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Theater Talk

Theater Talk: Auditions abound as theaters fill roles. Shea's to move from just presenter to producer with ONCE ON THIS ISLAND scheduled for Spring 2022

By Anthony Chase,
Peter Hall
Published August 6, 2021 at 5:30 AM EDT
Ways To Subscribe
Shea's is currently casting for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, a musical, to run in the Spring of 2022 at Shea's 710 Theater
Sheas.org
Shea's is currently casting for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, a musical, to run in the Spring of 2022 at Shea's 710 Theater

Shea’s 710 Theatre will be holding auditions by appointment for both Actor’s Equity and Non-Equity actors for their production of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, running April 28-May 15, 2022. Auditions will be held on Tuesday, August 10 at Shea’s Smith Theatre.
Individuals seeking to audition should prepare a short cut of a song (less than 90 seconds). Piano accompanist will be provided. All actors should be comfortable with dance and stage movement. Shea’s 710 Theatre will also attend the Theatre Alliance of Buffalo auditions on August 9, 2021.
Shea’s states that they are committed to the authentic casting and production of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, and seek submissions from artists who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color).
The Production Team includes: Lynn Ahrens, book-lyrics; Stephen Flaherty, music; J. Bernard Calloway, director; Naila Ansari, choreographer; and Michael G Murphy, President, Shea’s.

Buffalo's own Naila Ansari will choreograph ONCE ON THIS ISLAND to be produced by Shea's at Shea's 710 Theatre
Alana Adetola Fajemisin
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nailaansari.org
Buffalo's own Naila Ansari will choreograph ONCE ON THIS ISLAND to be produced by Shea's at Shea's 710 Theatre

