Photo by Carol-Ann Black
Cameron Frank (front row third from left) as Willy Wonka and the Oompa-Loompas await the Golden Ticket candy tour winners in the ShowBiz Kidz production of “Willy Wonka Junior” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Royal Majestic Theater, 15740 Racho Road in Taylor. The Oompla-Loompas include Emily Hunt (front row left), Julia Doddie, Abigail Doddie (front row, fourth from left), Alana Maffesoli, Sophia Kozlo (back row left), Isabel Perez and Natalie Matevia.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Whether it’s youth theater, high school thespians or local community theater, the New Year brings new beginnings, from auditions to cast announcements.
‘DEARBORN’S GOT TALENT’ SEEKS PERFORMERS
All high school students in Dearborn are invited to audition for “Dearborn’s Got Talent” from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 13 and 14 at Edsel Ford High School, 20601 Rotunda Drive in Dearborn.
Musicians, dancers, singers, comedians, jugglers, magicians, gymnasts and other performers can audition.
“Dearborn’s Got Talent” takes to the stage April 4 in the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn.
For more information, contact Jacqui Rivait at 313-827-3109 or at [email protected]
DIVINE CHILD CASTS ‘LES MISERABLES’ SCHOOL EDITION
Divine Child High School, 1001 N. Silvery Lane in Dearborn, has announced the cast for the school edition of the musical “Les Miserables.” The show runs March 3 to 6 in the school auditorium.
The show features a large cast, including elementary school children and understudies for the major roles.
Brandon Ebert will play Jean Valjean, with Alek Pappas as Javert, Maddie Kaplan as Cosette and Will Dunn as Marius.
Johnathan Lundblad will play Enjoras, with Riley Klauza as Eponine and Mia Hutchinson as Fantine.
Tim Braum will play Mr. Thenardier, with Meghan Walker as Madame Thenardier.
Playing Young Cosette’s are Paige Frye, Sydney Porada and Isabella Torres, while Peter Moore and Connor Kolowski share the role of Gavroche.
SHOWBIZ KIDZ PRESENT ‘WILLY WONKA JUNIOR’
ShowBiz Kidz, in partnership with Trillium Academy, will present Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka Junior” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Royal Majestic Theater, 15740 Racho Road in Taylor.
General admission is $10, with $8 tickets for students and seniors. For tickets or more information, call 734-934-7086 or go to www.sbkidz.com.
The show is based on Dahl’s book, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and the 1971 film “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” with Gene Wilder.
The cast includes Cameron Frank of Southgate as Willy Wonka, Ryan Moss of Southgate as Charlie Bucket and Ryan Boos of Allen Park as Grandpa Joe.
Nathan Goethe of Southgate plays Augustus Gloop, with Julia Marentette of Redford as Mrs. Gloop.
Katie McKitrick of Trenton plays Veruca Salt, with Adrianna James playing Mrs. Salt.
Robyn Hunt of Riverview plays Violet Beauregarde, with Ella Barton of Grosse Ile as Mrs. Beauregarde.
Blake Robinson of Southgate plays Mike Teavee, with Kennedy Klauza of New Boston as Mrs. Teavee.
Musical numbers include “Candy Man,” “Pure Imagination,” “Oompa-Loompa,” and “I Want it Now.”
Carol-Ann Black of Southgate directed and choreographed the show, with vocal direction by Sebastian Adams of Allen Park.
‘RABBIT HOLE’ AUDITIONS AT PLAYERS GUILD OF DEARBORN
The Players Guild of Dearborn will hold auditions for David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Rabbit Hole,” the 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winner for drama, Jan. 13 and 14 at the theater, 21730 Monroe. Lindel Salow will direct the show.
The play centers on how family members survive a major loss, and includes elements of comedy as well as drama.
Cynthia Nixon, best known for her role on “Sex in the City,” received a 2006 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for her portrayal of Becca, and the play received several other Tony nominations as well.
Audition registration begins at 6:30 p.m., with auditions beginning at 7:30 p.m. Downloadable audition forms are available at www.playersguildofdearborn.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/auditionform.pdf.
Becca and Howie are a couple trying to overcome the accidental death of their 4-year-old son, Danny, eight months earlier, when Becca’s single sister, Izzy, announces she is pregnant. The sisters’ mother, Nat, who lost a son to suicide when he was in his 30s, after years of heroin addiction, tries to draw on her past suffering to offer Becca support. Amid this backdrop, Jason, the teen who hit Danny with his vehicle, wants to connect with Becca and Howie.
Character ages are an audition reference, and those auditioning may read for a role if they feel they can physically play an age not a chronological match to their own.
Becca and Howie are in their late 30s to early 40s, while Izzy is in her early 30s. Nat is in her mid 60s. Jason is a 17-year-old boy.
“Rabbit Hole” runs March 7 to 9, 14 to 16 and 21 to 23, with show times at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
For further character descriptions and more audition information, go to www.playersguildofdearborn.org/auditions.