Youth Connection to Present "Annie"

Reminder: 'Hairspray' on stage at Ansonia Middle School today, May 29, 30

Members of the cast of 'Hairspray' pose for a photo during a recent rehearsal in the auditorium at Ansonia Middle School. / Contributed photo

 
The Tony Award-winning musical, set in 1962 Baltimore, will be performed at 7 p.m. today, and May 29 and 30 at the school, 115 Howard Ave. 

Tickets are $12 in advance; $15 at the door. 

For more information or tickets call Ansonia Middle School, 203-736-5070 or teacher/stage manager Lisa Nicolari, 203-751-1866. 

According  to Nicolari, "The show is full of energy, laughter, and excitement." 

I'll be there tonight; I hear it's a great show. I'm looking forward to it.

Ansonia Middle School to stage 'Hairspray'

Contributed photo

Members of the cast of 'Hairspray' pose for a photo during a recent rehearsal in the auditorium at Ansonia Middle School.
The Tony Award-winning musical, set in 1962 Baltimore, will be performed at 7 p.m. May 22, 23, 29, and 30 at the school, 115 Howard Ave. 

Tickets are $12 in advance; $15 at the door. 

For more information or tickets call Ansonia Middle School, 203-736-5070 or teacher/stage manager Lisa Nicolari, 203-751-1866. 

According  to Nicolari, "The show is full of energy, laughter, and excitement." 


This post is taken from a press release from the school.

'The Drowsy Chaperone' heads to Shelton for 5 performances

The talented members of the Shelton-based Youth CONNection will stage this Tony Award-winning musical comedy for five performances at Shelton High School. 
The shows will be performed at 8 p.m. July 26, 27, Aug. 2 and 3, with a 2 p.m. matinee Aug. 3.

   

Stavros Koumbaros, Tom Ball, and Ali Dunne, from left, perform a scene from the show at the July 3 Shelton fireworks event. / Contributed photo



Earlier this week I spoke to director Gary Scarpa (who founded the Youth CONNection three decades ago with his wife, Fran) about the production.

The musical sounds like it will be hilariously funny, and a perfect addition to my summer staycation. I'm looking forward to seeing it. The Scarpas always produce a great show.


Stay tuned for a story in the New Haven Register.

 

'Grease' is the word at Ansonia Middle School

In this rehearsal scene, Kevin Roscoe, center, portrays Keneckie. With him are Michael Shortell as Vince Fontaine, left, and Ahmed Hardy, right, an extra. The show opens at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Dr. Richard F. Nicolari Auditorium. 

Performances of 'Grease' also will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 13 and 14. Tickets are $10. The school is at 115 Howard Ave., Ansonia. For information call 203-736-5070.

Ansonia Middle School to stage 'Grease'

Musical features rock 'n roll

ANSONIA - Bright Light Musicals, LLC, will present "Grease" for four performances starting next week at Ansonia Middle School.


The show is a 1972 musical written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. It is named for the 1950s' working-class youth subculture known as the greasers.

The musical is set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School. The story follows 10 working-class teen-agers as they navigate the complexities of love.

The score attempts to recreate the sounds of early rock and roll.

Students will perform "Grease" at 7 p.m. June 5, 6, 13 and 14.

Tickets are available at the door or they may be purchased from Human Relations Club members.


For information call 203-736-5070. The school is at 115 Howard Ave.



This post is taken from information on the school's web page.

Auditions slated Saturday for show to benefit Seymour Pink

SEYMOUR - An informational meeting and auditions will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday (May 4), at the Seymour Community Center, 20 Pine St. for an upcoming dinner theater show to benefit Seymour Pink.

The meeting/auditions is open to the public, and Seymour residents are encouraged to audition. 

Organizers are planning on staging a 1920's themed musical cabaret, scheduled to be performed July 20 at the Inn at Villa Bianca. 

There will be a variety of roles available for performers. No experience is necessary. Those who audition must be 18 and older.

For information contact kvstage@gmail.com.

Oxford students to stage musical satire

Cast of 'How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' includes, from left, Erin O'Brien (ensemble), Rachel Camarra (Smitty), Tori Bogen (ensemble), Kaitlyn Speaker (Rosemary), Nathan Seibert (Bud Frump), James Kostka (Finch), Tyler Panek (J. B. Biggley), Nicole Maksymiw (ensemble), Kristen Lovell (ensemble), Ashley Sanders (ensemble), and Maggie Palys (ensemble). In front: Katelyn Wentz (Mr. Twimble)

OXFORD - The Oxford High School Wolverine Players will present the musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” this month.  

This musical is a satire of big business and all it holds sacred. 

The story follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a little handbook called "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high-powered executive, tackling such familiar but potent dangers as the aggressively compliant "company man," the office party, backstabbing co-workers, caffeine addiction and, of course, true love.

The Wolverine Players are in their sixth year and have many awards and recognitions from previous shows including “Into the Woods,” “Grease,” “West Side Story,” and most recently “Guys and Dolls.”  
Performances will be March 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. March 16 at the school.
Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for students and senior citizens.

“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” is a book by Abe Burrows and Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. It is based on the book How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying by Shepherd Mead.

Tickets are available at www.showtix4u.com or by calling Oxford High School, 203-888-2468.

'Big River' ends this weekend in Shelton

SHELTON - Center Stage Theatre presents the musical, "Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," for two more performances: at 8 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Music is written by Roger Miller, the "King of the Road."

Tickets are $25 for adults; $10 for students. For information call 203-225-6079, or choose your own reserved seating at www.centerstageshelton.com.

