New Shows, Plenty of Rock On Stage

It's one of the busiest times of the theater season with new productions of "Cabaret,"  "The Beauty Queen of Leenane," and "Southern Comforts" joining shows that are already in process, such as "Do! I Do!" "Clue" and "Over the River and Through the Woods."

But even if you're not in the mood for a play or musical, there's other stuff happening on area stages, particularly for fans of classic rock. Tribute bands playing the music of Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac and Carlos Santana are all coming to the area, as are jazz and pop performers, including Debby ("You Light Up My Life") Boone.

There are also comedy acts, dance performances and children's shows headed our way. And some audition opportunities too. Read your trusty On Stage Scoop every week to find out all about them. The Scoop runs every Tuesday.

ON STAGE SCOOP:

Villagers Seeking Submissions: Villagers Theatre in Somerset is seeking submissions for its 2012-13 Villagers Independent Producers (VIP) series. In the VIP Series, writers, directors and performers are encouraged to take creative control of their productions to a far greater extent than a more traditional setting might allow. This format provides maximum freedom and flexibility in both content and scheduling. Consequently, the productions will not be billed as part of Villagers' regular season, but will be announced in complete detail as arrangements are finalized with the individual VIP participants. Also include any and all staff you have on board or would like to ask to be on board. Include a brief description of the production, including number of cast members, and a brief concept or vision of production. It is always helpful if you submit a copy of the script (and cast recording for musicals) in electronic format with your submission, however, it is not required with your initial submission. Should the committee consider one or more of your submissions, an interview will be arranged. Deadline for submissions for the 2012/2013 VIP Series is May 31.  If you have any questions, contact vip@villagerstheatre.com.

Love and Marriage: is concluding its 17th season with the musical "I Do!, I Do!" with performances continuing through May 6. The show features a book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt. The show is famously set around a couple's four-poster bed and examines the 50-year marriage of Michael and Agnes Snow. It premiered on Broadway in 1966 and received seven Tony nominations. Tickets cost $40, $36 for seniors, or $20 for students 18 and under with a valid college I.D. The Bickford is located at the , 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morris Township. For more information, call 973-971-3706 or visit MorrisMuseum.org.

They've Got a "Clue:" Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard and Professor Plum come to life as presents "Clue: The Musical" through May 6 at its playhouse, located at 689 Amwell Road in Hillsborough. The show, based on the board game, involves household secrets and mystery after Mr. Boddy is murdered. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $18, or $16 for seniors and students. For more information, call 908-369-7460 or go to SVPTheatre.org.

Laughter and Song:  is performing Joe DiPietro's "Over the River and Through the Woods" through May 12. The musical is about Nick, a single, Italian-American man from Jersey. With his parents retired to Florida, it's up to Nick to visit his grandparents every Sunday. But when he gets a job that could change his life, including a move to Seattle, Nick's grandparents come up with a scheme to keep him on the East Coast. Tickets cost $20, or $15 for students. The theater is located at 10 New England Ave. in Summit. For tickets or more information, call 908-273-2192 or go to SummitPlayhouse.org.

Sorry, Didn't Mean to Bug You: The Growing Stage Children's Theater is staging "Diary of A Worm, A Spider, And A Fly" through May 20. The musical was written by Joan Cushing based on the books by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Harry Biss. The world premiere show is for all ages and gives audiences a look at the world from a bug's perspective. Performances are Saturdays and Sundays at 4 p.m. There will be one Friday performance on April 27, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $18, or $14 for seniors and children. For more information, go to GrowingStage.com.

Down in Pooh Corner: will host a performance of  A.A. Milne's "House at Pooh Corner," May 3 at 4 p.m. Kids can follow the adventures of Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga, Roo, Robbit, Christopher Robin and Pooh in a musical that's faithful to the book. Tickets cost $12. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

What Good is Sitting Alone in Your Room When You Can Go See "Cabaret:" conclude their 90th season with "Cabaret," running May 4 through 13. The classic musical is set in 1931 Berlin as the Nazis are rising to power and Sally Bowles, a performer at the Kit Kat Klub, starts a relationship with Cliff Bradshaw, a young American writer. The cast includes Katherine LeFevre as Sally and John Sechrist as the Emcee. Tickets cost $25, or $23 for seniors and youths (note: the show is recommended for mature audiences). Click here for tickets. Phone reservations will be accepted starting April 24 at 973-635-7363. The Chatham Playhouse is located at 23 N. Passaic Ave. in Chatham.

