Saturday, May 19                7:30 – 9:00 pm               HATTheatre      Mature audiences show
                                   immediately after the show                                     Improv Jam

Tickets:                            Each show:      $5 per ticket
Ticket Specials:  For Mother’s Day – Moms get in free!
                              Show pass:      6 shows for the price of 5 ($25)
Group Rates:  13 or more – $4 per ticket

It’s time for Mother’s Day and May flowers.  West End Comedy keeps the laughter and the funny going with shows at HATTheatre (1124 Westbriar Drive) this month.  In celebration of Mother’s Day, moms will see the show for free!

Friday, May 18 at 7:30 is the Improv-A-Go-Go Show for general audiences.  West End Comedy offers one of the best comedy shows in Richmond for all ages with an improv format similar to Whose Line is It Anyway featuring suggestions from the audience.  We even bring audience members on stage.  A great way to laugh and spend time with the family!

Saturday, May 19 at 7:30 is Improv Dance Party Show for mature audiences.  Have fun with friends or bring a date to see funny audience suggestion based scenes performed by West End Comedy.  After the show, the comedy continues with an improv jam with West End Comedy.  Stick around for more comedy or jump on stage with us!

You’ll never see the same show twice!

Tickets for each show are $5; Moms will see the show for free; discounted show passes and group rates are available.  We accept cash, check, and credit cards.  For best seating, please arrive 15 minutes early.  Call West End Comedy at (804) 496-1714 with any questions.  

For our upcoming shows, visit www.wecomedy.com/calendar.  Join our email list for troupe updates and show information at www.wecomedy.com.

For our final play of this season, CAT is excited to present Catfish Moon, a warm, light-hearted, feel-good comedy by Laddy Sartin and directed by Laurie Follmer. The play will run from Friday, May 18 through Sunday, June 3 with twelve performances scheduled.

The Story:

The old fishing pier out on the end of Cypress Lake has just fallen under the magic of another Catfish Moon. It was a favorite hangout for three best friends when they were kids—skipping school, skinny dipping, and even experiencing the mysteries of kissing girls. Now Curley, Gordon, and Frog are older and they have tasted both the bitterness and sweetness of life, and the pressures and problems that come with middle age have ended the closeness between Frog and Gordon. On the pier, the weight of adulthood is lifted by laughter and their love of fishing, and the three guys discover that their friendship was never really lost. In the midst of catching the biggest fish of all time however, life brings them back to a painful reality.

Catfish Moon Performance Schedule:

Fri. May 18, 8 PM (Opening Night),   Sat. May 19, 8 PM

Thurs. May 24, 8 PM,   Fri., May 25, 8 PM,   Sat. May 26, 2:30 PM & 8 PM

Sun. May 27, 2:30 PM,   Thurs. May 31, 8 PM,   Fri. June 1 8 PM

Sat. June 2, 2:30 PM & 8 PM,   Sun. June 3, 2:30 PM

Cat Theatre | 319 North Wilkinson Road | Richmond, Virginia 23227

Any age, race or acting experience is welcomed!!

Directed by: Anita Sharpenstein

Musically directed by: Amber dePass

Audition Date: Saturday. May 12 @10 am

Location: St. John’s UCC – 503 Stuart Circle, Richmond, VA 23220 (on the corner of Monument and Lombardy with parking behind the church on the Grace St. side)

We are seeking 20 children ages 8 – 18 to play a variety of fairy tale character roles. Please prepare a song, bring sheet music, karaoke CD, or karaoke on i-pod. Accompanist, CD and i-pod dock provided. Come dressed for movement, readings will be from the script. No actors paid.

Rehearsals will begin on May14th and will continue until June 21 on Monday thru Thursday from 6 – 8 pm. (No rehearsal on Monday, May 28)

Performance Dates/Times:

Tuesday, June 26 @ 10 am

Wednesday, June 27 @ 10 am & 1pm

Thursday, June 28 @ 10 am & 1 pm

Friday, June 29 @ 10 am & 6 pm

If you need additional information, please contact Anita Sharpenstein 543-2165 or Amber dePass 426-6656.

Hope to see you there!

V.I.P. tickets available for $250, per person. The V.I.P. tickets include premier seating, a tax deductible donation of $125, exclusive admission to the LIVE ART cast party immediately following the concert, and a LIVE ART commemorative t-shirt.

For patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing, there is a special reserved section with clear sight-line to an ASL interpreter.

LIVE ART is a 20-week educational project uniting children with all abilities together to perform alongside local and national musicians, culminate with a major performance on June 3, at the Carpenter Theater.

LIVE ART allows students with and without developmental disabilities and hearing impairment to work together in an inclusive environment. Many of the participating students have never taken performing arts classes or have publicly expressed themselves artistically.

