Auditions at Croswell

The musical Two by Two by Richard Rogers and Martin Charnin is auditioning on January 5 and 6 from 2 pm to 4 pm each day and on January 6 from 6 to 8 pm. The show, a musical retelling of the story of Noah, will be performed in March at the Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

Roles available include Noah, his wife Esther, their three sons and their sons' spouses.

You should be prepared to sing and bring your own sheet music. There will be no taped music or a cappella singing.

For more information, call 517-263-6868 or visit www.croswell.org.

Cast of Miracle Worker is Announced!

Director Denise Weber has cast "The Miracle Worker", which will be presented at the Middle School at Parkside March 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 with two daytime assemblies on the 13^th and 14^th.

A Doctor – Daniel Bishop
Kate Keller – Breeda Miller
Captain Keller – Steve Dietrich
Helen – Carly Brake
Aunt Ev – Sand Richards
James – David Fuller
Mildred Keller - Cameron Oulch
Annie Sullivan – Sarah Weber
Anagnos – Doug Meyers
Viney – Melissa Turner
Martha - Angelia Scott
Percy - D'Angelo Brown
Belle - Hailey Miller
Blind Children – Theresa Bishop, Alicia Brown, Emily Hill,
Giordan Nazaruk, Kailey Nazaruk, Grace Patton,
Merina Perrin, Jason Weber-Boling
Boy’s Voice (Jimmie) – Dustin Schonhard
Man’s Voice/Doctor's Voice – T.R. Krupa
First Crone – Marina Perrin
Second Crone – Theresa Bishop
Third Crone – Grace Patton

Happy Christmas to Center Stage Jackson's Christian readers.

And to everyone, peace on earth and goodwill towards all.

ACAJC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Jackson County (ACAJC) is seeking its first Executive Director to enable the ACAJC Board to meet the goals of the Jackson County Community Cultural Plan and its various other initiatives. This position requires strategic thinking, creative problem solving, strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to deal with multiple complex projects. A bachelor’s degree is required, although an advanced degree is preferred. Previous experience should include 1 to 3 years of program management with an emphasis on nonprofit and public organizations. Submit resume, cover letter and salary requirements by January 31, 2008, to: ACAJC, P. O. Box 1463, Jackson, MI 49204. Go to acajc.org for details.

Auditions at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre has scheduled auditions for January 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. both days for the comedy Moon Over Buffalo. The auditions are being held at the theater's rehearsal studio, 322 W. Ann Street.

Auditioners will be asked to read from the script and participate in theater games. If callbacks are needed, they will be on January 9 at 7 pm. There are roles for four men ages 25-65 and four women ages 20 to 80.

Moon Over Buffalo is a romantic farce about a theater troupe in Buffalo, NY in th 1950s. The show will be presented at the University of Michigan's Arthur Miller Theatre March 6 - 9.

For more information, visit the website or call 734-971-2228.

JUDY VANZO 1933 - 2007

Judy Vanzo appeared in Something's Afoot as Miss Tweed, directed by Ann Holt for the Clark Lake Players in 1984. Once you saw her on stage or met her in person, you never forgot her. She was a very special person - as compassionate as she was talented and funny.

For 36 years Croswell Opera House was her home. Judy was a cast member for Barefoot in the Park, the very first show produced by the Croswell after it was transformed from a movie house back into a performing theater as it had been in its early days. She was an integral part of the Croswell from that summer of 1968 on. Among her theatrical credits highlights were roles in Mame, Picnic, Steel Magnolias, Show Boat, You Can’t Take It With You, Noises Off, The Trip to Bountiful, The Gin Game, and her last show Rumors in 2004.

JUDITH ANN “JUDY” VANZO, age 73, of Adrian, died December 11, 2007, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. She was born December 28, 1933, in Anderson, Indiana to Ivan and Elsie Marie (Baker) Hale. Judy retired in 1995, from the LISD, where she was a Speech Therapist. She dearly adored her grandchildren. Judy loved plays and the theater. She began acting as a child, and throughout her life, acted in too many roles to list, in a number of cities. Judy was an extensive traveler. She collected owls, was an avid knitter and movie fan. Judy is survived by one son, Mark Steven Vanzo and his wife, Annette of Germany; one daughter, Michele Marie Vanzo and her husband, Tom D’Angelo of Brighton, MI; two sisters, Trish Everman of Anderson, IN and Daphne Hoppes of Noblesville, IN; six grandchildren, Amy, Michele, Lilly, Tim, Nicholas and James. She was preceded in death by her parents and her step-father, Keith Mills. Funeral services for Judith will be held on Monday, December 17, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian with Sister Helen Walling IHM officiating. Burial will be in Maple Shade Cemetery in Onsted. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian. Memorial contributions may be made to the Croswell Opera House. Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian.

GET YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!

Help Welcome Bill Chapin

Even if you've already had the opportunity to meet him, please join us at The Nomad Bookhouse, Mechanic Street in downtown Jackson on Friday, December 7th, 5:00PM till whenever, to meet Bill Chapin, the new Arts and Entertainment writer for the Citizen Patriot.

The Jackson District Library and the Nomad Bookhouse hope to host a great representation of our artistic community. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served. Please spread the word to all you might think interested.

Auditions for The Miracle Worker

Center Stage Jackson announces auditions for the play The Miracle Worker to be directed by Denise Weber. Auditions will take place on Monday and Tuesday, December 10^th and 11^th from 6:30 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. at the administration building by the circular drive at the Middle School at Parkside, 2400 Fourth St., Jackson, Michigan. Production dates are March 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 with two daytime assemblies on the 13^th and 14^th. All will take place in the auditorium at the Middle School at Parkside.

