Seussical Offers Special Price on Sundays!!

Monday, April 28, 2008

Due to the sell-out response to the "ALL SEATS $5 FAMILY MATINEE" for "SEUSSICAL"on Sunday, April 27th, Center Stage Jackson has announced the community theatre group will offer the $5 Family Matinee price on Sunday, May 4th as well.

"Center Stage Jackson was thrilled to sell out Seussical on Sunday.
That means over 400 people including many families were able to experience live community theatre at a price that is affordable...especially in a soft economy", said Christine Gorton - President of Center Stage Jackson. "Clearly price drove the audience of over 400 to the Baughman Theatre on Sunday. Seussical is a wonderful show and an example of the quality productions and amazing talent offered right here in our own backyard. Reducing the ticket price puts CSJ at risk of not making box-office sales goals, but providing the magic of live theater to kids and an opportunity for a family activity makes it worth the cost."

Seussical - Presented by: Center Stage Jackson Baughman Theatre - JCC May 2, 3 - 8PM, $10 Students, $12 Seniors, $15 Adults May 4 - 3PM ALL SEATS $5 www.centerstagejackson.org

Tickets - JCC Box Office 796-8600

Chip Mezo's Fantastic Adventure

Chip Mezo, who stepped in to direct Seussical for Center Stage Jackson just three short weeks ago, got an email from his agent in London saying he has been cast as the First Cover for Billy Bigelow, the male lead in ANDREW LLOYD WEBER'S revival of Carousel in London's West End! (Seussical opens on Friday and runs for two weekends. ) Chip will also be performing in his own cabaret at All Play & No Work on May 9 & 10. Then he will be directing the musical Fame for CSJ's Summer Stage. He will be moving to London in August to start rehearsals for Carousel. So now is your chance to see Chip's work before his career takes another giant leap!

Summer Classes for Kids & Teens

Check out Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History, Jackson Community College, or Connie's School of Dance for summer classes if your kids are interested in performing. Dates and costs vary.

At the Ella contact Amy Wellington by calling 517-787-2320.
At JCC contact Ellen Young by calling 517-796-8582.
At Connie's School of Dance contact Connie Wolin at 517-782-4377

Although I couldn't locate the information on their website, the Jackson Citizen Patriot printed more detailed information about ALL summer camps on Sunday, April 20, 2008.

Jacie Dininny 2008

VIVIAN JACELYN "JACIE" - Passed away on April 13, 2008 in Albion, Michigan. She was at home under the loving care of her family and Great Lakes Hospice. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Robert; two sons, Robert (Vicki) of Concord, MI and David (Nevia) of Chagrin Falls, OH; one daughter, Kathleen (Tony) Hutchins of Albion; sister, Patsy Kropp of Ottawa Hills, OH; brother, Jim Brown of Cambridge, MA; seven grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Jacie was a Registered Nurse who graduated from Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. She also held a Master's degree in Maternal and Child Health from the University of Florida. She finished her nursing career by opening her own practice in Women's Health in Jackson, Michigan. She was one of the first, if not the first, nurse practitioners in the state of Michigan to open her own practice. In that sense she was a real pioneer in the nursing world. Jacie's main hobby was theater. She played roles in the Marshall Civic Theater and the Jackson Civic Theater as well as The Clark Lake Players. She was one of the founders of the Albion Civic Theater and played several roles there as well. She especially liked doing musical comedy and was an accomplished singer. She sang in a church choir wherever she lived. She also did oratorio work with the Jackson Chorale and the Albion Choral Society. She was a great friend and nurse to all who knew her and she will be sorely missed. Final arrangements are being made by J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home at 811 Finley Drive, Albion, MI 49224. According to Jacie's wishes, the body will be cremated immediately and there will be no visitation at the funeral home. There will be a Celebration of her life service at the First United Methodist Church in Albion at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22. There will be a chance to greet the family for an hour before the Celebration Service. After the service a light luncheon will be served at the church. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to Great Lakes Hospice would be appreciated. www.kevintiddfuneralhome.com www.Mlive.com/obits Published in the Jackson Citizen Patriot on 4/16/2008.

