Take In a Show, and Take the Kids Along

Looking for something to do with the kids?

There are plenty of family-friendly shows being performed on area stages, from “Wiley & the Hairy Man” at Growing Stage, “The Little Mermaid” at Pax Amicus Castle Theatre and “A Year with Frog and Toad” at Centenary Stage Company.

You can even audition for a chance to entertain kids with “The Pied Piper” at Villagers Theatre. And if your child wants to be on stage, then it’s time to start thinking about registering for summer theater camp at Brundage Park Playhouse or Playwrights Theatre.

Theater lovers looking for more serious fare can choose among “All My Sons” at Summit Playhouse or “The Ladies Man” at Centenary.

There’s also plenty of music and dance performances to enjoy, a few movies choices, and even a Spanish-language comedy show. Check out this week’s On Stage Scoop for the lowdown on everything that’s happening on a stage near your. The Scoop runs every Tuesday.

ON STAGE SCOOP:

Villagers is the Place to “Bee:” Villagers Theatre in Somerset will perform the musical hit “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” through Feb. 19. The show is about six nerdy, needy contestants competing for a spelling bee championship. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $18, or $16 for seniors and students. The theater is located at 475 Demott Lane. For tickets and more information, call 732-873-2710, email boxoffice@villagerstheatre.com or visit VillagersTheatre.com.

The Hills of Randolph are Alive with “The Sound of Music:” Brundage Park Playhouse is presenting Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” through Feb. 19 at the theater, located at 2 Bungalow Lane in Randolph. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20, $15 for seniors and for children under 12. For reservations, call 973-989-7092. For more information, go to BrundageParkPlayhouse.org.

Dance of India: Ragamala Dance will present a program titled “Sacred Earth” at on Feb. 12, beginning at 3 p.m. According to the Mayo Center, Ragamala Dance presents innovative works within the southern India tradition of Bharatanatyam dance. 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, “Off Book:” Pax Amicus Castle Theatre is holding an open casting call for the next generation of "Off Book!" (including improv comedy lessons, games and theory) on Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Callbacks will be held at 7 p.m. Off Book is seeking two adults to join the group. Rehearsals and classes begin in March. For more information, contact Nick at Nick@OffBookImprov.com or visit OffBookImprov.com.

Audition Alert, “The Pied Piper:” Villagers Theatre in Somerset is holding auditions for its April production of “The Pied Piper” on Feb.15, 7 to 10 p.m. at the theater, located at 475 Demott Lane in Somerset. Be prepared to perform a song for children. Sides will be provided for readings and direction. Rehearsals begin Feb. 27. Performances are April 14 through 22. The theater’s website describes the show as a fun musical adaptation of the legend. It’s intended for young audiences, and Villagers is looking for performers who can communicate the emotion of the story with words, song, and movement while entertaining both very young and old audience members alike. For more information, including a character breakdown, go to VillagersTheatre.com or email the director at Jeff@Villagerstheatre.com.

Audition Alert, “The Crucible:” Brundage Park Playhouse will hold auditions for its production of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” on Feb. 15, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Playhouse, located at Brundage Park in Randolph (enter 2 Bungalow Lane on your GPS for directions). Auditions are open, no appointments are necessary. Callbacks will be on Feb. 16 if necessary. Performances are May 4 through 20. Rehearsals will begin in February. All cast members must be available for all performances and tech rehearsal days. Auditions will consist of sides from the play. Actors are asked to please be familiar with the play, and the period in which it takes place. Younger performers interested in auditioning for the roles of Betty Parris and Ruth Putnam are asked to arrive during the 7 p.m. hour. Parents should familiarize themselves with the content of the play. For more information, including a character breakdown, go to BrundageParkPlayhouse.org.

The Book on Stardom: “Celebrity Autobiography” is coming to the on Feb. 16 for an 8 p.m. show. In the comedy, outrageous and true celebrity memoirs are acted out by such performers as Ralph Macchio (“The Karate Kid”), Mario Cantone (“Sex and the City”), Sherri Shepherd (“The View”), Carol Kane (“The Addams Family”) and more. They’ll be reading from memoirs of celebrities such as Snooki, Ricky Martin David Hasselhoff, Cher, Barbra Streisand, David Cassidy, Tiger Woods and more. 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, “Cabaret:” will hold auditions for “Cabaret” on Feb. 16 and Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Chatham Playhouse, located at 23 N. Passaic Ave. in Chatham. Prepare a song in the style of the show and bring sheet music in the appropriate key. An accompanist will be provided. Headshots and resumes will be accepted but are not required. For more information, including a character breakdown, go to ChathamPlayers.org.

