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American Repertory Theater of WNY to Host 2013 Young Playwright Festival, 7/19-21; Seeks Submissions

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:57:45 PST

In keeping with American Repertory Theater of WNY's mission statement of supporting a new generation of American Playwrights, ART/WNY is proud to announce, through the Erie Canal Harbor Development, the second annual Young Playwright Festival July 19th, 20th & 21st as part of the diverse and exciting 2013 summer programming on Buffalo's beautiful Canalside on the Lake Erie waterfront.

Currently, ART/WNY is requesting submissions from young playwrights for review for the festival.

The intention of the festival is to encourage aspiring playwrights up to the age of 30 to submit their works to be produced by American Repertory Theater of WNY (ART of WNY). Additionally, young directors and actors will also have the opportunity to work alongside established members of the theater company as all strive to produce these works.

In addition to the opportunity for a young playwright to work alongside established local playwrights, directors and actors, ART is also encouraging young directors & actors an opportunity to become involve in the process and overall presentation.

The choice of the material to be presented will depend on originality, length (one-acts and full-length works will be reviewed), craftsmanship and the practicality of producing the work for the stage. An emphasis in the determining process will center upon the playwright being American and/or having a work pertaining to the American story, especially regional relationships. Additionally, playwrights from the WNY region will have leading consideration in the selection process, but the festival is open on a National level.

Guidelines for the Festival:
- Submitted scripts should follow a standard script format
- ART does not provide lodging or travel for out-of-region playwrights
- There are no entry fees/There are no "Grand Prizes"
- Please Include Self-Address Envelop if request return
- Deadline for submission is June 17th

Dates of Performance: July 19th, 20th & 21st. Visit the American Repertory Theater of WNY's website at www.artofwny.org for further details or contact 716 634 1102.

Road Less Traveled to Host BUFFALO YOUNG WRITERS NIGHT 2013, 5/15

Tue, 14 May 2013 20:29:53 PST

Road Less Traveled Productions presents BUFFALO YOUNG WRITERS NIGHT 2013, featuring world premiere short plays by AlAnna Smith, Taylor Churakos, Rachel Coddington, Sabrina Kahwaty, Nicole Miller and Gina Notaro on Wednesday, May 15th, 2013 at 7:00 PM. (Box Office opens at 6:30).

An all-star cast celebrates RLTP's 4th Annual showcase of
world premiere short plays by local student writers.

Featuring the world premiere production of:

BYW 2013 Grand Prize Winner
BRIGHT SHADOWS
by AlAnna Smith!
A teenager named Luke considers drastic and ghoulish measures after the death of his beloved brother. An unusual friend named Caleb attempts to stop Luke - and what follows is a power struggle that blurs the boundaries of reality.
Starring Steve Brachmann and Glenn Hillman.
Directed by Kyle LoConti (Assistant Director: Katherine Boswell).

Also featuring staged readings of:

CHINESE CONUNDRUM
by Rachel Coddington & Gina Notaro
Raging hormones, "American Horror Story", and the desperate attempts of five friends trying in vain to successfully order crab rangoons...!

THE LIST
by Sabrina Kahwaty
Ten minutes 'til the cast list of the school musical is posted, and tensions are thick! An edgy crowd of Drama Club stalwarts eye each other suspiciously and gradually turn on one another, before a bombshell revelation throws their priorities into question...

ADOLESCENCE UNVEILED
by Nicole Miller
Allow indignant teen outcast Berta to be your tour guide through a hilarious house of high school horrors and humiliations - at the hands of brutes, fools, and emotional invalids. (And those... are just the teachers!)

PLAIN JANE
by Taylor Churakos
Jane has spent twenty-six of her twenty-seven Valentine's Days alone; best friend Katie insists that this year will be different. Headlong they plunge into one of the most awkward and least romantic Speed Dating events imaginable. Will Jane find true love, or will she go home with the guy in the bunny ears?!

Starring:

STEVEN BRACHMANN Glenn HillMAN
CARLTON FRANKLIN BOB GRABOWSKI SARA KOW-FALCONE
AARON KRYGIER RENEE LANDRIGAN TRACY SNYDER
JESSICA STUBER Verneice Turner Barry Williams
Matt Witten ADAM YELLEN JONathan Young
ANDREW ADOLF ERIK JOSEF AUDARE KYLE BARAN AMANDA DORNAN
ANGEL IZARD SABRINA KAHWATY AIRYNE NIKOHL JEAN O'HARROW
U.D. SCHWARTZ PHOEBE WRIGHT
and your outsized Master of Ceremonies, JON ELSTON.

