Dragonfly summer camp

Looking for something for your children to do this August? Have you considered theater camp?

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will offer a two-week summer theatre camp from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays Aug. 8-19, for children in third through eighth grades. Dragonfly Camp will give participants the opportunity to play theater games, act in improvisational scenes, write plays, film movies, design costumes and sets, and to act in a full production.

Camp costs $500 for two weeks, with extended care available for $50 per week. The camp will be located at Metuchen Reformed Church, 150 Lake Ave., Metuchen.

The program will be planned, taught and supervised by Dragonfly Artistic Director, Catherine LaMoreaux, a certified experienced educator in theatre, English and elementary education.

For more information, visit DragonflyArtsNJ.com, or call (908) 930-3210.

To register, click the Buy Now button below or download the registration form and mail.

'Sleeping Beauty' at Somerset Valley Players

It's time to wake up from the sleepy days of midsummer, and get to the theater.

Somerset Valley Players will stage its production of "Sleeping Beauty" this weekend. Directed by Holly Kowalenko from a script by Blanche Marvin, this show gives the familiar fairy tale an unexpected treatment. A shy and absent-minded prince is browbeaten into marrying Sleeping Beauty, who is 100 years his senior. The children in the audience lend him a hand, while good and bad fairies deal with the politics of the day and the gossips of the court vie with each other telling scandal.

The show runs from July 15 through July 31, with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays, and at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for everyone else.

Somerset Valley Playhouse is located at 689 Amwell Road, Hillsborough. For more information, call the theater at (908) 369-7469.

Final weekend: 'Incorruptible' at Circle Players

It won't take a miracle to save on "Incorruptible"  this weekend at Circle Players.

As the show enters its final weekend, the theater is offering $2 off the cost of regular adult admission for Friday night only. Patrons who use the code BONES can get a ticket for $16. The discount is available at both the box office and online, but patrons must enter the code. The discount is not available for Satutrday or Sunday performances.

Written by Michael Hollinger, “Incorruptible” is a farce set in Priseaux, France, circa 1250 C.E. Saint Foy, patron of the local monastery, hasn’t worked a miracle in thirteen years. All eyes turn to the pope, whose promised visit surely will draw other pilgrims — until a rival church claims to possess the relics of Saint Foy — and those bones are working miracles. All seems lost until the destitute monks take a lesson from a larcenous one-eyed minstrel, who teaches them an outrageous new way to pay old debts.

Performances will begin at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. Sunday. The play is directed by Eric Walby of Hopewell, and produced by Elyse Halloran of Somerset.  The stage manager is Laura Zahorbenski of Somerset.

The theater is located at 416 Victoria Ave., Piscataway. Due to the layout of this theater-in-the-round, latecomers cannot be seated once the performance has started. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before curtain.

For reservations, call (732) 968-7555, or buy tickets online at www.circleplayers.org. Credit cards may not be used at the box office, but will be accepted online.

Casting Call: 'And Then There Were None'

The only mystery right now is who will be cast for the show.

Westfield Community Players will hold auditions next month for an upcoming production of "And Then There Were None." Directed by Steve Lemenlle, the show is based on the Agatha Christie novel about 10 strangers who are invited to an island where someone begins killing them one at a time. As the victims pile up, the list of suspects dwindles until the story reaches its surprise conclusion.

Auditions will run from 7-9:30 p.m. July 11, 12 and 14. Characters should be able to speak with an English accent. Sides will be provided. Audition forms are available on the theater's web site.

The theater is located at 1000 North Ave. W., Westfield. Performances are scheduled for Oct. 15, 22, 23, 28 and 29.

The cast of characters:

SIR LAWRENCE WARGRAVE - (male) [stage age: 50's-60's] A recently retired judge. Wargrave is a highly intelligent older man with a commanding personality. As the characters begin to realize that a murderer is hunting them, Wargrave's experience and air of authority make him a natural leader for the group.

VERA CLAYTHORNE - (female) [stage age: 20's-30's] A former governess who comes to the island purportedly to serve as a secretary to their absent hostess, Mrs. Owen. Vera is one of the most intelligent and capable characters in the play, but she also suffers from attacks of hysteria, feels guilty about her supposed crime, and reacts nervously to the uncanny events on the island.

