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MAKE YOUR APPT: 2 weeks until AUDITIONS (seeking multi-racial, multi-ethnic cast) for YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU @Karamu, directed by Fred Sternfeld
by Fred Sternfeld via NEohioPAL 06 Sep '16

06 Sep '16

Auditions are on September 19 & 20. More info at this link <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zHWLb2AcNuSsSh8qEIeuSe0NqhPIY42G091MsjO…> . -- Fred Sternfeld http://www.fredsternfeld.com 216-360-0718-home 216-496-6087-cell

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Community critic review of "Assassins" at The Plays Guild Theatre in Canton
by Bob Abelman via NEohioPAL 06 Sep '16

06 Sep '16

The Players Guild’s ‘Assassins’ aims straight, fires true Tommy Carosielli Everybody’s got the right to be happy. The pursuit of happiness is an American ideal and fundamental right applicable to every citizen whether native or foreign born, successful or downtrodden, well intended or looking to shoot the President. With dark, enigmatic music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim – including the declarative statement that opens this review and can be found in the show’s opening number – “Assassins” is a one-act play by John Weidman about the nine people who either killed or tried to kill an American President. >From the perspective of the sardonic playwright, what has been perceived as isolated acts of madness is just a creative outlet for broken people who are seeking a little happiness in their sorry lives. The musical opened as an off-Broadway production in 1990 before earning multiple Tony Awards on Broadway in 2004. It is now in production at The Players Guild Theatre in Canton, where director Jonathan Tisevich approaches this twisted but seductive story head on with comedic relief and tragic revelations. And he has found a talented, like-minded cast and crew for the storytelling. Tommy Carosielli is a senior at Cleveland State University majoring in Communication, whose review is supported by a CSU Civic Engagement grant. For more of this review, go to www.clevelandjewishnews.com/theater/.

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AUDITIONS FOR "UBU ROI"
by Jeremy Benjamin via NEohioPAL 06 Sep '16

06 Sep '16

WHAT Lorain County Community College Theatre Department is looking for students and community members to audition for its Fall Mainstage production, the wildly hilarious, grotesque, taboo-shattering, ground breaking avant-garde classic, UBU ROI, by Alfred Jarry, directed by Terence Cranendonk. This is a non-equity production. Rehearsals will begin Monday, October 3 and performance dates are November 17, 18, and 19, 2016. If you are cast, expect to rehearse Monday through Thursday evenings, as well as Sunday afternoons, for 4 to 5 hours. WHAT TO PREPARE: Please prepare a two-minute ³mini performance² that incorporates speaking text (a theatrical monologue, a poem, or a passage from a novel or short story, for example) and a special skill that you have (such as acrobatics, gymnastics, tumbling/rolling, magic, mentalism, puppetry, ventriloquism, juggling, unicycling, playing spoons, ukulele, playing a musical instrument of any kind, hula hooping, baton twirling, dancing, singing, yo-yoing, bird calling, kazoo, etc.) If you do not have any of the skills on this list, please add one of your ownthis is not an optional part of the audition. I am looking for your creativity in being able to combine your text with another skill. Remember, playing an instrument (even a kazoo) or singing qualifies. You may also be asked to read selections from the script and to improvise with other members of your audition group. Please also come prepared to write down all your schedule conflicts. WHERE TO GO: The Stocker Arts Center Cirigliano Studio Theatre, Lorain County Community College campus, 1005 Abbe Rd. N, Elyria, OH WHEN TO BE THERE: Monday, September 12 or Tuesday, September 13 7-10pm With possible callbacks Wednesday, September 14, 7-10pm Please, call LCCC Director of Theatre Jeremy Benjamin at 440-366-7120 or email jbenjami(a)lorainccc.edu to make an appointment for an audition day. There will be no reserved time slots, so be prepared to stay for the entire block of time. Jeremy K. Benjamin Director of Theatre Production Manager/Technical Director/Designer Lorain County Community College (440) 366-7120 jbenjami(a)lorainccc.edu ³After all of our studies we acquire only that which we put into practice.² -Goethe

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DISCUSSION: Wells Fargo ad / Why we need to continue Arts Education
by Kate Klotzbach (Performing Arts Writer) via NEohioPAL 06 Sep '16

