issue
A Word From
THE SCOOP
Volume 3, Issue 4 | April 2018
WHITNEY
IN THIS
The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra VCS Shows
Performing Arts Academy The Studio Theatre White Rabbit Red Rabbit Tell Me On A Sunday Red The Staff Spotlight Backstage at The Sharon
PG N .1 3 8
Bill Engvall Live
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Vicki Lawrence & Mama
YEAH! We made the announcement and we all finally know what we are doing in season three at The Studio! It seemed like it was the question I would get the most often “When will I know about season 3?” Well, that and “How can I get my hands on a subscription?” I absolutely love how excited our patrons are for The Studio’s shows. It truly warms my heart. People have been saying for years that theatre is a dying art, well that is not the case in The Villages! How amazing! So, since you are all incredibly excited, I’d like to take the opportunity to talk a little bit about why we chose these four scripts and the theme of individuality. I know I have felt like I don’t fit in to the crowd or that society expects something of me that I know I cannot deliver. And I think that is universal. It is something we all feel at one time or another. I found that very intriguing; the idea that collectively as human beings we have all felt like the rest of our cohorts won’t accept us. What a unifying thought, “Wait, you feel like a weirdo? I feel like a weirdo too!” It struck me that because of human being’s uniqueness by definition we are unified by those very differences. We wanted to tell stories that would shine light on those differences, so that we can see that underneath a person’s exterior we are just a like, we are people. People who love, feel, cry, and connect just like everyone else. This year we wanted to highlight people who regularly get labeled as “different” or “alternative” or just plain “not normal” so we can see that there really is no such thing as normal, there are just people, humans, individuals. So come celebrate your individuality and learn about someone else’s at The Studio Theatre this upcoming season. We’d love to see you at our party of differences. Presenting Season Three: “Individuality: Take The Leap And Celebrate The Difference.”
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The Commodores
Next Season at the Studio™:
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A Chorus Line
Whitney Morse, Artistic Director, The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center
Diana Son
Music & Lyrics by Neil Bartram Book by Brian Hill
THE STORY OF MY LIFE is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI www.MTIShows.com
S T O P K I S S
It S
h ou l d a n You B ee
Henrik Ibsen
A Doll's House
JUST MARRIED
Book & Lyrics Brian Hargrove
Music & Concept Barbara Anselmi
IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com
Translated by Christopher Hampton “A Doll's House (Hampton, trans.)” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
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$45-$90 APR 18TH & 19TH
7PM
Recipient of the Pulitzer Prize and 9 TonyÂŽ Awards including Best Musical.
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From the pen of legendary composer Marvin Hamlisch comes the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning singular sensation, A CHORUS LINE! Casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete, and for 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime and what they've worked their whole lives for. A CHORUS LINE brilliantly evokes both the glamour and grind of showbiz, and is the musical for everyone who's ever had a dream and put it all on the line. The iconic score features such classics as "What I Did for Love," "One," "I Hope I Get It" and more! With its celebration and true-to-life depiction of performers and their struggle to achieve greatness on the Broadway stage, A CHORUS LINE has earned unanimous praise as one of the true masterpieces of live theater.
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$50-$150 7PM APR 21ST 5
Known for Hits Like: "Brick House," "Night Shift," "Machine Gun," & "Sail On"
For three decades, the Commodores have remained a force in the music industry. "The Legends of Motown", "Hit, After Hit, After Hit" "Grammy Award Winners", "All The Emotion, All the Excitement", "If You Haven’t Seen Them Live, You Haven't Heard The Commodores". The Commodores aren't just any group. They have staying power. Just like their hit song "Brick House," the Commodores have created a foundation that just won't budge. After churning out hit after hit in the Motown days, the Commodores still hadn't achieved Grammy recognition. This wasn't to be until 1986, without Lionel Richie, when the Commodores released "Night Shift". In 1968 the group was formed while all the members were in college at Tuskeegee Institute. After being discovered by Berry Gordy, the Commodores went on to sell over 60 million records for Motown. With hits like "Machine Gun" and "Sail On", the Commodores became proven artists. They proved it then. They proved it in 1986 with "Night Shift", and now they are ready to prove it again.
