Granite State Stuff : Barnstormer's Theatre

Barnstormers honor Meredith Village Savings Bank

AskLisa — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:18:00 GMT

On August 16, The Barnstormers Theatre celebrated 79 years of professional summer stock theatre--making it the oldest such theatre in the nation--with a gala celebration and its annual Business in the Arts award, presented this year to Meredith Village Savings Bank.

"Meredith Village Savings Bank is a wonderful neighbor, and it has been for 140 years," said Parker Roberts, chairman of The Barnstormers board of directors.

The Business for the Arts Award recognizes business leadership in the arts and culture as vital to a strong local economy and a vibrant, healthy community. In his speech honoring Meredith Village Savings Bank, Roberts highlighted its longtime, generous support of the arts and other nonprofit organizations in the Lakes region, going all the way back to Seneca Ladd, who founded the bank 140 years ago. "His vision for the new bank was to make it a center piece of the community," said Roberts.

That vision continues to the present day. In 2008, the Meredith Village Savings Bank Fund made 22 awards, ranging from $600 to $9000 and totaling over $83,000. The bank's Sutherlund Scholarship Foundation, established to honor past president Jim Sutherlund, also made scholarships available to high school students based on their academic achievement and their commitment to the community.

The employees of Meredith Village Savings Bank are also well-known for their personal commitments to community activities, according to Roberts. Over 200 employees contributed over 13,400 hours helping community organizations and various events in 2008. "This is personal time, given on their own, to help make our communities better," said Roberts.

Over 100 people attended The Barnstormers Theatre's annual gala event, which featured live and silent auctions and entertainment from the cast of The Barnstormers' current production, "I Love You Because." Accepting the award for Meredith Village Savings Bank was Sam Lavarack, the President and CEO.

The Barnstormers Theatre is the oldest professional summer stock theatre in the nation, presenting live theatre since 1931. Meredith Village Savings Bank has been serving the Lakes region since 1869 and currently has offices in Meredith, Guilford, Laconia, Plymouth, Ashland, Center Harbor, Moultonboro, Alton and Wolfeboro. For more information on the award or The Barnstormers Theatre, visit http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org on the web or call 603-323-8500.

Barnstormers Theatre Presents: I Love You Because

AskLisa — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:56:00 GMT

The Barnstormers Theatre presents "I Love You Because," a modern-day musical love story based on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," August 18 to 22 in Tamworth, NH.

When Austin Bennett finds out his girlfriend is cheating on him, he and his brother Jeff set up a double-date with best friends Marcy and Diana. The rest is dating history, as the four navigate love, friendship, and the modern dating scene.

"This is a play about those spicy romantic encounters that happen in your twenties, in contrast to the more mature relationships we saw in 'Private Lives' and 'Dinner with Friends,'" says Barnstormers artistic director Bob Shea.

The authors of "I Love You Because," Ryan Cunningham and Joshua Salzman, met at New York University's graduate program in musical theater writing, where they began writing the songs for the play. It opened Off-Broadway in 2006 and has since been performed in such far-flung places as Korea and the Philippines.

Jimmy Boorum, a recent graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, makes his professional debut in the role of Austin. Stacie Bono returns to The Barnstormers as Marcy, having previously appeared in the 2007 productions of "The Apple Tree (for which she won the New Hampshire Theatre award for best actress in a musical) and "The Last Five Years." David Perlman makes his Barnstormers debut, with credits from the Arvada Center in Colorado to the Penobscot Theatre (Bangor), as well as a European tour of "Hair" and an appearance on "Law & Order." Also new to The Barnstormers is Barbara Hollander, who has appeared on numerous stages in New York City, as well as television and films including "Life With Mikey," "Deconstructing Harry" and "Everyone Says I Love You."

"I Love You Because" is "terrific, refreshing fun" says the New York Times. The Wall Street Journal called it "everything an off-Broadway musical should be...a charming piece of work that will send you home smiling."

Performances of "I Love You Because" are at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, plus a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $24.50 to $29.50 for evening shows and $15 to $20 for matinees. Friday night is Family Night, with family groups (containing at least one person age 18 or under) admitted for half price, available on the day of the show. Saturday matinees are $10-$15 for youth 18 and younger. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 603-323-8500 or visit the web site at http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org.

Barnstormers Theatre Young Actors Project Aug. 11

AskLisa — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:52:00 GMT

The Barnstormers Theatre announces the first performance of its Young Actors Project, The Lawnstormers, August 11 to 14 in Tamworth, NH

"The Barnstormers has a long history of training and mentoring young actors," says Bob Shea, artistic director of The Barnstormers. "Also, in the last few years, we've begun doing more musicals than we have in the past." Musicals often have large casts, which has meant drawing on the pool of young talent from the colleges and universities in the region.

