Charlotte Theatre News

MTA UNIFIED AUDITIONS NETWORKING EVENT 7:30PM JULY 15 at BRIXX

MTA members as well as anyone participating in the MTA Unified
Auditions (members or non-members) are invited to gather at Brixx
uptown after the completion of the Unifieds (around 7:30pm on Sunday,
July 15) for networking and socializing with fellow theatre
practioners. You may bring a guest.

Brixx is offering food specials exclusively for our group… 2-for-1
appetizers and pizzas (you need to mention “MTA” to get the discount)
as well as their usual drink specials (Sunday nights are ½ priced
bottles of wine).

Join us at Brixx to blow off some steam after the auditions and catch
up with your theatre friends.

UNIFIED AUDITIONS WALK-UP REGISTRATION POLICY

Pre-registration for Actors for the Unified Auditions is now closed.
We have had an overwhelming response and all pre-registration acting
slots are filled. There are a limited number of audition times
available for walk-up registrants the day of the auditions. We are
still accepting applicants for the Tech Interviews.

Walk-up registration will begin at 1pm on July 15. You MUST bring 25
copies of your headshot, resume and registration form with you (no
copying facilities are available on site). Actors will not be allowed
to register without bringing the requested copies. Available time
slots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to
the limited number of available auditions slots, your assigned time
may be much later that day.

Actors who arrive after all the audition slots are filled may choose
to place their name on a waiting list for cancellations or no-shows.
You may also leave headshots and resumes for distribution to the
auditioning companies and producers.

***ACTORS AND TECHNICIANS WHO HAVE ALREADY PRE-REGISTERED WILL BE
RECEIVING THEIR AUDITION APPOINTMENT TIMES VIA EMAIL TODAY AND
TOMORROW.

Queen City Theatre Company Opens its First Season in Charlotte with the regional debut of 

“Sordid Lives,” a Southern-Fried Comedy by Del Shores.

 

For Immediate Release

Date:  July 10^th, 2007

Media Contact:  Kristian Wedolowski, kristian@queencitytheatre.com

 

Queen City Theatre Company will be presenting Del Shores classic Southern comedy, Sordid Lives at the Duke Power Theatre at Spirit Square from August 9^th through August 25^th.

 

Sordid Lives is a “dark comedy about white trash” as author Del Shores likes to call his play.   The story revolves around the funeral of Grandma Peggy who died after tripping over her lovers two wooden legs in a seedy motel in Winters, Texas.  Events leading up to the funeral include Peggy’s sister who has picked the wrong day to quit smoking, her two daughters who can’t stop fighting over their mother’s antique mix stole, her son who has been institutionalized because he enjoys dressing up like Tammy Wynette, her next-door neighbor who is out for vengeance on her cheating husband, and her grandson who has picked the day of her funeral to come out of the closet.   The laughter is loud and the hair even higher in this award winning comedy.

 

The Queen City Theatre Company production of Sordid Lives stars:  Josh Looney (Ty Williamson), Jennifer Gran (Sissy Hickey), Jennifer Quigley (Noleta Nethercott), Bogey Wingfield (Latrelle Williamson), Christy Bassa (LaVonda DuPree), Matt Kenyan (Odell Owens), Steve Sherrill (Wardell Owens), Gray Rikard ( G.W. Nethercott), Diana Kinney (Juanitta Bartlett), Carley Howard (Dr. Eve Bollinger) and Hank West (Brother Boy).

 

Sordid Lives will be directed by Queen City Theatre Company Artistic Director, Glenn T. Griffin and customes and wigs designed by Stuart Williams.

 

Sordid Lives opens at The Duke Power Theatre on August 9, 2007 and runs through August 25^th.   Show times are at 8.00 pm (8/9, 8/10, 8/11, 8/15, 8/16, 8/17, 8/18, 8/22, 8/24, 8/25.  Tickets are $16.00 and advance purchase for general seating is encouraged.   Tickets are available online at: www.queencitytheatre.com or www.carolinatix.org

 

Playwright Del Shores is best known for his southern comedies.  Some of his other titles include: Daddy’s Dyin’, Who’s Got The Will?, Cheatin’ Daughters of the Lone Star State, Southern Baptist Sissies, and The Trials and Tribulations of a Trialer Trash Housewife.   Del Shores also contributed as writer and producer for the Showtime drama: Queer as Folk. 

