THE SCOOP - Oct 2017

Volume 2, Issue 10 “looks terrific.

October 2017

The entire company

future is theirs.

Clearly, the

”

– The New York Times

ART

L WEL O P TROY CTOR E R I D ISTIC

CE N A D F O N O I T A R E N E G T EX N E TH 2017– 18

issue THE SCOOP

IN THIS

The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra 2017-18 Season Champions of Magic

Broadway's Next H!T Musical Flip Fabrique: Catch Me! Sinbad Ailey II Kinky Boots The Studio

A Word From

Volume 2, Issue 10 | October 2017

WHITNEY

Whitney Morse, Artistic Director, The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center

Studious Rehearsing October is here and that means it’s time to get rehearsals started at The Studio™.

By the time you read this we will already be rehearsing our Season 2 opener at The Studio: Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon. We had a very eventful September as far as The Studio is concerned. In early September, our new subscriptions went on sale and they sold out in a matter of minutes. We did have a very limited number of tickets and knew they would go quickly, but less than 20 minutes was definitely a surprise. Then, just one week later we opened up the season two individual ticket sales and we sold 4,600 tickets to The Studio before Noon! It has been a whirlwind, that’s for sure. Now we are focused on getting our actors here and starting rehearsals for Bad Jews, I know I personally cannot wait to see it.

Meanwhile, at The Sharon things are also heating up. We are very excited to get back into the busy season. This month we will be hosting the whimsical Air Play, the hilarious musical improv show Broadway’s Next Hit Musical, and the dazzling illusionist show Champions of Magic. It is going to be a very fun October for us here at The Sharon and The Studio, we hope to see you there!

The Staff Spotlight Backstage at The Sharon The Sharon Performing Arts Academy

Find them on Page13

See you at

THE SHARON...

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THE

NOV 19TH

7PM

$20-$60

PART 1

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MESSIAH

Featuring

Georg Friederich Handel (HWV 56)

Pasquale Valerio Thor Arbjornsson Tenor Conductor

Julie Batman Soprano

Tyler Putnam Bass

Sarah Nordin Mezzo

Still To Come This Season Tuesday 12/12/2017 | 7pm – Holiday Concert 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

Scenes from our September show: Marcella Richardson

Christian Cuevas Chris Horn

Pasquale Valerio

Autumn Encarnacion Norman Lee

Chris Horn

Special thanks to Brian Sumner for capturing these breathtaking performances!

You can still purchase a Season Subscription, series prices available at box office windows or call 352-750-5411.

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OCT 10TH & 11TH

7PM

$20-$55

Edward Hilsum (Visual Magic Expert) is one of the UK’s brightest young magicians. Praised by the likes of Derren Brown and Dynamo for his charm and dexterity, Edward is inspired by great magicians of the past and passionate about moving magic forward. A first class graduate in psychology, his fascination with people and puzzles led him to magic. Within three years, his unique talents have taken him around Europe and across America, before he was invited to create and perform magic during the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.

“He makes you believe in real magic” - Dynamo

Alex McAleer (Master Mind Reader) combines contemporary mind reading with sharp wit, sharper suits, and a flair for showmanship. For nearly ten years, Alex has amazed audiences both in the UK and internationally - on stage, up close, and in the press. He is also a successful writer in the magic world having written several books on his own techniques and lectured them to psychology students, mentalists, and magicians at the prestigious Magic Circle.

“Get this man out of my studio he’s possessed by the devil” - BBC Radio

Fay Presto (Queen of Close Up) was one of the first women to breach The

Magic Circle “Men Only” barrier in 1991, and the first woman to win the annual Magic Circle Close-Up competition in 2012. Her first celebrity party engagement was for Eric Clapton’s 40th birthday party in 1985. She has since performed at parties for JK Rowling, Sting and Sir Paul McCartney.Most recently she was invited to the world’s premier close up convention in Upstate New York where she was proud to receive a standing ovation from the assembled audience of her international peers.

“Fay Presto blew me away” - J.K. Rowling

Young & Strange (Grand Illusionists) met when they were 8 years old, their

early childhood friendship was cemented with a common interest in all things magic.

They spent their early teenage years attempting, and failing, to make Las Vegas style illusions with cardboard and tape. With little money, they were forced to innovate. This soon caught the attention of magicians around the UK as an act to watch in the future.

