Page 1

TAGLines T h e N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e T h e a t r e A r t s G u i l d , I n c . – N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 6

F r e d G o o d h e w , P r e s i d e n t S h e r r y F l e t c h e r , C h a i r / E d i t o r w w w . t h e a t r e a r t s g u i l d . c o m

A Note from the President by Fred Goodhew A Few Well Chosen Words ... (I hope)

Omaha’s No-Smoking Ordinance is now in effect. There are many of us who are glad to see it happen, and there are some that do not agree with the ban. There is one aspect of the law, however, that may have an impact on some of us in the future. I e-mailed Mark Welsh, founder of GASP (Group to Alleviate Smoking Pollution) and asked if smoking is allowed on stage in a live production where smoking is important to the action or the plot. Following is his reply:

“I don’t know of any production, even one about chain-smoking Alan Berg, that absolutely requires smoking on stage. Because I had to threaten to leave a production at the Dundee Dinner Theater once when they needlessly smoked on stage, I know the audience and actors who don’t smoke will be more comfortable now that smoking is not allowed on stage, back stage, or in dressing rooms. This includes during rehearsals.” He goes on to say; “Nonsmoking is the norm, and people should be told if abnormal activity that could kill them will be allowed in the building.”

At the TAG Board of Directors meeting on Oct. 14th, we discussed this problem because we are aware of some productions at Omaha theatres that will be affected by this law. As I was researching this topic on the Internet before the meeting, I found that there are smoking bans in several cities across the country. Some of these laws allow exemptions for stage productions, some do not. When the question came up in Chicago, the Public Safety Director said to ignore it because it wouldn’t be enforced. In some localities appeals were made to amend the law to allow exceptions. Some were successful and some were not. There have also been lawsuits brought against the state or city where the law is in force. One such suit was successful and one is pending. One of the problems with this law is that technically (although not practically) the law would require a production company to violate the Copyright law, in that eliminating smoking would require changing the script in some cases. It has also been said that the law could be a violation of First Amendment rights. I asked Joe Basque, who is an attorney, a playwright and a huge friend of theatre, to attend the meeting and help us determine what steps, if any, should be taken. There are three ways to approach the problem. The first step is to contact the city attorney’s office and to ask for a legal clarification from the city as to whether they consider the no-smoking ban to apply to actors on stage in the course of a performance. Given copyright and First Amendment implications, it is worth finding out whether the city believes that the ordinance should be applied in those circumstances. Joe Basque and Jennifer Gilg will be doing this for us. Many thanks to them. The second possibility is to approach the city council to see if it is possible for the ordinance to be amended to allow an exception. The third option is a lawsuit, which would be expensive and time consuming and not really practical. I will keep you informed of our progress and I invite you to contact me if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.

