August 2008

Central Park Players is inviting the entire Tri-Cities community to celebrate the company’s 50th theatre season with a semi-formal gala and fundraiser. Set for Sept. 20 at the Grand Haven Community Center, the Golden Gala will include dining, a silent auction, a musical review, and dancing.

What began as Grand Haven Civic Theatre and was later renamed Central Park Players has involved thousands of area actors, crew members, and theatre-goers since the first production, Moss Hart and George F. Kaufman’s George Washington Slept Here, 50 seasons ago. Over the years, CPP has presented more than 150 dramas, comedies, and musicals.

The company has also expanded its programs to give greater opportunities to children in theatre. Family Theatre, which was introduced a decade ago, is geared toward children 10 and older as well as to adults. Family Theatre Too came about to involve even younger actors. Family Theatre’s first-ever day camp for children came into being this summer and is a resounding success.

Off Stage!, a new readers’ theatre group, plans to begin performing this season in retirement communities, senior centers, and adult care facilities. The goal is to take theatre to audiences that may have difficulty coming to productions. In addition, Off Stage! offers opportunities for actors to perform without the requirements of main-stage productions.

“Every community, regardless of size, needs the arts,” says long-time CPP member Bill Surridge. “We’re fortunate to have the high-quality entertainment Central Park Players provides, and we’re especially fortunate to have it at affordable prices. CPP brings theatre to everyone, not just to people who can afford $100 a ticket.”

Bill and wife Bonnie are honorary Golden Gala chairpersons.

“CPP is important to the community in terms of entertainment,” Bonnie agrees, “and it’s also important in terms of offering ways people can be involved in something that can span a lifetime. It’s a way of including people of all ages and talents, a way of strengthening our community.”

The Surridges know first-hand how CPP can provide life-long opportunities. Friends they met through CPP and have known for years are still important to them. Their annual Old Guard parties draw guests who have been involved with CPP for as long as 40 years.

As for the Golden Gala, the Surridges see it as the perfect way to set the stage for CPP’s 50th
season. “This gala is a classy way to say thank you to the community and to invite even more people to become involved,” Bill comments.

“And how often do we really get to dress up for a lovely evening out?” Bonnie asks with a smile. “The Golden Gala will be a wonderful evening of fun – and it will benefit CPP and its programs, all of which are so important to our community.”

Persons who would like to help underwrite the Golden Gala or donate silent auction items can contact Ann Genson at agenson@centralparkplayers.org. Gifts are tax-deductible. Individual, general seating tickets for the gala are $20 each. Reserved seating is available through tables for eight, which are $175 each.
 

April, 2008

Central Park Players launches Youth Theatre Day Camp

Jellybean people, corn, music, kids, and Central Park Players. What do these have in common? They all play an important role in Central Park Players Youth Theatre Day Camp scheduled for June at the Grand Haven Community Center.

The new program gives youth ages 12 to18 the chance to experience hands-on theatre training with an established professional. Robert Bouwman, who has more than 20 years of theatrical experience and founded Corn Productions in Chicago, is bringing his unique experience to the camp as director-in-residence.

Bouwman is a playwright who has directed and produced more than 30 original shows with acting credits that include more than 40 theatrical productions, films, and commercials. His plays have garnered many awards including a Chicago “Jeff” recommendation and an After Dark Award.  

Bouwman brings two original scripts to Grand Haven with the Michigan premieres of Mileep and the Attack of the Jellybean People and The Antsy Aardvark. 

Mileep and the Attack of the Jellybean People is the futuristic tale of Mileep, a young boy who must use his imagination to save the galaxy from peril. Mileep makes great friends and runs into some hilarious situations on his journey to defeat the evil Jellybean people.

“It’s really fun to be able to just jump in and do really different stuff. It’s the future and anything can happen in the future,” Bouwman says of the show. After successfully producing the show in Chicago, Bouwman discovered it’s a musical comedy fantasy for kids and grownups alike.

Young performers who participate in the day camp will not only have the opportunity to enhance their acting skills, but learn about the competitive world of professional theatre. 

The day camp runs three weeks in June and concludes with three performances June 27 and28. Young actors can register for the day camp and get more information by calling Central Park Players at 616-971-1329 or visiting www.

April, 2008

Kim L. Gleason and Howard D. Chapman play harried parents trying to get their reluctant daughter out of the bathroom and to her wedding in Central Park Players production of Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite. The comedy opens April 25 at the Grand Haven Area Arts Council building, 1045 Columbus Ave. (Photo: Doug Chestnut)

CPP brings New York’s Plaza Hotel to life in Plaza Suite 

New York’s Plaza Hotel opens for business in Grand Haven with Central Park Players’ production of Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite. The comedy, which wraps up the 2007-2008 main-stage season, opens April 25 at the Grand Haven Arts Council building, 1045 Columbus Ave.

