'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' at Holmdel Theatre Company

Holmdel Theater Company will present "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," a play adapted from the classic short story by Washington Irving of the same name, in mid-October.


The show features Adeolu Adefarasin as Major Andre/Van Houten, Pamela Banz as the snow maiden, Jeanette Burgoyne as a teen/ghoul, Elena Marie Chalcraft as Judith Gardinier, Tom Cox as Vanderghast, Jim Cusick as Van Tassel, Charles Deitz as Knickerbocker, Ed Estevez as Mr. Vedder, Matthew Giove as Brom Bones/Starkenfaust, Matt Hagberg as Van Bummel/Ghoul, Dave Harris as Brouwer, Kaylin Iannone as Katrina, Kelly Iannone as Mrs. Van Tassel, Sean Mako as Ichabod Crane, Mason McCarthy as Doolittle, Jon Erik Nielsen as Vanderdonk, CJ Nolan as Van Ripper, Tess Reeves as Mrs. Vedder, and Alberta Thompson as Mrs. Van Ripper. It is directed by Melanie Taylor.

The show runs at 8 p.m. October 16, 17, 24, and 30; and at 2 p.m. October 18, 24 and 25. Tickets cost $12 per student, $17 per senior and $22 per other adult. All online orders have a $3 processing fee fee, and all at-the-door purchases have a $1 fee.

To purchase tickets online, click here. The Holmdel Theatre Company is located at the Duncan Smith Theatre at 36 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel.

Casting Call: 'A Very Kelsey Christmas'

In less than two weeks, Forté Productions of Kelsey Theater will hold auditions for "A Very Kelsey Christmas".

Harkening back to the Christmas specials of the 60’s and 70’s, the show will feature solos, group numbers, and variety acts in the framework of a television broadcast, complete with studio cameras, monitors and an applause sign.  While the focus of the show will be Christmas, all songs of the season will be considered.

Director John Zimmerman and musical director Peter de Mets seek singers, actors, and dancers to fill a variety of roles ranging from St. Nick to the Kelsey Singers Chorus.

Auditionees should prepare a Christmas carol. An accompanist will be provided.

Auditions will run from 1-4 p.m. October 10 and from 2-5 p.m. October 11. Performances will occur at 8 p.m. December 12 and at 2 p.m. December 13.

To schedule an audition, contact VeryKelseyChristmas@gmail.com. To suggest skits or musical numbers that might fit with this type of show, contact the director at president@fortedrama.org.

Casting Call: 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'

A Charlie Brown Christmas" was first shown as an animated television special in 1965, when its child voice actors and upbeat jazz score by Vince Guaraldi made it a surprise hit with audiences, and turned into a regular feature of the Christmas holiday ever since.

Hedgehog and Feather Theatre Co. will hold auditions for the stage adaptation of this Christmas classic in just a few days. They are seeking those in grades 5-10.

Auditionees should wear appropriate clothing for the dance audition, and are recommended to familiarize themselves with the Christmas special. They should also be prepared to sing the songs "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful", "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". They will be asked to read from sides.

Rehearsals will be held on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. Auditions will be held 6:30-9:30 p.m. September 28; auditionees must have no conflicts December 7 through 12. Performances will be December 11 and 12.

For sides or for more information, click here. For further information, contact info@hedgehogandfeather.org. Auditions will be held in the Parish Center of Holy Trinity Catholic Church at 512 Westfield Avenue, Westfield, through the glass door entrance to the left of the main entrance.

Casting Call: 'The Hot L Baltimore'

Westfield Community Players will hold auditions for "The Hot L Baltimore" around this time next month.

The show is set in the lobby of a dilapidated old hotel. Despite its run-down, sometimes repulsive nature, however, the hotel's inhabitants each have a very personal relationship to the Hotel Baltimore and to their neighbors living in it. The play is comprised of a series of conversations between the residents of the hotel, who are contemplating an uncertain future after the hotel is condemned and scheduled for demolition.

Auditionees should bring a resumé and be prepared to read from sides.

