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March 30-April 19, 2017
Auditions for New Century Theatre's 27th season are this weekend - you can sign up for a slot by emailing info@newcenturytheatre.org. See the listing below for more information.
Smith College's production of BAKKHAI is looking for a few musicians to be a part of their cast - particularly keyboard, drummer, bass player. If you are interested, email artsinfo@smith.edu for more information.
Come see Pioneer Valley Ballet's production of Cinderella this Saturday at 1 and 4:30 PM at the Academy of Music!
The next issue will include events through April 26. 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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THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS:
from Howlround
A Brief History of the Gender Parity Movement in Theatre
by Jenny Lyn Bader
From the article:
In October 1978, the Feminist Theatre Study Group picketed five shows on London’s West End, handing out leaflets that began with a few questions. To wit,
Did the characters in this play imply that:
- Blondes are dumb?
- Wives nag?
- Feminists are frustrated?
- Whores have hearts of gold?
- Mothers-in-law interfere?
- Lesbians are aggressive?
- Intellectual women are frigid?
- Women who enjoy sex are nymphomaniacs?
- Older women are sexless?
Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com
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UMass New Play Lab:
Life Defying Acts
Thursday, March 30, 2017, Opening Night at 7:30 pm Saturday, April 1, 2017, Performance at 7:30 pm Thursday, April 6, 2017, Performance at 7:30 pm Saturday, April 8, 2017, Performance at 2 pm
The Curtain Theater, UMass Fine Arts Center
LIFE DEFYING ACTS by Pam Dickler: A tale of two sisters caught in throes of America’s epidemic wave of juvenile depression and young adult suicide, the toll and atonement, recrimination, recovery.
New works are the lifeblood of the American theatre. As a part of UMass’ long tradition of fostering and presenting new works to central Massachusetts, the theatre department sponsors a Play Lab every year. Play Lab's mission is to help develop plays with bold and fresh forms that give voice to underrepresented communities and stories. Through an intensive selection process, we pick one new script that speaks to our campus community, and offer the playwright the thing they need most: a roomful of talented artists who dedicate a fortnight to helping them polish their rough gem into a diamond. Audience members are vital to this endeavor because their feedback helps shape the future of these new plays. Come be part of a community that fosters new work.
Buy tickets at 1-800-999-UMAS or visit umass.edu/theater
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Black Cat Theater presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!
Performances are March 30-31, April 1 at 7:00 pm and April 2 at 2:00 pm.
South Hadley High School, 153 Newton Street, South Hadley
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has 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.
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.
A riotous ride, complete with volunteer audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful den of comedic genius.
Tickets:
$15 General Admission
$12 Senior/Students
Military / First Responders -- Active or Retired -- FREE
For reservations, or to volunteer to participate in the show, call 413-563-6023 or email blackcattheater@gmail.com
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Majestic Theater presents PAINTING CHURCHES
March 30 - April 2
Majestic Theater, West Springfield, MA
The Majestic Theater continues the celebration of its 20th season of live theater with the presentation of “Painting Churches,” a contemporary drama by Tina Howe. Winner of both the John Gassner Award and Best Off-Broadway Play, Painting Churches is set in a Beacon Hill townhouse owned by Fanny and Gardner Church.
As the play opens, they are packing and planning to move to a beach home on Cape Cod. Their daughter, Mags, an artist who lives in New York, arrives to help — and to paint their portrait. Gardner, who has become frail, is also having memory problems and in his frustration recites poetry. Meanwhile, Fanny has trouble holding onto a thought, and Mags sees her role in the parent-child relationship changing.
Cast members include Ellen Colton (Fanny Church), Anderson Matthews (Gardner Church) and Eve Passeltiner (Margaret Church). Rand Foerster is the director, and set design is by Greg Trochlil. Costume designer is Dawn McKay and Dan Rist is the lighting designer. Stage manager is Cate Damon and Stephen Petit is production manager.
Ticket for the play range from $25-$30 and are available by calling or visiting the box office during its hours of operation, which are Monday through Friday10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm. The phone number is (413) 747-7797.
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Mount Holyoke College presents CABARET
March 31-April 1 at 7:30pm, April 2 at 2pm, April 6-8 at 7:30pm, April 9 at 2pm
Rooke Theatre, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075
The Mount Holyoke College Department of Theatre Arts closes its Spring Season with CABARET. John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff’s Tony-winning musical about following your heart while the world loses its way. The production is directed by Noah Tuleja and features set design by Vanessa James, costume design by Elizabeth Pangburn, and lighting and sound design by Lara Dubin.
Tickets and more information.
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The Seth Lepore Project presents The Second to Last Seth Show
Tuesday, April 4 at 7:00 PM
Eastworks' THE WEST END 116 Pleasant St, Suite 160 Easthampton, MA 01027
Easthampton, MA based humorist and performing artist Seth Lepore is ending his monthly observational satire show after three seasons.
It became clear to Lepore in January 2017 that he needed to retire The Seth Show and re-focus his intentions.“I have this life- this precious, precious countdown. What am I going to do with it?”, Lepore stated as the final line in his award-winning solo show, Losing My Religion: Confessions of a New Age Refugee. As the the whole world wonders “What now?”, Lepore takes a step back to examine how he can best serve his fellow humans in a time of authoritarian crisis.
His second-to-last show on April 4th offers up why he is taking a long hiatus from 20 years of solo performance and all the complications and relief that come with it. During what he calls The Final Final on Tuesday, May 2nd, Lepore takes a look back on his entire existence as a human being. How does one person’s life experience influence or disrupt the life of others? Do our stories have impact, or are they just cyclical ways we define our circumstances? What is the difference between being on and off stage when you are known as a performing artist? How do you find your people, the ones you would lay down your life for?
Both an absurdist love poem to the world, and a testament to the perseverance of human resiliency, The Final Final is Lepore’s swan song to his identity as a solo performer and rebirth as a community connector.
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Smith College Department of Theatre New Playreading Series presents
THE FINAL SAY
by Meryl Cohn
directed by Melissa Redwin
Thursday, April 6 at 7:30 PM in Acting Studio 1
Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Smith College
Betsy Goldstein might finally get her play about her grandmother’s war heroism produced-- if only "HOLOCAUST SUPERSTAR: THE MUSICAL weren't just about to open. When Betsy learns that the upcoming musical has an oddly similar story line and was written by her former mentor, she must decide how far to go to protect her play and her beloved grandmother’s story.
Free and open to the public.
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