BC Productions proudly announces the premiere of Miracle, the latest script by Chestertown playwright Earl Lewin. This production is being presented as a Celebration of Roberta Lewin’s life in lieu a formal gathering. Miracle was in production at the time of her passing, October 6. 2019. This production is dedicated to her belief in the life expanding power of the performing arts.

Performances of Miracle will be held at Church Hill Theatre beginning on Friday, November 22 and running through Sunday, December 1, 2019. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 pm, and Sunday matinees begin at 2 pm. In recent years, BC Productions has collaborated with Church Hill Theatre to present Lewin’s Hitched in 2018, Orlando Rising in 2017, Saint Georges Blues in 2016, Accidentally Wealthy in 2015, and Visiting Sam in 2014. Miracle marks Lewin’s sixth annual production to be staged at Church Hill Theatre in as many years.

Lewin, a published playwright, having had two One Act Plays published by Baker’s Plays, brings his extensive experience to directing his own script. Church Hill Theatre has a collaborative history with Lewin having provided a venue for original scripts including two musicals She Stoops to Conquer, The Musical and Celluloid both featuring = musical scores by Dick Durham. Celluloid played Off Broadway in 2010. His murder-musical The Burgundy Wine Mob also debuted at CHT to go on to an Off-Off Broadway production in 2012. Lewin’s short script entitled Not Responsible was also featured in the Short Play Lab’s MidTown Festival in New York City in 2013.

A triggered memory of a lost relative—and the tragic outcome of her battle to control the fate of her special needs child—leads to a search for answers, understanding, and closure in Lewin’s production of Miracle. John (portrayed by Chris Rogers and Robbie Spray—modern day and the younger respectively) comes across a pre-World War II photo of a cousin Betty (played by Michelle Christopher). She and her sister Dorothy (played by Peggy Chiras), though 11 and 13 years his senior, were the only relatives around during the World War II years. Being the same ages as his cousins, both of his brothers were off fighting. He was very close to Dorothy and Betty back then. After the War, the brothers and cousins were all married, and John, being in his teens, was busy living life. He rarely thought about Betty who he had adored as a child.

Betty’s intended, Tom (portrayed by Steve Hazzard), returned from the War disfigured. They married but kept to themselves. Their first child was born with severe physical and mental limitations. They retreated further from the family. They had a second child who was perfectly healthy. Tom wanted to institutionalize the first boy, so the new child could “live a normal life.” Betty was not sure. Her sister Dorothy fought to keep the first child with the family and ultimately took him to raise herself.  The battle with Tom resulted in the dissolution of Betty’s marriage.

John married and raised a family of his own. He only heard of Betty’s problems through his parents, and now there is no one living who would know the final outcome of her story.  His parents, both of his brothers, and Dorothy are all dead; Tom had left Betty and taken his healthy child with no forwarding address. The last John knew of Betty, she was a recluse. Now he is suddenly confronted with the regret that he has no idea what has become of her. He did not know if she was alive or dead. She would be in her 90s, if still living. He wants to find her. He wants her to know he has not forgotten her.

Rounding out the cast are Bonnie Hill, Kathy Jones, and Minnie Maloney, Howard Mesick, and Nita Wieczoreck. Assisting Lewin with the production is an equally experienced and accomplished crew: Bonnie Hill and Kathy Jones  (Stage Managers); Lewin (Set Design/Construction and Sound Design); Rogers (Sound Design); Doug Kaufmann (Lighting Design/Operation); and Paul Coleman, Eddie Dorman, and Tom Dorman (Stage Crew).

Please plan to join Lewin and his accomplished cast and crew as they celebrate the life of Roberta Lewin and lay before you the life expanding power of the performing arts! Performances will be held at Church Hill Theatre November 22, 23, 29, 30, 24 and December (Friday/Saturday performances at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm). For information: call 410.556.6003 or visit the CHT Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ChurchHillTheatre/ or the BC Productions page at https://www.facebook.com/bcroductionsmd. All tickets are $15 (cash or check only) and may be picked up prior to performance at the box office.

