Archive for October, 2011
As you may have heard, we at PlazaCo are so excited about our upcoming expansion of Plaza Academy Fine Arts & Dance Studio. We’ve procured a new Studio space at 211 Mill Street here in Cleburne (just one block west of the theatre) where these new classes will be housed. Since word about this new venture first got out we’ve been overwhelmed with requests for details about the new Academy. Well here they are, all the information about the Spring Semester of Plaza Academy at Studio P:
Spring Semester begins Jan 24th and continues for a full 14 week session
Spring Break March 12-16th
Last class May 5th
Dance and Musical Theater Showcase dress rehearsal Saturday, May 5th
Dance and Muscial Theater Showcase Monday, May 7th
Little Performers, Vocal Performance and Acting Class Showcase dress rehearsal Tuesday May 8th 4 p.m.
Little Performers, Vocal Performance and Acting Class Showcase Tuesday May 8th 7 p.m
Ballet classes – girls: pink or black leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes
Boys – black shorts, black t-shirt, black ballet shoes
Tap – clothes students can move easily in and tap shoes.
Musical Theater – clothes students can move in easily. Jazz shoes suggested but not required-
NO FLIP FLOPS
Drama classes and Little Performers – clothes and shoes students can move in easily.
NO FLIP FLOPS
Little Performers
Age: 3-7
Instructor: Tabitha Barrus
Theater comes to life for young ones in this energetic class! Through games, musical activities and play,
children explore the basics of performing. Our Little Performers will produce a fun mini musical using
simple songs and dialogue. (45 mins)
Tuition: $175
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Story Drama
Age: 8-11
Instructor: Camille Shaw
Let your child’s imagination roam free! Based in storytelling, this class uses improvisation games to help
students unleash their creativity. Writing their own script and developing unique characters; the class
works together to create an original story. (60 mins)
Tuition: $175
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Beginning Show Stoppers
Age: 8-18
Instructor: Tabitha Barrus
Discover the magic of Musical Theatre in this introductory class. Focusing on dance and music, this
course assists students in developing their performance skills. Students will join with the advanced Show
Stoppers class in producing a short musical or musical revue! (60 mins)
Tuition: $175
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Advanced Show Stoppers
Age: 8-18 (Teacher approved admission)
Instructor: Tabitha Barrus
Continuing to focus on dance and music, this course will inspire students to begin refining their Musical
Theatre skills. As they work to produce their short musical or musical revue, the students will enjoy the
challenge of advanced choreography, dialogue, harmony and character development. (90 mins)
Tuition: $225
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Acting for Teens
Age: 11-18
Instructor: Camille Shaw
Teens will love our challenging, but fun, approach to acting. Focusing on a one-act play, students will
grow in character development, script analysis and stage presence as they work to produce the show.
(60 mins)
Tuition: $175
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Vocal Performance
Age: 12-18
Instructor: Aaron Siler
Students will enjoy the encouraging atmosphere of this group style voice lesson. Technique is key as
each student prepares a pop song of their choice. (60 mins)
Tuition: $175
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Mini Dance Bugs
Age: 3-5
Instructor: Tabitha Barrus
Our youngest dancers will be introduced to the basic concepts of tap and ballet in this playful class.
Students will learn beginning technique through simple songs, creative movement and rhythms. (45
mins)
Tuition: $175
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Dance Bugs
Age: 6-7
Instructor: Tabitha Barrus
This tap/ballet combo introduces basic concepts and terms in a fun imaginative way. Students will
learn basic terminology, short combinations and correct placement while nurturing the imaginative
atmosphere. (45 mins)
Tuition: $175
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Tap Stars
Age: 8-11
Instructor: Tabitha Barrus
As a Tap Star, students will have a blast putting the fundamentals of tap to work. Over the semester
they will learn new steps, rhythms, patterns, and combinations in cute and fun routines. (60 mins)
Tuition: $175
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Tappin’ Teens
Age: 12-18
Instructor: Tabitha Barrus
In this high-energy class, teens start with the basics to build solid tap technique in a fun and supportive
environment. Students will incorporate steps, rhythms and combinations into routines, danced to some
of their favorite music. (60 mins)
Tuition: $175
___________________________________
Ballet Stars
Age: 8-11
Instructor: Faith Brown
This is a class for students who are new or returning to ballet. Students will learn ballet fundamentals
and terminology while developing strength, confidence, balance, and flexibility. (60 mins)
Tuition: $175
___________________________________
Ballet for Teens
Age: 12-18
Instructor: Faith Brown
Teens will enjoy learning the basics of ballet while developing confidence, mental concentration,
physical coordination and grace. This is a class for students who are new or returning to ballet. (60
mins)
Tuition: $175
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Tuesday –
4:00PM –
Vocal Performance – Practice Room A
Little Performers – Drama Room
Ballet Stars – Dance Floor
5:00PM –
Story Drama – Drama Room
Ballet for Teens – Dance Floor
6:00PM –
Acting for Teens – Drama Room
Tap Stars – Dance Floor
Wednesday –
4:00PM –
Beginning Show Stoppers – Dance Floor
5:00PM –
Advanced Show Stoppers – Dance Floor
Thursday –
4:00PM –
Mini Dance Bugs
5:00PM –
Dance Bugs
6:00PM –
Tappin’ Teens
Full Open Registration begins for Plaza Academy on Friday, November 18th with Pre-registration available beginning Wednesday October 26th. More information about Plaza Academy Fine Arts & Dance Studio available by calling the Plaza Theatre Company Box Office at 817-202-0600.
