Little Theatre of Norfolk is excited to complete its 98th continuously operating season by welcoming back the Tony Award Winning, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder to it’s stage. This performance, originally scheduled for the 2020 Spring Season, was postponed during COVID after just a few weeks of rehearsal, and finally makes it’s return  to the LTN stage!

“I’m so glad to see this incredible production made its way back into the season after a few year’s hiatus,” said Jessi DiPette, an original cast member from the 2020 performance who has returned to complete the show. “We are so lucky to have some of the original team and cast back finally bringing this to life!”

Alicia Wolters returns to the helm as director once again, bringing a fresh take to the script.

“I was immediately taken with the show, which pays homage to Gilbert and Sullivan with a hint of lyrical wizardry that is reminiscent of the late great Steven Sondheim, and highlights many of the things that I love about musical theatre. Witty and charming, with an energetic score, and character work that challenges the most seasoned actors, I was very excited to start the process,” says director Alicia Wolters. “My favorite thing about theatre is that it is a collaborative art, each and every person that touches the piece brings something indelible. I hope you see and hear that collaboration and the good humor that has imbued this entire process”

Wolters’ past experience includes stage and event management for Princess Cruise and Tours, Nevada Opera and Walt Disney Entertainment, to name a few.

This irreverent musical satire premiered in 2013, with music by Steven Lutvak, lyrics by Lutvak and Robert L. Freedman, and book by Freedman. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder skewers topics surrounding classism, sexism, and colonialism, directed by Alicia Wolters and choreographed by Amy Harbin. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder opens May 31st and runs through June 23rd.

On the night of his mother’s funeral, middle-class Englishman Monty Navarro learns he’s an aristocrat—if he can only find a way to prevent the eight earls preceding him from inheriting the earldom, first! Buoyed along by love for two different women, the stunning and self-centered Sibella and the pious and witty Phoebe, Monty takes on his mission. As for the D’Ysquith family? One actor plays each ill-fated member, from the flamboyant country squire to the terrible actress to the aging war hero. In the witty and ceaselessly entertaining A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, the audience is treated to Edwardian style, classic farce, and stunning operatic singing.

As we conclude our 98th Season, Little Theatre of Norfolk continues the mission to entertain, educate, and deepen collaborations with the community. We look forward to sharing this uproarious comedy with the Hampton Roads Community.

WHEN: DATES & TIMES:

● Friday, May 31st, 2024 at 8pm
● Saturday, June 1st, 2024 at 8pm
● Sunday, June 2nd, 2024 at 2:30pm
● Friday, June 7th, 2024 at 8pm
● Saturday, June 8th, 2024 at 8pm
● Sunday, June 9th, 2024 at 2:30pm
● Friday, June 14th, 2024 at 8pm
● Saturday, June 15th, 2024 at 8pm
● Sunday, June 16th, 2024 at 2:30pm
● Friday, June 21st, 2024 at 8pm
● Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 at 8pm
● Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 at 2:30pm

WHERE: Little Theatre of Norfolk, 801 Claremont Ave, Norfolk, VA 23507
HOW: Purchase tickets online: https://ltnonline.org/tickets/
Tickets: $18 Pre-sale, $20 At-The-Door
Group Discounts Available
Box Office: 757-627-8551, [email protected]

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder was produced on Hartford Stage in October 2016 by
the Hartford Stage in association with the Old Globe Theatre. It is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

About Little Theatre of Norfolk
Little Theatre of Norfolk is a volunteer-led, non-profit community theatre, continually operating since 1926. It is located at 801 Claremont Avenue in the Chelsea neighborhood of Norfolk. Free parking is available in the lots behind the building and across the street. Information about upcoming performances, auditions, workshops, and volunteer opportunities can be found at www.ltnonline.org.

“Rathskeller: A Musical Elixir” closed on May 18 with a full tip jar, and this week, the cast donated the funds to the Virginia Beach Samaritan House, to provide protection and support for those facing domestic violence.

A total of $450 was crowd-funded during performances, and the cast decided to pay those funds forward to those in need. Following the themes portrayed in “Rathskeller”, the Samaritan House seemed like the perfect fit for giving back.

Samaritan House offers housing, case management, counseling, victim advocacy, transportation, medical assistance, food pantry, group therapy, job training, and more to individuals and families experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or homelessness.

