BON TON ROOM CLOSED - April 30, 2011

Bon Ton Room, Jackson, Michigan

Last night was the farewell celebration of the closing of Matt Davis's Bon Ton Room. Full of comedy improv, solo performers, and moments from the six shows presented over the last few years, it had the audience on their feet by the end of the evening. There were many tears and the realization that this venue, which many performers in Jackson felt was their home, would no longer exist.

The closing of the BTR will impact CSJ in a number of ways. The Youth Singing Competition has been held there since its inception. Three years of Miscast cabarets were presented there. With that space in mind, the Readings from the Second Stage series was born several years ago. Even our Annual Meeting and Awards Night has been held at the BTR.

Watch our webpage, calendar, sign up for our e-newsletter, or follow this blog for details on where we will be holding events in the future. Or if you have suggestions for locations, please e-mail us with your ideas at info@centerstagejackson.org.

And finallly, a space like the BTR is only special because of the people who made it welcoming, inspiring, and a safe place to learn and grow. Matt Davis created the environment and gathered talented people around him who believed in his vision. Matt, for everything you contributed to Jackson's performing community, for all the opportunitites you created, for everything you shared with us, THANK YOU doesn't say enough. WITH LOVE.

The Bon Ton Room presents. . .

Coming Into Focus

Directed and Produced by Stephanie Pierce

April 21st, 22nd & 23rd

$15 Cover

8:00PM SHOW

“We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves!”

"Coming Into Focus" is a new cabaret show about growing up told from the views of 9 extraordinary teenagers.

Featuring music from; Hairspray, the Beatles, Footloose, Matchbox Twenty, Next to Normal, Peter Pan, Edges, Spring Awakening, Avenue Q and much more.

Cast: Stephanie Pierce, TR Krupa, Molly Czarnecki, Maddie Ladwig, Kaleroi Kastros, Kenzie Pelham, David Fuller, Stephanie Baker, and Taylor Hawkins.
(Students of Jackson , Lumen Christi, and Northwest)

Accompaniment by Chip Mezo, Cammie Polack, Joe Lelievre, and Lucas Meyers

*For language use and innuendo this show is not recommended
for children under 13.

Doors Open @ 6:15PM for Food and Drink Service!

Call in or email your reservations at 787-6733
or
thebontonroom.pr@gmail.com

The Bon Ton Room to Close

It's been a difficult 24 hours as word spread throughout the cabaret and theatre community in Jackson that their beloved Bon Ton Room would be closing forever at the end of April. The space, a creation of Matt Davis and Lisa Kuchuk, had become the gathering place for Jackson talent, nurturing and showcasing performers.

You can read the article from the Jackson Citizen Patriot by clicking HERE.

The Bon Ton Room presents. . .

The Bon Ton Room presents. . .

 

ONE FANTASTIC WEEKEND DOWN

TWO TO GO

(Friday the 10th SOLD OUT)

The popular Christmas Show has been expanded to three weekends and predictions are it will still sell out quickly. Call 517-787-6733 today for your reservations!

The Bon Ton Room presents. . .

 

The popular Christmas Show has been expanded to three weekends and predictions are it will still sell out quickly. Call 517-787-6733 today for your reservations!

The Bon Ton Room presents. . .

JACKSON - The Who's Tommy, Peter Townsend's tale of a young boy's journey from pain to triumph, is the most electrifying evening of rock 'n' roll ever to play in a theater - and it opens for a three-weekend run at The Bon Ton Room beginning Oct. 14.

After witnessing the accidental murder of his mother's lover by his father, Tommy is traumatized into catatonia. As the boy grows, he suffers abuse at the hands of his sadistic relatives and neighbors. Then, as an adolescent, he's discovered to have an uncanny knack for playing pinball, and when his mother finally breaks through his catatonia, he becomes an international pinball superstar.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Oct. 14-16, 21-23 and 28-30 at The Bon Ton Room, 3017 Wildwood Avenue, Jackson. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for food and drink service.
Tickets are $20.
For reservations or information, call 517-787-6733 or log on to www.bontonroom.com.

