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Stephen Sondheim’s THE FROGS – November 19th & 20th ONLY!

22 Thursday Oct 2015

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16th Century, Inc. In Collaboration with
Evening Star Productions
presents
Stephen Sondhiem’s

FROGS_CoverPhoto - ck

The Frogs
in Concert
November 19th (preview) & 20th Only

October 22, 2015

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL: 16th Century, Inc. and Evening Star productions will collaborate to present two FREE concert performances of Stephen Sondheim’s The Frogs on Thursday, November 19th (a preview performance) and Friday, November 20th at Studio One in Ft. Lauderdale.

The purpose of this collaboration, explains the production’s director, Rosalie Grant, “Is to increase awareness of, and appreciation for historically themed productions, and to create theatre with really cool people!”

‘Freely adapted’ from Aristophanes’ Greek comedy by Sondheim’s frequent collaborator Burt Shevlove, The Frogs was first presented as part of the Yale Repertory Theatre’s 1974 season in the university’s gymnasium’s swimming pool.   In Aristophanes’ version, the play is largely a debate between Aeschylus and Euripides, to determine who is the greater artist – with the winner of the contest to return to Earth to save civilization. In Shevelove’s version, the plot remains much the same, but the contest is updated to be a debate between William Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw. The 1974 production is particularly noted for its not yet famous cast, which included Larry Blyden, Christopher Durang, Sigourney Weaver, and Meryl Streep.

16th Century is a not-for-profit organization that specializes in Historical Interpretation and Historical Entertainment.  From whimsical and engaging characters representing exaggerations of medieval professions to specific representations of historical figures from the Renaissance, Enlightenment and Victorian eras, 16th century strives to offer history as an “experience” in a thoughtful, fun and engaging way.

“The decision to do The Frogs as part of our Shakespeare Collaborative was a funny one,” says 16th Century’s Chris Schultz. “The Shakespeare Collaborative is a play reading series where we offer staged readings of some of Shakespeare’s lesser known plays.  Last season we did staged readings of Shakespeare’s plays and had a Marlowe Takeover night, where we read one of Shakespeare’s contemporaries, Christopher Marlowe’s play Doctor Faustus.  This season we are reading Shakespeare’s plays set in Greece and some in Rome, so we refer to these as his “Greek(ish)” plays.  Since Shakespeare himself adapted and contemporized several ancient Greek stories and ideas, what better way to have another Takeover than to offer up an obscure, little known Greek play by Aristophanes that had been updated and given a contemporary spin by Stephen Sondheim and Burt Shevelove, itself a dated piece of 1960’s musical theatre?

“The decision to approach Rosalie Grant and (musical director) Rebeca Diaz for this project was a no brainer,” he continues. “Both are familiar with our mission and have worked with us in various capacities in the past, although this is the first time we have ever been able to actively engage in a true collaborative effort, and I am very excited for such extraordinary talent to share their skills with us.  As a small upstart theatre doing work that many might consider old and stale, the opportunity to work with Rosalie Grant who is a giant in the South Florida Theatre Community and Rebeca Diaz, who is an up and coming talent who already has earned amazing respect at her young age is an opportunity for which I am incredibly grateful.  I cannot wait to see what they do with it!”

Cast members for the production include Geoffrey Short as Dionysos, Aaron Berman as Xanthias, John Robert Franklin as William Shakespeare, and Skye Whitcombe as George Bernard Shaw.

For more information about Evening Star Productions, please contact Rosalie Grant at 561-447-8829 / info@eveningstarproductions.com or Carol Kassie at 561-445-9244 / ckassie@gmail.com . For more information about 16th Century, Inc. please contact: http://www.16thcentury.org.

The Frogs
November 19 (preview performance) & 20
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Freely Adapted by Burt Shevelove from a comedy written in 405 B.C. by Aristophanes
Directed by Rosalie Grant
Musical Direction by Rebeca Diaz
Admission: FREE (Very limited seating)
Performance time:   7 pm
For information:  561-447-8829 / http://www.eveningstarproductions.org
Performances at:
Studio One
800 NW 57th Pl,
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309

Frogs 1

Stage Door Theatre presents DIAL M FOR MURDER October 30 – December 6

22 Thursday Oct 2015

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Stage Door Theatre
presents
final-unnessary-farce-cs5October 30 – December 6

“…original and remarkably good theatre—quiet in style but tingling with excitement underneath.” —NY Times.

October 22, 2015

MARGATE, FL: Frederick Knott’s Dial M for Murder is a psychological thriller – a character driven, carefully plotted, ‘cat-and mouse’ piece of theatre that is as contemporary now as it was when it first premiered on BBC television in 1952. Stage Door Theatre’s production of Dial M for Murder will open on October 30th, and run through December 6th.

Best known as a classic Alfred Hitchcock film, this ‘noir’ thriller was performed in London’s West End and on Broadway several years before Hitchcock adapted it for the screen.   The play centers around former tennis star Tony Wendice and his scheme to have his wealthy wife murdered, after learning she has designated him her heir. Although Wendice’s plans are evident almost from the outset, Knott’s clever plotting and characterizations will keep audiences on the edge of their seats throughout the play.

Dial M for Murder is being directed by Arthur Whitelaw, who, along with the rest of the cast is impressed by the quality of Knott’s script. “It’s so well written,” he says. “Our audiences are in for a treat.”

