EDMT opens "Disney's Mulan Jr."

El Dorado Musical Theatre Announces Performances for
“Disney’s Mulan Jr.”

Join El Dorado Musical Theatre for its production of Disney’s Mulan, Jr., a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor, and a fighting spirit. Shows will be performed at the Oak Ridge High School Theater in El Dorado Hills, June 19-28.

Unlike other Disney female characters, Mulan is a strong young woman who ultimately saves her country. She isn't counted among the Disney princess line-up. She isn't like Ariel, who wants to be someone else. She isn't like Jasmine, who sits in luxury, waiting to be swept off her feet by the Prince just like Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.

Instead she does something that these do not. She uses her mind. Mulan is a young woman in feudal China at the time of the Hun invasion. The Emperor decrees that each family must send one male member to the army, but Mulan’s father, a respected soldier injured in a previous war, has no sons to send. Rather than let her father go to a certain death, she steals his armor and pretends to be Ping, a teen eager to defend his country. Her cleverness and courage save the day when she faces the massive Hun army.

The score includes favorites like “Reflection,” “Honor to Us All” and “I’ll Make a Man Out of You.” Mulan, Jr. is directed by Stephanie Hudson (Runaway Stage Productions/Garbeau's Dinner Theater), choreographed by Kat Bahry (Best of Broadway), and vocally directed by Kelly Daniells.

Leads for this talented cast include Julia Adams (Mulan), Camryn Provines (Mushu), Andrew Wilson (Shang), Tristan Bonds (Emperor), Nicholous Mirgoli, (Mulan's father Fa Zhou), Renee Beckwith (Fa Li), Joanna Rehwald (Grandma Fa), Allison Frew (Matchmaker), and Mathew Cruz (Chi Fu).

Ticket prices are $13-16 and can be purchased online at http://www.edmt.info/ or by calling the box office at 916-941-SING. A special preview performance on June 19th at 10:30 a.m. is also being offered and all seats are $10. Discounted group rates are available.

EDMT strives to entertain the community and build confidence in youth through excellence in musical theater performance. Mulan, Jr. is a Rising Star production performed by children ages 6 to 13 years of age.

Chautauqua revives female Odd Couple

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CHAUTAUQUA PLAYHOUSE:

Because of popular demand, Chautauqua Playhouse will again present THE ODD COUPLE-FEMALE VERSION with the same cast as the 2008 sell-out production. Neil Simon adapted this script from his original ODD COUPLE story line, but with a new twist – Felix and Oscar have now become Florence and Olive, and the poker game has become a weekly Trivial Pursuit game. The Pidgeon sisters have been replaced by the Costazuela brothers from upstairs.

The production is directed by Jill McMahon and features Susan Madden as Olive Madison and Georgann Wallace as Florence Unger, with Chris Lamb and Warren Harrison as the Costazuela Brothers. Set design is by Rodger Hoopman, with lighting by Ross Aldrich. Costumes are by Eileen Beaver.

This rousing comedy by Neil Simon will be presented in a revival opening at Chautauqua Playhouse on Friday, June 26th at 8:00 pm. It continues on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm through July 19 (no performance on July 4th). Sunday matinee performances will play at 2:00 pm. There will also be two Thursday performances on July 2nd and 9th at 8 pm.

All performances will be held at the Chautauqua Playhouse, 5325 Engle Road in the La Sierra Community Center in Carmichael. Admission is $17 general and $15 students, seniors, children and SARTA members. For tickets and additional information call the theatre at (916) 489-7529
(PLAY). Tickets are also available online through the Chautauqua Playhouse website:
http://www.cplayhouse.org/.

The Chautauqua Playhouse is a non-profit organization.

Audition notice from Chautauqua Playhouse

CHAUTAUQUA PLAYHOUSE TO HOLD AUDITIONS FOR NEW SEASON

The Chautauqua Playhouse, 5325 Engle Rd, in Carmichael will conduct general auditions for local actors on Sunday June 28, from 5-9 pm. Directors for the 2009/10 productions will be on hand to recruit for their upcoming shows.

Although some parts have been pre-cast, there are dozens of roles open in upcoming productions of PICASSO AT THE LAPINE AGILE (by Steve Martin, Maggie Upton-director), A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (by Arthur Miller, Lenore Sebastian, director), MATERNAL INSTINCTS (by Dave Williams, Paul Fearn-director), THE BAD SEED (by Maxwell Anderson, Warren Harrison-director), and CHARLEY’S AUNT (by Brandon Thomas, Diane Bartlett-director).

Auditioning actors are asked to present a monologue (two minutes or less – please no accents or dialects) or prepared reading.

These auditions are for the Adult Theatre productions only and minimum age to audition is 18 years old (auditions for our Children’s Theatre will be held at a later date). Actors of all ethnicities are encouraged to audition.

