Tomorrow, Live Arts opens their final production of the 2008-2009 season: Eurydice as told by Sarah Ruhl. The tale of Eurydice and Orpheus is a myth from ancient Greece, originally told by Virgil. Sarah Ruhl is also the author of The Clean House, which played to great success in Live Arts’ 2007-2008 season. Ruhl brings her unique touch of poetry and comedy to her telling of Eurydice, weaving hope with tragedy and exploring the simultaneous tenacity and fragility of memory in the depths of the Underworld across the river Styx. For folks who loved The Clean House or who are fans of quick writing that keeps audiences on their toes, this play is for you. »Read More

Brent Cirves, Chairman of the Drama Department at Woodberry Forrest School in Madison County, is holding Charlottesville auditions for 2 of his original shows. Both of them have been accepted at this summer’s DC and NYC Fringe Theatre Festivals.

Auditions for both shows are held at the same times:
Wed, May 27 at Live Arts. 7pm
Wed, June 3 at Four County Players. 7pm

The shows are
The Fall of the House of Usher, a musical by Mike Johnson and Brent Cirves.
Exiles from the Sun, a drama by Brent Cirves.

Capital Fringe is July 9-26
Fringe NYC is Aug 14-30

The producers will cover travel and lodging. Pay beyond that, ask Brent for more specific info.

The number one person they’re looking for is an actor who can sing and play guitar for the Usher musical. They are looking to fill 1 female and 2 male roles for Exile.

Call or email Brent Cirves for more info:
540-672-1567 (h)
540-672-3900 x5369 (w)
brent_cirves@woodberry.org

From the same acting duo who brought you “The 302B: A Night in the Life of a Quarter-Aged Wino” comes a rendition of one of the most famous two person show’s known to theatre, Edward Albee’s “The Zoo Story.” 

Directed by Joncey Boggs

Jerry – Allen VanHouzen
Peter – J. Hernandez

Running time will be anywhere around 45-55 minutes.

Dates and times are as follows:

Wednesday May 20th @ 10 PM
Thursday May 21st @ 8PM & 10 PM

Price is pay what ya’ can. Come out to the 12th Street Tap House. Enjoy a tasty beverage. Watch a quick one act.

Play On released their 2009-2010 season earlier in the spring. First up is Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring. It was originally written in 1939 and later made into a movie with Cary Grant. It is a dark comedy following the adventures of a hilarious and dysfunctional family that includes two spinster aunts who’ve taken to poisoning men with wine laced with arsenic, strychnine, and cyanide. This will be directed by Megan Randall and run Sept 10-27.

Next will be The Boy Friend a musical by Sandy Wilson, originally written just after the end of World War II. It is set in 1920s on the French Riviera and became one of the longest running musicals on London’s West End. Julie Andrews made her American debut with this musical when it was produced on Broadway. The Boy Friend will be directed by Marcello Rolando and will run from Oct 29-Nov 15. »Read More

Play On presents Incorruptible by Michael Hollinger, which is described as, “A bright, bold (slightly bawdy) romp through the 13th Century” and “a dark comedy about the Dark Ages.” Ginger McCarthy directed this comedy, which is currently underway at the Play On Theatre. It opened on May 7 and runs through Sunday, May 17. 

In Catholic terminology, the phrase “incorruptible” is used to describe the bodies of holy folk that do not decompose. There are few saints who fall into this category, but the list includes Pope John XIII, St. John Damascene, St. Bernadette of Lourdes, and a few others. Various body parts (“relics”) of these incorruptible saints are routinely removed and transported to places where normal folk can make pilgrimmages to pay homage and request intercession. The playwright uses this Catholic convention as a basis for exploring human nature and the business of religion.

The cast features Heather Burns, Matthew Christensen, Alex Citron, Andy Davis, Tim MacDonald, Lindsay McDavid, Mandy McDavid, and Jack Rakes.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for students and seniors. The Sunday matinees (5/10 and 5/17) are $13 and $11. On Thursdays, Play On has their popular Pay-What-You-Will nights.

“]This week, Live Arts announced the plays and directors for their upcoming season and plugged their summer programming. Footloose, the summer musical, needs adult actors to rount out their cast, so if you would like to have a good time singing and dancing onstage, send an email to the Education Director (education@livearts.org). »Read More

Apparently the coupon entitles you to two pieces of KFC’s new grilled chicken, two sides, and a biscuit.

You just visit the site between now and tomorrow evening (by 9:59pm CDT), print it out, take it to a KFC, and get your free meal. The coupon is good up until May 19, 2009, except on Mother’s Day.

I’m not a huge KFC fan, but the thought of free food always makes me pause and consider the offer. Maybe that’s just me.

Tandem Friends is holding a unique event tomorrow night:

“Jennifer Schelter will be presenting her one-woman show, “Love Lessons from Abu Ghraib” next Wednesday, April 29, at 7 p.m. in the Tandem Community Hall.  She is a yoga instructor, actor, and social activist who lives in Philadelphia.  She was hired to go to Turkey to interview survivors of torture at Abu Ghraib.  Out of those interchanges she has woven a stunning portrayal of the humanity, pain, and vision of these courageous souls.  Jennifer combines this with her yoga practice in a manner that will create a compelling evening of theater.  The program will conclude with an open discussion with Ms. Schelter.”

For tickets, call Louise Cole at 434-296-1303 ext 0.  At least 30 tickets will be available at the door. Cost: $15/adults, $10/students and seniors.

This event is being sponsored by the local chapter of Amnesty International.

John Gibson, the Artistic Director of Live Arts has tendered his resignation, effective January 4, 2010.

From the marketing release:

“The resignation date of January 4, 2010 will mark his 18th year with the theater. During that time Gibson has been the face of the theater and the driving force behind its success. Live Arts began as a volunteer theater in 1990, a little over a year before Gibson’s arrival. He has overseen the production of more than 200 shows and 50 special events.

“Working to “forge theater and community,” Gibson has mounted shows that combine excellence and entertainment and that challenge our intellect and our values while building a community of performers, costumers, carpenters, designers, musicians and all the other contributors necessary to make Live Arts one of the premier non-professional theaters in the nation.”

…

“John Conover, the chair of the Live Arts board, believes “John Gibson has been the face, the heart and the brain of Live Arts. He is irreplaceable. Meaningful theater and great art, however, are not about replacement. We honor the old but reach for the new. We are a thriving community with a thirst to produce and watch excellence. After nearly 20 years, Live Arts is entering adulthood with the challenge of defining ourselves with new leadership in the coming years. We welcome the opportunity.” ”

The C-Ville Weekly has an interview with John Gibson.

Those crazy cats from the Bent Improv Comedy Troupe are at it again. This time, they’re tackling the classic Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back.

Here are the relevant details:

Date: TONIGHT

Time: 8pm

Place: Play On Theater in the IX Building

Directed by: Andy Davis

Luke – Alex Modic
Leia – Christina White-Tremblay
Han – Nate Wootten
Darth Vader – Jenn Horne
Obi-Wan – John McCullough
Lando – David Straughn
Chewbacca – Aaron Gilley
Yoda – Ruth Morton
C3PO – Patrick Kilmer

Featuring:
Boba Fett – Wendy Repass
Emperor Palpatine – Ray Smith

Rating: PG-13