"Meet the Cast of Les Miserables" blog series #10: Jean Valjean!

Charles Dizon Gracy, our Jean Valjean

Charles was educated at Bard College in NY as a drama/dance major and received a B.S. in Theater Education at SSU. He studied voice with Arthur Burrows of The NY Met, dance/acting with Eileen Passloff in the Stanislavski Method, Kate Kohler Amory in the Grotowski Method of Acting, Peter Sampieri for Directing and Theatre History, dance with Jean Churchill of the Boston Ballet, and Albert Reed of the Merce Cunningham Company. Always continuing to hone his craft, Charles currently studies voice with Brett Johnson. Some of his favorite roles include Jerry (The Full Monty), the Baker (Into the Woods), and the Lion (The Wiz). His directing credits include Steel Magnolias, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Chicago, Cinderella, Rent, The Wiz, and Les Misérables Jr.

What was your first experience with Les Misérables?

My first experience with Les Mis was as a middle schooler. I was fascinated with musical theater at that point and began studying with local teachers. Here in Boston, they had a casting call for Young Cosette and Gavroche. One of my theater friends (who was 2 years younger than me) went out and was cast as Gavroche. I remember going into the city to him and was completely mesmerized by the whole thing. I immediately purchased the cast album and t-shirts! I remember purchasing a big t-shirt so I would have it a while. I wore that shirt all over Russia in 1990 when I was an exchange student there!

What has it been like to prepare for your role?

This role has been one of the most challenging—not only to prepare the character, but also to prepare vocally. I find the music more challenging than Into the Woods, which I thought was extremely difficult at the time. Jean Valjean has a complete character arc that the audience needs to buy into, or else the story falls flat. 

What about this production excites you the most?

The sheer talent associated with this production is mind blowing. I can’t wait until we step out on that stage! I think people will be completely blown away. 

How has local theatre and performing enriched your life?

When we started this group we wanted it to be a supportive, friendly, and respectful place. We have gathered together some of the most talented and professional people in the area and their grace and spirit are a blessing each and every day.

Les Miserables Live In Studio

Les Miserables Live In Studio

Check out the great article featuring some of the cast of ACT's Les Miserables Live in the Studio.  October 25-27 at The Collins Center for the Performing Arts Andover Tickets on sale now visit ACT Theater Company

"Meet the Cast of Les Miserables" blog series #9: Meet Gavroche!



Andrew Jones, our Gavroche
My name is Andrew Jones. I am 11 years old and in the 6^th grade at West middle School in Andover. Les Misérables is my 6^th show with ACT.  I previously appeared in Annie (Orphan ensemble), Aladdin, Jr. (Aladdin), Willy Wonka (Oompa Loompa #2 and ensemble), Seussical the Musical (Jojo) and Little Mermaid, Jr. (Prince Eric). At school, I have also appeared inMulan, Jr.(ensemble) and Beauty and the Beast, Jr. (Gaston).  Besides Gavroche, my favorite role so far has been as Jojo is Seussical. I love to perform and I have learned so much and have gained a lot of self-confidence from doing shows with ACT.  I like to do shows with ACT because it feels like being in a movie or a TV show and that is what I would like to do for real someday. When I am not in school or at rehearsal you might find me on the golf course, playing tennis or playing video games.


What was your first experience with Les Misérables?
My first experience with Les Misérables was watching the movie with my mom.  I knew I wanted to be in ACT’s production but I didn’t know anything about the show other than what my mom had explained to me.  We planned a movie night at home and watched it together.  When I saw the movie I knew that I just had to play Gavroche.

What has it been like to prepare for your role?Preparing for the role of Gavroche was easy and it just came naturally to me.  I learned all of my music quickly and was pretty much off-book by my first rehearsal. The role of Gavroche has been fun to create because he is involved in the revolution and gun battle and ever since I was 2 years old I have always loved playing with army guys (the Toy Story green army guys were my favorite!) and creating battles in video games and role playing with Nerf, paintball and airsoft guns.  I like how Gavroche is a little cocky and self-confident because that helps me to act and feel the same way, even when I am not rehearsing.

What about this production excites you most?What excites me most is that from my perspective the rehearsals have been going so well.  Everyone is trying their best to make this a fantastic production and I know that we will all deliver.  Being on stage with so many performers (we have more than 80 in the cast) and such talented principals is electrifying.


How has performing in local theater enriched your life?Performing in local theater has enriched my life because, as I said before, I have gained a lot of self-confidence from doing shows with ACT as well as the shows through my school(s).  Doing theater makes my life a lot more livable because it is so much fun and gives me something to look forward to.  It is like going to a job that I love.  I just love acting and performing and ACT has given me the opportunity to do what I love.


