Directed by John Pease

AUDITIONS June 24^th & 25^th 2012

Production dates SEPTEMBER 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 21 & 22 2012

 A nice single Italian-American guy travels from New York City to Hoboken every Sunday to see both sets grandparents for dinner.  This routine has gone on for twenty nine years. But one Sunday he has to tell them that he’s been offered a great new executive job in Seattle, Washington and will be leaving NYC. This good news does not sit so well with the grandparents. Their children have retired to Florida. His sister has moved to San Diego and so they have not seen their only great grandchild. They feel their family has abandoned them. So they scheme to keep him close by inviting a lovely single girl to dinner one Sunday. Come see if the grandparent’s plan works out in this very funny and touching comedy! 

PLAZA SUITE one of Neil Simon’s best comedies

Directed by Joe Stallone

AUDITIONS August 22^nd and 23^rd 2012

Production dates OCTOBER 26, 27 NOVEMBER 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 2012

There’s a lot going on in Suite 719 at New York City’s swank Plaza Hotel in this classic Neil Simon comedy.  We are treated to three comedies played out in the same suite by three couples in very different situations, each taking a look, and a poke at marriage, morals, and middle-age.  It is a hilarious and shrewd situation comedy with witty, sassy and acerbic exchanges and snappy one-liners.  In his inimitable way, Simon intertwines the comedy with the pathos and distress that is true to life.  Audiences are enjoying the revival on Broadway today as much as they did when it originally opened on Broadway in 1968, winning the Tony for Best Play. Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite remains in the hearts of all theatre goers. Make your reservations soon to join in the fun!

FUNRAISER Suburban Holidays NEW PLAY FESTIVAL by New England Playwrights

Directed by Patrick Cleary and Donna Corbett

AUDITIONS September 23^rd & 24^th 2012

Production dates DECEMBER 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16 2012

Seen The Nutcracker too many times? Can you recite the speeches by every ghost in A Christmas Carol by heart? It’s time for some new holiday traditions! Join us at QP for new plays that explore the holiday themes of Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanza with a unique perspective – all written by New England Playwrights.  Suburban Holidays New Play Festival is exciting new idea for QP. Playwrights have to submit their scripts by July 31^st 2012 for consideration. We promise the four submissions that are chosen will entertain and captivate you for the holidays!  Each of the one act plays will be performed over two-weekends on an alternating schedule so everyone can find time in their busy holiday schedule to see all four!

SCOTLAND ROAD a great mystery by Jeffrey Hatcher

Directed by Ron Wackowski

AUDITIONS December 9^th & 10^th 2012

Production dates MARCH 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 2013

 A beautiful young woman in early twentieth-century clothing is found floating on an iceberg in the middle of the North Atlantic. She says only one word: Titanic. There is a mysterious young man whose goal is to prove she is a fake and reveal her true identity. His one clue is her references to an unknown place called “Scotland Road.” In a stark white room, assisted by a skeptical doctor, he plays a cat-and-mouse game with her. As time runs out, he brings in last living survivor of the disaster, an elder woman who has lived in seclusion for 75 years. By the play’s end, one of the characters is dead and the relationship between the woman and mysterious man is revealed. 

DUCK HUNTER SHOOTS ANGEL a comedy by Mitch Albom

Directed by Kristen Hughes

AUDITIONS March 3^RD AND 4^TH 2012

Production dates APRIL 26, 27 AND MAY 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 2013

 An uproarious story of two bumbling Alabama brothers who have never shot a duck but they think they shot an angel! As they lament their fate in the local swamp, they are chased by a cynical tabloid journalist and his reluctant photographer who don’t believe any of it—until they discover feathers, wings and a tiara. It is a story with a half-man/half-alligator, sibling rivalry, a tawdry media boss, a Gasmart cashier and a ghost. As the chase to find the angel builds so does the hilarity! This eventually heartwarming play interweaves love, loss, riffs on cultural stereotypes and race relations and builds to a surprising ending that few playgoers see coming! The play premiered 2004 at the Purple Rose Theater, in Chelsea, Michigan, a theater started by actor Jeff Daniels.

Directed by Nancy Curran Willis

Sunday February 12^th. 2012 from 6:00 to 10:00 PM

Wednesday, February 15^th 2012 from 7:00 to 10:30 PM

Production dates are May 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, and June 1 and 2, 2012. 

Please contact the director at imadirektor@rcn.com if you have any questions.

