Auditions for Michigan Shakespeare Festival

The Michigan Shakespeare Festival will be casting non-Equity actors for our 2010 Short Shakespeare tour of Romeo & Juliet on Saturday, February 20: 1-5 pm, and Sunday, February 21 11-3 pm at the Jackson Symphony Orchestra Hall, 215 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson, MI, 49201.

Looking for all ages, all types (casting is colorblind): all roles are open. Will cast 3 woman and 6 to 7 men.

Also looking for a tour manager with theatrical technical experience.

Please prepare 1 Shakespeare/classical monologue (verse), 2 minutes or less.

Be prepared for some possible reading of sides; sides are available on our website: http://www.facebook.com/l/3ec89;MichiganShakespeareFestival.com.

There will be a read-through and Folio workshop on Monday, February 22 that the cast must attend. Rehearsals will be held the weekend of March 6/7, March 20/21, and the week of April 11-18. We will work around SOME conflicts.

Performances will be held during the day April 19—April 30 around 1 pm in the afternoon at schools around Washtenaw and Jackson County, with other performances possible.

Good pay for performances.

To sign up for an audition time or if you have any questions, please e-mail us at MSFcasting@aol.com.

Second Annual Youth Singing Competiton

Once again it wasn't all show tunes, but it WAS exceptional entertainment Friday night in The Bon Ton Room at Matt Davis's All Play and No Work. Eighteen outstanding Jackson teens, tweens, and littles sang their hearts out to a sold out audience!

Last year's winner, TR Krupa sang Radames' Letter from Aida to kick off the second half of the evening.

1. Madelyn Bellew - Almost Lover (A Fine Frenzy)
2. Elizabeth Lincoln - On the Brightside (NeverShoutNever)
3. Evan Denney - Consider Yourself (Oliver!)
4. Julianna Berkemeier - Can't Take My Eyes Off of You (Jersey Boys) - HONORABLE MENTION
5 . Kaci Sweezey -Free to Be Me
6. Carly Jacobs - Mama Who Bore Me (Spring Awakening)
7. Charity Roberts - Beauty and the Beast (Beauty and the Beast)
8. Anna Blissick - Love Story (Taylor Swift)
9. Carly Brake - Just One Step (Songs for a New World) - FIRST PLACE
10. Christina McKim - Only Hope (Mandy Moore) - THIRD PLACE
11. Nicole Black & Zac Lowden - Almost Paradise (Footloose)
12. Maegan Budd - Part of Your World (Little Mermaid)
13. Jacob Moody - The Climb (Miley Cyrus)
14. Lindsey Cole - The New Girl in Town (Hairspray) - HONORABLE MENTION
15. Trinity Roberts -Born to Entertain (Ruthless) - HONORABLE MENTION
16. Allison Walsh - On My Own (Les Miserables)
17. Alaina Kerr - You Are the Music in Me (High School Musical)
18. Kelsey Cummings - Every Story is a Love Story (Aida) - SECOND PLACE

Hosting the event for the second year was Stephanie Pierce, a student at Jackson High School, who was co-creator of the event with Ann Holt.

Judges for the event were Lisa Ykimoff, Matt Davis, and Lenny LaFleur.

Our photographer for the evening was lidija Fremeau of LAF Lines

Auditions for the Michigan Shakespeare Festival

Robert Duha, Managing Director of the Michigan Shakespeare Festival, tells me they will be holding auditions for a touring version of "Romeo and Juliet" on February 20 & 21 at the JSO from 1-5 on both days. A total of 6 or 7 daytime performances will be scheduled at area high schools between April 19 and 30. Actors will be paid a small stipend. If you are interested, call the MSF office at (517) 998-3673.

Auditions for the regular season are tentatively scheduled for the month of April. Watch the MSF website for more information.

Croswell Opera House presents. . .

February 4 - 6 at 8 pm and Feb 7 at 3 pm, Croswell Opera House will present an All -Area High School production of Fame: The Musical. Call 517 - 264- SHOW or order on their website at http://www.croswell.org/. If you call and purchase 10 Fame tickets, you'll receive the 11th ticket for FREE!