At the same time, The Barnstormers brings a large number of theatrical professionals to New Hampshire every summer, where they produce a series of shows in the classic repertory fashion, an astonishing eight shows in eight weeks "Over the course of a summer, we bring in dozens of professional actors, eight directors, eight designers, choreographers, production people, and technicians of all kinds," says Shea.

With all that professional talent, it made sense to begin offering training and mentorship to the young actors--thus, the Young Actors Project was born. "We're like a MacDowell Colony for young professionals," says Shea. "We bring them in, give them a weekly stipend, give them a venue, and then we give them complete freedom to create a brand new theatrical experience of some kind."

This summer, the four young actors in the program began by appearing in the theatre's season opener "Brigadoon," then began working on their own production. They chose the name The Lawnstormers for themselves, symbolic of their move from the theatre's main stage to a more free-form, outdoor performance.

The enthusiastic young actors began by doing journals of their own creative journeys, a process that was unique to this very plugged-in, technology-driven generation, says Shea. "They're all working on their laptops," he notes, which made it easier for them to collaborate and combine that material. The result is called "A Journey Home," a dramatic synthesis of their journeys on the way to becoming professional actors.

Guidance for The Lawnstormers is provided by Bob Shea and Caroline Nesbitt, artistic director and founder of Advice to the Players, the North Country's Shakespearean theatre company. And despite their many years of professional theatre experience, Shea and Nesbitt have taken a hands-off approach when it comes to The Lawnstormers' artistic decisions. "This is entirely their production," says Shea. "Our approach is to mentor them and give them guidance, but beyond that to give them a free hand in what they create."

Over the years, The Barnstormers Theatre has placed a priority on educational programs. As the oldest professional summer stock theatre in the country, it has provided mentoring and professional experiences for countless young actors and theatre technicians. As the latest incarnation of that educational spirit, The Lawnstormers will present "A Journey Home" from August 11 to 14 at 5:30 to 6:30 at Remick Park, next door to The Barnstormers Theatre. The performance is free and appropriate for all ages. For more information, contact The Barnstormers Theatre at 603-323-8500 or visit http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org online.

Deathtrap, murder mystery at Barnstormers Theatre

AskLisa — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:56:00 GMT

The Barnstormers Theatre presents "Deathtrap", a murder-mystery-comedy by Ira Levin, from August 11 to 15 in Tamworth, NH.

Successful Broadway playwright Sidney Bruhl is in a dry spell until a student shows him a script that Bruhl thinks could be a hit. He decides to steal the script, sell it as his own and murder the real author, with his wife's help. Needless to say, things don't work out as he planned.

"Deathtrap is a brilliant plot-oriented play," says Bob Shea, artistic director of The Barnstormers Theatre. "It's probably one of the best American examples in the genre of murder mysteries and suspense thrillers."

Scott Severance plays Sidney, having previously appeared at The Barnstormers in "The Weir" and last year's "Toad of Toad Hall." A veteran actor with more than 300 credits as actor or director, Severance has appeared as Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof" (six different productions) Herbie in "Gypsy" (Stoneham), the title role in "Galileo" (UMass-Lowell), Captain Hook in "Peter Pan" (Wheelock), and Nick O'Leary in "Shear Madness."

Barnstormer favorite Jean Mar Brown ("Toad of Toad Hall," "The Gin Game," "Lettuce and Lovage" and more) returns as Myra Bruhl. Brown has also appeared on television, film, and in 2007 won the Barnstormers' Audience Choice Award for Best Actress for her performance in "You Can't Take it with You."

Christopher Salazar appears as young playwright Clifford Anderson. He has previously appeared at the American Shakespeare Center, Barter Theatre, and the Enchantment Theatre's national touring company, among others. Penny Purcell, veteran of 31 summers with The Barnstormers, plays psychic Helga Ten Dorp, and Dale Place (fresh from his lead role in "Harvey") is lawyer Porter Milgrim. Blair Hundertmark, artistic director of the NH Theatre Project, directs.

The longest-running comedy-thriller on Broadway, "Deathtrap" was nominated for a Tony award for best play in 1978. Cue Magazine called it "Two-thirds a thriller and one-third a devilishly clever comedy," while Time Magazine said, "If you care to assassinate yourself with laughter, try Deathtrap."

Performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, plus a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $24.50 to $29.50 for evening shows and $15 to $20 for matinees. Friday night is Family Night, with family groups (containing at least one person age 18 or under) admitted for half price, available on the day of the show. Saturday matinees are $10-$15 for youth 18 and younger. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 603-323-8500 or visit the web site at http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org.

"The Weir," ghost stories at Barnstormers Theatre

AskLisa — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:49:00 GMT

The Barnstormers Theatre presents "The Weir," a collection of interconnected ghost stories by Conor McPherson, from July 28 to August 1 in Tamworth, NH.

On a dark and stormy night, three men in a rural Irish pub vie for the attention of a pretty newcomer by telling ghost stories, and are moved and surprised when she tells them a story of her own.

"This is a great mid-summer night ghost story," says Bob Shea, artistic director of The Barnstormers. "It's beautifully written and provides virtuoso opportunities for actors." It's also a feather in an actor's cap to be cast in "The Weir," according to Shea. "It means the director has confidence that you're able to carry it off."

The Barnstormers production of "The Weir" features an all-star cast: newcomer Valerie is played by Dee Nelson, who has appeared in film ("State and Main," "Moonlight Mile"), television ("The Sopranos," "Grey's Anatomy," "Judging Amy"), and numerous regional productions including The Barnstormers recent production of "Private Lives." Scott Severance, a veteran with more than 300 credits as actor or director, returns to The Barnstormers (where he played Mr. Toad in last year's performance of "Toad of Toad Hall") in the role of car mechanic Jack Mullen. Film and stage actor Bill Mootos plays real estate agent Finbar Mack, having appeared in several Barnstormers productions including "Dinner with Friends," "Driving Miss Daisy" and others. Derry Woodhouse, a native of Limerick, Ireland who has performed on both sides of the Atlantic, returns to The Barnstormers (where he appeared in the 2007 production of "Stones in His Pockets") as handyman Jim Curran. Brendan Powers, a newcomer to The Barnstormers stage, has appeared in "Art" opposite Alec Baldwin and plays proprietor Brendan Byrne.

The New York Times called "The Weir" a "fine, stirring and generous production." It received the Laurence Olivier BBC Award as the Play of the Year in 1999, and Conor McPherson was given the Critics' Circle Award as the most promising playwright in 1998 for the play.

Performances of "The Weir" are at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, plus a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Friday night is Family Night, family groups (containing at least one person age 18 or under) admitted for half price, available on the day of the show. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 603-323-8500 or visit the web site at http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org.

Noel Coward's "Private Lives" July 21 to 25 at The Barnstormers Theatre

AskLisa — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:18:00 GMT

The Barnstormers Theatre presents Noel Coward's classic comedy of manners "Private Lives" from July 21 to 25 in Tamworth, NH.

Elyot Chase, honeymooning with his new bride in France, is stunned to learn that his ex-wife Amanda is vacationing in the adjoining suite with her new husband. Repartee, recriminations and laughter follow as Elyot and Amanda decide whether they can live without--or even with--each other.

"Private Lives opened on Broadway in 1931, the same year The Barnstormers was founded," says Bob Shea, artistic director of The Barnstormers and director of the upcoming production. "It shares the same artistic spirit that caused Francis Cleveland to become an creative pioneer, leave his urban life and come to Tamworth with his friends and associates to form The Barnstormers."

Coward wrote "Private Lives" in a fever--he was literally down with the flu when he sketched out the scenes--and completed the first draft in just four days. He also played the role of Elyot in the original London production, opposite the legendary Gertude Lawrence as Amanda and Laurence Olivier as her new husband Victor. The three reprised their roles for the Broadway production in 1931, with Olivier's wife Jill Esmond playing Elyot's new wife Sybil.

The Barnstormers production features Doug Shapiro--who has appeared in numerous Barnstormers productions from "Arsenic and Old Lace" to "Urinetown"--as Elyot. Amanda is played by Dee Nelson, returning to The Barnstormers after having appeared in feature films and TV shows such as The Sopranos, Grey's Anatomy, and Judging Amy, as well as numerous region theatrical productions. She has also received best actress honors from Boston's Elliot Norton Awards and the New Hampshire Theatre Awards. Joe Tuttle (seen in The Barnstormers productions of "The Dining Room," "Of Mice and Men" and "Sleuth") plays Amanda's husband Victor, Chrystal Stone is Elyot's new wife Sybil, and Barnstormers veteran Jean Brown is Louise, the maid.

Performances of "Private Lives" are at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Barnstormers Theatre is air-conditioned and handicap accessible. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 603-323-8500 or visit the web site at http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org.

