'Romeo and Juliet' at Circle Players

Circle Players will present William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" this May.

The show will take place at 8 p.m. April 25, 26, May 2, and at 3 p.m. May 3 and May 4. Tickets cost $18 for adults and $17 for seniors and students, and are available online. You also can make reservations by calling (732) 968-7555. No credit cards are accepted at the box office.

One of The Bard’s most well-known plays, the tragedy of two star-crossed lovers whose untimely deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. This contemporary production places the Bard’s timeless words in a modern setting – a private school. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce teenagers to the 16th-century world of Shakespeare while still making the play relevant to their lives.

The show is directed by Erik Hall and produced by Faith Dowgin.

The cast features Kristin Bennet, Debbie Campanali, Becca Dagnall, Lewis Decker, Charles Deitz, Chris Debono, Ed Faver, Roberto Forero, Daniel Hamm, Victor Martinez, Taryn Mateyka, Mary Morlino, George Rateau, Billy Rateau, Joshua Rowand, Lance Williams, Stacie Williamson, and Mark Zebro.

The theater is located at 416 Victoria Ave., Piscataway.

A wine and cheese reception and a celebration of William Shakespeare’s birthday will follow the opening night performance.

Master Class: Improv 101

Circle Players will be holding an improv class early this April.

The class is at 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 5th. Registration costs $20 and must be done online.

Taught by Andrew Young,  this introduction to Basic Improv will give students the opportunity to learn how to find basic games in scenes. Students will learn how to use "yes-and," playing at the top of your intelligence, active listening and support to create comedic improvised scenes.

 Andrew Young has been practicing and performing improv since 2005. He studied both long-form and short-form improvization at Improv Jam where he was named a Summer League All-Star. From 2005-2007, he was a member of the Backstage Players Improv Thingy, a collegiate short-form group based in Edison, NJ. In 2007, he was an initial member of Quaint Little Coffee Shop (QLCS), a long-form improv group based out of New Brunswick, NJ. As a part of QLCS, Andrew performed at venues throughout the country. Andrew is currently a member of Death by Improv (DBI), a short-form improv group based in Sayreville, NJ. DBI has performed in festivals in Florida and Boston.

Casting Call: 'Arsenic and Old Lace'

Auditions are coming up for farcical black comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace" at Playhouse 22.

The show revolves around the Brewster family, composed primarily of insane homicidal maniacs. The hero, Mortimer Brewster, is a drama critic who must deal with his family and local police in Brooklyn as he debates whether to go through with his recent promise to marry the woman he loves. Auditions will be at 7 p.m. March 30 and 31; callbacks will be held April 1.

Abby Brewster (60s)	A darling lady in her sixties who poisons elderly men. Mortimer's aunt.
The Reverend Dr. Harper	A minister. Elaine's father.
Teddy Brewster (40s)	Abby's nephew. Thinks he is Theodore Roosevelt.
Officer Brody	A police officer.
Officer Klein	Also a police officer.
Martha Brewster	A sweet elderly woman with Victorian charm who poisons elderly men. Abby's sister and Teddy and Mortimer's aunt.
Elaine Harper (20s)	Mortimer’s fiancée.
Mortimer Brewster	A drama critic who is engaged to Elaine and cares for his sweet murderous aunts.
Mr. Gibbs	A man who wishes to rent a room from the Brewster sisters.
Jonathan Brewster	A psychopath who has had plastic surgery and now looks like Boris Karloff. Abby and Martha's nephew.
Dr. Einstein (50s)	A plastic surgeon and an alcoholic. Has given Jonathan plastic surgery three times.
Officer O’Hara	A police officer and a would-be playwright who pesters Mortimer to read his play.
Lieutenant Rooney	A tough and dominating police officer.
Mr. Witherspoon	A superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitarium.

Auditions will be held on a first come, first served basis. The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays June 13-29.

For more information, contact arsenic@playhouse22.org or call (732)254-3939. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

'Five Women Wearing the Same Dress' at Playhouse 22

"Five Women Wearing the Same Dress," part of Playhouse 22's "On the Edge" series, opens tonight, March 28.

Set during an overdone wedding reception at the home of the bride, Tracy, in Knoxville, Tennessee, the five bridesmaids have found refuge in Tracy's sister's room. As the play progresses, they realize that, among other things, they have more in common with each other than any of them do with the bride.

The show features Becky Stromberg, Ana Kalet, Ashley Widmer, Kere Koughlin-Presnal, Casey Chartier-Vignapiano, and Dennis Tolentino.
Performances will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays March 28-April 6. Tickets cost $15.

To purchase tickets, click here. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Casting Call: 'Meet Me in St. Louis'

Yardley Players will hold auditions for "Meet Me in St. Louis" from 12-5 p.m. April 26 and 1-5 p.m. May 4 at Kelsey Theater. Audition appointments are required.

Auditionees will need to bring a headshot, prepare a song as specified below, and prepare for a dance audition, as well as download an audition form here. Rehearsals will be 7-10 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, and 2-6 p.m. Sundays. In addition, they will also be on Tuesdays and Thursdays July 6-17.

