The CSJ Youth Theatre performances of Big Bad (the trial of the big bad wolf) will be held on Friday, May 9th at 7PM and Saturday, May 10th at 2PM. Both performances are at:

First Presbyterian Church
743 W. Michigan Ave.
Jackson, MI 49203 (Parking in back of church)

Tickets are available at the door and are $1 for adults. Children are free.

All Play and No Work's

The Bon Ton Room
presents

Saturday, May 3^rd and June 7^th
Left of Center Improv
Doors Open 7:15 Show 8:00 - $10
If you like Who's line is it anyway you will love this!

May 9^th and May 10^th
Chip Mezo
Doors open 7:15 Show 8:00 - $20
Local Favorite Chip Mezo returns to town with an eclectic evening of Contemporary Broadway Songs and Popular Music including music from The Dixie Chicks, Paul Anka, Jason Robert Brown and More!

May 23^rd and May 24^th
Learn Your Lessons Well:
The Bon Ton Room's First Cabaret Class Showcase
Doors open 7:15 Show 8:00 - $7
Join the Bon Ton Room's First Graduating Cabaret Class as they share their talent with the masses!
A great evening filled with music from the most prolific songwriters of the past century.

Call 787-6733 for reservations

The Bon Ton Room at All Play & No Work, 3017 Wildwood Ave. Jackson, MI

Seussical Offers Special Price on Sundays!!

Monday, April 28, 2008

Due to the sell-out response to the "ALL SEATS $5 FAMILY MATINEE" for "SEUSSICAL"on Sunday, April 27th, Center Stage Jackson has announced the community theatre group will offer the $5 Family Matinee price on Sunday, May 4th as well.

"Center Stage Jackson was thrilled to sell out Seussical on Sunday.
That means over 400 people including many families were able to experience live community theatre at a price that is affordable...especially in a soft economy", said Christine Gorton - President of Center Stage Jackson. "Clearly price drove the audience of over 400 to the Baughman Theatre on Sunday. Seussical is a wonderful show and an example of the quality productions and amazing talent offered right here in our own backyard. Reducing the ticket price puts CSJ at risk of not making box-office sales goals, but providing the magic of live theater to kids and an opportunity for a family activity makes it worth the cost."

Seussical - Presented by: Center Stage Jackson Baughman Theatre - JCC May 2, 3 - 8PM, $10 Students, $12 Seniors, $15 Adults May 4 - 3PM ALL SEATS $5 www.centerstagejackson.org

Tickets - JCC Box Office 796-8600

Chip Mezo's Fantastic Adventure

Chip Mezo, who stepped in to direct Seussical for Center Stage Jackson just three short weeks ago, got an email from his agent in London saying he has been cast as the First Cover for Billy Bigelow, the male lead in ANDREW LLOYD WEBER'S revival of Carousel in London's West End! (Seussical opens on Friday and runs for two weekends. ) Chip will also be performing in his own cabaret at All Play & No Work on May 9 & 10. Then he will be directing the musical Fame for CSJ's Summer Stage. He will be moving to London in August to start rehearsals for Carousel. So now is your chance to see Chip's work before his career takes another giant leap!

Summer Classes for Kids & Teens

Check out Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History, Jackson Community College, or Connie's School of Dance for summer classes if your kids are interested in performing. Dates and costs vary.

At the Ella contact Amy Wellington by calling 517-787-2320.
At JCC contact Ellen Young by calling 517-796-8582.
At Connie's School of Dance contact Connie Wolin at 517-782-4377

Although I couldn't locate the information on their website, the Jackson Citizen Patriot printed more detailed information about ALL summer camps on Sunday, April 20, 2008.

