Pioneer Valley Theatre News October 17, 2019

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser October 17 - November 6, 2019 This Saturday: CitySpace presents the Old Town Hall Ball - it's at Eastworks, but it's a great time travel extravaganza in support of the renovation project at Easthampton's Old Town Hall. Get your tickets and come party!  Special offer for PVTN subscribers: Get $5 off your tickets for NOT FOR SALE presented by MIFA Victory Theatre in affiliation with Holyoke's Nueva Esperanza Latinx Theater. Performances are October 18, 19, and 20. Get your tickets here and use code SAVE5 in the discount code bar. The next issue will include events through November 13. 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 Serious Play! Theatre Ensemble Moving Water Theatre Project October 25 or 26: 413-588-7439 or email Tickets for Athena YOUR EVENT HERE $5 per week for your poster and ticket link in top billing! Email me to reserve your dates. THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from Howlround All We Need Is Audience Development? by Goran Tomka From the article:  The audience question is haunting the world of arts. A question without answer, a troublesome relation, a world unexplored. How do they feel? Why do they come? What do they think? Flocks of critics, philosophers, researchers, and producers have looked for an answer for millennia, producing numerous insights and theories that were only to be displaced by new ones. But the desire to capture the essence of audience behavior is as strong as ever. Welcome to audience development—the newest attempt at capturing and influencing audience behavior. It has come to dominate a broad landscape of audience-related theories and practices across the world. Promoted, funded, and celebrated by numerous foundations, national agencies, ministries, and directorates, audience development has been eagerly celebrated. But what is it, exactly? Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com Click to Access: Pioneer Valley Theatre Google Calendar Click to Access: Pioneer Valley Theatre Personnel Spreadsheet PERFORMANCES SILVERTHORNE THEATER PRESENTS THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK   Silverthorne Theater wraps up its 2019 season with a production of the classic play, The Diary of Anne Frank. Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett wrote this Pulitzer Prize-winning work which premiered on Broadway in 1955. Directed by Keith Langsdale, Silverthorne’s production opens Thursday, October 17 and runs through Saturday, October 26 in The Perch at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield.    Here is a play that on its surface, looks back. Anne and her family are Jews in the Netherlands in 1942 during World War II.  Persecuted and stripped of their livelihood, they flee to the Annex of the father’s business for survival. In the world of the Third Reich, they are the Other. Against the background of impending death, the young Anne Frank wrote daily of her fears, longings and squabbles generated by eight people living in four small rooms over two years. Though she did not survive their discovery and deportation, Anne’s diary bears witness to the fate  and resonates with today’s stories of the hunted, the Other.   Dates for the production are October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26 at 7:30 pm. The Sunday matinee on October 20 begins at 2 pm.  There will be a pre-show talk by history scholars Bernard Baker and Ted Thornton on Thursday, October 17, beginning at 7 pm in the theater. Each subsequent performance will be followed by facilitated audience discussion.   Tickets for Thursdays or Sunday are $20 general admission, $18 student/senior (65+). Tickets for Friday and Saturday night shows are $25 general admission, $20 student/senior (65+.) Tickets are available through Eventbrite.com or by calling the Box Office at 413-768-7514.   Director Keith Langsdale worked with Silverthorne Theater in 2018, staging the world premiere of Steve Henderson’s powerful piece, White, Black & Blue.  He brings an impressive set of prior productions here in the Valley, having directed for The Majestic in West Springfield, New Century Theatre in Northampton, and in theaters in Los Angeles and New Hampshire among others. He is also an accomplished actor and performed the solo role in STC’s production of The Tattooed Man Tells All.   The cast of The Diary of Anne Frank features Frank Aronson* (Whately) as Otto Frank and Stephanie Carlson* (Easthampton) as Mrs. Frank. Both actors starred in Silverthorne’s spring production of Tales of the Lost Formicans, and Carlson appeared as Bellamy in STC’s musical The Fantasticks in June. Samantha Choquette (Longmeadow) appears in the key role of Anne Frank, while Chris Demerski (West Springfield) plays Peter Van Daan. Molly MacLeod (Holyoke) plays Anne’s older sister, Margot. She appeared last spring in STC’s Tales of the Lost Formicans.   Michael Budnick of Easthampton appears as Mr. Van Daan, while Kimberly Salditt-Poulin plays his wife, Mrs. Van Daan. Salditt-Poulin returns to STC after her Fall 2018 performance in our Delectable Durang.  The role of Mr. Dussel will be performed by Stuart Gamble (Westfield); Mary Elizabeth Kearney appears as Mr. Frank’s employee Miep; and Ted Trobaugh (Amherst) plays Mr. Kraler, another employee. Trobaugh was Music Director for STC’s production of The Fantasticks, and performed in the 2018 season’s original musical, Tar2F!   (*Members of Actors Equity Association)   Carly DellaPenna (Westfield) joins Silverthorne for the first time as Stage Manager. STC’s invaluable Tech Director John Iverson designs and executes the sets and lighting. Kelly Culver of Newmarket NH will costume the show. Carmela Lanza-Weil (Shelburne Falls) and Rebecca Daniels (Turners Falls) are co-producers for the show.    Ticket and reservation information may be found on Silverthorne’s web site: https://silverthornetheater.org Tickets for all shows are currently available at Eventbrite.com (type in the name The Diary of Anne Frank), or by calling 413-768-7514. Patrons can use credit cards at the door or over the phone. UMass Theater presents Baltimore, a play to spark a timely conversation BALTIMORE by Kirsten Greenidge directed by Josh Glenn-Kayden Performance Details Oct. 17, 19 at 7:30 Oct. 19 at 2 School matinee: Oct. 18 at 4 Rand Theater This production runs 90 minutes, followed immediately by a 30-minute discussion Tickets $5 students and seniors, $15 general admission. Call 1-800-999-UMAS or reserve your tickets through the Fine Arts Center Box Office Content Advisory This production includes: Hate-based language When a racially-charged incident divides her first-year students, reluctant resident advisor Shelby finds herself in the middle of a conversation she does not want to have. As pressure to address the controversy mounts from residents, the new dean, and even her best friend, Shelby must decide if she will enter the fray or watch her community come apart at the seams.   