Hale Centre Theatre

Yesterday the 2010-2011 ariZoni Awards of Excellence in Theatre nominations were announced and we are pleased to present the nominees from Hale Theatre.  Congratulations to all our actors, and those nominated in each of their respective categories.

Actor in a Major Role – Non-Contracted Play
Never Too Late – Don Crosby
The Foreigner – Eric Brekke

Actress in a Supporting Role – Non-Contracted Play
Over The River and Through the Woods – Barbara McGrath
Over The River and Through the Woods – Brooke Andrews

Actor in a Supporting Role – Non-Contracted Play
The Foreigner -Scott McGee

Overall Production – Non-Contracted Play
Over The River and Through the Woods

Costume Design – Non-Contracted Theatre
Hello Dolly – Corrin Dietlein, Pamela Oborn
The Happiest Millionaire – Corrin Dietlein, Pamela Oborn

Hair and Makeup Design – Non-Contracted Theatre
The Happiest Millionaire – Pamela Oborn

Sound Design – Non-Contracted Theatre
The Happiest Millionaire – David Dietlein

Properties Design – Non-Contracted Theatre
Here Lies Jeremy Troy – David Dietlein, Brad Alger

Theatre critic, and Curtain Up’s Chris Curcio (KBAQ 89.5FM) recently had the opportunity to attend our production of Over the River and Through the Woods. Excerpts from his review are posted below.  You can read the article in its entirely on www.curtainupphoenix.com or by clicking here.

Community Theater can be amazing.  Gilbert’s Hale Centre Theatre has mounted several impressive productions over the years and their latest, “Over the River and Through the Woods,” is another winner.  This masterfully acted production features a remarkable ensemble that easily convinces audiences they are a tightly knit Italian family.  And the Joe DiPietro play, a new one to me, admirably blends winning comedy laughs with heart-tugging emotionalism about the importance of family in our lives.

The play’s set in New Jersey.  Two sets of grandparents remain for grandson Nick.  His parents have retired to Florida and his sister has moved to San Diego.  He’s the only younger generation family member left but a hard-earned promotion will move him to Seattle.  His devastated grandparents devise a predictable but endearing distraction to keep him in town so their family Sunday dinner tradition continues.

Although the predictable story and the grandparent’s diversion – a desirable, unattached woman – are standard older generation things, the machinations are humorous and earnest as the play stresses the generational differences.  The Sunday dinners are hysterical but prove charmingly the importance of family.  Each grandparent is unique but all represent another generation with different thinking.  Nick moves, is successful, and marries but never stops coming back for visits.

What makes the Hale Centre production so rewarding is the acting.  The ensemble coalesces into a believable family, something that often doesn’t happen when similar family plays are mounted by our top professional theaters.  Each actor creates a believable but charmingly unique character.

Kevin Hermann has the youthful sparkle and buoyant personality that is perfect for the conflicted Nick who struggles affectionately with his grandparents but obviously adores and loves them.  Barbara McGrath is amazing as Aida, Nick’s food-obsessed grandmother.  Her love for Nick is never forced or obvious; it’s just natural, touching, and heartwarming.  As her husband, Frank, a hard-working immigrant who’s made a comfortable life for his wife and family, Robert Holt couldn’t better as the typical dominant but loving Italian.  Brooke Andrews is forcefully meddlesome as Emma, the grandmother who brings the eligible lady into the mix.  Bill Vestal’s Nunzio is a spirited, idealistic dreamer who still used hard-work to win a nice place for his family.  And the Italian accents are authentic and winsome.

“Over the River and Through the Woods” is perfect summer entertainment during a time in the Valley when there isn’t much theater.  The play continues through July 9 at the wonderfully intimate Gilbert theater.  For tickets, call the Hale Centre Theatre box office at 480-497-1181 or order tickets online at www.haletheatrearizona.com.