06 Sep '16

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hello friends, DISCUSSION OPPORTUNITY: Just wanting to put this out there to the Arts Community. Let's not jam up NEOhioPAL with replies, but if you'd like to express your thoughts on this, please feel free to add to the respectful discussion about the now infamous WELLS FARGO AD over on the blog site. Thanks!KateCLICK ARTICLE: Wells Fargo ad shows us why we need to continue the Arts Education discussion Trouble with the link? Copy and paste into your browser:https://kateklotzbach.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/wells-fargo-ad-shows… ------------------------------------Kate KlotzbachCleveland Performing Arts WriterEmail- Kate_Klotzbach(a)yahoo.comBlog Site- kateklotzbach.wordpress.comTwitter - @Kate_KlotzbachFacebook - www.facebook.com/KateKlotzbachPerformingArts-------------------------------…

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New Members Invited to Join LCCC's Civic Chorale
by Kimberly Carrasquillo via NEohioPAL 06 Sep '16

06 Sep '16

New Members Invited to Join LCCC's Civic Chorale New members are invited to join Lorain County Community College's Civic Chorale for the 38th Choral Music Performance Season. The chorale rehearses from7:30-9:30 p.m., Mondays in Stocker Center 140 beginning September 12. All those who love to sing are welcome to attend. There are no fees unless college credit is desired. For additional information, contact LCCC's Director of Choral Music Performance, Nancy Davis at ndavis(a)lorainccc.edu. Kim Carrasquillo | Writer/Project Manager, Marketing and Outreach Initiatives Lorain County Community College | 1005 N Abbe Road | Elyria, Ohio 44035 t: 440.366.4822 e: kcarrasq(a)lorainccc.edu Vision 2020: We are the Community's College! <http://www.lorainccc.edu/vision2020> <http://www.lorainccc.edu/> <http://www.lorainccc.edu/up> <http://facebook.com/lorainccc> <http://twitter.com/lorainccc> <https://www.youtube.com/user/lcccwebvideo> <http://www.linkedin.com/company/lorain-county-community-college>

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"WHAT I DID LAST SUMMER" - Clague Playhouse's drama on Lake Erie
by Kate Klotzbach (Performing Arts Writer) via NEohioPAL 06 Sep '16

06 Sep '16

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------"WHAT I DID LAST SUMMER"September 23 to October 16, 2016Tickets now on sale at Clague Playhouse Clague Playhouse’s 89th season opener is A. R. Gurney’s “What I Did Last Summer,” directed by Ron Newell. Running September 23 to October 16, 2016, this will be the first full production to take place in the space since the Theatre seating has been refurbished, among other improvements. This nostalgic coming of age drama takes place during summer vacation time on the shores of Lake Erie in 1945, near the end of World War II. When a rebellious 14-year-old meets a bohemian painter, a showdown happens that leaves the characters contemplating life, love, familial bonds, philosophical ideas, and how we get along with each other when we don’t agree. The cast includes Bernice Bolek, Kristin Brosky, Alex Cummiskey, Holly Feiler, Jarred Nichols, and Micki Yackin “What I Did Last Summer” will run on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 P.M. and Sundays at 2 P.M. Tickets will be $16 for adults, $15 for seniors (60+), and $10 for students (any age with a valid ID). Season Subscriptions and individual tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by visiting or calling the box office at 440-331-0403 Wednesday through Saturday from 1–6 P.M. Also, don’t miss out on our new online purchasing option! Clague Playhouse tickets are available to the general public 24/7 online through the website www.clagueplayhouse.org or our Facebook page. CLAGUE PLAYHOUSE, 1371 Clague Road, Westlake, OH 44145 WEB: www.clagueplayhouse.org Keep up with Clague Playhouse on social media!FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ClaguePlayhouse TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/ClagueTweets----------------------------------------…

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Act-It UP! Community Theatre 2016 Fall Production Auditions
by Shari Schneider via NEohioPAL 06 Sep '16