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Contract Dates are March 28 - May 15, 2022. The role of Erzulie (the goddess of love) has been cast. Auditioning artists will be considered for potential replacements. Roles available:
TI MOUNE | Female identifying, late teens – early 20s, A3-E5. Curious and energetic with an infectious joy for life.
DANIEL | Male identifying, late teens – mid 20s, B2-F4. Character is a mix of African and French descent. A member of the ruling class, torn between duty and love.
AGWE | Vocal range B2-G4. God of the Sea. Strong and vibrant, enjoys mischief.
ASAKA | Vocal range E3-E5. Mother of the Earth. Fiery and filled with warmth.
ERZULIE | CAST Vocal range A3-E5. Goddess of Love. Passionate and kind.
PAPA GE | Vocal range B2-G4. Demon of Death. Sly, mysterious, and full of wonder.
MAMA EURALIE | Female identifying, vocal range G3-C5. Ti Moune’s adoptive mother. Embodiment of maternal love.
TONTON JULIAN | Male identifying, vocal range A2-E4. Ti Moune’s adoptive father. Gentle, embodiment of paternal love.
ANDREA | Female identifying, late teens – mid 20s, vocal range B3-D5. Daniel’s betrothed. A product of her environment, standoffish.
ARMAND | Male identifying. Strong, bold.
STORYTELLERS | Multiple. Strong singers. Bold, expressive actors.
SALARY: Non-Equity - $400/weekly
Actor’s Equity Union Members – Guest Artist, Tier II
Appointments can be made by emailing Shea’s General Manager William Patti at wpatti@sheas.org. Please attach a headshot and resume with your email. Links
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is a one-act musical with a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty. Set in the French Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean Sea it's the story of a peasant girl on a tropical island who uses the power of love to bring people together of different social classes.
The original Broadway production ran from 1990 to 1991, and the West End production opened in 1994, where it won the 1995 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. It was revived on Broadway in 2017 at the Circle in the Square Theatre where it won the 2018 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
A Disney film adaptation is currently in development for Disney+.
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CARRIAGE HOUSE PLAYERS
The Carriage House Players, in residence at the Taylor Theater in Lockport, are casting adults for the 2021/22 season. The Taylor Theater is located on the campus of the Kenan Center, 433 Locust Street, in Lockport, NY 14094.
Auditions will be held at the Taylor Theater on the following dates:
Saturday, August 7, 2021 from 3 PM – 5 PM and Sunday, August 8, 2021 from 1 PM – 3 PM.
Adult actors of all ages, types, and races are encouraged to attend. A two-minute prepared monologue is optional. Sides will be provided for the following:
SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR - a two-person comedy by Bernard Slade about a long-term love affair to be directed by Elaine Roberts casting for George: Able to play age range from 27 to 52 and
Doris: Able to play age range from 24 to 49.
PROOF, a drama by David Auburn to be directed by Jennifer Simpson about a mathematically advanced father and daughter dealing with multiple issues casting for Catherine: 20 – 25 years of age, Claire: 25 – 35 years of age, Robert: 50 – 70 years of age, and Hal: 25 – 35 years of age.
The Carriage House Players' season will also include a holiday themed show for all-ages and a one-act play festival. Dates to be determined. Auditions for children and teens will be held at a later date.
The Carriage House Players states that they are "a collective of actors, directors, playwrights and guest artists bringing new and contemporary works as well as selected plays from esteemed dramatists to audiences in Western New York. In-residence at the historic Taylor Theater, the Players are a collaborative program of the Kenan Center, which is dedicated to enriching lives by providing cultural, educational and recreational activities."
Questions can be posted to the Carriage House Players Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/Carriage-House-Players-at-Kenan-Center-224752098171807
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OPERA-LYTES is looking for a tenor for the role of Horace in its fall production of MR. JERICHO a one-act Victorian comic operetta. Performances will take place September 18, 19, 25 and 26 at the Community Music School, on a double bill with Gilbert and Sullivan's TRIAL BY JURY. Interested singers should send a short recording and resume, along with any questions, to lisab@operalytes.com as soon as possible.
More on the role:
Horace Alexander de Vere, Viscount Ramsgate, is an aristocrat, reduced to working as an omnibus driver, seriously jeopardizing his chances of winning the heart and hand of Winifred, daughter of Lady Bushey. Her ladyship is appalled by Horace's low financial status, but must concede that he is good looking.
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SECOND GENERATION THEATRE is seeking an actress to play WOMAN 1 (soprano voice part) in the company's October-November production of SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD at the Shea's Smith Theatre. The production is directed by Amy Jakiel with music direction by Stephen Piotrowski. Auditions will be Monday August 16th at 6:30 p.m. at Mount St. Mary Academy (3756 Delaware Ave, Kenmore NY 14217). All ethnicities strongly encouraged to audition. Please prepare 32-64 bars of a Jason Robert Brown song or a song in the style of SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD. All auditioners must be fully vaccinated. Proof of vaccination is required.
Interested parties should contact Kelly Copps at secondgenerationtheatre@gmail.com. Please use subject line SONGS AUDITION.
==================
CHATAUQUA is looking for a black male Equity actor for their new play about Thurgood Marshall. It is a full-time job and pays $801 per week. Seeking an Equity Actor or be willing to work on an Equity contract. Membership in the Actor’s Equity is not required. Candidates with various combinations of work and education experience will be considered.The play is THURGOOD by George Stevens Jr. directed by: Steve Broadnax.
The producers write: "In this tour-de-force compelling portrait of the first African-American to serve as a justice on the United States Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall masterfully guides us from his childhood in Baltimore to his role in the civil rights movement, to his historic victory in Brown vs. Board of Education, and his ultimate appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. Introducing us to the people that influenced him along the way, Thurgood is a one-man show about how it takes a village to change the world."
Schedule and Compensation
The Equity Actor will adhere to the schedules approved by Actor’s Equity.
Residency 2: July 25 - August 23
Weekly rate: $801 per week plus Equity Pension and Health
Gate pass, private efficiency on grounds
Round trip travel reimbursed or booked to and from Chautauqua included with the contract.
Qualified candidates should apply online with a cover letter, resume, and optional portfolio documents. You are encouraged to learn more about Chautauqua Institution at CHQ.org and the 150 Forward Strategic Plan at 150fwd.CHQ.org.
For full details see:
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?from=appsharedroid&jk=5cc0df6127f312ee
==========================
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Anthony Chase
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  • In GHOST BROTHERS, The Caretaker (Matt Witten) tells a shocking story to Anna (Leah Berst)
    Theater Talk: R.I.P. Lancaster's David Bondrow; Buffalo's own Jonathan Young wows at Paper Mill Playhouse; GHOST BROTHERS so good, so true to RLTP's artistic vision; last weekend to catch ISLANDER at Irish Classical, LAUGHING TROLL CAFE (BUA at Compass, 345 Elmwood), while ON A FIRST NAME BASIS continues at Desiderio's. See listings.
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter note the sudden passing of David Bondrow, Executive and Artistic Director of The Lancaster Opera House. But as he would have said, "the show must go on" and so THE ODD COUPLE, in which he starred as Oscar Madison, will run as planned through 4/26. Call the box office (716-683-1776) for details. Anthony went down to the prestigious Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey to see Buffalo's Jonathan Young perform brilliantly in the musical 1776 as Edward Rutledge. Other shows to note this weekend include GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY, a dark musical by Stephen King and John Mellencamp at Road Less Traveled; ISLANDER, the charming Celtic musical at Irish Classical; THE LAUGHING TROLL CAFE, a Shaw-worthy play at the CPAC, 545 Elmwood; and ON A FIRST NAME BASIS with beloved Buffalo actors Eileen Dugan and Peter Palmisano, at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre. CLICK THROUGH OR SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LISTINGS.For over 30 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase. Chase co-hosted Theater Talk with Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Santella for many years. These days, it's Peter Hall. With more than 20 active producing theater companies in Buffalo alone, not to mention Shea’s Performing Arts Center and the Shaw Festival at nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Chase and Hall keep their calendars full, trying to see and share their insights on as many shows as possible.But Theater Talk is anything but a dry community arts listing service. Instead, with affection, good humor, and just the occasional rant, the segment provides snapshot reviews, recommends local productions, analyzes the Western New York theater scene and occasionally looks at what's happening on Broadway and across the nation.Chase is the founder of the Artie Awards, which recognizes excellence in Western New York theater and raises money for AIDS charities.