The South Jersey Rialto

Moving forward!

2011-01-12T19:28:00.000-05:00

My apologies that is has been so long.

I've since graduated from Rowan and now I'm working for The NEWS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

Writing and blogging everyday!

But I've broken my silence because of a recent unfortunate happening in Millville.

As many of you know, the Levoy Theater on the 100 block of High Street collapsed, sending years of hard work from a dedicated team into a pile of rubble.

But they're going to continue building. A week later, crews went back to the theater and began taking construction measures for safety.

Here is an excerpt from the story I wrote yesterday:

Beginning Monday morning into Tuesday, a crane was brought back to the theater to remove two bar joists and an I-beam that could have caused further damage.

“Right now, we’re making safety moves,” said Phillip Van Embden, one of the directors of the Levoy Theater. “The pieces that were removed were a safety concern.”

The operation taken this week was completely successful and the board is waiting for OSHA and the inspectors to finish their investigations before they move back into the site and resume their construction.

It was sad to see the theater shell go to rubble, but it's exciting to hear that they will continue to work on the project.

"All we've really lost is time," said board chairwoman Lauren Van Embden.

This is a good sign. We will see this theater back in no time.

Here is a photographic timeline of what has happened:

Levoy Theater facade under construction

Theater facade after collapse on Jan. 3, 2011. The building to the right will be demolished in the coming weeks.
from NJ.COM

Workers of Garton Rigging in Vineland remove pieces of the roof decking to get to the beams that need removing Monday.

Materials are removed from the remaining two-thirds of the theater structure for safety measures.

Proposed rendering of the finished theater exterior

Exterior of the Levoy in 1930 - notice the similarity to the new one in the marquee.

Proposed interior rendering of the Levoy Theater

Interior of the Levoy Theater as of 1927. This picture was taken from the stage.

Interior of the Levoy just before demolition began
from PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY

Shama shama elma commama!

2010-10-20T18:02:00.002-04:00

STAGE LEFT

Neil Simon's

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK

Opening tonight!

Paul Bratter: Matt Reher
Corie Bratter: Laurie Halloran
Victor Velasco: Pat DeFusco
Ethel Banks: Elaine Fydrych
Phone repair man: Troy Cooper
Delivery man: Dick Guzinya

Directed by: Ed Santiago
Asst. Dir: Deb Kelley

Comedy by Neil Simon. Presented this ONE WEEK only. Preview night (Wednesday), tickets are only $10.00 (half price). This is an "Industry Night". Bring your headshots, resumes and business cards. There will be directors and producers in the building from Stage Left, The Sketch Club and other area theatres. It's a great night to market, mingle and see a great show for only $10.00. Tickets Thursday through Sunday are $20.00.

Also, Thursday the 21st we are offering "dinner and a show". Dinner at 6pm at Gia Nina's Italian Restaraunt in Woodbury. Soup/Salad, soft drinks and choice of 3 entrees (Baked Ziti, Chicken Parm or Fish). Tix price is just $30 for the dinner and the show! This option is available by going to our site.

All shows at The Sketch Club of Woodbury, NJ. 433 Glover St, Woodbury, NJ 08033
You can purchase tix at www.stageleftco.com

Call 215-205-0192 or email ecorsi@stageleftco.com for info.

When every leaf's a flower.

2010-10-01T10:24:00.002-04:00

I don't know about you, but I had no desire to put away my summer decorations. Where did it go?! I'm sure you're feeling the same way. But what better motivation to welcome the Fall by going to see a great show during South Jersey Rialto's Fall Line-Up.

OPENING: (break legs tonight players!)

LOVE LETTERS - Off Broad Street Players (Bridgeton) - STARRING John Muller & Beverly Beardsley. Oct. 1 & 2 at 8 p.m. and 3 at 3 p.m. Bridgeton High School Auditorium. Tickets $13/$11

TITANIC - The Landis Theater (Vineland) - Oct. 1, 2, 8, 9 at 8 p.m. 3 & 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets $20/$25

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - Sketch Club Players (Woodbury) - Oct. 1 - 17. Fridays & Sats at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets $17/$15

CLOSING:

LAST RITES - South Camden Theater Company (Camden, 4th & Jasper) - FINAL WEEK - Oct 1 & 2 at 8 p.m. 3 at 1:30 p.m. $15 General Admission.

LOST IN YONKERS - Broadway Theater (Pitman) - FINAL WEEK - October 1 & 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets $25 General Admission.

BILOXI BLUES - Haddonfield Plays & Players - FINAL WEEK - October 1 & 2 at 8 p.m. - Tickets $20. (Special* October 1st - $10)

PLAYING:

TWELVE ANGRY MEN - Ritz Theatre Co. - Playing through October 23. Tickets $20 - $30. Fridays & Sats 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m.

OPEN CASTING CALL "A Christmas Carol"

2010-08-17T21:03:00.003-04:00

THE OFF BROAD STREET PLAYERS

Charles Dickens'

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Adapted for the stage by Jim Cook Jr.

August 30 & September 1

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Headshots and Resumes accepted at door.

Looking for Actors, Singers Musicians ages 7 - 70. (snapshot photos may be substituted for headshots if you dont have professionals)

Requirements:

Actors- will do readings from the script, please bring a headshot/snapshot and resume.

Singers - prepare 32 or more bars of any broadway-style song, headshots/snapshot and resume

Musicians - any solo audition song, one per instrument. No headshots required.

FOR MORE INFO call Jim Cook Jr at (856) 275-4240

Performances - November 12 - 21, Fri & Sats at 8 p.m. Suns at 3 p.m.

Tix $15/13

Special Family Performance November 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Collaborative Act Studio and Wioncek are puttin' on the ritz!

2010-08-01T22:17:00.000-04:00

(Wioncek in the TCAS South Jersey Tour of "Groucho: A Life in Revue")

The Ritz Theatre Company recently announced that Producing Artistic Director, Ted Wioncek III and his critically acclaimed theatre company, The Collaborative Act Studio (TCAS), will join forces with The Ritz Theatre in Haddon Township, NJ. Ted will become the Associate Producing Artistic Director of The Ritz Theatre and TCAS will play a vital role in its effort to provide daring and edgy works in addition to The Ritz Theatre’s theatrical landscape.

“We are very proud to be able to give The Collaborative Act Studio a new home and I am sure our association with TCAS will enrich our organization and give us new and exciting offerings to pass on to our patrons and audiences. We are all looking forward to the synergy this partnership will create." said Bruce A. Curless, Producing Artistic Director of The Ritz Theatre.

The group will be transferring their production of GROUCHO: A LIFE IN REVUE to the Ritz Theater Co. on August 20 & 21 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 22 at 2 p.m.

Founded in 2007, by Ted Wioncek III, TCAS burst onto the Southern New Jersey theatre scene with its critically acclaimed production of William Inge’s Splendor in the Grass. The Collaborative Act Studio has since taken several of their productions on tour throughout the tri-state area, including The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) & GROUCHO: A Life In Revue. TCAS was recently honored with a New Jersey Association of Community Theatre (NJACT) Perry Award. TCAS was nominated for a total of eight Perry Awards.

Wioncek was recently profiled in a “People to Watch” interview in SJ Magazine. Ted, a member of Actor’s Equity Association, is currently performing in Burt & Me at Act II Playhouse and Beauty and the Beast at Storybook Musical Theatre. Ted has performed at many area professional theatres including The Walnut Street Theatre, The Wilma Theatre, Act II Playhouse, and The Montgomery Theatre.

And the livin' ain't easyyyyy

2010-07-13T00:51:00.002-04:00

Check out the new up and comings on the Rialto this month!

First and foremost to our friends on the South Jersey Rialto who need it the most!

COME TOGETHER: A TRIBUTE TO THE ROAD COMPANY - The Road Company. July 29, 30, and 31 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are by donation of $18 for Adults and $15 for Students/Seniors. Group rates available. (Personal Note: I suggest everyone go to see this, it is a revue of past pieces by the Grand Theater that tragically lost their beautiful historic performance space last May. They are also preparing a special fund called "MAKE IT GRAND AGAIN" as a rebuild. PLEASE GIVE ANYTHING YOU CAN by clicking HERE.)

THE DOLL: A RAGGEDY MUSICAL - Sketch Club Players. July 9, 10, 16, 17 at 8 p.m. 11 & 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $17 General Admission.

ANNIE - Cumberland Players. July 15, 16, 17, 23, 24 at 8 p.m. 11th at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15.

THE JUNGLE BOOK - Oakwood Summer Theater. July 21, 22, 23 at 10 a.m. 22 & 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 general admission.

THE PRODUCERS - The Ritz Theater Co. - July 16 - August 7. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights, with matinees on Sunday. Tickets are $20 - $30 admission.

GREASE - Haddonfield Plays & Players.(*OPENING NIGHT*: July 15 at 7:30 p.m.) July 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31, Aug. 6 & 7 at 8p.m. July 18, 25, & Aug 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $19 general admission.

JOSEPH..DREAMCOAT - Broadway Theater (of Pitman). July 16 - Aug. 7. Ticket are $25 general admission.

13 (by Jason Robert Brown) - Broadway Bound Players. July 29, 30, 31 at 7:30 p.m.

Sad day

2010-05-14T16:17:00.000-04:00

This is so sad....

The Grand Theater in Williamstown collapses. They put on some amazing pieces of theater, thank god no one was hurt, and I trust they will keep the company going despite the theater damage.
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=7442409

S.J. Premier of Hairspray!

2010-05-06T00:35:00.000-04:00

As of this afternoon, the Off Broad Street Players Theater Company of Bridgeton, NJ were named the first theater company in Southern New Jersey to obtain the performance rights for the wildly-popular musical "Hairspray!" Audition information is as follows-

OPEN CALL - South Jersey Premier of "HAIRSPRAY"

AUDITIONS - May 24 & 26

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church

14 Fayette St. in Bridgeton, N.J. 08302

Headshot & Resume not required but welcome

Prepare a song from any Broadway musical other than "Hairspray"

Performances August 6, 7, 13, 14 at 8 p.m. and Aug 8, 15 at 3 p.m.

Special Family Performance August 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Director Walter A. Webster is looking for a large multi-ethnic cast.

Roles being auditioned for -

Tracy Turnblad - A high-spirited, irrepressible, chubby teen girl; she loves to dance and is eager for her life to kick in.
Edna Turnblad - Tracy's hefty loving, somewhat repressed mother, a laundress with deferred dreams. Looking for a male actor for the role.
Wilbur Tunblad - Trachy's father, a mischievous joke shop proprietor but always reliable dad.
Penny Pingleton - Tracy's ditzy but devoted best friend.
Corny Collins - The smooth and smart adult host of Baltimore's local T.V. teen dance show.
Link Larkin - The show's teen male dreamboat, ambitious but essentially good-hearted.
Amber Von Tussle - The show's resident blonde princess, conniving and selfish, but superficially perky.
Velma Von Tussle - The T.V. Station manager; a rich, bigoted, bossy widow who's pushing daughter Amber to the stardom she herself never had.
Motormouth Maybelle - The big brassy, all-embracing black radio D.J. and once-a-month guest host on Corny's show; she wears a blonde wig as her trademark
Seaweed J. Stubbs - Motormouth's sexy teen son, street smart but easygoing; his unique dance lessons give Tracy the edge she needs to catch Corny's attention.
Little Inez - Seaweed's litle sister, 12. She's cute but angry, impatient for the promised land of actual civil rights.
Prudy Pingleton - Penny's incredibly uptight and small-minded mother.
Male Authority Figures - Assorted middle-aged male roles: a nervous businessman, a condescending high school principal, a flamboyant fashion boutique owner, a cop and a corrupt jail gaurd.
Female Authority Figures - Assorted middle-aged female roles: a sadistic gym teacher, a cop, and a sardonic prison matron.
The Dynamites - A trio of ultra-glamorous black divas who emerge from a poster to be the magical hostesses of Tracy and Edna's whirlwind visit to the emerging swinging sixties.
Teen ensemble - Brad, Tammy, Fender, Brenda, Sketch, Shelly, I.Q, Lou Ann.

For more information please contact Walter A. Webster at (856) 451-5437. email Jim Cook Jr at jimcookjr06@gmail.com or visit obsponline.org

Also, visit the Off Broad Street Players fan page on Facebook.

Fiddler on the Rialto

2010-04-22T03:02:00.004-04:00

The cast of Fiddler on the Roof (Rowan University: April, 2010)

Stage left is NOT where the fiddler sat. Number one. The show began as a piece of symmetry with Tevye, a poor milkman on one side of the roof and the fiddler on the other side. One man explained in words of the meaning of this show and the other told it through singular notated music. But this story is not about a fiddler. And it is not a compelling story about Tevye who tries to maintain a Jewish life. This show is about one thing.

TRADITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nothing in the history of Rowan University has ever encapsulated theatre filled with such energy. The life that Director Lane Savadove and Music Director Marian Stieber breathed into this new production was fresh, raw, and brilliant. And the magic of this production was beyond palpable. I have only one word for this theatrical event: Dazzling. And thank God this production is not transferring to Broadway, because my bank account would be depleted from buying eight tickets a week. Because I could watch this production every day and it would never get old.

But back to the symmetry. The entire production utilized symmetry in the literal sense of its own characters, and in the implication that this piece is far from being outdated. It may even have something to say about our own lives. The opening sequence was symmetrical, the blocking, the emotions, and the energy were spot on. And the final level of symmetry was Rowan's ability to produce professional live theater and professional live music, all in one production.

After Tevye (played by Kevin Melendez...I'll tell you how he did in a minute) descends from the roof, he introduces us to the Russian shtetl (small town) of Anatevka in 1905. Finally, Tevye breaks into the music by declaring "Tradition" with the entire cast. But ironically, Savadove's direction broke the tradition of this musical and re-imagined the opening number from what once was a primal dance into a panorama of struggling socio-economic Jewish families, all laboring in their thankless jobs for the love of their community. Subtlety was the life of the opening sequence, and the lives of each member of the society.

The musical focuses in on the small village of Anatevka and a milkman Tevye who is confidant in tradition but struggles not to lose his own soul within the loss of tradition in his family. And the only reason that point was made clear was because the role was played by Kevin Melendez.

Melendez stripped away the conventional structure of Tevye and exposed everything he could muster as a performer. His singing seemlessly melded with the rawness of his portrayal of the character.

Tevye's three daughters, Tzeitel (Kerry Baglivio), Hodel (Jenna Kuerzi), and Chava (Jade Froeder) are all in a power struggle against the traditional arrangements of marriages, deciding to abandon the matchmaker and marry for love. This, naturally, is where Tevye begins to struggle, but eventually bend for the marriages of Tzeitel and Hodel. However, Chava's marriage to a non-Jewish Russian official is the breaking point for Tevye and he disowns her, but gives a glimmer of hope to her before the family leaves Anatevka.

The chorus was a powerhouse of choreography and energy, especially the "L'Chaim" sequence in the bar.

Baglivio gave a wonderful performance and Froeder stretched her capabilities with grappling the dynamics of her roles. Kuerzi gave a flawless flow from acting into singing without overplaying the character as often is seen in many musicals. Her work was honest and genuine, especially in "Far From The Home I Love"

Andrew Clotworthy played a difficult middle-aged single man searching for new love. I must apologize to Clotworthy because in my past reviews of work at Rowan, I have not given credit where credit is due. And credit is due to Mr. Clotworthy. The inner sadness that Clotworthy's Lazar Wolf experiences came across vibrantly, his work in Fools last season was hysterical (a show that was senselessly reviewed by another writer...I thought that show was awesome), and his work in Our Country's Good was stunning. He and Melendez have developed a rapport of fresh talent.

Tevye's wife, Golde (Rachel Bauer) was brash and true, culminating in an enlightening view of household women in Russia. Especially nice were her moments in "Do You Love Me?"

Let's also not forget the unforgettable performances of Chris Bratek as Perchick who gave a strong portrayal of a young man in search of himself and his own rebellion, along with the always great A.J. Mendini, playing a very gentle Motel who heartwarmingly sees the innocent beauty of live.

The technicality of the production was a blessing for Rowan's vast departments. The balance of sound, the orchestra, and the phenomenal lighting (especially with the stars) all lent life into the production.

As a graduating senior (this May) I want to thank the Rowan Theater and Music Department for letting me review your work over the past two years. I have the utmost respect for each and every one of you. You all really went out this year on a bang. Keep doing what you do, because your productions are Rowan's greatest TRADITION!

-Jim Cook Jr.

p.s. When Fruma-Sarah began to come out of the bed I really started thinking 'oh no, they're going to do the "Wicked" thing' but don't worry. I've seen Wicked. Yours was not only better, but it was the coolest thing I've ever seen done on a stage. True story.

Don't "april showers" on my parade!

2010-04-09T14:08:00.001-04:00

Godspell
Rowan U. Musical Theater Company
Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.
Starring Steve Meridian at Jesus
Tickets at $7 Adults and $5 Students/Seniors
All performances at Williamstown High School
_______________________________________________________

The LANDIS THEATER ACTORS have announced casting for their inaugural production of "The Producers" The production will be performed at the Landis Theatre in Vineland, N.J.

The Producers’ Cast List
Max Bialystock…Sean McGrellis
Leo Bloom………Daniel Caraballo
Ulla … ………......Deena Parr
Roger de Bris…..Teddy Petrie
Carmen Giya……Will Baez
Franz Liebkind …Todd Kinder

Ensemble and others (in alphabetical order)

LADIES:
Tammie Biagi
Stephanie Chiofolo
DiDi Gawryolek
Dina Kirchner
Susan Kowalski
Jennifer Leigh
J.J.Malatesta
Ariana McTamney
Caelyn Palmer
Jennifer Parr
Angelica Quiles
Hilary Scull
GENTLEMEN:
P.J.Connelly
Phillip Hopf
Thurman Hogan
Mark Leigh
Shaun Laurencio
Michael Matos
Tommy Serra
Nate Offer
_____________________________

Also on the Rialto this month:

OUT OF SIGHT...OUT OF MURDER - Sketch Club Players. April 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 at 8 p.m. and 11, 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $17 Adults and $15 for Senior citizens.

NOISES OFF - Ritz Theater Co. April 22 - May 22. Tickets are $20 - $30.

TAKE ME OUT - Haddonfield Plays & Players. FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY. April 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 at 8 p.m. and 11, 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $19 general admission.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC - The Road Company. April 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, May 1 at 8 p.m. and April 18 and 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 for Adults and $15 for Students and Seniors

Free play reading on the Rialto!

2010-03-14T16:55:00.000-04:00

The Collaborative Act Studio is presenting their free play reading of:

The 5th of July by Lanford Wilson

March 24th 7:30 p.m.

Please be sure to be a part of this special medium of theater in South Jersey.

You may choose to participate or just watch. After the reading will be an open discussion. Questions such as "What was the author's intent?" and "How hard do you think it would be to produce this work?" are sure to arise. Or occasionally, “I'm sorry, I kept my mind open, but apparently that let the play go in one ear and out the other - what was it supposed to be about?!”

The evening is open to everyone.

OUR NEXT FREE PLAY READING IS:
THE 5TH OF JULY by Lanford Wilson
Wednesday, March 24th, 7:30PM
Fusion Performing Arts Center
1931 Olney Avenue, Suite 100
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

It's 60 degrees outside!

2010-03-08T14:46:00.003-05:00

Hello!
I hope you like my new layout. My sincerest apologies for not updating sooner. I have been wildly busy with my final semester of college, graduation looming, my internship at The Daily Journal (Vineland, NJ), and my job. But those little vampires aren't stopping me from going to the theater! Has anyone been outside today? 60 degrees! What a nice break after the disaster, laden in our hearts, that we'll always remember as "February 2010."

STEEL MAGNOLIAS - Cumberland Players (Vineland, NJ) March 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 at 8 p.m. and March 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $13 General Admission. Starring Lauren Van Embden, Heidi Dugan, Carol Heney, Lisa Heney, Bobbi Kukal of Millville, and Rita Danna of Vineland.

DOUBT: A Parable. - The Road Company (Williamstown, NJ) March 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 at 8 p.m. and March 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 Adults $15 Students/Seniors. ($12 Student/Senior/Children on Matinees.) Starring Anne Buckwheat of Woodstown, NJ.

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE - The Ritz Theater Co. (Oaklyn, NJ) March 13 - April 3. Tickets are $17 - $30.

NUMBER THE STARS - Haddonfield Plays & Players (Haddonfield, NJ) - March 9, 11, 16, 18 at 10 a.m. March 10 & 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 General Admission. *This is a FEATURED EVENT not part of the main stage season*

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD - Broadway Theatre (Pitman, NJ) - March 12 - April 3. Tickets are $25 General Admission.

Magic to do!!!

2010-02-18T14:32:00.001-05:00

The Off Broad Street Players Theater Company will open its 13th season with the Stephen Schwartz musical “Pippin.”

Performances will be presented at 8 p.m. Feb. 12 and 13, 3 p.m. Feb. 14, 8 p.m. Feb. 19 and 20 and 3 p.m. Feb. 21 in the auditorium of the Broad Street School, West Avenue and Broad Street, Bridgeton. Also, a family performance will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18.

Pippin follows a group of actors led by a Leading Player, telling the story of King Charlemagne’s first-born son, his love for Catherine, and his search for his place in the universe.

Cast members are Domonic Barnes of Cedarville as Leading Player, Andrew Jarema of Pittsgrove as Pippin, Katie Smith of Millville as Catherine, Don Fransko of Vineland, Ellen Mather of Vineland, Heather Harrington of Millville, Andrew Fralinger of Hopewell, Justin Peterson of Elmer and an ensemble of 13.

Walter A. Webster of Bridgeton is the director, Heather Boner of Bridgeton is the choreographer and Nancy Bello of Elmer will conduct a live orchestra during the performances.

Tickets for the family performance only are $7. Tickets for all other performances are $15 for adults and $13 for students and seniors.

For tickets or more information, call (856) 451-5437 or visitwww.obsponline.org or the “Off Broad Street Players” Facebook fan page.

No Day But TODAY!

2010-01-22T14:10:00.005-05:00

RENT

By Johnathan Larson
OPENING TONIGHT!
Produced by The Road Company
Tickets available online!

January 22, 23, 29, 30
February 5 & 6 at 8 p.m.
$18 Adults
$15 Students/Seniors

January 24, 30 at 2 p.m.
$15 Adults
$12 Students/Seniors

Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer-prize winning Broadway musical based loosely on Puccini's opera La Bohème. It follows a year in the lives of seven friends living the disappearing Bohemian lifestyle in New York's East Village. AIDS and both its physical and emotional complications pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom, and Angel; Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble; Benjamin has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends; and Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general, always behind the camera recording the events but never playing a part.

CAST -
Mark Cohen - Sean Casey
Roger Davis - Dave McConney
Tom Collins - Marquis Cole
Angel Dumott Schunard - Bobby Walker
Benjamin Coffin III - Fernando Gonzalez
Joanne Jefferson - Lani Campagno
Maureen Johnson - Amy Sprouse
Mimi Marquez - Marjorie Southerland

Ensemble: Courtney Gardner, Danielle Harley, David Mooney, Dwight Merritt, Edward Elder, Ed Farrell III, Jackie Smith, Mary Fajardo, Melanie Owens, Melissa Baker, Richard Smith, Scott Angehr.

BRAND NEW STATE!!!!!

2010-01-07T13:27:00.007-05:00

OBSP's "OKLAHOMA!" TO TRANSFER THIS WEEKEND!!!!!

DON FRANSKO (Curly) and KATIE COX (Laurey) in a scene from OKLAHOMA!

The Off Broad Street Players Theatre Company of Bridgeton is transferring it’s production of the classic musical “Oklahoma!” to Lower Cape May Regional High School on January 9 at 7pm and 10 at 3pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for students and seniors.

This production originally opened in November at Bridgeton High School, when the group was approached with an opportunity to bring their production to a new audience.

This classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical follows the young ranch hand Curly (Don Fransko, Vineland) who is in love with Laurey Williams (Katie Cox, Millville). They are much too proud to admit they love each other, resulting in Laurey accepting an invitation to the local dance by the shadowy Jud Fry (Richard Smith, Bridgeton)

Meanwhile, raucous cowboy Will Parker (Andrew Jarema, Pittsgrove) has just returned from his trip to Kansas City. His girlfriend, Ado Annie (Stephanie Bello, Elmer), unfortunately, is a girl who just can’t seem to say no to other men. Thus, the ever-classic story unfolds with a rich score featuring such songs as “O What a Beautiful Morning,” “People Will Say We’re In Love,” “Kansas City,” “Many a New Day,” and the title number “Oklahoma!”

The Off Broad Street Players are very excited to bring their production of “Oklahoma!” to the audiences of Cape May and Atlantic Counties. More information can be found at obsponline.org, by calling (856) 451-5437, by emailing music@obsponline.org, or by following the “Off Broad Street Players” on Facebook.

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"Before I speak, I have something important to say..."

2009-11-27T20:34:00.006-05:00

FINAL TWO PERFORMANCES NOVEMBER 27th & 28th!!!