It was 50 years ago our Owner/Producer Dave Dietlein was born.  He took a few minutes out of his busy day to celebrate with his beautiful wife Corrin, his parents and many others.  Happy Birthday Dave!

(Dave’s wife Corrin brought over the crown from the costume room)

Last Weekend, Over the River and Through the Woods opened here on our stage, and the Phoenix Theatre Examiner Lee Cooley was able to attend and offer this gracious review.  Below are his comments about the production.  We appreciate his kind words and thank him for coming. You can read the entire article here on Examiner.com.

“Good news! If you’ve been waiting for the timeless comedy Over the River and Through the Woods to return to the Hale Centre Theatre, it’s back and feels as comfortable as an old pair of clown shoes.

“As the story goes, Nick’s parents move from New York to Florida and leave him behind to carry on the Sunday dinner tradition with his stereotypical Italian grandparents: Aida (Barbara McGrath reprising her 2004 role), Frank (Robert Holt), Emma (Brooke Andrews) and Nunzio (Bill Vestal).

“Caught between the sweet smell of a promotion in Seattle and putting family first (Tengo familia! as the Cristanos and Gianellis chant with obligatory hand gestures), Nick (Kevin Herrmann) has a tough decision to make and his blind date with Caitlin (Rebecca Johnston) doesn’t make it any easier.

“Eight years after Over the River and Through the Woods first hit the Hale stage in Gilbert, Don Doyle returns as director and coaches his new Nick to deliver lines with just the right balance of angst, guilt and occhio di rotolamento (eye rolling).

“What’s wonderful about this play by Joe DiPietro (Tony Award winner for Memphis) is its appeal to all ages and ethnicities. As I looked around the theatre during the final few minutes of the show, I saw tears in the eyes of patrons young and old. They laughed, they cried, they applauded and so will you when you see it — and you must see it.

“Some say that owner-producer David Hale Dietlein is genetically predisposed to know when it’s time to remount a fan favorite and that may be true. His grandparents opened the first Hale theatre in California back in 1947 and the rest is, as the Italians say, storia di famiglia.

“Over the River and Through the Woods runs through Saturday, July 9 at the Hale Centre Theatre. Tickets available online at no additional fee”

Nick Cristano (Kevin Herrmann) & his Grandpa Nunzio Cristano (Bill Vestal)

Nick Cristano (played by Kevin Herrmann) briefs Caitlin O’Hare (played by Rebecca Johnston) as they head over to his Grandparents house for dinner.

Photos Courtesy of Lee Cooley

Rehearsals have been taking place over the past several weeks, the stage is set, and our cast is ready to knock your socks off with the Hilarious Comedy Over the River and Through the Woods by Joe DiPietro.  You won’t want to miss this outrageous comedy about four over the top grandparents as they plot to keep their grandson from moving across the country.  Tickets are only $22 and are available online at www.haletheatrearizona.com or by calling our Box Office at (480) 497-1181.  This production isn’t a casual visit to go see grandma, but a show that will keep you laughing all night long.  Get your tickets today!

(Photo Courtesy of Wade Moran)

We recently had our theater photographer Wade Moran out to snap some photos for our upcoming production of Over the River and Through the Woods.  You won’t want to miss out on this all star cast in one of the funniest comedies presented on the Hale Theatre Stage!

Auditions were held this last week and we had the opportunity of meeting many talented individuals as they read for Over the River and Through the Woods.  The cast is comprised of only 6 actors, so unfortunately we weren’t able to use everyone this time, but we appreciate all those who came out and we encourage you to come back soon.  Congratulations are in order for those individuals who were casted.  The cast is as follows:

Aida……………….Barbara McGrath

Caitlin…………Rebecca Johnston

Emma……………Brooke Andrews

Nunzio………….Bill Vestal

Frank…………….Robert Holt

Nick…………….Kevin Herrmann

Tonight is the night for our next round of auditions for our upcoming comedy Over the River and Through the Woods.  You won’t want to miss out on this incredible opportunity to work with award winning director Don Doyle  Don has directed several hit productions here at Hale Theatre, including our original run of Over the River and Through the Woods in our inaugural season, as well as Fiddler on the Roof, Brigadoon, and Arsenic and Old Lace. He is a nationally recognized story teller, and is a highly sought after director throughout the valley.

