County Players at the Falls Theatre

A Statement from County Players regarding COVID-19

A Statement from County Players regarding COVID-19:

Dear Friends,

County Players has been closely monitoring the rapidly changing Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and county health departments, we are actively taking steps to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect our volunteers, our audiences, and our community.

Today County Executive Molinaro declared a state of emergency in Dutchess County, and issued an official order to suspend all large social and community gatherings, including County-sponsored events, to allow adequate social distancing, effective March 13th.

Our next set of performances for “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum” are not scheduled until May 2020; at this time, these performances have not been cancelled, postponed or rescheduled. However, in an abundance of caution, we are discontinuing single ticket sales for “Forum” at this time; a decision regarding “Forum” will be forthcoming in the next few weeks. We will continue to update everyone via email, as well as on our website and social media channels.

Our first order of business is to insure the good health of the whole community. Thank you for your continued support. This is uncharted territory for us all, and we thank you for your patience and understanding.

We have the best audiences anywhere and look forward to navigating this challenging time together.

COUNTY PLAYERS SEEKS PLAY/MUSICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR 2021/2022

COUNTY PLAYERS SEEKS PLAY/MUSICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR 2021/2022

County Players Falls Theatre is currently seeking play and musical suggestions for our 2020/2021 Season (64th Season). Your input was integral to determine our 63rd season and we appreciate all those who made suggestions to assist the Board in this important process.

Our Play Selection Task Force is currently in session and we once again look forward to receiving your feedback. If there are plays or musicals you would like to suggest for our 64th Season, please send your suggestions to plays@countyplayers.org no later than March 1, 2020. Please include why you think your suggestion would be a good choice for CP.

In addition, if you are interested in being considered to direct any of the shows on your suggested list, please indicate your interest, including a time frame for your availability, next to the show titles.

“Almost, Maine” – Opens this Friday, 2/7 at 8pm!

Almost Maine
by John Cariani
Directed by Kit Colbourn
FEBRUARY 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 2020

It’s midwinter in the not-really-organized town of Almost, Maine, and the average temperature is minus 3° . . . but we find warmth in the cold, under the glow of the northern lights. This very human play takes a look at love, connection, and disconnection in a genuine, funny, and sometimes awkward way. And isn’t that just like love in all its forms?

SPECIAL OFFER: We are thrilled to partner with The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck in Rhinebeck, NY who will be producing Love/Sick during our run of Almost Maine. Bring your ticket stub to any performance of Love/Sick and receive $5 dollars off your ticket price. Call The CENTER for details: (845) 876-3080.

Sponsored by Lawrence J. Paggi, PE, PC , Stewart’s Shops and The Poughkeepsie Journal

Announcing the cast of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”.

We are pleased to announce the cast of our May production of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM!

Pseudolus.…….Sal Polichetti
Senex……..W. Mark Colvson
Domina……..Claudia King
Hero……..Sam Eisenbaum
Hysterium……..Michael J. Frohnhoeffer
Erronius……..Amos Newcombe
Miles Gloriosus……..Chris Vallone
Marcus Lycus……..Mike Boden
Philia……..Lisa Delia

AUDITIONS – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 1/19 & 1/20

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed by David Ringwood

Auditions: January 19th & 20th at 7pm

Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy is a story of shenanigans, hijinks, and tomfoolery as a lowly servant endeavors to scheme his way to freedom in this antic romp through Rome with desperate lovers, scheming neighbors, and scandalous secrets behind every toga. The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors and a showgirl or two. This big Roman musical will have you dancing in the aisles with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville!

Sponsored by Thomas, Drohan, Waxman, Petigrow, & Mayle, LLP

Casting the Musical Comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Seeking talent ages 18 and up.

Directed by David J. Ringwood, Musical Direction by Joel Flowers, Choreography by Denise Wornell.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Book by Burt Shevelove & Larry Gelbart, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and based on the plays by Plautus. Originally produced on Broadway by Harold S. Prince.

A fast-paced, musical comedy takes situations from 2000-year-old stories, adds the energy of vaudeville, and the plot twists and mistaken identity of farce to create one classic show.  The clever slave, Pseudolus, plots to earn his freedom by winning the hand of a lovely courtesan for his young master and ends up in quite a few tangled schemes in the process.

Performance Dates and Times: May 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 at 8pm, Sunday May 10 & 17 matinees at 2pm.

Rehearsals are expected to be Sunday, Monday, & Wednesday starting January 26^th depending upon availability. Mandatory: Dress Rehearsal Thursday, April 30, and Tech Week Sunday-Wednesday, April 26-29.

Audition Requirements: Prepare 32 measures of a song in the style of the show. Singing from the show is encouraged, but not required. Consider the range of the role you wish to be considered for. Please keep it strictly 32 measures or less. Bring your own sheet music in the appropriate key. An accompanist will be provided.

Actors and Actresses of ALL ethnicities are encouraged to audition. Please bring a resume and headshot, if you have one. Please be prepared to provide all potential conflicts from January through May. Actors should be prepared to read from the script, readings will be given at auditions. Please bring appropriate clothing/shoes for a dance/movement audition. Ages are suggestions, we encourage anyone 18 years of age or older to audition!

ROLES:

Pseudolus: A Roman slave, owned by Hero.  Quick-witted and scheming. Male, age 30 to 50. Vocal range: A2-A4.

Senex: An old man and father to Hero and hen-pecked husband to Domina. Male, age 45-60. Vocal range: B2-G4.

Domina:  Senex’s wife. A shrewish woman: controlling, demanding, and manipulative. Female, age 40 -60. Vocal range: B3-F5.

Hero:  The young son of Senex and Domina. Practical, privileged, romantic. Male, age 20-30. Vocal range: B2-G4.

Hysterium: The chief slave in the House of Senex.  Anxious and loyal; the order he so desperately wants for everything eludes him. Male, age 40 to 55. Vocal range: D4-G5.

Erronius: An old man, searching for his lost children. Male, age 45-70. Vocal range: B2-G4.

Miles Gloriosus: A captain in the Roman army. Commanding, boastful, manly and strong. Male, age 25-35. Vocal range: B3-F5.

Lycus:  The buyer and seller of the flesh of beautiful women. Male, age 40 to 50. Vocal range: A3-F5.

Philia: One of Lycus? courtesans, still a virgin. Young, pretty, devoted ingenue. Female, age 18 to 25. Vocal range: B3-G5

ENSEMBLE:

Courtesans (6): Female ensemble from the house of Lycus.

Gymnasia: (Greek for “Athletic”)

Tintinabula: (Latin for “Bells”)

Vibrata: (Latin for “Vibrant”)

Geminae (2): (Latin for “Twins”)

Panacea: (Greek for “Cure All”)

Proteans (3):  Plays multiple roles (slaves, citizens, soldiers, and eunuchs).

Any questions please contact director David Ringwood at david.ringwood@countyplayers.org