The Wellesley Players

2012-2013 Season Announcement

celia — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:53:18 +0000

Our 88^th Consecutive Season

On Golden Pond

Play written by Ernest Thompson

November 2-4 and 9-11, 2012

Arsenal Center for the Arts, Black Box Theatre

My Fair Lady

Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and Music by Federick Loewe

Based upon George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion with

February, Feb 8-10 and Feb 15-17

Arsenal Center for the Arts, Mosesian Theater

Baby

Music by David Shire and Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr.

Book by Sybille Pearson and based upon a story developed with Susan Yankowitz

May 3-5 and 10-12, 2013

Arsenal Center for the Arts, Black Box Theatre

Rehearsals Underway for Spring Musical Oliver to be staged 3/16-3/25 Sorenson Center, Babson College

celia — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:04:01 +0000

The Wellesley Players are proud to announce the presentation of the classic musical Oliver! Consider yourself invited to experience the story of an orphan boy who is banished from his orphanage for daring to ask for more food. The title character falls in with a group of petty thieves led by Fagin, who teaches Oliver the ways of a pickpocket.

Based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, the show has book, music, and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The original production ran on Broadway for six years, won three Tony awards, has been revived several times, and was made into an Oscar-winning movie. Favorite and familiar songs in the show include Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, It’s a Fine Life, Oom-Pah-Pah, Reviewing the Situation, As Long as He Needs Me, and Who Will Buy? What better way to celebrate the 200^th birthday of Charles Dickens than to attend this sure to be dazzling production.

Oliver! will be directed by Richard Repetta, who has led several Wellesley Players productions in recent years. Chris Holownia returns to music direct, following his success with last year’s production of Annie. Choreography is by PJ Terranova , a veteran performer himself with several national tours as well as in off Broadway performances and choreographer for the opening and closing ceremonies of the US Open. Performances will be March 16^th, 17^th and 23^rd at 7:30 pm and March 18^th, 24^th and 25^th at 2:00 pm at the Sorenson Center for the Arts at Babson College in Wellesley. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors or students.

The cast of 40 actors includes many Wellesley Players veterans as well as some newcomers well known to area theatre. Principal players include Andrew Cekala of Weston as Oliver; Erik Rodenhiser of Salem as Fagin; Joseph Nedder of Westwood as The Artful Dodger; Beth Rontal of Jamaica Plain as Widow Corney; Lonnie Powell of Natick as Mr. Bumble; Jim Fitzpatrick of Attleboro as Bill Sykes; and Nicole Vander Laan of Somerville as Nancy; Jim Tabor of West Roxbury as Mr. Brownlow; Lauren Sabbag of Norwood as Bet; Darlene Howland of Wellesley as Mrs. Bedwin; Jennifer Wiley-Cordone of Clinton as Charlotte; Valerie Gates of Wellesley as Old Sally; Lois Goodman of Wellesley as Mrs. Sowerberry; Mike Ciccolella of Framingham as Noah Claypole; Jim Pugh of Wellesley as Mr. Sowerberry; Tony DeMarco of Wellesley as Dr. Grimwig, and Michael Roth of Cambridge as Chairman.

Members of the adult ensemble include Michael Roth of Cambridge; Anne Ludlow (also Rose Seller) of Chelmsford; Diana Eng-King of Dover; Karen Leong (also Milkmaid) of Watertown; Corinne Settlow(also Strawberry Seller) of Wellesley and Alan Singer of Weston.

Youth playing the Workhouse Orphans or Fagin’s Pickpockets include Anya Beletsky of Brookline; Abby Fournier of Natick; Bethan Wiley-Cordone of Clinton; Isaac Hargrave, Caroline Kapp, Nicola Lynch-Collier, Luca Marcino and Molly Retik of Needham; Michael Gankin of Newton; Natalie Hall and Casey Monteiro of Sudbury; Olivia Friedman, Matt Lieberman, Caroline Murphy Racette, Will Olszewski, Alexander Perry Caitlin Pfaff and Grace Zientara of Wellesley.

