For only $35 you get to see a great show, complimentary party favors, dessert bar and soda all evening long!  We only have two performances; one at 6:00 and one at 9:30 so don’t delay.  Go out with a bang and start the NewYear with laughter, friends, and an enjoyable evening at Hale Theatre! Book your tickets today!

So swift is the action, so involved the situations, so rib tickling the plot in this London hit that you will be so exhausted from laughter as if you had run a foot race! The year is 1943.  When Penelope Toop, a former actress marries Rev. Lionel Toop, outrage erupts in their small English town.  Throw in a cockney maid who has seen too many American movies, four men in clergyman suits (one of which is disguised as an escaped prisoner), mistaken identity, and a sedate Bishop and you will be left breathless, with plenty of laughs throughout this fast tempo show.

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Hale Theatre will hold auditions Monday, December 5th for Nunsense playing February 21 – March 27th with performances on Monday & Tuesday Evenings only. Call backs will be on Tuesday, December 6th.  The show will be produced by David and Corrin Dietlein, directed and choreographed by Cambrian James and music directed by Lincoln Wright.  Be prepared to sing 16 bars of an up-tempo song, an accompanist will be provided. Auditions will begin at 6:00 pm.

Auditions will be held at the theater located at 50 West Page Avenue in Gilbert. Auditions are by appointment only.  You can now sign up for an audition appointment at www.haletheatrearizona.com.  Any questions can be emailed to cambrianjames@yahoo.com

CASTING:

Sister Mary Regina (Female 45- 65) She appears to be the model Mother Superior, but her bark is worse than her bite. Quick-witted; definitely knows how to get a laugh.

Sister Mary Hubert (Female 45-65) Responsible for the novices, Kind and diplomatic, yet always in competition with Sister Mary Regina.  Exudes maternal wisdom, but knows how to kick up her feet and have a good time.

Sister Robert Anne (Female 35-45) Once a childhood delinquent, loves to play jokes and is constantly challenging authority. A tough, bus-driving, street-wise nun with a heart of gold.
Sister Mary Amnesia (Female 25-40) Lost her memory, constantly in a state of confusion, spacey, incoherent, often times forgetting she is even a nun.

Sister Mary Leo (Female 18-30) A professional ballet dancer before she entered the convent Sister Mary Leo is young and impressionable. Has opportunity to demonstrate her ballet dancing skills throughout the show.

Not everyday do you get to work with a director like Mr. Allan Dietlein. One of the hardest working men around, Allan brings years of experience to Hale Arizona which started in Southern California where he owned and operated the Glendale Centre Theatre.  Thirty-Eight years of producing, acting & directing provided valuable back ground for his three sons who today their own theatres.  Allan has many Arizoni awards for direction and commendations from Presidents Reagan & Clinton & others; all of which attest to his love of theatre and appreciation for his fellow actors.
He most recently has directed the incredible cast of our current production, It’s a Wonderful Life, and is jumping right back into the swing of things with See How They Run auditions on November 14th.  Book your appointment today before you miss out on this awesome opportunity to be in this hilarious farce!

(Below is an excerpt from an interview Allan Dietlein did last year with the Gilbert Theatre Examiner)
Gilbert Theatre Examiner: Tell us about your history with the Hale Centre Theatre.

Allan Dietlein: The history goes back to Glendale California where the theater first started as the Glendale Centre Theatre. My wife and I became involved with the theater there. It was, in fact, started by her parents, Ruth and Nathan Hale. We joined them about seven years after they had begun the theater. Eventually, we became partners and complete owners when they retired.

During those years we produced and acted in many productions. I guess we’ve produced well over five hundred shows over the years. My wife is a very fine actress and quick study. She’s gone on at the drop of the hat with about two hours notice in a lead part with faultless blocking and complete command of the script.

My wife and I retired in 1993. Currently, I am just down here helping out Dave (Dietlein) and the theater. I direct a show or two a year to keep my feet wet. I either learned a little something from the many shows I have been involved with or just kind of bluffed my way through it.

GTE: Do you have any particular favorites among the many shows you have directed?
AD: Well, the first musical we did was The Sound of Music; that was in Glendale and musicals were out of favor in regional and small theaters. Our production was successful and we continued to do musicals before other theaters started to reintroduce them regularly into their repertoire. The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, those have been shows that I have thoroughly enjoyed doing. The King and I has a real tender spot for me in my heart.