Learn more about their mission and how to support at: https://samaritanhouseva.org/about-us/our-mission

• When: Afternoons of Saturday May 4 and Sunday May 5 by appointment. Requests may be made for an appointment on another day or time. Callbacks are scheduled the evening of Monday May 6, or may be held at a later date of mutual convenience. Location TBD. To schedule an audition, please fill out this form. We will respond with your specific audition time.
• Compensation: Wisdom Heart Theater is an all-volunteer organization, but all company members will receive a modest $100 stipend as a token of gratitude and to offset expenses.
• Characters (race neutral):
• Aaron: Male, aged 26-30
• Claire: Female, two years younger than Aaron
• Read more about them.
• Directors: Paul Lasakow and Staci Murawski.
• Process: read a summary of our approach.
• Performance Dates: 7:30 P.M. June 21, 22, 25, 26, & 27, 2024
• Venue: University Studio Theater at Old Dominion University, Norfolk.
• Rehearsals begin second week of May, specific schedule to be determined by the ensemble.
• Video Submissions will be accepted, although in-person auditions are encouraged.
• Script Availability: Loaner scripts can be obtained by emailing [email protected].
• Sides: Available to Download

Auditions will be held Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5 by appointment. You may request an appointment outside of that window should those times be inconvenient, or send a taped audition. Call-backs are scheduled for the evening of Monday, May 6, or at a time of mutual convenience for all.  Scheduling a time to audition may be done via web form.

It is unnecessary to be off-book for auditions, but we encourage you to arrive very familiar with the text.

Please send any questions or comments to [email protected].

LEARN MORE

MUSIC VIDEO CASTING CALL FOR COUNTRY MUSIC RECORDING ARTIST AND SONGWRITER Roberta Lea‘s LATEST RELEASE ENTITLED GIRLS TRIP!!! LOOKING FOR 20 WOMEN EXTRAS, AGES 18 AND UP!!!!!!!! SHOOT HAPPENS APRIL 30th, 6-10 PM!!! REGISTER AT THE LINK BELOW! (Please share!!!)

POSTING DATE: 4/21/2024
PROJECT TITLE: GIRLS TRIP
PROJECT TYPE: Country Music Video
DIRECTOR: Tremaine Etheridge
PROJECT SYNOPSIS: Casting 20 women of all ethnicities, ages 18 and up, for a music video highlighting the joys of sisterhood amongst women who have come together to escape the trappings of everyday life for a girls trip, enjoying fun in the sun and on the nightlife scene.
UNION STATUS: Non-union
PRODUCTION DATES: Filming is one-day only, April 30, 2024,
6 pm-10 pm
PRODUCTION LOCATION: The Moxy Hotel, Virginia Beach, VA
COMPENSATION: Non- paid
USAGE: Commercial Use – To market and promote single Girls Trip on music streaming platforms, etc
CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS: All women extras

For more information, email [email protected] or call 757-291-3326

To register as an extra for this fun-filled video shoot, please click on the link below:
https://forms.gle/kYj5W4nMMV7n7v2T6

[Virginia Beach, VA]-April 15, 2024-The Zeiders American Dream Theater is excited to announce the regional premiere of the new musical, “Rathskeller: A Musical Elixir”.

Rathskeller unveils the story of John Casey, who finds himself in the enigmatic bar after a fatal accident. The Bartender, along with her vibrant rock-n-roll bar staff, introduces him to the establishment’s rules, propelling John into a confrontation with his past sins. The narrative weaves a compelling tale of choice, redemption, and the eternal questions of justice and mercy. With its powerful rock score, Rathskeller challenges the audience to reflect on what it means to be deserving of redemption or justice.

The performance largely features a cast of women, and will be the first performance of the musical to include live band orchestrations.

Performances are scheduled at 7:30 PM with additional matinees at 3:00 PM on Saturdays. Tickets are priced at $30 for standard admission, with discounted rates available at $26 for seniors and military personnel, and $15 for students.

About the Production

RATHSKELLER was conceived & commissioned in February of 2021 by Dame Productions. Brianna Kothari Barnes (Book, Music & Lyrics) and Collin Kessler (first workshop script) worked together with support from Dame Productions to create the full-length musical first workshop script. in just 6 months. This first stage of development culminated in a Workshop Production that premiered with a weekend of sold-out shows at the New Ohio Theatre in New York City on September 24-26, 2021. RATHSKELLER won Best Musical and Best Choreography in BroadwayWorld’s 2021 Off-Off Broadway Awards. In the spring of 2022.

