Pioneer Valley Theatre News May 11, 2017

Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser May 11-31, 2017 Go see a show this weekend! And don't forget that everything in this newsletter is user submitted. If you don't see something, say something! (Click the button below to send me your event). The next issue will include events through June 7. 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 Theatre Without a Theatre: On Found Spaces and Creativity in the Twin Cities by Cassandra Snow From the article:  In Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, a substantial theatre community exists and thrives due to the culture and support of local communities and the state's art funding set-up. However, in spite of boasting dozens of theatre and performing arts companies of all sizes, the Twin Cities are not immune to a travesty happening in mid-sized cities around the United States: a venue shortage. Much has been reported about housing crises nationally, but as these cities go deeper into gentrification, we are also losing hundreds of actual, physical theatres nationally. In the past two years alone the Twin Cities has seen handfuls of theatres go under, not because of loss of funds or because of money mismanagement, but because rent gets overwhelmingly raised overnight, or because developers buy entire blocks and shut them down. It's a seemingly insurmountable problem, and one that I do not have the qualifications to solve. It is a problem that will likely increase if the NEA or other crucial art programs get cut, but I can't say for sure how that will go either. What I do want to discuss are the endlessly ingenious ways artists have found to work around this issue. Found spaces such as art galleries, warehouses, parks, and even garages have become hotbeds of artistic and cultural activity. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES The Majestic Theater presents LA CAGE AUX FOLLES MAY 11-28 The Majestic Theater in West Springfield will conclude its 20th Anniversary Season with the Tony Award-winning musical “La Cage aux Folles, written by Jerry Herman and Havey Fierstein, April 13 through May 28. The play, which won Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book for its original 1983 Broadway production, tells the story of Georges, his longtime romantic partner Albin, and the complications that arise when Georges' son Jean-Michel comes home to announce that he is engaged to Anne, a young woman whose father is head of the “Tradition, Family and Morality Party.” Georges is the manager and master of ceremonies of the Saint-Tropez drag nightclub La Cage aux Folles, where Albin is the star attraction. Anne's conservative parents are led to believe that Georges is a retired diplomat, and their plan to visit their daughter's future in-laws creates havoc. “La Cage aux Folles,” which inspired the hit movie “The Birdcage,” is in turns heartwarming and riotously funny, ultimately spotlighting the power and love behind family values. Cast members include Majestic veterans Ben Ashley (Georges), Luis Manzi (Albin), Josiah Durham (Jean-Michel), Christine St. Amant-Greene (Marie Dindon), Walter Mantani (Dindon), Lori Efford (Jacqueline) and Freddie Marion (Renaud). Also appearing will be Doug Lebelle (Jacob), Jackie Mishol (Anne), Luke Smith (Francis), Rich Vaden (Chantel), Tomm Knightlee (Hanna), Ian Weber (Phaedra), Steven Sands (Babette), Michael Garcia (Bitelle) and Gregorio Malonte (Angelique). Danny Eaton, producing director at the Majestic, will direct the show. Mitch Chakour will serve as musical director. Greg Trochlil is the set designer and Dan Rist is lighting designer. Costume designer is Dawn McKay and Tony Isham is costume consultant. The choreography is by Stacy Ashley and sound design is by Justin LeTellier. Stephen Pettit is production stage manager. Ticket for the play range from $26-$33 and are available by calling or visiting the box office during its hours of operation, which are Monday through Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday10am – 1pm. The phone number is (413) 747-7797. Starlight's Youth Theatre, Inc. presents Les Miserables May 12 at 7:00 PM, May 13 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM Academy of Music, Northampton, MA Do You Hear the People Sing? Award winning musical Les Miserables school edition performed by over 50 students from all over the Valley from Starlight’s Youth Theatre, which was established 10 years ago as a non-profit youth theater in the Valley. Artistic Director Cynthia Strycharz, 30 year veteran director states  “In Les Mis we learn that love and compassion are the most important gifts one person can give another and that always displaying these qualities should be the most important goal in life. I’m so proud of the cast and how they are demonstrating those same qualities to each other. You will be brought to tears by the emotions they bring to this performance.” Truly a timely musical in this age of resistance. Tickets available online.  Happier Valley Comedy Show May 13 at 8:00 PM Eastworks 121 Club 116 Pleasant St Easthampton MA This month's super special guest is Boston's Unscripted Musical Project (B.U.M.P.). B.U.M.P. performs a fully improvised one-act musical on the spot created by YOU, the audience.  