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, subtitled A Trivial Comedy for Serious People, is delighting audiences and runs through November 17 on the Church Hill Theatre main stage.

An international favorite since it opened in 1895, Earnest is a frothy triumph of the English language, poking fun at the (not so fine) manners of the British upper class. Wilde is sharply critical of Victorian institutions, including religion, marriage, finances and education, but with such witty humor that both audiences and the characters themselves accept preposterous plot twists with wide-eyed good humor. Jack Worthing is extremely wealthy but, as a foundling, lacks the “breeding” deemed necessary to marry Gwendolyn Fairfax, Lady Bracknell’s beautiful daughter. If Jack cannot have Gwendolyn, then his best friend Algernon, Lady Bracknell’s nephew, is no fit suitor for Worthing’s own ward, the innocent young Cecily. The four young people eventually find their own ways to true love, thwarted by Lady Bracknell and assisted (perhaps) by Cecily’s governess, Miss Prism, and the local vicar, Dr. Chasuble.  The “downstairs” staff in both London and the country add their own social perspectives.

Sylvia Maloney, who more usually manages large casts of singers and dancers in the theatre’s musicals, directs the CHT revival. In a review by Peter Heck, he notes that she has “put together a talented cast.” Debra Ebersole “sails onto the stage” as the gorgon-like Lady Bracknell. Christine Kinlock “does a great job of conveying the faux sophistication” as her daughter, Gwendolyn Fairfax, and John Beck “does and outstanding job” as her nephew, Algernon Moncrieff. Jack Worthing is portrayed by “one of the best comic actors on the local scene,” Howard Mesick.  Cavin Moore is “captivating” as Jack’s ward, Cecily Cardew.  Sheila Austrian takes on the pivotal role of Miss Prism, Cecily’s governess; stepping in at the last minute, Brian McGunigle has the role of Dr. Chasuble; Frank St-Armor plays Lane, Algernon’s wise butler; and Jim Johnson and Ronald “Speedy” Christopher, Jr. share the role of Merriman, the servant at Jack’s country house.

Sylvia Maloney also served as producer for this production. The work of her scenarists and costumers were particularly praised by Heck in his review.  Tom and Pam Rhodes designed the set while Jim Johnson and Carmen Grasso aided in its construction. Providing the wonderful Victorian costumes is Tina Johnson with Doug Kaufmann as the lighting designer and technician and Hester Sachse designing the sound.  Jim Johnson and Speedy Christopher also serve as the co-stage managers. Steve Atkinson is the photographer.

The Importance of Being Earnest runs through November 17, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and on Sundays at 2 pm. Call the box office at 410-556-6003 for details and reservations.

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, subtitled A Trivial Comedy for Serious People, will delight audiences of all ages at the start of the holiday season. The show opens on November 1 and runs through November 17 on the Church Hill Theatre main stage.

An international favorite since it opened in 1895, Earnest is a frothy triumph of the English language, poking fun at the (not so fine) manners of the British upper class. Wilde is sharply critical of Victorian institutions, including religion, marriage, finances and education, but with such witty humor that both audiences and the characters themselves accept preposterous plot twists with wide-eyed good humor. Jack Worthing is extremely wealthy but, as a foundling, lacks the “breeding” deemed necessary to marry Gwendolyn Fairfax, Lady Bracknell’s beautiful daughter. If Jack cannot have Gwendolyn, then his best friend Algernon, Lady Bracknell’s nephew, is no fit suitor for Worthing’s own ward, the innocent young Cecily. The four young people eventually find their own ways to true love, thwarted by Lady Bracknell and assisted (perhaps) by Cecily’s governess, Miss Prism, and the local vicar, Dr. Chasuble.  The “downstairs” staff in both London and the country add their own social perspectives.

