Actorsingers announced their season for next year recently. They are doing The Music Man and All Shook Up!!
I can’t wait til the summer when auditions happen! This audition should be easy for me considering the fact I have been in this show already. The question remains if I should challenge myself a little bit more and audition for a speaking part.
Still have quite a long time to think about this. Needless to say I am excited about auditioning for Music Man again. 🙂
This is excerpted from my Fanfiction The Daughter I Never Had which highlight the mother/daugher relationship of Mrs. Pugh and Grace from Annie. I own no rights to characters from Annie. The full story can be found on my profile on fanfiction.net. This goes with prompt # 366.
Grandmother-To Be
The Daughter I Never Had Chapter 7
Note: This is the epilogue of my story Forever Changed from Mrs. Pugh’s perspective
Oliver told the girls at dinner tonight that Grace is pregnant with twins. I couldn’t be more excited for this family! Annie and Molly are going to be such wonderful big sisters. I can’t wait to spoil those babies rotten!!
Grace had not been feeling well earlier today so I brought her some juice and a ham and cheese sandwich. Once the kitchen was all cleaned up I went up to Oliver and Grace’s room to go check on Grace. When I entered the room I smiled when I noticed the food tray was empty. Grace looked a little bit better than she did earlier in the day. I sat in the chair by the edge of her bed.
“Hi baby, how are you feeling?”
Grace was positively glowing. She beamed up at me.
“I’m feeling a lot better Mama. Did Oliver tell you and the girls the wonderful news?”
I grinned. “He certainly did! I am so excited for you Gracie Liz.”
“I’m so excited but nervous too. What happens if something goes wrong with the pregnancy?”
“I’m sure everything will be fine darling.”
I stroked her back from her forehead and kissed it gently.
“I love you Grace.”
Grace’s hand reached out from underneath the covers and squeezed mine.
“I love you too Mama,”
I decided to let Grace rest and take Annie and Molly shopping for materials to decorate the nursery with. They had no idea what to get at first but finally decided on a zoo animal theme,
“ I think the babies will really love the way the way their room will be decorated. “ Annie said
I squeezed her shoulder. “I’m sure they will sweetheart.”
As always Annie was bubbling over with excitement. Molly on the other hand barely said anything the whole shopping trip.
“Molly, darling what’s on your mind?” I asked on the way home.
She shrugged. “ Nothing.”
I could tell she wasn’t willing to tell me something. I would get it out of her sooner or later.
Later that evening after dinner Grace came into my room looking concerned.
“Mama, Annie said that Molly was unusually quiet during your shopping trip today. Did you ask her what was wrong?””
I nodded. “I did. She said nothing was bothering her but I could tell she had something on her mind.”
“Do you think it could have something to do with the pregnancy?”
I shrugged.. “I don’t know. Maybe we should try to talk to her together.”
Grace nodded. “Okay.”
And try we did… we were very unsuccessful in getting any information out of Molly however.
At the beginning of August I had some welcome time off because Oliver and Grace took the girls on vacation. After they got home Grace came into my room looking sad.
“Come here sweetheart.” I said patting the bed next to me.
Grace sat down and I pulled her in to a warm embrace.
“Why so glum? Didn’t you all have a nice vacation?”
Grace nodded. A tear escaped from her eye and made its way down her cheek.
“Did you find out what was bothering Molly while you were away?”
Grace nodded again. She remained silent. Tears began to flow freely down her cheeks.
“Gracie Liz darling, please don’t cry.”
I rubbed her back and pulled a handkerchief from my apron pocket dabbing at her eyes.
Grace took a few moments to compose herself then she spoke.
“Yes Mama, I did find out what has been bothering Molly. My heart is just torn up about it.”
“What’s been on her mind?”
“I think she’s a bit jealous of the babies.”
“Jealousy is normal for any child who is expecting a new sibling.”
Grace nodded. “I know, I remember feeling the same way. I was about Molly’s age before my sister Melissa was born.”
“What’s the problem then?”
Grace looked down at the bedspread. “Molly is worried that Oliver and I won’t love her and Annie the same way once the babies are born.”
My jaw dropped.
“That’s ridiculous.”
Grace nodded. “Oliver feels the same way. He doesn’t quite understand why she think we’d love her and Anne any differently than we would our own children.”
I titled Grace’s chin up so she was looking directly into my eyes.
“You mustn’t worry about this too much sweetheart. Every child deals with this. You and Oliver just need to prove to her that you love her.”
Grace looked frustrated. “That’s the problem. I feel like Molly should know that we love her and Annie just as much as we would love the babies when they are born. The fact that they are adopted shouldn’t affect anything. Why should we have to prove anything to her?”