Sharp, funny, and searing, Baltimore is not only a timely drama about racism on college campuses, but a reminder that each one of us carries unique experiences and understandings of the world that influence how we move through it.   This play asks us to recognize that we each negotiate the world differently, and that, when we acknowledge this, we are better able to combat our biases and assumptions to help build a stronger, more inclusive community where we see each other for who we really are.   “I see the production as only half of the work. The other half is using this play to spark larger discussions at this university about what is happening on this campus and in this country and how we can all work towards positive change,” says director and second-year graduate student, Josh Glenn-Kayden. “I believe theater is a great way to have the hard conversations, and Baltimore is all about having those conversations.”   Join us after each performance where we will gather with undergraduate facilitators for post-show discussions about the play and how we as a community can create the language we need for introducing positive and lasting change on our campus and in our larger community.   And, while the incident in the play is different in scope than some of those experienced in our community recently, we hope that our production creates space for community members to talk productively with each other about issues like race, discrimination, and identity.   Presented in collaboration with the Office of Equity and Inclusion and Student Affairs and Campus Life. Exit 7 Players present Legally Blonde October 18, 19, 25, 26 at 8pm; October 13, 20, 27 at 2pm Exit 7 Theater, 37 Chestnut Street, Ludlow, MA 01056 Based on the novel and the hit-movie of the same name, Legally Blonde: the Musical chronicles the journey of the famously perky Elle Woods, a fashion-savvy, UCLA sorority girl who finds her life turned upside down when she is dumped by her boyfriend Warner. In an effort to prove to Warner that she is more than just some blonde sorority girl, she follows him to Harvard Law, where she struggles to fit in and do well. Ultimately, she defies expectations and manages to stay true to her delightfully pink personality. Director: Meaghan Farrell Music Director: Dan Monte Choreographer: Marybeth Mizula Producers: Chris Climo, Kelly Fellows Stage Managers: Kelly Fellows, Jordan Gawron Exit7players.org THE CAPITOL STEPS RETURN TO NORTHAMPTON’S ACADEMY OF MUSIC ON OCTOBER 18 WITH THEIR NEW PRODUCTION "THE LYIN' KINGS" The Capitol Steps, America’s political musical satire troupe that has been putting the “mock” in democracy for over nine Presidential elections, returns to Northampton’s Academy of Music Theatre with their all new touring showThe Lyin’ Kings for one performance only, October 18 at 7:30PM. The Northampton appearance of The Capitol Steps is presented by Mike Thornton Agency, LLC and sponsored by New England Public Radio. The Lyin’ Kings, drawing its humor from today’s headlines and twitter feeds, is based on The Capitol Steps’ CD of the same name. The new tour, which opened in Washington, DC and in The Berkshires of Western Massachusetts this summer, is getting rave reviews.  Fred Baumgarten of Berkshire Onstage says “The Capitol Steps’ latest show, The Lyin’ Kings, was performed by a cast more than up to the challenge, and had the audience roaring with laughter (pun intended). The speed with which the troupe could adapt and create new skits and lyrics – always set to well-known pop tunes – rivaled the speed of the internet.”  What better time to see the Capitol Steps than now, with the next Presidential election season approaching?  The show will include the latest songs about the Democratic primary candidates (“76 Unknowns”) and the newest late-night thoughts from President Trump (“Tweet It”).  No one knows what 2020 will bring, but whether it’s Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or Beto O’Rourke, the Capitol Steps can tell you what rhymes with it!  Whether you’re a Democrat or Republican (or somewhere in-between), if you’ve ever wanted to see Donald Trump sing a rock song, Bernie Sanders sing a show tune, and Vladimir Putin dance shirtless…this is the show for you! And since the Capitol Steps mine their laughs from materials ripped from today’s and tomorrow’s headlines, you never know whether Nancy Pelosi, William Barr, or Kim Jong-un might appear on stage together in a song! The Capitol Steps’ upcoming performance of mostly new material and some old favorites “is cheaper than therapy”, says Capitol Step co-founder Elaina Newport. “No matter who is making the news, we all need a laugh.  And as fast as a politician can send a tweet, our writers text a new song or joke.  The material comes from both sides of the aisle – sometimes it seems like the politicians are trying to provide us with material!” Mike Thornton, the Capitol Steps actor who has portrayed Presidents from Reagan to Trump, says “We update our show all the time, so we can’t tell you exactly who will be parodied until we arrive at the Academy of Music.” The Capitol Steps began in 1981, when a group of Congressional staffers got together to provide entertainment for a holiday office party on Capitol Hill. Since then,the company of professional actors and singers have provided their unique mix of musical and political comedy and satire to audiences coast-to-coast. Each show consists of about 30 songs and skits, with “more costume changes than a Cher concert,” as an audience member once remarked  The Capitol Steps perform in Washington DC every weekend, tour nationally throughout the year, and have appeared on “The Today Show,” “ABC News Nightline,” “CBS Evening News” and on specials for NPR.  To preview some of the Capitol Steps materials, visit their website, www.capsteps.com, or find the Capitol Steps on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter (@capsteps). Tickets are now on sale for the Northampton performance. For details: 413-584-9032 ext. 105 and online at www.aomtheatre.com Mount Holyoke College Department of Theatre Arts presents Pride and Prejudice by Kate Hamill October 18, 19, 20 at 7:30 PM Rooke Theatre directed by katy Gore '19. The classic tale of terrible first impressions, powerful social hierarchies, and tehegames people play--all in the name of love.  