'Not Your Mother's Black Box' and 150 Central Concert at Villagers Theater

Villagers Theater will hold two one-night events: "Not Your Mother's Black Box," and a concert by contemporary Christian band 150 Central.

"Not Your Mother's Black Box" is a series of stand-up comedy performances by various artists. It features Valerie DiMambro, Ryan Houssein, Ty Raney, Mike Holsworth, Steve Kupp, Joe Stahley, and Dan Bocchino. The show may not be child-friendly.

The show will start at 8 p.m. August 24. Wine and cheese will be provided before the show.

The 150 Central concert will start at 8 p.m. August 17.

Tickets for "Not Your Mother's Black Box" are available online. Concert tickets also can be purchased online. All tickets cost $15. 

Proceeds from the events will support the Villagers Theatre general operating fund.

Villagers Theater is located at 475 Demott Lane, Somerset.

Casting Call: 'The Ghost Train'

Main Street Players is looking for actors for a Halloween thriller about a ghostly train that portends doom.

"The Ghost Train" is a two-act thriller comedy about a party of passengers who miss their train transfer, and find themselves stranded in the waiting room of an isolated station on a stormy night. The station master tries to get them to leave citing the local legend of a ghost train that dooms all who see it. Is it all silly superstition? When a train whistle blows in the night, they may find out the terrifying truth.

In the style of the old black-and-white thrillers, "The Ghost Train" mixes chills, thrills, and laughter for an entertaining ghostly treat for those brave enough to sit through to the climax.

The show has six parts for men, and four for women. Auditions will be held at 7:30 p.m.  Aug. 12 and Aug. 13, at Main Street Players, 3018 Bordentown Ave., Parlin.

Performances run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 25- Nov. 9. For more information, visit the Main Street Players web site, or contact John C., at deadpan80@gmail.com

Circle offers stage fighting class

Ever wonder how other actors pull off convincing stage fights, or how you could learn to fight onstage safely? Now you can!

Veteran stage combatant Erik Hall will teach"Fighting for Actors" at Circle Players, from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 10. Students will learn proper technique to physical actions that they have a high probability of encountering in most stage work. Tickets cost $20, and are available only online.

Techniques to be covered include slaps: forehand and backhand; punches: cross, uppercut and jab; knaps: self or first person, secondary and third person; falling: front and rear; kicks, hair-pulling and choking; and rolling, if time allows.

Students will be paired at the end of class and given a scenario and allowed to create a “fight” to showcase to the class for critique.

Students should wear comfortable clothes and sneakers. If they have difficulty kneeling or sensitive knees, knee pads are recommended.

Erik Hall has many years of experience staging fights on the stages of local theaters, as well as the New Jersey Renaissance Fair, where he was an actor, writer, and director for over 10 years.

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'The World Goes 'Round' at Playhouse 22

Playhouse 22 will kick off its 55th anniversary late September with a musical revue.

Directed by Bill Seesselberg, "The World Goes 'Round" is a musical revue showcasing the songs of John Kander and Fred Ebb. The show consists of a collection of songs from "Chicago," "Cabaret" and "Funny Lady." The revue will be under the musical direction of Rory Chalcraft, with choreography by Susan Zuckerman.

Performances will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays from Sept. 20-Oct. 6. There is no show on Sept. 28, but there will be an 8 p.m. show Sept. 26.

"The World Goes 'Round" features the talents of Jen Hanselman, Pam Jorgensen, Cristy Miller, Bill Osman and Mark Piltz.

'Greater Tuna' at Villagers Theatre

A little piece of Texas is coming to New Jersey next month, as "Greater Tuna" opens at Villagers Theatre.

Written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, "Greater Tuna" is the first in a tetrology of comedic plays set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas, the “third-smallest” town in the state. The plays are at once an affectionate commentary and a withering satire on small-town, Southern life and attitudes. The plays are notable in that two men play the entire cast of over twenty eccentric characters of both genders and various ages.

"Greater Tuna" comes to Villagers Theatre from 624 Productions, as part of the theater's Villagers Independent Producers Series.

The show runs for three performances, from Sept. 6 to Sept. 8. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $16. No group rates or discounts are available.

Casting Call: 'Jerry's Girls'

Edison Valley Playhouse is looking for a few good women for the musical "Jerry's Girls."

Featuring music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, and concepts by Larry Alford, Wayne Cilento and  Jerry Herman, "Jerry's Girls" is a musical revue celebrating the music of Jerry Herman, with songs from "Hello Dolly," "Mame," "La Cage Aux Folles," "Mack and Mable" and others

The performance will be under the direction Joe Vierno, with musical director Jim Sabo and choreographer: Christina Rak-Samson. The event is being presented by the Historic Edison Valley Playhouse and Edison Arts Society.

Auditions will be held at the Historic Edison Valley Playhouse, 2196 Oak Tree Road, Edison, from 1-3 p.m. Aug. 18, and from 7-9 p.m. Aug. 21. Callbacks will be arranged if necessary. For more information, call (908) 755-4654.

Directors are looking for a diverse ensemble of five women of all ages and ethnicities. All cast members will have solos and ensemble parts. There are three alto/mezzo roles, including a comic role ranging from low E to high D; and two soprano roles with a range to G.

Bring sheet music in your key for one up-tempo song and one ballad. An accompanist will be provided. No acapella auditions.

Show dates are Nov. 1-16, and Nov. 10. Rehearsals begin during the week of September 16

For questions or additional information e-mail joe.vierno@gmail.com