THE SCOOP - Sept 2017

Volume 2, Issue 9 September 2017

issue THE SCOOP

IN THIS

The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra 2017-18 Season Don't Tell Nonnie Clint Black Air Play

Champions of Magic Bernadette Peters

Songs for a New World The Staff Spotlight Backstage at The Sharon Victory Productions The Sharon Performing Arts Academy

A Word From

Volume 2, Issue 9 | September 2017

WHITNEY

Whitney Morse, Artistic Director, The SharonÂŽ L. Morse Performing Arts Center

Up Next...Season Two It is hard to believe that Songs for a New World is coming to a close tonight. As I type this I am preparing for my final performance of this beautiful musical.

We rehearsed for 2 very short weeks, only 13 rehearsals total, and now the performances have come and gone so quickly I think I am in shock. It was very exciting to take the stage again with Josh Kimball, who also starred in Next to Normal with me at The Studio. The same is true of Allyssa Yost, who I had met about 2 years ago doing a show at Mad Cow Theatre in Orlando. It was so lovely to sing with her again. Last but not least, Fernando and I finally got to sing together! We have been kicking around the notion that someday we might sing together and now with Songs for a New World we finally did. Boy was it cool! I am so sad to see it go, but I am also very excited to get rolling with Season 2! We are already busy building sets, and most of our shows are completely cast. I am very excited to be appearing in both Frankie and Johnny in the Clair De Lune and Company this season. I am so thrilled to get to watch all four shows come together during rehearsal. Being a theatre maker is truly the best job, and I am so grateful to all of our patrons for continuing to love live theatre.

Light-weight Family Fun. Find them on Page 9

See you at

THE SHARON...

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$20-$60

Series Subscriptions On Sale Now!

Subscriptions must be bought in-person at any of The Villages® box offices.

You cannot buy them online.

Sunday 10/9/2017; 7pm – Italian/American Celebration Sunday 11/19/2017; 7pm – Messiah Concert 6 Series Subscription

8 Series Subscription

OCT 9TH

7PM

The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra includes two great series subscription opportunities that can save you time & money on ticket prices! With these subscriptions you can save up to 15% per ticket on our entire 8 concert subscription package and 7% per ticket with the 6 concert subscription package.

Tuesday 12/12/2017 OR Wednesday 12/13/2017; 7pm– Holiday Concert Wednesday 1/17/2018; 7pm – Classical Concert Tuesday 2/6/2018; 7pm – American Music Wednesday 3/28/2018; 7pm – Classical Concert Tuesday 4/10/2018; 7pm – Easter Concert Tuesday 5/15/2018; 7pm – Opera Gala

8 concert subscription package price ranges from $136 to $408 6 concert subscription package price ranges from $116.60 to $344.80 All prices reflect referenced discounts and are based on seating section

Questions? call 352-750-5411

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Italian/American Concert Featured Guests

CHRIS HORN

MARK ANTONIO de VILLIERS

FRANCESCO LEONE

PASQUALE VALERIO

Featured Songs Include: The Star - Spangled Banner Inno di Mameli Rossini Overture Non ti Scordar di Me Be My Love Caruso Tu ca non Chiagne Besame Mucho Granada La donna e' mobile

No puede ser Un Amore cosi grande O sole mio Back to Sorrento Funiculi Funicula O paese do sole Nel blu dipinto di blu Time to Say Goodbye Core Ingrato

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NNIE

Come sing with us!

Sold Out! Stay tuned for future dates.

Bring sheet music or peruse our collection, sing a song and cheer for your friends, and in between special guest Rebecca Morse and Gary Powell will perform some of their favorite cabaret numbers.

Cost is $15 which includes a free drink at the bar.

Guests are to bring their own sheet music in their key (or choose a song from Gary's selections) and sing in the lobby while accompanied by Gary on the piano.

Everyone is welcome to get their chance in the spotlight or just come and be entertained.

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Try the Signature Dri n

The Nonnie Sour

k:

See what all the fun is about!

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SEPT 15TH

7:30PM

$50-$115

Back by popular demand!

