Pioneer Valley Theatre News March 24, 2016

Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser   March 24-April 13, 2016 Hey, it's my birthday! Do me a favor and share this newsletter! We're getting into the busy spring and summer theatre season and I would love to see this newsletter reach as many people as possible. And don't forget to send me your upcoming events! Tonight at Cup and Top in Florence, New Century Theatre is hosting a reading of Ellen Wittlinger's The Leftovers. Come early to grab a snack and a seat - the space is intimate and the kitchen closes at 6:45.  The next issue will include events through April 20. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me before next 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 A Playwright's Words: Last Rights? thatswhatshesaid Offers a Challenging Conversation by Arwen Mitchell From the article:  Plagiarism: like most everything else in their college careers, I feel like my students take it for granted. Meaning, they know they’re not supposed to do it, but they barely know why. It would be easy to just tell them threateningly to not do it. Instead, we talk about it. I pose a question: which is worse? To steal a $100 bill, or someone’s original idea? They always pick the money. At first. But slowly, I break down the cost of an idea: the value of information, the sweat equity, the investment of tuition and research grants. Then, we go over what’s at stake for the authors: peer and social respect, awards and honors, and opportunity. All to devise new theories, inventions, and hypotheses, to add to human achievement and betterment.  Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES New Century Theatre presents a reading of LEFTOVERS by Ellen Wittlinger directed by Sam Rush Thursday, March 24 at 7:00 PM Cup and Top Cafe, Florence Edie's been talking to her dead husband for thirty years, and now, to the frustration of her two grown daughters, she's moved into the basement of her house where he apparently lives. This Thanksgiving they've all gathered there, including Edie's two grandchildren. Digging through the accumulated rubbish of Edie's life dredges up old secrets, and it appears as if the grandchildren have been more affected by the family mysteries than anyone realized. The reading starts at 7 PM and will feature some great local talent. Come early and grab a coffee and snack, the kitchen will close at 6:45.  Smith College Department of Theatre New Playreading Series presents SPARE RIB written by Winter Miller '95, directed by Ann Grilli '16 Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 PM in Acting Studio 1 (T100) Free Spare Rib is a conversation starter. It is a comedic, fantastical, bold and semi-true journey of women who knew the secrets of plants and herbs and provided abortions before women’s bodies were medicalized and made government property. The story jumps from the distant past to today’s providers, who despite stigma and threats on their lives to make that choice possible. Expect a time-traveling odyssey, that feels one part Coney Island, one part happening, and one part theater.   UMass New Play Lab What Actually Happened Was  by Stephanie Swirsky Performing 3/24/16, 3/31/16 at 7:30 and 4/2 at 2:00 The Dance  by Kim Euell Performing 3/25/16, 4/1/16,4/2/16 at 7:30 Both plays perform in the Curtain Theater, UMass Fine Arts Center $8 general, $4 students/seniors Buy tickets More about the plays The Department of Theater at UMass is excited to announce the two plays that will be part of the 2016 UMass New Play Lab this March: Kim Euell's The Danceand Stephanie Swirsky's What Actually Happened Was. Euell is currently the UMass Amherst Department of Theater's Playwright in Residence, and we are thrilled to offer our students the opportunity to work with her on this new piece.   What Actually Happened Was contains some sensitive scenes surrounding rape and violence, and The Dance is not recommended for audiences under 16.  Send Him Home Written by Daphne Thompson ‘16 Directed by Ron Bashford March 24-26, 8PM, Holden Theater Admission is free Reservations recommended  (413) 542-2277 Pitcher Robin Fulton is down in the minor leagues, leading the Chattanooga Lookouts to victory in spite of the unpredictable actions of his teammates and their low-down manager.  As he struggles to find his place on the team, adversity threatens his pursuit of a dream and his love of the game.  Written by Daphne Thompson ’16, this dramatic comedy draws inspiration from real-life diaries that chronicle a fifteen-year professional baseball career.    Send Him Home is directed by Ron Bashford, who also directed Pericles and The Cherry Orchard earlier this academic year.  Scenic design by Emily Goore ‘17, costume design by Theater and Dance Costumer Emily Hoem and Mercedes MacAlpine ‘16, sound design by Jim Busker, and lighting design by Theater and Dance Graduate Assistant Madison Cortez.   