Jacie Dininny 2008

VIVIAN JACELYN "JACIE" - Passed away on April 13, 2008 in Albion, Michigan. She was at home under the loving care of her family and Great Lakes Hospice. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Robert; two sons, Robert (Vicki) of Concord, MI and David (Nevia) of Chagrin Falls, OH; one daughter, Kathleen (Tony) Hutchins of Albion; sister, Patsy Kropp of Ottawa Hills, OH; brother, Jim Brown of Cambridge, MA; seven grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Jacie was a Registered Nurse who graduated from Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. She also held a Master's degree in Maternal and Child Health from the University of Florida. She finished her nursing career by opening her own practice in Women's Health in Jackson, Michigan. She was one of the first, if not the first, nurse practitioners in the state of Michigan to open her own practice. In that sense she was a real pioneer in the nursing world. Jacie's main hobby was theater. She played roles in the Marshall Civic Theater and the Jackson Civic Theater as well as The Clark Lake Players. She was one of the founders of the Albion Civic Theater and played several roles there as well. She especially liked doing musical comedy and was an accomplished singer. She sang in a church choir wherever she lived. She also did oratorio work with the Jackson Chorale and the Albion Choral Society. She was a great friend and nurse to all who knew her and she will be sorely missed. Final arrangements are being made by J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home at 811 Finley Drive, Albion, MI 49224. According to Jacie's wishes, the body will be cremated immediately and there will be no visitation at the funeral home. There will be a Celebration of her life service at the First United Methodist Church in Albion at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22. There will be a chance to greet the family for an hour before the Celebration Service. After the service a light luncheon will be served at the church. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to Great Lakes Hospice would be appreciated. www.kevintiddfuneralhome.com www.Mlive.com/obits Published in the Jackson Citizen Patriot on 4/16/2008.

Fred Drago 1928 - 2008

Born in Bogota, Columbia on October 13, 1928, Manfredo Carlo Drago was a truly remarkable man who lived and enjoyed a lifetime of many interests and accomplishments. In 1931, his family moved to Genoa, Italy. Several years later "Fred" came to the United States and studied at the University of Michigan, later transferring to Michigan State University pursuing studies in Horticulture, Sociology and Anthropology. In 1952, he graduated, having completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. While there, he became a member of Alpha Phi Omega and Theta Xi fraternities. For 42 years he represented Schering-Plough Corporation and was well respected in the medical community. He was a very dedicated member of the noon Rotary Club of Jackson and enjoyed playing "Freddy, the Christmas Elf" for the disabled children's Christmas party at Rotary. Fred was also an active member in community theater for many years. He was best known for his affable and courteous manner. Fred belonged to many other groups and organizations too numerous to mention. Fred passed away peacefully, in his sleep, in his home in Jackson. Left to treasure his memory are his beloved wife of 40 years, Stephanie (nee Latham); their children, Carlo M., Cristina (Michael), Nicole E. and grandchildren, Brandon and Brittany. Mourned also by his animal companions, the Dobermans, "Nina" and "Dobie" and his cats, "Tai" and "Fancy Pants." A Memorial Mass will be held at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church on Thursday. April 17, 2008. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. Father Nate Sokol officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Disability Connections or Cascades Humane Society.

Ushers Needed for Seussical!!

Center Stage Jackson's production of Seussical the Musical opens a week from Friday at JCC's Baughman Theatre.

We are looking for ushers for all performances. If you are interested, please email Denise Krzesicki at Denise.Krzesicki@centerstagejackson.org and let her know.

Don't forget, you can buy your tickets online now. Go to www.centerstagejackson.org and select "Tickets".

See you at the show!

Steve Hug
co-producer, Seussical the Musical

CSJ Presents Seussical the Musical!

The Center Stage Jackson production of Seussical the Musical opens on April 25th. You can purchase your tickets online through our web site: www.centerstagejackson.org. You can also call the JCC box office at (517) 796-8600. The Ticket Office is open weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and one hour prior to show time.

This is NOT a kids' show. Kids will love it, but adults will GET it. The choreography is terrific and there is not a weak voice in the cast. If you've seen the last few musicals at CSJ, you know that our casts keep getting stronger and stronger. We put this show in the Baughman Theatre at JCC because we expect the audience to exceed the capacity of the Ruth Day Theatre.

Come join us. I promise you will have a great time!

Steve Hug
co-producer, Seussical the Musical

Grass Lake Presents. . .

Grass Lake Schools will be presenting "My Fair Lady" April 17-19 at 7 PM and April 20 at 3 PM. All tickets are $5.00. Reservations call 517 522 5695.