Tickets only $10! (Cash or check). Tix available @ the RLTT Box Office - 6:30 pm - Wednesday 5/15
OR Reserve tix by e-mail: jelston@roadlesstraveledproductions.org.

For more information, visit the website: http://roadlesstraveledproductions.org/2013/04/4th-annual-buffalo-young-writers-night/. Or check out the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/655199264505723/.

The Young Playwrights Festival Calls for New Works

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:01:59 PST

Road Less Traveled Productions Presents 4th Annual Event Celebrating Buffalo's Emerging Young Dramatists

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:36:20 PST

Road Less Traveled Productions (RLTP) will present its Fourth Annual Buffalo Young Writers (BYW) Night on Wednesday, May 15th at 7:00 pm at The Road Less Traveled Theater, located at 639 Main Street, in Downtown Buffalo's Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre (MAFAC). The evening will feature winners of the 2013 BYW Contest, recognizing outstanding student playwrights in the Western New York (WNY) area.

RLTP launched its first BYW Contest in the fall of 2009. The contest is an annual opportunity for high school and college students, often in connection with their school curriculum, to compete for the chance to earn a professionally produced presentation of their original short plays.

RLTP Literary Director and BYW producer Jon Elston announced this year's winners March 14th at a Mighty Taco Talkback Thursday performance of RLTP's world-premiere production of Seeds, by award-winning WNY playwright Donna Hoke. BYW Contest prizes include a cash prize of $250 and a workshop production for the Grand Prize winner, as well as complementary tickets to the Road Less Traveled Theater and staged readings for the four runners-up.

"After three years of rewarding the consistently fine efforts of young, local writers like two-time Grand Prize-winner Caitlin McAneney as well as Stefan Brundage, Megan Kemple, and Jon Zelasko," said Elston, "This year's five winning entries are by young playwrights altogether new to RLTP and to this contest!" Elston also noted that, for the second consecutive year, all five of the winning BYW entries are by female playwrights.

The 2013 BYW Grand Prize winner is AlAnna Smith, a Senior writing major at SUNY Geneseo. Her play, Bright Shadows,follows a teenager named Luke, who considers drastic and ghoulish measures after the death of his beloved brother; an unusual friend named Caleb attempts to stop Luke and what follows is a power struggle that blurs the boundaries of reality. Elston praised the play for its sensitivity, toughness, and sophistication. The Bright Shadows workshop production will star local actors Steven Brachmann and Glenn Hillman and be directed by Emanuel Fried New Play Workshop Director Kyle LoConti, assisted by local playwright (and former BYW participant) Katherine Boswell.

The four 2013 runners-up to be presented as staged readings are: Taylor Churakos' Plain Jane;Rachel Coddington's and Gina Notaro's Chinese Conundrum;Sabrina Kahwaty's The List;and Nicole Miller's Adolescence Unveiled. Cast for the readings will include RLTP Ensemble members Bob Grabowski, Barry Williams, and Matt Witten, as well as Carlton Franklin, Sara Kow-Falcone, Aaron Krygier, Renee Landrigan, Tracy Snyder, Jessica Stuber, Verneice Turner, Adam Yellen, JoNathan Young, Erik Josef Audare, Kyle Baran, Amanda Dornan, Airyne Nikohl, Jean O'Harrow, U.D. Schwartz, and Phoebe Wright.

Admission for BYW Night is only $10. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the RLTP Box Office at (716) 629-3069. Elston advised the evening "always sells out, it becomes standing room only, and is an absolute blast!"

RLTP will continue the BYW Contest for a fifth year in the fall of 2013. More information will be available at www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org.

Road Less Traveled Productions (RLTP) is a professional, non-profit theatre company dedicated to the development and production of new theatrical works by Western New York playwrights, as well as presentations of esteemed modern dramas of outstanding literary merit. RLTP, a member of the National New Play Network, is located in the Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre in the Theatre District of Downtown Buffalo, NY. For more information about RLTP and to purchase tickets, please visit www.RoadLessTraveledProductions.org or call (716) 629-3069. RLTP's work is made possible through public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

Road Less Traveled Productions to Host RIVER ROCKS Benefit, 6/29

Tue, 07 May 2013 17:11:49 PST

Buffalo theatre company Road Less Traveled Productions (RLTP) today announced the first annual River Rocks: A Clambake & Party to Benefit Road Less Traveled. This new summer event will be held Saturday, June 29th, 2013, beginning at 4:00 PM and continuing through 9:30 PM, at the West Side Rowing Club in Buffalo, NY.