All three acts, each of which is a separate play, take place in Suite 719 of the luxuriously refurbished New York City landmark that re-opened in early March. Director Christine Smith includes the hotel’s luxurious cachet in the Central Park Players production. Audience members will be greeted by tuxedo-wearing doormen and walk through the grand lobby – complete with draperies, concierge, and luggage carriages – to be seated.

Each act consists of three very distinctive couples, and every character brings a new and hilarious situation to the thought-provoking comedy.

Performance dates, times; ticket information

Performance dates: April 25-27, May 1-3

Performance times: April 25, 26 and May 1-3 at 8 p.m.; April 27 at 2 p.m.

Tickets on sale: April 18 for season ticket-holders; April 21 for the general public

Box office hours

·         Central Park Players office, 1433 Fulton St., April 18 as well as April 21-26 and April 28-May 3 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

·         Grand Haven Area Arts Council building, 1045 Columbus Ave., April 25 and 26 as well as May 1-3 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; April 27 from noon to 2 p.m.

Phone and e-mail reservations: centralparkplayers.org or 616-971-1329. Phone messages confirmed during regular box office hours and within 24 hours.

Ticket prices: $14 for adults; $11 for students 18 and younger and seniors 64 and older. Call the box office at 616-971-1329 for pricing for groups of 10 or more.

Plaza Suite is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

March, 2008

A cast of veteran performers and newcomers will bring Suite 719 at New York City’s Plaza Hotel to life in Grand Haven with Central Park Players production of Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite. Rehearsals are well under way for (front row, left-right) Amelia Simpson, Christine Smith, and Kathy Vollmer; (middle row, left-right) Fred Finke, Barry Huntington, Cynthia Bates Twining, and Kelsey Gleason; (back row, left-right) Kim Gleason, Howard Chapman, Thomas Frazier, and Nicholas Dressel. The comedy opens April 25 at the Grand Haven Area Arts Council building, 1045 Columbus Ave. (Photo: Doug Chestnut)

Central Park Players names Plaza Suite cast

Director Christine Smith has assembled an eclectic cast of familiar faces and first-time performers for the Central Park Players production of Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite. The comedy, which wraps up the 2007-2008 main-stage season, opens April 25 at the Grand Haven Area Arts Council building, 1045 Columbus Ave.

While the entire production takes place in Suite 719 of New York City’s Plaza Hotel, each act is a separate play.

In “Visitor from Mamaroneck,” a wife surprises her husband with a return to Suite 719 to celebrate an anniversary, although she’s not exactly certain which anniversary. Cynthia Bates Twining and Barry Huntington, both long-time CPP performers, take the leads with E. Fred Finke, another CPP veteran, playing the waiter. Kelsey Gleason makes her acting debut as the secretary with Thomas Frazier as the bellhop in his first CPP appearance.

“Visitor from Hollywood” reunites a famous Hollywood producer and his long-ago, high-school girlfriend in Suite 719. Nicholas Dressel, a newcomer to Central Park Players, plays the producer with Amelia Gray Simpson, whose face has long been familiar to CPP audiences, as the long-ago girlfriend.

Veteran CPP actors Kim Gleason and Howard Chapman are harried parents trying to get their daughter to the altar in “Visitor from Forest Hills.” Kelsey Gleason plays the reluctant bride and Thomas Frazier is her groom.

Kathy Vollmer, another familiar CPP face, is the production’s assistant director.

Performances are scheduled April 25-27 and May 1-3. Tickets for season ticket-holders go on sale April 18 and for the general public on April 21. Plaza Suite is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

January, 2008

CPP’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opens Feb. 15

A timeless tale comes to life in Central Park Players’ production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which opens Feb. 15. The production continues Feb. 16-17, 21-24, 28-29, and March 1, at the Grand Haven Area Arts Council building, 1045 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven.

Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the musical follows the biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. The story itself dates back thousands of years but comes to life on stage with modern twists that include vibrant characters, costumes, sets, music, and movement.

The storybook nature of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is presented by a narrator (Kallie Pershon), who tells Joseph’s (Egan Porter) story as he encounters a variety of characters, struggles, and songs along his journey.

Many of the songs in Joseph’s story have become well-known favorites including “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.” Other songs range from western ballads to Caribbean calypsos.  

Performance dates, times; ticket information

Performance dates: Feb. 15-17, 21-24, 28-29, Mar. 1

Performance times: Feb. 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, Mar. 1 at 8 p.m.; Feb. 17 and 24 at 2 p.m.