The Collaborative Act Studio presents

GROUCHO: A LIFE IN REVIEW

Starring Ted Winocek III (previously starred as Groucho Marx in The Coconuts and A Day in Hollywood/A Night in Ukraine)

Also starring Brian Walsh and Samantha Morrone

*Special: Tickets are only $12 general admission

Performance begins at 8 p.m.

*CLICK HERE to listen to a Podcast episode with Winocek III

Courier Post says "Forget the fact the Winocek III wasn't even alive at the same time Marx was, his connection to the famed master of wit in genuine" -Nicole Pensiero

FUSION PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (Cherry Hill, NJ)

1931 Olney Ave.

Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

(856) 417-6741

2010 OBSP Season Announced!

2009-11-21T02:57:00.003-05:00

The Off Broad Street Players have announced their 2010 season as of 8pm on November 20 prior to their Friday Night performance of OKLAHOMA. The season is as follows:

February: PIPPIN

March: WILLY WONKA Jr. (Children's Theater)

May: Neil Simon's COME BLOW YOUR HORN

Summer: CHILDREN OF EDEN

October: SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN (a new musical!)

and finally the (hopefully) opening show in the newly-renovated Levoy Theatre (Millville, NJ)

Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS.

Luck be a Lady TONIGHT!!!!

2009-11-20T16:23:00.005-05:00

For those that aren't aware, most theaters in South Jersey have announced their 2010 seasons already, however, the Off Broad Street Players have not, based on their move to the Levoy Theatre.

Prior to tonight's performance of OKLAHOMA at Bridgeton High School, Artistic Director Walter A. Webster will announce the next season. Be sure to see this great musical and get the latest scoop! Tickets to OKLAHOMA are $15 for adults and $13 for students/seniors. The show stars Don Fransko, Kaitlyn Cox, Andrew Jarema, Stephanie Bello, Luis Maravi, and Kim Hitchner.

If you're feeling lucky, check out GUYS & DOLLS Veteran's Memorial Intermediate School (in Vineland NJ) at 7pm, with additional performances this Saturday at 7pm and this Sunday at 2pm. The show is directed by Mark Melamed, produced by THE GABRIEL PROJECT, and stars recent Perry Award winner Bryan Mead as Benny Southstreet. The show also stars Carrie Cohen, Deena Parr, Paul Bossi, Sr., Carl Dolente, and Russell Chappius.

Many a new show will catch our eye!

2009-11-02T13:45:00.003-05:00

(Don Fransko - Curley, and Katie Cox - Laurey, pose as the stars of OBSP's OKLAHOMA)

South Jersey is brimming with exciting shows opening all over the place! Get ready for a night on the town as our South Jersey theatres take you out of the rainy weather and into fun new world, starting with a place where the sun shines and the cows all moo in the clover -

OKLAHOMA - Off Broad Street Players - November 13, 14, 20, 21 at 8pm, Nov. 15 & 22 at 3pm. Tickets are $15 for Adults and $13 for Students and Seniors. All performances at Bridgeton High School.

GROUCHO: A LIFE IN REVUE - The Collaborative Act Studio. Starring Ted Winocek III as Grouch Marx. Nov 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 27, 28 at 8pm. Nov. 15 & 21 at 2pm. Ticket are $19 for Adults and $16 for senior citizens.

THE FULL MONTY - The Ritz Theatre Co. - Nov 4 & 18 at 7:30pm. Nov 6, 7, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 8pm. Nov. 8 & 15 at 2pm. Tickets range from $20 - $30 general admission.

PETER PAN - Broadway Theatre of Pitman - November 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 at 8pm. Nov 8, 15, 22 at 2pm. All tickets are $25 general admission.

________________________________________________

On a side note -

I apologize that I have been lax in getting up new posts. I am working on moving "The South Jersey Rialto" to an actual web host. As you know, "sjrialto.org" is an easier way to get to this site, but it doesn't give me many more options. Give me some feedback!

VOTE and VIEW!

2009-10-08T11:51:00.008-04:00

VOTE NOW for Mark Melamed as The View's Ultimate volunteer. Click here to vote:

http://www.theviewultimatevolunteercontest.com/home/vote.php

VOTING IS ONLY OPEN UNTIL October 11, 2009. Each e-mail address given will be allowed one vote per day.

Mark Melamed, a Vineland school teacher and founder of THE GABRIEL PROJECT has been nominated on The View's Ultimate Volunteer Contest. The winner of the contest receives a paid vacation to Honolulu, a stay at a luxury resort, and $10,000 towards their volunteer charity.

THE GABRIEL PROJECT was founded in 1990 by Mr. Melamed and his sixth grade class. Their mission was to raise funds to help bring aiding children from third-world areas in Africa to the United States for heart surgery. Since 1990, THE GABRIEL PROJECT has helped over 13 children in getting professional care, as well as providing food for needy families during the holidays, and providing care for two families with children suffering from Spina Bifida and Leukemia.

THE GABRIEL PROJECT also sponsors two full-scale charity musicals per year. This fall, the group will be presenting Guys & Dolls.

_______________

MARK MELAMED - Mark Melamed has devoted the last 20 years to The Gabriel Project. This has saved the lives of many children from third world counties by bringing them to the US for surgery not available in their own country. Mark works countless hours, fundraising, organizing events, directing musical theatical performances, reaching out to the community and the media to help pay for these life-saving surgeries. He has also developed a relationship with doctors to help take their skills and technologies to some of these countries. Mark is a teacher at Vineland, N.J. and encourages his students to assist him in these humanitarian efforts. This year, the Gabriel Project hopes to bring 4 children from the Dominic Republic here for medical treatment.

"All I feel is lousy..."

2009-10-01T12:30:00.003-04:00

ORDINARY PEOPLE

Keeping emotions bottled up until they explode is the American Way, isn't it? Especially if you're a teenager, live in an affluent suburb and are deathly afraid of what other people might think. That's the simple premise behind "Ordinary People," a not-so-simple drama about a family that suffers through multiple traumas without knowing how to talk it out. Hollywood made an Oscar-winning movie out of the book, but the stage adaptation by Nancy Pahl Gilsenen is just as compelling.

The cast includes Andrew Jarema, of Pittsgrove, as Conrad Jarrett; John Muller, of Pittsgrove, as Cal Jarrett; Ellen Mather, of Bridgeton, as Beth Jarrett; Justin Peterson, of Pittsgrove, as Joe Lazenby; Jim Cook Jr., of Woodstown, as Stillman; Elizabeth Maxwell, of Bridgeton, as Jeannine Pratt; Stephanie Bello, of Elmer, as Karen Aldrich; Luis Maravi, of Bridgeton, as Doctor Berger; and Tracy Treadway, of Vineland, as Salan.

Tickets for the production are $13 for adults and $11 for students (up to grade 12) and seniors (age 60 and above). Tickets are available for purchase by phone 451-5437, as well as at the following locations: Brenner's Brew, 21 E. Commerce St., Bridgeton, and The Canvas Bag located at 46 E. Commerce St., Bridgeton. This production, in part, is sponsored by the New Jersey Council on the Arts, a partner agency with the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Cumberland County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Cultural and Heritage Commission.

For more information, please call (856) 451-5437.

Autumn on the Rialto...

2009-09-29T12:01:00.004-04:00

ORDINARY PEOPLE - Off Broad Street Players - Oct. 2 & 3 at 8pm. Oct 4 at 3pm. Tickets are $13 for Adults and $11 for Students / Senior Citizens. All performances at Bridgeton High School. Call (856) 451-5437 for more info.

FOREVER PLAID - Sketch Club Players - Oct. 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 at 8pm. Oct. 4 & 11 at 2pm. Tickets are $17 general admission.

THE MOUSETRAP - Cumberland Players - Oct. 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 at 8pm. Oct 11 at 2pm. Tickets are $13 general admission. Senior Citizen discount at $6 on Sunday, Oct. 12.

Neil Simon's PROPOSALS - Ritz Theatre Co. - Oct. 2, 3, 7, 9 at 8pm. Oct. 4 at 2pm. Tickets range from $20 - $30.

PLAY ON! - Haddonfield Plays & Players - Oct. 2, 3, 9, 10 at 8pm. Oct. 4 at 2pm. Tickets are $19 general admission

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - Broadway Theatre (Pitman, NJ) - Oct. 2, 3, 9, 10 at 8pm. Oct 4 at 2pm. Tickets are $25 general admission.

----

*Congrats to South Jersey's Bryan Mead for winning the NJACT Perry Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical in A CHORUS LINE at The Road Company (Williamstown, NJ). The NJACT is a volunteer organization recognizing and supporting community theaters in New Jersey and also hosted the 35th annual Perry Awards - recognizing the best in NJ Community Theatre.

BREAKING NEWS: Levoy support abounds!

2009-09-15T23:35:00.007-04:00

(rendering of the 2010 Levoy Theatre facade)

The Millville City Commission approved eleventh-hour funding for the historic Levoy Theatre, Tuesday night at 7pm at the Millville City Commission meeting held at Millville City Hall.

The City Commission voted tonight to provide $375,000 from the Revenue Allocation District, as well as $300,000 forgivable loan from the Grow Millville Fund, to the Levoy Theatre Preservation Society for renovation efforts with a goal of opening in 2010.

The vote was approved 4-1. Commissioners Joe Derella, Dale Finch, and Jim Quinn as well as Mayor Tim Shannon, all in favor respectively. Commissioner Dave Vanaman was the only to dissent.

"We need a hub for downtown Millville," Commissioner Dale Finch stated, "and the hub is the Levoy Theatre."

Levoy Board Chairwoman Lauren Van Embden, 29, Millville, was represented through a letter (she was fufilling a prior commitment made last May) where she called the theatre's history a "tale as old as time," referencing the Disney musical "Beauty and the Beast."

And she is quite right. The Levoy Theatre opened on High St. in Millville on January 9, 1908 with a small theatre on the bottom floor and a dance studio on the second. It was opened by Mr. William "Pop" Somers, one of the early designers of the Ferris Wheel. Tickets were only a nickel for one and a quarter for six, according to the Levoy website.

The late Joseph Pierce Jr. (1975-2000), Levoy historian, original Chairman, and Founder of LTPS, was represented through a letter from his father Joseph Pierce Sr. recalling the passion his son had for the project and goals he set forth to the City of Millville.

Both letters were read by Amanda Page, Vice President of the LTPS, whom also voiced her own support for the project, as seen through her 12+ years on the Board.

Commissioner Jim Quinn, former Mayor of Millville, pointed attention to the UEZ (Urban Enterprise Zone) monies granted to the city. Urban Enterprise Zone refers to the areas in New Jersey that are given an opportunity to pay 3.25% sales tax instead of the regular 7%, with the State of NJ granting the other 3.25% back to the city for usage in loans and project developments.

"What a great way to use the [UEZ] monies for the downtown," Commissioner Quinn said, referring to it's allocation to the Levoy Theatre. "Absolutely no property tax will be put into the Levoy," he said.

Commissioner Quinn also recognized the Off Broad Street Players Theatre Company, currently of Bridgeton, relocating to the Levoy in Millville upon it's opening.

"We're lucky to have a group like the Off Broad Street Players that has been giving phenomenal performances during our downtown activities," Quinn said.

Concerning the economic status of the City and county, Commissioner Dale Finch noted the importance of a project like the Levoy Theatre restoration, to boost the job market.

"Everyone is looking for work," Finch said, "and the Levoy will be opening immediate construction opportunities."

Mayor Tim Shannon provided reports of surveys with conservative data from over the past 12 years. Shannon also casted his support for the project.

"We will be the shining star in performing arts," the Mayor said, "I can't wait to buy my first tux for the opening!"

More information regarding the Levoy Theatre can be found on their website LEVOY.ORG. More information regarding the Levoy's resident theatre company: The Off Broad Street Players, can be found on their website at OBSPONLINE.ORG

Be sure to stop by the Levoy Theatre this Third Friday (Sept. 18) for a special performance by the Off Broad Street Players, and make sure to watch out for the Levoy's newest fundraiser (HINT: bring crayons...)

-------------------------

Levoy support does not only appear in Millville and Cumberland County.

THINK ABROAD!

Here are a few pictures of Levoy Theatre support around the world!

(Levoy support is shown through the purple eco-friendly shopping bag taken around the globe. GO GREEN! and purchase a Levoy shopping bag today here!)

COZUMEL, MEXICO

MILAN, ITALY.

Levoy shopping bags have also seen their way to Turin, Verona, Venice, Lago di Garda, (in Italy) as well as Germany. Please send me your pictures with the Levoy shopping bag wherever you find yourself in the world!

Thanks!

-Jim Cook Jr.

ATTN: Rowan Students who love Musical Theatre!!!!

2009-09-02T12:01:00.003-04:00

ROWAN MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY is hosting it's first meeting of the Fall 2009 Semester on THURSDAY, Sept. 10th at 12:30. Those interested should congregate in the Wilson Hall Lobby on the Rowan Campus.