The show is directed by Gary Scarpa of Shelton. The theater is located at 54 Grove St., in the former Lafayette Elementary School. 

Shelton troupe to present 'Big River'

A celebration of Americana 
 
SHELTON - Center Stage Theatre, in the former Lafayette School, 54 Grove St., will present "Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" for 10 performances. 

The show is directed by Gary Scarpa, with music by the late Roger Miller (King of the Road). It features Derby natives Ali Dunne, Marc Garofalo, and Travis Pyka.

A classic American musical, Big River won seven Tony Awards in 1985, including Best Musical, and then the 2003 Broadway revival of Big River won a special Tony for "Excellence in Theatre."

Mark Twain's timeless classic sweeps us down the mighty Mississippi as the irrepressible Huck Finn helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom at the mouth of the Ohio River. 

Their adventures along the way are hilarious, suspenseful and heartwarming, bringing to life your favorite characters from the novel - the Widow Douglas and her stern sister, Miss Watson; the uproarious King and Duke, who may or may not be as harmless as they seem; Huck's partner in crime, Tom Sawyer, and their rowdy gang of pals; Huck's drunken father, the sinister Pap Finn; the lovely Mary Jane Wilkes and her trusting family. 

Propelled by an award-winning score from Roger Miller, the king of country music, this jaunty journey provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana.


Performances are:

Feb. 1, 2 - 8 p.m.;
Feb. 3 - 2 p.m.;
Feb. 8, 9 - 8 p.m.;
Feb. 10 - 2 p.m.;
Feb. 14 - 7 p.m.;
Feb. 15, 16 - 8 p.m.;
Feb. 17 - 2 p.m.

Tickets are $25 for adults; $10 for students. For information call 203-225-6079.

Or you may choose your own reserved seating at www.centerstageshelton.com/

The above information is taken from a press release.

Bus trip planned to see new musical

A bus trip is planned to New York to see "Foreverman," a new musical written by Brett Boles, at the New York Musical Theater July 20.
The bus will leave the Valley at 3 p.m. and arrive in NYC in time for dinner or Happy Hour!
The show starts at 8 p.m. and will be over by 10:30 p.m. when the bus will depart for home.

The cost is $60 a person, included are round- trip coach transportation and one general admission ticket to the show. Limited to 45 people on one bus.

For information call 203-735-3652. Reservations will be confirmed when payment is received.

Checks may be made payable to Marc Garofalo, P.O. Box 836, Derby,  06418.




The above information was provided by Marc Garofalo.

Drama club to stage 'Big, the Musical' this weekend

SHELTON - The Shelton High School Drama Club, under the direction of Gary Scarpa, will present "Big, the Musical," today through Saturday in the Shelton High School Auditorium.
"Big" tells the story of 12-year old Josh Baskin, who, after being told he is too short for a carnival ride while attempting to impress an older girl, goes to a wishing machine called “Zoltar Speaks”, and wishes that he was "big."
When he wakes up in the morning, he finds that his wish has been granted.

The 1988 hit film was directed by Penny Marshall and starred Tom Hanks. It was made into a Broadway musical in 1996, with a score my David Shire, lyrics by Richard Maltby, and a book by John Weidman.
Playing Josh Baskin, the main character, is Shelton High School junior Stavros Koumbaros. Other central characters are Kyle English as Susan Lawrence, Kelsey Sullivan as Mrs. Baskin, Michael Tartaglia as Billy Kopecki, Alessandro Maione as Paul Seymour, Tom Ball as Mr. MacMillan, Ellie Desautels as Young Josh, Anna Shannon as Miss Watson, and Elise Sullivan as Cynthia Benson.

The show features a cast of 48 talented high school students who have been rehearsing for seven weeks.

Assisting Scarpa with the production are his daughter Mia Scarpa, who is the choreographer, and Drama Club advisors Joe Sedlock and Dan Nazzaro. They serve as producers.

“I really liked the film when I saw it,” Mia Scarpa said “and when it was made into a Broadway musical, I completely fell in love with the show. So much so that I saw it four times.”

Koumbaros said, “I am so excited to be playing Josh Baskin. I’m especially enjoying the scene where I get to dance on a giant piano that lights up!”

Gary Scarpa said, “I can’t say enough about our great cast. Their talent and dedication is awesome, and I encourage everyone in the community to come to the show and see high school students at their best!”
Performances will be held at 7 p.m. today, and at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee Saturday as well.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. They may be purchased online at www.showtix4u.com or by calling Center Stage Theatre, 203-225-6079. All seating is reserved.

The above release was provided by Carla Sullivan of Shelton.

Assumption School stages 'Bye, Bye Birdie'

Eighth grade student Zachary Ardito, playing the part of Conrad Birdie along with other upper class students is seen practicing “Got a Lot of Livin’ to Do” in this year's performance of "Bye, Bye Birdie," directed by Anthony Burke.  Choreographer is Virginia Boxley.

"Bye, Bye Birdie" is Assumption School’s 12th annual Broadway musical production.
Assumption School draws on its talented students in all grades, Pre-K through eighth, to participate in its gala spring event. The cast is made up of upperclassmen, while the remaining student body makes up the giant chorus.
Virginia DeGennaro is the producer.  There is a wealth of participation from parishioners and friends to faculty and staff. The musical represents a collaborative effort that makes the production a success.  The school relies on volunteer help from props, to sets, to painting and scenery.
It is the only production of its kind in a Catholic elementary school.   
Suggested donation is $12 per ticket.  Tickets are on sale now at the school and available at the door.  Performance dates are May 11 and 12.  Curtain time is at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, call 203-734-0855.

The above information was provided by Lucia Hanock.