Francesca Vitali plays Eliza Doolittle and many of you will remember her performances in Scrooge and Little Women for Center Stage. You won't want to miss this one either!

Director Barb Palmer says, "We'd love to see you all there!"

Fred Drago 2008

Fred Drago passed away on the evening of April 5, 2008. There will be a memorial service for him at Queens (Queen of the Miraculous Medal Roman Catholic Church) on April 17th at 1:00 pm. The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 1 pm at the Church. A full obituary will be in the paper next Wednesday.

Fred was active in and a great supporter of community theatre. More information will be posted when it becomes available.

The Great American Songbook

The Bon Ton Room is Proud to Present:

A LOVELY NIGHT: A CELEBRATION OF
THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK

APRIL 25th and 26th - Doors open 7:15 Show 8:00 - $15

Featuring: Matt Davis, Lenny LaFleur, Kerrie Manders, Lori Pehlam, Timm Richardson, Ruth Ann Windle, Sherra Zuck, & Special Guests

Join us at the Bon Ton Room as we celebrate the most important and eclectic composers and lyricists of the early 20th century including:

Harold Arlen
Irving Berlin
George and Ira Gershwin
Jerome Kern
Cole Porter
Richard Rodgers
& More!

Included will be standards that you know and love - such as Someone to Watch Over Me, How Deep is the Ocean, and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. We will also introduce great songs that may be new to you, but will soon become favorites, and put you on the road to becoming a musical historian!

Call 517 787 6733 for reservations
The Bon Ton Room at All Play and No Work, 3017 Wildwood Ave.
Jackson, MI 49202; www.myspace.com/thebontonroom

Summer Stage Auditions

The 2008 Summer Stage show will be FAME the Musical. Auditions will be held Monday and Tuesday May 12 and 13 at Grass Lake High School auditorium 6-9 pm.

Please prepare at least 32 measures of one song. Please - no songs from HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL or WICKED! Contemporary pop or musical theatre music is preferred. Must bring sheet music in correct key or accompaniment track. NO A CAPPELLA.

FAME the Musical is a very dance- heavy show, so wear clothes in which you can dance. If you are skilled in ballet /pointe, and or tap please bring those shoes and be prepared for an additional dance combination.

Any additional questions, please feel free to email: summer.stage@hotmail.com or send us a MySpace message.

Chip Mezo - Director
Antoinette LaCinski - Music Director
Julie Klee - Choreographer

Sweeney Todd at All Play and No Work!

Sweeney Todd

The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

A Musical Thriller

Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Book by Hugh Wheeler

Adaptation by Christopher Bond

Originally Directed by Harold Prince

Originally produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards, in Association with Dean and Judy Manos

Directed by Ann Holt and Matt Davis

Musical Direction by Elena Beasley and Sherra Zuck

Starring: Roxanne Bruner, Matt Davis, Sara Davis, Lori Pelham, Mike Reed, Jerry Rice, Dusty Sayler, Sandy Sykes, and Francesca Vitali

OCTOBER 17^th, 18^th, 24^th, 25^th - 8PM

Call 517.787.6733 for reservations and more information

SWEENEY TODD is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

421 West 54^th Street, New York, NY 10019

Phone 212.541.4684 Fax 212.397.4684 www.MTIShows.com

Youth Theater Begins Rehearsals for BIG BAD

Director Jen Ann Guy and assistant Don Mansfield with the cast of the Youth Theater production of Big Bad on March 18 at Jackson's First Presbyterian Church at their first read through.

The cast is as follows:

Sydney Grimm: Marina Perrin
Fairy Godmother: Theresa Bishop
Little Red Riding Hood: Misty Emerson
Grandmother Hood: TBD
One: Meghan Butterfield
Two: Phoebe Callebs
Three: Maya Alger
Bill Woodcutter: Josh Rennell
Shepherd: Amber Harmon
Boy Who Cried Wolf: Dominic Bishop
Big Bad Wolf: Lucas Meyers
Judge Wise Old Man: Don Mansfield
Evil Stepmother: Emily Bowen
Miss Muffit: Megan Skittenheim

Performances are scheduled for Friday, May 9 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, May 10 at 2:00 pm at Jackson's First Presbyterian Church.