Performance Information
Show times

Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 8:00 pm

Friday, October 15, 2010 at 8:00 pm

Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 8:00 pm

Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 8:00 pm

Friday, October 22, 2010 at 8:00 pm

Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 8:00 pm

Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 8:00 pm

Friday, October 29, 2010 at 8:00 pm

Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 8:00 pm

The Bon Ton Room presents. . .

“American Dreams”

By Studs Terkel

Adapted for the stage by Peter Frisch  

Directed by Barbara Sexton

Thursday and Friday, July 22-23, 2010

8:00 p.m.  $10 Cover

The Bon Ton Room, 3017 Wildwood Avenue, Jackson, Michigan

  (517) 787-6733 or thebontonroom.pr@gmail.com for reservations

An entertaining, thought-provoking show adapted from the book by the iconic Studs Terkel by Peter Frisch, this engrossing evening of monologues will be performed by some of Jackson's finest actors and actresses:  Timm Richardson, Steve Kamke, Roxanne Bruner, Jerrell Rodriguez and Erin Wetzel.  With uniquely American music performed throughout by talented Jackson musicians Vic McDermott and JT McCluskey. 

Made up of monologues connected by brief concerted sections, and divided into six segments (fantasies, nightmares, hallucinations, sweet dreams, broken reveries and visions), the play uses the voices of real people to convey, with striking effectiveness, a sense of what America and its people are, both in truth and in fantasy.  The various segments and speeches blend into a moving theatrical experience which is revealing, often very funny, frequently moving and sometimes disturbing—but which always speaks from and to the heart of this great and singular nation in all its richness and diversity.  Ranging from the rich and famous (Ted Turner, Arnold Schwarzenegger) to the obscure (a farmer, a bellhop, a Hare Krishna disciple) to hard-bitten cynics and hopeful optimists, the diverse monologues weave an evocative tapestry out of the simple truths and cogent observations which emerge when people speak their minds with honesty and candor.

"Peter Frisch has sifted through that gold in Terkel's book American Dreams: Lost and Found and picked out the best nuggets … The result is a simple play that is deeply moving" ~ Chicago Daily Herald

"American Dreams is a rich theatrical tapestry …" ~ Chicago Sun-Times

Please join us for this limited engagement performance.

The Bon Ton Room presents. . .

Sandy Sykes Live! 

with… Roxanne Bruner 
George Spice on drums

 

Friday and Saturday, June 25-26, 2010

8:00 p.m.  $20 Cover

The Bon Ton Room, 3017 Wildwood Avenue, Jackson, Michigan

  (517) 787-6733 for reservations

Sandy shares songs and stories along with the fabulous Roxanne Bruner at the keys and George Spice on drums.  Sandy Sykes - Live… includes an eclectic mix of standards, Broadway, 60s, 70s, 80s, swing and a few surprises. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, she picked the show name as homage to some favorite performers like Frank Sinatra … Live at Madison Square Garden, and Liza… Live at Carnegie Hall – you get the idea. Sandy Sykes – Live… as in, Live from Her Parent’s Basement, Live from WAY off Broadway, Live from The Movies, etc. Come enjoy a variety of musical styles, and maybe even sing along on a few!

Sandy Sykes is a longtime vocalist/performer in the Jackson area in many theatrical roles and cabaret shows. She was part of the very first cabaret performance at the Bon Ton Room, and also was in its first fully staged musical, Sweeney Todd, as Mrs. Lovett.  She’ll be seen next fall in the Bon Ton Room’s production of Tommy.

Roxanne Bruner has been involved with the local music and theatre scene for many years - performing onstage, playing piano or conducting the orchestra.  She is Vocal Music and Drama Director at Lumen Christi High School and Jackson Catholic Middle School.  She has also recently been nominated for a 2010 Wilde Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her work in Side by Side by Sondheim with the Michigan Shakespeare Festival last summer.

George Spice has played drums most of his life and has been in local bands including Skyline, Twice Loved, and Bittersweet, and has performed with various others. He loves to serve at his church, Stream in the Desert, in the music ministry.  He also helps with the Western Schools choirs.  He has been a financial advisor at Met Life for 24 years.

