• AUDIO ALSO AVAILABLE AT SOUNDCLOUD

Originally airing Friday, Jan. 31, 2020.

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Bob Schlick, who is directing the Great Gatsby at the Lucille Ball Little Theatre in Jamestown, NY.

Showtimes:

• Friday, January 31st at 7:30PM
• Saturday, February 1st at 7:30PM
• Sunday, February 2nd at 2:00PM
• Friday, February 7th at 7:30PM
• Saturday, February 8th at 7:30PM
• Sunday, February 9th at 2:00PM

Sylvia is a play about Greg (Vince Joy) and Kate (Kristina Benson) who have moved to Manhattan after 22 years of childrearing in the suburbs. Greg’s career as a financial trader is winding down, while Kate’s career as a public school English teacher is beginning to offer her more opportunities.

Greg brings home a dog (Crin Fredrickson) he found bearing only the name “Sylvia” on her tag. Sylvia soon causes stress between the couple and offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his job and the unknowns of middle age.  The marriage is put in jeopardy, resulting in hilarious and touching complications. Along the way, the audience meets several other interesting characters, all of them played by Malachi Livermore.

Performances are set for 8 p.m. tonight, 16, 22, and 23 and 2 p.m. on March 24. Ticket prices are $10 for general admission and $5 for JCC Faculty Student Association cardholders. Tickets can be obtained by calling JCC’s box office, 338.1187, or visiting campusstore.sunyjcc.edu.

The show will be directed by Robert Schlick with technical direction by Steven Gustafson.

“Sylvia” is a play about a dog, the couple that adopts it, and the drama that results. The plot runs something like this: Middle age, upper class, Greg finds a dog, Sylvia (played by a young female) in the park on his break and immediately takes a liking to her. He brings her back to the empty nest he shares with Kate. When Kate gets home, she reacts very negatively to Sylvia and wants her gone. They eventually decide that Sylvia will stay for a few days before they decide whether she can stay longer. But Greg and Sylvia have already bonded. Over the next few days, Greg spends more and more time with Sylvia. Greg and Sylvia go on long walks. They discuss life and astronomy. Tension increases between Greg and Kate, who still does not like Sylvia at all. Eventually, Greg becomes completely obsessed with Sylvia, and Kate fears their marriage is falling apart. Kate and Sylvia are at odds with each other, each committed to see the other defeated. And so on…

When the show was running at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 1995, it received a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Play.

Needed for the cast are: a middle aged couple; a young, pretty female; and one other person to play multiple roles – both male and female. The production opens in March 2013. Auditions will consist of actors doing cold readings from the script. Any previously prepared monologues will also be considered.

If you have further questions, call the director, Robert Schlick, at 716-338-1153.

Submitted Photo

JAMESTOWN – A portion of ticket sales from Jamestown Community College’s production of Legally Blonde: The Musical will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign in Chautauqua County. Pink, the signature color used in Legally Blonde, is featured in the fundraising announcement made by cast members for the ACS’ annual “Go Pink” program in October.

Michael Porpiglia, senior director of special events for ACS, second from left, joined cast members Caitlin Cusimano, Crin Fredrickson, Hillary Belin (and Bruiser), Jennie Cross, and JCC theatre director Bob Schlick to promote the production, which opens November 2 in Scharmann Theatre.

Tickets can be ordered online at campusstore.sunyjcc.edu or by calling 338.1187.

Anyone age 16 and up is welcome to audition. Those auditioning should memorize a song and bring sheet music for the accompanist. They should also wear loose-fitting clothing and be prepared to learn some dance moves.

The production calls for a cast of 40 people. According to director Robert Schlick, females ages 16 to 60 as well as male and female dancers, singers, acrobats, and gymnasts are needed.

“Legally Blonde: The Musical” follows the efforts of a girl who wants to be a lawyer, depicting her journey from looking at the world in a childish way to becoming a mature, successful woman. When Legally Blonde: The Musical played on Broadway, it earned Tony award nominations, a Drama Desk award, and Outer Critics award nominations.

The auditions begin at 7 p.m. in Scharmann Theatre. Final auditions will be held August 30 and 31 and performances will be held in November. For more information, call 338.1153.

The cast features JCC students Hillary Belin of Cassadaga as Laura Wingfield, Tyler Drew of Randolph as Tom Wingfield, Maxton Honeychurch of Fredonia as Jim O’Connor, and local actress Mary Brunacini Hoover of Frewsburg as Amanda Wingfield. The Glass Menagerie is directed by Robert T. Schlick, with technical direction by Steven Gustafson.

The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams’ four-character memory play, premiered in 1944 and has since become one of the most famous plays in modern theatre. A somewhat autobiographical piece, The Glass Menagerie was Williams’ first big success and began his legacy as one of America’s most highly regarded playwrights.

Tickets can be purchased by calling JCC’s box office, 338.1187.