And money. www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/theatre MIFA Victory Theatre in affiliation with Holyoke’s Nueva Esperanza Latinx Theater NOT FOR SALE 10/18/19 at 8pm, 10/19/19 at 2pm & 8pm, 10/20/19 at 2pm El Mercado, 413 Main Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 For the first event of its 25th Anniversary Season, MIFA Victory Theatre in affiliation with Holyoke’s Nueva Esperanza Latinx Theater, presents NOT FOR SALE, a new play by Guadalís Del Carmen in a production by Chicago’s UrbanTheater Company (UTC). Performances at El Mercado, 413 Main St., Holyoke, MA, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 18, 19, 20, 2019.  CAN’T MAKE IT TO CHICAGO THIS FALL? COME TO HOLYOKE! ABOUT NOT FOR SALE – With the Puerto Rican Festival months away, the Humboldt Park neighborhood prepares for the big event. With new neighbors looking to make changes, those that have lived in the community have to work together to either brace for change or let go of the legacies laid out by those that are long gone. A story about community, family, and politics, the question persists, who gets to lay claims to a neighborhood?  https://mifafestival.org/event/not-for-sale/ Tickets: On Sale Now at www.mifafestival.org General Admission: $25.00  $5 DISCOUNT FOR Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter subscribers with code SAVE5! NEW! Brunch & Theater Tickets and Dinner & Theater Tickets! Brunch & Theater: $45.00 – Saturday and Sunday  Dinner & Theater: $50.00 – Friday and Saturday. Come enjoy Brunch or Dinner at Jay’s Bed & Breakfast, Historical Holyoke’s B&B before you see the UTC’s performance of ‘NOT FOR SALE’ at El Mercado. Brunch and Dinner tickets are advance purchase only and will not be available the day of the event. On sale now until October 17, 2019 Ghost Light Theater presents 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee October 18, 19, 23, 25, 26 at 8pm October 20 at 2pm Gateway City Arts, 92 Race Street, Holyoke, MA Join us for the Tony and Drama Desk award-winning 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Having charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor, featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience. We are excited for you to share in the riotous ride and delightful den of comedic genius, complete with audience participation.  An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box. Performing October 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 at 8pm and October 29 at 2pm at Gateway City Arts, 92 Race Street, Holyoke. Tickets are $20 for evening performances and $15 for the matinee and can be purchased at ghostlightmass.ticketleap.com  Featuring the following cast: Chip Tolentino - Steven Williams Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (Schwartzy) - Jackie Mendonsa Leaf Coneybear - Andrew Blom William Barfee - Alan Dallmann Marcy Park - Jess Brand Olive Ostrovsky - Mimi Goodman Rona Lisa Peretti - Phoebe Hazzard Vice Principal Panch - Terry Adams Mitch Mahoney - Tiffany Rae Lesczcynski Directed by Kimberly Overtree Karlin Music Direction by Heather Williams Choreography by Sarah Devine Staged readings of short plays on climate change at Great Falls International Word Festival in Turners Falls and multiple locations in Greenfield WHEN & WHERE: Saturday, Oct. 19, 1 p.m., Greenfield Town Common, 14 Court Sq., Greenfield (program repeats at 1:30 p.m.) Saturday, Oct. 19, 4 p.m., 12 Federal St., Greenfield Saturday, Oct. 26, , 1 p.m., Greenfield Gallery, 231 Main St., Greenfield (program repeats at 1:30 p.m.) Saturday, Nov. 2, 4 p.m., 12 Federal St., Greenfield Saturday, Dec. 7, 10:15 a.m., Racial Justice Rising, First Congregational Church, 43 Silver St., Greenfield https://www.facebook.com/cctagreenfield/  Greening Greenfield and Local Access are proud to present Climate Change Theatre Action Greenfield: Lighting the Way, a series of public readings and performances which will be held over several weekends this autumn.  The series debuts on Sunday, Oct. 13, 3 p.m., at the Great Falls International Word Festival, with short plays by playwrights from Australia, New Zealand, Jordan, Finland, Canada, Singapore, the Netherlands and the United States, read by Jan Maher, Trenda Loftin, Nina Gross and Doug Selwyn, with incidental music by Gross and Selwyn. An open mic on Monday, Oct. 14, 2 p.m. will include plays from Scotland and Croatia as well as poems and flash fiction from festival attendees. Subsequent performances in the series will be held on four Saturdays in October, November, and December at several locations in Greenfield. All Greenfield performances will be followed by a talk back session. Performances are free, with the exception of those that are part of the Great Falls International Word Festival. Admission to the Festival includes admission to the play readings and open mic. CCTA Greenfield is part of Climate Change Theatre Action, a worldwide series of readings and performances of short climate change plays presented biennially to coincide with the United Nations COP meetings. The Happier FAMILY Comedy Show October 19th at 3:00 PM Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA Monthly family-friendly improv comedy show, great for 5-13 year olds and their adults. It's funny for the whole family! Saturday, October 19th at 3pm at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (125 W Bay Rd., Amherst). Tickets at the door: $10/Adults, $5/Kids, Free/4 yrs and under (Reduced admission for museum members). For more info: www.happiervalley.com. CitySpace Old Town Hall BallJoin us in the ballroom at Eastworks on October 19! Step back in time and experience the future at OLD TOWN HALL BALL — a celebration of 150 years of our jewel of Easthampton. This epic building turns 150 years old and guests are invited to an evening with music performances, dancing, and historic installations. Get gussied-up in the era of your choice, past, present, or future, show off your time machine elegance, and dance to timeless music by Baby Soda. Clink your glasses with the ghosts of the past that built Old Town Hall and toast to the next 150 years. Guests will enjoy an evening of passed hors d’oeuvres, special Old Town Hall prizes, and a night to remember. Serving up New Orleans style street jazz, Baby Soda was formed in 2007 in Brooklyn New York, by musicians who met playing traditional jazz in Washington Square Park and the NYC subway system. The group has grown and changed over the years, to include a large family of talented New York musicians, many coming here to realize their musical aspirations. CH'CHUNK hails from Easthampton and takes us way back with Americana swing from the 1920s and 1930s. For 150 years, Easthampton’s Old Town Hall has been an integral part of the history, civic life, culture, and entertainment of Easthampton. Since 2005, CitySpace has worked to restore, manage, and preserve Old Town Hall as a center for the arts in Easthampton. This year marks the inauguration of its campaign to bring it’s second-floor upper hall back to life where formerly dances, town meetings, theater performances, and community events were held. Bring out your dapper selves and revel in Easthampton yesterday, today, and tomorrow. All are welcome to Old Town Hall Ball. Join us in the ballroom at Eastworks on October 19! When: October 19, 7-10 p.m. Where: Eastworks Ballroom, 116 Pleasant Street Easthampton How:$15 Early Bird Ticket , $20 after October 1 , $25 at the door Purchase tickets Who: All are welcome Attire: Time Machine Elegance (Pick your decade, past, present or future and get fancy!) Vittles By Myer's Catering, La Veracruzana Mexican Restaurant, Easthampton, The Log Cabin Wine, Beer and drinks from Abandoned Building Brewery and New City Brewery and Big E's Supermarket HVC Presents: Not In Charge!  