Upcoming: HONKY-TONK ANGELS, Bastrop Opera House, September 7 - 29

HONKY-TONK ANGELS, Bastrop Opera House, September 7 - 29, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30; matinee Sunday, September 23 at 2:30 p.m.
Click for additional information

(Click to go to AustinLiveTheatre front page)

Upcoming: The Red Velvet Cake War by Jones, Hope and Wooten, Bastrop Opera House, July 20 - August 4

presents

The Red Velvet Cake War

By Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten
Directed by Chester Eitze
Fridays and Saturdays, July 20, 21, 27, 28, Aug 3, 4 at 7:30 p.m.
One Matinee, Sunday, July 29 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets on sale now!
Adults: $12; Seniors: $10; Students / Active Military / Veterans: $7; Children 14 and under $5
This show is ALL General Admission Seating.

In this deliciously funny Southern-fried comedy, the three cousins have picked the hottest day of July, smack-dab in the middle of Texas tornado season to throw their family reunion. Their outrageous antics have delighted local gossips in their small Texas town. A parade of wildly eccentric townspeople gather, and things spin hilariously out of control., including a jaw-dropping high-stakes wager on who bakes the best red velvet cake. As this fast-paced romp barrels toward its uproarious climax, you’ll wish your own family reunions were this much fun!

Full-length comedy starring:

CHARACTER	ACTOR
Cee Cee Windham	Sherry Witte
Gaynelle Verdeen Bodeen	Mary Broussard
La Merle Verdeen Minshew	Barbara Kelley
Aubrey Verdeen	Desmond Devitt
Jimmie Wyvette Verdeen	Darby Gibbins
Peaches Verdeen Belrose	Lisa Holcomb
Bitsy Hargis	Tana Morris
Newt Blaylock	Paul Christian Tuttrup
Sheriff Grover Lout	Mike Witte
Mama Doll Hargis	Sherry Witte
Purvis Verdeen	Mike Witte
Elsa Dowdall	Hank Nations

Produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

Calling all bakers, cooks, confectioners, chefs, and pastry makers with big hearts and willing hands!

Bakers are called to make your best tasting red-velvet recipe, and enter your luscious creation in the Bastrop Opera House contest being held in conjunction with our upcoming production of The Red Velvet Cake War as part of our Raise the Roof campaign.

Historically there are many different secrets to the success of this popular dessert. With recipes from World War II, the Waldorf-Astoria and even, Great Britain, the chocolate confection has utilized beets or just red food coloring to achieve the hues of red cake. Texas is credited in the cake's success due to the Adams Extract manufacture of the red liquid coloring.

Anyone is eligible to enter their cake, layered or sheet, cupcake or cake pops. Icings and decorations are unrestricted.

All entries must be homemade by the baker. No commercial entries allowed.* Entries must be in an appropriate container, covered and labeled.

Only bring your entries to the Opera House on Saturday, July 28 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Items will be officially labeled and receipted by Opera House volunteers. All entries become the property of the Opera House. No monetary compensation is permitted. The auction of your delicious red-velvet desserts will help us raise needed money to repair the roof.

Three independent judges from outside Bastrop County will choose the best tasting of the entries. There are no other awards, just the reward of knowing you're helping to keep the rain out of our beloved Opera House so that future generations may enjoy it.

The winner of the red velvet cake competition will be announced on Sunday, July 29 following the matinee performance of the play. Cakes will be auctioned following the recognition of the winner.

Funds from the auction of your dessert will go into the Opera House Roof Restoration Fund.

* Individuals including those who own or work in a restaurant, catering company, etc. may submit.

Calling all lovers of the Opera House please come bid on these decadent desserts for a deserving cause.
Auction: Sunday, July 29 following the matinee performance of the play.

Fundraiser to Open Capital Campaign to Replace the Roof at the Bastrop Opera House

Great Talent - Great Cause

This Saturday, April 28, 2012 the historic Bastrop Opera House launches an emergency capital campaign to repair the roof.  When you visit the Bastrop Opera House, you are visiting a piece of downtown Bastrop history and Texas history.  Bastrop merchants P. Otto Elzner and S.D. Green agreed to build the Opera House in 1889 at a reported cost of $15,000.  Now 113 years later, more than three times that amount is needed just to repair the roof to preserve this unique piece of history. 

The first "raise the roof" fundraising event is a live Classic Country Music Show that is sure to draw and entertain lovers of country music and lovers of the Opera House.   There is only one performance, so purchase your tickets now and help us save this grand lady and ensure this wonderful performance space endures for many more generations of performers and patrons. 

The Bastrop Opera House at 711 Spring Street (click for map) is the heart of live theater in Bastrop county and needs to be preserved. 

