REVIEW OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS ~ A SPECIAL TREAT

Photo Credit: LAF Lines Photography lidija A. Fremeau

For those who lament the closing of Matt Davis’ Bon Ton Room, you need to get to the Jackson Symphony Hall this weekend to see Jason Robert Brown’s “The Last Five Years”, which premiered in Chicago in 2001 and played off Broadway starting in March 2002.

Presented by KW Productions and Ann Arbor Musical Theater Works, Adam Woolsey and Jayna Katz play Jamie, an author, and Catherine, an actress, in this two-character musical directed with a deft hand by Chip Mezo.

The evening is a 90 minute song cycle with very little dialogue and presented without an intermission. What makes it unusual is the way the story is told. Cathy’s story begins at the end of the relationship and Jamie’s at the beginning. Confused? You won’t be. Adam Woolsey and Jayna Katz make their individual trajectories clear, alternating songs. Somewhere near the middle the two characters briefly join together when they marry.

The songs are cabaret worthy with a mix of pop rock tunes, patter songs and ballads. The sound quality is amazing in the Symphony Hall since its renovation and thanks to the efforts of Amanda Mahoney and KJ Rowan. Every word sung was clear and sharp.

The first-rate musicians, led by Conductor/pianist Lora Knight, include Violin (Matthew Polson), Keyboards (Chip Mezo & Andrea Wynn), Bass (Del Belcher), and Guitar (Victor McDermott). Director Chip Mezo wisely places them upstage center and they are visible between the very workable abstract set designed by Christopher Mezo. The ‘end’ of the five years is on the left and the beginning is on the ‘right’. The two sides of the stage are carefully detailed with authentic pictures, books, and memorabilia making the characters come to life.

The casting is perfect. These two actors work beautifully together drawing the audience into the story and making them care. Jayna Katz has an enormous emotional range. Her laugh is infectious and as a needy aspiring actress, she is absolutely believable. Adam Woolsey, whose experience includes a brief appearance on American Idol Season 11, is loveable when he turns on the charm and smiles, but also capable of being selfish and unfaithful. Both actors have great control of vocal range and can modulate from quiet and lovely to ‘bringing down the house’ wail.

This is first-rate entertainment and highly recommended.

 “The Last Five Years,” by Jason Robert Brown, is at the Jackson Symphony Hall, 215 W Michigan Ave, Jackson, Michigan, performances tonight and Saturday at 8:00 PM and a Sunday matinee at 3:00 PM. Tickets ($15) are available at the door.

The Last Five Years July 12-15

KW Productions and
Ann Arbor Musical Theater Works Announces
THE LAST 5 YEARS
Written and Composed by
Jason Robert Brown

Jackson, MI –

KW Productions and Ann Arbor Musical Theater Works are proud to announce their upcoming production, THE LAST 5 YEARS, to be performed July 12 – 14 at 8:00 PM and July 15 at 3:00 PM at the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, 215 W. Michigan Ave. Jackson, MI 49201.

THE LAST 5 YEARS is a contemporary song-cycle musical that ingeniously chronicles the five year life of a marriage, from meeting to break-up... or from break-up to meeting, depending on how you look at it. Written by Jason Robert Brown, THE LAST 5 YEARS is an intensely personal look at the relationship between a writer and an actress told from both points of view.

The cast is composed of Adam Woolsey as JAMIE WELLERSTEIN and Jayna Katz as CATHERINE HIATT.

THE LAST 5 YEARS is Artistically Directed by Chip Mezo and Musically Conducted by Lora Spangler-Knight. Instrumentation includes a small string ensemble, fit for the JSO, comprised of piano, violin, cello, bass, and guitar.

General Admission: $15 per person. Reservations may be emailed to THELAST5YEARS.JSO@GMAIL.COM. Reservations are encouraged, as seating is limited.

Croswell presents LES MISERABLES, Student Edition

For this first time production starring students from throughout the region, the Croswell has added a matinee performance to its usual scheduling, as well as a Thursday evening performance. Curtain times for the performances are at 8:00pm on July 13, 14, 19, 20 & 21, and at 3:00pm on July 15, 21 and 22.  Tickets for the show are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and students, and $15 for children 12 and under.