Is there anything else you would like to add?I want to thank Mark and Charles Gracy and the entire production team for selecting me for the role of Gavroche and allowing me to be a part of such an epic show.

"Meet the Cast of Les Miserables" blog series #8: Meet Cosette!

Chantal Desjardins, our Cosette

Chantal is from Haverhill, MA. Last May, she graduated from UMass–Lowell with degree in Communications with a focus in Philosophy and recently became an executive assistant for a company that ships high-valued products all across the country. Part-time, she works at a shoe store to feed her extreme addiction to shoes! Chantal has been in love with theatre since she first went on a stage at 6 years old. She has performed with the North Shore Music Theatre, Emerson Umbrella, Pentucket Players, Colonial Chorus Players, and Anna Smulowitz Productions; this is her first show with ACT Andover. Some of her favorite roles include Peter (Jesus Christ Superstar), Cinderella (Into the Woods), Isabelle (Scrooge), and a Delta Nu (Legally Blonde). When she is not working or on stage, she loves playing with her three-year-old Shih Tzu, Darla (like the Little Rascals character).

What was your first experience with Les Misérables?

After my mom and grandmother went to see a production of Les Mis in Boston, they both fell in love with the show. I was too young to see the show at the time, but one day my mom recorded (on a VHS not DVR!) the PBS showing of the Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Dream Cast. She played the song “Castle on a Cloud” for me over and over. Already knowing I could sing, I think she did this as a way to get me singing something besides the Annie selections she was all too familiar with. As I grew up, I learned to love the entire show, and saw my first live production at Andover High School (coincidentally, the same as Cara Kennedy, who plays Madame Thénardier!).

What has it been like to prepare for your role?

Besides having a minor panic attack that my Mezzo singing voice would have to sing very high Soprano notes, I was very interested in the development of my character. I don’t think audience members get much about who Cosette is, based on what she sings. Spoiler alert?... She lives a very privileged life, falls in love at first sight, and then is one of the only characters in the show to have a “happy ending,.” Unfortunately, that’s about it. I want to make sure I could convey her emotions more deeply, and show some kind of underlying message that you don’t hear, but rather see. I want to make sure I can create a realistic person out of the typical “sheltered, love-struck” woman everyone is used to seeing.  

What about this production excites you the most?

I feel so incredibly lucky to be a part of one of the first companies in the area to perform the full show. I also get to share the stage with some of the most talented people I have worked with before. I think I will be most excited when I see the real barricade for the first time. My favorite scenes are the ones that take place on the barricade, and I think it creates one of the most iconic images in theatre. 

How has local theatre and performing enriched your life?

Musical theatre has helped me feel confident enough to pursue a career in communications. I have been able to develop great speaking skills, as well as being able to interact with the public comfortably. What I love most about being in musicals, however is being able to transform into a totally different person. It’s also great when I get to sing about stuff without being looked at strangely!

"Meet the Cast of Les Miserables" Blog Series #7: Thenardier

Steve Filipiak, our Thénardier

Steve lives in Swampscott. By day he is an Associate Director of Human Resources for Ipsen, a bio-pharmaceutical company.

What was your first experience with Les Misérables?

1988, 10th grade field trip to Boston to see the First National Tour. My teacher tried to tie it to us reading "A Tale of Two Cities", although Les Mis take place about fifty years later. 

What has it been like to prepare for your role?

Surreal. After twenty-five years of rehearsing this show in the shower, I finally get to take it "on stage".

What about this production excites you the most?

Being around 80 other people who have been singing this show in the shower the same amount, if not more, as me. Pretty cool being around that amount of people who are as passionate about this as me.

How has local theatre and performing enriched your life?

It allows me to pursue something I'm passionate about with others who are passionate about the same thing. It is a team sport on stage. Better yet, it gives me an opportunity to show my three boys that it is ok to get up in front of people and sing, dance and act all the while being confident about yourself and who you are.

"Meet the Cast of Les Miserables" Blog Series #6: Marius

Sam Pazicni, our Marius 

Sam is thrilled to make his ACT Theater Company debut as Marius in this wonderful production of Les Misérables. Past favorites with other companies include Hair (Claude), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Pseudolus, Hysterium), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), and Sweeney Todd. Ironically, he’s been “More Miserable” in a production of Forbidden Broadway! Sam lives in Portsmouth, NH and puts his theatre chops to good use every day—as a chemistry professor at the University of New Hampshire.

What was your first experience with Les Misérables?

The cassette tape of the Original Broadway Cast in my walk-man! However, the show didn’t become “alive” for me until I watched the 10^th anniversary concert on PBS. This initiated a cascade of events, including reading the Victor Hugo novel, purchasing other soundtracks, and learning to play “Stars” and “On My Own” on the piano!

