Signature Theatre's Annual Open House Set for 7/23
By: Lauren Wolman Jul. 07, 2011
Virginia's Signature Theatre opens its doors for their annual Target Open House on Saturday, July 23rd. Free and open to the public, this special event runs from noon - 10:00pm and has something for everyone: performances, demonstrations, exhibits, kids' activities, classes, a "concert on the plaza," and the return of the very popular Signature Idol Competition, sponsored by Northern Virginia magazine, and mediated by a celebrity panel of judges which includes Broadway star Hunter Foster (Urinetown), national radio host Robert Aubry Davis and Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer. The Target Open House is held throughout the Signature complex and on the Plaza.
The Target Open House will showcase exclusive sneak-peek performances from Signature's upcoming 2011-12 season of "sex, drama, and rock n' roll." In addition, the Open House will also give patrons their first opportunity to take advantage of half-price tickets for select performances on mainstage shows throughout the new season. Subscription discounts (starting with 3 or more shows) will also be offered throughout the day.
In speaking about the Open House, Eric Schaeffer stated, "No one will want to miss this. Our Open House is an all-day extravaganza celebrating our community and the very best in musical theater. It's the best party in town and is always a special way to kick off the new season."
Featured artists who will be performing and taking part throughout the day's festivities include Eddie Clendening and Rob Britton Lyons (of Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet), Hunter Foster, Will Gartshore, Sherri Edelen, Joe Calarco, and many more.
Open House Schedule of Events
11:45am - On the Plaza Stage
FLOATING OPERA
Glenn Pearson on piano with his Floating Opera band play dance music from the 1940's through the
1990's, including Cole Porter, Gershwin, the Beatles, Motown, classic rock and contemporary pop.
12:00pm - In the MAX
SIGNATURE SEASON HIGHLIGHTS CONCERT
Highlights from the new season featuring songs from The Hollow, The Boy Detective Fails,
Hairspray, Brother Russia, & Xanadu featuring many of this season's stars.
12:15pm - In the ARK
FAMILY CABARET
The perfect cabaret for everyone in the family! From Disney to Justin Bieber, this cabaret is
guaranteed to get your young ones hooked on show business!
12:30pm - In the Lobby
MY AUDITION BOOK I
Listen to a cabaret performance by DC actors singing from their audition books - from the hit
musical Wicked to Rodgers & Hammerstein - get a snapshot of the great American musical!
12:45pm - In the Shen, 4th Floor
DANCE MASTERCLASS: Karma Camp
Signature's Artistic Associate and Choreographer of next season's Hairspray, Karma Camp leads a
master class. Come learn some of the choreography for next season's Hairspray. Bring your dance
shoes or dance in your sneakers. Watch and learn! A special Q&A session follows.
1:00pm - In the Library
SIGNATURE SENSATION: DOCUMENTARY SCREENING
This film offers an inside look at the development of Signature from the Garage to its current
location in the Village of Shirlington. The Signature Documentary is directed and produced by Ben
Crutchfield and Alexis Van Dyke, edited by Alexis Van Dyke.
1:15pm - In the MAX
Eddie Clendening
Broadway's Elvis (Million Dollar Quartet) brings his rockabilly band to Shirlington. The Plaza Stage
will be rocking when Eddie sings songs from the likes of Scotty Moore, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little
Richard & much more.
1:30pm - In the ARK
OVERTURES ON STAGE
Students from Signature's Overtures musical theatre institute, perform their favorite songs. Be the
first to see the stars of tomorrow!
1:45pm - In the Lobby
MY AUDITION BOOK II
Listen to a cabaret performance by DC actors singing from their audition books - from the hit
musical Wicked to Rodgers & Hammerstein - get a snapshot of the great American musical!
1:45pm - On the Plaza
THE ANACOSTIA ROLLERS & FRIENDS
Come be dazzled by this amazing "Show on Wheels" starring the Dance Champion roller skaters of
the District of Columbia. This exhilarating performance on roller skates is the perfect way to get into
that Xanadu spirit!
2:00pm - In the Shen, 4th Floor
THEATRE FUN FOR KIDS
Fun Theatre games for kids ages 10 and up. Led by Signature's Education Associate David
Zobell, kids will participate in interactive activities that help boost self-confidence, stimulate their
imaginations, and provide loads of fun!
2:15pm - On the Plaza Stage
ROB BRITTON LYONS
Rock ‘n' Roll will fill the streets of Shirlington when the star of Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet, Rob
Britton Lyons, takes the stage.
