NETC NEWS

RUTLAND, VT – Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre and the Paramount Theatre present an original musical theatre reading and showcase of Special Deliveries, book and lyrics by Harrison Lebowitz, with music by Lebowitz and Kyle de Tarnowsky, on June 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Harrison Lebowitz is the owner of Snow Farm Vineyard and winery in South Hero, and an attorney and writer.   In the early 1980’s, he wrote the book, lyrics and music for a musical comedy entitled, Special Deliveries, which was produced in New York City and featured, among others, Tony Nominee, Marcia Mitzman.  Harrison made many director mandated changes to the material throughout the process taking the musical in a direction completely different from what he intended.  He then de-constructed and re-constructed the book and lyrics to bring the musical back to its roots.    When he finished he put it away.

In 2010, while Harrison was doing a book signing for his most recent novel,  Peter Marsh, a producing director for the Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre, asked if he could look at the musical. After reviewing the work, ART organized a live reading of the script utilizing local actors. This reading prompted Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre, in conjunction with The Paramount Theatre, to produce this showcase reading (and sing-through) as a part of The Paramount’s 30 Center Stage Series (a series dedicated to presenting musical theater pieces during their initial production phase.)

In preparation of this showcase, Harrison brought in musician Kyle de Tarnowsky, who grew up in Richmond, VT, as a collaborator. Kyle obtained his B.M. in Music Composition from Florida State and attended U.S.C.’s program for scoring for motion pictures and television.  Kyle currently lives in Southern California where he writes movie scores. Harrison spends much of his time now in California.

The director, Peter Marsh of Rutland, has directed over 130 productions.  For ART, most recently he directed Almost, Maine, The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket and The Savannah Disputation, Art, and he recently wrote and directed Vermont Writers … in Play.The musical director, Mary Ellen Harlow of Wallingford, recently retired from teaching vocal and choral music at Mill River Union High School, where she was the musical director for musicals including, Godspell, Little Shop of Horrors and Kiss Me Kate.   She is on the staff for the Brattleboro Music Center Women’s Vocal Summer Institute, and was musical director for Marble Valley Players production of Guys and Dolls.

The showcase cast are all well-known local actors: Ken Holmes of Poultney, Eric Mallette of Brandon, Malindi Chestnut-Tangerman of Middletown Springs, Caleb Fredette of Wallingford, Julia Dorion of Wallingford, Bonnie Pritchard of Clarendon, Mitch Rosengarten of Shrewsbury, Kim Moyer of North Chittenden, Robin Chesnut-Tangerman of Middletown Springs, Julie Redington of Wallingford, Chris Doyle of Rutland, Laura Steere of Castleton, Kathy Morgan of Rutland and Ian Vair of Rutland.  The musicians are Harlow (piano), Marc Whitman of Rutland (percussion) and Joseph Plotts of Arlington (bass).The showcase is stage-managed and narrated by Bridget Scott of Shrewsbury. Choreography is by Ilene Blackman of Ira and graphic design is by Lyz Tomsuden of Rutland.

Tickets ($15 + tax) are available now by phoning The Paramount Theatre Box Office at 802 775-0903.  Tickets may also be purchased online at www.paramountlive.org and at The Paramount Theatre Box Office at 30 Center Street in downtown Rutland, VT.  For more information about Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre visit the company’s website at www.actorsrepvt.org

Theatre with a Twist Inc. Little Stars  (Acton, MA) will perform Disney’s Mulan Jr. instead of Pocahontas, which was originally scheduled for production this fall 2012.  If you have already registered for Pocahontas you will automatically be switched to Mulan Jr. Please email theatrewithatwist@gmail.com with any questions.

Registration is now open for Mulan Jr. Registration fee is $225. Auditions are scheduled for August 2012. Performances will be  Nov 9, 10 & 11, 2012.

Travel back to the legendary, story-telling days of ancient China with this action-packed stage adaptation of Disney’s Mulan. The Huns have invaded, and it is up to the misfit Mulan and her mischievous sidekick Mushu to save the Emperor! Disney’s Mulan Jr. is a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor and a fighting spirit. The score includes favorites like “Reflection,” “Honor to Us All,” and “I’ll Make a Man Out of You,” as well as some new songs.

