Wednesday, November 30, 2011

From The Playhouse News Desk

Cue the dramatic music. Enter the opening graphics. Lights up, close up on the news anchor and his finely coiffed hair. A flashy smile and a knowing wink precedes a vast amount of information.

"Our top story this day, Playhouse on Park subscriptions are all the rage. 2012 five show subscriptions are available at the box office, prices range from $60.00 to $130.00. Subscribers are entitled to unlimited exchanges, free gifts and $10.00 tickets to see Stephen Sondheim's "Company" which is on stage through December 18th.

Following the Saturday, December 10th and 17th performances of "Company" will be an open mic and sing along. Join members of the cast for this free event. You do not need to have attended the show. Bring your own music, choose from our music, sing alone, with a group or just sit and be entertained. The sing along will start about fifteen minutes after the show.

The Cast of "Company" will be appearing at West Hartford's Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 1st at 6:00pm on the center stage at Blue Back Square. "Company" is now playing at Playhouse on Park through December 18th.

For this week only "Falcetti Friday" will be on Thursday, December 1st at Falcetti Music's Blue Back Square location from 5:00 - 8:00pm. Playhouse on Park performers entertain you amidst some gorgeous pianos. Light snacks and beverages provided.

Attention adult actors, Playhouse on Park is holding open auditions for "All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten" on Monday, December 5th from 7:30 to 9:30. Visit www.playhouseonpark.org for more details.

Vote for Playhouse on Park in the 2011 Broadway World.com Awards. A long list of playhouse favorites and fresh faces have been nominated and need your support. Voting has already begun. Visit http://ct.broadwayworld.com/vote2011region.cfm?region=connecticut.

That's all for now, check back for more exciting news from Playhouse on Park, West Hartford's professional theater."

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Tickle Your Funny Bone

Are you stressed about having to clean your house and cook a huge Thanksgiving meal? Does the thought of your in-laws invading your home cause you to consider therapy? If so, you'll need some comic relief before and after the holiday. Lucky for you Playhouse on Park has the answers.

Wednesday, November 23rd at 8:00pm is comedy night. Comedians Johnny Rizzo and Mike Jacobs will take the stage. Mr. Rizzo is an Emmy Award nominee for "Hot Summer Nights New England Comedy Festival". He's appeared at all the top comedy clubs including Dangerfield's and Comic Strip. He has opened for acts like Jay Leno and Joan Rivers. His film credits include "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom Crystal Skull". Mr. Jacobs' edgy and intensely personal brand of autobiographical humor traces its roots back to the North end of Hartford where he was voted "funniest kid" in the 6th grade. His stories of "life" are hilarious and relevant to all. Tickets are $15.00.

Friday, November 25th at 8:00pm is the CT Cage Match Series, a no holds barred competition where two improv teams compete in a head-to-head competition. The audience decides the winner and moves on to the next round. Tickets are $10.00.

Or maybe you'd like to listen to your aunt complain about her sciatic nerve. Perhaps you'd like to hear your lovable, yet belligerent grandfather regale you with "Back in my day." stories. I'll bet your mother would be happy to offer you advice on how she thinks you should live your life.

If you haven't already made up your mind, perhaps you should consider therapy.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

The 2012 Subscription

You're in luck, it's not too late to purchase a subscription to Playhouse on Park. The 2012 subscription includes tickets to our five shows in 2012, starting with "The Mystery of Irma Vep" and ending with "Swinging on a Star".

In January, come witness the funniest two hours on stage with "The Mystery of Irma Vep". This quick-change comedy will feature two accomplished actors playing all eight characters, including werewolves, vampires and damsels in distress.

In February your inner child will be treated to "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" a musical comedy for grown-ups.

In May, behold the breath-taking, drama that surrounded the life of Golda Meir in "Golda's Balcony". Golda Meir became the fourth Prime Minister of Israel. This intimate and compelling one-woman show invites you in to the heart and mind of one of the 20th century's great leaders.

In June, come see fine physiques and exceptional acting bring ancient Greeks and Romans to life, using contemporary language and familiar characters
in "Metamorphoses". The focal point of the set will be a large pool where most of the action will take place.