T A G

N I G H T O U T

Nov. 2 Bellevue Little Theatre

Proposals

Nov. 16 Baby D

Faustfeathers SNAP! Productions

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

__________________________

T H I S I S S U E

On Stage News

The Green Room / Auditions

Other Good Stuff

Theatre Planning Calendar

N E W M E M B E R S

Cali Neuberger Sallie Rada

Garrett Worner

Page 2

On Stage News * The Omaha Community Playhouse Presents King O’ the Moon Now through Nov. 5, Mainstage King O’ the Moon returns to Buffalo and the Polish-Catholic Pazinski family first introduced in Over the Tavern. Now it’s 1969, a tense year marked by war, Woodstock, and the Apollo 11 moon landing. Old family conflicts and secret longings of the heart and soul are played out against the historical magic of man walking on the moon. King O’ the Moon offers warmth, humor, compassion, and social conscience — a satisfying evening at the theatre. Judy Hart, guest director, also directed Over the Tavern in 2004. The cast includes Stephen Shelton as Rudy; Judy Radcliff reprises her role as Rudy’s mother, Ellen. The cast also features Russell Martin, Andrew McGreevy, Jane Noseworthy, Geoffrey Steinblock, and Nora Vetter. Performances run Wednesdays–Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 6:30 p.m. There will be no evening performance on Nov. 5. Tickets are $30/ adults and $19/ students. Mention you are a TAG member to get a $10 discount; membership card required when picking up your ticket. For reservations, call 553-0800. * Papillion-LaVista South High School Presents 42nd Street Nov. 2–5 Performances are Thursday–Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. PLV South High School is located at 108th & Highway 370. * The Omaha Community Playhouse Presents Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge Nov. 3 – Dec. 3, Howard Drew Theatre Yes, the loving, long-suffering wife from Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol is having a series of very bad days. Sick of goody-goody Tiny Tim and her other 20 or so children, all she really wants to do is get drunk and jump off the London Bridge. But then she begins to see and hear a ghost with attitude plus her husband’s employer, a bewildered Ebenezer Scrooge. The Ghost is having trouble with the time travel necessary to teach Scrooge his lesson, so the two keep landing in the pathetic Cratchit home, driving Mrs. Bob increasingly mad. The plot morphs into parodies of other literary classics like Oliver Twist, The Gift of the Magi, and It’s a Wonderful Life, going in many looney directions at once. Playwright Christopher Durang has created a sassy, spicy tale which sets the normally Scrooge-centered holiday tale squarely on its head. Guest Director is Moira Mangiameli; Mary Dew is Stage Manager. The cast includes Tim Abou-Nasr, Paul Cobb, Alex Fowler, Scott Fowler, Tim Herrington, Victoria Means, Natalie Nelson, Tom Neumann, Bailey Newman, Sara Planck, Theresa Sindelar, and Deanna Williams. Performances run Thursdays–Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. only. Tickets are $30/adults, $19/students. Mention you are a TAG member to get a $10 discount; membership card required when picking up your ticket. For reservations or more information, call 553-0800.

* Bellevue Little Theatre Presents Proposals Nov. 3–19 Proposals, by Neil Simon, is a memory play recalling the gathering of the Hines family at a retreat in the 1950s, as told by their housekeeper, Clemma. A father, recovering from a heart attack and anticipating the return of his former wife, a daughter who pines for her former love, a model of limited intellect and a young Miami gangster create a moving day to captivate the audience. Directed by Daena Schweiger with Robin Klusmire as producer, Proposals features Kathryn Aagesen, Tom Blasing, Craig Bond, Deborah Conley, Dale Clymens, Eulish Moore, Jonathan Purcell, Barb Ross and Debbie Zadina. Show times are Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended and may be made by calling 291-1554, Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4p.m. Bellevue Little Theatre is located at 203 W. Mission in Olde Towne Bellevue. * Chanticleer Theatre Presents Nunsense Nov. 3-19 In place of No Time for Sergeants, scheduled to be directed by the late Billy Bohannon in this time slot, Chanticleer presents Nunsense. Featured in the production are Pegi Georgeson, Kathy Gray, Rachel Holmes, Connie Jo Podendorf and Denise Putman. TAG members are invited to attend preview on Thursday, Nov. 2, a fundraiser for Chanticleer’s Billy Bohannon Scholarship Fund. * Baby D Presents John Kessel’s Faustfeathers Nov. 17 – Dec. 10 What happens when a man sells his soul to the devil in order to gain all the knowledge that exists in the universe? You have the Tragedy of Doctor Faustus. Now, what happens when you cast Groucho Marx as Dr. Faustus? Madcap mayhem — Marx Brothers style! On Faustus’ final day on earth, Mephistopheles has come to take him to hell. In the meantime, the pope has sent Frater Albergus and his henchmen (Harpo and Chico) to steal Faustus’ knowledge before it is lost from mankind forever. Chaos ensues. The star cast includes Rob Baker as Groucho, Shane Steiger as Chico, Audrey Fisher as Harpo, Larry Wroten as Frater Albergus, Tyler Swain as Wagner, Teri Fender as Mephistopheles, Denise Chevalier as Helen of Troy and Andrew Yolland as The Clock. Performances are held at the Millennium Theatre located at 316 S. 16th St. (16th & Jackson) in the Union Plaza Building. Faustfeathers runs Thursdays – Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m. Tickets are $17/general admission and $15/students, seniors and TAG members. The Nov. 16 preview performance is a TAG Nite Out benefiting the Theatre Arts Guild Scholarship program. For reservations, call 345-8166, or order tickets online at www.babyd.org.