06 Sep '16

Act-It UP! Community Theatre announces auditions for the upcoming fall production “The Christmas Cafe” by Burton Bumgarner produced by special arrangements with Eldridge Publishing Company. The cast being sought will be multi-generational from ages 8 and up and consist of 18 males and 14 females. *About the Story:* “The Christmas Cafe” is a comedy set in a restaurant where Betty, the waitress and cook, serves customers from three different familiar holiday stories: “The Night Before Christmas” by Clemet Clark Moore, “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, and “The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman. In "All of the Other Reindeer," Blitzen is burned out and upset that he's always last on the team. The other reindeer have suggestions: Cupid thinks he needs a love life; Donder suggests a good stock portfolio, Prancer thinks an exercise regime is the answer. Baffled, the other reindeer call in Santa's newest hire, a reindeer called Freud. They tell her Blitzen has jealousy and anger issues. Finally, the waitress Betty simply suggests another reindeer take a turn being last and Blitzen has a better outlook. In "Bah! Humbug!" Marley's Ghost goes to Scrooge's house, but in a century and a half too late! The Spirits of Past, Present and Future confront him, but everything's messed up. Now Tiny Tim is a football player. In "Nutcrackered," E. T. A. Hoffman is struggling with writer's block. Young Clara and her brother Fritz give him inspiration when they tell him a wild story about a magical nutcracker. *When?*Thursday, September 15th, 7pm to 9pm Friday, September 23rd, 7pm to 9pm *Saturday, September 24th, 11am to 1pm* (Schedule by Appointment Only -- Email the Director at act.it.up.theater(a)gmail.com - There is no prior preparation required as auditions will consist of cold reads from the script. - Please be bring your calendar to declare potential conflicts. - Act-It UP! Community Theatre engages in the practice of non-traditional casting and all roles are available. - A complete listing will be posted on both our website and community facebook page. *Where?*Pilgrim United Church of Christ 130 Broad Blvd. Cuyahoga Falls, Oh, 44221. Performances and rehearsals are also held at this location. The rehearsal schedule will consist of Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The performance dates are scheduled for December 2nd, 3rd (matinee) and 4th, 2016. Act-It UP! Community Theatre welcomes actors of all experience levels, from beginner to professional. We enjoy sharing the magic of theatre and are always seeking to grow our Act-It UP! family. Whether you like best to work behind the scenes or in front of the curtain, you are welcome to join us. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/act.it.up.theatre/ or sign up for audition notices athttp://actituptheater.wixsite. com/pilgrim-ucc-church Act-It UP! Community Theatre is an organization comprised of volunteers from within the congregation of Pilgrim United Church of Christ and the community. After expenses, any profits earned from ticket sales support the future of the theatre group and/or any special fundraising project as agreed upon by the committee. Additional information can be found at http://pilgrimcf.org. As a Director for this show, I am really excited about the character-building aspect of this particular production! If each actor cast plays their character to their full potential, I can already see the audience laughing A LOT! I hope to see you at auditions! It's going to be a wonderful journey! Blessings, Shari Lynn Schneider Director

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AUDITIONS - ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND - BECK CENTER YOUTH THEATER
by Jonathan Kronenberger via NEohioPAL 05 Sep '16

05 Sep '16

Beck Center for the Arts Youth Theater, one of the oldest continuously running Youth Theaters in the country, will be holding auditions on September 17 & 18, 2016 for the first production of our 68th Anniversary Season: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland >From the novels by Lewis Carroll Adapted by Tim Kelly Directed by Russel Stich The Story: Follow that famous White Rabbit to a delightful, entertaining world of childhood fantasies. Alice adventures into a world of talking flowers, comic royalty and continually circling races! Along the way Alice must deal with the Mad Hatter's frantic tea party, the mysteriously disappearing Cheshire Cat, the eternal bickering of Tweedledum and Tweedledee, a plethora of kings, queens and knaves - before finally attending a trial - where she suddenly finds herself the accused! Audition/Callback dates: (open to Beck Center students ages 6 to 19*) Saturday, September 17: 2:00 to 5:00pm & Sunday, September 18: 12:30 to 3:30pm Callbacks: Monday, September 19 from 5:00 to 7:30pm Starting Wednesday, September 7, you may sign up for a one-hour audition slot at Beck Center Customer Service or by calling 216-521-2540 x10. *Please note: Youth Theater roles are only eligible to students who will be enrolled in our Fall 2016 semester. Actors do not need to be enrolled at the time of the auditions, however, participation in the actual production does require Beck Center enrollment. Students do not need to be specifically enrolled in a Theater class at Beck Center to qualify. Students who will be enrolled in a Fall 2016 semester class in Beck Center's Dance, Music and Visual Arts Departments are equally eligible. Bottom line: if you are accepting a role in the show, you will need to enroll prior to the start of rehearsals. Any questions, please feel free to contact Jonathan Kronenberger, Associate Director of Theater Education, at jkronenberger(a)beckcenter.org<mailto:jkronenberger@beckcenter.org>. Our Fall 2016 catalog is available online at www.beckcenter.org<http://www.beckcenter.org>. Unlike some other youth theaters, there is NO additional participation fee required beyond enrollment. What to Prepare: Students are asked to prepare a short monologue or poem to present as their audition piece. Memorization is strongly encouraged. Potential Rehearsals: September 26, 2016 - October 29, 2016 * Mon, Tue, Weds, Thurs, Fri: between 5:30 - 8:30pm * Saturdays: between 2:30 - 5:30pm * Sundays: between 1:00-4:00pm The show will NOT be rehearsing every day or the full time range listed. The director will pick the days that best accommodate everyone's schedules - once conflicts and availability are known for the above dates. Tech Week: October 30-November 2, 2016 * Sunday from 1:00 - 9:00pm and Weekdays 5:00 - 9:00pm All cast members are expected to attend ALL rehearsals during Tech Week. Performance dates: November 3-6, 2016 All cast members are required to attend all performances. * Friday, November 4 at 7:30pm * Saturday, November 5 at 3:00pm * Sunday, November 6 at 3:00pm * Special Student Matinee: Thursday, November 3 at 10:00am (NOTE: This will require missing school that morning.) ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND is presented through special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service. Please visit and join our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beck-Center-Theater-Education-Youth-Theater/8… 2016-2017 YOUTH & TEEN THEATER SEASON*: ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND (November 3 - 6, 2016) AARGH! (December 9 - 18, 2016) CARRIE the musical (March 24 - April 2, 2017) SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! (May 12 - 21, 2017) *Presented by the Mort and Iris November Philanthropic Fund. * * * * * * Located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, Beck Center for the Arts is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that offers professional theater productions, arts education programming in dance, music, theater, visual arts, early childhood, and creative arts therapies for special needs students, and gallery exhibits featuring local, regional and international artists. For more information visit beckcenter.org<http://www.beckcenter.org/>.