There will be cold readings from the script.  No appointments are required. You will be given sides from the show to review.  Accents will not be used in the show.  Please bring a headshot and resume if available.   We are looking to cast the following roles:

Anne Frank: young actress to play 13, vibrant, full of life, wisdom beyond her years. She is narrator of the show. Must be comfortable with mature subject matter.

Otto Frank: actor 40-50. He’s the ultimate peacemaker, hardworking man, respected by the community and his family.

Edith Frank: actress 40-50. Struggling to keep things together during this time of strife. Anne find her cold. Emotional.

Margot Frank: actress to play 16, oldest daughter of the Frank family. She’s kind, warmhearted, emotional.

Peter Van Daan: actor to play 16, a young man coming of age during this time of strife. Must be comfortable with mature subject matter.

Mrs. Van Daan: actress to play 40′s plus, a woman holding onto her past. Passionate. Gregarious.

Mr. Van Daan: actor to play 40′s plus, an insecure, unhappy man who takes his emotions out on his family.

Mr. Dussel: an actor of middle age to senior. A man lost in this time of strife. Trying to fit in and make the best out of the situation. Underneath his cranky exterior beats the heart of gold.

Miep Gies: an actress to play 25-35, secretary to Mr. Frank. Relays the news and stories from the outside world to the families.

Mr. Kraler: actor to play late 30-40. An employee of Mr. Frank who helps hide the families.

First, Second, Third Man: actors to play 20′s to 30′s, Nazi soldiers and officers, forceful and intimidating. Ability to speak or familiarity with German a plus.

Rehearsals will begin April 1, 2012 with three or four rehearsals per week evenings and Sundays.

In this transcendentally powerful new adaptation by Wendy Kesselman, Anne Frank emerges from history a living, lyrical, intensely gifted young girl, who confronts her rapidly changing life and the increasing horror of her time with astonishing honesty, wit, and determination. An impassioned drama about the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic, The Diary of Anne Frank captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence—their fear, their hope, their laughter, their grief. Each day of these two dark years, Anne’s voice shines through: “When I write I shake off all my cares. But I want to achieve more than that. I want to be useful and bring enjoyment to all people, even those I’ve never met. I want to go on living even after my death!” This is a new adaptation for a new generation.

Seventy years ago this July, in an effort to escape the Nazi’s, Otto Frank led his family up the stairs to the attic that was to be their home for almost two years. The Quannapowitt Players dedicate this production in remembrance of all those who lost their lives to the Holocaust.

QP is very happy to be hosting a Blood Drive
in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital.

We are scouring the area for blood donors. Not for Dracula,
but for hospital patients, as every 2 seconds blood is needed
to help people recover from illness, battle cancer, and to
survive surgery.

Help MGH and a vamipire out! Give blood on:

Saturday February 4th from 8:30 AM – 2 PM at the Quannapowitt Playhouse

The theater at QP is alive and busting with energy and talent this summer as the cast and crew for our upcoming World Premiere of “ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE – a celebration of life” fine tunes their craft. Fresh, new arrangements of the Beatle’s anthology have been written by Mario Cruz, hot new choreography by Johnnie Pirroni, Jeremy Cummins, James J Girgenti and Courtney Blanch are heating up the floor. The crew has assembled and amazing set with many secrets to entertain you, and one of the most talented group of singers are harmonizing their way to slip inside your hearts telling a heartfelt story or the bond between a mother and son and their best of friends. Please plan on joining us enjoy 32 of the Beatle’s classics including “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”, Hold Me Tight”, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and the tile of the show, “All You Need is Love” to mention just a few.

World Premiere on Sept 16 thru Oct 8. Friday and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sunday Sept 25 at 2 PM. Tickets are $25 and the proceeds for this production help fund our Handicap Bathroom Fun raising events. Tickets can be obtained on line at QPTheater.com or by calling the box office at 781-942-2212.

SEASON OPENING COOKOUT GM SEPTEMBER 9th:

As our summer ends the much anticipated and attended opening cookout party and general meeting will be held on Friday Sept 9. Come down and share summer stories, catch up with good friends, share some libations and great food. QP will supply the burgers and dogs, please bring a favorite side or dessert to share. We’ll be there starting at 7:30 and be among the first to see selections of our World Premiere production, “ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE – a celebration of life” featuring the music of the Beatle’s brought to us by James J. Girgenti, Mario Cruz and the FABulous cast.