PHILIP LOMBARD - (male) [stage age: 30's-40's] A mysterious, confident, and resourceful man who seems to have been a mercenary soldier in Africa. Lombard is far bolder and more cunning than most of the other characters, traits that allow him to survive. He also has an interest in Vera.

WILLIAM BLORE - (male) [stage age: 30's-40's] A former police inspector. Blore is a man whose experience often inspires others to look to him for advice. He acts boldly and frequently takes initiative, but he also makes frequent blunders.

DR. ARMSTRONG - (male) [stage age: 40's-60's] A gullible, fussy and slightly timid doctor. Armstrong often draws the suspicion of the other guests because of his medical knowledge.

EMILY BRENT - (female) [stage age: 50's-60's] An older, ruthlessly religious spinster who is disagreeable and suspicious.

GENERAL MACKENSIE - (male) [stage age: 60s] The oldest guest. An upright soldierly old man with a gentle and tired face, often gets lost in his thoughts.

TOM ROGERS - (male) [stage age: 40's-50's] A competent manservant who is quick and deft but just a bit shifty.

MRS. ROGERS - (female) [stage age: 40's-50's] Tom Rogers's wife. At first, Ethel is opinionated and seems fine, but underneath Ethel is a frail woman.

ANTHONY MARSTON - (male) [stage age: 20's] A rich, athletic, handsome youth. Tony Marston likes to drive recklessly and seems to lack a conscience.

FRED NARRAGOTT - (male) [stage age: 30's-40's] A delivery person that also provides ferry service to and from the island.

Casting Call: 'Bingo'

Somerset Valley Players is seeking seven actors for an upcoming production of "Bingo."

Set in the middle of a boisterous bouncy bingo hall, "Bingo" follows three flamboyant women as they grab their numbered cards with gusto in a singing celebration of their love for the game. A sudden blackout rouses them to recall the glory of longlost friends as they embrace the joys of life and high hopes for a cheerful future.

Auditions will be held at 7:30 p.m. June 26 and June 27, with callbacks June 29 by invitation only.

There will be a vocal audition. Prepare 16-32 bars of a song selection, in a style similar to the show. A piano accompanist will be provided. Wear comfortable clothing as there will also be a simple dance/movement element of the audition. For more information, contact director Christian Carrara via Facebook messenger or email at zolton64@gmail.com.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Vern, 40s	Leader of the group. Really loves Bingo. Is in it to win it and nothing else. Witty. Sarcastic. Stubborn. Think Dorothy from the Golden Girls. Powerful Broadway belt from low A to a solid C.
Patsy, 40s	Craziest of the group. Enjoys Bingo, but only when she has all of her troll dolls, and rabbits' feet, and many other luck charms. Spacey. Paranoid. Loving. Very much like Rose from the Golden Girls. Pop belt to F.
Honey, 40s	Most promiscuous of the group. Doesn't really care for Bingo as long as she is with her friends and has a chance to flirt with the guys. Flirty. Fun. A little ditzy. Similar to Blanche from the Golden Girls. Belt/mix to E.
Minnie, 40s-60s	Bingo Hall Manager. Wants to make sure everyone is safe and has a good time. Needs to be comfortable interacting with the audience. Spry. Quick on her feet. Sophia-esque (from the Golden Girls). Belt to C.
Bernice, 40s	Nicest of the group. No longer plays Bingo with the girls, but misses them dearly. Genuine. Kind. Maybe a little passive aggressive. Belt to C.
Alison, 20s	Bernice's daughter. An actress trying to reunite her mother with her friends. Passionate. Optimistic. Quirky. Belt to F#.
Sam, 40s	Bingo Caller. He loves his job and takes it very seriously. However, he can be distracted by Honey. Rugged. Handsome. Serious. Baritone to F.

Performances will begin at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m.  Sundays Sept. 9-25.

Auditions will be held at Somerset Valley Players, 689 Amwell Road, Hillsborough.

Circle Players announces cast of 'Richard III'

Circle Players has announced the cast of the first production of its 2016-2017 65th anniversary season.

Jessica Damrow Sherman will direct Shakespeare's "Richard III," with Nils Swanson in the title character. Swanson, resident of North Brunswick, is also in the theater's current production of "Incorruptible."