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MAY 2ND
7PM
$45-$80
From "Mama's Family"
Multi-talented Vicki Lawrence was born in Inglewood, California where she excelled in dancing and singing, was a cheerleader and was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by her graduating class. From 1965 to 1967 Vicki sang with the Young Americans musical group and also appeared in the feature film The Young Americans which won an Academy Award for Best Documentary. During her senior year of high school, Vicki sent Carol Burnett a letter which included a local newspaper article mentioning their resemblance. Vicki invited Ms. Burnett to the local fire department's Miss Fireball Contest in which she was performing. Ms. Burnett, looking for an actress to play her kid sister on her new variety series, contacted Vicki and made arrangements to come to the event. The rest is television history. The Carol Burnett Show premiered in the fall of 1967; the same year Vicki entered UCLA to study Theater Arts. She spent eleven years with Carol,
earning one Emmy Award and five Emmy nominations. In 1995 Simon and Schuster published her story. Her autobiography is entitled, Vicki!: The True Life Adventures of Miss Fireball. On stage Vicki has appeared in numerous productions, including Carousel, Send Me No Flowers, No, No, Nanette, My Fat Friend, Chapter Two, Twigs, Hello Dolly, Special Occasions, I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It ON The Road, Annie Get Your Gun and live from the Grand Ole Opry, Nunsense 3: The Jamboree which aired on TNN. Most recently she appeared in the Vagina Monologues. Vicki also travels all over the country speaking to women's organizations about her life and career, women's health, and being a woman in a man's world. All the while she approaches everything with her characteristic sense of humor, reminding us all that Life is much too serious to be taken seriously!
Meet & Greet Add-On: $100 In support of
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MAY 10TH
5PM & 8PM
$25-$85
Bill Engvall is a Grammy nominated, multi-platinum selling recording artist and one of the top comedians in the country. Most recently, Bill was a contestant on season 17 of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, and as a fan favorite, he made it to the finals. Earlier this year, Bill lent his voice to the animated comedy series Bounty Hunters, which aired on CMT. He previously starred in, and executive produced, the TBS sitcom The Bill Engvall Show. Bill was part of the enormously successful Blue Collar Comedy concert films, which sold over nine million units and received a Grammy nomination. He also starred on the WB's hit sketch comedy show Blue Collar TV and in several solo specials for Comedy Central. In 2012 he reunited with Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy on the Them Idiots Whirled Tour, which aired as a special on CMT. Bill's first album, "Here's Your Sign," is certified platinum and held the #1 position on the Billboard Comedy Chart for 15 straight weeks. His second album, "Dorkfish," also debuted at #1
on Billboard's Comedy Chart, as did his subsequent comedy albums. Bill has written several books, including his 2007 autobiography Bill Engvall - Just A Guy. A native of Galveston, Texas, Bill moved to Dallas and worked as a disc jockey with plans of becoming a teacher. While in a nightclub one evening, he tried his hand at stand-up comedy and found that making people laugh was truly his forte. Soon after, he moved to Los Angeles and went on to star in the Showtime special, A Pair of Joker's, hosted A&E's Evening at the Improv and appeared on The Tonight Show and Late Show with David Letterman. In 1992, Bill won the American Comedy Award for "Best Male Stand-up Comedian." He appeared in several episodes of Designing Women and co-starred in Delta and The Jeff Foxworthy Show. Bill resides in Southern California with his family. More information is available at www.billengvall.com
MEET & GREET add- on $100 Limited Availability. Meet and Greet will be held between performances at approximately 6:30pm. All profits for the Meet and Greet go to Cornerstone Hospice.
In support of
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$20-$60 $25-$45 7PM MAY 15TH FEB 26TH 11
Magical Moments of the Opera Arias & Scenes
With music from Puccini, Verdi, Strauss, Lehar, Dvorak, Floyd, Offenbach, and Bizet. Featuring: PASQUALE VALERIO (CONDUCTOR) Pasquale Valerio is the creator, nurturer, mentor and guiding light for The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorale. Pasquale was born in Naples, Italy and began his music studies at the age of 9. In 1996, Pasquale relocated to the United States. In 2004, he became the Founder and Music Director of The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra where he continues to serve today. Maestro Valerio was also the founder of Lake Sumter Chamber Orchestra as well as co-founder and conductor of The Florida Lake Symphony from 2005-2006. Pasquale has been regularly invited as guest conductor at the Orchestra Filarmonica 900’, Teatro Regio, and the Viotti International Music Festival.