SUMMER VOLUNTEERS:

As House Manager Donna would like to give a very sincere thank you to Lisa Atkinson, Jason Benagh, Anna Bruce, Marc Capizzi, Barbara Dempsey-West, Marcia Friedman, Carolyn Kelly, Allan Kent, Rachel Krupski, Alissa Krupski, Hugh Metzler and Mark West for getting rid of and beating back the weeds into submission at QP on recent work days! There are no more four foot weeds in front of the playhouse or up the new ramp to front door. The wisteria was cut back so patron cars don’t get scratched. The overgrown bushes have been way pruned back from the back lobby walkway. You can even see sun back there now! A borrowed truck was loaded to the top of the cab with brush and leaves and weeds – and the contents are now mulching at the Wakefield dump. And the canopy area walkway, railings etc. was pressure washed so the mold is mostly gone and we are ready to fix the awning and put it up over the back lobby walkway. Yes we got the permit! They should be taking the canopy away this week to recover. Thanx to everyone who have helped make the QP yard look better! It was very much appreciated … next up is clapboard and sill rot and then painting before we put up the new plastic ‘Q’ created by Jay Stone. This new Q will not rot out! 75 for 75: Look forward to our new FUN raising opportunities coming this year! Plenty of surprises are in store, lots of fun, and of course, helping our special theater. See you in September! (Who’s now humming that song?)

Jimmy Girgenti President

Reading’s Quannapowitt Players (QP) have garnered a record 23 nominations for the 2011 DASH Awards, the highest level of recognition among community theaters in Eastern Massachusetts.

QP has earned the distinction of receiving nominations for every one of the five productions staged in its Hopkins Street Theater over the course of its 2010-2011 season, and QP’s nominations cut across all categories of theatrical achievement, including performance, direction, design and technical production.

The DASH awards are presented each year by the Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theaters (EMACT), to recognize the highest level of achievement among hundreds of community theater organizations and productions across the region.
“I know it’s a cliché to say it’s an honor just to be nominated, but it’s really the truth,” said QP President James J. Girgenti. “There’s such a high caliber of community theater in this region and to be recognized by our peers as being among the best of the best is absolutely an honor.”

QP’s staging of the mystery thriller The Woman In Black garnered 10 nominations, including Best Production, Best Direction (Kimberly Enders Fanning), Best Set Design (Jason Benagh), Lighting Design (Bruce Pennypacker), Sound Design (Brian Fanning and Valerie Forgione), Make Up and Hair (Marc Capizzi) and Costumes (Anna Bruce), Stage Management (Judy Forgione), and nominations in the Best Actor category for both Kendall Hodder and Shawn Maguire.  

QP also earned a Best Production nomination for Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, as well as nominations for Best Acting Ensemble, Best Lighting Design (Mike McTeague), Sound Design (Brian and Kimberly Fanning), Stage Management (Mark West), Props (Marc Capizzi) and Hair and Make Up (Marc Capizzi).

The Kander and Ebb musical Chicago received nominations for Best Choreography (James J. Girgenti) and Best Set Design (Jason Benagh), as well as two nominations in the Best Supporting Actor category, for Bob DeVivo and Johnny Perroni.

Rounding out a season of top-level productions were The Paisley Sisters’ (All New 1964) Television Christmas Special, which was nominated for Best Hair and Make Up Design (Marc Capizzi) and the fast-paced farce Lend Me A Tenor, nominated for Best Stage Management (Monica Bruno). DASH Award winners will be announced at the annual EMACT Gala on August 27.

Quannapowitt Playhouse will kick off its 75th anniversary season on September 16 with the world premiere of All You Need Is Love, an original musical journey, featuring the music of The Beatles.

On Saturday July 30 we are looking to have sort of a G I party at the theater. Our goal is to clean, fix, weed, sweep, paint, and anything that needs to be done to get our Theater in pristine shape for our 75^th Anniversary season. The party begins at 9AM. Please bring any tools you think might help get jobs done easier and faster. Treats and beverages will be provided to keep you fed and hydrated! To top off the day, the Sensale family has graciously opened their pool for cooling down after working.  We really could use a hand, so please come down early to help in any way you can.

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE – a celebration of life

Picture yourself in a boat on a river
With tangerine trees and marmalade skies
Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly
A girl with kaleidoscope eyes

Cellophane flowers of yellow and green
Towering over your head
Look for the girl with the sun in her eyes
And she’s gone

As the summer heats up so does our theater with 15 of the hottest voices in the area rehearsing and perfecting our season opener. The World Premiere of  “All You Need is Love – a celebration of life.” QP Theater’s fall FUN raising production conceived and directed by James J Girgenti with musical arrangements and direction by Mario Cruz features the music of McCartney, Lennon, Harris, and Starr. Tickets are now available thru our online ticket service. Don’t be caught standing in line hoping to score the hottest ticket for the fall season. Performance dates – World Premiere Friday Sept. 16 at 8 PM. Continuing Sept 17, 23, 24, 30, Oct 1,7,and 8 at 8PM, and Sunday Sept 25 at 2 PM. Tickets are $25 benefitting our Handicap Bathroom Fund.

SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS
Now on sale through our online ticketing service or, by mail for your convenience.  Our 4 show season – Noises Off directed by Patrick Cleary; Dracula directed by Donna Corbett; The Foreigner directed by Chip Sheeran and The Diary of Anne Frank directed by Nancy Curran Willis. Get all 4 shows for $60.

2012-2013 PLAY READING COMMITTEE

Thank you to the record number of members who expressed interest in joining our Play Reading Committee for next season. Our dedicated committee will be Honey Angell (Chair), with Diane Lind, Marc Capizzi, Phyllis Uloth and Kathy Wackowski.

Stay tuned for more exciting news on our 75th Anniversary event coming this year!

The entire BOD wish all of you an enjoyable summer and look forward to seeing everyone during the coming season.

Jimmy Girgenti
President

There are four great shows this season – Noises Off, Dracula, The Foreigner and The Diary of Anne Frank . Four wonderful productions for $60. And QP is doing a Special QP Fundraising Production in September, All You Need is Love – a celebration of life for $25 a ticket. See our Season for all the details.

You will not want to miss QP’s exceptional 2011-2012 Season and Fundraiser so buy on-line or mail in your Season Subscription now!

The BOD is looking for people interested in joining our Play Reading Committee to help create our 2012 – 2013 season. Honey Angell as Vice President will be heading up the committee and is looking for 4 participants to join her as we research the possibilities for our next season.

Please send me an email of interest to mizan9131@aol.com  and I will submit names to the BOD for approval. Deadline for submission of consideration is July 10, 2011.

Hope your July 4th weekend is filled with sparkle and great company.

Jimmy Gergenti
President Quannapowitt Players

Well it sure has been quite a year at the playhouse. Thought it would be a good idea for a recap and send out much needed acknowledgements.

THE SEASON

We started off the year with the “HOT” production of “CHICAGO”, brought to us by the creative team of Girgenti, Cruz, and Pirroni. Not only were we blessed with a high energy and super talented cast and crew, but found ourselves in a sellout situation for the run. It was also our first production that was sponsored by outside benefactors, a huge thank you to Norfolk Financial Corp, Mizan, and Bruce Pennypacker for their generosity. And to the Cast and Crew, your “razzle dazzling “ the audience created a magnificent performance.

Next up we traveled back to 1964 with “THE PAISLEY SISTER’S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL (the all new 1964 musical comedy). We were treated to a Holiday hit under the direction of Russell R. Greene and 4 very talented ladies with spot on harmonies and amazing wigs! Once again QP was blessed by angels, the authors, Bret Silverman, Jim Ansart and Joel Silverman, by forgoing the royalty costs thus allowing us to produce 2 musicals in one season! Thanks to them and the Cast and Crew for helping make our season shine with Holiday cheer.

As the winter months came upon us and the snow piled up, we were still busy focusing on our farce for the season, ‘LEND ME A TENOR” helmed by John Pease. Many thanks go out to this brave cast and crew for braving the elements when we hit record breaking amounts of snow fall in 1 month. An even bigger thank you to all of our audiences that still came out to support this side splitting production.

We then created a weekend “FUN” raiser of local playwright’s productions to benefit our ongoing Handicap Bathroom Fund. Special thanks to our playwrights, David Kruh, Mark Baumhardt, Kathy Wackowski and Patrick Cleary, our casts, crews volunteers that helped make it happen, and a BIG thank you to Donna Corbett who produced, guided and pulled together this awesome event. Also to the cast and crew of “THE BEAR”, who came and gave of their talents for a special performance of the show before heading out to competitions.

We then braced ourselves for the chilling “WOMAN IN BLACK”. The theater was transformed into a multi sensory environment by Kimberly and Brian Fanning. Our small but dedicated cast evoked such imagery and feelings of fear that sent our audiences out with a chill running down their spine. Thanks to you all!

And lastly, was our final production, the classic American drama, “ALL MY SONS” under the direction of Mark Baumhardt. We actually created a 2 story house and had one of the most powerfully strong ensembles of dramatic actors grace our stage. Thanks to cast and crew for bringing your talents to grace our stage.

