The Genesee Center for the Arts at Genesee Community College is holding open auditions for two musicals, scheduled for the spring of 2010.

Auditions for "Chicago" and children's theater "Anansi the Spider and the Middle Passage" are scheduled at 6 p.m. for Monday, Dec. 14 and Tuesday, Dec. 15 in the Stuart Steiner Theatre at the Batavia Campus. These auditions are open to the public and all ages and types of actors are welcome.

Auditions will include singing and dancing combinations and script reading from both shows. Participants should bring sheet music for their audition, a pianist will be provided.

"Chicago" is a Kander and Ebb musical set in Prohibition Era Chicago. The show begins with murder, greed, violence, treachery and corruption. It is set in the Roaring Twenties that were noted for hot jazz and cold-blooded killers. It is the story of a chorus girl named Roxie. She has killed her lover, however she is acquitted thanks to a sleazy lawyer. She dreams of the leading role in a vaudeville show. Roxie teams up with another murderess, Velma Kelly, and together they form an unusual nightclub act which is aimed at keeping them in the spotlight.

"Chicago" is scheduled for April 8-11 at the Genesee Center for the Arts.

"Anansi the Spider and the Middle Passage" is about Anansi, the celebrated spider from African folklore, who tells the story of an African mother and daughter who are kidnapped and sold into slavery. In prison, and later on a slave ship coming to America, the mother calms her daughter by telling her stories of Anansi. With each story, Anansi springs to life along with other characters for action-packed, light-hearted adventures. Taking comfort in Anansi's stories, she is no longer afraid and makes it through the grueling journey on the slave ship. When mother and daughter arrive in America as slaves, they carry with them the folk tales and wisdom of their homeland.

"Anansi the Spider and the Middle Passage" is scheduled for March 10-12 at the Genesee Center for the Arts.

For more information, please contact Maryanne Arena, director of Fine and Performing Arts at Genesee, at 343-0055 x6439.

Last night, young and old alike (some dressed in costumes) enjoyed the opening of "Cinderella," the Rotary Club's 61st musical production. The enthusiastic crowd was enchanted by the tale of the evil stepfamily, handsome prince and pumpkins-turned-carriage, directed ably by Patrick Burk. 

The show opened with ballet-style dancers, a theme that continued througout the show. Paul Spiotta, as the Herald, had the first musical number, his talents setting the bar high for the rest of the show as he proclaimed that "the prince is having a ball." Fortunately, the rest of the show reached the bar easily.

The evil stepmother and stepsisters, portrayed by Jane Burk, Deanna Spiotta and Caryn Burk, entertained everyone with their bickering and over-the-top antics. Whiny, glum Joy and giggling airhead Portia were audience favorites.  

Esteemed Rotary vet Cheryl Maier was the perfect Fairy Godmother, returning to the stage for her ninth Rotary show. Alex Balbi, Shawnie Woeller and Eric Waples also had solid performances as the King, Queen and Prince, providing both comic relief and some sweet romantic moments. 

Rachel Oshlag was a lovely Cinderella, emulating charm and sweetness in her first singing role since her school days.

"I've known Rachel since she was in high school," audience member Patty Pacino told me, "and she is Cinderella." 

"We are very proud of her, and the rest of the cast," her father, Jeff Oshlag, said.

All in all, "Cinderella" makes for an enjoyable evening for the whole family. All of the audience members I spoke to had positive things to say about the show.

"I think this is very enjoyable," said Don Fryling. "It's very entertaining."

Pacino agreed with him:  "I've seen this show before. This one is even more charming. I never knew my dentist could juggle. And I'd never seen Paul Spiotta in tights."

There are three performances remaining: tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2.

The perenially popular fairy tale of "Cinderella" comes to life beginning 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the opening of the 61st annual Rotary Club of Batavia Musical.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic will also be performed Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 and there's a matinee at 2 on Sunday, Nov. 8.

The production is directed by Patrick D. Burk and takes place in the Batavia High School Auditorium, located at 260 State St., in the City of Batavia.

Tickets are $16, available online at <bataviarotary dot com> or at Hawley & Associates Insurance Center, 260 State St. in downtown Batavia, Lawley Genesee in Jefferson Square, or at the door.

