'The Producers' at Playhouse 22

It's a musical about making the world's worst musical: Mel Brooks' "The Producers" will open at Playhouse 22 this Friday.

The show starts out with Max Bialystock, a down and out Broadway producer whose latest work flopped on opening night. His fortunes change when downtrodden accountant Leo Bloom, discovers there is money to be made in Max’s theatrical failure. As a result, the two formerly-defeated businessmen unite with the goal of creating the worst musical possible. The plot develops as the duo enlists the help of ridiculous and often farcical characters along the way, such as former Nazi and ongoing Third Reich enthusiast Franz Liebkind; Ulla, the blonde bombshell secretary/receptionist; and the flamboyant homosexual director Roger De Bris. As a result of the characters' combined brainpower and ludicrous behavior, "Spring Time for Hitler" is born on Broadway.

The show features Roman Sohor as Max Bialystock, Dan Peterson as Leo, Hannah Schroeder as Ulla, James Grausam as Roger, Christopher Cantu as Franz, Frank Falisi as Carmen, Jeff Dworkin as Marks, Sarah Braka, Anthony Competello, Christa DiLalo, Jeremiah Grant, Katie Hilosky, Jerome John, Megan Liberty, Caitlyn Manning, Marissa Marciano, Dwight Merritt, Mikayla Petrilla, Mark Piltz, Jr., Leigh Suznovich, Marc Suznovich, Mary Jo Tort Bergeron, and Jenna Zielinski.

The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays excepting September 19 and at 3 p.m. Sundays and September 26 September 11 to 27. Tickets cost $22 per adult and $20 per student or senior. The ticket price includes a $2 East Brunswick surcharge.

To purchase tickets, click here or call (732)254-3939. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Season Subscriptions for Cranford Dramatic Club

Cranford Dramatic Club is now selling season subscriptions for their upcoming season. Shows covered by the subscription include "Born Yesterday," "Green Day's American Idiot," and "The Drowsy Chaperone." Not included are "Rapunzarella White" in December and Junior Theater's "Tarzan: The Musical" in June.

Born Yesterday is a deliciously witty screwball comedy about a corrupt businessman trying to get ahead in Washington. He hires a newspaperman to tutor his brassy girlfriend but gets more than he bargained for when he discovers a little bit of learning can be a dangerous thing. The show runs at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays October 16-24 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 18 and 24.

In the two-time Tony award-winning hit musical "American Idiot," based on Green Day's
Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum album, Johnny, Tunny and Will struggle to find meaning in a post-9/11 world. The rock opera features little dialogue and instead relies on the lyrics from Green Day's groundbreaking album to execute the story line. at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Feb. 12-27 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 21.

With the house lights down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical. The recording comes to life and "The Drowsy Chaperone" begins as the man in the chair looks on. Mix in two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theater producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight. at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays May 6-21 and at 2 p.m. May 15.

To purchase a subscription, download the form here, fill it out and send it to PO box 511, Cranford, NJ, 07016. Those with season subscriptions will be able to reserve seats. Cranford Dramatic Club is located at 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford.

'Curtain Call' Fall Theater Class at Cranford Dramatic Club

Cranford Dramatic Club will host their theater program "Curtain Call," this fall. It will last thirteen weeks and culminate in a performance of "Elf Jr."

There are two divisions of the program. "Act One", for those in grades first through fourth, will begin September 21; "Act Two" is for fifth- through eighth-graders and will begin September 23. The two groups will come together for two performances of "Elf Jr." December 19.

The program costs $250 a student, or $225 for Cranford Dramatic Club members. Registration forms can be downloaded here to print and either mail to PO box 511, Cranford, NJ, 07016 or bring to the first session.

For more information, contact megferentinos@yahoo.com. Cranford Dramatic Club is located at 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford.

Casting Call: 'Rapunzarella White'

Cranford Dramatic Club will hold auditions for the fractured-fairy-tale-style "Rapunzarella White" next week.

Herschel the fairy tailor tells the tale of triplets Rapunzel, Cinderella and Snow White, born to Queen Millicent and her slimy Frog Prince, who hopped off long ago. They are torn asunder by a witch’s curse and brought back together by the true love of their princes.

Auditionees should prepare an upbeat, non-pop song and their resumé.

Parts in the show include the narrator, the fairy tailor dwarf Herschel (30s-60s); Queen Millicent, the princesses' mother (30s-50s); the queen's evil sister Witch Winifred, or Winnie (30s-50s); the three princesses Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Snow White (16-25); and their princes the slightly clumsy Burly Bob, Prince Valiant-type Beau, and bookish Barry (16-25). Members of the ensemble will play the princes' father King Rosenbutter (40s-60s), their mother Queen Rhoda (40s-60s); Cinderella's stepmother Gilda (40s-60s); her stepsisters Greta and Gertrude (16-25), and her 'fabulous' fairy god-brother Syd (20s-30s); as well as townsfolk, guests at the ball, fairies, and dwarves (8-80).

Auditions will take place at 7:30 p.m. September 14 and 16. Performances will occur December 4, 5 and 6.

For more information, visit cdctheatre.org. Cranford Dramatic Club is located at 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford.

Casting Call: 'Miracle on 34th Street'

Somerset Valley Players will hold auditions for "Miracle on 34th Street."

Auditions will be held at the theater on Sep. 13 and 16 at 7 pm. Readings will be from the script. Singers are needed as carolers. There will be a large ensemble with many doubled roles and all cast members (adults and children) will be offered speaking roles.



