Posted by Esther Bunny on September 17th, 2008
This coming weekend, Live Arts presents Doubt: A Parable, the Pulitzer-Prize winning drama by John Patrick Shanley. Doubt explores the inner workings of a Catholic school in 1964 when two nuns suspect wrongdoing by the resident priest. Along the way, Shanley delves into how deeply people may shove aside their misgivings when in pursuit of what they believe to be the common good. The question of “how far?” and the answer “the end justifies the means” take on greater weight when put into the context of education and religion, especially given the scandals that rocked the Catholic Church in recent years.
The play refers to a particular group of nuns, the Sisters of Charity, which was founded by Elizabeth Ann Seton in the United States. Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first native-born United States citizen to be canonized in the Catholic Church.
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Popularity: 20% [?]
Posted by Esther Bunny on August 25th, 2008
Live Arts auditions for the 2008-2009 season continue! Tonight at 7pm is the final night for the first round of auditions for Flyin’ West. Flyin’ West follows the adventures of African American women fleeing Reconstruction for the promises of a better life in the Wild West. Ray Smith will be directing this play for Live Arts. The performances will run from October 24 through November 22.
Casting requirements as listed by the playwright:
- Sophie Washington - a black woman, born into slavery, age 36*
- Miss Leah - a black woman, born into slavery, age 73*
- Fannie Dove - a black woman, age 32*
- Wil Parish - a black man, born into slavery, age 40*
- Minnie Dove Charles - a black woman, age 21*
- Frank Charles - a very light skinned black man, born into slavery, aged 36*
You may have last caught Ray in his performance as the principal in Disney’s High School Musical this summer at Live Arts, or his work with the Bent Theatre Troupe. Ray has noted on the Live Arts page that he will be casting all black actors, but the ages of actor and character do not necessarily have to match. He is looking for any talented actors from the age of 16 and up.
Popularity: 21% [?]
Posted by Esther Bunny on July 15th, 2008
This Thursday, July 17th, “House” (by Daniel MacIvor) is being presented by Corner of Clark & Vine Pegwarmers Productions at Live Arts. It’s a one-hour show, pay-what-you-can, and starts at 7:30pm in the Upstage Theater.
Daniel MacIvor is an award-winning Canadian playwright, fimmaker, and director. “House” comes from his comedy “House/Humans”, which was first printed in 1994. The character in “House,” Victor, is noted as “a man on the edge” on the playwright’s website.
It sounds entertaining and unique, so be sure to stop by and support this one-night production. It’s your only chance to see this latest collaborative endeavor from Autumn Shiley and J Hernandez!
Popularity: 39% [?]
Posted by Esther Bunny on July 14th, 2008
This is the word on the street: Live Arts‘ production of Disney’s High School Musical (the stage version) is good, not because it’s Disney, but because of the talented cast members who are putting their heart and soul into their performances. They are, of course, backed by an equally committed technical crew.
If you haven’t seen it, then check it out. Don’t go because it’s Disney, just go to support the amazing teenagers (and a few adults) who are rocking out the stage. Some of the local talent featured onstage is: Carly Amburn, Tiffany Ames, Isaih Anderson, Melanie Arthur, Robby Arthur, Katherine Baird, Nathalie Barton, Brandon Blake, Emma D’Antoni, Richard Drake, Gage Jenkins, Jeannie Jones, Pilar Marshall, Morgan Meadows, Ryan Murphy, Rachael Nidiffer, Sydney Pugh, Dana Pye, Ray Smith, Michael Strickland, Jordon Trader, Mark Valahovic, and Jeremy Weiss.
The show opened last week and is running every weekend until August 2nd. All shows are at 7:30pm, except for the matinee on Sunday, July 27th, which is at 2:00pm.
Popularity: 27% [?]
