Mainstage Center for the Arts

Buckle Up for Moonlight and Magnolias’ wild ride through the making of Gone with the Wind

Ed Fiscella — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:52:00 +0000

Moonlight and Magnolias, the hilarious tale that captures the true-life madness behind frantic attempts to rewrite the Gone with the Wind script, comes to Mainstage Center for the Arts, March 2 – 3 at Camden County College’s Dennis Flyer Theatre.

This production takes audiences back to 1939 where Hollywood was abuzz. Famed producer David O. Selznick, three weeks into shooting the historical epic, Gone with the Wind, realized the script didn’t work. He shut down production, fired the director and pulled Victor Fleming off The Wizard of Oz. Then, he locked himself, Fleming, and script doctor Ben Hecht in his office for a race against the clock until they had a screenplay.

Director Ted Wioncek, III, of Gloucester Township, directed an outrageous production of Moonlight and Magnolias last year at the Ritz Theatre. The three leading men: John Jackowski of Bellmawr (David O. Selznick), Ernie Jewell of Haddon Township (Victor Flemming), and Arthur Thompson of Cherry Hill (Ben Hetch) return for this production.

Jack Shaw, Stage Magazine, praised their work, “I loved every zany minute of it. If I wasn’t fascinated by the film back story, I was smiling often and tearing up with laughter. If you love theatre and film, Moonlight and Magnolias is the play for you.” (complete review at http://www.stagemagazine.org/2011/06/moonlight-and-magnolias-fascinating-and-so-much-fun/ ).

Samantha Morrone of South Philadelphia, portrays Miss Poppenghul, Selznick’s harried secretary. Although she’s new to this cast, Morrone is no stranger to Mainstage or working with Wioncek. She appeared in Groucho; A Life in Revue, at Mainstage where Wioncek portrayed Groucho.

Mainstage Center for the Art’s co-founder and producing artistic director, Ed Fiscella was so impressed by Moonlight and Magnolias under Wioncek’s direction, that he felt compelled to bring it to Mainstage this year.
“Moonlight and Magnolias is my favorite new comedy,” said Fiscella. “It’s laugh-out-loud slapstick comedy with a really interesting story behind it. I believe it’s a perfect complement to the musicals and dramas offered in our season.”
Mainstage’s season is sponsored by Comegno Law Group, PC.

Moonlight and Magnolias runs March 2 and 3, 8 p.m. Dennis Flyer Theatre, Lincoln Hall, Camden County College, and Blackwood. Tickets are $18/21 for adults and $15 for children under 12. To order, please visit www.mainstage.org or call (856) 227-3091.

Mainstage Center for the Arts, located at Camden County College in Blackwood, NJ is committed to make the arts experience enjoyable for all its patrons. In an effort to make the shows, concerts, events, workshops, classes, and offices accessible to as many as possible, Mainstage offers many services for patrons requiring assistance. For anyone in need of assistance, please notify the office at (856) 227-3091 at the time of purchasing tickets, or at least five days prior to the event you are attending.

Mainstage Center for the Arts, the parent program for Summer Stage, is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization committed to providing a creative, vibrant, and nurturing environment for youth and adults. This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. This program is also made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey Cultural Trust.

Pictures from the Young Americans Show

Ed Fiscella — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:53:17 +0000

Please click here to see and/or purchase pictures from the Young American’s Show

http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/mainstage/YoungAmericans

Come Learn to Sing, Dance, and Act with Us

Ed Fiscella — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:40:10 +0000

Discover Exciting Dance, Music, and Acting Classes at Mainstage Open House

Looking for high-quality, fun performing arts classes in dance, voice, acting, or music? Come to Mainstage Center for the Arts Studio Open House; meet the teachers; and learn about the classes, including some new and exciting offerings. This event takes place Wednesday, September 14, 6:30 p.m. in the Little Theatre, Lincoln Hall, Camden County College,Blackwood.

Mainstage teachers are looking forward to this opportunity to greet prospective students and answer any questions they might have about the classes.
“I always enjoy watching the childrens’ eyes light up as they begin developing a rapport with their dance, voice, or acting teacher at this special event,” said Anne Marie Weaver, Mainstage’s Director of Special Projects and acting instructor. “This brief, informative evening can open up a whole new world for students and their parents in our supportive, nurturing environment.”

At the Open House, Mainstage staff will share information about the more than 30 affordable classes offered, ranging from the Kids in Motion dance class for three-year-olds to private vocal lessons for teenagers and adults. They will also highlight new courses including:

Acting with accents, 9th through 12th graders will survey basic techniques for learning and applying stage dialects. The class will cover the following dialects: British RP, Irish, Cockney, American Southern, New York-Brooklyn, and more.
Shakespeare, this class for high school students is designed for actors of all skill levels and will focus on the development of the modern-day Shakespearean actor.
Hip Hop, Level I and II, Level I for ages 10 -14, is an exciting high-energy class that teaches the basics of Hip Hop. Level II, for ages 14 and up with one or more years of Hip Hop, features fast-paced, cutting-edge choreography which focuses on style and form.

Mainstage courses also include ballet, tap, jazz, and Broadway dancing; Zumba for adults; photography; voice, vocal instruction, and vocal coaching; classes in guitar and piano, and acting classes for preschoolers through high school. The acting classes are designed so that each age group has a lot of fun, gains self-esteem, and learns skills at an appropriate level – from imaginative play for preschoolers through more formal theatrical training for older students.
In addition, for the first time in three years, the talented performers of the Young Americans will bring the newest version of their National Musical Outreach Tour to South Jersey. This year’s workshop, hosted by Mainstage will concentrate on voice, dance, and performance techniques led by the Young Americans and their staff. The workshop takes place November 10-12 at Timber Creek High School.

For more information about Mainstage Center for the Arts Open House/Meet & Greet, please visit www.mainstage.org, or call (856) 649-5679.
Mainstage Center for the Arts, the parent program for Summer Stage, is a 501 (C (3) non-profit organization committed to providing a creative, vibrant, and nurturing environment for youth and adults.

This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. This program is also made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey Cultural Trust.

NEW: Summer Stage 2011 Pictures of shows

Ed Fiscella — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 02:23:42 +0000

Here is your ticket to see and purchase pictures from all the Summer Stage Shows. Pictures are located on Shutterfly.com and are available for view/purchase.

Click on the picture (“M” ) below to see and/or purchase the pictures:

http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/mainstage/summerstage2011