Mrs. Belotti (50s)	Mrs. Bellotti is the mother of a former tenant. Described as a whiner and complainer, she tells the audience that her husband just had a leg amputated because of diabetes. When Katz makes it clear that her son will not be allowed to return, she goes upstairs and begins to pack his belongings.
the Girl (18+)	A young prostitute, the Girl is caring and concerned about the other residents. She goes to great effort to help Morse. It is she who tells Jackie that she has bought worthless land.
April Green (30+)	A prostitute; described as large, pragmatic, quick to laugh, pretty, and foul-mouthed. Protective of Suzy.
Jackie (20+)	A hustler traveling with her brother, Jamie. She needs money and tries to get Katz to co-sign a loan so they can go Utah to grow health foods on a worthless piece of land she has bought. She steals jewelry from Morse's room, but is caught and ordered to leave. She tells Jamie that she is going to buy gas, but never returns to pick him up.
Jamie (20+)	Jackie's brother. A bit slow. In the last act, Jamie is abandoned by his sister, who simply drives off and leaves him to manage on his own.
Mr. Katz (35+)	The hotel manager. A balding, tired man. Gives the residents one month's notice because the hotel is to be torn down.
Bill Lewis (30+)	The night clerk at the hotel. He has a difficult time communicating and covers by talking too loudly. Bill is interested in the Girl and is more tolerant with her than the other hotel employees.
Millie (50+)	A retired waitress. Considered eccentric, she believes in ghosts and lives in a world more imagined than real.
Paul Granger (20+)	A college student who was arrested for selling drugs. He has recently been released from a work farm, and comes to the hotel to look for his grandfather.
Mrs. Oxenham (~45)	Day desk clerk. Quick speaking with no commerce.
Suzy (~30)	A prostitute. Hopelessly romantic, but hard as nails.
Mr. Morse (~70)	Craggy with a high cracking voice. He has much energy and outrage in spite of moving slowly.

In addition to those listed above, there are three minor characters: Suzy's John, a cab driver, and a delivery boy.

Auditions will be held from 6:30-9:00 p.m. October 20 and 22. Performances will run at 8 p.m. January 9, 16, 22 and 23; and at 2 p.m. January 17. If auditionees wish, they may submit an audition form in advance.

Westfield Community Players is located at 1000 North Avenue West, Westfield.

'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' at Westfield Community Players

"Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" will open next weekend at Westfield Community Players.

Vanya and his adopted sister Sonia live a quiet life in the Pennsylvania farmhouse where they grew up, but their peace is disturbed when their movie star sister Masha returns unannounced with her twenty-something boy toy, Spike. A weekend of rivalry, regret, and raucousness begins.

The show features Garry Tamburro as Vanya, Sharon McGuire as Sonia, Debbie Badal as Masha, Ross Pohling as Spike, Melissa Mugica as Nina, and Vikki Massulli as Cassandra. It is directed by Linda Viel.

The show will run at 8 p.m. October 3, 10, 17, 23, and 24; and at 2 p.m. October 18. Tickets cost $20 per adult and $10 per student or active military personnel.

To reserve tickets, click here or call (908)232-1221. For information regarding ticket purchase, click here. It is important to note that tickets not claimed and paid for 15 minutes before curtain may be sold. Westfield Community Players is located at 1000 North Avenue West, Westfield.

Seeking Volunteers for Disabled Cast

Youth Stages of Kelsey Theater is seeking volunteers to assist the actors in the VSA NJ fall production of "The Secret Garden".

There are sixteen adult actors with various disabilities. Volunteers are sought to work backstage, assisting the actors with entrances and exits so they do not miss cues, and helping them with minor costume changes. A one-on-one match is ideal. The volunteers will also help with set changes.

Volunteers need to be available from 7-9 p.m. Nov. 5 at Project Freedom, Hamilton; and also from 7-9 p.m. Nov. 9-12 at Kelsey Theater, with Nov. 12 being the evening of the performance.

Those interested should contact Jean Prall Rosolino either by emailing manager@youthstages.com or by calling (609)430-9000. Kelsey Theater is located on 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

World of Warcraft Party and Capital Campaign Fundraiser at Circle Players

Circle Players invites you to an immersive themed party to complement its first offering of the 2015-16 season, “In Love and Warcraft.”

This comedy written by Madhuri Shekar filters the romantic ups and downs of college through the popular online role-playing game “World of Warcraft.” Not sure what ‘World of Warcraft’ is? Then come learn about it and celebrate with the theatre at a special preshow event.

There will be a talk on the history, races, and terminology associated with the game as a crash course to get you ready for the show. After the chat, there will be a group game called "Werewolf", with unique "World of Warcraft" prizes for the winners. Pizza, salad, and soda will be provided.

Also, if you really want to get into the Warcraft spirit, there will be a costume contest. All those who come in costume will get a chance to win a "World of Warcraft" prize. Costumes may be of any genre, but weaponry and overly large or distracting costumes will not be allowed in the theater and must be left in the lobby or returned to your car before the show. We also ask that if you remain in costume, you sit in the section of the house directly across from the entrance onto the stage.

This fundraiser is part of our “Raise the Roof” capital campaign, with all proceeds going toward the installation of a new roof for the theatre next summer.

The party is at 5 p.m. on Sept. 26. Tickets for the party are $10 and may only be purchased at the door via cash or check. Tickets for Saturday’s performance of "In Love and Warcraft" are available online at $17 via major credit cards, or at our box office window for $18 with cash or check only.