“That secret kept secret for the rest of your lives will make you one of the best magic acts the world has ever seen” - Penn & Teller

$50 add-on to regular ticket price VIP Tour laminate Backstage Pass • T-shirt • Magic trick • Photos with PACKAGE Includes: 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.

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$15-$35 OCT 24TH

7PM

The Tony Awards meets Whose Line Is It Anyway?

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Every song is fresh. Every scene is new. Every night is different. It’s all improvised and it’s all funny.

The New York Times calls Broadway’s Next Hit Musical “Hilarious!” Time Out NY says “At last! A musical of, for, and by the people.”

The hysterical Broadway’s Next Hit Musical is the only unscripted theatrical awards show.

Master improvisers gather made up, hit song suggestions from the audience and create a spontaneous evening of music, humor, and laughter. The audience votes for their favorite

song and watches as the cast turns it into a full blown improvised musical - complete with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and plot twists galore. BNHM has been seen recently at The Triad, Tribeca Film Festival, and at the New York Musical Theater Festival, among many others.

Under the direction of improv veterans Rob Schiffmann and Deb Rabbai, TheaterWeek hailed the show as “brilliant” and The New York Post called Broadway’s Next Hit Musical “remarkable.

Add-On Experience

Members from the show will lead improv exercises and games in this 90-minute class!

Limited Space Available.

OCT. 24

Improvisation Workshop

Only $10 to participate!

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$25-$70 7PM NOV 1ST 9

Flip FabriQue is a young troupe founded by a group of friends who are professional circus artists. Their shared dream is to create circus shows that reflect their unique image, draw from their personal experiences and unleash each member’s full potential.

In the mood to party with friends? Then join Flip FabriQue, for their stunning gravity defying show Catch Me! Take a trip to the cottage with these six acrobats and witness their first get-together in a decade! Haul out the folding chairs for a stunning and unique performance to kick o the party! Leave your troubles behind and settle in for an astonishing, lively show that will leave you smiling from ear to ear. Spectacular acrobatics, a one of a kind trampowall and humor are all part of the spell binding fun this one of a kind performance has in store for you.

“The young members of Flip FabriQue claim to be French Canadian, but after watching their circus show, you may suspect that they hail from a different planet.�

-The New York Times Review

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$25-$65 5PM & 8PM NOV 2ND 11

SINBAD Ranked by Comedy Central as one of the “100 Greatest Standups of all Time,” actor and comedian Sinbad has had audiences laughing for over three decades. His storytelling style of comedy is profound without being profane.

Sinbad has recently appeared on Disney’s Planes, Comedy Bang Bang, The Eric Andre Show, FX Television series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice. Sinbad produced and starred in his own WE TV’s reality show, SINBAD: It’s Just family. He has done 6 one hour comedy specials in his long comedy career, 4 on HBO and the last 2 on Comedy Central... and he’s not stopping anytime soon!

Meet & Greet Add-On $100

These performances benefit Cornerstone Hospice and are sponsored by Fross & Fross Wealth Management. To celebrate National Hospice Month in November and to raise needed funds, there is a week of fun events for fundraising, referred to as Funda-Paloosa. Beginning on Halloween Night 2017, there will be a golfcart drive-in movie at the Polo Field; costumes welcomed. Hopefully, the movie will draw enough carts to be listed in the Guinness World Records! There is no charge but donations will be accepted. On November 1, 2017, a Jail and Bail will take place at Red Sauce in Lake Sumter Landing. Prominent “convicts” from The Villages will be “arrested” and not let out of jail until they earn enough bail money. Again, there is no charge for this fun-loving event but donations will gratefully be accepted by the “convicts” for Cornerstone.

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NOV 9TH

7PM

$20-$56

“The dancers proved indefatigable, virtuosic and relentlessly sexy.”

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– Los Angeles Times

“Off-the-charts energy” – The New Yorker

For more than forty years, Ailey II has merged the spirit and energy of the country’s best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding emerging choreographers. Started in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, Ailey II embodies Alvin Ailey’s pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training and community programs for all people. Mr. Ailey personally selected the veteran dancer Sylvia Waters to lead this junior company, and as its Artistic Director for 38 years, she developed Ailey II into one of America’s most popular dance companies. In June 2012, Ms. Waters retired and named her longtime associate Troy Powell as the new Artistic Director. With Mr. Powell at the helm, Ailey II continues to thrive as he brings a fresh dimension to this beloved company.

