You Can Be A Hero - ACT Today We Are Almost There! We Are Counting On You!

We are over 60% there! The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter. You can help us get there. Whether you've done one show or 20, you know the impact theater has on everyone involved, from the cast to the audience. If nothing else..how many of us have groaned on tech week that we would gladly pay to not have to move the set...now is your chance to make sure we don't ever have to move another set offsite again. $10. $25. $50. Every single dollar makes a difference. WOW! As the number of dollars raised gets higher and higher, and so much closer to our goal (we are at over 60% funded and 103 backers!) we can’t help but think about why we started this Kickstarter. We wanted to be able to create a home for the future generation of performers to be able to learn and find their voice. In order to do that we have to have ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant bathrooms, which the funds raised from Kickstarter will build. Help us continue to give these young performers a chance to shine! Help us continue to give these young performers a chance to shine! Having just wrapped up the ACT Kids and ACT Jr. Summer Education Programs, which performed Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids and Pippin, we have a renewed commitment to our dream of having theater space. The passion and determination these kids and teens have for their love of performing is astounding and humbling. They are the reason we are doing this. Help us keep giving these faces a stage and spotlight!!! ACT Theater Company in The Boston Globe ACT Theater 1632 Osgood Street Suite 102 North Andover, MA 01845 ACT THEATER COMPANY ONLINE

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!

 

ACT Andover Presents ANNIE, The Musical

ACT Andover Presents ANNIE, The Musical

October 28-30 at Merrimack’s Rogers Center for the Arts

October 17, 2011 -- Later this month, ACT Andover will present its largest cast ever on the stage of the Rogers Center at Merrimack College.  Nearly 80 cast members, ranging in age from six to sixty will assure audiences that “the sun’ll come out tomorrow”!

The cast includes 46 children, 30 adults and one charming canine.  Maggie Budzyna of Newburyport and Mia Campbell of Burlington share the leading role of Annie.  The show also features eleven family groups from the Andovers and surrounding areas, including triplets playing The Young Boylan Sisters, Elizabeth, Taylor and Kristina Day, and their mom Julie in the ensemble.  The Knepper family of Andover has mom Heidi, dad Steve and son Dylan all in the cast, and Peter Anton of Dracut shares the stage with daughters Emily and Yelaina.  Full cast list and town specific performers available upon request and is available on the ACT website at www.ACTandover.com

“This cast is very unique – we are lucky to have not only amazing individual talent, but also mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters and brothers all lighting up our Annie stage”, says Co-Director Mark Gracy.  “We’ve never had a cast this family-oriented and it couldn’t be more appropriate for the heart-warming story of Little Orphan Annie.”

The adventures of Annie, her dog Sandy, the orphans and Daddy Warbucks have been beloved by children and adults alike for more than 85 years.  Started as a comic strip by Harold Gray in 1924, Little Orphan Annie later inspired a radio show, film adaptations and a Broadway musical, which celebrates its 35^th anniversary in 2012.  Despite decades of fame, the rags-to-riches story and memorable music of Annie continue to captivate audiences everywhere.

ACT Andover’s Annie is Co-Directed by Charles and Mark Gracy and choreographed by Beth Kennedy. Music Director is Mark Mercer.  Shows are: October 28 at 7pm, October 29 at 2pm and 7pm, and October 30 at 2pm at the Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College in North Andover.

Tickets are $18 for seniors and students, $20 for adults. Available in advance through the Box Office:  (978) 276-9568 or online at http://www.ticketpeak.com/act. Tickets to Annie are general admission seating and patrons need to be sure to print out their e-tickets after ordering.

Founded in 2008, ACT Andover provides quality live theater to the Andovers and surrounding communities.  ACT Andover is a non-profit theater company striving to provide an outlet for seasoned performers and new talent.  The theater company recently added its new "ACT Jr." program for 7th-12th graders, which performed "Les Miserables" to rave reviews after an intensive four week program.  This Spring, ACT will offer another Jr. production in addition to "42nd Street." For more information visit www.actandover.com.