"Dinner with Friends" at The Barnstormers Theatre, July 14-18

AskLisa — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:09:00 GMT

The Barnstormers Theatre presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Dinner with Friends," July 14 to 18 in Tamworth, NH.

When a happily married couple learns that their best friends are getting a divorce, they begin to question their friendship and the stability of their own marriage.

"'Dinner with Friends' is about the danger and challenge of relationships that have matured over time and are struggling to survive mid-life," says Bob Shea, artistic director of The Barnstormers.

The play presents both couples at different ages and stages in their lives. Written by Donald Margulies, "Dinner with Friends" won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 2000. The play is "wry and keenly observed and bathed in the unspoken sorrow that can sneak up on you in middle age," according to Peter Marks of the NY Times.

Directed by Barnstormers veteran Dale Place, "Dinner with Friends" features Leigh Ellen Caudill as Karen, John Schnatterly as Gabe, Kathy Manfre as Beth, and Bill Mootos as Tom.

Performances of "Dinner with Friends" are at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Friday night is Family Night at The Barnstormers, with family groups (containing at least one person age 18 or under) admitted for half price, available on the day of the show. The Barnstormers Theatre is air-conditioned and handicap accessible. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 603-323-8500 or visit the web site at http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org.

The Barnstormers Theatre presents "Brigadoon" July 7 to 11

AskLisa — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:07:00 GMT

The Barnstormers Theatre, America's oldest professional summer theatre, begins its 79th season with the beloved musical "Brigadoon" from July 7 to 11.

A mysterious Scottish village appears out of the mists for one day every hundred years. On that fateful day, two American hikers stumble into the village, where a wedding is about to be celebrated--an arrival that threatens the very existence of Brigadoon.

"'Brigadoon' is the perfect musical to kick off our summer season," says Bob Shea, artistic director of The Barnstormers Theatre. "It's a very atmospheric play, and the setting in the Scottish highlands is reminiscent of Tamworth where our theatre is located, with the mountains on one side and the lakes on the other."

Brigadoon was written and composed by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, creators of the hit musicals "My Fair Lady" and "Camelot." It opened on Broadway in 1947, where it introduced such classic songs as "Almost Like Being in Love," "The Heather on the Hill," and "There But for You Go I." Since then, it has seen three successful Broadway revivals.

The Barnstormers production features Kelly Rypkema (whose voice has been described as " clean, crystal clear and soothing" by talkingbroadway.com) playing Fiona MacLaren. Fiona wins the heart of American tourist Tommy Albright (Evan Siegel), to the dismay of his friend Jeff Douglas (Andrew Codispoti). A five-piece orchestra joins the cast of 28 singers and dancers.

Performances of "Brigadoon" are at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Friday night is Family Night at The Barnstormers, with family groups (containing at least one person age 18 or under) admitted for half price, available on the day of the show. The Barnstormers Theatre is air-conditioned and handicap accessible. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 603-323-8500 or visit the web site at http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org.

Love, laughter, and 6-foot rabbits in The Barnstormers Theatre's 2009 season

AskLisa — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:07:00 GMT

The Barnstormers Theatre of Tamworth, the oldest professional summer stock theatre in America, has announced its 2009 season.

The season kicks off with a highland fling as "Brigadoon" takes the stage from July 7 to 11. Lerner and Loewe's timeless musical tells of a Scottish town that only appears for one day every hundred years. "In a way, the town of Tamworth, surrounded by the mountains, is a perfect setting for the magical town of Brigadoon," says Bob Shea, artistic director for The Barnstormers. A lovely, atmospheric play, Brigadoon features such classic tunes as "Almost Like Being in Love."

Young love gives way to doubt and distrust in the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Dinner with Friends" by Donald Margulies from July 14 to 18. When the best friends of a happily-married couple announce their divorce, battle lines are drawn and the couples' own stability comes into question.

Sparring couples also form the core of Noel Coward's "Private Lives," a comedy considered by many to be his best play. A honeymooning couple is thrown into turmoil when they learn that the husband's ex-wife is in the adjoining suite with her new husband. "'Private Lives' opened on Broadway in 1931, the same year The Barnstormers was founded," says Shea. "It shares the same artistic spirit that caused Francis Cleveland to become an creative pioneer, leave his urban life and come to Tamworth with his friends and associates to form The Barnstormers." Coward's biting comedy of manners runs from July 21 to 25.

Ghosts--real and metaphorical--haunt the characters in Conor McPherson's award-winning play "The Weir" from July 28 to August 1. Set in an Irish pub, the play celebrates Irish storytelling with a series of ghost stories told by each of the characters. "This is a beautifully written play," says Shea. "It provides virtuosos opportunities for an all-star cast." The Weir is "a modern masterpiece," according to London's Daily Express.