The critically-acclaimed Ailey II has a distinctive repertory that has included works by dance masters Alvin Ailey, Talley Beatty, Donald Byrd, Ulysses Dove, George W. Faison, Lar Lubovitch, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle and Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison.

The company has also performed innovative works by rising choreographers such as Kyle Abraham, Jennifer Archibald, and Ray Mercer. Touring throughout the United States and abroad, Ailey II will reach dozens of cities during the 2015-2017 tour.

Photo by Kyle Froman

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NOV 11TH & 12TH THREE SHOWS

$50-$99

Pull Yourself Up By Your Own Bootstraps!

KINKY BOOTS is Broadway’s huge-hearted, highheeled hit! With songs by Grammy® and Tony® winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind.

Inspired by true events, KINKY BOOTS takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan.

Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of

Lola, a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.

With direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Hairspray) and a book by Broadway legend and fourtime Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage Aux Folles), KINKY BOOTS is the winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Choreography.

Take a step in the right direction and discover that sometimes the best way to fit in is to stand out.

“There is no show hotter than KINKY BOOTS!” – CBS News

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See you at

THE STUDIO...

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SEASON TWO ON SALE NOW!

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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Thank You For All The Excitement!

On Tuesday, Sept 12th New Season Subscriptions went on sale. There was a very limited amount that we could offer the public this season, as we had so many satisfied season subscribers from last year, opt to renew. We did sell out this year’s subscriptions within a matter of minutes. So we were just thrilled with the turnout at the box offices, all the energetic support, and the huge amount of interest.

Then, on Tuesday, Sept 19th Individual Tickets went on sale for all four Second Season shows. We were so pleased to have sold over 4,600 within the first few hours of the day. We have since added extra seating and some additional shows to some of the productions to help supply the high demand.

Thank you to all of those who waited in line, or had their finger on the phone dial, or were clicking feverishly online to get tickets! If you missed those two on-sale dates, have no fear! There are still Individual tickets for all four shows available now. But get them fast…they won’t last much longer!

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THE STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Sarah Faith McNamee The SharonÂŽ Assistant Lighting Director Sarah Faith McNamee is originally from Aiken, South Carolina where she grew up with her eight siblings. Performing and being around the stage is something Sarah grew up with from the age of three, participating in anything from classical piano, to ballet, and everything in between. Ms. McNamee received her Bachelors of Arts in 2015, majoring in technical theater, and minoring in dance. After college, Sarah spent a semester participating in the Disney College Program at Walt Disney world. Ms. McNamee was soon hired by Royal Caribbean International as a Light Technician, and spent almost the next two years circumnavigating the world by cruise ship and working on stage shows in both the onboard theatre and ice skating venues.

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What is your role at The Sharon?

What’s your favorite part of the job?

At The Sharon I am the Assistant Lighting Director. I work alongside the Lighting Director, Weston Corey, to make sure that all the lighting needs for every show are met. This could mean I do anything from running a spotlight, to designing and running shows for guest artists.

My favorite part of the job is always when I get to try something new. Since being here I have had the chance to experience some different lighting techniques, but I have also been able to try my hand at a bit of carpentry and painting as well.

What is your background and what got you started in Theatre?

I originally started performing as a ballet dancer. I went to college on a dance scholarship, but was injured during my junior year. After my injury and not being able to perform anymore I knew I could not stay away from the stage for very long. I started working backstage in 2014 for various performances. This led me to fall in love with lighting. I graduated with my Bachelors of Art a year later in 2015, and I have been working as a professional lighting designer ever since.

What are you most looking forward to this upcoming Season?

I am definitely looking forward to the variety of shows coming up, but I am also looking forward to being busy.

I am definitely a workaholic so the more shows I can work the better!

What is your favorite Quote that you live by?

"Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things because we’re curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." -Walt Disney

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BACKSTAGE AT THE SHARON 23

Congratulations & a Concert

Mr. & Mrs. Shawn Page 09-15-2017 The Sharon staff felt so honored that Caroline Leathead and now husband Shawn Page chose to spend their wedding night at The Sharon enjoying the Clint Black concert on Sept 15th.

The couple got to experience the show from the Ruby Balcony and were surprised with some fun on their seats when they arrived! They were married just earlier that day.

Congratulations to the lovely couple!

We hope to see them again soon at The Sharon!

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THE SHARON SCHEDULE

Performing Arts Theatres of The VillagesÂŽ

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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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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.