Troy Maxson, and closed after a year. A revival in 2010 starred Denzel Washington and was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, ultimately winning for best revival, Best Actor in a Play, and Best Actress in a Play.

Auditions for the Villagers production will take place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 and 27. Callbacks will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29.

Roles are:

Troy Maxson Male 45-60	African American. A former baseball star in the Negro Leagues, he now works for the sanitation department. Husband to Rose; father to Lyons, Cory and Raynell; and brother to Gabriel, and best friend to Jom Bono.
Rose Maxson Female 35-45	African American. Troy's wife and mother of his second child, Cory. She is a housewife who volunteers at her church regularly and loves her family. Rose's request that Troy and Cory build a fence in their small, dirt back yard comes to represent her desire to keep her loved ones close by. Unlike Troy, Rose is a realist, not a romantic longing for bygone days. She has high hopes for her son, Cory, and sides with him in his wish to play football. Rose's acceptance of Troy's illegitimate daughter, Raynell, as her own child, exemplifies her compassion.
Lyons Maxson Male 30-40.	African American. Troy's son from a previous relationship. Lyons is an ambitious and talented jazz musician. He grew up without Troy for much of his childhood because Troy was in prison. Lyons, like most musicians, has a hard time making a living.
Cory Maxson Male 14-18.	African American. Troy and Rose Maxson's son, a senior in high school. An ambitious young man who has the talent and determination to realize his dreams, Cory comes of age during the course of the play when he challenges and confronts Troy, and leaves home.
Gabriel Maxson Male 40-55	African American. Troy's younger brother. Gabriel was a soldier in World War II, during which he received a head injury. Gabriel wanders around the neighborhood, carrying a basket and singing. He often thinks he is not a person, but the angel Gabriel who opens the gates of heaven with his trumpet for Saint Peter on Judgment Day. Gabriel exudes a childlike exuberance and a need to please.
Jim Bono Male 45-60.	African American. Troy's best friend of more than years. Jim Bono is usually called "Bono" or "Mr. Bono" by others. Bono and Troy met in jail, where Troy learned to play baseball. He is married to a woman named Lucille, who is friends with Rose. Bono is a devoted husband and friend.
Raynell Maxson Female 7-10	African American. Troy's illegitimate child, mothered by Alberta, his lover, who died in childbirth. Raynell's need for care and support convinces Rose to take Troy back into the house.

Rehearsals will run from November through January. Performances will run from Jan. 15 to Jan. 24. The show is produced by Andy Gordanier, directed by Jerome John, and stage managed by Laura Zahorbenski.

For more information, email andy@villagerstheatre.com.

Magic Show at Villagers Theatre

Kevin C. Carr's "m3" (magic, mystery, and mentalism) will be coming to Villagers Theatre this October.

M3 is an hour long sojourn of sophisticated sorcery and mind-altering mentalism that has been professionally tried and tested in the clubs and theaters of NYC to astound and befuddle the most cynical and jaded of audiences.... astonishing parlor illusions of knuckle-busting sleight-of-hand with cards, coins, cash and your cerebral cortex are constantly at play with the deliriously deceptive likes of Kevin C. Carr.

The show is at 8 p.m. on Oct. 24, but beverages will be served at 7:30 p.m. You must be at least 18 years old to attend. Tickets are $20 dollars. All proceeds go to replacing the theater's 25 year old HVAC system.

Kevin C. Carr is a full-time professional magician, mentalist and illusionist who has been entertaining national and international audiences for over 25 years. Performance based inside and out of the NYC Metropolitan Area…Kevin C. Carr’s widely varied performance credits include Ringling, Bros., Barnum & Bailey Circus, Madison Square Garden, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, street performer (Venice Beach & Universal Studios CityWalk), stuntman, juggler, unicyclist and actor of stage and film (The Polar Express, C.S.I., Friday Night Lights, Off-Broadway’s “The Blue Man Group” as a Tubetalker…just to name a few.)

Jazz Cabaret at Villagers Theatre

Villagers Theatre will host a jazz cabaret starring Carrie Jackson this Friday.

Carrie Jackson, vocalist extraordinaire who has appeared in several top NYC jazz venues, graces the stage for one nigh only in this Villagers Theatre fundraiser.