"If you want to be involved in musical theatre on campus, this is your ticket!" said Vice President (of RUMTC), Anthony Sinigaglio, of Penns Grove, NJ, sent out a general message on Sept. 1st to all members of the Facebook Group RUMTC.

"Please also bring your thinking caps because we want your ideas on a number of things," the message read.

The RUMTC will be presenting YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN this October 9th and 10th at the Boyd Recital Hall in Wilson Hall at Rowan University and stars Brandon Marraffa as Charlie Brown and Sinigaglio as Linus.

The company is also planning a Cabaret evening around November or December, and a Mainstage spring musical: GODSPELL in 2010.

Get your tickets!!!!

2009-08-29T20:18:00.006-04:00

Two Cumberland County theatre companies announce final casting and Advance ticket sales for their Fall Plays:

CUMBERLAND PLAYERS

October 9th - 17th, 2009

CAST:

Mollie Ralston - KATIE SMITH

Giles Ralston - BILL BRANIN

Christopher Wren - JASON SMITH

Mrs. Boyle - ANNE BUCKWHEAT

Major Metcalf - PAUL SUNGENIS

Miss Casewell - HEIDI DUGAN

Mr. Paravacini - RICHARD CURCIO

Sgnt. Trotter - JAMES BONER

This production of THE MOUSETRAP is Directed by John Weiner, assisted by Lisa Heney.

Advance Tickets are now on sale

OFF BROAD STREET PLAYERS

October 2nd - 4th, 2009

CAST:

Conrad Jarrett - ANDREW JAREMA

Calvin Jarrett - JOHN MULLER

Beth Jarrett - ELLEN MATHER

Joe Lazenby - JUSTIN PETERSON

Kevin Stillman - JIM COOK, JR.

Jeannine Pratt - ELIZABETH MAXWELL

Karen Aldrich - STEPHANIE BELLO

Dr. Berger - LUIS MARAVI

Coach Salan - TRACY TREADWAY

This production of ORDINARY PEOPLE is directed by Walter A. Webster, assisted by Kelsey Vizzard.

Advance Tickets are now on sale.

Survey, Wild West, and a Chocolate Factory!

2009-08-24T22:24:00.003-04:00

2010 Survey -

The Off Broad Street Players are awaiting their big move to the Levoy Theatre (Millville, NJ) and need YOUR help!

Usually during the summer main stage production, Founder of OBSP/Artistic Director Walter A. Webster announces the upcoming season. For this year it would be the 2010 season, their 13th season. This year, however, there is a slight change of plans...

OBSP is reaching out for the public's opinion on what shows to include in what will be their most remarkably historic season to date, with their move into the Levoy Theatre.

Please click below to take the survey. Please provide 5 shows of your choosing that you'd like to see in the Levoy Theatre. This list can include ANY musical or play (non-musical). Please answer the question that follows as well!

CLICK HERE FOR 2010 OBSP SURVEY

AUDITIONS -

OKLAHOMA! - Off Broad Street Players - August 26 & 27 at 7:30pm. Ages 8+ are all welcome. Performances November 13 - 22. For more info, visit the OBSP Auditions Page.

WILLY WONKA - Haddonfield Plays & Players - August 30 & 31.

Summer Sizzlers!!!

2009-07-28T01:09:00.010-04:00

The OFF BROAD STREET PLAYERS present...

Thoroughly Modern Millie!

Music by Jeanine Tesori

Book By Dick Scanlan and Richard Morris

July 31st - 8pm/ August 1, 7, 8 - 8pm

Aug 2, 9 - 3pm

August 6 (FAMILY PERFORMANCE) - 7:30pm

all performances at Bridgeton High School.

Directed by Walter A. Webster.

Orchestra under the direction of Nancy Bello

Choreographed by: Kaitlin Davis

Tickets are $15 for Adults and $13 for Student/Seniors. Bridgeton High School students are entitled to one free ticket per performance with I.D.

This high-energy foot-tapping musical opens this weekend at the Robert L. Sharp Auditorium of BRIDGETON HIGH SCHOOL. This production features Kaitlin Davis (NYC/Millville) as Millie Dillmount, Nigel Battle (Sicklerville) as Jimmy Smith, Lauren Van Embden (Millville) as Miss Dorothy, and Don Fransko (Vineland) as Trevor Graydon.

The supporting cast includes Patrice Sharkey as Ms. Flannery Ellen Mather as Mrs. Meers, Jim Cook, Jr. as Ching Ho, Zach Ott as Bun Foo, and Manetta Manson as Muzzy Van Hossmere.

_________________________________________

The Collaborative Act Studio presents...

ANGELS IN AMERICA: Millennium Approaches (Part One)

By: Tony Kushner

Directed by Marjorie Sokoloff

Tickets are $16 for Adults and $13 for Seniors.

August 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 15 - 8pm

August 9 and 15 - 2pm.

all performances at the Fusebox Theatre (Fusion Performing Arts Center)

For more information visit The Collaborative Act Studio Online or by e-mail Ted Wioncek, Jr. at collaborative_act_studio@comcast.net or by phone at 856-471-6741.

The Collaborative Art Studio is the resident theatre company at the Fusion Performing Art Center, an 80 seat black-box venue in Cherry Hill, NJ. TCAS is currently finishing their second season. The third season includes: Groucho, A Life in Review, Greater Tuna, Jewtopia, and closing with the second installment of this summer's mainstage production: Angels In America: Perestrokia.

___________________________________

Also playing on The SOUTH JERSEY RIALTO:

GUYS AND DOLLS - Oakwood Summer Theatre

ANYTHING GOES - Haddonfield Plays and Players

ANNIE, Jr. - The Road Company

AIDA - The Ritz Theatre Co.

PREEEEPARE YE!

2009-07-23T19:49:00.003-04:00

GODSPELL premiers tomorrow at the Woodstown Presbyterian Church at 7:30pm

Be sure to check out this high-energy production directed by Jim Hutchison, music direction by Shannon Sheridan. It features a stellar cast of the new Woodstown Pilesgrove Repertory Theatre Company. This is their second season, so be sure to show your support!

Tickets are $5.00 General Admission and can be purchased online.

Swing Your Razor High!!!!

2009-07-21T23:57:00.003-04:00

(photo: Warren Westura)

Jaclyn Ingoglia (left) Kevin Melendez (right)

SWEENEY TODD: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Starring: Kevin Melendez as Sweeney Todd. Melendez, a senior at Rowan University and proud actor in Southern New Jersey and New York City, plays the bloody villain in this new critically acclaimed production by the New Jersey Youth Theatre.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Sweeney Todd tells the suspenseful, razor-sharp story of Benjamin Barker (alias Sweeney Todd), who returns to the grimy streets of 19th-century London after years of false imprisonment, then vows to extract a bloody revenge by setting up his barbershop with the help of Mrs. Lovett--a widowed and quite demented baker who turns Todd's victims into the tastiest meat pies in all of London.

July 17-July 26 Sweeney Todd at New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Victoria Theater
1 Center Street, Newark, NJ
Tickets: Adult $35-$25; Child $16

Purchase tickets at njpac.org or call 1-888-GO-NJPAC

NJPAC performance dates and times:
Friday July 17 at 7:30
Saturday July 18 at 7:30
Sunday July 19 at 2:00
Wednesday July 22 at 1:30 and 7:30
Thursday July 23 at 7:30
Friday July 24 at 7:30
Saturday July 25 at 7:30
Sunday July 26 at 2:00

July 31-August 9
Sweeney Todd at Algonquin Arts Theater
173 Main Street,
Manasquan, NJ
Tickets: Adult $32; Seniors (55+) $30; Students/Children $15
Purchase tickets at www.algonquinarts.org or call 732-528-9211

Algonquin Arts Theater performance dates and times:
Friday July 31 at 8:00
Sunday August 2 at 2:00
Thursday August 6 at 8:00
Friday August 7 at 8:00
Saturday August 8 at 8:00
Sunday August 9 at 2:00

Had me a blast!

2009-07-10T13:49:00.004-04:00

If you haven't had a chance, read up on some of my exploits from my Study Abroad adventure in Italy this past May and June at JIM GOES TO TORINO

In other news, quite a few shows are opening tonight on the SJR. Please reserve these dates and tickets for a fun night out at the theatre!

HARVEY - Oakwood Summer Theatre - Davidow P.A.C. at Salem Community College. July 9, 10, 11 at 7:30pm. (856)-776-0458 for more info.

MURDER AT THE HOWARD JOHNSON - Sketch Club Players - July 10, 11, 17, 18 at 8pm. July 12 and 19 at 2pm. Tickets are $17 Adults, $15 Seniors. (856)-848-8089 for more info.

AIDA - The Ritz Theatre Co. - Opening Night: July 10 at 8pm. Tickets range from $20-$30. Additional performances on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from July 11 thru Aug. 8. (856)-858-5230 for more info.

ANYTHING GOES - Haddonfield Plays & Players - Opening Night: July 17 at 8pm. Tickets are $19 general admission. Additional performances on Fridays (8pm), Saturdays (8pm), and Sunday (matinees) thru July 18 - Aug. 8. (856)-429-8139

NUNSENSE - Cumberland Players - July 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 at 8pm. July 19 at 2pm. Tickets are $15 general admission. (856)-692-5626.

ALL SHOOK UP - Broadway Theatre of Pitman - Opening Night: July 17 at 8pm. Tickets are $25 general admission. Additional performances Fridays (8pm), Saturdays (8pm), and Sundays (matinees) July 18 thru Aug. 8. (856)-384-8381

and here's the one you REALLY should look out for (because I'm in it...haha)

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE - Off Broad Street Players - July 31, Aug 1, 2, 7, 8 at 8pm. Aug 3, 9 at 3pm. Additional FAMILY NIGHT ($7 ticket) performance Aug 6 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 Adults, $13 Students/Seniors. (856)-451-5437. (Further info to come.)

2010 Mainstage Seasons and Auditions!

2009-07-07T13:07:00.004-04:00

Ciao! I've safely returned from Italia with all sorts of great experiences, stories, pictures you can see on my other blog JIM GOES TO TORINO.

Anyway, a few local's have proudly announced their upcoming Mainstage Seasons and upcoming auditions!!!

THE ROAD COMPANY

*It's A Wonderful Life

SKETCH CLUB PLAYERS

*Forever Plaid

*One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Next

*Out of Sight...Out of Murder

*The Sunshine Boys

ROWAN UNIVERSITY

*The Last Days of Mr. Jekyll

*Play

*The Misanthrope

*Fiddler on the Roof

---AUDITIONS---

FOREVER PLAID - Sketch Club Players - July 13 & 14 at 7:30pm

DREAMGIRLS - The Road Company - July 12 & 13 at 7:00pm

PLAY ON! - Haddonfield Plays & Players - July 19

Ciao!

Extra Extra!!!

2009-06-10T07:39:00.002-04:00

If anyone has a chance to pick up a copy of the Press of Atlantic City, do so, or go to their website. Writer Daniel Walsh chronicles the booming theatre scene in Cumberland County. The South Jersey Rialto was even mentioned!!!! How exciting!
Click on the link below to be re-directed to the great story!

LOCAL THEATRE IS BOOMING

Ciao! (and Chow!)

2009-06-03T06:11:00.014-04:00

HELLO FROM ITALIA!!!!

I know I said that the SJR would take a quick break, but I take that back! I wanted to let everyone know that I'm having a grand ole' time studying in the Italian language and History of Cinema in Turin, Italy.

But over in South Jersey, there is plenty of fun to be part of!

CHICKEN BBQ - Levoy Theatre (Millville NJ). June 6th. Noon - 6pm. Tickets are $10 and offer a great meal and your support of the restoration of the historic Levoy Theatre, re-opening in 2010 with the Off Broad Street Players as the resident theatre company. Tickets are available on their website, or by calling Lauren Van Embden at (856) 327-5656. Additional ticket hotspots located on High Street in Millville can be found at Bogart's Bookstore, IncredibleBulk, Philip Van Embden Law Offices (9th & Pine) and Steelman Photographics.

SPEAKING of the Levoy! It should be mentioned that they plan on beginning construction to the inside of the theatre this month! Construction began in May to the facade of the theatre, beginning with the removal of the marquee. How EXCITING!!!!

In other news:

THE ODD COUPLE - Sketch Club Players. June 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 at 8pm. June 7 and 14 at 2pm. Tickets are $15 Adults, $13 for Seniors and can be purchased online or by calling (856) 848-8089.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND - Ritz Theatre Co (performed through the Children's Theatre) June 3, 4, 5, 6 at 10am. Additional performance on June 6th at 1am. All tickets are $8. Tickets can be purchased on their website. And reservations can be made by calling (856) 858-5230

AN EVENING OF BROADWAY MAGIC!!!