Disney’s Mulan Jr. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI

Visit www.theatrewithatwist.org to register for this show and all our other productions.  Theatre with a Twist is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) Public Charity Community Theatre Program.

Harwich Junior Theatre (Harwich, MA) has cast Daniel C. Jackson of Birmingham, AL, as the title character in Buddy, openings its 2012 performance season. Buddy is the story of the three years in which Buddy Holly became the world’s top recording artist with a show that features over twenty of his greatest hits, including “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be The Day,” “Oh Boy,” “Not Fade Away,” “Everyday,” “Rave On,” “Maybe Baby,” and “Raining In My Heart.” The show runs through July 17.

The rest of the season includes James and the Giant Peach, Anne of Green Gables, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Adventures of a Bear Names Paddington, and Sinatra.

Complete schedules and ticket information can be found at the HJT website http://www.hjtcapecod.org/performances.html.

HJST also offers a full range of class for every age and interest.  Complete schedules, registration forms and class descriptions can be found at http://www.hjtcapecod.org/education.html.

Occasionally NETC NEWS, in addition to posting news ( auditions, productions, etc.), also offers opinion in our FORUM feature. So fasten your seat belts;  the NEWS editor is going on a rant.

A few months ago, I was in the audience in an intimate off-Broadway theatre, trying my best to follow a challenging piece carried entirely by two hard-working actors. Suddenly, one of the actors stepped out of character, pointed his finger at someone in the second or third row, and snapped, “STOP TEXTING!!” Somehow the actor managed to pick up the scene where he had stopped and the show continued. I thought I could dine out on this anecdote for some time to come, but , alas, the media, both  mainstream and e-stream, has run away with  my topic.  From the Boston Globe( http://articles.boston.com/2011-12-28/ae/30565884_1_live-tweeting-final-performance-seats) to personal blogs (http://thousandfoldecho.com/2012/01/10/concertus-interruptus/) the world of performance is a-twitter about being connected at all times to everything except the live performance being created and shared in  real space and time by artists who are breathing the same air as the audience.  Now. Here.

For those of us who consider live performance, be it music, dance or theatre, a great miracle of civilization the news that concert and theatre managers are marketing special areas of seating for the attention challenged is disturbing. (Bravo to Spiro Veloudis of Boston’s Lyric Stage who loudly corrects the misquotation attributed to him in the Globe—the Lyric will continue to ban all use of electronic devices.) The rationale for legitimizing this breach of civility is that theatre must attract a younger, hipper demographic, a new generation at ease with global connectivity. Tweeting during live performance is compared by some to the fun of Mystery Science Theatre 2000, with the constant meta-commentary filtering the experience of the film.  (The comparison escapes me; I don’t recall ever getting dressed up and paying $100 to view MST2k.)  After all, it is argued, the Met posts translations of foreign-language libretti and no one finds the text ribbon distracting. (But opera-goers this service better connects to audience to the perofrmance, and the light level is not a distraction.) Expecting others to be as engrossed in a live performance as you are, expecting the entire audience to support the concentration and preparation of the live performers is now fusty and “elitist.” What has heretofore been considered beyond vulgar is now lauded a democratic recognition of “grass roots.”  (And we all know what makes grass that green.  Ick.)

Overlooked in the socio-babble about generational differences in attention, etc., is the unique , soul-healing value of  attending fully to the event one is attending. At the risk of offending Brechtians among us, I assert that to voluntarily surrender not only one’s disbelief, but also one’s concern with the world outside the theatrical performance leads  to a world of connectivity with the present artists as well as time-travel to the world of Aeshylus or Shakespeare or O’Neill or Fugard.  Or even Brecht, that champion of alienation. I’d like to think that he would want his audience to use their intellectual remove to think about the issues of his text—not to check on the sports scores.

Instead of inviting our audiences to share a meaty performance by sitting at a well-prepared table, we are encouraging drive by tastings, gulped down in segments, skimping on context and heaping on the spicy bits. Indeed we may be creating a mirror of the worst of our contemporary world—over-fed, under-nourished, lacking in patience , a world where sound-bites replace aphorisms, and “whatever” has become an acceptable response.

Interaction being the word of the moment, the editor welcomes commentary on this rant at ashea@worcester.edu.  Please label your message “NETC FORUM.”  Thanks.

