(*) Video Promo: Molly Cox Talks to the Kids of 'Annie' (running through December 23 at Playhouse San Antonio

In The Playhouse's second video episode of 'Backstage Magic,' posted on Youtube, December 17, actress Molly Cox is surrounded by the orphan chorus for Annie, playing until December 23 in San Antonio (click for additional information):

(*) Upcoming: Annie, the musical, The Playhouse, San Antonio, December 7 - 23

presents

Leapin' Lizards! Annie, the popular comic strip heroine, takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals. The perfect reflection of our times, and the hope for a bright "Tomorrow".
Directed by Michelle Pietri

Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
December 18, 19, 20 at 7:00 p.m.
Ticketing information available here

Tickets available here!

Dates:

Friday, December 7, 2012 to Sunday, December 23, 2012

Theater: Russell Hill Rogers Theater

(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

(*) Auditions in San Antonio for Annie and for The Santaland Diaries, The Playhouse, September 10 and 18

Auditions at The Playhouse for Annie (September 10) and for The Santaland Diaries (September 18)

800 W. Ashby at San Pedro Avenue , San Antonio (click for map)

Questions? Telephone (210) 733-7258 or see www.ThePlayhouseSA.orghttp://www.ThePlayhouseSA.org

Annie 

Book by Thomas Meehan, Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Martin Charnin; Directed by Michelle Pietri

Auditions September 10, 2012, Russell Hill Rogers Theater; Youth audition at 6:30 p.m.; Adults who did not attend Season Auditions and who are interested in being considered for ensemble will audition at 8:30 p.m.

Arrive early to register. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. Callbacks September 17, by invitation only. 

Actors should prepare 32 bars of a song, preferably in the style of musical theatre. Bring sheet music. Those auditioning should not sing "Tomorrow." Be prepared to participate in dance audition. (Wear clothing and shoes which can be danced in.)

Performances December 7-23, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; Special Weeknight Performances December 18, 19, 20 at 7:00 p.m.

All roles available with the exception of Daddy Warbucks and Miss Hannigan.
For more information, click HERE

David Sedaris'

The Santaland Diaries

Adapted for Stage by Joe Mantello, Directed by Shelly Chance
 

A Macy's elf recalls his time in Santaland in this hilarious one-man seasonal special.
 

Auditions September 18, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., Cellar Theater BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Call 210-733-7258 to schedule. Callbacks September 19, by invitation only
 

Actors should prepare a 1 minute 30 second comedic monologue. Expect to participate in cold readings from the script. Bring resume and headshot. Please note: This production contains adult language.
 

Performances Cellar Theater, December 7-16, 2012, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

Upcoming: 2012-2013 Season at the San Pedro Playhouse, San Antonio

The San Pedro Playhouse – Russell Hill Rogers Theatre, 800 W. Ashby (at San Pedro and Ashby)

FOR TICKETS AND INFO CALL: 210-733-7258

BUY TICKETS ON-LINE:  www.sanpedroplayhouse.com

SEASON 2012-2013

Russell Hill Rogers Theatre season - Stories of America

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1776

September 28- October 21, 2012

Book by Peter Stone, Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards

 This Tony Award winning Best Musical sings of the passionate struggle of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson to convince the Continental Congress to declare independence from England, and the dramatic and often humorous drive to the stirring moment of that historic document's signing.

Annie

November 30-December 23, 2012

Book by Thomas Meehan, Music by Charles Strouse, and Lyrics by Martin Charnin

 Leapin' Lizards! Annie, the popular comic strip heroine, takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals.  The perfect reflection of our times, and the hope for a bright "Tomorrow".

Roads Courageous

January 25 - February 17, 2013

By Thomas Nyman and Kevin Parman

 A World Premier musical production, Roads Courageous, is based on the true story of Dr. John R. Brinkley, a barefoot Appalachian boy who grows up to become a wildly famous and controversial medical doctor of depression-era America.