“I think Dial M For Murder, as a play, is so beautifully crafted,” says actor Jason Plourde, who has been cast as Tony Wendice in the production. “As a classically trained singer with an operatic background, I’m accustomed to the use of melody and lyricism as tools to impart the drama of a show. I think the text in this play is very lyrical and almost musical in its cadence. The use of language is so lush that it’s an absolute delight to say these words. And also, it’s just always so much fun to play the villain, especially when it is in the guise of someone as cool and confident as Tony.”

Larry Bramble agrees: “What a gift to be cast as Inspector Hubbard in this theatre classic,” he says. “The script is so well written and with this talented cast, the experience will be one to remember. It’s a real page-turner, as they would say if it were a book.”

Other cast members include Gladys Ramirez as Margot Wendice, Sean Dorazio as Lesgate, Roy Lynam as Max Halliday, and Jose-Luiz Lopez as Thompson.

Dial M for Murder will run from October 30 – December 6 at The Stage Door Theatre. The theatre is located at 8036 Sample Road, Margate, 33065.

Tickets for Dial M for Murder are $38 – $42; $16 student tickets are also available. Tickets may be purchased at the Broward Stage Door Theatre box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at www.stagedoortheatre.com. Group and Subscriber Discounts are available for all Stage Door productions

For more information about Dial M for Murder and/or The Stage Door Theatre, please visit www.stagedoortheatre.com , or contact Derelle Bunn Executive Producer/Artistic Director, at DerelleBunn@yahoo.com / 954-344-7765 or Carol Kassie (ckassie@gmail.com / 561-445-9244).

~

Dial ‘M’ for Murder
October 30 – December 6, 2015
By Frederick Knotts
Tickets: $38 – $42
Phone: 954-344-7765
Showtimes:
Wednesday, Saturday, & Sunday at 2 pm,
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
The Stage Door Theatre
8036 W Sample Rd
Margate, Fl 33065
www.stagedoortheatre.com
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Entr’acte Theatrix presents MEL BROOKS’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN – October 22 – November 1

06 Tuesday Oct 2015

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Entr-logopresents
YoungFrankensteinOctober 22 – November 1
The Award-winning musical to run at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts/Crest Theatre

October 6, 2015

DELRAY BEACH, FL: Entr’acte Theatrix, whose recent productions of Into the Woods, Avenue Q, Spamalot, and The Rocky Horror Show have consistently filled the Crest Theatre, will present Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein from October 22nd through November 1st at the popular Delray Beach venue.

It's Alive 1A wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend, Brooks’ comedy masterpiece follows bright young Dr. Frankenstein (that’s Fronkensteen!) as he attempts to complete his grandfather’s masterwork and bring a corpse to life. Together with his oddly shaped and endearing helper Igor (that’s Eye-gor), his curvaceous lab assistant Inga, and in spite of his incredibly self-involved madcap fiancé Elizabeth, Frankenstein succeeds in creating a monster — but not without scary and quite often hilarious complications.

Young Frankenstein was Mel Brooks’ follow-up to his hit musical The Producers, and audience reaction to the production was consistently positive, much to his delight: “I love what they do,” Brooks said in an interview shortly after the show opened. “The audience knows Young Frankenstein the movie; they didn’t know The Producers. They all neigh when anyone on stage says “Frau Blucher”. And they can’t wait for the Blind Hermit to spill the hot soup on the monster’s lap. It’s great to see the audience play ping-pong with the actors.”

“Young Frankenstein allows Entr’acte Theatrix an excellent opportunity to introduce this group of young actors to the genius of Mel Brooks,” explains the company’s founder and producer Vicki Halmos. “He’s one of our foremost American comedy writers. We introduced the company to the British comedy of Monty Python with our production of Spamalot a couple of years ago, and Brooks’ work is a natural follow-up to that. We drilled them in workshops to land the comedy and study the contrasts.”

Several Young Frankenstein cast members were part of Halmos’ Palm Beach Principal Players group several years ago, and are now back with freshly minted theatre degrees, and looking for the on-stage experience Entr’acte provides.

Kevin Black

Kevin Black

Kevin Black, who has helmed a number of Entr’acte’s productions, will direct the show, and Roger Blankenship has taken on the task of musical direction.

“I’m really impressed with this cast’s preparedness”, says Black. He met them after they’d completed their comedy improv workshops, which were run by Seth Trucks, a graduate of London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. “I found them to be delightfully bonded – with the material, and with each other.”

Roger Blankenship - Musical Director

Roger Blankenship – Musical Director

“I had been a fan of the movie, but did not know it was made into a musical,” says Blankenship.  “It was a shock to learn that Mel Brooks also wrote the music!  And it is good!! AND we have the singers to bring it to life on stage!!!”.

Cast members include Robyn Eli Brenner (Frederick Frankenstein), Victoria Lauzun (Inga), Christopher Lam (The Creature), Greg Halmos (Igor), Carlo Sabusap (Inspector Kemp), Cindy Thagard (Frau Blucher), Melissa Whitworth (Elizabeth), and Ross Parris (Dr. Victor Frankenstein). Also cast are Lara Williams, Phillip Andrew, Maryann Whims, Mary Grace Tesoriero, Nick Williams, Jonathan Nieto, Katie Frederickson, and Alexander Schettino.

Entr’acte Theatrix is a not-for-profit, semi-professional, showcase company providing opportunities for emerging theatre artists, both on-stage and backstage. The fourteen year old company gives students of college or post-graduate programs on a professional trajectory with a goal of working in the profession a chance to gain experience in their area of training or interest. Entr’acte, as the name suggests, is the “next step,” from classroom to career, and provides the young theatre artist with one of his or her all-important first professional resume-building credits.

