VDAY Jackson 2011 presents three benefit performances of "The Vagina Monologues"

VDAY JACKSON 2011 presents a benefit production of The Vagina Monologues

Sponsored by Riot Act Theatre Company and Off Square Theatre Company

April 12,13,14 at 7 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre in the Center for the Arts. VDAY Jackson will present a three-night benefit for VDAY International and valley non-profits working to support victims of domestic violence. This year's event includes three performances of Eve Ensler's award winning play, The Vagina Monologues, featuring an all-new cast. Tickets are available in advance at Valley Books and online at www.riotactinc.org for $12, and at the door the evening of the performance for $15.

As a special bonus this year after each evening's performance, the women of Jackson will be welcome to take the stage and share their story, through music, prose, original monologues or a simple shout out.

This is the third event presented by the woman of Teton Valley and we are so grateful to our communities for their support. We hope the community we join us again this year as we raise awareness about our endeavors to end violence against women and girls and money to support victims of domestic violence.

Jill Callaway, Jackson Community Theater, 307-690-8573, 307-733-7925, jill.callaway@gmail.com

"Noises Off" makes some noise in Cheyenne starting April 8

"Noises Off," a play by Michael Frayn known as one of the funniest plays of the late 20th century, will open on Friday, April 8, 7:30 p.m., at the Mary Godfrey Theatre in Cheyenne. Performance dates are April 8-10 and 15-17. Director of this Cheyenne Little Theatre Players production is Jim Rolf. Wyomingingarts staffers will be looking for our SPCR colleague Mike Corso in the role of Tim Allgood.

A short description of the play:

This classic backstage farce, complete with slamming doors, sexual dalliances, confusions, and errant plates of sardines, follows a hapless acting troupe who prove that whatever can go wrong -- on stage or off -- during the course of a disastrous provincial tour, will.

Order your tickets online at www.cheyennelittletheatre.org

WAC Notes: The Cheyenne Little Theatre Players received an operating support grant from the Wyoming Arts Council to fund operations during the FY 11 fiscal year (July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011. WAC funding is provided by the Wyoming State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

New CD from Gary Small & the Coyote Brothers: "Wyoming (For Dummies)"

Grady Kirkpatrick playing latest CD by Gary Small and the Coyote Brothers today on Wyoming Public Radio's "Morning Music." Selection was "Snaggle-Tooth Jackalope." Here's info from the Coyote Bros web site: "We've just released 'Wyoming (for Dummies).' An EP with 6 crazy rockabilly and surf songs about our quirky culture in Wonderful Wyoming. If you've ever worked in the Park, or been to Yellowstone, ya' better get this one."

Call for entries: Tolentino (Italy) Biennial of Art Humor

The town council of Tolentino in Italy is proposing and organising the 26th International Biennial of Art Humour, which this year will take place between 21 July and 2 October 2011.

The Biennial is open to artists from all over the world, each of which can participate in the “City of Tolentino International Prize” dedicated to satire art. Each entry consists of a maximum of 3 unpublished and original works, of any size, technique and form of visual art.

The theme for the 2011 Biennial is: “Twentieth century Art.”

The last entry date for the competition is 31 May 2011, by which date the works of art must be registered with the Secretary for the 26th International Biennial of Art Humour, Piazza della Libertà, 3 – 62029 TOLENTINO (Italy).

FMI: www.biennaleumorismo.org or +39 733.901365, info@biennaleumorismo.org

The Casper College Department of Theatre and Dance Presents Twelfth Night, or, What You Will

The Casper College Department of Theatre and Dance Presents 

Twelfth Night, or, What You Will

William Shakespeare

Directed by Richard Burk

Scenic and Lighting Design by Sean Mcinstosh

Costume Design and Makeup by Douglas Garland

February 23, 25,26, March 1-5, 2011 at 7:30 P.M.