Tickets on sale: Feb. 8 for season ticket-holders and Feb. 11 for the general public; 616-971-1329; centralparkplayers.org

Box office hours

·         Central Park Players office, 1433 Fulton St., Feb. 8 as well as Feb. 11-16, 18-23, and 28-Mar. 1 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

·         Grand Haven Area Arts Council building, 1045 Columbus Ave., Feb. 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, Mar. 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Feb. 17 and 24 from noon to 2 p.m.

Ticket prices: $14 for adults; $11 for students 18 and younger and seniors 64 and older. Call the box office at 616-971-1329 for pricing for groups of 10 or more.

December, 2007

Cast named for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Not just “Any Dream Will Do” as Central Park Players begins work on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The production runs February 15-17, 21-24, 28-29, and March 1, at the Grand Haven Area Arts Council building, 1045 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven.  

Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the musical follows the biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. John Bethke, director, along with Larry Gilbert, assistant director; Natalie Carmolli, producer; Karen Frederickson, music director; and Bev Schroeder, choreographer, plans to make the world of Joseph bright, vivid, and entertaining. 

“The concept is to take Joseph into many worlds. The idea being that the word Technicolor portrays all the flavors of the songs as well as the types of people Joseph meets in his life journey,” Bethke explained.

CPP’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat pairs vivid color with vivid music.  Bethke plans to incorporate a variety of music styles in the production’s dancing, costuming, and staging.  “I want to fill the show with high-energy dance and staging that brings the characters to life,” said Bethke.

The production boasts a cast of nearly 50 and includes Molly Alman, Jarrett Ardell, Tavin Ardell, David Arnouts, Joe Auffrey, Connie Barker, Ruth Bethke, Anna Carmolli, Joe Carmolli, Chris Chalupa, Richard Cloud, Jillian Davis, Logan E. Dewitt, Ania Duncan, Sarah Fields, Eileen Grostic, Tim Hall, Lindsey Hansen, Kellene Hilliard, Lauren Ivey, Becca Kerkstra, Michaela Kerkstra, Tom Kerkstra, Andrew Kitchka, Jon Lathers, Hugo Lawton, Ron Mass, Meghan McDonald, Riley Missel, Blair Nash, Hank Nash, Alec Newsted, Bret Newsted, Jack Newsted, Kallie Pershon, Egan Porter, Lauryn Schroeder, Justin Sternburgh, MaryJo Stewart, Sophia Vanderveer, Karyn Van Ittersum, Michael Wells, Duane Wright, and Ray Ziemelis.

The cast involves singers and dancers of all ages, including a children’s chorus that helps tell Joseph’s story.

The family-friendly production will be staged using simple cubes and a ¾-round stage, which Bethke says will make the show an intimate experience for the audience.

Performances and tickets

Performance dates: Feb. 15-17, 21-24, 28-29, and Mar. 1

Performance times: Feb. 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and Mar. 1 at 8 p.m.; Feb. 17 and 24 at 2 p.m.

Location: Grand Haven Area Arts Council building, 1045 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven

Tickets: On sale for season ticket-holders Feb. 8; for the general public Feb. 11

Prices: $14 for adults; $11 for students 18 and under, seniors 64 and older; special rates for groups of 10 or more

Information: 616-971-1329 and centralparkplayers.org

December, 2007

November, 2007

Cast and crew members include (back row, l-r) E. Fred Finke, Molly Alman, Steve Benson, Walter Mrotz, Sarah Fields, and David Riegler as well as (front row, l-r) Linda Daugherty, Ann Genson, Caitlyn Soelberg, Susan Giganti, and Justin Sternburgh. (Photo: Doug Chestnut)

Central Park Players names cast for family-friendly holiday romp

With A Dickens’ Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts, Mark Landon Smith has created a director’s nightmare of flubbed lines, missed cues, over-the-hill and upstart actors, and a collapsing set. It’s a play within a play with seven actors playing all the roles in Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol – badly. It’s also the Styckes-Upon-Thump Repertory Company’s 15^th Annual Farewell Tour.

This is an everything-that-can-go-wrong-goes-wrong play including an actor who constantly trips over set pieces, another who knows only one line and has the rest obviously written on various props, and a disdainful, displaced diva determined to reclaim her role.

Playing the hammy actors in the Central Park Players production are Molly Alman, Steve Benson, Sarah Fields, Susan Giganti, Walter Mrotz, Caitlyn Soelberg, and Justin Sternburgh.

Ann Genson directs with E. Fred Finke as assistant director/stage manager, David Riegler as technical director, and Linda Daugherty as producer.

A Dickens Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts will be presented at the Grand Haven Area Arts Council building Dec. 14-16 and 20-22. It’s the beginning of a fun-for-the-entire-family holiday tradition theater-goers won’t want to miss.