Page 3

On Stage News * The Omaha Community Playhouse Presents A Christmas Carol A Special (Non-Membership) Production Nov. 17 – Dec. 22, Mainstage The Playhouse’s classic musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol returns with a new Scrooge, refurbished sets and costumes, and the same warm spirit of holiday cheer beloved by over 400,000 audience members over the past three decades. Professional actor Jerry Longe debuts as Scrooge, leading a cast of 40 adults and children in presenting this annual family classic. Performances run Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 6:30 p.m.. The 6:30 p.m. performance on Sunday, Dec. 10, will be shadow-interpreted for the hearing impaired. There will be no performances on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 22 & 23. Tickets are $38/adults and $22/students. Playhouse members receive a discount price of $25 for each membership held. All prices include tax. The TAG discount is NOT available for this special production. For reservations or more information, call 553-0800.

* IWCC Theatre Presents You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Nov. 16-18 Join Charlie Brown and the gang on the Mainstage of the Arts Center at Iowa Western. Directed and choreographed by Jerry R. Ditter, with music direction by Todd Brooks, this charming musical by Clark Gesner includes two new creative additions of the cast's imagination: Charles and Schulz. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. A pre-show starring Omaha favorite Jonathan Wilhoft begins at 7 p.m. each night. Jonathan will perform songs from Clark Gesner’s acclaimed cabaret show, The Jello is Always Red. Gesner wrote these songs as a philosophically lighthearted and honest portrayal of life as he saw it — not unlike Charlie Brown's view of the world. With set design by Carl Dumicich, lighting design by Carol Wisner, and costume design by Jennifer Pool, the show features Drew Alley, Brett Borden, Carrington Cusick, Lauren Koll, Michael Medrano, and Rachel Shelton. For more information, call the box office at (712) 388-7140.

* SNAP! Productions presents The Rise and Fall of Little Voice Nov. 16 – Dec. 10 Winner of the 1992 Evening Standard Best Comedy Award and the 1993 Olivier Award for Best Comedy, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is the story of a young woman who escapes life with her drunken, sniping mother by impersonating the vocal legends of the past. Her world is changed forever when a tacky night-club impresario discovers Little Voice and tries to make her the star she never wanted to become. Written by Jim Cartwright and directed by Michal Simpson, the show features Omaha favorites Liz Heim, M.Michele Phillips, Denny Maddux, Erika Hall, Jeff Nelson and Dustin Hillman. Curtain times are Thursdays–Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m., except Dec. 10, which is at 2 p.m. There will be no performance on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 23.

Tickets are $15/general admission and $12/students, senior citizens, and TAG members. The Nov. 16 preview performance is a TAG Nite Out benefiting the Theatre Arts Guild Scholarship program. Performances are held at the SNAP/Shelterbelt Theatre, located at 3225 California St. For reservations, call 341-2757 or order tickets online at www.snapproductions.com.

* Omaha Performing Arts Presents Miami City Ballet’s Don Quixote Nov. 2, Orpheum Theatre One of the most renowned dance companies in the world, Miami City Ballet is also among the larges in the U.S. The English Concert Nov. 3, Kiewit Concert Hall, Holland Center Led by acclaimed violinist and artistic director Andrew Manze, the ensemble presents a dynamic program celebrating the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth. To order tickets for these performances, call Ticket Omaha at (402) 345-0606 or www.ticketomaha.org.

Brigit St. Brigit Theatre Presents Macbeth Arsenic and Old Lace In repertory now through Nov. 19 More information about both productions can be found in the October TAGLines. Macbeth runs Nov. 10-12 and Arsenic runs Nov. 3-5, and 17-19. Performances are held in Gross Auditorium at the College of St. Mary. Performances are Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Admission is $18/general, $15/seniors, $5/students (College of St. Mary students admitted free with ID). TAG discounts apply. Reservations can be made at 399-6287 or e-mail bsb@csm.edu.

The Grande Olde Players Present Bootstrappers’ Christmas Nov. 16–Dec. 17 This delightful original musical relives the 1950s at the University of Nebraska at Omaha with rock ‘n’ roll and Christmas tunes. Written by Bonnie Gill and Mark Manhard, the show’s plot revolves around a group of students and Bootstrappers who want to help Dr. Milo Bail renovate the Snack Shack at the University. The script completes a trilogy of holiday shows about the military: Christmas in Vermont with the Army, USO Christmas with the Navy, and now, Bootstrappers’ Christmas with the Air Force. Performances are held Thursdays–Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $15/adults, $14/seniors and $5/children under 18. For reservations, contact Colene Moreno at 397-5262.

