Backstage Players Company

Elf The Musical, Jr. to Open Friday, December 11

2015-12-07T19:29:08Z

Happy Holidays to All. The big weekend is almost here! Backstage Players is proud to present Elf The Musical, Jr. this coming weekend on Friday, December 11 at 7:00, Saturday, December 12 at 2:00 and 7:00 and Sunday, December 13 at 2:00 at Deep River Town Hall Auditorium, 174 Main St., Deep River, CT. The play is based on the popular Will Ferrell holiday movie, Elf.

Santa Claus, his elves (Buddy and crew), employees of Macy’s and all New Yorkers are prepared to entertain you, as Buddy and his “human” family experience their first Christmas together.

Join us for this hilarious comedy and enjoy its beautifully written and performed Broadway music. If this wonderful and inspiring story does not get you in the Christmas spirit, nothing will. Tickets are $15.00 ($12.00 for students and seniors) and are available through PayPal via our website (www.backstageplayerscompany.org), at our ticket agents: RJ Julia, Madison, Breakwater Books, Guilford and Dough on Main, Deep River. They are also available from all cast members and at the door. Seats are going quickly so don’t delay. We look forward to seeing you for Elf The Musical, Jr.

Elf The Musical, Jr. Cast Named

2015-10-17T02:11:59Z

Elf The Musical, Jr. Cast: Click Here

Thank you to all that auditioned. Please remember to email: hobson01@comcast.net with your acceptance of your role and/or with questions about the production.

BPC’s Holiday Show Is “Elf The Musical, Jr.”

2015-11-19T14:52:32Z

Backstage Players Company is proud to announce its December holiday show, Elf The Musical, Jr. The show is produced in cooperation with Music Theatre International and is available to all young actors ages 18 and under. For a list of characters, go to our Audtion page.

The four show dates for Elf are Friday, December 11 at 7:00pm, Saturday, December 12 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm and Sunday, December 13 at 2:00pm. Due to lack of December availability at Clinton Town Hall, all shows will be at Deep River Town Hall Theater, 174 Main St., Deep River. Many of our BPC adult actors are no strangers to Deep River, having worked in many productions there.

“The space at Deep River is magnificent,” said Ed Hobson, BPC board president. “It’s been recently remodeled. It’s a little smaller and more intimate than Clinton, but it is elegant and comfortable. It’s only about 20 minutes from Madison/Guilford, which will allow easy access to our historic cast and audience. Our rehearsals will still be conducted at Brown School in North Madison.”

Elf The Musical, Jr. is a delightful adaptation of the classic Christmas movie, starring Will Ferrell. It’s the story of Buddy, the Elf, a noticeably large and clumsy member of Santa’s helpers. It is learned that Buddy is, in fact, a human, who, as an orphaned baby, hid away in a toy sack and was accidentally transported back to the North Pole. Subsequently, Buddy leaves the North Pole en route to New York City to seek out his family. Needless to say, hilarious misadventures ensue.

“The Producers” Tickets On Sale

2015-03-16T03:06:45Z

Tickets for Backstage Players 2015 Main Stage Production of The Producers are now on sale.

The Producers is a hilarious Mel Brooks, TONY Award winning musical and will be presented by Backstage Players on Thursday, March 26, Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28 at 7:00 and Sunday, March 29 at 2:00 at Andrews Memorial Theater at Clinton Town Hall.

Tickets are available through PayPal on the “Tickets” drop down at the top of this page, from local retailers RJ Julia Books in Madison, Breakwater Books and Sachem Card and Party in Guilford and Malone’s Coffee Shop in Clinton and at the door. Tickets are $22.00 for adults and $18.00 for students and seniors.

The Producers is presented one weekend only. Don’t miss it.

“The Producers” Coming in March

2015-01-29T20:21:14Z

Backstage Players is proud to be bringing the hilarious Mel Brook’s Comedy, The Producers to stage this March. Shows are scheduled for Thursday, March 26 at 7:00, Friday, March 27 at 7:00, Saturday, March 28 at 7:00 and Sunday, March 29 at 2:00 at Andrews Memorial Theater at Clinton Town Hall.

The Producers follows the adventures of Max Bialystock, a less than reputable, down-on-his-luck Broadway Producer and his withdrawn, milquetoast accountant, Leo Bloom. Their scheme is to put on the worst Broadway Musical ever, close it in one night, and run off with all of the project’s investment money. They need to find the worst musical ever written and the worst director on Broadway, not to mention some equally ridiculous characters that they meet along the way. The title page of the play selected reads, “Springtime for Hitler, A Gay Romp with Adolf and Eva at Berchtesgaden.” Mr. Brooks takes this premise of a musical glorifying Hitler and proceeds to destroy the Nazis and their Third Reich with unparalleled sarcastic humor.