Young Frankenstein will run from October 22nd to November 1st at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts’ Crest Theatre, 51 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida 33444. Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased on line at: www.entractetheatrix.org or www.delraycenterforthearts.org, or by phone at 561-243-7922, Ext. 1. Tickets are $30; student rates ($20) and group rates ($22) are also available.

For more information about Entr’Acte Theatrix or Young Frankenstein, contact Carol Kassie at ckassie@gmail.com/561-445-9244.

Young Frankenstein
Book by Mel Brooks
Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Book by Thomas Meehan
October 22 – November 1
Performance Schedule:
Thursday, October 22 – 8 pm (Preview)
Friday, October 23 – 8 pm
Saturday, October 24 – 2 pm
Saturday, October 24 – 8 pm
Sunday, October 25 – 2 pm (Buy One Ticket/Get One Free)
Sunday, October 25 – 8 pm
Wednesday, October 28 – 8 pm
Thursday, October 29 – 8 pm
Friday, October 30 – 8 pm
Saturday, October 31 – 2 pm
Saturday, October 31 – 8 pm
Sunday, November 1 – 2 pm
Delray Beach Center for the Arts / Crest Theatre
51 N. Swinton Ave.
Delray Beach 33444
Box Office: 561-243-7922, Ext. 1                    
Click HERE to purchase tickets!
www.entractetheatrix.org
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Stage Door Theatre Appoints Dan Kelley as Artistic Director

06 Tuesday Oct 2015

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Stage Door Theatre
is pleased to announce the appointment of
Dan Kelley
as Artistic Director


October 6, 2015

When Dan Kelley met Derelle (Dee) Wilson at an audition for Company for the Ft. Lauderdale Players in 1989 for the first time, Kelley somehow knew they had a future together, says Bunn. “I don’t know who that woman is,” he told his partner, “but I will know her the rest of my life.”

And on October 1st, 2015 – 27 years later – Dan Kelley took on the official role of Artistic Director at Bunn’s Stage Door Theatre.

Dan Kelley 3

Dan Kelley

Originally known as an actor, Dan Kelley made his debut at the Ruth Foreman Theatre in 1989, and subsequently appeared “on every South Florida regional stage for the next ten years,” he says. Jack Zink of the Sun-Sentinel wrote “Dan Kelley, possibly the region’s best known song and dance man…”

But in 1998 co-founders of The Broward Stage Door Theatre Dee Wilson Bunn and David Torres asked Kelley to direct his first show – he had never directed before – “so it was a giant leap of faith / crapshoot on their part which seemed to work out because 17 years and over 100 shows later I’m still directing here at Stage Door,” he says. Kelley is proud to be on a very short list – that includes Daivd Arisco and Lou Tyrrell – of individuals who have been nominated for the Carbonell Award as both actor and director.

Some major highlights over the years include – Zaza/Albin in La Cage 2000 ( Carbonell nomination best actor in a musical ), Parade (regional premiere, Carbonell nomination best direction ), The Drowsy Chaperone (winner Silver Palm Award – nominated Carbonell award best actor, direction) , and Neil Simon’s Rumors ( winner best ensemble Carbonell Award).

Kelley takes great satisfaction in looking back at all the careers that he helped start at Stage Door . Actors fresh out of college playing their first roles in the professional arena who have gone on to major Broadway and Regional careers. “As I learned back in 1998, that’s what it’s all about – taking a giant leap of faith/crapshoot on someone and seeing it all work out.”

Derelle Bunn a

Derelle Bunn

Derelle Bunn is the Co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of the Stage Door Theatre. She has a life-long career in the performing arts, producing more than 300 productions, and performing as an actress in more than 50 shows from New York to Florida. She graduated with honors from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater, and a co-major in Theatrical Business Management. She also attended New York University’s Masters Program. She was the Founder and choreographer for the Urban Ballet Company in Atlanta, Georgia., receiving grants from Coca-Cola and winning numerous awards for her work there. She is a two time winner of the prestigious Candler Grant, and received three Governors Honors Awards in recognition for her work as a choreographer. As a singer, she has been a two-time finalist for the NYSTA awards, sponsored by Stephen Sondheim. Stage Door audiences may remember her for performances in Deathtrap, Side By Side By Sondheim, and Prisoner Of 2nd Avenue. Directing credits at the Stage Door include The Convertible Girl, Star Spangled Girl, and An Evening With Rodgers And Hart.

For more information about Stage Door Theatre, please visit www.stagedoortheatre.com , or contact Derelle Bunn Executive Producer/Artistic Director, at DerelleBunn@yahoo.com / 954-344-7765 or Carol Kassie (ckassie@gmail.com / 561-445-9244).

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Stage Door Theatre Presents PROMISES, PROMISES September 25 – November 1

19 Saturday Sep 2015

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Stage-Door-Logo---960x260Presents
Promises Promises (no dates)

September 25 – November 1


September 19, 2015
MARGATE, FL: Promises, Promises, the Burt Bacharach/Hal David/Neil Simon musical was definitely a product of its time when it opened in 1968. And now, with the success of television’s Mad Men, and the popularity of all things ‘retro’, the show is once again a timely piece. Stage Door Theatre will present this multi-award winning musical from September 25th through November 1st.

Based on the classic 1960 Billy Wilder film The Apartment, Promises, Promises tells the story of Chuck Baxter, a charming young employee at the Consolidated Life Insurance Company. In an effort to advance at the company, Chuck lends executives his apartment for their extramarital romantic trysts. But things become slightly complicated when Fran Kubelik, the object of Chuck’s affection, becomes the mistress of one of his executives.