Gertrude Krampert Theatre Complex, Mcmurry Mainstage 

Cheer yourself through the winter doldrums with Shakespeare's charming romantic comedy about a pair of twins, Viola and Sebastian. Separated in a stormy shipwreck and presuming the other lost, they make their way through into Illyria, where they meet Duke Orsino, who loves the Lady Olivia, who will have none of him, but falls for Viola (disguised as "Cesario" the servant to Orsino)..meanwhile Olivia's kinsman Sir Toby Belch and Maria, along with Feste the Fool, Sir Andrea Aguecheek, and Fabian all wreak havoc on poor puritanical Malvolio! Charming, farcical, cheerful, and fun-this is just the show for the wintertime blues!

Ticks:$12 adults and $10 children/teens (5-18)

$2/ticket discount for groups of 20 or more

Infants are inappropriate in the theatre.

Ticket sales: Patron sales February 9

General Sales: February 16

To purchase:

-Krampert Theatre Box Office (M-F, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., or at the door)

-Phone 307-268-2500, 800-442-2963, ext. 2500 (M-F, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Casper College

Krampert Theatre

125 College Drive

Casper, WY 82601

Ozy Theater plans more unscripted hilarity Feb. 5

Another Night of Unscripted Comedy!!! Hilarity and hijinks, too!!!

February 5th 2011 - 7:30 pm at the Atlas Theatre, Cheyenne

Join those silly Ozy's as they bring another night of all-improv comedy to Downtown Cheyenne! The doors open at 7 p.m. and the laughter starts at 7:30 p.m!

Tickets at $8 bucks for adults and $5 bucks for military and students... bring your funny bone!

As always Ozy's comedy is rated PG-13.

Proceeds from all shows benefit mostly local charities.

FMI: www.ozytheater.com

Tim Sandlin's fourth book in the GroVont saga due out in April

Tim Sandlin sends news "that the GroVont Trilogy is back in action in anticipation of Lydia, the fourth GroVont book, which will be out in April. After a long coma, Sex and Sunsets, Western Swing, Skipped Parts, Sorrow Floats, and Social Blunders may be once again bought at your local bookstore. Buy a set from Valley Books in downtown Jackson and receive a signed copy of The Pyms: Unauthorized Tales of Jackson Hole for free." 

Evening of improv Nov. 6 at Historic Atlas Theatre

Ozymandian Improv Show this weekend at the Historic Atlas Theatre in downtown Cheyenne.

Saturday, November 6, 7:30 p.m. Doors will open for ticket sales at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $8 for Adults and $5 for students

Want to laugh so hard that week-old undigested Halloween candy comes shooting out your nose?

Ozymandian Theater is back from their three month Yeti Hunt in the Canadian Rockies to bring you an an evening of hilarious improv comedy!

The proceeds of the show will benefit the Cheyenne Little Theatre Players who have been so incredibly generous in their support of our shows and the other charities that we contribute to.

Spirit of Coyote tells tale of Ernestine Shuswap

From a University of Wyoming press release:

The University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance continues its 2010-2011 production season with "Ernestine Shuswap Gets Her Trout." Tomson Highway's sly and dark comedy depicts four First Nations women as they prepare for the 1910 visit of the Canadian prime minister to their traditional lands.

Directed by Professor of Theatre Rebecca Hilliker, "Ernestine Shuswap Gets Her Trout," runs Oct. 26-30 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center Studio Theatre. Tickets cost $14 for the public, $11 for senior citizens and $7 for students. For tickets and information, call (307) 766-6666 or go online at www.uwyo.edu/finearts .

A post-show discussion will be held in conjunction with the performance Thursday, Oct. 28.

Drawing directly from the Laurier Memorial, a deposition signed by 14 chiefs of the Thompson River Valley, "Ernestine Shuswap Gets Her Trout" is a vivid and gripping examination of the cultural genocide of the Shuswap Nation of British Columbia. Celebrated playwright and novelist Tomson Highway is widely recognized for his tremendous contribution to the development of Aboriginal theater in both Canada and around the world. In 1994, he was inducted into the Order of Canada, the first Aboriginal writer to be so honored.

"'Ernestine Shuswap' is one of the most compelling plays about social issues that I have seen in a long while," said Hilliker. "It's really a poignant piece, and it raises issues that we really need to talk about in this country."