Grass Lake takes top honors at JCC One-Act Play Festival

Best Overall Performance honors went to Grass Lake High School, who presented The Man Who Turned Into a Stick, directed by Barb Palmer, with cast members Francesca Vitali, Zach Lockwood, Paul Karle, James Dunnigan and Dusty Saylor, technical director Claire Dunnigan, stage manager Ashley Pustay, and crew Dennis Perry. Karle also received a first place in the Actor category, Vitali received first place in the Actress category, Pustay received third place in the Technical Director category, and Claire Dunnigan received first place in the Stage Manager category.

Second place overall went to Lumen Christi High School, who presented Caught Out. Ian DeWitt took second place in the Actor category, Andie Grant took second in Actress, E’lena Jones took third place in the Actress category, Zoe Walters took second place in the Technical Director category, Mirae Guenther took second place in the Stage Manager category, and Bill McVey took second place in the Crew category.

Third place overall went to Concord High School, who presented Question. Gus Pewé took third place in the Actor category, and an honorable mention in Technical Director.

Northwest High received an award for Best Set Design, and Concord received an award for Original Set. Individual awards were also presented to: Shawn Stidman, Columbia Central High, honorable mention in the Actor category; Riley Cortright, Springport High, honorable mention in Actress category; Craig Draper, Northwest High, first place in Technical Director category; and Dillon Forner, Northwest High, third place in Stage Manager category.

Picture: Grass Lake Winners Francesca Vitali, Dusty Saylor, Zach Lockwood and Paul Karle. Not pictured is James Dunnigan, who was the stick!

Opening Night of The Miracle Worker

Center Stage Jackson's production of The Miracle Worker, directed by Denise Weber, opens on Friday evening with an 8 p.m. curtain and continues on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 7-9. Days and times are the same the following weekend, March 14-16, at the Middle School at Parkside, 2400 Fourth St., Jackson. All tickets are $10. 517-745-2835.

For more information visit Center Stage Jackson's website.

Photo: Carley Brake as Helen Keller and Sarah Weber as Annie Sullivan in Center Stage Jackson's production of "The Miracle Worker."

Did you miss Sweeney Todd at the movie theatre?

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street will be playing at the Michigan Theatre this weekend!

This musical crime drama is based on the hit Broadway musical which tells the infamous story of Benjamin Barker, a.k.a Sweeney Todd, who sets up a barber shop down in London which is the basis for a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett. Stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter as Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett.

Rated R – all seats $4.00.

Fri., Mar. 7 – 7:15 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 8 – 6:00 & 8:30 p.m.
Sun., Mar. 9 – 4:00 p.m.

Croswell Opera House Presents. . .

Two By Two
"The Story of Noah and his family ... it's good fun from The Good Book!"
A musical based on the play The Flowering Peach by Clifford Odets with Music by Richard Rodgers, a Book by Peter Stone, and Lyrics by Martin Charnin.

Dates are March 14-16 & 21-22 and curtain times are 8pm Fridays & Saturdays, 3pm Sunday.

Croswell Opera House
129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, MI
517-264-SHOW (7469)

A Message from Steve Hug

CSJ Members and Friends:

I dropped in on a rehearsal for The Miracle Worker the other night and was very impressed. The cast includes a number of our regular performers who give their usual fine performances. It's also great to see some of our younger performers growing into better actors each time I see them.

There are some new faces in the cast who, frankly, blew me away with how good they are. Director Denise Weber and her technical crew are doing their usual marvelous job.

Please make your plans to see The Miracle Worker at the Middle School at Parkside. The play runs March 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16. Sunday matinees are at 3PM and Friday/Saturday shows are at 8PM. You can make your reservations through the web site at www.centerstagejackson.org or call the box office at 745-2835. All tickets are $10. And don't forget...CSJ members get a $5 discount for an individual membership or $10 for a family membership.

Hope to see you at the show!

Steve Hug
Chairman, Membership Committee
Center Stage Jackson