Promises, Promises was the only Broadway musical written by Bacharach and David; it is filled with Bacharach’s tricky time signatures, and produced an unusually large number of hit songs, including “A House is Not a Home”, “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again”, “I Say a Little Prayer for You” and the show’s title number, “Promises, Promises”; the cast album won a Grammy award for best cast recording. The script, by Neil Simon, is filled with memorable ‘one-liners’, and although at first glance the story might seem light and inconsequential, the show’s themes – of infidelity, losing one’s moral compass, unrequited love – anchor it in reality.

Michael Leeds will direct the production, Kevin Black has taken on the choreographic duties, and Michael Larsen will provide musical direction.

Michael Larsen

Michael Larsen

“This is a show I grew up with,” says Larsen. “I remember when I was 8 years old, my parents came home from seeing the original Broadway production, and oh, how they loved it. It was the hottest ticket in town for three years. We wore out the original cast album listening to this exciting, and for the time, so fresh and forward-looking Burt Bacharach score. I’m honored to have the chance to work with this terrific team and talented cast to present a score that is so deeply personal to me. I hope my love of this music comes shining through in performance!”

Kevin Black

Kevin Black

Kevin Black agrees: “How can you go wrong with the incredible score of Burt Bacharach combined with the comedic writing of Neil Simon? It’s a true gem that’s rarely produced. We are tremendously excited to bring it to life once again at The Stage Door Theatre,” he says.

Leeds head shot

Michael Leeds

Leeds is equally enthusiastic: “Before the TV series Mad Men, there was Promises, Promises,” he says. “Promises, Promises is Mad Men with the incredible music of Burt Bacharach!”

The Stage Door cast includes Elliot Peterson as Chuck, Jessica Sanford as Fran, James Skiba as Sheldrake, and Peter Librach as Kirkeby.

Promises, Promises will run from September 25 – November 1 at The Stage Door Theatre. The theatre is located at 8036 Sample Road, Margate, 33065.

Tickets for Promises, Promises are $38 – $42; $16 student tickets are also available. Tickets may be purchased at the Broward Stage Door Theatre box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at www.stagedoortheatre.com. Group and Subscriber Discounts are available for all Stage Door productions

For more information about Promises, Promises and/or The Stage Door Theatre, please visit www.stagedoortheatre.com , or contact Derelle Bunn Executive Producer/Artistic Director, at DerelleBunn@yahoo.com / 954-344-7765 or Carol Kassie (ckassie@gmail.com / 561-445-9244)

Promises, Promises
September 25 – November 1, 2015
Music by Burt Bacharach
Lyrics by Hal David
Book by Neil Simon
Tickets: $28 – $42
Phone:  954-344-7765 or on line at
www.stagedoortheatre.com
Showtimes:Wednesday, Saturday, & Sunday at 2 pm
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
The Stage Door Theatre
8036 Sample Road
Margate, FL  33065
www.stagedoortheatre.com
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A MAP OF VIRTUE at Thinking Cap Theatre at the Vanguard – October 1 – 18, 2015

17 Thursday Sep 2015

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Thinking Cap at the VanguardThinking Cap Theatre at The Vanguard
presents
the Southeastern Premiere of
MOV 4X6A Map of Virtue
by Erin Courtney
October 1 – 18, 2015
A New York Times Critics’ Pick

A “delicate gem…a haunting, romantic story with a mystery at its center”
Jason Zinoman, New York Times

September 17, 2015
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL:   Theatre goers need look no further than Thinking Cap Theatre’s Southeastern premiere of Erin Courtney’s award-winning play (Special Citation Obie Award, 2012), A Map of Virtue, for a thrilling way to kick off the month of October. The production will run from October 1 – October 18 at the Vanguard Sanctuary for the Arts in Ft. Lauderdale.

A Map of Virtue has been described as “one of the most terrifying plays of the past decade” by the New York Times’ Alexis Soloski. Part interview, part comedy, part middle-of-the-night horror story, A Map of Virtue is about a shared obsession that leaves a group of friends stranded in the woods. A bird statue is the guide through this symmetrical tale about the limits of our virtues and what we leave behind.

Erin Courtney

Erin Courtney

“I started writing A Map of Virtue while on a silent playwriting retreat run by Erik Ehn out in the woods in upstate New York,” Courtney explained in a recent interview. “The first night of the retreat, he gave each playwright a poem in an envelope and gave us the assignment of memorizing the poem. The poem I tried to memorize in silence was by Edmond Jabes and it was about the inability to use language after the horror of the Holocaust. The next day I started writing and the content of the poem infused the play.”

A Map of Virtue will be directed by Thinking Cap Theatre’s Artistic Director Nicole Stodard. The production will feature Jovon Jacobs, Casey Dressler, Tom Anello, Scott Douglas Wilson, Alex Alvarez, Niki Fridh, and Noah Levine.

Tickets for A Map of Virtue are $35 ($20 for students with ID) and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by calling 813-220-1546 or on line at www.vanguardarts.org.    The Vanguard is located at 1501 S. Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, 33301.  There is free street parking surrounding the building and a metered municipal lot just south of The Vanguard on Andrews Ave.

For more information about Thinking Cap Theatre at the Vanguard visit www.vanguardarts.org. or contact Nicole Stodard at nicole@thinkingcaptheatre.com / 813-220-1546 or Carol Kassie at ckassie@gmail.com /561-445-9244.

