Center Stage Jackson presents ANNIE

OPENS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009!

Jackson, MI – October 28, 2009

Leapin’ Lizards!! Center Stage Jackson is pleased to present the beloved family musical Annie, November 6-7-8 and 13-14 at Grass Lake Center for the Performing Arts, 11500 Warrior Trail, Grass Lake, MI.

Expecting a younger audience, curtain is at 7:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:00 p.m. for the two matinees, which are Sunday November 8 and Saturday, November 14 (there are two shows that day). Tickets, which are general admission, are available now!! - $10 adults and $5 for children and students with student ID. For ticket information and reservations, call 517-522-5695.

Synopsis: It’s 1933 on Manhattan’s lower east side during the depression. Based on the comic strip "Little Orphan Annie" by Harold Gray, Annie follows a 10-year-old orphan girl (and her dog, Sandy) as she attempts to find her parents in order to escape the horrible Miss Hannigan, the matron of the orphanage. Boasting one of Broadway’s most memorable scores, including “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “NYC.” and the ever optimistic “Tomorrow,” you can bet your bottom dollar that Annie will bring a smile to your face!

Heading a cast of 70 are: Carly Brake-ANNIE (Nov. 8 at 2p.m. and Nov. 13 and 14 at 7p.m. performances), Victoria Hood-ANNIE (Nov. 6 and 7 at 7p.m. and Nov. 14 at 2p.m. performances), Betsy King-MISS HANNIGAN, Randy Guernsey-OLIVER WARBUCKS, Anne Mathias Fleming-GRACE, Del Belcher-ROOSTER, and Samantha Baldwin-LILY ST. REGIS. Others in the cast include Steve Hug, Bob Mulvihill, Lindsey Cole, Brittney Domschot, Cara Guernsey, Rachael Harris, Macie Richmond, Hannah Riley, Bethany Belcher, Jean McKim, Mary Hug, Dawn Hines, Rosanna Bishop, John McKim, Kelly Skarritt, Karen Kidder Barrett, Andrew Wilson, Christina McKim, Allison Walsh, Danielle Lee, Timm Richardson, Steve Barrett, Richard Fifelski, and Susan DiMinico.

Artistic Director for Annie is well-known Jackson musical performer and teacher BARB PALMER. The staff includes LARRY SHALTIS-Technical Director, COLLEEN FLYNN-Stage Manager, ANTOINETTE LACINSKI-Vocal Director, ELLEN YOAKAM-Costumer, DONNA GUERNSEY-Producer and DEB CLARK-Orchestra Conductor.

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, performing at Jackson Community College, a proud sponsor of CSJ, located at 2111 Emmons Road, Jackson, Michigan, and other venues in the Jackson area. For more details please visit www.centerstagejackson.org.

Godspell Opened to SRO Last Night

If you plan to come to Godspell, call for your reservations NOW. Last night's crowd was sold out and with a standing ovation the show expects to sell out the entire run.

A talented cast of fifteen brings the story of the Gospels to life at The Bon Ton Room on Friday and Saturday evenings this week and next (10/16 & 17 and 23 & 24).

Tickets are $20 and reservations are suggested as the show has been selling briskly. Call 517-787-6733.

The doors open at 6:00 pm for optional dining. The show begins at 8:00 pm.

(Photo by lidija Fremeau, LAF Lines)

GODSPELL Opens on Friday, October 16 at The Bon Ton Room

A talented cast of fifteen brings the story of the Gospels to life at The Bon Ton Room on Friday and Saturday evenings this week and next (10/16 & 17 and 23 & 24).

Tickets are $20 and reservations are suggested as the show has been selling briskly. Call 517-787-6733.

The doors open at 6:00 pm for optional dining. The show begins at 8:00 pm.

The Bon Ton Room Presents . . .

Croswell Auditions for Charlie Brown

Adrian’s Croswell announces auditions for the November/December 2009 musical, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Revised. Auditions will be held Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2-6 pm at the Croswell.