“Ladies” Night: Charles Morey’s “The Ladies Man” will begin a run at the Centenary Stage Company’s David and Carol Lackland Center in Hackettstown on Feb. 17 and continuing through March 4. Set in the golden age of Paris, the farce follows a doctor who tells a “little” lie to cover an innocent but embarrassing indiscretion, but this little lie leads to chaos. Adapted from Georges Feydeau’s comedy “The Ladies’ Dressmaker,” the production will be directed by CSC Artistic Director Carl Wallnau and will star Allen Lewis Rickman, who recently starred in “Relatively Speaking” (written by Elaine May and Mike Nichols, Ethan Coen and Woody Allen) on Broadway. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. with additional 2 p.m. matinees on Feb. 17 and Feb. 22. Tickets cost $20 to $25. For more information, call 908-979-0900 or visit CentenaryStageCo.org.

Swamp Man: The Growing Stage Theatre will present “Wiley & the Hairy Man” Feb. 17-26 at its theater, located at 7 Ledgewood Ave. in Netcong. The story follows a fatherless boy living near the mysterious Tombigbee Swamp with his conjure-woman mother, his dog and the Hairy Man who haunts his dreams. Performances are Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 4 p.m. Recommended for all ages. Tickets cost $12. For more information, call 973-347-4946 or go to GrowingStage.com.

Classical Sounds: The “Tschaikowski” St. Petersburg State Orchestra will perform a concert at the on Feb. 17, beginning at 8 p.m. The program will feature works by Ravel, Prokofiev, and Rimsky-Korsakov. Tickets cost $37 to $52. 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.

Friends Forever: The Centenary Stage Company will present “A Year with Frog and Toad” on Feb. 18 at 11 a.m. in the Little Theatre on the campus of Centenary College. The musical by Robert and Willie Reale is based on the stories by Arnold Lobel about two friends, cheerful frog and grumpy toad. The show is part of Centenary’s Young Audiences Series. Tickets cost $10, $8 children. For more information, call 908-99-0900 or go to CentenaryStageco.org.

Mardi Gras in Morristown: The Soul Rebels Brass Band and Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra will perform a Mardi Gras concert at the on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $42 to $62. 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.

Don’t Forget “What I Did for Love:” Pax Amicus Castle Theatre will present two performances of a Valentines-themed concert, “What I Did for Love” on Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. The concert will highlight songs and comedy about romantic love, but also love of family, children, work, art, home and country. Audiences will hear songs such as “At Last” and “Fever” along with selections from musicals, including “A Chorus Line,” “West Side Story” and “Man of La Mancha.” Admission is by donation. This concert is a benefit to raise money for repairs and replacement of the Castle’s roof. All donations will be appreciated. For more information, call 973-691-2100 or go to PaxAmicus.com.

What a Drag: The classic comedy “Some Like It Hot,” starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis will be shown at the Darress Theater on Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. Admission costs $10 and includes popcorn. The theater is located at 615 Main St. in Boonton. For more information, call 973-334-9292 or visit DarressTheater.com.

Like a Fish Out of Water: Pax Amicus Castle Theatre will host two more performances of “The Little Mermaid” on Feb. 18 and 25 at 11 a.m. In the play, the mermaid leaves her home in the sea to visit land, where she falls in love. Tickets cost $12. The theater is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. For more information, call 973-691-2100 or visit PaxAmicus.com.

Laughter is the Universal Language: Jose Ordonez will present “Yo No Pedí Nacer,” a Spanish-language comedy show at the Brooks Arts Center on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15. For more information, call 908-487-3261 or go to BrookArts.org.

Chamber Music in Morristown: The will host an evening of chamber music with The Starlight Series: Nova Chamber Ensemble on Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. Laryssa Krupa Slobodyanik, one of the founders of The Community Theatre in 1994, returns for these concert events in which the audience will sit on stage in a semi-circle around the performers. Featuring Laryssa Krupa Slobodyanik on piano; Wanda Glowacka on cello; Andriy Milavsky, on clarinet, performing: Brahms Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano. 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.

Bringing the Blues: Five-time Grammy winner Robert Cray will take stage at the on Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. Shemekia Copeland will be the special guest. 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.

Do You Believe in Magic? The Spencers will present “Theatre of Illusion” at The on Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. According to the Mayo, the Spencers redefine illusions for audiences young and old. Tickets cost $27-$47. 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.