Cast & Creative Team
Brianna Kothari-Barnes: Book, Music, Lyrics
Patrick Mullins: Director
Elizabeth Brydge: Music Supervisor/Asst Director
Jennifer Kelly-Cooper: Choreographer
James Rushin: Arrangements
Akin Ritchie: Lighting Designer & Technical Director
Dasia Gregg: Set Designer
JC Nigh: Sound Designer
Chelsea Cartledge-Rose: Costume Designer
Kurtis Wiley: Production & Props Manager

Steve Pacek as John Casey
Kristy Glass as The Bartender
Kathy Hinson as Linda
James Manno as Bill
Janae Thompson as Ty
Jessi DiPette as Peyton
Kai B. White as Tasha
Alexandra Shephard as Becca
Bar Staff:  Raymond Dimaano, Alexandra Fleshman, Moriah Leeward

The Z (Zeiders American Dream Theater) is excited to announce the 2024 lineup of the internationally renowned Vocal Jazz Summit.  

This year’s festival features headline  performances and workshops from GRAMMY-winning headliners Samara Joy (New Artist, Jazz Vocal Album, New Artist) and säje (Best Arrangement), alongside jazz legend Stephanie Nakasian. 

The Vocal Jazz Summit brings together emerging and established artists, industry leaders, and vocal jazz fans for a unique, intensive weekend dedicated to performance, connection, and education. This year’s events are no exception to the expanding weekend packed full of events.  

Highlights from the weekend:  

Thursday, June 6 

5:00pm – 9:00pm Vocal Jam Session at Town Center 

 

Friday, June 7  

7:00pm- säje Performance 

 8:30pm- Jam Session Hosted by Alison Crockett 

 

Saturday, June 8 

10:00am-5:00pm- Erin Bentlage, Johnaye Kendrick, Amanda Taylor,  & Sara Gazarek Workshops 

7:30pm- Samara Joy Performance in partnership with the Virginia Arts Festival (Sandler Center) 

9:15pm- Jam Session Hosted by Lynn Veronneau + Ken Avis 

 

Sunday, June 9 

10:00am- Meet The Artist: Samara Joy 

1:30pm-3pm Mark Winkler & Stephanie Nakasian Workshops  

4:00pm- Industry Panel: Mary Foster Conklin & Mark Winkler 

6:00pm- Stephanie Nakasian Performance 

 

For a limited time, attendees can take advantage of early ticket prices while they last. Passes include access to all festival events, workshops, performances, and networking. Limited quantities at each price tier.  

This year, The Z is proud to partner with the Virginia Beach Town Center Westin Hotel and the Crowne Plaza for specially discounted travel specials. Learn more at vocaljazzsummit.org.  

Vocal Jazz Summit runs Thursday, June 6 – Sunday, June 10, 2024. For tickets, lodging, and a full list of events, workshops and sessions, visit www.vocaljazzsummit.org 

ABOUT ALEXIS COLE – FESTIVAL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 

A dozen albums into her career, vocalist Alexis Cole is hitting her stride. As a sought after international performer, she’s appeared with her trio, with whom she both plays piano and sings, and is a frequent guest with big bands and pops orchestras. She’s the director of the Jazz Vocal program at the SUNY Purchase College conservatory and William Paterson University, the founder and director of the online educational community JazzVoice.com, and the cofounder and artistic director of the Virginia Beach Vocal Jazz Summit. www.alexiscole.com 

 

ABOUT LIZ TERRELL- FESTIVAL PRODUCER 

Liz Terrell has been a part of The Zeiders American Dream Theater team since 2015 and currently serves as the Music and Community Series Producer after having worn many hats as the Company Manager, Artistic Associate, and Bookkeeper. When not working behind the scenes at The Z you can find her on stage performing as one of Virginia’s most sought after jazz vocalists. Over the past decade, Terrell’s musical career has navigated through the performance spectrum, ranging from musical theater and cabaret to touring Europe in a gospel ensemble until she found herself firmly planted in jazz. Her latest album “It’s All Right With Me” was met with critical acclaim and a warm welcome into the jazz world. 

www.lizterrell.com