Citizen Patriot reporter Mary Barber dies

Mary Barber, 49, the Citizen Patriot reporter who has been writing about her surgery to have a tumor removed from near her brain, died Monday afternoon at University of Michigan Hospital.

She suffered three seizures, the last of which led to a heart attack, her doctor said."

"It's a terrible and freaky thing," University of Michigan ear surgeon Dr. H. Alexander Arts said late Monday evening."

Her surgery went really well and, in fact, she did exceptionally well. I was talking to her at lunch about going home (today). There was absolutely no indication this would happen," he said.

By Monetta L. Harrmharr@citpat.com -- 768-4972

Jackson District Library offers Theatre Treasures!

All you need is your library card to view Theatre in Video's more than 250 definitive performances of the world's leading plays, together with more than 100 film documentaries, online in streaming video - more than 500 hours in all. This release contains 60 titles, representing hundreds of leading playwrights, actors and directors. Included are landmark performances such as The Iceman Cometh, Hamlet, Othello, Awake and Sing, Long Day's Journey Into Night, Playboy of the Western World, and others. Notable actors include Gene Wilder, Laurence Olivier, Richard Dreyfuss, Walter Matthau, Meryl Streep, and more. For the first time, students, instructors and researchers can bookmark specific scenes, monologues and staging, and these landmark performances can become a permanent part of the curriculum.

Go to http://www.jackson.lib.mi.us/ and click on 'eJDL' under 'Navigation' on the left side of the page. Then scroll down to 'Theatre in Video!' You have to have your library card and pin number. If you need to get a library card, click here.

Summer Classes for Kids & Teens

Express Yourself! June 25 - 29 for kids entering 3rd - 6th grades
Instructors Kurt Snyder from Center Stage Jackson and Jenny Carl from the Jackson School for the Arts teach this class 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM Monday through Friday. Museum members pay $120 and non-members $145.

Actor's Studio presented by Center Stage Jackson begins June 26th at 6:30 PM
An organizational meeting will get your ready for a 6 week session in which you will learn all about acting and auditioning for teens (middle and high school).

Visit the Ella Sharp Museum website for more information or call 517-787-2320.

Auditions for High School Musical!!!!!!!

Summer Stage, in cooperation with Center Stage Jackson, announces auditions for High School Musical for ages 12 - adult on Monday, May 14th & Tuesday, May 15th, 2007 from 6 pm - 9 pm.

Auditions will be held in the Grass Lake High School Auditorium at 11500 Warrior Trail, Grass Lake. Performances will be at this location on July 20-22 & 27-29. (Callbacks, if needed, will be held Thursday, May 17th beginning at 6 pm.)

Please bring a prepared song and be ready to dance. An accompanist and CD player will be provided.

For additional information e-mail summer.stage@hotmail.com or call 517-442-4220!

Chip Mezo is directing. Antoinette LaCinski is handling Music/Vocals. Choreographer is Julie Klee.

JCC's One Act High School Competition Winners

Jackson Community College, assisted by Center Stage Jackson and Left of Center, hosted Columbia Central, Concord, Grass Lake, Jackson, Lumen Christi, and Northwest Schools.

Center Stage Member Alexandria "Ali" Flynn won Best Technical Director for Lumen Christi's entry. The Best Overall Performance went to Columbia Central's An Important and Meaningful Student Meeting, written and directed by Bill Bivins, who will play DonQuixote in the upcoming production of Man of La Mancha.

The day was highly successful and looks to become a regular event.

Cast Announced for Man of La Mancha

THE CAST

Don Quixote - Randy Guernsey*
Sancho - Bob DeMinico
Aldonza - Sandy Sykes*
The Innkeeper - Thomas Hutt
The Padre - Steve Hug*
Dr. Carrasco - Jarod Moore
Antonia - Anne Fleming
The Barber - Derek Turson
Pedro, Head Muleteer - Steve Dietrich*
The Housekeeper - Rhonda Reichard
Anselmo, a Muleteer - Andrew Thompson*
Juan, a Muleteer - Joel Atkins
Tenorio, a Muleteer - Jason Howell
The Innkeeper’s Wife - Rhonda Reichard
Fermina, a slavey and Moorish Dancer - Mary Krzesicki*
The Moorish Dancer - Julia Nichols
Captain of the Inquisition - Dave Mullholand
Prisoner/Dancer - Tiffany Doan, Megan Edwards
Prisoner/Horse - Jessica Farnham, Courtney Collis
Prisoner/Gypsy - Dave Mulholland
Guards and Men of the Inquisition - Charles J. Minder, Robert Daniel

THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Artistic Director - Mark Turson
Musical Director - Brian Mangiavellano
Pianist - Ruth Ann Windle*
Vocal Director - Leigh Ann Dusseau**
Technical Director - Christine Gorton**
Set Designer - Thomas Hutt
Choreographer - Connie Wolin
Fight Choreographer - Gary Wetzel-Righetinni
Stage Manager - Chuck Thor
Lighting Designer - Larry Shaltis
Light Operator - Amanda Mahoney
Costumer - Ellen Yoakam*
Properties - Susan Gahagan
Publicity - lidija Mitrius Fremeau**
Graphic Artwork - Molly M. Fremeau
Program Cover - Stephanie Kolman*
Program - Ann Holt**, Bob Holt*
Program Ads - CSJ Board of Directors, Richard Fifelski*
Front of House - Susan Murphy**

*Member of Center Stage Jackson
**Member of the Board of Directors

One Day Theatre Class for Kids!

Ella Sharp Museum is offering a One Day Wonder class on Friday, April 6th from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm called Curtain Call! The class, taught by Leigh Ann Dusseau, is for kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade and costs $25 for museum members and $30 for non-members. Students bring their own lunch but snacks are provided. for more information visit http://www.ellasharp.org/.

Auditions for Man of La Mancha

Ruth Ann Windle. pianist for the production consults with Chris Gorton, CSJ President, and lidija Fremeau, who helped run the auditions on Saturday afternoon.
Choreographer Connie of Connie's School of Dance in Jackson teaches some dance steps to the men.

A cast list will be posted as soon as Director Mark Turson and Vocal Director Leigh Ann Dusseau have made their decisions.

The production will be presented May 11 through May 20 in the Ruth Day Theatre at Jackson Community College's Potter Center.

Auditions for Man of La Mancha This Weekend

Center Stage Jackson is pleased to announce open auditions this weekend for Man of La Mancha with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion.

Auditions will be March 3, 2:00-4:30 pm and March 4, 6:00-8:30 pm at First Congregational Church, 120 N. Jackson St., Jackson, MI. Artistic Director Mark Turson is looking to cast 17 men (ages 18-60) and 8 women (ages 17-60). Those auditioning should prepare 16 bars of vocals and be prepared to read from the script for multiple roles. Scripts are available by calling (517) 782-9751.

Performances of Man of La Mancha will be May 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 at the Potter Center's Ruth Day Theatre on the campus of Jackson Community College. For more information, please visit www.centerstagejackson.org.

Based on one of the great literary masterpieces of all time, Man of La Mancha is set in Spain at the end of the 16th century. Miguel de Cervantes, an author, is thrown into prison by the Spanish Inquisition and forced to plead for his life and the life of his servant when put on trial by the other prisoners. In his defense, Cervantes tells the tale of Alonso Quijana, who believes he is the knight-errant Don Quixote de la Mancha. Cervantes and his servant assume the roles of Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza as the other prisoners reluctantly participate in the tale. Eventually they are drawn into the story in spite of themselves and realize the power of pursuing one's dreams. Through his trials and tribulations, Don Quixote reveals how love, truth, honor and justice can all be possible in life.

Man of La Mancha ran for nearly six years on Broadway and won five Tony awards including Best Musical and features a memorable score including the classic song "The Impossible Dream."

About CSJ:
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. Please visit Center Stage's website. .

Acting Classes at The Ella!

Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History - WinterTerm Classes 2007

FOR KIDS!

Creative Dramatics 8 weeks: January 18-March 8 • Leigh Ann Dusseau (Center Stage Jackson) • Grades 2-6 • Studio 1 or AR • Thurs 4:30-6:00 PM • Museum members $60/non-members $72. This class is filled with fun and exciting theater games that encourage children to develop their imaginations, creativity and self-confidence. At the end of the session, the class presents a fun and informal in-house performance.

FOR TEENS AND ADULTS!

Center Stage Jackson Presents Acting for Dummies 8 wks: January 18 – March 8 • Leigh Ann Dusseau (Center Stage Jackson) • HS/Adult • AR or Studio 2 Thurs 6:30-8:30 PM Museum members $65/ non-members $78. You’ll find all the basics right here! Begin with warm-up routines and exercises that will prepare you to work on stage. Learn techniques for concentration, stage movement, voice, speech, playing goals, and using tactics. That’s a lot! Discover that each step is crucial in developing the essential skills to work a scene, and that acting’s not such a mystery after all!

For more information about classes, workshops, and other educational offerings at The Ella contact the Museum by phone: (517) 787-2320 or visit the Museum website .

