HAYLOFT HAPPENINGS/ FEBRUARY 2011

 

            Lately I’ve been hearing the refrain “I don’t want to work, I just want to bang on the drum all day” every time the Packers score a touchdown.  I guess that the Haylofters could also be singing this refrain because we certainly have scored a touchdown when we put together our amazing 80^th season! 

           Mary Hubbard Nugent will direct our spring show, the very funny “Lend Me a Tenor”.  Mary has previously directed “ Harvey ”, “Arsenic and Old Lace” and “Bell, Book and Candle” for us and we are delighted to have her back.   Just a bit of the play: Imagine yourself in 1934.  Cleveland ’s premiere opera producer is on the verge of a nervous breakdown because all the tickets are sold to “Othello”, a gala fundraiser for the company, but, it’s three minutes to curtain, and the leading man - the greatest tenor in the world - is missing!  Hilarity ensues when the producer decides to have his assistant impersonate the missing star.  Of course the star shows up and mistaken identities and crazy plot twists occur.  This show promises to be hilarious!  Auditions will be held Sunday, March 13 at 1:30 PM at the theater.  Mary says there are parts for both men and women in the play.  Auditioners can expect to be asked to read from a script for different scenes in the play.  We hope to see you there!  Production dates will be April 28 - 30, May 6 – 8 and 13 – 15. 

            Our summer musical will be “Jesus Christ Superstar”.  The show comes with some “restrictions” in that we can’t advertise it or announce that we are producing it outside of 10 miles from Burlington .  Please let all your friends know about this very exciting show.  “Jesus Christ Superstar” is the story of the last days of Christ, told in musical form by the amazing Andrew Lloyd Webber.  Jenny Hoffman will be directing this stirring and touching musical.  Auditions will be held on May 24 & 25 at 7 PM at the theater.  Production dates will be July 14 – 17, 21 – 24 and July 28 - 31. 

            Jesse Hurst will direct our final “regular” season show in the fall.  It is the 2^nd longest running Off Broadway production of all time, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”.  The show deals with the central theme of love and relationships in a musical format through vignettes.  This show is also a show with “restrictions” on its rights, so tell your friends!  Auditions will be held on August 22 at 7 PM at the theater.  Production dates will be: October 6 – 8, 14 – 16 and 21 - 23. 

            This year we will have a Bonus show, “ Dog Park : The Musical”, a musical comedy told through barbershop harmonies and following the adventures of 4 dogs at the dog park. We are very proud to have the amazing skill of Jennie King as our director for this very funny musical. Auditions will be September 19 at 7 PM at the theater.  Production dates will be November 3 – 6 and 10 – 13.

            The Young Haylofters play, “Aladdin”, will be directed by Julie Busch and assistant director, Dana Schmaling.  “Aladdin” is the romantic Disney musical about a beggar who falls in love with a Princess and how he wins the girl.  Auditions will be June 13 at 1 PM & June 14 at 10 AM at the theater.  Production dates will be:  August 11 – 14 and 18 – 21. 

            Once again we will enjoy the “Winter Cabaret”, directed by Christy Heinzelmann and Melissa Rodriguez.  Auditions for this program are TBA but production dates will be November 26 & 27 and December 2 – 4.  As always, look for any updates in future issues of “Happenings”.

Interested in our season offerings this year?  Our very detailed and informative 2011 brochure will be available soon.  Not only will it give information about our wonderful line-up of plays for this year, tell you about season tickets prices ($30 a ticket which allows you to see three great “regular” season shows - our spring, summer and fall shows - and gives you first chance at those sometimes hard to get tickets before they become available to the general public. The bonus offerings, the Young Haylofters show and the Christmas program are individually priced), but it will also explain about how you can become one of the many patrons who help us continue to provide quality entertainment to the Burlington area. 

             What’s that you say?  You want to help us by becoming a member of the Haylofters.  That’s so easy!  All you have to do is fill out the form available in our lobby.  Single memberships are available for $15 and family memberships for $25.  Not only are you helping to support our program by becoming a member, but you will receive $2 (for a single membership) or $4 (for a family membership) off tickets (one time) for each of our “regular” season shows, if tickets are purchased at the lobby ticket/concession booth.  