2011-2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

On June 10, 2011 QP Theater held its annual election for the Board of Directors. The results were;

Jimmy Girgenti – President

Honey Angel – Vice President

Lisa Atkinson – Secretary

Brian Sensale – Treasurer

Directors At Large;

Donna Corbett

Marcia Friedman

Elizabeth Sheeran

Remaining Directors at large;

Jason Benagh

Bruce Pennypacker

Ron Wackowski – Past President

I would like t personally thank Anna Bruce and Phyllis Uloth for all their hard work, energy, great attitudes, and helping get whatever needs to be done, done. You ladies ROCK!

And to Mr. Ron Wackowski, our past president who helped guide us through the last 2 years, always willing to do what was needed, especially PARK! Thank you Ron, we all appreciate all that you have done for us.

VOLUNTEER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I discovered some interesting information this weekend; it takes almost 50 + volunteers to make a single production happen. When I did the math with us producing 5 shows a season plus FUN raising benefits that sure is a lot of bodies! I would like to extend from myself and the entire BOD a huge “THANK YOU” to all the members, friends, and family for stepping up to make us run as well as we do. With that said, here is that list;

ADAM RODGERS, ALLAN KENT, AMBER BURNS, ANDREA BUTLER,ANDY ZEIBERG, BARBARA WEST, BEN PASCUCCI, BERNIE HUTCHENS, BILL GUILLETTE, BILL WILLIS, BRUCE PENNYPACKER, CAROLYN KELLEY,CHIP SHEERAN, CRAIG BRUCE, DAVID DOOKS, DEREK CLARK, DEREK SEABURY, DIANE LIND, DONNA CORBETT,DWAYNE MORIN, ELEANOR GUILLETTE, ELIZABETH SHEERAN, ELLEN LOHMAN, EMILY SHEERAN, FRANK HILDEBRAND, GORDON ELLIS, HEATHER GAY, HUGH METZLER, JASON BENAGH, JASON FENTON, JEFFERY PERFECT, JIMMY GIRGENTI, JOAN CORVINO, JOANNE POWERS, JOHN MURTAGH, JOHN PEASE, JON SACHS, JUDSON PIERCE, JUDY FORGIONE, JUDY RYAN, KAREN DERVIN, KARL SCHMITH, KATE GLUCK, KATE MAHONEY, KATHY WACKOSKI, KATIE ROGERS, KEITH SHERMAN, KENDALL HODDER, KERRY MOE, KRIS REYNOLDS, KRISTEN DATTOLI, LAURA CHANDLER, LINDA LADD, LIS ADAMS, LISA ATKINSON, MARC CAPIZZI, MARCIA FRIEDMAN, MARGARET MCCARTY, MARIANNE UTTAM, MARK BAUMHARDT, MARK WEST, MELISSA BISSO, MICHELE MULVANEY, MICHELLE MOUNT, MONICA BRUNO, NANCY CURRAN WILLIS, NINA FARAGHER, PAT VANDENBERG, PHYL ULOTH, RHONA D’ONOFRIO, ROBERTA CHAFFEE LOW, RON WACKOWSKI, RUTH NEEMAN, SABRINA FENTON, SAM TORRISI, SANDRALEE TORRISI, SHANA DIRK, SHARON MASON, SHAWN MAGUIRE, SIGRID PERKINS, STEVE PETTITT, STEVE RUSSO, SUEELLEN PEETS DEVITO, TOM VITTORIOSO, TRACY SULLIVAN and VICKY HUTCHENS

FUTURE – UPCOMING

* Our 75^th Gala Anniversary party and FUN raiser

* Our own World Premiere musical FUN raiser – “ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE – a celebration of life”

* The Season – “NOISES OFF”, “DRACULA”, “THE FOREIGNER”, and “THE DIARY OF ANN FRANK”

* Season subscriptions are now available

* 75k for 75 years – our goal to raise for the Handicap Bathroom Fund

* More to be announced 

In closing off this E-news Letter, I would like to say thank you to all who believed in me to help guide QP Theater this next year. It is my goal to help nurture and create an environment where artists of every walk can come and contribute to producing quality productions for our community. Please feel free to contact me with any suggestions, challenges, or praise!

Jimmy Girgenti

President – Quannapowitt Players

Email: mizan9131@aol.com

Diane Lind, chairperson of the Quannapowitt Players Scholarship Committee, was pleased to award the 2011 Scholarship to Kassondra Glenn from North Reading High School at the final performance of All My Sons, QP’s final production of the 2010-11 Season.

Read more about QP’s Scholarship Winner here: http://reading.patch.com/announcements/quannapowitt-players-award-annual-scholarship