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 .

Encore Theater in Dexter Announces Summer Program for Kids

Elementary, Middle and High School

Live your dream! Let your talent shine!

The Encore Musical Theatre Company is excited to announce the launch of our Summer Program for children from elementary, middle, and high school.

THE ENCORE MUSICAL THEATRE SUMMER PROGRAM offers young performers the opportunity to explore the wonderful world of musical theatre. Specific sessions created for each age group are designed to establish, explore, and expand each participant’s individual talents.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM - for students entering grades 1 - 5
MUSICAL THEATRE EXPLORATION

Participants will actively engage their imaginations as they explore the world of musical theatre and learn to tell stories onstage. Through activities in improvisation, singing, dancing, and acting, participants will learn the basics of performance and increase their confidence onstage. This week-long session ends with a final performance for friends and family that is sure to be fun for everyone!

Session A - July 5th through July 9th, 9am - 4pm
Session B - July 12th through July 16th, 9am - 4pm
Price - $275 per session

MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM - for students entering grades 6 - 8
BROADWAY BOUND

This week-long session gives Participants the chance to engage in an in-depth study of musical theater. With classes in singing, dancing, and acting, participants will hone their skills and develop foundations in musical theater performance. Personalized feedback will give each participant the opportunity to focus on his or her individual talents and skills. The final showcase will feature all the participants, and is not to be missed!

Session C: July 19th through July 23rd, 9am - 4pm
Session D: July 26th through July 30th, 9am - 4pm
Price: $300 per session

HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM - for students entering grade 9 - 12
ONSTAGE INTENSIVE

Over the course of this two week session, Participants will engage in activities designed to develop their talent and take their performances to the next level. In addition to specialized classes in singing, dancing, and acting, participants will focus on blending these three disciplines to create a cohesive musical theater performance. Additionally, participants will attend an audition workshop, discuss all the elements that go into a musical theater show (tech, sets, lights, makeup, etc…), have the chance to engage in a master class taught by a Broadway veteran, and learn real Broadway choreography from actors currently performing on Broadway! The final showcase at the end of the session, which will allow each participant the opportunity to perform individually, is a must see.

Session E: August 2nd through August 13th, 9am - 4pm
Session F: August 16th through August 27th, 9am - 4pm
Price: $350 per session

Class sizes are limited. Registration forms available by visiting our website at http://www.facebook.com/l/5441e;theencoretheatre.org. Email education@http://www.facebook.com/l/5441e;theencoretheatre.org for more information.

Michigan Shakespeare Festival 2010 season open auditions

JACKSON, Mich., April 20, 2010 – The Michigan Shakespeare Festival will be holding open auditions for our 2010 Season featuring Romeo & Juliet and The Comedy of Errors Sunday, April 25, 2010, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Jackson Symphony Orchestra Hall, 215 W Michigan Avenue, Jackson, MI 49201.

Actors wishing to audition will need to prepare two contrasting Shakespeare monologues no more than 4 minutes length in total (2 minutes per monologue) be prepared to read from sides from the shows for an audition slot, please send a time request to: MSFCasting@aol.com

NOTE: there will be Equity auditions held in Detroit, April 24 from 10-5 pm at the Hilberry Repertory Theatre's Rehearsal Hall, 4th Floor, Old Main.

The Michigan Shakespeare Festival is a non-profit professional theater festival founded in 1995. Since its inception the Festival has entertained more than 40,000 people of all ages. In 2003, the Festival’s quality and reputation as a regional classical theatre earned it the designation as “The Official Shakespeare Festival of the State of Michigan” from the Governor and the State Senate. The Festival is dedicated to the production of Shakespeare’s plays and other classical works. It’s driving purpose is to produce shows that instill in modern audiences fervor for the dramatic works that have survived for generations due to their power, joyfulness, and humanity.

For more information about the Michigan Shakespeare Festival or to reserve season tickets in July and August 2010 call 517-998-3673 or visit www.michiganshakespearefestival.com

Left of Center presents. . .

The last couple of weekends, Left of Center has been presenting Yasmina Reza's ART at their new theater in Brooklyn, MI.

They just announced, although the theater will be dark this coming weekend, that they will perform ART for one more weekend on Friday, April 30 & Saturday, May 1 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, May 2 at 3:00 PM.

Art's Theater is located at 195 Irwin Street. Tickets are a deal at $10. For reservations call 529-2189.

Mike Reed plays Marc in the production. He's joined by Diego Febres-Cordero as George and Steve Kamke as Ivan. Scott Clow is directing.

Chelsea Area Players Looking for a Director

Chelsea Area Players (CAP) is currently seeking a director (and producer) for Camelot, July 2010.  We would appreciate your sharing this opportunity with anyone you think may be interested!

Qualifications include prior experience and satisfactory references.  Please submit resume and cover letter, and/or any questions you may have, to info@chelseaareaplayers.org.

Thank you!

--
Chelsea Area Players
P.O. Box 301
Chelsea, MI 48118
734-274-2498
www.chelseaareaplayers.org
email: info@chelseaareaplayers.org

Croswell Opera House presents. . .

The weekend of April 16 - 18 Croswell Opera House is presenting the much-loved Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring our own Michael Cicirelli as Joseph and featuring Caitlin Dunlap. It sounds like tickets are selling briskly, so call (517)264-SHOW (7469) now to make your reservations. You can check out all the information you need at the Croswell website by clicking HERE!

John Peakes To Direct Travels With My Aunt

Peakes Will Direct Travels With My Aunt for Walnut Street; Cast Announced - Playbill.com

When founder John Peakes retired several years ago from the Boarshead Theater in Lansing, he and his wife Judith moved to the Philadelphia area. Today Playbill announced that he would be directing Travels with My Aunt there. Another familiar name is cast member Paul Riopelle who most recently served as Interim Artistic Associate at Boarshead before it closed down. Both Peakes and Riopelle have performed with the Michigan Shakespeare Festival here in Jackson. Peakes will beespecially remembered for his performance as King Lear.

64th Annual Tony Awards

The 64th Annual Tony Awards, celebrating the best of Broadway, will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall June 13. CBS will telecast the three-hour evening beginning at 8 PM ET.

On May 4 the nominations will be announced. Playbill.com will publish the complete list of nominees that morning.

The 2010 Tonys are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. For more information visit the official site.

CSJ Auditions for MISCAST 2 Announced

 FROM DIRECTOR & EMCEE TIMM RICHARDSON

Miscast 2 will be auditioning from 7 - 9 pm on both Wed 3/10 and Wed 3/17 at The Bon Ton Room, 3017 Wildwood in Jackson.

Bring an audition piece that is correct for the show: something you are the wrong age, wrong sex or wrong ethnicity. It does not have to be from a show. You will need to bring a copy of the music to leave with the accompanyist (Sherra Zuck and Chip Mezo).

1.  Performances are April 22, 23 and April 30-May1 at The Bon Ton Room. Reservations 517-787-6733.
2. You will only need to perform one of these weekends.

I encourage duets, trios or group numbers. Last year we had too many solos, although solos are accepted. Also, someone approached me about dancing and I'm all for that as well. Comedic monologue? Let me take a look. As an example, I will be doing Susan Boyle.

This is a chance to have FUN and to do something you would otherwise never get to do.

Please contact me with questions at info@centerstagejackson.org. 

Timm Richardson

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

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