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Both reviewers agree that Weathervane Playhouse’s Into the Woods will leave you feeling happily ever after.  Weathervane Playhouse presents Into the Woods at the Mary A. Alford Memorial Pavilion located at 100 Price Road, Newark, Ohio.  Shows start at 8:00 p.m. July 2-3 and July 8-11, and at 7:00 p.m. on July 4.  Tickets range in price from $15 to $23 and are available at the box office before the show or for purchase online.  For more information about this show or the upcoming shows this season, please visit the Weathervane Playhouse website or call the box office at (740) 366-4616.

Into the Woods Worth the Trip Out to the Woods Little Red (Logan Baker) and The Baker (Jonathan Bragg) share a plate of cookies unaware The Witch (Sara Michalski) is close at hand. Weathervane’s production of “Into The Woods.” Photograph courtesy of Matt Upchurch, MVproductions. by Krista Threadgill This past Thursday evening, Weathervane Playhouse opened the latest production in their 41st summer season with the Stephen Sondheim favorite Into the Woods, an ambitious undertaking for any theatre company.  I am thrilled to report that this is a show well worth seeing.  There isn’t a bad seat in the house at the partially-enclosed pavilion tucked away in the small town of Newark.  It’s a bit of a hike for some Columbus natives, but once the show starts, you’ll forget all about the long drive. Matthew Trombetta directs Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical, set in an enchanted forest where the Narrator (Dennis Kohler) introduces some familiar characters:  Cinderella (Kirstin Flagor), her evil stepmother (Carolyn Clippinger) and taunting stepsisters (Maggie Taylor and Lisa Anfield); Little Red Ridinghood (Logan Baker), her Granny (Carolyn Redman) and a hungry Wolf (Morgan McCann); the local baker (Jonathan Bragg), his wife (Katherine DeBoer) and their neighbor, the Witch (Sara Michalski; young Jack (Raymond Havey), his mother (Belinda Paisley), and the family’s aging cow, Milky White (Marisa Riegle); the lovely Rapunzel (Samantha Mastrian); and two charming princes (McCann and Jesse Adam Koza).  Spellbinding melodies and a fast-paced plotline keep the audience riveted to this story about wishes—and the consequences that arise from a wish fulfilled. The ensemble cast is outstanding in this production.  The primary female cast members—Flagor, DeBoer, Baker, Mastrian and Michalski—have lovely singing voices and great stage presence.  Although Reigle’s character doesn’t speak, her expressive face and balletic movement make Milky White an audience favorite.  The men don’t disappoint either.  McCann’s duet with Baker, “Hello, Little Girl” is one of the standout pieces for a little-seen character in the Wolf.  His duets with Koza in “Agony” and the reprise are both fantastic with the right amount of real emotion and self-deprecating humor.  The singing for all is polished and understandable.  The actors also embody their characters well, and watching them learn and grow through the course of the play is moving and poignant. Tory Depew’s costumes convey the storybook feel needed for this play, adding just the right amount of sparkle and whimsy.  Adam Liston’s sets are beautifully designed.  The lighting (designed by Jennifer Sansfacon) and the pyrotechnics add to the magical and mysterious themes of the show without feeling too overdone. There was some trouble in the first act on opening night when the orchestra, under the musical direction of Cheridy Keller, was so loud that the actors couldn’t easily be heard; this was rectified during intermission, however, and the second act was much better balanced. If you do make it out to Newark to see this production, there are a few things to keep in mind:  The play runs just under 3 hours with a 15-minute intermission between acts.  If you’re hungry, the concession stand is pretty good and not expensive at all; however, you’ll need to bring cash since they don’t accept credit cards.  Also, there’s a ton of construction on 161 in their neck of the “woods” right now.  The detours are pretty obvious, so trust the road signs.  All that notwithstanding, this is an excellent production.  Take the plunge and go.  After all, “anything can happen in the woods”! ***** Krista Threadgill spent her childhood following her parents around the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. After that, she wiled away her summers at Jenny Wiley Amphitheater, and she has performed in two Neil Simon plays. She has an English degree from the Ohio State University.

