Pioneer Valley Theatre News June 1, 2017

Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser June 1-21, 2017 I had a wonderful week in Chicago - I got to see plays by Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Shattered Globe, the Neo-Futurists, and Steppenwolf - all in about 27 hours. The Shattered Globe play was For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday by Sarah Ruhl, starring her mother, Kathleen Ruhl - hence the article from the Lilly Awards that I have included below.  The next issue will include events through June 28. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me before Tuesday at midnight. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com Submit Your Theatre Event THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from Howlround Lillys and Mothers by Sarah Ruhl From the article:  This year was an extraordinary year in terms of the work of women on New York’s stages, and so worth celebrating. The Lilly Awards are my favorite way of celebrating. So many remarkable plays in which incredible women playwrights collaborated with masterful women directors. I had prepared a speech that simmered with a certain amount of rage over a gap I (and many other friends and colleagues) noticed this year between the women’s work on our stages and the somewhat muted critical response—which leads to the feeling that women are still hiding in plain sight. Of course hiding in plain sight is itself a privilege; so many of our most excellent women in the theatre don’t feel seen at all. And I think these feelings of quiet rage in our community have been exacerbated by our current political situation, by watching a man interrupt a woman on stage thousands of times and then lie his thuggish way into the Oval Office. So there’s that. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES Eggtooth Productions and Jack Golden present YOU DON’T KNOW JACK  June 2 & 3, 2017 at 7:30 PM at the Shea Theatre 71 Ave. A, Turners Falls, MA. Tickets are $15 and available online and at the door. A portion of the proceeds to benefit the Franklin County Community Meals Program. Jack Golden has spent almost a half a century traveling the country as a performance artist. Early on, he was bestowed his clown shoes by the renowned Pickle Family Circus (where Bill Irwin got his start), and honed his expressive body with Tony Montanaro, all the while telling stories to inspire and tickle. Jack has evolved his own alchemy of clowning, story, and movement that belongs to him alone. YOU DON’T KNOW JACK shares the story of his life through his life’s work in ways that will bring laughter, tears, and reflection. You’ll find yourself in the company of a guide who has it all: a red nose, an open heart, and a finely tuned compass for comedy. And you will come to know Jack. GARBAGE IS MY BAG, a children’s show by Jack Golden June 4, 2017 at the Shea Theatre 71 Avenue A  Turners Falls, MA at 2 PM. Adults $10 and all kids are free! Meet America’s favorite trashologist, Dr. T In a rare local appearance! With a Ph.D. in Garbology, a zany and irresistible personality and a marvelous Trash-to-Treasure recycling machine, Jack Golden, as Dr. T, juggles and jokes his way through a world of waste. Children, accompanied by an adult, get in FREE thanks to Franklin County Solid Waste District.   In Garbage Is My Bag, an award winning family performance, Jack Golden is the comedic “expert” Dr. T, who delves into a mountain of trash- and an even bigger bag of vaudeville and circus tricks- to explore the serious issues of solid waste.   Dr. T delights his audiences while sharing his knowledge that rubbish is a resource that is just too good to throw away.   Since 1989 Garbage Is My Bag has be helping hundreds of thousands of people around the country explore the serious issues of our wasteful habits in the hilarious context of a professionally staged variety show.   Jack Golden, in the role of Dr. T uses the power of live performance to engage audiences with facts about the solid waste problem and a positive model on how to solve them. The goal of the program is to strengthen new attitudes towards our common resources. The Town of Conway’s 250th anniversary celebration, in association with Silverthorne Theater Company, kicks off June 9 and 10 with SIX BY SIX BY SIX – six short comedies interspersed with six musical and other acts, presented free of charge at the Conway Sportsman’s Club.    Performances will be held on Friday and Saturday, June 9 and 10, at 7:30 pm, with a matinee at 2 pm on Saturday. The Conway Sportsman’s Club, located at 193 Elmer Road in Conway, built a full stage for the event. Admission is free for all, but advance reservations are recommended as seating is limited. Reserve space by calling 413-369-4301, or writing to jzinnie@comcast.net.   Audience members should come early to claim their seats & enjoy pre-play music, burgers, hotdogs, coffee, soft drinks, cookies and snacks. BYOB. The Sportsman’s Club is handicapped accessible with plenty of on-site parking. Get directions to the Club at 193 Elmer Road in Conway by calling 413-369-4301, or writing to jzinnie@comcast.net.  