What a Beauty: will stage "The Beauty Queen of Leenane," May 4 through 20 at the Black River Playhouse. The darkly comic story is set in the mountains of Connemara in Ireland, where Maureen Folan is in her 40s and has her first, and maybe last, chance at love. But her potential relationship is threatened by her manipulative mother. The show is directed by Stephen Catron and features Garaldine Baillod, Victoria Steele, Matt Meier, and Dale Monroe. Tickets cost $18, or $16 for seniors and students. The playhouse is located at 54 Grove St. For more information, call 908-879-7304 or go to ChesterTheatreGroup.org.

Southern Hospitality: Women's Theatre Co. will present Kathleen Clark's "Southern Comforts," May 4 through 20 at the Parsippany Playhouse. The play is about a widower and a widow who try to form a relationship later in life. Performances begin at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. on Sundays. The playhouse is located at 1130 Knoll Road. Tickets cost $20, $18 seniors. For more information, go to WomensTheater.org.

Conjuring Up Some Drama: Brundage Park Playhouse will present Arthur Miller's "The Crucible," May 4 through 20. Set during the Salem Witch Trials, the play was written in 1952 in response to the red scare and McCarthyism. Performances begin at 8 p.m. on May 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19, and at 2 p.m. on May 6 and 20. For more information, call 973-989-7092 or go to BrundageParkPlayhouse.org.

Comedy, New York Style: will present a Manhattan Comedy Night beginning at 8 p.m. on May 4. Comics on the bill include Bernadette Pauley, Andy Pitz, Tommy Drake, Sandy Marks, and Melvin George. Tickets cost $25. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

We've Got "Company:" Dover Little Theatre will perform Stephen Sondheim's "Company," May 5 through 20. The concept show follows a bachelor named Robert as he makes his way through a series of encounters with women. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22. For more information, go to DoverLittleTheatre.org.

Chester Theatre Group Comedy Workshop: Kate Lyn Reiter's Humor in the Midst comedy workshop is returning to , beginning May 5. The eight-week workshop is taught by Reiter, an MFA Yale School of Drama graduate with 12 years of experience as a comedienne in New York City. Sessions are held on Saturdays, 9 to 11 a.m. The workshop is held at the Black River Playhouse, located at the corner of Grove and Maple streets in Chester. For more information, go to ChesterTheatreGroup.org.

Where For Art Thou Romeo? He's in Budd Lake: The Castle Shakespeare Repertory Company will present "Romeo and Juliet" on May 5 at 8 p.m. at Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake. Tickets cost $15. For reservations, call the box office at 973-691-2100. The theater is located at 23 Lake Shore Road.

Jazz Concert in Morristown: New Jersey Jazz Society Presents will present Vince Giordano and His Nighthawks in a concert at , May 6 at 3 p.m. Giordano's band is known for authentically performing music from the '20 and '30s, and their music has been featured in films directed by Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese. Tickets cost $20. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Audition Alert, Trilogy Repertory Company: Trilogy Repertory Company and Bernards Township Park and Recreation Dept. of Basking Ridge will hold auditions for their Plays in the Park 2012 season on May 6, 7 to 9 p.m. The season will consist of the musical, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and the drama "Inherit the Wind." Those auditioning for "Forum" should prepare 16 measures of a song from a Broadway show and be ready to read from the script. Dance auditions will also be held. Performances are July 12 through 21 at off Valley Road in Basking Ridge.

Performances for "Inherit the Wind" are scheduled for July 27 through Aug. 4, also at Pleasant Valley Park. Male and female roles for all experience levels are available. Be prepared to read from the script. Trilogy Repertory Company also needs prep and run crews for these productions. Call Jaye Barre at 908-217-2714 for information about auditions, or working backstage.

Audition Alert, "The Little Mermaid:" is holding auditions for "The Little Mermaid" on May 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. Needed are: Two adult males, ages 25+, two adult fameless, ages 25+, 10 boys ages 10+, 10 girls ages 10+. Those who are reading for the "Little Mermaid
 and "Ollie" must bring 16 bars of music for a vocal audition.  An accompanist will be provided. Performances are July 20-Aug. 5. For more information, call 908-369-7469 or go to SVPTheatre.org.

Passionate Dance: Burn the Floor is bringing ballroom dancing marked by passion and drama to  on May 10 at 8 p.m. The show promises a historical journey through the waltz, drive, Paso Doble and more. Tickets cost $42 to $67. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Dance in Morristown: Nai Ni Chen Dance Company and The Ahn Trio will perform "Temptation of the Muses" on May 11 at 8 p.m. at the . The collaboration integrates poetry, new music by contemporary composers and original dance. Tickets cost $27 to $57. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Wouldn't it be Loverly to go see "My Fair Lady"? Ridge Light Opera of New Jersey will present a semi-staged concert version of "My Fair Lady," with an orchestra on May 11 and 12 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 140 South Finley Ave. in Basking Ridge. Tickets cost $20, $18 seniors, $10 students. For more information, go to RidgeLightOpera.org.

