BroadwayWorld.com Albuquerque Stories

The Adobe Theater to Stage Neil Simon's LOST IN YONKERS, Beg. 6/28

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:04:36 PST

Yonkers, NY is city just north of the Bronx, where playwright Neil Simon was born on the 4th of July, 85 years ago. He has chronicled family life in the Great Depression and after in a series of prize-winning plays, musicals and films. His frequent theme shows "likeable people in difficult situations." His 1991 Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy, "Lost In Yonkers," will be presented at the ADOBE Theater for four weekends, starting June 28. Director Heather Lovick-Tolley chose to direct this somewhat painful comedy in celebration of Simon's longevity as a celebrated American playwright.

Simon began his comic writing in early TV working for Phil Silvers and then Sid Caesar alongside Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks. (Those hilarious days were recalled in the earlier ADOBE production of Simon's "Laughter on the 23rd Floor.") His familiar works of the sixties include "Come Blow Your Horn," "Barefoot in the Park," and "The Odd Couple," all of which became successful films.

In "Lost In Yonkers" Simon draws the audience in to the quirkiness of the dysfunctional Kurnitz family. We watch as Jay (Nik Hoover) and his younger brother Arty (Vicente F. Vargas) learn to survive life with the cold and steely existence of their Grandma Kurnitz (Ninette S. Mordaunt- a frequent actor at The Adobe). The boys are forced to live for 10 months in a family dynamic that their father Eddie (Vernon Poitras - most recently seen at The Adobe in "Moon For The Misbegotten") managed to escape years before. His siblings - the possible gangster Louie (Ned Record - seen in "Is Life Worth Living?"), childlike Aunt Bella (Kamila Kasparian - 'Lydia' in "All My Sons"), and Aunt Gert (Teresa A. Longo), who has a peculiar speech impediment, act as a humorous buffer between the boys and the harsh attitudes of their grandmother. Simon engages the audience's sympathy as the Young Brothers come of age and Bella finds the confidence to stand up to her mother.

Ms. Lovick-Tolley was last seen at The ADOBE as Sue Bayliss in "All My Sons." As a graduate of the acting program at the University of New Mexico, she has used her training as a high school theatre teacher, an actress and stage manager in community theatre and professional theatre, and as a creative drama teacher for kids preschool through high school. "I chose this play," Ms. Lovick-Tolley says, "because of the nuances of character, and the strength that everyone has at the end of the play. It is often referred to as a 'coming-of-age' for Jay, but when I read it I saw it more as a 'coming-of-age' for the adults. Because these boys are now a part of their daily lives they are forced to engage in an honest evaluation of why they are who they are...and they grow from it."

"LOST IN YONKERS" opens at The ADOBE Theater on Friday, June 28th and plays through July 21st - Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM.Tickets are $15, seniors and students $13. Group sales and SelecTickets available. For reservations, call 898-9222 weekdays or order on line at www.adobetheater.org.

Now Playing Onstage in Albuquerque - Week of 5/19/2013

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:00:00 PST

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Alan Ball in Broadway" border="0" height="100" width="100" align="right"> FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS BY Alan Ball
Duke City Repertory Theatre
5/16-5/26/2013
Two estranged friends, a petulant younger sister, conservative cousin and a lesbian walk in to a wedding... Join DCRT for this wickedly funny and irreverent comedy about the fairer sex from the writer of American Beauty, Six Feet Under and True Blood. Never have you seen such a motley crew of unwilling bridesmaids holed up in a room to avoid the wedding festivities and the bride none of them particularly love. May 16th-19th, 23rd-26th (Thursday-Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm) *Due to the nature of this venue and production, latecomers will not be seated. Reserved tickets will be released at 10 minutes before curtain.*
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Adobe Theater Presents Ken Ludwig's LEND ME A TENOR, Now thru 6/9

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig, directed by Jane and Cy Hoffman, opens tonight, May 17 at the ADOBE Theater.

