It's Audition Time!

Auditions for Little Shop of Horrors

Auditions for the hilarious and terrifying Little Shop of Horrors will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Geneva on May 18, 24, and 25 at 7:00 pm. Actors should come prepared with a song that demonstrates their range and ability. There will also be cold readings from the script as well as a dance audition.

Major roles to be cast:

• SEYMOUR - Mid-twenties and perhaps balding a little. He is and insecure, naive, put-upon, florist's clerk hero. Above all, he's a sweet and well-meaning little man.
• AUDREY - The bleached-blond secret love of Seymour¹s life. Sweet and vunerable.
• MR. MUSHNIK - Their boss. A failure of an East Side florist. His accent, if he has one, is more that of middle class New York than of Eastern Europe. He seldom smiles but often sweats.
• ORIN - A tall, dark, handsome dentist with a black leather jacket and sadistic tendencies. Think of an egotistical pretty-boy.
• THE PLANT (AUDREY II) - An anthropomorphic cross between a Venus flytrap and an avocado. The creature is played by a series of four increasing large puppets, manipulated by one Puppeteer. The first time we see The Plant, it is less than one foot tall. The last time we see it, it fills the entire stage.
• VOICE OF THE PLANT - Provided by an actor on an offstage microphone. The sound is a cross between Otis Redding, Barry White, and Wolfman Jack, a street-smart, funky, conniving villain.
• CRYSTAL, RONNETTE AND CHIFFON - Three female street urchins who function as participants in the action and a Greek Chorus outside it. They're young, hip, smart and the only people in the whole cast who REALLY know what's going on.
• VARIOUS ROLES ­ Such as street people, winos, customers, reporters, etc. (who comprise the "chorus") will be cast according to need.

Auditions for Youth Theatre's production, Disney's Aladdin

• What: Auditions for our Summer 2008 production
• Who: Students in grades 4 through 12 (Geneva and non-Geneva kids!)
• Where: Geneva High School auditorium, Geneva
• Bring: a picture of yourself, and be dressed to dance
• When: Saturday, May 31
• Students entering Grades 8 through 12 at 9:00 a.m.
• Students entering Grades 4 through 7 at 1:00 p.m.

Download our audition information sheet (.doc format, 333 Kb)

Download our audition flyer (.pdf format, 184 Kb)

The Geneva Theatre Guild Youth Theatre will hold auditions and registration for this summer's production at the Geneva High School auditorium from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on May 31. Young people currently in the fourth through twelfth grades are invited to audition for this summer's production of Disney's Aladdin. Those interested in participating should bring a photograph of themselves as well as a copy their summer schedule. Those who wish to perform should expect to do a short audition which will include some acting, singing and dancing. No preparation is necessary, and participation is free. Disney's Aladdin will be directed by award-winning local director Pam Rapoza with musical direction by Jennifer DeMillo. Performances of Disney's Aladdin will be at The Smith Opera House in Geneva on July 25th and 26th at 7:00pm and July 27th at 2:00.

Disney's Aladdin is a stage version of the Disney movie set in Agrabah, City of Enchantment, where every beggar has a story and every camel has a tail! All of your favorite characters are here, including Aladdin, Jasmine, and of course, the Genie. Filled with magic, mayhem, and flying carpet rides, the audience's spirit will soar with excitement. Most of all, the tuneful, Academy award-winning score with songs including "A Whole New World" and "Friend Like Me" will certainly make this musical a favorite for many years to come!

News From the Youth Theatre and Curvin Players

Disney's Aladdin Selected as Summer '08 Youth Theatre Musical

The newly formed Student Advisory Committee (ten juniors and seniors that are GTGYT past participants) used a group selection process to choose Aladdin from an initial list of more than a dozen shows. We are proud that they selected a show that will appeal to younger kids while still presenting a challenge for the older ones. We are also happy that Director Pam Rapoza will return for her fourth GTGYT production.

Schoonover and Fryer to Co-Direct Summer '08 Curvin Players

We are proud to announce the co-directors for the Summer '08 Nancy Curvin Playground Players. Adam Fryer is in his final semester at Finger Lakes Community College studying psychology and most recently performing in Resident Alien. Hannah Schoonover is a senior at Geneva High School and was seen this spring in their production of Fiddler on the Roof. Both Adam and Hannah are seasoned Curvin veterans, and we are excited to have them onboard in leadership roles. Look for a show announcement soon!

Youth Theatre and Curvin Players Awarded National Grant

GTGYT was awarded a generous grant from the J.M. McDonald Foundation, located in Evergreen, Colorado. The grant was given in support of our summer musical as well as the Curvin Playground Players. The Foundation was impressed by the longevity of the programs and their wide impact on the communities that we serve. We thank the grant panel for this award and look forward to being able to enhance our programming.

They're Playing Our Song Wins TANYS Awards

GTG's production of They're Playing Our Song was recently awarded three Merit Awards by the Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS). Congratulations to our award winners!

• Excellence in Performance to Laura D. Feligno for her portrayal of Sonia Walsk
• Meritorious Achievement to R.J. Rapoza for his portrayal of Vernon Gersh
• Meritorious Achievement to Annie Bachman and her Band for their musical expertise and adaptability

Comments from the adjudicator were as follows:

Geneva Theatre Guild's production of They're Playing Our Song was a delightful musical theatre experience. It provided its audience with strong comedic and musical theatre moments. It was a joy to watch this cast bring to life this rarely done piece of theatre. Another fine production by this accomplished director and company.

They're Playing Our Song was presented February 8-10, 2008, at Ventosa Vineyards, presented as dinner theatre. This charming love story by Neil Simon, with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, was based on the real-life relationship of Hamlisch and Sager: a wisecracking composer finds a new offbeat lyricist, but initially the match is not one made in heaven. The two undergo a series of trials and overcome a number of hurdles before finding true love by the final curtain.

They're Playing Our Song was essentially a two-character show with Vernon, played by R.J. Rapoza, and Sonia, played by Laura Feligno, as the sole characters on stage, but each character had a three-person Greek Chorus acting as their inner voices. Vernon’s chorus was sung by Chadwick Bourne, Robert Stobie and Adam Fryer, and Sonia’s chorus was sung by Megan Craver, Joanne Saracino and Emily Swenson. The production was directed by Pam Rapoza, with Annie Bachman as Music Director. Aerin Lanphear was Stage Manager and Prop Person, Becky Wagner worked the costumes, Ralph Sinicropi was Sound, and Eleanor Stearns was the Producer.

Ventosa Vineyards, located on the Northeast shore of Seneca Lake and one of the newest wineries in the Finger Lakes was chosen to give a picturesque setting to this romantic comedy.