PTI Newsletter 05-2015 - Playhouse Theatre Inc.

Presidents Patter
Welcome everyone. 2015 is set to be a very exciting year at PTI with the New Zealand premier of Happy Days. Also we
are busily arranging club activities so check out our Facebook page for details. We welcome members’ ideas and
comments. If you have any shows you would like to see us produce please let us know.
The committee would like to welcome any member to our management committee meetings from 7.30-8.00 pm, which
are held at the theatre on Wednesdays. So if you want to pop in and meet us or discuss anything please come along. Our
meeting dates are attached below.
Are there any budding musicians who would like to get together and have a jam session? If you are interested please
email Daniel Elliott on [email protected].
We are creating a PTI Choir. Interested? This will be open for all ages to participate in. If you are interested, please email
Christine Davern on [email protected].
“The theatre is the only institution in the world which has been dying for four thousand years and has never succumbed. It
requires tough and devoted people to keep it alive.” -John Steinbeck
Ernie’s Corner
Did you know that the Theatre has a
local ghost? His name is Ernie. He will
bring you theatrical history, theatre
superstitions and information that he
has overheard at the Playhouse.
Remember to say hello as you walk
onto the stage, he’s really quite
friendly.
PaTI the Cat
Met PaTI the Cat. PaTI seems to
make her way into most shows
but usually resides above the
door in the Green Room. PaTI
will bring you gossip that she has
overheard from her area and
upcoming Social Events for
members.
Bat Chat
“The Scottish Play” – Why can’t we just say “Macbeth”?
One of the most popular theatre superstitions is that of
the Scottish Play. We have all been told we cannot use its
actual name in a theatre but do we all know the reason
why?
Many believe it is cursed, and saying the name will result
in disaster. Legends of why the play is cursed vary from
death of lead actors on opening night, to the idea that
witches cursed the play themselves as it revealed their
secrets. It could also be that many theatres have used
Macbeth as a last resort to making money and have
closed down shortly after.
Believe what you will but beware: many strange things
have happened around those who say Macbeth in a
theatre.
Battie lives in the back shed where the majority of the
building and painting happens. He first made his
appearance in Sherlock last year in the Boat Shed aka Bat
Cave. He will bring you information as he hears it.
Like … did you know that Joshua Williams, who helps in
the back shed, currently played Seymour in the
Henderson High School production of Lil Shop of Horrors?
Josh is one of our up and coming youth members and was
brilliant.
AUDITION NOTICE
Dance workshop: May 24th 11am-2pm
All auditionees must attend!
Individual Auditions for singing and acting:
• Thurs 28th May from 7.30pm
• Saturday 30th May from 10.00am
• Sunday 31st May from 10.00am
Callbacks Wednesday June 3 from 7.30pm
Rehearsals start Sunday June 14th
What to bring to your audition:
• Willingness to have the best fun of your life!
• Comfortable dance clothes and sensible dancing shoes
that will allow you to move!
• Two prepared songs from the 1950’s of your choice:
one being a ballad and the other a rock and roll
number. Please be aware of the style of songs from the
show – there is the complete sound track on YouTube.
Sheet music needs to be supplied, and well learnt! There
will be an accompanist available, you may bring your own
pianist but please no backing tracks and definitely no
acapella.
For an audition form, please email Jo Barker – Production
Manager [email protected]
AVAILABLE ROLES
Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli – the King of Cool. Sexy,
funny and loaded with charisma. Older than the other
kids. In his late teens or early 20s. Rides a motorcycle in
the show. Lots of singing and dancing and charisma with
a capital C needed.
Richie Cunningham – High School student, Fonzie's best
friend, All-American, honest and reliable. Dance, plenty of
singing and great harmonies needed.
Howard Cunningham – Richie's dad, the quintessential
Midwestern head of household. A man in his 40's who is
also in the local order of Leopards. Good comedy.
Charles "Chachi" Arcola – Fonzie's cousin who tries to be
just like him. Probably 15-16 and he likes Joanie. Plenty of
dance, vocals and needs to be able to harmonise.
Ralph Malph – High school buddy of Richie's. He is the
class clown. Plenty of comedy, dance, vocals and you
need those great harmonies.
Warren "Potsie" Webber – Richie's high school buddy,
not very cool but tries hard to be. He is a little bit of a
nerd. Plenty of comedy, dance, vocals and yes you need
those great harmonies.
