Stowetheatre.com • 67 Main St., P.O. Box 1381, Stowe • January 2016
Happy New Year from Stowe Theatre Guild!
We are pleased to announce our 2016 season, which will feature a couple of frequently
requested shows, a sci-fi cult favorite, and Stowe’s first non-musical offering since 2011.
We love welcoming theatre-lovers from the surrounding area to support us in bringing great
theatre to Stowe. There are opportunities for season and show sponsors, on-stage talent,
and behind-the-scenes volunteers … or buy yourself tickets to the shows and support us as
an audience member!
Our season starts with the family-friendly musical SEUSSICAL™. The second show welcomes
back STG alumni and 2015 scholarship winners to direct and produce the play ALMOST,
MAINE. Next up is the hugely popular rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. And closing out
our season, the fourth show will be the campy cult classic THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW.
“We are excited to present our 2016 season! I encourage you to audition for one of our
shows or get involved backstage. There is always a need for help with set construction,
painting, lighting, sound, and all the other jobs that support the people on stage.
Join our team for a fun and exciting summer at the theatre!”
— Don Mersereau, president
PARTNERS IN THE ARTS
We are seeking community partners for each of our four shows this year! If you represent a
nonprofit or other community organization and would like to collaborate with one of our
shows — through a food drive, donation setup or other creative cross-promotion — please
contact our community affairs chair Kim Anetsberger at jaimemonbebe@gmail.com.
Stowe Theatre Guild is proud to be part of the Stowe Arts and Culture Council, an
organization dedicated to promoting our community as a cultural destination.
Our four shows are also part of Vermont Arts 2016, a year-long celebration
highlighting the stunning array of arts events, concerts, festivals, exhibits,
and openings that take place all across the state.
Learn more at vermontartscouncil.org.
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AUDITIONS
Check out audition and character information for each of our four shows here!
Auditions and callbacks, if needed, will be held at the Town Hall Theatre.
Updated audition information can be found on our website; check stowetheatre.com and
Facebook for the latest info. Mark your calendars for audition dates you may be interested
in, and don’t forget — if you’re not cast, or not interested in being on stage, we would LOVE
to have you volunteer with us!
VOLUNTEER!
Stowe Theatre Guild is a small nonprofit that is mostly run by volunteers, including the board
of directors — so we’re always looking for more people to join us in bringing shows to life!
Whether you want to build sets, run lights or sound, paint, create costumes and props, or get
involved with one or more of our committees in marketing, community affairs, fundraising or
more, we’d love to have you join our team. Email info@stowetheatre.com and let us know
what you’d like to help with or learn more about.
FIND US
Our street address is the beautiful Town Hall Theater on the second level of the Akeley
Soldiers Memorial Building, 67 Main St. in Stowe. Our mailing address for all correspondence
is P.O. Box 1381, Stowe, VT 05672.
You can call us at (802) 253-3961; please leave a message with your contact information.
Visit us online at stowetheatre.com for the most up-to-date info, as well as on Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram to take a peek behind the scenes during our summer season.
ALUMNI NEWS
• Congratulations to our 2015 scholarship winners: Mia Angione, who’s currently studying
communication sciences at UVM; Sarah Espey, who’s at the School of Dramatic Arts at the
University of Southern California; and Sam Smith, who’s at the University of St. Thomas. Our
two other winners, Owen Leavey (studying musical theatre at the CAP21 professional
program in NYC) and Devin Kiernan (pre-law at Elon University) are returning to STG to direct
and produce our second show, “Almost, Maine”!
• STG alum Oscar Williams, last seen as Colin Craven in 2014’s “The Secret Garden,” is
currently on Broadway in “Fun Home,” which opened in the spring of 2015 and won five
Tony Awards (out of 10 nominations!), including Best Musical.
• Paul Heesang Miller, whose STG shows included “Titanic,” “A Chorus Line,” “The
Fantasticks” and more, is also on Broadway in “The King and I,” which won four out of its
nine Tony nominations, including Best Revival of a Musical.