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Prolific singer-songwriter Clint Black has long been heralded as one of Country music’s brightest stars. His many talents have helped shape his long career, as Black has transcended genres to become one of the most successful artists in all the music industry. To date, Black has written, recorded and released more than 100 songs, a benchmark in any artist’s career. An astounding one-third of these songs eligible for major single release also achieved hit song status at Country radio, while more than 20 million of his albums have been sold worldwide. While it’s well-known that Black is an accomplished singer and guitarist, people may be surprised to learn that he is also proficient on drums and harmonica.

Black’s continued success can be attributed in part to his deep sense of Country music history, and his humble gratitude in being an important part of it. The 1989 debut of his critically acclaimed fan favorite, the Triple Platinum Killin’ Time, marked a shift in the industry, with a return to the more traditional sounds of the genre. CMT lists this album as one of the 100 Greatest Albums in Country Music.

Awards

Discography

Academy of Country Music

1989: Killin’ Time – 3X Platinum

1989 Album of the Year – Killin’ Time 1989 Top Male Vocalist

1990: Put Yourself in My Shoes – 3X Platinum

1989 Top New Male Vocalist

1992: The Hard Way – Platinum

1989 Single of the Year – “A Better Man”

1993: No Time to Kill – Platinum

1999 Vocal Event of the Year w/ Lisa Hartman Black – “When I Said I Do”

1996: Greatest Hits – 2X Platinum

1994: One Emotion – Platinum

American Music Awards

1997: Nothin’ but the Taillights – Platinum

1990 Favorite Country New Artist

1999: D’lectrified – Gold

Country Music Association 1989 Horizon Award 1990 Male Vocalist of the Year

2001: Greatest Hits II 2004: Spend My Time 2005: Drinkin’ Songs and Other Logic 2007: The Love Songs

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$20-$55 7PM OCT 4TH 9

Ride the wind and dream with Air Play.

The creation of husband & wife team Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone, Air Play merges their circus and street theater performance art with the sculptural artistry of Daniel Wurtzel. With visual images seemingly sewn from the sky, this poetic ode to childhood will enchant and electrify the young and young at heart.

A modern spectacle that brings to life the very air we breathe. Flying umbrellas, larger-than-life balloons, giant kites floating over the audience, and the biggest snow globe you’ve ever seen will make you gasp in wonder and laugh until it hurts.

Air Play is a circus-style adventure of two siblings journeying through a surreal land of air, transforming the ordinary into objects of uncommon beauty. Fabrics dance in the wind, balloons have a mind of their own, confetti turns into the night sky, and an enormous canopy of hovering silk forever alters their future.

“AIR PLAY holds the whole audience in the palm of its outstretched hand. A winning combination of visually stunning sculptures and cheeky but heartfelt storytelling that keeps both adults and children enthralled.”

– British Theatre Guide, London, UK.

“Air Play was an absolutely amazing, inventive and impressive show. Our whole family loved it.”

– Audience member, Ordway Theater.

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OCT 10TH & 11TH

7PM

$20-$55

VIP PACKAGE $50 add-on to regular ticket price.

This VIP package includes:

Tour laminate Backstage Pass • T-shirt • Magic trick • Photos with the cast Magic lesson with some of the cast of the show before the performance The VIP package will be approximately 20 minutes backstage prior to the show and is limited to 25 people per performance. VIP package is on sale now.

With over 20 million online views between them, this cast of Britain’s top magicians includes international award winners presenting incredible mind reading, stunning close-up magic and daring large-scale illusions. Their skills have been seen around the world on TV with appearances on The CW’s ‘Penn & Teller: Fool Us’, CNN’s ‘A Quest For Magic’, NBC’s ‘Caught On Camera With Nick Cannon’.

Witness the impossible, including disappearances, levitation, teleportation and a heart stopping finale, all presented with lighting and special effects to rival the biggest theatrical spectacles.

Described by the British Press as “a spectacular family show” (Heart FM) and “slick, clever, funny and amazing” (Hereford Times) Champions Of Magic has been seen by thousands across the UK and in Fall 2017 US audiences will get their first chance to see why British fans return to see the country’s biggest touring illusion show time and time again.

The Hereford Times called the team “The UK’s top illusionists... fast becoming household names with their high energy and spectacular tricks... theirs is a pulse racing performance like no other.”

