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April 7 - 27, 2022
This weekend: The Flick. Olvidados. The Last Five Years. Port of Entry.The Addams Family. Happier Valley Comedy Show. And probably a whole lot more!
This week, Chris Rohmann's StageStruck column is all about The Flick - and even I get a mention. Tickets are super limited for this show, and we might be sold out by the time of this post, but check out the Academy's website for more.
The next issue will include events from April 14 - May 4. 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
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YOUR EVENT HERE
$5 per week for your poster and ticket link in top billing!
Email me to reserve your dates.
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THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS:
from Howlround
There Was Some Contemporary Culture Left in Russia. Then Putin Started a War
by Victor Vilisov
From the article:
On 24 February 2022, eight hours after the war began, Elena Kovalskaya, general manager and previously artistic director of the Meyerhold Theatre and Cultural Center, wrote on Facebook: “Friends, in protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, I resign as director of the state-funded theatre, the Meyerhold Center. It is impossible to work for a murderer and get paid by him.” This was the first and most significant protest gesture by a Russian theatre professional. Five days later, Dmitry Volkostrelov, the artistic director of the Meyerhold Center, was fired by order of the Moscow Department of Culture without explanation. On the same day, it was announced that the Meyerhold Center would be “merged” with the School of Dramatic Art Theatre (SDA). In essence, the Meyerhold Center's building was taken over by the directorate of the SDA.
Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com
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The Academy of Music Theatre
AOM Season Series Presents: The Flick
4/7/22 at 7:30 PM, 4/8/22 at 7:30 PM, 4/9/22 at 7:30 PM, 4/10/22 at 2:00 PM
The Academy of Music Theatre
In a run-down movie theater in central Massachusetts, three underpaid employees mop the floors and attend to one of the last 35 millimeter film projectors in the state. Their tiny battles and not-so-tiny heartbreaks play out in the empty aisles, becoming more gripping than the lackluster, second-run movies on screen.
With keen insight and a finely-tuned comic eye, The Flick is a hilarious and heart-rending cry for authenticity in a fast-changing world. 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; Obie Award to Annie Baker for Playwriting; Obie Award to Matthew Maher for Sustained Excellence of Performance; Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.
https://www.aomtheatre.com/event/the-flick/
Ticket Prices:
$20 + taxes & fees
All patrons MUST wear a mask inside the theater while not eating or drinking. |
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Olvidados: A Mexican American Corrido
By Elisa Gonzales
Lyrics by Elisa Gonzales
Musical Arrangement, Composition, and Additional Lyrics by Moises Vázquez
Directed by Sara Guerrero
April 7, 8, 9 at 7:30 p.m., April 9 at 2 p.m.
In the Rand Theater, located in the Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts at UMass
Tickets: Sold through the Fine Arts Center Box Office and at the door.
Prices: $15 general admission, $5 youth, students, and seniors
Content Advisory: Use of racial slurs and discussion of a child’s death
During the Great Depression, over one million Mexicans and Mexican Americans were illegally and unconstitutionally repatriated to Mexico. What they went through has reverberated through successive generations, and among those affected were Professor Elisa Gonzales' great-grandparents. April 7-9, UMass Theater presents a workshop production of Olvidados: A Mexican American Corrido, Gonzales' compelling new musical about her ancestors' experiences.
"I owe so much of what I have been able to accomplish because of my family—my parents, my grandparents, my great-grandparents—I wanted to find a way to honor their stories and their legacy. Olvidados is my love letter to them," said Gonzales.
This is a workshop production — meaning the piece is a work in progress and likely to undergo further revision — and it is a creative collaboration with Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble. We are thrilled to have Breath of Fire Founding Artistic Director Sara Guerrero as director, and Ensemble member Moises Vázquez as the composer and musical director of the piece.
Breath of Fire takes as its mission the support and enrichment of the lives of Latinas in visual & performing arts, working to raise awareness of critical issues in the community and to be a catalyst for personal healing and social justice, a goal which fits beautifully with Gonzales' work.
