Auditions for A Christmas Carol
Chatham Players is pleased to announce auditions for a new version of our beloved "A Christmas Carol" (a musical adaptation by Philip Wm. McKinley). 
Production dates are December
2nd to December 23rd. Auditions will be held
for children (16 years and younger) on Sunday, September 11, from 6 to 10 PM, and
for adults on Monday and Wednesday, September 12 and 14, from 7 to 10 p.m. at The
Chatham Playhouse, 23 North Passaic Avenue, Chatham. This
heart—warming show, produced regularly since 1985, is being re-staged and re-imagined
with new sets and special effects. The Chatham Players have an
open casting policy. All roles are open, none are precast, and
everyone is encouraged to audition. Director Susan
Speidel seeks a large cast of varying types and ages, all of whom need to
sing and move well. Auditioners should be ready to sing two
contrasting songs from the traditional Broadway or operetta repertoire and must bring
sheet music in the appropriate key. An accompanist will be
provided. Child actors without previous audition experience or
material can choose a traditional holiday song or another non-rock song they know
well. Any questions should be directed to Kristin Barber at
732-208-4184, or by email: casting@chathamplayers.org.
Principal roles include: Charles Dickens, a tenor who narrates the show; Scrooge, the center of the production, requires a character baritone voice and an actor with both comic and dramatic range; Tiny Tim, a young boy (or girl) soprano with a winning smile; Bob Cratchit, a warm baritone; and Mrs. Cratchit, a mezzo soprano with a big heart. Additional cast members include: The Ghost of Christmas Past, a young girl or boy with a lilting soprano; The Ghost of Christmas Present, an imposing character tenor; Belle, an ingénue soprano age 18-24; and Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, comic character actors. Various other ensemble members portray a variety of roles, such as the Pawnbroker, Charwoman, Undertaker, Laundress, Cratchit Children, The Ghost of Marley, Young Scrooge, Fan, Scrooge's Nephew and Niece; and Carolers.
Brighton Beach Memoirs Opens our New Season
We invite you to meet Eugene (played by Max Rissman), brother of Stanley (Jason Cox) and son of sharp-tongued Kate and hard-working Jack (Cody Dalton and Steve Nitka). The cast also includes Eugene's Aunt Blanche (Joëlle Bochner) and cousins played by Michelle Wilson and Aimee DeHope. Eugene's boyhood fantasies of girls and baseball are about to collide with the miseries and rewards of growing into adulthood in his Depression-era Brooklyn family in "Brighton Beach Memoirs," considered by some as Neil Simon's funniest, richest, and most affecting play. Director Joe Nierle is assisted by producer Kathy Ruskin, production coordinator Eileen Johnston, and new-to-Players stage manager Amy Annee.
Production dates are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., October 7, 8; 14, 15; 21 and 22. Two matinee performances will be offered at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, and Saturday, October 22. Box office hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.., beginning two weeks before opening night. Get your season subscriptions in NOW: Register Online, or call 973-635-7363. You may also Buy individual tickets online!
Congratulations to Perry Award nominees
Chatham Players extend warm congratulations to all the 2005 Perry Award nominees. We thank those listed below for their special efforts in our theater. We appreciate your hard work and dedication toward maintaining a standard of excellence in community theater. For their work on our "Enchanted April" -Fran Harrison, Outstanding Costume Design; Barbara Neff, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play; and Megan Guinan, Outstanding Youth Actress in a Play. (For information about Perry Awards, see the NJACT site at NJTheatre.com.)
Welcome to our new High School Interns
Working for us during the school year 2005-06 are Josh Dick, senior, who is assistant stage manager for "Brighton Beach Memoirs" opening in October; Jason Cox, junior, playing the role of Stanley in our up-coming "Brighton…" Mike McFadden, senior; Megan Guinan, senior; and Kelly Boehmer, senior. Our intern program is coordinated by Kathy Ruskin. Interns receive school credits for their work with us, and have been a great resource and real help.
Our Kudos to…
…Stephanie Sickler, recipient of The Chatham Community Players annual scholarship, presented at graduation from Chatham High School; she was chosen by school personnel for outstanding contributions to the high school drama program and currently attends Villanova University (her on-campus job is props assistant for the graduate theater program!) …
…Sean Hennessy, our new webmaster, for the dramatic new changes in our website! (If you notice any typos or other problems, please let him know.) Enjoy our new look!
...and thanks to Mara Lundstrom, who led our terrific 4th of July Parade…
Here and There…
Antonio D'Amato(seen here in …Carol) is in the ensemble of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" on Broadway…Voltaire Balderrama (in our "…Carol") produced and performed in "A Streetcar Named Desire" for the Ledge Theatre that featured Catherine Row (in our "Blithe Spirit") as Blanche Dubois, Rich Klein (CCP's "Desperate Hours") as Steve Hubbell; and Cody Dalton (in our "Enchanted April" and upcoming "Brighton…") as Eunice Hubbell…Tom Blewitt (in "Jersey Voices") will be Peachy Weil and Elissa Strell ("Into the Woods") will be Sunny Freitag in "Last Night of Ballyhoo " at The Barn Theater, Montville…Tracy Haskell performs and Don Howes ("Jersey Voices") is directing and choreographing "Ain't Misbehavin'" at 4th Wall Theatre…
Volunteers Needed
Positions on our Volunteer Council have recently become available: Scenic Artist and Sound Coordinator. If interested, please email Bob Denmark to apply. Our Council is large and fun, and meets monthly on the last Monday on the month. Members for 2005-2007 include Lee Nordholm, Backstage Newsletter & Props; Jon DeAngelis, Graphic Artist, Subscription Brochure & Programs; Kristin Barber, Casting & Publicity; Kathy Ruskin, Costumes & Joint Theater Program (Interns); Steve Ruskin, Fantasy Theater; Richard Hennessy, Lighting & Grants; Mara Lundstrom, Hospitality & Program Advertising; John Saul, Hospitality & Historian; Chris Furlong, House/Grounds & Set Construction; Bob Denmark, Jersey Voices & Volunteers; Bob Lukasik, Jersey Voices; Kathy Rex, Mailing; Jessica Graham, Makeup; Edee Schenk, Wig Consultant; Chris Colabraro, Outreach; Westie Grosh and Barbara Cayci, Photography; Roy Pancirov, Set Construction & Playhouse Renovation; Martha Ferko, Playhouse Voicemail & Subscriptions; Steve Stubelt, Play Selection; Tish Lum, Props; Eileen Johnston, Box Office; and Sean Hennessy, Webmaster. The Council joins our elected officers Chris Furlong, President; Roy Pancirov, Vice-President; Joëlle Bochner, Secretary; Kathy Rex, Treasurer; Steffi Denmark, Business Manager; and Debby Hennessy, Past President, in running this complicated and busy organization. Every Chairman would welcome extra help!