Ensemble Man 1 – Bully, a tough guy; Leopard Manny
Moon - Howard's Leopard Lodge brother and principal of
the high school; Count Malachi – 1 of The Malachi
Brothers who is a greaser type, overdramatic Elvis;
Comedy and versatile – needs to be a true triple threat.
Ensemble Man 2 - Leopard Mac Gates - Howard's Leopard
Lodge brother; Jumpy Malachi - other half of The Malachi
Brothers, filled with nervous energy, greaser type, in his
20's. As Jumpy, he does show fancy wrestling moves.
James Dean - the 1950's movie icon; Comedy and
versatile.
Arnold Delvecchio/Ensemble – A man in his 50's, owner
of Arnold's Malt Shop, member of the Leopard Lodge.
Ensemble Male/s – dancer/singer to play teenagers,
rebels, etc.
Pinky Tuscadero – Fonzie's love interest, sexy, confident,
tough and a body to die for. Motorcycle daredevil (no
motorcycle riding in the show, though) but with a
underlying heart of gold. Age early 20’s.
Marion Cunningham – Richie's mom, warm, naïve and
wise. She is in her 40's.
Joanie Cunningham – Richie's younger sister, 15-16 years
old, lovable, energetic precocious and has a big crush on
Chachi. Twirls a baton.
Lori Beth Allen/Calendar Girl/ Ensemble - Sweet, lovely,
"girl next door" type. Richie's girlfriend, high school
student.
Pinkette Lola – backup singer/dancer for Pinky
Tuscadero.
Pinkette Tina - backup singer/dancer for Pinky Tuscadero.
2 - 3 x Ensemble/Carhops – Dance on roller skates
2 - 3 Ensemble – Calendar Girls/ Nerd Girl
Meet some of the 2015 PTI Committee
Meet some of the 2015 PTI Committee members.
Pania Williamson
Pania has been a PTI parent for the last two children’s musicals, loved being involved with the people and
the playhouse so much she has decided to be a part of the new dynamic committee.
John Michie
John has been involved with community theatre since around 1989 down in Rotorua, mostly backstage,
although he has tread the boards and served on the committee in Rotorua and at Auckland Music Theatre.
John has also won a NAPTA and been nominated a few times for sound design.
Pauline Vella
Pauline is an actress, singer, director who spent a number of years on a theatrical committee as Treasurer
and a term as Chairperson. Currently Pauline is on the board of Musical Theatre New Zealand, working for
the member theatres in the Zone One geographical area. Later this year Pauline is directing the New
Zealand Premiere of Happy Days - A New Musical for our theatre. By day Pauline works for a number of
companies managing their finance and administration.
James Grant
James has been involved in all aspects of playhouse for going on 12 years. He is excited to soon contribute
to the business side of the theatre.
Lara Williams
Lara has two children involved in the Playhouse Theatre, one for about 4 years and one who just completed
her second show. Because of this she has also become involved, mainly as front of house helper or
manager. Lara look forward to helping where she can to make the Playhouse as a must go to place.
Vanessa Macdonald
I have been involved in theatre since the age of 4 starting with Northern Opera then moving to the
Playhouse at the prime ripe age of 7, and as I am only 9 ¾ you’ll know that was only a couple of years
ago. Yeah right!! Fact: I’m born on 29th February which means I only get a birthday every 4 years, this
means I get away with acting immature and having fun ☺. Dancing was, and still is, my passion. My
favourite all time dancers are Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Justin Timberlake and of course Michael
Jackson.
Members Contribution
As previously said we welcome your views, ideas and feedback, therefore we open the first 30
minutes of the Committee Meetings for members to attend. The next meeting is to be held
Wednesday 20th May 2015 at 7:30pm. If you are unable to make it but wish for an item or idea to be
discussed, you can email it to [email protected].
From the Archives
We’ll include a little bit of history in regards to the theatre in each newsletter just to give you some insight into where we
came from.
Cats of Ponsonby
Feedback, good and bad was received in regards to Cats of Ponsonby.
It’s great to see this coming in.
PaTI says …
Watch out for our upcoming social events that I’ve overheard being organised. They are
rumoured to be a Youth Get Together, a Murder Mystery Evening, Sing-Along Movie Night (did I
hear the words science fiction being sung or high on a hill ….) and a Quiz Night. I can’t wait until
these dates are released so watch out on the Facebook page for more info purrrrrrrrrrrrr a very
happy kitty indeed (soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball or fur, happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr purr purr)
Oh and I loved how some front of house people at the last show
were wanting to be more like me. That was purrrrrrrrfection.