The echoes of racial and ethnic scapegoating from 90 years ago sound eerily familiar in this musical, which highlights the corrido as a storytelling form. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos and Latinas in the United States defines the corrido as a verse narrative, a story sung to a musical accompaniment, portraying characters engaged in heroic, often tragic, struggles in real or realistic episodes that reflect the language, experiences, and values of common folk. For approximately two hundred years, corridos have been a cherished part of a traditional heritage in various regions of Mexico and the United States.
"Stories like the Repatriation Drives of the 1930s never make it to our classrooms. Telling this story, at this time, feels even more critical as we are witnessing several states adopting laws and policies that would prohibit and restrict the teaching of anything related to race and racism," explained Gonzales.
Come to the Rand Theater at UMass to see and hear us bring this powerful and uplifting story to the stage.
Get your tickets today!
Tickets can be purchased through the Fine Arts Center Box Office (click here to go directly to our events) or at the door before each performance.
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Amherst College Department of Theater and Dance
The Last Five Years
April 7, 8, and 9
Amherst College Kirby Theater: 200 S Pleasant St, Amherst, MA 01002
The Amherst College Theater and Dance Department is proud to present Jason Robert Brown's beloved musical, The Last Five Years. This show is Mattea Denney's (Class of 2022) senior honors project, and will be Amherst College's first theatrical performance open to the public in over two years.
This renowned musical by Jason Robert Brown offers an intensely personal look at the highs and lows and unknowable spaces in Jamie and Cathy's five-year relationship – from meeting to break-up... or from break-up to meeting, depending on how you look at it. As it toggles between these two points of view, with one character's story moving forward and the other’s backward, the audience may feel like they are flipping through the scrapbook of Jamie and Cathy's lives together, as though we've been invited to pull out an old video and play back a moment, seemingly frozen in time but still alive in our memory.
The show is directed by Ashley Olivea Teague and musical directed by Keiji Ishiguri. Mattea Denney ('22) and Sterling Kee ('23) star as Cathy Hiatt and Jamie Wellerstein and are joined by Sebastian Son ('22), Alfred Kibowen ('23), Luke Herzog ('23), Annika Paylor ('24), Lydia Silver ('25), and Phoebe Mugford ('25) in the ensemble.
Performances will be held at Amherst College's Kirby Theater on April 7, 8, and 9. The house opens at 7:30 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM. Tickets are free! Reserve your ticket.
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PORT OF ENTRY SECOND IN SILVERTHORNE THEATER COMPANY PLAY READING SERIES
GREENFIELD, MA– Silverthorne Theater Company presents the second in its 2022 Thursdays Play Reading Series play.PORT OF ENTRY, by Talya Kingston, directed by Amy Brentano, on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 7:30 p.m at the LAVA Center, 324 Main Street, Greenfield.
About the play: It’s a regular day in the back office of a small New England International airport. TSA agent Hank is orienting newbie Chloe in her new job and Jana has just arrived on a flight from the Middle East to start her new semester of graduate school. The problem is that overnight a new law has come into effect – commonly known as “The Muslim Ban” – and it’s up to these gatekeepers to enforce it. A play that asks the questions: who is protecting our country? And who are they protecting it from?
The reading is offered free and open to the public. Registration is required because of limited space and may be made here.
Following the reading, audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback to the playwright
Directed by Amy Brentano, a strong cast of local actors are performing.
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Springfield Central High School presents The Addams Family
April 7 and 8 at 7pm, April 9 at 2pm
Springfield Central High School
They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky, …they're the Springfield HS performers of The Addams Family Musical!
Springfield Central HS theater department presents:
THE ADDAMS FAMILY, the musical, a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family.
Appropriate for age 5 and up.
Come and support the kids at Central HS. April 7, 8 at 7pm or April 9 at 2pm!
$10 Adults, $8 students and Senior citizens
Tickets available at the door only.
As of the time of this publication, SCHS is mask optional.