The classic comedy "Harvey" follows from August 4 to 8, the hilarious tale of Elwood P. Dowd and his imaginary friend, a 6-foot tall rabbit. "Harvey is representative of the great American farces like 'The Man Who Came to Dinner' and 'Arsenic and Old Lace,'" says Shea. It also represents a passing of the baton, as Barnstormers veteran Dale Place takes on the role of Elwood, one of the signature roles played by Francis Cleveland up to the time of his death in 1995. "Francis brought Dale on as a protégé, so it's really a rite of passage for The Barnstormers to have him play the role of Elwood," says Shea.

"Deathtrap," the longest running comedy thriller on Broadway, comes to The Barnstormers August 10 to 15. A fading playwright comes upon a brilliant manuscript for a thriller and decides to murder the author and claim the work as his own--a plan with disastrous consequences. "It's probably the best American example of mystery-suspense writing for the stage," says Shea.

A modern-day musical love story, "I Love You Because" is a retelling of "Pride and Prejudice" with the genders reversed. Battling their own confusion, personality differences, and bad advice from friends, two couples sing and argue their way to true love, August 18 to 22. "It's terrific, refreshing fun," says the New York Times.

The season ends with an audience favorite, "On Golden Pond" by Ernest Thompson, August 25 to 29. Norman and Ethel Thayer return to the family cabin on Golden Pond where they confront family issues, changing times, and their own mortality. According to Bob Shea, the play is like a bookend to the season opener, "Brigadoon" with its mountainscapes so reminiscent of New Hampshire's White Mountains and "On Golden Pond" taking place in a setting so familiar to those in the Lakes Region. "They're also bookends in that 'Brigadoon' is youthful and adventurous, whereas 'On Golden Pond' is a later-in-life experience," says Shea.

That kind of symmetry and balance is important when choosing a season that has to appeal to a wide variety of tastes and interests, and several of this year's shows act as counterpoints to each other, like opposite poles of a magnet. "For example, 'Dinner with Friends' is about the danger and challenge of relationships that have matured over time and are struggling to survive mid-life," says Shea. "On the other hand, 'I Love You Because' gives you those spicier relationships that happened in your younger years." Similarly, "Deathtrap" is a brilliant plot play, while "The Weir" is more character-oriented. "So we have a balance between the melodramas and farces on the one hand and the more character-oriented dramas on the other hand."

New this year at The Barnstormers is a special bargain program for families. Every Friday night will be Family Night, and family groups (containing at least one person age 18 or under) will be admitted for half price--$14.50 each for orchestra seats, $9.50 each for balcony seats, available on the day of the show.

Also new is The Barnstormers Young Actors Project, a group of young "professionals in the making" from theatre programs at the Boston Conservatory, Boston University, Plymouth State University, and the University of New Hampshire. After appearing in "Brigadoon," the Young Actors Project will create original theatre works to be performed at outdoor venues in Tamworth and other locations. They will also develop their skills by taking master classes in such crafts as acting, mime, and puppet work from the professional actors appearing in Barnstormers productions.

The Barnstormers Theatre is the only theatre still doing summer stock in the classic repertory manner, producing eight shows in eight weeks. "It's such an important dynamic, a historic thing, and a type of producing that was very common and characteristic in the 1930s and 40s," says Shea. And although the schedule is crazy, there's a vitality to it that you don't get any other way. "The first time you do it, you're scared and you don't think it can possibly work," says Shea. "But after you do it a few times, it becomes the preferred formula. It really gives the cast a sense of freshness and immediacy that lets them connect with the audience. It's not as if everything is on the shelf and dusted, ready to go ahead of time."

For more information on The Barnstormers Theatre or to purchase tickets, call 603-323-8500 or visit their web site at http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org.

From Barnstormers to Broadway - A Local Actor Hits the Big Time

AskLisa — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:32:00 GMT

When Hannah Cabell first appeared on The Barnstormers Theatre's stage in Tamworth, she had no idea it would be the start of a career that would eventually lead her to Broadway.

Cabell, daughter of long-time Barnstormer veterans Will Cabell and Susan Ackley, first appeared as a small child in They Knew What They Wanted in 1983. "I remember being very diligent about learning my blocking, which was running up to Dan Rubinate and throwing my arms around him," says Cabell.

Since that early debut, she has appeared in 24 productions at The Barnstormers, where she was most recently featured in Dial M for Murder. A graduate of Oberlin College and NYU, where she received an MFA in acting, Cabell has also appeared in other regional and Off-Broadway productions.