Comic Opera Guild Looking for Male Singers

The Comic Opera Guild in Ann Arbor is looking for three lead male singers and about three male chorus singers for a restored production of SALLY. SALLY was originally produced by Florenz Ziegfeld at New York's Amsterdam Theatre, opening there on December 21, 1920, and running for over 500 performances. It has not been performed for many decades. Kern's famous song Look for the Silver Lining comes from this show.

Prospective candidates should contact Tom Petiet, Managing Director, at constu@comcast.com or by telephone at 734-973-3264 for an audition and for more information.

Rehearsals will be in Ann Arbor and the production will be at the modern Village Theater in Canton on April 8 through 11, 2010. The lead singers need to be able to dance. A small stipend will be paid to cover the cost of travel from Jackson. The production will be recorded on CD for sale nationally, so singers will receive some national exposure. We believe that this recording will be the first ever full length recording of SALLY.

See www.comicoperaguild.org for more information. The Guild researches forgotten historical American Broadway shows of the 1890-1925 period and restores the music for piano, orchestra, and vocal production. This is a chance for singers to help with worthy restoration efforts of American musical history. Our recordings are in many archives, including the Library of Congress, and in the collections of American musical theater historians. Google "Jerome Kern Sally" for more information on this wonderful show.

People You Should Know - Donald Calamia

Donald Calamia is the co-owner of and editorial director for EncoreMichigan.com, "a new, Web-based publication focused on Michigan's professional theater industry. It is the state's premier source for free up-to-the-minute news and information about this often-ignored segment of the arts community."

You can find listings of shows, reviews, podcasts, blogs, audition information, theatre related links, articles dealing with professional theater at the site and much more.

Full Moon, Blue Moon, Lunar Eclipse Portend a Wonderous 2010

Good News from the Michigan Shakespeare Festival

A new artistic director has been hired for the Michigan Shakespeare Festival! You can read Bill Chapin's article with the details here.

Shows for 2010 are Romeo & Juliet and Comedy of Errors. You can visit the official website here.

Lansing's BoarsHead Cancels Remainder of Season

When BoarsHead went dark on November 6th and canceled its holiday offering of Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol, many of us feared the worst. Now it has come to pass. Read the article in the Lansing State Journal here.

Arts Connect, a chance to get together

The Arts Alliance is please to announce Arts Connect, an informal meeting of people interested in arts and culture in Jackson County. Please join us for socializing, networking, sharing of calendars and ideas of possible collaborations.

December 10, 2009

12 noon - 1 pm

McIntyre Room, Jackson District Library, Carnegie Branch

Arts Connect will meet the second Thursday of each month, starting this month.

Bring a bag lunch and get in on the ground floor. Questions feel free to contact me. See you on Thursday!

Alison Loveday, Director
Arts and Cultural Alliance of Jackson County
517/783-4300 - office
734/748-6001 - cell
director@artsinjackson.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We don't make art...we make art work!

Jessika Leigh Baier (1988 - 2009)

Jessika died unexpectedly early this morning. Her death has caused an outpouring of grief from her friends and fans.

I first met Jessika when she auditioned for the Center Stage Jackson production of Little Women, which I was directing. What a life force! And could that girl sing! There wasn't a role that fit her then but I always hoped that we would work together sometime. Never someone who watched American Idol, I was glued to the set rooting for Jessika when she auditioned.

What a sad day this is. You can read the article about Jessika's fatal car crash by clicking here.

Auditions for Youth Theater's Robin Hood

Auditions for the Center Stage Jackson Youth Theater production of "Robin Hood" will be held on Wednesday, January 6 and Monday, January 11 at 4:30 at Jackson's First Presbyterian Church. You need attend only one of the two auditions.

Auditions are open to all third through ninth graders.

Production dates are March 26, 27and 28 at Jackson's First Presbyterian Church.

Rehearsals will be held every MONDAY and WEDNESDAY from 4:30 until 6:00 at Jackson's First Presbyterian Church up until production week when rehearsals will be every day. Not all cast members will be scheduled to rehearse at every rehearsal and reasonable accommodation will be attempted for those with identified (and we hope minimal) rehearsal conflicts.

There are 16 roles available (eight boys and eight girls).

Those auditioning will be asked to read from the script, No advance preparation is necessary for the audition. No experience is necessary!