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2nd Saturdays Presents...
April 9th at 7:00 PM
Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA)
A dive into theatrical longform improv formats you'll love, from classics like Armando and Shrink to new creations like Neighbors, which has played to standing ovation! Saturday, April 9th 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: https://www.happiervalley.com/2nd-saturdays.html.
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9 TO 5 WORKS ITS MAGIC ON MAJESTIC THEATER STAGE APRIL 14 – MAY 29
Musical is Based on Iconic 1980 Film with Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton
9 to 5, the musical based on the beloved 1980 film that featured Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as three unlikely friends who bond over their frustrating jobs, will be staged at the Majestic Theater April 14 – May 29.
The story focuses on Violet, Doralee and Judy, whose boss, Franklin Hart, Jr., is president of their company, as well as a domineering and lecherous man. A fantasized poisoning has him threatening to call the police on the women, but they turn the tables on him, tie him up and kidnap him. Back at work, they institute changes under Hart’s name, but also discover some “creative accounting” practices. Hart escapes and returns to work ready to take over when the company’s CEO arrives, is impressed by the changes, promotes Violet and ships Hart off to manage the company branch in Bolivia. The play 9 to 5 was written by Dolly Parton and Patricia Resnick
The cast of 9 to 5 includes Crystin Gilmore (Violet), Kaytlyn Vandeloecht (Dora Lee), Mollie Posnick (Judy), Joe Casey (Hart), Kait Rankins (Roz), and Chris Rojas (Joe). Danny Eaton is producing director, Sue Dziura is associate producing director/assistant stage manager and Rand Foerster is directing the musical. The music director is Mitch Chakour and Stephen Petit is production stage manager. The set design is by Greg Trochlil, costumes are designed by Dawn McKay, and Doug Wallace is sound designer. Choreography is by Stacy Ashley.
In accordance with regulations from the Actors' Equity Association, an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance, the Majestic Theater requires all attendees to wear masks at all times (except when eating and drinking), to be fully vaccinated against COVID, and to present their vaccination card (or a photo or other proof of it, on their cell phone) upon arrival. At this time, no food or drink may be brought into the theater, and needs to be consumed in the Majestic Café.
Following 9 to 5, the Season concludes with Betty & the Patch, a new contemporary comedy/drama by Danny Eaton that had originally been scheduled for this past January, but will be staged June 9 – July 24. All original ticket holders for Betty & the Patch will be able to see the play on their rescheduled date.
Tickets to 9 to 5 and Betty & the Patch range from $31 - $37 and are available for sale at the Majestic’s box office Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm; or on the phone at (413) 747-7797.
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HVC’s Fun Fridays: Storytelling Standup Showcase
April 15th at 7:00 PM
Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA)
Watch Happier Valley Comedy talent try out their latest material, laugh together, raise a glass, and support up-and-coming standup comedians. Doors open at 5:30. Showcase starts at 7pm. Friday, April 15th at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Free!
For more info: https://www.happiervalley.com/happiervalleycomedy_fun_fridays.html#thirdfridays
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HVC Presents: Not In Charge!
April 16th 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, April 16th 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: https://www.happiervalley.com/notincharge.html
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Double Edge Theatre / Magdalena International Festival
April 20 – 24, 2022
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Tickets are still on sale for the first event from RITES, our five-month celebration of Double Edge Theatre's forty years. The five-day Double Edge Theatre / Magdalena International Festival is in partnership with The Magdalena Project and will include performances and gatherings with worldwide women, non-binary, and trans artists.
Click below to learn more about the festival line-up and schedule or to buy tickets.
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UMASS NEW PLAY LAB is the anchor of our Fringe Festival with two exciting new works by two of our graduate students.
Parzival
by Percival Hornak
April 22, 27, & 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Rand Theater, located in the Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts at UMass
Red: Passion and Patience in the Desert.