A Map of Virtue
By Erin Courtney
October 1 – 18, 2015
Tickets: $35 ($37.22 with s/c)
For Tickets: 813-220-1546
www.vanguardarts.org
Performances:
Thursday – Saturday at 8 pm
Sunday at 5 pm
The Vanguard
1501 S. Andrews Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
www.vanguardarts.org
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Evening Star Productions presents 35mm: A MUSICAL EXHIBITION October 9 – 25

14 Monday Sep 2015

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Evening Star Productions
presents
35mm_cropped - ck35mm: A Musical Exhibition
October 9 – 25
(Preview performance, October 8)

Music & Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver
Based on the photographs of Matthew Murphy

September 15, 2015
BOCA RATON, FL: If a picture is worth 1,000 words — what about a song? Can a picture inspire a song …or fifteen? In Ryan Scott Oliver’s 35mm: A Musical Exhibition each photo creates a unique song, moments frozen in time; a glimmer of a life unfolding, a glimpse of something happening. A stunning new multimedia musical which explores a groundbreaking new concept in musical theatre, this intricately woven collection of stories told through song re-imagines what the modern American musical can be.

Evening Star Productions will present Oliver’s 35mm: A Musical Exhibition at Sol Theatre in Boca Raton from October 9th through October 25th. (There will be a preview performance on October 8th.)

35mm will feature Jordana Forrest, Sabrina Lynn Gore, Steven Michael Kennedy, Elvin Negron,and Eric O’Keefe. They will be accompanied by Jason Robert Buelow on piano, Meredith Levin on violin, and Ben Brown on guitar.

Rosalie Grant

Rosalie Grant

Evening Star’s Artistic Director Rosalie Grant will direct the production: “35mm has been a unique project to direct,” she says.  Since it’s a brand-new musical we have a clean palette to work from.  That has definitely had its rewards and challenges! Add in the multimedia aspects and we have been tested as a team to analyze what we’ve been given to create theatre art from it.  Add in the incredibly difficult music and lyrical content and we have a powerful musical that belongs emotionally to me, Eric, Elvin, Jordana, Sabrina, Steven and their band-mates … it’s content has been derived from within each of us more so than other musicals with a standard plot construction.  This isn’t your mother’s musical!”

35mm was inspired by the photographs of Matthew Murphy, an internationally recognized photographer who specializes in capturing images of theatre and dance.

Oliver

Ryan Scott Oliver

“It’s a big piece and covers a wide-range of experiences and sensations,” Oliver said in a recent interview. “Truly, there’s something for everyone in this show, musically and visually. It was the easiest and probably the most rewarding thing I’ve ever written! There were no limits and so I was constantly going down new and exciting paths.”

Sabrina-240x300“The timing of this show couldn’t have been better,” explains actress Sabrina Lynn Gore, who also serves as managing director of Outré Theatre Company. “I was actually looking at this show for Outré to produce for a future season, so when I saw that Rosalie was doing it, I just knew it was a sign that I had to be a part of it. And it’s been an awesome challenge for me. It’s the kind of show I’ve been wanting to be a part of for a long time.”

Gore’s cast mates are equally enthusiastic: “This has been a dream show of mine for years now,” says Steven Michael Kennedy. “And to get the chance to perform it is beyond amazing, let alone the fact that it is the regional premiere performance! The music is some of the most difficult music I’ve worked on (in terms of the constant harmonies), but with this extremely talented cast it has been nothing but a joy!”

Eric O’Keefe wholeheartedly agrees: “35mm is crazy fun and super emotional and I couldn’t be any more excited to be a part of it!” He says.

Composer and lyricist Ryan Scott Oliver is the recipient of the 2009 Jonathan Larson Grant and the 2008 Richard Rogers Award for Musical Theatre. He is an adjunct professor at Pace University in New York, and Artistic Director of the Pasadena Musical Theatre Program in California. He received his B.A. in Music Composition from UCLA and his M.F.A. in Musical Theatre Writing from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. He is also creator of the blog Crazytown and member of A.S.C.A.P. Oliver’s work has been heard at the Writers Guild Awards, Off-Broadway in TheatreWorksUSA’s We the People, and countless showcases.

Evening Star Productions’ 35 mm: A Musical Exhibition will run from October 8 – October 25 (there will be a preview performance on October 8 at 8 pm) at Sol Theatre in Boca Raton. Tickets are $25 or $10 for students. Group rates are also available. Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased at the Sol Theatre box office at 561-447-8829 or on line at www.eveningstarproductions.org. Sol Theatre is located at 3333 North Federal Highway in Boca Raton (33431).

For more information about Evening Star Productions, please contact Rosalie Grant at 561-447-8829 / info@eveningstarproductions.com or Carol Kassie at 561-445-9244 / ckassie@gmail.com

35mm: A Musical Exhibition
October 8 – 25
Music and Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver
Based on photographs by Matthew Murphy
Vocal arrangements and orchestrations by Ryan Scott Oliver
Additional percussion arrangements by Jeremy Yaddaw
Additional guitar arrangements by Matt Hinkley
Directed by Rosalie Grant
Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays 8pm
Saturdays & Sundays 2pm
Tickets: $25 / $10 for students
For Tickets:  561-447-8829 / www.eveningstarproductions.org
Sol Theatre
3333 North Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33431
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Critical Praise for Ryan Scott Oliver’s 35mm: A Musical Exhibition