• Liana Hunt, whose first show was STG’s “The Secret Garden” in 1998, recently wrapped a
run as Nessarose in the Munchkinland national tour of “Wicked,” and in the past few years
has starred in both “Newsies” and “Mamma Mia” on Broadway!
Bravissimi!
JOIN US ON THE WEB!
Facebook & Twitter
@StoweTheatre
Instagram
@StoweTheatreGuild
#STG2016
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Music by Stephen Flaherty • Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
Co-conceived by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Eric Idle
Based on the works of Dr. Seuss
Auditions: Friday, Feb. 12, 6-9 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 13, 9 a.m.-noon and
1 to 4 p.m. Callbacks, if needed, will be Sunday, Feb. 14, 1-4 p.m.
Shows (12): Thursday-Saturday, June 16-18, 23-25, 30 and July 1-2, 7:30
p.m., and Sunday, June 19, 26 and July 3, 2 p.m.
Director — Beth Esmond • Music Director — Carol Spradling
Producer — Scott Esmond • Choreographer — Jean-Marie Mellichamp
SEUSSICAL™ is a musical based on the works of Dr. Seuss, but it isn’t just a string of his stories set to music. And it
isn’t just one of his stories; it’s a story that weaves together Seuss’s most famous words and characters in
unexpected new ways. This is a diverse cast with many opportunities for features. We welcome actors of all
ages and encourage families to audition together.
The Cat in the Hat
Male or female, any age; range: F2-F4 (male) or G3C5 (female)
Our story’s omniscient narrator, he is fun-loving and
enjoys rhyming. Pops up throughout the story to help
the audience. The Cat should be a great mover.
Needs to climb up a ladder and into a tree.
Jojo
Male or female, stage age 8-12; range Ab3-C5
The Mayor’s son, he is a Who and is always finding
trouble. Bright, creative, imaginative, and
inadvertently mischievous. If a female is cast, she
would play a boy. Strong, confident singer with ability
to sing counterpoint (demonstrating this at auditions
will be a plus).
Horton the Elephant
Male, stage age 20-40; range A2-F4
Our story’s main character, he is a compassionate
and gentle elephant. He is protective and loving of all
creatures in the jungle.
Gertrude McFuzz
Female, stage age 20-30; range F3-F5
Horton’s one-feathered-tail bird neighbor. Gertrude is
sweet and timid. Though kind and loyal, she is also
self-conscious of her shortfalls. Gertrude must sing
sweetly and also belt to a D5.
Mayzie La Bird
Female, stage age 20-40; range G3-Eb5
The most beautiful bird in all of the jungle. Oblivious to
her self-centered ways, she relies on her talent of
manipulation, and intoxicating beauty, to navigate
her way through life. Must be a belter.
The Sour Kangaroo
Female, stage age 25-50; range F#3-F5
The “leader” of the jungle. A caring mother, but
unabashedly loud, sassy and soulful. Think Aretha.
Bird Girls
Female, teens and up
Triple threats, in a perfect world. They will act as
backup dancers (mostly Latin feel). They sing much of
the story in three-part harmony. Each will sing solo at
some point in the show.
The Wickersham Brothers
Male, possibly one female, teens and up
Monkeys! Triple threats, in a perfect world; strong
dancers and possibly acrobatic. Will sing solo and in
three-part harmony.
Yertle the Turtle/Who
Male, teen and up
Low bass. Could double as Grinch or Wickersham.
Grinch/Who
Male, teen and up
Low bass. Could double as Yertle or Wickersham.
Mr. Mayor/Who
Stage age 30 and up
Strong singer. Could also play circus performer or
animal.
Mrs. Mayor/Who
Stage age 30 and up
Strong singer. Could also play circus performer or
animal.