The New York Times called this play, "One of the two great farces by a living writer," when it opened on Broadway in 1989. Set in 1934, Mr. Saunders (played by Thom Hinks), the manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is preparing to welcome world famous Tito Morelli, "Il Stupendo", the greatest tenor of the generation (J. Ryan Montenery), who will appear for only one night as Otello. The only rehearsal begins soon, but the great one has not yet arrived so Saunders and his assistant, Max (Warren Wilgus) are frantic with worry. Max is in love with Saunders' daughter, Maggie (Avery Scott), but she is star struck by the famous tenor. When Tito does finally arrive with his jealous wife, Maria, (Colleen McClure) the farce begins. Through a series of hilarious complications, the tenor is given a double dose of tranquilizers and appears to be dead. What follows is a frantic and uproarious attempt to salvage the evening, a collision between high art and low comedy.

The Hoffmans have previously directed a number of musicals at the Adobe including "The Drowsy Chaperone" and "Sundown" and recently directed "Me and My Girl" with Musical Theatre Southwest, where you may have seen Tasha Waters as the seductive vamp. Tasha has a similar role here as Diana, the opera's leading lady who has her eyes on the great Tito. Gene Dunne appears as the opera-loving Bellhop in the hotel where the action takes place, and Angie Alley rounds out the cast as Julia, the head of the Opera Guild, who insists on controlling every aspect of the operatic evening.

"This is a hilarious show, and we can't wait to watch the audience roar with laughter," said Cy Hoffman.

Don't miss this hilarious and frenetic Springtime entertainment. "Lend Me a Tenor" by Ken Ludwig opens tonight, May 17th and plays through June 9th with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. Tickets are only $15, students and seniors $13. Reservations can be made at www.adobetheater.org, or by phone (weekdays only) at 505-898-9222.

IF A DOOR OPENS to Play Teatro Paraguas, Now thru 5/19

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

IF A DOOR OPENS: A JOURNEY WITH FRANCES PERKINS, a play by Charlotte Keefe, directed by Bruce McIntosh, presented by Metta Theatre in association with Teatro Paraguas will run tonight & Saturday May 17, 18 at 7:30 PM and Sunday May 19 at 2PM at Teatro Paraguas, 3205 Calle Marie, Santa Fe.Admission is $15 general admission, $12 seniors and students. For reservations, call 505-424-1601.

Charlotte Keefe, a member of Metta Theatre, wrote this solo show about Frances Perkins, an extraordinary woman who did groundbreaking work in attempting to improve working conditions in America in the first half of the 20th century. Starting out as young, idealistic "do-gooder", she matured and was directly responsible for the creation of a lot New Deal legislation, including the creation of Social Security. Ms. Keefe has done an excellent job in writing this portrait of a somewhat forgotten woman trailblazer whose professional life was devoted to "fighting the good fight"...

The play presents the story of Frances Perkins' pioneering journey in politics. She was born in Massachusetts in 1880, only 15 years after The Civil War ended. Although from a New England middle-class family, she became acutely aware of the poverty pervasive among immigrants who worked long hours for little pay in unsafe factories. As a young woman she volunteered at settlement houses and lobbied for many of the labor laws we now take for granted. Her work caught the attention of two New York governors, Al Smith, who appointed her to the Industrial Commission, and later Franklin Roosevelt, who made her head of the New York Labor Department. When Roosevelt became president, he appointed her as Secretary of Labor, the first woman in the history of the United States to be appointed to the Presidential Cabinet. In this position she became an architect of the New Deal programs. We can thank Frances Perkins for maximum work hours and minimum wage laws, the abolishment of child labor, and the rights of workers to organize and bargain collectively. Because of her persistence and leadership, the Social Security Act was signed into law in 1935. At the time of her death, Secretary of Labor William Wirtz said,

"Every man and woman who works for a living wage, under safe conditions, for reasonable hours, or is protected by unemployment compensation of Social Security, is her debtor."

Charlotte Keefe, Texas native and Taos resident, is a retired professor of Special Education and has acted in community theatre for over 30 years. However, If A Door Opens, is the first theatre piece she has written. She hadn't given any thought to writing a one-person performance piece, so she was rather surprised when she was overcome by the idea after hearing only a few minutes of an enthusiastic book review of The Woman Behind the New Deal by Kristin Downey.

She researchEd Perkins for months and then began focusing on the stories she felt not only highlighted Frances' accomplishments, but also would give insight into the character, wit, and compassion of woman who learned to skillfully negotiate with labor leaders and politicians as a trailblazer in the "men's club" of 20th century politics. Her career spanned four of the most tumultuous decades in American history, beginning in the 'teens and finishing in the early 1950's.