Live entertainment will be provided by the Doug Yeomans Bluegrass Band and classic oldies band The Informers, as well as additional to-be-announced acts.

RLTP Executive & Artistic Director Scott Behrend touted the new, annual, signature fundraiser event as "a spiritual successor to former Assemblyman Sam Hoyt's popular annual Clambake," often known as "Sam's Clams" or "the Sambake." Mr. Hoyt has offered RLTP his blessing as it assumes responsibility for this harbor-front party. "It's been a couple of years since Sam's traditional clambake has been held; we're honored and excited to bring it back," said Behrend.

Beer and food (hamburgers, hot dogs, vegetables, and of course clams) will be provided courtesy of Cole's, the high-profile Elmwood tavern. Rocky Road Less Traveled, a special edition ice cream flavor created especially for the event by Western New York (WNY) chocolatier Oh Pour L'Amour Du Chocolat, will be available only at the clambake.

Additional attractions at River Rocks will include a dunk tank, in which patrons will be encouraged to "dunk" notable local theatre artists; a kite-making and -flying center; concession stands offering cotton candy and sno-cones; and "special surprise guests," according to Behrend.

RLTP Board Member and Events Committee organizer Bill Rupp waxed enthusiastic about the "idyllic" location of the event. "Watching the Peace Bridge light up at sunset on the river," he said, "is there a better way to unwind in Buffalo during the summer solstice?"

Rupp called RLTP's new event "a good ol' Buffalo party." RLTP, the Buffalo not-for-profit theatre company dedicated to the development and production of world-premiere plays by WNY writers, is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2013. Behrend said this new event is a great opportunity to "embrace and engage with a larger segment of the community."

"RLTP is a Buffalo-based and very pro-Buffalo theatre company," added Behrend, "and we feel like throwing a big, fun, summer party is a wonderful way to celebrate not just the Theater District and its patrons, but the entire city and all of its residents."

Tickets to River Rocks: A Clambake & Party to Benefit Road Less Traveledare available for presale through RLTP or at the door the day of the event. General admission is $20 and includes food. (Drink tickets will be available separately at the event.) RLTP is offering discounted tickets for $15 to its 2012-2013 Season Subscribers. For more information and for presale tickets, please visit www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org or contact the RLTP Box Office Line at (716) 629-3069 or via email at marketing@roadlesstraveledproductions.org.

COMEDY IN THE AFTERNOON: A Revue in Two Acts with Music and Dance Premieres Tonight

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Comedy in the Afternoon: A Revue in Two Acts with Music and Dance will receive its Equity World Premiere in May. The show is written and directed by Del Fidanque.

Welcome to our world, where we will help you to open your minds and hearts! Comedy In The Afternoon is an original theatre experience that celebrates Daylight and the Human Family. Within its text, Comedy In The Afternoon makes use of seven languages: Bulgarian, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Korean and Yiddish. But don't worry! When there's a foreign language spoken, one of the actors always translates, so you'll never be lost! Dance is incorporated throughout, interpreting the text and supporting the action while our orchestra plays Beethoven, Mozart, and Paganini to name a few!

Born Before 1950 and still care? Join us! Visit with George Burns, Truman Capote, Nixon and Kissinger's alter ego, in the form of his twin sister, Henrietta. Go in and out of present and past with updated bulletins about Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, FEMA, Congressional mandates, Indian Point, Michelle Bachman's insistence on holding onto her trance-like state, Shopping at 45 W. 45th St. Jack's World in NYC. Whether you're 10 or 110, our show has something for everyone!

Cast: Ann Dearth, Maggie Delgadillo, Del Fidanque*, Albena Kervanbashieva, Elyse Knight*, Gloria Makino*, Libby Miga, Heather Wahl*, David Moore, Natalie Pavelek; Musical Arrangements by Cheryl Krugel-Lee *Members of Actors' Equity

Performances will run tonight, May 2-25: May 2-5 (Thurs-Sun); May 8-19 (Wed-Sun); and May 22-25 (Wed-Sat). Tickets for performances in Garrison: brownpapertickets.com and comedyintheafternoon.com.

Check out a promo for the show below!

RLTP Announces Summer Institute

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:41:40 PST

Pursuant to Road Less Traveled Production's (RLTP's) mission to engage a new and youthful audience in the Western New York (WNY) theatergoing community and in connection with its ongoing Education Initiative, in January, RLTP announced the launch of The RLTP Summer Institute, a unique summer program for young people interested in exploring and developing abilities as theatre artists.