 

Spring Awakening

March 29-April 21, 2013

Music by Duncan Sheik, Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater

An innovative, fearless, hard rock look at teenage sexual awakening in the spring of their lives, and the disastrous consequences brought about by the ultra-conservative, repressive society in which they live.  Set in 1891 Germany, Spring Awakening is as current as Roe v. Wade, and as American as apple pie.

 

Ragtime

May 24-June 15, 2013

Book by Terrence McNally, Music by Stephen Flaherty, and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens

 Ragtime musically weaves together the stories of three extraordinary families, who confront history's timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair and what it means to live in America.

 

THE SAN PEDRO CELLAR THEATRE SEASON – Smaller Stories

November

October 12-November 4, 2012

By David Mamet

 David Mamet's hilarious comedy about an unpopular president's struggle to win re-election.

Santaland Diaries

December 14-23, 2012

By  David Sedaris and Joe Mantello

 A Macy's elf spills the beans about the real Santaland in this hysterical one-person show.

PlayFest 2013

January 13-February 3, 2013

By Playhouse Playwrights

 This annual compilation of original pieces by local professional playwrights will have you at once laughing and contemplating. 2013 brings you eight new works, set in an all-American diner…with a few unexpected flavors!

Red

February 22-March 17, 2013

By John Logan

 Painter Mark Rothko trains a new assistant and philosophizes about art and culture as he paints a series of murals for the soon-to-open Four Seasons Restaurant in New York's famous Seagram Building.

Picnic

April 19-May 12, 2013

By William Inge

 William Inge's beautiful story of love, regret, and the courage to pursue one's dreams in 1950's small-town America.

Water By The Spoonful

(Dates to be announced - right/availability pending)

By Quiaria Alegria Hudes

 The winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Quiaria Alegria Hudes' work is an imaginative story of the search for meaning by a returning Iraq war veteran working in a sandwich shop in his home town, Philadelphia.

Have A Nice Day: A 70’s Musical Flashback

August 9-31, 2013

Written and arranged by Rick Lewis

 A lighthearted "juke-box" send-up of squeaky clean groups such as UP WITH PEOPLE.  Great music!  Great fun!

Auditions in San Antonio for 6 Musicals at the San Pedro Playhouse, May 20 and 21

San Antonio Playhouse, San Antonio

SEASON AUDITIONS Sunday May 20 and Monday May 21 at 7 p.m.!

1776

Sept. 28- Oct. 21, 2012 in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater
Calling all men: 25 adult males needed for this show.
This stirring historical musical pits our famous national heroes – separatists John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson – against loyalists in the struggle to create, and get the Continental Congress to sign, the Declaration of Independence.
Director: Frank Latson
Musical Director: Andrew Hendley
Choreographer: Christopher Rodriguez

Annie 

Nov. 30 – Dec. 23, 2012 in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater
(Special Showings Dec. 18, 19, 20 at 7pm)
Leapin' Lizards! Annie, the popular comic strip heroine, takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals.
Director & Choreographer: Michelle Pietri
Musical Director: Jane Haas

Roads Courageous

Feb. 1– Feb. 24, 2013 in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater
A "World Premiere" Musical Production, Roads Courageous, by Thomas Nyman and Kevin Parman is based on the true story of Dr. John R. Brinkley; a barefoot Appalachian boy who grows up to become a wildly famous and controversial medical doctor of depression era America.
Director, Choreographer: TBA
Musical Director: TBA

Spring Awakening

Mar. 29 –April 21, 2013 in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater
No-one under 18 will be considered for this show.
Spring Awakening will audition for the Director at a later date, TBA. All appropriate Actor/Singers seen at this call will be forwarded to the Director for consideration and possible callback.
A groundbreaking mix of old and new – classic musical theater and hard rock – tells of the sexual awakening of a group of 1891 teens, and the devastating consequences as a result of the ignorance of their repressive society. It resonates absolutely in our own time.
Director, Choreographer: TBA
Musical Director: TBA

Ragtime

May 24– June 16, 2013 in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater
Ragtime musically weaves together the stories of three ethnically diverse and extraordinary families who confront history's timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America.
Director: Frank Latson
Musical Director: Geoffrey Waite
Choreographer: Christopher Rodriguez