But the big break for this local actor may come on September 12, when she will appear in A Man For All Seasons on Broadway, produced by the Roundabout Theatre. Cabell will play the daughter of Sir Thomas More, famously beheaded by Henry VIII for refusing to acknowledge him as the head of the Church of England. Thomas More will be played by Frank Langella, well-known for his portrayal of Dracula on Broadway, as well as numerous film roles including Perry White in the recent Superman Returns and Richard Nixon in the upcoming film Frost/Nixon (for which he won a Tony Award for the Broadway version). Tony Award winner Maryann Plunkett will play More's wife Alice and Cabell will play their daughter Margaret.

What's it like for a young actor to make her Broadway debut? "I am very excited and very nervous," says Cabell. "Of course I want to do my best, and serve this amazing play as best I can." The production will take place at the American Airlines Theatre on 42nd Street, a historic theatre formerly known as the Selwyn Theatre. "I'm looking forward to the whole experience of playing to a Broadway house," says Cabell. "The theater is enormous and beautiful, and I'm excited to feel the history that lives in that stage. And of course I'm looking forward to working with very seasoned and talented actors like Frank Langella and Maryann Plunkett."

Doing a show—especially a well-publicized, "big" show in NY--is different from doing a show at The Barnstormers, or any regional theater, according to Cabell. "You have the pressure of the critics--professional and non-professional--and the crazy pace of the city," she says. Of course, the Barnstormers Theatre has its own pressures, as it is perhaps the last theatre in the country to be doing summer stock in the traditional manner, eight plays in eight weeks. "Although the pace of putting up a show here is certainly crazy, there is an ease to it as well," says Cabell. "There is such a sense of company at this theater, and support from the audience. It is a very special place."

When asked what part The Barnstormers played in her decision to become an actor, Cabell says, "The Barnstormers was probably the place that determined my being an actor." Her father has been an actor at The Barnstormers for over 30 years, so "I was a Barnstormers baby," she says. "Some of my earliest memories are of playing in the green room and sitting in the house watching rehearsals with Francis Cleveland." Cleveland, who was the youngest son of President Grover Cleveland, founded the theatre with his wife Alice Cleveland and friend Ed Goodnow back in 1931, making it the oldest professional summer stock theatre in the country.

Though she'll be heading off to Broadway soon, for now Cabell says, "I am just so happy and thankful to be back at The Barnstormers. I always feel that I'm learning when I do a show here. There is so much talent and dedication in this small New Hampshire summer theater, it's really quite amazing."

The Barnstormers Theatre is currently engaged in a $1.3 million comprehensive campaign which has already raised over $550,000 and will enable the theatre's transition into a regional arts center. Thanks to the generosity of The Tamworth Foundation, new donations will be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis, up to $250,000. For more information about The Barnstormers Theatre or the campaign, please contact the theatre at 603-323-8661 or go to http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org on the web.

Barnstormers Theatre presents Maxfield family with Business in the Arts Award

AskLisa — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:31:00 GMT

The Barnstormers Theatre will present its annual Business in the Arts Award to the Maxfield family of Wolfeboro as part of its annual gala and auction on August 24.

The Business in the Arts award is given annually to a person or organization in recognition of their support of the arts. This year the award goes to a family: Henry and Elizabeth Maxfield and their son Chip and daughter-in-law Tina.

Henry Maxfield Sr., founder of Maxfield Real Estate, has been an actor and stage manager for The Barnstormers, as well as a novelist and author whose work has been adapted for television. Elizabeth Maxfield was on the Huggins Hospital board of directors for 20 years and is well known for her volunteer activities at the Hospital Street Fair, First Night, and the Cotton Mountain Community Church.

Henry Maxfield Jr. ("Chip") and his wife Tina purchased Maxfield Real Estate in 1982 and over the past 26 years have been generous supporters of local arts organizations including The Barnstormers Theatre, NH Music Festival, Gov. Wentworth Arts Council, Lakes Region Symphony, Great Waters Music Festival, Village Players, The Edra Toth School of Ballet, the Heifetz International Music Institute and the Wolfeboro Area Creative Arts Center. The Maxfields have also been honored with the NH Small Business Award for support of the arts.

For the past 6 years, the Maxfields have supported a variety of non-profit organizations through their We Care charitable giving program, which donates 2% of every commission to a local charity. The program has raised over $440,000 for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Wolfeboro Area Children's Center, Huggins Hospital, area churches, and various sports and educational endeavors.