OPEN AUDITIONS To Kill a Mockingbird

Center Stage Jackson – Jackson’s community theatre group - is holding OPEN AUDITIONS for the great literary classic To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee (dramatized by Christopher Sergel):

Sunday, Jan.7, 2:00-4:30 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church

Monday, Jan. 8 , 6:30-8:30 p.m., Lily Missionary Baptist Church

Tuesday, January 9th, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church

(call-backs) Thursday, January 11th 6:30-8:00 p.m., Lily Missionary Baptist Church

Show Dates: March 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 2007

Show Location: Jackson Community College, Potter Center, Ruth Day Theatre

Director: Denise Weber

Producers: Ann Green, Jackson Community College & Ann Holt, Center Stage

Set in 1935 in the rural south, To Kill a Mockingbird examines racism as seen through the eyes of the Finch family: daughter Scout, son Jem, and their father, Atticus, a lawyer who defends a young black man falsely accused of beating and raping a young white woman. Though the story explores big themes, it is told from a child’s perspective. The result is a tough and tender story about race, class, justice, and the pain of growing up.

Recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the most inspiring films of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has been entertaining and enlightening audiences for over 40 years. Harper Lee’s 1960 Pulitzer Prize winning novel is brought to life in this thought-provoking play.

PRODUCTION PART OF THE BIG READ: Center Stage Jackson’s production of To Kill A Mockingbird will be part of the Big Read. Jackson is one of 72 communities nationwide to receive grants to support the Big Read, an initiative of the NEA, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest (to learn more about the Big Read please visit Jackson’s Big Read Blog at http://big-read.blogspot.com/. During the month of March 2007, everyone in Jackson County will be encouraged to read, listen, discuss or watch To Kill A Mockingbird.

Those interested in volunteering to work on the show but not auditioning for a role may contact lidija Mitrius Fremeau at lidija@centerstagejackson.org or (517) 789-8225.

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. Please visit Center Stage’s website at www.centerstagejackson.org.

Ebby Award Winners

Almost 70 cast and crew members of the fabulous production of Scrooge gathered at Marino's on Sunday evening to eat pizza, celebrate their achievements and visit with new (and old) friends. They also had the opportunity to vote for the Ebby Awards. If you missed this spectacular event, here are the final results.

BEST PROJECTION: Lori Pelham
QUIETEST VOICE: Katelyn Hoover
BEST ATTITUDE: Steve Dietrich
BEST ATTENDANCE: Chuck Minder
BIG DIVA: Eryn Dixon
LITTLE DIVA: Tricia Barrett
BIG DIVO: Monte Long
LITTLE DIVO: Seth Killian
BIGGEST HAM: Jimi Bommarito
BIGGEST FLIRT (female): Francesca Vitali
BIGGEST FLIRT: (male): Jeremy Tisch
CUTEST ONSTAGE COUPLE: Francesca Vitali & Joel Atkins
BIGGEST FAMILY CONTRIBUTION: McKim Family
MOST CLUELESS: Tia Wilson (but we love her anyway!)
BEST FEMALE VOCAL: Francesca Vitali
BEST MALE VOCAL: Monte Long
BEST DANCER: Eryn Dixon
BEST COMEBACK: Aimee McKim
FASTEST LEARNER: Stephanie Pierce
MOST IMPROVED: Jimi Bommarito
BEST FACIAL HAIR: TIE Jeff Hoover, Jimi Bommarito, Randy Guernsey
BEST NON-VERBAL PERFORMANCE: Abby Rood
MOST PREPARED: Connor Pierce
MOST PROFESSIONAL: Lori Pelham
BEST PERFORMANCE UNDER DURESS: Colleen Flynn
QUICKEST RECOVERY FROM AN INJURY: TIE Rene Rood, Aimee McKim
BEST COSTUME: Eryn Dixon, Randy Guernsey
BEST WIG: TIE Jean McKim, Fezziwigs during Curtain Call
MOST LIKELY TO DIRECT THE NEXT SHOW: Dave Dixon
MOST LIKELY TO NEVER DO THEATRE AGAIN: Ann Holt
MOST LIKELY TO MAKE IT ON BROADWAY: TIE Francesca Vitali, Connor Pierce

BACKSTAGE AWARDS

MOST WILLING TO HELP: Maddi Sabo
BEST BACKSTAGE MOM: TIE Anne Killian, Jackie Killian, Nancy Osterhaus, Sherri Cicirelli, Donna Guernsey, Amy Pierce, Mary Hug, Karen Krupa
HARDEST WORKER: Sally Benedict
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A PROP: TIE Drumstick, Bed, Benches
BEST BACKSTAGE HAND: TIE Jackie Killian, Anne Killian

Scrooge Cast Party December 3rd

All cast and crew of Scrooge the Musical are invited to Marino's Pizza, 1980 West Parnall Road, in Jackson for a reunion and "offical" cast party as guests of Director Ann Holt. The celebration is from 4 pm - 7 pm. Family and friends are welcome but will have to pay for their portion of the feast.