 

For information about tickets, call the Croswell Box Office at 517-264-SHOW (7469), stop in at the box office at 129 E. Maumee, Adrian, MI, Mon-Fri, 9-5 pm or visit the website, www.croswell.org.  For more information about the Croswell’s production of Les Misérables, please contact Nate Clark at 517-263-6868 or at nclark@croswell.org. ­­

Les Misérables is co-directed by Julie Dolan and Sue Smith, who also choreographs. Erin Pifer serves as assistant director, with music direction by Jonathan Sills. Scenic and lighting design is by Douglas Miller, costume design by Marianna Steele, sound design by Ian Thompson and Tyler Miller, and stage management by Janene Dusseau.

On Golden Pond at the Purple Rose

Borrowed & adapted with permission from Carla Milarch's Listing of Shows in AnnArbor.com. To read more, click on the links.

Show: “On Golden Pond”, by Ernest Thompson, through September 1
 Company: Purple Rose Theatre Company
 Type of Company: Professional Equity (SPT)
Venue/location: 137 Park Street, Chelsea
Recommended ages: 13+ (some mature language)

Description: This charming love story follows Ethel and Norman Thayer as they return to their summer home in Maine. Their respite is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of their estranged daughter, her fiancee, and his teenage son. Over the course of the summer, an unlikely friendship develops between Norman and the boy, which sparks a renewed zest for life in the Thayer family. In the twilight years of marriage, Ethel and Norman rediscover the joy and romance of every day living.
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/jackson/index.ssf/2012/07/review_purple_roses_on_golden.html

Fun fact: The role of Billy Ray is shared by two high school students: Ian Bejster, of Dexter, and Milo Tucker-Meyer of Ann Arbor.
For tickets and information: 734-433-7673 or www.purplerosetheatre.org.

Purple Rose JULY 4th SPECIAL Buy One, Get One Free

Celebrate summer with On Golden Pond, Wednesday, July 4 at 8:00PM!

Details

Buy One Ticket, Get One Free for On Golden Pond. Valid only for July 4, 2012.

Order by Phone: 734.433.7673
Buy Online: Click Here

Coupon Code: JULY4

Limit 8 total tickets per order. Valid only for July 4 performance.
Offer may not be combined with other discounts.

Photo by Sean Carter Photography.

Mary Barber (1957 - 2007)

In remembrance of Mary Barber June 25, 1957 - May 14, 2007

Auditions (Not a Center Stage Production)

OPEN AUDITIONS FOR: The NERD By: Larry Shue WHEN: Friday June 29th 7pm-9pm Saturday June 30th 2pm-4pm WHERE: First Congregational Church 120 N. Jackson St. Directed by Mark Turson QUESTIONS? Call (517) 795-2044

Talent needed!

Shed Light Productions will be shooting several training programs for the pizza industry during the month of June. We need talent to play the parts of Customer Service Representatives, Drivers and Customers. Talent of all ages. Location will be in the Jackson area.

We’ll pay $100.00 a day. No memorization of scripts necessary. Lines will be short and provided at time of taping. Part time work available as well. Hours are flexible for the majority of talent.

If interested, send us a picture and your contact info to : dan@shedlightprod.com

Julianne Dolan Wins Award

The Croswell, along with the Lenawee Arts Award Committee, announces that Julianne Dolan is to be honored with the 2012 Lenawee Arts Award.  Each year, the Lenawee Arts Award Committee selects the recipient of the award from a host of nominations.  The award honors a member of our community that goes “above and beyond” to support the visual and performing arts. 

Congratulations to Julianne Dolan, who has performed in the Jackson area as well!

Cold Reading Workshop in Dexter

Take Charge of Your Next Audition
It’s time for callbacks. Breathe. You can do this.

Sundays, 7-9 p.m.
June 10, 17, 24; July 1, 8, (no class July 15), and July 22.

Visit www.CarrieJay.com/workshop for more details of what to expect!

LEGALLY BLONDE OPENS JUNE 15TH

Center Stage Jackson presents Legally Blonde - The Musical June 15-17 and 22-24 in the Baughman Theatre at JCC. www.centerstagejackson.org

Youth Theatre Seeks Directors

Center Stage Jackson Youth Theater seeks directors for the 2012-13 season for a November play and a March musical. Contact info@centerstagejackson.org for more information.

Scholarships Available from Center Stage Jackson

Center Stage Jackson (CSJ) will be providing theatre arts scholarships for students. Application deadline is July 27th. www.centerstagejackson.org

Summer Programs for Kids & Teens

This information came from Encore Michigan:

WILLIAMSTON - The Williamston Theatre will offer four workshops this summer for teens (12-18 years old) starting June 18. The classes will be taught by Dana Brazil, a professional actress who has been seen onstage at Williamston Theatre, BoarsHead Theatre and The Purple Rose Theatre Company. Find more details HERE.

