Albany Civic Theater – Albany, OR

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Albany Civic Theater • Albany, OR

Now in our 74th season

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2017-2018 Season

Shakespeare for Kids

by William Shakespeare

Directed by: LaVelle Grandy-Brown

Camp Dates: August 6 – 24, Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Performances: August 24, 25, 26(m), 30, 31, September 1

Camp Cost: $150 (Sibling discounts available; Limited scholarships available)

For many people, a Shakespearean play is difficult to understand and appreciate. And yet, Shakespeare continues to be studied in schools and universities. It has been adapted in many ways for film and theater and remains one of the most popular of theatrical experiences. This year, the ACT Youth Program is presenting a festival of three Shakespearean plays: Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. These plays use modern language and are significantly shortened yet keep the Elizabethan flair and the complexity of the Bard’s plots. This summer program will be a valuable educational experience in the classics and theater.

While this year’s production is not a musical, there will be musical elements and actors should prepare 20-30 seconds of a song for auditions. The ACT Youth Program’s goal is to prepare young people for the theater. In that vein, Student Directing Teams will be formed early spring to work with the director developing the plays ahead of camp. Members of the directing teams will still be able to participate in the other plays as actors or in the back stage crew. The three plays will allow all participants to act and be a part of the back stage crew. For those students (ages 12 – 18) interested in being a part of the Student Directing Teams, please contact LaVelle Grandy-Brown: lavellegb@msn.com; 503-930-7511. 

Twelfth Night
This is a comedy about love, in which three couples are brought together. It begins with Orsino, expressing his deep love for the Countess Olivia. Meanwhile, the shipwrecked Viola disguises herself as a man, takes on the name Cesario, and enters the Duke’s service. The Duke asks Cesario to woo Olivia for him. Ironically, Cesario falls in love with the Duke, and Olivia falls in love with Cesario. The play has many of the elements including mistaken identity, separated twins, and gender- crossing disguise. The plots revolve around overcoming obstacles and finding “true” love.

Romeo and Juliet
This is a tragedy about two star-crossed lovers from different families (Montagues and Capulets) who fall hopelessly in love in spite of their families’ years-long feud. Desperate to be together, the two concoct an elaborate escape plan, but Romeo, mistakenly thinking Juliet dead, kills himself. This prompts Juliet to do the same as she awakens to find Romeo dead. The Friar arrives too late to save the lovers and tells the parents the entire story. The families promise to end their hostilities, which have caused the deaths of their only children.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
This is comedy with many twists and turns. Theseus and Hippolyta are to wed. Philostrate has been ordered to prepared for the wedding. Several local craftsmen agree to write and produce a play. Egeus brings his daughter, Hermia, to Theseus for judgment since he does not approve of friend, Lysander. The craftsmen repair to the woods to rehearse at the same time that Lysander and Hermia meet there to plan their elopement. Hermia and Lysander confide in Helena, who has previously been jilted by Demetrius and wants to win him back. Helena, in turn, tells Demetrius of the young lovers’ meeting. This is only the beginning of a delightful tale of true love.ar

Director

LaVelle Grandy-Brown is making her ACT directing debut. She has been a long time volunteer at ACT, mostly as a costumer. She is a retired Special and General Education teacher where she directed over 30 plays with her students. This is her third year with the ACT Youth summer camp and she is excited to be directing this year.

Cast of Characters

Twelfth Night
Orsino:  Carson Davis
Viola: Emily Hobson
Sebastian: Abby Hobson
Lady Olivia: Rachael Stephen
Sir Toby Belch: Sawyer Brubaker
Sir Andrew: Jake Snyder
Maria: Olivia Verbics
Malvolio: Dallas Headley
Fabian: Becca Emry
Antonio: Sam Howard
Valentine: Lilly Johnson
Sea Captain: Audrey Spotswood
Servant: Olivia Kottre
Policeman 1: Mallory Parker
Policeman 2: Kennedy Sell
Curio: Alayna Hammer
Priest: Gabriel Benfield
The Clown: Jesse Leffler