“…the songs are not related except that they are all vibrant expressions of a rainbow of emotions. When pieced together…this musical is a thought-provoking, soul-searching exploration of two mediums fused together as one…There are intense group numbers featuring the powerful ensemble that really move the audience.” – DC Metro Theatre Arts

“The genius of this show is how Ryan Scott Oliver’s music conveys the message of Matthew Murphy’s photographs. I was constantly amazed at how the songs really spoke to each picture individually. Ryan’s music is a fresh sound that was very enjoyable to listen to.” – Call Me Adam

“When theater pundits talk about the future of Broadway and the new generation of composers, they’re talking about artists like Ryan Scott Oliver … a major new voice in musical theater” — Entertainment Weekly

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Pigs Do Fly Productions to present FLYING HIGH! Seven Brand New Short Plays – at Empire Stage October 8 – 25

14 Monday Sep 2015

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Pigs Do Fly Productions
presents

Flying High - Goldstar

Seven Brand New Short Plays – at Empire Stage
October 9 – 25
(Preview performance October 8)

A collection of Seven BRAND NEW Humorous Short Plays
chosen to appeal to audiences of all ages

September 10, 2015
LAUDERDALE, FL – Pigs do Fly Productions will return to Ft. Lauderdale’s Empire Stage with Flying High!, the second production of their second season, from October 8th through October 25th.  There will be a preview performance on October 8th.

Flying High! will once again feature seven short plays chosen from numerous submissions the company received after putting out a call for works specific to their mission: To highlight vibrant healthy people over the age of fifty doing interesting things with their lives.

Ellen Wacher

Ellen Wacher

“I’m so pleased and proud to be into our second season,” says the company’s founder and Executive Producer, Ellen Wacher. Wacher and Pigs Do Fly Productions were recently awarded the prestigious Silver Palm Award for ‘for developing works for actors over the age of fifty’.

“Our audiences’ response has been incredibly positive from day one, and we seem to have found a niche for ourselves,” she continues. “But what really pleases me is that our patrons aren’t limited to a certain age range – we seem to be appealing to everyone. And consider this,” she says: “And it’s just my own observation(!): Of our current presidential candidates Hillary Clinton is 68, Bernie Sanders is 73, Joe Biden is 71, Donald Trump is 69, and Jeb Bush, the ‘baby of the bunch’, is 63. And then there’s Patrick Stewart, whose new television program just debuted on HBO, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin who are getting rave reviews in Netflix’ Grace & Frankie, not to mention Meryl Streep, Dame Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Robert Redford, just to name a few in our profession who are currently working. NOT one time have I heard any of these people referred to as “senior citizens!”

Directing duties for Flying High! will be shared by Elena Maria Garcia and Gail S. Garrisan, both of whom wholeheartedly share Wacher’s vision:

Elena Maria Garcia

Elena Maria Garcia

“I’m very excited about the line-up of works we have selected – and about our talented team,” says Garcia. “The plays are sharp, witty, concise, and relevant to our audience. I read some of them again and still laugh out loud! I’m very thankful that our team is enthusiastic about taking the crazy flight again!”

Gail S. Garrisan

Gail S. Garrisan

This will be Garrisan’s first Pigs Do Fly production: “I am happy to be part of the Pigs Do Fly Team,” she says.

Todd Caster, Steven Chambers, Jim Gibbons, Elissa D. Solomon, Carol Sussman, and Donna Warfield have been cast in the production.

The seven 10-minute plays are (see below for playwright bios):

Coming Through – by Pamela Schueler
Dream a Little Dream of Me – by Todd Caster
Exchange, No Returns – by Elena Maria Garcia
Hail Kale – by Carol White
Standing Tall – by Marv Siegel
Stuck – by David Susman
The Rock – by Miriam Kulick

Donna Warfield, who will act in three of the seven plays, has given each of them a great deal of thought:

Donna Warfield

Donna Warfield

“The Rock – What to do when being “stuck” is no longer an option?” she asks.  “The longer we live, the more we realize that things can and will change, but we’re not always ready to move forward.  Sometimes it takes tough love to get someone to take that first step; Dream A Little Dream of Me – No matter what age, we all want to be found desirable.  Even if it’s your best friend…and it’s only a dream;  and
Hail Kale – Dating is hard and the older you get, the harder it is.  Keeping an open mind despite obvious incompatibilities is important,” Warfield says… “And life can be full of surprises!”

Tickets for Flying High! are $30 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased on line at www.pigsdoflyproductions.com, or by calling 866-811-4111.
All performances will take place at Empire Stage, 1140 North Flagler Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, 33304.

For more information about Pigs Do Fly Productions, please visit www.pigsdoflyproductions.com.   For more information about Ellen Wacher, please visit www.ellenwacher.com. To set up interviews, or for photos, please contact Carol Kassie at ckassie@gmail.com / 561-445-9244.

~*~

Pigs Do Fly Productions
presents
Flying High!
By Various Playwrights
October 9-25, 2015
(Preview performance October 8)
Tickets: $30
Tickets: 866-811-4111 / www.pigsdoflyproductions.com
Performances:
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday: 8 pm
Sunday: 5 pm
All performances will take place at
Empire Stage
1140 North Flagler Drive
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33304
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No Fear of Flying! – Playwright Bios:

Todd Caster (Dream a Little Dream of Me) is co-founder of Theatre Arts Group in New York’s Hudson Valley and The Palm Beach PlayMakers in Delray Beach, Florida. His most notable full-length works include Broken Angels, Riddle of Three, Little Piggies and Stranded on the Isle of Few. He has had over 30 short plays produced by a myriad of Regional and National theatres and has had two monologues published by Meriwether Publishing and are included in Audition Monologues for Young Women and The Theatre Audition Book 2.