We’ve been excited about CRAZY FOR YOU at PlazaCo for a long time. So we have been disappointed on occasion to hear:
“Well, I want to see Treasure Island and Annie, so I think I’ll take that Crazy For You show off since I’ve never heard of it.”
Friends, we’re here to tell you that CRAZY FOR YOU is the best little musical you’ve never heard of. Bursting with fabulous Gershwin songs, this hilarious musical will have you tapping your toes all the way home. Don’t believe me? Just read on for Lyle Huchton’s excellent review from The Column by John Garcia. Then give us a call at 817-202-0600 to get your seats.
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_________________________CRAZY FOR YOU_______________________
Reviewed by Lyle Huchton, Associate Theater Critic
for John Garcia’s THE COLUMN
“I’m chipper all the day,
Happy with my lot.
How did I get that way?
Look at what I got.”
From “I Got Rhythm” by George and Ira Gershwin
I had this song stuck in my head. I had this song stuck in my head so bad that I had to Google it to find out what the correct lyrics were so I could sing it. And I never sing, ever. Not even “Happy Birthday”. Yes, you are reading this clearly so I might as well go ahead and admit it. I, Lyle Huchton, was singing a song associated with a musical (Notice how I cleverly avoided the phrase show-tune). What brought about this sudden change was Plaza Theatre Company’s production of Crazy for You.
What I observed there Saturday night was so lively and spirited, it made even me want to jump up on stage and join in. So I pretended that I did join in. Well…. only a few times in my living room; also in the car to and from work, and in the shower too. But those were the only times, cross my heart.
Crazy for You was penned by Ken Ludwig using songs written by the 1930’s songwriting team Ira and George Gershwin from their musical, Girl Crazy. Sometimes called “The Gershwin Musical” because not only did it incorporate music from Girl Crazy, it also included songs from several of their other productions. Crazy for You won the Tony award for Best Musical in 1992.
Anyone familiar with this show would agree that the biggest challenge in producing it would be the dancing. Heavy on tap with some ballroom thrown in, it would be exhausting for the most seasoned dancers. At Plaza, challenge is the name of the game. What they did to tackle this challenge was to hire not one but three choreographers.
Courtney Sikorah and Tabitha Barrus took care of the tapping part, and Rachel Hunt did the ballroom. Typically too many cooks in the kitchen are not a good thing. In this instance it worked because it allowed each choreographer to concentrate on their particular forte. This in turn gave them the opportunity to focus on each performer’s strong suit to enhance each dance number.
Director Jay Lewis, who was also credited with the set design and played a small supporting role, was able to find an equally balanced cast. Usually Plaza double-casts all of its shows but in this case decided to double only a handful of performers and permitted most to alternate between every other show. I would encourage them to consider this formula more often. It greatly improved the overall cohesion of the piece.
Jonathan Metting has become a staple at Plaza, taking significant roles in several past productions. And with good reason – he can sing. Here, as the romantic male lead Bobby Child, Mr. Metting created some of the evening’s best vocals with “Things are Looking Up” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me”. He likewise had a great look that was a nice fit into the time period in which the musical was set. Although he had a few minor slip-ups with his tap dancing, he went after the role with gusto and gave one of his best performances to date.
Playing the female romantic lead was Kasi Hollowell as Polly Baker. I felt she started out a little too quiet and timid but warmed up with a lyrical version of “Someone to Watch Over Me”, and an equally nice duet with Mr. Metting in “Embraceable You”.
There were some very nice performances in the supporting roles too. The character of Bela Zangler was so broadly written that it would be easy for the actor who played him to fall into cliché. Kyle Macy, as Zangler, did not allow this to happen but kept a firm grip on his character’s choices and gave a consistent and believable performance.
As Bobby’s overbearing mother, Lottie Childs, Soni Barrus completely embodied this character. Not only did she look like a million dollars by being wrapped in fur and dripping in jewels, but her comic delivery was impeccable.
