MARTINSVILLE, Ill. —
Martinsville Theater Group has been abandoned by their director, for good reason, apparently. They will be left to fend for themselves opening night, in front of a live audience.
Due to their lack of polish and preparation, “Just Another High School Musical” turns out to be a farce. In fact, their first song, “We Apologize in Advance,” is just the beginning of false starts, seized upon, but un-previewed scripts, badly choreographed dancing, and botched lines.
Student assistant director Rose Cloud and stage manager Kellie Johnson attempt to pull things together by taking the reins, but end up flying by the seat of their pants.
Rather than completely winging it, the pair deposit a storage box of old scripts at center stage and everyone grabs an old standby. What follows is a mixture of Shakespeare and Oedipus Rex, Dickens, Thornton Wilder, melodrama, and Louisa May Alcott.
The script, by Bryan Starchman, with music by Stephen Murray, includes a heap of physical comedy, confusion, sight gags, pratfalls and satirical remixing, tied together with plenty of full cast big numbers and apologies.
Four fellows dressed like Blues Brothers compare their tragedies in “Life is Like a Snow Globe.” The cast stoops to great depths for a laugh in “Dress Them Up in Drag.”
The song “Intermission” is an exercise in desperation: “This means our show is more than halfway done. Maybe Act II will be better than Act II.”
In Act II, after rapping Charles Dickens and putting their own spin on Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” they perform a full-cast “Gratuitous Number,” which tunefully winks at its own pointlessness.
The cast and crew seem to enjoy themselves tremendously rehearsing and performing this lighthearted take on high school exuberance, procrastination, animation and winning poses. At a rehearsal, it’s tough to tell who is muffling their lines or forgetting their choreography.
The show will be at 7 p.m. March 24 and 2 p.m. March 25.
Tickets for adults are $7, students $4, and 0-3 year olds $2.
Other cast members are: Makenna Graham, Darby McNeil, Rachel Ballew, Rachel Lehman, Brittany Davison, Austin Davison, Seth Davis, Landon Logan, Kyle Wilson, Cheyenne Dye, Ashtyn Phillips, Grace McNeil, Rebecca Blanchard, and Jason Smith.
Theater
Martinsville High presents ‘Just Another High School Musical’
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Theater listings: May 16, 2013
Today-June 1 — “GREATER TUNA,” at Myers Dinner Theatre, Hillsboro. Dates and times vary. Tickets: dinner and show $36 and $25 students, show only $20, 765-798-4902, ext. 2.
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Theater listings, May 9, 2013
Today-Saturday — “INTO THE WOODS,” at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, Carmel, 7 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $44 adults, $34 ages 17 and younger.
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Murder on ‘Disoriented Express’ on track for May 31
There’s been a murder on the Disoriented Express, and a variety of criminal minds have been called in to help — Sherlock Holmes, Charlie Chan, Lieutenant Columbo, Barney Fife and even Charlie’s Angels.
Will they solve the crime first or will you? -
TH North to stage student-written play on May 9
Terre Haute North Vigo High School students will present an original black box-style theater production of “Speak Now” at 6:30 p.m. on May 9 at the school’s auditorium.
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Shawnee Theatre’s 54th season to debut with musical review ‘The Taffetas’ on June 13
The Shawnee Theatre of Bloomfield will open its 54th season with the 1950’s musical review, “The Taffetas!” on June 13.
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Auditions May 20-21 for ‘The Wizard of Oz’
The Maple Avenue Players plan to hold auditions at 7 p.m. May 20 and 21 in the Family Life Center at 12th Street and Maple Avenue in Terre Haute for a summer production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
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Summer theater workshops at Lincoln Trail accepting registrations
Registration is under way for Lincoln Trail College’s Children’s Summer Theater.
The theater workshop will be conducted from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, June 3 to 28. Students entering grades one through nine this fall are invited to audition for roles in this summer’s production, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Performances will be at 7 p.m. June 28 and 29. -
Scenes from Robin Hood adaptation, “The Untold Story of Little John” April 21 at Children’s Museum
We all know the story of Robin Hood, the man who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor and defeated the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, freeing his people from the tyrannical reign of Prince John. We also know how this could not have been accomplished without Little John, Robin Hood’s loyal side-kick who stayed by him through thick and thin. But do we know what happened next?