2009-05-30T13:03:00.004-04:00

Make plans to attend!

Not to be missed! Nick Saverine returns for a benefit performance. Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. All tickets $15. An extremely talented group of singers and performers will perform choral, solo, duet and small group numbers from a wide variety of Broadway musicals for this fabulous event. The last Broadway Benefit was a real treat, make sure you're there for this one!

Nicholas F. Saverine -- A graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA and Wichita State University, Nick has performed in Austria, Germany and on Broadway in both Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera and in the original European Dance of the Vampires directed by Roman Polanski.

Other tours include Les Miserables, A Christmas Carol, The Student Prince, Pirates of Penzance, and Caroline, Or Change. Most recent regional productions include Footloose, Man of La Mancha, Children of Eden, The Most Happy Fella, The Will Rogers Follies, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Secret Garden, The Baker’s Wife, Annie, and Annie Warbucks.

OBSP Solos include: Domonic Barnes, Kaitlin & Lee Cox, Richard Curcio, Kaitlyn Davis, Joe Dugan, Chelsea Feltman, Donna Harrington, Andrew Jarema, Jennifer & Mark Leigh, Joyce Massey, Jody Meyers, John Muller, Matt O'Neill, Lauren VanEmden, Lauren Wood

And there's NO cure like TRAVEL!!!

2009-05-11T21:02:00.011-04:00

The South Jersey Rialto is bursting at the seams with this spring's plays and musicals. Most of them are playing their FINAL PERFORMANCES this weekend. Exceptions on The Ritz Theatre Co. (closing the 24th of May) and The Off Broad Street Players performing ONLY this weekend!

MOON OVER BUFFALO - Off Broad Street Players. 11 N. West Avenue. Bridgeton, NJ. 08302. Directed by John Muller. Friday May 15 & Saturday May 16 @ 8pm. Sunday May 17 @ 3pm. Tickets are $13 for Adults, $11 for Students/Seniors. For more info, call (856) 451-5437 or visit obsponlin e.org FINAL PERFORMANCE: May 17th @ 3pm

2009 ARTS AL LIANCE CABARET: "FAMILY" - Salem County Arts Alliance. YMCA 204 Shell Rd. Carneys Point, NJ. (856) 299-7434. Tickets are $10 and includes drinks and desserts. TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY! Friday May 15th @ 7:30pm; Sunday May 17th @ 3pm. Starring Salem County natives: Mary Gismonde, Lauren Gambino, Shannon Sheridan, Marie McClintock, Debbie Callahan, Anthony Sinigaglio, Steve Meridian, Paul Kranz, John Fecateau, and Jim Hutchison. SIDE NOTE: I'm from Salem County and have worked with the majority of these performers, I urge you to support their art! Check them out on Facebook!

LAUGH LINES - Actors Core Theatre (at Sketch Club Players). 443 Glover St. Woodbury, NJ. Friday May 15 & Saturday May 16 @ 8pm. Tickets are $18 or call (856) 848-8089. This play is produced by the Actors Core Theatre during the off-season of the Sketch Club Players. FINAL PERFORMANCE: May 16th @8pm

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - The Road Company. 405 S. Main St. Williamstown, NJ. 08094. Friday May 15 & Saturday May 16 @ 8pm. Tickets are $18 Adults, $15 Students/Seniors. (856) 728-2120. FINAL PERFORMANCE: May 16th 8pm.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S MUSICAL - The Ritz Theatre Co. A musicalized version of the William Shakespeare classic play. 915 White Horse Pike Arts District Haddon Twp, NJ 08107. Fridays and Saturdays @ 8pm Sundays at 2pm performances until May 24th. Tickets are $20-$30 plus servicing charge. (856) 858-5230.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT - Haddonfield Plays & Players. 957 E. Atlantic Ave. Haddonfield, NJ. 08033 All tickets are $19. May 15 @ 8pm May 16 @ 8pm. (856) 429-8139 FINAL PERFORMANCE: May 16th @ 8pm

OKLAHOMA - The Broadway Theatre (Pitman, NJ). 43 S. Broadway. Pitman, NJ 08071. Tickets are $25. May 15 & 16 @ 8pm (856) 384-8381. FINAL PERFORMANCE: May 16th @ 8pm.

ALSO--- I am going on a study abroad trip through Rowan U. to St. John International University in TORINO, ITALY!!!!! I am so excited about this study trip. I have never been overseas and I'm leaving this coming Monday, May 18th at 4pm from Philly flying straight into Milan. I'm nervous as all hell, but I doubt I've actually realized I'm going on this trip. Therefore, THE SOUTH JERSEY RIALTO may or may not be taking a six-week break (depending on if I'm able to post or retrieve PR from local theatre and have the time to post while in Italia) So, if you don't see anything until the last week in June, you'll know why.

Thanks and Ciao!!!

-Jim

p.s. I promise to be back in time for mainstage summer musical updates in SJ. I even had an early audition for Thoroughly Modern Millie @ OBSP tonight. We'll see what happens!

"And there's no cure like travel
To help you unravel
The worries of living today.
When the poor brain is cracking
There's nothing like packing
A suitcase and sailing away.
Take a run 'round Vienna,
Granada, Ravenna, Sienna
And then a-'round Rome.
Have as high time, a low time,
And in no time
You'll be singing "Home, Sweet Home"

-"Bon Voyage" from Cole Porter's ANYTHING GOES.

FUTURE OF THIS BLOG

2009-05-07T01:40:00.001-04:00

This blog began as an assignment for my Online Journalism I class.
It's since began developing into a compendium of theatre events in South Jersey.
It has been a joy being the author.
This post is the FINAL assignment for every student in the class called "Future of this blog"
Will it end?

The answer is: as long as the theatre in South Jersey is alive, I will stay with this.
I actually just had a very brief conversation with a professional actress from Philadelphia, Alana Gerlach, who also is my adjunct acting instructor at Rowan. I asked her if she aspired to work in New York City. She said that she didn't, that she'd rather teach and keep acting in Philadelphia.

"I'd rather be a big fish in a small pond," she remarked.

And isn't that the epitome of every brilliant actor, actress, director, stage manager, designer, musician, and stage hand on the South Jersey Rialto? We are all big fish in this small pond.

So, this is my last post while under the jurisdiction of Rowan University. After this post, it's only because I love the theatre, sometimes more than myself. Honestly.

But before I take the next step, I have to acknowledge those deserving:
Mark Berkey-Gerard, Professor of Online Journalism. (made sure this blog is what it is)
Off Broad Street Players, my "home" theatre, (gave me many resources to do this)
Cast of All Shook Up, (for providing me my first topics, and feeding me my favorite addiction: performing.)
Cast of Moon Over Buffalo (for allowing me to attend their rehearsal and take video)
Lauren Van Embden, Chairwoman of the Levoy Theatre. (for exclusive interviews)
Bentley, Josie, and Elsie (for graciously appearing in my out-takes video)

See you on the boards!

"Life is a holiday.
I'm talking June through May.
A nightly sell out show,
and baby I'm front row.
Bye-Bye to lonely nights.
Only nights when the two of us can coo.
Skies are sunny and clear,
Long as I'm here with you."
-Thoroughly Modern Millie

(I hope you like the quote above...
could it be a hint at something?
...my lips are sealed...)

-Jim Cook Jr.

FINAL REHEARSALS: Moon Over Buffalo

2009-05-06T18:07:00.006-04:00

The Off Broad Street Players Theatre Company is kick-starting it's final rehearsals for their upcoming comedy Moon Over Buffalo. The production is set to begin performances the weekend of May 15th.

Written by Ken Ludwig, the comedy follows two traveling actors, George and Charlotte Hay, performing “Private Lives” and “Cyrano De Bergerac” in a repertory theatre in Buffalo, NY. George receives a phone call from Hollywood director Frank Capra to inform the casts that he will be attending their matinee and is searching for replacements to star in his upcoming movie “The Scarlet Pimpernel.”

John Muller directs the second show in the 12th season for the Off Broad Street Players. This, however, is not his first run-in with a Ken Ludwig comedy. Muller has also directed the opera farce Lend Me a Tenor during the spring of 2006 with OBSP. His directorial expertise is vital in the final days of rehearsals.

"It is crunch week. Monday, Tuesday will be tech rehearsals, in the true sense of the word," explained Muller to the cast before beginning the their rehearsal Monday night. Muller was referring to the following week in which the entire show comes together before opening night. He also explained that the final pieces of the set would be assembled on the stage.

For each show, performers rehearse in a separate performance space. OBSP currently rehearses in the Trinity United Methodist Church basement space, before moving to the Robert L. Sharp auditorium at Bridgeton High School. Once settled the final week of rehearsals ("tech week") begin, actors are able to work with staircases, doorways, and props. Also, blocking (the actor's movements) are finalized during the tech week.

"We're gonna work with all these pieces," Muller said, "And while we're doing that, we'll be working with the lighting and we'll be working with the sound," Muller instructed to the cast.

The production stars Thurman Hogan and Beverly Beardsley as George and Charlotte respectively. During the early rehearsal process, Hogan and Beardsley were instructed in basic fencing for their scenes in "Cyrano de Bergerac"

The production also stars Lauren Van Embden (Millville) as Rosalind, the daughter of George and Charlotte, Kim Hitchner (Bridgeton) as the grandmother Ethel, Tracy Treadway (Vineland) as Richard, and Meghan Kleefeld (Vineland) as the young Eileen trapped in a brief affair with George.

Andrew Jarema, 19, of Pittsgrove, plays Paul, Rosalind's former lover whom she resists for the majority of the show.

"Paul is willing to do anything to suck up to George," Jarema said. "He's rough and ready on the outside, but a nervous wreck on the inside."

Zach Ott, 15, of Upper Deerfield, plays Rosalind's fiancee, Howard, a young man always in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"He's [Howard] this semi-nerdy weatherman whose engaged to Roz," said Ott. "He gets mistaken as Frank Capra, as Eileen's brother, and gets himself stuck in a bunch of other problems."

The rehearsals have proved the work of a strong cast and talented production team. Cast members are excited for their opening night, May 15th, 8pm, at Bridgeton High School.

"Our cast works extremely well together," said Ott, "They're all really great. Working with John has been fantastic. Everything he does is very professional."

"Our rehearsals are very structured," Jarema said. "Everything is always completed exactly as planned. The whole cast is very enthusiastic about giving their best performance and putting our best show out there."

Additional performances will take place May 16th at 8pm and May 17th at 3pm. Tickets are $13 for Adults and $11 for Students/Seniors. All Bridgeton High School students with I.D. are eligible for a Student Rush discount ticket at the box office prior to each night's performance.

For more information please call (856) 451-5437 or contact by e-mail at press@obsponline.org. More information is readily available on their website.

Habaneras on the Rialto

2009-05-01T13:33:00.000-04:00

CARMEN is finishing its run tonight at 8pm and 2pm tomorrrow. Be sure to dress classy for a night at the opera!

Pfleeger Concert Hall
Rowan University
Tickets are $10 adults $5 students, seniors, and staff

Free admission for all RU students with ID

Suddenly See More...

2009-05-01T13:22:00.000-04:00

Just got a few messages on facebook about some upcoming shows on the SJR...

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - premiering tonight at 8pm at The Road Company. Tickets can be purchased online at roadcompany.com or at the door. Stars Lani Cole Compagno, whom I've had the pleasure of perdorming with before, she has a brilliant talent on the stage!

HANSEL & GRETEL - premiering tonight at 7pm at the Little Theater on Sherman Ave in Vineland, Nj. Tickets are $6. Visit cumberlandplayers.com for more info. This is part of their childrens theatre series so feel free ro bring the entire family!

Originality on the Rialto!

2009-04-23T14:47:00.002-04:00

AND JUSTICE FOR ALL

South Camden Theatre Company

Waterfront South Theatre, 400 Jasper St. Camden, NJ. 08104

Box Office: (856) 456-2850

Opens this FRIDAY at 8pm!

This show, a festival of five one-act plays, tackles issues surrounding the American justice system and certain injustices we face.

According to their website, The five one-act plays have been selected from sixty-four plays that were submitted in an International call for scripts. SCTC has already tackled the Iraq War and nontraditional prejudice in past festivals and now shines its light on this complex and engaging subject.

Performances:

April 24, 25, May 1, 2, 8, 9 at 8pm

April 26 May 3, 10 at 1:30pm

Directed by: Christopher Shimpf, Tom Jaurez, Connie Norwood, Ray Croce, and Brad Reiter.

And if I could just say this: there are many fun musicals and plays popping up all over South Jersey and I am delighted to see them all, however, I think there is a very strong need for theatre companies like SCTC that provide cutting-edge material, and a breath of originality on the South Jersey Rialto. I urge all theatre patrons to support the South Camden Theatre, it helps support our playwrights and Camden County arts district.

