Auditions for "The Story of Hansel & Gretel"

Auditions for the Center Stage Jackson Youth Theater musical production of "The Story of Hansel & Gretel" will be held on Tuesday, September 15 and Thursday, September 17 at 4:30 at The Middle School at Parkside Auditorium in Jackson.

Auditions are open to all third through ninth graders.

Production dates are November 20, 21 and 22 at Parkside.

Rehearsals will be held every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 until 6:00 at Parkside up until production week when rehearsals will be every day. Not all cast members will be scheduled to rehearse at every rehearsal and reasonable accomodation will be attempted for those with identified (and we hope minimal) rehearsal conflicts.

You need attend only one of the two auditions.

There are 18 speaking parts available (four boys, eight girls and six roles that can be cast as either gender) as well as a chorus and, most likely, a dance group.

Those auditioning will be asked to read from the script, sing a simple song and learn a simple dance routine. No advance preparation is necessary for the audition. We anticipate a large turnout for auditions so please have patience as we allow everyone to get their turn.

There is no charge to performers but actors who do not have a stage makeup kit will be asked to purchase one (typically about $18).

Jen Ann Guy will be serving as artistic director. Ellen Cole will be musical director. Choreography will be by Stephanie Pierce. Doug Meyers is the producer.

Please check the Center Stage Jackson website (centerstagejackson.org) for updates.

Further questions may be addressed to Doug Meyers at this e-mail address

doug.meyers@centerstagejackson.org

or at (517)-783-1468.

The Town Hall Players Hold Auditions

The Town Hall Players are holding auditions for the musical, Peter Pan on September 1 and 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. Both Adults and kids are needed for this production.

Auditions will consist of singing a few bars of a song with a pianist to show your singing range. This could be as simple as "Happy Birthday" or "Row, Row, Row Your Boat". No CDs please. We will have a pianist available to play any sheet music that is brought, but sheet music is not necessary.

People auditioning for main parts may be asked to read from a script, memorize a small portion of a line or ad lib a scene.

Auditions will be held at the Town Hall in downtown Stockbridge.

Peter Pan will be presented on November 6, 7, 8, and 13, 14 and 15.

A parent signature will be required for everyone under 18. Adults are encouraged to audition.
Please bring a list of conflicts for the month September, October and November.

For more information,. please contact Jeff Boyer at boyerj@panthernet.net

Town Hall Players, Stockbridge, Michigan
Your community theater troupe
www.townhallplayers.org

Rehearsal and Performance Pianist Needed for Town Hall Players

The Town Hall Players are looking for a rehearsal pianist and a performance pianist for the production of Peter Pan. This is a paid position.

The rehearsal pianist needs to be available 2 or 3 times a week in the evening for the months of September and October. We can work around schedules.

The performance pianist needs to be available for the shows; November 6, 7, 8 and 13, 14, 15 as well as November 2 through 5 and possibly a few days in the last week in October.

Please spread the word to everyone you may know that plays piano. We will also be looking for people that play the following instruments; flute, oboe, trumpet, trombone, violin, harp and drums.

Please contact Jeff Boyer at boyerj@panthernet.net or (517) 404-7732

Choreographer Needed for Town Hall Players

The Town Hall Players of Stockbridge are looking for a choreographer for their production of Peter Pan. Evenings - two or three times are week for the months of September and October. We can work around your schedule.

Interested people should contact Jeff Boyer at boyerj@panthernet.net or (517) 404-7732

Production dates are November 6, 7, 8 and 13, 14, 15

The Croswell Presents . . .

BREAKING NEWS FROM THE MICHIGAN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

The following update just appeared on the Michigan Shakespeare Festival's facebook page. "After a dozen seasons helping build the Michigan Shakespeare Festival into a highly-respected, regional classical theatre, John Neville-Andrews announced he will step down as the organization’s Artistic Producer when his current contract expires on September 30".

CHICAGO CABARET FAVORITES JOAN CURTO AND BECKIE MENZIE RETURN TO THE BON TON ROOM!

Mark Saturday, September 26th on your calendar now! For reservations call 517-787-6733. Cover is $20.

A daring and decadent voice, Curto returns to The Bon Ton Room with Beckie Menzie on piano.

