Ann Davis News

Richmond's Professional Theatre with a Community Heart is excited to announce its 56th season - "We're Still Here!" 

Richmond's Professional Theatre with a Community Heart is excited to announce its 56th season - "We're Still Here!"

The McCallum Theatre is tuning up for the 7th annual concert by the McCallum Theatre Concert Band, with conductor and McCallum Theatre President & CEO Mitch Gershenfeld, on Sunday, March 24, at 3:00pm. Highlights of this year's concert will be a performance of the beloved 'Carnival of the Animals' by Saint-Saens featuring pianist Jeffrey Siegel and a new text written and performed by David Gonzalez, and special guest appearances by Gavin MacLeod (narrator) and former TEN Tenor Chad Hilligus (guest vocalist). And, after the concert, there is free ice cream for everyone! I had the chance to catch up with Maestro Gershenfeld to get a glimpse behind the scenes of this season's concert. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

It's time to strike up the band for the 7th annual concert by the McCallum Theatre Concert Band, with conductor and McCallum Theatre President & CEO Mitch Gershenfeld, on Sunday, March 24, at 3:00pm. Highlights of this year's concert will be a performance of the beloved "Carnival of the Animals" by Saint-Saens featuring pianist Jeffrey Siegel and a new text written and performed by David Gonzalez, and special guest appearances by Gavin MacLeod (narrator) and former TEN Tenor Chad Hilligus (guest vocalist). And, after the concert, there is free ice cream for everyone!

Million Dollar Quartet opened Sunday, February 17 at Theatre at the Center in Munster. The show stars Zach Sorrow as Elvis Presley, Michael Kurowski as Jerry Lee Lewis, Tommy Malouf as Johnny Cash, Zachary Stevenson as Carl Perkins, Sean Fortunato as record producer Sam Phillips and Aeriel Williams as singer Dyanne.  Directed by Daryl Brooks, Million Dollar Quartet's cast also includes musicians Michael Sinclair as Jay and Nick Anderson as Fluke.  The show continues its extended run through March 31.  This production is sponsored by Pat Binkley.

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, DreamWrights Center for Community Arts received a generous gift of support. John Blecher, CFO of York Traditions Bank, presented a $5,000 check as part of the Bank's EITC gift to DreamWrights. This gift allows them to sponsor the entire run of 2019 shows in the Studio.

CAT Theatre presents BECKY'S NEW CAR by Steven Dietz, directed by Ann Davis, opening Friday, February 8 and running through February 23, 2019. As part of the Acts of Faith Theatre Festival, there will be talk-backs after both Sunday performances.

Director Linda Fortunato has cast Neil Friedman as Kris Kringle, Stella Rose Hoyt as Susan, Courtney Jones as Doris and Christopher Kale Jones as Fred for Theatre at the Center's Miracle On 34th Street: The Musical. Previews began November 15 with Opening Night on November 18 and a continued run through December 23. This production is sponsored in part by American Community Bank.

Ghost The Musical opened to a full house on Sunday, September 16 for its Opening Night performance. Linda Fortunato directed and choreographed the production which stars Garrett Lutz in the role of ghostly hero Sam, Donica Lynn as psychic Oda Mae and Courtney Mack in the role of Molly Jensen. This is Chicagoland's first regional production of the newly imagined Ghost The Musical. Performances continue through October 14.

Theatre at the Center (TATC) and Director and Choreographer Linda Fortunato have cast Garrett Lutz in the role of ghostly hero Sam, Donica Lynn as psychic Oda Mae and Courtney Mack in the role of Molly Jensen for Chicagoland's first regional production of the newly imagined Ghost The Musical.  Previews begin September 13 with an Opening Night on September 16 and performances continuing through October 14.

Polarity Ensemble Theatre has closed its doors for good. The company, incorporated in 2004, was known for developing and producing new work by local playwrights and for innovative productions of classics. Polarity mounted 22 full length productions, 10 of which were world premiere scripts developed in the company's DIONYSOS CUP FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS series. The company also published five books, some of which will remain in print.

Janet Ulrich Brooks, making her Theatre at the Center (TATC) debut, is cast as advice columnist Ann Landers in the TATC production of The Lady With All the Answers. Opening Night was on July 15.  Performances continuing through August 12.

Theatre fans and critics were all in attendance for the Opening Night  of Forever Plaid on Sunday, May 6 at Theatre at the Center in Munster.  Matt Edmonds, in the role of Sparky, Adam LaSalle as Francis, Yando Lopez as Jinx and Christopher Ratliff as Smudge star in Theatre at the Center's spring musical. Performances continue through June 3.

On Wednesday, February 28, 2018, DreamWrights Center for Community Arts received a generous gift of support. John Blecher, Founder, COO and CFO for York Traditions Bank and former DreamWrights Board Member, presented an EITC donation to Ann Davis, Executive Director of DreamWrights. With this EITC funding, York Traditions Bank will be a sponsor for the Bridge to Terabithia, Into the Woods, and A Seussified Christmas productions. 

The red carpet was full of beauty and style at the Opening Night of Steel Magnolias at Theatre at the Center on Sunday, February 25.  Cory Goodrich, in the role of M'Lynn, Landree Fleming, as Shelby, and Heidi Kettenring as Truvy, lead the cast of Theatre at the Center's Steel Magnolias with Joslyn Yvonne Jones as Ouiser, Jeannie Affelder as Clairee and Myesha-Tiara as Annelle.  The show continues through March 25.

DreamWrights Center for Community Arts is pleased to announce its new board members for 2018. Karin Swartz, Communications Director for York Country Day School, Sarah Yacoviello who works in Development at Lewis Fundraising, and Allison Meckley, Alumni Relations Coordinator for Leadership York, bring focus and expertise to the team. Three teen advisors: Sophia Nicholson, a sophomore at York Suburban High School, Hannah Alvarnaz, an 11th grader at Northeastern High School, and Cali Fife, a recent high school graduate, add the younger voices and viewpoints necessary to the mission. These new board members join returning members, Claudette Calder, Mark Evans, Tom LaForgia, Trisha Melikian, Amy Young, Allison Witherow, Jim Tyson, Stacey MacNeal, Randy Riley, Kevin Alvarnaz, and board chair, Jason Sabol.

Cory Goodrich, in the role of M'Lynn, Landree Fleming, as Shelby, and Heidi Kettenring as Truvy, lead the cast of Theatre at the Center's Steel Magnolias with Joslyn Yvonne Jones as Ouiser, Jeannie Affelder as Clairee and Myesha-Tiara as Annelle. Previews begin February 22 with Opening Night on February 25 for the run through March 25.

Actors David Sajewich, in the role of George Bailey, and Allison Sill in the role of his wife Mary, lead the cast of Theatre at the Center's A Wonderful Life: The Musical with James Harms as Mr. Potter, David Perkovich as Clarence, Jim Heatherly as Uncle Billy and Jason Richards as Mr. Martini. Previews began November 16 with an Opening Night on November 19 and a run through December 23. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening festivities below!

Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn opened to a packed house at Theatre at the Center on Sunday night. Audience members leapt to their feet at the end of the performance of the now Jeff-Recommended production. Actors James Romney in the role of Huck and Jonathan Butler-Duplessis in the role of Jim lead the cast in the musical that continues through October 15.

Actors James Romney in the role of Huck and Jonathan Butler-Duplessis in the role of Jim lead the cast of Theatre at the Center's Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The musical begins previews Sept. 14 with opening night on September 17 for a run that continues through Oct. 15.