What has it been like to prepare for your role?

Preparing the role of Marius has been a fulfilling, educational and sometimes overwhelming experience. My last acting experience was back in January 2009 (Young Buddy in Follies with Ann Arbor Civic Theatre); stepping back onto the stage and working my way through Marius’s emotional journey has been challenging. Luckily, I'm surrounded by a group of incredibly talented individuals that are wonderful at helping me through the process and I'm learning a lot about myself and about Marius along the way.

What about this production excites you the most?

Ohmygosh, where do I even begin? First, it would have to be the fact that I’M MARIUS IN LES MIS. Those lyrics I’ve sung my entire adult life (“Black–the color of despair!”, “In my life… she has burst like the music of angles, the light of the sun…”, “There’s a grief that can’t be spoken…”)—I get to sing those in front of a huge audience with a huge orchestra! Ohmygosh! Orchestra!! I’m a total music geek and so my favorite rehearsal in this process is the sitzprobe. I can’t wait for that! Third, I get to punch Steve (who place Thénardier); who wouldn’t be excited by that?!

How has local theatre and performing enriched your life?

I’ve been a bit of a nomad—I grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania, went to graduate school in Madison, Wisconsin, worked in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and currently reside in coastal New Hampshire. So many starts and stops! Fortunately, community theatre has always been there and quickly given me sets of friendships that I continue to cherish to this day.

"Meet the Cast of Les Miserables" Blog Series #5: Eponine

Chelsea Minton, our Éponine

Chelsea last appeared in over 200 performances with the Off Broadway (NYC) and National Tour casts of Girls Night: The Musical (Kate). Prior to that, she graduated from Middlebury College, where she studied history and geography, and did some theater along the way, appearing in her Gypsy (June), Urinetown (Little Sally), and her personal favorite, Lippa's Wild Party (Queenie). Other favorite roles include: Seussical (Gertrude), Les Misérables (Cosette), Kiss me Kate (Lois), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator). In "real-life", Chelsea works as a geospatial consultant. With her background in GIS and cartography, she now works with a Google-partner tech startup called IRISMaps, which implements and develops mapping solutions using Google Maps for Business. As soon as there is any (literally, ANY) snow on the ground in New England, there is a very good chance Chelsea will be found high-tailing it from her desk at the office up to Vermont to ski. Until then, she will continue "breaking in her ski boots" in her apartment in Boston (and driving her downstairs neighbors crazy). That's not weird, is it?

What was your first experience with Les Misérables?

Les Misérables was the second cassette tape I ever got (after CATS). My parents may have regretted that present, because I learned all the songs by heart and my little sister and I, at ages 7 and 9, started using "Do You Hear the People Sing" as our go-to harmony performance/ bbq/singing-around-the-house piece. Not quite sure what revolution we were trying to stage at that age, but the love for the music in this show definitely stuck. My sister's favorite part of Les Mis, she will still say, are the trumpets in that song. We are total Les Mis dorks!

What has it been like to prepare for your role?

Éponine is a totally exciting part, so I'm really thrilled to get the chance to sing it. I've done the show before, and actually played Cosette! So, it's been fascinating thinking about music I love so much from a different emotional and vocal perspective. The biggest challenge, in my mind, is that Éponine's music is some of the most well-known (and overdone) music for a female Broadway performer, so I'm really trying to figure out how to make it my own and not just do what everyone has seen a million times before. 

What about this production excites you the most?

Getting beaten up by Thénardier! I've played a lot of silly character roles and a lot of sweet ingénue roles, so I've never been in a stage-smack down before! Totally pumped for that. 

How has local theatre and performing enriched your life?

Without a doubt, my most life-changing experiences happened to be theatrical, and happened while working on another production of Les Misérables, performing with a "local" theater almost 10 years ago. It was one of those 'stars-aligning' experiences, where we had an unbelievable director and a completely selfless cast, made up of people who are still the most talented folks I know. The emotion we built for those productions was hands-down like I'd ever been a part of before or since. That production taught me how to thrive on the challenges of your directors and your peers onstage and how to take pride in being a small part of a perfectly working team. Most importantly, I learned that working with a truly dedicated amateur group has the potential to be more fulfilling than some professional theater experiences, where the repetition of performances can dampen your passion for the material.

Les Miserables - ACT Theater Company October 25-27, 2013 The Collins Center Andover

Check out a rehearsal and meet the cast at Les Miserables at The Collins Center for the Performing Arts in Andover October 25-27, 2013.
Don't miss one of Broadway's most beloved musicals when it come to the Collins Center this month.  Tickets are selling fast.  Visit www.acttheatercompany.com for more information and to purchase your reserved seats online today.