For more information about Send Him Home and other arts events on the Amherst College campus, go to amherst.edu/arts, and facebook.com/AmherstArts The Majestic Theater presents BUTLER  by Richard Strand The Majestic Theater, West Springfield March 24-April 3 Major-General Benjamin Franklin Butler was a successful Massachusetts lawyer in civilian life. Now, at the start of the Civil War, he is given command of Fort Monroe, a Union outpost in Virginia, which has just seceded from the United States. besides the threat of an attack, Butler has another problem — three escaped slaves have appeared at the fort seeking sanctuary. The law at the time requires him to return the slaves to their "rightful owner", a Confederate colonel who is soon to arrive. Shepard Mallory is one of these slaves. Both educated and defiant, he challenges the general to find a loophole in the law that will set him free. Butler is at once a comedy, a historical drama, and a biography — or, as one New York Times reviewer said, "Just call it 'splendid'."  More information and tickets online. M3 Productions presents ORDINARY DAYS Composed by Adam Gwon Directed by Meghan Lynn Allen March 25 and 26 at 7:30 PM Wilbraham Monson Academy - Founders Theater, located in Fisk Hall From one of musical theatre's most exciting new composers comes ORDINARY DAYS, a refreshingly honest and funny musical about making real connections in the city that never sleeps (but probably should at some point.) ORDINARY DAYS tells the story of four New Yorkers whose lives intersect as they search for fulfillment, happiness, love and cabs. Through a score of vibrant and memorable songs, their experiences ring startlingly true to life. ORDINARY DAYS is an original musical for anyone who's ever struggled to appreciate the simple things in a complex place. With equal doses of humor and poignancy, it celebrates how 8.3 million individual stories combine in unexpected ways to make New York City such a unique and extraordinary home. Featuring: Sue Boyle Dziura, Nick Gilfor, Lyndsay Hart, Luis Manzi Accompanist: Timothy Chávez Stage Manager: Zach Gray Buy Tickets. $15 per person. Free to students with valid student ID. Open seating, first come first serve. Doors open at 7. ANNOUNCING a very special PARTY! for the benefit of her majesty QUEEN MARGARET and REAL LIVE THEATRE Saturday March 26, 5-7:30pm 121 Club, Eastworks (116 Pleasant Street), Easthampton (the old Apollo Grill space) Tickets in advance: http://margaretparty.brownpapertickets.com/ or at the door, sliding scale, $20-$40. Featuring: Live Entertainment! including Music, Monologues, & Comedy appearances from cast and RLT members! Live Auction! of valuable services including Acting Workshops, Coaching, Private Yoga Sessions, Performance, and much more! Delicious Food! Cash Bar! RLT will use funds raised to put Margaret center stage in her own story, which is otherwise hidden and intertwined within Shakespeare's four plays: Henry VI Parts One, Two, and Three and Richard III. RLT brought Margaret to the forefront in our staged reading of THE LIFE & DEATH OF QUEEN MARGARET last September, and now we're gearing up to do the revised and fully staged version at the Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre at Smith College, July 29-31and August 5-6! JOIN US! Smith College Department of Theatre New Playreading Series presents KRASA written and directed by Hannah Sachs Tuesday, March 29 at 7:30 PM in Acting Studio 1 (T100) Free Krása is a theatrical collage created using the techniques of Verbatim Theatre, utilizing only exact quotes from 11 in-depth interviews conducted in the Czech Republic. When the Communist period of Czechoslovakia is mentioned, beauty is not the topic that first comes to mind, and yet the existence of beauty or the lack there of profoundly impacted individuals' daily experiences of the world and their society. Krása explores the authentic stories of diverse Czechs, including actors, religious leaders, artists, dissidents, Communists, and academics, in order to offer a never-before-presented glimpse into this period of history, ultimately grappling with the question, "Can beauty save the world?" Free and open to the public. Serious Play! Theatre Ensemble presents ENDGAME PROJECT March 31, April 1, 2 at 7:30  Gateway City Arts Serious Play!’s ENDGAME PROJECT, directed by Sheryl Stoodley, has been two years in development and incorporates the fusion of puppetry and theatre. With Kermit Dunkelberg, Rand Foerster, and puppeteer David Regan, we jump headfirst into Beckett’s “play world” in which games are saturated with the searing texture of adult experience. Facebook event here. Email with any questions. Double Edge Theatre is proud to present an incredible double bill of solo performances from Grenland Friteater of Norway! Geddy Aniksdal's My Life as a Man April 1 & 2 at 7:30 pm Lars Vik's Mr. Fumblebody April 2 at 2 pm matinee About My Life as a Man: An autobiographical excursion into the story of Geddy Aniksdal’s Norwegian working class origin, which then becomes her working class characters. Her stories in theatre, the reasons why she