UW's "A... My Name is Alice" is "a boodle of laughs"

The University of Wyoming's 2011 Snowy Range Summer Theatre season closes with "A ... My Name Is Alice," a bright and lively musical revue that presents a funny, bawdy and insightful kaleidoscope of contemporary women.

Directed by Leigh Selting, "A ... My Name Is Alice" runs at 7:30 nightly July 12-16 inside the Fine Arts Center studio theatre. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens (60 and older) and $5 for students. For tickets, call (307) 766-6666 or go online at www.uwyo.edu/finearts .

Called "a boodle of laughs" (The New York Post) and "delightful" and "so sophisticated" (The New York Times), "A ... My Name Is Alice" is filled with life's ups, downs and in-betweens from a modern woman's perspective.

The five-woman cast takes on multiple roles to explore the many facets of contemporary women's lives through scenes, monologues and songs. They explore the horrors of parent/teacher conferences, the delights of a male strip club and the tragedy of losing a parent. The music ranges from 1960s doo-wop and wistful pop ballads to soul-filled rhythm and blues.

Originally produced by the Women's Project at the American Place Theatre in New York, "A...My Name Is Alice" played a long duration at the Village Gate Off Broadway and won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical Revue.

The revue was created by veteran directors Joan Micklin Silver and Julianne Boyd and involved a variety of comedy writers, lyricists and composers who contributed to the songs and sketches.

Photo: Amber McNew, Rebecca Diamond, Caryn Flanagan, Francesca Mintowt-Czyz and Jackie Darnell rehearse a scene from the University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance production  "A ... My Name Is Alice," showing nightly at 7:30 July 12-16 inside the Fine Arts Center studio theatre. (UW Photo)   

Casper Star-Tribune's "Making It" series follows Jim Olm's road to the Off Broadway stage

Anyone interested in a career in musical theatre should read the "Making It" series by Margaret Matray in the Casper Star-Tribune. The series follows Casper College theatre professor Jim Olm in his quest to produce his show "The Magdalene" Off Broadway. Olm has invested many years and a lot of money in the pursuit of his dream.

Jim Olm

The musical is inspired by the Gnostic Gospels, discovered in Nag Hammadi, Egypt, in 1945. It follows the story of Mary Magdelene as told in the Gospels of Mary and Thomas which were not included in the Christian Bible. "The Magdelene" is scheduled to run at the Theatre of St. Clement's in New York through Sept. 4. Olm co-wrote the script with J.C. Hanley. The play is directed by Casper College professor Rich Burk with Tony Award-winner Richard Maltby Jr. as creative consultant.

Olm's saga from the germ of an idea to the Off Broadway stage continues through Thursday in the CST.  

Time to cut "Footloose"

This comes from Dana Heying at Cheyenne Little Theatre Players:

It's time to CUT FOOTLOOSE! 

And Cheyenne Little Theatre Players has announced a Student Ticket Special!

For Saturday 2 p.m. matinees ONLY we have reduced the STUDENT/CHILD Ticket Price to only $10!!!

That's right...

Bring a Student/Child to catch this Jelly Shoe Tapping, Big Hair Bopping, Mullet Rocking Musical at a reduced rate!

General Ticket Prices are:
Adults $24
Seniors (60+) $22
Students/Children $18 (Saturday Matinees ONLY $10)

Visit our website @ www.cheyennelittletheatre.org or call the Box Office @ 307-638-6543 9am - 4pm Monday through Friday to book your seats NOW!

This show runs May 13-22
Fridays @ 7:30pm
Saturdays @ 2pm (Student Reduced Matinee) and 7:30pm
Sundays @ 2pm

"Chicago" razzle dazzles UW April 12-17

Broadway's musical sensation "Chicago" will be the University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance's final performance this season. "Chicago" will run at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12 through Saturday, April 16 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 17, at the Fine Arts main stage.

Tickets cost $16 for general admission, $13 for senior citizens and $8 for students. Tickets are available at the Wyoming Union and Fine Arts box offices. For tickets and information call (307)766-6666 or go online at www.uwyo.edu/finearts

A send-up of the windy city's gangster era, "Chicago" is a sensational tale of murder, corruption and celebrity, originally featuring Bob Fosse's legendary choreography and show-stopping dance numbers including "All That Jazz," "Razzle Dazzle" and "Cellblock Tango."

Director Leigh Selting is pleased to secure the rights to produce the show.

"As a young actor, I was in a production of Chicago in 1981, after the original production had closed and I've always wanted to direct the piece myself. As the revival of Chicago is still playing on Broadway today, we're quite fortunate to be able to produce the show," Selting says. "I'd inquired after the performance rights for a number of years, and we were finally notified last spring that the University of Wyoming was granted permission to produce the show -- one of very few universities in the country.  It's rare to be able to present a show that is still playing on Broadway."

He said the show is a wonderful challenge for UW musical theatre and dance students. Selting notes that the production presents a unique opportunity for theatre design and technology students to work in a non-realistic setting. "Chicago" makes use of plenty of steel fabrication and the costumes are iconic of the sexy and seductive time and place in Chicago that Fosse made famous in the revival production.

"People should not expect the movie version here, either," Selting adds.  "We're doing the stage version that has since become the longest-running Broadway revival in history."

The UW production is conducted by music faculty Professor Michael Griffith, vocals conducted by musical theatre faculty member Patrick Newell and choreographed by dance faculty member Lawrence Jackson.

"Chicago" contains language and themes that some might find objectionable.

Photo: Noelia Antweiler leads the cast in the University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance production of the Broadway musical sensation "Chicago." (UW Photo)

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" opens tonight at the Historic Atlas Theatre

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” takes place at the Historic Atlas Theatre in downtown Cheyenne. The play’s music and lyrics are by William Finn from a book by Rachel Sheinkin.

Performance Dates: March 18-20 & 25-27

Cast:

Chip Tolentino/Jesus: Kevin Guille
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere: Stephanie Medema
Leaf Coneybear/Carl Dad: Jeran Artery
William Barfee: Chris Arneson
Marcy Park: Marcie Smith
Olive Ostrovsky: Kathy Borgaard
Rona Lisa Perretti/Olive’s Mom: Patty Walkley
Vice Principal Douglas Panch: Keith Thomson
Mitch Mahoney/Dan dad/Olive dad: Terry Barbre

Description: A hilarious tale of overachievers’ angst chronicling the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. The show’s Tony Award winning creative team has created the unlikeliest of hit musicals about the unlikeliest of heroes: a quirky yet charming cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time.

Get your tickets at http://www.cheyennelittletheatre.org

Cheyenne Little Theatre Presents The Sound of Music Musical

The Sound of Music

Music by Richard Rodgers

Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Book by Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse

Performance Dates:

September 24-26

September 30-October 3

October 7-10, 2010

Location:

Mary Godfrey Playhouse

2706 E Pershing Blvd, Cheyenne WY 82001

 307.638.6543

       This winner of the 1959 Tony Award for Best Musical is the captivating and timeless story of the Von Trapp family. More than a theatrical experience, The Sound of Music is a cherished memory filled with laughter, tears, and some of the most unforgettable music ever written, including “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss,” and “Do Re Mi.”

To purchase tickets: http://cheyennelittletheatre.tix.com/Schedule.asp?OrganizationNumber=2438

The High Plains are alive with "The Sound of Music" auditions

From the Cheyenne Little Theatre Players:

Adult auditions for "The Sound of Music" will be held Tuesday, Aug. 3, 6 p.m., at the Mary Godfrey Playhouse in Cheyenne. Director is Toni Tomei. Choreographer is Russell Rose. Musical Director/Conductor: Dave Kramer

From the Director: Auditions will be held in groups of no more than 10 individuals at a time on-stage and closed to the public. This will allow each actor to have more of a "moment" with the Directors and Choreographer. The Stage Management team will be in the lobby to see that the audition is run smoothly, and answer any questions you may have. Please bring your resume and 8 x 10 photo (if you have one) to attach to the audition sheet that you will fill out. Please note: any current photo will do.

You will be seen in the order that you arrive at the theater.

Audition Requirements: Prepare one standard Broadway show tune; a song from the show is fine. Please no rock opera, no singing to a tape or CD and no accapella. We need to hear you sing with the piano, even if it is Happy Birthday and singing scales. You will only read from the script and sing additional songs if you are invited to callbacks. You may be cut off during your songs if the directors have heard all they need to. This is in the interest of time.

Cast of Characters: If you are auditioning for a specific role, the songs noted below will be sung at callbacks and anyone may be use them for main audition.

Maria Rainer : Lead, to portray age range: 23 - 28, Voice: Soprano
Please prepare: "The Sound of Music", "My Favorite Things" and "An Ordinary Couple"

Captain Georg Von-Trapp: Lead, to portray age range: 38-50, Voice: Baritone. Please prepare: "Edelweiss", "The Sound of Music" and "An Ordinary Couple"

Elsa Schraeder: Supporting, Age: 35-45. Please prepare "How Can Love Survive" and "No Way to Stop It"

Max Detweiler: Supporting, Age: 30-60. Please prepare "How Can Love Survive" and "No Way to Stop It"

The Children : Supporting, Would prefer children to be at least 8 years + to portray ages: 6-16. Please prepare: "The Sound of Music" and "Do Ri Me". The children are: Friedrich - age 14, Louisa - age 13,
Kurt - age 10, Brigitta - age 9, Marta - age 7, Gretl - the youngest.