The Wellesley Players is in its 86^th season serving Wellesley and surrounding communities. Recent productions include: Annie (3 EMACT nominations), Fiddler on the Roof (11 EMACT nominations, 2 EMACT awards),Steel Magnolias (First Runner Up EMACT Festival and winner of 5 additional awards),One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest , and this year’s productions of Little Women, the Musical and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.

Oliver Orphans Collect “Food Glorious Food” for Wellesley Food Pantry

celia — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:43:39 +0000

The orphans from our wonderful Oliver cast will be providing a sneak preview of two vocal numbers and collecting food for the Wellesley Food Pantry at Roche Brothers and Whole Foods this Saturday, February 11^th. Weather permitting,, they will be arriving at Roche around 11AM and singing from 11:15 to 11:45, then moving on to Whole Foods, where they will entertain from 12 to 12:30. Why not plan your grocery shopping around this awesome event and show your support for the cast of our Spring musical Oliver, while donating food to a very needy cause, the Wellesley Food Pantry. We hope to see you all there.

The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Review by Tony Annicone

celia — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:10:41 +0000

Wellesley Players’ second show of their 87th season is “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife”, an adult comedy, by Charles Busch. It follows the lives of Ira and Marjorie Taub and focuses on the burgeoning midlife crisis of an upper-class, upper-crust, Upper-West-Side woman who fights to better herself through frequent night time visits to museums and theaters. Her neuroses about mediocrity reach a head when she pitches a fit at a Disney store, resulting in substantial damage to the merchandise and her psyche.

To add to Marjorie’s woes her childhood friend Lee reappears. Fascinating and attractive, Lee seems to have led a life Marjorie could only dream about. Lee’s “joie de vivre” lifts Marjorie from the depths. Lee becomes like Sheridan Whiteside in “Man Who Came to Dinner”, becoming entrenched in the Taub household as a permanent guest, affecting their marriage.

Adding to the fun of the evening is Frieda, Marjorie’s mother who is intestinally challenged and the Iraqui Doorman, Mohammed who may seem to be a nice young man but has experience and insights that only a life in the war-torn deserts of Iraq can provide. Director Joe Stallone picks the best five people for these roles, keeping the audience in stitches all night long.

To check out the rest of Tony’s review, visit his website here.

Tale of the Allergist’s Wife Early Reviews!

celia — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:47:00 +0000

Award-Winning actor, David Kimmelman who plays the role Ira Taub in the Players’ upcoming production of the Tale of the Allergist’s Wife has had a tough time staying in character. “The show is so funny and my cast members are so great in these roles, that I find myself laughing out loud during most rehearsals.” Playwright, Charles Busch has created a play that can easily translate to television-comedy. The play set on the Upper West Side follows the lives of Ira and Marjorie Taub played by award-winning actress (Barbara Douglass) as she tried to maneuver mid-life crisis.

Busch’s play is a reminder of how good comedy should be written—as a series of competitive one-liners that earn real belly-laughs. In the words of Director Joe Stallone, “the author serves up some of the weightiest, essential personal questions wrapped in neurotic, middle-aged doubt, sauced with a piquant combination of camp and satire, peppered with sitcom implausibility and presented on an open, sterling platter of bold-faced comedy.”

To add to Marjorie’s woes her childhood friend Lee reappears played by long-time Wellesley Player and comedian extraordinaire, Robby Levy. Fascinating and attractive, Lee seems to have led a life Marjorie could only dream about. Her “joie de vivre’ lifts Marjorie from the depths, and the fun begins. Alice Springer, new to the Players is Marjorie’s mom, Frieda who occupies an apartment right down the hall. Alice portrays Marjorie’s intestinally challenged mother. Some of her lines are the funniest in an already masterful comedy. We all have a “Frieda” in our lives and Alice brings every nuance of the character to life.

