Pioneer Valley Theatre News October 11, 2018

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser  October 11 - 31, 2018 Hey! Sometimes you just need to take a break from everything and go see a show!  The next issue will include events through November 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 Diversity for Dummies Part Two by Ralph B. Pena From the article:  “A request for more diversity isn't really a plea to embrace stimulating heterogeneity. It's a plea to embrace minimal decency.” Noah Berlatsky wrote those two sentences in the Los Angeles Times in 2017. The words tug at the heart. Who can argue against embracing minimal decency—being more mindful of others? Didn’t our own mothers drill as much into our little heads? But what is most striking in Mr. Berlatsky’s statement isn’t the altruism implied by the word “embrace,” it’s the power dynamic embedded in the word “plea.” It’s an accurate description of how the mandate of diversity has played out, with those on the outside pleading to be let in, hoping those on the inside has some reserve of minimal decency. Forget getting embraced. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com Want to know even more about events in the Pioneer Valley and beyond, including reviews, interviews, and previews? In the Spotlight, Inc. Berkshire on Stage Click to Access: Pioneer Valley Theatre Personnel Spreadsheet PERFORMANCES Smith College Department of Theatre presents  New Play Reading Series presents a few short plays Thursday, October 11 at 7:30 PM Acting Studio 1 THE CRASH, THE CLINIC, TRIO, FUZZ AND POWDER, JOHN 1:5, and an excerpt from NEVER CATCH A FALLING KNIFE. written by Rosemary Ewing '19J directed by Tari Owei '21 Fuzz and Powder—your typical late night stake-out but one officer has something heavy hanging over her head The Clinic—a visit to the college health services turns inappropriate The Crash—a couple copes with the aftermath of an accident Trio—will an affair with a serious age-gap lead to a broken engagement? an excerpt from Never Catch a Falling Knife—Hazel and Jane try to navigate early post-graduation lives while together they attempt to deal with Jane’s worsening mental illness John 1:5—pizza night goes horribly, horribly awry Free and open to the public. “JOHNNY GUITAR” TO RING IN MAJESTIC THEATER'S 22nd SEASON  October 11-21 The Majestic Theater celebrates the launch of its 22nd Season with the opening of “Johnny Guitar” on September 6. The madcap musical, by Nicholas Van Hoogstraten, Martin Silvestri and Joel Higgins, is based on the legendary Joan Crawford cult Western from the 1950s. The play is a send-up of fifties-style acting, melodramatic romance, and rough and tumble cowboy action, set to a doo-wop/country ballad musical score. The story follows what happens to a sultry saloon keeper and her jealous nemesis when a handsome stranger rides into town. Screwball comedy reminiscent of a Mel Brooks spoof is the result. The cast includes Billy Clark Taylor (Johnny), Myka Plunkett (Vienna), Bethany Fitzgerald (Emma), Michael Morales (Dancin' Kid), Walter Mantani (McIvers), Joe Duda (Turkey), Michael King (Bart), Steven Sands (Eddie) and Michael Garcia (Sam). The play is being directed by Producing Director Danny Eaton, and Mitch Chakour is the music director. Greg Trochlil is set designer, Dawn McKay is costume designer and stage manager is Gary Lamagna.  Tickets for these shows range from $24-$33 and are now available by calling or visiting the box office during its hours of operation, which are Monday through Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm. Subscriptions are still being accepted for the five Season shows.For additional information, visit www.majestictheater.com. The Northampton Center for the Arts will hold an Open House at 33 Hawley Street on Saturday, October 13, from 11 AM to 3 PM. The day will feature classes, workshops, and performances for artists and arts lovers of all ages. There will be free theatrical previews, behind-the-scenes dance rehearsals, free introductory classes, and more! The day also provides a fantastic opportunity for all to look over the new spaces that have opened up on Hawley Street, particularly The Flex, a space designed to hold extraordinary events of all kinds! Community members are invited to discover the Center’s offerings and consider opportunities to teach a class or stage a show. Admission is FREE! Happier Valley Comedy The Ha-Ha's & Friends: ImprovBoston's AllForm Cast October 13 at 7:00 PM Happier Valley Comedy Theater, 1 Mill Rd, Hadley, MA Longtime local favorites The Ha-Ha's perform a completely improvised comedy show on the second Saturday of every month! Each show has a new special guest - this month we welcome ImprovBoston performing their signature format AllForm! Saturday, October 13th at 7pm at the new Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). And stick around after for the 9pm showcase and open improv jam! Tickets: $13 online and at the door. For more info: www.happiervalley.com. Greenfield Community College presents  FRANKENSTEIN Oct 18, 19, 20, 26, 27 at 7:30pm, Sunday Matinee Oct 28 at 2pm, Halloween Night Oct 31 at 7:30pm GCC's Sloan Theater, Main Campus, One College Drive, Greenfield, MA A new adaptation by Roddy Barnes, based on the novel by Mary