Their new show highlights the best of the American Songbook, including works from esteemed songwriters Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Harold Arlen along with the unforgettable songs of John Lennon and Julie Gold performed in the classic tradition. The theme of the evening is embracing, celebrating and shaking the blues. Songs will include “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy,” “Blues in the Night,” “Unlucky in Gambling” and others that tickle the funny bone while touching the heart.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Curto is “smart, savvy and original” and “ranks among the best,” while the Chicago Sun-Times raves that she is “a Chicago original…everything about her show is polished.” Born and raised in Philadelphia, Curto majored in theater at St. Mary’s College (South Bend, Ind.), moved to the Chicago area 20 years ago and now considers the Windy City home. She has appeared at some of the nation’s most prestigious clubs and theaters, including The Harris Theater, Park West, Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower and Davenport’s in Chicago; Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Metropolitan Room in New York City; and The Gardenia in Los Angeles, all to audience and critical acclaim. Curto is also a recipient of Gay Chicago’s After Dark Award for "Outstanding Cabaret Artist."

Beckie Menzie's expert piano stylings sizzle on everything from sassy swing to smoky torch songs. A three-time winner of Gay Chicago’s After Dark “Outstanding Cabaret Artist” award, Menzie is a diva-in-demand whom WGN radio has praised as “one of the city's finest performers.” Her critically-acclaimed 2004 solo CD “Real Emotional Girl” garnered national radio play and was praised by Cabaret Scenes as “one of the year's finest.”

For more information, please visit joancurto.com, beckiemenzie.com and the www.bontonroom.com

Auditions for Godspell

Open call for 2 female dancers who sing and act (modern and ballet experience preferred), a 30-40 year old Male - Baritone, and an 17-21 year old Male - Baritenor for October production of Godspell at The Bon Ton Room...Please have those interested ...call 517 787 6733....Audition by appointment. All ethnicities encouraged to audition.

Auditions for Annie

Leapin' Lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes Center Stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals.

Auditions are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 8th and Wednesday, September 9th. More details will be available at the Annual Meeting and Awards Night on Wednesday, August 19th and will be posted on the CSJ website and in local media.

"Annie is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy."

You can check out a list of characters and other information about Annie at the Music Theatre International website.

The Town Hall Players Present . . .

The Town Hall Players are proud to announce the performance of "The Breakfast Club" by John Hughes. This 1980's movie is brought to life in "the round" at the Stockbridge High School (MI) Library. A perfect setting since the story takes place in a school library.

Directed by teen talents; Scott Crandall and Storm Boyer, this play is a mix of comedy and strong drama. The five teens placed in a Saturday detention find that they are more similar that different. Center Stage Jackson's own Stephanie Pierce is a cast member!

This shows opens on Thursday, August 13 at 7 p.m. Other shows are Friday & Saturday, August 14 &15 at 7 p.m. with matinees on Saturday & Sunday, August 15 & 16 at 2 p.m.

All tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the Stockbridge Pharmacy or at the door while supplies last. ONLY 54 tickets are available for each show.
The Stockbridge High School is located at 416 N. Clinton Street just two blocks north from downtown Stockbridge.

Due to strong profanity and sexual situations people that are 13 and younger must be accompanied by a parent.

For more information, please contact winfieldjscott@yahoo.com

Center Stage Jackson Annual Meeting and Awards Night

Center Stage Jackson, our local community theater group, will hold its Annual Meeting and Awards Night on Wednesday, August 19, 2009, at The Bon Ton Room, 3017 Wildwood, Jackson, beginning at 6:00 pm. There is no charge to attend. For those interested, appetizers, dinner, drinks and dessert will be available for purchase from the menu.

The official meeting begins at 7:00 pm and includes the election of new board members and recognition of outstanding contributions during the 2008–2009 Season. More details about the tenth season, including the Youth Theatre, will be announced during the evening.

If you are new to the community or just interested in getting involved in theater, please feel free to drop by and get acquainted.

After the meeting, everyone is invited to join Sherra Zuck in the piano bar to listen, sing along or perform their favorite song!

Center Stage Jackson is Jackson’s community theatre group. Formed in 2001 when Jackson Civic Theatre and Clark Lake Players merged, Center Stage Jackson is a non-profit production company dedicated to presenting quality theatrical productions in the Greater Jackson, Michigan area. Please visit Center Stage’s website.