The Barn Theatre Presents SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD, Now thru 6/22
By: BWW News Desk Jun. 10, 2014
Shakespeare is in Hollywood? Well, he certainly is in Augusta at the Barn Theatre today, June 10 - 22!
This brilliant, hysterical comedy follows director Max Reinhardt's (portrayed by Charlie King) real-life 1934 quest to bring William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream to the silver screen. Mr. Warner (Eric Parker), of Warner Brothers Studio, is less than thrilled to do an "art film" but when his girlfriend and studio star, Lydia Lansing (Fourth year apprentice Bethany Edlund), demands a legitimate picture to showcase her talents, he relents. The cast includes song and dance man Dick Powell (played by Jamey Grisham) and gangster-in-the-making Jimmy Cagney (portrayed by Second year apprentice Gregory Grimes). In the midst of all of this business of making "talking pictures" and overnight stars, Oberon (Bruce Hammond), King of the Fairies, and his sidekick Puck (Eric Tsuchiyama) magically arrive and the fun really begins. Oberon and Puck find themselves accidental movie stars, playing themselves, with the entire cast in awe of their perfect casting and costuming. In order to lure away a suitor from his new love (portrayed by Melissa Cotton), Oberon enlists the aid of Puck who finds a magical love flower. As the flower gets passed around the set, love triangles pop up virtually everywhere! Can Oberon and Puck find an anecdote quickly enough to save Hollywood from the insanity of love? We'll see! This screwball comedy is rounded out by Equity members Patrick Hunter, Kevin Robert White and a host of new Barnies!
Originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare in Hollywood had its world premier in 2003 at Arena Stage in Washington D.C. and won the Helen Hayes award for Best New Play of the Year!
SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD is directed by Hans Friedrichs. Michael Wilson Morgan is the Costume Designer. Set Design is by Kerith Parashak with Scenic Artistry by Amy Larink and Properties by Bethany Edlund. Lighting designer is Paul Collins, with Sam Silva as Sound Designer. Nick Hoovler is the Technical Director.
SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD plays June 10 - 22. Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday at 8:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday at 5:00 PM.
Check out the renovated Rehearsal Shed Lounge! Stop in before the main stage show, at intermission, and after the show for refreshments, snacks, wings, nachos, and Plainwell ice cream, as well as free, after-the-show entertainment!
The Barn Theatre is located on M-96, west of Augusta. Tickets are $35.00 for all performances. Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted. The Box Office is open daily 10:00 am-10:00 pm. Tickets may now be purchased on the internet or on your smart phone via PayPal at www.barntheatre.com. To reserve tickets at the Box Office, call today: (269) 731-4121.
SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD - CAST LIST:
Max Reinhardt................................................................... CHARLIE KING
Louella Parsons................................................................ JACKIE GUBOW
Dick Powell........................................................................ JAMEY GRISHAM
Jack Warner....................................................................... ERIC PARKER
Daryl.................................................................................... BRANDON MICHAUD
Lydia Lansing.................................................................... BETHANY EGLUND
Oberon ............................................................................... BRUCE HAMMOND
Puck ................................................................................... ERIC TSUCHIYAMA
Olivia Darnell .................................................................... MELISSA COTTON
Will Hays ............................................................................ KEVIN ROBERT WHITE
Joe e. Brown ..................................................................... PATRICK HUNTER
Jimmy Cagney .................................................................. GREG GRIMES
Anita Louise/Commisary Waitress ................................ DALLYN BRUNCK
Studio hairdresser/Starlet at party
Wardrobe lady/Party guest................................................ ANNA SEGATTI
Albert/Cowboy/Studio Grip/Waiter/
Sam/Tarzan/Groucho/Party Guest................................... NICHOLAS BARAKOS, PATRICK BEASLEY,
TROY ALEXANDER KOWATCH
BIOS:
A native Michigander from nearby Brooklyn, Bruce is truly honored to be performing at the Barn after 20 year absence. Bruce apprenticed '91 - '93 and highlights during that time include Peter in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, a sailor in ANYTHING GOES, Bill Calhoun in KISS ME KATE with Tom Wopat, one of the Angel City Four in CITY OF ANGELS, and Captain Jack Ross in A FEW GOOD MEN. Bruce returned as an Equity member in '94 to play Billy in the original musical written by Brendan Ragotzy, BILLY THE KID as well. Bruce spent six years singing for Princess Cruise Lines, and has since appeared in numerous film and television projects. He has spent the last 2 years performing in SHADES OF SINATRA in Las Vegas where he now lives.