"Carrie Jackson is an impressive vocalist and her voice swings with life. Deep and Soulful, she's sensual at the same time she's playful...Carrie has many talents, will and is never afraid to use them."
-Jazz Improv

The show is at 7 p.m. on Oct. 16 only. Tickets are $20 and are available online. Desert will be provided with the admission price. All proceeds from the event go to replacing the theater's 25 year old HVAC system.

Volunteer Open House at Villagers Theatre

Villagers Theatre will hold a volunteer open house this Sunday.

With the open house, you can see how you can become involved with the theater, meet new people, and learn new skills. Participants will learn what it's like to sell tickets in the box office, run the concessions stands, usher patrons to their seats, build sets, paint scenery, work backstage as a stage hand, run lights or sound, audition for a show, and more!

The open house is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 18.

Casting Call: ''Twas the Night Before Christmas'

Kelsey Theater will hold auditions for its annual original Christmas show, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas", in about three weeks.

t's 1822, and Clement Moore is having trouble writing his annual Christmas poem. This is especially troubling because his youngest daughter Charity is ill, and he feels that if he writes an especially good poem, it would help her feel better. Some sugar plum fairies, a mouse named Diana, and good old St. Nick himself help him along in a story that will engage young children everywhere.

Auditionees should prepare a short monologue or Christmas poem no longer than one minute; a short song, preferably a Christmas carol, with sheet music; a resumé and headshot if they have them; and a list of conflicts between Nov. 3 and Dec. 7. Auditionees should also be prepared to dance. Auditionees must be seven years or older.

Parts include Clement Moore, Eliza Moore, Diana Mouse, the Moores' children, assorted townspeople of all ages, "Mr. Kringle", and dancers. However, Clement and Eliza Moore, Diana Mouse, and Mr. Kringle have all been precast.

Performances will occur at 7 p.m. Dec. 4; 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 5; and at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 6; with possible schoolday performances at 9:45 and 11:30 a.m. Dec. 4 and 7.

For more information, or to make an audition appointment, contact KelseyTwas@gmail.com. Kelsey Theater is located on the Mercer County Community College campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

Casting Call: 'Blood Brothers'

Villagers Theatre will hold auditions for the musical "Blood Brothers."

Auditions will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 and 21. Please prepare 32 bars of an up-tempo contemporary musical theater song. You may use a song from the show. Please bring sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. Callbacks will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 22. If you recieve a callback, you should prepare the sides provided here and the musical cuts provided here.

"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.

Roles are:

Mrs.Johnstone 30's Mezzo Soprano	Original Mother of Mickey and Edward. After her husband walks out on her, she is left to take care of her children. Constantly trying to do what is best. Gets a job as a maid to support her children. While she tries her best, she cannot escape the society she has been born into.
Narrator Male Rock Tenor	"Did y' hear the story of the Johnstone twins?" Takes the audience through the important sections of the story. Truthful, yet ominous at times. Also appears as other characters throught the show.
Mrs. Lyons 30's Mezzo Soprano	Mrs. Johnstone's employer. Kind with good intensions but puts herself first-no matter the cost. Adopts Edward out of desperation towards her own insecurities. A compulsive liar who gets in over her head.
Mr. Lyons 30-40 Non Singing	Proper Gentleman from the upper class. Is tricked into thinking his wife has had a child while he was on an extended business trip. Constantly busy, and leaves the home responsibilities up to his wife.
Mickey Plays 7-20's Bari Tenor	Blood Brother raised in the poor part of town by Mrs. Johnston. A trouble maker pressured by the rules of society.
Edward Plays 7-20's Tenor	Blood Brother raised in the upper class by Mrs. Lyons. Grows up with a privileged life due to his foster parents' upbringing.
Sammy Male Plays 7-20's	Mickey's Brother. A bully and bad influence on Mickey. Constantly a trouble maker.
Linda Plays 7-20's	A lovely girl from the neighborhood. Finds the attention of both Mickey and Edward.
Chorus	Catalogue Man, Finance Man, Children, Policemen, Neighbours, Wedding Guests, Doleites, Councillors, Nurses, Judge

Rehearsals will run from Nov. 9, 2015 to Feb. 3, 2016. Performances are from Feb. 5 to Feb. 21.

The show is directed by Marie Fiorello, musically directed by Rory Chalcraft, choreographed by Jillian Kimberlin, stage managed by Judi Silver-Thaw, and produced by Donna Kimberlin and Roz Wroblewski.

For additional information, please email donna@villagerstheatre.com or call (732) 873-2710.