“As I said you mustn’t worry.. This will pass.”
Grace nuzzled into my chest. “I love you Mama.”
I stroked her bangs back and kissed her forehead. “I love you too baby girl.”
The next day after school I knocked on Molly’s door.
“Come in.” she called
I opened the door.
“Hi Grandma Helen!”
“Hi Sweetheart, can we talk?”
Molly nodded. I patted a spot on her bed and she sat down
“Am I in trouble?”
I shook my head. “No darling. Your mother is a little worried about you though.”
“Why?”
“She told me that you’re a little bit anxious about being forgotten about when the babies are born.”
Molly nodded. She looked down at her bedspread glumly.
“I don’t mean to make Mommy sad. I love her a lot.”
I squeezed her tightly. “Oh darling, I have no doubt in my mind that you do. She loves you and Annie very much.”
“Why do you think that she’ll forget about you once the babies are born?”
“Well because we’re adopted and the babies will be their own children.”
As I had down with Grace the day before I took Molly’s chin and titled it upward so she was looking directly in my eyes.
“Molly., your birth parents gave your mother and father a wonderful gift. You and your sister. Both of you brighten up this household and we all love you so dearly. Just because your mom is having a baby does not mean that you and Annie will be loved any less.”
Molly still looked uncertain. “Are you sure Grandma Helen?”
I rubbed her back. “Of course sweetie pie,”
“I love you Grandma Helen.”
I kissed her on the head. “I love you too Molly.”
On a late September morning I woke up around 7:00. I saw a note on the kitchen table from Oliver and smiled when I saw. It said that Grace had gone into labor and the babies were about to make their entrance into the world.
Annie came into the kitchen “Grandma Helen, why aren’t Mom and Daddy up yet?”
I squeezed her tightly. “Annie, your mother is in labor. Your brother and sister will be coming shortly.”
“Oh boy oh boy! How soon?”
“This note says that we have to wait for their phone call. After that we’ll head to the hospital.”
The three of us ate breakfast, At around 9:20 the phone rang. Oliver was on the other end of the line.
“Come on down. Grace had the babies about five minutes ago.”
“Is she up for vistiors that soon?”
“Yes. Grace can’t wait for Annie and Molly to meet their siblings.”
“We’re on our way.”
I hung up the phone. Annie grinned at me
“Was that Daddy?”
“Yes, your brother and sister are here. Let’s go to the hospital,”
“Oh boy o h boy!!”
Annie bounced out of her chair and brought her dirty dishes to the sink then she headed up to her room. Molly and I were left alone. She was quietly finishing her pancakes.
“Sweetheart, aren’t you excited?”
Molly shrugged.
I could sense she was a little bit worried about being forgotten about.
“Sweetheart, remember what we talked about? Your mother and father love you very much.”
“Okay Grandma Helen. I’ll go get ready to go to the hospital now to see Mommy.”
I was sad that Molly was still feeling slighted by the birth of the babies. I had no clue how to make her feel better.
When we got to the hospital and asked the receptionist where Grace’s room Annie bolted down the hall to her mother’s room. Molly and I went to the gift shop to buy some presents.
“Molly did you want to buy something for your brother and sister?”
Molly nodded. “I have no clue what though.”
“Take a look around.”
“Okay.”
It took her about 10 minutes but she met me at the cash register armed with two teddy bears.
I paid for everything and we headed for Grace’s room
Annie met us at the door.
“Molly the babies are so cute. They’re really tiny though.”
Molly and I entered Grace’s room.
Oliver took the flowers from me and put them on Grace’s bedside table and then took the teddy bears from Molly and put them in the bassinets. He then went over to Molly and took her hand.
“Sweetheart, come meet your brother and sister.”
“What names did you decide on?”
“Your brother’s name is Frederick Oliver and your sister’s name is Joanne Rachel.”
I choked up at Joanne’s middle name.. Grace must have made the decision to name her after her mother.
Molly leaned over and kissed Frederick’s head gently. “Welcome to the family .” she whispered.
Oliver took one of the babies from Grace and I took her free hand in mine,
“They’re so precious Grace. I’m so happy for all of you.” I leaned down and kissed her forehead.
“Thanks Mama. I love you.”
“ I love you too my beautiful precious girl.”
Grace patted an empty spot on the bed., gesturing toward Molly.
“Come here sweetie pie.”
Molly scrambled up on the bed and curled into her mother’s side.
“Never forget how much I love you and your sister.” She whispered.
Molly kissed Joanne’s head and then Grace’s cheek.
“I won’t Mommy. I love you.”