Laughter on the Fly: The improvisational humor of Off Book is returning to the Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake, with a PG-rated show on May 12 and an R-rated show on May 19. Shows are directed and hosted by Nick deVries. Audience members are invited to props they want to see and suggestions for improv skits. No one under 16 will be admitted to the R-rated show. Both shows start at 8 p.m. All tickets cost $15.

Getting Petty: Full Moon Fever, a Tom Petty tribute band, will perform a concert at the Darress Theatre in Boonton on May 12, 8 p.m. The concert will feature an appearance by Edge of Seventeen, a Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks tribute band. Tickets cost $20. For more information, go to DarressTheater.com.

Music to Light Up Your Life: will present "An Evening with Steve Tyrell and Debby Boone" on May 12 at 8 p.m. The two performers will offer standards. Boone sing will her hit "You Light Up My Life," as well as a tribute to her mother-in-law, Rosemary Clooney. Tickets cost $42 to $77. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Santana Sounds: Stone Flower, featuring the music of Carlos Santana, will play a concert at the Brooks Arts Center on May 12, 8 p.m. Tickets cost $12, $10 in advance. For more information, go to call 732-469-7700 or go to BrookArts.org.

Audition Alert, "Sleeping Beauty:" The Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake will hold an open cast call for "Sleeping Beauty" on May 12 and 19 at noon. Auditions are open to young adults, ages 13 to 19. Performances are July 14 and 21, 11 a.m. and selected weekdays at 10 a.m., July 22-20. The producers are seeking actors to play a king, a queen, a silly troll, an enchanted prince and a dozen good fairies. A free acting workshop with Stan Barber, the director, is part of the rehearsal period. For more information, call 973-691-2100 or go to PaxAmicus.com. The theater is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake.

Kiddie Favorite on Stage: "Max & Ruby: Bunny Party" will be performed at The Mayo Performing Arts Center on May 13, with performances beginning at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The show for kids ages 4 to 10 shows the bunny siblings on a bus ride to buy a birthday gift. Tickets cost $12 to $15. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Audition Alert, Summit Kaleidoscope Productions: is accepting audition signups for its summer Kaleidoscope productions for young performers. Auditions will be held May 20 and May 21, with callbacks scheduled for May 22 through 24. The season will consist of three shows: Disney's "Winnie the Pooh," "Into the Woods Junior" and "The People Garden." There will be a $30 participation fee for each show if cast. Click here for more information, including show descriptions and performance dates.

Summer Camp at Centenary Stage Company: The Centenary Stage Company is offering young artists the TYRO Acting Program and the Young Performers Workshop Summer Intensive Program during the months of July and August. The TYRO Theatre Programs provide an introduction to theater skills and performance in a two-week session from 9:30 a.m. to noon for kids ages 6 to 8 and from 1 to 3:30 p.m. for children ages 9 to 11. The program runs July 9 through July 20. The cost of tuition is $200 per student. The TYRO Program is led by Maria Broadeur, the CSC education director. Brodeur is a professional actress and arts educator with experience in children’s theater who holds a BA in theater and education from Rutgers University. The YPW Summer Intensive offers training in acting, voice, and dance with specialized electives taught by theatre professionals. The program includes three full-length musical productions and The One Act play festival performed for the general public. Acceptance into the program is based on an interview with program director Michael Blevins scheduled for June 9 and June 10 at 11 a.m. For more information, call 908-979-0900 or visit CentenaryStageCo.org. 

Summer Camp at Brundage Park Playhouse: Registration is open for summer theater camps at Brundage Park Playhouse in Randolph. The camps offer three different groups: “Budding Stars” for kids 5 to 7, “Summer Stages” for kids ages 8 to 14, “Budding Stars” for kids 5 to 7, and an “Advanced Performers Workshop” for students in grades 7 through 11. For more information, go to BrundageParkPlayhouse.org.

Summer Camp at Playwrights Theatre: Registration is open for the ’s Creative Arts Academy summer camp for kids and summer theatre program for teens beginning June 25 and running all summer long in two-week sessions. Summer programs include a Full-Day Theatre Academy. Also being offered are a Half-Day Summer Camp, and a Getting Ready To Audition class for high school students. For more information, call 973-514-1787 or visit ptnj.org.

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