Along the way, audiences will be treated to some of the most beautiful music ever written for the stage, “The King of Broadway”, “I Want to be a Producer”, “Keep it Gay”, “When You’ve Got It, Flaunt It”, “That Face”, “Springtime For Hitler” and many others.

The Producers features many Backstage regulars, including Mark Gilchrist and Jim Kane, who play the two leading men, Max and Leo, respectively. Kane will also double as director for the production.

“I’m incredibly excited to be working on The Producers in as many aspects as I am, said Kane. “It’s been my favorite show since it hit Broadway years ago and I’m honored to be given the chance to bring Mel Brooks’ genius alive on stage.”

We are proud to introduce two Backstage Players newcomers, Chelsea Kelle from Manchester, who plays Ulla, Max and Leo’s love interest and David Kaminski, a great stand-up comedian in his own right, as Franz, the totally insane Neo-Nazi playwright.

The Producers is a marked departure from Backstage Players’ usual fare. It is a quintessential Mel Brooks comedy. It features an all adult cast, save some mature teenagers, and is rated PG-13 by Music Theatre International, still appropriate for most young people, but not all.

“We are taking somewhat of a leap of faith with this production. It has an edge to it, which is a good thing. Good theater is not meant to be comfortable”, said Ed Hobson, BPC president. “Its Brooks being an “equal opportunity offender”. Its really, really funny, chocked full of silliness from beginning to end. Its Brooks fighting the Nazis the only way he can, through humor. Our audience has come to expect excellence from us and this will be the biggest and best we’ve done, so far.”

Please don’t miss this lavish extravaganza in Clinton. Ticket information will be published very soon on this website.

“The Producers” Final Audition

2015-01-06T19:27:25Z

Backstage Players will conduct its final audition for The Producers on Saturday, January 10, 2015 from 1:00-4:00 at Guilford Community Center, 32 Church St., Guilford. Please see the audition page for details.

The Producers comes to stage Thursday, March 26, Friday, March 27, Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29 at Andrews Memorial Theater at Clinton Town Hall.

“The Producers” Auditions Announced

2014-11-25T04:37:40Z

Backstage Players is very happy to announce open auditions for its 2015 main stage production, The Producers. Please see the audition page for details. The Producers is a hilarious Mel Brooks comedy and will feature an adult cast. All adults and teens, who can look adult on stage, are encouraged to audition, regardless of experience level. Ensemble parts are especially exciting in this piece, featuring abundant singing, dancing and stage time. Chorus line dancing and tap will be at a premium. The show will be directed by Jim Kane.

The Producers comes to stage Thursday, March 27 at 7:00pm, Friday, March 28 at 7:00pm, Saturday, March 29 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm, and Sunday, March 30 at 2:00pm. All shows are at the beautiful Andrews Memorial Theater at Clinton Town Hall, 54 East Main Street, Clinton.

Rehearsals will begin the first week of January 2015 and will be conducted at Brown School, 980 Durham Road, Madison.

Don’t Forget…..Our little puppies are straining at their leashes, trying to get on stage for our holiday production, Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids. The show comes to stage Friday, December 19 at 7:00pm, Saturday, December 20 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm and Sunday, December 21 at 2:00pm. All shows are at Andrews Memorial Theater at Clinton Town Hall. Tickets are available from all cast members, at RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, Malone’s in Clinton, Jordy’s Toy Shoppe in Guilford, on this site through PayPal and at the door. Don’t miss it. It promises to be a howling good time.

“Dalmatians” to Hit the Streets in Madison Christmas Parade

2014-11-06T22:05:00Z

Backstage Players cast of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians will appear in Madison’s annual Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 7. As well as our spotted fury friends, poodles, scotties, chihuahuas, boxers and a few humans, including the evil Cruella DeVil will all be represented in the holiday spirit. The parade begins at 1:30 and will proceed along Post Road. Cast members will be meeting the public with a few surprises.

Please join us for the parade. Disney’s 101 Dalmatians will come to stage on Friday, December 19 at 7:00, Saturday, December 20 at 2:00 and 7:00 and Sunday, December 21 at 2:00 at Andrews Memorial Theater at Clinton Town Hall, 54 East Main St, Clinton. Tickets are $15.00 for adults, $12.00 for students and seniors. They can be purchased from cast members, at area retailers, online from PayPal and at the box office.

“Disney’s 101 Dalmatians” Cast Announced

2014-10-16T19:28:38Z

We thank all candidates that auditioned for Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. The first rehearsal is scheduled for Monday, September 22 from 6:00-8:00 at Brown School, Madison. It is a full cast call. Scheduled rehearsal dates, times and “call” details can be accessed on the calendar on the home page of this site.