The Barnstormers' Business in the Arts award will be presented to all four Maxfields as part of the gala evening, which will be held at the Brewster Academy Boathouse in Wolfeboro at 5 p.m. on August 24. Tickets are $35.

The Barnstormers Theatre is currently engaged in a $1.3 million comprehensive campaign, which has already raised over $550,000 and will enable the theatre's transition into a regional arts center. Thanks to the generosity of The Tamworth Foundation, new donations will be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to $250,000.

For more information about the Business in the Arts award or the campaign, call The Barnstormers Theatre at 603-323-8661. To purchase tickets for the auction and gala, call 603-323-8500.

The Barnstormers Theatre hosts annual gala and auction August 24 in Wolfeboro

AskLisa — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 02:33:00 GMT

The Barnstormers Theatre celebrates the conclusion of its 78th season with its annual gala and auction, August 24, 2008 at 5 p.m. at the Brewster Academy Boathouse in Wolfeboro, NH. The theme for the evening is "Return To Toad Hall" and will feature food, entertainment, an auction, and presentation of the annual Business in the Arts award.

     "It's always a great time," says Barnstormers board chair George Cleveland. "And the Brewster Academy Boathouse is a lovely location for us to celebrate one of our most successful seasons ever."

     The evening will include live and silent auctions. Among the items being auctioned are Red Sox tickets, a cord of wood, antique china, paintings, gift baskets, tickets for the Mount Washington cruise ship, gift certificates to local establishments, and some unique items such as a Grover Cleveland political cartoon and a septic design. George Cleveland will be the volunteer auctioneer for the live auction, which will include the marquee posters for this season's plays--original works of art created by local artists.

     As part of the evening, The Barnstormers will present its annual Business in the Arts Award to the Maxfield family of Wolfboro in recognition of their many contributions to the arts. Henry Maxfield Sr., founder of Maxfield Real Estate, has been an actor and stage manager for The Barnstormers and is also a novelist. His wife Elizabeth Maxfield was on the Huggins Hospital board of directors for 20 years and is well known for her volunteer activities in the area. Henry Maxfield Jr. ("Chip") and his wife Tina, current owners of Maxfield Real Estate, have been generous supporters of the arts, and their We Care charitable giving program has donated over $400,000 to local charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Wolfeboro Area Children's Center, Huggins Hospital, area churches, and various sports and educational endeavors.

     "This is a wonderful family that has really gone all out to support the arts and charitable organizations," says Cleveland. "We're really pleased to be able to honor them with our Business in the Arts award."

     Tickets for the auction and gala are $35. For more information or to make reservations, call The Barnstormers box office at 603-323-8500.

     The Barnstormers Theatre, the oldest professional summer stock theatre in the country, is currently engaged in a $1.3 million comprehensive campaign. The campaign, which has already raised over $550,000, will enable the theatre's transition into a regional arts center. Thanks to the generosity of The Tamworth Foundation, new donations will be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis, up to $250,000. For more information, please contact the theatre or visit http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org

The original bat-man descends on The Barnstormers, August 19-23

AskLisa — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:39:00 GMT

The Barnstormers Theatre presents the gothic horror masterpiece Dracula from August 19 to 23 in Tamworth, NH.

While most modern versions of Dracula are based on Bram Stoker's novel—a huge tome with a convoluted plot—The Barnstormers production will use the script from the original 1927 stage version of Dracula. "It was an enormous hit on Broadway," says Barnstormers artistic director Bob Shea. The play introduced Béla Lugosi as Count Dracula, a role he would later reprise—and become forever identified with—in the 1931 movie version.

Brian Santa Maria—a newcomer to The Barnstormers stage but well-known to NY audiences—plays Dracula, and Kelley Curran plays his victim Lucy, following appearances Off Broadway and in regional theatres. Tamworth native Jesse Beecher—known to local audiences from his appearances in Big River, The Cripple of Inishmaan, and You Can't Take It With You, does double duty as the vampire hunter Jonathan Harker and as set designer for the production.

Dracula is often done as a period piece, according to Bob Shea. "In that case, the show becomes about stagecraft," he says. "Other productions take a more modern approach, with special effects that emphasize the supernatural aspects."

Shea's goal is to make The Barnstormers' production very romantic, with strong, attractive characters who fall into a lovers triangle. "Dracula needs to be dangerous, a predatory animal, not just a caricature with the teeth," says Shea.

The director for the production? "You aren't going to believe it," says Shea. "His name is Igor." Igor Goldin returns to the Barnstormers after directing last summer's The Complete History of America (abridged) and this season's Blithe Spirit. Veteran Barnstormers actors Will Cabell, Pat Tierney, and Billy Butler round out the cast.

