Pioneer Valley Theatre News March 9, 2017

Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser March 9-29, 2017 Support Local Women Theatre Artists!  The next issue will include events through April 5. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me before Tuesday at midnight. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com Submit Your Theatre Event THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from Howlround Crossing Over: Arts, Military, and Passing to the Other Side by Liz Lerman From the article:  When my father was close to the end of his life, he told us that he wanted to be buried in his uniform. He meant his tenth Mountain Division uniform, the one he wore while fighting in Northern Italy in the final months of World War II. The same uniform he was wearing while on board a ship taking him from the European theatre to the fighting in the Pacific; they heard that a massive bomb had been dropped on cities in Japan, the war was over, and they could go home. The same uniform that was always stuffed in the closet, the attic, or the basement of houses we lived in as I grew up. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES Smith College Department of Theatre New Playreading Series presents SOLDIER POET by Darcy Parker Bruce Directed by J. Mehr Kaur Thursday, March 9 at 7:30 PM Acting Studio 1, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts at Smith College In the falling city of Aleppo two American Army Rangers find an injured Syrian woman about to give birth. At a nearby hospital, a neonatal nurse worries about the future of the babies she’s trying to protect. The power goes out, comes back on. The bombing stops, but then it starts again. And in the darkness, there are rumors of gas attacks. Free and open to the public. Ghost Light Theater presents Venus In Fur by David Ives March 9, 10, 11 at 8:00 PM Gateway City Arts, 92-114 Race St. Holyoke, MA Thomas, a beleaguered playwright/director, is desperate to find an actress to play Vanda, the female lead in his adaptation of the classic sadomasochistic tale Venus in Fur. Into his empty audition room walks a vulgar and equally desperate actress—oddly enough, named Vanda. Though utterly wrong for the sophisticated part, Vanda exhibits a strange command of the material, piquing Thomas' interest with her seductive talents and secretive manner. As the two work through the script, they blur the line between play and reality, entering into an increasingly serious game of submission and domination that only one of them can win. A mysterious, funny, erotic drama that represents yet another departure for the multifaceted David Ives. The play features the direction of Erin Fitzgerald, dramaturgy by Zach Apony, and technical direction by Kevin Tracy and Ana Steiner. The cast includes long time alum Colin Allen as Thomas, and Ghost Light is proud to welcome Manda Jacobi as Vanda to our theatrical family. Facebook event here. Majestic Theater presents PAINTING CHURCHES March 9 - 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. Happier Valley Comedy presents Happier Valley Comedy Show Saturday, March 11th at 8pm SPECIAL ONE-TIME LOCATION: Suite 160 of Eastworks (116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton). Monthly improv comedy show! (Doors open at 7:30pm.) Tickets: $13 at the door, $10 in advance online. For more info: www.happiervalley.com. Happier Valley Comedy presents More Improv, More Better Jam & Showcase Saturday, March 11 at 10:00 PM SPECIAL ONE-TIME LOCATION: Suite 160 of Eastworks (116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton) Open improv jam for everyone and anyone to play and watch improv games, plus a showcase set featuring an up-and-coming improv team. Free show (one drink minimum). For more info: www.happiervalley.com. Happier Valley Comedy presents Happier Family Comedy Show Saturday, March 18th at 4-5pm Community Room (Suite 160,) Eastworks (116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton) Monthly family-friendly improv comedy show, best for 5-12 year olds and their adults.  Tickets: $10/Adults, $5/Kids, Free/3 yrs and under, $30/Family Max. Buy online. For more info: www.happiervalley.com. Smith College Department of Theatre New Playreading Series presents (ACT OF) CONTRITION Written and directed by Emily H. Atkinson  Thursday, March 23 at 7:30 PM  Acting Studio 1, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Smith College Kit Marlowe is dead. A knife to the eye in a Deptford tavern ended his dual careers in espionage and the theatre in a single blow. But there are some things that aren't so easily killed, and some stories that are not so easily finished. Kit Marlowe is dead, but the last act of his life is far from over. Free and open to the public.  