Romeo and Juliet
Lord Capulet: Abi Winter
Lady Capulet: Olivia Verbics
Juliet: Chloe Goettl
Nurse: Zoey Leventhal
Sampson: Neve Kalberer
Gregory: Arabella Autry
Lord Montague: Calin Cornell
Lady Montague: Sawyer Brubaker
Romeo: Clayton Hollingsworth
Benvolio: Will Leventhal
Abram: Sailor Brubaker
Balthasar: Carson Davis
Prince Escales: Rachael Stephen
Mercutio: Claire Spotswood
Paris: Jake Snyder
Friar Lawrence: Audrey Spotswood
Friar John: Natalie Crocker

A Midsummer’s Night Dream
Egeus: Clayton Hollingsworth
Theseus: Dallas Headley
Hippolyta: Abi Winter
Hermia: Annabelle Thompson
Lysander: Sam Howard
Helena: Piper Planalp
Demetrius: Logan Rud
Oberon: Calin Cornell
Titania: Mia Fisk
Puck: Adam Keeling
Peaseblossom: Katie O’Brien
Cobweb: Daphne Winder
Moth: Jesse Leffler
Mustardseed: Cara Raze
Quince: Miranda Winder
Bottom: Will Leventhal
Flute: Kennedy Sell
Snout: Evelynn Daniels
Starveling: Mallory Parker
Snug: Alayna Hammer

Ensemble: Arabella Autry, Sailor Brubaker, Natalie Crocker, Evelynn Daniels, Becca Emry, Chloe Goettl, Abby Hobson, Lokelani Halcheshick, Thor Halcheshick, Dallas Headley, Emily Hobson, Lilly Johnson, Neve Kalberer, Adam Keeling, Jesse Leffler, Mia Leffler, Zoey Leventhal, Katie OBrien, Piper Planalp, Cara Raze, Logan Rud, Claire Spotswood, Cloe Torres, Cosette Torres, Daphne Winder, Miranda Winder

 

Bell, Book and Candle

By: John Van Druten

Directed by: Colleen Franzoia

Performances: July 20, 21, 27, 28, 29(m) Aug 2 ,3, 4

Gillian Holroyd is one of the few modern people who can actually cast spells and perform feats of supernaturalism. She casts a spell over an unattached publisher, Shepherd Henderson, partly to keep him away from a rival and partly because she is attracted to him. He falls head over heels in love with her at once and wants to marry her. But witches, unfortunately, cannot fall in love, and this minute imperfection leads into a number of difficulties. Ultimately, the lady breaks off with her companions in witchery, preferring the normal and human love offered her by the attractive publisher. But before the happy conclusion of the romance, Gillian comes very near to losing him—but doesn’t.

Director

Colleen Franzoia joined ACT in 1987 as backstage crew. Since then she been involved in too many shows to count and has done almost everything both onstage and behind the scenes. Colleen made her directorial debut last with 100 Lunches, A Gourmet Comedy. She lives in North Albany with her husband Jeff and their mini-doxy, Captain Jack Sparrow.

Director Email: ColleenFranzoia@comcast.net

Cast of Characters

Gillian Holroyd: Christy Anderson
Shep Henderson: Eric Jones
Aunt Queenie Holroyd: Kay Roth
Nick Holroyd: Josh Anderson
Sidney Redlitch: Chuck Skinner

The Fox on the Fairway

By: Ken Ludwig

Directed by: Melissa Mills

Performances: June 15, 16, 22, 23, 24(m), 28, 29, 30

A tribute from Ken Ludwig (Lend Me A Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo) to the great English farces of the 1930s and 1940s, The Fox on the Fairway takes audiences on a hilarious romp, which pulls the rug out from underneath the stuffy denizens of a private country club. Filled with mistaken identities, slamming doors, and over-the-top romantic shenanigans, it’s a furiously paced comedy that recalls the Marx Brothers’ classics. A charmingly madcap adventure about love, life, and man’s eternal love affair with…golf.