General Genghis Khan Schmitz/Who
Stage age 25 and up
Strong singer with good comedic timing. Could
double as Wickersham. Will also play circus performer
or animal.
Cindy Lou Who; Who women; Who children
Double as circus performers or animals; could be
featured dancers.
Pre-registration is suggested; contact the director at
bethesmond@gmail.com to reserve a spot.
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A play by John Cariani
Developed by the Cape Cod Theatre Project
•••
“Almost, Maine” is presented by special arrangement
with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
Auditions: Friday, March 18, 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, March
19, noon-3 p.m. Callbacks TBD.
Shows (12): Wednesday-Saturday, July 20-23, 27-30
and Aug. 3-6, 7:30 p.m.
Director — Owen Leavey
Producer — Devin Kiernan
Assistant Director/Stage Manager — Sean Jacobson
On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, nothing is quite what it seems in the remote town of
Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hang above the star-filled sky, the couples of this small town find
themselves falling in and out of love on a Friday night in unexpected and sometimes hilarious ways. Knees
are bruised. Hearts are broken. But everything heals in time … almost.
Cast of characters:
The following 19 characters will be played by just four actors: two men and two women, all in their teens to
early 20s. Every scene only involves two actors. Each actor will be assigned at least four characters to play.
This means that the actors do not have to fit any specific type in order to audition!
Pete and Ginette, a young couple who have been dating for a short time.
East, an average repair man, and Glory, an out-of-state hiker.
Jimmy, a sad and lonely guy, Sandrine, his ex-girlfriend and a very salty Waitress.
Marvalyn, a woman doing her weekly laundry, and Steve, the boy who can’t feel pain.
Gayle and Lendall, the long-time boyfriend and girlfriend.
Randy and Chad, two “county potato farmers.”
Phil, a working man, and his wife, Marci.
Hope, a woman who has traveled the world, and a Man, who has not.
And, last but not least, Rhonda, a rough-and-tough Maine woman, and Dave, the not-so-rough-and-tough
Maine man who is in love with her.
Pre-registration is suggested; contact the director at Owen.leavey@gmail.com to reserve a spot.
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Lyrics by Tim Rice • Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is presented through an exclusive
arrangement with R&H Theatricals and Two Knights Rights
Auditions: Friday, Feb. 19, 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m.
to 2 p.m. Callbacks, if needed, will be Sunday, Feb. 21, 1-3 p.m.
Shows (12): Wednesday-Saturday, Aug. 17-20, Aug. 24-27,
Aug. 31 and Sept. 1-3, 7:30 p.m.
Director — Scott Weigand • Music Director — Stefanie Weigand
Producer — Kathi Kiernan • Choreographer — Taryn Noelle
Jesus Christ, the world’s first superstar! Andrew Lloyd Webber’s thrilling rock opera takes a sometimes
irreverent, always-impassioned look at Jesus’ last days, with a modern twist.
As Judas begins to question the motivations and methods of his friend and mentor, emotion and true belief
is put to the test. Propelled by a stirring score by the creators of “Phantom of the Opera” and “Evita,” JESUS
CHRIST SUPERSTAR illuminates the transcendent power of the human spirit with a passion that goes straight to
the heart.
•••
Casting will not be gender-specific; all roles are open to men and women.
Judas
20s-30s, rock tenor
Jesus’ strategic confidante; dedicated, passionate,
conflicted, unshakably practical; torn between an
aggressive sense of self-preservation and the ideals
of Jesus’ religious movement.
Jesus
20s-30s, rock tenor
As much a pop culture idol as a religious leader;
driven, charismatic, attractive, sincere; has a
greater understanding of the dangers and matters
at hand than any of his followers.
Mary Magdalene
18-30, folk mezzo
Struggles with aligning her worldly past with Jesus’
message; hopeful, steadfast, fragile, sweet with an
edge.
Pontius Pilate
30s-40s, rock baritone
Roman governor; calculated, thoughtful, adept at
handling pressure, not quick to use the gravity of his
power.