Summer Magic, TBA 

July 19 – Aug 18, 2013 in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater
This exciting new show will be announced and will audition for the Directors at a later date, TBA. All appropriate Actor/Singers seen at this call will be forwarded to the Director for consideration and possible callback.
Director: TBA
Musical Director: TBA

Have A Nice Day: A 70s Musical Flashback

Aug 9 –Aug 31, 2013 in the Cellar Theater
A lighthearted "juke-box" send-up of squeaky clean groups such as UP WITH PEOPLE, it is full of the best pop music of the 70s. Great music! Great fun!
Director: TBA
Musical Director: TBA

Annie, Plum & Blueberry Casts, Georgetown Palace Theatre, December 23

I brought six family members to see Annie on December 23 and all were delighted.

This wasn't the same show that ALT reviewed on November 28. Director Mary Ellen Butler and the Georgetown Palace team chose to maximize participation and presentation for their end-of-2009 holiday production. Leading roles were double- or triple-cast and ensemble roles were double-cast, resulting in a complicated mosaic for the 106 actors and the 40+ support staff. Rehearsals, tech runs and coordination must have required logistics approaching those of the launch of the space shuttle.

On opening weekend I saw Principal Cast Mango led by Lana Roff as Annie and Dana Barnes as Oliver Warbucks, supported by Ensemble Cast Strawberry. Two days before Christmas we saw Principal Cast Plum led by Adele Simms and Jerry Garrett, supported by Ensemble Cast Blueberry.

My regret is that due to family events and other December happenings I didn't get to see Principal Cast Kiwi, led by Brittany Macy as Annie.

The December 23 Plum/Blueberry performance had lots of zing. The cast presented the story, song and musical numbers with the assurance born of winning the hearts of previous audiences. They were having a good time and we were having a good time with them.

Sixth grader Adele Simms gave us an Annie with bounce, sincerity and just the right amount of sass. Simms knew her laugh lines and set them up precisely, acting with confidence with players three times her age or older. Jerry Garett's Warbucks was a bit sterner than that of his counterpart Dana Barnes and crafted the musical component of the role with greater precision.

A favorite among the supporting roles was Diego A. Flores doing smarmy radio announcer Bert Healy and FDR's Secretary of State Cordell Hull -- can we see this exuberantly self-confident performer again sometime in the future? Marsha Sray played the droll villainess Mrs. Hannigan with fine New York accent and the swagger and smirk of a Jean Harlow. William Diamond as the tap-dancing butler Drake had the flair and comedy of a nose-in-the-air character out of Dr. Seuss. He got a good laugh with his audibly disgusted announcement to Warbucks of the mendacious couple "Mr. and Mrs. M-u-d-g-e" but couldn't resist running the gag again a minute later.

Seeing Annie for a second time I was struck by the imagination and flair of its design elements. Those included the striking quasi-Art-Deco projections in black and yellow of New York cityscapes, certainly by season graphic designer Barb Jernigan; the convincing contrast between the prison-like orphanage set played on the apron and the two-story Warbucks mansion revealed behind it; and, particularly, the sweep and flourish of the costumes, done in multiple changes for the 106 actors by Ramona Haass and Ronni Prior of A Cut Above costumes in Round Rock.

In sum, Annie succeeded in grand style. This many-shows-in-one production extended participation of artists, technicians and audience, sent us away happy for the holidays, and anchored the Georgetown Palace yet again as a community service and leading Austin-area production house.

Ongoing: Georgetown Palace Adds More Performances of Annie, December 23, 26, 27

Received directly from the Georgetown Palace:
With the Holiday rapidly approaching, we are excited by the number of families joining us at the Palace for our hit musical Annie. The show is so popular that we have added three shows!

Wed. 12/23, 2:00 p.m.
Sat. 12/26, 2:00 p.m
Sun. 12/27, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are going fast. Don't miss your opportunity to see this family-friendly community event. Playing weekends now through Dec. 27th, plus special weeknight performances on Dec 17, 21-23 & 28-30th. Ticket availability depends on the show date. The added shows are wide open as of this mailing. Get tickets here.