The Miracle Worker tells the story of blind, deaf and mute Helen Keller, whose dark world is opened by her teacher, Annie Sullivan, who had been born blind, but gained her sight after operations on her eyes. Helen is spoiled and almost animal like, as her family has not known how to get through to her. Annie teaches her, not only manners, but the gift of communication, opening up the world to Helen’s curious mind. A stirring dramatization packed with emotions.

The cast includes 7 males ranging in age from 10 - 70 and 7 females ranging in age from 6 - 70. All ethnicities are encouraged to audition, as racial diversity is prevalent in this play. For more details check out the CSJ website.

The March 7th performance will be interpreted for the deaf and the March 9th performance will be interpreted for the deaf, as well as the deaf/blind. For information regarding the deaf/blind interpretations, as well as the auditions, please contact Denise Weber at 517.841.2287.

Peter Pan at the Croswell Opera House

Caitlin Dunlap of Brooklyn is playing Wendy in the Croswell's holiday production of Peter Pan. Caitlin was in CSJ's production of High School Musical this past summer.

Production dates are Friday through Sunday (11/30 - 12/1) and December 7 -9 with shows at 8:00 pm on Fridays, 3:00 and 8:00 pm on Saturday and 3:00 pm on Sundays. Ticket prices range from $10 to $25.

The Croswell Opera House is located at 129 E. Maumee Street in Adrian. For more information call 517-264-7469 or visit www.croswell.org.

Remember Mary Jo and Phil Flenner?

Mary Jo Flenner (center) was a Jackson Civic Theatre board member some years back and has always cherished memories of those days. She and her husband Phil (some may remember their children Joe and Julie) made the trip from Kalamazoo to see Little Women and encouraged friends from Lansing and Detroit to come along. Mary Jo wanted to see what the theatre community in Jackson is up to these days. An impromtu tour of backstage after the performance was a reminder of how lucky we are to have the Potter Center facilities.

Director of Marketing & Development

The Michigan Shakespeare Festival, the official Shakespeare Festival of the State of Michigan, is a professional theater company headquartered in Jackson. It annually produces a three week season of Shakespeare and other classical theater along with a family oriented show.

The Festival is seeking candidates for a Director of Marketing & Development who will work part time on contract (no withholdings or benefits, income reported on a 1099). Compensation to be negotiated. The successful candidate will start immediately upon selection and report to the Chair of the Board of Directors. This is a new position and compensation will be negotiable, with a bonus based on successful results of audience development and fund raising. The current contract will end on September 30, 2008 with renewal contingent on accomplishment of the contractor and the approval of the Festival Board.

For full details, download the .pdf.

Fabulous Cast Party at Daryl's Downtown

The cast and crew of Little Women celebrated their success with a party at Daryl's in downtown Jackson. Karoke entertainment was provided by Karen Kidder and other brave souls including Timm Richardson, Amanda Mahoney, and others. A good time was had by all!

LITTLE WOMEN IS SOLD OUT!!!

All performances of Little Women the Broadway Musical have sold out! If you still want to try to get in, reserved tickets that are not picked up by 10 minutes before show time are released to anyone waiting in the lobby; however THERE IS NO GUARANTEE YOU WILL GET SEATED.

Thank you to the community for supporting Center Stage Jackson!!!!

Check out the review from The Brooklyn Exponent by clicking here!

Can you teach young actors?

The Jackson School of the Arts, 634 N. Mechanic Street, is looking for a theater instructor for Young Actors ages 6-7 to begin teaching Jan. 17-May 15. (16 weeks.) Possible class times are Monday 6:30-7:15 PM or Thursday 5-5:45 PM.

If you are interested, contact Kim Hastings, Executive Director at kimh.jacksonarts@sbcglobal.net or call 517-784-2389.

The Bart Hawley Show on JTV

To get the word out about Little Women the Broadway Musical, (from left to right) Chris Fultz (Laurie/set designer with KJ Rowen), Anne Fleming (Jo March), Ann Holt (Artistic Director) appeared on the show with host Bart Hawley.

The first weekend was sold out and the second weekend is headed in the same direction. Make your reservations now! Fri. Nov. 16, Sat. Nov. 17 at 8:00 pm and Sun., Nov. 18 at 3:00 pm.

Five Forever from Little Women

Here's a video of Five Forever from Little Women that was shot at rehearsal last night. The show previews this evening and opens on Friday.

Because he rescued Amy (Mary Krzesicki) when she fell through the ice while skating, Jo (Anne Fleming) and her sisters Meg (Tiffany Doan) and Beth (Francesca Vitali) decide to make Laurie (Chris Fultz) their "honorary" brother!

Final Rehearsals for Little Women

Beth (Francesca Vitali) consoles her sister Jo (Anne Fleming), who is worried about her health.

You can get an idea of the abstract set that allows the actors to walk out of one scene and into another. One level up is the parlor and the top is the attic where Jo and her sisters act out grand tragedies and Jo writes her stories.

Little Women the Broadway Musical opens on Friday, November 9, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. For reservations visit the new Center Stage Jackson website.

Seeking Project Submissions/Potential Directors for 2007-2008 Season

It’s time to start putting together the 2007-2008 season. Do you have a project you have always dreamed of directing or seeing produced in Jackson? CSJ is seeking interested individuals to present ideas and projects to the Play Selection and Director Recruitment committee. Our director interviews will be held:

Monday, Nov. 12 and Tuesday, Nov. 13
6:00—8:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church
120 N. Jackson St. – Jackson MI

Interview appointments can be made via email or by phone by contacting Julie Klee, Play Selection and Director Recruitment Committee Chairperson and CSJ Board Member, at arwenevenstar0761@gmail.com, or (517) 783-2275. CSJ welcomes all interested parties and wants to provide an open forum to make Center Stage Jackson the best community theatre possible.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO OUR THEATRE FRIENDS!