Caiphas
30s-50s, bass
High Priest of the Pharisees; at the top of a crumbling
system and violently resistant to conceding his
place; severe, strategic.
Simon
20s-40s, rock tenor
Particularly enthusiastic supporter of the anarchist
aspect of Jesus’ mission; reckless, extreme, ready for
an uprising.
Herod
30s-50s, bari-tenor
King of Galilee responsible for determining the fate
of its Jewish captives; corrupt, condescending,
decadent, charming.
Disciples, Priests, Ensemble
Teens-50s
Must be singers who are at home in pop/rock
stylings; sight-reading and musicianship skills a plus.
Pre-registration is strongly suggested; contact producer Kathi Kiernan at
the_kiernans@yahoo.com to reserve a spot.
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Book, music and lyrics by Richard O’Brien
Produced by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
Auditions: Saturday, March 5, 9 a.m.-noon, and 1-4 p.m.
Callbacks, if needed, will be Sunday, March 6, 1-4 p.m.
Shows (12): Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 5-8, 12-15
and 19-22, 7:30 p.m.
Director — Patrick Houle • Music Director — Carol Spradling
Producer — Judith Mathison • Choreographer — Taylor Cammer
Brad and Janet are an innocent young couple who run into some
car trouble and decide to ask the inhabitants of a creepy castle for some help. Little do they know one of
those inhabitants, Dr. Frank N. Furter, is bent on world domination and creating the “perfect man.” They are
soon to be dragged into his unusual and nefarious plans in this campy and fun classic rock musical send-up of
1950s science fiction films. Featuring a rock soundtrack, this unique musical will both involve the audience
(complete with prop bags!) and whip them into a frenzy.
Due to the mature content of this show, those who wish to audition must be at least 18 years old.
Dr. Frank N. Furter
Stage age 30-45; baritone, D3-G4
Frank is a transvestite scientist from Transsexual,
Transylvania. He is brilliant but completely mad, and
obsessed with creating the “perfect man.” He is
charismatic and confident, but also menacing. His
plans for world domination and his hedonistic
lifestyle know no bounds.
Brad Majors
Stage age 20-35; bari-tenor, Bb2-G4
Brad is a quirky, innocent, naive and classic allAmerican young man. Although he is more than a
bit square and out of his element, he does attempt
to put a brave face on in any situation and is very
much in love with his fiancée, Janet.
Janet Weiss
Stage age 20-35; mezzo-soprano, A3-Eb5
Janet is the classic all-American “goodie goodie.”
She is easily frightened and confused. She has the
tendency to be emotionally weak and caves into
pressure easily. This role requires an actress who has
great comedic timing.
Riff Raff
Stage age 25-45; rock tenor, D3-B4
Riff Raff is a creepy man who resembles a zombie.
He has a talent for making normal conversation
seem very awkward and menacing. He is Frank’s
handyman and even though he appears to serve
willingly, his true motives are darker and more
sinister.
Magenta
Stage age 25-45; mezzo-soprano belt, Bb3-Eb5
Riff Raff’s sister and Frank’s domestic servant. She is
insane, alternating from being sweet and
comforting to being angry and erratic in a span of
seconds. She has a bizarre relationship with her
brother. Actress who plays this part must have a
menacing presence.
Columbia
Stage age 20-35; mezzo-soprano belt E4-E5
Columbia is a groupie of Frank’s. She is desperately in
love with him and with Eddie. Despite being human,
she is just as involved in the bizarre happenings with
Frank’s group as anyone else. Tap dancing is a plus!
Rocky
Stage age 20-35; tenor, A3-G4
Rocky is the magnificent creation of Frank. He is wellmuscled and very sexy. He is very intelligent in some
respects, but like a newborn baby in others.
Dr. Everett Scott *
Stage age 40-70; baritone, E3-F#4
Dr. Scott is Brad and Janet’s professor and Eddie’s
uncle. He is a crusty old scientist who may or may not
have a Nazi past. He has been tracking the actions of
Frank and his gang.