            Another way to help us and you at the same time is to become a Patron of the Haylofters.  The Haylofters are licensed as a 501c3 tax-exempt organization, so your donation is also a tax deduction and, at the $150 level, you will receive 2 complimentary season tickets.  Learn more about season tickets and patron donations by calling the theater at (262) 763-9873 or, if you choose, send us a check for your season tickets/patron donation. Our address is Haylofters, P.O. Box 164 , Burlington , WI , 53105 . 

As always, we are looking for sponsors for our shows.  We are excited to announce that Runzheimer International will once again be sponsoring our summer show.  Runzheimer International has helped our theater by sponsoring our summer shows since 2006’s “ Oklahoma ”.  Thank you Runzheimer for all your support!  Also, an anonymous sponsor has stepped forward to sponsor our fall show “I Love, You’re Perfect, Now Change”.  This sponsor wants no publicity for their generous sponsorship, but we, at the Hayloft, would like to thank them and Runzheimer for helping us remain a viable entity in the community.  A big thank you!  Wow, it really is great to have such caring and community minded businesses as our sponsors.  However, we could still use sponsors for our spring show, “Lend Me a Tenor”, our fall bonus show, “ Dog Park ” and our “Winter Cabaret”.  Sponsorship offers positive publicity for your group by prominently featuring your business in all our ads, posters and playbills while helping us maintain our community theater program.  If your business is interested in sponsoring any of the listed shows or would just like more information about this very valuable program, call Phyllis at (262) 763-9395.

A quick word for those of you who have asked about our Ad Booklet (the booklet that we stuff all our playbills into – just imagine how many people see those ads!).  Ads are available for purchase and the prices are: ¼ page Ad - $50, ½ page Ad - $75, full page Ad - $150.  Anyone with interest in purchasing in Ad in our 2011 Ad booklet should call Lenore at 763-8602.  The deadline for ads is March 30.

            The first of our annual general meetings will be a trip to the CCHS musical, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” (we went to BHS last year).  The Haylofters’ group will be going to the play on Thursday, April 7, at 6:30 PM.  Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $10 for seniors.  If you are interested in reserving a ticket to go with our group, please call Phyllis Hartwick (me) at 763-9395 or email me at tophartwick@wi.rr.com by Monday, March 14.  Other performance dates for “Charlie Brown” are April 1, (dinner theater) April 2, April 3 and April 8 – 10 (regular evening performances at 7:30 PM and matinees at 2 PM).  Tickets are available at

 

 

 

playtickets@cchsnet.org  beginning March 16 or in person at the CCHS ticket kiosk starting March 15.  For more information call CCHS.  I would also like to make all of you aware that BHS will be performing “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” this year.   The play dates are:  March 30, April 1 – 3 and 7 – 9 (evening performances will be at 7:00 PM and the Sunday matinee will be at 2 PM.  Note that the April 9 date will have both matinee and evening performances).  Tickets, priced at $5 will be sold at the BHS office.

            Our good friends at the Veteran’s Terrace also have an exciting upcoming event of which you should all be aware.  They will, for the 2^nd year, be holding a fundraiser for the Terrace with a wonderful concert featuring America ’s Favorite Cowboys, Riders in the Sky!  Tickets are priced at $40 and are available at the First Banking Center , Sentry and Gooseberries.  Tickets are also available on line at

 

www.veteransterrace.com

..  The concert date is Wednesday, March 23 at 7 PM.  Doors will open at 5:30 PM.  Seating will be open, so come early to get a good seat!  Put this date on your calendar and be sure to see this wonderful show! 

            Finally, our March board meeting will be held at Los Compadres Restaurant at 725 Milwaukee Ave. in Burlington at 6 PM on Thursday, March 10.  Anyone may join us!

 

Your Hayloft Treasurer,
Phyllis Hartwick