"The RLTP Summer Institute is designed to inspire a young generation of budding theatre artists," said RLTP Literary Director Jon Elston, "and to prepare them both for higher education in the field of Theatre and for work opportunities in the Theatre industry."

The inaugural session of the Summer Institute will offer two classes beginning in July 2013: Summer Fundamentals (intended for students ages 11-16) and Audition Preparation & Scene Study (for students ages 16-19). Both classes will be held at the Road Less Traveled Theater in the Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre (MAFAC), located at 639 Main Street, in Downtown Buffalo, NY's Historic Theatre District.

"Summer Fundamentals is a comprehensive introduction to Theatre and Drama, providing instruction in solo and ensemble acting, theatre history, storytelling, and design fundamentals," said Elston. "Students will split each day of this intensive three-week summer session between active skill-building exercises and Master Classes hosted by some of Buffalo's most seasoned theatre professionals, including RLTP Ensemble members."

Summer Fundamentals students will learn about voice, movement, improvisation, styles of acting, characterization, rehearsal techniques, and working in a group, as well as be introduced to concepts of theatre history, direction, design, and playwriting, all through acting exercises, theatre games, and mini-projects. Two sessions of this three-week-long, Monday-Thursday program will be offered (one in July, one in August); both sessions will culminate in a final presentation, in which students contribute to the conception and execution of a short, dramatic production for an audience of family and friends.

"Audition Preparation & Scene Study is an advanced course for slightly older and more experienced students," ages 16 through 19, said Elston, and is designed to "help them develop and improve skills essential to auditioning, both academically and professionally." Audition Preparation & Scene Study students will learn to present highly effective, polished, and impressive audition pieces and learn to efficiently read, analyze, and interpret scenes for cold reads. It is a six-week course meeting every Monday.

Summer Institute faculty will include Elston, who, in addition to serving as RLTP Literary Director, is the co-founder of RLTP, as well as the founder and moderator of RLTP's Emanuel Fried New Play Workshop, through which he has helped develop plays and playwrights alike since 2005. Elston also is a Theatre Arts instructor at Niagara County Community College. Steve Brachmann, a local actor, stage manager, and director who is a Project Coordinator for RLTP, also will instruct. Elston and Brachmann will be joined by some of WNY's most prominent and respected theatre artists, including members of RLTP Ensemble, who will provide Master Class instruction as well as offer feedback and guidance to the students.

RLTP is currently enrolling students in the Summer Institute. Interested parents and guardians can obtain more information by e-mailing institute@roadlesstraveledproductions.org, visiting www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org, or calling (716) 629-3069.

MusicalFare Theatre Hosts Backstage Look at 'SWONDERFUL for T3 Series Tonight

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

MusicalFare Theatre's T3 SERIES presents NICE WORK, IF YOU CAN GET IT: A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE PRODUCTION OF 'SWONDERFUL tonight, May 1st after the show, at approximately 9pm.

This evening, May 1st, MusicalFare Theatre will hold a TALK WITH evening which is part of their T3 Series (see end of press release for details).

Join MusicalFare for a TALK WITH the creative people who have made MusicalFare's production of 'SWONDERFUL possible: from classic dance moves to high-tech screen projections; from multiple vignettes to numerous costume changes; from 165 lighting cues to five decades of hair styles!

The evening will be moderated by MusicalFare Theatre Artistic/Executive Director, Randall Kramer and panelists include the artistic staff of 'SWONDERFUL:

- Michael Walline and Doug Weyand - co-director/choreographers
- Chris Cavanagh - lighting, sound and projection designer/stage manager
- Kari Drozd - costume designer
- Susan Drozd - hair, wig and makeup designer
- Ben Puglisi - assistant stage manager

The discussion is FREE, the evening is relaxed and audience members are encouraged to participate in the dialogue.

Tickets to the performance of 'SWONDERFUL that evening can be purchased by calling the box office at 716-839-8540 or by ordering online at www.musicalfare.com.

About the T3 Series:

TALK BACK: After every Wednesday night performance (excluding Opening Nights), our actors stick around to hear what you have to say and answer your questions. Come have fun with this lively back-and-forth talk!

TALK ABOUT: On select Wednesdays of a production run, we host a panel discussion after the show with local experts who discuss the show and its pertinent themes. Please join us in this interesting and valuable community conversation.

TALK WITH: On select Wednesdays, we feature a special evening with an actor, director or choreographer who speak about themselves and their professions.