makes theatre, the meeting with others made possible through the work. A story of finding a room of one’s own. About Mr. Fumblebody: The character Mr. Fumblebody is inspired by (and is an homage to) the great silent movie comedians Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin – and early Jaques Tati. In this hilarious show, suitable for ages 5 and up, Mr Vik combines physical slapstick with vivid audience participation and hilarious improvisations. Performed in English. For tickets and information: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php www.doubleedgetheatre.org Smith College Department of Theatre New Playreading Series presents AN EXORCISM IN CAMBRIDGE written and directed by Emily Atkinson Thursday, April 7 at 7:30 PM in Acting Studio 1 (T100) Northampton High School presents The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon Written by Don Zolidis Directed by Samantha Leahan April 7, 8, and 9 at 7:00 PM  April 9 at 2:00 PM Northampton High School Auditorium "The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm are turned on their heads in this fast-paced, rollicking ride as two narrators and several actors attempt to combine all 209 stories ranging from classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel to more bizarre, obscure stories like The Devil's Grandmother and The Girl Without Hands. A wild, free-form comedy with lots of audience participation and madcap fun." Kid-friendly Handicap Accessible $8 - Adults $5 - Students, Seniors, and NHS Staff Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance. Youth on Broadway 2016 is a full scale Musical Theater Revue in its fourth year! Featuring 34 performers, ages 8-18 and 36 songs from 24 Broadway shows!!! Shows are Friday, April 8 at 7 PM, Saturday, April 9 at 7 PM and Sunday, April 10 at 1:30 PM. For tickets, call: LSSE at 413-259-3065. Pre-sale: Adults-$12, Children/students/seniors-$6 and at the door-Adults $14, Children/students/seniors-$8. Don't miss out on this fantastic show!!! Wilbraham United Players are BAREFOOT IN THE PARK April 8, 9, 15, 16 at 7:30PM  and April 10 & 17 at 2:30PM Wilbraham United Church, 500 Main Street, Wilbraham, MA The Wilbraham United Players will be performing the classic Neil Simon comedy BAREFOOT IN THE PARK on April 8-10 and 15-17 on the Fellowship Hall Stage at Wilbraham United Church – 500 Main St. in Wilbraham.  Featured in the cast are Carolyn Averill and Joe Van Allen as Corie and Paul Bratter.  The story revolves around this pair of newlyweds as they adjust to married life.  They begin their new marriage in a 5 story walk-up apartment where they meet the most unusual of neighbors - Victor Velasco (played by Paul Rothenberg).  They are also visited by Corie’s mother Mrs. Banks (played by Kate Hebert).  Rounding out the cast are Jay Muse and Bob Kelliher who play respectively, a telephone repairman and a department store delivery man.  The production is directed by Artistic Director Deborah Trimble and produced by Paul Nesbit. Tickets for the production can be purchased on the Player’s website or by contacting Marjorie Trimble (413) 596-6117.  Priority reserved seating is $25. Tickets for General Seating are $20. There is a discount for Seniors and Students under age 18. The Majestic Theater will hold a special preview performance of “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” on Wednesday, April 13 at 7:30pm to benefit Dakin Humane Society.  The musical, which features the music of Neil Sedaka, officially opens the following evening and is the final production in the Majestic’s 19th Season.  The story is set during Labor Day Weekend in 1960 and features Marge and her stagestruck best friend Lois, who arrive at Esther’s Paradise Resort in the Catskills. Marge has just been left at the altar, and has decided to turn what would have been her honeymoon into a vacation with Lois. Romantic schemes and entanglements involve the pair along with several other characters, including Del Delmonaco, the resort’s handsome singer, Gabe, a geekish handyman, Harvey, the Borscht Belt comic and the widowed Esther.  Specially priced tickets for this performance can be purchased by visiting the Majestic box office during regular hours (Monday through Friday, 10am – 5pm, Saturday 10am - 1pm) or phoning (413) 747-7797.  Proceeds will benefit the care of homeless animals at Dakin.  For additional information, visit www.majestictheater.com.   AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES The Academy of Music Theatre seeks a part-time House Manager to join its Front of House team. The House Manager will work an events-based schedule, with cross-training in multiple positions. The House Manager has the responsibility of preparing the theater for an event, supervising paid staff and volunteers working for the Academy, ensuring that the conditions of the rental agreement are met throughout the event, guaranteeing the satisfaction and the safety of patrons, assisting concessionaires as needed, monitoring proper cash handling procedures for concessions/bar, communicating with stage management, overseeing the theater during an event, and ensuring that the theater is cleaned and secured when the event is finished. The House Manager will be required to become ServSafe certified for alcohol handling and will be cross-trained in the concessions stand and box office, giving him/her full knowledge of all front of house event operations and providing shift opportunities in all positions. The successful candidate will have experience working in a live events setting, demonstrate leadership and a commitment to customer service, be comfortable upholding organizational policies with renters and patrons, and be able to calmly and discretely troubleshoot challenges in a busy, public environment. Cash handling and basic math and computer skills are required. Training shifts will begin soon after hiring, working up to full house management responsibilities in the spring.  Full job description here. To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Alison Klejna, the Academy’s Theater Manager, at aklejna@aomtheatre.com or 274 Main St., Northampton, MA 01060. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until a candidate is selected. No phone calls, please. Hampshire Shakespeare Company is hiring for our upcoming 2016 summer season of Shakespeare Under the Stars. Looking for a publicist, technical director, and associate producer. More information is available on our website and interested applicants can address inquiries to hampshireshakespeare.com. Join us for the chance to put Shakespeare in the great outdoors and be part of a talented community that will innovate and enchant as we breathe new life into old words. TheatreTruck hosts a roving Meet & Greet for The Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Community WEDNESDAY, March 30 7:30pm Brass Cat 65 Cottage St., Easthampton MA This month, join us in Easthampton!  Please help spread the word and add your company members and colleagues to the guest list. A casual night out of chatting and networking. What is the most pressing issue facing Pioneer Valley performing artists? American artists? Come talk about it. Grab a drink, say hello, talk up your latest project. We hope to see you there.    New Century Theatre 2016 Season Auditions Equity Principal Auditions for NCT's 2016 summer season and general casting files will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2, 2016 - 9:00 to 4:30 at the Mendenhall Center for Performing Arts - 122 Green Street, Northampton, MA.  Non-Equity auditions will take place Sunday, April 3 from 9:00 to 4:30. Dates below are all performance dates. Rehearsals begin the Tuesday prior to opening night. YANKEE TAVERN by Steven Dietz June 16-25 BAKERSFIELD MIST by Stephen Sachs June 30 - July 9 TIME STANDS STILL by Donald Margulies July 14 - 23 JAR THE FLOOR by Cheryl West July 28 - August 6 NCT Kids! will be auditioning on Sunday, April 3 10:00-12:00 for A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD.  Appointments can be made via phone or email: (413) 587-3933 or emailing info@newcenturytheatre.org. Please prepare an short (under two minute) contemporary monologue and bring a headshot/resume. Walk-in auditions will be accepted on a first come, first served basis as time allows. AEA actors will be given first preference. Announcing the Silverthorne Theater New Play Competition: Call for Plays by Playwrights of Color   Silverthorne Theater Company is sponsoring a competition to select a new play by a local playwright of color for possible production during the 2017 season.  The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2016.  Complete information about the contest may be found on their website.   A reading committee of five members, headed by veteran Montague writer/actor Kent Alexander, will review all submissions. Three finalists will be selected for public staged readings in November and December, with the final competition winner announced on December 30, 2016.   Play submissions must be full length  (90 minutes to 2 hours running time); they must not have been previously fully produced. Playwrights of color (defined as non-white) who live or study in the Connecticut Valley/Western Massachusetts region are solely eligible to submit plays. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Happier Valley Comedy Show presents Mindfulness Through Laughter Six Thursdays 2:30-4:30 beginning April 7 Greenfield Community College How would you like to practice being more mindful, staying in the moment, and paying attention to the present while laughing all The Way? Join professional improv comedian, teacher, and author, Pam Victor, as we replace “Om” with “Ha!” in MINDFULNESS THROUGH LAUGHTER, where you’ll reap the rewards of mindfulness while playing easy improv games in an extremely supportive, affirming environment. It’s like yoga for your funnybone and soul (without the bendy stuff). More information online. 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