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BECK CENTER THEATER CLASSES STARTING THIS WEEK!
by Jonathan Kronenberger via NEohioPAL 05 Sep '16

05 Sep '16

This Wednesday, September 7, marks the start of our Fall 2016 semester at Beck Center for the Arts ... and some classes are nearly sold out! However, we still have opportunities available to participate in one of our after school offerings or our great Saturday packages ... be it Fundamentals of Theater, Youth Core or Teen Core options. If you've been meaning to get involved or wanting to check out what the buzz is all about at Beck Center ... now is the time. Beck Center for the Arts offers our catalog exclusively online 24/7 - complete with fast and easy registration. You can sign up for any class right from the comforts of home! Heck, you can even wake up, sign on, sign up and head over for class all in a matter of minutes. :) But don't wait too long or you just might miss out! Copy and paste this link to take you directly to our Fall 2016 catalog: https://www.flipsnack.com/BeckCenter/beck-center-fall-class-catalog.html Enroll online at www.beckcenter.org<http://www.beckcenter.org> , call 216-521-2540 x10 or stop by in person at Beck Center for the Arts on 17801 Detroit in Lakewood and join the fun! * * * * * Located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, Beck Center for the Arts is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that offers professional theater productions, arts education programming in dance, music, theater, visual arts, early childhood, and creative arts therapies for special needs students, and gallery exhibits featuring local, regional and international artists. For more information visit beckcenter.org<http://www.beckcenter.org/>.

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REVIEW: ASSASSINS at Canton Players Guild
by Tom Wachunas via NEohioPAL 05 Sep '16

