Auditions for Master Class
Don't miss our Master Class Auditions: Nov 21st & 22nd
Terrence McNally's Tony—winning drama, Master Class, is to be cast in two different locations as follows: on Monday, November 21, auditions will be held at Chatham United Methodist Church, 460 Main Street, Chatham; on Tuesday, November 22, at our Chatham Playhouse, 23 North Passaic Avenue, Chatham. Hours both nights are 7 to 10 p.m. Popular director Robert Pridham, who directed Of Mice and Men, Proof, and other dramas for us, will lead this production. Pianist for the show will be Constantine Kitsopoulos, who actually was in a master class of Maria Callas, and has just begun his own opera company. He directed our orchestra for West Side Story and led the music for several Gilbert & Sullivan summer productions in our Playhouse.
“Master Class” is the story of such an event led by legendary opera diva Maria Callas, in front of an audience. She was known world-wide for both her singing and her temperament, terrorized opera companies, had a long and passionate affair with Ari Onassis (pre-Jackie Kennedy), broke all the rules, and drove audiences into a frenzy. People either loved or hated her. In this play, we see her at the end of her career, remembering past glories. “Master Class” won the Tony award, the Outer Critics' Circle award, and the Drama Desk Award. Its a unique mixture of bravado, memory, ego, pathos, and humor. Performances begin on February 17, 2006.
Roles to be cast are:
First Soprano: (Sophie) 20's, a trembling, terrified young soprano, completely in the thrall of Callas, but willing to give it her all -- which will not be nearly enough.
Tenor: (Tony) 20's, a puffed-up young tenor, broad of chest and voice, much taken with himself.
Second Soprano: (Sharon) 20's, sharp, smart, driven, genuinely gifted: a powerful vocal instrument, a strong, “natural” sense of performance — and, finally, in temperament and potential, something of a real match for Maria.
Stage Hand: matter-of-fact, a guy of few words, in the lunatic world of opera, he's seen it all. Maria means no more to him than a corned beef on rye.
Actors auditioning for Maria: please be prepared to read from the play “Master Class” You may choose and prepare your own selection from the play, or sides will be provided at the audition.
All auditioning for the three student roles: Please bring a monologue of your own choosing. It need not be memorized, but you should be prepared to perform it; two-minute limit. You should be prepared to sing a song which demonstrates your current singing range and capabilities. A song from a musical, or opera, or operetta is acceptable.
Chatham Players has an open casting policy. All roles are open, none are pre-cast, and anyone is encour-aged to audition. Any questions? Call Kristin Barber at (732) 208-4184, or e-mail casting@chathamplayers.org.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you...
to everyone (and there are lots of you!) who worked so hard and long on our impressive production of Brighton Beach Memoirs. In addition to all those listed in our program insert, an impromptu committee of Ken Basmadjian, Jon DeAngelis, Joel Remde, and Bruce Duty, helped moved the rented furniture out for return. All in all, it was a shining example of Community Theater!
Opening December 2nd... A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol - December 2nd through 23rdOur beloved holiday offering returns, with a fresh and sparkling look and some dear familiar faces, plus some exciting newcomers. Featured this year will be More matinee performances on Saturdays as well as our usual Sundays. Final performance is December 23rd.
The cast will feature Alan Semok as Scrooge, Steve Stubelt as Charles Dickens, and Matt Burns as Bob Cratchit. Ken Magos will be Fezziwig, Christmas Present, and the Undertaker; Maria Brodeur returns as Mrs. Cratchit; Joëlle Bochner will be Mrs. Dickens and the Laundress; and Will Lampe will be Jacob Marley, the Pawnbroker, and Nutley. Barbi McGuire plays Mrs. Fezziwig and the Charwoman, and Daniel Marconi will be Tiny Tim and Scrooge as a child. The cast also includes Frank Briamonte, Claire Chatinover, Joshua Dick, Jessica Douglass, Tom Drummer, Georgia Gleason, Michelle Grobert, Molly Kearns, Tom Kitsopoulos, Jessica Kundia, Erik Lampe, Michael Nitting, Julia Sickler, Jennifer Smith, and Santo Tiralosi.
“Carol” Director is Susie Speidel; Musical Director is Joe Elefante. Public sale of tickets ($20, adult; $15, youth) begins November 15 through Ticket Leap. Box office hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 a.m., and Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Box office phone is (973) 635-7363.
In Memoriam
We send our condolences to the family of John Friday, former President of Chatham Community Players 1961-63. Productions during his presidency include The Teahouse of the August Moon, Bells Are Ringing, Seven Year Itch, Sabrina Fair, Call Me Madam and The Male Animal.
It's Holiday Party Time
The month of December is filled with performances of “A Christmas Carol”, but following the matinee performance on December 11th, Chatham Community Players is throwing our annual Holiday Party. We invite you to join us at 6 p.m. Bring an hors doeuvre to share and BYOB. Non-alcoholic drinks and mixers provided. Happy Holidays!!!
Here & There...
Mark Phelan (“Jersey Voices”) is directing “The Hol-low,” a murder mystery, at Dover Little Theatre, opening November 4th, starring Chess Langford (“To Kill a Mockingbird, “Jersey Voices”)... Meghan Luckey (“Blood Brothers,” “Pride and Prejudice”) performs in Montville Barn Theatres upcoming “Crazy For You” also at Barn Theatre, Jon DeAngelis (“A Christmas Carol,” “Sweeney Todd”), Voltaire Balderrama (“Carol”), and Rich Maloy (“To Kill a Mockingbird,” “The Fantasticks”) all sang in “Now Its Your Turn” (aka “Get Happy”)... Rich Kline (“Desperate Hours”), Patrick Andrae (“A Little Night Music”), and Robin Joyce (“Rumors”) are performing in “Chinatown” at Villagers Theater... at the Playhouse, Summit, Megan Guinan (“Enchanted April”) will be onstage in Kate Schlesinger's production of “The Miracle Worker;” Kate has appeared in a number of our shows... Ana Kalet and David Neal (both in “Jersey Voices”), Catherine Rowe (“Blithe Spirit”), and Paul Salvatoriello (“Fantasticks”), were recently seen in Circle Players' “Taming of the Shrew”.