Thank you for attending Play Day 2022 for our 2023 Season!
If you are a current 2022 season ticket holder, have donated in 2021 or 2022, or paid $12.00 for an ACT Membership, you are allowed to vote. If you are not a 2022 season ticket holder but would like to become a member and vote, please follow the “How to become an ACT Member” directions below.
VOTING:
Please click the button below to vote for 3 plays from the play category. Due to only one musical being presented, please vote for the presented musical and write in the musical of your choice that you would like to see on the ACT stage. The board will then vote on the second musical from the suggested write in options to move onto the play reading committee.
You will have until MIDNIGHT tonight, Saturday June 11th, to vote.
For those who were’t able to attend Play Day, or those looking for a quick recap of presentations, synopsis and information from the directors have been provided below.
How to become an ACT Member
To become an ACT Member and be eligible to vote, you will need to make a one time donation of $12.00. Memberships are valid for one year. To donate and become a member, click on the button below and follow these steps:
- Click the gray “Click Here to become an ACT Member” Button
- You will be directed to the donation page
- In the “Please accept my gift of” box, input the amount of $12.00 then click the blue “Continue” Button at the bottom of the page.
- This will redirect you to the Review Your order page and ask you to input your card information.
- Once you have inputed your card information, click the blue “Complete Order” button at the bottom of the page
- Once your order is completed you should receive an email confirmation acknowledging your new membership status and receipt of donation.
- After successful completion of the donation you can return to this page to vote.
Plays Presented
As You Like It - William Shakespeare
Presented by Trey Hatch Synopsis: In As You Like It, witty words and romance play out against the disputes of divided pairs of brothers. Orlando's older brother, Oliver, treats him badly and refuses him his small inheritance from their father's estate; Oliver schemes instead to have Orlando die in a wrestling match. Meanwhile, Duke Frederick has forced his older brother, Duke Senior, into exile in the Forest of Arden. Duke Senior's daughter, Rosalind, and Duke Frederick's daughter, Celia, meet the victorious Orlando at the wrestling match; Orlando and Rosalind fall in love. Banished by her uncle, Rosalind assumes a male identity and leaves with Celia and their fool, Touchstone. Orlando flees Oliver’s murderous plots. In the Forest of Arden, Rosalind, in her male disguise, forms a teasing friendship with Orlando. Oliver, searching for Orlando, reforms after Orlando saves his life. Rosalind reveals her identity, triggering several weddings, including her own with Orlando and Celia’s with Oliver. Duke Frederick restores the dukedom to Duke Senior, who leaves the forest with his followers.
Lettice and Lovage by Peter Schaffer
Synopsis: Lettice and Lovage is a modern British comedy written by Peter Shaffer. Lettice Douffet, a Shakespeare and medieval weaponry enthusiast, serves briefly but inventively as a tour guide to Fustian House, one of Britain’s duller National Trust Estates. Her career is cut short by Charlotte (Lotte) Schoen, a representative of the National Trust, who is not charmed by Lettice’s historical embellishments. The play traces the hilarious results of the unlikely friendship of two strong women. Comedy. Rated PG for Act 2 drunkenness? Cast: 3 women, 2 men, (room for extras) Visitors - tourists passing through Fustian House. Setting: A grand hall, an office, a basement flat. Most important element is a staircase that can morph into all settings. Costumes: Early 1990s fashion appropriate for English weather and eccentric characters Awards: In 1990 Lettice and Lovage was quite popular at the Tony Awards. It was nominated for Best Play, actress Maggie Smith won for Best Leading Actress, actress Margaret Tyzack won for Best Featured Actor, and Director Michael Blakemore was nominated for Best Director. Director: Don Brady Producer: Sydney Brady or TBD
Making God Laugh by Sean Grennan
Presented by Tim Eastman 2 women 3 men Synopsis: Making God Laugh follows one typical American family over the course of thirty years’ worth of holidays. Staring in 1980, Ruthie and Bill’s grown children- a priest, an aspiring actress, and a former football star- all return home, where we learn of their plans and dreams as they embark on their adult lives. The empty-nester parents contend with their own changes, too as old family rituals are trotted out and ancient tensions flare up. As time passes, the family discovers that despite what we may have in mind, we often arrive at unexpected destinations. Rating: An easy PG. The only language issue is a comedic bit with a bad signal on a cell phone and the character has to scream, “KISS MY..ASS.” As far as challenging themes, there is a coming out scene, and a priest who gives up his vows to get married. All of which is mildly presented. Marketing Themes: The use of the word “GOD”, in a title always attracts attention, coupled with the word “LAUGH” generates interest. One very important theme in the play is facing old age and the reality of senility and or dementia. This a great seasonal play. Scene 1 takes place Thanksgiving 1980, Scene 2 Christmas 1990, Scene 3 is New Year’s Eve 2000, and finally Scene 4 is Easter. Set/Props: One set, one door, no platforms, practical food, assortment of appropriate props for the holidays and time period. It is Costume heavy including quick changes and requires some back stage help. Director and Actor notes: This play demands quality acting for those that can span thirty years. The role of Ruthie is a high challenge for any seasoned actress. While all the characters have their moments, its Ruthie who is the antithesis, matriarch of power, both of tragic and redemptive character. Highlights is Maggie’s Shakespeare monologue, Thomas confession of love outside the priesthood and Richie’s paranoia over Y2K.
