Director Christopher J. Murphy, music director Andrew Gross, and choreographer Angela Craft (the team behind last season's hit, Anything Goes) will reunite to produce another classic American musical, Gypsy, for Arena Dinner Theatre. Tackling the "Lady Macbeth" of musical theatre roles, the indomitable "Mama" Rose, will be local actress Carol Howell-Wasson. "The decision to precast Carol, after analyzing it from all angles, was actually a rather elementary one," says Murphy. "She and I have been talking for years about wanting to do this show together. So it just didn't seem fair to audition anyone else when, deep down, I knew I would go with Carol anyway. She's perfect for it." The production staff is, however, still looking for approximately 20 performers (ages 8-80) to fill out the cast for this musicalization of the famous striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee's life. Auditions are July 14 & 15 at 7:00 PM

====================

WABASH COUNTY EDUCATIONAL THEATRE

Cathy Preston, Charles Dye, and Charle's daughter Eileen Dye are helping with the Wabash Valley Visual and Performing Arts program in Wabash county for the 15th year in a row. The program gives two groups of students (grades 3-6 and grades 7-12) three weeks to produce a play - usually a musical. The assistants help public school music teachers with choreography, staging, blocking, set construction, and teaching basic theater, music, costuming and props. They also teach them history and vocabulary to go with the time periods for the shows. The productions this year will be NO, NO, A MILLION TIMES NO! for the younger kids (Friday June 21), and Cole Porter's ANYTHING GOES (Saturday June 22) for the teenagers. Admission is free for the public performances, which are at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. each night.

====================

NEW ART & DESIGN GALLERY TO OPEN SOON

Bart Willard is pleased to announce the opening of his art & design studio on July 1. His services specialize in the entertainment and amusement industries, including film and live theatre. One of his latest artistic creations is a brand new mural painted on the new lobby wall of the Pulse Opera House in Warren.

====================

EPI WINS AWARDS

Three weeks ago Edwards Productions brought their production of HONK went to the regional conference of the Ohio Community Theatre Association, garnering three awards: A
participation award, excellence in male vocals (Mike Palmreuter as Ugly), and excellence in set design (Scott Rigdon). They are also preparing for their first all-children's production -- JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. Approximately 65 kids will perform at Trinity United Methodist Church in late July through early August as a fundraiser for EPI and its Stage Directions Youth Program.
====================

PULSE ADDS DINNER THEATRE TO MENU

The Pulse Opera House in Warren will open their 2002 season with the comedy SCAPINO!, featuring on-stage spaghetti-tossing. They will serve an Italian dinner on opening night, July 12, with live opera singers performing for diners. Tickets are $20 for dinner and the show, and only 50 tickets are available. Call (260) 375-7017 for reservations.

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COURTNEY ELMORE JOINS YOUNG AMERICANS

Ball State student Courtney Elmore is moving to LA in August to join the Young Americans, a nationally-renowned group of 15-21 years old who travel the country teaching music to school kids. While it is not a paying gig, food and housing are provided, there is the opportunity to do professional dinner theatre at Boyne Highlands Resort in northern Michigan. Courtney says this is a great way to establish connections in the entertainment industry, both in performing and in producing.

====================

CIVIC 2003-04 Season

Not wanting to waste any time, the Civic Theatre has already announced its 2003-04

CRAZY FOR YOU
Friday, July 25-August 10, 2003

THE ODD COUPLE
Guest Director - John Tolley
Friday, September 5-14, 2003

FOLLIES
Friday, October 31-November 16, 2003

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLORED DREAMCOAT
Friday, January 30-February 15, 2004

DRIVING MISS DAISY
Friday, March 12-21, 2004

FOOTLOOSE
Friday, May 14-30th or June 6, 2004 (T.B.A.)

====================

2001-2002 ANTHONY AWARD NOMINEES

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Female Dancer
Abigail Puff-Zakhi for "The Pajama Game"

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Male Dancer
Christopher York for "The Pajama Game"

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Ensemble Female Performance
in a Play
The Nominees are.
Heather Brackeen for "WIT"
Jennifer Poiry for "WIT"
Lori Seibt for "Proposals

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Ensemble Male Performance in a Play
The Nominees are.
Tony Didier for "WIT"
Jason Ehlerding for "Proposals"

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Ensemble Female Performance
in
a
Musical
The Nominees are.
Tracey Graham for "The Sound of Music"
Jennifer Poiry for "The Sound of Music"
Jaime Shoup for "The Sound of Music"

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Ensemble Male Performance
in a
Musical
The Nominees are.
Deontre' Martin for "The Pajama Game"
David Mitsch for "The Pajama Game"
Jim Nelson for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"

Master Technician Certificates
New Technicians -
Special Recognitions -

The 2001-2002 Anthony Awards for Excellence in Technical Theatre
Sara Black and Team Wegenka

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Juvenile Performance
The Nominees are.
Brianna Bowman for "The Sound of Music"
Natalie Bryan for "The Sound of Music"
Megan Meyer for "The Sound of Music"

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Supporting Female
Performance
in
a Play
The Nominees are.
Dannah L. Dean for "Steel Magnolias"
Toni Taylor for "Steel Magnolias"
Lucine Woodson for "WIT"

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Supporting Male Performance
in
a
Play
The Nominees are.
Brad Beauchamp for "Proposals"
Larry Bower for "WIT"
Greg Stieber for "WIT"

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Supporting Female
Performance
in
a Musical
The Nominees are.
Abigail Ehinger for "The Pajama Game"
Emilie Henry for "The Sound of Music"
Beverly McCavitt for "The Sound of Music"

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Supporting Male Performance
in
a
Musical
The Nominees are.
Tracy Collins for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the
Forum"
Brad Davis for "The Sound of Music"
Kirby Volz for "The Pajama Game"

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Leading Female Performance
in a
Play
The Nominees are.
Kathy Conely for "Proposals"
T.J. McCombs for "Steel Magnolias"
Suzan Moriarty for "Steel Magnolias"

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Leading Male Performance in
a
Play
The Nominee is.
Michael Young for "Proposals"

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Leading Female Performance
in a
Musical
The Nominees are.
Ericka Anderson for "A Taffeta Christmas"
Mindy Cox for "The Sound of Music"
Emily Lyday for "The Pajama Game"
Jaime Shoup for "A Taffeta Christmas"

The 2001-2002 Anthony Award for Outstanding Leading Male Performance in
a
Musical
The Nominees are.
Brad Beauchamp for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the
Forum"
Tony Didier for "The Pajama Game"
Darren Harrison for "The Sound of Music"

The George Koegel Lifetime Achievement Award
Harvey G. Cocks