ShenanArts presents Woody
ShenanArts is pleased to announce an upcoming production of Woody, a musical about the life of Woodrow Wilson.
Woody tells the story of Wilson’s birth in Staunton and of his formative years, reveals the influences of strong women in his life, and highlights his accomplishments as the leader some historians have called “one of the 10 most important presidents of the United States.”
Woody is truly a homegrown show! The musical about Staunton’s Favorite Son was written and composed by Richard Adams, local musician, performer and award-winning educator. It was first performed in 2004/2005. Continue reading “ShenanArts presents Woody” »
ShenanArts presents Berlin
ShenanArts announces the upcoming concert An Evening with Irving Berlin. This performance is presented by The Ovation Singers, who are celebrating 26 years as Staunton’s musical ambassadors. For one night only, come out an enjoy this benefit performance for ShenanArts!
Performance date: Friday Sept. 23 at 7 p.m., at ShenanArts at the nTelos Theatre, Gypsy Hill Place.
Tickets: $10
Website: www.ShenanArts.org.
Phone: 540.712.0001
Box Office Hours: Wednesdays 1:30-5:30 pm, Fridays 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Gypsy Hill Place, 300 Churchville Ave., Staunton
ShenanArts presents Steel Magnolias
ShenanArts announces the upcoming production Steel Magnolias. A strong cast of five talented female leads bring this classic story to life at the nTelos Theatre.
We are excited to announce we will be offering a dinner theatre option on Saturday, Sept. 10 and Saturday, Sept. 17. The menu and cost of the dinner theatre option can be found on our website: www.shenanarts.org.
Performance dates: Sept. 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th at 7 p.m.
Matinees: Sept. 11th and 18th at 3 p.m.
All performances at ShenanArts at the nTelos Theatre, Gypsy Hill Place, Staunton, Va.
The Story
Come for a visit to Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle, the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser; an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee; and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions.
Starring: Debbie Berry as Truvy, Chrystal McKee as Annelle, Diane Kester as Ouiser, Roxanne Moskowitz as Miss Clairee, Kathy Lafon as M’Lynn, and Tori Berry as Shelby.
Tickets
Tickets are now on sale and information can be found on the website www.shenanarts.org or by calling 540-712-0001 during Box Office Hours (Wednesdays 1:30- 5:30 p.m. and Fridays 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
Gypsy Hill Place: 300 Churchville Avenue, Staunton, Va. 24401
Map and directions: www.gypsyhillplace.com.
ShenanArts announces summer camps
ShenanArts is now accepting registrations for summer camps and workshops. Camps will be held in July for children of all ages. A series of workshops is also be offered, for children and adults.
Does your child love to perform? Want your child to have some fun this summer? Come sing, dance, and act your way through some of the greatest moments in Broadway’s history! This camp is perfect for beginning performers interested in getting an introduction to the wonderful world of musical theatre!
Elementary School Camp (rising 1st-5th graders) will be held from July 18 – July 22 | 9:30 am – 12:00 pm.
Cost is $125. Showcase performance will be held at Noon on July 22. Instructor: Sara Meinhofer
Middle and High School Camp (rising 6th-12th graders) will be held July 11- July 22| 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Cost is $195. Showcase Performance will be at 7:00 pm July 22. Instructors: Lindsey Walters and Hanna Walters.
Workshops
Stage Make-up: Tuesday, July 19 – 5:–7:00 pm. Cost is $25
How to Audition: Monday July 11, Friday July 15 and Monday July 18–5:00 – 7:00 pm. Cost is $50
Stage Combat: Tuesday July 12th – Thursday July 14th 5:00-7:00 pm. Cost is $50.
Multiple child discount available for camps! Scholarships are available, inquire for details.
For a complete schedule or to download a registration form, visit www.ShenanArts.org or call 540-712-0001
ShenanArts premieres Miss Saigon
The creative team of this summer’s smash hit, Hairspray, Colton Berry (direction/design/choreography) and Jane Volke (music direction) join forces with a stunning cast to bring this modern translation of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly to the Valley.
Set in 1975 during the final days of the American occupation of Saigon, Miss Saigon depicts the epic love story between an American GI and a young Vietnamese woman and her struggles to create a better life for their child the GI never knew he had. This daring pop opera from the creators of Les Miserables, along with Richard Maltby, Jr., is universal in its emotional power even as it deals with controversial, contemporary issues. Breathtaking and gut-wrenching numbers like “I’ll Give My Life For You,” “I Still Believe,” “Why God Why?” and “The American Dream” are given a new life by the powerful voices of this once-in-a-lifetime cast.
Raw and uncompromising, Miss Saigon is an intensely personal story of the losses we suffer and the sacrifices we make in a world gone mad.
Content may not be suitable for children under 16 years old.