SEAN CHRISTOPHER STORK (BARITONE) Sean has been a regular guest artist with The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra since 2013 and is a featured artist with Florida Opera Theatre in Orlando, First Coast Opera in St. Augustine, and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. He has made his unique mark on such roles as Guglielmo in Cosí fan tutte, Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, Escamillo in Carmen, Fiorello in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Captain Corchoran in HMS Pinafore, and musical theater roles such as Hucklebee in The Fantasticks, Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods, and Harold Hill in The Music Man.
SAMANTHA BARNES DANIEL (SOPRANO) Samantha Barnes Daniel is a native of Central Florida and an alumna of the University of CentralFlorida where she earned degrees in Vocal Performance, French Horn, and English Literature. She then pursued a Master’s Degree at Northwestern University in Chicago. She is also a prize winner from the American Opera Society of Chicago, was a Sarah Tucker Grant Nominee in the Richard Tucker Foundation Competition, a semi-finalist in the Palm Beach Opera Vocal Competition, and a finalist in the Marcello Giordani International Vocal Competition.
MARK ANTONIO de VILLIERS (TENOR) Mark Antonio de Villiers is a full lyric tenor who specializes in classical Italian repertoire and who currently performs concert repertoire abroad. Mark Antonio has performed in numerous concerts throughout South Florida. Mr. de Villiers performed with Riuniti Opera's 2007 season as Arturo in I Puritani. In 2006 Mark Antonio performed with Treasure Coast Opera as Borsa in Rigoletto and Goro in Madama Butterfly and with Riuniti Opera as Canio in I Pagliacci. In the summer of 2005, he was in the Chautauqua Opera Studio Artist Program. There, Mr. de Villiers was also a recipient of the Chautauqua Opera Studio Artist Award.
ANTHONY CIARAMITARO (TENOR) Anthony Ciaramitaro is a lyric tenor of 23, currently studying voice under Richard Owens. Most recently, Anthony has graduated with his B.A. in music from Rollins College and was the 2nd trio member in Florida Opera Theatre’s production of Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti. Overseas, Anthony has performed the role of Piquillo from Jacques Offenbach’s La Perichole with the Franco-American Vocal Academy in Perigueux, France. He also studied scenes from Verdi’s La Fortza Del Destino, La Traviata and Mozart’s Don Giovanni in Oberaudorf, Germany with Music Theater Bavaria. Stateside,
JULIE BATMAN (SOPRANO) An Iowa native, Julie Batman sings professionally with the Orlando Light Opera, Orlando Opera, the Dickens Carolers, and the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. She holds a Bachelor of Music performance degree from Rollins College where she studied voice with Curtis Rayam. A dedicated educator, Julie serves as Adjunct Professor of Voice and Piano at Rollins College where she has also been a choral director and accompanist. he also teaches voice and piano at Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando. Since 2015, Julie has been a member and featured soloist with the acclaimed Basilica Choir at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.
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A+ Upcoming School Shows @ The SharonÂŽ!
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2018 ACADEMY & SHOWCASE CONCERT Celebrating Band, Choral Arts, Dance Drama, Sound and Lights Academy Classes: June 4-15, 2018
Mon-Fri | 8am-3pm The Villages Charter School Academy Showcase:
June 14 & 15 | 6pm The Sharon |$5 Registration is already open and will be until May 25th
Register at The Villages Charter School
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For th e th ird year in a row Co mp a s s Creative Dramatics will t a ke up residency at Th e Sh aron L. Mo r s e Per forming A r ts Center, f o r a week long camp with students en teri n g 1 st-8 th grade. In th is ca mp , s tud en ts will work with p rofessio n a l a c to r / directors reh earsing and p er f o rmi n g C omp ass Creative Dram a ti c s adap tation of Peter Pan. They w i ll also p ar ticip ate in exciti n g w o rks ho p s for young students want i n g t o lea rn m ore about acting and t hea t re. Th e week long cam p cul mi n a t es i n two p er formances on the s ta g e o f Th e Sh aron June 29 th a n d 30th a t 5 :0 0p m . Registration is a va i la ble online at www.th esh aron.c o m o r i n p erson at any of Th e Villa g es B ox Office Locations. A ll stud en ts w i ll be cast as a role in th e p er f o rma n c e. Th e roles will b e selected t he f i r s t day of camp .