"Meet the Cast of Les Miserables" Blog Series #4: Javert

Bryon Gable, our Javert

Bryon is a seventh and eighth grade Social Studies teacher at Community Day Charter Public School. He currently lives in Dracut, MA with his wife Danique. Bryon moved to Massachusetts last year and is absolutely thrilled to be cast as Javert. Prior to his move, he lived in Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he was actively involved in local theater for over 12 years. He had the honor of being cast in such musicals as My Fair Lady (Henry Higgins), Into the Woods (Cinderella's Prince/Wolf), and Beauty and the Beast (The Beast).

What was your first experience with Les Misérables?

My first experience with Les Misérables was in high-school choir, although I caught the Les Mis bug later in London when the show was running in the West End. Beyond that, I have always been fascinated with the music.

What has it been like to prepare for your role?

It has been exciting and demanding.  I am not a cold person by nature, but to prepare for Javert I've allowed myself to become him during rehearsal and it's very interesting the response I get from the cast. Everyone knows how much I love to laugh, but not as Javert! Also, it's been interesting, to say the least, growing large enough side burns to do Hugo's Javert justice…

What about this production excites you the most?

I'm excited to be working with so many talented dedicated artists.  From age 8 and above, the cast is über-talented.  Also, the musical direction and musicians are top notch.

How has local theatre and performing enriched your life?

Theater has given me some of the most memorable, happy moments.  It has also been challenging as an actor to ensure that the audience leaves feeling invigorated and fulfilled.

"Meet the Cast of Les Miserables" blog series #3: Madame Thenardier!

Cara Kennedy, our Madame Thénardier

In “real life”, Cara works at an independent Northshore school in the Advancement Office, working in alumni relations, fundraising, and special event planning. She attended Merrimack College and studied History and French (though she admits to mispronouncing many character names in the show!). Most of her free time is devoted to friends, family, and of course her ACT Family. She has been on the board for ACT since 2010 and does everything from taking notes to planning special events and fundraisers. She is also very proud of her participation in the ACT Jr. Summer Theater Intensive, in which she’s been involved since its inaugural performance (three summers ago) of Les Misérables (School Edition). It's like coming full circle! 

What was your first experience with Les Misérables?

I had heard the songs throughout my life, as most people will have, but my first true experience with the show was when Andover High School performed it, in 2003 I believe. Having graduated just a few years before, I knew many of the cast members. I just remember sitting in the audience, in total awe. I can't remember many details, but I remember this amazing feeling, that I've never forgotten. Ever since then, it has been a dream to be able to perform this show, on stage, and possibly give someone else that memory and feeling. To have that chance... it is absolutely incredible! 

What has it been like to prepare for your role?

My real personality is a lot more like Mary Poppins, so to have to dig deep and find my inner villain... it's pretty fun! That being said, the first rehearsal when I had to be to mean to the little Cosettes, I felt awful! I love working with Steve [Filipiak], who is playing Thénardier. Together we've come up with really fun interactions. He's the perfect partner in crime! Overall, Madame Thénardier is a great character; she's evil enough that you hate her, but you cannot help but laugh at her jokes. 

What about this production excites you the most?

I would have to say the fact that this show has never been performed at the local level, and that we are the first to do it! It's very humbling to know that this is such an epic show, and THE MUSICAL, for so many. To have the privilege to be on stage performing it, words really cannot express how it feels. I also love the fact that there are so many new faces on stage with many of our returning ACT members. We love welcoming new people to the "family," and this show seems to have brought a pretty great group together. 

How has local theatre and performing enriched your life?

Having found ACT four years ago, after a long hiatus from theater since my days at Andover High School, I can honestly say it's really changed my world. I've always loved to sing, but never dreamed after college it would ever happen again on stage. The fact that I am able to do something I love so much, while still having a full time job and adult responsibilities... it's just not something I expected. More so than the chance to be onstage though, are the friendships that have been forged through the process of putting on a show. One of my favorite quotes of all time, is from Kermit the Frog (I LOVE THE MUPPETS!). He said "I have a dream too, but it's about singing and dancing and making people happy. It's the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share it with. And I found a whole group of friends who have the same dream, and that makes us sort of like a family." Well, that pretty much sums up how I feel about ACT and local theater. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

People should come to see this show for so many reasons. It's an amazing story about redemption, the power of love and forgiveness. I often sit in rehearsals with chills because of the power of the words my cast mates are singing and the story they are telling. If I can still be getting chills after seeing and hearing it for over a month... I can't wait to see what happens when there is a live audience to experience it!

"Meet the Cast of Les Miserables" blog series #2: Meet Enjolras!