“Words cannot begin to describe the changes in social development, arts exposure, and pure unabashed joy from every student and teacher in the room,” said Erin Thomas-Foley SPARC’s Director of Education, about the program.

Only a handful of such programs are believed to have been piloted worldwide, and none on such a scale. LIVE ART is positioning SPARC, its partners, and the Richmond community as leaders in performing arts education nationwide.

Participating musicians will include soulful singer-songwriters Steve Bassett, Susan Greenbaum, and Jesse Harper; conductor/arranger Samson Trinh and his Upper East Side Big Band; jazz vocalist Terri Simpson; stellar singer and banjoist Josh Small and Independent Music Award winner Robbin Thompson.

Along with these renowned performers, and Grammy Award winner Jason Mraz —a SPARC alumnus — nationally recognized keyboardist Daniel Clarke (Modern Groove Syndicate and k.d. lang), and producer Tim Timberlake will contribute as artistic advisors.

LIVE ART is being documented by film makers Martin Montgomery of Martin Montgomery Films and Bill Gaff of Human Story Films. A 4-minute excerpt of the LIVE ART documentary project can be seen at http://bit.ly/LiveArtExcerpt

All students are participating tuition-free, thanks to major project funding by the Stanley and Kim Markel Memorial Fund of the Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia.

LIVE ART is a part of the statewide arts initiative, Minds Wide Open 2012: Virginia Celebrates Children and the Arts.

For more information about LIVE ART, please visit www.sparconline.org.

Alma and Eugene have known each other since they were young children. As their friendship blossoms into love, Alma struggles to free herself from her mother’s poverty and alcoholism, while Eugene must contend with the legacy of being “yellow”-lighter skinned than his brutal and unforgiving father. Their relationship continues through adolescence and adulthood when they decide to marry until everything changes with an explosive ending. A finalist for the 2002 Pulitzer Prize, this Richmond premiere is more than a story about race and prejudice, it’s a love story and a story about families and the damage they inflict upon themselves. Black or white, you will recognize the shades of gray.
“A landmark in theater history…. Enthralling…. Mind-altering.”
-The New York Times

Ticket Prices
General Admission – $27
Student & RAPT Members – $17
Preview Show on 4/5/12 – $15
Groups (10 or more) – $22
Martin’s BONUSCARD holders receive $5 off a General Admission ticket.
Discount valid for on-line
ticket sales only.
Use the discount code “Martins”

2011 -12 Fourth Wall Talk-Back Series
Talk-backs for Yellowman will immediately follow each performance
Dale Olandersmith says of her Pulitzer Prize winning play “Every group of people takes on the very bias that’s been done to them and perpetuates it….Racism that is within a race. Every group of people does it. I wanted to look at how it affects black folks.” Join us as we discuss issues of stereotype and perception within the African American community and beyond.

Performance Location
SPARC Center for the Performing Arts
2106-A North Hamilton Street • Richmond, Virginia 23230
Tickets: www.HenleyStreetTheatre.org
(804) 340-0115

Directed by Paul Nicholas
STARRING
Patricia Alli KeiLyn D. Jones

Additional Production Team
Set Design James Ricks
Costume Design Margarette Joyner
Lighting Design Andrew Bonniwell
Production Manager Trevor A. Riley
Stage Manager Nata Morconi

Additional Information
Jacqueline O’Connor – Managing Director
Henley Street Theatre
(804) 916-9291
Joconnor@henleystreettheatre.org

- Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction on May 19 to benefit the

BrightLights Education Center at CenterStage -

Love Isn’t For Sale, But Hot Dates Are!

RICHMOND, VA – Richmond CenterStage today announced Richmond’s newest premier event for young professionals with the launching of the “Single in the City” Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction.

In its inaugural year, the event will be held in CenterStage’s Rhythm Hall on May 19, 2012 and will be hosted by Style Weekly’s Editor-in-Chief, Jason Roop.

bravo!, Richmond CenterStage’s Young Professionals Association, was created to support CenterStage’s mission to be a catalyst for the arts in our community.  They work to foster relationships between CenterStage and the community by creating unique and exciting cultural events and experiences.  “Single in the City” is the inaugural event presented by bravo!.

The event will feature a live auction with 20 of Richmond’s most eligible men and women and their fantastic date packages available to the highest bidder.  Packages include fabulous local experiences, shopping sprees, great dinners at some of Richmond’s finest restaurants, the very best in the local arts scene and many more surprises. The event will also feature a silent auction.

Applications are still being accepted for eligible bachelors and bachelorettes for the auction and can be found on the event’s official website: www.richmondcenterstage.com/singleinthecity.

All proceeds help to support the Artistic and Educational programs of Richmond CenterStage – including the BrightLights Education Programs, housed at the Genworth BrightLights Education Center.