The funding of a new roof is crucial.  After the incredible heat of last summer, the rain of this new year have pointed out more leaks in the over-twenty-year-old tin roof.  With contraction and expansion the nails have popped out and where there had been tar and sealant along the down spout alleys, cracks have occurred.  Rather than merely patching repeatedly what is there, a complete overhaul needs to be initiated.  Therefore, several fundraising activities have been discussed including using special music programs like the Classic Country Music Show, where the proceeds will be placed in our building fund for a preservation project of this nature.

You can help by purchasing tickets to the Classic Country Music Show for yourself and others. 

Or you may also send a donations for the "roof restoration project" to the Bastrop Opera House, P.O. Box 691, Bastrop, Texas 78602.  You may also make an online donation of any amount on the Bastrop Opera House site at http://bastropoperahouse.com/sponsorship.htm.

Auditions in La Grange, Bastrop and Brenham For the Musical "Heart of the Tin Trunk, April 23 - 26"

Backstage, Inc., is pleased to announce auditions for the 2012 production of Heart of the Tin Trunk, a large scale historical musical performing July 27 - August 5 at the 850-seat Concert Stage at the Festival Institute in Round Top. For this second annual staging we are looking for actors, singers and dancers of all shapes, and ages. This year, we will be holding open auditions in Bastrop, Brenham, and La Grange. All actors in the cast will receive a stipend for their contributions to the show. An additional travel stipend may be given for performers traveling from more than 25 miles from La Grange.

A battered old tin trunk reveals its hidden heart through family treasures that recall storied memories of perseverance, bravery and family spirit that bring adventure, discovery and love to a young Texas girl. The story takes you from today's generation to the heart of the historic Czech lands, where a mother faces a terrifying decision to take her children on a dangerous journey across an unknown ocean in search of a new life in Texas.

Click 'Read more' for additional information and links, including audio at the website

We will begin rehearsals on Monday, July 2^nd in La Grange. Most rehearsals will be held in the evening, Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays. You will not be called if you are not in the scenes we are working that night.

Auditions In BASTROP – Thursday, April 26^th at Inspirations Dance Studio - Located in Alum Creek in the Twister Cheer Building - 1289 Highway 71 E , Bastrop, TX 78602

Acting/Singing Auditions will be from 6-8:00 pm in the small studio. Please prepare 16 bars and a monologue. An accompanist will be provided. If you do not have anything prepared, we will have sides and songs available there for you to perform.

Dance Audition from 8-9:00 pm in the large studio. Please come prepared to move, with proper shoes and clothes. Even if you only consider yourself a “mover,” and not a dancer, we would still like to see you. The dance call will be tailored to suit a variety of ability levels. Similarly, if you consider yourself to be “only” a dancer, we still ask that you show up to the acting/singing portion of the audition.

Auditions in BRENHAM- Monday, April 23^rd at the Unity Theatre - 300 Church Street - Brenham, Texas 77833

Acting/Singing Auditions will be from 5-7:30 pm.

Dance Auditions will be held from 7:30-8:30 pm.

Auditions in LA GRANGE - Wednesday, April 25^th at St. Paul Lutheran Church - 427 South Washington Street, La Grange, TX 78945

We will audition children from 3-5 pm. (Grades 1-8. If you are in high school, please come to the adult auditions.) Please count on being there for as much of the full 2 hours as possible, as we will work with the children in a group. Children do not need to worry about preparing anything for the audition.

Adult Acting/Singing Auditions will be from 5-8pm.
Dance Auditions will be held from 8-9 pm.

For questions or more information, please contact Mickey Burdick. (mickeyburdick@hotmail.com or by phone: 646.382.3039)

Go to AustinLiveTheatre.com for additional information . . . .

Upcoming: The Tinker's Wedding by Synge & Spreading the News by Lady Gregory, Bastrop Opera House, March 9 - 24

The Bastrop Opera House

presents

The Tinker's Wedding & Spreading the News (Tinker's News)

Fri. March 9, 16, 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Sat. March 24 at 7:30
Sun. March 11 & 18 at 2:30 p.m.

Bastrop Opera House, 711 Spring Street, Bastrop (click for map)

Tickets for both Tinker's and News together:
Adults: $12; Seniors / Students / Active Military / Veterans: $10; Children 14 and under: $5

The Tinker’s Wedding
by J. M. Synge
Synge an Irish playwright, poet, prose writer, and collector of folklore was one of the cofounders of the Abbey Theatre. He is best known for his play "The Playboy of the Western World," which caused riots in Dublin during its opening run at the Abbey Theatre. The Tinker's Wedding is Synge's only comedic play.