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ISU play concentrates on river theme
The Indiana State University theater department continues its presentation of “Spoon River Anthology” today through Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m. each day in the Dreiser Hall Theater. Tickets must be purchased in advance from the New Theater ticket office.
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Tickets to ISU’s presentation of Spoon River Anthology go on sale April 8
The Indiana State University theater department will present “Spoon River Anthology” April 10-13 beginning at 7:30 p.m. each day in the Dreiser Hall Theater.
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‘Red Velvet Cake War’ to open Friday at Community Theatre
Community Theatre of Terre Haute’s next offering, “The Red Velvet Cake War” is set to open Friday, with additional performances on Saturday, Sunday and April 12-14.
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Theater/Film Listings: March 28, 2013
Today-May 12 — “MENOPAUSE: THE MUSICAL,” at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis. Tickets: $37.50 to $62.50, 317-872-9664.
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Theater listings: March 21, 2013
Ticket Sales
April 26-May 11 — “INTO THE WOODS,” at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, Carmel, 7 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $44 adults, $34 17 and younger. -
'Quartet' at Honey Creek West 8 March 1
The comedy/drama “Quartet” opens March 1 in Honey Creek West 8 behind Honey Creek Mall in Terre Haute. Shows are at 7:40 and 10:05 p.m.
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New Play Festival continues through Saturday at Indiana State
The Indiana State University theater department is hosting its New Play Festival through Saturday. The department will stage three new productions during the annual showcase, themed “Intriguing Journeys.”
- THEATER: Feb. 14, 2013
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Parke Players to present Winter Follies variety show Saturday
Parke Players will present the fifth annual Winter Follies variety show at 7 p.m. Saturday at the historic Ritz Theater in Rockville.
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Theater listings: Jan. 24, 2013
Today-Saturday — “OFFICE HOURS,” at Theatre on the Square, Indianapolis. Tickets: $25 adults and $20 seniors, students and active military, 317-685-8687.
Today-Feb. 3 — “ARSENIC & OLD LACE,” at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis. Tickets: $37.50 to $62.50, 317-872-9664. -
Theater listing: Jan. 17, 2013
Today-Sunday — “JERSEY BOYS,” at Old National Centre, Indianapolis, 7:30 p.m., today, 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Tuesday-Jan. 27 shows canceled, and tickets can be exchanged through original purchase point. Call 800-793-7469.
Today-Jan. 26 — “OFFICE HOURS,” at Theatre on the Square, Indianapolis. Tickets: $25 adults and $20 seniors, students and active military. Call 317-685-8687. -
Auditions set for Children’s Theatre production
Children’s Theatre of Terre Haute Inc. will bring Mark Twain’s classic story “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” to musical life in this Broadway adaptation one of America’s favorite books.
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Audition for ‘The Constant Wife’ at Terre Haute Community Theatre
Community Theatre of Terre Haute will stage auditions for “The Constant Wife” by W. Somerset Maugham at 7 p.m. on Jan. 2 and 3.
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Clay County theater adds ‘Love Letters’
Community Theatre of Clay County Inc. has added a theatrical performance to its current 2012-13 season.
For one performance only, the theater group will present “Love Letters,” a Pulitzer Prize for Drama nominated play by A.R. Gurney. -
Youth, ages 6-15, invited to audition for ‘OZ!’
Community Theatre of Clay County’s upcoming auditions for its Young Actors’ performance of “OZ!” will be at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 2 and 3. Auditions will be at The Lark Theater at 8 E. National Ave., in Brazil.
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- Theater: Dec. 13, 2013
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‘The Nerd’ opens Friday in Vincennes
Comedy takes center stage on Friday when the Old Town Players community theatre opens the hilarious play, “The Nerd.”
- Theater: Dec. 6, 2012
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‘Nuncrackers’ opens Friday at Community Theatre
Patrons have seven opportunities to get in the Christmas spirit as Community Theatre of Terre Haute presents “Nuncrackers,” the Nunsense Christmas musical, directed by Josh Hoffman.
- Theater: Nov. 29, 2012
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See ‘Nuncrackers’ at Community Theatre
Community Theatre of Terre Haute will ring in the holidays with “Nuncrackers,” the Nunsense Christmas musical by Dan Goggin.
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Theater listings: May 16, 2013
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