Sylvia Maloney, who more usually manages large casts of singers and dancers in the theatre’s musicals, directs the CHT revival. That skill is apparent in the strong ensemble work she achieves with her experienced cast. Debra Ebersole plays the gorgon-like Lady Bracknell. Christine Kinlock plays her daughter, Gwendolyn Fairfax, and John Beck plays her nephew, Algernon Moncrieff. Jack Worthing is portrayed by Howard Mesick and Jack’s ward, Cecily Cardew, by Cavin Moore. Sheila Austrian portrays Miss Prism, Cecily’s governess; Charles “Pat” Patterson has the role of Dr. Chasuble; Frank St-Armor plays Lane, Algernon’s wise butler; and Jim Johnson and Ronald “Speedy” Christopher, Jr. share the role of Merriman, the servant at Jack’s country house.

Sylvia Maloney also served as producer for this production. She was assisted by Tom and Pam Rhodes, who designed the set while Jim Johnson and Carmen Grasso aided in its construction. Providing the wonderful Victorian costumes is Tina Johnson with Doug Kaufmann as the lighting designer and technician and Hester Sachse designing the sound.  Jim Johnson and Speedy Christopher also serve as the co-stage managers. Steve Atkinson is the photographer.

The Importance of Being Earnest runs from November 1 to 17, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and on Sundays at 2 pm. CHT offers special 2 for the price of 1 tickets on opening night, Friday, November 1 for those who reserve by phone. Call the box office at 410-556-6003 or visit the website www.churchhilltheatre.org for details and reservations.

Director Michael Whitehill is seeking actors for Church Hill Theatre’s 2020 Season Opener, Other Desert Cities – a play in Two Acts by Jon Robin Baitz. A finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer prize, the ensemble play will run from January 17 to February 2.

The play centers around Brooke Wyeth and her return home to Palm Springs for Christmas in 2004. Unable to relax into the prickly, yet loving, embrace of her wealthy California family after six years in New York, she is apprehensive about revealing her plan to publish her new memoir. At the gathering are Brooke’s conservative parents — father Lyman and mother Polly, along with Silda, Polly’s sister, home after a recent stop in rehab, and Brooke’s younger brother Trip. Brooke has adopted liberal political beliefs, but she still craves the approval of her parents and their blessing for her memoir focusing on the suicide of her beloved older brother, Henry, who was involvement with the radical subculture in Venice resulted in the anti-war bombing of a draft board during the Vietnam War. The pain of this incident is a wound that Polly and Lyman do not want reopened and they must choose whether to reveal a shocking secret that they have kept for decades, or risk exposure when the world reads their story. Brooke has drawn a line in the sand and dares her family to cross it. The intricate family portrait encompasses the international disasters of war, the caustic feuds of American politics, and demonstrates the effects one family’s love and grief. A sharp dark comedy, Jon Robin Baitz’s Other Desert Cities shifts the audience’s sympathies from one family member to another – a complex play and wonderful challenge for any actor. (Synopsis adapted from Stageagent.com)

Auditions will be held at Church Hill Theatre on the main stage on:
Saturday, October 5 at 10am
Tuesday October 8 at 6pm
Thursday October 10 at 6pm
Saturday October 12 at 10am

The rolls are:
Brooke Wyeth –  Female, thirties to early fifties
Polly Wyeth – Female, fifties to mid seventies
Lyman Wyeth – Male, fifties to mid seventies
Silda Grauman – Female, fifties to mid sixties
Trip Wyeth – Male, thirties to forties

Please note that the relative age differences for all characters can easily play younger. Auditioning Actors will cold read sides from the script and be given special and somewhat surprising exercises to perform. Let there be no fear!