You’ll laugh your ass off as characters are created, plot unfolds, and songs are pulled out of thin air.  Everything from the songs, the music created by their house band, and what they lovingly call “choreography" is 100% improvised. Don't miss your chance to see this unique show which BU Today recently called "laugh-out-loud" and BroadwayWorld.com said was "funny, with frequent uproarious laughter...intelligent and hilarious."  B.U.M.P.  features an all-star cast from all over New England featuring top performers from Improv Asylum and ImprovBoston. Every performance is completely improvised, dictated by audience suggestion, where anything can happen on stage. If you enjoy musicals, improv, or just like to laugh - you will LOVE this group. Following B.U.M.P. the The Ha-Ha's perform "The Buckingham." What is The Buckingham? A unique structure created by Pam Victor, The Buckingham combines the joys of fleet-footed short-form and the soul satisfaction of longform improvisation. Most of all, it's a rip-roarin' fun time! Audiences can look forward to a full evening of comic entertainment rated PG-13 in this handicapped-accessible space.  www.happiervalley.com Happier Valley Comedy presents  More Improv, More Better Improv Jam & Showcase May 13 at 10:00 PM Eastworks 121 Club 116 Pleasant St Easthampton MA Open improv jam for everyone and anyone to play and watch improv games, plus a showcase set featuring The Rumour Cauldron and jam leader Ashley Hammel. Saturday, May 13th at 10pm at the 121 Club, Eastworks (116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton.). Free show (one drink minimum). For more info: www.happiervalley.com Happier Valley Comedy presents the Happier FAMILY Comedy Show May 20 at 4:00 PM Eastworks Community Room 116 Pleasant St Easthampton, MA Monthly family-friendly improv comedy show, best for 5-12 year olds and their adults. Saturday, May 20th at 4-5pm at the Community Room (Suite 160) Eastworks (116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton). Tickets at the door: $10/Adults, $5/Kids, Free/3 yrs and under. For more info: www.happiervalley.com. AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES The Northampton Arts Council is pleased to announce the opening of our ArtsEZ 2017 SPRING GRANT ROUND with a deadline of May 17, 2017. Individuals as well as schools and arts organizations are encouraged to seek funding for creative projects to be held in Northampton, Florence, and Leeds. The grants are funded by the proceeds from the Arts Council’s signature events: Four Sundays in February and Transperformance. The Arts Council will award up to $18,000 in grants to local artists and arts groups. Grants will be awarded in the following categories: DANCE, FILM/VIDEO, LITERATURE, MIXED MEDIA, MUSIC, SCHOOLS, THEATER, and VISUAL ARTS. Individual artists and arts organizations will receive equal consideration for grants. Last spring, the Council awarded $15,000 to 23 recipients with grants ranging from $250-$1,500.     To apply, please complete the ArtsEZ Spring 2017 Online-Only Application Form. It is a simple form with short questions, a place to upload supporting materials and a required project budget. Only one grant application per person or organization will be considered.  Please carefully review the ArtsEZ Spring 2017 guidelines for criteria and eligibility requirements. Guidelines are available on our website: HERE Projects must start no earlier than July 1, 2017, and must be completed by June 30, 2018. This local round of funding would not have been possible without the support of numerous local businesses, arts organizations, and artists that have helped make our fundraising efforts such a huge success. The Country Players is holding auditions for our next show, Women in Jeopardy! By Wendy MacLeod. This show is a witty comedy surrounding a mysterious disappearance of a young women. Auditions will be held Thursday May 11 from 6-8 and Friday May 12 from 5-7 at Artspace community arts center at 15 mill st in greenfield. Parts available for 3 middle aged women, 1 middle aged man, 1teen-20s female and 1teen-20s male. Rehearsal schedule will be several times a week with a need to learn lines quickly. The show will go up the second and third weekends in July. For more information contact 413-768-9126. Valley Light Opera announces May auditions for its 43rd annual Fall production of Lerner and Loewe's "My Fair Lady" - to be presented at the historic Academy of Music in Northampton, Massachusetts November 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12, 2017. Auditions will be held at Parish Hall of Grace Episcopal Church, 14 Boltwood Ave, Amherst, MA on Tuesday, May 16th and Thursday May 18th from 7:00-9:30PM and on Saturday, May 20th from 10AM-3PM. Callbacks may be requested at the directors' discretion.  Rehearsals will be in Hadley or Amherst, start in early September and are typically held on two weekdays from 7-9:30 and Sundays 5-9:00(with snacks coordinated by rotating cast member volunteers and company dinner on Sundays) Rehearsals will be at the Academy daily in the evening during tech week just prior to opening night.  