Church Hill Theatre will introduce its 2024 season with one of the most popular plays in the history of world theater, Charley’’s Aunt. Directed by Michael Moore, the show will open in March, 2024. Because of holiday season schedules, auditions will be held earlier than usual, on Saturday, November 4 at 10 am, and on Monday, November 6 and Tuesday, November 7, at 5:30 pm on the stage at Church Hill Theatre.
Charley’s Aunt is a mad-cap comedy where star-crossed young (and old) lovers overcome bad luck and strict social expectations in their search for happiness. Mistaken identities, gender-bending twists, and incredible coincidences keep the action moving. Moore, who most recently directed Psycho Beach Party at the Garfield Center for the Arts, promises a modern vibe to his production.
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script and possibly some group warm-up exercises. Nothing has been pre-cast, so both actors and stage crew are invited. If you are unfamiliar with the play, there are probably hundreds of online articles and videos with more information.
Here are the roles:
3 young male university students: Jack Chesney, Charley Wykeham and Lord Fancourt Babberley, all in love with….
3 young women, who return the affection: Amy Spettigue, Kitty Verdun and Ela Delahay
Brassett, Jack’s valet, is a main male character of any age who often controls the action.
Colonel Sir Francis Chesney (Jack’s father) and Stephen Spettigue (Amy’s uncle and Kitty’s guardian) complicate the young couples’ attempts to explore their passion.
Donna Lucia d’Alvadorez is a handsome and mysterious middle-aged woman.
For more information, consult the CHT website at churchhilltheatre.org or call the CHT office at 410-556-6003.
Category: Press Release
CHT President Featured in Shore Update
CHT Board President Featured in Shore Update Feb. 2023
Outgoing Tide Opening Nov. 4th at CHT
The Outgoing Tide by Bruce Graham open in November at Church Hill Theatre. The play, directed by Shelagh Grasso features three members of a family; Gunner, his wife Peg, and their adult son Jack. As a family, they are faced with a painful decision and must come to a final understanding that centers on ‘quality of life’ as we age “…..this drama brings sensitive observation and minor key humor to painful situations that many of us will recognize from our own families…. its poignant conclusion will have resonance for many in the audience” read the The New York Times.
In addition to the Director noted above, the play is produced by Sally Borghardt with Michelle Christopher as Stage Manager and features Gil Rambach, Colleen Minahan and Christopher Wallace. The set construction is by Carmen Grasso, lighting by Nic Carter and costumes by Connie Fallon.
The play runs three consecutive weekends starting Nov. 4th, 2022, Fridays at 8 pm, Saturday at 8 pm and a Sunday matinee at 2 pm beginning November 4, 2022.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://ticketstripe.com/CHToutgoingtide
NEW MANAGEMENT AT CHURCH HILL THEATRE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEW MANAGEMENT AT CHURCH HILL THEATRE
Church Hill, Maryland – August , 2022
Along with new seating, a new marquee in progress, and other physical improvements, Church Hill Theatre is delighted that Juanita (Nita) Wieczoreck has joined the team as our new Business Manager. With a full range of programs once again possible, Nita looks forward to meeting old friends and welcoming new audiences to our jewel-box Art Deco theater in the village of Church Hill, Maryland.
Juanita Wieczoreck has a distinguished acting and back-stage record at CHT, so she already knows key personnel, has a well-honed institutional memory, and is familiar with our aged and quirky building. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, she has extensive management experience, strong computer skills, and a proven ability to juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities.
Nita graduated from Frostburg State University and studied at the Walnut Street Theatre School and the Philadelphia Area Repertory Theatre. With experience ranging from musical comedy to Shakespeare across Delmarva, she has appeared in more than 50 productions. Behind the scenes, she is a master costume designer. For many years, Nita’s “day job’ was as Executive Director of the Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization in Delaware, where she had wide-ranging planning, supervisory, and financial responsibilities.
In her new position at CHT, Juanita’s goals include recruiting and training volunteers, updating the website and social media platforms, improving communication with the public, and facilitating the fundraising activities that allow the shows to go on.
CLYBOURNE PARK COMES TO CHURCH HILL THEATRE
Church Hill, Maryland – Sept 2022
Do you remember Lorraine Hansberry’s searing A Raisin in the Sun, the now classic 1959
play about racial integration and “white flight” in Chicago? Have attitudes and realities
really changed over the last sixty-plus years? How does an ethical person deal with the
political, economic and moral baggage of our shared American experience?
Bruce Norris helps us explore the dilemma in his prize-winning 2010 drama Clybourne
Park. The first act takes us back to the 1950s, where Hansberry’s characters (and some new
ones) find that middle-class suburbia may not be the American dream they hoped for. Fifty
years later, Clybourne Park is changing again, as young professionals begin to gentrify the
established African-American community. Clybourne Park was awarded the 2011 Pulitzer
Prize for Drama and the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play.
Michael Whitehill, who brings his expected flair and innovative staging to the production,
directs Church Hill Theatre’s revival. With identity politics, the Black Lives Matter
movement, and other social issues dividing our country, Whitehill believes that while
Clybourne Park’s themes may sometimes be painful, the play is a powerful nudge to
reflection and constructive dialogue.