Tickets for the auction are available at www.richmondcenterstage.com/singleinthecity and are $30 in advance, with $35 tickets available at the door. VIP Admission is $60 per person and includes a VIP Cocktail Reception and premium auction seating. Online Registration closes on May 18, 2012 at 11:59 p.m.  A full schedule of events can be found below:

6:00 p.m.        VIP Meet the Bachelors and Bachelorettes Reception (VIP Admission Required)
7:00 p.m.        Doors Open and Silent Auction Opens
8:00 p.m.        Live Bachelor and Bachelorette Auction Begins

About Richmond CenterStage: A world-class performing arts facility located in the heart of Richmond on Grace Street between 6th and 7th streets, Richmond CenterStage includes the fully-renovated, 83-year-old, nearly 1,800-seat Carpenter Theatre.  In addition, CenterStage offers guests and performers three separate venues: the multi-use space Rhythm Hall; the intimate Gottwald Playhouse; and Showcase Gallery, for exhibition of the visual arts.  The Genworth BrightLights Education Center, located on the third floor, promotes arts in education to the region’s K-12 students.  Also included in CenterStage’s venues is the Landmark Theater, which is located in the heart of Richmond’s historic Fan District at 6 N. Laurel Street.

Time:  9am to 5pm – or anytime
between those  hours

Volunteers will receive two comps to Yellowman as our thanks.

Date or Run Date: May 31^st and June 1^st at 1:00pm, June 5^th at 7:30 pm.

Brief Description:  Alice is a ditzy sculptor of ceramic ashtrays. Her husband Bernie has just lost his job when Bernie’s old friend Earl shows up. But there’s a situation between these two guys that goes all the way back to high school. Through one silly line and laughable situation after another, we finally find out what he can’t tell you.

Age level: Any

Box Office Number: (804) 282-2620.

Website: http;//www.barksdalerichmond.org

Venue and address: Barksdale Theatre at Willow Lawn. 1601 Willow Lawn Drive. Richmond, VA 23230.

Ticket prices: $10

Date or Run Date: June 15-July 22^nd, 2012.

Brief Description:  Winner of eight 2007 TONY Awards, Spring Awakening examines the unbridled energy that ignites the journey from youth to adulthood. Charged with sexual power, poignancy and passion (plus a brilliant contemporary score), Spring Awakening was named “Best Musical of the Year” by nearly every critic including the New York Times. “BOLD! FUNNY! AND INVITING!” –New York Times.

Age level: Suggested for ages 16+. Contains profanity, partial nudity.

Box Office Number: (804) 282-2620.

Website: http;//www.barksdalerichmond.org

Venue and address: The November Theatre (formerly the Empire Theatre). 114 West Broad Street. Richmond, VA 23220.

Ticket prices: Full Price: $44 | Seniors (60+): $41 | Students (18 and under): $24

Thomas Dale High School’s theatre department will present Tom Stoppard’s fast-paced comedy On the Razzle April 26 – 28 at 7 p.m. in the main campus small theatre. Thomas Dale is home to Chesterfield County’s Specialty Center for the Visual and Performing Arts and is located at 3626 W. Hundred Road in Chester.  The Specialty Center Arts program attracts students from all districts of Chesterfield County who are highly interested and talented in art, theatre, music or dance. More info at SpecialtyCenterArts.com

On The Razzle is based on a Viennese play by Johann Nestroy.  It was previously adapted by Thornton Wilder as The Matchmaker in 1955 and again as Jerry Herman’s hit musical Hello Dolly.  Two grocery clerks try to outsmart their boss and have an adventure while he’s in Vienna proposing to his fiancée.  As with all farces, madness ensues.

Tom Stoppard is well known in Great Britain and his plays are well received in New York.  His Coast of Utopia won the “Best Play” Tony in 2007 and a revival of a previous farce, The Real Thing, won the “Best Revival of a Play” Tony in 2000.  His other plays include Arcadia and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.  High schools rarely take on Stoppard because of the plays’ literary sophistication.  Thomas Dale’s Specialty Center students have been working on the show for months—honing their double takes and their ability to slide in and out of doors unnoticed.

To make matters even more interesting, On the Razzle takes place in no fewer than six locations.  The Specialty Center’s theatre productions students have been working on the set since November.

Keri Wormald directs the production, with costume design by Becki Jones.   Some of Thomas Dale’s most seasoned actors appear.  They include Marquis Hazelwood, Meg Price, Chris Craig, Priscilla Jogthong, Eric Evans, Amanda Dodge, and Helena Schanz, Daniel Allen, Jessica Harmon, and Kunle Adejokun.