ERIC TSUCHIYAMA - Puck
Eric is so very excited to be returning to his home stage this summer - there really is no place like the Barn! Favorite Barn credits include JOSEPH, CHICAGO, DON'T DRINK THE WATER, BIG RIVER, and THE WHO'S TOMMY. Eric would like to thank the Ragotzys for welcoming him back with open arms; his parents, for allowing him to crash at home for the summer; and the rest of his family, "framily", and friends, for always cheering him on in the great game of life. You can stalk him, daily, on Twitter: @erictsuch.
Bethany is so excited (and she just can't hide it) to return to the Barn for her fourth summer! You may have caught her, last season, as Maggie in 42ND STREET, and Inga in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. Bethany was very excited to work this fall/winter on the film CAWDOR, and the Barn's CHRISTMAS CABARET. Other favorite Barn credits include Louise in THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY, Brooke Wyndham in LEGALLY BLONDE, and Columbia in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. "Special thanks to my family for their support; my friends for laughing at all of my bad jokes; and the Ragotzys, for all of the amazing opportunities you have provided me. Love you all!"
CHARLIE KING - Max Reinhardt
Charlie was an apprentice from 91-94 where he played such roles as Big Six in City of Angels, Big Jule in Guys & Dolls, and Big Apostle in Jesus Christ Superstar. Some of his favorite roles at the Barn include "Great" Grandpa Alphonse in Escanabe in Love, Earthquake McGoon in Lil Abner, The Narrator in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and Dirty Dave Rudabaugh in the world premiere of Billy the Kid. Charlie was delighted to add his banjo, mandolin, and harmonica to the Barn's 2009 production of Big River. He has toured internationally with Stephen Lynch and is featured on Lynch's latest release "Lion". He also has 3 songs on the just-released album from the Asylum Street Spankers "The Last Laugh". He has appeared on The Bob and Tom Show, America's Got Talent, and American Idol (where he played lap steel for AI's 2009 Season runner-up, Crystal Bowersox.) He cowrote a song on Crystal's last album, too. Last fall, Charlie made his film debut in the film Cawdor. He currently plays the "Ham-o-lin" and other homemade instruments with the local jugbandoliers The Deep Fried Pickle Project.
MELISSA COTTON - Olivia Darnell
Melissa is extremely pleased to be back for her fifth season at the Barn, as a member of the Equity Company. Barn audiences will undoubtedly remember her from such roles as Fiona in SHREK, Elle Woods in LEGALLY BLONDE, and Janet in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. Since last season, Melissa has completed work on the film, Cawdor, here in Michigan, appeared in the Barn's Christmas Cabaret as well as dabbled in the world of modeling. Recently, all creative efforts have been focused on her wedding to fellow Barnie, Patrick Hunter, at the end of the summer. Melissa has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Kent State University, and lives in Chicago with Patrick, and their dog, Elle Woofs. Follow her adventures on Instagram: @melissacotton1.
ERIC PARKER - Jack Warner
This is Eric's 21st season here at the Barn. His favorite Augusta credits include leads in ESCANABA IN LOVE, CHICAGO, and SUNSET BOULEVARD, Jean Valjean in LES MISERABLES, Tito in LEND ME A TENOR, Roger in RENT, Roger DeBris in THE PRODUCERS, Jerry in THE FULL MONTY, Remnar in all three stagings of ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, Rocky or Eddie (most recently Riff-Raff) in almost all our runs of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Freddie in CHESS, Cable in SOUTH PACIFIC, Jimmy Powers in CITY OF ANGELS, and Che in EVITA, a role that introduced Eric to Chicago audiences in an award-winning production at Drury Lane Oakbrook. His career has continued there with a variety of credits in almost a dozen TYA and mainstage productions. Eric was featured Cawdor filmed here at the Barn last fall. Regional: last winter's THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER at the Mercury Theater, Sebastian in THE THING ABOUT MEN, Henrik in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, Miles in A FUNNY THING...FORUM, Jesus in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and Claude in HAIR (European Tour.) As a director, Eric has staged well-received Barn productions of WEST SIDE STORY, JOSEPH..., and DON'T DRINK THE WATER as well as RING OF FIRE, three hit productions of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and last spring's acclaimed AVENUE Q at the Croswell Opera House in his hometown of Adrian. Eric studied at the California campus of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and at Adrian's Siena Heights University. When not on the boards somewhere, Eric plays gangster at Tommy Gun's Garage in Chicago's South Loop. His movie and television credits include Barn Films' FISH MICH, GUIDING LIGHT, recent History Channel gangster shows, and several local ads for Behavioral Health Resources and Summit Pointe. On our offstage staff, Eric helps oversee maintenance of the Barn's physical plant and our popular Bar Shows.