Intentionally linking the past and the now, Bruce Norris has the actors play different roles
in each act. The cast comprises Cynthia Bayne (Betsy/Lindsay), Simone Collins
(Francine/Lena), Anthony Daly (Kenneth), John Hodgson (Russ/Dan), Christine Kinlock
(Bev/Kathy), Gary Tucker (Albert/Kevin), Eddie Vance (Jim/Tom), and Frank Wirmusky
(Karl/Steve).
The production team includes Kathy Jones, Assistant Director; Steve Atkinson, Stage
Manager and photographer; Sylvia Maloney, Producer; Debra Ebersole, Costumes; Rachel
Gwin, Make-up and Hair; Doug Kaufmann, Light Design; and Tom Rhodes, Set Construction.
Clybourne Park opens on September 9 and runs through September 25, with performances
at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15
for members, and $10 for students. Please note that the subject matter may be difficult for
younger audience members. Reservations may be made on the CHT website:
http://www.churchhilltheatre.org or by phone at 410-556-6003.
Contact: Juanita Wieczoreck at manager@churchhilltheatre.org
Phone: Church Hill Theatre Office 410-758-1331
Church Hill Theatre Box Office: for reservations
Website: http://www.churchhilltheatre.org
AUDITIONS: October 26, 28, & 30
Auditions for Church Hill Theatre’s January production of Neil Simon’s situation comedy Last of the Red Hot Lovers will be held Tuesday, October 26th and Thursday, October 28th at 5:30PM in the theatre office and Saturday morning, October 30th at 10AM in the theatre. The theatre is located at 103 Walnut Street in Church Hill and parking is available at the town lot across the street. The theatre office can be accessed from the parking lot.
Director Bonnie Hill is seeking a cast of one man – age 45 – 60; and three women – ages 21 – 50. Familiarity with the script is helpful, but not necessary (scripts will be available at the theatre for perusal). Come prepared to do cold readings from the script and please wear appropriate shoes to move comfortably about the space. Technicians, set constructors, and props assistants are needed as well! For more information, call director Bonnie Hill at 410-708-2870 or email her at bonniehill@zimbracloud.com.
In Last of the Red Hot Lovers – set in 1969 – the sexual revolution is in full swing! Middle-aged restaurateur Barney Cashman wants a piece of the action. In the midst of a mid-life crisis and with no experience as a “hot lover”, he arranges three separate dates with three different women in his mother’s apartment. A depressed housewife, a foul-mouthed vixen, and a young actress line themselves up to meet the overworked Barney. The results are both surprising and hilarious.
Performances of Last of the Red Hot Lovers will be January 28 – February 13, 2022 at Church Hill Theatre; Friday and Saturday performances at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM. Please note that the Church Hill Theatre, Inc. requires proof of vaccination for all audience members, staff, volunteers, performers and Board members at all performances and theatre activities. This policy will remain in effect until further notice.
Curtain Up! A Gala Evening of Live Entertainment
Join us on Saturday, October 9th for Curtain Up!, a gala evening of live entertainment to celebrate the grand re-opening of Church Hill Theatre.
Attendees will be able to indulge in hors d’oeuvres, marvel at the new art deco wall fabric, and bid on silent auction items during the 6:30 p.m. cocktail hour, accompanied by the musical stylings of Dick Durham. Donations for youth education scholarships and new theatrical seating will also be asked for at this time. At 7:30 p.m., the actors will enter, “Curtain Up!”, and the show will begin.
For the musical aficionado, selections from Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific, Pippin, and more will fill your evening. Lovers of conventional drama will enjoy scenes from such CHT favorites as On Golden Pond and The Sisters Rosensweig.
GET YOUR TICKET BEFORE THEY’RE GONE!
Church Hill Theatre Announces Audition Dates for A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
Auditions for the rollicking Tony Award-winning musical comedy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will be held at Church Hill Theatre on Monday, August 16, and Wednesday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 21 at 1:30 p.m. Liz Clarke will direct this production with choreography by Kendall Chaires and Sylvia Maloney as producer.
This remarkable musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, opened on Broadway in May, 1962 with a book written by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart and George Abbott as the director.
This ensemble cast needs 8 women and 9 men (ages teens to sixties!), and all vocal ranges who must be able to sing, dance and act in this fast paced musical farce set in Ancient Rome. You’ll find desperate lovers, scheming neighbors, and secrets behind every toga! (There may also be a courtesan or two…)
For the vocal auditions, please prepare one song to demonstrate the range of your voice and the preferred variety of your singing style, along with 2 copies of the sheet music. Auditioners should be prepared to read from the script and to learn a brief dance routine. Technicians are also needed and are encouraged to attend auditions. Whether this would be your first show with us or your 101st, this show is guaranteed to be a fun way to dust off your dancing shoes and warm up your pipes after an exhausting quarantine!
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum performance dates are Friday, November 5 through Sunday, November 21, 2021. For more information, call Liz Clarke at 443-480-2559 or email lizclake10@gmail.com.