David Dodge, our Enjolras

David lives in Hudson, MA and works as a therapist. He admits to not being involved in a show in almost twenty years! He served in the military for three years before working for a bit and pursuing school, eventually earning two Masters Degrees from Boston College. He has been a fan of Les Misérables for over 20 years and, since he was finished with school, jumped at the chance to be part of ACT’s production.

What was your first experience with Les Misérables?

My first experience was seeing the 10^th Anniversary Dream Cast Concert on Channel 2. Then I went to Broadway and saw (and met!) Craig Schulman, who played Jean Valjean. Craig also represented the USA in the special bonus performances of “Do You Hear the People Sing?” and “One Day More” for the 10^th Anniversary Concert —16 different Jean Valjeans from around the world singing in different languages!

What has it been like to prepare for your role?

It is a huge honor to be allowed to portray Enjolras. I find that my time in the military has helped me greatly in conveying the appropriate mindset to the students in convincing them to die for my cause.

What about this production excites you the most?

That I get to play a key role in one of the greatest musicals of all time!

How has local theatre and performing enriched your life?

It is good to have an activity outside of working as a therapist where I can distract my mind from my work and help tell one of the greatest stories of all time.

Welcome to our "Meet the Cast" blog series for our blockbuster fall musical, Les Miserables. 

Amy Wilkins Blanchette, our Fantine

Les Misérables will mark Amy’s 14th production with ACT Theater Company. Amy is a native and current resident of Andover. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre and Minor in Dance from Elon University in North Carolina. When not performing, Amy can usually be found working choreography for many of the ACT Jr. productions or for ACT's summer theater intensive. She is also the Artistic Director for The Andover Youth Services TheatreWorks program and a Mom of three daughters. Favorite past roles (locally) include Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, Angel in The Best Whorehouse in Texas, and Dorothy in The Wiz.

What was your first experience with Les Misérables?

My parents first took me to see Les Mis in Boston when I was a kid. I fell in love with the music the moment I heard it. Like every other theatre kid, I always wanted to be Young Cosette on Broadway.

What has it been like to prepare for your role?

I try to put myself in Fantine’s shoes. What would it really be like to have to give my child to someone because I could not care for her? How would I feel if I was sick and had to leave her behind with life so uncertain? Being a mother of three girls has made it easier to feel what that would really be like. At one of the first rehearsals, I broke down crying because these were very heartbreaking thoughts. I couldn’t even get the words out I was so upset. After that rehearsal, I actually had to pull back from the reality of what this all would feel like because it was too much. For this show, my challenge will be working on the balance between making it look real, and not going so far that I can’t keep it together on stage.

What about this production excites you the most?

Just the fact that I get to be in Les Mis!! When I made the decision to move back to Andover and start a family instead of doing theatre professionally, I didn’t think I would be able to continue filling the part of me that loves to be on stage. Then, I found ACT and I realized that I didn’t have to give that up after all! When ACT found out they got the rights to Les Mis, everyone in the company could hardly contain their excitement. There was a HUGE turnout for the auditions! When I got the call that was going to play Fantine, I almost fainted. From the very first rehearsal, the cast sounded AMAZING.  I knew at that moment this was going to be a show I would never forget.

How has local theatre and performing enriched your life?

I started in local theatre in Andover when I was in First Grade. I was a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz with The Merrimack Junior Theatre. I wasn’t as good of a student as some of my friends, but I loved to sing and dance. It was really great to find something that I excelled at. Theatre taught me self-confidence and poise. It taught me how to work as a team to put on an amazing production. The theatre kids were like my extended family. We would cry at the end of every production because we didn’t want it to end. When I joined ACT as an adult, I knew I would still love performing, but what I didn’t expect is that I would meet the most amazing people. I meet new people in every show and they are all so different. We bond through our one common interest—it’s very rewarding. Some of these people have become my very best friends. I seriously cannot imagine my life without them or without having a rehearsal to go to.  It’s like the T-shirt that says “I can’t, I have rehearsal”. That is my life.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I am very lucky to have an amazing husband, Michael, and a family that support me. Life gets pretty crazy with three kids and all of our schedules! Without my family to help me out, I could never balance everything. I am very thankful for them.

