Remember Jack Sanborn?

I recently was in contact with Jack Sanborn (Facebook) and he is in Ocala, Florida living the good life, which doesn't include theater these days.

That's Jack on the right and his partner Thomas DeMasters on the left.

Parri Sontag recalls seeing Jack as the waiter in Guys and Dolls in the scene in Cuba where Miss Sarah has too many dolce de leches and not being able to stop laughing. "He wore this big Carmen Miranda headpiece with the fruit and really had fun with the part."

Jack was very involved in theater when he lived in Jackson including directing Annie, Nunsense I and II. He was also onstage in Chorus Line, Music Man, Evita, King and I, and Once Upon a Mattress.

I have Jack's contact information,which he asked me to share with friends!

Remember Tim Fowler?

Tim Fowler was recently in town to visit his parents Paul and Carol Fowler, who hosted a Buffalo Roast Buffet honoring Tim and Li Sheng's marriage on May 25th. Li's parents from Shanghai, China were guests and have been traveling in this country after attending their daughter's wedding in Rockville, Maryland.

Tim is currently Operations Manager for the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C..

Tim will be remembered for a number of outstanding performances in shows such as Star Spangled Girl and Barefoot in the Park as well as designing outstanding sets like The Shadow Box on stages at Jackson Community College.

Youth Theatre Auditions Scheduled!

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Looking for Directors

Center Stage Jackson is looking for directors. As we begin to choose plays for our 2009-2010 season we would like to consider director's projects. What show have you always wanted to direct? Would it fit in our season. Contact me at ann.holt@centerstagejackson.org if you are interested and you'll be added to our Directors mailing list.

Sweeney Todd

The Bon Ton Room presents Sweeney Todd...Oct. 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th...All Play and No Work, 3017 Wildwood Ave.(Old VFW Hall) near the Airport, 787-6733 for reservations.

The cast is headed by Sandy Sykes as Mrs. Lovett and Matt Davis as Sweeney (pictured here). Other outstanding performers include Lori Pelham, Roxanne Bruner, Chris Fultz, Mike Reed, Timm Richardson, Dusty Salyer, Francesca Vitali, Sara Davis and Mary Krzesicki plus the accomplished pianists Elena Beasley and Sherra Zuck. Further music is played by the cast, which should be fun, Sandy Sykes on Flute, Matt Davis on Tuba, Lori Pelham on triangle, and Timm Richardson on accordian.

MANAGING DIRECTOR WANTED

The Michigan Shakespeare Festival, a nonprofit theater company, is seeking a managing director. Candidates must be multi-taskers with strong interpersonal and organizational skills. Computer skills, theater experience and marketing and development experience and a bachelor's degree are desirable, but not mandatory. Call Rick Davies at 517 740 0531 or email rldavies5@comcast.net for a full description and list of responsibilities.

Annual Meeting and Awards Night

(Last year's recipient LUCAS MEYERS presents the trophy to the 2008 Youth Award Winner CONNOR PIERCE.)

The Annual Meeting of Center Stage Jackson was held last night (Wednesday, August 13th) at All Play and No Work on Wildwood Avenue.

Board members elected were TONY BOLING, ANTOINETTE LA CINSKI, DOUG MEYERS, and CHUCK THOR.

Awards presented by outgoing President CHRISTINE LAROCK GORTON were: Rookie of the Year CARLY BRAKE; Youth Award CONNOR PIERCE; Techi Award CHRIS FULTZ; Hammy Award MICHAEL CICIRELLI; Ted Wood Award DENISE WEBER; and President's Award SHERI CICIRELLI.

Shining Star Awards were given to: CAROL BRAKE, STEVE DIETRICH, KEITH DRAYTON, JOANN RAUBECK DRAYTON, ALEXANDRIA FLYNN, COLLEEN FLYNN, DAVID FULLER, MAHALIA GIBSON, PAM HILL, TRACEY JESKE, JULIE KLEE, KEEGAN LADWIG, AMANDA MAHONEY, DOUG MEYERS, DR. STEPHEN MURPHY, JOSH RENNELL, KYLE SYKES, KEN SCLUCKEBIER, CHUCK THOR, JEREMIAH WEAVER, SARAH WEBER, R. DEAN WEBER, ADAM WOOLSEY, and ELLEN YOAKAM.

MI's Purple Rose Will Premiere Two New Plays in 2009, and Revive a Favorite

Playbill has posted the upcoming 2009 Season for the Purple Rose Theater in Chelsea. Read about it by clicking HERE.

Left of Center lands new home at Brooklyn theater

"The Left of Center Theater Company finally has a stage to call home, and Brooklyn finally has someone to put the long-vacant Star Theater to use. The community theater group has worked out an agreement with the building's owner to take over management of the downtown landmark.

The group will refurbish and convert the old movie house, 119 N. Main St., into a venue for live theatrical productions, stand-up and improv comedy, and eventually a film festival."

Read the rest of Entertainment Reporter Bill Chapin's article for the Jackson Citizen Patriot by clicking HERE.