Contact: Hester Sachse, Executive Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: Church Hill Theatre Office 410-556-6003
Website: https://www.churchhilltheatre.org

From September 6 to 22, 33 Variations will bring one of Beethoven’s finest piano works and Moises Kaufman’s compelling contemporary play to the Church Hill Theatre stage. With Stephanie King LaMotte playing the grand piano, Director Michael Whitehill shifts fluidly between the 19^th and 21^st centuries, exploring musical, medical and intellectual enigmas.

In 33 Variations, musicologist Katherine Brandt, coping with an advancing case of ALS, pursues her research on the background of Beethoven’s variations on a waltz by Anton Diabelli. Her story alternates and intersects on the stage with Beethoven’s own reaction to his growing deafness and his fascination with a brief work by a minor musician.  According to Kaufman, “It’s really a question about inspiration…what is it that Beethoven sees…it would be like if Philip Glass found a song by Britney Spears and decided to spend the next four years of his life studying and making variations on it. “

Photo: Clockwise from top left, Eddie Vance portrays Ludwig Van Beethoven, Ken Gresh is Anton Diabelli, Stephanie King Lamotte is the onstage pianist, bringing the music of 33 Variations to life, and Will Robinson plays Anton Schindler. Photos by Steve Atkinson.

Director Whitehill’s cast includes Kathy Jones as the present-day music expert, Katherine Brandt; Kendall Irene Davis as her daughter, Clara; Robbie Spray as Mike Clark, Katherine’s nurse; and Debra Ebersole as Dr. Gertrude Ladenburger, a German music librarian.  In period costume, Eddie Vance plays Ludwig Van Beethoven, Ken Gresh plays Anton Diabelli, and Will Robinson portrays Anton Schindler, Beethoven’s secretary and business manager.

In a unique turn for a play, concert pianist Stephanie King LaMotte will be on stage throughout the performance, playing the often-complex pieces written by Beethoven. Trained by renowned professor Aiko Onishi, King LaMotte was a featured soloist for the Willamette Falls Symphony and a staff pianist for the prestigious Tuscia Opera Festival in Italy.  She has played her original score “Remember” on the deck of the Battleship Missouri and locally, Sondheim’s intricate pieces for Sweeney Todd at Chestertown’s Garfield Center for the Arts.

Assisting in the production are Producer Sylvia Maloney, Stage Manager Ronald Lee “Speedy” Christopher, Jr., Dramaturge Shelagh Grasso, and Choreographer Cavin Moore. Doug Kaufmann is in charge of lighting and sound; Steve Atkinson is the photographer. The play is produced under arrangements with Dramaatists Play service, Inc.

33 Variations runs from September 6 – 22, with performances at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 pm on Sundays. 2-for-the-price-of- one tickets are available for the opening night performance. Reservations are strongly advised and can be made by calling the box office at 410-556-6003 or online at www.churchhilltheatre.org

During the first three weekends in September, the Church Hill Theatre will present the Tony Award nominated play 33 Variations by Moises Kaufman.  In 2009 it received 5 nominations including Best Play while Jane Fonda was starring in the unique drama on Broadway. It explores the creative genius of Beethoven by a modern-day musicologist, obsessed with searching for reasons why Beethoven would lower himself to do 33 variations of a said “trite” waltz created by Diabelli.  This, at the same time Beethoven’s health was failing as he was going deaf.  Coincidentally, Brandt is being overwhelmed by ALS, and the parallels of her struggles that mirror Beethoven’s become a moving tribute as the play fully explores both time periods, with Beethoven’s music constantly played on stage.

The play’s director Michael Whitehill selected a talented newcomer to the area to play the often complex pieces assembled by Beethoven. Stephanie King LaMotte moved to Chestertown, Maryland after spending three decades as a professional pianist in Oregon. Trained by renowned professor Aiko Onishi, she was a featured soloist for the Willamette Falls Symphony and a staff pianist for the prestigious Tuscia Opera Festival in Italy.  She has played her original score “Remember” on the deck of the Battleship Missouri and locally, Sondheim’s intricate pieces for Sweeney Todd at Chestertown’s Garfield Center for the Arts.

