Hi, Pontiac Theatre IV friends and family! Auditions for our first show of the 2017-2018 season, Pippin, are sneaking up on us and we can’t WAIT to start working on this unique musical!
Check out the audition notice below for information and character descriptions – we hope to see you there!
Pontiac Theatre IV is proud to announce upcoming performances for its first show of the 2016-2017 season, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Directed and choreographed by Michael Brody (Waterford) and music directed by Shari Fiore (Shelby Township), this family-friendly Disney classic will run on the Pontiac High School stage from November 11th through November 19th, 2016.
Based on the 1991 Disney animated feature, Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle (Shay Curran, Ferndale), a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast (McKinley Shaw, Waterford), who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self…but time is running out. A fantastically enjoyable adventure, this classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters and dazzling production numbers, including “Be Our Guest,” “Belle,” “Gaston,” and the beloved Academy-Award winning title song.
Tickets are $12 per person, $10 for students and seniors. Tickets are available online at facebook.com/pontiactheatreiv and will also be available at the door. Group rates available upon inquiry. Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Gleaners Community Food Bank and receive a free popcorn at the concession stand during the show.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast features a book by Linda Woolverton, music by Alan Menken, and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. A massive commercial success, the musical ran on Broadway for 5,461 performances between 1994 and 2007, becoming Broadway’s ninth longest-running production in history. Pontiac Theatre IV’s production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Pontiac Theatre IV began as a summer venture in 1969 with what was then the Pontiac Parks and Recreation Department (now Community and Human Services) of the City of Pontiac. Over the years we have enjoyed the support of local business and industry, the Pontiac schools, and the City of Pontiac, which still provides space for storage and rehearsals. As a community theatre, the group welcomes the participation of all interested people.
JUST THE FACTS:
Title: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Book: Linda Woolverton
Music: Alan Menken
Lyrics: Howard Ashman and Tim Rice
Director: Michael Brody
Music Director: Shari Fiore
Choreographer: Michael Brody
Featuring: Michelle Ankoviak, Karen Brody, Ian Campbell, Estevan Contreras, Destanie Coon, Matthew Cross, Shay Curran, Justin Digue, Benjamin Goss, Sean Harbert, Jenna Hoyer, Laura Johns, Sean Kecskes, Gloria Koehler, Abigail Kroll, Elizabeth Kroll, Emma Lockwood, Michaela Marin, Kaylie Robinson, Mitchell Schuldinger, McKinley Shaw, Shayna Shaw, Kendra Stankiewicz, Camy Sylvestre, Heather Tang, Jackie Thomspon, Grace Trumble, Shannon Van Buren, and Diane Wozniak.
Location: Pontiac High School
1015 Arlene Ave., Pontiac
Dates: November 11, 12, 18, 19, 2016
Curtain Time: 8pm
Tickets: $12/adult, $10 student/senior. Group rates available for 10 or more, please call 248-499-2360 for more information. Bring a non-perishable food item to donate and receive a free popcorn at the concession stand.
Parking: Free, lighted parking is available.
Pontiac Theatre IV’s first show of the 2016/2017 season is Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and we have a fantastic cast lined up! Come see them in November, and stay tuned here for behind-the-scenes photos and information!
We can’t believe our next shows open in only TWO days! The cast of Disney’s The Aristocats KIDS and Alice in Wonderland have been giving their all in rehearsals and are ready to present two wonderful productions to you.
We were lucky enough to snap some more behind-the-scenes photos from a rehearsal last week – check out these kids hard at work!
Alice in Wonderland will begin at 7:30 on Friday and Saturday evenings and 4:00 PM onSaturday May 14 and Sunday May 22. Once intermission is over, we will be producing Disney’s The Aristocats KIDS.With a cast of more than 40 we are happy to give many young performers the opportunity to be on stage in two quite different styles of shows.
Tickets are available for purchase here and will also be available at the door. Check out our Facebook event for more information!
Welcome back to our blog! Today we are spotlighting Laura Johns, PTIV’s Business Manager and member of the A…My Name Is Alice cast!
I play a variety of characters, a prude, a hippie, a graduating MBA, and a blues singer. It can be quite trippy…lol. It’s been really fun to change it up for every single scene!
My favorite song is “Watching All The Pretty Young Men”…..being my favorite should be obvious…lol.
There is life outside of theater??? I am married to my best friend and have two beautiful kids who are all very supportive of my acting hobby. I work as a Paraeducator at White Lake Middle School, and also teach a Drama Intermural there. I have spent the last year filming a television series, I Declare War, which will soon be broadcast on Netflix and have done a few other movies/tv shows and commercials also.
This is a great show, done by a great group of women who have as much fun onstage as off. There are shades of feminist views in certain scenes, and I think many people will identify with one, two or several of the characters. This show is the first I have done where I sing the lead in a few songs, so it’s a little out of my norm. I can’t wait for people to see it!
Pontiac Theatre IV’s production of A…My Name Is Alice continues through November 21st. Visit our website or Facebook page for more information, and be sure to check back here often for more cast spotlights and show news!
Pontiac Theatre IV’s production of A…My Name Is Alice had a successful first weekend – thank you so much to everyone who made it out to see the show! If you missed it, don’t worry – you still have TWO more chances to catch this fun musical! In the meantime, we took a few minutes to learn more about cast member Carol Russell – check out her interview below!