Fred Drago 1928 - 2008

Born in Bogota, Columbia on October 13, 1928, Manfredo Carlo Drago was a truly remarkable man who lived and enjoyed a lifetime of many interests and accomplishments. In 1931, his family moved to Genoa, Italy. Several years later "Fred" came to the United States and studied at the University of Michigan, later transferring to Michigan State University pursuing studies in Horticulture, Sociology and Anthropology. In 1952, he graduated, having completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. While there, he became a member of Alpha Phi Omega and Theta Xi fraternities. For 42 years he represented Schering-Plough Corporation and was well respected in the medical community. He was a very dedicated member of the noon Rotary Club of Jackson and enjoyed playing "Freddy, the Christmas Elf" for the disabled children's Christmas party at Rotary. Fred was also an active member in community theater for many years. He was best known for his affable and courteous manner. Fred belonged to many other groups and organizations too numerous to mention. Fred passed away peacefully, in his sleep, in his home in Jackson. Left to treasure his memory are his beloved wife of 40 years, Stephanie (nee Latham); their children, Carlo M., Cristina (Michael), Nicole E. and grandchildren, Brandon and Brittany. Mourned also by his animal companions, the Dobermans, "Nina" and "Dobie" and his cats, "Tai" and "Fancy Pants." A Memorial Mass will be held at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church on Thursday. April 17, 2008. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. Father Nate Sokol officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Disability Connections or Cascades Humane Society.

Ushers Needed for Seussical!!

Center Stage Jackson's production of Seussical the Musical opens a week from Friday at JCC's Baughman Theatre.

We are looking for ushers for all performances. If you are interested, please email Denise Krzesicki at Denise.Krzesicki@centerstagejackson.org and let her know.

Don't forget, you can buy your tickets online now. Go to www.centerstagejackson.org and select "Tickets".

See you at the show!

Steve Hug
co-producer, Seussical the Musical

CSJ Presents Seussical the Musical!

The Center Stage Jackson production of Seussical the Musical opens on April 25th. You can purchase your tickets online through our web site: www.centerstagejackson.org. You can also call the JCC box office at (517) 796-8600. The Ticket Office is open weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and one hour prior to show time.

This is NOT a kids' show. Kids will love it, but adults will GET it. The choreography is terrific and there is not a weak voice in the cast. If you've seen the last few musicals at CSJ, you know that our casts keep getting stronger and stronger. We put this show in the Baughman Theatre at JCC because we expect the audience to exceed the capacity of the Ruth Day Theatre.

Come join us. I promise you will have a great time!

Steve Hug
co-producer, Seussical the Musical

Grass Lake Presents. . .

Grass Lake Schools will be presenting "My Fair Lady" April 17-19 at 7 PM and April 20 at 3 PM. All tickets are $5.00. Reservations call 517 522 5695.

Francesca Vitali plays Eliza Doolittle and many of you will remember her performances in Scrooge and Little Women for Center Stage. You won't want to miss this one either!

Director Barb Palmer says, "We'd love to see you all there!"

Fred Drago 2008

Fred Drago passed away on the evening of April 5, 2008. There will be a memorial service for him at Queens (Queen of the Miraculous Medal Roman Catholic Church) on April 17th at 1:00 pm. The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 1 pm at the Church. A full obituary will be in the paper next Wednesday.

Fred was active in and a great supporter of community theatre. More information will be posted when it becomes available.

The Great American Songbook

The Bon Ton Room is Proud to Present:

A LOVELY NIGHT: A CELEBRATION OF
THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK

APRIL 25th and 26th - Doors open 7:15 Show 8:00 - $15

Featuring: Matt Davis, Lenny LaFleur, Kerrie Manders, Lori Pehlam, Timm Richardson, Ruth Ann Windle, Sherra Zuck, & Special Guests

Join us at the Bon Ton Room as we celebrate the most important and eclectic composers and lyricists of the early 20th century including:

Harold Arlen
Irving Berlin
George and Ira Gershwin
Jerome Kern
Cole Porter
Richard Rodgers
& More!

Included will be standards that you know and love - such as Someone to Watch Over Me, How Deep is the Ocean, and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. We will also introduce great songs that may be new to you, but will soon become favorites, and put you on the road to becoming a musical historian!

Call 517 787 6733 for reservations
The Bon Ton Room at All Play and No Work, 3017 Wildwood Ave.
Jackson, MI 49202; www.myspace.com/thebontonroom

Summer Stage Auditions

The 2008 Summer Stage show will be FAME the Musical. Auditions will be held Monday and Tuesday May 12 and 13 at Grass Lake High School auditorium 6-9 pm.

Please prepare at least 32 measures of one song. Please - no songs from HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL or WICKED! Contemporary pop or musical theatre music is preferred. Must bring sheet music in correct key or accompaniment track. NO A CAPPELLA.

FAME the Musical is a very dance- heavy show, so wear clothes in which you can dance. If you are skilled in ballet /pointe, and or tap please bring those shoes and be prepared for an additional dance combination.

Any additional questions, please feel free to email: summer.stage@hotmail.com or send us a MySpace message.

Chip Mezo - Director
Antoinette LaCinski - Music Director
Julie Klee - Choreographer