Auditions for Lyric’s spring show, Fly Me to the Moon: From Frank Sinatra to Michael Buble & Ella Fitzgerald to Diana Krall, a musical revue directed by Robert Ursan, will be held Thursday, February 16, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Lakeview United Church (use the west front entrance).

Up to 12 adults are needed for this show, featuring some of the greatest songs ever written, recorded by some of the greatest singers who ever lived. Bring a song to the audition that shows off your voice; an accompanist will be provided.

Fly Me to the Moon will be performed April 27, 28 & 29 at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. Tickets will be $25 and will available soon at Bach & Beyond in the Golden Mile Centre and online here.

For more information about auditions, call 535-3728.

Tickets are still available for the Sunday, February 12, performance of Lyric’s annual fundraiser, The Best of Broadway: The Songs You Know and Love, at the Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza.

This year’s fundraiser will feature a three-course meal in the Regency Ballroom at the Hotel Saskatchewan at 12 noon, followed by the entertainment at 1 p.m.

All tickets are $45; a tax receipt issued for a portion of the ticket price. Tickets are available at Bach & Beyond, Golden Mile Centre (cash or cheque only).

This year’s show features an amazing selection of songs from a century of Broadway hits, spun out over a series of well-crafted medleys, with a plethora of solos, duets and chorus numbers. The cast features both Lyric veterans and newcomers: Stacy Allan, Deborah Amor, Andrea Armstrong, Rob Armstrong, Aiden Barker, Tyler Burton, Leah Constable, Brandee Demyen, Sharon Eisbrenner, Tajzanna Hall, Michael Hamann, David Hopkinson, John Johnston, Norma Lemmerick, Ruaridh MacDonald, Joan Miller, Dwight Muller, Carly Phillips, Elizabeth Popowich, Celia Ricker, Owen Ricker, Hayley Robinson, Jessica Scheuer, Michaela Solomon, Mason Sontag, Brittany Soriano, Linda Weir, Caitlin Bolduc Whelan, Virginia Wilkinson, Alice Willett, Edward Willett, Margaret Anne Willett and Marianne Woods.

It’s a wonderful show and the fabulous way to spend a winter weekend. Don’t miss it!

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown finished a very successful run November 6 at the Shumiatcher Theatre in the MacKenzie Art Gallery, after five regular shows and two school matinees.

Featuring music by Clark Gesner, who also wrote the libretto, and lyrics by John Gordon, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown brings the beloved characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz to the stage.

The show featured Ruaridh MacDonald as Charlie Brown, Jessica Scheuer as Lucy van Pelt, Caitlin B. Whelan as Sally Brown, Deborah Amor as Peppermint Patty, John Johnson as Shermy, Taylor Bates as Snoopy, Nathan Sgrazzutti as Linus, Andrea Armstrong as Frieda, and Rob Armstrong as Schroeder.

Check out this gallery of photos from the production!

Auditions for Lyric’s fall production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown will be held Thursday, September 1 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Lakeview United Church, 3200 McCallum Ave. (Use the west front entrance.)

Director Evie Sawatzky is seeking energetic adults, 16 years of age and up, to play Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Sally and Snoopy in this funny musical adaptation of Charles M. Schultz’s classic comic strip, with book, music and lyrics by Clark Gesner.

Please prepare a musical theatre song. An accompanist will be provided; please bring sheet music. The director may ask you to read a monologue from the show and/or move while singing or speaking. Monologues are posted here. Although not required, you may wish to memorize your solo and a monologue.

To arrange an alternate audition time or  for more information, contact  Production Manager Joan Ziffle, 535-3728, joanziffle@yahoo.com.

The show runs November 2 to 6, 2011, at the Shumiatcher Theatre, Mackenzie Art Gallery.

July 11, 2011

Dear Friends:

As we conclude our 34^th Season, the Board of Regina Lyric Musical Theatre feels it is time for renewal.  We are considering making some changes, and we want to give you a chance to share your ideas with us.

We are proud of the shows we have produced, and are indebted to the many individuals who have donated their time and resources to make Lyric a success over the past three and a half decades.  As we move forward, we hope that you will help us generate ideas that will address the following challenges:

1. Our audience numbers for our major spring production have been declining;
2. We have seen fewer people at auditions; and
3. Our donations have been decreasing.  While our emergency fund is intact, our cash flow is at an all-time low.

