NORWICH – The Norwich Theater Company recently announced its upcoming season at its annual fundraiser, Music & Masquerade.
“They're all pretty well-known, popular shows,” said Richard Heim, treasurer and director of the first show. “I'm really looking forward to the next season and anxious to get started.”
The first show is “White Christmas,” by Irving Berlin. The musical is scheduled for November 21-23, 2014, and will include a large cast, as well as child performers. Auditions will begin in early to mid-August with rehearsal in September.
“With 'White Christmas,' it's a pretty popular, traditional Christmas favorite,” said Heim. “The show has not been done in this area for a long time. It's a nice start to the holidays.”
States the “New York Daily News,” the show is “a holiday card come to life.”
The next performance will be “Blithe Spirit,” by Noel Coward on April 24-26. The show is a satirical, comedic play and will require a smaller sized ca st. It is set in 1941 England and focuses on a man who is torn between his current wife and the dramatic, funny ghost of his first wife who appears after a séance.
As a third offering, the theater will perform “The Music Man,” by Meredith Willson on August 21-23. This musical will require a large cast of actors with a number of children participating.
“'The Music Man' is a very popular, well-known musical for next summer,” he said.
According to Music Theatre International, “'The Music Man' follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band he vows to organize - this despite the fact he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef.”
“I congratulate the artistic community for the selections for next season and all of the hard work they put into it,” said President Marty Kuhn.
A nonprofit organization, the Norwich Theater Company is always looking for actors and volunteers from the local area.
“Auditions will be open and we can always use backstage help, set construction, as well as front of house,” Heim said.
Anyone interested in performing in the final show of this season, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” should audition. The audition will be held from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on June 16 and 17 at the UCC Church in Norwich.
Season tickets are already on sale on the website. There are also donor level season tickets available for purchase.
“They can get tickets for all of the shows and other benefits by giving a donation over and above the ticket price, which is all tax deductible,” said Heim.
“Season made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council of the Arts, administered by the Chenango Arts Council, a generous grant from the Roger Follet Foundation and our Season Sponsors,” states a company press release.
Visit norwichtheatercompany.org for season ticket and show information.