Ad d i ti o n al C am p I nf orma t ion
To Regi s ter : Vi s i t any o f The V i lla g es Box Office Locations sta r ti n g Ap ri l 2 5th . Students m ust p rov i d e thei r own sack lunch es each d a y.
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Stud en ts w ho reg i s ter f o r t he c a m p mus t be p res en t f o r t he f ull ( 9 : 0 0 a m 3:00p m) c a mp ea c h d a y. Stud en ts w ho reg i s t er mus t b e pre se n t f o r bo th f i n a l p er f o rma n c es on Fri d a y a n d Sa turda y even i n g s . L im it e d Pa r t icipa nt Ava il a b i l i t y. Stud en ts eli g i ble t o a p p ly w il l b e a ny s t ud en t en t eri n g 1s t - 8t h g r ad e . Stud en ts w i ll be dro p p ed o f f a t 8:30a m a n d p i c ked up a t 3:0 0 pm ever yda y o t her t ha n p er f o rm a n c e da t es . Cla s s d a y beg i n s p ro m pt l y a t 9:00a m. Ti c ket s to the p ubli c p er f o rm a n c e s a re o n s a le Ma y 23rd . There i s a n opt i on a l Ext en ded Da y p ro g r a m f o r $ 2 5 pe r s t ud en t t o s t a y f ro m 3:00p m - 5 : 0 0 pm , M- F, Jun e 25- 29, 2018.
-PRESENTS-
Camp Inf o at a Glance: June 2 5 - 29
9a m - 3pm
Gr a d es a d m itte d : 1 st- 8 th
T h e re i s a n a f t e rca re opt ion th at goe s f rom 3 pm-5 pm, i f p a re nt s w o u l d l i k e to opt in f or t h a t oppor tu n ity a s we ll.
$85 $25 $10
per student with 2 show tickets included in the price for the additional aftercare Extended Day Camp show tickets (open to the public)
P a r e n t Perform an ce: June 2 9 & Ju ne 30
5pm
Mo re i nform a t ion a t T h e Sh a ron . c om o r T h e Sh aron B ox Of f ic e ( 3 5 2 - 7 5 1 - 7 7 9 9 )
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G N I C 3 N U N O N ASO Individuality: Take the leap N A SE
and celebrate the difference.
The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol 806 San Marino Drive, The Villages, FL 32159 www.TheSharonStudio.com | (352) 751-7799 #TheStudioTheatreTDS
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There are still a few tickets left!
March 20th to April 22nd | $35
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Bleed for your art. Famed abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko asks his recently hired young assistant, Ken, the loaded question, "What do you see?" John Logan's visceral two-hander, Red, features artist Mark Rothko at the height of his career. Set in 1950s lower Manhattan, this biographical play illustrates Rothko struggle as he lands the biggest commission in the history of modern art, a series of murals for New York's famed Four Seasons Restaurant. When Ken begins to challenge Rothko, he faces the agonizing possibility that his crowning achievement could also become his undoing. This six time Tony Award winning play takes a compelling look at the ever-changing relationship between an artist and his creations.
John Lombardi* as Mark Rothko & Colton Butcher as Ken
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers, appearing under a special agreement with Actors' Equity Association.
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White Rabbit Red Rabbit
The Studio Theatre™ Tierra del Sol in association with Aurora Nova Productions and Boat Rocker Entertainment presents
May 18 | $25
By Nassim Soleimanpour
White Rabbit Red Rabbit was originally produced by Volcano Theatre in association with Necessary Angel and Wolfgang Hoffmann. Dramaturgy by Daniel Brooks and Ross Manson
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TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW for Lauren Culver’s performance on May 18th!
No Rehearsals. No Director. No Set. Never performed the same twice.