On Golden Pond by Earnest Thompson
Presented by Billy Hendrix Synopsis On Golden Pond is a classic American comedic drama that's every bit as touching, warm, and witty today as when it debuted off Broadway in 1978. Retired couple Ethel and Norman Thayer are spending their 48th summer at their vacation home on Golden Pond, in the woods of Maine. Their delightful summer routine--fishing, picking strawberries, enjoying old mementoes, listening to the loons call--is given a bitterly comedic edge by Norman’s unreliable memory and cantankerously morbid statements. When their daughter Chelsea visits for Norman’s 80th birthday, bringing her boyfriend Bill and Bill’s teenage son, Billy Jr., the whole family must come to grips with Norman and Chelsea’s mutual bitterness, while Norman blossoms with his chance to mentor young Billy. The turbulent relationship between father and daughter, the generation gap between young and old, and the difficulties of a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage, all combine in a play that effortlessly illustrates the hilarious, heartbreaking, human moments of which life is made. Full Length, Drama/Comedy Rated PG-13 3 men, 2 women, 1 boy Set: Interior living room of summer home Director: Billy Hendrix Producer: Jessica Guzik Stage Manager: Sally Hill
The O'Conner Girls by Katie Forgette
Presented by Ree Murphy Drama/ Comedy 1M, 4F PG13 - Family Discussion regarding parental relationship may be uncomfortable for some, otherwise G rated. Synopsis The O'Conner story takes place in 1997 in Minnesota over the Christmas holiday. Tom O'Conner has passed away, and his wife (Sarah) and children (Liz, Martha and Matt) have reunited to excavate his mountain of personal effects. As the family sifts through boxes of papers and bags of clothing, clues to the quiet patriarch's life are discovered, prompting the usual heated arguments and some unusual revelations. As the story of Tom and Sarah's marriage unfolds, the children are forced to reconsider their long-held opinions of their parents. In the midst of this emotional afternoon, a long-lost neighbor pays an unexpected visit. Also on the agenda for this day of upheaval is Catholicism, WWII, old movies, old love, new love, oversleeping, overdrinking, large purple hats and weenie hot dishes.
Musicals Presented
Something Rotten! - Music and Lyrics by Wayne and Karey Kilpatrick - Book by Karey Kilpatrick and John O'Connell
Presented by Julie Johnson-Lindsey Synopsis: Something Rotten! is an outrageously funny, crowd-pleasing musical farce! Set in 1595, the story follows the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, who struggle to find success in the theatrical world as they compete with the wild popularity of their contemporary Renaissance rock star known as "The Bard" William Shakespeare, who is a huge celebrity, complete with paparazzi. When a local soothsayer foretells the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, the brothers set out to write the world's first musical in this hilarious mash-up of sixteenth century Shakespeare and twenty-first century Broadway. Something Rotten! features large song and dance numbers, and a wacky cast of over-the-top characters, each given his or her own special moment in the show to shine. Throughout its Broadway run, the musical received a show-stopping standing ovation from audiences... in the beginning of the first act! The show includes references to numerous musicals. For example, during the song “A Musical,” Nostradamus and the chorus men don sailor hats, which harkens to several nautical-themed musicals, including South Pacific, Anything Goes, On the Town and Dames at Sea. Time Out New York called it "the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years." Something Rotten! opened on Broadway on April 22, 2015, where it played for 708 performances. It was nominated for ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and won one (Best Featured Actor in a Musical). Cast: Genre: Costumes: Set: 8 Men, 2 Women and 4-8 Gender Neutral Adults in the chorus Hilarious Musical Comedy Shakespearean with colorful flair One central unit piece with roll-outs opening to to depict a variety of locations Director: Julie Johnson Lindsey Producers: Willow McLaughlin and TJ Fantini Musical Director: Tom Ochiai Stage manager: Brenda Newton Choreographer: Glynna Goff Set Designer: Mike Fantini, with Keith Nester and others Costuming Team: Miriam Smith