Performances of Dracula are at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Barnstormers Theatre, America's oldest professional summer theatre, is located in Tamworth, NH. The theatre is air-conditioned and handicap accessible. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 603-323-8500 or visit the web site at http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org.

Driving Miss Daisy opens August 12 at The Barnstormers Theatre

AskLisa — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:27:00 GMT

The Barnstormers Theatre presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry from August 12 to 16.

Tamworth, NH --Driving Miss Daisy is the story of a relationship between an elderly southern Jewish lady and her African-American chauffeur over several decades. Heartwarming, honest, and with brilliant writing, Driving Miss Daisy features two of the American theatre's most memorable characters. From its off Broadway beginnings, the play was later made into a film that won the Academy Award for Best Picture, the last PG movie to do so.

"This is an American classic," says Bob Shea, artistic director of The Barnstormers. "It's a great play, and it gives us a chance to feature the senior members of our company."

Vinette Cotter plays Miss Daisy. Cotter is familiar to Barnstormers audiences from her portrayal of Ethel in On Golden Pond, as well as Lettice in Lettice and Lovage, Eleanor in The Lion in Winter, Mrs. Peachum in The Threepenny Opera, and Marie in the New Hampshire premiere of Slow Dance With a Hot Pickup.

Making his Barnstormers debut as the chauffeur Hoke is Keith N. Johnson, who has appeared in productions at the Kennedy Center, Cleveland Playhouse, Virginia Stage and many other theatres. He has also appeared in motion pictures (The Crooked Necktie, Major League II, David Mamet's Homicide, Serial Mom, Good to Go and many others). You may also recognize him from several TV appearances on Homicide: Life on the Streets, The Wire, and the award-winning Atif's Journey.

Barnstormers veteran Dale Place plays Daisy's son Boolie, following his recent successful appearances in Blithe Spirit and Dial M for Murder, as well as many previous Barnstormers productions, regional and off Broadway shows, and films like The Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Gone, Baby, Gone directed by Ben Affleck.

Director Stephen Nachamie has previously directed productions at The Barnstormers (Urinetown, The Sunshine Boys) as well as the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, New Repertory Theatre, and many more.

Performances of Driving Miss Daisy are at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Barnstormers Theatre, America's oldest professional summer theatre, is located in Tamworth, NH. The theatre is air-conditioned and handicap accessible. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 603-323-8500 or visit the web site at www.barnstormerstheatre.org.

Murder, lies and blackmail—just another night at The Barnstormers, August 5-9

AskLisa — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:06:00 GMT

The Barnstormers Theatre presents the classic mystery thriller Dial M for Murder from August 5 to 9.

Tony Wendice, a retired tennis pro, married his wife Sheila for money and plans to murder her for the same reason. But Tony's perfect scheme backfires when the man he hires to kill her is himself killed and Tony must devise a new plan. Suddenly, the victim becomes the villain and everyone is caught up in a web of blackmail and lies.

Originally written as a BBC television play by Frederick Knott, Dial M for Murder went on to become a hit play and later a classic Alfred Hitchcock movie. "It's an ingenious plot," says Bob Shea, artistic director of The Barnstormers. "And it's easy to see why Hitchcock made a version of the play, since it's so Hitchcock-esque to begin with."

Not all mysteries are so well-written, according to Shea. "For example, a lot of wonderful Agatha Christie stories have been made into really bad plays," he says. "But Dial M for Murder has very high-quality writing and stagecraft that have made it stand up so well over the years."

Shelley Bolman, a newcomer to The Barnstormers Theatre, plays Tony Wendice. Bolman is a founding member of the Village Theatre Project and has also appeared in productions at Stoneham Theatre, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Charles Playhouse, Wellesley Summer Theatre, New Repertory Theatre and others

Hannah Cabell, playing Sheila, was most recently seen at The Barnstormers in And a Nightingale Sang, and has appeared off-Broadway in Pumpgirl at the Manhattan Theatre Club, and in other New York and regional productions. Brian Santa Maria is Sheila's old boyfriend Max, Trey Ziegler is the hired killer Lesgate, and Dale Place plays Inspector Hubbard.

Dial M for Murder is a psychological thriller, a cat-and-mouse game that will keep you guessing until the very end. Performances of Dial M for Murder are at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Barnstormers Theatre, America's oldest professional summer theatre, is located in Tamworth, NH. The Barnstormers Theatre is air-conditioned and handicap accessible. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 603-323-8500 or visit the web site at www.barnstormerstheatre.org.