THE SHARON SCOOP - April 2016

T H E S H A RO N S C O O P VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

DIAVOLO

APRIL 2016

Architecture in Motion

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THE SHARON SCOOP VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 INSIDE THIS ISSUE  Act Now! Acting Classes  Upcoming Performances  Cirque Mechanics  Once  Don’t Tell Nonnie— Open Mic Night  Diavolo  Ray Stevens  Pat Boone  Bobby Rydell  Compass Creative Dramatics  Sharon Staff Spotlight

APRIL 2016

A Word from Whitney

Whitney Morse, Artistic Director, The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center On where the name, “Don’t Tell Nonnie,” came from:

Tell Momma” from the musical Cabaret by Kander As most people know Sharon and Ebb, and it was also made into a movie starring L. Morse was my Liza Minnelli and Joel Grandmother. What people Grey. The song is sung by a may not know is we (my cousins and myself) called her somewhat scantily clad showgirl working in a night “Nonnie.” Now, the name club that her Momma “Don’t Tell Nonnie,” has doesn’t know about. It is all nothing to do with her not approving of our shenanigans very cute and tongue in in the Lobby Lounge of The cheek. The piano bar “Don’t Sharon., on the contrary, she Tell Momma” is located in the heart of Midtown would have loved it! The Manhattan right by The name is actually a play on both a song title and a famous Theatre District and has been open since 1982. I piano bar in New York City, personally have spent many both of which are called “Don’t Tell Mama.” You may a night there listening to people sing at open mic recognize the song “Don’t

nights or in cabarets. Over the years, many legends have wandered in and performed such as Audra MacDonald and Bette Midler. Since you never know who will wander in to perform at our little cabaret, (and boy do we have some talented residents!) I thought it would be in keeping with the theme at The Sharon to call it,

The Sharon Performing Arts Center The Sharon is pleased to expand the cultural offerings found in The Villages by bringing Broadway quality entertainment to Villagers and friends throughout Central Florida. The Sharon seats just over 1,000 guests in a multilevel theater offering state of the art audio, visual, and theatrical rigging systems to create an entertainment experience second to none.

Performances spotlight a

variety of artistic disciplines ranging from concerts and comedians to dance, musicals, and operas.

Named for the matriarch of the Morse family, Sharon herself was an accomplished performer, and an avid patron of the arts. While she enjoyed her time on stage, her favorite moments were perhaps those spent with her family watching others perform. She and husband

Gary enjoyed the theater in Chicago, and shared that joy with their children and grandchildren when they were old enough to attend.

Dedicated in her memory and inspired by her passion, we hope that you too will feel Sharon’s love and excitement for entertainment throughout this beautiful theater.

CIRQUE MECHANICS PEDAL PUNK “A rowdy circus where the mischief is on wheels.”

Performing at The Sharon April 21st 7:30pm $20 - $70

Cirque Mechanics quickly established itself as a premiere American circus, with its unique approach to performance, inspiring storytelling and innovative mechanical staging.

Spectacle Magazine hailed it as “the

greatest contribution to the American circus since Cirque du Soleil.”

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Cirque Mechanics was founded in 2004 by Boston native and German Wheel artist, Chris Lashua, after the success of his collaborative project with the Circus Center of San Francisco, Birdhouse Factory.

Cirque Mechanics, although inspired by modern circus, finds its roots in the mechanical and its heart in the stories of American ingenuity. The shows, rooted in realism, display a raw quality, rarely found in modern circus, that makes their message timeless and relevant. The stories are wrapped in circus acrobatics, mechanical wonders and a bit of clowning around.

Pedal Punk showcases creator and BMX rider Chris Lashua’s “Gantry Bike,” a pedal-driven performance apparatus. This remarkable creation is a modern-day industrial circus caravan, moving around the stage with a dynamic and quirky ensemble of high-flying unicyclists, death-defying wheel acrobats, soaring pole climbers and floating trapeze artists.

TEN FUN FACTS ABOUT PEDAL PUNK 1. There are approximately 90 wheels on stage in Pedal Punk.

2. The aerial Penny Farthing in Pedal Punk can also be used to ride on the ground. It is a real bike!

3. Many of the bicycles in Pedal Punk were built from parts found in scrap yards. A great way to recycle and repurpose parts!