Submissions for TAGLines must be received by the 14th of the month:

taglines@theatreartsguild.com

Page 4

On Stage News/The Green Room and coming in December … * Mills Maskers Presents It’s a Wonderful Life Dec. 1-3, 8-10 Tickets go on sale Nov. 1

* Omaha Community Playhouse Presents Rave On Dec. 8-30 Tickets on sale now

* Chanticleer Presents Christmas at Chanticleer Dec. 14-17

The German-American Society Presents The Enchanted Tree & A Visit from St. Nick by Die Schnur Puppen Marionette Theatre Dec. 3

Auditions & More Auditions __________________________________________________ * Bellevue Little Theatre The Bellevue Little Theatre announces auditions for the classic mystery, Laura, on Sunday & Monday, Nov. 5 & 6, at the theatre, 203 W. Mission. Director Jim McKain needs five men, ranging in age from late teens to around 50 and three women, ranging in age from 20 to 50. Auditions will consist of reading from the script. Laura will run Jan. 26–Feb. 11. Character information is available at http//:jimmckain.tripod.com/lauracharacters.

* Theatre to Go Theatre To Go is auditioning talent for its six ongoing interactive mysteries. Adult men and women of all ages are sought, with a special need for men age mid-30 to mid-50. All positions are paid and require only two one-hour rehearsals. For more information or to make an appointment to audition, call 397-8887.

Mad Science Mad Science is hiring enthusiastic presenters for the current season of science assemblies for children in preschool and grade school. Performers must be expressive, dependable people with reliable transportation who can carry around 40 pounds of equipment. Positions are paid, part-time. Experience with teaching or working with children is preferred but not required. Training is provided. Contact Cherie Ferber at 931-3311 or cherie@madscienceomaha.com.

& Other Good Stuff __________________________________________________ TAG Selling Younkers Community Day Coupon Books Saturday, Nov. 11, is the date of this fall’s Community Day Sale. TAG is selling coupon books to raise funds for TAG Scholarships.

For only $5, you receive a $10-off coupon, eight 20-percent-off coupons and many other bonuses. TAG keeps the entire purchase price of the coupon book. Everybody wins—for a $5 donation, Younkers gives you $10! Community Day boasts the best sale prices of the season. The private hours for coupon holders are 6–10 a.m., but buyers can pre-shop the week of Nov. 5-10 and pick up their items any time on the 11th. Coupon books are available from any board member or from Pegi Georgeson at 330-7762. Your bargain shopping can help more talented students receive scholarships to pursue their dreams.

Breakfast with Scrooge Meet the new Scrooge and Tiny Tim at this annual family event, Saturday, Dec. 9, 9–11 a.m. at the Omaha Community Playhouse. Breakfast includes pancakes from the famous Pancake Man and family activities. Tickets are $5/children 12 and under and $8/all others. Seating is limited for this popular event. For reservations, visit or call the Playhouse Box Office at 553-0800.

2007 Edward Albee Great Plains Theatre Conference Call for Plays Metro Community College has sent out a call for plays to be work-shopped at the 2007 Edward Albee Great Plains Theatre Conference, scheduled for May 28–June 4 at the Fort Omaha campus. Deadline for submissions is Feb. 16. Check the Web site for updates at www.mccneb.edu/theatreconference.org. For more information, e-mail theatreconfernece@mccneb.edu.

TAG Board Adopts New Ad Rates At the Oct. 14 TAG Board meeting, advertising rates were reviewed and updated. The rate for provided fliers remains at 10c each, and full-page ads remain at $150. Half-page ads are $85, quarter-page ads are $50 and eighth-page ads are $40.

TADA Productions Hosts Comic Hypnotist TADA Productions welcomes hypnotist Doug MacCraw to the Lofte at the Mill Theatre Nov. 17 & 18. Show times are 7:30 p.m., all tickets are $15. For reservations or more information, call (402) 438-TADA (8232) or www.tadaproductions.info/.

Billy Bohannon Memorial Available on DVD & VHS Professionally-taped copies of Billy’s memorial service can be ordered by contacting Linda and Mike Runice at 393-3797.

Harrison County Winter Arts Academy Town and Country Arts and Rusty Horse Productions are excited to offer children ages 10-18 the opportunity to learn stage direction, improvisation and stage makeup and design through a four-day workshop, Dec. 27-30 at the Grand Lodge Arts Center in Modale, Iowa. The workshop runs from 8:30a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday–Friday and 9 a.m. – noon on Saturday, followed by a student performance of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas at 2 p.m. Saturday. Admission to this performance is free with a donation of $1 or a can of food. Proceeds will benefit the Harrison County Food Bank. The cost for the Winter Arts Academy workshop is $50. Registration deadline is Dec. 1. For reservations or brochure, call Sheri Schulz at (712) 645-2811. Space is limited.