I Could Have Danced All Night!

2009-04-23T14:26:00.003-04:00

(photo: The Daily Journal)

MY FAIR LADY opens TONIGHT!

Millville High School, 200 N. Wade Blvd, Millville, NJ. 08332.

Starring KAITLYN COX as Eliza Doolittle. A member of the Off Broad Street Players Theatre Company in Bridgeton, Kaitlyn has been most recently and notably starred as Natalie in All Shook Up and as Mary Magdeline in Jesus Christ Superstar.

April 23, 24 25 at 7:30pm

April 25 at 2:00pm

Tickets are $8.00 Adults

$6.00 Students/Seniors

Also features OBSP members Kelsey Vizzard and Raven Stewart.

Any Shakespeare Will Do

2009-04-21T13:10:00.006-04:00

A Midsummer Nights Musical - Ritz Theatre Co. A completely original musical written for the Ritz Theatre Company opens this Friday, April 24 @ 8pm. Performances run this weekend, and throughout the month of May, Friday & Saturday nights at 8pm, Sunday matinees at 2pm, and Wednesdays (5/6 & 5/20) at 7:30pm.

(Lee Mead in the new West End production of Joseph at the Adephi Theatre in London. Mead won the role in a London reality T.V. show Any Dream Will Do)

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT - Haddonfield Plays and Players - Opens Friday May 1st@ 8pm. Tickets are $19. Performances run every Friday & Saturday @ 8pm and Sunday @ 2pm until May 16th. Check out their new website (it's totally cool!)

Mapping it out!

2009-04-20T08:16:00.005-04:00

Sometimes, one of the biggest faults in not being able to attend the theatre is not having proper directions. With the "spring play" season approaching (meaning many theatres will be premiering non-musicals) and "Summer mainstages" (meaning full-scale summer musical staging) it is vital to know where to go. Each blue pointer on the map, if clicked, will give a description of the name of the theatre, it's address, and directions to and from.

If all it takes is driving directions, you can plan your entire trip with this simple interactive map below. ALSO, when the map is filed after I post more, you can still easily access this by checking the sidebar. Also, check the sidebar for links to all your favorite theatres in South Jersey. ;)

View South Jersey Theatres in a larger map

New website!

2009-04-20T07:49:00.002-04:00

I was just clicking around and I noticed that Haddonfield Plays and Players completely revamped their website. Click on the link I've provided or check out their link on my sidebar. Their new interactive site was a much needed improvement. Bravo!

Children's Hour stirs...

2009-04-17T17:47:00.005-04:00

Went to see The Children's Hour last weekend and I thought it was a good show. I had some problems with character choices and thought maybe if the cast had another week they could have been a bit more solid. I LOVED the set and the lighting. Kudos to the crew. But overall, the show was fantastic. Story in a nutshell: little girl goes to an all-girl's school and runs away to her grandmother's house. From preventing her grandmother to send her back, she decides to lie, saying the two headmistresses were having a lesbian affair. Keep an eye out for more in The Whit. There were a few points I wasn't allowed to include due to spoiler details, but I've listed them below. Check it out below -->
-----

In the end, Dobie admits to being a lesbian and being in love with Wright. Was there any interaction between the two of them that prompted her admitting this? And what makes Wright so certain that she wants to be married to Dr. Cardin?

Also, for a young girl, Mary had quite an imagination, especially to devise this accusation while attending an all-girls school during the 1930s when the idea of homosexuality was closely guarded away from schools and children. It’s also strange how Dr. Cardin never felt completely certain that the accusation was false. Or perhaps I’m completely looking too far into it.

Adamerican Idol...

2009-04-13T03:54:00.005-04:00

Here's my newest beef, then turn-around.

Everyone is going googly eyes over this new guy on American Idol: Adam Lambert. (And by everyone I mean, teenage girls, but the world only revolves around them right?) Anyway, I heard he was making a wild tear of genius on our all-time favorite lack-of-talent reality T.V. show. So, I got all excited because I figured here was someone I couldn't out-sing, (considering I could probably leave every male performer from the past three seasons, save for David Cook, in the vocal dust...and I'm not being egotistical.) Excitedly in a fury I research Lambert to only find out that he's been in the chorus of the Broadway company of WICKED. Now I'm really mad because he's technically been paid as a professional performer and should have to starve like the rest of us (not that I'm professional, but he gets paid way more than I do.)

Then I found this sound recording of him singing "Come To Me Bend To Me" from the Learner and Lowe musical Brigadoon from when he was 22 years old. (He's about 26 or 27 now)

AND NOW I LOVE ADAM LAMBERT!!!!!!!!! I really really really really really really hope he wins American Idol. He seriously is the best male talent they've ever had on that show. In fact, Simon Cowell gave Lambert a standing ovation after his rendition of "Mad World" last week.

Who cares if he had that crappy little bit-role in WICKED. Its not even that great of a show anyway.

GO BROADWAY!!!

and GO ADAM....us theatuhh junkies gotcha back son!

The hour is approaching....

2009-04-10T18:01:00.005-04:00

Image from the movie THE CHILDREN'S HOUR starring Audrey Hepburn.

Rowan's Theatre Department is staging a new production of THE CHILDREN'S HOUR by Lillian Helman. Hellman, an outspoken political activist and women's rights advocate wrote this play in the 1930s to challenge social norms of the day. The story follows a young girls school where two students accuse two teachers of being in a homosexual relationship. Hellman also revived the play 20 years later to a record-breaking and audience-challenging run of Broadway.

April 16, 17, 18 @ 8pm

19 @ 2pm

The production is directed by Dr. Elisabeth Hostetter* and features professional actress Allison Green. Tickets are $10 for Adults and $5 for Students/Seniors. Free admission is granted to all Rowan students with identification.

(published Friday afternoon)

(*correction made Monday morning to the name Hostetter (spelling) and the dates of the show. I apologize!)

Whats to come!

2009-04-10T10:17:00.003-04:00

This is a big glimpse at what's to come on the South Jersey Rialto...

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - Chesnut Ridge Middle School, Sewell, NJ. - April 16, 17, 18 @ 7pm April 18 @ 2pm. Tickets are $5. Available at the door.

ANNIE - Commercial Township School, Port Norris, NJ. - April 23, 24 @ 7pm, April 25 @ 2pm. Tickets are $5

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - Cumberland County College - April 23, 24, 25 @ 8pm, April 25 @ 2pm and 26th @ 3pm. Tickets are $12 Adults, $8 Students/Seniors.

OKLAHOMA - Broadway Theatre (Pitman, NJ) - April 24 - May 16th. Tickets are $25. thebroadwaytheatre.org for more info.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - The Road Company May 1st - 16th. More info on the website linked on the side bar --->

Have fun!

2009-04-06T14:48:00.002-04:00

Where to find the tutorial

heres a little diddy if you're a blogger and need to learn HTML...i gotta learn...so....

HTML Dog

Exclusive Interview with Levoy Chairwoman Lauren Van Embden

2009-04-03T13:33:00.003-04:00

This past Wednesday night, Levoy Theatre (Millville, NJ) Board Chairwoman Lauren Van Embden, 29, invited me to her home for an exclusive interview about her involvement with the renovations, restoration, and revitalization efforts to re-open Millville's historic 100 year old theatre: the Levoy. We chatted about how she came to join the Board of Directors, her plan, what's to come in the future. We even had few special surprise guests.

and this is just for your sheer enjoyment....

By the light of the drapes!

2009-04-03T13:25:00.003-04:00

I went to see Neil Simon's Fools last night in the Lab Theatre at Rowan University

It was so much FUN!!!!! Went with Andrew and his friends Dominic and Amanda, all of whom loved the show! Direction by Michael Pliskin was absolutely hilarious and the sets were so innovative, using painted flats and mime-like actors as part of the set itself. Set direction was done by Matthew Wagner, 21, Theatre tech major at Rowan, who has work on mainstage shows such as Towers, Our Country's Good and last season's Spring Awakening. Wagner has also stage managed Anything Goes and Beauty and the Beast at Audubon High School. We're all sure to see more of his work for the upcoming mainstage play The Children's Hour, and soon on regional stages in South Jersey.

Great show!

76 Trombones led the big parade!

2009-04-02T08:21:00.004-04:00

Real quick post. haha.

Probably one of my favorites, if not my all time favorite show is Meredith Wilson's The Music Man. Two times I've had the opportunity to be in this show.

It's opening this weekend at Cumberland Regional High School

April 2, 3, 4 @ 7pm and an additional matinee at 1pm on April 4th.

Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at the door.

Come see this great show!

Would you like a prescription???

2009-04-01T14:10:00.005-04:00

Once upon a time there was a playwright named Neil Simon...he's probably my favorite. My first experience with Neil Simon began in May of 2006 when I was cast in his play Broadway Bound. That play is the third in his hailed psuedo-memoir Brighton Beach Trilogy. These shows are all absolutely beautiful, funny, heartwarming with a mix of true life experiences. I remember some audiences members having to leave the theatre after one scene in which my mother and father had a 12 page dramatic dialogue in which their relationship fails. Comedy you ask? Those plays hit a little bit closer to home.

My second experience with Neil Simon was when I assistant stage managed a production of Barefoot in the Park. This show was a bit more witty and frivolously fun. True Neil Simon style.

Tomorrow night at 8pm in the Lab Theatre at Rowan University, a very Neil Simon-esque Neil Simon play, Fools, will open. Tickets are only $1 and are a mere donation to the theatre company. I hope to be there tomorrow night. I think I'll be meeting my friend Andrew there and he plans on bringing some friends out, which is great because we need to give the student-produced theatre productions our utmost support.

The production is directed by Michael Pliskin '10 and the production is designed by Matthew Wagner '10

Liberation in the Pit!

2009-03-31T01:37:00.007-04:00

What a great time I had Monday night in the Student Center Pit while various women entertained me with great skill....talking about their vaginas.

Vaginas? Yes. "The Vagina Monologues" had it's second annual run at Rowan University last night. Written by Eve Ensler and directed by Kristen Brozina, the play tells true-stories taken from real women from all walks of life. Topics included sexuality, pleasure, masturbation, homosexuality. And ranged to some darker topics such as rape, sodomy, and sex crimes in Congo and Bosnia.

The event, sponsored by the Venue Magazine, donated all proceeds to the Camden County Women's Shelter.

"It allows women to be completely open," said Kristen Brozina, 20, Millville. Brozina, a junior at Rowan University, directed the special event for the second year in a row and participated in the monologues herself. “It really is groundbreaking,” she said.

The young female performers displayed wide ranges of emotions while breaking barriers of dialogue many audience members had not yet seen on a stage. The actresses were not limited to the sole theatre department, in fact, many of them were from various majors and walks of life: Biology, Journalism, Psychology, as well as a mother, first-generations Americans, an EMT to name a few.

Monologues told compelling and sometimes humorous accounts of pleasure, shaving, first loves, masturbation, tampons, ethnicity, and homosexuality. One performer decided to find a new word for her vagina: “c--t.”

Rebekah Macchione, 20, Rowan Junior theatre major, proceeded through each letter of the word and how it made her feel and how the word came together in harmony. After the monologue, she proceeded to gain audience participation, all chanting “C--T!” an action one normally never hears in public, let alone chants.

But not all monologues were geared towards these experiences. A large portion raised awareness about various parts of the world where women are sodomized and raped through horrific sex crimes. Women from Bosnia and Congo were represented on the stage in emotionally charged moments of dialogue.

Women in need of help, shelter, advice should call the Camden County New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women at (201) 336-7575. Their hotline is open 24 hours a day.

Spring Time is here!

2009-03-27T14:50:00.005-04:00

(took this picture in my backyard this afternoon!)

As they say "March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb." And that could not be more true than seeing how this month started with blistery snow blizzards, and now spring could not be more present. Buds a busting, weeds are popping, and South Jersey is jam-packed with new shows. Below is an update of what can be seen this weekend and what's up-and-coming. I can hardly fit it all in one post, but here goes!

Special Event--

CASINO NIGHT - The Road Company (Williamstown , NJ) - Saturday, April 4, 7:30pm. VFW Post 1616. 1940 N. Black Hor se Pike. Williamstown, NJ 08094. Tickets $35 single and $60 per couple. $30 Fireman/Police/Military/Veteran. Must be 21 years or older to enter. Purchase tickets online.

Community/Regional--

Neil Simon's BAREFOOT IN THE PARK - Cumberland Players (Vineland, NJ) - Friday & Saturday 8pm. FINAL TWO PERFORMANCES. Directed by Carol Heney (Millville, NJ). Located at the Little Theatre 66 E. Sherman Ave. Vineland, NJ 08362. Tickets $13. Call (856) 692-5626.

