The Wellesley Players announces auditions for their November 2013 production, August: Osage County, by Tracy Letts.  Auditions will be held on Sunday, July 28 and Monday, July 29 starting at 7:00 PM.  Callbacks, if necessary, will be held on Tuesday,
July 30, also starting at 7:00 PM.

Callbacks, if necessary, will be held on Tuesday, July 30, also starting at 7:00 PM.  Auditions will be held at CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1132 HIGHLAND AVE. NEEDHAM. Parking is across the street on the right, just before the Needham Public Library and a traffic light.

If you are interested in auditioning but cannot make these scheduled dates, please contact Director Chip Sheeran at chip_sheeran@yahoo.com prior to the first audition and we will attempt to accommodate you.

If possible, print out and fill in the audition form ( Wellesley Players Audition form August Osage County) or bring a resume of your acting experience and a headshot. If you don’t have a headshot we will take your photo for our audition records. We will have an audition form for you to fill in.Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.

Rehearsals will generally follow a Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday cycle with occasional exceptions. Performances are from November 1-10, 2013 at the Arsenal Center for the Arts Black Box Theater, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown MA

For further information or any questions, please contact Chip Sheeran at chip_sheeran@yahoo.com.

PLAY SUMMARY

When the Weston family is unexpectedly forced to reunite after years apart, addiction, dark secrets, and an acidic matriarch mix to create a cocktail that unflinchingly exposes the dark side of the Midwestern American family. The story takes place in Oklahoma.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

Beverly Weston (65-75) – Patriarch of the Weston family.  He is an alcoholic and former poet and college professor.  He is somewhat detached from what is happening (and has happened) in his family, but not unaware.  Married to Violet Weston.

Violet Weston (65-75) – Matriarch of the Weston family.  She is addicted to several prescription drugs, mostly depressants and narcotics, and has oral cancer. Despite her often drug induced state, she is shrewd and sharp, and knows about all the family secrets.  Her generally acidic personality is a catalyst throughout the play.

Barbara Fordham (40-50) – Oldest daughter of the Weston Family.  She is a college professor like her father, but has moved a long distance away to escape the tensions of the family.  She prefers to be in control of things, or at least present an image of control.  Mother of Jean and wife of Bill, though they are separated…a marriage she is trying to save.   Ivy Weston (38-48) – Middle daughter of the Weston family. She is the only daughter to stay in Oklahoma.  She seems calm and patient, but is much more complex than her family realizes.  She teaches at the local college.  She is secretly having an affair with “Little” Charles.

Karen Weston (35-45) – Youngest daughter in the Weston family.  She seems very self-centered, often talking about herself, even in the face of a family tragedy.  She is also heavily in denial.  She is newly engaged to Steve.

Bill Fordham (40-50) – Barbara’s estranged husband and Jean’s father.  He is also a college professor. He has left his wife for a younger woman, but struggles as he still wants to be there for his family.

Jean Fordham (13-17) – Bill and Barbara’s smart-mouthed 14-year-old daughter. Bitter about her parents’ relationship and pending divorce, she has turned to smoking pot and cigarettes to rebel.  Seemingly mature beyond her years, she is more naive than she would like to believe.

Steve Heidebrecht (45-55) – He is a businessman in Florida and not the “perfect man” that Karen considers him.  Somewhat loud and in your face, his business practices and his intentions are less than legitimate.  He is Karen’s fiancé.

Mattie Fae Aiken (55-65) – Violet’s sister, Charlie’s wife and “Little” Charles’ mother.  She is a jaded woman and is similar to her sister in more ways than she’d like to admit.  She constantly belittles her son and antagonizes her husband.

Charlie Aiken (55-65) – Husband of Mattie Fae, father of “Little” Charles.  A pleasant man, he seems to have found a way to cope with his wife’s overbearing personality.  That said, he continues to struggle to get Mattie Fae to respect “Little” Charles.

“Little” Charles Aiken (32-42) – Son of Mattie Fae and Beverly.  He is unemployed, disorganized, and shows little motivation.  That others see him as the screw-up of the family may be a self-fulfilling prophecy.  He is secretly having an affair with Ivy, who is revealed to actually be his half-sister.

