'Time Stands Still' at Edison Valley Playhouse

Edison Valley Playhouse will host six weekend performances of "Time Stands Still," beginning May 9.

"Time Stands Still" is the story of real-life couple Sarah, a photograpger, and James, a writer, who work together as war correspondents. When a car bomb severely injures Sarah, she comes home to recuperate in the Brooklyn loft she and James share. It soon becomes clear that she is eager to return to where the action is, while he’s relieved to be away from the terror and bloodshed.

Meanwhile, their editor, Richard, drops by with his much-younger girlfriend, Mandy, a happy-go-lucky event planner who can’t understand why journalists simply record what they see rather than actively try to stop the violence.

Directed by Gina Shuster, "Time Stands Still" will run from May 9-18, with performances at 2014 at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays.

The original production of "Time Stands Still," by Donald Margulies, enjoyed an extended sold-out run at Manhattan Theatre Club's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, and was nominated for two Tony Awards, including Best Play. This production stars Jill Mesonas, C.J. Nolan, Russell Ortiz and Tammy Owens.

Tickets cost $15 for adults, and $12 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available online, or by calling the box office at (908) 755-4654.

Edison Valley Playhouse is located at 2196 Oak Tree Road, Edison.

'Falsettos' at Villagers Theatre

Starting this weekend, Villagers Theatre will be presenting "Falsettos".

The show will be running from May 9 to May 18 at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $15 each. Group rates are not available.

Marvin seems to have the perfect New York, Jewish family-a caring wife, Trina, and a son, Jason. Marvin just happens to be a befuddled bisexual. In the course of this lively musical tale Marvin leaves Trina for Whizzer, a man, Trina marries Mendel, the family psychiatrist, Jason struggles amidst all the turmoil, and Marvin ends up alone. Years later, on the eve of Jason's bar mitzvah, Marvin reunites with Whizzer, just as AIDS begins its insidious spread. "Falsettos" is a combination of the one-act shows "March Of The Falsettos" and "Falsettoland".

The show features Drew Cyburt as Marvin, Mark Piltz Jr. as Whizzer, Cindy Chait as Trina, Stephen Belfatti as Mendel, Matthew Cox as Jason, Barbara Gurskey as Dr. Charlotte, and Cristy Miller as Cordelia.

The show is produced by Joe Buz, directed by Darren Nye, musically directed by Rory Chalcraft, stage managed by David Learn, with lighting by Dan Schulze, and Ruth Learn, Eowyn Learn, and Laura Christine Zahorbenski as stage crew.

'Falsettos' opens at Villagers Theatre

What happens when a married man falls in love with another man?

Sometimes hilarious and sometimes heart-rending, "Falsettos" opens at 8 p.m. May 9 at Villagers Theatre in Somerset, with with a book by James Lapine and William Finn and music and lyrics by Finn.

"Falsettos" is directed by Darren Nye, with musical direction by Rory Chalcraft. The cast includes Drew Cyburt as Marvin, Cindy Chait as Trina, Mark Piltz Jr. as Whizzer, Stephen Belfatti as Mendel, Matthew Cox as Jason, Barbara Gurskey as Dr. Charlotte, and Cristy Miller as Cordelia.

The show will run through May 18, with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays.

All seats cost $15.

Villagers Theatre is located at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset. For more information, call (732) 873-2710.

'A Streetcar Named Desire' in Westfield

New Orleans comes to New Jersey this month,when Westfield Community Players presents Tennessee Williams' Pulizer-winning drama, "A Streetcar Named Desire."

Directed by Brian Remo and produced by Steve Lemenille, the show opens at 8 p.m. May 10, at Westfield Community Players, 1000 North Ave. W., Westfield. The show will include performances at 8 p.m. May 17, 30 and 31; and at 3 p.m. May 11 and May 18.

Tickets cost $20, or $10 for students with current school ID, at matinees only;  and $10 for current military personnel. For tickets, call the box office at (908) 232-1221 or visit the troupe's web site.

"A Streetcar Named Desire" features Kristin Barber Furlong, James Walsh, Laura Casey, Kristina Hernandez Flannery, Mike Burdick, Patrick Field, Peter Curley, Morgan Vasquez, Joe Lacerda and Steve Lemenille.

Masterclass: Musical Theater Auditions

Circle Players will hold a class May 31 on how to audition successfully for musical theater.

The class starts at 10 a.m. and will run for a few hours. Registration is available online, and costs $20.