The role of the Iraqi Doorman at an upscale Manhattan apartment building will be played by Jared Wright, a teacher and actor from Wilmington. Mohammed, though he may seem simply to be a nice young man, has experience and insights that only a life in the war-torn deserts of Iraq can provide – and he doesn’t bring it to the surface in ways we might recognize. Just when you think you know a person…..

The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, an adult comedy, will run January 20-29, 2012 at the Arsenal Center for the Arts black box theater in Watertown, Mass. For tickets, please click on our Box Office and choose The Allergist’s Wife. The intimate Black Box space holds only 90 seats. Our first show of the season, sold out every performance. Please order your tickets early for this amazingly funny story with a superb cast.

“RSVP” to Wellesley Players Coffee House Capers

celia — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:01:34 +0000

It is time to dust off the tap shoes and warm up the vocal chords. It’s time to look at that favorite scene you always wanted to perform and sign up for our annual Capers Event. Here are the important details!

Annual Coffee House Capers

“What a great idea…don’t have to audition and I get a part!” This is an opportunity for Wellesley Player members to perform without having to audition. If you don’t want to perform then please join us in the audience. Family and friends are invited!

Here are the important details!

When: Friday, February 3, 2012, 7:30: Social Hour with dessert, coffee and beverages; 8:00-10:00: Cabaret Entertainment by The Wellesley Players

Where: Wellesley Community Center, 219 Washington Street, Wellesley Hills, MA

Admission: $15.00 per person (adults and students). We accept payment at the door. Your $15.00 includes entertainment, dessert selections, coffee and beverages. There will also be a cash, wine bar.

What to Know: You must be a current Wellesley Player member to register your act: singing, dancing, monologues, comedy, juggling, or other hidden talents that are appropriate for a mixed audience! You must register your act by JANUARY 10. Space is limited so acts are chosen on a first come, first serve basis. Acts must be 3-5 minutes or less.

Seating at the Wellesley Community Center is limited. Please RSVP to Diane Rothauser, Program Director/Producer at: wpprogram@gmail.com or 781-769-0347 by January 20.

We are also using this opportunity to support the Wellesley Food Pantry. Please bring a non-perishable food item to the event. To learn more about the wonderful work being done by the food pantry visit: www.wellesleyfoodpantry.org

Our Winter Production is Underway! Order your Tickets!

asell — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:27:08 +0000

Beat the post-holiday blues! See the play that the New York Times called “a window-rattling comedy of mid-life malaise”…….”cut from the synthetic cloth of TV comedy,” as the Wellesley Players present Charles Busch’s, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.

Would-be intellectual and upper-class Manhattanite Marjorie Taub is in a mid-life funk. What do I value? What fulfills me? These questions plague her, and despite the efforts of her husband Ira and mother Freida, answers elude her. Miraculously, Marjorie’s childhood friend, Lee, reappears. Fascinating and attractive, Lee seems to have led a life Marjorie could only dream about. Her ‘joie de vivre’ lifts Marjorie from the depths, and the fun begins.

The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife is directed by Joe Stallone, and features Barbara Douglass, David Kimmelman, Alice Springer, Robby Levy and Jared Wright. The show runs January 20, 21, 27 & 28 at 8pm; and January 22 & 29 at 2pm, at the Arsenal Center for the Arts Black Box Theater. For tickets or information, visit www.wellesleyplayers.org

FOR MATURE AUDIENCES.

Caper’s Invitation

celia — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:17:33 +0000

Annual Coffee House Capers

This is a fun opportunity for Wellesley Players Members to perform without having to audition to get the part. Or just come and enjoy the entertainment! Come one, come all! The more the merrier! Members, family and friends are invited to be in the audience!

When: Friday February 3, 2012

7:30: Social hour ~ dessert, coffee and beverages.

8:00 – 10:00: Cabaret Entertainment by Wellesley Players

Where: Wellesley Community Center

219 Washington Street, Wellesley Hills

Admission: $15 per person (adults and students). Pay at the door.