We all stood in content silence. I could tell Grace was grateful to have such a wonderful family. I couldn’t be more happy. She may not be my birth daughter but she’s just as special to me as my own daughter. I am so happy she came into my life.
I am consdiering auditioning for You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown with Stagecoach Productions in the spring. I have a while to decide about the audition. I must admit looking back on my audition for Pirates on Penzance in August I am not really sure I really did the best that I could’ve done. I think it would have beeen better for me to sing a Gilbert and Sullivan song instead of Oklahoma from Oklahoma. This could be a case of me being my own toughest critic but I don’t know. It was my first time auditioning for Stagecoach so I was pretty nervous about it. This time around I won’t be quite as nervous.
I think I need to start doing research on this show.. sure a few songs from it are on my itunes but I need to pick a song that will be good…. I am not sure any of the songs I have already will be a good fit for the audition so I may have to go to the library.
Tons of time to prepare so I am not too worried about it right now. It’s January 29th the audition is not til May 13th.
NHTA 11 Predictions vs Actuality
Community
Oklahoma was nominated for 8 awards. It was nominated in the top 3 for Best Lighting Design. Nick Hammes won for Best Supporting Actor.
Annie was nominated for 7 awards. Julia Yameen made it to top 3 for best actress. Kerry Schnieder won for best supporting actress.
Ragtime from New London Barn Playhouse in the Professional division did really well taking honors in categories such as Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Choreography. I really wish I had seen this!! 😦 I could not really make decent predictions in the professional category because I did not see any of the shows but I gave it my best shot.
Best Musical
Top 3 Preditced
Annie Actorsingers
Oklahoma Amherst PTA
Pirates of Penzance
Actual Top 3
(Winners in Italics)
Titanic Stagecoach Productions
Gifts of The Magi Majestic Theatre
Next To Normanl Acting Loft
For best Actress in A Musical I predicted a tie between Jen Erdody and Sophie Linkroum. Sophie won. YAY!!
For Best Actor in Musical I predicted a tie between Steve Hammes and Mark Murai. Johm Marshall won for his portrayal of Harold Hil in The Music Man with North Country Community Theatre Players.
Best Choreography
Predicted Top 3
Martha Holland Pirates of Penzance Stagecoach Productions (Top 3 YAY!)
Vouli Anthimadou Oklahoma Amherst PTA 😦 Was really hoping she’d get top 3.
Kellie Haigh Chicago Actorsingers
Winner: Allyson Weiner-Saywer The Music Man North Country Community Theatre
Best Music Director
Predicted Top 3:Judy Hayward Titanic Stagecoach Donna Tounge Annie Actorsingers Michele Henderson Pirates of Penzance Stagecoach Productions
Actual Top 3 Judy Hayward Chicago Actorsingers & Titanic Stagercoach Productions Donna Tounge Annie Actorsingers
Judy & Donna tied which I did not expect at all.
Best Costume Desigenr
Predicted Top 3
Cherie Prior Annie Actorsingers (Top 3 YAY!)
Susan Cassidy Titanic Stage Coach Productions (Top 3 YAY!)
Val Verge Same Time Next Year M&M Productions
Winner: Susan Cassidy Titanic Stagecoach Productions
Best Supporting Actress
Predicted top 3
Arielle Kaplan Hodel Fiddler on The Roof 😦 Was really hoping she’d get top 3.
Annie Orio Ruth Pirates of Penzance Stagecoach Productions
Kerry Schnieder Ms Hannigan Annie Actorsingers (TOP 3 Winner!!)
The other top 2 finalists were Rigel Harris Beggar Woman Sweeney Todd RB Productions and Caity Glover Kate Mgowan Titanic The Musical Stagecoach Productions
Best Supporting Actor
Predicted Top 3
Nick Hammes Will Parker Amherst PTA (Top 3 WINNER YAY!!)
Marc Murai Amos Hart Chicago Actorsingers (Top 3 YAY!)
Michael Coppolla Billy Flynn Chicago Actorsingers
The other top 3 finalist was Garrett Inman Tobias Sweeney Todd RB Productions
In the Drama/Comedy Category I could not make very good predictions because nominated I only saw two. Same Time Next Year and Moon Over Buffalo. Mari Keegan was nominated in the top 3 for Best Actresss in Same Time Next Year, Niel Blaialock and Dan Merriman were nominated for best actor and best supporting for their roles in Moon Over Buffalo. I feel Jenna Fraser was shafted for her performance in Shakespeare in Hollywood. Then again I didn’t see the other two shows that were nominated so I can’t make good comparisons but Jenna was great! 🙂
For the youth category I could also not make very good predictions because I did not see hte particular show which was nominated when I made my predictions I based then on prior performances I have seen them in. As I noted in my entry from this morning Kat Feraco got top 3 for her role as Nancy in Oliver with Riverbend Youth Company and Jon Edelbluet won for best actor for his performance of Fagin. Danny Shea and Becky Klien took home best supporting actor and actress honors for their roles as Thenardier and Epionine in Les Miserables with Peacock Players. Noises Off won Best Youth Production.