Liz Alanna…….Fred’s Wife

Clair Apostol…….Little Fan/Carol Cratchit/Sled Girl/Want

Mike Apostol……..Ensemble/Ghost of Christmas Future

Alaina Beauloye…….Belle/Topper’s Girl/Laundress/Narrator

Brandon Caswell…….Peter Cratchit

Gary Caswell……..Jacob Marley/Topper/Old Joe

Bria Counterman………Belinda Cratchit

Chris Michael Dennis……….Fred/Charles Dicken’s

Richard Enriquez………Bob Cratchit/Businessman #3

Eric Goede………Charity/Businessman

Brent Graham……..Mr. Fezzywig/Undertaker/Coal Vendor

Jessica Graham……..Ghost of Christmas Past/Charwoman/Christina

Keaton Honker……..Young Scrooge/Narrator #1/Robert

Alec Lewis…….Boy Scrooge/Beggar/Sled Boy

Barbara McBain……Narrator #3/Mrs. Fezzywig

Sean McBride……….Dick Wilkins/Charles/Jenkins

Joe Nuttall……..Ghost of Christmas Present/Ensemble

Tyler Pounds……..Charity/Businessman

Nathanial Ross………Tiny Tim/Boy in CY/Ignorance

Dorman Smith……….Ebeneezer Scrooge

Jennifer White………Victoria/Ensemble

Mandi Wilks……….Mrs. Cratchit

Madison Williams………Martha Cratchit

While we haven’t been able to bring back Jimmy Stewart & Donna Reed for our stage adaptation, Tom Koelbel & Jori Mosier are stellar in their portrayal of these classic characters.  Audience members will not be disappointed in world class director Allan Dietlein’s direction, with beautiful costumes provided by Sandy Dietlein & Corrin Dietlein.

You won’t want to miss this classic holiday favorite. Tickets are only $22 and are available through www.haletheatrearizona.com or by calling the Box Office at (480) 497-1181.   Get yours today before they’re gone!  Group rates start at 15 people..

Hale Theatre will hold auditions October 17th for Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol playing December 2nd – 23rd Monday – Saturday nights with Saturday matinees. Call backs will be on October 19th.  The show will be produced by David and Corrin Dietlein, directed by David Dietlein, music directed by Lincoln Wright and Choreographed by Cambrian James.  Be prepared to sing 16 bars of music an accompanist will be provided.  Please note that your ability to sing may not affect being cast in this show.

Children Audition Times begin at 3:00 PM

Children will not be asked to dance or sing at the audition.  Children will read one short scene which will be provided at the audition.

Adult Audition Times begin at 6:00 PM

This show is an ensemble work which does require some adult members of the cast to perform in multiple roles.

Auditions will be held at the theater located at 50 West Page Avenue in Gilbert. Auditions are by appointment only.  You can now sign up for an audition appointment at www.haletheatrearizona.com.  Any questions can be emailed to davedietlein@mac.com

CASTING:

BOB CRATCHIT: (35 – 45) gentle, loving father and husband. Scrooge’s overworked underpaid clerk. A hardworking clerk in Scrooge’s employment. Dedicated to his family, especially his young son  Tiny Tim. Cratchit maintains a kind heart, even in the face of Scrooge’s mean-spiritedness.

FRED: (25 – 35) warm and compassionate, Scrooge’s nephew, feels sorry for the old man, yet still obligated to him, being family.

FRED’S WIFE: (28 – 35) Fred’s wife of Scrooge’s nephew Fred. Tired of the thought of inviting “Uncle Scrooge” over for Christmas dinner each year.

MRS. CRATCHIT: (30 – 40) strong, kind. Tiny Tim’s mother. A wonderful wife and mother, hopeful and generous.

CRATCHIT CHILDREN: (10 – 16) Happy, sweet, loving, energetic.

TINY TIM: (6 – 9)  optimistic, gentle spirited. The youngest son of Bob Cratchit. Weak and crippled, but full of true goodness and hope. More than anyone, Tiny Tim embodies the Christmas Spirit.