Includes entertainment, dessert, coffee and beverages. There will be a cash wine bar.

You must be a current Wellesley Players Member and register your act: singing, dancing, monologues, comedy etc., as soon as possible or by Jan.10. Space is limited and is first come first served.

ACTS MUST BE 3-5 MINUTES OR LESS!

Seating is limited! Please RSVP with your name and how many seats you will need for the evening by January 20. Respond to Diane Rothauser, Program Director/Producer at:

wpprogram@gmail.com or call her at: 781-769-0347

We are using this opportunity to support the Wellesley Food Pantry. Please bring non-perishable food items to the event. To learn more visit: www.wellesleyfoodpantry.org

Oliver Cast Announced!

celia — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:45:29 +0000

Our spring production of Oliver is cast! The artistic team of Richard Repetta, Director, Chris Holownia, Music Director and PJ Terranova, choreographer are thrilled with the turn-out and the talent. The show will be performed at the Sorenson Center for the Arts on the campus of Babson College. The show is opens the weekend of March 16,17 and 18 and the weekend of March 23-25. Both Sunday performances are at 2:00 to accommodate families with younger children.

Oliver! was the first musical adaptation of a famous Charles Dickens work to become a stage hit. The plot of Dickens’ original novel is considerably simplified for the purposes of the musical, with Fagin being represented more as a comic character than as a villain. Tickets are now on sale in time for the holiday season. Want a perfect gift? Purchase tickets for Oliver! What a great way to kick off the holiday season.

The Cast:

Andrew Cekala – Oliver

Lauren Sabbag – Bet

Lonnie Powell – Mr. Bumble

Jim Pugh -Mr. Sowerberry

Lois Goodman – Mrs. Sowerberry

Tim McShea – Fagin

Haley Kulow - Charlotte

Mike Ciccolella _ Noah Claypole

Beth Rontal - widow

Nicole Vander Laan – Nancy

Joseph Nedder – Dodger

Darlene Howland – Mrs. Bedwin

Jim Tabor- Mr. Brownlow

Kyle Carlson - Bill Sykes

Adult ensemble:

Caitlyn Pfaff

Valerie Gates

Diana Eng King

Karen Leong

Michael Roth

Liz Uzzell

Ann Ludlow

Tony DeMarco

Children:

Olivia Freedman

Luca Manicino

Matt Lieberman

Conor Bunker

Anya Beletsky

Natalie Hall

Alex Perry

Casey Monteiro

Caroline Murphy Racette

Elena Carmichael

Caroline Kapp

Grace Zientara

Maddy Wrobleski

Nicola Lynch-Collier

Abby Fournier

Cast Complete for “Tale of the Allergist’s Wife” at Wellesley

celia — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:10:31 +0000

Director Joe Stallone is pleased to announce that he has “found his Mohammed,” completing the cast for the Wellesley Players’ upcoming production of The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.

The role of the Iraqi Doorman at an upscale Manhattan apartment building will be played by Jared Wright, a teacher and actor from Wilmington.

Wright joins Barbara Douglass (Marjorie) of Newton, Robby Levy (Lee) of Wellesley, Alice Springer (Frieda) of Sharon and David Kimmelman (Ira) of Woburn in Charles Busch’s sophisticated, adult comedy about a middle-aged upper class Manhattan couple and the mysterious old friend who pops back into their lives. In the words of Director Joe Stallone, “the author serves up some of the weightiest, essential personal questions wrapped in neurotic, middle-aged doubt, sauced with a piquant combination of camp and satire, peppered with sitcom implausibility and presented on an open, sterling platter of bold-faced comedy.”

Jared Wright, who is making his debut with Wellesley Players, has played, among others, the lead role in “The Shape of Things,” “The Mousetrap,” and “All In The Timing.”

Mohammed, though he may seem simply to be a nice young man, has experience and insights that only a life in the war-torn deserts of Iraq can provide – and he doesn’t bring it to the surface in ways we might recognize. Just when you think you know a person…..