Shelley. This version of FRANKENSTEIN has comedic and poignant dialogue, along with the ever-present eeriness that defines the best of FRANKENSTEIN. Directed by Tom Geha, this production has a cast of eleven characters and a combined cast and crew of over twenty students, alumni, and faculty. Please join us for the excitement. Tickets K and E Theater Group presents Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street October 18, 19 & 20 at 7:30 PM, October 21 at 2:00 PM Gateway City Arts, 92 Race Street, Holyoke, MA Western Massachusetts’ bold, new theater company, the K and E Theater Group presents Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – A Musical Thriller, one weekend only, Oct. 18-21 at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke. Book by Hugh Wheeler and Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. This production of Sweeney features Emily Bloch, Paula Cortis, Paul DiProto, Melissa Dupont, Mimi Goodman, Zach Gray, Tomm Knightlee, Joshua Aaron Mason, Shaun O'Keefe, Christine Voytko, David Webber, and Mallory Wray. Musical Direction by Bill Martin and Direction by KETG President and Artistic Director, Eddie Zitka.  Visit www.KETG.org to learn more about our company and the production. We invite you to attend the tale! Tickets $25 Smith College Department of Theatre presents WORLD PREMIERE performance of MOONLIGHT ON THE MISKATONIC Music & Lyrics by Clifton J. Noble, Book by Samantha Noble, and Directed by Ellen W. Kaplan October 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 at 7:30 PM in Theatre 14 The campus of Miskatonic U is decked out for Illumination Night. Four alums have arrived for their five-year reunion, only to find creepy goings-on hidden behind the ivy-covered walls, and the terrifying disappearances of students keep happening. There’s a snake in Paradise….or something much, much worse. Based on the super-scary stories of HP Lovecraft, this new musical is about love, friendship, and growing up – and about horrors that lurk very near.   Tickets $10 General, $5 Students and Seniors, Free for Smith Students.  Tickets online or call 413-585-3220. Double Edge Theatre presents  Leonora's World: An Autumn Spectacle October 19, 20, and 21 at 6:00 PM Double Edge Theatre Performed rain or shine We are excited to announce that this October Double Edge will present our first Fall Outdoor Spectacle, inspired by the world of Leonora Carrington. This Spectacle will take place in the autumnal landscape of the Farm, traveling across multiple sites. For tickets: doubleedgetheatre.org/tickets Pilgrim Theatre presents Moon Over Dark Street October 19 & 20 at 7:30 PM, October 21 at 2:00 PM Shea Theater Arts Center, Turners Falls, MA   Moon Over Dark Street, a cabaret of Theatre and Song by Bertolt Brecht gears up with the jazz-hot tunes of Kurt Weill from such theatre classics as “Threepenny Opera” and “Happy End” and the wrenching ballads of Hanns Eisler. The production tracks the devastation of the Second World War and the McCarthy Era. Moon Over Dark Street travels from Berlin to Hollywood, offering songs of love, sex and agitation-with great resonance to today’s political scene! https://sheatheater.org/calendar Tickets: $25 /$18 for students and seniors. To Purchase Tickets today - call 413-648-7432 “’Moon Over Dark Street’ aims for the moon and hits its mark. The show is a kick-ass mix of songs that pair Brecht’s dark lyrics with the twisted tunes of Kurt Weill and Hanns Eisler. Like a top-shelf sipping whiskey, ‘Moon Over Dark Street’ starts off with a teasing bite and kicks in smooth and strong…Belle Linda Halpern and Kermit Dunkelberg, in their solo turns, both perform with subtlety and panache. And together they’re downright intoxicating.” - Anne Marie Donahue, Boston Phoenix Exit 7 Players presents Sweeney Todd Oct 19-Nov 2 (Fridays/Saturday’s at 8pm, Sunday’s at 2pm) Exit 7 Theater, 37 Chestnut Street, Ludlow, MA An infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which, he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up... and the carnage has only just begun! Directed by Kim Overtree, Musically Directed by Dan Monte.  Cast List: Sweeney Todd - Ryan Bird Mrs. Lovett - Stephanie Gilbert Anthony - Jeff Baum Johanna - McKenna Troy Beggar Woman - Marguerite Durant  Tobias Ragg - Johnny Gordon Aldolpho Pirelli - Erik Gladwin Judge Turpin - Brian Cipoletta  The Beadle - Drew Gilbert Jonas Fogg - Jim Brennan Ensemble Jim Brennan Phoebe Blaisdell Angie Bourdeau Regina Diemand Monique DuBois Leon Jerfita Craig Judicki Peter Kochanek Mary Marcil-Labbe Andy Price Krista Stoops Kerry Turok Lucy Tew Bridget Venezia Amelia Weatherbee Emily Yesu SWEENEY TODD The Demon Barber of Fleet Street A Musical Thriller Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM Book by HUGH WHEELER From an Adaptation by CHRISTOPHER BOND Originally Directed On Broadway by HAROLD PRINCE Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick Originally Produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in Association with Dean and Judy Manos Sweeney Todd Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).  All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.  