October 19th at 7:00 PM Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA)  Join the talented group Not In Charge for a polished, fast-paced improv show inspired by true stories from the cast and audience! Saturday, October 19th at 7pm at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Tickets: $13 online and at the door. For more info: www.happiervalley.com. Saturday, October 19th at 8PM at the Shea Theatre in Turners Falls at 71 Avenue A. Tickets are $12 in advance/$15 at the door Your way into Sam's Place: Upon arrival, go to the side door of the theater, and use the password to gain access. Bring a friend--or four. We invite you to dress for the occasion and costumes encouraged! (This is the day of The Great Falls Festival so be sure to give yourself ample time for parking. Avenue A will be shut down.) Cash bar! Local beer, wine, and custom champagne cocktails. With Live music!  What is Sam's Place? Sam's Place is a secret club where everyone gets to be an insider, held for three consecutive nights at the Shea Theater. Snuck in via a side door with a password, audience members find their way through the building to Sam's - a pop-up bar with live music all night and special drinks for the occasion. A cast of characters, all of whom share some connection to Sam, await you to share their stories across the evening. And - if you're lucky - one of them might sneak you off into the corners of the building for a magical tête-à-tête. The twist? Sam's Place will be haunted on Saturday, October 19th. How does it work? Each evening, audience members will arrive to the Shea with a (not so secret) password: "Rosebud." After giving our doorman the password, you'll be escorted into the building through a special route that will transport you to Sam's. Audience members are encouraged to dress for the occasion and to bring some cash for the bar, where era-appropriate drinks will be served. Live music and a drink are just the start of your night. As the audience settles in, the residents of Sam's Place will begin to emerge and share the many secrets the evening has in store. Is this a play or a music event? It's both. Sam will keep you caught up in live music all night, with many theatrical ventures at the edges of the show. Characters from Sam's will interact with the audience across the night, and you'll be encouraged to seek them out to learn their stories. That said, you could have a fine evening of it with the band all night by itself! I heard that this is immersive theater. Does that mean that I'll be forced to perform? Absolutely not. As an audience member, you stay fully in charge of your experience. You may choose to seek out the stories and characters of Sam's, which will unlock new corners of the show, or you can stay a fly on the wall, taking it all in. It's up to you. How should I dress? We encourage you to dress for a haunted occasion. Costumes are strongly encouraged. If the show changes every time, can I come back? Yes! Returning is encouraged. I still have questions. Who can I talk to? Contact Emma Ayres (Shea Program coordinator at gettotheshea@gmail.com Real Live Theatre presents Athena 10/24, 10/25, 10/26, 10/27 @7pm; 10/27 @1pm 33 Hawley Street (The Arts Trust Building) ATHENA by Gracie Gardner Directed by Ellen Morbyrne Starring Rachel Hall (Tilly in "She Kills Monsters" 2017 & 2018) and Syl Simmons (Natalie in "When Last We Flew" 2018) Stage managed by Ezekiel Baskin Two young fencers. One dedication to training. Endless opportunity for connection and collision. Mary Wallace and Athena are brave, and seventeen, and fencers, and training for Nationals. They practice together, they compete against each other, they spend their lives together. They wish they were friends. Lead sponsorship by Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy in Easthampton. https://rltathena.brownpapertickets.com/ “FOREVER PLAID” TAKES THE STAGE AT MAJESTIC THEATER OCT 24 – DEC 8  The Majestic Theater's 23rd Season continues with “Forever Plaid,” a musical that runs October 24 through December 8, according to Producing Director Danny Eaton. The play, by Stuart Ross, tells the tale of a semi-professional harmony group on their way to their first big gig at the Hilton airport cocktail bar, rehearsing their big finale, when they are slammed broadside by a school bus full of teenage girls on their way to witness the Beatles make their debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. While none of the girls are injured, the four harmony singers are killed instantly, but somehow manage to take the stage for one final gig. “Forever Plaid” is filled with great songs that audience members are sure to know and love, and has been described as “screamingly funny and entirely enchanting.” The cast includes Tomm Knightlee (Smudge), Bryan Austermann (Jinx), Brian Michael Henry (Sparky), and Chris Coffey (Francis). The play is directed by Ben Ashley, and Mitch Chakour is the music director. Set design is by Greg Trochlil, Dawn McKay is costume designer and the lighting design is by Dan Rist. Doug Wallace is sound engineer, and Stephen Petit is production stage manager. The band includes Chakour, Cliff Schofer and Don Rovero. Ticket prices range from $27 to $34 and can be purchased by calling the box office at (413) 747-7797 or visiting while the box office is open (Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm, and Saturday 10am – 1pm). Tickets for the other plays in the Majestic's 23rdSeason can also be purchased. Smith College Department of Theatre presents THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME  Based on the novel by Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens. Directed by Ellen W. Kaplan October 25, 26, 31, November 1, 2 at 7:30 PM in Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center for the Performance Arts Christopher is an autistic teen with remarkable curiosity, great courage, and an intense desire to solve the mystery of who murdered the neighbor’s dog with a garden rake.  