Weathervane Strikes Delightful Chord with Into the Woods Little Red (Logan Baker) adventures through the wood with The Witch (Sara Michalski) close behind in Weathervane’s production of “Into The Woods.” Photograph courtesy of Matt Upchurch, MVproductions. by Tahrea Maynard Weathervane Playhouse opens Into the Woods this holiday weekend, delivering a performance worthy of Broadway. From the acting, to the singing, and the production values, the Newark-based professional summer stock company delivers powerhouse entertainment well worth the trek out of Columbus. In Act I, the audience is introduced to the classic, yet reimagined fairy tales of Cinderella (Kirstin Flaglor), Jack (Raymond Havey) of Beanstalk fame, Little Red Riding Hood (Logan Baker), Rapunzel (Samantha Mastrian), and a Baker and His Wife (Jonathan Bragg, Katherine DeBoer).  What ties all of these characters together is their wishes, each longing for uniquely personal desires. In Act II, the stories continue past the usual “Happily Ever After” conclusions, climaxing delightfully to reveal chaotic hilarity and lessons well learned. Though this production boasts a cast of 20 talented performers, each adding to the magic of the story, several characters steal audience members’ hearts. Morgan McCann certainly grabs attention as the creepy, villainous Wolf, singing “Hello, Little Girl” as he drools over the naive and sweet Little Red Riding Hood, played by the adorable young Baker. Juxtaposed to the vile Wolf, McCann’s version of Cinderella’s Prince may leave several female audience members, this reviewer included, swooning in the aisles with his one-two-punch of handsome looks and a richly toned voice. Paired with Jesse Adam Koza, his brother and Rapunzel’s Prince, the two inspire peals of laughter with their rendition of “Agony.” Another performer to stand out in the cast is Sara Michalski as the witch behind most of the magic and mischief throughout the story. In Act I she is introduced as an old hag, particularly repugnant in appearance. Yet, her touching performances in “Stay with Me” and “Children Will Listen” will reach hearts and eventually overcomes first impressions to finally win over the audience with a smart and endearing performance. One would be remiss in not mentioning the performances of Brag and DeBoer. Vocal performances by these two are outstanding. Their chemistry as the husband and wife characters is believable as, together, they struggle against the obstacles that lie before them in their efforts to have a child.  The depth and commitment they bring to the role adds a poignant layer to the mix. One wonderful characteristic about “Into the Woods” is this sort of reality inserted within all the fantasy, making the stories all the more believable.  Weathervane’s production certainly capitalizes on this, even with the set and lighting, thanks to Scenic Designer Adam Liston. Looking onto the stage, audience members will forget where they are as the set is crafted with trees, branches, and the occasion gust of smoke float about the stage increasing the sense of a realistic forest. All moments , touching or scary are complemented well with the moody lighting, designed by Jennifer Sansfacon. Costuming also plays a big part in making the stories believable, and Tory Depew certainly made sure the costumes balance between fantastic and realistic. Each character’s costume giving a fairy tale feel without be too “costume-y.” Bravo! Insightful, creative director Matthew Trombetta certainly should be proud of such a successful production. Note that the production may be enjoyed by younger children, but is rated PG-13. Younger children may be slightly frightened by spontaneous and loud sound effects, surprising entrances, and some pyrotechnics. ***** Tahrea Maynard has spent the majority of her life onstage, appearing on stages with such Central Ohio theatres as Roundtown Players and Rosebriar Shakespeare Co. She also teaches Musical Theatre classes with the Charmion Performing Arts Center in Circleville.  Check out her blogs here and here.

The Bread & Circus Cabaret night at the Harmony Artistic Center will take place the second Saturday night of the month. We are currently booking performers for our July 11th & August 8th performances.

You don’t have to be a singer to do this. You can do anything. Try out your audition monologue. Tell a joke or two. Any schtick is welcome!

If you are available and interested in performing a song, skit, monologue or variety act please email Carolyn at ccstritzel@yahoo.com. We had wonderful performers for our first night and the audience wants more.

If you have always wanted to perform but never had the opportunity - here’s your chance. If you are a local actor or performer, please think of this as a showcase for you to introduce yourself to the arts community of Columbus. At our first Cabaret Night, we had directors from 4 different local theatre companies in attendance.

Emerald City Players will be hosting the 2009 Central Region OCTA competition this year. The event will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at Emerald City Theatre from 7am until around 7 or 8 pm depending on the schedule.

It promises to be a great day of fun and theatre. There will be atotal of 7 central Ohio theatres competing.

Emerald City Players is in need of people to staff this great event. If you are interested in coming out to help, please email with your full name and the hours that you are able to work.

If you would like to provide an all day commitment, GREAT! By all means, do so. If you are only available a portion of the day,
please provide me with the time frame that you are able to commit to.

Please be advised that all staff members are required to purchase an OCTA registration which includes a fee of $15.00. This gives you the ability to watch the excerpts that are competing.