Johnna Monevata (20-30) – A Cheyenne Indian woman, age 26, whom Beverly hires as a live-in housekeeper.  She is empathetic to the family, although Violet is prejudiced against her.

Sheriff Deon Gilbeau (40-50) – A high-school classmate and former boyfriend of Barbara’s.

Geoffrey Nauffts’ NEXT FALL takes a witty and provocative look at faith, commitment and unconditional love. The play’s central story focuses on the five-year relationship between Adam and Luke, exploring the internal, social, and familial obstacles faced by a same-sex interfaith couple. One an atheist and one a devout Christian, the two men struggle to reconcile their differences and accept themselves and each other.  This timely and compelling new American play forces us all to examine what it means to “believe” and what it might cost us not to.

Production Dates: May 2014

Directed by Todd Sandstrom

Performances will be at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, Black Box Theatre.

When the Weston family is unexpectedly forced to reunite after years apart, addiction, dark secrets, and an acidic matriarch mix to create a cocktail that unflinchingly exposes the dark side of the Midwestern American family.

Production Dates: November 2013

Directed by Chip Sheeran
Performances will be at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, Black Box Theatre.

The Players are inching close to our 90th year. The last few years have been a fiscal challenge. We would like to update the membership on how we hope to establish and maintain a solid financial future.

Party and hang out with your Wellesley Players Friends to celebrate the end of our 88^th season.

When: Tuesday June 4, 2013, 7:00-9:15 pm

7:00-7:30: PM: Light Appetizers and wine

7:30-8:00: Annual Business Meeting

Where:  The Home of Robby Levy: 11 Oakcliff Road, Wellesley, MA

RSVP: by May 28 to Diane Rothauser, WP Program Director at: wpprogram@gmail.com  or call 781-769-0347

Members planning to attend are asked to bring a light appetizer, or a dessert and BYOB to share.

(We will let you know what we need you to bring when you R.S.V.P.)

We look forward to seeing you.

Fri & Sat May 3 & 4 @ 8pm, Sun May 5 @ 2pm; Thurs – Sat May 9-11 @ 8pm, Sun May 12 @ 2pm  Arsenal Center for the Arts, Black Box Theater. Tickets $22 adults; $20  students/seniors. Seating is general admission. Order tickets online.

This charming love story follows Ethel and Norman Thayer as they return to their summer home in Maine. Their respite is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of their estranged daughter, her fiancé, and his teenage son. Over the course of the summer, an unlikely friendship develops between Norman and the boy, which sparks a renewed zest for life in the Thayer family. In the twilight years of marriage, Ethel and Norman rediscover the joy and romance of everyday living.

This production of On Golden Pond is emotionally healing.  It offers a brief respite from our hectic everyday lives.  Like good summer vacations, On Golden Pond helps us distinguish between things that are truly important and those that are merely urgent.  In short, the play is a healthy dose of life, love and nostalgia.  The story has the capacity to make us laugh, recognize our own imperfect families, tear up, and yet leave the theatre feeling good.  On Golden Pond is not just a story of growing old but a reflection of what it takes to love one another. 

In the capable hands of award-winning actress, director and playwright Valerie vonRosenvinge, has assembled a wonderful cast and bridged the gap between the generations through the nuanced performances of this fine, diverse and talented cast. Valerie also took on the role of Set Designer for the production creating the perfect environment for the play.

Roz Seipel, Producer has  assembled an equally impressive and experienced team of artists and technicians.  Marian Morrison, life-time member of the Players is equally adept both on the stage and behind the scenes.  Marian is the stage manager for the production.  Leading the technical efforts are Jess Greenfield and Emily Hart who are responsible for ensuring that all pieces of the design elements are coordinated and supported at put-in.  Lighting Design is in the capable hands of Chris Carda and Meg Sweeting will be the Board Operator for the production. Bob Pascucci, known in many community theatre circles as an actor and sound designer, brings his award-winning sound skills to the team.    Ben Rush and Steve Taylor are leading the set building effort and Billy Thelander, artist extraordinaire, is our Set Painter.   Rita Ford is both appearing in the show and managing costume design with lifetime member Nancy Silvester.   Award-winning and multi-nominated props mistress Libby Ostrofsky has managed to find lovely period pieces to dress the set.  Our back stage crew is comprised of members who have also appeared on the Wellesley Player’s stage as performers:  Sheila Rehrig (MAME), Lloyd Tarlin (Fiddler on The Roof), and Andrea Goodman (The Quarterly).  Hillary Keane is returning to her roots as our make-up designer.