The roster of plays for each performance includes Mrs. Sorken, by Christopher Durang, directed by Rebecca Daniels of Turners Falls and featuring Carmela Lanza of Shelburne Falls. Brianna Sloane (Northampton) directs Best in Class by Worcester playwright Ann Marie Shea, with Valley actors Moe McElligot, Andrew Roberts, Linda Tardif, and Troy David Mercier.   Conway resident Michael Haley directs two shows: Best Daddy, by Shel Silverstein, with two first-time performers, Claire Conklin and Bud Ware, both of Conway. Claire is 14 years old and attends PVPA. Haley also directs the World Premiere of his own work, Betty Baker’s Buttermilk Biscuit Barn, or B-5, with a large cast of local actors including Ann Steinhauser, Mike Curry, Marvin Shedd, Lorraine Boyden, Joan Haley, Justus Conant, Chris Devine, John Reese, and Troy David Mercier.   David Rowland (Gill) directs Robert Anderson’s hilarious homage to loss of memory, I’m Herbert, in which he and fellow Gill resident Sheila Heffernon play Herbert and Muriel (at least they think that those are their names!) On Break at L.L. Bean, by Donetta Lavinia Grays, introduces us to Ali and Jerome, played by Tang Sauce and Olusanya Bey, under the direction of Hannah Simms of Hartford.    Some of the Acts to be performed in between the plays will include Chris Devine, Tj Conroy of "TJ & The Peepers", Janet Ryan, Sugarloaf String Band, Rosie Caine & her Trine Cheile Irish group, Justus Conant, the Cripps Puppets, and others to be announced.   Construction of the stage was made possible through the generosity and volunteers of the Conway Sportsman’s Club and Conway’s 250th Committee. Silverthorne Theater Company, resident professional theater at Greenfield’s Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center (formerly The Arts Block) , recruited directors and actors, and provided technical and public relations assistance to the project.  STC’s John Iverson donated the lighting instruments. The festival is funded by the Town of Conway’s 250th Celebration.   For further information, contact Lucinda Kidder, 413-768-7514 (Silverthorne Theater) silverthornetheater@gmail.com or Joan Haley, 413-369-4301 (Conway Festival Producer), jzinnie@comcast.net Stageloft Repertory Theater, 450A Main Street, Sturbridge MA presents THE PRODUCERS.  This hit Broadway musical sensation is based on the 1968 film with a Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan and Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks.  Performances are June 9 through June 25, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM.  This production is directed by Kevin McGerigle, music direction by Leah Marley, choreography by Jackie McGerigle. Tickets are $18 adults, $16 seniors/students/military, $10 youth.  Groups rates available.  For tickets call 508-347-9005 or visit www.stageloft.org.   THE PRODUCERS once again sets the standard for modern, outrageous, in-your-face humor and winner of twelve Tony Awards! A down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history, thereby bilking their backers out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit!  Starring David Leslie as Max Bialystock, Isaac Swanson as Leo Bloom, Robyn Spain as Ulla, Josh Raymond as Franz Liebkind, and John Leslie as Roger Debris, along with an ensemble that includes Grace Leslie, mother of David and John, THE PRODUCERS marks the first time mother and sons (all veteran performers) have appeared together onstage! Happier Valley Comedy presents the Happier Valley Comedy Show  Saturday, June 10th at 8pm at the 121 Club, Eastworks (116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton). All-new monthly improv comedy show! This month features special guest The Majesters plus The Ha-Ha's perform "Shrink: Where Freud Meets Funny."   Tickets: $13 at the door. For more info: www.happiervalley.com. Happier Valley Comedy presents More Improv, More Better Jam & Showcase Saturday, June 10th at 10pm at the 121 Club, Eastworks (116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton.) Open improv jam for everyone and anyone to play and watch improv games, plus a showcase set featuring students from Happier Valley Comedy's Harold Two class.  Free show (one drink minimum). For more info: www.happiervalley.com. “MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET” GETS ENCORE PERFORMANCE AT MAJESTIC THEATER JUNE 14-25 The Majestic Theater has announced an encore performance of the musical “Million Dollar Quartet” which will run June 14-25 at the West Springfield venue. The rock and roll musical, written by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott, tells about the real-life events of Tuesday afternoon, December 4, 1956 at Sun Records' Memphis studio. Rockabilly star Carl Perkins was there working on a revamped version of the blues song “Matchbox,” when fellow Sun recording artists Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley drifted into the studio, and the quartet took part in a loose jam session that producer Sam Phillips had the foresight to record. A local reporter who was called and sat in on the session headlined his newspaper article which ran the next day, “Million Dollar Quartet.” The play had a six-week run at the Majestic last fall to kick off the venue's 20th anniversary of live theater and is returning due to popular demand.  