Their “detective” work leads to an earth-shattering discovery, and to a thrilling journey that will change their life forever.   Purchase tickets online. Serious Play Theatre Ensemble presents CONVERSATIONS FOR OUR TIMES PUBLIC OPEN REHEARSALS of PHASE TWO of NEW DEVISED MOVING WATER THEATRE PROJECT- WADING IN When: October 25 and 26 6-7pm Where: Workroom Space APE@Hawley Northampton Community Arts Trust 33 Hawley St, Northampton MA. This time, water conditions, sound and movement, intertwine with some newly conceived characters and dialogue by playwright Eric Henry Sanders in collaboration with Serious Play director Sheryl Stoodley and ensemble actors: Gabriel CiFuentes, Kermit Dunkelberg, Abuzar Farrukh, Ximena Salmeron, Elizabeth Solomon, and Will Swyers. VERY LIMITED SPACE- SIGN UP NOW call 413-588-7439 or email: seriousplaytheatre@gmail.com Requesting a $15 donation at the door –cash or check- Toward furthering the development of this important and timely new work! An innovative hour of theatrical experimentation. We invite anyone 14yrs. and older to come and contribute to a theatre piece “in the process of becoming”. GOING FORWARD… MOVING WATER will consist of three stories, past, present, and future, that play out in overlapping and intertwining relation to one another. The symbolic centerpiece of the work concerns water scarcity and insecurity, and tells the stories of a scientist’s quest to discover the hidden source of cholera, several storm-tossed survivors of a flood, and an international waystation where exiles are hoping to migrate to safer harbors. Through highly visual staging, movement, music, and video, this poetic, absurdist, and surprisingly funny work will carry audiences into a deeper appreciation for and understanding of our fragile world. Pauline Productions presents Whispering Bones: An Evening of Ghost Stories and Dancing October 25 at 7:00 PM First Congregational Church of Ashfield, 429 Main St. (Route 116), Ashfield, MA Join Dr. Betterov-Underhill and a bevy of talented performers for an evening of tales creepy and comic.  Come in costume, if you dare.  And after the tales, partake in a bit of dancing upstairs. Appropriate for Adults and teens. Pauline Productions brings Kelvin Keraga aka Dr. Betterov-Underhill to the area from Greenwich NY.  A celebrity in other realms, he has been curating and writing ghost stories for an eternity.  He brings along with himself, other storytellers from beyond.  A few local celebrities--Jeannine Haas, Nan Parati, Alice Barrett--will also tread the boards for a bit.  And the Honorables Richard Pree and Kare Marshall will spin the dancing tunes. Advanced Tickets at BrownPaperTickets.com and Ashfiield Hardware $15 or at the Door $20 (cash or check). Who: For more info: Paulinelive.com or Jeannine Haas 413-268-3850. "Creepy and chilling tales told by some of the region’s best storytellers... a great mix of classic legends, new stories and whispered folktales...spooky, eerie and fantastical” -Post Star For hundreds of years storytellers have taken us by the hand and led us into old houses filled with apparitions: phantoms woven from memories and dreams and the dark core of our humanity. These tales are explorations of our souls, where characters cross the line between life and death, caught in situations that often draw out their deepest feelings. The supernatural teaches us what is natural: frailty and strength, loss and recovery and the nurturing power of imagination. The Happier Valley Championship!  October 26th at 7:00 PM Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA)  In this competitive comedy show, two teams of improvisers face off through scenes and games to see who can win the ultimate prize: an old trophy we found in someone's attic. Saturday, October 26th at 7pm at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Tickets: $13 online and at the door. For more info: www.happiervalley.com. The Academy of Music Theatre presents  They, Themself and Schmerm created and performed by Becca Blackwell October 26, 2019 @ 8pm Sponsored by Easthampton Savings Bank Part classic standup comedy special, part teen zine vomit confessional, They, Themself and Schmerm is Becca Blackwell's disturbingly hilarious personal tale of being adopted into a Midwestern religious family, trained to be a girl, molested, and plagued by the question, “How do I become a man and do I even want that?” Becca engages in loving confrontation with the audience, asking what it truly means to be authentic in these meat carcasses.  Age recommendation: 16+ Becca Blackwell is a NYC based trans actor, performer and writer. Existing between genders, and preferring the pronoun “they,” Blackwell works collaboratively with playwrights and directors to expand our sense of personhood and the body through performance.  Becca most recently appeared as the title role in the Off-Broadway production of Hurricane Diane by Pulitzer Prize finalist Madeleine George. Some of their other collaborations have been with Young Jean Lee, Half Straddle, Jennifer Miller’s Circus Amok, Richard Maxwell, Erin Markey, Sharon Hayes, Theater of the Two Headed Calf and Lisa D’Amour. Film/TV includes: Untitled Noah Baumbach Project, Shameless, Deadman’s Barstool, and Jack in the Box. Becca is a recipient of the Doris Duke Impact Artist Award. Tickets. High Note presents Cabaret Dinner Theater October 30 at 6:00 PM Brewmaster's Tavern Dinner Theater Cabaret Revue Show - starring Le Cabaret and special guests!! Dinner @ 6- show to follow -Reservations- 413 268 7741 Medea  by Euripides, in a version by Ben Power October 31-November 2 8PM, Kirby Theater The Department of Theater and Dance presents Medea by Euripides, in a version by Ben Power. This new production blurs the lines between theater, film, and reality. Conceived by Maki Ybarra-Young -- who plays the title role -- and director Ron Bashford, the show imagines Medea as one of the strong and dangerous women of the Golden Age of Hollywood. But is she who she seems? Or the more vulnerable actor underneath? Come explore the iconic Greek character as she navigates her role as a woman and an immigrant through the "cinematic lens" of our own history. Starring an all student cast: Grace Davenport, Nicholas Govus, Rory Hartblay, Sam Hood, Sterling Kee, Aylin Kim, Navie Kim, Lena Lamer, Sylvie Mahoro, Eli Maierson, Rowan Muzzy, Teo Ruskov, Lorelle Sang, Julian Schauffler, and Maki Ybarra-Young. Scenic design by Lauren Thompson, costume design by Lorelei Dietz '20, lighting design by Sophina Flores '20, sound design by Alistair Edwards '22.  