More than 40 friends, students, associates, neighbors, citizens, Americans and so forth have put countless hours and great effort into bringing the community this enchanting story. Ditto dozens more in the orchestra and production crew.

It's very much a family show and little ones are welcome -- encouraged -- to come dressed in a befitting costume.

This stage performance of "Cinderella" is one-hour-45-minutes long and has a happy ending, but there's soooo much to keep you entertained until then!

"Once upon a time there was a young maiden named Cinderella, who lived with her wicked stepmother and two wicked stepsisters..."

You are cordially invited to come reimagine the magic, timeless tale of romance-against-the-odds. And invite someone you care about.

Both photos were taken during rehearsals and provided by the Batavia Rotary Club.

I met briefly with Christopher Dailey today.  He is the new Principal at Batavia High School.  His first week has been interesting to say the least.  He started off the week with the National School Boards Association Technology Conference and ends it with the Drama Club Production of OUR TOWN....and the Batavia Invitational Track Tournament...interwoven with a myriad of other things.  Tomorrow morning is his first "Coffee with the Principal".... If you want the chance to meet him...stop on in..... I think you will be impressed.  I know I am.

The nice thing about Chris Dailey's job is that he honestly works with some great people.  Our staff at the High School is quite exemplary.  As I walked the halls, I noticed the work that they were doing for individual students and the innovative ways that we teach, not just with technology, but one to one as well.  I always have been proud of our students with disabilities... at Batavia they are allowed to shine and be a part of a wonderful school community.  They participate in clubs, go on field trips, do plays, partipate in music programs and play sports.  You want to see a staff shine? Look at the Batavia High School Group that works with these wonderful students on a daily basis.  They are true heros in my eyes.  From those that work in food service to the adminstration, there is a special way that they nurture and care for our students.....all of our students.

Tonight is opening night for OUR TOWN...expertly staged and directed by my daughters Caryn Leigh and Malloryann.  It starts at 7:30PM at John Kennedy School.  They make Dad so proud.....and son Nick has the Batavia Track Invitational this weekend - VanDetta Stadium at 3PM.  My daughter Sara Jane is participating in here first "Parent of a Child in a Dance Recital" as my granddaughter hits the boards at the age of four.  Since my granddaughter is an already an excellent ice skater .... I am sure she will be a wonderful dancer, with grace and beauty......she is certainly a beauty anyway.

So that is our weekend.....my show (Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean - 7:30PM at GCC Friday and Saturday), thier show (Our Town - 7:30 at JK Friday and Saturday)....the Track Invitational and the Dance Recital..... Busy....Busy...Busy...and on top of that one birthday to celebrate and Mother's Day.....Brunch sounds good... If we all get the chance to all sit down at the same time that is....

Have a good weekend & to all the Mom's...Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!

Opening Night!!!!  Yikes!!!!! I always get the jitters....not that being nervous isn't what I do best.  I am compulsive about making sure that everything is just right.  Last two nights the PRESS has been there, I have been gluing and painting and tweaking and taping, to insure that the picture I saw in my mind lands on the stage at Genesee Community College.  What a week!!!!   I am so proud of this show...it really does shine!!!

That is where the problem of doing plays or musicals lies.  It depends on how you look at things.  Theater is one of the few art forms that can not be replicated.  I mean, sure we make tapes of certain nights and look at them again...but the alive feeling is what it takes to make the show.....well.... the show.  That only happens once, when the audience member is impacted the first time...it never happens again.  Once played....always lost.  That is the nature of the beast as it stands.  It also is the beauty of LIVE theater.  Each and every performance is its own separate piece of art, subtly being changed each time to be slightly different then before.......

When I start to design theater productions I look at it all as one big painting.  What does each and everything look like in a certain way on stage.  What type of actor will fill this role or what color the drinking glass should be.  I am that centered and compulsive... trust me.   I see the whole thing as a snapshot in the minds of those that will be sitting in the seats in the theater.  If I was a good painter, I probably would paint my scenes...instead I imagine them.... I can only draw stick figures.....  I tend to land on color a lot....Color sets the mood and allows the show to exist in a certain frame of mind.  It either soothes or inflames....or it adds a sense of nostalgia.