This class will help students learn more about the audition process and how to prepare, how to manage nerves, and what to expect after the audition is complete.

This workshop will begin with warm-ups, followed by an explanation of how to make an effective song selection, and then sample auditions from class participants. The class will also include audition critiques given by the instructor, with additional comments from classmates.

Participants should come prepared with sheet music for a song they want to work on during class. They should dress comfortably and bring a water bottle.

The class will be taught by John Watson, an experienced pianist and musical director.

Casting Call: '25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' at Skylight Theatre

Dunellen Skylight Theatre Productions will hold auditions mid-May for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

The show chronicles the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser.

With music and lyrics by William Finn and a book by Rachel Sheinkin, with additional material by Jay Reiss, the show will be directed by Jason F. Cilento and will feature choreography by Kaitlyn Chattin.

Auditions will take place at the Dunellen Senior Center, 234 Orange St., Dunellen, from 6-9 p.m.  May 12 and May 13. Callbacks will be held from 3-7 p.m. May 17. Performances will be Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 15-24.

Rehearsals will take place in the Dunellen Senior Center, with performances at Washington Memorial Park in Dunellen.

For your audition, please prepare a 32-bar selection from a song that showcases vocal range and dynamics, as well as an ability to communicate through the song. The show requires improvisational skills and features audience interaction and participation. An accompanist will be available at auditions.

Actors may be any age, from teens on up. For more information, please contact dunellenskylight@yahoo.com

Character Breakdown:

Character	Character Description	Vocal Range
Carl Dad	Schwarzy's main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy's fathers.	G3 - D5
Chip Tolentino	An athletic, social Boy Scout, and champion of the 24th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Chip returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.	C4 - B5
Dan Dad	The more laid-back and ineffectual of Schwarzy's fathers	G3 - D5
Douglas Panch	The vice principal. After five years' absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an "incident" at the 20th annual bee, but Panch claims to be in "a better place" now, thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections.
Jesus Christ	Deity invoked by a speller in need.
Leaf Coneybear	The second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark and finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing. He is homeschooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. He has attention deficit disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance.	A3 - A5
Leaf's mom, dad and siblings	All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success.
Logainne Schwartzandgrunenierre (Schwartzy)	Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures. She is driven by internal and external pressure, but above all by a desire to win to make her two fathers proud. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and will be back next year.	A3 - F5
Marcy Park	A recent transfer from Virginia, Marcy placed ninth in last year’s nationals. She speaks six languages, is a member of all-American hockey team, is a championship rugby player, plays Chopin and Mozart on multiple instruments, sleeps only three hours a night, hides in the bathroom cabinet, and is getting very tired of always winning. She is the poster child for overachievers, and attends a Catholic school called "Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows." She is also not allowed to cry.	C4 - E5
Mitch Mahoney	The official comfort counselor. An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students. He has no idea how to offer comfort, but does find himself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better.	E4 - A5
Olive Ostrovsky	A young newcomer to competitive spelling. Her mother is in an ashram in India, and her father is working late, as usual, but he is trying to come sometime during the bee. Having found comfort in its words and vastness, Olive made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her to make it to the competition. She starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms.	B3 - F5
Olive's dad	A fantasy version of Olive's dad coming to the bee from work.	E4 - B5
Olive's mom	A fantasy version of Olive's mom at her ashram in India.	D4 - E5
Rona Lisa Peretti	The top Realtor in Putnam County, a former spelling champion herself, and the returning moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves children, but she can be very stern when it comes to dealing with Vice Principal Panch and his feelings for her. Her interest in the competition is unflagging and drives it forward.	B3 - F5
William Barfee	A finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. His famous “Magic Foot” method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy, bullying personality. He develops a crush on Olive.	E4 - B5

'High School Musical 2' at Villagers Theatre

This weekend only, Villagers Theatre will be presenting "High School Musical 2".

The show will be performing at 8 p.m. on Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. All tickets are $10 and are available online. 

On the last day of junior year the East High gang can't wait to get the summer started - they're ready for summer jobs, money for college and to have fun. To that end, Troy gets them all jobs at Lava Springs Country Club - which happens to be owned by popular girl Sharpay's father! While Sharpay schemes to steal Troy's heart from Gabriella, her brother Ryan hopes to win the Star Dazzle Award. Everything comes to a head at the talent show where the group has to remember their motto - all for one, and one for all.