Bingham, president of the Quail Valley Country Club, is in a difficult position. Not by finding out that his newly hired hand, Justin, is in love with Louise, the waitress at the club house, but by the discovery that the golfer he thought would play for his club has switched sides recruited by his counterpart and opponent, the cocky and arrogant Dickie, and the huge bet he had foolishly wagered is now likely to be lost. Fortunately, he discovers that Justin is actually quite a good golfer and finagles his nomination. Justin does not disappoint and has a huge lead, when close to its end the tournament is interrupted by bad weather. When Justin learns that Louise has lost the engagement ring he gave her – she accidentally flushed it down the toilet – he comes unglued. The game resumes the next day, but Justin loses the lead, and, upset, takes an unfortunate swing breaking his arm. Bingham is desperate, and the appearance of his wife complicates the matter, as she catches him much too close to Pamela, his sex-starved vice-president. Can Bingham find a replacement for Justin to win the game, win the wager, and get his life in order?

Director

Melissa Mills has spent the last 8 years with ACT. Acting in several shows including Alice in Wonderland, Pirates of the Chemotherapy, Oliver, Crimes of the Heart and as Blanche in A Streetcar named Desire. She has assistant directed on shows such as Tom Sawyer the Musical, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and Murder on the Nile. Her Directing includes Paradise Lost and Found and Peter Pan. When she isn’t busy with those things her passion is set dressing for numerous other shows. She lives here in Albany with her husband and three teenagers, who also love theater. Her other hobbies include reading, writing, baking and going to OSU games.

Director Email: FoxOnTheFairwayACT@aol.com

Cast of Characters

Justin Hicks: Tanner Mills
Louise Heinbedder: Lucy Elgin
Henry Bingham: JJ Halchishick
Richard “Dickie” Bell: David Milner
Pamela Peabody: Sidra Metzger-Hines
Muriel: Cynthia Harvey

Annie

Music by: Charles Strouse 
Lyrics by: Martin Charnin
Book by: Thomas Meehan

Directed by: Christi E. Sears

Performances: May 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13(m), 17, 18, 19, 20(m), 24, 25, 26

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations… and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

Director

Christi E. Sears has a string of hit musicals and plays to her credit, including: Big Fish, Shrek, Young Frankenstein, Avenue Q, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Curtains, Steel Magnolias, The Producers, The Music Man, Hello, Dolly!, The Rocky Horror Show, Pirates of Penzance, Into the Woods, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Bell, Book and Candle, Auntie Mame, and Greater Tuna at ACT. Christi also directed at CCT: Cinderella, Damn Yankees, and Little Shop of Horrors. A long-time administrative member at ACT, Christi has served three terms as president and two terms as treasurer. She currently is our costume manager. Christi resides in Albany and  has worked for over 22 years as the Accounting Manager at Palm Harbor Homes. 