Caitlan Davis as Bobby’s snotty finance Irene Roth was equally as funny. Especially in the first act when she and Lottie got at it tit for tat. She as well took her chance to shine with an impressive
“Naughty Baby”.
Within the large company providing jovial, highly entertaining performances include Luke Hunt as Lank Hawkins, Caroline Rivera as Patricia Foder, and the cowboy comedic trio portrayed by JaceSon P. Barrus, Josh Leblo, and G. Aaron Siler.
Capturing the look, feel and energy of this production were the Follies Girls. The first time they appeared onstage, popping out of a car like frothy pink bubbles to join Bobby in the feisty number “I Can’t be Bothered Now”, Rachel Hunt, Stefanie Glenn, Tabitha Barrus, Monica Glenn, Faith Brown, and Cessany Ford, grabbed the ball and ran, executing a flawless tap time step routine. In the number “I Got Rhythm” they would impress again by tapping with props ( such as gold miner’s tins used as tambourines), and swinging on pick axes that accented the music and heightened the choreography. Adorable and flirty, this group of “Gershwin Darlings” was worth the price of admission alone.
Altogether, the company not only danced well but produced some amazing vocals including the numbers “Slap That Bass” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It”.
Costume Designer Tina Barrus was one member of this company who did not shy away from a challenge. Constructing the vast amount of costumes needed for this show in itself was impressive. Being able to do it well while taking into consideration character motivation and movement only validated the fact that Ms.Barrus is one of the best costumers around. I hope that the performers who got to wear one of her creations realized how incredibly lucky they are.
Plaza Theatre Company’s production of Crazy for You should come with this warning: The infectious nature of this musical may cause outbursts of joyful singing, and an unending desire to tap dance. It is so powerful that it has been known to break through to even the crabbiest of grouches.
All roles are open for Plaza Theatre Company’s upcoming production of THE FOREIGNER. The show will be PlazaCo’s 50th produced since opening in the spring of 2007. Here are the details about the upcoming audition.
THE FOREIGNER Auditions
Monday November 7th, 2011 from 7 to 10pm
Callbacks are Wednesday November 9th
Directed by Luke Hunt
AN AUDITION APPOINTMENT IS REQUIRED
Click here to make an audition appointment: http://www.appointmentquest.com/provider/2040169233?schedule=auditionsfortheforeigner
AUDITION PREPARATION:
Auditioners will be asked to read cold from selected portions of the script provided at the audition. Each auditioner should plan to spend about five minutes auditioning for the Director. A call back audition will be held on Wednesday Nov. 9th, 7 to 10pm. Those auditioners who the director wishes to see further will be invited to the call back audition which may last up to three hours time.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
An inventive comic romp, The Foreigner is set in a fishing lodge in rural Georgia and tells the story of a pathologically shy young named Charlie who pretends that he can’t speak English in order to avoid making conversation with strangers – the other guests at the fishing lodge. Eventually the other guests decide to air their secrets around Charlie – many damaging revelations made with the thought that Charlie doesn’t understand a word being said. That he does fuels the nonstop hilarity of the play and sets up the wildly funny climax in which things go uproariously awry for the “bad guys,” and the “good guys” emerge triumphant.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
(All Roles Are Available)
Froggy Lesueur (M, 35-55) A British military demolitions expert & Charlie’s friend. Loves adventure.
Charlie Baker (M, 35-55) a pathologically shy little British man who has a very unfaithful wife, no personality that he can think of, and a need for peace and quiet. He has accompanied Froggy against his own better judgment.
Betty Meeks (F, 60+) The proprietor of a Georgia fishing lodge, Betty is pleasant, wise in some ways, naïve in others. She is a good-hearted, generous, “down-home” Southerner who speaks the hardy local dialect.
Reverend David Marshall Lee (M, 22-35) Neither the stereotypical pious young man nor the hearty backslapping evangelist, he appears to be a “regular guy”, one that you would like to have on your side. He is not what he seems,however: a sinister, two-faced, honest-to-goodness “bad guy”.
Catherine Simms (F, 18-30) The very pregnant and potentially rich fiancée of the Reverend Lee, she has a ready wit and a sharp tongue. She badly needs someone to talk to, and, since Charlie doesn’t bother giving advice, he suits her needs perfectly. Catherine is Ellard’s sister.
Owen Musser (M, 25-55) The mean, suspicious, and slimy Tilghman County property inspector. Owen and the Reverend Lee are cooking up an evil plot; Owen, we find, is the absolute stereotype of an ill-bred southern Klansman.
Ellard Simms (M, 15-25) Catherine’s brother, Ellard is agreeable, though a bit slow-witted. He works as a sort of handyman for Betty and needs a considerable bit of instruction in his tasks, but may not be as dull as he seems. Ellard befriends Charlie and even decides to teach him to speak English.