Since the event is a week from this Saturday, please respond as soon as possible if you are able to help out.

Respond to Brian Cheslik, ECP Board of Directors at auditions@emeraldcityplayers.com

AUDITIONS: Evolution’s 2009 – 2010 Season

Sunday July 26 (3-5 pm) or Monday July 27 (6-8 pm)

Weigel Auditorium: OSU Campus; 1866 N. College Road (go to stage door)

Bring Current Headshot and Resume

Prepare 1 Contemporary Monologue, approximately 1 Minute

You may also be asked to read a scene from one of our upcoming shows.

You only need to attend one audition day; no signup time necessary

Questions: CALL 614.204.9924 or 614.256.1223

Casting for the Following Shows:

September 2009:
RAPPture: A Festival of Plays by Adam Rapp
Red Light Winter – Directed by Jimmy Bohr
A Pulitzer finalist, this three-person drama involves two American friends who fall in love with the
same prostitute in Amsterdam.
American Sligo – Directed by David Radámes Toro
An aging, out-of-shape wrestler is at the center of this comedy that features another one of Rapp’s
trademark dysfunctional Midwestern families.
Nocturne – (This show is cast)
An acclaimed piece centered on a man who accidentally killed his sister as a teenager, this one person
show features some of Rapp’s most beautiful writing
Seeking: Men & Women (18-60 Range)

January 2010:
The Agony and the Agony by Nicky Silver…. Directed by Beth Kattelman
An all-out contemporary farce as a once-promising gay playwright attempts a career comeback with the help of his actress-wife and the producer who once scorned him.
Seeking: 4 Men (20-60 Range) & 2 Women (20-50 Range)

April 2010:
The Goat, or Who is Sylvia by Edward Albee…Directed by Drew Eberly
The winner of the 2002 Tony Award for Best Play “is about a profoundly unsettling subject, which for the record is not bestiality but the irrational, confounding, and convention-thwarting nature of love.”
Seeking: 1 Man (18-25), 1 Woman (35-55), & 2 Men (35-55)

June 2010:
The Last Sunday in June by Jonathan Tollins …Directed by Mark Phillips Schwamberger
Friends converge at a Greenwich Village apartment one more time for New York’s Gay Pride Parade as its occupants are moving to the suburbs
Seeking: 6 Men (25-35), 1 Woman (25-35), & 1 Man (35-50)

Weathervane Playhouse, Ohio’s oldest professional summer stock is seeking a carpenter/paint charge to begin immediately. Position includes $150/wk. stipend, housing, and free gym membership. Visit http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.org for more information. Please send resume to matthew@matthewtrombetta.com

REGISTER for VV SUMMER DANCE CLASSES BY THIS FRIDAY, July 3.

If  enough dancers do not register to fill the spots the class will be cancelled.
Pre-payment not required, but participants must RSVP to Jessi Welch so that the
choreographers know the number of students taking their class.

PLEASE NOTE BELOW: TIME CHANGE FOR BASIC TAP AND BASIC BROADWAY

************************************************************************************************************************
Email Jessi Welch to RESERVE your space in the class by FRIDAY, JULY 3!
email:Jessica.welch1@gmail.com

Make checks out to Vaud-Villities for the amount owed and bring it to first day of class.
Session I:  Tuesdays July 7, 14, 21, 28; August 4
Location:   DANCE EXTENSION - 4342 Tuller Road, Dublin, Ohio
http://www.danceextension.net

Classes offered.

7-8PM Classic Jazz w/Tony Calucci
7-8PM Basic Tap with CJ Curtis
8-9PM Intermediate Tap with Liz O’Dorisio
8-9PM Basic Broadway w/ Tony Ingham

*PAYMENT*
Please bring your checks, made out to Vaud-Villities, with you the
first night of class. As a courtesy to our instructors, we ask that
you please pay in advance for the classes that you plan to attend.
This will ensure their time and efforts in preparation for their
classes are rewarded by a reasonable number of participants. We need
at least 5 students per session/per class. Thanks for your
understanding, and thanks to our instructors for sharing their gifts
with us!

Students: $40 per technique class ($8 x 5 weeks = $40)
Non students: $50 per technique class ($10 x 5 weeks = $50)

If you have additional questions, please email or call Jessi Welch at
jessica.welch1@gmail.com or 614.395.6756.

Our reviewers offer a mixed picture of Actors’ latest offering at Schiller Park.