Elena Maria Garcia (Exchange, No Returns) is a co-founder of Underdog Productions where she has adapted numerous children’s books and stories into plays for young audiences.  Her adaptation of Give A Boy A Gun was produced twice in South Florida to rave reviews from students, teacher, and parents. She was also the co-founder of the all female improv troupe Big Purse and Matching Shoes as well as Separate Checks Improv Troupe, where she learned quickly how to write sketch comedy about current political and social issues.  Through Underdog Productions, Elena has been able to direct, act, write, and produce her one-person show, Do You Speak Mexican? at the Fillmore Miami Beach.  She is currently writing her new one person show titled, Teacher Conference; a True Story.

Miriam Kulick, (The Rock) is delighted to have Pigs Do Fly present her newest play.
Miriam has spent the past several decades acting and teaching. She rekindled her passion for writing and has had her works performed by Fly Away Balloon, wrote and performed Almost Tamed-Tales of Mayhem, Motion, & Malarky, and most recently presented her solo show, Open Hearts, directed by Obie winner Gretchen Cryer, at Theatre Row-Off-Broadway, Cherry Lane Theatre, and the DC and Fort Lauderdale Fringe Festivals. A member of the Dramatists Guild, she’s currently working on a new script, and teaches at the Terry Schreiber Studio in NYC, and at the Acting School of South Florida.

Pamela Schueler (Coming Through)Born in NYC, Pamela holds university degrees in Visual Arts, English and Education.  She has lived in six countries and speaks three languages. An accomplished painter, teacher, photographer and writer, she has had art gallery and museum showings, written a book about Bangkok’s waterways (Klongs: Thai Waterways and Reflections of Her People ),  and written a comedy about Expat life – which was produced in Brussels by the American Theater Company.  Pamela thinks the Ten Minute play is the perfect challenge for any writer.

Marv Siegel (Standing Tall) is a prolific playwright and member of the Dramatists Guild. Recently completed plays include The Biography Of Margaret Dawson, a generational clash between an aging movie star and the actress cast to play her as a youth in her screen biography, Mickey And Anthony, the story of a 22 year old African-American petty criminal who finds himself in the position of having to care for a 22 year old Caucasian with a severe brain disorder, The Hospital Room, and Chronic Diseases. His short plays include This Is Not A Test, Signals (mounted by Pigs Do Fly Productions in their May 2015 production), and No Returns. His new full-length comedy Jack Benny Isn’t 39 Any More! was recently published by ArtAge, the leading senior theatre resource center in the country.

David Susman (Stuck) David lives and teaches in Maine. His short plays have been staged at the Boston Theater Marathon; Thespian Production’s “Whistling With Slush in My Shoes” one-act play festival at Joria Mainstage Theater in New York; Theatre Roulette at MadLab Theatre and Gallery in Columbus, Ohio; the New Works Festival at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport, Massachusetts; the Maine Playwrights Festival; Fast and Furious II at Stage Left Theatre in Spokane, Washington; the Salem Theater Company’s Moments of Play Ten-Minute Play Festival in Salem, Massachusetts; the 0-60 Ten Minute Play Competition at Longwood University in Virginia; and elsewhere.

Carol White (Hail Kale) of Boca Raton is an award-winning novelist and playwright. Her plays have been produced in over twenty theatres throughout the country, including Off and Off-Off Broadway.  Two of her full-length plays were included in the 2013 and 2015 South Florida Theatre League’s Summer Reading Series. Programs of seven of her short plays were produced in Boca Raton and Plantation in 2013 and 2014. She currently leads a drama workshop for teens at the Milagro Center in Delray Beach. Visit her website: www.carolwhitefiction.com or email her at polowhite@aol.com.

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THE FANTASTICKS at Stage Door Theatre – September 4 – October 11

17 Monday Aug 2015

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Stage-Door-Logo---960x260Presents
showlogo-the_fantasticks (web)September 4 – October 11

“The perfect musical. It’s a gem.” The Wall Street Journal
“Still the best…after all these years.” New York Post

August 18, 2015
MARGATE, FL: When The Fantasticks opened at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in Greenwich Village on May 3rd, 1960, no one, least of all its creators, had any idea this simple yet stylistic musical would become the longest lasting production in theatrical history, running in its original incarnation for 42 years, and 17,162 performances.

Described as a “funny and romantic musical about a boy, a girl, two fathers and a wall, the play’s narrator, El Gallo, asks the audience to use their imagination and follow him into a world of moonlight and magic. The boy and the girl fall in love, grow apart, and finally find their way back to each other after realizing the truth in El Gallo’s words that “without a hurt, the heart is hollow”.”

The book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt include Try to Remember, They Were You, and Soon It’s Gonna Rain, and have become as timeless as the story itself. The musical is based loosely on several literary classics including The Romancers (Les Romanesques) by Edmond Rostand, which draws elements from the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore.

dankelley2

Dan Kelley

“The Fantasticks is the longest running show in the history of the American theatre,” says director Dan Kelley. “Among the thousands of actors who have performed in The Fantasticks are: Anna Maria Alberghetti, Richard Chamberlain, Elliot Gould, Bert Lahr, Liza Minnelli, Jerry Orbach, F. Murray Abraham, and Glenn Close. I have a wonderful cast including some familiar faces as well as some exciting newcomers,” he continues. “Making their Stage Door debut will be Alexander Zenoz as Matt, Steve Goldstein as Bellomy, Sebastian Lombardo as Mortimer, Alan Gerstel as Henry, and Pedro Kaawaloa as El Gallo. And returning to our stage will be Molly Anne Ross as Luisa, Pierre Tannous as The Mute, and Larry Bramble as Hucklebee.”