So...tonight opening night....All the last minute preparations.....all the work that has yet to be done and all the tickets left to be sold.....  Opening night of "Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" at Genesee Community College - 7:30PM.  As I have said many, many times....this is a dream come true for me.... I am lucky that way.  I have many dreams about shows and performing......playing a certain character or sharing a favorite play or musical.   In Batavia, this community, I get the support to make those dreams come to life.... How indeed fortunate I am.   Please come see our show.

Well what can I say....more than one person  has brought it to my attention that this weekend there are two theater offerings in Batavia.....  The Batavia High School Drama Club's Production of "Our Town" by Thorton Wilder is sure to be wonderful.  It runs Friday, May 9th and Saturday, May 10th at John Kennedy Elementary.  Tickets are avaialble at the door and it begins at 7:30.  "Our Town" has always been a favorite of mine and it is expertly Directed by Caryn Leigh Burk with Assistant Directed by Malloryann Burk.... one could say the apple does not fall far from the tree....or apples as in this case.  I couldn't be more proud to see them both working to share theater with our BHS Students.  Caryn and Malloryann are hard working young people that value the children of Batavia.  Please go see this wonderful piece of Americana.  It will be worth the trip.  Congratulations Caryn on a job well done.....

During this same weekend, the Batavia Players will be presenting "Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean".  It is another slice of Americana that takes place in 1955 Texas during the filming of the movie "Giant" and again in 1975.  A beautifully scripted play with an incredible story line and fresh and exciting characters.   It is no wonder that the likes of Kathy Bates, Karen Black, Sandy Dennis, Sudie Bond and Cher were featured in the Broadway version and that the movie Directed by Robert Altman became a cult classic.  I am fortunate to be directing nine incredible local actors who shine in this production.   Valeria Antonetty, Shawnie Euren, Lynda Hodgins, Peggy Marone, Nikole Marone, Joan Meyer, Patti Michalak and Rachel Oshlag perform thier roles with familiarity and grace.  Working on these colorful and complex characters is  not easy.....IT is exhausting and you will be very impressed by thier efforts.  Oh...we can not forget the great job the one male in the cast.....Jake Bortle, a freshman from LeRoy Central School, is doing.  I was so lucky to find these 9 gracious actors to be in this production.

Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean is this Thursday, May 8th through Saturday, May 10th at the Stuart Steiner Theater, Genesee Community College....7:30PM.  Tickets are $10 General Admission and $8 Seniors/Students.  I guarantee you will enjoy this show.  The Batavia Players are reminding everyone that it is PG-13 in nature and may not be suitable for younger audiences.

So what can I say???  How great is it that we live in this small city with Classic Theater offerings like we have this weekend.  How wonderful for those of us in the arts,  that we have the support of our community and residents.  How proud can I be as a Dad when my daughters and I both have shows on the same weekend.  Make this a special week and see both shows.... We appreciate your support.

Whew...this is a busy time for me so on this wonderful Saturday I wanted to take the time to remind everyone that the Batavia Players, Inc. Spring Show...."COME BACK TO THE 5 & DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN is opening on Thursday, May 8th and running through Saturday, May 10th. Performances are at 7:30 PM at the Stuart Steiner Theater at Genesee Community College. Tickets are $10 for General Admission and $8 for Seniors and Students. The play was a wonderful hit that starred the likes of Cher, Kathy Bates, Sandy Dennis and many more on Broadway. The content is PG - 13 in nature. Please join us this coming week. The play centers around the Kresmonth 5 & Dime outside of Marfa, Texas during the time of filming "Giant". The movie starred Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean. Our characters are depicted in 1955 during the filming and again in 1975 at the 20th Year Reunion of the Disciples of James Dean. A comedy/drama that is brilliant with dialouge and bright in character. I am pleased to direct our local cast which includes Valeria Antonetty, Shawnie Euren, Lynda Hodgins, Nikole Marone, Peggy Marone, Joan Meyer, Patti Michalak, Rachel Oshlag and featuring Jake Bortle as "Joe". I hope that you will all join us for this wonderful production. This is the second of four shows in the Batavia Players, Inc. 2008 Season. Next up - "Jesus Christ Superstar" in August.