Page 5

Page 6

Page 7

* OCP — Mrs. Bob's Wild Binge NAP* OPA — Don Quixote* OPA — The English Concert* BLT — Proposals TNO* Chanticleer — Nunsense BB* Iowa Western — Charlie Brown* SNAP — Little Voice TNO* Baby D — Faustfeathers TNO* OCP — Christmas Carol

Non-Member TheatresBrigit St. Brigit — MacbethBrigit St. Brigit — ArsenicGOP — Bootstrappers' Christmas

Auditions* BLT — Laura* Theatre to Go — By AppointmentMad Science — By Appointment

November Notes:TNO=TAG Nite OutNAP=OCP Benefit for Nite 1000 StarsBB=Bill Bohannon Scholarship NiteNov. 23 is Thanksgiving.

Page 8

Theatre Arts Guild, Inc. P.O. Box 24008

Omaha, NE 68124-0008

www.theatreartsguild.com

Your newsletter is sent bulk mail and not forwarded. Keep your address current!

Send changes to:

TAG c/o Anne Shaughnessy 9523 Parker St. Omaha, NE 68114 membership@theatreartsguild.com November 2006

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

OMAHA, NE

PERMIT NO 1024

T A G B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s & G e n e r a l I n f o r m a t i o n

Jerry Abels (2008), Recording Secretary, (712) 329-9066 jlabels@hotmail.com JoAnn Goodhew (2008), Program Chair, (402) 391-2270 2andplaces@cox.net Zach Baltz (2006-7) Teen Rep, North High School Liz Heim, Ex-officio, Awards Chair, (402) 552-9326 Tom Bertino, Webmaster, Ex-officio webmaster@theatreartsguild.com Laura Jay (2007), (402) 517-8707 laura.jay@hotmail.com Craig Bond (2009), Treasurer, (712) 322-6442 seebee65@yahoo.com Emily Neve (2009), Scholarship Co-Chair, (402) 960-1811 elmo088@hotmail.com

Allison Botkin (2008) 672-0806 alisonbotkin@yahoo.com Carli Neuberger (2006-7) Teen Rep, Burke High School Mary Carrick, Past President, ex-officio, (402) 344-3257 mecarrick@hotmail.com Karli Newman (2009), (402) 561-0988 karli23@msn.com Cristie Cavel (2006-7) Teen Rep, Central High School Les Schultz, (2008) Finance, (402) 630-6254 les@schulzfinancial.com Terry DeBenedictis (2009), (712) 323-7529 tdeben8728@aol.com Anne Shaughnessy (2009), Membership Chair, (402) 390-9316

ashaughn@mpsomaha.org Sherry Fletcher (2009), TAGLines Editor/e-broadcasts taglines@theatreartsguild.com

Diane Watson (2007), Corresponding Secretary, (402) 346-0949 dianemwatson@yahoo.com

Pegi Georgeson (2007), Scholarship Co-Chair, (402) 330-7762 jp1419@aol.com Jim Watson (2008) Historian, (402) 346-7598 husker557@cox.net Fred Goodhew (2007), President/Tag Nite Out Chair, (402) 391-2270 fredg1@cox.net

• The next Board of Directors Meeting will be held Saturday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. at the Omaha Community Playhouse. Board meetings are held the second Saturday of each month. All TAG Members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please call Fred Goodhew at (402) 391-2270 if you plan to attend.

• The final DEADLINE for items, articles and advertisements for the December Newsletter is Tuesday, Nov. 14. • To submit newsletter information/articles, send via e-mail to taglines@theatreartsguild.com or mail to TAG, Attn: Sherry Fletcher, Box 24008, Omaha,

NE 68124. • To advertise in TAGLines, e-mail taglines@theatreartsguild.com. Our rates cover both inserted flyers (which you supply) and printed advertisements.

Check out our advertising rates at www.theatreartsguild.com. Non-members may only advertise theatre-related business. • To sign up for members-only access at www.theatreartsguild.com, send an e-mail to webmaster@theatreartsguild.com.