More information on IF A DOOR OPENS, visit ifadooropens.wordpress.com.

This production marks the first joint production venture by Metta Theatre in Taos and Teatro Paraguas in Santa Fe. The plan is to regularly present productions in both spaces, bringing plays originating at one theatre north or south to the other.

Duke City Rep Presents FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS, Now thru 5/26

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Duke City Repertory Theatre will present Five Women Wearing the Same Dress by Alan Ball, May 16-26, 2013 (Thurs through Sun), Thurs-Sat at 8:00 pm and Sun at 2:00 pm. Opening Night is set for tonight, May 16th at 8:00 pm. All shows play The Cell Theatre 700 1st St. NW.

Two estranged friends, a petulant younger sister, a conservative cousin and a lesbian walk in to a wedding...

Join Albuquerque's best theatre (Best of the City - Albuquerque the Magazine 2011, 2012) DCRT for this wickedly funny and irreverent comedy about the fairer sex from the writer of American Beauty, Six Feet Under and True Blood.

Five Women Wearing the Same Dress marks the directing return of DCRT Associate Artistic Director Frank Green. His last directorial outing, Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol, played to packed houses of an extended run and was met with critical acclaim.

The dazzling cast includes Duke City Rep Company Members Amelia Ampuero and Lauren Myers, Albuquerque favorite Merritt Glover and introducing Catherine Pilafas and Evening Star Baron in their first time on the DCRT stage.

Ticket Prices: Regular $20; Senior/Student/Military $12; Groups 8+ $10; Thursdays $10; Bridal Party Package: Groups 4+ (includes a glass of champagne and priority seating) $10 tickets Order Tickets: (505) 797-7081 or www.dukecityrep.com.

*This show contains adult language and content and is not recommended for our younger audiences.*

Now Playing Onstage in Albuquerque - Week of 5/12/2013

Sun, 12 May 2013 10:00:00 PST

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DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR
SANTA FE PREP SCHOOL
5/17-5/18/2013
Step into the enchanted world of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. Featuring songs from the Academy-Award winning animated feature, this stage version includes music by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. Your audiences will be transported to the heart of provincial life in a lovely French town. When Maurice becomes lost in the woods on the way to the fair, he seeks shelter in an old castle, but the master of the castle is a horrible beast that takes him captive. Maurice's daughter, Belle, must then give up her freedom to save his life. Belle's taming of the unfortunate Beast and his ultimate transformation back into a handsome prince is a beloved fairy tale about very different people finding strength in one another and learning how to love. This "tale as old as time" is filled with spectacular costume and set opportunities. Even more simply staged, Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. offers students a great introduction to musical theatre, using familiar songs and characters to guide them through their production.
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THE MUSIC MAN JR
DESERT ACADEMY
5/16-5/18/2013
Wicked, funny, warm, romantic and touching, THE MUSIC MAN JR. is a special adaptation of the classic masterful musical that is family entertainment at its best.The story follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band he vows to organize - this despite the fact he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by the end.Perfect for community groups, summer camps, and schools, the cast features a soaring soprano ingenue and a leading role for a charismatic actor as well as over 20 roles for kids of every level. THE MUSIC MAN JR. is the perfect production for young people!
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Roald Dahl'S WILLY WONKA JR in Broadway" border="0" height="100" width="100" align="right"> Roald Dahl'S WILLY WONKA JR
PANDEMONIUM PRODUCTIONS
5/10-5/19/2013
Roald Dahl's timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir comes to life in this stage adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which features the songs from the classic family film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.Roald Dahl's WILLY WONKA JR., featuring a memorable score by Leslie Bricusse (JEKYLL & HYDE, DOCTOR DOLITTLE) and Anthony Newley, follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding five golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats: the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory--or suffer the consequences.This scrumdidilyumptious musical is guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth. With this show's flexible cast size, featuring roles for all ages, your production will take audiences on a fantasy ride into the land of pure imagination!
Click Here for More Information
Alan Ball in Broadway" border="0" height="100" width="100" align="right"> FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS BY Alan Ball
Duke City Repertory Theatre
5/16-5/26/2013
Two estranged friends, a petulant younger sister, conservative cousin and a lesbian walk in to a wedding... Join DCRT for this wickedly funny and irreverent comedy about the fairer sex from the writer of American Beauty, Six Feet Under and True Blood. Never have you seen such a motley crew of unwilling bridesmaids holed up in a room to avoid the wedding festivities and the bride none of them particularly love. May 16th-19th, 23rd-26th (Thursday-Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm) *Due to the nature of this venue and production, latecomers will not be seated. Reserved tickets will be released at 10 minutes before curtain.*
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THE SHADOW BOX and The Hard Road Trio Set for Black Box Theatre, 5/9-11 & 5/17

