Gainesville Community Playhouse’s membership director Susan Christophy hosted the Playhouse’s first Director’s Showcase on Saturday at the Vam York Theater at 4039 NW 16th Blvd.
The event aimed to educate Gainesville residents interested in becoming involved with the 2013-2014 lineup of plays and musicals. From acting and singing to set and costume design to advertising and ushering, everyone, regardless of experience, was welcome to participate.
“Community theater is how the everyday person can involve himself in the arts and be creative,” Christophy said. “We create art here, and we do it together.”
Auditions for Ken Ludwig’s comedy “Lend Me a Tenor,” directed by Carlos Francisco Asse, will be held June 23-24, and the show runs from Sept. 13-29. This humorous tale depicts a historic night at the Cleveland Opera Company, where world-famous tenor Tito Morelli is scheduled to perform in “Otello.” Through a series of mishaps, Morelli receives a double dose of tranquilizers, causing the house manager to believe he is dead, which results in a chain reaction of slapstick humor and mistaken identity.
Rhonda Wilson will direct Lynn Ahrens’ and Stephen Flaherty’s “Seussical,” a musical adaptation combining several of Dr. Seuss’ most beloved children’s stories. Auditions will be held on Aug. 25-26, and the show runs Nov. 29 to Dec. 22.
“(‘Seussical’) is an adult show with childlike elements,” Wilson said. “It mixes gospel and pop as well as elements of traditional musical theater.”
Dan Christophy will direct “Aida,” based on the book by David Henry Hwang, Linda Woolverton and Robert Falls. With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Elton John, this pop opera tells the story of an enslaved Nubian princess, Aida, who falls for the captain of the guard Radames. He is betrothed to an Egyptian princess — Aida’s mistress. Auditions take place at the Gainesville Community Playhouse on Nov. 10-11, and the show runs from Jan. 31 to Feb. 23.
Erin Kleim will direct “Noises Off.” It’s Michael Frayn’s comedy about a play within a play starring a second-rate company of hopelessly unprepared British actors on opening night of their poorly written show. Auditions will be held Jan. 12-13, and the show runs from March 28 to April 13.
Auditions for Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” directed by Margery Pierson, will be held March 9 -10, and the show runs May 23 to June 15. A childless baker and his wife attempt to lift their family’s curse by journeying into the woods, where they encounter a range of classic fairy tale characters, from Rapunzel to Red Riding Hood to Cinderella.
The final show of the year, directed by Susan Christophy, the 1976 Tony Award winner for best musical, “A Chorus Line,” about a group of 17 Broadway dancers who bare their souls as they audition for an unnamed Broadway musical. Auditions will be held May 4-5, and the show runs July 18 through August 10, 2014.
For the 2013-2014 season, the Gainesville Community Playhouse is replacing Wednesday night performances with an extra Saturday matinee.
For more information on this year’s shows, visit www.gcplayhouse.org.
