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recent news & reviews
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THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
A musical by William Finn and Rachel Sheinken
Winner of 2 Tony Awards in 2005, Spelling Bee tells the story of a group of young misfit over-achievers as they vie for victory in a regional spelling competition, with heart-warming and hysterical results. Music and lyrics are by William Finn (Falsettos, A New Brain).
The extraordinary young cast of spellers includes many new faces to Mad Cow, including Brent Wakelin, Alex Ferguson, Sara Catherine Barnes, Regina Fernandez, and Eric Bridges, as well as Mad Cow favorite Melissa Mason (Urinetown, Sweeney Todd). Rounding out the cast are Jay T. Becker (Fully Committed, Assassins), Priscilla Bagley, and Trevor Nicholas. In addition, 4 members of the audience will be selected to be contestants in that evening’s competition!
Directed by Rob Anderson (An Inspector Calls, The Matchmaker)
Music Directed by Robin Jensen (Sweeney Todd, Urinetown)
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs from September 11 - October 18, 2009 at Mad Cow Theatre in Downtown Orlando. Tickets can be purchased through the Mad Cow Box Office at 407.297.8788 or on-line at madcowtheatre.com.
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THE SAD CASE OF JERRO - ZORRO'S YOUNGER BROTHER
Zorro’s younger brother is at it again!
Join the fun as we read David McElroy’s new comedy screenplay “The Sad Case of Jerro—Zorro’s Younger Brother.” A portion of the proceeds will benefit the University Unitarian Universalist Society’s Building Fund! I will be reading the role of Lolita, the Governor's other daughter.
Saturday, June 13 at the University Unitarian Universalist Society, 11648 McCulloch Rd, Orlando, Fl 32817. There will be dinner at 5:00 PM.
Individual tickets are $7.00 and $12.00 for family. (Childcare for children under age of 10 available at the reading.)
For more information, visit Roger Moore's blog "Frankly My Dear" on the Orlando Sentinel website.
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ELEGIES FOR ANGELS, PUNKS AND RAGING QUEENS
By Janet Hood and Bill Russell
Described by Backstage as a show that "Bursts with humor, rage, and hope", ELEGIES is a true and loving celebration of lives lost to Aids through monologues and song. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the nation's leading industry based HIV/AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization.
Only 5 performances @ Orlando Fringe!
Friday May 15th @ 7:40PM
Sunday May 17th @ 7:50pm
Monday May 18th @ 6:30pm (understudies will be performing)
Tuesday May 19th @ 9:35pm
Friday May 22nd @ 9:50pm
TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE @ www.orlandofringe.org, click on shows, click on the show you are interested in buying tickets for and follow the prompts.
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SWEENEY TODD
Featuring Faith Prince and David Gaines
By Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Alan Bruun/ Ensemble Staging by Tara Anderson
Musical Direction by Robin Jensen
at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center
Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7 at 8pm
REVIEW: "If you can go to 'Sweeney,' go." - Elizabeth Maupin, Orlando Sentinel
REVIEW: "Broadway vets Davis Gaines and Faith Prince were in top form" - Scott Warfield, Orlando Sentinel
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WHAT I DID FOR LOVE World Premiere Musical!
by Dorothy Marcic
EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT! Now Playing!
A non-stop, electrifying, fast-paced musical about relationships, looked at through nostalgic Top-40 hit songs of the past four decades. Similar to Smokey Joe's Cafe, Movin' Out, and I Love you, You're Perfect, Now Change, this world-premiere musical featurres hits from a wide range of artists from Neil Diamond to Cher , Connie Francis to Elton John, and Liza Minelli to india.arie, What I Did For Love will have you singing and celebrating long after the stage lights have gone down!
All shows will be presented at the Sleuths Theatre Complex. Reservations are strongly recommended. Admission, which includes a full dinner, is $45.95 + tax.
Group Rate for 15 or more, $35 (includes 6.5% tax).
For more information or to make a reservation, call (407) 363-1985 / (800) 393-1985 or check out the What I Did For Love website.
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reviews
elegies for angels, punks, and raging queens
“Standouts include Melissa Mason, Laura Hodos, Kirkwood and Minor in the savage "Spend It While You Can" (and die before the bills come)...this is one Fringe feature that belongs front and center." - Laura Stewart, Orlando Weekly
"...the talent here is remarkable, from Equity actors to students, and their message erases every cringe-worthy Fringe show you’ve seen." - Elizabeth Maupin, Orlando Sentinel
what i did for love
“. . .a look at how brilliantly popular culture has been documented through the songs we made into hits. This is an energetic and lively production, with a good cast of talented singers and actors. . . . .the wave of romantic nostalgia that 'What I Did For Love' evokes is an even better reason to attend and enjoy the show.” —Michael Freeman, The Ledger
zombies from the beyond
"But director Jay Hopkins and cohorts have created some wacky props — check out the deadly vacuum cleaner — and a few swell performances, especially Melissa Mason as a man-hungry secretary in cat’s-eye glasses..." — Orlando Sentinel
"there’s a ton of talent in this tongue-in-cheek tour de farce." — Orlando Weekly
"The sexiest women on stage was Charlene (Melissa Mason) - while she never ditches the pink Edith Prickly eye glasses or lets her hair down, the sexually aggressive and unfulfilled secretary is always the hottest role in any sci fi show." — Ink19.com
into the woods
"Melissa Mason puts an appealingly nasty spin on Little Red Ridinghood. She doesn't merely move across the stage, she skips and prances and poses just so, all the while gobbling cookies and spurning the advances of the wolf. — Florida Today
"The production is blessed with a terrific cast of principals, from Sharpe's dim-witted, loose-limbed Jack and Mason's vehement Little Red to the two extravagant princes..." — Orlando Sentinel
"Melissa Mason brings ferocity to Little Red Riding Hood that is matched by her naïve sensibilities that surface late in the show and a terrific voice that adds purpose to "I Know Things Now"... — Talkin' Broadway
the imaginary invalid
“Melissa Mason makes a funny Angelique, Argan’s vehement ding of a daughter.” — Orlando Sentinel
"Each actor has a shtick, and each does it perfectly. Nolen looks innocent, Tafler berates, Mason flutters, Williams sashays like a gay musketeer. — Ink 19.com
urinetown
“Most of the rebel poor double as Cladwell’s Urine Good Company flunkies, but there are still plenty of distinct personalities...Melissa Mason’s lascivious Little Becky Two-Shoes...”— Orlando Sentinel
a little night music
“A cast of strong voiced and intelligent actors, who have shown that they are more than just good...” — Orlando Weekly
“A Little Night Music, without a doubt exceeds every expectation and puts all naysayers to rest with a beautifully designed and exquistely acted production of one of Stephen Sondheim’s greatest masterpieces.” — Talkin’ Broadway
even steven goes to war
"I also liked Melissa Mason as Olivia, a rather mystical sylph, both motherly and romantic.” —Seattle P.I
a day in hollywood/a night in the ukraine
“John Barnes and Melissa Mason sparkle as the young hopeless romantics...But the sly Barnes and just slightly disengenuos ingenue Mason are also quite funny...” - Seattleplays.com
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