Congrats to all nominees, top 3 finalists and winners and also to Keith Wierich and Rob Dionne for thier special awards. You guys deserve them for alll you do for the theatre community. 🙂
Eleven is a magic number. It marks the number of years I’ve been involved in commmunity theatre and also the amount of time the talents and hard work of all those involved in NH Theatre has been recognized at the NH Theatre Awards. This recap of the NHTAS will not be a typical run down of nominees and winners but also how some of the nomiated companies have shaped me as a performer. Let me just say that Scott Severanes’s opening number could not be more sport on by saying there’s no theatre like New Hampshire Theatre. Lhast night’s ceremony was at the Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton Academy in Derry which I find to be a much more intimate venue then the Palace Theatre in Manchester where the ceremony has been for the first couple years I’ve atteneded. Matt Sonya and I went out to dinner with the PTA gang at Sabatinos before the show for some great Italian food. Pictures will be on Facebook later today. 🙂 The list of winnners will be posted on the website later today. Congrats to all nominees and winners for the NHTAs.
The first group I will talk about is Peacock Players. Peacock Players was one of the first local theatre groups I got involvced with. While I never did any shows with them I atteneed their theatre camp in 2000 and 2001. That was when I really found out how much I loved acting and being involved in theatre. It was a fun two summers and the summer between freshmen and sophomore year was incredibly memorable for me because Jared Nathan was one of my counselors that summer. Jared died in a drunk driving car accident in 2005. While I didn’t get to know him as closely as those who actually did shows with him at Peacock Players he definitley had an effect on me. I know that he would be proud of all Peacock has accomplished over the past several years and of course all the wins last night. Peacook was nominated for several awards for their productions of Les Miserables and Noises Off. Noises Off won for best production in the youth division for Drama/Comedy or Musical. Keith Weirch won a special award for Children and Family Theatre and I couldn’t be happier for him. Allo the hard work that he does for Peacock certainly shouldn’t go unrecognized. I interned there for four months when I graduated from NEC and I really enjoyed my time there.:)
Six summers ago I had the most amazing summer internship at the New London Barn Playhouse in New London. That summer will always stick with me as a memorable one. I really came out of my shell that summer both in acting and directing as I assitant directed a youth theatre production based on my mom’s children’s book Bravery Soup. I acted along side Joel Mercier in Annie Get Your Gun (he was Pawnee Bill and I was in the ensemble) and I was happy that he won for best musical director for his work on Ragtime. Ragtime also took home honors for Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Production Musical Best Choreographer and Best Costume Designer in the professional category. I did not get to see this show but really wish that I had. Congrats to everyone involved with Ragtime. It is moments like these that make me proud and humbled to be a New London Barn Playhouse alumni.
Since graduating from college I have been involved with Milford Area Players,Riverbend Youth Company and The Amherst PTA. It is really great to have so many opportunties in Amherst and Milford to participate in theatre. MAP was nominated in the top 10 for various catergories for their productions of Shakespeare In Hollywood and The 39 Steps. Riverbend Youth Company is the youth theatre branch of the Amato Center and I have worked on four shows with them in the past in addition to this year’s joint holiday production It’s A Wonderful Life . I talked in my entry Favorite Shows and directors about the impact being involved with It’s A Wonderful Life and Oklahoma have had on me. Please read that entry so I don’t have to retype a lot of things. 🙂 Anyway Riverbend’s production of Oliver was up for 3 Nominations Kat Feraco was in the top 3 for Best Actress and Jon Edelbluet won Best Actor for his performance as Fagin. I couldn’t be more excited for them and more pleased with myself that my predictions for them came out accurate. YAY! 2 points also because I predicted Nick Hammes’s win for best supporting actor for his role of Will Parker in Oklahoma. I am so excited for Nick!! That’s where my luck with making predictions runs out unfortunately. 😦 Oklahoma was nominated for seven other awards and I couldn’t be more prouder of everyone else from the cast and crew who was nominated. As I pointed out in my Favorite Shows and Directors post Oklahoma was a very special show to me because really grew as a performer. Again I go into much more detail about that in that entry so please read it because I would perfer not to repeat myself. Te Amo Amherst PTA! I would also like to take a moment to congratulate my PTA cast mate Sophie Linkroum for her win for best Actress in a musical for her role of Roxie Hart in Chicago with Actorsingers.