Here are a few ideas and questions we have been considering:

• Moving our spring show earlier by a few weeks to avoid competing with the Cathedral Village Festival.

• Rather than staging a theatrical production in the spring of 2012, we may produce a more cost-effective musical revue featuring a variety of familiar songs based on a theme.  In the fall of 2010, for example, we produced a revue of folk music.  What themes interest you?

• How can we attract more performers to auditions?

• We have been pleased to give artists a chance to perform in lesser known shows, and audiences a chance to see gems like Sweeney Todd and Gypsy; however, we know that many people want to see more familiar shows.  When selecting shows, we have to consider factors such as the availability of copyright and whether we have the right people to fill all the roles.  What shows do you suggest?

• Our annual budget for 3 shows and general operating is about $90,000.  In recent years, the City of Regina has provided Lyric with a $1,000 annual grant.  We do not qualify for funding from the Saskatchewan Arts Board.  Do you know of any Regina businesses or individuals who could become a major sponsor?

The first rule of brainstorming is that “no idea is a bad idea.”  So please share your ideas with us.  If there is one thing we have learned, it is that Regina is full of amazingly talented people, including some of Canada’s most gifted artists.  We are proud of Lyric’s past and we are optimistic about our future.  We look forward to hearing from you.

You may reply by mail to me at 2808 Borden Street, S4N 2L3 or by e-mail to nandc@sasktel.net.  Or feel free to call me at 525-5342.  Alternatively, if you know one of our board members, please feel free to share your ideas with them.  We would be pleased to hear from you by the end of August.

Yours truly,

Carolyn Speirs, President

On behalf of the Board of Regina Lyric Musical Theatre

Ron Blechinger, Vice-President

Jeff Sawatsky, Treasurer

Susan Graham, Secretary

Joan Ziffle, Business Manager

Diane Stephenson, Fundraising/Membership

Owen Ricker, Member-at-large

Janet Wilson, Member-at-large

Jessica Scheuer, Member-at-large

David Hopkinson, Member-at-large

Tickets are now on sale for Regina Lyric Musical Theatre’s production of Baby, which runs May 25 to June 1 in the ShuBox Theatre, Riddell Centre, University of Regina.

With music by David Shire, lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr., and a book by Sybille Pearson, Baby tells the story of three couples on a university campus as they deal with the painful, rewarding and agonizingly funny consequences of this universal experience. There are the college students, barely at the beginning of their adult lives; the thirty-somethings, having trouble conceiving but determined to try; and the middle aged parents, looking forward to seeing their last child graduate from college when a night of unexpected passion lands them back where they started.

Directed by Robert Ursan, with Jane Ursan as musical director, Lyric’s production of Baby stars Jeff Tonita and Donna Trainor as Alan and Arlene, the older couple; Rob Armstrong and Leah Constable as Nick and Pam, the couple in their 30s, and Lucas Popowich and Jamie Lemmerick as Danny and Lizzie, the younger couple. Rounding out the cast are Bonita Dolmage, David Hopkinson, Elizabeth Popowich, Jason Fisher, John Jonhston, Kelly Sanchuk and Sophie Yannitsos.

The show runs Wednesday, May 25, through Wednesday, June 1 (except for Monday, May 30), with shows at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students, and are available at Bach & Beyond in the Golden Mile Centre (cash or cheque only) or online here (credit card or PayPal), using the form below.

Note: RUSH SEATING. Tickets purchased online will be held at the front of house for pick-up. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before curtain.

ONLINE TICKET SALES  HAVE NOW ENDED. PLEASE BUY YOUR TICKETS AT THE DOOR.

Funny, poignant and down-to-earth, Baby will appeal to anyone who has ever had, wanted to have, or been a baby!

Auditions for From Camelot to Cabaret: The 1960s Broadway Revolution, Lyric’s annual musical brunch, will be held on Thursday, December 2, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Lakeview United Church, 1440 14th Avenue. Use the west front entrance. Bring a song that shows off your voice; an accompanist will be provided.