 

ACT Theater Company Has Expanded It's Season for 2011 - 2012 Check it Out!

ANDOVER, MA  ACT has a busy year planned.  Currently in production is the musical ANNIE which hits the stage at The Rogers Center for the Arts at the end of October.  Tickets are on sale now!

Up next is The Great American Trailer Park Musical - You don't want to miss this hysterical, irreverant comedy in January.  In March ACTjr adds a new production to our annual season and fills the void left my the departure of MJT (Merrimack Junior Theater) this past year.  Watch for audition and show announcements for this show coming soon!  In May, ACT is back to the Rogers Center for the Arts for our next spectacular production of the award winning showstopper 42nd Street followed by our Summer Dinner Cabaret at The Andover Country Club.  Students don't miss out on this summer's ACTjr Summer Theater Arts Camp which promises to be even bigger than last year's Les Miserables!  Check the ACT website for updates on auditions, our online box office and more.  For additional information or questions email theater@actandover.com.

 

Les Miserables - SE at the Rogers Center AUG 4-7

Andover MA

Can you hear the people sing? Boublil & Schönberg's legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES comes to the Andovers August 4-7th at The Rogers Center for The Arts. This Cameron Macintosh musical Based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel of the same name is set in early 19th-century France. The plot follows the stories of many characters as they struggle for redemption and revolution. LES MISÉRABLES is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs "I Dreamed a Dream," "On My Own," "Stars," "Bring Him Home," "Do You Hear the People Sing?," "One Day More," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," "Master Of The House" The students have been in rehearsal at the ACTjr Theatrical Summer Camp for 3 weeks. Each morning the student rotate through classes in music and vocal training, dance and drama training and in the afternoon rehearse the musical LES MISÉRABLES Student Edition. This fourth week is tech week at the Rogers Center for the Arts where they rehearse in full costume, with the set and lights and special effects and a full orchestra at the Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College. They will be performing LES MISÉRABLES Student Edition this weekend Thursday 7pm Saturday 2pm and 7pm and Sunday at 2pm at the Rogers Center for the Arts. The 40 children in the program range from grades 6-12. Most of the students are Andover and North Andover residents with a few camp participants from surrounding areas. Camp teachers are Charles Gracy - Artistic Director for ACT Andover and drama teacher at Brooks School in North Andover, Mark Mercer - Music Director and music teacher for Andover Public Schools, Brenda Pothier - Choreographer, Cara Kennedy - Producer and long time Andover resident. ACT Executive Producer - Mark Gracy - Andover real estate agent.
This is a phenomenally talented cast and the show will be unforgettable. Don't miss out! Tickets are on sale now at www.ACTandover.com and will also be available at the door of the Rogers Center for the Arts 1 hour before show times.
Andover Residents in the cast
Madelyn Brouillard, Rebecca Cheng, Iris Choo, Emilee Clapp, Graham Cook, Kiley Corcoran, Maria Cortner, Max Currie, Lilly Daigle, Conner Dwyer, Suzanne Egertson, Summer Erickson, Erin Hanrahan, Alex Hanscom, Bobby Hawes, Caitlyn Hawes, Emma Johnson, Nick Kalentzakos Jr, Theo Kalentzakos, Stephanie Knepper, Carter Letsky, Maci Letsky, Emily Lin, Michelle Lin, Alison McCarron, Coner Meehan, Erica Nork, Eileen O’Farrell, Tiernan O’Rourke, Lydia Ouelette, Evan Pantely, Sam Pond, Nicholas Renton, Nicholas Solomini, Daniele Webber, and Emily Wivell.