Wed, 08 May 2013 18:59:16 PST

Las Cruces High School presents "The Shadow Box" written by Michael Cristofer and directed by Charles Le Cocq runs May 9 - 11 at the Black Box Theatre, 430 N Downtown Mall in Las Cruces. The performances are Thursday - Saturday, May 9 - 11 at 7:00 p.m.

This beautifully crafted drama, which premiered on Broadway in 1977, takes place over a 24-hour period in three separate vacation cabins on the grounds of a large hospital in the United States. Staying in the cabins are three hospital patients and their families. The patients have reached the end of their treatments and have agreed to be interviewed by a psychiatrist.

The play, written by actor Michael Cristofer, won the 1977 Tony award for Best Play and also won a 1977 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. "Shadow Box seems to work in both senses of its definition in this play...The cottages are the boxes into which the audience views the characters boxing with death and care of the dying" (Martin Kohn).

The production stars Melissa Cosse (Maggie); Charles Lecocq (Joe), Jordan Cosse (Joe), Vlad Sevostianov (Brian) Joseph Ortiz (Mark), Jenna Andrews (Beverly); Adrienne Leyva (Felicity), Agnes: Taylor Rey (Agnes) and Cody Slater (Interviewer). Costumes are by Kaitlyn Langston and the Assistant Directors: Kate Wolf and Brittany Gordon. Isac Quezada is the Understudy.

Tickets are $5 for students and $10 general admission. For more information, call 575-639-0511. For reservations call the Black Box Theatre (575) 523-1223.

Later this month, The Hard Road Trio performs at the Black Box Theatre on Friday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. The Hard Road Trio plays an original Southwestern acoustic blend of American and Bluegrass music from the wide-open spaces of New Mexico. Tickets are $12.00 in advance and can be purchased at Hubbards Music, 108 Wyatt Drive (575)-526-8884. Tickets are $15.00 at the door and the doors open at 7:00 p.m. For more information call (575) 649-1595.

Now Playing Onstage in Albuquerque - Week of 5/05/2013

Sun, 05 May 2013 10:00:00 PST

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HUMBLE BOY
FUSION Theatre Company
5/7-5/8/2013
The Lensic: - Charlotte Jones; dir: Laurie Thomas.
Click Here for More Information
THE MUSIC MAN JR
DESERT ACADEMY
5/10-5/11/2013
Wicked, funny, warm, romantic and touching, THE MUSIC MAN JR. is a special adaptation of the classic masterful musical that is family entertainment at its best.The story follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band he vows to organize - this despite the fact he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by the end.Perfect for community groups, summer camps, and schools, the cast features a soaring soprano ingenue and a leading role for a charismatic actor as well as over 20 roles for kids of every level. THE MUSIC MAN JR. is the perfect production for young people!
Click Here for More Information
Elton John AND Tim Rice'S AIDA in Broadway" border="0" height="100" width="100" align="right"> Elton John AND Tim Rice'S AIDA
SANTA FE HIGH SCHOOL
5/2-5/11/2013
Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA is a contemporary musicaltake on a grand classic tale of the timeless bond between an enslaved Nubian princessand an Egyptian soldier. As forbidden love blossoms between them, the younglovers are forced to face death or part forever. Together, they set a shining exampleof true devotion that ultimately transcends the vast cultural differencesbetween their warring nations, heralding a time of unprecedented peace andprosperity.With a pop-rock score that features stirring ballads androusing choral numbers, Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA is a modern crowdpleaser that embraces multi-cultural casting and exuberant dancing, staging andsinging.
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HUMBLE BOY
FUSION Theatre Company
5/10-5/11/2013
The KiMo Theater: - Charlotte Jones; dir: Laurie Thomas.
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Roald Dahl'S WILLY WONKA JR in Broadway" border="0" height="100" width="100" align="right"> Roald Dahl'S WILLY WONKA JR
PANDEMONIUM PRODUCTIONS
5/10-5/19/2013
Roald Dahl's timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir comes to life in this stage adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which features the songs from the classic family film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.Roald Dahl's WILLY WONKA JR., featuring a memorable score by Leslie Bricusse (JEKYLL & HYDE, DOCTOR DOLITTLE) and Anthony Newley, follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding five golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats: the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory--or suffer the consequences.This scrumdidilyumptious musical is guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth. With this show's flexible cast size, featuring roles for all ages, your production will take audiences on a fantasy ride into the land of pure imagination!
Click Here for More Information