Tickets for On the Razzle are available at the door.  Adult tickets are $10; student and senior tickets are $8.  For more information, email Keri Wormald at keriwormald@gmail.com.

Phantom

Music & Lyrics by Maury Yeston

Book by Arthur Kopit

Based on the 1911 novel The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux.

Director/Choreographer:  Patti D’Beck

Musical Director:  Jason J. Michael

Adult Auditions:

Monday, May 14^th at 6:30pm

Sign-ups begin at 6:00pm

Tuesday, May 15^th at 6:30pm

Sign-ups begin at 6:00pm

Children Auditions:

Children 8-13 years old will be seen only during the Monday, May 14^th auditions.

CALLBACKS will be on Monday, May 21^st at 6:30pm

Riverside Dinner Theater

95 Riverside Parkway

Fredericksburg, VA 22406

For auditions, please prepare 32 bars of a traditional Broadway style song. Please bring a headshot, or recent photograph, and a resume.  Auditions will be seen in the order in which you sign up, so please do not contact Riverside for an audition time.

Rehearsals will begin on Sunday, 27 at 7pm. 

Rehearsals run Sunday through Wednesday nights, 6:30-11pm. 

There could be some Friday and Saturday rehearsals.

Performances will run August 1^st through October 14^th, 2012. 

The performance schedule is as follows:

Wednesday matinees at 1:30pm

Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8pm.

Sunday matinees at 3pm

For more information, please call the Riverside Production Manager @ 540-842-0203

SEEKING THE FOLLOWING ROLES

1.  Christine Daee – Lead, 20’s-30’s, soprano (mid-B to High B).  A beautiful, sensitive and naïve young opera singer.
2. Carlotta – Lead, 30’-40’s, mezzo (mid-Bb to high Bb).   A demanding DIVA.
3. Gerard Carriere – Lead, 50-70.  Baritone (G below staff to 4th space E).  Former manager of the opera house.  Eric’s father.
4. Count de Chandon (Philippe)/Phantom Stand-by – 28-38, Bari/Tenor (mid-C to 4th space E).  The handsome and self-confident opera benefactor.

As the Phantom stand-by this actor would be prepared to play 30’s-40’s, male, bass-baritone (F below staff to G above staff). Elegant, charming, and yet evil. Lives in the opera house.  Music is his passion.

1. Belladova – 20’s, must be a trained ballerina.  Soprano (1st space F to B above staff).  The Phantom’s loving mother.
2. Cholet – 35-55.  (mid-Bb to 5th line F)  The new manager of the opera house.  Carlotta’s husband.
3. Jean-Claude – 30-50.  The Opera house stage manager.
4. Inspector Ledoux – 35-50.  (mid-Bb to 5th line F) Inspector for the Paris Chief of Police.
5.  Young Eric/Phantom –8-11. (mid- C# to 3rd space C)

There is also a large ensemble — all types, ages, vocal ranges — doubling in a number of parts:  Phantom’s Acolytes, opera company (singers, ballet dancers), patrons, etc.

Show Information
Friday, April 27                     7:30 – 8:45 pm             HATTheatre      General audiences show

Saturday, April 28                7:30 – 9:00 pm              HATTheatre      Mature audiences show
                                   immediately after the show                                     Improv Jam

Tickets:                            Each show:      $5 per ticket
Ticket Specials:   VCU alumni – buy 1, get 1 free (Celebrate alumni month with a VCU shirt)
                               Show pass:      6 shows for the price of 5 ($25)
Group Rates:  13 or more – $4 per ticket

Prepare for those April showers with a strong dose of laughter with West End Comedy at HATTheatre (1124 Westbriar Drive).  For both shows, bring a unique or unusual item with you.  If we use your item on stage, you will win a ticket to a future HAT show!

Friday, April 27 at 7:30 is Emilie’s Favorite All Audiences Show Ever.  West End Comedy offers one of the best comedy shows in Richmond for all ages with an improv format similar to Whose Line is It Anyway featuring suggestions from the audience.  We even bring audience members on stage.  A great way to laugh and spend time with the family!

Saturday, April 28 at 7:30 is The Innuendo Show for mature audiences.  Bring a date or have fun with friends to see funny audience suggestion based scenes performed by West End Comedy.  After the show, the comedy continues with an improv jam with West End Comedy.  Stick around for more comedy or jump on stage with us!

You’ll never see the same show twice!

Tickets for each show are $5; VCU alumni – wear a VCU shirt for alumni month – buy 1, get 1 free; discounted show passes and group rates are available.  We accept cash, check, and credit cards.  For best seating, please arrive 15 minutes early.  Call West End Comedy at (804) 496-1714 with any questions.  

For our upcoming shows, visit www.wecomedy.com/calendar.  Join our email list for troupe updates and show information at www.wecomedy.com.