Thursday, January 2, 2025

Western Mass Theatre News January 2, 2025

The 500th Issue of Western Mass Theatre News - January 2
Western Mass Theatre Newsletter
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January 2 - 22, 2025


This is the 500th issue of the Western Mass Theatre Newsletter! Thank you all so much for your support - this May, this newsletter will be 10 years old! I hope it's helped you find a show or two to attend over the years. If you've enjoyed it, please forward the newsletter to a friend. And if you have been to anything recently that wasn't in the newsletter, please tell those producers that these listings are free! 

The next issue will include events from January 9 - 29. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me before Tuesday at midnight. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at westernmasstheatre@gmail.com

Submit Your Theatre Event
Easthampton Theater Company - Auditions for Guys and Dolls
January 5 and 6 in Easthampton
More Information
Amherst Community Theater presents Disney's Newsies
January 16-19 & 23-26 at Bowker Auditorium, UMass Amherst
Tickets and More Information
YOUR EVENT HERE
$5 per week for your poster and ticket link in top billing!
Email me to reserve your dates.
Click to Access: Western Mass Theatre Personnel Spreadsheet
PERFORMANCES
Happier Valley Comedy
The Understudies Improvised Musical

Jan 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The 1st Saturday of every month
Happier Valley Comedy, 1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley

It's the opening night of a brand new musical! Unfortunately, the show was never written or rehearsed. This is the moment we've been training for. Be part of the fun as the determined Understudies create an entire musical from scratch, with a little help from the audience. The Understudies are Scott Braidman, Kelsey Flynn, Paul McNeil, Mosie Senn-McNally, and Maile Shoul. With music by the amazing Jeff Kimball! 

NEXT SHOW: Saturday, January 4th at 7pm HVC Theater, 1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA

Tickets and More Information

MAJESTIC THEATER PRESENTS INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP

JANUARY 9 – FEBRUARY 16

West Springfield’s Majestic Theater will present Incident at Our lady of Perpetual Help, a comedy by Katie Forgette, onstage January 9 through February 16.

Set in 1973, this play is a wild and tender comedy that focuses on the cash strapped O’Shea family. 19-year-old Linda O’Shea, the narrator of the story, tells the story of a family crisis of biblical proportions when a simple conversation between her and her younger sister, about the birds and the bees, was overheard by the parish priest. It was the most turbulent day in her life, and just might turn into a parish-wide scandal—if only her family would quit interrupting.

The play will be directed by Rand Foerster.  Danny Eaton is producing director, and Sue Dziura is associate producing director and stage manager.  Stephen Petit is production stage manager, and the associate production manager is Aurora Ferraro.  Matt Whiton is the scenic designer, and the lighting designer is Daniel Rist.  Costume design is by Dawn McKay and Alan Schneider is technical director.

The cast includes Sandra Blaney (Jo O’Shea), Cate Damon (Terri Carmichael), Jenna Burns (Linda O’Shea), John Baker (Mike/Lovett/Betty), Maggie Hamel (Becky O’Shea), and understudies include Christine Voytko (Terri and Jo), Julia Solecki (Linda), and Mark Dean (Mike/Lovett/Betty).

Tickets to the show range from $35-$38 and can be purchased in person at the box office or by calling (413) 747-7797.  Box office hours are Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

Doors to the theater will open one hour before the start of a show, which is also when the café opens.  For more information, visit www.majestictheater.com

Happier Valley Comedy
Flip the Script
Jan 11, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Happier Valley Comedy, 1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley

Flip The Script We invite a local playwright to bring an unfinished script to the show; an original work that's never seen the stage. Then we read the character descriptions, cast the show, and launch into its first ever performance. Once we run out of lines, we drop the scripts and improvise the rest of the play while the playwright watches in delight (or horror!) 

Our playwright for January is Harley Erdman! 

Featuring experienced improvisers Mandy Anderson, Maddy Benjamin, Scott Braidman, Moe McElligott, Laura Patrick, Pam Victor, and Kate Zak, with frequent special guests joining the fun! 