4. The Gantry Bike featured in Pedal Punk as the Bike Shop, is an original Cirque Mechanics apparatus. It weighs 3,000 lbs. with artists on board, yet it can be pedaled by just 2 people.

6. It takes a team of 4 people 1 1/2 hours to build the Gantry Bike. It also takes 1 1/2 hours to pack up the whole show.

7. The Gantry Bike has a top speed of 5 mph and can be pedaled indoors and outdoors.

8. The cast of Pedal Punk is made up of 10 artists: dancers, trampolinists, aerialists, a BMX rider, a juggler and clown, a rhythmic gymnast, a contortionist and a stilt-walking stuntman.

9. It took one year to create Pedal Punk.

10. The entire show fits in one 26’ truck.

5. The Gantry Bike steers like a bulldozer or a tank.

What you will see at the Show...

Creative Director Chris Lashua spent most of his career on a BMX bike and inside a German Wheel. This new production showcases his innate passion and fascination for all things bicycles and cycling. The synergy between man and machine, the hallmark of Cirque Mechanics, is magnificently exposed in Pedal Punk. It is that synergy that The New York Times called “exceptional, evocative, eye-catching and grossly entertaining…in a word, excellent.”

“What could be better than nimble people doing flips, juggling, and other nifty tricks? Adding a steampunk vibe and self-engineered mechanical masterpieces.”

- Maggie Dougherty, Vail Scene -

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Performing at The Sharon April 29th 7pm April 30th 2pm & 7pm $50-$100

“ONCE uses song and dance in a way I've never experienced in an American musical.”

—The New York Times

“ONCE is one of the best things to happen to Broadway in the past decade.”

—The Hollywood Reporter

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Winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2013 Grammy Award® for "Best Musical Theater Album," ONCE is a truly original Broadway experience. Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/ musicians who play their own instruments onstage, ONCE tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who's about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between

them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights... but their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than your everyday romance. Emotionally captivating and theatrically breathtaking, ONCE draws you in from the very first note and never lets go. It's an unforgettable story about going for your dreams... not living in fear... and the power of music to connect all of us.

“FIVE STARS! TRANSPORTING! ONCE is the sweetest and most romantic show on Broadway. It speaks volumes about the power of music and connection.”

—Daily News

GUY MEETS GIRL IN THE SMASH-HIT, MULTI-AWARD WINNING MUSICAL ONCE ONCE is a truly original Broadway experience. Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage, ONCE tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who's about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights... but their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than your everyday romance.

Emotionally captivating and theatrically breathtaking, ONCE draws you in from the very first note and never lets go. It's an unforgettable story about going for your dreams... not living in fear... and the power of music to connect all of us.

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DON’T TELL NONNIE 20 FAVORITE SONGS SANG AT THE FIRST Don’t Tell Nonnie

Open Mic at The Sharon May 3rd 7:30pm $15 INCLUDES ONE FREE DRINK

Sharon herself was an accomplished performer, and an avid patron of the arts. While she enjoyed her time on stage, her favorite moments were perhaps those spent with her family watching others perform.

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Hey Jude

11. Come Fly with Me

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Fly Me to the Moon

12. All the Way

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Over the Rainbow

13. Fever

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The Impossible Dream

14. Ol’ Man River

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Chain of Fools

15. This is the Moment

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Edelweiss

16. My Way

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At Last

17. Almost like Being in Love

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The Lady is a Tramp

18. The Phantom of the Opera

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Unchained Melody

19. Wonderful Tonight

10. My Funny Valentine

20. Yesterday

Come Sing with Us...

Open Mic at The Sharon Sharon L. Morse

Wife, Mother, Nonnie, Artist, Designer Her great love of the performing arts inspired Sharon Morse to introduce her children and grandchildren to the magic of music and theater in all its forms.

Sharon encouraged them to sing, act, dance, play and to appreciate both their

own talents and the talents of others.

Sharon Morse’s own creativity and her love of the arts are embodied in this Performing Arts Center, which is dedicated to her memory and her enduring legacy within her family and throughout our entire community. The Villages was her canvas‌family was her love and legacy.