05 Sep '16

Hail to the GriefBy Tom Wachunas I amhe as you are he as you are me / And we are all together/See how they run likepigs from a gun/See how they fly/ I’m crying – from “I Am the Walrus”by John Lennon and Paul McCartney The etymology ofthe English word assassin is afascinating one, derived from the Arabic hashishiyyn,meaning “hashish users.” During the time of the Crusades, a fanaticalMuslim sect was notorious for killing enemy leaders after working themselvesinto a frenzy brought on by ingesting hashish. And so it is thatthe one-act musical, Assassins,currently playing at Canton’s Players Guild Theatre, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, probes the intentionsand motivations of nine disillusioned and deluded individuals who eitherattempted or succeeded in killing a U.S President. One might say that theirfrenzy-inducing drug of choice wasn’t hashish, but rather their dangerouslyfestering resentments after their desires for societal inclusion, attention, orcelebrity had been denied. Sound familiar? As one of the show’s songs puts it,"There's another national anthem, folks, for those who never win... We'rethe other national anthem, folks, the ones who can't get in..." It’s athin line indeed between the American Dream and American Scream, between “AllLives Matter” and “All Lives Shattered.” The narrative is atime warp that plucks these individuals (some more infamous than others) fromhistory and places them all together in a surrealistic carnival setting,complete with a grimy shooting gallery (scenic design by Joshua Erichsen),adorned with targets bearing a President’s face. Director Jonathan Tisevichclearly has an uncanny gift for unpacking and fleshing out the characters’ challengingand complex strata of emotional and psychological nuance. And in turn, it’s theastonishingly gifted cast members, both as singers and actors, who altogethertransform what could have been merely absurd or toxic cartoons into authenticand impactful human presences. Their visceral, in-your-face energy is all themore augmented by the black-box surrounds of the Guild’s arena theater. Micah Harvey bringssinister relish to his role of the carnival proprietor - a Mephistopheleanhuckster who provides guns and temptations to his customers. Joe Halladey IIIdoubles as the “Balladeer” and, late in the proceedings, the John F. Kennedyassassin, Lee Harvey Oswald. As the former, he’s a crooning narrator whoarticulates Sondheim’s lyrical verbosity with practically magical ease, oftenmocking the deviant thoughts and actions of the other characters. As Oswald,he’s an arresting figure, flummoxed and haunted by the pleas of the otherassassins to join their “family.” Vincent Sisleyplays Guiseppe Zangara, who attempted to kill FDR in 1933. Jacob Sustersicplays Leon Czolgosz, who killed William McKinley in 1901. Both performersinvest their performances with palpable gravitas, delivering their rants andgrievances with convincing accents (Italian and Polish, respectively). Craig Joseph deftlypaints an edgy portrait of optimistic clownishness with a brooding underside inhis colorful role of Charles Guiteau, who shot James Garfield in 1881. As JohnWilkes Booth, Jimmy Ferko is a particularly magnetic presence, and for all ofhis character’s arrogance, oddly likeable. Corey Paulus is truly scary as Samuel Byck, who intended tokill Richard Nixon in 1974. Clad in a tattered Santa costume, he’s at firstutterly hilarious in a dark sort of way, bellowing all manner of foul-mothed(and full-mouthed) insults and complaints which relentlessly escalate intounfettered rage. Speaking of darkhilarity, Julie Connair’s portrayal of Sara Jane Moore, who tried to killGerald Ford in 1975, borders on comic genius. One of the most memorablepassages of the evening transpires when she shares a scene with Taylor MarieScott, playing “Squeaky” Fromme, another would-be Ford assassin who wasobsessed with Charles Manson. Scott’s performance is a chilling look at insaneidol worship. Russell Jones is similarly commanding in his role of John HinkleyJr., who wanted to impress his imagined lover (Jody Foster) by shooting RonaldReagan in 1981. Through it all, theexcellent off-stage orchestra conducted by Steve Parsons plays, often verysoftly, an intriguing, almost ghostly montage of period-style tunes reminiscentof ragtime, old-timey folk songs, or circus marches. Here then is achallenging tragicomedy, a startling parade – at once bleak, vulgar, anduncomfortably funny - of wounded or hopelessly corrupted psyches. And with nointermission, it seemed to me at one point an agonizingly long parade. But on further reflection, an intermission might wellhave broken the intensity necessary to let these disturbing characters andtheir twisted stories resonate beyond their own times and thus evoke somethingmuch more urgent and timely. So I don’t thinkthis work is just about the horrificconsequences of the moral/psychological aberrations that triggered a handful ofmurderous individuals from America’s past. What makes it still stand as anelectrifying work of theatre art is inhow it becomes a compelling indictment of the terrible spiritual poverty of notonly our current American culture, but of the global human condition as well. We have met theenemy… With a broken moral compass, when we’re not running about in aimless panic, we’re flyingupside down. Meanwhile the walrus, as it were, sits in our living rooms. We’recrying. Goo–goo-g’joob. Assassins, at Canton Players Guild’sWilliam G. Fry Theatre, 1001 Market Avenue N., Canton, Ohio / Shows THROUGHSEPTEMBER 18 – Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. / TICKETS $27for adults, $19 for ages 17 and under, $24 for seniors / Order at www.playersguildtheatre.com or call 330.453.7617 For othercommentaries by Tom Wachunas on the arts in the Canton area, please visit hisblog, ARTWACH, at www.artwach.blogspot.com

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