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B ERNADETTE P ETERS

OCT 14TH

7PM

$35-$175

Meet & Greet Add-On Package for $125!

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Broadway’s Brightest Star While best known for her work in the theatre, Bernadette’s career also boasts an impressive list of television credits, which includes Amazon Prime’s highly popular, Mozart in the Jungle, which won the 2016 Golden Globe for Best TV Comedy or Musical series.

She also currently co-stars in the new CBS series, The Good Fight, a spin-off of the network’s popular series, The Good Wife.

One of Broadway’s most critically acclaimed performers, Bernadette has won numerous accolades including three Tony Awards, a Golden Globe, two Grammy Awards, three Emmy nominations and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She recently appeared in City Center’s Encores! production, A BED A CHAIR: A New York Love Affair featuring the music of Stephen Sondheim and orchestrations by Wynton Marsalis.

Other recent Broadway credits include Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music and Follies, which also played the Kennedy Center.

Peters received both the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for her performance in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Song and Dance. She earned her second Tony Award for her performance in Annie Get You’re Gun. She also received Tony nominations for her outstanding performances as Momma Rose, in

Sam Mendes’ critically acclaimed revival of Gypsy, Neil Simon’s The Goodbye Girl, Stephen Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Sunday in the Park with George, the Jerry Herman/Gower Champion ode to the movies, Mack and Mabel and the Leonard Bernstein/Comden and Green musical On The Town. In addition to these honors, Peters earned a Drama Desk nomination for her unforgettable portrayal of the Witch in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods.

Other television credits include: NBC-TV’s Smash, ABC-TV’s Grey’s Anatomy and Ugly Betty, to name a few. In addition to starring in the Lifetime TV movie Living Proof, Peters has lit up the silver screen in 17 films throughout her distinguished career. She received a Golden Globe Award for her memorable performance in Pennies From Heaven. Other film credits are: The Jerk, The Longest Yard, Silent Movie Annie, Pink Cadillac, Slaves of New York, Woody Allen’s Alice, Impromptu, It Runs in the Family, and Coming Up Roses.

Bernadette has recorded six solo albums; including the Grammy nominated I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight, Sondheim, Etc.: Bernadette Peters Live at Carnegie Hall and Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers & Hammerstein, in addition to numerous Original Broadway Cast recordings.

Broadway Barks is a free, star-studded dog and cat adoption event, created in 1999 by Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore, benefiting New York City animal shelters and rescue groups. The annual event, produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, takes place in July in Shubert Alley, with festivities and celebrity presentations of wonderful pets for adoption.

Broadway Barks helps many of New York City’s shelter animals find permanent homes by informing New Yorkers about the plight of the thousands of homeless dogs and cats in the metropolitan area. Funds are raised from a raffle, signed memorabilia sales, and donations from supporters, and are distributed to the participating shelters and rescue groups.

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See you at

THE STUDIO...

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SEASON TWO IS ON SALE THIS MONTH! Sept 12th - New subscriptions will go on sale at 8:30am Sept 19th - Individual tickets will go on sale at 8:30am

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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SUMMER SONG CYCLE SERIES

The Studio Theatre wrapped up the summer production of Songs for a New World in August. Nothing but rave reviews were expressed from the patrons who were able to see the sold out, limited engagement of Jason Robert Brown’s song cycle. A summer song cycle will be offered annually at The Studio, so if you missed this year’s, stay tuned for the next! Kudos to the cast Whitney Morse, Fernando Varela, Allyssa Yost, and Josh Kimball for a moving and powerful run.

“What fantastic performances in an intimate theater. The actors are literally so close we almost feel as though we are part of the play. I am overwhelmed by Whitney Morse's talent and the great talent she has brought to The Villages.”

- Five Star Review by Debra Brown Krase

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THE STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Danielle Paccione The Studio™ Production Manager What is your role at The Studio?

