Country Gate To Audition "Annie"
Country Gate Players will hold open auditions for its' upcoming production of Annie on May 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m., at the Country Gate Playhouse, 114 Greenwich Street, Belvidere, New Jersey. The award winning Broadway musical about the spunky, Depression era orphan, determined to find her parents, will be staged July 19, 26, and August 2, at 8:00 p.m., as well as, August 3, at 2:00 p.m.
The show is fueled by a fabulous variety of characters from the ever- inebriated, harpy Miss Hannigan, to her wacky brother Rooster, to the great Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks, himself. The tuneful Charles Strouse/Martin Charnin score includes "Easy Street", "NYC", and the inevitable "Tomorrow".
The production is under the direction of Bill and Gina Scurato, of Harmony Township, with musical direction by Claudia Revak, of Stroudsburg. Auditioners will be asked to sing a selection from the show (accompanist provided). Cold readings from the script will also be required. The cast is comprised of seven children, and 16 adults. Children must be at least nine years old in order to audition. Rehearsals will be held primarily on weekday evenings.
Further information may be obtained by calling Country Gate at (908) 475-1104 or by logging on to www.countrygate.org
*******************************************************************************************************************************
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) is a hilarious roller coaster ride through all of Shakespeare’s 37 plays in just 97 minutes! Featuring 3 actors, in tights, playing over 100 different characters, this production will take its audiences through The Tragedies, The Histories, The Comedies and The Poetry. The comedy was written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield and originally performed by the Reduced Shakespeare Company. It has enjoyed over a decade of success in productions staged around the world.
The show has been described as fast, funny and very accessible. Director Gina Scurato, of Harmony Township, said, "Shakespeare fans, as well as those totally unfamiliar with the Bard, will equally share in the entertainment opportunities found in this show.” The New York Post described it as “the Marx Brothers, Monty Python and Mad magazine all rolled into one.”
Featured in the Country Gate production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) are three veteran area stage actors who are well known for their comic approach to acting.
John Trembler, of Forks Township, returns to the Country Gate stage after a four-year hiatus. Previously he had appeared in such Playhouse favorites as Pippin, The Odd Couple, Lost In Yonkers, and Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding. Trembler is the managing director of the State Theatre, in Easton, Pennsylvania. He is also a member of The Magic Guys, comedy/magic troupe.
Vinny Foti, of Stewartsville, is the second member of the “Shakespeare Abridged” cast. Foti is familiar to local audiences on several area stages, from his leading role in Lend Me A Tenor at the Pennsylvania Playhouse, to his recent stint as Sancho Panza in the Country Gate production of Man of La Mancha. Foti is an employed in the PNC organization.
Rounding out the cast is Bill Scurato, of Harmony Township. Artistic Director of Country Gate since 1972, Scurato has been involved onstage and behind the scenes in hundreds of productions. He is probably best remembered for his portrayals of Tevye, in Fiddler On The Roof, and the title role in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. By day, Mr. Scurato is the curriculum coordinator for the Warren Hills Regional School District.
All seats are reserved at $15, with group and student discounts available. Further information
may be obtained by calling Country Gate at (908) 475-1104
or by logging onto the theatre website at
www.countrygate.org