Auditions and a benefit event

CASTING CALL!

We all know that The Ephrata Performing Arts Center at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre has an extremely talented group of theater veterans performing in its shows. But the theater is always looking for new talent! Whether you're a long-time performer, or you've always had a hankering to try out but have never quite made it to auditions, EPAC wants to see you a couple of weeks from now.

EPAC will hold its general auditions for the second half of its 2011 season at the following times:

· 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26.

· Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27.

· 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28

· 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 1.

Volunteers are needed to help run the registration table and assist in other ways during the auditions; if you can help out, please e-mail your availability (days and times) to epac@ptd.net

Those interested in auditioning can get more information about the monologue/song they should prepare by visiting EPAC’s audition web page.

These are the summer, fall and holiday-season shows being cast:

· Two boys are left in the care of their grandmother and aunt in 1940s Yonkers, NY, in Neil Simon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy-drama “Lost in Yonkers.” The coming-of-age play, which opened on Broadway 20 years ago this month, runs June 2-11.

· EPAC reprises the razzle-dazzle of the popular Kander & Ebb musical “Chicago” from July 7-23. This Jazz Age tale of murder, fame and showbiz introduces us to merry murderesses Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, and their slick and clever lawyer, Billy Flynn.

· Four gay young men from a Baptist church in Dallas, Texas, search for acceptance in different ways in EPAC’s Monday, Aug. 8, staged reading of “Southern Baptist Sissies.” This play, part of the “EPAC On the Edge” series of staged readings (for adults only) was written by Del Shores (author of “Sordid Lives,” which EPAC presented during its 2006 season).

· A psychiatrist must discover why a teenage stable hand has attacked and blinded several horses in Peter Shaffer’s dark and complex Tony Award-winning play, “Equus,” being presented Sept. 8-17.

· EPAC’s Halloween gift to its audience this year is the campy, over-the-top “Evil Dead: The Musical,” set for Oct. 20-Nov. 5. A spoof of/homage to Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” movie franchise, the show concerns a group of students in a remote cabin, fighting off (and being possessed by) “Candarian demons.”

· The EPAC audience will go down “Memory” lane with the perennial feline favorite “Cats,” which is slated to run from Dec. 7-18). Which singing, dancing Jellicle Cat will be chosen to go up to the Heaviside Layer? Try out to find out!

To register for an audition time, fill out an EPAC audition form online.

EPAC Artistic Director Edward R. Fernandez notes that the age requirements for the casts of these shows are as follows:

· “Lost in Yonkers”: Two male teen actors, ages 13-15; other roles, adults ages 20 and up.

· “Chicago,” “Evil Dead: The Musical” and “Equus”: Ages 18 and up.

· “Cats”: Ages 13 and up.

· “The Evil Dead: The Musical”: Ages 18 and up.

BENEFIT FOR A VERY SPECIAL PERFORMANCE

All of the proceeds from the Women’s Club of Ephrata’s 60th Annual Dinner Dance and Auction will benefit EPAC’s Family Series production of the musical “13,” for those with hearing or sight impairments and those who are physically disabled. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12, in the Main Ballroom of the American Legion Home in Ephrata, with a cocktail hour (cash bar), followed by the dinner, dancing and an auction. Tickets are $60 per person; call Jean Brodt at 733-0318, or buy them in person from the EPAC Box Office or the Historic Smithton Inn Bed and Breakfast, 900 W. Main St., Ephrata. You can order tickets to the event by downloading an RSVP order form.

# -- Merv Wright

Benefit Bash, Willy Wonka and more: December at EPAC!

Remember when the Ephrata Performing Arts Center was just a summer theater? Wow, have times ever changed! It's a very busy December at EPAC, and we hope you'll enjoy all the theater has to offer during this holiday season.

### RESERVATIONS DUE FOR BENEFIT BASH

To quote the late, great Frank Loesser, "... Here comes the jackpot question in advance: What are you doing New Year's ... New Year's Eve?" EPAC has a great answer to that question! If you want to ring in the new year with the EPAC family (and support the theater at the same time), don't forget to order your tickets to the New Year's Benefit Bash Friday, Dec. 31, at Lily's on Main. Reservations close on Thursday, Dec. 15, so don’t delay. A ticket for the evening costs $100 (which includes hors d'oeuvres at 7 p.m.; a gourmet dinner at 8; live music and dancing from 9:30- 12:30; a midnight ball drop and champagne toast, and a $25 tax-deductible donation to EPAC.) Party-only tickets (for the music and dancing part of the evening) are $25 each.

The evening also includes the drawing for two fantastic raffle prizes. You don't have to attend the Benefit Bash to order tickets for the raffles; tickets are $10 each or $40 for five, and can be bought through the EPAC box office or by visiting the EPAC website: www.ephrataperformingartscenter.com

Raffle prizes are:

*** Dinner for two (at Lily’s on Main) with Broadway, film and television star (and EPAC veteran) Jonathan Groff (of "Spring Awakening," “Glee,” "Deathtrap" and "Taking Woodstock" fame). The prize also includes an overnight stay at the Historic Smithson Inn.

*** Airline Tickets for two to anywhere in the continental United States (courtesy of Zeller Travel).

The Benefit Bash evening also features a silent auction, for which you can bid in advance (once again, you don't have to attend the Bash in order to bid). You can fill out a bidding form here: http://tiny.cc/jrqb1

Items up for auction include a two-night getaway at the historic Landgrove Inn in Vermont; a one-week stay at a guest house in Italy's Tuscany region; a framed, autographed "Wicked" poster; an EPAC redware plate, created and signed by artist (and EPAC veteran) Andrew Loercher, and a handmade brass, gold and white topaz "Grey Gardens" brooch. Visit EPAC's website for more information on these items.

You can order Benefit Bash or raffle tickets online at: http://tiny.cc/7h0j5

### "WILLY WONKA" IS A SWEET TREAT!

I was delighted to take in the opening night of "Willy Wonka: The Musical" Thursday, and I can guarantee a very entertaining evening for kids of all ages! From the adult and child actors to the singing-and-dancing ensemble of young people to the little squirrels and the singing, marching Oompa-Loompas, the cast delivers a lively and enjoyable show. Let Willy Wonka -- author Roald Dahl's creation of "pure imagination" -- take you and your family on a rollicking, musical tour of the craziest chocolate factory you're likely to see. This tasty holiday treat runs through Dec. 19. Call 733-7966 or visit the EPAC website for tickets.

### SANTALAND, REDUX!

If you missed last year's hilarious staged reading of "The Santaland Diaries," don't get your jingle bells in a twist. You have another chance to see this witty piece of dark holiday comedy from the pen of humorist David Sedaris. The play is based on Sedaris' experiences working as a holiday elf at Macy's department store’s Santaland. This performance, part of the EPAC on the Edge series, is set for 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20 (preceded by a wine-and-cheese reception at 7 p.m.). Adults only, please! Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Call the box office for tickets.

### 2011 AUDITIONS

A reminder: Auditions for the first half of the 2011 EPAC season ("Of Mice and Men," "13," "Into the Woods," and a staged reading of "The Little Dog Laughed") will be held Thursday, Dec. 16, through Sunday, Dec. 19. Click on the "Auditions" menu on the EPAC website for more information.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to everyone in the EPAC family!

-- Merv Wright