2:30pm - In the MAX
SIGNATURE SEASON HIGHLIGHTS CONCERT
Highlights from the new season featuring songs from The Hollow, The Boy Detective Fails,
Hairspray, Brother Russia, & Xanadu featuring many of this seasons stars.
2:45pm - In the ARK
FAMILY CABARET
The perfect cabaret for everyone in the family! From Disney to Justin Bieber, this cabaret is
guaranteed to get your young ones hooked on show business!
3:00pm - In the Lobby
MY AUDITION BOOK III
Listen to a cabaret performance by DC actors singing from their audition books - from the hit
musical Wicked to Rodgers & Hammerstein - get a snapshot of the great American musical!
3:00pm - In the Library
SIGNATURE SENSATION: DOCUMENTARY SCREENING
This film offers an inside look at the development of Signature from the Garage to its current
location in the Village of Shirlington. The Signature Documentary is directed and produced by Ben
Crutchfield and Alexis Van Dyke, edited by Alexis Van Dyke.
3:00pm - On the Plaza
THE ANACOSTIA ROLLERS & FRIENDS
Come be dazzled by this amazing "Show on Wheels" starring the Dance Champion roller skaters of
the District of Columbia. This exhilarating performance on roller skates is the perfect way to get into
that Xanadu spirit!
3:15pm - In the Shen, 4th Floor
PERFORMANCE MASTER CLASS: Matthew Gardiner
Director/Choreographer and Signature's Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner leads a
master class for pre-selected students on acting a song for auditions. Watch and learn! A Q&A
period follows.
3:45pm - In the MAX
SIGNATURE IDOL
The tension builds as eight finalists are narrowed down to THE one winner who will perform in the
Broadway on the Plaza Concert. Judges include Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer Broadway star
Hunter Foster, and Robert Aubry Davis. Who will be the next Signature Idol?
4:00pm - In the ARK
MUSICAL MAYHEM
Ever wonder what happens when actors go wild? Check out the madness that is Musical Mayhem in
the intimacy of the ARK and witness some of your favorite Signature performers as they cut loose in
celebration of Signature's 22nd season.
4:15pm - In the Lobby
MY AUDITION BOOK IV
Listen to a cabaret performance by DC actors singing from their audition books - from the hit
musical Wicked to Rodgers & Hammerstein - get a snapshot of the great American musical!
4:15pm - On the Plaza
THE ANACOSTIA ROLLERS & FRIENDS
Come be dazzled by this amazing "Show on Wheels" starring the Dance Champion roller skaters of
the District of Columbia. This exhilarating performance on roller skates is the perfect way to get into
that Xanadu spirit!
4:30pm - In the Shen, 4th Floor
INSIDE THE REPS: THE HOLLOW AND THE BOY DETECTIVE FAILS
Learn about what it takes to write a musical. Join composers Matt Conner and Adam Gwon and
book writers Hunter Foster and Joe Meno as they discuss their process for developing a new
musical. A Q&A period follows.
4:45pm - On the Plaza Stage
OVERTURES ON STAGE
Students from Signature's Overtures musical theatre institute, perform their favorite songs. Be the
first to see the stars of tomorrow!
5:00pm - In the MAX
SIGNATURE SEASON HIGHLIGHTS CONCERT
Highlights from the new season featuring songs from The Hollow, The Boy Detective Fails,
Hairspray, Brother Russia, & Xanadu featuring many of this seasons stars.
5:15pm - In the ARK
AMERICAN MUSICAL VOICES PROJECT
Signature favorites sing songs from the composers that have been commissioned for the American
Musical Voices Project - the largest musical commissioning program in the United States. Take a
look at the future of musicals at Signature.
5:30pm - In the Lobby
MY AUDITION BOOK V
Listen to a cabaret performance by DC actors singing from their audition books - from the hit
musical Wicked to Rodgers & Hammerstein - get a snapshot of the great American musical!
5:45pm - In the Shen, 4th Floor
MY SIGNATURE STORY: BOOK READING & SIGNING
Eric Schaeffer and Sarah Valente read excerpts from their new book. My Signature Story traces the
journey of this Tony Award-winning theatre through the eyes of its co-founder and Artistic Director,
Eric Schaeffer. A question and answer period follows, as well as a book signing.
6:00pm - On the Plaza Stage
Eddie Clendening
Broadway's Elvis (Million Dollar Quartet) brings his rockabilly band to Shirlington. The Plaza Stage
will be rocking when Eddie sings songs from the likes of Scotty Moore, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little
Richard & much more.