Based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion, with book, music and lyrics by Lerner and Loewe, MY FAIR LADY is the tale of a cockney flower girl transformed into an elegant lady. The classic American musical features one of theatre’s greatest scores, along with memorable, iconic characters such as Eliza Doolittle and Professor Henry Higgins.  Valley Light Opera will be performing My Fair Lady as a fully-staged and orchestrated production, complete with the sumptuous costumes and splendid sets for which the company is renowned.  Artistic/Stage Director: Drew Gilbert Music Director: Aldo Fabrizi To audition please click on this link to schedule a date and time. Auditioners for lead parts are encouraged to come on Saturday, although it is certainly possible to audition other days. .  Auditioners should be familiar with descriptions of the show and roles, which may be found by searching general online material related to My Fair Lady for more information. Vocal scores, recordings and piano-vocal sheet music for audition selections are widely available online - and may be downloaded for a nomimal charge or membership fee at sites such as Scribd. Piano-Vocal scores have also been placed on reserve at Jones Library in Amherst and Forbes Library in Northampton. Character descriptions, vocal ranges and required audition vocal selections appear on the Facebook event. Auditioners for leads will be asked to read from the script for their roles.  There are also a variety of singing and dancing ensemble parts of all vocal ranges and ages, such as servants, flower girls, Ascot race patrons, and employees, Embassy Ball guests - including the Queen of Transylvania and her escort, bar patrons, cockney choristers, buskers, market vendors and bystanders. Ensembles will likely play multiple roles and some will later be selected for individual speaking and singing parts.  Auditioners for ensemble should prepare a piece to sing in the style of the show - bring piano music if not from My Fair Lady. Ensemble auditioners will not be required to read.  All auditioners should be prepared to indicate dance ability and any experience - some may be asked to participate in a brief dance/movement piece. Audition forms are accessible via a Google Drive link here:  https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5vVte0QiPNCTzYzcjJTV1pnQTA or on our web page at vlo.org, and will also be available at the audition. Please fill out your audition form in advance or arrive early enough to complete it prior to your audition. Valley Light Opera is committed to diversity and everyone is encouraged to audition and participate. We also have MANY roles behind the scenes. If you have a talent for theatre arts and sciences, or want to learn - we welcome volunteers at all levels for backstage, technical, costume, administration, publicity and assistants to the production team - whether or not you audition or are cast! Valley Light Opera is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization based in Amherst, MA. Each year for over 40 years the VLO has produced fully-staged, orchestrated and lavishly costumed productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and other large musical theater works. Rehearsals are typically in Hadley or Amherst, and performances at the Academy of Music in Northampton. Applicants who are unfamiliar with the VLO are encouraged to explore our website at vlo.org. Questions? Please email the VLO at valleylightopera@gmail.com. You can also visit our facebook page at facebook.com/valleylightopera Auditions: New Musical & Justice League Characters Six Flags Shows & Entertainment is seeking to fill openings for their summer productions Six Flags New England Human Resource Center Currently looking to hire: Male singer/dancers for brand new 80's themed musical revue.  18+ Not height/weight specific. Men and Women to portray famous DC Comics Justice League Superheroes. (IE: Batman, Wonder Woman, etc.).   Heights ranging 5'6"-6'2". Physically fit. Contact 413-786-9300 ext.3320 for more information and to schedule an audition appointment. www.sixflagsjobs.com St. Michael's Players presents Auditions for Seussical the Musical June 7 and 8 St. Michael's Parish Center, 53 Somers Road, East Longmeadow Auditions for ages 7-12 at 6:00 PM Teens/Adults at 7:00 PM Audition applications can be found on the website, along with a song list, character descriptions and additional audition information. Please be prepared to sing a song from the show, and expect to learn a short group dance. A pianist will be available for accompaniment; no CDs please. Callbacks will take place on Monday, June 12th More information. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES In partnership with J-ART, Phantom Sheep presents LaughCrafters:Comedy Improv Classes!  Adults 15+. 