Cast of Characters

Annie: Lily Johnson (will perform Tessie on 5/10, 5/17, 5/24)
Daddy Warbucks: Dennis Fisher
Grace Ferrell: Rebecca Douglas
Miss Hannigan: Kelley Marchbanks
Rooster Hannigan: Aaron Marchbanks
Lily St. Regis: Heidi Kravitz
FDR: Tom Martin
Molly: Katie O’Brien
Kate: Fiona Hill
Tessie: Teza Ross (Annie understudy: performances on 5/10, 5/17, 5/24)
Pepper: Lilly Marchbanks
Duffy: Molly Hare
July: Madelyn Vatcoskay
Orphan: Isabella Synder
Orphan: Amelia Lunceford
Orphan: Isabelle Johnson
Orphan: Ceci Chapman
Orphan: Courtnie Bartholomeusz
Orphan: Chloe Bertoli
Bundles/Hooverville Man 2/Warbucks Servant/NY/Wacky/Hull: John Ross
Ward (Policeman)/Warbucks Chauffeur/NY/Ickes: Josh Anderson
Apple Seller Hooverville/Mrs. Greer/NY: Alice Tucker
Hooverville/Mrs. Pugh/NY: Mirinda Keeling
Dog Catcher/Drake/Bert Healy/Kaltenborn (voice over): Ray Phipps
2nd Dog Catcher in Hooverville and NY/Warbucks Servant: AJ Hartley
Hooverville/Warbucks Servant/NY: Karlie Guilliot
Hooverville/Warbucks Servant/NY: Jarred Shefield
Man 1 Hooverville/Warbucks Servant/NY/Johnson Masked Announcer/Morganthau: Myles Fisher
Woman 1 Hooverville/Cecille French Maid/NY/Ronnie Boylan: Michelle Giles
Woman 2 Hooverville/Annette French Maid/NY/Judge Brandeis: Johanna Spencer
Woman 3 Hooverville/Warbucks Maid/NY Star To Be (solo): Jasmin Hancock
Woman 4 Hooverville/Warbucks Maid/NY Usherette Voice Over/Connie Boylan: Michelle Anderson
Eddie/Warbucks Maid/NY/Howe/Bonnie Boylan: Douglass Anne Cartwright
Sophie/Warbucks Maid/NY/Perkins: Shauna Kiefiuk
Hooverville/Warbucks Maid/NY: Emma Kennedy
Hooverville/Warbucks Maid/NY: Audrey Spotswood
Hooverville/Warbucks Maid/NY: Marie Guthrie
Hooverville/Warbucks Maid/NY: Samantha Kellar
Hooverville/Warbucks Maid/NY: Isabelle Bertoli
Marine: Ben Napper
Sandy: Lexi Bear

Pride and Prejudice

Adapted by: 

Directed by: Karlissa Cornwell

Performances: March 23, 24, 30, 31, April 1(m), 5, 6, 7

Set in England during the approximate time of early 1800, five daughters of the Bennet family must be married off! Was ever a mother as put upon as Mrs. Bennet? Jane falls deeply in love with the wealthy Mr. Bingley, and it looks as if a romance is possible between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. But Mr. Darcy is a very proud young man and he is shocked by mama’s vulgar matchmaking! He not only leaves for London, but also manages to take Mr. Bingley with him. Jane is heartbroken. Finally, Mr. Darcy returns to propose to Elizabeth. She promptly refuses and berates him for taking Mr. Bingley away and hurting Jane. The attraction between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy eventually triumphs over the pride of one and the prejudice of the other.

Director

Karlissa Cornwell previously directed Little Women at ACT, and has acted in The Odd Couple, A Little Piece of Heaven, and Crimes of the Heart. She has been teaching English and drama for 17 years.

Facebook Karlissa Jones Cornwell or email cornwells@live.com

Cast of Characters

Mr. Bennet: Jeff McMahon
Mrs. Bennet: Laurie Mason
Jane Bennet: Kellie McMahan
Elizabeth Bennet: Amelia Poston
Mary: Elizabeth Ming
Catherine (double cast): Sarah Munk & Tori Thorp
Lydia (double cast): Kayla Lesser & Hannah Thorp
Lady Lucas: Erika Poston
Charlotte: Sarah Sullivan
Mr. Bingley: Jordan Overturff
Miss Bingley: Meghan Doerfler
Mr. Darcy: Sean Bullock
Mr. Collins: Craig Will
Mr. Wickham: Clayton Hollingsworth
Hill: Shiloah Hoskins
Lady Catherine: Angie de Morgan

Sylvia

By: A.R. Gurney

Directed by: Loren Dunn

Performances: February 16, 17, 23, 24, 25(m), March 1, 2, 3

Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan after twenty-two years of child-raising in the suburbs. Greg’s career as a financial trader is winding down, while Kate’s career, as a public-school English teacher, is beginning to offer her more opportunities. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park—or that has found him—bearing only the name “Sylvia” on her name tag. A street-smart mixture of Lab and Poodle, Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. She offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his job and the unknowns of middle age. To Kate, Sylvia becomes a rival for affection. And Sylvia thinks Kate just doesn’t understand the relationship between man and dog. The marriage is put in serious jeopardy until, after a series of hilarious and touching complications, Greg and Kate learn to compromise, and Sylvia becomes a valued part of their lives.