A Wild Adaptation
by Bianca Dillard
April 21 & 28 at 7:30 p.m. and April 24 at 2 p.m., May 1 TBA
Curtain Theater, located in the Bromery Center for the Arts
Student works:
Cry Wolf
An online audio drama by Shelly Hed
An online part of the Fringe Festival, coming in April
Taylor Rose Mickens 'Bye UMass' Senior Recital, Visual Art, and Mutual Aid Exhibit
April 22 at 7:30 pm in Bromery Center for the Arts Room 413
Part of our Fringe Festival, tickets free, check back for reservation details
24-Hour Play Project
Produced by Ali Farina
April 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Curtain Theater, located in the Bromery Center for the Arts
Part of our Fringe Festival, tickets free, check back for reservation details.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
by William Shakespeare
Directed and produced by Ivy Linden-Dionne, Claudia Maurino, Kaliska Wiley, and Madeline Choiniere Barr
April 29 at 7:30 p.m., April 30 at 2 p.m.
Curtain Theater, located in the Bromery Center for the Arts
Part of our Fringe Festival, tickets free, check back for reservation details.
The Other America
Written by Pedro Eiras, inspired by Nobel Prize Winner Dario Fo's Johan Padan and The Discovery of the Americas
May 1 at 2 p.m.
Curtain Theater, located in the Bromery Center for the Arts
Part of our Fringe Festival, tickets free, check back for reservation details
Webgirl
by Sena Yacteen
May 6 & 7 at 7:30 p.m., May 7 at 2 p.m. and May 8 time TBA
Curtain Theater, located in the Bromery Center for the Arts
Part of our Fringe Festival, tickets free, check back for reservation details
***
Play Lab reservations are free but encouraged, and can be made through the Fine Arts Center Box Office (click here to go directly to our events).
Other Fringe events are also free, but reservations are encouraged where available.
More details are on the Department's Fringe Fest page: https://www.umass.edu/theater/fringe-fest-22
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The Happier Valley Championship!
April 22nd 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, April 22nd 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: https://www.happiervalley.com/championship.html
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SILVERTHORNE THEATER PRESENTS ADMISSIONS: A SEARING DRAMA OF PRIVILEGE, POWER AND HYPOCRISY
In its final show of the ’21-’22 Season, Silverthorne Theater Company presents Joshua Harmon’s 2018 drama, Admissions, on stage in The Perch at the Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield from April 22 through 30. Tickets for Admissions are on sale now via Eventbrite.
Winner of the 2018 Outer Critics Circle Award, Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play, and the 2018 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Play, Admissions was described by The Guardian as “a harsh lesson for white liberals.” Set in a private school not unlike many in the Valley and beyond, and drawing on the current atmosphere of vigorous re-examination of the true meaning of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the play approaches progressive values and implicit racism – not without humor – but asking audience members to step back from preconceived ideas. Silverthorne’s production will include post show discussion.
Sherri Rosen-Mason is head of the admissions department at a New England prep school, fighting to diversify the student body. Alongside her husband, the school’s headmaster, they’ve largely succeeded in bringing a stodgy institution into the twenty-first century. But when their only son sets his sights on an Ivy League university, personal ambition collides with progressive values, with convulsive results. This is a no-holds-barred look at privilege, power, and the perils of hypocrisy.
Directed by Mark Dean, the cast features veteran actor Steve Eldredge* as Headmaster Bill Mason, with Margaret Streeter as his wife, Admissions Director Sherri Rosen-Mason, and Luke Bosco as their son Charlie. Sarah Wilson plays Sherri’s friend Ginnie, with Jane Barish as Development staff member Roberta. Technical Director John Iverson provides set, lighting and sound design, and Amanda Bowman stage manages.
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Everyone who attends a Silverthorne event must wear face coverings while in the building and show proof of full vaccination for COVID-19.
Follow STC on Instagram and Facebook @silverthornetheater to join in! You can also sign up for our Email Newsletters to stay in the know.
For questions and further information, please contact us at silverthornetheater@gmail.com, call 413-768-7514, or visit https://silverthornetheater.org/event/admissions/
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