5 Weeks Spring Session! Mondays 7-9PM Starting May 15th! Springfield Jewish Community Center Open to the General Public! All levels welcomed! Sharpen quick thinking and collaboration! Unleash creativity and characters! Build confidence in your own talents! Improve acting and stage presence! Relax and laugh! (a lot)! All levels welcomed and challenged at own pace. Taught in a very fun, encouraging, and constructive atmosphere by instructors with over 15 years of professional experience. Tuition: $86* *Only $76 if registered by May 1st! Don't wait! Sign up today: 413-739-4715 or email improv@phantomsheep.com Facebook event here. Announcing a new Real Live Theatre Workshop: DEVISING AND DECONSTRUCTION FRIDAY JULY 14th 6:30-9:30pm AND SATURDAY JULY 15th 10:00-5:00pm with a lunch break AND SUNDAY July 16th 10:00-5:00pm with a lunch break; sharing at 3:00pm In this workshop, theatre artists and RLT members Dan Morbyrne and Toby Bercovici (who recently collaborated on the “new” Shakespeare play The Life and Death of Queen Margaret) lead you through the process of deconstructing a classic text. Using Shakespeare’s King Lear, participants will spend three days engaging with exercises in improvisation, creative composition, gesture work, writing, moving, and more, to take apart and then put back together this dynamic text. The workshop will culminate in a sharing for family and friends. Open to actors, writers, directors, dancers, and folks interested in expanding their creative repertoire. For ages 18 and up. Location: North Star building, 45 Amherst Road, Sunderland, MA 01375 Cost: $150-$300 sliding scale, scholarships available Email us at reallivetheatre@gmail.com for more information or to reserve a spot! More information here. UMassTheater presents The Summer Theater and Performance Intensive Beginning July 23, 2017  UMass Theater, Fine Arts Center Find your voice as an actor and as a theater artist! Experience life on a college campus! Find your voice as an actor and as a theater artist at UMass this summer! From July 23 to August 5, the UMass Department of Theater will offer its first-ever Summer Theater and Performance Intensive, a 2-week theater-making course open to all high school students with a passion for performance, theater-making, and changing the world through theater. The intensive is designed for students with all levels of theater experience, since the nature of devised theater allows seasoned actors as well as novices to work at the level that challenges them creatively. Participants in the intensive will devise (co-create) and mount a new theater piece that reflects their concerns, hopes and ideas about their communities and the world. All students will perform in the piece, which will be presented publicly at the close of the session. The students will become an ensemble through rehearsal, impassioned discussions, theater games, acting exercises, and the unifying process of creating a new work of theater. The course will be taught by UMass Department of Theater faculty member Lena Cuomo and director Jen Onopa. Both Lena and Jen are committed to nurturing a new generation of theater practitioners and are incredibly excited to launch this new program. “We are so excited to offer a program that will give each individual student a chance to develop their own essential and unique voice ,” said Cuomo. In addition to the main theater program, members of the intensive will get a taste of college life. During their two weeks at UMass, students will live in UMass dorms, eat at the dining halls, and participate in optional evening social events and college prep sessions. The Department of Theater welcomes students of all races, ethnic origins, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identifications to apply. Some need-based scholarships will be available to students who may not otherwise be able to afford the program tuition. More information.  Two week session of summer theater for children ages 8-13 at Eaglebrook School in Deerfield July 31-August 11, 2017 The program is a two-week theater intensive where we build an original version of a well-known play through improvisational games. All actors will have the opportunity to use text if they choose, and all students will learn plots and characters of classic plays, but the actors will have a great deal of choice in the characters they play and the words they say. In the past six years we have done several original mysteries, Moliere's The Physician in Spite of Himself, and  Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and last year's critically acclaimed tragicomedy, Hamlet. Come play! After all, the play's the thing...  Running time of camp, 9 am to 3 pm with mornings devoted to theater games and then on to rehearsal. Lunch will be provided in the beautiful Gibbs Dining Hall. Recess will take place in the afternoon with activities including walking to the Rock, swimming in Schwab pool, playing on the fields, and enjoying the gym. Performance last Friday afternoon to showcase week's work with parents and friends invited to each performance.    More information at: www.eggtooth.org The cost is $560 with a limit of 15 children. A check may be made payable to Eggtooth, 102 Highland Ave. Greenfield, MA 01301. For more information call Linda at 413-522-1445. Founded in 1922, Eaglebrook School is a located on 750 acres along Pocumtuck Ridge in Deerfield, MA just off of Routes 5 and 10 in the village of Old Deerfield. The Percival Theatre is a 260 seat theatre featuring beautiful acoustics and flexible seating. 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