The Academy of Music presents SWEET SWEET SPIRIT by Carol Carpenter March 24 and 25 at 7:30 PM  Academy of Music Theatre, Northampton Carol Carpenter has written a moving and relevant story that illustrates the love and forgiveness that are possible when people can agree on what’s important. The story focuses on a conservative, evangelical family that must address some difficult topics after the father nearly beats his gay son to death. It raises issues around the complexities of faith, culture, family and community in a rapidly changing world. Sweet, Sweet Spirit won the High Desert Play Festival in April 2012 and was also nominated for Best Reading at Planet Connections Festivity in 2011 (NYC). It was part of Acadiana Repertory Theater’s New Play series in June 2012, and was featured in Barrow Group’s 2012-2013 development series in New York City. The play was recently staged at the NYC 14th Street YMCA to sold out audiences. Proceeds will benefit the Academy of Music Theatre and their work with LGBT youth groups. Tickets available online or by calling 413-584-9032 x105 Serious Play’s ENDGAME PROJECT  Friday, March 24 & Saturday, March 25, 2017, 8 PM STUDIO4, 25 Main Street, Northampton MA 01060 Including local artists: Ensemble: Kermit Dunkelberg (Clov) and Rand Foerster (Hamm) Puppeteer: David Regan (Nell & Nagg) Lighting: Ezekiel Baskin Costumes: Julia Vincenza Whalen Sound: Robin Doty/ Managing Director Director: Sheryl Stoodley  Serious Play Theatre Ensemble’s ENDGAME PROJECT played to sold out audiences last year here in the Pioneer Valley and many wonderful comments have been sent along about our version of Beckett's classic work. We are remounting the piece and presenting it again in Northampton, for touring in the fall of 2017. In Serious Play’s ENDGAME PROJECT, there is a desire to prolong the end by talking; repeating the same old jokes and stories, by repeating the same old questions and answers, in order to feel alive in a time of despair This is what resonated immediately with me as director, when rereading Beckett’s poetic and vital script over four years ago. I knew I had to collect the right actors and designers to mount this piece. I recognized that Beckett’s writing captured something honest and authentic about what it means to be human in an absurd world.  I gathered a group of Serious Play theatre artists, all of whom would work collaboratively to develop Beckett’s play, exploring the fusion of acting and puppetry on stage. It fit my vision of the play to imagine the characters Nell & Nagg as puppets. The collaboration – with Ines Zeller and Eric Bass of Sandglass Theater, of Vermont, with physically trained actor Kermit Dunkelberg, Yale Drama School actor Rand Foerster, and puppeteer David Regan, a Sandglass Theater associate – was supported in part by a NET/TEN grant from the Network of Ensemble Theaters. We worked together to experiment with puppets as representative of Hamm’s memory world. Interweaving puppetry into the script, opened up new possibilities and interactions, that seem right in line with Beckett’s vision. Tickets: $15 Students & Seniors, $18 General Admission. Performances for ages 14 and up. Tickets will be available on brownpapertickets.com beginning March 1st. Facebook event. Bay Path University presents THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE Friday, March 24 at 7:30 PM, Saturday, March 25 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm and Sunday, March 26 at 11:00 am (Sensory Friendly) and 2:00 pm 588 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow MA 01106 (Mills Theatre) Open the wardrobe door and enter a spectacular new world with Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they journey through the enchanted land of Narnia! This dramatization of C.S. Lewis’ beloved Chronicles of Narnia series recreates the magic and mystery of the great lion, Aslan, his struggle with the malevolent White Witch, and the adventures of four children who very quickly find themselves in the middle of a deadly war between good and evil. Featuring breathtaking special effects, sweeping battle scenes, and all of the characters you love, rediscover this epic adventure of love, faith, courage and giving! 45 minutes before each performance: Pre-show entertainment for the entire family is just a sleigh ride away! Slide by 45 minutes before each performance to build your own lion mask, create a shield for fighting evil, color in your favorite characters, and hear an abridged retelling of this beloved C.S. Lewis tale. Be sure to visit Tumnus’ Trove of Faun-tastic Treats for show-related snacks! Following each performance, there will be a meet and greet with the characters. Tickets available here. Valley Light Opera presents Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers Pub Sing Tuesday, March 28 at 6:30 PM Mi Tierra Restaurant 48 Russell Street, Hadley, MA Join us for a Valley Light Opera Pub Sing at their Annual Meeting where we will present a music-only version of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers. We provide the principals and our audience is invited to become part of the chorus! All are welcome - singers, non-singers and spectators alike. There will be a brief business meeting 6:30-7PM and singing starts at 7. Feel free to arrive early - drinks and food from a delicious full menu will be available throughout.  The Gondoliers is full of spectacular music - so much so that there are no fewer than nine musical numbers until the first line of dialog! VLO pub sings are music only, performed without the dialog anyway, so things move rapidly along. Debuted on December 7, 1889, this was the twelfth operetta by Gilbert & Sullivan and is an international favorite.  