Please see the cast list below. We need to hear back from all cast members via email with confirmation that they are accepting their part, or not. Confirmation deadline is Friday, September 19 at 5:00. Please send acceptance emails to hobson01@comcast.net.

CAST FOR DISNEY’S 101 DALMATIANS:

Cruella De Vil……….Lauren Shoemaker

Cruella’s Hench”women”, Hortense……….Hadley Houghton / Jasper……….Reese Newman

Dalmatian Owners, Roger……….Scott Accetta / Anita……….Isabel Kelly

Adult Dalmatians, Pongo……….Aidan Tucker / Perdita……….Cordelia Keberle

Narrators……….#1 Molly Joe / #2 Hannah Kidwell / #3 Callie Richard / #4 Aurelia Keberle

Dalmatian Puppies, Patch……….Tommy Meehan / Lucky……….Maggie Lavin / Penny……….Bianca Pasquinelli / Pepper……….Chioe Monaghan

Cat, Sgt. Tibbs……….Holly Edwards

Nanny……….Jillian Accetta

Police Officer……….Carly Steere

Dogcatcher……….Morgane Reed

Younger Puppies, Spot……….Ellen Bartholomew / Dot……….Vivienne Gallo

LONDON DOGS (Some of these actors will be showcased in various additional scenes throughout the show.***Additional roles include Dog Park Walkers & Pups, “Kanine Krunchies” Commercial and Thunderbolt TV Show Dogs, etc. will be determined from LONDON DOGS list within the first few weeks of rehearsals.)

Boxers (Tumblers & Gymnasts): Isabelle Costa / Sara Kelly / Catie Pena

Scotties (Irish Step Dancers): Olivia Ameika / Avery Hagen / Maddie Merkle-Ward / Ella Schroder / Carly Steere

Poodles (Can-Can Dancers): Sadie Bartholomew / Holly Edwards / Emma Flaherty / Phoebe Hamblett / Chloe Smith

Chihuahuas (Latin Dancers): Carrie Edwards / Julia Gallo / Trey Newman

Congratulations to all of those cast. If you were not cast, we thank you for your participation and hope to see you for next year’s auditions. Please remember to RSVP regarding your role acceptance within the next 24 hours, or so. Disney’s 101 Dalmatians will be presented on Friday, December 19 at 7:00, Saturday, December 20 at 2:00 & 7:00 and Sunday, December 21 at 2:00. All shows are at Andrews Memorial Theater at Clinton Town Hall, 40 East Main St., Clinton, CT.

Production Staff Named for “Disney’s 101 Dalmatians”

2014-09-03T16:48:51Z

Backstage Players is proud to announce the production staff for it’s December show, Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. Allison Mohler will be making her Backstage Players directorial debut. She will serve as both the creative director and the vocal director. Allison’s impressive resume begins in 2003, with directing children’s productions in Northeastern Pennsylvania and continues with two years directing summer sessions at The Cushing Academy in Ashburton, MA. From 2006-2009, she directed the “Playshop” program at Norwich Free Academy, bringing Guys and Dolls, Bye Bye Birdie and Cinderella to stage. She has recently served as vocal director with Swing Bridge Arts Alliance in East Haddam and Podium Players in East Hampton. Recently on stage, Allison has brought memorable characters to life, such as Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie, Nancy in Oliver! and in March 2014, in her BPC stage debut, Maria in The Sound of Music and most recently as Rona in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, with Swing Bridge Arts Alliance. Allison is a Social Studies teacher at Norwich Free Academy. She holds a BA in Political Science from Lehigh University (PA) and has just completed her Law Degree at University of Hartford.

BPC President, Ed Hobson will serve as Allison’s assistant director, business manager and communication manager. Jeri Minutillo will produce Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. BPC is pleased to welcome back Maria Greco as choreographer, Maki Kelly as stage manager and Tina Accetta as costume designer. As always, Mark Gilchrist will direct marketing and advertising for the production. BPC is currently interviewing for a set designer.

“I was thrilled when Allison accepted our offer to direct Disney’s 101 Dalmatians,” said Hobson. “Having worked with her many times on stage and having been directed by her, I am confident that we have found just the right person to lead our children to success. I know they will be very pleased.”

Disney’s 101 Dalmatians will be cast with children ages six to 15. Auditions are scheduled for Monday, September 15 and Tuesday, September 16 from 5:30-8:30 at Brown School, Madison. The cast will be announced the evening of Wednesday, September 17. The rehearsal process will begin Thursday, September 18 with a first reading of the script. The show comes to stage December 19, 20 (two shows) and 21 at Andrews Memorial Theater at Clinton Town Hall.