JAMEY GRISHAM - Dick Powell
Jamey is elated to mark his 7th exciting season at the Barn. An Equity Resident, some of his favorite personations on the Barn stage include the title role in TARZAN, Billy in 42ND STREET, Pinocchio in SHREK, Warner in LEGALLY BLONDE, George in THE WEDDING SINGER, Fred in CHICAGO, and Brad in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. Some of his off-season endeavors include portraying Mike in the film CAWDOR opposite Cary Elwes and recording the cast album of the Barn's RAUNCH AND ROLL. In New York, Jamey is a recent addition to the Off-Broadway company of Blessed Unrest and continues developing the movement piece OF HUMAN BONDAGE (written by Michael John LaChiusa and choreographed by Danny Mefford). Regional: Trinity Repertory Company, Secret Theatre, Chicago Humanities Festival, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street, Alabama
Ballet, Pied Piper Playhouse, Perishable Theatre, Brown University (TAPS), and Workhorse Theatre Ensemble. A published composer and musician, Jamey has devised original music for TWELFTH NIGHT, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (x3), THE MAIDS, SAINT JOAN OF THE STOCKYARDS, VIEUX CARRÉ, and LOOK HOMEWARD, ANGEL. He's also proud to announce the completion of the score for his first full-length musical, GOOD GIRLS ONLY, in collaboration with Charles Leipart, John Kroner, Eric Scott Reed, and The Rehearsal Club of NYC. Its 2013 workshop production boasted the talents of Tony Award-nominees Jane Summerhays, Ernestine Jackson, and Tony Award-winner Randy Graff. The concept album, produced through Pearl Recording Studios this spring, features Barnies Alex Kip, Samantha Rickard, Julie Grisham, and Elyse Moon. Jamey is an active member of the Dramatists Guild, ASCAP, and the Associated Musicians of Greater New York (Local 802 AFM). Training: LAMDA, Roosevelt University (BFA), and Brown University (MFA, Stephen Sondheim Fellow). Thanks to the About Artists Agency, the Artists Entertainment Agency, and my incredible family. www.jameygrisham.com
Patrick is thrilled to return to the Barn for his sixth season. Over the past five summers, Patrick has had the time of his life playing a variety of roles on the Barn Stage. Favorites include Clifford in DEATHTRAP, Kerchak in TARZAN, Inspector Kemp in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Emmet in LEGALLY BLONDE, and Glen Gulia in THE WEDDING SINGER. This is a very special year for Patrick, because at the end of the season, he will be getting married to his Barnie sweetheart, Melissa Cotton. While not onstage, Patrick functions as the manager of The Rehearsal Shed Bar where he gets to show off his finely-tuned mixology skills. Patrick holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Ithaca College.
KEVIN ROBERT WHITE - Will Hayes
Kevin is thrilled to be returning to the Barn for his sixth season! He spends his off-season in New York, and this past year was full of many new and exciting projects. This past fall he created the role of Paul in the NYC premiere of the new musical SPOT ON THE WALL. The same writing team for SPOT..., Jaeger/Mitchell, has offered Kevin a role in their most recent musical, WANDERING EYES, in which he has been involved in several readings. Kevin was also involved in the film Cawdor, starring Cary Elwes, that filmed at the Barn in the fall, and a TV pilot in New York entitled HOW COME I'M NOT FAMOUS YET? written by former Barnies Katherine Weatherford and Nick Pearson. Kevin music directs for THE WATER COOLERS, a workplace musical comedy revue that travels nationally and internationally. He also joined the staff at the New York Film Academy where he music directs and teaches in the musical theatre conservatory. Favorite roles on the Barn Stage include Joseph in JOSEPH... Huck in BIG RIVER, Mark in RENT, Max in LEND ME A TENOR, Dr. Frankenstein in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, and parading around on his knees as Lord Farquaad in last season's SHREK. Once again, Kevin is also Music Director and Pianist for the famous Bar Show after the mainstage performances. Thanks must be given to his family for their never ending love and encouragement, and the Ragotzys for making the Barn Theatre a home away from home! Special thanks to his grandparents for being so generous and hospitable all these years.
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