ATNO holding open auditions in Metairie

From The Times-Picayune

ATNO holding open auditions in Metairie
by Ann Maloney

The Actor's Theatre of New Orleans is holding open auditions for its fall season on Saturday, Aug. 1, from noon to 3 p.m. at ATNO, 4539 N. I-10 Service Road, Suite 200, in Metairie.

The season includes:
Beth Henley's "The Miss Firecracker Contest," Sept. 10-26;
Rene J.F. Piazza's "Camp Chaos," Oct. 8-14;
John Patrick Shanley "Four Dogs and a Bone," Nov. 5-21;
Rene J.F. Piazza's "A Christmas Carols: The Whole Story, The Movie," Dec. 3-20;
and
David Sedaris' "The Santaland Diaries," Dec. 4-19.

Neil LaBute "Some Girls," directed by: Rene' J.F. Piazza, is the opening show of the 2009-2010 season. It opens Aug. 13 and continues through Aug. 29. The play tells the story of a single's man odyssey through four hotel rooms as he flies across the country in search of the perfect woman. It is for mature audiences only.

A season brochure is available by calling 504.456.4111.


For more, click here.

Southern Rep Theatre Announces Their Seven Upcoming Productions For 2009-2010 Season

Artistic Director Aimée Hayes has announced the seven productions that make up Southern Rep Theatre's provocative new 2009/2010 Season - a mix of bold story-telling and innovative musical works, and the return of Southern Rep's new play festival, reborn as the SOUTHERN REP NEW PLAY BACCHANAL. As the Gulf Coast South's premiere professional theatre, Southern Rep's 23rd season includes two world premieres and five regional premieres. Following the critically acclaimed 2008/2009 season, it will focus on community partnerships with fellow arts organizations to embrace NOLA's own performing arts community.

This season, Southern Rep is proud to present the World Premiere of The NOLA Project actor and playwright Peter McElligott's WITH A BANG, a co-production with that young, fresh and ferocious theatre company, as well as the regional premiere of OPUS by Michael Hollinger. A co-presentation with JuneBug Productions, Ashé Cultural Arts Center, and Tulane University, Southern Rep is thrilled to bring the dynamic theatre group Universes' new project AMERIVILLE to New Orleans. Other regional debuts include Doug Wright's I AM MY OWN WIFE co-produced with All Kinds of Theatre and THE PIANO TEACHER by Julia Cho. THE PIANO TEACHER will open with the winner of Southern Rep's 10 Minute Play Riot, a part of SOUTHERN REP'S NEW PLAY BACCHANAL, a new amped-up version of the former SRT Fest of New Plays. Finishing out the season will be the regional premiere of the Tony winning musical, GREY GARDENS, in a co-production with Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré on Le Petit's stage.

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JPAS auditioning actors, singers and dancers for its 2009-2010 season

From The Times-Picayune
by Ann Maloney

Many lead roles are still available for Jefferson Performing Arts Society's productions for its 32nd season.

JPAS is holding auditions for its 2009-2010 season on Aug. 15 and 16 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 400 Phlox St. in Metairie (East Jefferson High School auditorium).

To make an appointment, call the JPAS at 504-885-2000 ext. 202.

JPAS is also accepting applications for technical positions in scenic, costuming, sound and lighting and stage managers. Resumes can be submitted to Company/production manager Brian Schrader at production@jpas.org, by fax to 504.885.3437 or by mail to JPAS, 1118 Clearview Parkway, Metairie, LA 70001.

Volunteers ages 15 and older are being south as well for house staff, administrative assistance and production assistance. Interested volunteers should contact JPAS Volunteer Coordinator Melinda Falgoust at callboard@jpas.org or call 504.885.2000 ext. 203.

The season includes:
"Viagara Falls," Oct. 2-18;
"The Rocky Horror Show," Oct. 23-Nov.7;
"Disney's Beauty And The Beast," Nov. 28-Dec. 13;
"Footloose," Jan. 29-Feb. 7;
"Nunsensations! The Nunsense Vegas Review," Feb. 19-March 7;
"The Producers," March 19-28;
and
"The Sicilian Bachelor," April 9-25.