CHRISTMAS PAST: (20-35) Female, ethereal, whimsical, sensitive. a young, twinkly, spritely apparition, full of the Christmas spirit.

CHRISTMAS PRESENT: (30 – 60) a large jovial man who wears a long cape and has a wreath on his head.

NARRATORS: (20 – 50) male and female. Strong, resonant voices.

MR. FEZZYWIG: (35 – 55)  robust, optimistic, full of the Christmas spirit. , a portly, jolly man. A kind-hearted bank-owner who helps Ebenezer Scrooge get his start. Later, must ask Scrooge for help and is turned away.

MRS. FEZZYWIG: (30 – 50) robust, loving, energetic wife. the cheerful wife of Mr. Fezzywig the banker. Happy to reach out and help her fellow man. Later, become poor and can’t understand why Scrooge won’t help her husband.

DICK WILKEN’S: (17 – 22) Young Scrooge’s best friend. Energetic. Stage fight combat a plus.

OLD JOE: (40 – 60) crooked pawnshop owner.

CHARWOMEN: (30 – 50) character roles, energetic.

BOY SCROOGE: (7 – 12) lonely, quiet, sensitive. He desperately misses his parents and wants to find a home of his own.

YOUNG SCROOGE: (20-30)  Ambitious, selfish.

BELLE: (18-30) beautiful, kind, sensitive. Young Scrooge’s Fiancé. Young, lovely, and goodhearted. Truly in love with young Ebenezer. Happy with the simple things in life – friends, family, and the joy that comes from loving someone and being loved in return.

LITTLE FAN: (10 -14) happy, sweet. Boy Scrooge’s little sister.

CHORUS: (16-45) male and female singers, actors and dancers. Some character roles to be cast from chorus.

*Returning as Ebenezer Scrooge will be Dorman Smith

Potter’s Man……….Malcom Hooper

Bert…………..Geoffrey George

Gower…………..Tom Endicott

Young George…………Dale Mortensen

George……………….Tom Koelbel

Ernie……………..Jonathon Medina

Mother Bailey…………Brooke Andrews

Welch, Sam, Thompson………….Jeff Carpenter

Harry, Martini………..Ryan Hardy

Violet……………Kristi Quiroz

Aunt Tilly…………Barbara Wood

Uncle Billy…………Chip Wood

Miss Carter/Andrews…………Laura Soldan

Tommy/Newsboy……….Nathaniel Ros

Clarence…………George Bufford

Mary………..Jori Mosier

Potter………Mike Rolfe

Q: Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is so well know, so what can audiences expect from this specific production?

Thomas Brower (TB): Mystery!  Go figure.  But really, they can expect to be thrown off.  The audience will need to pay close attention to details to really get into the loop, because in reality everyone is a suspect.

Natalie Schmidt (NS): Well, with Agatha Christie they can definitely expect to be on the edge of their seats.  There are so many red herrings, quirks, and you won’t know until the very end.  I hope the audience can enjoy and recognize the fun we have as a cast bringing this story to life.

Q: Why do you think you were chosen for these specific roles?

NS: I’ve really enjoyed playing this role because she is genuinely a good person.  I have been trying really hard to portray Mollie and getting the balance just right.  She has things from her past that she can’t quite shake off and the juggling of the character has really been a challenge.

TB: Giles is such an everyday character.  He starts out normal at the beginning of the production and is definitely someone that everyone will be able to relate to.  In most ways it is really easier to be him and bring the role to life.

Q: What has been your favorite part of being in this show so far?

TB: Definitely the yelling and intensity of the show.  There are accusations, Mollie & Giles have troubles and struggle through different things, and portraying that all correctly has been a lot of fun but also a significant challenge to bring to life accurately.

Q: Do you have favorite roles from other productions you have performed in?

NS: When I was an undergrad, for my senior project I was able to portray Lavinia in Morning Becomes Electra and I really enjoyed that.

TB: The Mousetrap is definitely up there but I really enjoyed in High School when I was able to play John Appleby in Professor How Could You. We were able to play for an audience of 30,000 and it was incredible.  Also, portraying Lumierie in Hale’s production of Disney’s Beauty & The Beast was awesome because it is such a bright (pun intended) character.

Q:  What would be your dream role that you haven’t performed yet?