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

Annie Auditions

Andover / North Andover MA - Auditions Announced for One of Broadway’s Most Beloved Musicals ANNIE at The Rogers Center for the Arts
Adults and Children needed for this great cast. This is a great show for the whole family. ACT Visit The ACT Theater Website

Audition Dates: Children Sunday August 14th 2-6 pm at the Center for Performing Arts 1820 Turnpike Street N Andover
Adults Auditions Monday August 15-16 7-10pm The ACT Space 250 Canal Street Lawrence MA

Rehearsals Start Thursday August 18th (read thru)
Rehearsals will be Sunday 2-7pm and Tues and Thurs 7-930pm
You will be called for specific rehearsal times (not every rehearsal)


Here is a list of some of the available roles:

Character Breakdown
ANNETTE- A French Maid

ANNIE- Spunky, friendly, big-voiced, street-wise urchin--one of the orphans 11 years old Mezzo-Soprano: A - high F

BERT HEALY - Radio Personality

BOYLAN Sisters: Bonnie, Connie, Ronnie - Singing sisters, perform on "Oxydent's Hour of Smiles" radio program

BUNDLES McCLOSKEY- The Laundryman

CECILLE,- A French Maid

CORDELL HULL-Male Cabinet member

DRAKE-Warbucks's English Butler

DUFFY-The biggest orphan 13 years old

FDR, the President Baritone (C-flat - E-sharp)

FRANCIS PERKINS-Female Cabinet member

FRED McCRACKEN-Radio Personality

GRACE FARRELL-Faithful Assistant to Warbucks Soprano: A - high G

HAROLD ICKES-Male Cabinet member

HENRY MONRGENTHAU-Male Cabinet member

JULY-The quietest orphan 13 years old

KATE-The next to littlest orphan 7 years old

LILY-Rooster's floozy girlfriend Soprano: D - high G

LOUIS HOWE-Associate to Roosevelt

MISS HANNIGAN-Cantankerous and mean old orphanage director Mezzo-Soprano: A - A flat

MOLLY-The littlest orphan 6 years old

MRS. GREER-The Housekeeper

MRS. PUGH-The Cook

OLIVER WARBUCKS-Warm-hearted, stiff-collared host to Annie for 2 weeks at Christmas Baritone: C - high F

PEPPER-The toughest orphan 12 years old

ROOSEVELT CABINET MEMBERS-Francis Perkins, Cordell Hull, Harold Ickes, Henry Morganthau

ROOSTER-Miss Hannigan's no-good brother Baritone: B - high G

TESSIE-The cry baby orphan 10 years old

WACKY- Radio Personality

Questions?
Call 978-476-1138 or email charlesgracy@actandover.com

Director: Charles Gracy Choreographer: Beth Kennedy Music Director: Mark Mercer

Performed by license with MTI at The Rogers Center for Arts North Andover

ACT Andover Guys and Dolls and Les Miserables come to Andover

ANDOVER MA - It's been a busy month for every at ACT Andover Theatre Company. We are in the final days of rehearsal for GUYS and DOLLS which goes up April 1st at The Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimac in North Andover. We are extremely excited about this show! Tickets are selling fast and all seating is assigned so visit the online box office today while there are still some premium seating available. Guys and Dolls has been called Broadway's perfect music comedy and this show promises to be a favorite with stunning performances from the cast and memorable songs such as Luck Be A Lady, Marry the Man, Bushel and a Peck, Take Back Your Mink and Sit Down Your Rockin' the Boat. Don't miss it Visit the on-line box office today at the ACT website or call (978) 276-9568.
Also up this month are auditions for Les Miserables (student edition) - ACT's summer theatre program. Students in the program will have classes in acting, music and dance during the morning and will work specifically on the musical Les Miserables in the afternoon. Registration for the program which runs through July with performances of Les Miserables at the Rogers Center for the Arts early August. Registration is limited visit the ACT website (ACTjr Les Miserables Summer Program) for more detail and registration information. The summer program will be taught by Charles Gracy - Artistic Director for ACT and Mark Mercer, Music Director.

ACT Andover Theatre Company - We Look forward to entertaining you

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!