Director

Loren Dunn has been involved with ACT since 2006. His first show was The Homecoming and has acted in many shows since then including: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Diary of Anne Frank, Wonder of The World, Man of La Mancha, Tom Sawyer, Paradise Lost and Found, Miracle on 34th Street and most recently Treasure Island. He made his ACT directing debut in 2011 with Christmas Belles. He has since directed Pirates Of The Chemotherapy, A Little Piece Of Heaven, Trials, Tribulations, and Christmas Decorations, Seniors Of The Sahara, and Last of the Boys. Loren also serves on the ACT board of directors as Production Coordinator.

Cast of Characters

Sylvia: Sarah Roth
Greg: Tom Martin
Kate: Stephanie Lunceford
Tom: Matthew Huffman
Phyllis: Colleen Franzoia
Leslie: Shannon Peters

The Three Musketeers

Adapted by: Charles Morey

Directed by: Josh Anderson

Performances: January 12, 13, 19, 20, 21(m), 25, 26, 27

 

Adapted from Alexandre Dumas’ timeless tale, this witty and action packed swash-buckler inserts the author himself into the plot, writing and re-writing his way through the adventures of D’Artagnan and his band of Musketeers as they fight the rule of a dishonest Cardinal and protect the ones they love. Double crossings, kidnappings, and carefully guarded secrets keep the Musketeers and the writer in constant battle against their enemies, from looming deadlines to deadly assassins. Featuring lavish sword fights and sweeping romance, this adaptation of the classic novel evokes a time where honor and love ruled all.

Director

This is Josh Anderson’s directorial debut. Previously at ACT, Josh stage managed for The Odd Couple, and appeared in Shrek, The Wizard of Oz, Avenue Q, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Game Show, Disney’s High School Musical, Curtains, and Meet Me in St. Louis. He works as a security officer for the US Department of Energy, and lives in Albany with his wife Christy. He enjoys shooting and historical reenactment.

Cast of Characters

D’Artagnan- Osvaldo Torres
Athos- Nicholas Sheler
Aramis- Anthony McMahon
Porthos- Josh Mitchell
Dumas/Treville/Others- Chuck Skinner
Cardinal Richelieu- Douglas Hambley
Rochefort- Joshua Winter
King Louis XIII/Felton/Musketeer #1- Matthew Manske
Queen Anne- Stephanie Marie
Constance Bonacieux- Holly Mitchell
Milady de Winter- Maxine Marie Agather
Planchet- Jeff Rice
Bonacieux/Harbor Master/Huguenot– Danny Corliss
Buckingham/Musketeer#2- Aaron Marchbanks
Jussac/Ambusher/Huguenot– Michaela Bauer
Bicarat/Ambusher/Huguenot– Ry Schuerger
Cook/Innkeepers/Godeau/Antoine/Huguenot- Lori Martin
Cardinal’s Guard/Ambusher/Huguenot- Rachel Guthrie
Meanest of the Disreputable Types/King’s Servant/Huguenot- Constance Jones
Kitty/Nun/Tavern Wench/Lady at Court- Sidra Metzger

Pippin

by Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz

Directed by: Kay Roth

Performances: December 1, 2, 8, 9, 10(m), 14, 15, 16, 17(m), 21, 22, 23

 

A traveling troupe of actors takes up the challenge of telling the story of Pippin, a young prince who is trying to find his corner of the sky. Pippin, encouraged by the Leading Player, goes to war, visits his grandmother to learn some wisdom, falls in love all while trying to discover who he really is and where he belongs.