Theatre Vault proudly introduces Dramatis Personae, a series of essays written by and about local theatre artists.  In this essay, Paul Lockwood, Artistic Director and Founder of the Evolution Theatre Company discusses launching “I’ll Take Romance” while struggling with a bare bones budget.  Visit ETC’s website here and be sure to check out their world premiere before it closes.

___

Presenting a World Premiere on a Shoestring Budget

When ETC got the opportunity to produce the world premiere of Edwin Sanchez’s “I’ll Take Romance,” we were excited – and very frightened. We wanted to do the new play justice on a non-existent budget – a dilemma that most small theatre companies know all too well.

I have known Edwin for nearly 30years, since we were both struggling actors in New York. The fact that I knew him did cushion the situation a wee bit, but we still wanted to knock his socks off when he came to Columbus to see the preview and opening night. So me and my co-director, Mark Phillips Schwamberger (thank god for him!) created a plan and a budget to make this project fly.

We knew play licensing and rental fees at the CPAC were inevitable, but we also had to figure out how to raise funds for advertising and marketing costs, actor/crew salaries, set and costume expenses, opening night reception, and on and on. Faced with an $8,000 budget (that’s huge for us!), we sprung into action.

We’ve discovered in the last year who our audience base is and we appealed to them for help. We garnered individual and business sponsors, sold subscriptions for next season to build up a reserve fund and we talked up the show as much as possible – in the press, on radio, through fliers, post cards and posters, and in personal appearances by the cast. We also timed the gay romantic comedy to coincide with Gay Pride Month and the incredible Festival that Columbus hosts – one of top ten largest in the country!

Our efforts have paid off. We’ve got a show we are proud of, that Edwin loved, that has gotten some strong reviews and we have had good-sized audiences. Is everything perfect? No, of course not. We would have liked a larger set budget and even larger audiences. While 50 to 70 is a respectable amount each night, the theatre holds 188. Full houses are wonderful for boosting morale and the coffers.

We still have three more performances to go (Wed, Thurs, Fri, June 24, 25 and 26), so anything can happen. A full house one night would be the icing on the gay wedding cake!

___

Tickets for Individual Shows for our current season

$12 Adults; $10 Students & Seniors with ID;
$5 Preview
Purchase show tickets
by clicking here.
OR
Purchase tickets at the door … CASH ONLY…
____________________________________________________________

All performances are 8 pm with the exception of Sunday 2 pm matinees
at the
Van Fleet Theatre
Columbus Performing Arts Center
549 Franklin Avenue
Columbus, OH 43215

For additional information please call
(614) 256-1223.

750,000 pounds in 50 pound notes

Bread and Circus Theatre Company opened this past Friday with Ray Cooney’s bawdy and very British Funny Money, directed by Manny Flowers. The cast is led by Howard Carpenter and Jessica Russell, who play Henry A. Perkins and his wife, Jean, a couple who has accidentally found themselves with a grand fortune. The true hilarity starts when Henry reveals to Jean that the money isn’t really his.

Don’t be thrown by the obvious age difference between Carpenter and Russell; they do a wonderful job together as the Perkins couple, working well off each other and the rest of the cast. Audience members will be delighted by Carpenter’s animated facial expressions and gestures throughout the show, always sharing Henry Perkins’ true emotion. Russell does a splendid job as Jean Perkins, who becomes more jumpy and hysterical with each turn of events.

This reviewer was pleased with the supporting cast, each playing their roles and continuing the farcical humor with every line and action. Mony Carpenter and Keith Maloney add several doses of humor and mishaps to the story as Betty and Vic Johnson, who come to celebrate Henry’s birthday and, instead, find themselves thrown into the money mix-up and hysterical happenings. The plot continues with the separate entrances of Detective Sergeants Cecil Davenport (Ralph Butts) and Reginald Slater (Dwight Shumway), both trying to get to the bottom of their own investigations. Butts does a great job as the jokester Davenport, getting his own share of laughs from the audiences. Shumway’s exaggerated accent and facial expressions positively add to Slater’s no nonsense and quickly exasperated personality. Another role that is sure to render laughs is Bill, the quick-witted Taxi Driver, portrayed by Aynn Kilburger Titchenal, who obviously isn’t afraid of a little gender-bending. The last character to emerge onstage is the long anticipated Mister Big. Though his time onstage is short-lived, Albert Vest’s Big does well striking fear into the other characters and adding the final plot twist to the production.