Show times are Friday and Saturday, 7 pm: Feb 11, 12, 18, 19, Sunday, 3 pm: Feb 13 & 20
Purchase tickets online through www.ShenanArts.org; or by calling the box office at 540.712.0001.
In the holiday spirit
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, produced by ShenanArts and the Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School, is being offered on Dec. 10, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 at 7 p.m., Dec. 12 and Dec. 18 at 3 p.m.
The production is directed by Hannah Woodrum and Matthew Riley, senior theatre students at the Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School, as their senior community service project. Both Woodrum and Riley are long-time participants in ShenanArts’ shows since they were children, and designed this project to give back to other children and the organization that taught them so much.
Harmony Shaver, also a senior SVGS student and ShenanArts veteran, stage manages the production. All funds raised will be earmarked for scholarships for children to participate in future ShenanArts productions and classes.
Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $7 for children. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.ShenanArts.org or at the door, one hour prior to curtain times.
All performances are at ShenanArts at the nTelos Theatre, Gypsy Hill Place, 300 Churchville Ave., Staunton.
ShenanArts auditions for holiday show
ShenanArts invites the community to audition for their holiday show The Butterfingers Angel, Mary & Joseph, Herod the Nut & The Slaughter of 12 Hit Carols in a Pear Tree: A Christmas Entertainment better known as The Butterfingers Angel.
Created by William Gibson, one of America’s major dramatists (The Miracle Worker, Two for the Seesaw), this touching, funny and imaginative retelling of the Christmas story brings new relevance to its timeless subject.
The production will be directed by Anne Armentrout.
Audition dates are Sunday, Oct. 3 and Monday, Oct. 4 , from 6-9 p.m. at the nTelos Theatre, Gypsy Hill Place, 300 Churchville Ave., Staunton.
Needed are six males, four females and four children.
This is not a musical, but in addition to reading from the script, each person will be asked to sing a verse of a well-known carol. In addition to acting skills and basic singing ability, the ability to dance (or at least to move “creatively”) will be a plus. Being able to play a portable instrument, such as a guitar, recorder or concertina, will be a big plus!
For more information, contact rain.shadow.studio@verizon.net or 540.887.6521.
Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.
Tickets on sale for Hairspray
ShenanArts will be hosting the Virginia premiere of the recent Broadway hit musical Hairspray beginning Aug. 12.
The local production, based on the film written and directed by John Waters, is being directed by one-time “American Idol” contestant Colon Berry, who also co-stars as Link Larkin, the resident hunk of “The Corny Collins Show.” The storyline revolves around that show and the plus-sized heroine of Hairspray!, Tracy Turnblad (Justine Juart), who has a passion for dancing and dreams of being able perform on the show.
Hairspray runs Aug. 12-Aug. 22 with Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now at www.shenanarts.org.
Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.
ShenanArts announces auditions for Hairspray
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
ShenanArts will hold auditions this weekend for the first production in its new performance venue at Gypsy Hill Place in Staunton coming up in August.
ShenanArts at Ntelos Theatre will open with the Virginia premiere of the recent Broadway hit musical Hairspray, directed by Colton Berry with choreography by Lindsey Walters and music direction by Jane Volke.
Auditions will be held on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the old Books-A-Million space in the Staunton Mall.
Pufferbellies sales to benefit ShenanArts
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
ShenanArts will receive 10 percent of the Sunday sales in June at Pufferbellies Toys and Books in Staunton as part of the store’s Shop Sundays for a Cause charitable giving program, owners Erin and Susan Blanton announced this week.
Founded in 1981, ShenanArts ‘ mission is to use theatre to build bridges within the community. ShenanArts produces plays for all generations.
Pufferbellies has donated more than $8,500 to 18 different non-profit organizations serving area children and families, including Camp Dragonfly, Friends of the Staunton Public Library, Friends of the Augusta County Public Library, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, People Places, and Valley Children’s Center.
A new home for ShenanArts
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
ShenanArts unveiled its new home on Thursday – and had a couple of friends over to mark the occasion.
“Ntelos has been very supportive of ShenanArts for a number of years. We certainly appreciate that. And they’ve shown their support here again and upped the ante,” said Mike Conner, the chairman of the Board of Directors for the children’s theater nonprofit, which is moving into Gypsy Hill Place in Staunton.
The theater will be known as ShenanArts at Ntelos Theater with a financial gift from the Ntelos Foundation that is going toward the $150,000 renovation of the auditorium at the former R.E. Lee High School. Continue reading “A new home for ShenanArts” »
Gypsy Hill Place: On pace
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Talk about ambitious. Charlottesville-based Octagon Partners gave itself 10 months to rehab the old R.E. Lee High School on Churchville Avenue into senior housing and new spaces for ShenanArts and the Staunton Senior Center. And Octagon and general contractor Mathers Construction of Waynesboro are coming in a little ahead of schedule in spite of a brutal winter weather season that put a number of local projects on hold for long stretches. Continue reading “Gypsy Hill Place: On pace” »