Heir to the Frankish throne, the young prince Pippin is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power (after disposing of his father, King Charlemagne the Great). In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the unextraordinary moments that happen every day.

We’ve got magic to do isn’t just the name of the opening song- it’s what Pippin is all about. The magic of life, the magic of the circus, the magic of love and finding your way.

Director

Pippin is Kay’s eleventh time directing at ACT. She has also appeared on stage, first in The Rocky Horror Show and most recently in Paradise Lost and Found. Her other directing credits include Oliver, The Runner Stumbles, Noises Off, The Laramie Project, Of Mice and Men, The Diary of Anne Frank and The Game’s Afoot. Kay has also designed props, sets and costumes, stage managed and been assistant director for a number of shows, including Shrek the Musical, Avenue Q, Hello Dolly and Big Fish. Kay is a past board member and currently acts as the program editor. She is a graduate from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Digital Communication Arts and currently works for Lee Enterprises. Kay lives in Albany with her husband Ken. The entire Roth family, including grandson Sebastian are active at ACT.

Cast of Characters

Leading Player– Noah Nieves Driver 
Pippin– Jarred Sheffield
Charles– Ron Seymour
Lewis- Scotty Bowman
Fastrada– Cathleen Hockman-Wert
Berthe- Georgiana Rodriguez 
Catherine- Jasmin Hancock
Theo- Sebastian Dill/Dallas Headley

Ensemble–
Luce Ayers
Mark Bader
Karlissa Cornwell
Carson Davis
Karlie Guilliot
Taha Haji-Mohamed
Lyndi Kellogg
Conner Riley
Sarah Roth
Rachael Stephen

No Body Like Jimmy

By: Burton Bumgarner 

Directed by: Scott Harvey
Performances: October 20, 21, 27, 28, 29(m), November 2, 3, 4

 

On the evening of Ralph and Eloise Vanlandingham’s political fundraising dinner, Ralph’s best friend from college shows up with a problem. Harold has a dead body in the back of his van and he needs a place to stash Jimmy. Harold’s timing couldn’t be more awful as the Vanlandinghams are expecting a house full of major campaign donors in about five, four, three, two…

Director

Scott Harvey got started with ACT in 2001 and made his directorial debut last season at ACT with The Trouble With Cats. He has been involved in almost every aspect of the theater productions, from assistant director (Singin’ in the Rain,Waiting for Godot) to acting (Peter Pan, The Secret Garden, It’s a Wonderful Life, Man of La Mancha, Looking for Normal) to behind the scene duties (Treasure Island, The Game’s Afoot, The Mousetrap). 

Cast of Characters

Harold- Joshua Winter
Ralph- Anthony McMahon
Eloise- Dinee Alexy
Baxter- Joshua White
Diane- Melissa McCue
Nigel- Sam Sappington
Jimmy- Gino Romo
Rick Pitman- Doug Mainwaring
Emma Pitman- Hannah Brunson
Officer Linda- April Wilcox
Officer Cooper- Logan Klein

Rabbit Hole

By: David Lindsay-Abaire

Directed by: Shauna Kiefiuk

Performances: September 22, 23, 24 (m), 28, 29, 30

Becca and Howie Corbett have everything a family could want, until a life-shattering accident turns their world upside down and leaves the couple drifting perilously apart. Rabbit Hole charts their bittersweet search for comfort in the darkest of places and for a path that will lead them back into the light of day.

Director

Shauna Kiefiuk has been involved with ACT since 2002. Last season she directed The Butler Did It. Previously, she directed The Odd Couple and Independence. Shauna has been onstage in several plays as well as musicals. She was the assistant director for Fat Pig, Hay Fever, The Game’s Afoot and A Little Piece of Heaven. Shauna also serves on the ACT Board.

Cast of Characters

Becca- Kristie Nelson
Howie- Jason Howell
Izzy- Jamie Muller
Nat- Kathie O’Brien
Jason- Clayton Hollingsworth