There is no charge to performers but actors who do not have a stage makeup kit will be asked to purchase one (typically about $18).

Stephanie Pierce and T.R. Krupa will be serving as co-directors.

Further questions may be addressed to Doug Meyers at drmeyers14@sbcglobal.net This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at (517)-783-1468.

VESTA ROTHFUSS 1911 - 2009

Vesta Rothfuss passed away on November 21, 2009. With her husband Guil, who died several years ago, they were stalwarts of the Jackson theater community. (Her daughter Holly Cogan often reviews Center Stage Jackson shows for The Brooklyn Exponent.)Memorial services are scheduled at Vista Grande Villa, 2251 Springport Road, Jackson on Wednesday, December 2, at 2 p.m. and at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Cambridge Junction, on Sunday, December 6, at 3 p.m.

Here is an exerpt from today's Jackson Citizen Patriot. Read the entire obituary by clicking here.

"They [she and her husband] worked in community theater for more than 45 years. Her particular interest in theater was providing properties and refreshments although she appeared on stage a number of times with Brooklyn Little Theater, Tecumseh Players, Clark Lake Players and the Jackson Civic Theater."

Special Offer for Little House on the Prairie - The Musical at the Fox Theatre

Click on the graphic to enlarge it!

Left of Center presents. . .

Because of unresolved issues with the new building, LOC was not able to open the theater in November. Unofficial word is that the show will run

Dec. 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19.

For many months Left of Center has been performing improv at The Bon Ton Room. Now they have found a new home in Brooklyn and are ready to present the edgy live theater the community has come to expect. The Late Henry Moss, which opens November 5th and runs Thurs, Fri, Sat. for 4 weekends, is the story of two brothers who come together after the death of their estranged father.

Thursday night performances are dress rehearsals and audience members can pay what they are able. Managing Director Barb Sexton explained, "We are trying to open up the live theater experience to a larger audience". Another way the group plans to do this by making ticket prices more affordable. Friday and Saturday shows are $15 per person and $10 for students and seniors. All shows begin at 8pm. The address is: 195 Irwin St. Brooklyn, MI.

Reservations: 517-592-2189. Sorry, they are unable to accept credit cards.

(Photo by Mike Reed)

CSJ presents THE STORY OF HANSEL & GRETEL

Youth Theater is presenting its musical production of The Story of Hansel and Gretel (Book by Vera Morris. Music and Lyrics by Bill Francoeur) this weekend November 20th, 21st & 22nd at the Middle School at Parkside. Performances are Friday at 7:00 pm, Saturday at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm.

Tickets: $5.00 Adults, $3.00 12 and under. Available ONLY at the door.

Director is Jen Ann Guy.

Sent into the woods, Hansel and Gretel meet up with a number of peculiar characters. A fiery troll guards his little wooden bridge. Even more, an articulate owl, a forest sprite and two hobgoblins are in the service of an evil (but extremely funny) witch. She locks poor Hansel in a cage and feeds him nothing but cake! Everyone will cheer Gretel as she outwits the crone and sets free all the children who have been turned into cookies! Every dramatic moment is brought to life, from the night spent in the woods to the discovery of the candy-coated little cottage.

Center Stage Announces Open Auditions for The Diary of Anne Frank

Center Stage Jackson – Jackson’s community theatre group - is holding OPEN AUDITIONS for the play The Diary of Anne Frank, to be directed by Denise Weber.

Auditions will be held Monday, November 30 and Tuesday, December 1, 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Auditorium of the Middle School at Parkside, 2400 Fourth St., Jackson, Michigan.

Production dates are February 12, 13, and 19, 20 at 8:00 p.m. and February 14 and 21 at 3:00 p.m. There are also two assemblies for the school on Thursday, February 18 and Friday, February 19 at 12:00 Noon. All productions, including the assemblies, require mandatory participation.

All performances will take place at the Middle School at Parkside.

For more information visit the center stage website by clicking here.

Lansing's BoarsHead Goes Dark

Founded in 1966 Lansing's BoarsHead Theater went dark on November 6th and canceled its holiday offering of Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol. What will happen after that is unknown. Read the statement on their website here.

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)