Those who wish to sing will always find a song...

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DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion® Founded in 1992 by French-born choreographer and visionary Jacques Heim, DIAVOLO is a cultural pillar of the Los Angeles community and has

Performing at The Sharon May 10th

performed for hundreds of thousands of concertgoers worldwide as well as millions more on television.

7pm $20-$85

"For 20 years, Diavolo has been Los Angeles' wild child, a company of daredevil dancers leaping and cavorting on pitching wheels, Goliath walls and other playground equipment from a super-size Wonderland."

- Los Angeles Times -

“What we do on stage is like a live abstract painting. There is no narrative, but strong themes pervade the work such as human struggle, fear, danger, survival, chaos, order, deconstruction, reconstruction, destiny, destination, faith, and love.”

– Jacques Heim, Artistic Director 10

DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion uses dance to explore the relationship between the human body and its architectural environment.

—Daily News DIAVOLO is made up of dancers, gymnasts, rock climbers, and actors – all of whom are teammates.

Building a team that allows for complete trust has been essential to creating a kind of work where dancers are inspired to take serious risks. Architectural structures or sculpted adaptations of everyday items – sofas, doors, stairs – provide the backdrop for dramatic and risky movement, revealing metaphors for the challenge of maintaining human relationships in modern environments.

“The best in art and life comes from a center, something urgent and powerful – an idea or emotion that insists on its being. From that insistence, a shape emerges and creates its own structure out of passion. If you begin with structure, you have to make up the passion. And that’s very hard to do.”

- Roger Rosenblatt -

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RAY STEVENS LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

Performing at The Sharon May 20th 7pm $30-$150

Ray brought us the pop classic, “Everything is Beautiful,” the insightful “Mr. Businessman,” and the Grammy Award-winning arrangement of “Misty.” He has memorably spoofed everything from Tarzan movies to trendy crazes and he created his very own genre of comedy classics. Ray’s genre of music is truly unique. It spans from pop, country, rock, bluegrass and comedy. He has delivered entertainment via audio recordings, music videos, television shows, concert stages and the written word. So what does he have in mind for us next? Come to the Sharon on May 20th to find out!

Want to meet Ray Stevens in person?

Tickets in the first two rows include an exclusive backstage meet & greet with him!

Ray Stevens just thinks funny. His humor is keenly observant and rich in nuance. His style is unaffected and unpretentious which for the past fifty years has allowed for entertainment that is both witty and guileless.

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“The human brain is a funny thing: it’s very susceptible to tempo and melody. You put the right words to it, and it becomes very influential.”

- Ray Stevens -

BOBBY RYDELL Bobby Rydell is a true American music treasure.

Now known as a classical performer, Bobby Rydell, debuted in the late 50’s as a rock & roll teen idol and his career led him to starring in hit films such as “Bye Bye Birdie,” and plays such as, “West Side Story.”

Over the years, Bobby has earned 34 Top 40 Hits, placing him in the Top 5 Artists of his era!

Performing at The Sharon May 17 & 18th 7pm $20-$75

PAT BOONE With over 45 million units sold and 38 top 40 hits, he’s recognized by Billboard Magazine as the #10 rock recording artist in history, placing higher on that impressive chart than either Madonna or Billy Joel. Entertainment Weekly proclaimed him “Winner of the Week” in 2003 as Pat Boone incredibly landed his 61st hit, “Under God,” a top 15 single on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart from his American Glory album.

Performing at The Sharon June 4th 3pm $20-$45

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The Sharon & Compass Creative Dramatics

We are so pleased to be able to share our passion for education and for theatre with families and organizations across the United States.

Compass Creative Dramatics partners with school and community organizations to offer quirky, engaging theatre programming designed to provide arts enrichment and cultivate personal growth and character. We strive to provide these organizations an opportunity to enhance their current theatre education and life skills training as well as provide arts programming within schools and organizations with limited arts resources.

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We encourage students to take creative risks and trust without self-judgment, stretching their creativity and bravery "muscles" as they develop social skills like teamwork, respect, and empathy through their exploration of theatre.

COMPASS CREATIVE DRAMATICS What the week will look like...