Please join us! The Grand Inquisitor decrees you'll have a great time - of that there is no manner of doubt — no probable, possible shadow of doubt — no possible doubt whatever!" Our pub sings are always rollickin' fun and a very friendly event for all. VLO-ers, non-VLO-ers, former VLO-ers, G&S fans and novices alike are all welcomed with laughing song and merriment Musical Director: Bill Venman Cast List: Casilda: Mimi Goodman Don Alhambra, Grand Inquisitor: Michael Budnick Duchess of Plaza Toro: Louise Krieger Duke of Plaza Toro: Graham Christian Gianetta, Fiametta: Heather Williams Giuseppe Palmieri, Antonio: Robin Parsons Inez: Connie Cappelli Luiz: Steven Williams Marco Palmieri, Francesco, Giorgio: Jack Stebbins Tessa, Vittoria: Donna Griffin Giulia: Diana Peelle Plot Summary: The Operetta is centered around yet another Gilbertian "switched-at-birth" theme. The two most popular gondoliers in Venice are pursued by all the ladies,and so choose their brides in a game with blindfolds. The Grand Inquisitor arrives to announce that one of them has just become the King of Barataria (a small island nation), but only their foster mother, presently at large, knows which one. As Barataria needs a king to put down unrest in the country, they travel there to reign jointly, leaving their brand-new wives behind in Venice until the old lady can be interviewed. It turns out that the king was wed in infancy to the beautiful daughter of the Spanish Duke of Plaza-Toro, and so it seems he (whichever one it is) is an unintentional bigamist. Of course, the beautiful daughter is in love with a common servant! When the young Spaniard and the two Venetian wives all show up wanting to know which of them is queen, complications arise. No worries: The true identity of the king is revealed, and all is sorted out spectacularly well by the end. ANNUAL MEETING: The Board of Directors of the Valley Light Opera announces their 42nd annual meeting of the company at 6:30 p.m. on the 28th of March at Mi Tierra Restaurant . Members will vote on nominees for membership on the board, hear reports from outgoing President Kate Green, and discuss plans for the next production and other activities. Membership is not required to attend our event, but you can become a member at the Annual Meeting! Dues are $20 for an individual; $40 for a family, $10 for student. Facebook event here. AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES OPEN AUDITIONS FOR SILVERTHORNE THEATER COMPANY'S  2017 SEASON SHOWS Friday, March 10, 7-9 pm Saturday, March 11, 1-4 pm Callbacks, March 12, 1-4 pm Auditions and performances at The Arts Block, 289 Main Street, Greenfield. Full information at www.silverthornetheater.org   General audition information ·      Equity and Non-Equity ·      All roles paid ·      Bring or send headshot and resume ·      Prepare monologue (2 minute maximum) ·      Perusal scripts available at web site ·      Full role descriptions available at www.silverthornetheater.org ·      Diversity of all kinds welcomed Auditioning for STUPID F***ING BIRD, by Aaron Posner              Director, Toby Vera Bercovici             June 22-24, 29-July 1             4 M, 3 W CHAPATTI, by Christian O'Reilly             Director, Jeannine Haas           July 20-22, 27-29             1 M, 1 F GREATER TUNA, by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, & Ed Howard             Director TBA              October 5-7, 12-14             2 actors, gender/age not specified CALL NOW (413-768-7514) or E-MAIL silverthornetheater@gmail.com TO SCHEDULE AN AUDITION SLOT Be a part of Conway's Birthday Party!  Request for proposals for one act plays to be performed on Friday, June 9, and Saturday, June 10th, 2017 at the Sportsman's Club Pavillion.  This is a Request for Proposals for Performers and Directors to present their short one-act play (comedy preferred but surprise us!) in Conway, MA on Friday, June 9, and Saturday, (matinee & evening) June 10th with Tech the week of June 5th. The event is Conway's Sestercentennial and in English that means their 250th Anniversary! Michael Haley wants to fill the Conway Sportsman's Club with exciting theater; it's a large space that can easily seat 100 with  a 16'x16' stage. Mike will provide props, set, lights, and all publicity for your show. This is an opportunity for local theater companies, directors and actors to outreach to the hill towns. Companies will be named in all publicity and programs and an audience will come see you. Please send all proposals to Mike at verybratty@aol.com or give him a call at (413) 537-9149.   Hampshire Shakespeare Company Audition for our upcoming 2017 summer season of “Shakespeare Under the Stars”! The two shows are “Hamlet” and “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead”. These two shows will be performed in repertory at the beautiful Renaissance Center in Amherst. Actors will be expected to perform in both shows. Show dates run from June 22nd through August 5th, alternating between “Hamlet”, and “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead”, Thursdays through Sundays. Auditions will be Saturday, March 18th at 6pm and Sunday, March 19th at 5pm in Emily Dickinson Hall, Hampshire College, in Amherst. Callbacks will be held on Monday, March 20th at 7pm. Please email hampshire.shakespeare.company@gmail.com to sign up for a half hour-long slot, and come prepared with two contrasting monologues, one that is Shakespeare. We also accept video auditions- email hampshire.shakespeare.company@gmail.comfor more information! WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Playwriting Workshop with Meryl Cohn A new 8-week playwriting class/workshop for beginners and advanced beginners will be held on Tuesday nights, starting on March 7th at 6:30 pm, in Northampton. The structure includes discussion of the elements of playwriting, writing time during meetings, as well as the option of bringing in short pieces (3 to 10 pages), to read aloud for feedback. There is no need for previous playwriting experience -  but people with a bit of experience are welcome.  For location, fees, and other info, please contact Meryl Cohn:  merylc777@gmail.com 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|*