auditions for new musical this weekend

Auditions begin this weekend for a new musical from the mind of local performer Billy Butler. “The Gay Bride of Frankenstein” is described as a “comic-book-rock-musical for a new era.” The production combines comic book illustrations with original music and traditional stage drama based around a Halloween theme. It will ultimately be staged at the Players’ Ring in Portsmouth from Oct. 17 to Nov. 2.

Auditions are on Sunday, Aug. 24 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Seacoast Repertory Theater’s rehearsal hall at 7 Walker St., Kittery, Maine. Actors are instructed to prepare a pop, rock or contemporary musical theater song with sheet music, as an accompanying instrumentalist will be provided. Call-back auditions will occur the following day between the same hours.

The “Gay Bride” crew is seeking a total of six high school age-looking actors who are strong pop-rock singers—three male and three female. They are also seeking two men between their 20s and 50s to fill speaking parts that do not necessarily require singing. A running crew and other volunteers are also needed.
For more information on the musical, visit www.gaybrideoffrankenstein.com. 

fun fest brings comedy, music and history to Portsmouth

ACT ONE’s Festival of Fun continues in Portsmouth this week with comic theater, music and a bit of history at West End Studio Theatre. The festival began last week and continues through Thursday, Aug. 28.

The Artists’ Collaborative Theatre of New England is a non-profit arts and education organization established in 1997. The group is devoted to presenting, promoting and producing fine arts, especially professional theatrical productions. The Festival of Fun consists of four theatrical comedies, two concerts and a stage adaptation of Thomas Bailey Aldrich’s “The Story of a Bad Boy.”

Among the comedies is Joe DiPietro’s “Over the River and Through the Woods,” which follows a young man named Nick Cristano, who must leave his four loving grandparents to pursue his dream job. The play’s two remaining performances take place on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22 and 23, at 8 p.m.

Local favorite Susan Poulin stars in “Ida: Woman who Runs with the Moose,” portraying a woman who lives in the small Maine town of Mahoosuc Mills and shares many of her humorous tales. There will be two performances each on Wednesday, Aug. 20 and Wednesday, Aug, 27, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Poulin also takes the stage in “Spousal Deafness…and Other Bones of Contention,” appearing alongside her real-life husband, Gordon Carlisle. The play uses original music, sketch comedy and painted props to address classic marital issues. There are two performances each on Thursday, Aug. 21 and Thursday, Aug. 28, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The final comedy is Pat Spalding’s “We Stayed Together for the Puppets,” which relays the comic tale of two puppetry performers who toured together for 13 turbulent years. There are two performances at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Tickets for all four comedies are $19, with a $2 discount for seniors.

Guitarist Ed Gerhard will also play a concert at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24. Tickets are $23. Gerhard is a blues-influenced guitarist known for experimenting with open tuning. He has released eight CDs and performed on the Grammy-winning tribute album “Henry Mancini: Pink Guitar.” Musician Lucie Therrien performed on Aug. 17.
Pontine Theatre’s production of “The Story of a Bad Boy” was performed during the last two weeks. For more information, visit www.actonenh.blogspot.com or call 603-329-6025.