Each day, the tour actor/educators will rehearse with the students for three hours plus one 15minute break.

On Friday, all students are called for a dress rehearsal. Friday's schedule varies depending on the performance schedule.

On Monday, the directors meet the children and cast them in their roles through a simple, nopressure audition -- no preparation necessary. After the audition, roles are announced and rehearsal schedules are distributed. Some children will then be dismissed until the next day, and others will stay for a fifteen-minute break and a half-hour rehearsal.

Saturday will be the final Performance. Parents are welcome!

On Tuesday, the rehearsal times are staggered, so once again, not all students will be required to be there the entire three hours. Please keep in mind, however, that in order to participate in the auditions, the students must be available for all rehearsal times.

On Wednesday and Thursday, all students are called for the entire rehearsal, including a fifteenminute structured break.

Camp is held at The Sharon June 20th-24th 9:30am-3:30pm FOR AGES 1st-6th Grades $90 per student for the week Sat, June 25th at 5pm: Final Performance!

With Compass Creative Dramatics, students are provided a unique educational experience working alongside professional actors who engage them in the process of mounting a full musical production and provide an opportunity for intelligent dialogue and additional resources.

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SHARON STAFF SPOTLIGHT ELIZABETH CONSTANT, Booking Coordinator The woman behind the Shows Elizabeth Constant is from Houston, Texas. She has a degree in dramaturgy.

She has worked in various theatres in many capacities including: education, playwriting, administration, house management, and more! She and her husband, Kenneth Constant (The Sharon’s Technical Director), moved to Florida’s Friendliest Hometown in October 2015 to help open and work for the performing arts center. They have been with The Sharon from the start.

Elizabeth has booked 125 performances in the inaugural year of The Sharon.

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Elizabeth is the booking coordinator for the shows that perform at The Sharon, as well as an executive administrator handling various tasks in the offices.

She’s an incredibly talented part of the performing arts center’s inaugural team.

ASK ELIZABETH How did you start booking shows at The Sharon?

When we first began I had very little connections and the venue was still under construction. Jason [Operations Manager] and I went off to New York at a Presenter’s conference to meet with agencies and view a variety of shows to potentially book at The Sharon. Some groups in NY would ask to see our website or discuss logistics of the theatre that was not even fully constructed, it was tough proving we existed here in Florida! Since then, we’ve created solid and amazing relationships with promoters and agents nationwide. Emails flood my inbox daily with so many terrific options for entertainment in The Villages, it’s hard to choose!

What have you learned from this first year with The Sharon?

I have learned a lot about the community and what kinds of entertainment they prefer. Although we are a retirement community with the majority of residents being seniors, there are still a lot of genres and decades of entertainment to cover in entertainment! We can have a contemporary musical, acrobatic dancers, classic country star, and a 1950’s heartthrob all in one week and have a variety of audiences pour into the theatre- I try and cover all tastes in art!

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THE SHARON SPONSORS POLO

The Sharon Sponsored Polo Sunday, April 10th, 2016

The Sharon’s Artistic Director, Whitney Morse and Operations Manager, Jason Goedken, as well as their son, Clifford, shared in the celebrations. Clifford threw the first ball. And they handed out the Award of Most Valuable Player at Polo on Sunday, April 10th, 2016.

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SHARON PERFORMERS IN THE SQUARE BodyTraffic Joined The Villages Festivities On Monday, April 11th, members On Tuesday, April 12th, before their performance BODYTRAFFIC conducted a yoga lesson in partnership with the recreation department, inside the Sharon Lobby. of the dance company, Participants of yoga received a special surprise窶認ree tickets to the show!.

BODYTRAFFIC, joined us Villagers for market night in the Spanish Springs Town Square. They danced to the Live Music in the square and two lucky winning couples won free tickets to the show!

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THE SHARON UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

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BACKSTAGE AT THE SHARON

Celebrating The Sharon’s First Year The Sharon just had its First Year Anniversary!

Come be a part of Year Two with us!

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NEXT THREE TO SEE

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The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center has a mission to provide quality entertainment to The Villages and its surrounding communities.

Š 2016 Holding Company of The Villages, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Š 2016 The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center.

Prices and availability subject to change without notice.