From Camelot to Cabaret will be directed by Jane Ursan, and runs February 6 and 13 at the Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza. Tickets are $45, and will be available at Bach & Beyond in Januar…but why not purchase a gift certificate now as a Christmas present?

Email us to arrange for your certificate!

The show played to enthusiastic, hand-clapping singing-along audiences, and featured Andrea  Armstrong, Brittany Soriano, Carolyn Speirs, Dwayne Bechtold, Nathan Sgrazzutti, Rob Armstrong and Ron Blechinger.

The synopsis: It’s the 1960s. North America is coming out of 1950s into the hopes and dreams of a new decade. With the baby boomers representing a majority of the population, a “sea-change” is occurring in ideals and consciousness. Young people are getting together and standing up for what they feel is right. From the civil rights movement to peace, young people are sharing a message of love and togetherness. Everywhere you look you can read the signs.

The music of this time tells the story. Our story takes us from folkies such as Joan Baez all the way to Woodstock. Along the way we remember, learn, teach, love, and even laugh.

Songs included:

The Times They Are A Changin’

This Land is Your Land

We Shall Overcome

Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

Suzanne

When You’re Next To Me

The Circle Game

The Universal Soldier

Turn! Turn! Turn!

I’ve Got You Babe

Eve of Destruction

California Dreamin’

Sloop John B

Signs

Woodstock

After The Gold Rush

Give Peace A Chance

Fall 2010

Looking for fun and feelin’ groovy? Then you’ll want to audition for Lyric’s fall show. Created and directed by Ryan Hicks, this revue of ’60s folk favorites will run November 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 at the Shumiatcher Theatre, Mackenzie Art Gallery.

Auditions will be held Thursday, September 2, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Lakeview United Church.

Brunch 2011

Continuing the ’60s flashback, Lyric’s musical brunch in February will be a revue of musical theatre hits from that decade, created and directed

by Jane Ursan. The brunch runs February 6 and 13, 2011.

Auditions will be held Thursday, December 2.

Spring 2011

Finally, the spring show will be…well, it hasn’t been announced yet. But auditions will be held Thursday, February 17, 2011, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Lakeview United Church.

Be there, or be square!

Regina Summer Stage, our fellow Regina community musical theatre organization, has announced auditions for its summer production, My Fair Lady, directed by Patrick French, with Diane Taylor-Neale as music director and Chip McDaniel as choreographer.

Here’s are the details:

Dates: Friday, April 30, 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday, May 1, 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Callbacks: Sunday, May 2, 2 to 4 p.m.

Location: Regina Performing Arts Centre, 1077 Angus St. (at Fourth Avenue)

Requirements: If auditioning for a principal role, a prepared monologue of your choice, not to exceed two minutes.

If auditioning for a principal role, supporting role, or chorus, a song in the musical theatre genre that showcases your vocal quality, range, and volume.

An accompanist will be provided, but you may bring your own if you wish.

A vocal range check, vocal exercises, and/or cold read from the script may be requested at the discretion of the directors.

A prepared resumé (with photo if available) is appreciated but not required.

Callbacks will involve movement/choreography. Please dress appropriately.

Roles: All roles are for adults, 18 years of age and older.

Three male leads, one female lead, supporting roles and chorus.

Males: Henry Higgins, Colonel Pickering, Alfred P. Doolittle, Freddy Eynsford-Hill

Females: Eliza Doolittle, Mrs. Eynsford-Hill, Mrs. Higgins, Mrs. Pearce

Visit www.reginasummerstage.com for a complete list of roles.

Performances: Eight performances from July 8 through 11 and July 13 through 16.

All performances commence at 8 p.m. except for the 2 p.m. matinee on July 11.

Venue: University Theatre, Riddell Centre, University of Regina.

Auditions will be scheduled beginning Monday, April 19.

1. Contact the Regina Summer Stage office at 522-9078. Leave a message indicating your name, telephone number, and if you wish, your e-mail address.

or

2. Visit www.reginasummerstage.wordpress.com and click on Leave a Comment. Provide your contact information as noted above.

Regardless of where you leave your message, the stage manager will contact you to arrange a specific time for your audition. Please notify us if you must cancel or reschedule.

All individuals cast in the show must be members of Regina Summer Stage. A ten-dollar membership fee is required.