I play a nerd who is obsessed with romance novels and longs to live an adventurous life like those she’s read about. I also play a voluptuous business woman who decides to return the “cat call” she received by a construction worker.
My favorite song is “Pretty Young Men.” I can’t get through the song without laughing. “WATCH MARIA”
It’s all about Family and Friends. Live Love Laugh!!
More importantly, what does the show mean to you? It’s got laughs, it’s got tears, it’s got singing and dancing and hot chicks! Who wouldn’t want to see it?
Pontiac Theatre IV’s production of A…My Name Is Alice continues through November 21st. Visit our website or Facebook page for more information, and be sure to check back here often for more cast spotlights and show news!
Pontiac Theatre IV’s production of A…My Name Is Alice debuts tonight at 8pm at the Michigan School for the Arts! Our talented cast and crew are excited to bring this wonderful show to you, none more so than director AmandaJane Rhodes. Check out the interview below to learn more about what motivated AmandaJane throughout the process!
I was in the show in 2002. A good friend of mine directed it, and I had the time of my life. I have loved it ever since.
The early part was wonderful. The auditions, the first read through – we kept cracking ourselves up. Usually it’s not fun yet at the beginning, but this play was different.
I’m a high school English teacher, and I love it. I do lots of crafts.
They should come and see it because it’s just so much fun. You can laugh and cry. You can do both at the same time. I couldn’t say what anyone should take away, but I’m sure everyone will find themselves humming something the next day.
Pontiac Theatre IV’s production of A…My Name Is Alice opens November 13th and runs through November 21st. Visit our website or Facebook page for more information, and be sure to check back here often for more cast spotlights and show news!
We can’t believe A…My Name Is Alice opens THIS FRIDAY! The cast and crew are in full swing with dress rehearsals, and are excited to present this fantastic show to you. In the meantime, please read on to learn more about our youngest cast member, Amanda Stephenson!
Well I get to portray a male character named Howard, who’s an all around geeky guy who works in IT. Howard is a very fun character to play. I enjoy speaking in his high nasally voice. I also get to portray Wanda, a foreign women, who is apart of the “Detroit Persons” basketball team. It’s really interesting portraying her, due to her accent, and her lack of understanding of the English Language. All in all Wanda is probably my favorite character to play.
I’d have to say “Educated Feet” is my favorite. It’s quite an upbeat dance number. Plus, we get to throw around basketballs.
Oh boy, my life outside theatre, well let’s see, I am a soon to be blue belt, in Ryukyu Kempo Karate, I work part time at my church, and I drink too much coffee. I also work on film sets as often as possible. As you can see, I have NO life outside of the performing arts.
Well honestly, the show is hilarious. It also sends a powerful message that women can do anything we set our minds to. We may not always succeed, and we aren’t perfect, but don’t ever tell a women she can’t do something just because she’s a women. She’ll prove you wrong, 98% of the time. Most importantly, A…my name is Alice highlights the struggle of being an independent free thinking women, in what some may call, a man world, but as the famous song by James Brown says, “It’s a mans world, but it would be nothing, without a women or a girl.”
Pontiac Theatre IV’s production of A…My Name Is Alice opens November 13th and runs through November 21st. Visit our website or Facebook page for more information, and be sure to check back here often for more cast spotlights and show news!
A…My Name Is Alice debuts one week from tomorrow! While the cast and crew gear up for their last week of rehearsals, be sure to check out the interview below with cast member Jenna Hoyer!
My characters vary quite a bit.
My favorite song is “Portrait,” the first time I heard it I started crying and I thought “How am I going to make it through without crying?” My favorite scene is “Trash” because I laughed so hard when I read this scene.
I am a Physical Therapists Assistant and spend most of my spare time running, biking, swimming, training for some kind of race. Last year I returned to dancing, taking an adult ballet class. This year is the first time I’ve returned to theater in 23 years, but I was in many productions as a teen and early college years.
“I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me.” Seriously there are many heartfelt and touching scenes and also many zany, laugh out loud parts. A…My Name Is Alice portrays women at many stages of life and though it really isn’t for children, women of any stage of life will recognize part of themselves and identify with this production. And it’s fun!
Pontiac Theatre IV’s production of A…My Name Is Alice opens November 13th and runs through November 21st. Visit our website or Facebook page for more information, and be sure to check back here often for more cast spotlights and show news!
Jackie Salter is no stranger to Avonlea, or to the character of Mrs. Blewett, for that matter! Having played her [twice] before, Jackie knows exactly how to bring the humor to one of the funnier scenes in PTIV’s Anne of Green Gables. Learn more about her below!
Q. Have you read any of the Anne of Green Gables series before?
A. Every one of them. I think I have also read a lot of the short stories and novels she wrote as well.
Q. What is your favorite song and/or scene in the show?
A. Because my character is featured, I have to say the Mrs. Blewett scene. Great Workers for the Cause is a new song for me with this show. The last two times, I never hit the stage until Mrs. Blewett is introduced.
Q. Tell us a little about your character – what is she like?
A. Mrs. Blewett has eight children all under 6…yikes. I think that has to say it all.
Pontiac Theatre IV’s production of Anne of Green Gables – The Musical opened November 14th and runs through November 22nd. Visit our website or Facebook page for more information, and be sure to check back here often for more cast spotlights and show news!
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