I’m The Studio Production Manager. There are several things my job entails, mostly budgeting, scheduling, and contracting. My first focus is to set a viable working production budget for The Studio season and track all expenses throughout the year for The Studio. I work on scheduling performances, rehearsals, auditions, load-ins, load-outs, deadlines for all departments and even smaller things like piano tunings or artist arrival. This is all done with help and input from many people and departments. I work with the team to hire additional support staff as need, such as costume designers or dialect coaches. Also, I handle the other side of the hiring process – which is writing and delivering the contracts, and then processing them for payment. This includes our contracts with publishing companies and rights holders for our shows.

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What are you most looking forward to this upcoming Season?

It may be strange, but I’m most excited to see how everyone works together, and be a part of finding a way to make the process better for everyone. I’ve heard so many great things about the first season, and I know I’m going to love being a part of The Studio. Being able to contribute to an amazing team already in place is exciting to me. It’s not one particular item I’m most excited about, it’s just being on the journey. And I have some amazing people that I will be on it with.

What are some things you are working on tackling before the Season starts?

What got you started in theatre?

I started when I was 12 years old. I did a community theatre production of Where the Lilies Bloom with one of my best friends, and I fell in love with theatre. After that, I did shows consistently through middle school and high school, and by the time I was 18, I had booked a few commercials, and narrated a children’s concert series for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (which was amazing to be on that stage while the entire symphony played behind me- I was hooked!). I went to college for performing arts, but I also started teaching youth theatre classes at the same time. I was hired to co-direct the children’s acting program by one of the people I had worked with on that first show I did when I was 12! I taught there for over 10 years, and I also opened a small theatre (in Michigan) during that time. I eventually moved out of performing – after performing regional theatre, a national tour, and a swing on a show in NYC – and started working more in stage management. I had joined Actor’s Equity Association – which is the professional union for performers and stage managers, and also had a decent amount of directing experience, so I continued to freelance in that area as well. I moved around a bit, I did many jobs that were contracts and then moved to Florida. It’s a lot to sum up, I’ve done so many different jobs in the theatre! I guess the short version is I started working professionally in theatre at age 18, and I haven’t stopped since.

I’m working on setting up some items to help streamline the work. Most of this is for myself. I love efficiency, so I’m working on making templates for certain tasks that need to be repeated each show or season and that will allow me to finish those tasks more quickly in the future so that I can dedicate time to other areas. The theatre is still so new, so some things are still being established, and I love being able to help with that. I’m also working on bringing in our first AEA performers this season, developing long term storage solutions – always finding a way to save money. I’ve also joined the script selection committee, so I will be a part of choosing our upcoming seasons of shows. I’m also working on my next epic prank for our Director of Education and Resident Director, Trevin. He has a great sense of humor and it’s fun to mess with him! Ask him sometime about the first prank I played on him. It involves one of our upcoming Studio shows!

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BACKSTAGE AT THE SHARON 21

Ushering in the New Ushers

Proper Protocol The Sharon Team had about 80 ushers attend their retrain program and about 60 brand new attend their separate new usher training. They will have about 80-100 more ushers train in an October session.

They covered everything from ticket taking to usher protocol in specific locations (32 different positions) which change when the house opens.

They trained on current ADA policies and fire safety, as well as harassment and abuse training.

They got through a 50+ page training document.

There are no words that can express the appreciation The Sharon staff has for the ushers.

They put in so much hard work and always do it with a smile! Applications for new ushers will be accepted Summer 2018.

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THE SHARON SCHEDULE

SHOWS ADDED!

SEPT 13TH THRU SEPT 23RD

$35

SHOWS ADDED!

SEPT 6TH THRU SEPT 9TH

$33

The above offerings are brought to you by Victory Productions.

Tickets can be purchased at www.VictoryProductions.org or at all Box Office locations in The Villages®.

All shows at The Studio Theatre™. For questions, please e-mail: admin@victoryproductions.org

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The Sharon is now oering: Acting Classes, Theatre History Classes, and more!

If interested in the Spring Courses to come, please contact our Box Office for early registration.

For questions and registration visit: The Sharon Box Office | www.TheSharon.com/academy | 352-751-7799

FREE professional photography* available in The SharonÂŽ Lobby! * For select shows

Look for the photographer at your next show.

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Performing Arts Theatres of The VillagesÂŽ

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 2017 The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. Prices and availability subject to change without notice.