Sordid  Lives was made into a motion picture which Shores wrote and directed and starred Delta Burke and Beau Bridges.

 

Sordid Lives is the first production ever in Charlotte for the new Queen City Theatre Company.  

 

For more information, please contact Kristian Wedolowski at: kristian@queencitytheatre.com or go to www.queencitytheatre.com

In Austin Pendleton’s play “Orson’s Shadow” the cast speaks…& speaks… & speaks…. &… you get the idea. Physical action is minimal but everyone has a lot to say. And it is said quite professionally. For me the script was the culprit to an evening that should have been more enjoyable. I seemed to be the minority.

My friends who were there that night & others who saw it at a different performances, found it interesting and entertaining. Basically, I found it wanting. The acting, in my opinion, is top rate. Everyone in this cast, and I mean everyone, were fascinating to watch.

There were some technical issues that bothered me through the production. First the gray in Orson’s beard & the temples of Orson & Larry was blue. With the background listed for the makeup artist in the program this shouldn’t have happened. Even if lights were the culprit, it should have been noticed. Also the gray at the temples of Orson & Larry were exactly the same. And speaking of lights… The lights in some scenes were way too harsh. There was one scene where someone was wearing a white shirt and there was a glare. On top of that the padding for Orson didn’t quite seem real. And if the gentleman portraying Orson isn’t wearing padding…. oopps, my bad. These little things bothered me more than it did my friends. Blame it on the script.

Now for the acting:::: Patrick Howsare plays Orson’s assistant Sean, a part that could have been underplayed or overplayed & Howsare does neither. It’s right on target and funny. Vivien Lee was played by Elyse Williams. Even though the hair reminded me more of Elizabeth Taylor I found her portrayal of Vivien’s manic episodes believable. Courtney Johnson brought a nice touch to Joan. I have no idea what Ms. Plowright is actually like, I found Ms. Johnson’s character to be believable. A sane calming voice for Larry, without being overpowering. Probably how Joan really was. I guess. Maybe. Who knows.

I have seen Robert Haulbrook a few times on Charlotte stages & I believe this to be his best. That I have seen anyway. The stuttering and coughing could have been used a little more to make it more realistic, but that’s a director’s decision. His Ken was funny, believable & entertaining. A nervous, caring friend to Orson. A sad & lonely individual.

Chad Calvert plays Orson Wells. I actually know just a little about this character. Mr. Calvert does have an uncanny resemblance to Mr. Wells and the voice is so very close. A witty performance which shows Orsen’s insecurities. But, my favorite was Dave Blamey as Larry Olivier. Great comic timing, a performance showing arrogance, insecurity, turmoil…. and so on. For me, the high light.

I can’t decide why I didn’t like this performance more than I do. Perhaps the emotions of the characters could have been just a little more explored. Perhaps I didn’t know enough about the characters before seeing the show. My friends who already had read biographies on Orson & friends found the show much more to their liking. Should you go see it? I don’t know, but I’m glad I did.

JMO

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte will hold open auditions for “The Wizard of Oz,” on Tuesday, July 24 and Wednesday, July 25 from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm at ImaginOn, 300 East Seventh Street. Roles are available for 5 adults (3 male and 2 female), as well as students from rising grades 5 and up. Auditions will consist of a cold reading from the script. Interested candidates should prepare 32 bars of a song and bring sheet music.

 

Adult roles are compensated at $455 per week. Rehearsals begin August 12th, taking place in the evenings from 6:00-9:30 pm Sunday through Thursday.  Performances will be held on weekends from September 28 to October 20, with weekday performances September 26 and October 3, 4, 10 and 11. Students will be excused from five days of school. 

 

 “The Wizard of Oz” will be co-directed by Alan Poindexter and Mark Sutton.  A brief description of the show follows:

 

In celebration of our 60^th season, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte takes audiences over the rainbow with the magic and excitement of “The Wizard of Oz”. Adapted from the original novel by L. Frank Baum, this stage version features the beloved music and lyrics of the classic motion picture. For ages 5 and up.