Written in the spirit of Coyote, in "Trickster language," the women argue, joke, rant and grieve together, the hysterically comic spilling over into the unutterably tragic and back again.

"It's ironic that in the U.S. we talk about other countries needing to own up to cultural and literal genocide, and the results of colonialism, but we still deny these realities in our own history," noted Hilliker.

"We think that these conversations are over, but they've never really happened. Plays like ‘Ernestine' can help to bridge that gap," she added.

Photo: Noelia Antweiler, left, and Brittany Byers perform in the University of Wyoming production "Ernestine Shuswap Gets Her Trout." Performances at the Fine Arts Studio Theatre will be Oct. 26-30 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 31 at 2 p.m.

"Knuffle Bunny" in Jackson Oct. 15

Off Square Theatre Company and The Center for the Arts in Jackson co-present "Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical" in the Center for the Arts Theatre, 265 Cache St., on Friday, OLct. 15, 7 p.m.

Reserved seats: $15 adults, $10 children (11 & under)

Event Info: Based on his beloved Caldecott Honor-winning picture book, six-time Emmy Award winner Mo Willems and Grammy Award-winning composer Michael Silversher lovingly celebrate the heart and heartache that can only come from a family visit to the local laundromat. For ages 4 and up.

Brought to Jackson Hole by the Kennedy Center; co-presented by Off Square Theatre Company and the Center for the Arts.

Dear Mr. Vonnegut: "You have no talent and we suggest you give up writing"

The Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library will open this fall in Indianapolis. It will be part library and part museum, containing memorabilia from Vonnegut's life, signed first editions of his books and copies of the many rejection letters he received from publishers:

Vonnegut's eldest daughter, Edie Vonnegut, said her father loved libraries and would have wanted visitors to learn about his perseverance in the face of dismissive publishers. Among the items she's loaning the library are some of his rejection letters.

"We have boxes of rejection letters, letters saying 'You have no talent and we suggest you give up writing,'" she said. "He did not have an easy time of it, and I think for anyone who wants to be writer, it will be important for them to see how tough it was for him."

FMI: http://www.vonnegutlibrary.com/

Novelist Carl Hiaasen on his "litmus test" for choosing books

Mystery novelist Carl Hiaasen on how he chooses a book to read:

When I’m deciding to read a book, I never open to the first chapter, because that’s been revised and worked over 88 times. I’ll just turn to the middle of the book, to the middle of a chapter, and just read a random page and I’ll know right away whether this is the real deal or not. You can tell right away, if it’s really good, it’ll be really good on page 158. Lots of people can write a good first page but to sustain it, that’s my litmus test. If I flip to the middle of the book and there’s a piece of dialogue that’s just outstanding, or a description, then I’ll flip back to the first page and start it.

Read the entire interview with the author on Entertainment Weekly's "Shelf Life" at http://shelf-life.ew.com/2010/08/12/carl-hiaasen-star-island/

Hiaasen will be signing copies of his new book, "Star Island," as Tattered Cover LoDo in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 18. FMI: http://www.tatteredcover.com/

Discount tickets for Cheyenne Melodrama July 16-18

The 54th annual Cheyenne Old-fashioned Melodrama is...

...Rocky Rhoades’ Rodeo Ride

or

The Bigger the Dastards, the Harder They Fall

or

Who Noosed the Moose?

By Jim Rolf

Directed by Andy Dennis and James Wagner

July 16-18, July 22-August 1, & August 5-8, 2010 at the Historic Atlas Theatre

Melodrama Discount Nights (Must Be Booked Through the Box Office Either on the Phone or In-Person)

Friday, July 16, 2010 FAMILY NIGHT – BUY 1 ADULT GET 1 CHILD FREE (AGE 18 AND UNDER)

Saturday, July 17, 2010 MILITARY NIGHT. ACTIVE DUTY & VETERAN PERSONNEL ONLY. DOES NOT INCLUDE DEPENDENTS. HALF-PRICE WITH MILITARY ID

Sunday, July 18, 2010 ½ PRICE SENIORS ONLY -- AGES 60 AND OVER

Call the Cheyenne Little Theatre at 307-638-6543.

