Handbill & Callboard:
March Theater Productions and Call for Auditions in Western MA

Support a love for theater with these featured March theater productions in Western MA! A great way to engage in your community while supporting an interest in theater studies.

Performances include contemporary theater on the Curtain Theater stage at UMass Fine Arts Center, youth musical in the  Herbert M. Goldstein Auditorium at the Jewish Community Center in Springfield, musical theater on the Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre stage at Smith College in Northampton, children’s theater on the Mills Theatre stage at Bay Path University in Longmeadow, and a performing arts festival on the stage at Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls!

 

COLLEGE THEATER/CONTEMPORARY
Tuesday, March 1 – Saturday, March 5
Love and Information. In the age of gadgets and modern technology, have we lost the reason for our communication: how to share our feelings, care for others, and love? Love and Information prompts us to see ourselves, our lives, our concerns and our longings in surprising new ways. This multi-faceted play offers something for all audiences, as the dazzling language draws out a story about humanity and connection. Every performance will be followed by a small group discussion moderated by members of the production team and UMass Theater students. This important piece allows audience members to explore their collective experience and interpretation of the material presented. Performance will be held in the Curtain Theater at the Fine Arts Center, UMass Amherst Campus. 413-545-2511.151 Presidents Drive, Amherst, MA. ($$)

CHILDRENS THEATER/MUSICAL
Thursday, March 3 – Sunday, March 13. 3pm
Shrek The Musical . Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation Film, this show is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure. Featuring all new songs, Shrek The Musical brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there’s more to the story than meets the ears. Shrek is an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got yourself a hilariously entertaining show sure to delight audiences of all ages. Ultimately, through adventure and humor, Shrek The Musical teaches us that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. The show is presented by J-ART and performances will be held in the Herbert M. Goldstein Auditorium at the Jewish Community Center. 1160 Dickinson St. Springfield, MA

MUSICAL THEATER/LITERATURE ON STAGE
Thursday, March 3 – Saturday, March 5
Orlando. This play is based on a biographical parody of the same name, by Virginia Woolf about her companion and lover Vita Sackville-West, to whom it was dedicated. The 1928 novel was once described as Sackville-West’s brother as, “the longest and most charming love-letter in literature.” Smith College students invite you to see their theatrical interpretation of this classic, as they take you on a musical romp through time under the Big Top! Led by a rambunctious chorus, Orlando tells the story of a young nobleman who falls asleep one night and wakes up a woman. Come watch as Orlando chases after passionate love, a sense of unwavering identity, and the euphoria of being fully alive in every given moment. Student director J. Mehr Kaur ’16 explains that “The power of the play is in the scope of the ensemble – constantly fluid and unapologetically shattering our notions about identity. The story stops us in our tracks and opens us up to the possibility that we may be so much more than just our singular selves.” Performances will be held in the Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre at Smith College. 413-585-3220. Northampton, MA. ($)

CHILDRENS THEATER/LITERATURE ON STAGE
Friday, March 4 – Sunday, March 6
James and the Giant Peach. Adapted from the beloved classic children’s tale by Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach follows the story of James, an orphan sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree. It’s there that James discovers a mysterious potion that results in a tremendous peach, launching audiences into a journey of enormous proportions! The show combines hilarious orchestrations and steampunk-style costumes with the magical sweetness of a young boy on a whirlwind adventure to find his chosen family. More than a theatrical performance about love and belonging, this event also offers families fun activities before and after the show. One hour before the performance, children have a chance to weave their own web, color in their favorite characters, and hear an abridged telling of Roald Dahl’s whimsical tale, allowing children an introduction to the story prior to seeing it come to life on stage. Show-related treats will be available and there will be a meet and greet with each character after the show. This is certain to be a fun-filled event for children and adults of all ages! Enter code “FamilyBundle” at checkout to receive 2 Adult and 2 Child tickets for only $30. Performances will be held in the Mills Theatre at Bay Path University. 413-565-1307. 588 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA. ($)

PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL
Sunday, March 20
Syrup 2016. Piti Theatre Company’s 7th Annual Syrup Festival will feature another delicious potpourri of world class performances for all ages. Admission includes several shows, syrup tasting, free pickles from Real Pickles of Greenfield, and much more! Performing arts events include:

Olde Colraine by the Piti Theatre Company, featuring guests from Ballet Renverse and a troupe of local actors of all ages. The performance features beautiful melodies sung by the troupe, and tells a tale woven with local culture. This show will be followed by a rich Q&A discussion.

The Snowflake Man, an award winning Puppetkabob show that swings audiences into the historic 1920s through creative storytelling, intricately designed Czech-style marionettes, and a striking pop-up book of water color scenery. The show combines art, science, and a little known piece of American history to magical effect! Following the performance, children will have the opportunity to bring their own snowy story to life in a fun arts-and-crafts workshop.

Tickets are available at Boswell’s Books in Shelburne Falls, World Eye Bookshop in Greenfield, and online beginning February 29th. Tickets are also available at the door 1 hour before the show. The event and all performances will be held in Memorial Hall, 413-625-6569, 51 Bridge Street, Shelburne Falls, MA. ($)

Find more theater productions across the regions on our
Theater Bulletin Board!

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AUDITIONS

 

AUDITIONS/ACTORS WANTED
By Appointment: Friday, March 18. 4-6pm, 7-9pm; Saturday, March 19. 1-5pm
The Silverthorne Theater will be holding auditions for their 2016 theater season. They are seeking actors for the following performances:

The Miser by Moliere. The classic French farce rendered supremely hilarious in a contemporary, but respectful, translation. Casting 10 actors with doubling/tripling. Gender/age/race/ethnicity blind casting.

Two Rooms by Lee Blessing. A searing drama of the physical and emotional imprisonment of hostage-taking in the 1980’s that is startlingly immediate today. Casting two male roles (30’s) and one female role (30’s).

Turn of the Screw by Jeffrey Hatcher (adaptation). A tour-de-force piece based on Henry James’s masterfully creepy Victorian tale of two decidedly scary children and the adults in their lives. Casting a male role with extensive doubling (no age specified), and a Governess (no age specified).

All auditions by appointment only. For full audition information, visit the Silverthorne Theater website. For questions, or to reserve an audition time, call 413-768-7514, or e-mail silverthornetheater@gmail.com. All audition activities held in the Art Building at Stoneleigh-Burnham School, 574 Bernardston Road, Greenfield, MA. (FREE)

Find more theater productions across the regions on our
Theater Bulletin Board!