NEXT SHOW: Saturday, January 11th at 7pm Happier Valley Comedy Theater 1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley Tickets are available online and at the door for $15

https://www.happiervalley.com/2nd-saturdays.html

Join PIC for our first social gathering of the year- our 2025 Kickoff Party.

It's the start of our 6th year and we want to celebrate with YOU! Join us, once again, at the fabulous Progression Brewing Company. The bar will be open for drinks and snacks for purchase. We will meet in the back of the venue for curated conversation, a chance to meet friends old and new, and share an afternoon of joy and connection together.

Free to attend. We can't wait to see you on January 12th!

See the Facebook invite here!
Amherst Community Theater
Disney's Newsies

1/16 at 7:30 PM 1/17 - 7:30 pm, 1/18 - 1:00 pm, 1/19 - 1:00 pm, 1/23 - 7:30 pm, 1/24 - 7:30 pm, 1/25 - 1:00 AND 7:30 pm, 1/26 - 1:00 pm
Bowker Auditorium, UMass Amherst

Join Amherst Community Theater for an electrifying production of Disney’s Newsies, the Tony Award®-winning musical with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and book by Harvey Fierstein. Inspired by the 1899 newsboys’ strike, this rousing tale of resilience, justice, and community is more relevant than ever in today’s fight for workers’ rights and equality. Our spirited, inclusive production features a dynamic cast of all-gendered newsies, reimagining the story’s heart with dynamic choreography and show-stopping music. Nine performances running January 16–19 and January 24–26, 2025. Questions? Email producer@amherstacts.org. Tickets: amherstacts.org/buy-tickets.

https://amherstacts.org/buy-tickets/
AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
Announcing Auditions for Guys and Dolls!
Auditions Are January 5th and 6th in Easthampton for our June production of Guys and Dolls. Auditions are by appointment only, so make sure you sign up! Callbacks will be January 13th. Rehearsals begin in late March and the production goes up in late June. More info is available on our website easthamptontheater.com

The Interim Production Manager is responsible for managing the operations of the Production Services department of the Fine Arts Center at UMass Amherst through June 30, 2025.  This includes day-to-day operations, scheduling, and finalizing staff assignments for Fine Arts Center performance facilities. 

Essential Functions

  • Finalizes the assignment and scheduling of, and manages, technical staff. Coordinates interdepartmental production meetings. Maintains and coordinates venue and production schedules with box office, front of house, technical staff, and other departments.
  • Assists Associate Director of Operations with implementing building maintenance and security operations for the Fine Arts Center performing arts facilities and outdoor events. Supports the production staff and work crew in the execution of normal maintenance, repairs, and improvements to the Fine Arts Center theatrical stage equipment in compliance with safety standards.
  • Supervises provision of technical support for outdoor and/or off-campus and virtual sites and the scheduling of production services shops (audio, lighting, and carpentry) in the set-up, run and strike for all Fine Arts Center shows, events and rentals.
  • Prepares and administers budget for production services, including processing invoices through Arts Vision and Sales Force, tracking expenses and revenues, and working with the business office to compensate production staff, reconcile facility rentals and complete end of year reporting. Assists with the purchasing process for production services including budget allocation, maintenance vendor quote requests for rentals and purchases, purchase order requisitions, and timely tracking of payables and receivables.
  • Assists the Associate Directors of Operations and Production in the coordination of the production calendar.
  • Maintains personnel and timekeeping records for five full time staff and a large pool of part-time students and over-hires for production services. Monitors and reviews the weekly timesheets submitted by production services staff and crew for accuracy.

More information and application here.

