BoarsHead managing director named AATE State Rep
LANSING – BoarsHead Theater's Managing Director, Marlene Shelton, has been named the new State Representative for Arts and Education with The American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE). A national professional organization for theater educators and artists, the AATE serves as a voice for professionals, as well as educators who use drama and theatre in the classroom. This organization also promotes growing partnerships with policy makers and national institutions as it addresses arts issues with a diverse and richly talented membership.
Shelton was honored to be named the Michigan Representative for AATE. With a background as a playwright (Old Globe and UCLA), Shelton is also considered an expert in arts in education. She was invited by the State Department in 2003 to represent the USA at an international conference on Theater and Education in Quito, Equador. In addition, Shelton's work, "If The Shoe Fits," a wonderful educational and family production about a young cobbler in the time of William Shakespeare, will be remounted this season at BoarsHead. After a critically acclaimed run of the show last season, BoarsHead Artistic Director Kristine Thatcher was anxious to produce the show again this year. Shelton enthusiastically agreed. "With New York's Lincoln Center using this play as a format for arts in education workshops at BoarsHead again this season, how could we refuse?" she said. "After all, this is the year for Shakespeare in the schools!"
Besides her work as BoarsHead managing director and playwright, Shelton's duties as AATE representative requires keeping state members informed of programs in theater and education that can be developed in their areas. Shelton has spearheaded several partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club, YMCA and Impression 5 to bring theater to the Lansing area students. "The partnerships that BoarsHead has established are examples which can be followed in other Michigan communities. They demonstrate how one theater can make a difference," said Shelton.
For more information on The American Alliance for Theatre & Education please visit http://www.aate.com.
JET awarded $25,000 Chrysler grant
WEST BLOOMFIELD – The Jewish Ensemble Theatre has been awarded a DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund grant in sponsorship of its third show of the 2006-2007 season, "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" by Eric Blau and Mort Schuman. The $25,000 grant will help enable JET to continue to produce award-winning, professional off-Broadway theatre.
The grant was awarded as part of Chrysler's "Community Vitality" initiative; which supports programs that expand individual potential, encourage appreciation of the arts, culture and human diversity, and address a variety of social issues.
"We're thrilled to make this production possible with the help of the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund," said Evelyn Orbach, artistic director of JET. "DaimlerChrysler's support of the arts, particularly in southeastern Michigan, exemplifies their commitment to making our communities better for our citizens."
JET will present "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" from Dec. 5 to Jan. 6, 2007. The production transforms Brel's astonishing musical compositions into a theatrical experience that has delighted audiences for nearly four decades. From life and love to war and peace, this show celebrates Brel's timeless relevance and enduring passions. Translated from the French by American poet Eric Blau and lyricist Mort Shuman, the show is a diverse blend of ballads, tangos, boleros, rock, and classics.
For more information on the Jewish Ensemble Theatre or to purchase tickets, call 248-788-2900.
The Theatre Ensemble at Meadow Brook Theatre proudly presents the 25th anniversary production of 'A Christmas Carol'
ROCHESTER – From Nov. 25 through Dec. 24, The Theatre Ensemble at Meadow Brook Theatre will present the 25th anniversary production of its annual holiday spectacular, Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."
To commemorate the 25th anniversary production, Charles Nolte will return to direct his stunning adaptation of the Dickens' classic, and Peter Thomson will reprise his critically acclaimed role as Ebenezer Scrooge. Some of the Meadow Brook favorites returning from last year's production include: Thomas D. Mahard as Old Joe, Sara Catheryn Wolf as the Ghost of Christmas Past and Judy Dery as Mrs. Fezziwig.
Actors from "A Christmas Carol" of long ago include Richard Marlatt (Best Actor Nominee for last season's "Syncopation") reprising his role as Bob Cratchit, and John Beidenbach as the Ghost of Jacob Marley.
Additionally, Detroit favorite and award winning actor Arthur J. Beer will make his "A Christmas Carol" debut as the Ghost of Christmas Future in this year's gala performance.
The cast also includes over 24 child actors from all over southeast Michigan.
This year will mark the return of Caitlin Burke leading the carolers as they add the enriching holiday music that has become an integral part of the production. The MBT Christmas Carol Singers have been featured performers at Detroit Lions and Pistons games and the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade and perform before each production in the theatre lobby.
"We are always delighted to present this wonderful classic every year and are especially excited to have Charles Nolte back for this 25th anniversary production," said John Manfredi, managing director of The Theatre Ensemble at Meadow Brook Theatre.
It's all about families, Manfredi emphasized. "So many families come to the theater for this show each year, but not only that, many artists that started in this area come back each year to do this show. We've grown up doing it, and some of our children that are now in college were once children in 'A Christmas Carol.' So this production is very much about the Meadow Brook Theatre family, as well as the families that come to see it each year. It's just a very special show."
Single tickets range from $25 – $40. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Meadow Brook Theatre Box Office at 248-377-3300; for Group Sales, 248-370-3316.
Meadow Brook Theatre is located at 207 Wilson Hall, in Rochester.
For more information on this or any production in the Theatre Ensemble/Meadow Brook Theatre season, or for opportunities to support the Theatre, please visit http://www.mbtheatre.com.