Cast Announced for Les Miserables

The Cast of Les Miserables Bamatabois Mark Gracy Bishop/Onlooker 1/Combeferre Peter Anton Constable 1/Provaire Eric Pellerin Constable 2/Man 2 /Pimp Stan Swieck Convict 1/Army Officer/Thenardier Steve Filipiak Convict 2/Foreman/Brujon Rick Snyder Convict 3/Feuilly Jonathan Plouffe Convict 4/Enjolras Michael Sitar Convict 5/Marius Sam Pazicini Cossette Chantal Desjardins Eponine Chelsea Minton Factory Girl/Woman 3 Wende Donahue Fantine Amy Wilkins-Blanchette Farmer/Grantaire David Dodge Gavroche Andrew Jones Inn Keeper/Sentry/Claquesous Tom Richardson Inn Keeper's Wife/Woman 9 Abbie Sawyer Javert Bryon Gable Jean Valjean Charles Gracy Labourer/Onlooker 2 /Courfeyrac Ryan Gilmore Little Cossette Tessa Bigelow Little Cossette Deidre O'Rourke Madame Thenardier Cara Kennedy Man 1/Babet Tom Aylward Old Woman 1/Woman 2 Lisa Jones Old Woman 2/Woman 1 Sue Hawes Onlooker 3 Brittany Phillips Onlooker 4 Kim Cook Sailor 1/Fauchelevant/Lesgles Kyle Rhys Sailor 2/Joly/Sentrty 1 (1st Attack) Alexander Skaggs Sailor 3/Montparnasse Michael Wang Sentry 2 Frank Garcia Urchin Gianna Coppola Whore 1 Lissangy Rodriguez Whore 2 Madelyn Burgayne Whore 4 Bethany Kolenda Whore 5 Caitlin Hawes Whore 6 Julie Day Woman 1 (Beggar) Kerrigan Bigelow Woman 2 (Beggar) Chloe Webster Woman 1/Woman 8 Molly Solomon Woman 2 Deana Varitmos Woman 3/Old Beggar Woman/Woman 4 Kimberly Hall Woman 4/Whore 3 Melissa Bornmann Woman 5 Zoe Saum Woman 6 Erin Jenkins Woman 7 Pamela Ryba Young Prostitute Abigail Tannat Young Eponine Alma Marresse Adult Ensemble: Anna Maria Amidei, Rowan Andriotakis, Kaitlyn Appleton, Cayley Barry, Jessica Begin, Melissa Belliard, Katherine Bryant, Camille Clark, Michael Condon, Jessica Couture, Skylah Cunningham, Amy Danziger, Elizabeth Day, Kristina Day, Taylor Day, Patti DeFrancesco, Samantha Ellis, Lauren Elwell, Rachael Garrison, Heidi Knepper, Maura Laudano, Jennifer Losco, Stephen Matthews, Megan Morrissey, Robb Moylan, Bethany Niloff, Sally O'Rourke, Mimi Pare, Tom Petzy, Angie Richer, Margot Shellgren, Rachael Silva, Amanda Spinale, Jessica Stelluto, Margaret Stokes, Jennifer Streck, Molly Tannat, Angelica Teixeira, Elizabeth Wilczak, Theresa Zannoni Gavroche’s Gang: Gianna Coppola, Julie Desmet, Leeham Kennedy, Grace Nowak, Zoe Saum Children’s Ensemble: Tessa Barcelo, Samantha Beaulieu, Kamillye Contreras, Abigail Davis, Kelsey Dennehy, Diana Gibson, Anna Iacobucci, Ava Laroche, Ellie Nowak

AUDITION NOTICE - Les Miserables ACT Theater Company

Don't miss your chance to a part of one of the most beloved and important musicals of all time. Show Dates Friday October 25, 2013 Saturday October 26, 2013 Sunday October 27, 2013 The Collins Center Andover, MA Auditions by appointment only. To schedule your audition, please contact: Charles Gracy Artistic Director ACT Theater Company charlesgracy@actandover.com Audition Dates (Held at the ACT Rehearsal Space - 250 Canal Street Lawrence MA 4th floor) Tuesday July 23rd and Thursday July 25th, 7:00-10:00 p.m. Additional auditions will be schedule for Sunday July 28th if all spots are filled for Tuesday and Thursday. Callbacks Sunday July 28th 5:00-8:00 p.m. All roles are open. What you will need for auditions: • 32 Bars of Music (Absolutely no pop songs. Please do not sing a song from Les Miserables.) You must bring sheet music, no acappella auditions will be considered) • Headshot/Recent Photograph • Resume/List of any recent experience. • Please wear comfortable clothing as there will be a general movement portion of the audition. Fees applying to all those cast in the production: • $25 Membership Fee • $100 Show Fee (lead roles and all adults) • $75 Show Fee (Children 12 and under) Ticket/Ad minimum per cast member applies.