Auditions start at 5:00 PM, and appointments are available on our website, www.haletheatrearizona.com.  Also, a new feature on our website, you are able to download the sides for auditions before you arrive at the theater.  So come prepared and we look forward to seeing you tonight!

In our constant desire to improve our website, we are pleased to now be able to offer the audition sides that will be read at auditions before the auditions take place.  When you click on the upcoming audition page for the show you will be auditioning for, as soon as they are posted, the sides are found on the right hand side.  With the click of a mouse, actors are able to download these sides, practice, and prepare for the upcoming auditions.  We are auditioning for 2 shows in the month of April, Over the River and Through the Woods as well as Pinocchio and we hope to see you there!

GILBERT, AZ (March 21, 2011) Hale Centre Theatre will hold auditions on Monday April 11th starting at 5PM for  Over the River and Through the Woods, written by Joe DiPietro, produced by David  & Corrin Dietlein and directed by Don Doyle. The show is playing May 27th – July 9th.  Call backs will be held April 13th.   Rehearsals begin April 16th.   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 the Box Office at: 480-497-1181, or info@haletheatrearizona.com

ABOUT THE SHOW

Over the River and Through the Woods is set in New Jersey in 1994.  The play follows Nick, a young, single Italian-American who announces to both sets of grandparents that the has been offered a dream job in Seattle. Devastated by the news, his doting, salt-of-the-earth grandparents, with whom he has dinner every Sunday, cook up a plot to keep him from leaving the nest. This play will simultaneously tickle your funny bone and pull at your heart strings- so be prepared! This show will be directed by Don Doyle.

NEEDED:

Nick: a young and ambitious professional in his early to mid thirties. Lots of energy. A very loving grandson.

Frank: Nick’s Italian maternal grandfather in his eighties. Good sense of timing.

Aida: Nick’s maternal grandmother (Frank’s wife) in her seventies. Epitomizes so many older Italian women who insist on serving food to everyone who walks in the door.

Nunzio: Nick’s paternal grandfather in his seventies. Not well, but making the best of things. Very loving.

Emma: Nick’s paternal grandmother in her seventies. (Nunzio’s wife)

Caitlin: Young, attractive, charming in her late twenties or early thirties.

PREPARE

Cold readings from the script. Headshots and resumes are optional but helpful.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

After retiring as a Professor of Theatre from ASU, Dr. Don Doyle is now a free-lance director of theatre and opera and a nationally recognized professional storyteller. He appears as a featured teller and workshop leader at storytelling festivals, educational institutions, and as a consultant on storytelling with corporations in this country and abroad.

Don has received several prestigious honors since his early retirement from the university; the Medallion of Merit Award from the National Society of Arts and Letters for a lifetime contribution in the theatre to the state of Arizona; The Campton Bell Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education (Arts and educators serving young people). He recently was a co-recipient of the “Pied Piper Award” for supporting and advocating for quality arts and education programs for young people from Child’s Play Inc. Don served three years on the board of directors of the National Storytelling Association and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from that organization.

Don has directed five productions for the Hale Centre Theatre receiving two ariZoni Awards for best director for Fiddler on the Roof and Brigadoon. He is pleased to have the joy of directing this very funny comedy and working with the Hale Theatre again.

We are so excited to announce that award winning director Don Doyle will be returning to direct our upcoming production of Over the River and Through the Woods. Don has directed numerous shows here in the past, including Fiddler on the Roof, Brigadoon, Arsenic and Old Lace, and our initial production of Over the River.
Auditions will be announced soon and you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to be a part of this production.