The Croswell is looking to fill the roles of Sally Brown, Lucy Van Pelt, Snoopy, Schroeder, Charlie Brown and Linus Van Pelt. All of these roles need to be filled by Adults.

Those attending auditions should prepare a 2-minute, up-tempo vocal selection. Please bring your own sheet music which will be played by a Croswell accompanist. There will be no taped music or acapella singing. You will want to wear comfortable clothes to move in for the possible dance portion of the auditions.

Production dates for You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown are November 27-29 and December 4-6, Friday and Saturday,

8:00 p.m and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Kerry Graves is director and choreographer. Wynn Marsh is the music director. All auditions will be held at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., downtown Adrian. If anyone is unable to audition on the scheduled dates, they should contact Croswell Artistic Director, Jere Righter. The Croswell is a nonprofit community theatre that welcomes all actors, amateur and professional. For additional information, contact the Croswell Business Office at 517/263-6868 or visit the web site, www.croswell.org.

Grants Received for READINGS FROM THE SECOND STAGE

FIRST FREE READINGS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY THIS WEEK!

Center Stage Jackson has been awarded a grant of $2,500 by The Jackson County Community Foundation's Community Needs Fund. This grant was made possible by the Billie Jo Uterkircher Fund, a component fund of the Jackson County Community Foundation.With an additional grant of $500 from the Jackson Literary and Arts Association, a series of six play readings is fully funded for the next year.

The series, entitled Readings from the Stage, has two main goals: to bring newer plays to Jackson audiences and to allow local performers, who have not been able to participate in mainstage productions, and opportunity to share their talents. Actors read from scripts and no props, sets or costumes are used. Dr. Ann Green, recently retired as the Dean of Arts and Sciences at Jackson Community College, will be available after each reading to discuss what the audience has just experienced.

First in the series is Theresa Rebeck's thriller about stamp collecting, Mauritius, which will be read on Friday, October 9 at 8:00 pm. A second reading will be on the following evening, Saturday, October 10 at 8:00 pm. Director is Denise Weber. This play contains ADULT LANGUAGE and is not appropriate for young people.

All readings will take place at The Bon Ton Room (All Play and No Work), 3017 Wildwood Avenue. To reserve a seat, call 517-787-6733. There is no admission charge. Donations, however, are welcome and could help the series continue after the grant period ends.

Doors open at 6:00 pm with dinner, drinks, and desserts available. You can check out the menu on The Bon Ton Room site.

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 produciton company dedicated to presenting quality theatrical productions in the Greater Jackson, Michigan are. Please visit Center Stage's website at www.centerstagejackson.org.

The Encore Theatre in Dexter Presents "Sweeney Todd". . .

Save THIS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8TH ONLY AT THE 3:00 PM PERFORMANCE OF SWEENEY TODD AT THE ENCORE	This Thursday, October 8th, 2009, 3:00 p.m. performance only, Buy One Ticket/Get One Free. You may purchase your tickets online at www.theencoretheatre.org, or by phone (734) 268-6200 and mention this coupon to receive this offer. A savings of $28.00!
Offer Expires: October 8th, 2009

MARILYN HEATHERMAN 1923 - 2009

Marilyn Heatherman memorably played Linda, the long suffering wife, in Death of a Salesman many years ago for Jackson Civic Theater. She passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at the age of 86.

A complete obituary is available on the Jackson Citizen Patriot website but it mentioned that, "She loved to entertain and enjoyed acting, both in high school and in local Jackson theater."

If you knew or worked in theater with Marilyn in the past, please share your memories.

Cast of ANNIE Announced . . .

Center Stage Jackson has posted the cast list and other information about Annie on the website. Check it out.

Directed by Barb Palmer
November 6th - 8th & 13th & 14th
Please note that for this production there will be no second Sunday matinee, but rather a matinee and an evening show on Saturday the 14th.

Evenings @ 7:00pm
Matinees @ 2:00pm
Grass Lake High School Auditorium
Tickets: $10 General Admission
$5 Children/Students with valid ID
For reservations call 517-522-5695.