This week, dozens of local actors are bringing ABBA sheet music to the Shoppingtown Mall for a chance to be in the Central New York Playhouse’s production of “Mamma Mia!” — a central New York amateur premiere.

The open auditions began Sunday night and will continue through Oct. 16. Co-director Abel Searor said he expects a sizable turnout for the mega-hit musical.

“I’m a little scared for my life for the next three days,” he jokingly said on Saturday. “I think it’s going to be a lot, but we’ve got a really great production team and a lot of people on hand to answer questions and things like that.”

“Mamma Mia!” is the second show of the playhouse’s 2019 season, opening on Feb. 14. Searor said auditions start with a dance call, which allows him to see auditioners’ personalities and energy. He said one of the most important things is that people are having a good time — even if they miss a step.

The show rights for “Mamma Mia!” became available only recently. CNY Playhouse Artistic Director Dustin Czarny said the performance rights for musical hits such as “Mamma Mia” are not easy to get.

“When they become available, every theater company in town tries to get them,” he said. “We were lucky and got them first.”

CNY Playhouse has one of the busiest performance schedules in the upstate New York area — they put up a new show every month. Here are the other shows rounding out the theater’s 2019 season.

Blithe Spirit

When: Jan. 11-26

Derek Potocki will direct “Blithe Spirit,” a comedy by Noel Coward. The story follows a author who calls on a medium to perform a séance in order to find inspiration for his next novel.

Les Liaisons Dangereuses

When: March 15-23

“Les Liaisons Dangereuses” is a French play about manipulative ex-lovers who use seduction to control other people. Dustin Czarny, who is set to direct the play, wanted to put on the project with his wife, a local actress.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead

When: April 12-27

Set to be directed by Alyssa Otoski-Keim, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” is a dramatic adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” The story is told from the points of view of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters in “Hamlet,” who are the leads in this inverse of Shakespeare’s original “Hamlet.”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

When: May 10-18

Following CNY Playhouse’s tradition of an annual Shakespeare play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be directed by William Edward White. This classic tale explores themes of love, loss, jealousy and magic as several characters comedically chase their desires.

Rumors

When: June 7-22

Korrie Taylor, a member of the CNY Playhouse staff, and the producing director of the Baldwinsville Theatre Guild, will direct Neil Simon’s hit comedy “Rumors.” This will be her first time directing “Rumors,” but has worked on the show previously with other theater companies.

For Taylor, “Rumors” has a special place in her heart — she met her husband when they performed in BTG’s 2007 production. They starred as “Cassie” and “Ken,” respectively.

Reefer Madness

When: July 12-27

Each summer, CNY Playhouse presents a high-energy musical. In the 2019 year, Czarny will direct “Reefer Madness,” a comedy about jazz, sex, violence and marijuana. The score is filled with swing, Vegas-style and classic Broadway tracks.

Czarny has worked on “Reefer Madness” before and said the musical is “pure fun.”

Our Lady of 121st Street

When: Aug. 9-17

“Our Lady of 121st Street,” set to be directed by Lynn Barbato King, is a dark comedy about the death of a nun, whose corpse has disappeared. The 12 characters bond over the emotional time, sharing concerns about their lives.

Arsenic and Old Lace

When: Sept. 6-21

“Arsenic and Old Lace” is a dark comedy about a homicidal family. The story follows Mortimer Brewster, a drama critic, as he navigates love and handles his mischievous aunts and brother.

Searor will direct “Arsenic and Old Lace” — the first piece of live theater he ever saw as a child. This will be Searor’s first time directing a straight play after years of experience as a music director.

For Searor, “Arsenic and Old Lace” is a nice balance of darkness and comedy. He said he looks forward to working on “the lighter side of theater,” after previously working on more serious shows.

The Addams Family

When: Oct. 11-26

Bella Calabria will direct “The Addams Family,” a musical about a family dealing with teenage antics, familial conflict and too many secrets. Searor will music direct “The Addams Family,” along with every other musical this season. The score features Broadway hits, including “When You’re An Addams” and “One Normal Night.”

Next Fall

When: Nov. 8-16

“Next Fall,” set to be directed by Liam Fitzpatrick, is an American play that explores themes of commitment, faith and love.

Annie

When: Dec. 6-21

The classic tale about the little orphan Annie will be directed by Shannon Tompkins, who has years of experience directing both youth and high school theater. Searor said this is the first time CNY Playhouse has presented a musical geared toward casting children, but they plan on partnering with local schools to help cast the show.

Taylor said she is excited for “Annie” because she hopes to be in the show with her daughter, who plans on auditioning.

Published on October 15, 2018 at 8:17 pm

Contact Haley: hrober03@syr.edu