The production takes place within and around the Perkins household in present day London suburbs. Action centers mainly in the living room of the Perkins household, which is simply furnished. One might be a bit surprised to find that the walls of this set aren’t typical theatre flats, but long sections of patterned fabric. Also surprising, especially for a farce, is the lack of actual doors, a move intentionally made by Flowers and Set Designer Mimi Ferrari-Ninde. This aspect of the set may give off a slightly funky, cartoonish vibe, but certainly doesn’t detract from the goings-on of the production, though some movement (blocked or not) and set pieces do create for several moments of up-staging and uncomfortable positioning for the actors during the show.

Other than the few moments of upstaging, this reviewer only found one other minor drawback within this production: inconsistent accents. Slightly inconsistent British accents are not an uncommon problem with community theatre, and certain lines were a bit incoherent or garbled in attempts to do the accents. Fortunately, these are not major problems and are overshadowed by the fine acting and the hilarious script. Running just over two hours, FUNNY MONEY proves to be a truly great production of which all BCTCo members should be proud.

If you missed opening weekend, you are in luck! Funny Money continues on June 26th, and 27th at 8 PM, in the all-new Harmony Artistic Center, 3979 Parkway Lane, in Hilliard.

Tickets are $12 for Adults and $10 for students. For more information, call 614-470-4895, or check out www.bctco.org.

***

Tahrea Maynard has spent the majority of her life onstage, appearing on stages with such Central Ohio theatres as Roundtown Players and Rosebriar Shakespeare Co. She also teaches Musical Theatre classes with the Charmion Performing Arts Center in Circleville.  Check out her blogs here and here.

Left to right: Ronald E. Nocks, Todd Lemmon, Lori Hagerman, Joe Bishara, Ruth Fullen, Liz Wheeler

Review by: Krista B. Threadgill

The Senior Repertory of Ohio (SRO) is closing out its 24^th season with a lovely revue of some old Broadway standards by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, II. A Grand Night for Singing features many favorites, including songs from Oklahoma!, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, and others. The musical was nominated for two Tony Awards when it opened in New York in 1994, and it continues to entertain today.

The ladies of the ensemble have a great selection of songs to perform. Liz Wheeler delights the audience with her rendition of “I Can’t Say No”, and then follows that with heartbreak as she sings “The Gentleman is a Dope.” Lori Hagerman’s strong, expressive voice is the perfect vehicle for songs like “I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy,” “Do I Love You,” and her duet with fellow cast-member Ruth Fullen, “Sister’s Lament.” Fuller’s solo piece, “It Might As Well Be Spring” is lovely.

The gentlemen of the cast don’t disappoint, either. Todd F. Lemmon and Ronald E. Knocks do a rousing rendition of “Maria” from The Sound of Music. Joe Bishara has some wonderfully moving solo pieces in “We Kiss in a Shadow” and “This Nearly Was Mine.”

The ensemble work well together in their group pieces as well. The finale at the end of the first act—including the song “Some Enchanted Evening”—is breathtaking. The performers don’t overstep their fellow cast members, each individual voice can be heard, and their harmonies are marvelous. Their performances of “Shall We Dance?” and “Honey Bun” (featuring Bishara) are riveting and fun.

Nocks directed this piece as well as performing in it, and his staging choices are fantastic. The simple set pieces give movement and meaning to the performance without needlessly cluttering the stage, allowing the songs themselves to be showcased. Liz O’Dorisio’s choreography is simple but effective. Scott Jones designed the cast’s lovely formal costumes, bringing to mind a night at an opera opening. The lighting—designed by Marcus Wuebker, assisted by James McSweeney—gave the simple staging the dramatic touches it needed to set the tone for each song. Nancy S. Nocks is the Music Director, and her orchestra’s performance is fabulous. Nocks (piano/director), Anna Ellsworth (harp), Dan Clark (cello/bass), Cheryl Hill (reeds), and Tim Bright (percussion) give a bang-up performance.

A family-friendly show, this performance is a great night out for theater-lovers of all ages. The performance space in the Columbus Performing Arts Center at 549 Franklin Ave., Columbus, is comfortable and easy to locate. The sooner you go the better—the show is closing on Sunday, June 21. Don’t miss it!

SRO’s A Grand Night for Singing is showing at the Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave., Columbus, OH. Shows start at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 20, and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 21. General admission tickets are $20, or $17 for adults 55 and older. SRO members can purchase tickets for $15, and student tickets are $10. To reserve tickets, please call (614) 258-9495.

****

Krista Threadgill spent her childhood following her parents around the Actors Guild of Parkersburg.  After that, she wiled away her summers at Jenny Wiley Amphitheatre, and she has performed in two Neil Simon plays.  She has an English degree from the Ohio State University.