Tickets are free and open to the public. For reservations, call (413) 542-2277. AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES The Play Reading Co-op is currently seeking submissions of full length plays from New England writers for a monthly, ongoing reading series. The mission of the co-op is simply for local theater makers to have a chance to get in a room together to work on high quality material for our own learning, enjoyment, and camaraderie. It's also a great way to learn about new works and writers. The reading is intended to be informal and without an audience other than other co-op “members” and potentially a friend or colleague(s) of the writer. If the writer is looking for a discussion or feedback afterward, we are happy to make space for that as well. We are ideally looking for plays with at least 2 female identifying roles.  http://www.rachelfhirsch.com/play-reading-co-op Smith College Department of Theatre Auditions for Fall Studio Productions Helter Skelter by Neil LaBute, directed by Icarus Tyree '21 Finding the Sun by Edward Albee, directed by G Goldberg '20 Helter Skelter: A couple sits down for lunch during a holiday shopping trip. Through conversation, they unwittingly end up face to face with the fractures in their marriage. Can they work through this, or are there some things that you can never - and should never - ignore? Finding the Sun: Four duos try to take a relaxing day off at the same beach, but the past, and their complicated intertwining relationships, get in the way. Fergus, a teenage boy, can't seem to keep his nose out of everyone else's business, and slowly unravels the web that binds all of them together, which pulls at the end of their sanity as well. Who's married to whom? Who's sleeping with whom? Who would (or most certainly would not!) sleep with whom?  Auditions Sunday, October 20, 7–9 p.m. Acting Studio 1 Monday, October 21, 7–9 p.m., Acting Studio 1 Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Smith College Performances December 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m., Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre, Mendenhall Center Casting Breakdown Helter Skelter: 2 actors (1 woman, one man - can be played by any gender) Finding the Sun: 8 actors (4 women, 4 men - will consider anyone of any age or gender for all roles) Fergus: A teenage boy with "so much potential!" (teenager) Edmee: Fergus' mother (middle-aged) Gertrude: Cordelia's mother (older) Henden: Daniel's father (older) Daniel: Benjamin's (ex)-lover, Cordelia's husband (young adult/adult) Benjamin: Daniel's (ex)-lover, Abigail's husband. (young adult/adult) Cordelia: Benjamin's wife (young adult/adult) Abigail: Daniel's wife (young adult/adult) Audition Prep Sides will be provided from the script. No monologues or appointments necessary. Contact/Questions Production Manager, Nikki Beck, ncbeck@smith.edu or ext. 3222 Scripts Perusal scripts available in Josten Library, Mendenhall Center, Smith College The Water Station AUDITIONS Oct. 21 and 22, 6-10 p.m. Fine Arts Center Room 204 Callbacks Oct. 23 Sign up in advance through SignUp Genius   Movement and no words: performers sought for UMass Theater's The Water Station   Performers with a background in theater, dance, and movement disciplines are sought for the UMass Department of Theater's late-winter production of The Water Station! Auditions are Oct. 21 and 22, with callbacks on Oct. 23.  The Water Station (Mizu no eki), by Japanese playwright Ota Shogo is a slow-movement, wordless play. Walking through a barren landscape, 18 travelers stop by a dripping water faucet at different times, interact with water and its surroundings, and continue on their separate ways, while a man living in a pile of objects witnesses their actions from above.  The Water Station will be performed as a 70-minute piece without intermission.  What to Prepare For the audition, please prepare a 90 second movement piece that demonstrates your range as a mover. For callbacks, you will be asked to participate in a Suzuki workshop in the Rand Theater. You should audition if you are an actor,  dancer, mover, or are interested in learning about physical theater, Suzuki, or Viewpoints.  Physical choreography for the show is provided by Ota Shogo. The ensemble will be engaging with the text to marry working formally and creating the psychological score of the piece. To enhance the physical endurance and to understand the psychologial score methodology, Suzuki training will be a mandatory part of our daily process. Actors will be expected to join us for at least one hour every night to work on yoga, meditation, and viewpoint training in addition to further scheduling.  Rehearsal Dates will be Monday through Friday, 6:00-10:00, the weeks of November 18th-22nd, December 2nd-6th, and January 21st through March 7th. There will be no winter intensives overlapping with any Breaks.  PERFORMANCE DATES: Feb. 27, Feb. 28, Feb. 29, March 4th, 5th, 6th, & 7th.  Sign up for an audition slot at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4aa5a92aabfe3-thewater Please read the script before you audition for this piece. Link to script provided here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mRE84Eb1Z0oAKlMMusE9aPSzUsmd-M7G?usp=sharing If you have any further questions regarding the audition or rehearsal process please contact Stage Manager Liz Diamond at ediamond@umass.edu.  More about the Department of Theater: umass.edu/theater TheatreTruck presents The Mother/Artist Summit October 26 at 9:00 AM 33 Hawley St., Northampton MA The Mother/Artist Summit : A community of mother/artists will summit in an act of creative, generative conversation on topics of motherhoods' impact on their personal and artistic journeys.  Presented by TheatreTruck, the Pioneer Valley’s mother-powered, woman-owned producing collaborative, The Mother/Artist Summit aims to create an empowering space for women/people who are mothering while working in the performing arts in Western Massachusetts and regionally.  Join us for a day of celebration and conversations for change. Thanks to a generous match-grant from the Parent Artist Advocacy League (PAAL), childcare will be provided for young children of participants.  Drawing from lived experience and personal narrative, the Summit aims to hold an empowering space to connect mothers, raise visibility and participate in (inter)national conversations about family-supportive policy in the performing arts.  We will explore the culture of the performing arts locally and nationally through the lense of working intersectional motherhood and use our experience to envision a more inclusive, supportive workplace.  We invite you to gather with us and tell your stories. We will weave connections, build community, and investigate how motherhood is impacting the working artists in our community and in our industry.  