TB: Definitely Into the Woods, or Spamalot, or a stage adaptation of Oscar (a movie starring Sylvester Stallone).

NS: Ellida in the Lady from the Sea.

Natalie Schmidt (Mollie Ralston) is excited to be making her Hale Theatre debut! Natalie holds a B. A. Theatre (Acting Concentration) from Arizona State University and has also trained at Canada’s National Voice Intensive. She most recently appeared as Laura in The Glass Menagerie at Teatro De. Other favorite credits include Stories from the Conquest of the Kingdom of New Mexico as Spider Woman, Camino Real as The Baron de Charlus, and Mourning Becomes Electra as Lavinia Mannon.

Thomas Brower (Giles Ralston) is ecstatic to a part of this production after appearing earlier this year in Hello Dolly! Some other favorite roles have been John Appleby in Professor, How Could You? and Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.  ”A day without laughter is a day wasted.”

Hale Centre Theatre will hold auditions on Monday August 29th starting at 5PM for It’s a Wonderful Life, adapted for the stage by James W. Rodgers, Based on the film by Frank Capra, produced by David  & Corrin Dietlein and directed by Allan Dietlein. The show is plays October 14 – November 26th.  Call backs will be held August 31st.   Rehearsals begin September 6th.   Readings will be cold from the script when you arrive at the theater.  Auditions will be held at the theater located at 50 West Page Avenue in Gilbert.  Auditions are by appointment only.  Sign up on our website at: www.haletheatrearizona.com or call 480-497-1181.  For any questions please contact Allan Dietlein allandietlein@mac.com

(Please note, this is not a musical version of It’s a Wonderful Life)

Character Breakdown

Character breakdown.  Some actors will play double roles

George Bailey.  Needs to play as a 20 year old and a 40 year old.  He is the everyman of Bedford Falls.  Must see the integrity, charm and vulnerability of him.

Clarence.  60ish.  Angel second class.  Honest and earnest.

Mr. Gower 50 – 70.  Drug store owner.  Will also play Mr. Martini, proprietor of a bar.

Young George/Pete Bailey.  12 year old boy

Tommy Bailey/ Newsboy.  10 year old boy

Harry.  George’s younger brother in his 20’s.

Mother Bailey.  50’s.  Homespun and warm.

Uncle Billy.  60’s.  Well meaning, but confused.

Aunt Tilly. 50’s.  Uncle Billy’s excitable wife.    Will also play Mrs. Thomson

Violet. 18 to 24.  A little bit of a hottie.  Attracted to George.  Will also play Miss Andrews.

Bert.  30’s, 40’s.  Geroge’s‘ best friend along with Ernie.  Will also play Mr. Welch.

Ernie.  30’s 40’s.  Another of George’s best friends.

Mary.  20’s into late 30’s.  George’s lovey, sensible wife

Mr. Potter 60, 70.  Gruff, unlikable, owns the town.

Miss Carter.   30 – 50.  Efficient Bank Examiner

Q: Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is a very well-known story.   What can audiences expect from this production?

A: The unique thing about this production is that The Mousetrap was written for a proscenium style theatre, so bringing it to a center stage you really have to watch all angles.  It really is a fun way to experience a murder mystery because it is all happening right there in front of you, however it does make it trickier requiring the audience to pay attention to catch all the intricate details throughout the show.

Q: What has been your favorite part of this show so far?

A: Definitely the people.  This cast has been so fun and they are all great people.  Most of us have never worked at Hale Theatre before, myself included, so we have definitely been growing together.  The show calls for so much that it definitely has been a challenge.  For example, trimming the show from a six door to a two door play has definitely been difficult.  But the people and the challenges are what make it such a worthwhile experience.

Q: Do you have a favorite role among the many shows you have worked on?

A: Directing The Mousetrap has definitely been so much fun.  But one of my favorites I have directed is Picasso at the Lapin Agile which was my first semi-professional shows.  Very similar to The Mousetrap in that there were good people, who knew how to function and the process was so enjoyable.

Q: Are there any shows that you haven’t worked on so far that you would enjoy doing in the future?

A: My number one is definitely Glass Menagerie.  Also, I like working on classics, so others I would love to work on is Of Mice & Men as well as To Kill a Mockingbird.