In July, you'll be treated to the "dazzling toe-tapping, finger-snapping delight"of a musical revue. "Swinging on a Star" features over forty tunes, including "Pennies from Heaven," "What's New," "Imagination," "Misty," and of course, "Swinging on a Star".

Wednesday and Thursday preview night tickets are $60 for all five shows. For the rest of the run, tickets range from $90 to $130 for all five shows. Significant savings off the regular ticket price. There are also discounts for students, seniors and Let's Go Arts Members.

We understand that life may sometimes throw you a curve ball, which is why subscribers are entitled to unlimited exchanges. Simply call the box office and let us know what night works better for you. We'll happily exchange your tickets for the night of your choosing.

For more information or to reserve your seats for the best deal in town, call the Playhouse on Park box office at 860-523-5900 x10. You can also order your tickets online at www.playhouseonpark.org. While you're on our website, check out our season brochure for a splendid array of other inexpensive offerings, in between your five show subscription.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Power at the Playhouse

Many of us have been without power, due to a freak October snowstorm two days before Halloween. Playhouse on Park was not one of the many. While being a home away from home for some of us, we all continue to dedicate ourselves to rolling out our season three productions.

The disassembling and assembling of sets provides the backdrop for the improv drop-in workshops, the psychic show, "Bunnicula" rehearsals and photo shoots for "Company" and "The Mystery of Irma Vep".

Improv comedians of all levels are invited to just drop in to Playhouse on Park, Monday, November 7th and/or November 14th from 7:00 to 10:00pm for an open workshop. No need to register, just drop in. The cost is $10.00 per session and payable when you arrive. Accomplished improviser Claire Zick will be the instructor.

Psychic Medium Lisa Marie Lanno brings her show "Messages from the Other Side" to Playhouse on Park, Saturday, November 19th at 8:00pm. Tickets are only $20.00. Join us for two hours of "Spirit Readings" to connect members of the audience to loved ones who have passed away.

The next show in our Young Audience Series is "Bunnicula" the story of the Monroe family who bring home a new pet bunny. The Monroe's cat Chester is convinced that the bunny is a vampire. Chester has a hard time convincing the Monroe's dog Harold of this and fears for the safety of his family. This musical comedy runs from November 12th to the 20th and is about seventy-five minutes with no intermission. The November 3rd edition of the West Hartford News mistakenly has the show running an hour and forty five minutes with an intermission.

Four actors from our upcoming production of "Company" and the two actors from "The Mystery of Irma Vep" were recently here posing for photographs for their respective posters. "Company" opens November 30th. "The Mystery of Irma Vep" opens January 11, 2012.

Now the power is in your hands. You have the power to choose which one of our offerings to come see. You could make it easy on yourself and come see them all. Now that's power.



Friday, November 4, 2011

The Clowns: A Play Reading

The Clowns is the latest in our play reading series, it is a rock opera written by local playwrights Andy Mayo and Matthew Dicks. The Clowns features a straight up rock score based on the music of an actual opera arias.

Come watch a group of young rock star wannabes navigate their way through life and love that all gets sorted out at a battle of the bands.

MC is a hopeless geek who can't get a date. Jake is a rock star who can't get a record deal. Gwin is the singer Jake wants to impress. Lily is the girlfriend who wants Jake's attention. MC has always loved Lily, but Xavi is the flame that lights her candle. Tabar is the schemer who rats them out, while Turi is the jilted lover who struggles to keep it all in perspective.

This play reading will feature a live band and actors, with scripts in hand bringing Mr. Mayo's music and lyrics and Mr. Dicks' words to life for the first time in front of an audience. The audience will be given the opportunity to provide feedback through a Q & A session with the writers and cast after the performances.

The Clowns will be on stage this Saturday, November 5th at 8:00pm and Sunday, November 6th at 2:00pm. Tickets are only $5.00 for general admission seats. Call the box office at 860-523-5900 x10 to reserve your seats, or buy them at the box office before the show, we'll be open two hours prior to curtain.

The Cast:
Kevin Barlowski as MC
Alex Cutler as Turi
Keisha Gilles as Gwin
Tim Hache as Tabar
Will Macke as Xavi
Jaime Morano as Lily
David Raposo as Jake

The Crew:
Dawn Loveland - Director
Colin Britt - Music Director
Jessica Nix - Stage Manager