ACT Andover Theater Company - March 2012 - Getting ready for Summer Theater Camp in Andover

March 2012 Andover, MA  It'e been a busy season here at ACT.  This fall we wrapped up our production of Annie at The Rogers Center for the Arts and even performed on a float in the Andover Santa Parade. In january we ran The Great American Trailer Park Musical and are now in production for Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific with ACTjr opening in April and the blockbuster musical 42nd St with ACT which opens in May.  Coming up is our annual summer dinner cabaret and our summer theater camp program in Andover, MA.

Last year our summer theater camp produced the acclaimed Les Miserables!  By request this year we have 2 camps one for our jr members and a new camp for younger performers.  This summer ACTjr will be producing How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and ACTkids will put on Aladdin jr.  Don't miss these great summer theater camp programs  which feature classes in acting, dance, and music as well as technical theater with our talented staff or professionals Charles Gracy, Mark Mercer, Amy Wilkins Blanchette, Kim Cook,  & Jamie Cook.  Details and registration information at www.actandover.com   Class size is limited so register today! Don't miss out!

ACt Announces Cast for ACTjr's South Pacific

South Pacific Cast

Nellie Forbush- Emily Wivell

Emile de Becque- Bobby Hawes

Ngana- Iris Choo

Jerome- Alex Shih

Henry- Sam Krapels

Bloody Mary- Madelyn Broullard

Liat- Maci Letsky

Luther Billis- James Conley

Stewpot- Michael Hanscom

Professor- Conor Meehan

Lt. Joseph Cable- Nick Kalantzakos Jr.

Capt. George Brackett- Theo Kalantzakos

Cmdr. William Habison- Alex Hanscom

Lt Buzz Adams- Andrew Seifer

Yeoman Herbert Quale- Max Currie

Radio Operator Bob McCaffrey-Eric Bouchard

Seabee- Alex Hanscom

Sailor- Armando Bellard

Tom O’Brien- Daniel Webber

Marine- Carter Letsky

Shore Patrol Man- Alex Hanscom

Ensign Dinah Murphy- Alison McCarron

Ensign Janet MacGregor- Emilee Clapp

Lead Nurse- Elizabeth Day

Tired Nurse- Stephi Knepper

Nurse-Rachel Harris

Nurse 2- Erin Hanrahan

Nurse 3- Lily Daigle

Nurse 4- Summer Erickson

Featured Dancers:

TBD

Ensemble:

Sheryl Ehleck, Alexandria Russo, Lauren Wanthal, Emma Saltsman, Carla Jane McDonough, Taylor Day

South Pacific Production Team:

Charles Gracy- Director

Mark Mercer- Music Director

Brenda Pothier- Choreographer

Cara Kennedy- Producer

 

Music by Rodgers, Richard | Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II | Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan | Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize winning novel "Tales of the South Pacific" by James A. Michener

Set in an island paradise during World War II, two parallel love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. Nellie, a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a mature French planter, Emile. Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native and, unable to turn her back on the prejudices with which she was raised, refuses Emile's proposal of marriage. Meanwhile, the strapping Lt. Joe Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent Tonkinese girl with whom he's fallen in love out of the same fears that haunt Nellie. When Emile is recruited to accompany Joe on a dangerous mission that claims Joe's life, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness, thus confronting and conquering her prejudices.  Performed by special arrangement with Rogers & Hammerstein

This production will hit the stage this spring 2012  - Tickets on sale soon!

 

Andover Summer Theater Arts Education Program to perform Les Miserables

Andover, MA- This summer while many young people are taking the summer off 40 boys and girls from Andover and surrounding communities are participating in a Summer Theater Arts intensive program and will be performing the musical Les Miserables at The Rogers Center for the Arts in North Andover August 4th - August 7th. The summer program is produced by ACT - Andover Theater Company and it's Artistic Director, Charles Gracy. The program includes morning classes in Acting, Music and Dance taught by professional instructors. Charles Gracy is the Director of the program and is the Drama Teacher at Brooks Private School in North Andover, MA. Mark Mercer is the Music Director and is a Music Teacher in Andover, MA, Brenda Pothier is the Choreographer and Dancer Teacher for the program and Cara Kennedy is the program Producer. The program culminates with performances of the musical Les Miserables at The Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College in North Andover August 4th - August 7th. Tickets for Les Miserables are on sale now at ACT Theater Website or by calling the box office at 978-276-9568.
A list of the talented students participating in the program can be found on the theater company website.

Les Miserables
Student Edition
at the Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College
August 4th thru August 7th

LES MISERABLES SCHOOL EDITION
A musical by ALAIN BOUBLIN and CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHONBERG
Based on a novel by VICTOR HUGO
Music by CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHONBERG
Lyrics by HERBERT KRETZMER
Original French text by ALAIN BOUBLIL and JEAN-MARC NATEL
Additional material by JAMES FENTON
Orchestrations by JOHN CAMERON
Original London production produced by
CAMERON MACINTOSH and THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
School Edition specially adapted and licensed by
MUSIC THEATER INTERNATIONAL and CAMERON MACKINTOSH


Director - Charles Gracy
Music Director - Mark Mercer
Choreographer - Brenda Pothier
Producer - Cara Kennedy
ACT Artistic Director: Charles Gracy ACT Executive Producer: Mark Gracy

Music Program to be cut in Andover MA! Just say NO!

As many of you know I am actively involved in and a huge proponent of the Arts and Music and have been actively involved since my grade school days MANY years ago. Today I found out that Andover has elected to eliminate it's music teacher at the high school level and possibly the mid-school level - as a result of a budget cut. Mark Mercer has been an incredible asset the music department and students and he has done more for this high school music program than anyone in a long time. It is so important that our kids get as much exposure to music as possible. Scientific studies have proven the positive value of music in young people's brains - improved spacial perception, better math skills, better problem solving, cultural adaptation skills and more are only the beginning of the benefits. See here for more http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/12benefits.html

Andover prides itself and enjoys the luxury or higher real estate values as a result of the perceived quality of it's public education. This action will have a major negative impact on that positive perception.

If you are an Andover resident or student and feel this cost cutting measure is a mistake please take action tonight and attend the school board meeting. Make your opinion know and let them know we will not accept this detrimental cut in the the children's education in Andover.

Please let the decision makers know this is not acceptable today!