Once again congrats to all nominees and winners for the 2012 NH Theatre Awards.
Groove through the decades during ‘Timeless Beat’
By Janine Leffler
The Riverbend Youth Company will perform an all dance show called Timeless Beat from February 1st-3rd. This exciting show features a diverse mix of dancers ages 7-17. Some who have been involved in past productions with Riverbend Youth Company and others who have varied years of experience at Kathy Blake Dance studio in Amherst.
Rachel White, a senior at Souhegan High School, is directing Timeless Beat as part of her senior project. Her project focuses on the directing aspects of exceptional leadership, teaching, management, and production. The biggest joy that White gets out of directing the show is seeing the satisfaction her dancers enjoy when they dance. “Seeing a room full of fifty- three kids with smiles on their faces and energy in their movement has to be one of the most rewarding things I have ever experienced. It inspires me beyond words and pushes me to do more of my best as their director and choreographer.” She continued by saying, “As a dancer I know that performance is a gift you leave the audience with and I can’t wait to feel that type of pride as a director. Creating and directing this show has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I will cherish it always. I believe in my cast tremendously. They are going to get out there and rock it!”
Annie Murray, a sophomore at Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua has enjoyed the experience of working on her first Riverbend Youth Company show. “The most fulfilling thing about being in Timeless Beat is the fact that I have strengthened so many friendships throughout this show and I’ve also made many new great friendships. It’s been such a great feeling walking into rehearsals and knowing that everyone there just wants to have fun and make this a great show and there aren’t any worries.” Murray continued by saying that her favorite dance is Little Talks. “I absolutely love how emotional it is and I think it’s going to end up looking great on stage. Dancing this number makes me realize how much I love dancing and how much of a stress-reliever it is.”
Megan Ostrowski, who is a freshmen at Souhegan High School has been dancing for five years at Kathy Blake and is very excited to be in Timeless Beat. “I love helping Rachel! I’m so glad that I can be part of her senior project and help her achieve her goals.” Ostrowski continued by saying that her favorite dance is Levels. “It’s so eye-catching and knowing what the audience is seeing and experiencing makes me feel happy and I get into the dance so much more.”
For Megan Hammes, a sophomore at Milford High School what sets Timeless Beat apart from other shows she done with Riverbend is the fact that it is mostly dance. Her favorite dance in the production is Rhythm Nation “It’s honestly filled with so much sass. It’s definitely a little out of my comfort zone, but everything about it is so much fun. I also absolutely love all the people who I have the opportunity to dance with in the number, which makes it all the more enjoyable.” Hammes went on to say “It’s been especially fulfilling to watch the younger kids as they begin to fall in love with being onstage. They’re so talented at what they do, and I think watching them is a good reminder to all of us to keep having fun and keep dancing.”
Timeless Beat runs from February 1st- February 3rd at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts. Evening performances are at 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday and Matinee performances are at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $12 for Adults and $8 for students and seniors. Groove on down to the Amato Center because you won’t want to miss this show!
101 Dalmatians barks on to Riverbend Stage
By Janine Leffler
The Disney favorite 101 Dalmatians is coming to the Amato Center. This is set in England where Roger and Anita meet and fall in love. Their dogs Pongo and Predita start out with 15 puppies but then the liter eventually grows to 101. Cruella Devil kidnaps the puppies which sets Roger and Anita on edge. This productions features youth and teenagers from Milford, Amherst, Mont Vernon, Wilton and other surrounding towns.
Matt Katsiginais, an 8th grader at Amherst Middle School in playing Roger and is very excited to play the role. What he likes the best about working on this production is working with friends he doesn’t get to work with very often. His favorite scene in the play is the scene where they are counting the 101 puppies. “It’s just a little piece of humor that seems funny to me. I also like my character, Roger’s idea of the Dalmatian Plantation. That whole song is really cute and really fun to sing.”
Director Robin Lacroix chose to direct this play because of the fact that it incorporates young children into meaningful roles and how the theme of friendship in the storyline appeals to families. Lacroix loves watching the youngest cast members really get involved in the production. “Seeing so many kids involved with the Riverbend Youth Company is extremely fulfilling.” She looks forward to the packed houses for the performances.
101 Dalmatians runs from January 18-20th at the Amato Center For The Performing Arts In Milford. Showtimes are 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday evening and 2pm on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. You won’t want to miss this timeless Disney classic.