OPEN AUDITIONS FOR VALLEY PLAYERS’ PRODUCTION OF “LOVE LETTERS”

The Valley Players will hold auditions for their February production of A. R. Gurney’s award-winning play Love Letters on January 6 and 7, 7pm-9pm, at the Bangs Community Center in Amherst. Ten-minute audition slots must be booked in advance at valleyplayers.org. No preparation or prior experience is necessary to try out and all auditioners will read sides from the script. As with all Valley Players productions, this is a volunteer opportunity. Even though Love Letters is written with just two characters, this production could cast up to eight actors depending on turn-out at auditions. There are no age or gender requirements to be cast.

Love Letters goes up February 7 & 8 and 13 & 14 at Black Birch Vineyard in North Hatfield, with tickets on a pay-what-you-can scale. During the performance, attendees will be able to enjoy light bites and fine wine from Black Birch. Half of net ticket proceeds from Love Letters will be donated to River Valley Counseling Center, a nonprofit community-based mental health agency that has been serving the Valley for over 70 years.

Simple by design but moving in effect, the play takes the form of two characters sharing the letters they have written each other from kindergarten through their golden years, relating their struggles and triumphs, dreams and fears, and setbacks and second chances. Over the course of the evening, the often complicated, deeply touching, always messy story of their evolving love unfolds against the backdrop of the tumultuous events of the mid- to late-twentieth century.

Beloved by actors and audiences alike, Gurney’s classic play has featured some of the biggest names of stage and screen of the past 40 years, including Kathleen Turner, William Hurt, Christopher Reeve, Christopher Walken, Frances Sternhagen, Stockard Channing, Jane Curtin, Robert Vaughan, Mia Farrow, Carol Burnett, Alan Alda, Candice Bergen, Anjelica Huston, Martin Sheen, Matthew Broderick, Brooke Shields, Charlton Heston, Mel Gibson, Sissy Spacek, Liza Minnelli, Desi Arnaz, Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Daniels, Bernadette Peters, Elizabeth Taylor, James Earl Jones, Sam Elliott, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Sally Field, and Tony Shalhoub.

The Valley Players is an entirely volunteer-run nonprofit group with a mission to enrich the quality of life in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts by producing nimble, meaningful, and accessible community theater. All contributions are tax-deductible and go fully to support the organization’s mission and programming. Anyone who wants to donate or become a business sponsor, or find more information about the group, can do so at valleyplayers.org.

Valley Light Opera

Call for Stage Director

Call for director: The Valley Light Opera will be presenting H.M.S. Pinafore in November, 2025. VLO is seeking nominations and applications for artistic/stage director for our 50th annual production, Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore, to be performed November 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16, 2025, at the Academy of Music Theatre in Northampton.

Stage Director Description: The stage director creates the overall artistic concept of the show. The SD works closely with the musical director as well as the set and costume designers, the choreographer and technical director to carry out the concept. The stage director also rehearses principals and chorus in dialogue, acting, blocking, and dancing. An honorarium of $1,000 will be paid at the completion of the performances. 


For those interested in applying as stage director, proposals should be submitted by January 15th, 2025. Proposals can be submitted to VLO president Kathy Blaisdell at: kathy.blaisdell222@gmail.com and must include the following: 
· Letter of interest and artistic concept (no more than 3 pages) 
· Theater or music resume 
· References 
Nominations are also encouraged and may be submitted to the same email address.

Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, starting immediately. Finalists may be invited to make a presentation to the VLO Board after January 15. A description of the stage version of H.M.S. Pinafore can be found at: https://www.gsarchive.net/pinafore/html/index.html The Valley Light Opera is a volunteer, not-for-profit organization based in Amherst, MA. Each year for over 50 years the VLO has produced fully-staged, orchestrated and lavishly costumed productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and other musical theater works. Rehearsals are typically in Hadley or Amherst, and performances at the Academy of Music in Northampton. Applicants who are unfamiliar with VLO are encouraged to explore our website at vlo.org. 

Questions? Please email VLO president Kathy Blaisdell, at kathy.blaisdell222@gmail.com.
Sign up to attend here!

*All participants must fill out our Artist Intake Form prior to January 19th. If you haven't filled it out already, you can do so here.