An audience favorite, "Million Dollar Quartet" was frequently sold out during that run and enthusiastic crowds rewarded the actors and musicians with a standing ovation at the end of each performance. Majestic subscribers will be able to purchase tickets for a special price of $22. Otherwise, tickets for the play range from $25-$33 and are available by calling or visiting the box office during its hours of operation, which are Monday through Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm.  For additional information, visit the website.  TheatreTruck Fundraiser Concert at the 1794 Meetinghouse June 16 at 7:30 PM  1794 Meetinghouse, 26 S Main St, New Salem, MA Last fall, TheatreTruck's original production, The Water Project, drew over 300 audience members to New Salem for an immersive theater experience set to live music. This summer, the musicians of The Water Project come together for an evening of fabulous live performance in support of TheatreTruck. Concert at 7:30pm Adults: $15 | 13-17: $10 | 0-12: free BYO picnic with TheatreTruck artists at 6:00pm (wine available by donation) The concert includes performances by Mamma's Marmalade (Western-Mass new grass with old-time class), the devilishly infectious folk-pop of Northampton singer-songwriter  Carrie Ferguson and folk ballads howled without apology from Emma June. Proceeds from the evening benefit TheatreTruck and the upcoming original production, The Mill Project in Leeds, MA June 22-25! Tickets here.  Happier Valley Comedy presents the Happier FAMILY Comedy Show  Saturday, June 17th at 4-5pm at the Community Room (Suite 160) Eastworks (116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton).  Monthly family-friendly improv comedy show, best for 5-12 year olds and their adults.  Tickets at the door: $10/Adults, $5/Kids, Free/3 yrs and under. For more info: www.happiervalley.com. New Century Theatre presents a new staged reading series in June featuring two new plays by local authors.  Our staged reading series will take place in the sanctuary space at First Churches. The entrance is located on 129 Main Street, Northampton The accessible entrance is located on Center Street. WHERE'S ANNIE? by Eric Henry Sanders directed by Gina Kaufmann June 17 @ 7:30 PM and June 18 @ 2:00 PM Where's Annie? Who's Annie? And what have Jack and Birdie done with her? In this dark comedy, Sarah Bitts returns home to confront her estranged grandparents, only to discover that the eccentric pair hides a past more frightening than she imagined. Originally workshopped at the Lark Play Development Center in New York City. Tickets are $5 and available online or at the door.  AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Intern or Apprentice with New Century Theatre Seeking backstage crew, ASMs, board ops, costume assistants, set and lighting assistants, and many more opportinuties for our 2017 season.  Performances are at PVPA in South Hadley and the Academy of Music in Northampton. Internships run June 20-August 20, and can be designed for the whole time or for select shows and dates. Apprenticeships are for high school aged students, Internships are for college aged students and can also be tailored for community members of any age!  For more information, see the description and applications on the website or send an email.    Auditions: New Musical & Justice League Characters Six Flags Shows & Entertainment is seeking to fill openings for their summer productions Six Flags New England Human Resource Center Currently looking to hire: Male singer/dancers for brand new 80's themed musical revue.  18+ Not height/weight specific. Men and Women to portray famous DC Comics Justice League Superheroes. (IE: Batman, Wonder Woman, etc.).   Heights ranging 5'6"-6'2". Physically fit. Contact 413-786-9300 ext.3320 for more information and to schedule an audition appointment. www.sixflagsjobs.com St. Michael's Players presents Auditions for Seussical the Musical June 7 and 8 St. Michael's Parish Center, 53 Somers Road, East Longmeadow Auditions for ages 7-12 at 6:00 PM Teens/Adults at 7:00 PM Audition applications can be found on the website, along with a song list, character descriptions and additional audition information. Please be prepared to sing a song from the show, and expect to learn a short group dance. A pianist will be available for accompaniment; no CDs please. Callbacks will take place on Monday, June 12th More information. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES SPECIAL FREE CLASS:   Audience members interested in acquiring special insight into STC’s production of Stupid F***ing Bird can take part in a FREE two-session enrichment experience led by Silverthorne Theater Company's dramaturg Josh Platt. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about this play’s link to Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece The Seagull and then to read The Seagull together as a group before attending a performance of SFB.    