"Rocky Rhoades' Rodeo Ride" debuts July 15

Melodrama poster designed by Cheyenne Central High School students and graphic artist Travis Rolf

Melodrama Discount Nights

(Tickets Must Be Booked Through the Cheyenne Little Theatre Box Office Either on the Phone or In-Person)

Thursday, July 15, 2010 ½ PRICE TICKETS

Friday, July 16, 2010 FAMILY NIGHT – BUY 1 ADULT GET 1 CHILD FREE (AGE 18 AND UNDER)

Saturday, July 17, 2010 MILITARY NIGHT – (ACTIVE DUTY & VETERAN PERSONNEL ONLY -- DOES NOT INCLUDE DEPENDENTS) ½ PRICE WITH MILITARY ID

Sunday, July 18, 2010 ½ PRICE SENIORS ONLY, AGES 60 AND OVER

Thursday, August 5, 2010 CFD VOLUNTEER NIGHT –  ½ PRICE WITH A CFD VOLUNTEER ID BADGE

Friday, August 6, 2010 LCSD NIGHT –  ½ PRICE WITH SCHOOL DISTRICT ID
Saturday, August 7, 2010 CITY AND STATE EMPLOYEES - ½ PRICE WITH CITY OR STATE ID

Sunday, August 8, 2010 ½ PRICE STUDENTS ONLY ** ½ PRICE WITH STUDENT ID

Cheyenne Old-Fashioned Melodrama volunteers invited to June 14 training session

The Cheyenne Little Theatre Players is holding an informational and training session for those interested in volunteering for the Old-Fashioned Summer Melodrama at the Atlas Theatre. The session will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 14, at the Historic Atlas Theatre in downtown Cheyenne.

You're invited whether you've already volunteered or have a hankering to do so.

Volunteer slots to be filled include house managers, box office help, table servers, bar servers and raffle ticket sellers.

Be a part of a Cheyenne tradition -- and have fun in the process.

To volunteer, go to www.cheyennelittletheatre.org/volunteer.asp. Fill out a volunteer form online or print one out and send it to the CLTP.

Or you can just show up Monday evening and sign up in person.

This year's show is:

Rocky Rhoades’ Rodeo Ride
or
The Bigger the Dastards, the Harder They Fall
or
Who Noosed the Moose?

Script by Jim Rolf

Performance dates are July 15-18, July 22-August 1, & August 5-8, at the Atlas Theatre.

Ozy's "Good Riddance Winter" show

From the Ozymandian Theater's Facebook page:

Are you ready for an evening of pure sophistication and deep meaningful culture while sipping on expensive wine that nobody can pronounce? Does a night of sharing your favorite poetry and discussing modern art give you a serious case of "The Giddies"?

If your answer to any of those questions was "yes" than we wish you the best of luck...

For everyone else we are excited to announce that Ozymandian Theater is back with a brand new and all original sketch and improv comedy show!

Our show, "Good Riddance Winter," will run on May 28th, 29th, and June 4th and 5th at The Mary Godfrey Playhouse (on the corner of Windmill and Pershing, next to East High School in Cheyenne). The show starts at 7:30 p.m. The cost of tickets are $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the door at 7:00 P.M. or purchased on our website: http://www.ozytheater.com/

As always, our show is rated PG-13.

Proceeds from these shows will provide for two $500 college scholarships. We are proud to be offering this scholarship for a third year.

Every ticket holder may enter the name a Cheyenne High School graduating senior into a raffle. Winning tickets will be drawn at the end of our shows on May 29th and June 5th. The winner need not be present to win.

Both lucky seniors will receive a check for $500 upon proof of college enrollment for the 2010 fall semester.

