'The Normal Heart' at Cranford Dramatic Club

The Cranford Dramatic Club will be performing "The Normal Heart" at 8 p.m. September 5 and 6.

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 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.

'Bye Bye Birdie' at Plays-in-the-Park

Plays-in-the-Park will be presenting "Bye Bye Birdie."

The show will perform from July 30 to August 9 at 8:30 p.m. each night except for Sunday.

Originally titled "Let's Go Steady" and inspired by Elvis Presley, the musical is set in a small Ohio town in 1959. Albert Peterson, agent for famous rock and roll star Conrad Birdie, is going to lose business when Birdie is drafted into the Army. Albert's girlfriend and assistant, Rosie Alvarez, brilliantly develops a publicity stunt to have Birdie give "One Last Kiss" to one lucky girl from his fan club before going into the Army. The lucky girl chosen is 15-year-old Kim MacAfee from Sweet Apple, Ohio, who has just started going steady with Hugo Peabody. Jealousy and hilarity ensue with fun and memorable songs, such as "Put on a Happy Face," "A Healthy, Normal American Boy" and "Honestly Sincere."

The cast features Joe Riley as Albert Peterson, Kimberly Diane as Rose Alvarez, Vicki Tripodo as Mae Peterson, Natalie Romeo as Kim MacAfee, Izzy Figueroa as Conrad Birdie, Jonathan Fishman as Mr. Harry MacAfee, Michele Crefeld as Mrs. Doris MacAfee, Stephen Jack as Randolph MacAfee, Evan Krug as Sayegh Hugo Peabody, Shannen Doyle as Ursula Merkle, and Dana Simone as Gloria Rasputin.The sweet apple teens feature Shannon Garahan as Helen, Lina Zikas as Nancy, Rebecca Phillips as Alice,  Kyra Bowie as Margie Ann, Claire Fitzpatrick as Deborah Sue, Erin Sullivan as Penelope Ann, Rachel Khutorsky as Linda, Lexi Stryker Marta as Martha Louise, Lauren Fraiser as Carol, Dana Simone as Suzie, Greg Archer as Harvey Johnson, Matthew Flores as Karl, Tyler Holoboski as Freddie, Kevin C. McCarthy as Arthur, Danny Sims as Henry, and Jack Tomy as Harold. The sweet apple parents feature Jack Cibrian as The Mayor, Arlene Britt as the Mayor's Wife, Frank Norek as Mr. Merkle/Charles F. Maude, Beth Kasper as  Mrs. Merkle/Reporter, Joe Leo as Mr. Miller/Reporter, Angela Dohl as Mrs. Miller, Pete Matseur ad Mr. Johnson/Policeman, and Elena Marie Chalcraft as Mrs. Johnson.

The show is directed by John Mentor, musically directed by Rory Chalcraft, choreographed by Amanda Grace, with sets by Mike D'Arcy, lights by Roman Klima, sounds by Matthew Boyle, costumes by Carolyn McCaffrey, and stage managed by Brianna Guell.

Auditions for the Paper Mill 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.

'Gypsy' at Villagers Theatre

The Villagers Theatre's TeensVill is happy to present this year's summer musical, "Gypsy".

The show runs from July 25 - August 10 at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $16 each.

"Gypsy" is a musical fable with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. Loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, "Gypsy" focuses on her mother, Rose, whose name has become synonymous with "the ultimate show business mother."

The show is produced by Donna Kimberlin, directed by Corey Rubel and Jessica Kimberlin, choreographed by Jillian Kimberlin, musically directed by Francois Suhr, Kiera Radvanski and David Regner, stage managed by Alex Klein, and costumed by Joseph Tudor.

The cast feaures Sandy Buz as Mama Rose, Janine Silano as Louise, Caileigh Idell as June, Zach Levine as Herbie, Adam Magnacca as Tulsa, Ben Michaele as Angie, Dylan Croker as LA, Eric Bermudez as Yonkers, Alex Mandalakis Tessie Tura, Allie Gorenc as Mazeppa, Abby Oliver as Electra, Hannah Weaver as Agnes, Angie Francese as Marjorie May, Krystle Danza as Dolores, Connor McKenna as adult male, Arielle Handler as Baby June, Julia Patella as Baby Louise, Andrew Mercurio as rich kid, Akshay Gokul as Clarence, Michael Koutros as Young Tulsa, and Julia Moritz as balloon girl.

Casting Call: 'Footloose'

Somerset Valley Players will be holding auditions for "Footloose".

Auditions will be July 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. Callback are July 30 at 7 p.m. Auditions will be held at SVP. Please prepare 16-32 bars of a song in the style of the show or a song from the 80s. There will be sides provided from the show. There will also be a dancing portion of the audition so dress accordingly.

When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn't prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town's youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend's rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren's reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him.



Roles are:

Ren McCormack       17 - 18	Witty, Fun-Loving. Must sing and dance well.
Ethel McCormack           40s	Ren's Mom, Smart, Resilient
Reverend Shaw Moore            40s	Passionate, Charismatic
Vi Moore      40s	Shaw's Wife, Reserved, Understanding
Ariel Moore     17-18	Shaw's Daughter, Rebellious, Carefree
Rusty 17-18	Ariel's best friend, Sassy, Romantic
Chuck Cranston        18-20	Ariel's boyfriend, Unruly, Controlling
Willard Hewitt         17-18	Ren's Friend, Goofy, Loving
Urleen 16-18	Ariel and Rusty's Friend
Wendy Jo    16-18	Ariel and Rusty's Friend
Lyle  17-18	Chuck's Friend
Travis 17-18	Chuck's Friend
Jeter 16-18	Ren and Willard's Friend
Bickle  16-18	Ren and Willard's Friend
Garvin  16-18	Ren and Willard's Friend
Cowboy Bob       18-40	Country Singer
Betty Blast    20-40	Diner Owener
Lulu Warnicker     30s-40s	Ren's Aunt
Wes Warnicker     30s-40s	Ren's Uncle
Coach Roger Dunbar    30s to 40s	Wrestling coach and gym teacher
Eleanor Dunbar   30s to 40s	Coach's wife and town counsel chair
Principal Harry Clark              40s	School Principal
Ensemble  16-60	Various School mates, townspeople

The show performs October 24 to November 9 at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

The show will be directed by Christian Carrara, musically directed by Thomas Pepitone, and produced by Daniel Schulze.

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.

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.