Goddess and the Magdalene is…

A). A thought-provoking examination of cultural and religious iconography and its impact on gender roles, societal systems and cultural paradigms.

B). A regional premiere of a mythic fantasy, bringing Goddesses and magic to life onstage.

C). Chicks with swords.

D). A production with something for everyone, which you can see for free by volunteering to usher or bartend!

Epic Arts needs volunteers for this show - Ushers, bar keeps, box office.  Volunteers see the show FREE.  The schedule is at the end of this e-mail.

If you are interested contact Marnie Poirier at mpoiriers@earthlink.net or 704-578-3571.

Goddess & The Magdalene by Stan Peal

Thursday, July 12 through Saturday, July 28
Presented by Epic Arts Repertory Theatre
$10-$20 buy tickets
Call 704-567-9964 to order

> official website

Goddess and the Magdalene is a mythic fantasy about the hidden, feminine side of Divinity. An American student takes a wrong turn in Spain and encounters a woman seemingly possessed. She speaks in a language she doesn’t know and tells an impossible tale that comes to life around her. A story of goddesses and magic, of passion and zealotry. A story of a woman lost, a widow whose husband died and rose again from the grave. A fantastic tale of Mary Magdalene.

What if the Magdalene were not only wife of the Messiah, but she too had divine purpose to fulfill and a heroic journey to undertake? There are two sides to every story.

Written and Directed by Stan Peal

Featuring, Marilyn Carter, Lou Dalessandro, Joanna Gerdy, Carrie Anne Hunt, Glenn Hutchinson, Amanda Liles, Alan Nelson, Amanda NiCastro, Tom Ollis, Annette Saunders, Chaz Pofahl, Barbi Van Schaick, and Laura Depta as Mary Magdalene.

*Sunday, July 15th is a special Pay-What-You-Can evening performance, which includes a drum circle after the show.

Adult Tickets: $20.00 / Students-Children-Seniors $15.00 / Group Rate Tickets (call for details) $10.00

All tickets picked up and paid at door • Cash or Check only

Dates:

• Thursday, July 12, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
• Friday, July 13, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
• Saturday, July 14, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
• Sunday, July 15, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
• Thursday, July 19, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
• Friday, July 20, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
• Saturday, July 21, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
• Sunday, July 22, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
• Thursday, July 26, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
• Friday, July 27, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
• Saturday, July 28, 2007 @ 7:30 pm

AND IT’S NOT TO LATE TO REGISTER!

The registration deadline is Friday July 6th so get your info in the mail today.  We will be checking the MTA mail box through Monday, and possibly Tuesday as well, so it’s not too late to get your registration in the mail and be seen by 17 participating companies from the Charlotte and surrounding areas.  We not only have local companies but local independent producers and casting agencies as well. They are all coming to the Wachovia Playhouse in Children’s Theatre of Charlotte at Imaginon on Sunday July 15th, 2007 from 1pm-8pm to see just what Charlotte’s talent pool is really like so let’s not disappoint them!

Don’t want to take your chances with snail mail? Then simply make 20 copies of your headshot, resume and registration form and bring it with you the day of auditions any time between 1pm and 5pm. We will have walk-up spots available in each audition group for any who did not register in time. However, the last group of the day is at 5:15pm so be sure you arrive before this time if you wish to get a spot in the auditions. Also, please be aware that copying will NOT be available the day of auditions so be sure you bring plenty of copies with you if you did not register in time.

Not an actor?  That’s okay, technicians and desginers will have their opportunity to shine during the Tech Interview/Meet and Greet*** being held from 6:00-7:30pm in Imaginon’s Rehearsal Room B.  Simply fill out the same auditioner form and indicate that you wish to participate in the Tech Interviews and provide what area or areas you will be presenting. Then come between 5pm and 5:30pm, sign in at the registration desk, and proceed to Rehearsal Room B where there will be available tables for displaying your materials or portfolios.

Interested in ALL that the Unified Auditions have to offer?  Then simply indicate on your registration form that you wish to not only audition but be a part of the technical interviews as well. The auditions will end before the interview session will begin and we will be sure to accommdate your needs for that day regarding both set-up and audition time slot.