ANN ARBOR - The Children's Theatre Network announces "The Play's the Thing!" This youth acting class (7-11 years), taught by accomplished instructor/performer Anne Rhoades and CTN Director Becky Fox, will be held at Performance Network Theatre Monday through Friday June 18-29 from 4:30-6 p.m. 

Encore Michigan.com, is 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. has shared the following theatrical opportunities for young people this summer.

Love the Music in Jekyll & Hyde?

The international musical sensation Jekyll & Hyde, starring Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis in the dual title role of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde and Grammy nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox as Lucy, will play the Fisher Theatre, Nov. 27 - Dec. 2. "Jekyll & Hyde" is now the fourth "extra show" outside of the 2012-2013 Broadway in Detroit Season Subscription. Click on the link for more details.

The other three productions are Mary Poppins at the Fisher Theatre, Oct. 23– 28; Jersey Boys at the Fisher Theatre, Dec. 12 – Jan. 6, 2013; and The Lion King at the Detroit Opera House, Feb. 13 – March 10.

Michigan Shakespeare Festival Monologue Contest

The Michigan Shakespeare Festival is holding the first district of its High School Shakespeare Monologue Scholarship Competition this Saturday, May 19th, at Whole Foods Market, 3135 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor. The competition is open to all high schoolers grades 9-12. A registration fee of $5.00 is required, sign up begins at 10am .  This is the Eastern District of the competition and 4 finalists will be chosen to go to the State Final, held during the Michigan Shakespeare Festival on July 28th. The winners will be announced on stage, during the curtain call for the matinee performance of Love's Labour's Lost.

More details are available on their website. Click HERE. 

Barn Theatre in Augusta Announces 66th Season

Summer stock is pretty much a thing of the past except for the Barn Theatre in Augusta, a manageable trip (about an hour from Jackson) west on I-94, and so much fun!! This is how actors got their early experience apprenticing in the summers and learning the trade. The Barn is Michigan's oldest professional equity summer stock theatre.

Here's the exciting line-up for the 2012 Summer Season:

• The Great Big Bar Show, a Barn Theatre tradition
  May 29 – June 3
• The Fox on the Fairway, by Ken Ludwig
  June 5 -17
• Rodgers and Hart's Pal Joey with Kim Zimmer (four-time Emmy Winner for "Guiding Light")
  June 19 – July 1
• Legally Blonde
  July 3 - 15
• The Wedding Singer
  July 17 - 29
• The Rocky Horror Show
  July 31 – Aug. 12
• Spamalot
  Aug. 14 - 26
• Raunch and Roll
  Aug. 28 – Sept. 2

MSF Establishes The Bob Duha Memorial Fund

The Michigan Shakespeare Festival is honored to announce the establishment of The Bob Duha Fund to honor his memory. Bob’s involvement with Michigan non-profits and the Arts is the stuff of legend, and it is both a privilege and a pleasure to use all monies received to benefit his favorite MSF project, the High School Shakespeare Monologue Scholarship Competition, a truly unique opportunity for young people get a helping hand in establishing their careers in the performing arts.

For more information about the fund, or ways to contribute, please call the MSF at 517.998.3673, visit us online at www.MichiganShakespeareFestival.com. Mailed donations can be sent to the attention of The Bob Duha Fund at 215 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson MI, 49201.

John Peakes Returns to Michigan in Purple Rose Production

If you love On Golden Pond, you'll be thrilled to know that John Peakes, co-founder of the late BoarsHead Theatre (1966 - 2003) in Lansing, is returning to Michigan to play Norman.

But be warned : "Due to other commitments, Peakes will only be in the production June 21 through Aug. 5. After that date, the role will be taken over by Chicago actor Richard Henzel ("Heroes," Stormfield Theatre), who will finish the run, which ends Sept. 1."

Tickets will go on sale for "On Golden Pond" at 10 a.m. May 14. Ticket reservations can be made by calling The Purple Rose Theatre Company Box Office at 734-433-7673. Box Office hours are Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday noon - 10 p.m., and Sunday noon - 4 p.m. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.purplerosetheatre.org.

Special Offer from the Purple Rose

Mother's Day Special!
Buy One, Get One Free
Sunday, May 13 Only

Here's you chance to see WHITE BUFFALO at a great price! Visit the Purple Rose website for more information or call 734.433.7673!