Auditions will be held at Chautauqua Playhouse, in the La Sierra Community Center, 5325 Engle Road, Carmichael, on June 28 at 5-9 pm. Callbacks will be arranged by directors for a later date.
Auditions will be scheduled on an appointment basis. To schedule a time or for more information, please email your request to auditions@cplayhouse.org. Please be sure to include your name and return email address.

Lion King returns to Sacramento

After a four-year absence “The Lion King” returns to Sacramento. Based on the Disney film, it tells the story of a lion who lived and died as king of the jungle and of his son who ultimately succeeds him. With endless spectacle featuring a unique blending of puppet and human, we are reminded of the Circle of Life and other basic human values. Thus it blends emotional depth with dazzling entertainment, pleasing audience members of all ages.

For an in-depth review see this week’s issue of Village Life of El Dorado Hills, or go to http://villagelife.com/story.php?id=692.0

At Stage Nine: a fidgety evening with Mr. Green

Since its debut in 1996 Jeff Baron’s “Visiting Mr. Green” has been an international success, with productions from Australia to Sweden. It tracks the relationship between an elderly Jewish recluse, Mr. Green, and a 29-year-old Jewish business executive, Ross Gardiner, who’s compelled by law to visit him regularly.

So what is this play? Another shot at “The Odd Couple”? Yes, it’s funny. And it’s also poignant. And it sometimes baffles some critics annoyed by its corniness. In a Curtain Up review an anonymous critic declared: “When judged in the context of new plays since my first visit with Mr. Green, I can't say that Jeff Baron's work would warrant a second visit without Eli Wallach as Mr. Green. The homosexuality theme, especially at the beginning of Act Two, struck me as even more dated and overly preachy this time as previously.”

Well, aided by Kauffmans’ Give Us A Hand Productions, Stage Nine brings us a formidable Stephen Kauffman as Mr. Green. Just as formidable is the youthful yet suave Kyle Gundlach as Ross. But try as they may they have a hard time overcoming the monotony of nine scenes in two acts, all following the same pattern.

What triggers the action is Ross’ dubious conviction for reckless driving when he barely missed the senescent Mr. Green, who was wandering into traffic. A judge ordered Ross to perform community service by visiting Mr. Green every Thursday for six months. So each scene goes the same way: Knock, Knock. (no answer.) So Ross comes in because the door is always open. Mr. Green is either asleep or in the toilet. Sometimes Ross brings soup from Fine & Schapiro. (Sometimes not.) Mr. Green wants him to go away. Ross would like to but he can’t. Finally, after half-hearted arguing, he leaves.

Adding to the monotony are the scene changes. During the first change the stage hand amuses the audience when, instead of picking up newspapers scattered on the floor of the shabby New York apartment, she drops another sheet of paper on them. But during subsequent changes she seemed to struggle, looking for a reason to be on stage. Her main function seems to be to indicate a time lapse before the following Thursday.

An ultra-orthodox Jew, short only of a beard and a fur hat, Mr. Green loathes strangers and has deliberately kept his phone disconnected. Though he can’t be bothered to have his noisy water faucet fixed, he carefully segregates his milk from his meat dishes. (Though the play doesn’t explain, the regulation comes from a need to avoid mixing an animal’s flesh with the milk of its mother.) Still, Ross marvels that Mr. Green is the only person Ross knows who has three sets of dishes.

The two men start to bond in the second act, when Mr. Green learns that Ross is Jewish. It’s quite clear, though, that their social and moral worlds are far apart. Inexplicably Ross blurts out a confession of homosexuality. Shocked, Mr. Green can’t condone a “feygeleh.” (The Yiddish word is probably the source for “faggot.”) So what on earth would motivate Ross to expect sympathy from his most intolerant companion?

But Mr. Green is also hiding a dark secret, ultimately unearthed among his pile of unread mail. The play achieves a happy ending when Mr. Green’s life is improved as he begins to tolerate some of the mores considered normal in modern America.

Despite the prowess of the two actors and Director Janelle Kauffman, the play seems to rely too much on cliché. In 1996, when the play opened, homosexuality might have seemed more shocking, but today the only major controversy seems to be over gay marriage. And we continue to be milked by Harvey Milk.

Still, “Visiting Mr. Green” is good for some laughs and an evening of fine acting.

“Visiting Mr. Green” plays on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. through June 21. For tickets and reservations, call (916) 353-1001. See also www.stageninefolsom.com. Admission is $22 General, $20 Seniors & SARTA, $15 Children. Group rates are available. Performances are at the Stage Nine Theatre, 717 Sutter Street in Historic Folsom.