ETHEL the BARN
Actors Needed: ART AS RESISTANCE: A celebration of MLK birthday as an antidote to Inauguration Day

Jan 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM
ETHEL the BARN

As a birthday present to MLK In response to the incoming administration ETHEL the BARN in Southampton is gathering concerned artists and audience for a reading of THE NIGHT THOREAU SPENT IN JAIL. There will be 1 rehearsal followed by the event. We are determined to respond to these difficult times by promoting creative activity as a form of resistance. If you would like to read or just want to attend in solidarity please RSVP: perlsteinj@protonmail.com

Call for Submissions: The Policy Playhouse 2025 Arts Festival

About The Policy Playhouse

The Policy Playhouse is a new arts initiative that seeks to bridge the gap between policymakers and the people they serve. We aim to use the power of art to spark meaningful conversations around critical social and political issues. In March 2025, we’ll host our first arts festival in Northampton, Massachusetts, where local artists and playwrights will present original works that tackle pressing local policy issues. These works will be performed by community members for both the public and local politicians, fostering dialogue and action.

Submission Guidelines

We’re currently seeking playwrights and interdisciplinary artists to submit their play scripts or creative projects for consideration. Your work should address a local policy issue in the Pioneer Valley, but you’re welcome to choose the issue you feel most passionate about. Some suggested topics include:

  • Education: Budget cuts and staff layoffs in Northampton schools (Contact Support Our Schools SOS for more info)

  • Housing: The housing crisis and gentrification in the Pioneer Valley (Contact Springfield No One Leaves for more info)

  • Immigration: ICE’s recent involvement in the area and Northampton/Amherst’s stance on supporting migrants

We accept both original works and adaptations (e.g., Shakespearean plays that are in the public domain). Plays can be any length or format.

Submission Process

  • Completed Scripts: Submit your finalized play manuscript through the provided link.

  • Proposals: If your idea is still in development, you can submit a proposal to collaborate with us in bringing it to life.

Submission Deadline: January 20, 2025.

We also welcome interest forms for those who want to contribute to the festival in a more low-commitment role, such as performance, tech, or volunteering. Interest forms can be submitted on a rolling basis via our website.

How to Submit

We encourage submissions from anyone in the Pioneer Valley, including school students and staff!

Thank you for helping us create a space for art that inspires action and fosters dialogue.

MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL - UPCOMING GRANTS

Grant Opportunities

Operating Grants for Organizations
OPENS: February 2025 / DEADLINE: April 2025
Who can apply: Organizations
Unrestricted general operating grants for Massachusetts-based, nonprofit cultural organizations with year-round operations offering public programming in the arts, humanities, or sciences. Grants start at $6,000.

Creative Experiences
OPENS: March 2025 / DEADLINE: April 2025
Who can apply: Organizations
NEW: Grants to organizations (including schools) to fund festivals, projects, residencies, and other cultural activities in the arts, humanities, and sciences. This program combines Festivals & Projects and Creative Projects for Schools into one program.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Starlight's Youth Theatre, Inc.
Sign up for Spring 2025 musicals

Classes begin January 18, 2025
Mapleridge Community Center 659 Amherst Road, Sunderland, MA

Aladdin Jr musical for grades 1-6 start January 18, 2025 every Saturday morning with performances at the Amherst Middle School auditorium March 22, 2025 Aladdin Jr. will be so much fun for the cast with expanded characters, new songs, and more thrills, this new adaptation of the beloved story will open up “a whole new world”. Class fee is $260, limited space, sign up at https://starlights-youth-theatre.org/register-portal/ Starlight classes are held at Mapleridge Community Ctr 659 Amherst Road, Sunderland, MA Financial Aid is available. No experience necessary. 