Come see South Cooperatives Beauty and the Beast

Beth Kennedy and Charles Gracy invite you to a tale as old as time - Come see Beauty and the Beast this weekend South Cooperative Theater, comprised of almost sixty South Elementary School students in grades 3, 4 and 5, presents Beauty and the Beast Jr. Once upon a time in a faraway land, an Enchantress turns a cruel, unfeeling Prince into a hideous Beast. To break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. This "tale as old as time" is filled with spectacular costumes, enchanted objects and charming villagers. Three performances will be held - Friday, March 8th at 7:00 pm, Saturday, March 9th at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 10th at 1:00p.m. at West Middle School Auditorium. Tickets are $9.00 per person and may be purchased in advance at South School between 8:15 and 9:00 am. Tickets are also available at Learning Express, Andover Bookstore, Sweet Mimi’s and at the door. Refreshments will be available at intermission. For further information, call 978-623-8833 x1260.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas moves into town this May 2013

ACT has announced the cast of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Y'all come see the show this May. Tickets are assigned seating and go on sale this week! Bandleader – Chris Desjardins MISS WULLA JEAN – Liz Wilczak MONA STANGLEY – Sue Hawes JEWEL – Linda Lee THE GIRLS AT MISS MONA'S – Linda Lou – Abbie Sawyer Dawn – Kay Levesque Ginger – Brenda Pothier Beatrice – Jennifer Armstrong Taddy Jo – Amy Danziger Ruby Rae – Wende Donahue Eloise – Aja Rea Durla – Lisa Jones ANGEL – Amy WB SHY – Casey Hatch Working Girl Ensemble Crystal – Amy McCarthy Estelle – Lauren McCarron Donna – Caitlyn Hawes Tammy - Melissa Belliard Maggie Mae- Emilee Clapp Daisy Mae- Julie Day MELVIN P. THORPE – Tim Johnson ASSISTANT (TV Show) – Samantha Ellis SHERIFF ED EARL DODD – Rick Snyder CJ SCRUGGS, INSURANCE MAN – Tim Sipsey DOATSEY MAE, WAITRESS – Cara Kennedy SENATOR WINGWOAH - Stan Swieck ANGELETTE IMOGENE CHARLENE - Wende Donahue ANGELETTES Amy WB Amy McCarthy Brenda Pothier Abbie Sawyer Jen Armstrong T.V. COLORMAN – Tom Aylward REPORTER #1 – Kelly Swieck REPORTER #2 – Melissa Belliard REPORTER #3 – Mimi Pare GOVERNOR – Tom Aylward GOVERNOR'S AIDE – Leanne Merrill ACT Theater Company www.actandover.com

ACT "goes" Full Monty, gears up for Parton show Whorehouse and then Les Mis

Andover Townsman, Andover, MA. February 6, 2013 ACT "goes" Full Monty, gears up for Parton show Auditions for 'Best Little Whorehouse' next week By Dustin Luca Staff Writer ---- — On the heels of a two-night performance of The Full Monty, ACT Andover will launch into auditions next week for its next adult-themed performance, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Meanwhile, the ACT youth theater group, ACTjr is a month away from its spring performance of Seussical, a musical with "characters from a lot of the books (children are) familiar with, Cat in the Hat, The Grinch, The Who from Whoville. They're all in the musical," said Mark Gracy, executive producer. The performance coincides with National Dr. Seuss Month. The Full Monty, performed by ACT Andover's adult cast on Jan. 25 and 26 at the Sullivan School in Lowell, tells the story of six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers who, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club. "The cast does a wonderful job showing how these characters grow and become self-confident and more aware of themselves," Gracy said. "It really centers around tough economic times and how these guys and their families and their friends are struggling, and what they do creatively to solve problems they're having." They're so creative, they eventually leave nothing to the imagination. In the final scene of the show, the cast performs "Let It Go" and the men go "full monty," removing all their clothing. But rest assured, ACT's performance was age-appropriate. Stage techniques are used with intense lighting to give the impression that the actors' presence on stage is blinding. "It's more the illusion of it, but they don't actually see (nudity)," Gracy said. In their next production, the adult cast will take on The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, based off the movie of the same name starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds. In that musical, the audience follows the story of a brothel exposed by a televangelist who, ultimately, blows the lid on the entire operation, according to Gracy. Auditions for the musical will be held on Feb. 12 and 13 at ACT's headquarters at 250 Canal St., fourth floor, in Lawrence. The group casts for their adult shows based on the age of the characters, so it's expected that all cast members will be young adults or older, Gracy said. To end the year, ACT's adult cast will be the first group in New England to put on a production based on the recent Les Miserables movie, as ACT is the first group in the region to secure the rights to the musical following the release of the movie, according to Gracy. Auditions for Les Miserables will run over the summer, with performances to be held at the end of October, Gracy said. Once ACTjr's Seussical is in the books, the organization will then start building up for its ACTjr and ACTkids camps, which will both run from July 15 to Aug. 11. ACTjr will put on the musical RENT, with ACTkids performing Disney's The Little Mermaid. For more information or to take part in one of ACT's productions, visit actandover.com. For more information on next week's auditions, email cara.kennedy@actandover.com or theater@actandover.com. Article from http://www.andovertownsman.com/arts/x1746085571/ACT-goes-Full-Monty-gears-up-for-Parton-show

Auditions for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in Massachusetts ACT Theater Company

Join us for auditions for our spring musical, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." Lots of parts for adults and teens! Newcomers and veterans are welcome to audition! This production requires a large cast of men and women. Actors ages 14+ and all ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to audition.