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH at Helvetia Theatre

From Helvetia Theatre

New Helvetia Theatre presents the rock musical HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask from June 6 through 27, 2009.

Directed by Matthew Schneider and starring Christopher Davis Carlisle in the title role of Hedwig, the show features Sacramento Indie Band "The New Humans" as Hedwig's band "The Angry Inch." HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH is the first full production from New Helvetia Theatre.

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH is the story of Hansel, an East German boy who has undergone a botched sex change operation and become "Hedwig." After being left by her husband, Hedwig forms a band called "The
Angry Inch." Told through monologue and live musical performances, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH debuted Off-Broadway in 1998 and won the Obie and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Off-Broadway Musical.

Christopher Davis Carlisle, who stars as Hedwig, recently appeared in
Center Theatre Group's new musical THE POST OFFICE by Melissa James
Gibson and Michael Friedman, and West Coast Ensemble Theatre's
ASSASSINS, which won the LA Drama Critics Circle award for best
ensemble. His touring and regional credits include roles in PIPPIN,
I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, FOLLIES, and TWIST.

Matthew Schneider is a New York-based director, dancer, and actor who
trained at CAP 21, the musical theater program at NYU's Tisch School of the
Arts. He has had principal and ensemble roles in over sixteen productions,
including Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS and most recently the Mark
Lamos-directed PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.

New Helvetia Theatre was founded in January 2009 by Sacramento native
Connor Mickiewicz and was launched with a sold-out, one-night-only concert
performance of the musical CELEBRATION. New Helvetia Theatre's mission is
to rediscover forgotten gems of the American Musical while re-examining
classic musicals and plays, to be the birthplace of new, intimate musicals
and plays, and to create theatre that is important to the Sacramento area
and the state of California.

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH opens with three preview performances
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June 3-5 at 8 pm. The Opening Night
Gala and Press Performance is Saturday, June 6 at 8pm. Regular performance
times are Thursday at 8 pm, Friday and Saturday at 7 pm and 9 pm. The
production runs through June 27 at the Artisan Theatre, 1901 Del Paso Blvd.,
Sacramento 95815. Tickets prices are $18 (preview), $25 (regular), $35
(gala opening night). Call 1-800-838-3006 or go to
http://www.newhelvetia.org/.

PLEASE NOTE: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH deals with adult subject
matter; parental consideration is advised for minors.

Staff Change-Up at Capital Stage

Managing Director to transition to new position

SACRAMENTO, CA June 2, 2009 - Capital Stage, Sacramento's small professional theatre performing on board the Delta King, announced today that Managing Director Peter Mohrmann will transition to the position of Marketing Director on September 1, 2009.

"Peter approached me and suggested that the company had reached a point where there is a need for an individual with a stronger background in financial management to oversee the company's business operations," said Capital Stage Board President, Arlen Orchard. Mohrmann, who is one of the organizations co-founders, will move to the newly created Marketing Director position as well as continue as an Artistic Associate with the company.

Mohrmann said, "The time has come for this change. I'm very proud of what Capital Stage has accomplished in four years, but with the state of the economy and our continued growth, the organization needs an administrator with a wider range of practical business proficiencies in this position."

This transition represents a significant evolution for the company as it embarks on its fifth season this fall. The position of Managing Director will shift to a General Manager position with the successful candidate reporting to the Producing Artistic Director and leading the day to day business operations of the company, while also playing a pivotal role in the planning of Capital Stage's future.

The creation of a new Marketing Director position is indicative of the theatre company's resolve to survive the difficult economic climate. At a time when many arts organizations are trimming their marketing staff, Capital Stage has decided to heed the advice of Kennedy Center President, Michael Kaiser by making marketing a top priority to build and sustain audiences.

"We have long wanted to add a marketing position to the Capital Stage staff," said Orchard, "It is clear now more than ever, that a more focused approach to building audiences is key to the future of Capital Stage."

"Ultimately, this change is a very exciting one for Capital Stage," said the company's Founding Artistic Director, Stephanie Gularte, "It's an opportunity for us to continue to grow the organization with the addition of a significant new staff member, and it puts Peter in a position to play a larger role in the branding and marketing of the company that he has helped to build over the past several years."

Orchard said that Capital Stage will begin a national search for a General Manager this month.

Capital Stage Company's mission is to be a dynamic leader in the evolution of the contemporary live theatre landscape in the Capital region and to passionately engage audiences in the art of live storytelling with bold, innovative plays performed by professional artists, in an intimate, up close setting. With a strong commitment to expanding the base of working artists in the greater Sacramento region, Capital Stage shall develop a company of actors, directors, writers, designers, and technical staff who are dedicated to bringing bold, lively productions of contemporary and classic plays to our community.


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Capital Stage is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization operating under contract with Actor's Equity Association.