Jeff Daniels' 'Escanaba In Love' extended through January
CHELSEA – The Purple Rose Theatre Company is pleased to announce a four-week performance extension of Jeff Daniels' new comedy "Escanaba In Love." Originally scheduled to close before Christmas, "Escanaba In Love" will now run until Jan. 20, 2007. Performances for the remainder of the engagement will be Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 3 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
All performances are at the Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park Street, in Chelsea.
The additional performances are being added to accommodate record ticket sales. "Positive word-of-mouth created an overwhelming demand for tickets," says Managing Director Alan Ribant. "We hope that adding another month of performances will allow thousands of additional patrons the opportunity to enjoy 'Escanaba In Love' over the holidays and into the new year."
Daniels' eleventh new play is a hilarious prequel to the legendary "Escanaba in da Moonlight," set in the Soady deer camp during World War II and outfitted with a whole new cast of wacky Yoopers. Eighteen-year-old Albert Soady, Jr. is celebrating his final hunting season before he becomes a sharpshooter for the U.S. Army when he falls head-over-heels for the legendary Big Betty Balou -the woman destined to become Reuben and Remnar's mother. The question is, does she have what it takes to become part of Escanaba's "royal" family?
The world premiere of production is directed by PRTC Artistic Director Guy Sanville. The cast includes Paul Hopper ("The Late Great Henry Boyle," "And The Winner Is"), Wayne David Parker ("Honus And Me," "Escanaba in da Moonlight"), Will David Young ("Across The Way," "Months On End") and the professional acting debuts of former PRTC apprentices Jake Christensen as Albert Soady, Jr. and Charlyn Swarthout, as Big Betty Balou.
This production includes set design by Daniel C. Walker, lighting design by Reid G. Johnson, costume design by Ivan Ingermann, prop design by Danna Segrest and sound design by Quintessa Gallinat. Katie M. Doral stage manages with Stefanie Din and Alexis S. Cain as assistant stage managers.
This PRTC production is generously underwritten by Chelsea Rhone L.L.C., Leslie & Richard Helppie / Helppie Family Charitable Foundation, THE MOSAIC FOUNDATION (of Rita & Peter Heydon), ADR North America L.L.C. and Dow Automotive.
Tickets for the extension are on sale now. Reservations can be made by calling the PRTC Box Office at 734-433-ROSE; Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Theater & Events for Young Audiences and Families:
Holiday tradition returns to EMU Theatre with 'Treasure Island'
YPSILANTI – In December 2005 EMU Theatre brought Britain's century old entertainment tradition, the "Christmas Panto," to Ypsilanti with a musical adaptation of "Pinocchio" by Ann Arbor playwright Jeff Duncan. The musical was so popular with families and intergenerational audiences that the tradition continues this December with a musical adaptation of "Treasure Island" written by Duncan, with original music by R. MacKenzie Lewis and directed by new EMU faculty member Phil Simmons.
"Treasure Island" is the first in a series of plays Duncan plans as part of his sabbatical from EMU where he serves as a professor of English. Duncan's accomplishments include a National Endowment for the Arts in Creative Writing for the theatrical adaptation of last year's "Christmas Panto," "Pinocchio," as well as "Jack in the Beanstalk," "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse" and "Ancient Echoes: The Myth of Osiris." His plays have been produced at Wild Swan Theatre, Detroit Institute of the Arts' Towsley Auditorium, Henry Ford Museum and the University of Chicago. Duncan is a former Fellow and Visiting Lecturer at the University of Leeds.
A loose adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale, "Treasure Island" incorporates many of the traditions that have made the Panto a staple of audiences for centuries. Barnacle Lil, Doctor Livesey, Squire Trelawney and young Jim Hawkins lead us on an action-packed quest for truth and treasure, discovering a host of colorful characters along the way. The "Four Sisters" narrate the mayhem as swordplay, song & dance and spoofs galore trip through the traditional storyline of a young boy in search of treasure on the high seas.
The British Pantomime, or Panto, has been a staple for theaters through the Commonwealth since the 17th century. Duncan, who has himself performed in Pantos while in England, crafted "Treasure Island" with the same multigenerational audience appeal as its old world cousin while enhancing it with contemporary topical references.
Treasure Island will play Dec. 2 and 9 at 11 a.m.; Dec. 2, 3 and 9 at 2 p.m. and December 8 at 8 p.m. in the Quirk Theatre on EMU's Ypsilanti campus.
This show is appropriate for audiences ages 8 and up.
Ticket prices are $15 full price, $12 for students and $9 for MAINSTAGE members. Ticket prices for children 12 and under are $6 for all performances.
Phone the EMU Theatre Box office at 734-487-1221 for further information.
Here's your chance to whisper in Santa's ear at the Baldwin Theatre
ROYAL OAK – Stagecrafters Youth Theatre is hostingits fifth annual Breakfast with Santa at the Baldwin Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 11 a.m.
This special event will feature breakfast, caroling, a special gift for each child, and of course, a visit and photo with Santa Claus.
Tickets are $5/child, $8/adult. Proceeds will benefit the Jennifer DeRita Scholarship Fund.
Stagecrafters is located at the beautiful Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette Ave., in downtown Royal Oak.
Reserve your tickets now by calling 248-541-6430.