Season tickets go on sale Aug. 10.

Families fill 'Seussical' cast

From The Baton Rouge Advocate.

By Robin Miller

A person’s a person, no matter how small.

Or green or blue.

Or even a sour kangaroo.

And there is one, you know. A sour kangaroo, that is.

That was kind of a bad rhyme at the beginning, wasn’t it? Especially when compared to those penned by Theodor Seuss Geisel.

Best to use his pen name to avoid any confusion.

Dr. Seuss.

Yes, it’s his Sour Kangaroo that’s in question, the very same kangaroo who taunts Horton the Elephant about the Who population on the dust speck.

“The Sour Kangaroo is the leader of the pack,” Emma Graves said. “I wanted to be the Sour Kangaroo when I tried out for the play. She’s a nosey neighbor, and she’s always right until the end when she’s shown up.”

And the moral of the story?

“I know people like that,” Graves said, laughing. “We know people like all of the characters in this play.”

Graves is a 16-year-old Zachary High School student, one of 47 cast members in Central Community Theatre’s production of Seussical the Musical. The play opens Thursday, July 30, in Central High School’s auditorium.

“We thought it would be a great play for us,” Karen Clinkingbeard said. “It’s very family oriented.”

WHAT: A Central Community Theatre production.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, July 30-Aug. 1. There also will be 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1 and 2.
WHERE: Central High School Auditorium, 10200 East Brookside Drive, Central.
ADMISSION: $14.
TICKETS/INFORMATION: Call (225) 615-7615 or visit http://CentralCommunityTheatre.org.

For more information, click here.

Acadiana theaters offer 3 play options

From the Baton Rouge Advocate:

By STEVEN K. LANDRY

LAFAYETTE — Acadiana theater patrons have three options this weekend, with tragic comedy “Crimes of the Heart” at Cite des Arts, Disney-based “Aladdin Jr.” in New Iberia and Roald Dahl’s famous candy-man piece “Willy Wonka” in Opelousas.

At Opelousas Little Theater, “Willy Wonka” is based on Dahl’s story of the world-famous candy-man and his search for an heir, as adapted from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” said co-director Ashley Brown. She directs with Dana Reed.

The play features songs from the classic family production as played on piano by Eugina Hagood. “She is amazing. She saved us,” Brown said Thursday.

“It’ll be a great time for the kids, I can tell you that,” Brown said. “A lot of people were telling us, ‘Well, this won’t keep my child’s attention,’ but 5-year-olds will love it.”

The theater is along Cresswell Lane off Interstate 49, “right behind the fire station,” Reed said. The play is set for today and Saturday at 7 p.m. Call (337) 351-2591 or (337) 948-4367 for more ticket information. Tickets are $10.

In New Iberia, the Iberia Performing Arts League is sponsoring “Aladdin Jr.” and features youngsters playing the main character’s pitiful, but handsome, “street urchin” and his future princess-bride, Jasmine. Students from Iberia, St. Martin and Lafayette parishes are participating.

With Jasmine’s father and others watching with dismay, Jasmine must marry for the sake of her kingdom, though her handlers are not pleased with her street-urchin choice.

Some might recall the “Aladdin” cartoon version with Robin Williams in the pivotal role. “Aladdin Jr.” is set at the Essanee Theater through July 26, with performances today and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., as well as July 24-25, and Sundays at 3 p.m.

Call IPAL at (337) 364-6114 for more information.

In Lafayette, “Crimes of the Heart,” by Beth Henley, involves three sisters — the Magraths — who reunite at their grandfather’s Mississippi home to wax drama, hurt and pain over one sister’s alleged shooting of her husband, all amid a longtime, dysfunctional-family backdrop. Charlee Halphen directs.

Tickets are $15 for “Crimes.” Call (337) 291-1122.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/suburban/51535182.html