Mr. Smith (40+)	A lawyer. Those auditioning for Mr. Smith should prepare either "Wasn't it Fun" (D flat) or "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
Mrs. Smith (40+)	A loving mother. Those auditioning for Mrs. Smith should prepare either "Wasn't it Fun" (D flat) or "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
Lon Smith (16+)	A Princeton freshman. Those auditioning for Lon should prepare either "Skip to my Lou" (F-A flat) or "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
Rose Smith (16+)	Chic daughter. Those auditioning for Rose should prepare either "Skip to My Lou" (F-A flat) or "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
Esther Smith (16+)	Has a lively personality. Those auditioning for Esther should prepare either "The Boy Next Door" (D flat) or "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (G).
Agnes Smith (12+)	A tomboy. Those auditioning for Agnes should prepare either "Under the Bamboo Tree" (F) or "Skip to my Lou" (F).
Tootie Smith (7+)	Has a bright outspoken personality. Those auditioning for Tootie should prepare either "Under the Bamboo Tree" (F) or "Skip to my Lou" (F).
Grandpa (60+)	Mrs. Smith's father and a Civil War vet. A kindly person. Those auditioning for Grandpa should prepare "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
Katie (50+)	Irish housemaid and cook. Those auditioning for Katie should prepare either "Touch of the Irish" (F-A flat) or "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
John Truitt (17+)	Athletic boy next door. Those auditioning for John should prepare either "You Are For Loving" (D flat) or "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
Warren (17+)	Rose's beau. From a rich family. Those auditioning for Warren should prepare either "Skip to my Lou" (F-A flat) or "Meet Me in St. Louis" (B flat).
Eve (16+)	Lon's date. The actor playing Eve will also do some ensemble singing and dancing. Those auditioning for Eve should prepare either "Meet Me in St. Louis" (F), "Skip to my Lou" (F) or "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (G).
Postman (middle-aged)	Irish. Those auditioning for the postman should prepare either "Meet Me in St. Louis" (F), "Skip to my Lou" (F) or "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (G).
Motorman-Trolley driver	Those auditioning for Motorman should prepare either "Meet Me in St. Louis" (F), "Skip to my Lou" (F) or "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (G).
Various young men (to be played by multiple actors)	Clinton, Peewee, Sidney. Those auditioning for any of those three parts should prepare either "Meet Me in St. Louis" (F), "Skip to my Lou" (F) or "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (G).
Ensemble (All ages 6+)	The ensemble will play trolley passengers, party guests, ballroom couples, and carolers. Those auditioning for the ensemble should prepare either "Meet Me in St. Louis" (F), "Skip to my Lou" (F) or "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (G).

The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays from July 18-27. To make an appointment, contact directorkristydavis@gmail.com. Kelsey Theater is located on the Mercer County College Campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

Seeking Actors for 'Her Dream, My Nightmare'

Villagers Theatre is seeking actors for a staged reading of "Her Dream, My Nightmare" by Tiffany L. Wilson.

The production is a light commitment. There is only one performance and minimal rehearsal. The performance is on May 19.

The play takes a look at the lives of two couples and how their situations overlap. Bo and Val live together and get along well.  Val's mother passed and Val promised her mother that she would go back to church. When Val gives Bo an ultimatum, marry her or no sex, Bo decides to move out of their apartment. Bo moves in with his friend and business partner Shelby a successful business owner. She is a Lesbian and her girlfriend Tricia is unhappy about the new arrangement. As the plot thickens, religious values, friendship, loyalties and a massive web of secrets and lies intertwine.

Roles are:

Taylor Goodmen	Devout church member. African-American. She was married to a pastor for 8 years.  She lived in New York with her husband. She is a "super Christian" that is actually extremely tormented by guilt.
Valerie Fiona Bell	African-American. Just got "Saved", just joined the church, and has befriended Taylor. Valerie is a Junior High Math teacher. With no kids, she is full of energy, the good girl. She is a good woman to Bo, but has trouble speaking up for herself.
"Bo" Bowen Jonathan Jones	Valerie's boyfriend: Accountant. African-American. Has 3 kids from a marriage  College Graduate.  He has just getting accounting career off the ground.
Clyde Brewing	Professional comedian. African-American. Bo's best friend from elementary school. Has been a comedian all his life. Started writing jokes to make the bullies laugh when he was younger. Graduated as a biology major top of his class. Was over weight all his live but has recently lost a lot of weight.
Shelby Wallace	Lesbian, African-American. Clyde's best friend from college Owns a gym that she is in the process of franchising the Workout Lounge.  Shelby is intelligent and beautiful.
Patricia "Tricia" Walker	An artist, Shelby's Lesbian girlfriend. African-American. A con artist manipulator that has been abused and misused so much that she uses her beauty to take advantage of others. Actress must be able to be sweet, sexy, and hateful.
Pastor George Fathers	Taylor's husband. African-American. He is loving, compassionate, and smart.
Rose	Comic relief, African-American. Val's next door neighbor. She is married and a friend to Val. Rose brings truth from a different perspective into the story.

If you are interested please send you resume and head shot to newplaywrightseries@yahoo.com.

'Wrong Window' at Villagers Theatre

Villagers Theatre will be presenting "Wrong Window" by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore.

Directed by Eric Walby, the show will be running from March 28 to April 13 at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $16 for seniors and students and $18 for adults and can be bought online. Groups rates are available.

This tongue-in-cheek spoof of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window finds New York couple Marnie and Jeff spying on their neighbor as he appears to murder his wife. Amid a frenzy of slamming doors, missing bodies, confused witnesses and a mad, flashlight lit chase, the mystery of Lila Larswald's murder (or not) is enough to drive a person psycho. Filled with zany antics and red herrings, and peppered (the play, not the herrings) with multiple Hitchcock film references, this comedy-thriller is sure to have you on the edge of your seat with vertigo and mirth.