Eddie *
Stage age 20-35; baritone, E3-F#4
Eddie is a deliveryman and one of Frank’s ex-lovers. It
is implied that Eddie had a substance abuse issue.
Once he fell out of favor with Frank, possibly for an
affair with Columbia, he became a lab rat for Frank.
The Criminologist *
Stage age 25-70; non-singing
The Criminologist is a very conservative person who
pops in to narrate various points during the show. This
role could be played by a man or a woman.
Phantoms
Various singing parts
Four to six “phantoms” will act as ensemble members.
These roles require good singers and versatile actors
who are comfortable in a variety of different roles.
* The roles of Dr. Scott and Eddie may be doubled,
and the Criminologist may double as a Phantom.
Pre-registration is suggested; contact the director at
Patrick.houle@jsc.edu to reserve a spot.
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TICKETS
Tickets are $25 per adult and $15 for patrons aged 18 and under, inclusive of all taxes and
fees. Tickets can be purchased online at stowetheatre.com through our ticketing service, or
at the door if available. The box office opens two hours prior to showtime, and accepts cash
and checks.
Ticket reservations, for season ticket holders and family and corporate sponsors, may be
made by contacting our ticket manager at tickets@stowetheatre.com or by leaving a
message at (802) 253-3961.
SEASON TICKETS
A four-pack of tickets — one for each show — is available currently for $70, the lowest price
of the year! Season ticket prices will increase beginning February 15, so get yours today!
(They also make fantastic gifts!)
Season tickets can be purchased via the link at stowetheatre.com, or by sending us a check
at P.O. Box 1381, Stowe, VT. Please include your name, contact information and address so
we can get in touch!
SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISING
Our shows would not be possible without the support of the amazing individuals, families and
businesses that make up our community. We invite you to support us by becoming a family
or business sponsor.
• Family packages start at $125 and include the lowest price on season tickets, preferred
seating, and thanks in our season program.
• Corporate sponsorships start at $750, and include tickets, preferred seating, your logo on
promotional materials, a verbal thank-you each night as part of the show’s curtain speech,
advertisement in our season program and more.
• Do you own a business that would like to partner with us in a creative way? Restaurant
nights, themed specials, ticket packages — we’d love to hear your ideas!
• For program advertising, check stowetheatre.com for information on ad sizes and prices.
Email sponsorship chair Scott Weigand at scottweigand1@gmail.com, or finance chair
Hannah Marshall at hcmarshall@gmail.com, for more information.
The Last Five Years
Feb. 25-28, March 3-6
Mary Poppins
April 1-3, 7-10
Featuring STG alum
Matt Bacewicz with
Megan Beaucage
Featuring STG alums including
Elizabeth Pattison
as Mary Poppins
• You Can’t Take it With You
• Once Upon a Mattress
• Deathtrap
• Twelve Angry Jurors
Annual meeting Jan. 30
Essexplayers.com
Lyrictheatrevt.com
Lcplayers.com
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Board of Directors
Committees
Don Mersereau, president
Lynn Baumrind, vice president, founding member
Hannah Marshall, treasurer
Kim Anetsberger, secretary
Molly Atkins
Glenn Brown
Beth Esmond
Barb Pfitzenmayer
Matthew Pierce
Kristin Silverman
Scott Weigand
Community Affairs
Chair: Kim Anetsberger
Finance
Chair: Hannah Marshall
House
Chair: Lynn Baumrind
Personnel
Chair: Matt Pierce
Publicity
Co-chairs: Jane Harissis and Kristin
Silverman
Show Selection
Chair: Jane Harissis
Sponsorship/Fundraising
Chair: Scott Weigand
Tech
Chair: Don Mersereau
Tickets
Chair: Robin Trowbridge
Please contact us if you are interested in joining a
committee! Info@stowetheatre.com.
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