Leisl: Supporting, to portray age 16 - going on 17. Voice: Mezzo. Must move/dance well. Please prepare: "The Sound of Music" and "I Am Sixteen Going on Seventeen"

Rolf Gruber : Supporting, to portray age Age 17 going on 18, Voice: Tenor. Must move/dance well. Please prepare: "The Sound of Music" and "I Am Sixteen Going on Seventeen"

Mother Abbess : Lead, Age 40 +: Strong Mezzo Soprano. Prepare: "Climb Every Mountain"

Sisters Berthe, Margaretta and Sophia: Supporting, to portray age ranges of 30+, Voice: Mezzo's Prepare: "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria"

Frau Schmidt: Supporting, to portray Age 30+ (This is a non singing part, but will sing with the chorus if needed, non singing actors are welcome to audition for this part)

Franz: Supporting, to portray age 30+ (This is a non-singing part, but will sing with the chorus if needed, non-singing actors are welcome to audition for this part)

Ensemble: Please note that those cast as nuns, and military personnel will be doubling as townspeople, party guests and festival contestants. Everyone must sing even though some of the parts are marked non-singing. We are looking for a wide range of heights and ages for all of these parts.

We are seeking an energetic, talented cast that looks good, sounds great and can fill the house with personality and sound that every director strives for and every audience is thrilled by. Continuity and look of the Von Trapp "family" is also key. Rehearsals begin August 9, starting at 6:30pm, Monday thru Friday. Every attempt will be made to release the children earlier in the evening from each rehearsal they attend. You will not be required to rehearse every night, until closer to opening, so check your schedule against the Master Calendar before you audition. Keep conflicts to a minimum.

No conflicts during Tech Week - Sunday, Sept. 19 (afternoon) thru Wed., Sept. 22

Join Our Mailing List!
Cheyenne Little Theatre Players
PO Box 20087
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003
307-638-6543

Horse Barn celebrates 100th anniversary with musical comedy "A Bag Full of Miracles"

From a SCPR press release:

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Horse Barn, the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site will host the spring production of Tom Northam’s whirlwind musical-comedy, “A Bag Full of Miracles.”

Produced by The Unexpected Company Senior Community Theatre, “A Bag Full of Miracles,” will run April 30 and May 1,2,7,8 and 9. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at the Laramie Plains Museum Carriage House, Eppson Center for Seniors and First Interstate Bank.

The horse barn, designed in 1910 by Laramie's architectural firm Hitchcock & Hitchcock, was one of the first new major construction projects of the University of Wyoming after acquiring the grounds from the former Territorial Prison.

UW adapted the land for use as an experimental stock farm so a majestic horse barn was built for its Percheron draft horses, as well as saddle horses. This impressive barn included a show ring, animal wash stalls, carriage house, grooms' lockers and an office. Eighty years later, in 1990, the horse barn hay loft was converted into a theater.

“The 100-year-old horse barn provides a pleasant ambiance for a unique theatrical experience and we invite all to enjoy this opportunity.” says Deborah Amend, superintendent of the Wyoming Territorial Prison Historic Site.

"A Bag Full of Miracles” centers on Maggie Hill, an unmarried, newly-retired school teacher with a meager pension, and Lady Anne Windesmeer, a recent widow who has been swindled by an unscrupulous lawyer.

Brought together by their common financial straits, the two seniors convert Lady Anne's San Francisco home into a bed and breakfast, which becomes the setting for a cast of characters that bring with them hilarity, intrigue, romance, warmth, and a twisting chain of events that will shake up the audience in more ways than one.

They're also sure to leave the theater humming the memorable songs woven throughout this funny yet sensitive look at senior life.

This production is supported in part by a grant from the Wyoming Arts Council, through funding from Wyoming State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art, and through the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site. For more information, contact Susan McGraw 307-745-8352.

The Wyoming Territorial Prison and Horse Barn Theater, is located at 975 Snowy Range Road in Laramie.

Jesus Christ Superstar the Musical in Casper

Jesus Christ Superstar the Musical

Starring Ted Neeley

Live on Stage!

February 1st, 2010

Casper Events Center

Tickets available at Casper Events Center Box

Office at (307) 577-3030 or (800) 442-2256 or

online at http://www.caspereventscenter.com/

"Annie" coming to Casper

The national tour of "Annie" will be coming to Casper on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at the Casper Events Center. Ticket prices are $47.50, $42.50, $37.50 and a $10.00 discount for students 18 and under. Show begins at 7:30 pm. For tickets, go to http://www.caspereventscenter.com/

From the Casper Events Center website:

Leapin' lizards! The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. Boasting one of Broadway's most memorable scores, including "It's the Hard-Knock Life," "Easy Street," "N.Y.C." and the ever-optimistic "Tomorrow," Annie is a delightful theatrical experience for the entire family. Don't miss this all-new production that Variety calls "a winner!"

Pinocchio - Missoula Children's Theatre

Conceived and Written by Jim Caron
Music and Lyrics by Michael McGill and Jim Caron

Saturday, October 3, 2009 4:00 p.m.
in St. Mary's Catholic School Multi-Purpose Room
2200 O'Neil Avenue (doors open at 3:30 p.m.)
enter throgh courtyard doors
One Performance Only