Tinker's Cast:
MICHAEL BYRNE, a tinker: Paul Christian
MARY BYRNE, an old woman, his mother: Terrie Cooper
SARAH CASEY, a young tinker woman: Jenni Ryan
A PRIEST: Nicholas Collier

together with
Spreading the News
by Lady Gregory
Gregory wrote this one-act comedy for the opening of the Abbey Theatre. She noted that the audience laughed so much that they didn't hear half the dialogue.

News' Cast:
Bartley Fallon: Paul Christian
Mrs. Fallon: Erin McKee
Jack Smith: James Watts
Mrs. Early: Mary Broussard
Mrs. Casey: Hank Nations
James Ryan: Mike Witte
Mrs. Tarpey: Sherry Witte
Mrs. Tully: Kathy Jackson
Joe Muldoon, a policeman: Desmond Devitt
A Removable Magistrate: Larry Oubré
Extras: Terrie Cooper, Jenni Ryan, Nick Collier

Auditions for Oz!, a musical, Easy Theatre, Bastrop, February 20

Auditions for adult and youth actors, singers, dancers for the one-act musical OZ! directed by Engela Edwards, to be held at the Studio (back of the Bastrop Opera House, 711 Spring Street, Bastrop) on Monday, February 20 -- 10 a.m. for adults; 11 a.m. for teens; 1 p.m. for ages 5 to 12.

Auditions last until the show has been cast. Rehearsals start the next day. Auditions and rehearsals take place weekdays, during the day, at the Bastrop Opera House, Feb. 21- March 7. Performances March 8 & 9 at elementary schools in south east Austin.

Looking for Tin-Man & Lion, Chorus, & Munchkins. Gender-blind, race-blind casting. If possible, director prefers that the Lion and Tin-Man to be taller than the Munchkins. E-maill your questions to Engela@easytheatre.com. Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama

Upcoming: Echoes of Ireland by Nicholas and Bonnie Collier, Bastrop Opera House, March 11 - 27

Found on-line:

Echoes of Ireland
Written and Directed by Nicholas and Bonnie Collier Fridays and Saturdays March 11 through 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday matinee March 27 at 2:30 p.m.

This new work, written and directed by two local authors, Nicholas and Bonnie Collier, presents an array of characters who will take you from the depths of sorrow to the heights of uproarious laughter. The play is filled with the warmth of community rivalry, humor, romance, and poignant reminders of Ireland's struggle for freedom. Set in 1939 in a rural Irish pub.

General Admission Tickets: $12 Adults; $10 Seniors 60+; $8 Students (High School and College) Active Military and Veterans; $5 all children 14 and under.
VIP Reserved seating (all ages) $15 each. These are reserved seating tickets which means that the seats are assigned based on best seats available at time of purchase. Therefore if you wish to sit with a friend or group, make sure you purchase all the seats in the same transaction.

Tickets

Upcoming: The Lady Pirates of Captain Bree, musical at Bastrop Opera House, January 14 - 23

Found on-line:

presents

The Lady Pirates of Captain Bree

Book by Martin A. Follose

Music and lyrics by Bill Francoeur

Directed by Engela Edwards

Produced by special arrangment with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Englewood, Colorado

Rated G.

Fridays and Saturdays, January 14, 15, 21, 22, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 2 p.m.

Ye Ol' Tickets: $10 Adults; $9 Seniors 60+; $8 Students (High School and College), Active Military and Veterans; $5 all children 14 and under.
VIP Tickets: $12 (reserves best available seats at time of purchase.)
No added fees!

When Captain Jennings crew jumps ship upon sighting the pirates in the distance, he is left with a makeshift crew of motley prisoners and Fergus, a sailor who can't swim, to protect his wealthy passengers, the Prescots, from the inevitable attack. Bree and her lady pirates take over the defenseless Kayla May. This is a swashbuckling musical comedy with a host of hysterical characters on deck and a spectacular Bill Francoeur score.

Along with Captain Bree's hearty crew of mean and nasty mates (and a couple of new recruits in training who keep forgetting to be rough and tough), you'll find the haughty Professor Bidwell and the pretentious Madam Prescot constantly battling for special treatment and respect (ha!) from the pirates, Samuel Prescot masquerading as a girl to avoid becoming shark bait, and Julia Prescot bursting with desire to join the lady pirates — much to her aunt's dismay! After the pirates send Thomas, the cabin boy, out to sea with a ransom note demanding gold from the British in exchange for the Prescots' lives, they amuse themselves by auctioning off the male prisoners to do their dirty work and showing Julia the ropes of pirating. But what is in store when Thomas returns with a British fleet, set on hanging the pirates for their deeds? Madam Prescot and Bidwell are equally set on seeing Captain Jennings hang for his defenseless approach to the lady pirates. You'll love the swashbuckling ending as the two captains work together to save their crews from the British.

Bill Francoeur's zesty music adds the perfect touch of authenticity to this spirited pirate play.

See cast list and picture at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .