THE SPOTLIGHT - Lyric Theatre Company

LYRIC’S FIRST LIVE AUCTION A FUN AND
SUCCESSFUL EVENING–OVER $5,500 RAISED!
Lyric Theatre held its first Live Auction Event on
Saturday, April 2 nd , at the Ethan Allen Club. Auctioned off
were a variety of goods and services provided by Lyric
members. Over 90 people turned out to bid on such great items
as “A Day with Your Gay Best Friend, Chris Brown,” “A
Night on the Town with Lyric Executive Director Syndi Zook,”
“Fly Fishing Lessons with Marc Tischler,” and tickets to shows
at the Flynn Center, Vermont Stage and Lost Nation Theater,
among other great prizes. The high bid of the evening was for a
walk-on role in Lyric’s fall production of Hairspray. This was
won by Kerry Castano. Congrats, Kerry. Now you will know
first-hand what your son Chris feels when he comes to work for
Lyric. Wendy Valastro entertained us with show tunes all
evening with Hannah Brown and Serena Magnan O’Connell
giving us a sneak peek song from Chicago. Other entertainers
included Mark Cranmer, Syndi Zook and Patrick Clow, James
Blanchard and Martha Alexander. The evening moved along
seamlessly with the help of emcee Tim Kavanagh, including a
game he hosted that chose the winner of an Apple iPad2
generously donated by Physician’s Computer Company. Don
O’Connell and Serena Magnan O’Connell were the lucky
winners of a weekend in Montreal generously donated by our
friends at KOOL 105. The food, catered by Susanna Keefer,
was delicious and our friends at Champlain College and the
Ethan Allen Club were delightful hosts. Thank you
Development Committee Chair Freda Tutt, Marna Bisaccia,
Keith McManis, Geri Ann Higgins, Bev Hill, Marc Tischler,
Pat Boera and Paul Zengilowski. Thank you to all who attended
and a special shout out to event co-coordinator Phyllis
Stambolian for a job well done!
LETTER FROM TED ANDERSON: MARDI GRAS PARADE!
Thank you to all who participated in the Mardi Gras
Parade. I am hoping that everyone had fun! I was so happy that
it was not pouring rain all day as had been predicted. Thanks to
all the cast members who spent even more time with Lyric, in
addition to all their rehearsal time, who rode the float and
tossed beads and candy. Special thanks to Michael Tutt for
driving the truck again and to Andrea Cronan and DEW
Construction for the use of their lovely vehicle. Thanks to
Corey N. Gottfreid for his always amazing job as emcee getting
the crowds pumped up and to Pat, Geri Ann, Martha Alexander,
Chris Castano, Kerstin Anderson, Rebecca Wells and Jeffrey
Garrant for helping with all the final preparations. Thank you to
Cathie Covey and Lyn Feinson for sets and costumes for the
float. Next year the float will be Titanic. That will be fun!
Message from Lyric: Thank you, Ted!
SYNDI ZOOK JUDGING CONTESTANTS
FOR THE X-FACTOR
On May 7 th Syndi Zook along with singer/musician
extraordinaire Marie Clarie, will be seeing (and judging)
individuals from all over our region. We have the honor of
picking from what will be over 200 people, those who will go
on to compete on Simon Cowell’s nationally televised show
The X-Factor. The contest is being sponsored by FOX44 and
information will be circulating soon on their website as to how
to audition.
LITTLE CITY PLAYERS PRESENT THEOPHILUS NORTH
The Little City Players present Theophilus North by
Matthew Burnett based on the novel by Thornton Wilder at the
Vergennes Opera House. The production which runs April 7 th -
9 th and 15 th -16 th is directed by Jeffrey Fox. It is the spring of
1926. Thirty-year-old Theophilus North quits his teaching post
in New Jersey and embarks on a quest for fun, adventure and
his place in the world. His used car breaks down in Newport,
Rhode Island, and he is stranded in this city of renowned
wealth. Theophilus becomes involved in the lives and troubles
of Newport’s residents and is changed by the lessons he learns
through them. The cast features Jay Stetzel as Theophilus
North, along with an ensemble cast that includes Eileen
Corcoran, Rob Demic, Josie Fox, Morgan Ingenthron, Tom
Noble, Mack Roark, Blythe Usher, and Hannah Weisman.
Curtain time is 8 p.m.; 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 16th only.
Tickets are $12; $10 for students and seniors. Tickets will be
available at the Vergennes Opera House, Classic Stitching and
online at www.brownpapertickets.com. For more information
visit http://littlecityplayers.org/ or contact us at 802/877-6737.
ESSEX COMMUNITY PLAYERS PRESENT THE NERD
Essex Community Players concludes its 2010-2011 season
with The Nerd, a comedy by Larry Shue. The Nerd is being
produced by Dick Hibbert and directed by Donna Boisselle.
Set in Terre Haute, Indiana in late 1979, The Nerd is the
story of Willum Cubbert, an unassuming young architect,
friends Tansy and Axel, and unexpected houseguest Rick, who
saved Willum’s life in Vietnam. Over the years, Willum and
Rick have exchanged occasional letters and greeting cards,
though they never met. Willum has promised Rick that he could
come to him for help at any time. While Willum is hosting a
dinner party for his boss, Rick shows up. His awkward manner
and inappropriate behavior throw the occasion into shambles.
Rick decides to move in, leading to one uproarious incident
after another. Eventually at his wit’s end, Willum decides to
take a chance on Axels plan to get rid of Rick.
Cast members include Richard Camilli, Alise Certa, Chris
Evans, Bob Fishel, Sarah Gibson, and Nathalie Stapleton.
Crew members include Art Kilmer, Lillie Bleau, Kimberly
Wrede Findlay, Bruce Finney, Jan Kilmer, Cindy MacKechnie,
Don MacKechnie, Carol Mauger, Louise Richmond, Rachael
Smith, Beth Volker, Chuck Weger, and Frank Weston.
Performances will be on Thursdays (May 12 th and 19 th ),
Fridays (May 13 th and 20 th ), and Saturdays (May 14 th and 21 st )
at 8 p.m.; and Sundays (May 15 th and 22 nd ) at 2 p.m., at
Memorial Hall. Tickets may be purchased through Essex
Community Players only. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12
for children and seniors. As part of the “Essex Players Give
Back” initiative, all proceeds from the sale of concessions at
intermission will be donated to the Veterans Administration’s
Needy Patients Welfare Fund #1015. The fund may be used to
provide Veterans with emergency food, housing, transportation
or any other situation where the Social Worker documents an
urgent need. For additional information, visit our website
www.essexplayers.com or call the box office at 878-9109.