MAN OF LA`MANCHA - Sketch Club Players. Fri (Opening Night) and Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm. Tickets range from $13-$15. 443 Glover St. Woodbury, NJ. (856) 848-8089 for tickets. (additional performances next weekend starting Thursday April 2 at 8pm)

THE COCOANUTS - Broadway Theatre (Pitman, NJ). Friday & Saturday 8pm. Tickets are $25.

Directed by and Starring Ted Wioncek as Groucho Marx. FINAL TWO PERFORMANCES!

A FEW GOOD MEN - Ritz Theatre Company. Fri & Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm. Tickets range from $20-$30. (additional performances next weekend April 3 at 8pm)

GODSPELL - The Kelsey Theatre. Fri & Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm. Tickets are $16 Adults, $14 Seniors, $12 Students with ID. 1200 Old Trenton Road. West Windsor, NJ 08550. (609) 570-3333.

SHAKESPEARE SCENES - Act Out Theatre. Barnes & Noble Bookstore 1553 Almonesson Dr. Deptford, NJ. Saturday at 1pm. Free admission (scenes from Much Ado About Nothing, Taming of the Shrew, and Henry VI)

High School -

THE WIZ - Pitman High School. Fri & Sat 7pm. Tickets are $10 Adults, $5 Students/Seniors. 225 Linden Ave. Pitman, NJ. (856) 589-2121.

ANYTHING GOES (1962 version) - Bridgeton High School. Tickets are $5.

CRAZY FOR YOU - Gloucester Catholic High School at the Deptford High School Auditorium. Friday & Saturday 8pm Tickets are $10. (856) 456-440 ext: 282.

Spring Break with the Neighbors

2009-03-20T09:38:00.003-04:00

Instead of spending a week on the South Jersey Rialto, I spent it with the neighbors (New York City) First trip was Monday night with my mother. I go to the city too much, yet rarely do I have the chance to share it with family, so this was nice. We went all over 5th Avenue and then went to the theatre at night.

After waiting in a fairly quick TKTS line (which is unheard of) we got tickets to Avenue Q which just opened a short SEVEN years ago on Broadway at the Golden Theatre on 45th Street. Currently it is the one of the longest running shows currently playing and ranks 25 in longest running Broadway shows....and you sure can tell.

The show was extremely funny, the text was well written and the songs were a laugh-a-minute. My problem lied within the actual acting. Not saying these people weren't bad. Each character/puppet was seamless on stage and the voices were beautiful. I think they might have been missing some simple basics (had trouble hearing some songs and dialogue) The show seems slightly calculated and to the trained actor's eye, felt like a monday night performance. Overall, however, it was plenty of fun. And my mom remarked "I needed that!" alluding to the comedy. And don't we all need some comedy in our lives?

"Only for now! (SEX!)

Is only for now! (YOUR HAIR!)

Is only for now! (George Bush!)

Was only for now!

Don't stress, relax

let life roll off your back

except for death and paying taxes

...Life may be scary, but its only temporary

...Everything in life is only for now!"

from "For Now!"

Avenue Q

"Dizzy from the Night"

2009-03-11T19:08:00.004-04:00

So I auditioned for Ordinary People with the Off Broad Street Players for the 3 weeks. And after long sessions of emotions grueling callbacks, I got the cast list and....

I got cut.

Thats the life of an actor. Hahaha. But life goes on and after seeing the current cast list, I am extremely excited for the highly talented cast assembled from some of OBSP's finest actors. I will post the list closer to the actual date of the show (October 2, 3 4, 2009) And as bad as it feels to get cut, I'm okay with it and I take secret enjoyment in the "downs" of a theatre career because I've had some fantastic experiences in the past few years. I'm very lucky to have had the roles and casts I've worked with.

Sunday In the Park With George, a Sondheim musical recently revived at Studio 54 has been on my iPod all day. Its says: "Art isn't easy." Now is the time, I suppose, to not have theatre at the moment. All is well! Life is good ;) And...

Auditions are announced all over South Jersey! (and NYC!)

South Jersey:

AIDA - The Ritz Theatre - March 23 @ 7pm RITZ THEATRE. March 25 @ 7pm WALNUT ST. THEATRE. Performances run July 9 - Aug 8

ANYTHING GOES - Haddonfield Plays & Players - Vocals: May 3 @ 5pm, Dance: May 5 @ 5pm. Callbacks: May 5 @ 6pm. Performances run July 16 - Aug 8. (audition by appointment)

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, ALL SHOOK UP, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, PETER PAN - Broadway Theatre (Pitman, N.J.) - Sunday March 29 - Audition form is available on website, appointment scheduling has begun. Headshot & Resume required.

NYC:

BYE BYE BIRDIE - Roundabout Theatre Company - Open Call. Saturday April 4th, 2009, @ 10am. 115 W. 45th Street (btwn 6th & 7th) Seeking ages 15-22, Headshot, Resume, 16 bars of music required. Any actor cast would be required to join Actor's Equity Association.

"A little bit of hype can be effective

as long as you can keep it in perspective

even when you get some recognition

everything you do you still audition"

-"Putting It Together"

from Sunday In The Park With George

Paul Simon Collection Slideshow

2009-03-09T03:07:00.001-04:00

One great art form emerging in the Off Broad Street Players Theatre Company is the professional photography of various shows. Paul Simon, a parent and volunteer in OBSP, has been photographing OBSP productions for the past three years and has captured hundreds of great moments on the stage in his lens. Photographed shows include: Camelot, South Pacific, Honk Jr!, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Foreigner, The Wizard of Oz, All Shook Up, Hello, Dolly!, and Beauty & The Beast.

The Slideshow below features hardly a glimpse of the beautiful work he has captured, some of the photos I've been lucky enough to appear in. Featured shows in-order-of-appearance include: Camelot, Beauty & The Beast, The Foreigner, and South Pacific.

Tomorrow there'll be sun!

2009-03-09T02:52:00.000-04:00

Did anyone notice the beautiful weather this weekend? Especially on sunday? Oh how nice it is to be able to enjoy warm breeze pass by and feel utter re-connection with the Earth. I thought at the beginning of the week, when I received my e-mail that classes had been cancelled over the "inclement" weather, that soon enough the weather would change. I had no idea how soon! They say that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. But in one week?

A great line might come from the musical Annie, that "the sun will come out, tomorrow!" Not only in the sense of weather, but with all of the events our nation faces. The students of the Arthur P. Shalick High School Drama Academy nicely painted these words on their stage this weekend as I sat in the audience. These students did a very nice job with this production. I had never seen the show before and I was really surprised at the amount of commentary it had on the country mixed with heartfelt comedy. Times of economic distress plagued the nation far worse than they do today, but nevertheless, we face our own times. But we can always hold onto the words of that little orphan:

"So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may

...You're only

a day away."

-from "Tomorrow."

Annie.

Quick weekend update.

2009-03-06T10:16:00.000-05:00

This is just a very brief reminder of what to see if you're looking for some quality theatre this weekend on the South Jersey Rialto.

High School--

ANNIE - A.P. Shalick High School, 718 Centerton Road, Pittsgrove NJ 08318. Tickets are $7 adults $6 Students/Seniors.

THE APPLE TREE - Buena High School, 125 Weymouth Rd. Buena NJ 08310.

BRIGADOON - Woodstown High, 140 East Ave. Woodstown NJ 08098, Tickets $8 Adults, $5 Students/Seniors

42nd STREET - Salem High School 219 Walnut st. Salem NJ 08079

---------

Regional/Community/Collegiate -

OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD - Tohill Theatre, Rowan University. My review is posted on the Whit here.

A FEW GOOD MEN - The Ritz Theatre Company. Performances open tonight at 8pm.

THE COCOANUTS - Broadway Theatre of Pitman. Performances open tonight at 8pm.

"It'd be alright if they weren't such...big stars"

2009-03-06T00:49:00.000-05:00

Hey hey thespians and theatregoers, I am really happy to get some early information on the upcoming cast of the wildly funny play Moon Over Buffalo, written by Ken Ludwig, directed by John Muller, and produced through the Off Broad Street Players Theatre Company in Bridgeton, NJ.

DISCLAIMER: This cast list is a working list and is subject to change. But as of now:

GEORGE- Thurman Hogan (Thurman has performed numerous times with OBSP. He has also done over 60 performances of The Nutcracker with the South Jersey Ballet. Thurman was also featured in the National Tour of Hair.)

CHARLOTTE - Beverly Beardsley (Beverly "Bev" has been featured most notably with OBSP as Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast and most recently as Ernestina Money in Hello, Dolly! Bev made her OBSP directorial debut last spring with the outrageous comedy The Foreigner.)

ROSALIND - Lauren Van Embden (Lauren was most recently featured as Catherine Simms in The Foreigner and most notably as Nurse Nellie Forbush in South Pacific with OBSP and as Babe Williams in The Pajama Game at NJPAC. A graduate of Leheigh University and Wiedner School of Law, she practices law in Millville while serving as the Chairwoman of the Levoy Theatre Preservation Society.)

HOWARD - Zach Ott (Zach, a junior at Cumberland Regional High School, has most notably been remembered as Dennis in All Shook Up and Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar with OBSP. He has also been featured in productions of Footloose, South Pacific, The Wizard of OZ, Beauty & The Beast, and The Foreigner)

PAUL - Andrew Jarema (Andrew, a psychology major at Rowan University, was recently seen headlining the cast of All Shook Up as Chad as well as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of OZ and John in Jesus Christ Superstar. Andrew has been featured in productions of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (as Hero...AP Shalick High School) Hello, Dolly!, The Foreigner, and South Pacific with OBSP)

ETHEL - Kim Hitchner (Kim, a former member of the Screen Actors Guild, has been most notably featured in productions of Gypsy, Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park, Footloose, to name a very few. Kim has also served as the director of Costuming for productions of South Pacific and All Shook Up.)

RICHARD - Tracy Treadway (Tracy made his OBSP debut as Pellinore in Camelot, and has also been featured as King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar and as Froggy LeSeur in The Foreigner)

EILEEN - Megan Kleefeld (Megan is making her OBSP debut with Moon Over Buffalo)

----------------------------

Moon Over Buffalo

Written By: Ken Ludwig

Directed By: John Muller

May 15 & 16 at 8pm

May 17 at 3pm

Robert L. Sharp Auditorium at Bridgeton High School

Tickets are $13 Adults, $11 Students and Seniors

Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch...AGAIN!

2009-03-04T14:05:00.000-05:00

The Off Broad Street Players are hosting auditions tonight at 7pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, (14 Fayette St. Bridgeton, NJ) for their upcoming production of "Moon Over Buffalo." Director John Muller is looking for a I'll be there to probably hang out with people (because thats how SJ theatre is) but not audition.

Also, on March 10th, OBSP will host auditions for their fall drama "Ordinary People" based on the Robert Redford movie starring Mary Tyler Moore. Same place, same time. That one you can certainly count on me being there for...auditioning. I would hope to see all you great thespians there!

ACTORS: Auditions, for me, are a nightmare. I get so paranoid before, during, and after auditions. There are plenty of tips to pick up from others or from your own experiences For instance: Wear an appropriate outfit, dont get drunk before you go on, and smile and volunteer as much as you can. But the best advice is just to be prepared. One great site for preparation is MusicalTheatreAudition.com. Also, if you are auditioning for a show and don't know much about it, the best thing, first to know, is the character you're auditioning for. A fantastic source that I've used time and again is Stage Agent. Have fun, stay warm, and BREAK A LEG!

"What does he want from me?
What should I try to be?
So many faces all around,
and here we go.
I need this job, oh God,
I need this show."
-"I Hope I Get It."
from A Chorus Line

Jim is busting out all over!!!!

2009-03-02T14:55:00.000-05:00

I am absolutely ecstatic! Waking up this morning I noticed there was snow all over my world and a plethora of messages telling me not to go to Rowan University for class today. Also, checking in with our neighbors, all broadway shows are scheduled to perform according to an article posted this morning on Broadwayworld.com. So, if the roads clear up, maybe I should trek up to Times Square and go see something.

Maybe not.

But the big news that somehow I'm just now stumbling upon is that Fox Pictures has acquired the production rights to Rogers and Hammerstein's Carousel starring Hugh Jackman as Billy Bigelow, which is damn fine by me! Of course I sent out my usual text messages to show my blissful happiness over this news. Why am I so excited? This was my first musical I performed in community theatre and it's very dear to me, as well as very dear to those around me. Time Magazine named Carousel the BEST musical of the 20th century, and Richard Rogers claimed this work as his favorite of all his musicals.