David Nagy

David Nagy

“The Fantasticks has always been one of my favorite shows,” production’s musical director David Nagy explains.  “I’m old enough that, when I was first getting involved in musical theater, it was a relatively new show.  I think the score has some of the most beautiful songs ever written for the theater, and there’s a timeless element to the script.  Although I have seldom done the same show more than once, The Fantasticks is one of the few shows I don’t mind doing over and over.  Through the years, I’ve gotten to meet several individuals from the 1960 production:  Rita Gardner, the original Luisa; Julian Stein, the original music director; and Jones and Schmidt themselves.  It was always a thrill to meet these people who were part of a show that was so important to me growing up.

“One of the first times I was ever on stage was in a revue, dancing to the song “They Were You” which is sung at the end of the show, Nagy continues.  “I can’t remember my dancing partner’s name, but I remember her nickname was “Peanut”.  So to Peanut, wherever you are:  this one’s for you!”

The Fantasticks will run from September 4 – October 11 at The Stage Door Theatre. The theatre is located at 8036 Sample Road, Margate, 33065.

Tickets for The Fantasticks are $38 – $42; $16 student tickets are also available. Tickets may be purchased at the Broward Stage Door Theatre box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at www.stagedoortheatre.com. Group and Subscriber Discounts are available for all Stage Door productions

For more information about The Fantasticks and/or The Stage Door Theatre, please visit www.stagedoortheatre.com , or contact Derelle Bunn Executive Producer/Artistic Director, at DerelleBunn@yahoo.com / 954-344-7765 or Carol Kassie (ckassie@gmail.com / 561-445-9244).

The Fantasticks
September 4 – October 11, 2015
Music by Harvey Schmidt
Lyrics by Tom Jones
Tickets: $38 – $42
Phone: 954-344-7765
   Showtimes:
Wednesday, Saturday, & Sunday at 2 pm,
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
The Stage Door Theatre
8036 W Sample Rd
Margate, Fl 33065
www.stagedoortheatre.com
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The South Florida Theatre League’s THE DANA PLAYS 2015 to Feature Short Plays by Nine South Florida Playwrights – August 31st at The Vanguard

11 Tuesday Aug 2015

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New Theatre League Logo - Use thisThe South Florida Theatre League
presents
The Dana Plays 2015
A play reading fundraiser for the Humane Society
Inspired by Dana Castellano

Miami, Florida, August 11, 2015 

On Monday, August 31st, the South Florida Theatre League will proudly present The Dana Plays 2015 – a play reading fundraiser inspired by Dana Castellano – at The Vanguard (1501 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316) at 8 pm.

Dana Castellano

Dana Castellano

The Dana Plays evolved as an adjunct to the South Florida Theatre League’s Summer Theatre Fest Play Reading Festival. Dana Castellano was a passionate supporter of, and involved with, South Florida theatre for over 10 years in both Broward and Palm Beach Counties. She was an active member of the board of directors for the Women’s Theater Project and dedicated her time and energy to a number of theatrical projects. Her love of the theater allowed her to make amazing lifelong friends and share her commitment to the arts community. Dana Castellano passed away in November of 2014.

The playwrights contributing to The Dana Plays 2015 are Andie Arthur, Christopher Demos-Brown, Jessica Farr, Tony Finstrom, Avi Hoffman, Michael McKeever, David Nail, Matt Stabile, and Paul Tei.

The Dana Plays 2015 will raise funds for the Humane Society, a charity Castellano supported because of her love of animals.

Tickets for The Dana Plays are $15 each (with any extra donation welcome), and are now available at SouthFloridaTheatre.org or https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/949407

For more information about The Dana Plays 2015, or the South Florida Theatre League, please contact Andie Arthur at andie@southfloridatheatre.com / 954-557-0778 or Carol Kassie at ckassie@gmail.com /  561-445-9244.

The South Florida Theatre League is an alliance of theatrical organizations and professionals dedicated to nurturing, promoting, and advocating for the growth and prestige of the South Florida theatre industry.  The South Florida Theatre League is funded by its members, member theatres, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, and the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. For more information visit: www.southfloridatheatre.com.

The Vanguard: Sanctuary For The Arts is an intimate, versatile black box performance space located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale.  Formerly a church when first erected in 1939, the freshly remodeled venue will be a modern sanctuary for the arts.  The Vanguard will serve as the permanent residence for Thinking Cap Theatre, a local award-winning theatre company, and as a creative hub to showcase a range of artistic offerings, including the work of other local and visiting theatre companies, stand-up comedy, dance, film screenings, art installations, and live music. Founding Executive Director, Nicole Stodard, and her creative team have given the decor of the venue a mid-century flair with a mod color palette, Sputnik chandeliers and pop art reminiscent of Warhol adorning the lobby lounge.  However, they have preserved the original 30-feet Dade County pine ceiling in the central room that is now the performance area. The Vanguard is also available for rental for corporate and private events.  For more information, call 813-220-1546.  www.vanguardarts.org

~*~

The Dana Plays 2015
Monday, August 31st – 8 pm
Tickets:  $15
at The Vanguard
1501 S. Andrews Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
To purchase tickets, visit SouthFloridaTheatre.org or
https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/949407