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Chicago the Musical Opens May 2nd

Chicago the Musical (Rated PG-13), opens on Thursday, May 2nd for 5 high energy performances at the Historic Owen Theatre in Branson. With shows at 7pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as 2pm matinee shows on Saturday and Sunday, Chicago the Musical promises to be one of the most talked about performances of the 2019 season!

Aline O’Niell (Roxie Hart), Lloyd Alexander-Holt (Director), Mesa Mitchell (Velma Kelly)

Adult tickets (18+) are $16.95 (includes ticketing service fee). Advance reserved seat tickets are suggested, and available online at BransonArts.org/tix or by calling the Historic Owen Theatre box office at 417-336-4255.

Set in the “jazz hot” 1920’s, Chicago the Musical tells the story of two rival vaudevillian murderesses, nightclub star Velma and aspiring chorus girl Roxie, who are are both serving time for “bumping off” their respective lovers. In an effort to redeem her career, Velma enlists the help of prison matron Mama Morton and slickster lawyer Billy Flynn, who turn Velma’s incarceration into a murder-of-the-week media frenzy, thus preparing the world for a splashy showbiz comeback. However, Roxie has plans of her own.

“Chicago the Musical pays tribute to American Vaudeville, and what better place to enjoy it, than on the intimate stage of the Historic Owen Theatre.”
– Lloyd Alexander Holt – Director

In 1975, the songwriting team of Kander and Ebb teamed up with choreographer Bob Fosse to bring CHICAGO to Broadway.  However, the world wasn’t ready to receive this satirical story.  It ran for just two years, then closed only to be presented in community theatres, colleges, and universities around the country.  It seemed the American public wasn’t ready to receive a story about murderers.
Fast forward to the mid 1990’s, where citizens became glued to their televisions; watching the stories of true crime playing out before their eyes.  It was though they couldn’t get enough of the dark, gripping headlines.  Producers took notice, and Chicago the Musical was revived on Broadway in 1996, and it continues to run to this day.

“Fosse is so intricate and delicate. There’s so much in just one little step. Whatever feels awkward, actually looks so cool. Once you put it on a group of people, like I’m having the opportunity to do, it’s so rewarding.” – Kristen Dasto – Choreographer

Michael Horn as Billy Flynn

Cast members of Chicago include: Mesa Mitchell (Velma Kelly), Aline O’Neill (Roxie Hart), Alex Harris (Fred Casely / Master of Ceremonies), Josh Silvy (Sergeant Fogarty / Court Clerk), Mathew James (Amos Hart), Emily Alphin (Liz), Amy Miller (Annie), Kayleigh Dominish (June), Brenna Bergeron (Mona), Kristen Dasto (Hunyak / Choreographer), Haley Bertrand (Momma Morton), Michael Horn (Billy Flynn), Sean Myers (Mary Sunshine), Stanna Brown (Go-To-Hell Kitty), Jonathan Kirkland (Aaron / The Judge), Jacob Deck (Martin Harrison), Nathan Andrew Krueger (Harry), Mindy Law (Ensemble), Destiny Taylor (Ensemble), Nicole Jenanian (Ensemble), Rachel Merrick (Ensemble).

Mesa Mitchell as Velma Kelly

Production Crew members include: Kim Hale & Lisa Murphy (Producers), Lloyd Alexander-Holt (Director & Vocal Director – Costume Coordinator), Kristen Dasto (Choreographer), Karie Dykeman (Assistant Producer), Jim Barber (BRAC Exec Director – Marketing & Design), Jack Vandewark (Stage Manager), Nicole Dasto (Assistant Stage Manager), Jeremy James (Technical Director), Roz Slavik (Prop Master – Costume Assistant), Jonathan Crum (Costume Designer), Kyle Bradley (Set Designer), Pamela Meadows (Lighting Design), Mac Hill (Audio Technician), Peter Gibbons (Sound Design), Marshall Meadows (Photographer).

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Auditions Announced for 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

  • dateApril 16, 2019
  • userBranson Regional Arts Council
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Auditions Announced for 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Open Auditions: Thursday, May 9 & Friday, May 10 from 6:00-9:00 pm
Callbacks/Pick up Auditions: Sunday, May 12 from 6:00-9:00 pm

Where: The Historic Owen Theatre, 205 S. Commercial St. Branson, MO 65616

These auditions are for ages 18+ only. Spelling Bee is rated PG-13 and is intended for mature audiences.

Requirements:
• Please bring a headshot and resume for production team to keep.
• We will be accepting video/online submissions but a live audition is strongly recommended. Please submit all online submissions to jacobmestes@gmail.com
• Two contrasting songs in the style of the show (Musical Theatre Repertoire only NO POP SONGS) An accompanist will be provided. Please bring clearly marked music in the proper key. An MP3 track is also accepted. (No CDs)
• There WILL be a required dance call. Please bring proper dance attire (Clothing that is form fitting and shows off your physique, and proper shoes. NO OPEN TOED SHOES)

You will be given the opportunity to change after initial audition

• Be prepared to do cold readings from the show and improv!
• IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE DIRECTOR- Jacob Estes: jacobmestes@gmail.com

Synopsis- An eclectic group of six mid-pubescent’s vies for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.

A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful den of comedic genius. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a fast-paced crowd pleaser and an instant theatre patron favorite.

All Roles Available: *Note each role will play multiple characters

Chip Tolentino
An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.

Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (Schwartzy)
Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures. She is driven by internal and external pressure, but above all by a desire to win to make her two fathers proud. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and will be back next year.

Leaf Coneybear
The second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark and finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing. He is home-schooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. He has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance.

William Barfee
A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. His famous “Magic Foot” method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy, bullying personality. He develops a crush on Olive.

Marcy Park
The ultimate over-achiever, Marcy has never been given another option. She comes from a family where excellence is expected and so simply produced. A parochial school student, she assumes God, too, expects perfection. She sees herself as a mass of problems but she keeps them to herself. Having moved often because of her parents’ work, she knows she can beat the local competition. Her many talents include piano, dance, martial arts, baton twirling, and/or whatever special gifts you can find in your casting pool.

Olive Ostrovsky
A young newcomer to competitive spelling. Her mother is in an ashram in India, and her father is working late, as usual, but he is trying to come sometime during the bee. Having found comfort in its words and vastness, Olive made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her to make it to the competition. She starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms.

Rona Lisa Peretti
The number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and the returning moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves children, but she can be very stern when it comes to dealing with
Vice Principal Panch and his feelings for her. Her interest in the competition is unflagging and drives it forward.

Douglas Panch
The Vice Principle. Frustrated with his life, he finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. After five years’ absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an “incident” at the Twentieth Annual Bee, but he claims to be in “a better place” now, thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections.

Mitch Mahoney
The Official Comfort Counselor. An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students. He has no idea how to offer comfort, but does find himself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better.

Carl Dad
Schwarzy’s main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy’s fathers.
• Played by actor playing Leaf.

Dan Dad
The more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy’s fathers.
• Played by the actor playing Mitch.

Jesus Christ
Deity invoked by a speller in need.
• Played by the actor playing Chip.

Olive’s Dad
A fantasy version of Olive’s dad coming to the bee from work.
• Played by the actor playing Mitch.

Olive’s Mom
A fantasy version of Olive’s mom at her Ashram in India.
• Played by the actor playing Rona.

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