With no rehearsal, no director, a different actor each night, and a script waiting in a sealed envelope on stage, internationally acclaimed White Rabbit Red Rabbit by Iranian writer Nassim Soleimanpour, is an audacious theatrical experiment and a potent reminder of the transgressive and transformative power of theatre. Since its joint premiere in 2011 in Edinburgh and Summerworks festival, it has been translated into more than 25 different languages and been performed over 1000 times by some of the biggest names in theatre and film including actors John Hurt, Whoopi Goldberg, Nathan Lane, Stephen Rea, Sinead Cusack, Marcus Brigstocke, Dominic West, and film director Ken Loach.
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Tell Me On A Sunday May 1 to May 17 | $25
From the composer of The Phantom of the Opera and Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber's intimate one person musical, Tell Me on a Sunday, follows the heartfelt and comedic journey of a character known only as "Girl." Fresh from her native England, this sweet, ambitious, gullible heroine attempts to navigate life and romance in the beautiful, sometimes blistering, streets of New York City. Along the way, she will learn how to love the most important person in her life, herself.
Tell Me On A Sunday
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics by Don Black Tell Me On A Sunday is presented by arrangement with The Musical Company, LP.
Tickets on sale now!
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THE STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Lauren Genter Customer Relations Liaison At The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center 23
What is your role at The Sharon™? I am a customer relations liaison. I assist patrons with ordering tickets via the phone and box office, give information about performances, and direct any specific request to appropriate parties.
What is your background and what got you started in Theatre? I have worked in the hospitality industry for nearly a decade. I do not have any experience in theatre specifically, but I do in customer relations.
How did you find out about The Sharon and what made you want to work here? I was bartending at Tierra Del Sol for the Studio’s inaugural season, and got to experience many of the performances. I was fascinated by the productions and eager to see more.
What’s your favorite part of the job? My favorite part of the job is being surrounded by such fantastic colleagues who are so talented and passionate about what they do.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role? I am looking forward to increasing my knowledge about every aspect of performing arts. I am also looking forward to seeing more of the performances at both The Sharon and The Studio Theatre.
Anything else you’d rather touch on or add? Being a part of The Sharon staff is incredible. The facilities are beautiful and the staff is even more so. Working for The Sharon does not feel like work! I am truly grateful for the opportunity I have been given. Lauren with Actor Brian Zealand and Artistic Director Whitney Morse.
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BACKSTAGE AT THE SHARON
NONNIE
Don’t Tell Nonnie Event on April 2nd Another successful Don’t Tell Nonnie evening
happened earlier this month on April 2nd.
Guests enjoyed hostess with the mostess, Whitney Morse, as well as many talented residents of The Villages and surrounding cities.
Our next Don’t Tell Nonnie will be on June 20th, 2018 at 7:30pm. Come sing with us!
Try the Signature Drink:
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The Nonnie Sour
BODYTRAFFIC Community Outreach Back by popular demand for the second time BODYTRAFFIC was back and again spent time in The Villages community before their performance on The Sharon stage on March 2nd. First, the modern dance troupe did a meet and greet with
the public out on The Spanish Springs Town Square on March 1st. They enjoyed the live music and danced with residents. Next, on March 2nd they hosted a free yoga/ movement class in the lobby of The Sharon for any and all who wanted to participate. Then they held a pre-show talk with co-founder Tina Finkelman Berkett and a post-show talk-back with the company of BODYTRAFFIC before and after their performance to further educate and discuss their work with our patrons.
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THE SHARON SCHEDULE
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FREE professional photography*
available in The SharonÂŽ Lobby! * For select shows
Look for the photographer at your next show. Download & Share It
#TheSharon
Performing Arts Theatres of The VillagesÂŽ
Download The Villages App
for directions to all 3 theatres!
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The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center has a mission to provide quality entertainment to The VillagesÂŽ and its surrounding communities. www.TheSharon.com #TheSharon
Our mission is to inspire the residents of Central Florida to examine relevant issues by elevating them through innovative and intimate storytelling. Think outside the box, inside the box at The Studio Theatre. www.TheSharonStudio.com #TheStudioTheatreTDS Š 2018 The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. Prices and availability subject to change without notice.