The Mother/Artist Summit: Conversations for Change October 26, 2019, 33 Hawley St, 9-2pm. $25 including lunch Bring your stories! Register. Smith College Department of Theatre Auditions for Peter and the Starcatcher A play by Rick Elice, based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson; directed by Cathy Kennedy ‘20 A young orphan and his mates are shipped off from Victorian England to a distant island ruled by the evil King Zarboff. They know nothing of the mysterious trunk in the captain’s cabin, which contains a precious, otherworldly cargo. At sea, the boys are discovered by a precocious young girl named Molly, a Starcatcher-in-training who realizes that the trunk’s precious cargo is starstuff, a celestial substance so powerful that it must never fall into the wrong hands. When the ship is taken over by pirates – led by the fearsome Black Stache, a villain determined to claim the trunk and its treasure for his own – the journey quickly becomes a thrilling adventure. Auditions Sunday, November 3, 7–9 p.m., Acting Studio 1 Monday, November 4, 7–9 p.m., Acting Studio 1 Callbacks on Wednesday, November 6, 7–9 p.m., Acting Studio 1 Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Smith College Performances February 28, 29, March 5, 6, 7 at 7:30 p.m., Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre, Mendenhall Center Casting Breakdown 9 Actors (looking for actor-musicians as well to play piano and strings) Audition Prep Sides will be provided from the script. No monologues or appointments necessary. Contact/Questions Production Manager, Nikki Beck, ncbeck@smith.edu or ext. 3222 Scripts Perusal scripts available in Josten Library, Mendenhall Center, Smith College Exit Seven Players Ltd. presents Auditions: Noises Off! November 4, 5 Exit 7 Theater, 37 Chestnut Street, Ludlow, MA 01056 Exit 7 will be holding auditions for its February play, NOISES OFF on Monday, November 4 and Tuesday, November 5 from 7-10pm. Those auditioning must be at least 18 years of age, no exceptions.  Performances will be February 14, 15, 21, 22 at 8pm and February 16, 23 at 2pm Directed by: Bruce Torrey Produced by: Chris Climo and Jami Wilson Full audition information, including character descriptions, may be found here. Synopsis: Michael Frayn's Noises Off takes a fond look at the follies of theatre folk, whose susceptibility to out-of-control egos, memory loss, and passionate affairs turn every performance into a high-risk adventure. This play-within-a-play captures a touring theatre troupe’s production of Nothing On in three stages: dress rehearsal, the opening performance, and a performance towards the end of a debilitating run. Frayne gives us a window into the inner workings of theatre behind the scenes, progressing from flubbed lines and missed cues in the dress rehearsal to mounting friction between cast members in the final performance. Brimming with slapstick comedy, Noises Off is a delightful backstage farce, complete with slamming doors, falling trousers, and -- of course -- flying sardines! Auditions for MISS YOU LIKE HELL Auditions November 4 6:30 - 9:00 PM Callbacks November 5 at 6:30 PM Academy of Music Theatre, Northampton The Academy of Music Theatre Announces Auditions for the musical Miss You Like Hell, book and lyrics by Quira Alegria Hudes, and music and lyrics by Erin McKeown. Performances on March 27 & 28, 2020 at the Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main Street, Northampton, MA. All auditions and call backs to be held at the Academy of Music Theatre. You do not need to make an appointment to attend. Please see audition dates and times below.  Prepare a song of approximately 36 bars, a cappella or with backtrack. Auditions will include sides and dance and movement. Callbacks will be held November 5 from 6:30-9pm. ROLE INFORMATION: 3 female and 3 male featured roles. Olivia: half-Latina, sixteen Beatriz: Mexican-American, late thirties to early forties Pearl: African-American, sixteen Mo: Southern, in retirement Higgins: also Southern, also in retirement Manuel: Peruvian, a day laborer, thirties to fifties Ensemble of singers who step into the story as a lawyer, an officer, a legal clerk, a guy at a motel desk, an ICE official: any gender For questions, please email Executive Director Debra J’Anthony at djanthony@aomtheatre.com. Exit Seven Players Ltd. presents Auditions: The Who's Tommy November 10, 12, 17 Exit 7 Theater, 37 Chestnut Street, Ludlow, MA 01056 Based on the iconic 1969 rock concept album, The Who's Tommy is an exhilarating story of hope, healing and the human spirit. The story of the pinball-playing, “deaf, dumb and blind boy” who triumphs over his adversities has inspired, amazed and puzzled audiences for more than 50 years. This five-time Tony Award-winning musical was translated to the stage by theatrical wizard, Des McAnuff, and is a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical event. Directed by Michael O. Budnick Music and Sound Supervised by George Garber Jr. Choreography by Janeen Connor Instrumental Accompaniment by Cadre Prime Produced by Adam Malmborg and Drew Gilbert Full audition information, including character descriptions, vocal selections and other information may be found athttp://www.exit7players.org/auditions/the-whos-tommy-auditions/ Audition Dates November 10 3-5pm: All adults and teens, vocal and dance, principals, supporting principals and ensemble, followed by 5-6:30pm: Adult/teen principals/supporting principals, vocal and acting OR November 12 6-8pm: All adults and teens, vocal and dance, principals, supporting principals and ensemble, followed by 8-9:30pm: Adult/teen principals, supporting principals, vocal and acting Adult/Teen auditionees will not need to attend both dates.  ALSO: November 17 3-5pm: All children followed by principal callbacks by appointment 5-7pm (if necessary.) Children will be called in the order of arrival and may leave after their audition. Please try to arrive at least 10 minutes before start time. Not all auditionees will need to stay for the entire session. To make auditions run more smoothly please fill out the audition form (attached) in advance and bring it with you. Also, please bring a current headshot, if you have one. Rehearsal and Production Dates Rehearsals are scheduled to start in late January on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoon or evenings (depending on other show schedules) in Ludlow, MA. Not all actors may be required for all rehearsals. There may be some meetings with principals prior to rehearsal start.   