Center Stage Elects New Officers

At its regular meeting at the Ella Sharp Museum on October 18th, the board chose its new officers. The Executive Board is Christine Gorton, newly elected President; Ann Holt, Immediate Past President; Susan Murphy, Vice President; Leigh Ann Dusseau, Secretary; and Ken Schluckebier, Treasurer.

This Scrooge is Superb! (Jackson Citizen Patriot 11/9/06)

You still have one more weekend to see Monte Long as Scrooge. It's not just that he turns in a fantastic performance. It's that he has a cast full of talent to back him up! Bring the whole family and be delighted by the music, sights and sounds of Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol retold.

Friday and Saturday, November 17 & 18 at 8:00 pm at the Grass Lake High School. Sunday matinee on November 19 at 3:00 pm. All tickets $10. General seating. For reservations call 517-522-5695. Ann Holt directed the production.

Scrooge the Musical Ready to Open!

A young Ebenezer (Joel Atkins) sings of Happiness with his love Isabel (Francesca Vitali). Scrooge (Monte Long) joins them in song as he revisits his past when all things were possible.

Scrooge the Musical opens on Friday, November 10th at 8:00 pm at the Grass Lake High School auditorium and continues for two weekends. All tickets are $10 and must be paid with cash or by check. Call 517-522-5695 for reservations.

Additional performances are November 11, 12, and 17, 18, 19. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 pm and Sunday performances are at 3:00 pm.

Rehearsals Begin for Scrooge!

Antoinette LaCinski, Vocal Director, rehearses members of the company of Scrooge the Musical in singing the beautiful songs of Leslie Bricusse who also wrote the books and lyrics for the show.

Based on Charles Dickens' tale A Christmas Carol, this holiday tale will be presented at Grass Lake High School, 11500 Warrior Trail in Grass Lake.

Performances are November 10, 11, 12 and 17, 18, 19 with curtain on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and on Sundays at 3:00 PM.

Reservations are available now by calling 517-522-5695. All tickets are $10.00.

Born Yesterday - A Must See Classic

Friday, Sept. 29 at 8:00 pm, Saturday, Sept. 30 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, Oct. 1 at 3:00 pm.(Runs 1 hr.50 minutes with one 10 minute intermission)Tickets for the Ruth Day Theatre:$13/adults & $10/seniors & students (with ID) Reservations are available by calling the JCC box office at (517) 796-8600.

I attended Opening Night of Born Yesterday on Friday in the Ruth Day Theatre at Jackson Community College’s Potter Center. The Jackson Citizen Patriot had a great review and it was very accurate. The play is clever, insightful, touching and funny. Best of all Director Mark Hisler (“Our Town”, “Lobby Hero”, “Fuddy Meers”) has once again done a marvelous job of bringing the best out in all of his actors!

The show features Lisa Ykimoff as Billy Dawn and Tom Foley as Harry Brock. Joel Atkins plays Paul Verrall. Center Stage Board Treasurer Ken Schluckebier surprises in the role of fallen lawyer Ed Devery! Everyone turns in a great performance: Dave Mulholland, Leslie Wireman, Charles Minder, Kendall Smiley and Tia Wilson.
The costumes are great and the set is wonderful.

This show deserves to fill the house. Please tell all your friends and neighbors about Born Yesterday! You and they will not be disappointed.

Set Build This Weekend at JCC

CSJ will be assembling the set for our first season production "Born Yesterday" at JCC Saturday, September 9th from 10AM to 6PM and Sunday, September 10th from 12Noon to 8PM. The show is in the Ruth Day Theatre and the set is a "luxury hotel suite". We will be legging platforms and assembling doorways...hopefully getting the set ready for performers for Monday evening. Any time/talent you will be able to share is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris Gorton

Auditions for "Scrooge: The Musical Announced"

Auditions for the second show of the 2006 - 2007 season for Center Stage Jackson were announced today. They will be held on Monday, August 28 and Tuesday, August 29.

Monday's auditions will be from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Immanuel Lutheran Church on the corner of Michigan and Brown in Jackson.

Tuesday's audition will be from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Grass Lake High School Auditorium.

Additional auditions will be held on Thursday, September 6 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Call for an appointment. 517-529-4932 evenings.

Rehearsals will be held Monday through Thursday evening from 6:00 - 9:00 pm during September and October although not all cast members need be present at all rehearsals.

Performances are scheduled for two weekends Friday through Sunday November 10, 11, 12 and 17, 18, 19 at Grass Lake High School.

Director Ann Holt explained, "Usually Center Stage performs at Jackson Community College's Potter Center, but this is an experiment to move out into the county to involve new people in community theatre."

There are 18 principle parts (5 children - 2 boys including Tiny Tim & 3 girls); 23 chorus many of whom have specific identities; and 10 street urchins (kids). All roles are available.

For more information, watch the Center Stage Jackson website.