Joining Ms. King Lamotte on stage are talented local actors including Kathy Jones as the present-day music expert, Katherine Brandt; Kendall Irene Davis as her daughter, Clara; Robbie Spray as Mike Clark, Katherine’s nurse; and Debra Ebersole as Dr. Gertrude Ladenburger, a German music librarian.  In period costume Eddie Vance plays Ludwig Van Beethoven, Ken Gresh plays Anton Diabelli, and Will Robinson portrays Anton Schindler, Beethoven’s secretary and business manager.

33 Variations runs from September 6 – 22, with performances at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 pm on Sundays. 2-for-the-price-of- one tickets are available for the opening night performance. Reservations are strongly advised and can be made by calling the box office at 410-556-6003 or online at www.churchhilltheatre.org

Church Hill Theatre (CHT) seeks directors for the 2020 season.  The plays have been chosen and now we are reaching out to the community to find artists to help bring these shows to life.  Directors are needed for:

• Other Desert Cities by Jon Robin Baitz
o January 17 – February 2

• The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry
o March 20 – April 5

• Into the Woods Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine
o June 5 – June 21

• The Outgoing Tide by Bruce Graham
o September 11 – September 27

• Last of the Red Hot Lovers by Neil Simon
o November 6 – 22

Production slots have some flexibility except for Into the Woods.

Any interested individuals can submit a proposal to direct to CHT’s Executive Manager, Hester Sachse.  Proposals must include a resume of theatrical and directorial experience, including credits and training.  The applicant should also include a brief description of why they wish to direct at CHT.  Each potential director will be considered for all 2020 productions but should indicate their preferences of titles and any conflicts.  Only one proposal needs to be submitted per individual.

To review scripts, please contact CHT’s Executive Manager, Hester Sachse.  She can be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling the office at (410)556-6003.

A committee established by the CHT Board of Directors will review the applications and may contact the applicants for additional information.  Directors’ proposals are due no later than August 30^th and should be submitted directly to the Executive Manager.  Selected Directors will be notified by September 15^th.

The sounds of singing and dancing are filling the Church Hill Theatre as talented local youngsters rehearse for their productions of The Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon and Alice in Wonderland, JR. that they will perform Thursday, July 25 through Saturday, July 26. For the past twenty years, Green Room Gang campers have honed their acting, singing and dancing skills to produce fully staged musical productions. The Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon is adapted for children from the Magic Tree House series of books by Mary Pope Osborne. Alice in Wonderland, JR. is based on the 1951 Disney film Alice in Wonderland and the novels The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll.

Becca Van Aken directs the younger performers in The Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon and Iz Clemens directs the middle and high students in Alice in Wonderland, JR.   Interns Shayla Moore and Kelly Young ably assist both directors in all aspects of the classes and rehearsals.  Production staff includes Tom Rhodes, Carmen Grasso for set construction, Tina Johnson, Debbie Ebersole, and Erma Johnson who are creating the costumes, with Kat Melton working on lighting.  Krista Roark is the choreographer for GRG Jr.  High school apprentices are Courtney Adams, Olivia Giuliano, Lynsey Hildebrand, Christina Lewis, Maya McGrory, and Grace Sutherland.  Shelagh Grasso and Sylvia Maloney serve as producers and mentors.  Many parents and other volunteers helped with costumes, sets, and props, making this annual show a community effort.

Performances will be on the evenings of Thursday, July 25 and Friday, July 26 at 7 pm and on Saturday, July 27 at 2 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Reservations can be made by calling the box office at (410) 556-6003.

The Church Hill Theatre proudly announces auditions for The Importance of Being Earnest, the classic comedy of manners by Oscar Wilde with direction by Sylvia Maloney.