Tech week starts April 19 and actors must be available all week in the evenings. Performances are April 24-26, May 1-3, 8-10 at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2pm on Sundays. More Information. Happier Valley Comedy presents Zen of Improv 1 November 13 at 5:00 PM Repeats weekly until January 22nd Happier Valley Comedy Theater, 1 Mill Rd, Hadley, MA Would you like to play and laugh in a supportive community every week? Do you want to get better at thinking on your feet? Could you use some practice in mindfulness? turning off your judgmental mind? being brave? Would you like to become more confident speaking in public? Curious about how this whole improv comedy thing works? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, Zen of Improv 1 would be an ever so lovely way to spend some time every week. Happier Valley Comedy's Founder and Head of Happiness Pam Victor offers this weekly for adults who want to try something fun, rewarding, and, quite possibly, mind-expanding. You'll learn a very gentle, very easy, patient approach to improv comedy in an incredibly positive and accepting atmosphere that will get you up on your feet and out of your head. Through improv exercises,  games, and scenework, you'll practice the vital improvisation skills of paying attention acutely, accepting other peoples ideas, redefining and disempowering failure, staying in the moment, quieting your critical voice to invite more joy and ease into your work, and much more. More info. Seeking FOUR African-American actors: TWO women: (18-30), (40-60). TWO men: (18-30), (35-50) for Dominque Morriseau's SKELETON CREW.  Northampton Center for the Arts: May 14-17, 2020.  Actors will be paid.  For information and scripts contact Robert Freedman. 413-531-4164 - rpf1012@comcast.net Hatfield Public Schools seeks an Assistant Director for the upcoming spring musical production in April 2020. The position involves working with the director, music director, and co-producers to ensure completion of a successful musical performance and provide a positive, engaging experience for students in grades 5-12. It may include a combination of blocking, scene work, choreography, and liaising with producers regarding logistics, sets, props, costumes, lighting, sound and more. The successful candidate should have experience working with students in this age range, a theater background, and be able to provide their own transportation. Rehearsals are held on Saturday afternoons from February through mid-April. Tech rehearsals are on April 20, 21, and 22. The show dates are the evenings of April 23 & 24 and the afternoon of April 25. The candidate should plan to attend most rehearsals, although the schedule will offer some flexibility (with the exception of show dates, when availability is required). There is a stipend of $500, with the possibility of additional compensation based on experience and skills. To apply, please email a statement of interest to hatfieldpsmusical@gmail.com. Priority application deadline is Friday, October 18, 2019. Information here. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Real Live Theatre presents Foundational Acting Techniques Workshop October 21, 28 at 6:30 PM Real Live Theatre This four-week workshop series taught by RLT members Toby Vera Bercovici & Jeannine Haas will explore the use of the body, voice, emotion, and intellect to create theatrical moments. It is designed both for actors and non-actors, and will encourage creative agency, risk-taking, choice-making, and a new perspective on oneself, both alone and in relationship to others. It will utilize techniques from improvisation and clown, as well as from practitioners Konstantin Stanislavski, Anne Bogart, Michael Chekhov, and others. This workshop series is most powerful when all four parts are taken, but each part can be taken individually - sign up for one, two, three, or all four dates!  Mondays in October, 6:30pm-9:30pm. Cost is $100 per class. Payment plans & scholarships available. Email reallivetheatre@gmail.com for more info and to register. More information. Phantom Sheep Productions in association with Unity House Players present Comedy Improv Jam Workshop October 21 at 7:00 PM Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield, 245 Porter Lake Drive, Springfield, MA Get a hands on preview of our upcoming class with this free improv jam workshop at our new location! We'll teach a few quick theater games as you get a chance to meet new people, and of course laugh! More information can be found at fb.com/phntmsheep. Facebook event. Phantom Sheep Productions is Western MA's longest running professional comedy troupe. They have recently formed a new partnership with Unity House Players to offer more improv classes, shows, and workshops to the Greater Springfield community. Phantom Sheep Productions in association with Unity House Players LaughCrafters: Comedy Improv Class Fall Session Mondays for 6 weeks starting November 4 Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield, 245 Porter Lake Drive, Springfield, MA Western MA’s own professional comedy troupe “Phantom Sheep Productions” is proud to be offering a weekly “LaughCrafters: Comedy Improv” class at UUSGS for ages 15-adult starting Nov 4th .  This is a great creative outlet to boost confidence in stage presence, sharpen quick thinking, collaborate with others, and of course laugh! All levels are welcome and challenged at their own pace.  We invite you to get a taste of the program with a free improv jam workshop on Oct. 21st 7-9PM.  More information can be found at fb.com/phntmsheep. Facebook event. Submit your workshop or class or audition or performance or job or any other theatre opportunity here! Pioneer Valley Theatre Companies Is your theatre company missing? Email me! Academy of Music Theatre Arena Civic Theatre Black Cat Theater Chester Theatre Company CitySpace Cold Spring Community Theatre Drama Studio Double Edge Theatre Eggtooth Productions Exit 7 Players Franklin County Youth Theater Ghost Light Theater Greenfield Community College's Theater Department Hampshire Shakespeare Company Happier Valley Comedy Ja'Duke Center for the Performing Arts K and E Theater Group Ko Theater Works/Ko Festival of Performance Majestic Theater New Century Theatre No Theater Northampton Playwrights Lab PaintBox Theatre Panopera Pauline Productions Real Live Theatre Red Thread Theater Royal Frog Ballet Serious Play Theatre Ensemble Shakespeare Stage Silverthorne Theater Smith College Department of Theatre St. Michael's Players Starlight's Youth Theatre, Inc. Strident Theatre TheatreTruck Turbulent Times Theater UMass Theatre Guild Valley Light Opera Westfield Theatre Group Wilbraham United Players Want to know even more about events in the Pioneer Valley and beyond, including reviews, interviews, and previews? Pioneer Valley Theatre Google Calendar In the Spotlight, Inc. Berkshire on Stage Stagestruck ArtsBeat Radio and News Column Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences  *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*