The Cast includes many local actors some of whom have been with Players for a number of years and return to the stage to revisit this lovely and timeless story.

CAST

Billy: Eli Anton

Billy Rae: Robert Kirshy

Charlie: Paul Collins

Chelsea: Amy Vezza

Ethel: Barbara Tarlin

Norman: Harvey Greenberg

Operator: Rita Ford

Tickets are now available.  Please visit:  www.wellesleyplayers.org. The Black Box is an intimate space and holds only 80 seats but is the perfect environment to bring the world of the play to the audience.

Dear Members and Friends,

It is with great pleasure and full hearts that we offer you an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable Team working on our upcoming performances of On Golden Pond. There are so many dedicated, beloved individuals involved in this show that we want to honor them by asking some of their greatest fans to congratulate them by placing an ad in our Program book.

This is your chance to pay tribute to them. Embrace their success and give a shout-out to an individual member of the Artistic team, Cast, Crew or to The Wellesley Players.

ON GOLDEN POND PRODUCTION TEAM

 CAST

Billy: Eli Anton

Billy Rae: Robert Kirshy

Charlie: Paul Collins

Chelsea: Amy Vezza

Ethel: Barbara Tarlin

Norman: Harvey Greenberg

Operator: Rita Ford

You may be a friend, a grandchild, a member of the Players family or an individual who wants to share your good wishes. Lets warm their hearts, as they will ours, with this beautiful interpretation of this heartwarming play.

There is no better way to provide a special keepsake than sending along your wishes in their Program book. Please join us.

To submit an ad:

Make all checks payable to: The Wellesley Players. Mail checks to Robby Levy, 11 Oakcliff Road, Wellesley, MA 02481. All ads must be submitted in PDF format and sent electronically to David Wood: davidrx7@comcast.net. Please copy Robby when you send in your ad: gracelevy@comcast.net. Deadline for submission: April 12^th. You may include borders or artwork if it is a clear resolution.

We are offering three sizes for Ads:

Thank you so much for your continued support.

Robby Levy, Community Outreach

The boy is annoyed by being left with elderly strangers with no friends nearby and nothing to do. He resents Norman’s brusque manner at first, but eventually comes to enjoy their Golden Pond fishing adventures together. Chelsea returns, a little exasperated and envious of the fact that Norman seemingly has bonded with a stranger’s child in a way he never quite did with her.
On Golden Pond will be performed at the Arsenal Center for the Arts Black Box Theater

Production Dates: May 3-5 and 9-12, 2013.  Tickets are now on sale by visiting our box office:  www.wellesleyplayers.org.  The show is being directed by Valerie von Rosenvinge currently the Artistic Director for Hopkinton High School.  Valerie is also an actress and playwright.  This talented cast is not to be missed.

Please join the Wellesley Players in congratulating the participants and winners of the 2013 New England Regional Festival.

Outstanding Production: The Burlington Players Radium Girls

Best Director: The Burlington Players: Celia Couture

Best Ensemble:Harvard Community Players: The Cast, Crossing Brooklyn

Best Actor: Nashua Theatre Guild: Chris Leon, City of Bones

Best Actress: The Burlington Players, Jennifer Shea, Radium Girls

Best Stage Manager: The Burlington Players, Alissa Palange, Radium Girls

Outstanding Set Design: Harvard Community Theatre, Douglas Cooper, Crossing Brooklyn

Outstanding Lighting Design, Nashua Theatre Guild, City of Bones

Outstanding Sound Design, Nashua Theatre Guild, City of Bones

Outstanding Costume Design, The Burlington Players, Suzanne Pettit

Outstanding Make-up and Hair Design, The Burlington Players, Mark Capizzi, Radium Girls

Best Supporting Actor, The Milford Area Players, Len Deming, Cabin 12

Best Supporting Actress, The Burlington Players, Kate Mahoney, Radium Girls

Radium Girls will be moving on to represent Region I at AACTFEST 2013, in Carmel, Indiana where it will compete with 11 other regio! ns in the country. For more information about attending the National festival, please visit: www.aact.org.