***This is also an opportunity for actors to not only mingle and network with each other but with the representatives from the various companies as well***

All other information can be found at www.metrolinatheatre.org below the information on AACT ‘Fest 2007. Look for the section titled Metrolina Theatre Association Unified Auditions - July 15, 2007. There you will find links to the registration form for both auditioners/tech and companies, as well as the Press Release, General Information and the Schedule of the Day. All needed information should be provided in one of those links and please be sure you a print a copy for your reference.

To those that have already submitted their headshot and resume; audition times will be assigned on Tuesday evening and notifications will be sent via email on Wednesday (Thursday as well if needed). If you do not receive an email concerning the Unified Auditions with your time slot and other information by Friday at the latest please let me know.

Also, somewhere in the translation, ’Designer’ was left off the selection list on the Auditioner registration form where it lists “I AM A:” If you are in fact a designer and you have already submitted your form then please let me know.  This is not crucial to the audition process but it is good information to share with the companies and I do not wish to leave it out.

 

 

BareBones opens tonite with

ORSON’S SHADOW

By Austin Pendleton

July 5 – 21

Thurs, Fri & Sat at 8 pm

in the Duke Power studio theater

in Spirit Square

 

An all-star cast of your favorite Charlotte actors brings Orson Welles, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh back to life on stage in a new comedy about the ‘true nature of genius’

 

Friday, July 6 is ‘Pay What You Can’

One Sun matinee on July 15 at 2:30 pm, followed by talk-back

with Creative Loafing’s Perry Tannenbaum

 

BareBones Theatre Group presents ORSON’S SHADOW by Austin Pendleton, July 5 – 21, 2007, in the Duke Power Theater in Spirit Square.  The cast features Chad Calvert as Orson Welles, David Blamy as Laurence Olivier, Elise A. Williams as Vivien Leigh, Robert Haulbrook as Kenneth Tynan, and Courtney Johnson as Joan Plowright.  The show is directed by James Yost, and produced by James Yost and Anne Lambert.  For more information, visit www.barebones.org.

 

Shows are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 pm; there is one Sunday matinee performance on July 15 at 2:30 pm.  Tickets are $15 adults and $12 students/seniors on Thursdays and Sundays, $20 adults and $15 students/seniors on Fridays and Saturdays.  Friday, July 6 is ‘Pay What You Can’ night.  For tickets, call the box office at (704) 372-1000, or go on-line www.carolinatix.org or walk up to purchase tickets at the box office on the day of the show. (Box office opens one hour before show time.)

 

Legendary stars of the stage and screen come to life in ORSON’S SHADOW, a witty and funny backstage comedy. In 1960, notorious film director Orson Welles senses his foothold in the screen industry slipping. Coaxed into a new endeavor by brilliant young theater critic Kenneth Tynan, the directorial giant finds himself at the helm of a West End production of Ionesco’s Rhinoceros starring Laurence Olivier and his paramour Joan Plowright. Olivier’s glamorous but unstable wife Vivien Leigh adds to the volatile mix as massive egos collide on stage and off. With lightning wit and scathing insight into the true nature of genius, playwright Austin Pendleton opens the private worlds of these very public people, exposing their warmth, their vulnerability, their egos, and their glittering madness. Orson’s Shadow contains adult situations and language - it’s theater just the way we like it, as only BareBones can present!

 

For more information about BareBones Theatre Group, visit www.BareBones.org.

 

 

* * * * *

“PAY WHAT YOU CAN” THURSDAYS

AMERICAN BUFFALO

By David Mamet

 

 

Carolina Actors Studio Theatre starts Week 2 of American Buffalo by David Mamet, TONIGHT through Saturday July 28.

 

Every Thursday is “Pay What You Can Night” for non-reserved open seating only.  First come, first serve.

 

RESERVED Tickets $22 Adult / $20 Student-Senior.

 

RESERVATIONS at www.nccast.com / 704-455-8542.

 

Check out the review at: http://artsalamode.com/AALM_TheatreReviews.html

                                                                                                  

Caution: American Buffalo contains profanity and violence.