Also appearing in the show are Tess Ammerman as Anne, J.D. Robinson as Clarence/Ratcliff, Alicia Harabin as Elizabeth, Steven Mennella as Rivers/Lord Mayor, Heidi Carter Hart as Margaret, David Learn as Catesby, Erik Hall as Edward/Richmond, Donne Petito as Cecily, Ed Faver as Hastings/Ely/Tyrell, Ruth Learn as Young Richard, and Jacob Hall as Young Edward.

The roles of Buckingham, Gray, and Brakenbury will be announced soon.

The historical Richard III was king of England from 1483 until his death in 1485, at the age of 32, in the Battle of Bosworth Field, when he was succeeded by King Henry Tudor. Richard III was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty. Written around 1591, "Richard III" is believed to be one of Shakespeare's earlier plays, preceded only by the three parts of Henry VI and perhaps some of his comedies.

Circle Players is located at 416 Victoria Ave., Piscataway. For more information, visit the web site at www.circleplayers.org.

"Richard III" opens Sept. 23.

Casting Call: 'Barefoot in the Park'

Time to put your timing to the test! Villagers Theatre is casting its upcoming production of Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" this mid-July.

Paul and Corie Bratter are newlyweds in every sense of the word. He's a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer and she's a free spirit always looking for the latest kick. Their new apartment is her most recent find, too expensive with bad plumbing and in need of a paint job. After a-six day honeymoon, they get a surprise visit from Corie's mother and decide to play matchmaker during a dinner with their neighbor-in-the-attic Velasco; and inadvertently learn a thing or two about their own relationship in the process. The show will be directed by Matt Lafargue.

Auditions are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. July 12 and July 13, with callbacks at 7:30 p.m. July 14. Rehearsals would begin the following Monday, with performances Sept. 16-Oct. 2.

All auditionees must agree to and sign the Villagers Liability/Photo Release Form, found at:
www.villagerstheatre.com/liability-photo-release-form.pdf.

For more information writer to producer Emily Russoniello, at emily@villagerstheatre.com.

Villagers Theatre is located at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset.

LIST OF CHARACTERS:

Corie Bratter (20-25)	A newlywed, married only six days at the beginning of the play. She is young and full of enthusiasm. Impulsive, quirky and fun-loving, she would much rather do something crazy and have a great story to tell than stay home and do nothing. Her non-stop energy and thirst for adventure can be tiring to her husband and her mother, but is also the main reason they ever have any fun. She is more domestic than she lets on, and despite her independent spirit, deep down she loves it when somebody takes care of her.
Paul Bratter (26)	Corie's husband, a newlywed just starting his career as a lawyer. Paul is 26 but breathes and dresses like he's 56. His manner and his outlook are both very conservative. Levelheaded and practical, but always ready with some wit and sarcasm when the occasion calls for it. He may come off stuffy and joyless, but Corie knows he's really a hopeless romantic, and that's both how and why she drives him wild.
Mrs. Banks (45-50)	Corie's mother. Warm, pleasant and very dignified. She's not a grandmother yet, but it's clear that she'll be great at it someday. Like Paul, she comes across as very proper and does not see herself as the adventurous type. Her most endearing and impressive quality, however, is her willingness to accept just about anyone and go along with just about anything. It would never be her idea to go out for a wild night on the town, but she'll go along if Corie drags her. And she'll never complain (at least not while Corie is in earshot).
Victor Velasco (58)	The Bratters' charming and flirtatious upstairs neighbor, he describes himself as "56 years old and a thoroughly nice fellow," but he's really 58. He fancies himself a worldly playboy, but he doesn't have the funds to pull it off in the style he would prefer. He professes a great deal of knowledge of other cultures from around the world, but nobody can tell whether he's just making it all up. (He's probably making up about half of it.) He might appear ageless or even lecherous at times, but his most closely guarded secret is that he's really a perfect gentleman who is completely aware of exactly how old he is.
Harry Pepper (35-45)	The telephone repairman. A salt-of-the-earth working man who knows a lot because he's seen a lot. He is humble and unassuming, but he carries with him the wisdom that comes from having spent his entire career in other people's homes.

Note: The nonspeaking role of DELIVERY MAN will be played by our stage manager.