Further info on this topic can be found at:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-01/theater-tweet-seats/51552010/1

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/opinion/sunday/theater-for-twitter-users.html

http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/theaters-set-aside-tweet-seats-for-twitter-users/

http://www.thelmagazine.com/TheMeasure/archives/2011/12/07/upsetting-theater-trend-tweet-seats-for-spectators-who-want-to-livetweet-the-show

Theatre with a Twist, Inc. announces two events a call for scripts, and auditions for Anything Goes!

Playwrights are invited to submit their work for consideration to be performed!  Whether you are a novice or a professional, please send us your one-act plays.  We would love to be able to showcase new work from different writers. Preferably, we would like work that incorporates six to eight characters, with simple sets. Both children and adult plays will be considered.  Submit a copy of your play to us by 10/15/11 at the following address: TLP-Twist, 58 Outlook Drive, Lexington, MA 02421. (If you wish to have your script returned after our review, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your script). You will be notified by 11/15/11 if your script has been accepted to be performed. Auditions for the selected shows will be in December. Performances will take place in both Lexington and Westford on the weekends of 3/9/12 and 3/16/12.  There will be three performances each weekend.  If you have any questions please contact ssjoneslex@aol.com or theatrewithatwist@gmail.com .  Sponsored by the Lexington Players and Theatre with a Twist, Inc.

The company is also holding teen auditions for their upcoming production of Anything Goes! The age-old tale of boy-meets-girl and the complications that ensue intrigue every audience, and no musical puts it on stage better than Anything Goes! This show is an amusing love story set to one of Cole Porter’s magical scores. Amazing songs include “It’s De-Lovely,”” Friendship,” “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” “ All Through the Night,” “ Anything Goes” and” Blow, Gabriel, Blow.” It’s a wonder that all the romances are sorted out and disaster is averted aboard the magical ship where ANYTHING GOES!

This show is directed by Steve Koch. Auditions are for students – grades 6-12 only – and will be held at 3 Post Office Square in Acton on 10/18 and 10/19 from 7-9pm. Students will be taught a short choreographed number and do a cold reading.  Please prepare 16 bars of a song from another musical, not from this show.  Bring your music with you to auditions. Tuition based at a rate of $255 for the show.  Show dates will be January 13-15, 2012. This show is licensed by Tam’s Witmark Music Library, New York, NY. Visit www.theatrewithatwist.org for more information on these shows and all our other productions.

Theatre with a Twist is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) Public Charity Community Theatre Program.

Harwich Junior Theatre (MA) presents Always Patsy Cline (back by overwhelming popular demand!)Friday and Saturday August 26, and 27 at 8 p.m. and Friday, Saturday and Sunday September 2, 3 and 4 at 8p.m.. Written and originally directed by Ted Swindley and based on a true story and starring Laura Cappello as Patsy Cline and Suzette Hutchinson as Louise Segar. Directed by Robert Wilder and featuring The Bodacious Bobcat Band. This musical tribute to America’s country legend includes 27 hits suca as “Walkin’ After Midnight”, “She’s Got You”, “I Fall to Pieces”, and “Crazy”. Tickets  are $25.00

BOX OFFICE 508-432-2002. www.hjtcapecod.org 105 Division St., West Harwich, MA 02671

Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre will hold open auditions for its upcoming theatre season on Wednesday, September 7 at 6:30 and Wednesday, September 21 at 7:00 pm at the Nella Grimm Fox Room, Rutland Free Library, Center & Court Streets, Rutland.  The Company is looking for actors from the ages of 18 and up.  All performances will be at the Paramount’ Brick Box. Main Stage and at the Chaffee Art Center

Auditions are for the season’s three main productions.  The first, Art, won the 1998 Tony Award as best play. It will be produced on Nov. 10 to 13, 2011.  There are roles available for three men ages 25 up.   The Company’s second show will be of the Chaffee Art Galleries’ Women in the Arts show.  The Company will do two one-acts about four witty elderly women seen with wisdom and humor.  It will be produced March 2 – 4, 2012.  There are roles for four older women.  The third main stage show will be a staging of work by Vermont writers.  Under the title Vermont Writers… in Play!, this production is part of the Paramount’s education series and will be staged for the public on April 13, 2012 .  As it may be offered for travel in the future, two understudies will be cast.  There are roles open for three men, three women and musician (singing with acoustic guitar).

