Latest news with #ActOutTheatreGroup
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Act Out Theatre Group to present 'Oklahoma!'
May 8—TAYLOR — Chicks and ducks and geese better scurry because Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!" is coming to Act Out Theatre Group for two weekends. A cast of 19 will present the classic musical weekends from Friday, May 9, through Sunday, May 18. "Oklahoma, as a whole, is as classic of a love story as you can get," said cast member Chase Richmond of Throop. "A man and a woman fall in love while also dealing with their own personal conflicts — which stops them from having what they truly want. True love." Richmond plays Will Parker, a fancy-footed cowboy who desperately wants to marry Ado Annie. Richmond alternates the role with Julian Biederman of Lake Ariel. Ado Annie is played by Sammie Stella of Plains and Maddan Bennett of Throop. Double casting, where two actors are assigned the same role and alternate shows, is something Act Out Theatre Group owner, Dan Pittman, tries to do as much as possible. Typically, double casting allows a performer to play a leading and ensemble role. "As a workshop theatre, we want the rehearsal process to be as much of a learning experience as it can possibly be," said Pittman, of Plymouth. "We try to double cast whenever we can, and whenever it makes sense." Pittman stressed the importance of performers learning the nuances that go into being an ensemble member. Six roles are double cast in "Oklahoma!" The theatre is also double casting "Madagascar Jr.," which is currently rehearsing and going up at the end of May. Macie Bennett of Throop, who along with Lily Keefe of Gouldsboro play Laurey Williams in the show, said "Oklahoma!" has been a dream show of hers. She campaigned for Pittman to put up the show for two years. "I really wanted to do the show because I love all of the dancing in the it," Bennett said. "The ballet is definitely one of my favorite parts of the show, and I am so excited to perform it." For those who are unfamiliar, "Oklahoma!" features a major dream ballet in the middle of the production. It also features a wise-cracking yet caring matriarch named Aunt Eller, and a handsome, albeit bowlegged, cowboy named Curly McLain, who couldn't stop a pig in the road. Aunt Eller is played by Vivian Santiago of Dunmore and Lila Stefanski of Dunmore. Miguel Rodriguez of Moosic plays Curly. "I really love how assertive and funny she is," Santiago said of Aunt Eller. "She balances well with her overall sass and sometimes reluctant willingness to take care of others who arguably don't deserve it. She's a better lady than me sometimes, in that regard, and it's nice to still play a similarly matriarch-like character with nicer intentions than some of the antagonists I've played." The cast also features Lila Boyle, Ava Nitch, Molly Pokrinchak, Ireland Scott, Cari Altenhain, Brynn Bruner, Leah Mitchell, Liv Mitchell, Zoey Schlittler and Juliet Renard. Tickets for "Oklahoma!" can be purchased at the door or online at Adult tickets are $15 and student and senior tickets are $10. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Act Out Theatre Group to present 'Holy Mother of Bingo' Murder Mystery
Feb. 14—TAYLOR — Act Out Theatre Group is taking a break from its traditional youth and teen productions to bring the comedic murder mystery, "Holy Mother of Bingo," to the stage. The production runs Friday, Feb. 14 through Sunday, Feb. 16. "We try to do a handful of productions a year that are audition-based and feature adults, children and youth," said Dan Pittman, the theatre's owner and artistic director. "It's a great opportunity because everyone learns from one another. Plus, we get to broaden our offerings to the community." "Holy Mother of Bingo" is a fully-immersive production. Audience members will immediately be met by members of the Mother of Mercy Parish shortly after entering the theatre. The production is set at a bingo fundraiser to help raise money for the parish. Things go awry after the church hall is double-booked and bingo enthusiasts must share their space with some cookie cadets. Folks may not know if the person sitting next to them is a cast member or simply another member of the audience. Throw in a magician, a scout leader, a couple of nuns and some other colorful characters, and there are multiple things happening at all times. "This has really been a fun show to direct," said Kalen Churcher, who frequently directs the theatre's youngest actors and actresses. "You never know what's going to happen or who is going to join the cast. Plus, who doesn't enjoy bingo?" In addition to watching the murder mystery, audience members will also participate in five rounds of bingo, with small prizes going to the winners. The cast of 22 features veteran performers and those new to the stage. It also features several groups of family members, including Jill and Jason Peck; Christina and Kayla Perez; Ann Marie and Ireland Scott; Linda Miller and Vivian Santiago; and Amanda, Hussein and Norah Kazimi. Additional cast members include: John Bubul, Matt Williams, Kylie Pimental, Katie Smith, Lila Boyle, Paul Kantor, Frank Carey, Gregg Germano, Dan Pittman, Joey McGuire and Mina Boam. "I've always admired my daughters for being brave enough to get on stage and perform," said Amanda Kazimi, whose daughters Norah, Hannah and Arianna have performed on the Act Out stage before. "Now being in a show myself, I realize how much hard work goes into that performance, and I'm not even doing half of what they do. "Sharing this experience with my daughter has been priceless. I love hearing her give me tips on learning my lines and cues and getting her feedback after a practice — even though it's not always good." Tickets for Holy Mother of Bingo can be purchased online at Because of the seating arrangement, tickets are limited. Opening night on Valentine's Day has sold out, but interested parties can place their names on a waitlist by emailing info@ Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students and senior citizens. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