www.MTIShows.com exit7players.org Happier Valley Comedy Happier FAMILY Comedy Show October 20 at 3:00 PM The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (125 W Bay Rd., Amherst) Monthly family-friendly improv comedy show, great for 5-12 year olds and their adults. It's funny for the whole family! Saturday, October 20th at 3pm at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (125 W Bay Rd., Amherst). Tickets at the door: $10/Adults, $5/Kids, Free/4 yrs and under (Reduced admission for museum members). For more info: www.happiervalley.com. Happier Valley Comedy Happier Valley Comedy Presents: Not In Charge October 20 at 7:00 PM Happier Valley Comedy Theater, 1 Mill Rd, Hadley, MA Join the talented new group Not In Charge for a fast-paced, high-energy short form improv show! For a limited run on the third Saturday of each month. Saturday, October 20th at 7pm at the new Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). And stick around after for the 9pm showcase and open improv jam! Tickets: $10 online and at the door. For more info:www.happiervalley.com. UMass Theater presents Snowflakes, or Rare White People Oct. 25, 26, 27, Nov. 1, 2, 3 at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. School Matinee Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. The Rand Theater, Fine Arts Center, UMass Directed by Gabriel Harrell Tickets: $15 general admission, $5 students and seniors. Purchase online If you purchase an individual ticket to Snowflakes and decide to subscribe, you can apply your Snowflakes ticket price toward the cost of your subscription! (Contact the box office by Nov. 10 with proof of purchase; some restrictions may apply.) We start our season funny, with Dustin Chinn's pointed, futuristic comedy Snowflakes, or Rare White People. In Nueva New York in the 23rd Century, a cadre of nearly-extinct white hipsters escape the museum exhibit in which they live, bringing a perilous level of Caucasity to the rest of society. We’re thrilled for a second opportunity to engage with Chinn's sly, hysterical commentary, which we first encountered in last year’s Play Lab. https://fac.umass.edu/Online/article/TheaterDepartment AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Request for Proposals Eggtooth Productions Radical Interconnectedness Festival Turners Falls, MA April 26, 27, 2019 We are seeking proposals from artists to address the concerns of marginalized communities.   We invite stories that engage issues of race, age, gender, religion, economic class, and those aspects of cultural identity that have been suppressed.   We seek a wide range of artistic expression: music, dance, theatrical, visual, immersive, installation.   Commission fee will be $500 and Eggtooth will provide the venue, the audience, and promotions for the work.   Email proposals to: lmciner@gmail.com Deadline is October 31, 2018 WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Real Live Theatre's open training session Sunday October 14 12.30-3.30pm 45 Amherst Road, Sunderland Cost is a sliding scale of $5-$25. Come play with RLT company members in a relaxed yet rigorous setting! We will engage in many different activities, including Suzuki, Viewpoints, and Compositions, all to do with the idea of Time. It will be playful and deep. See what we get up to in our weekly training sessions as a company! rsvp to tobyvera@hotmail.com Phantom Sheep Productions in association with J-ART Comedy Improv Classes Fall Session Mondays for 6 weeks, beginning October 22 at 7:00 PM Springfield Jewish Community Center Comedy Improv classes return to the JCC for our next 6 week session! Open to the general public! Adults & Teens 15+ Sharpen quick thinking! Unleash creativity and characters! Build confidence! Enjoy the power of collaboration! Improve acting and stage presence! Relax and laugh! (a lot)! Taught in a very fun, encouraging, and constructive atmosphere. This session will focus on the usual blend of creating characters, exploring the game, quick thinking drills, and living in the present moment finding the funny. All levels welcome and challenged at own pace. Lead instructor: Eric Boucher assisted by other Phantom Sheep troupe members. Tuition for entire session: $86, General Public  $68, JCC members and employees 10% additional discount for previous students Sign up Today!  413-739-4715  improv@phantomsheep.com Facebook event. Phantom Sheep is also offering a Youth Puppetry class for grades K-4 that begins October 15th. Contact the JCC for more info: 413-739-4715 Submit your workshop or class or audition or performance or job or any other theatre opportunity here! Pioneer Valley Theatre Companies Is your theatre company missing? Email me! Academy of Music Theatre Arena Civic Theatre Black Cat Theater Chester Theatre Company The Country Players Eggtooth Productions Exit 7 Players Ghost Light Theater Hampshire Shakespeare Company Happier Valley Comedy Ja'Duke Center for the Performing Arts K and E Theater Group Ko Theater Works/Ko Festival of Performance Majestic Theater New Century Theatre PaintBox Theatre Pauline Productions Real Live Theatre Red Thread Theater Serious Play Theatre Ensemble Silverthorne Theater Smith College Department of Theatre St. Michael's Players Starlight's Youth Theatre, Inc. TheatreTruck Turbulent Times Theater Westfield Theatre Group Wilbraham United Players 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|*