Audition Dates:
Tuesday February 12, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday February 13, 7:00 p.m.

What to expect: 
Please come prepared with sheet music, to sing 16-32 bars of a song (not from the show). Wear comfortable clothing, as there will be a general movement portion of the audition. You may be asked to do a cold reading from the script. 

Location: ACT Rehearsal Space (250 Canal Street, 4th Floor, Lawrence, MA) Email cara.kennedy@actandover.com for directions.

Rehearsals will be held on Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays from 7:00-10:00. 

Production Staff:
Charles Gracy, Director
Beth Kennedy, Choreographer
Chris Desjarsins, Music Director

Show Dates: 
May 3rd, 4th and 5th

About the show: 
This happy go lucky view of small town vice and statewide political side-stepping recounts the good times and the demise of the Chicken Ranch, known since the 1850s as one of the better pleasure palaces in all of Texas. Governors, senators, mayors, and even victorious college football teams frequent Miss Mona's cozy bordello until that puritan nemesis Watchdog focuses his television cameras and his righteous indignation on the institution.

 

Characters: 

MISS MONA STANGLEY (F) Ex-working girl and proprietor of The Chicken Ranch. A business woman who plays house mother to the girls. Charming, attractive, well kept Madam, heart of gold. Endearing stage presence. Alto age 35 – 55

SHERIFF ED EARL DODD (M) The town’s Sheriff and long-time friend of MONA – a good ol’ boy who is blind to the power of the media. He tends to shoot off his mouth and gun before thinking. Towering actor. Sings. Baritone age 35 - 55

MELVIN P. THORPE (M) Publicity-seeking, self-styled-champion-of-moral-virtue, and
presenter of popular television programme “Watch Dog”, fanatical character man. Good Mover - Baritone age 30 - 55

JEWEL (F) Housekeeper and Miss Mona’s confidant. Sassy but respectful. An experienced, long-serving girl at The Chicken Ranch – Torch, blues style singer. Alto/Mezzo age 30 - 45

SHY (F) A naive, inexperienced girl, fresh off a farm, who arrives at
The Chicken Ranch looking for work. Some dancing. Mezzo age 18- 25

ANGEL (F) A somewhat experienced, street-wise working-girl, who
arrives at The Chicken Ranch looking for work. Mezzo age 25 - 35 

DOATSEY MAE (F) A seemingly introverted waitress at the local diner/cafe, with secret
dreams of being wild and outgoing – Sings Country and Western. Alto 25 - 35 

GOVERNOR (M) A Texas politician with a brilliant knack for managing to
sidestep all the important issues. Good mover, does a soft shoe - Sings. Tenor age 35 - 65 

NARRATOR/BANDLEADER (M) Opens the show and the occasional-narrator of the story. Country and Western voice. Good speaking voice. Ability to play Guitar a plus! Age 18 + 

THE GIRLS who work at The Chicken Ranch
LOU, DAWN, GINGER BEATRICE, TADDY JO, DURLA, RUBY RAE, ELOISE
All different characters. Singers/Dancers. Various ages 18 - 35

MAYOR RUFUS POINDEXTER (M) The local Mayor and used-car salesman. 35 – 65

C. J. SCRUGGS (M) President of local committee and insurance salesman. Age 35 - 65

EDSEL MACKEY (M) Editor of local newspaper. Age 25 - 55

SENATOR WINGWOAH (M) Local politician who takes the local football team, THE AGGIES, to The Chicken Ranch after a big win. Age 35 - 65

IMOGENE CHARLENE (F) Attractive cheerleader. Sings and Dances/ tapping. Age 18-25

Ensemble are also featured as
THE DOGETTES Melvin's singers
MELVIN P. THORPE SINGERS Gospel type singers
ANGELETTES Cheerleaders, some lines, dancing and some tapping required.
THE AGGIES High testosterone football team. "Singing, dancing with some solo dancing and tapping".

Other Roles:
COWBOYS; A FARMER; A SHY KID; MISS WILLA JEAN; A TRAVELLING SALESMAN; A SLICK DUDE; CHOIR; LEROY SLINEY; SOUNDMAN; STAGE MANAGER; TOWNSPEOPLE; TV ANNOUNCER; PHOTOGRAPHERS; REPORTERS; GOVERNOR’S AIDES.