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Taos, NM Launches New Season of Free Summer Concerts

Fri, 03 May 2013 15:15:45 PST

Beginning on Thursday, May 23, the historic Taos Plaza will transform into a summer concert venue every Thursday night as the 2013 season of Taos Plaza Live! launches featuring free, all-ages concerts. Taos Plaza Live! continues through Sept. 5, 2013.

This year's lineup includes a number of popular bands such as recently signed recording artist and Taos native, Max Gomez, and 2012 Taos Solar Music Fest band search winner, Anthony Leon and the Chain; along with Town of Taos Mayor Darren Cordova and his band, Darren Cordova y Calor; and many others.

Band genres range from swing, jazz, bluegrass, traditional New Mexican, country western, reggae, mariachi, rock and everything in between.

A full summer lineup of bands and concerts can be found at taos.org/visit/taos-plaza-live or taoschamber.com/Community-and-Relocation.

On June 6, Grammy award winning folk band Mumford and Sons will be performing live in Taos at the Taos Solar Music Festival. For ticket information, visit solarmusicfest.com.

In April 2013, Taos was named by ArtPlaces as one of America's top 12 "Small Town Art Places" because, among other reasons, the town is a "well like destination for art-lovers...and has an active calendar of festivals, fiestas, ceremonies, art shows, tours, concerts, workshops and demonstrations."

Taos Plaza Live! is produced by the Taos County Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with local sponsors.

For more information about the Taos Plaza Live! concerts, visit http://www.taoschamber.com/Community-and-Relocation or call 575-751-8800. For general information about events and other attractions in the Town of Taos, visit http://taos.org.

Aux Dog Theatre Brings VENUS IN FUR to Teatro Paraguas, Now thru 5/5

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Aux Dog Theatre Nob Hill, Albuquerque's most exciting producer of new work, is transferring its highly successful production of the 2012 Tony Nominated Best Play Venus in Fur to Teatro Paraguas for one weekend only: tonight, May 3 through Sunday may 5. The Santa Fe engagement follows a string of rave reviews from its Albuquerque run which closed on March 31.

The play follows a director/playwright in his quest to find the perfect actress for his new play, an adaptation of the novella Venus in Fur by Leopold von Sacher Masoch (from whose name we derive the term 'sadomasochism'). Enter Vanda, the actress who initially seems catastrophically wrong for the role, but eventually guides director Thomas through the world of sexual obsession he created.

Visiting Director, head of the Acting Program at Purdue University, Kristine Holtvedt's production moves smoothly and energetically through the various themes and multiple characters portrayed in this tour-de-force two-hander. SheriDan Johnson stars as Vanda, alongside Brennan Foster as Thomas.

Chosen as "Year's Best" by The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and more, this work is a stunning accomplishment for playwright David Ives, and Aux Dog's production captures the play's intensity and comedy with zest.

Teatro Paraguas has presented the following shows that originated in Albuquerque, NM: Paloma, by Camino Real Productions; Medea Complex, directed by Valli Rivera; Einstein, by Tom Schuch, and Two Way Mirror, by Southwest Rural Theatre Project starring SheriDan Johnson.

For reservations, contact Aux Dog Theater Nob Hill at (505) 254-7716. Teatro Paraguas is located at 3205 Calle Marie, Albuquerque, NM. The show runs Friday May 3 and Saturday May 4 at 8:00 pm; Sunday May 5 at 6:00 pm. Tickets $15.