Movie Night in Madison: The Black Maria Film and Video Festival will make a stop at the on Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. The festival is a juried competition focused on cutting-edge work from independent filmmakers. Tickets cost $10 and will be sold at the door. The Library is located at 39 Keep St. in Madison. For more information, go to BlackMariaFilmFestival.org.

Family Drama: will present Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” from Feb. 24 to March 10. The 1947 play is set during World War II and follows the Keller family, as son Chris discovers that his father, Joe, is a war profiteer who let his partner go to jail after their firm manufactured defective airplane parts. Tickets cost $20, $15 students. For more information, go to SummitPlayhouse.org.

Laughing It Up: The Darress Theatre will present “Humor in the Midst,” a night of comedy featuring Phil Sweet, Kate Lyn Reiter, Peggy Robinson, Fred Holizapfel, Kris Swanson and Dan Hoffman. Tickets cost $15 and include complimentary beverages. The theater is located at 615 Main St. in Boonton. For more information, call 973-334-9292 or go to DarressTheater.com.

A Time to Dance: New Jersey Ballet will present a “Repertory Concert of Audience Favorites,” on Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. at . The evening will feature favorite pas de deux, excerpts and short pieces from the company's extensive repertory of classical and contemporary dance. Tickets cost $32 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.

Broadway meets Operetta: The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players will perform “I’ve Got a Little Twist” on Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. at . The evening celebrates Gilbert and Sullivan’s influence on American theater, and features music by Gilbert and Sullivan, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and more. Tickets cost $27-$37. 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.

All Jazzed Up at the Bickford: Violinist Aaron Weinstein and Friends will perform a concert as part of the 's Jazz Showcase on Feb. 27. The show will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $18, $15 in advance. For tickets and information, call 973-971-3706.

Talent on Stage: The Fifth Annual “Morristown’s Got Talent” extravaganza is set for Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. at . See the best amateur talent Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains have to offer. Tickets cost $25-$75. 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.

Gladys Knight Tickets on Sale: Tickets for Gladys Knight’s June 7 concert at the are now on sale. Tickets cost $57 to $115. 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.

Chatham Community Players Seeking Volunteers: is looking for volunteers to assist the stage manager as it prepares for its production of “Grapes of Wrath.” The theater is looking for volunteers to cue actors from the script, read lines of actors not present and to handle some set presets during rehearsals. No experience is required. If you have always wanted to work on a big show, here’s your chance. The stage manager will be at each rehearsal, you will not be working alone. If you’re interested or have questions, contact Mara Lundstrom at  mlundstrom@gmail.com  or 201-921-6821.

Summer Camp at Brundage Park Playhouse: Registration is open for summer theater camps at Brundage Park Playhouse in Randolph. The camps offers 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.

Shakespeare Theatre Announces 50th Anniversary Season: has announced its lineup of shows for 2012, which is the Madison-based group’s 50th anniversary season. Things will kick off on May 30 with a run of Shakespeare’s “Henry IV, Part I,” which the theater is presenting for the first time in 20 years. Up next is a new adaptation of Pierre Corneille’s French farce “The Liar.”  Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” is this summer’s outdoor show at the Greek amphitheater at the College of St. Elizabeth in Morris, opening June 20. Also set for the summer back at the indoor stage is “Measure for Measure,” directed by Bonnie J. Monte, the Shakespeare Theatre’s artistic director. The fall will see an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist” by Neil Bartlett and directed by Brian B. Crowe opening Sept. 12. The Shakespeare Theatre will present its first musical since 2004 when it stages “Man of La Mancha” opening Oct. 17. Monte directs and Robert Cuccioli will play Don Quixote. The theater will wrap up the year with the rarely produced romantic comedy “Trelawny of the Wells” by Arthur Wing Pinero, directed by Monte, and running Dec. 5-30. For more information, or to purchase a subscription, call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org

Getting in on the Act: The is seeking original, one-act plays, short musicals and/or original dance pieces, written by New Jersey authors, for the 18th annual Jersey Voices presentation. Play submissions of any genre, style and length up to 20 minutes running time will be accepted through March 15. Selected pieces will be performed in the Players’ Black Box Theater in July and August. To email submissions or to request more information, go to jerseyvoices@chathamplayers.org.

Summer Camp at Playwrights Theatre: Registration is open for the Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey’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, which costs $525 when enrolled before Jan. 31. 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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