6:15pm - In the MAX
MUSICAL MAYHEM
Ever wonder what happens when actors go wild!? Check out the madness that is Musical Mayhem
in the MAX and witness some of your favorite Signature performers as they cut loose in celebration
of Signature's 22nd season.
6:30pm - In the ARK
WILL & THE GIRLS
Helen Hayes Award-winner & Signature favorite Will Gartshore is joined by some of DC's most
fabulous leading ladies in a concert featuring some of Broadway's favorite show tunes in addition to
some new songs.
6:45pm - In the Lobby
MY AUDITION BOOK VI
Listen to a cabaret performance by DC actors singing from their audition books - from the hit
musical Wicked to Rodgers & Hammerstein - get a snapshot of the great American musical!
7:30pm - On the Plaza Stage
ROB BRITTON LYONS
Rock ‘n' Roll will fill the streets of Shirlington when the star of Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet Rob
Britton Lyons takes the stage
8:30pm - On the Plaza Stage
BROADWAY ON THE PLAZA - Grand Finale
A special concert featuring Broadway and DC favorites celebrating the music of Broadway and
Signature Theatre!
ONGOING TARGET OPEN HOUSE EVENTS
SIGNATURE STREET - On the Plaza
Get a taste for what Signature's upcoming season has to offer while your kids jump around in our
moon bounce. Grab slurpies & popcorn - all for free!
ALI'S BAR IN THE MEAD LOBBY
Enjoy box lunches and beverages all day long.
REFRESHMENTS & INFORMATION
Free Target-sponsored water and snacks will be available. You'll find staff on hand to answer any
questions about the Theatre and the upcoming season.
All performances and times are subject to change.
No tickets are required; seating is first-come, first-serve.
SIGNATURE'S 2011-12 SEASON TICKETS
Signature Theatre's 2011-2012 line-up features the Tony Award®-winning shows Hairspray and
God of Carnage and the Washington DC premiere of the cult classic musical Xanadu. The season
also features an unprecedented five world premiere works, including The Hollow, The Boy Detective
Fails (both in repertory), Brother Russia, and Really Really. In addition to the mainstage shows,
Signature presents three productions with limited engagements, including the world premiere of A
Second Chance and Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South, based on the award-winning book.
Stephen Sondheim's first musical Saturday Night will be a special concert event that will play for
four performances only.
Single tickets are now on sale. Assorted subscription packages are available by calling Signature's
Box Office at (703) 820-9771. For more information on the 2011-12 season, please visit
www.signature-theatre.org.
ABOUT TARGET
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,750 stores in 49 states
nationwide and at Target.com. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers
branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income
through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week.
For more information about Target's commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/
hereforgood.
ABOUT SIGNATURE
Recipient of the 2009 Regional Theatre Tony Award®, Signature Theatre is a non-profit professional
theater company in Arlington, Virginia dedicated to producing contemporary musicals and plays,
reinventing classic musicals, and developing new work. Under the leadership of co-founder and
Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer and Managing Director Maggie Boland, Signature has presented
32 world premiere productions and is renowned for combining Broadway-quality productions with
intimate playing spaces.
In addition to hosting the finest talent from the DC metropolitan area and New York, Signature has
been home to such theatre luminaries as Chita Rivera, George Hearn, Hunter Foster, Emily Skinner,
Marc Kudisch, Judy Kuhn, John Kander and Fred Ebb, Cameron Mackintosh, Terrence McNally,
and the company's signature composer, Stephen Sondheim. Since its founding in 1989, Signature
has won 72 Helen Hayes Awards for excellence in the Washington, DC region's professional theater
and has been honored with 293 nominations.
Signature is partially supported by a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the
National Endowment for the Arts and by a gift from Arlington County through the Arlington
Commission for the Arts and the Cultural Affairs Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation,
and Cultural Resources.
Signature Theatre is located at 4200 Campbell Avenue (22206) off I-395 at the Shirlington exit. After the exit, blue Signature signs mark the way to the theatre. Free parking is available in two adjacent public garages. Please note that Campbell Avenue is a new street and some GPS online mapping systems do not yet recognize Signature Theatre's address. For directions visit http://signature-theatre.org/map.htm.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Subscriptions/Groups: (703) 820-9771
Single Tickets: Ticketmaster (703) 573-SEAT (7328)
Signature Administration (571) 527-1860
Signature Theatre • 4200 Campbell Avenue • Arlington, VA 22206
http://www.signature-theatre.org
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