Hello, Dolly! The musical for grades 7-12 , classes start January 18, 2025, every Saturday 11am with performances May 2 & 3, 2025 at The Academy of Music in Northampton. This Tony Award winner has some of the greatest songs in musical theatre history. Songs such as “Hello, Dolly”, “Put on your Sunday clothes”, “Before the Parade marches by”, and “It only takes a moment”, Besides the lead and supporting lead roles this show has a very active ensemble that fill the show with song and dance. Class fee is $295 Auditions Dec 7th but everyone will have a role. Sign up at https://starlights-youth-theatre.org/register-portal/ Starlight meets at Mapleridge Community Ctr 659 Amherst Road, Sunderland, MA Financial Aid is available. No experience necessary.

Register Here.

PIC is thrilled to offer our first series of in-person classes for adults. Join the incredibly funny and talented Gabriel Levey this winter and spring for one or both of these fantastic offerings!

The Fun of Failure and Acting as Play go great as a pair! Separately, each class costs $275 for a total of $550. Sign up for both now through January 13th and receive a $30 discount.

Registration opens Monday, December 16th at 9:00am!

The Fun of Failure

Tuesdays, 6-9pm: January 14-March 11

*no class on  February 25th

Soften your brain, relinquish the pressure of living in an adult body, let loose and come PLAY! As we investigate the comic, tragic and poetic world of the Clown, participants will also be able to explore what it might be like to live in an undiminished body – maybe for the very first time.

Whatever happens, it’s going to be fun, like a lot of fun, maybe too much and then a little more.

 

Acting as Play

Tuesdays, 6-9pm:  March 25- May 20

*no class on April 22nd

In this 8-week class, participants will be provided with a safe, brave space to: 

  • Embrace the precarious pleasure of not needing to know what’s coming next 

  • Find fun in whatever given circumstances the character has no choice but to endure

  • And so much more!

Acting as Play is a wholly unique approach to text and scene work, centering imagination, play and vulnerability as the foundation of all performance. Over the course of the class, all participants will have the opportunity to work on a monologue and/or a scene, depending on their interests.

Learn More about both classes here!
Submit your workshop, class, audition, performance, or any other theatre opportunity here!
Western Massachusetts Theatre Companies
Academy of Music Theatre

Amherst Community Theater

Arena Civic Theatre

A.C.T. Youth Theatre

Barrington Stage Company

Berkshire Theatre Group

Chester Theatre Company

CitySpace

Completely Ridiculous Productions

Drama Studio

Double Edge Theatre

Easthampton Theater Company

Eggtooth Productions

Exit 7 Players

Ghost Light Theater

Great Barrington Public Theater

Greenfield Community College's Theater Department

Hampshire Shakespeare Company

Happier Valley Comedy

Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center

Human Agenda Theater

Ja'Duke Center for the Performing Arts

K and E Theater Group

Ko Theater Works/Ko Festival of Performance

Majestic Theater

Mount Holyoke College Rooke Theatre

No Theater

Northampton Community Arts Trust

Northampton Playwrights Lab
PaintBox Theatre

Panopera

Pauline Productions

Performance Project

Phantom Sheep Players

Play Incubation Collective

Plays In Place

Real Live Theatre

Serious Play Theatre Ensemble

Shakespeare & Company 

Shakespeare Stage

Shea Theater Arts Center

Silverthorne Theater

Smith College Department of Theatre

South Hadley Players

Spindrift Theatre

St. Michael's Players

Starlight's Youth Theatre, Inc.

Theater Between Addresses

Theatre Guild of Hampden

TheatreTruck

UMass Department of Theater

UMass Theatre Guild

Unity House Players

Valley Light Opera

Valley Players

WAM Theatre

Ware Community Theatre

Westfield Theatre Group

Wilbraham United Players

Williamstown Theatre Festival

World and Eye
Want to know even more about events in Western Massachusetts and beyond, including reviews, interviews, and previews?

In the Spotlight, Inc.
Berkshire on Stage
Stagestruck
ArtsBeat TV/Radio and News Column
Local Theater Critic Max Hartshorne
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Western Mass Theatre News January 2, 2025

The 500th Issue of Western Mass Theatre News - January 2 Your...