MusicalFare Theatre is a professional musical theatre company in residence at, but independently operated from, Daemen College. MusicalFare Theatre is located at 4380 Main Street in Amherst, NY (between Harlem and Getzville Roads). Parking is FREE, and the theatre is handicapped accessible, complete with a hearing-impaired system.

American Repertory Theater of WNY's MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS Opens 5/2

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:40:08 PST

American Repertory Theater of WNY's 2012-13 season concludes with Ron Hutchinson's rip-roaring MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS running from April 26th to May 18th at Bittner Hall, 16 Linwood Avenue, 8 pm. Tickets are $20 General Admission; $15 online.

Renown 1930's movie producer, David O Selznick is desperate to finish the filming of a "big movie" based on a "big book". Unhappy with the current screenplay for Margaret Mitchell's epic tale of the South, Gone With the Wind, Selznick shuts down the filming of the movie and fires the current director. He calls in legendary screenplay writer, Ben Hecht, to rewrite the shooting script and pulls famed director Victor Fleming from The Wizard of OZ to finish the rewrite. He locks the door and, fueled by peanuts and bananas, all three work out the final script in five days for a film destine to become one of the greatest of the 20th Century.

This comedic look at the creative team behind the making of the legendary film Gone With the Wind is a zany, sharp witted work in the same pedigree of Neil Simon. Fast-paced and with insightful comedic takes on the creative struggles to finish the final screen-play of the legendary film, MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS is a double-decker bus tour going 75 mph down Hollywood Boulevard that is filled with wickedly witted twists and turns.

Under the directorial eye of local movie producer and lover of the Golden Age of Film, Gail Golden, the production features local award Artie nominated (LAUGHTER ON THE 23rd FLOOR) David Mitchell, who portrays the famed Hollywood producer (and amphetamine driven) David O SELZNICK, comic timekeeper Todd Fuller is the dashing legendary film director Victor Fleming, theater veteran Guy Wagner portrays the "Shakespeare of Hollywood" film writer, Ben Hecht, and bringing the peanuts and bananas is Jamie Nablo as Selznick's over-worked secretary, MISS POPPENGHUL.

SHOWDATES
May 2nd; 3rd & 4th
May 9th; 10th & 11th
May 16th; 17th & 18th

SHOWTIME 8 PM

Ticket Prices
$20 General Admission
$15 Online General Admission
$12 Student/Military Veterans

For more information contact American Repertory Theater of WNY box office at 634-1102 or visit the website at www.artofwny.org.

Photo Flash: First Look at Caliaf St. Aubyn, Charles Browning and More in Gallery Players' DREAMGIRLS

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:37:02 PST

The Gallery Players, Brooklyn's award winning Off-Off Broadway theater, continue their 46th season with Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger's Dreamgirls, beginning April 27th. Mark Harboth directs the limited engagement production that runs through May 19th. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

Starring as "The Dreams" are Charnette Batey as Deena, Tunisia Renee* as Effie, Aisha Curtis as Lorrell and Inuka Ivaska* as Michelle.

The Actors' Equity Showcase production also features Kolton Bradley* as Curtis Taylor Jr., Char Les Browning* as CC White and Caliaf St. Aubyn* as James "Thunder" Early. Rounding out the cast is Timara Pilar Allen, Jennifer Ambler, Troy Anthony Burton, Frank Holmes*, Donald R. King, Derrick Bryant Marshall, Peter McIntosh, Kendra Moore, Janelle Neal*, Ilene Pabon, Alex Pagels, and Michael Terry. *Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.

The creative team includes choreography by Elyse Daye Hart, music direction by Ryan Touhey, scenic design by Harlan Penn, costume design by Joey Hawes, lighting design by Scott Borowka, sound design by Jacob Subotnick, properties design by Sara Slagle and Hair and make-up by Katy Lynn Patterson. The production is stage managed by Becky J. Doster.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $14 for seniors and children 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased online at www.galleryplayers.com or by calling Ovationtix at 212-352-3101 (phone hours 9-9 weekdays, 10-6 weekends). Performances take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8PM with matinees on Saturday at 2PM and Sunday at 3PM. The Gallery Players is located at 199, 14th Street, between 4th and 5th Aves. in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Photo Credit: Joey Haws

DREAMGIRLS

Charnette Batey and Tunisia Renee

Caliaf St. Aubyn, Char Les Brown ing, Charnette Batey and Aisha Curtiss

Kolton Bradley and Charnette Batey

Caliaf St. Aubyn, Donald King, Kolton Bradley, Char Les Brown ing