The class will meet June 17 and 24 from 1-4 pm in The Green Fields Market meeting room (off the Mezzanine) 144 Main St, Greenfield. The group will have a special private conversation with director Toby Vera Bercovici after the July 1 matinee performance. Discount tickets will be available for class members at this or any other performance of SFB. Support for this production is provided by The Valley Avdvocate/Preview, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center. Ms Abend’s performance is sponsored by Teddy Bear Pools. Announcing a new Real Live Theatre Workshop: DEVISING AND DECONSTRUCTION FRIDAY JULY 14th 6:30-9:30pm AND SATURDAY JULY 15th 10:00-5:00pm with a lunch break AND SUNDAY July 16th 10:00-5:00pm with a lunch break; sharing at 3:00pm In this workshop, theatre artists and RLT members Dan Morbyrne and Toby Bercovici (who recently collaborated on the “new” Shakespeare play The Life and Death of Queen Margaret) lead you through the process of deconstructing a classic text. Using Shakespeare’s King Lear, participants will spend three days engaging with exercises in improvisation, creative composition, gesture work, writing, moving, and more, to take apart and then put back together this dynamic text. The workshop will culminate in a sharing for family and friends. Open to actors, writers, directors, dancers, and folks interested in expanding their creative repertoire. For ages 18 and up. Location: North Star building, 45 Amherst Road, Sunderland, MA 01375 Cost: $150-$300 sliding scale, scholarships available Email us at reallivetheatre@gmail.com for more information or to reserve a spot! More information here. UMassTheater presents The Summer Theater and Performance Intensive Beginning July 23, 2017  UMass Theater, Fine Arts Center Find your voice as an actor and as a theater artist! Experience life on a college campus! Find your voice as an actor and as a theater artist at UMass this summer! From July 23 to August 5, the UMass Department of Theater will offer its first-ever Summer Theater and Performance Intensive, a 2-week theater-making course open to all high school students with a passion for performance, theater-making, and changing the world through theater. The intensive is designed for students with all levels of theater experience, since the nature of devised theater allows seasoned actors as well as novices to work at the level that challenges them creatively. Participants in the intensive will devise (co-create) and mount a new theater piece that reflects their concerns, hopes and ideas about their communities and the world. All students will perform in the piece, which will be presented publicly at the close of the session. The students will become an ensemble through rehearsal, impassioned discussions, theater games, acting exercises, and the unifying process of creating a new work of theater. The course will be taught by UMass Department of Theater faculty member Lena Cuomo and director Jen Onopa. Both Lena and Jen are committed to nurturing a new generation of theater practitioners and are incredibly excited to launch this new program. “We are so excited to offer a program that will give each individual student a chance to develop their own essential and unique voice ,” said Cuomo. In addition to the main theater program, members of the intensive will get a taste of college life. During their two weeks at UMass, students will live in UMass dorms, eat at the dining halls, and participate in optional evening social events and college prep sessions. The Department of Theater welcomes students of all races, ethnic origins, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identifications to apply. Some need-based scholarships will be available to students who may not otherwise be able to afford the program tuition. More information.  Two week session of summer theater for children ages 8-13 at Eaglebrook School in Deerfield July 31-August 11, 2017 The program is a two-week theater intensive where we build an original version of a well-known play through improvisational games. All actors will have the opportunity to use text if they choose, and all students will learn plots and characters of classic plays, but the actors will have a great deal of choice in the characters they play and the words they say. In the past six years we have done several original mysteries, Moliere's The Physician in Spite of Himself, and  Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and last year's critically acclaimed tragicomedy, Hamlet. Come play! After all, the play's the thing...  Running time of camp, 9 am to 3 pm with mornings devoted to theater games and then on to rehearsal. Lunch will be provided in the beautiful Gibbs Dining Hall. Recess will take place in the afternoon with activities including walking to the Rock, swimming in Schwab pool, playing on the fields, and enjoying the gym. Performance last Friday afternoon to showcase week's work with parents and friends invited to each performance.    More information at: www.eggtooth.org The cost is $560 with a limit of 15 children. A check may be made payable to Eggtooth, 102 Highland Ave. Greenfield, MA 01301. For more information call Linda at 413-522-1445. Founded in 1922, Eaglebrook School is a located on 750 acres along Pocumtuck Ridge in Deerfield, MA just off of Routes 5 and 10 in the village of Old Deerfield. The Percival Theatre is a 260 seat theatre featuring beautiful acoustics and flexible seating. 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