Little Susan doesn't believe in Santa Claus. But over the course of this classic story, a Macy's Santa brings the joyous spirit of Christmas to New York City. His gentle and noble spirit converts even the deepest cynics into true believers of miracles.



Roles are:

Doris Walker	30s; Personnel mgr at Macy's
Susan Walker	8-10; Doris' daughter
Fred Gayley	30's-40's; Doris' neighbor and friend
Kris Kringle	50's+; Santa Claus
Elves (6)	teenagers; Santa's helpers
Dr. Pierce	adult; Kris' physician
Shellhammer	adult; Doris' assistant
Sawyer	adult; Macy's vocational counselor
Macy	adult; Owner of Macy's
Bloomingdale	adult; Owner of Bloomingdale's
Judge Harper	adult; of the NY State court
Finley	adult; Bailiff
Mara	adult; Prosecuting attorney
Andy/Annie Mara	8-10; Mara's child
Extensive Ensemble	will include many double roles. All cast members will be offered a speaking role. Includes children to see Santa, parents, shoppers, pedestrians, courtroom observers , and carolers, who will be singing between scenes.
Halloran	Judge Harper's campagn manager
Duncan	Antelope keeper at the zoo
Al/Alice and Lou/Louise	Postal employees
Bag Lady	At Thanksgiving parade
Rich Person	At Thanksgiving parade
Drunken Santa	Macy's employee

Contact director Emily Windus via email emilywindus@gmail.com for answers to any questions. For further information call 908.369.7469

Casting Call: 'The Uninvited'

Somerset Valley Players will hold auditions for Tim Kelly's "The Uninvited."

Auditions will be readings from the script - no monologues. Bring a resume and list of conflicts between the above dates. Contact Darren via email darren@nyetech.com for advance copies of Sides and other questions. Auditions will be held at the Somerset Valley Players Located at 689 Amwell Road, Hillsborough. They will take place on September 14 and 15 from 7 pm to 10 pm.

A charming English seaside cottage may be haunted in this thriller. The new owners are not aware of the cottage's dark past and terror arises from the discovery of a possible murder on the grounds. Locals tell dark tales of the former occupants and the evil spirits that may dwell within.

Roles are:

Stella Meredith 18-21	Charming, sweet, polite and quite vulnerable. Family connected to Cliff End, which is currently owned by her grandfather Commander Brooke.
CommandersBrooke 60s+	Stella's grandfather. Stern, overprotective man, very controlling, and not afraid to show it.
Roddy Fitzgerald 20s-30s	Honest, simple, playwright. Very friendly but a bit of a smartass. New owner of Cliff End. Takes a liking to Stella.
Pamela Fitzgerald 20s-30s	Creative, enthusiastic, and intelligent. Lover of the Arts. Sister to Roddy. Also lives at Cliff End with her brother Roddy.
Lizzie Age Open	Pam and Roddy's housekeeper and family friend. Very loyal and very superstitious. Becomes friends with Mrs. Jessup.
Mrs. Jessup 40s-60s	Loud, nosey neighbor and the town gossip. Personality is a stereotypical southern Baptist woman of color. Becomes friends with Lizzie.
Wendy Carter 20s-30s	Vivacious, sarcastic actress from New York. Breezy, flashy, heavy interest in the paranormal world.
Max Hillard 20s-30s	Comical, beatnik painter from New York. Currently involved with Wendy and protective of her.
Dr. Scott 50s+	Pleasant, honest town doctor. A man of science and facts, not the supernatural.
Miss Holloway 40s+	Glamorous, cold, and slightly sinister. Governess and former nurse of the Meredith family. (This role is for a strong actress, who can command the stage.)

Character development and diversity should bring excitement to both the cast and audience to make this a great experience for all. This play is a thriller, and will involve serious not "campy" acting. However there will be special paranormal effects. Rehearsal schedule will be 2 to 4 mandatory days a week, Mon thru Thu 7:00pm & some weekends plus tech week (specific dates/calls selected after casting).

The show is directed by Darren Nye.

It runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm from October 23 to November 8. For further information call (908) 369-7469.

'The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940' at Villagers Theatre

"The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" opens at Villagers Theatre this month.

The show opens September 11 and closes September 27. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for seniors and students. Group rates are available.

Poking antic fun at the more ridiculous aspects of "show biz" and the corny thrillers of Hollywood's heyday, "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" is a non-stop barrage of laughter as those assembled (or at least those who aren't killed off) untangle the mystery of the "Stage Door Slasher."

There will be an opening night party on September 11 with complimentary refreshments after the performance, if you interested in staying.

The show is written by John Bishop, directed by Judi Parrish, produced by Emily Russoniello and Howard Gross, and stage managed by Beverly Kuo-Hamilton and Madison Whiting, featuring fight choreography by Katie Downey, costumes by Sue Darling, lighting by Suzanne Wengryn, sound design by Judi Parrish, sound operation by Marissa Madison, and sets by Guy Suabedissen, with Simon Hamilton on stage crew.

The cast features Cindy Chair as Helsa Wenzel, Robyn Mandalakis as Elsa Von Grossenknueten, Arthur Pugh as Sergeant Michael Kelly, Ariana Fort as Nikki Crandall, Bobby Marusiefski as Eddie McKuen, Richard Butler as Ken de la Maize, Mike Levine as Roger Hopewell, Laurie Hardy as Bernice Roth, Gordon Wiener as Patrick O'Reilly, amd Allison DiBiase as Marjorie Baverstock.