As always we are thankful for the Cheyenne Little Theater Players for their support and help in putting on these shows that benefit Cheyenne! For more info on all the amazing things happening at the CLTP please visit http://www.cheyennelittletheatre.org/

Don't miss The Ultra-Amazing Ozymandian Improv Show March 6 at the Atlas

From a press release:

Tell your funny bone that it is about to get slapped in its smug boney face!

Ozmandian Theater is back with an all new improv show coming your way on March 6th! This show will be all improvised so that means we will be making it up as we go along. We promise you a night of comedy that will not leave a carbon footprint. Unless of course, you want us to leave one...and if that is the case we will be giving a full bottle of hairspray for each audience member so they can spray it into the ozone right after the show. Take that ozone!

This show is part of The Cheyenne Little Theater Player's "Saturday Nights Live at The Atlas." The cost of the show is $5 for students and $8 for adults. The proceeds will benefit the restoration of the Historic Atlas Theater. As always our shows are rated PG-13.

If that is not enough to plant you in our audience here is an extra bonus: Ozymandian Theater is excited to announce that they will be joined on stage by the awesome East High School Improv Club. Come and support the next generation of comedy as they hit the stage with Ozy!

So here are the details:

Ozymandian Improv Show (with special guests from the EHS Improv Club).

This show is part of CLTP's "Saturday Nights Live at The Atlas"@ The Historic Atlas Theater (211 W. Lincolnway)March 6 @ 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7). Ticket Price is $8 for adults and $5 for students.

The show is rated PG-13

This is a ONE NIGHT ONLY PERFORMANCE.

As always we can purchase tickets online or learn more about Ozymandian Theater at our brand new website:http://www.ozytheater.com/

For more information on all the cool things happening at the CLTP, visit http://www.cheyennelittletheatre.org/

WYO Theater in Sheridan presents "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change"

The WYO Theatre presents I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, a rollicking musical comedy about the most basic and still complex constant in everyone's life -- the relationship. It's a story of people desperately trying to make (and often missing) connections.

Shows are Feb. 6-7 and 11-14. Times: Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. Sun.-2 p.m.

Directed by Erin Butler. Musical Direction, Kathy McNickle. Book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts. See www.loveperfectchange.com

FMI: http://www.wyotheater.com

"Dog Sees God" at LCCC Playhouse Jan. 29-30

From Facebook:

"Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead," an independent production in conjunction with Laramie County Community College's ADIOS. Shows will be in the LCCC Playhouse on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 29-30, 7:30 p.m . Admission is $5 per person.

Directed by Cheyenne's Anna Katen, "Dog Sees God" is the unathorized parody of the characters from Charles Schultz's comic strip "Peanuts." What would happen if they lived in a world full of sex, drugs, and... high school? Charlie Brown and his friends grow up in this tale of unknown love, unbelieveable loss, and sweet dance music.

***PLEASE NOTE***

Dramatist Play Service may describe this show as a comedy, but it definetly isn't. THIS SHOW IS RATED R for adult language and content, sexual language and content and an all around adult theme. PLEASE make the SMART decision and DO NOT bring children to this production. They WILL NOT be admitted.

Laramie County Library kicks off 2010 with humor series

Troy Rumpf blogs this from the Laramie County Public Library:

For the next 12 weeks we’re going to bring you six different themes to encourage you to try new genres, new books, and new authors. And even if the bi-weekly theme isn’t your cup of tea, we hope you’ll just take the time to sit back and enjoy a great read – whether in print, in audio format, or even an e-book.

We’re kicking the season off with something that really works well for all ages: Humor. While planning this, I was amazed at the bounty of humor-based materials that can be found at the library; I never thought about looking to mystery or sci-fi genres for anything funny or comedic, but oh how wrong I was. Actually, my personal preference for humor writing includes two of my favorite authors, David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs (and FYI – if you ever get a chance to see them in person, DO SO!), and my colleagues as well as some great Southern friends swear that Celia Rivenbark has made them laugh out loud more than any other writer.

So here we go – feel free to post comments about your favorite funny books, about what you’re reading right now, or what even gets you excited about reading. Thanks for taking part – and we’ll see you at the library.

Post your comments at http://lcls.wordpress.com/