                Tickets are $20.  For reservations call the Bon Ton Room at (517) 787-6733
or make reservations online at thebontonroom.pr@gmail.com.

The Bon Ton Room presents. . .

For reservations call 517-787-6733.

Bon Ton Room Cabaret Class Recitals

Students of the cabaret singing class taught by Matt Davis with the assistance of Sherra Zuck, pianist extraordinaire, at the Bon Ton Room in Jackson are getting ready to show Jackson what they have learned. 

Performances are May 14, 15, 21, 28 and 29. Each evening performance will feature six students singing three songs apiece complete with "patter".  You will need to call the Bon Ton Room to make a reservation (517-787-6733) or e-mail them at thebontonroom.pr@gmail.com.  Call early as many friends and relatives will want to attend

The performance starts at 8 pm. with the doors opening at 6 pm.  Meals (dinners, salads, sandwiches, etc.) are available starting at 6 pm and throughout the show.  There is a $10 cover charge.
(A student performs in previous recital: Photo courtesy of LAF Lines Photography.)

Center Stage Jackson presents MISCAST 2 (OR II)

No matter whether you call it Miscast 2 or II, this Friday kicks off two weekends (Fridays, April 23 & 30 and Saturdays, April 24 & May 1) of fun at the Bon Ton Room, 3017 Wildwood in Jackson, MI. Show starts at 8:00 PM but the doors open at 6:00 PM for optional dinner, desert and drinks.

Once again Director and Emcee Timm Richardson presents a 'strange and wonderful' evening filled with talented singers performing songs for which they are totally the WRONG age, sex, ethnicity, or what have you. Last year's show was sometimes laugh out loud funny and sometimes incredibly moving.

Come out and join the fun. Tickets are $15 and reservations can be made by calling 787-6733 or e-mail the Bon Ton Room .

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 . . .

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.

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.

The Bon Ton Room Presents . . .

For the 3^rd consecutive year, Jackson native Kevin Kennard returns to The Bon Ton Room on Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8, performing his new solo cabaret show “The First Annual Farewell Tour”. Joining him will be musical director Kent Marcum and special guest Ann Gazlay.

Kevin’s new show will be a fun and upbeat evening of music with songs from the great American Songbook, show-tunes, pop and country favorites and his specialty – comedic and novelty numbers.

As a member of the legendary vocal group The Pied Pipers (Capitol Records), Kevin tours the country accompanied by The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. In the fall of 2008 he performed in the Mediterranean aboard the Cunard Line’s Queen Victoria as featured vocalist with The Queens Room Orchestra. A cabaret headliner in venues across the U.S., Kevin has performed in sold-out clubs in San Francisco, Atlanta, Palm Springs and Los Angeles where he now resides.

Find out more about Kevin at his website www.kevinkennard.com and at www.thebontonroom.com.

Kevin Kennard in “The First Annual Farewell Tour”

The Bon Ton Room

3017 Wildwood Ave., Jackson, MI 49202

Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8

Showtime 8:00 PM, Doors open at 7:00 PM

Reservations – call (517) 787-6733

Tickets / Cover charge - $20

Cabaret Class Performances!

The Bon Ton Room has another group of students ready to make their public debuts as cabaret singers. "Learn Your Lessons Well: The Bon Ton Room's Second Cabaret Class Showcase" will offer a variety of classic tunes and standards sung by these fledgling crooners.

Last night's show was an incredible evening of entertainment. There's still time to get tickets for tonight's show or next weekend. These folks shine under the guidance of Matt Davis and Sherra Zuck. Jackson has a wealth of talent. Support it!

Shows continue at 8 p.m. tonight at the venue, 3017 Wildwood Ave. There also will be performances at 8 p.m. May 29 and 30. Doors open at 6 p.m. for all shows with a tapas menu and beverage service.

Cast members are Amanda Mahoney, Amanda Marzano, Ruth Flynn, Carley Brake, Lidija Fremeau, Dusty Saylor, Kenzie Pehlam, TR Krupa, Sarah Thompson, Megan Edwards, Joyce Rodgers and Chelsea Lameira.

Tickets are $10. To make reservations, call 787-6733.