For questions see the Company website at www.actorsrepvt.org or write to actorsrepvt@aol.com.  You may also call producing director, Peter Marsh, at 802-773-8038.

This is the sixth year of premiered staged readings of three winning one-act plays in showcase at the Brick Box Theatre housed in the beautiful Paramount Theatre in downtown Rutland, Vermont.  Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre is in its seventh season.  The Nor’Eastern Showcase winners will receive an intense day and a half of work on each play and two nights lodging with our sponsor at the Holiday Inn: Rutland/Killington.  The Nor’Eastern Showcase performance dates for this year are May 4 and 5, 2012.  Each script goes through a rigorous screening process of three readers.  The scripts with the highest scores are submitted to a second panel, and then the finalists are read by a single reader who selects the three scripts to be showcased.

Entry information can be requested by writing to:

The Nor’Eastern Play Writing Contest

Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre

PO Box 580

Rutland, Vermont 05702

Or by e-mailing us at:

actorsrepvt@aol.com

Full information is also on line at:

www.actorsrepvt.org

Guidelines

• This contest is open to playwrights of all ages and experience who are residents of Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
• One-act plays must be able to be read in showcase in 30 to 45 minutes.  Readers are instructed to disqualify plays that are, or appear to be, longer.
• Submissions must be original, unpublished, one-act plays.  Plays that have had staged readings may be submitted, however, plays that have received Vermont productions or readings may not.
• Legal clearance of materials not in the public domain is the full responsibility of the playwright.
• Individual playwrights may submit a maximum of two (2) entries per year.
• The author will maintain all literary rights to his or her own material.
• All submissions are judged blind. We require four (4) copies with four (4) cover pages: All four (4) with the title of the play, BUT ONLY ONE with the author’s name, address, e-mail & phone numbers.
• If you would like your scripts returned, you MUST include as S.A.S. mailing envelope covering the FULL return mailing costs with your submission.  If no S.A.S.E. is included, your scripts will be recycled.
• Plays must be processed, page numbered, and securely bound in an ably bound soft cover, in standard professional play format.  Write to Samuel French Inc., 45 West 25^th Street, New York, NY 10010-2751 for their format guidelines, or copy them from www.vcu.edu/artweb/playwriting/format.html on line.
• All submissions will be handled with care.  However, Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre assumes no responsibility for lost or damaged scripts.
• Submission fees:  Following the guidelines of the Dramatists Guild of America there is no entry fee.
• Scripts are not accepted on-line due to the costs of printing.
• Mail four (4) copies of your script(s) to: Nor’Eastern Play Writing Contest, Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre, PO Box 580, Rutland, Vermont 05702-0580.  Deadline for submissions is November 15, 2011, notification of winners will be March 5, 2012 and the staged readings in Showcase will be on May 4 & 5, 2012, with playwrights expected to be there also on May 3, 2012 for rehearsals.

Past Winners are:

(2007) Ray Charles, Stamford, Connecticut, Wellington Café: Susan Shafer, New York, New York, Sadie and Ida: Nick Vigorito, Jr., Brooklyn, New York, The Window

(2008) Richard Goodman, Honolulu, Hawaii (by invitation), The Insanity Trial of Mary Todd Lincoln

(2009) Ben Aleshire, Wallingford, Vermont, Gauvain The Good Knight: Michael Nethercott, Guilford, Vermont, The Best Wine: Ron Radice, Andover, Massachusetts, Bricks

(2010) Constance Humphrey Egan, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, The Bad Habit: Jacqueline T. Lynch, Chicopee, Massachusetts, In Memory of Trixie Gazelle:

Alan L. Steinberg, Potsdam, New York, The Revision

(2011) Burnham Holmes, Poultney, Vermont, The Palm Leaf Dialogues: Lloyd Pace, Larchmont, New York, The Shuttle:  Walt Vail, Pitman, New Jersey, Gerontia

Harwich (MA) Winter Theatre( adult resident company) at HJT will hold auditions for Promises, Promises on Monday and Tuesday Aug. 15 and 16 from 6-8 PM at the HJT ARTS CENTER,265 Sisson Road, Harwich Center. Roles available for males and females ages 17 – 40. Please prepare 16 bars of a song.

Promises, Promises will be directed with musical direction by Robert Wilder, and choreography by Suzette Hutchinson.