Carousel follows the story of Billy Bigelow, a carousel barker, and his love for the mill-worker Julie Jordan. Both losing their jobs for seeing each other, they fall in love. Penniless, they live with Julie's aunt Nettie Fowler. Julie suddenly discovers she is pregnant and Billy teams with hoodlum friend Jigger Craigin to rob a ship for money. Billy dreams of having enough money to provide the best he can as a father for his daughter. The course of the robbery goes terribly wrong and Billy stabs himself. He then finds himself in a purgatory where he is given one chance to return to Earth for one day to see his daughter.
The score includes such favorites as June is Bustin Out All Over, If I Loved You, and the famed You'll Never Walk Alone.

"BILLY: On a night like
this I start to wonder
What life is all about.

JULIE: You were right about
there bein' no wind.
The blossoms are comin'
down by theirselves.
Just they're in time to, I reckon."
-from "If I Loved You"
CAROUSEL

Our Country's Good - GO SEE IT!

2009-03-01T21:57:00.000-05:00

Andrew and I went to the opening night of "Our Country's Good," directed by David Sullivan, at the Tohill Theatre at Rowan University. It was a perfect night at the theatre. I would suggest you go next weekend. This show was extremely professionally performed. I won't go into too much detail, as I have a review being published next Thursday in The Whit.

Here is a preview of the show featured in The Whit.

"The theatre is an expression
of civilization
It will remind them that
there is more to life
than crime, punishment.
We will laugh, we may be
moved, we may even
think a little.
Can you suggest
something
else that will
provide
such an
evening?"
-Captain Phillip
from "Our Country's Good"
by Timberlake Wertenbaker.

It's almost like being in love!

2009-03-01T10:08:00.000-05:00

I was sitting at work, waiting for 7 o'clock to arrive so I could leave. I knew that I would have just enough time to rush over to Woodstown High School from work, to buy a ticket to their 7:30 performance of Learner and Lowe's "Brigadoon" which opened last Friday and continues performances next Thursday, Friday, at 7:30pm and Saturday at 2:00pm. I graduated from Woodstown High and knew how special it would be to see all of my good friends back on the stage.

I sat in the third row, not knowing what to expect. Suddenly the cast began the show in the audience, singing the opening title. The show continued, I won't pick it apart bit by bit. But overall, the magic of quality high school theatre is still alive in Woodstown. This production was masterfully executed, with a beautiful set, extraordinary costuming, glorious talent, and a score of music so warm that it leaves us undoubtedly satisfied.

Bravo to this cast, to Paul Kranz (director), and to all who put this show together for our community. It tells the tale of a town that only comes alive every 100 years, and my goodness, did it come alive.

I encourage you all to attend next weekend. I will be going again on Thursday night. Tickets at $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Performances are held in the Woodstown High School Auditorium.

Here's a clip of Frank Sinatra singing one the love song "Almost Like Being In Love" from BRIGADOON

"Brigadoon, Brigadoon,
There my heart forever lies.
Let the world grow cold around us,
Let the heavens cry above!"
-"Brigadoon"
from Learner and Lowe's "Brigadoon"

The things that are outside of me.

2009-02-28T13:50:00.000-05:00

Backstage at most shows I've been a part of there usually are packages of Ricola laying about. Ricola are the only all-natural throat drop containing no synthetic materials used by professional performers. These little drops are saviors for the voice when performing the difficult music and dialogue night after night.

It was a friday night, my friend and I were going to the theatre. Andrew, a fellow actor you might remember from All Shook Up, was in the passengers seat of my car. He found a pack of Ricola, unrapped on and savored the taste.

"This is what we taste during shows," he noted. And he was right. Theatre has a very distinctive taste.

The performance was followed by a long drive to find a place to eat. Five Points, a classic 24-hour diner was all that was available. The era of these diners seems to be slipping away from us and is mostly frequented by theatre-goers.

As we sat, we noticed groups of high school drama kids in make-up enjoying a post-show meal. The theatre was all around us at midnight, reminding me that in the midst of our world, the theatre still exists and burns brightly. We tasted it in our late night processed hamburgers, in our un-sweetened hot tea, and in my glass of merlot. So many a time have shows finished and those involved ended up in a diner all through the night. We revel in our transcedent conversations, how we will conquer the world, how these tastes remind us of the theatre or of each other, or how the world might not be ready for us yet. But whatever it might be, thank God for our blessings and that these tastes are so close to home.

"When we share our points of view
You get a glimpse of me
I get a glimpse of you
And I dont really care
If I dont change your ways
We will always have a tasty place

Am I really all the things that are outside of me?"
--from TASTE by Animal Collective
featured on their 2009 album "Merriweather Post Pavillions"

drowning my drafts.

2009-02-28T13:39:00.000-05:00

TRAGEDY aboard my new iPod.

I just bought a new application for blogging through my iPod touch. I thought everything posted without formally checking, but it only saved as a draft. Many thanks to my friends for asking me why I hadn't blogged in so long...won't make that mistake again.
-----------------------

High school round up

2009-02-28T11:45:00.000-05:00

High school seems to be where our seeds are planted to begin on any path of life we choose. No where is this more evident than in the drama guilds. It was not but a few years ago that I was blessed with knowledge that I carry over to what ever stage I'm on.

There is so much talent available in our local high schools. Here is a list of just a few schools you can support while seeing quality theatre this weekend:

Glassboro High: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat- 550 Bowe Bvd. Glassboro NJ 08028. (856) 881-2200

Woodstown High: Brigadoon- 140 East Ave. Woodstown NJ 08098. (856) 769-4636

Depford High: Bye Bye Birdie- 575 Fox Run Rd. Woodbury NJ 08096 (856) 232-2731

Break a leg!!!

Our Country's Good: IN REHEARSAL

2009-02-18T20:17:00.000-05:00

Director and full-time Professor of Theatre David Sullivan directs "Our Country's Good," a play based around the establishment of Australia as a prison colony during the late 18th century. This marks the third mainstage production of the Rowan University T&D Department's 2008-2009 season.

Now in rehearsals, OCG cast members Andrew Clotworthy and Maggie Corl, both junior theatre majors, sat down with me in the Lab Theatre's green room for interviews for an upcoming preview article I am working on for The Whit due out next Thursday. They both overwelmingly praised Sullivan for the challenges he gives the actors. One fun thing to watch for is the dual-roles played by ten of the twelve actors.

Sullivan, who directed "The Atheist" (starring Chris Pine) at the Off-Broadway Center Stages theatre, now teaches full time at Rowan. He chose this particular show because of the challange it give the actors. Mostly, the show is about a Governer who stages a comedy for the prisoners in Australia. The show is for MATURE audiences only, and may shock some at the lewd humor, but audiences will see at the heart of the play, a look at seeing the humanity in other human beings.

Our Country's Good opens at the Tohill Theatre (in Bunce Hall) on February 27th at 8pm. Performances run February 28, March 6 and 7 at 8pm and March 1 and 8 at 3pm. Tickets are $10 Adults and $5 Students, Seniors, Alumni, and Staff. Rowan students are entitled to one free ticket with their ROWAN ID at the box office prior to the performance.

----
WATCH - The Whit - for my preview article this coming Thursday and for my review of the performance NEXT Thursday.

www.thewhitonline.org

Checking in with the NEIGHBORS

2009-02-16T14:57:00.000-05:00

Our "neighbors," of course means the New York Theatre District in Times Square, NYC.

Backstage at All Shook Up

2009-02-15T15:05:00.000-05:00

On my iPod touch backstage right now at the final performance of All Shook Up with the Off Broad Street Players Theatre Company. This show was so much fun to be a part of. Get involved while you can with the theatres in South Jersey.

One cast member remarked "It has been fantastic," Zach Ott, 15, says about being involved in theatre. Ott, who plays the comic Dennis in All Shook Up, has been imvolved for two years and has been most notably seen as Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar. "Its been a great opportunity," he said.

All Shook Up played its final performance on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the Robert L. Sharp Auditorium of Bridgeton High School.

The 12th Season of the Off Broad Street players will continue with the Ken Ludwig farce "Moon Over Buffalo" directed by John Muller.
-------------------

Also this month on the SJR are:

DEATH OF A SALESMAN - Haddonfield Plays and Players and can be seen fron now until the 28th of February. Visit the HPP link on the side for more details or www.haddonfieldplayers.com

Being part of the cast of ALL SHOOK UP

2009-02-12T13:01:00.000-05:00

The Elvis-inspired musical ALL SHOOK UP is being featured tonight at 7:30pm for only $7 as a promotional "Family Night" event hosted by the Off Broad Street Players Theatre Company. The performance is at Bridgeton High School on Broad St. in Bridgeton. I will not be posing a review of the show because I was sucked into the cast. Haha, funny way of putting it. The Off Broad Street Players held auditions for ALL SHOOK UP only a few months ago, but needed an extra ensemble member, so I was asked to join.

Sadly enough, my work schedule has been so busy and my spring semester just began at Rowan University. Joining the cast was a difficult commitment because I knew I would not have nearly enough time to devote to learning the dances and songs as everyone else had.

But with my constant love for the theatre and feeling that I was in a position for needing a high-energy musical in my life, I joined. Luckily, I was welcomed with open arms by the cast, most of whom I'd just finished performing with in HELLO, DOLLY! last November (as Cornelius Hackl).

I attended a few rehearsals here and there and learned two or three of the dances I needed to be in, but I wasn't caught up until Tech week (the final week of rehearsals). So, like my normal self, I goofed around a little backstage, then finally went out and learned everything just in the nick of time for Opening Night.

The last time I was in a high-energy musical (usually a rock-music based musical) was when I played Ren (Kevin Bacon's movie role) in FOOTLOOSE, in January of 2007, so I was way over-due for another. Being part of the show every night has been a release of energy and a massively loud foot-stoming experience. Note: when I stomp my feet on stage, I like to really drive my feet and legs into the floor, I see actors on Broadway do it, so I mine as well take something from them! The cast is so solid, led by Andrew Jarema (The Wizard of Oz, Jesus Christ Superstar) and Katie Cox (The Secret Garden, Jesus Christ Superstar) who have the utmost perfect on-stage chemistry in my opinion. But as solid as the show is, there are always new fun things that happen every night. No two performances are the same, EVER, in any show, especially in this show.

It's been a joy to work with such a talented cast. In fact, as I am writing this I just received a text message from one of the Production Managers and ensemble member, Dominic Barnes (Ain't Misbehavin' Hello, Dolly!), wishing the cast a good performance tonight. Come see us tonight for only $7!!!, and if you miss us tonight, there are three more performances: Friday & Saturday at 8pm and Sunday @ 3pm, Bridgeton High School, Tickets for the last three performances are $15 Adults and $13 Students/Seniors.

Visit www.obsponline.org for more info.

ALSO - To the cast of DEATH OF A SALESMAN in previews tonight 7:30 at Haddonfield Plays and Players, Break a Leg! More info to come, they are opening tomorrow night at 8pm. haddonfieldplayers.com for more information.

ALL SHOOK UP this weekend!

2009-02-12T01:54:00.000-05:00

The Off Broad Street Players Theatre Company proudly presents "ALL SHOOK UP" an Elvis-inspired musical, Friday & Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are $15 for Adults and $13 for Students and Seniors. A family night performance will be featured on Thursday at 7:30pm for $7 general admission. All performances are held in the Robert L. Sharp auditorium at Bridgeton High School.

This show set in a square town in a square state during a square decade. Here a lonely young girl, Natalie Haller, dreams of hitting the open road. Into her life rides a guitar playing roust-about by the name of Chad who changes everything and kick starts a hip swivelin, lip curlin’ adventure that will have audiences jumpin’ out of their blue suede shoes. The score features such Elvis hit classics as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Burning Love,” “Jailhouse Rock” and more.

ALL SHOOK UP stars Andrew Jarema as Chad and Katlin Cox as Natalie Haller. Jarema, a Rowan student, has most notably been seen on the OBSP stage as the Scarecrow in THE WIZARD OF OZ, and as John the Beloved in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. He has also been featured in productions of SOUTH PACIFIC and HELLO, DOLLY!. Cox has been featured on the OBSP stage most recently as Mary Magdeline in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and has appeared in productions of THE SECRET GARDEN, FOOTLOOSE, and SOUTH PACIFIC (to name a few). Starring as Natalie's father Jim, is Lee Cox (Kaitlin Cox's real-life father). He has most recently been seen as playing Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and Luther Billis in SOUTH PACIIC.

More information can be found at www.obsponline.org
_______________________________

--No review will be posted of this show considering I have a small cameo role and also I am featured in the ensemble.
--Our Assistant Stage Manager snapped a picture of me backstage in costume. I play a small walk-on role as a bus driver. For my character development, I've resurrected a "nerdy" character I played during SOUTH PACIFIC (the Professor) and made him the new ALL SHOOK UP bus driver. Picture is below.

(photo cred. AMY HOEY)