Posted by Esther Bunny on June 17th, 2008
Live Arts is seeking volunteers to help build and paint the set for their upcoming production of Disney’s High School Musical! Build dates are as follows:
- Wed June 18: 6pm-10pm
- Sat June 21: 10am-2pm
- Tues June 24: 6pm-10pm
- Sat June 28: 10am-2pm
- Tues July 1: 6pm-10pm
Stop by, even if you can only help out for a couple hours!
Be ready to get dirty, play with power tools, and enjoy getting to know some of Charlottesville’s behind-the-scenes technical theater folk!
For more information, call Live Arts at 977-4177, extension 112.
Popularity: 39% [?]
Posted by Esther Bunny on June 13th, 2008
Live Arts is gearing up for their upcoming season. Auditions for Doubt: A Parable (by John Patrick Shanley) their first play this coming fall, will take place on July 13 and 14. The cast members as described by the author are:
- Sister Aloysius (fifties/sixties)
- Father Flynn (late thirties)
- Sister James (twenties)
- Mrs. Muller (around thirty-eight)
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Popularity: 46% [?]
Posted by Esther Bunny on May 30th, 2008
The Bent Theatre Live Improv Comedy will be performing in two places this week. On Friday, May 30, you can catch them in Lovingston, VA, at Rapunzel’s Coffee and Books from 8pm-10pm. The address is 924 Front Street. On Saturday, May 31, you can catch them at Play On! Theatre in Charlottesville, from 8pm-10pm. Play On! is located in the Ix building at 983 Second Street S.E. The Bent Theatre has regular performances, every third Thursday of the month, at R2 on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Live Arts’ production of String of Pearls opens this weekend. Written by Michele Lowe and directed by Fran Smith, String of Pearls follows the tail of an heirloom and its role in over 27 characters’ search for love. The cast is made up of four women, who play all 27 characters, so it promises to be an interesting journey every night. Live Arts is located on 123 East Water Street on the Downtown Mall. You can call the box office for tickets at 977-4177. Also, don’t forget that The Beard of Avon is up and running at Live Arts. Renaissance couplets, costumes, and humor make for a winning combination!
Popularity: 74% [?]
Posted by Esther Bunny on May 19th, 2008
Next month on June 17, Live Arts will be hosting a Volunteer Open House at 123 East Water Street. The fair will be held from 5pm-8pm. Light refreshments will be provided.
The first segment (5pm-6:30pm) will be a casual eat, meet-and-greet atmosphere. The Live Arts staff, local designers, and guild members will be on hand to talk about how they contribute to Live Arts’ productions. In the second segment (6:30pm-8pm), the directors for the 2008-2009 season will talk about the shows they will be directing in the upcoming year.
If you are curious about Live Arts - put this event on your calendar! It will be a great way to see all the dedicated volunteers who bring quality theatre to the Downtown Mall, and find out ways (big or small) you could help out!
For even more details about Live Arts’ upcoming season and the Volunteer Open House, visit their most recent newsletter.
Popularity: 66% [?]
Posted by Kyle on May 16th, 2008
Live Arts just did a major redesign of their website. They’ve incorporated a lot of new features such as a blog (with commentary!), an AJAX side bar (that’s fancy stuff for non-technical people), sharing features and a whole lot more. Go check out their site and let us know what you think.
Popularity: 72% [?]
Posted by Esther Bunny on May 9th, 2008
Academic papers and classes are structured around this very question. Over the centuries, skeptical scholars have attempted to explain how an uneducated playwright with few royal connections could have concocted plays taking place all across Europe and in varying time periods. It has been suggested that perhaps Francis Bacon, Christopher Marlowe, Edward de Vere the Earl of Oxford, or even Queen Elizabeth I, were either collectively or singularly responsible for the works of “William Shakespeare.”
Amy Freed takes on this conspiracy with poetry and comedy in The Beard of Avon, which opens at Live Arts next Friday, May 16th. It is directed by Betsy Rudelich Tucker, and runs from May 16 through June 7.
If you’re in the mood for a classic musical, don’t forget to check out the Play On! production of Guys and Dolls that opened May 8. It runs through May 24.
Popularity: 63% [?]