What exactly does it mean to be Earnest? And why should a man even bother to be Earnest? Is it really matter of vital importance? According to Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, a bachelor need not be Earnest at all — unless, of course, the woman he loves demands it of him… Thus begins the hilarious quest of these two young Victorian-Era gentlemen to win two unexpectedly hard-to-get women’s hearts in what is possibly “the wittiest comedy in the English language.”

Auditions will be held at Church Hill Theatre on Thursday August 1 at 6:30 pm, Saturday, August 3 at 1:00 pm and, Tuesday, August 6 at 6:30 pm.

The principal and supporting roles are as follows:

Algernon Moncrieff: (male, age 20’s to 40’s) a confident Victorian bachelor, a man about town.
John Worthing: (male 20’s to 30”s) successful, witty, charming friend of Algernon, who resides in the country.
Gwendolyn Fairfax: (female, age 20-30’s) a lovely young aristocratic woman, love interest of John Worthing.
Lady Bracknell: (female, 50 to 60’s) the imperious, strong willed mother of Gwendolyn and aunt to Algernon.
Cecily Cardew: (female, late teens to late 20’s,) young ward of John Worthing, eager to experience life at its fullest.
Miss Prisim: (female, age 50’s to 70’s,) the scholarly governess to Cecily.
Rev. Canon Chasuble D. D. (male, age 50’s to 70’s,) a country vicar, interested in Miss Prisim.
Merriman: (male, 40’s to 60’s) Algernon’s butler.
Lane: (male, late teens to 50’s) John’s manservant.

Auditioners should be prepared to read from the script and willing to try a British accent.  Technicians are also needed and are encouraged to attend auditions.

The Importance of Being Earnest performance dates run from Friday, November 1st through Sunday, November 17, 2019. For more information, call Sylvia Maloney at 410-778-3783 or email [email protected].

Director Michael Whitehill is pleased to announce auditions for the upcoming Church Hill Theatre production of 33 Variations, by Moisés Kaufman.  The play tells the story of Katherine Brandt, a musicologist dying of ALS, who passionately throws herself into studying Beethoven’s renowned variations on a mundane Diabelli waltz.

The story of her singular pursuit of knowledge and her strained relationship with her spirited daughter is interwoven with that of Beethoven himself.  The action takes place between 1819, 1823 and 2019 in New York, Bonn, and Vienna.   The play has excellent roles for men and women and the characters break down as follows:

Contemporary
Katherine Brandt, a musicologist. Female, late 40s –early 60s (to play late 50s or thereabouts)
Clara Brandt, her daughter. Female, late 20s-early 30s.
Mike Clark, a nurse. Male, 20s-30s.
Dr. Gertrude Landenburger, a Librarian/Archivist. Female, 30s to 50s.

Historical
Ludwig van Beethoven, a composer. Male, 40s to 60s.
Anton Diabelli, a music publisher. Male, 30s to 50s.
Anton Schindler, Beethoven’s secretary. Male 30s to 60s.

Ages are flexible and the show will be cast in harmony to the overall piece and period from whomever shows up!

Auditions will take place on the Church Hill Theatre Main Stage on:
Saturday, June 22 at 10 am
Monday, June 24 at 6 pm
Wednesday, June 26 at 6 pm

Actors should be prepared for cold readings from the script and bring sheet music for a prepared song…for fun, pick a song you might sing in the shower or jogging! We know you all do it and yes, there will be some singing and (oh my God) some dancing, too.  Be on the lookout for and wary of Mr. Whitehill’s typical audition surprise exercises.  The Pianist, Choreographer, and Director will be watching every move you make on and off the stage throughout the auditions. For more information, especially about the play’s characters, contact Michael Whitehill at [email protected].

We encourage all players from the studied to the first timers to come for the fun and the experience.  Mr. Whitehill looks first for players who will show up, work hard, and care as much as he does.  It is always fun, different, and interesting! 

For any general questions, please contact the CHT office at (410)556-6003. https://www.churchhilltheatre.org