Move Over Broadway opens with a parody

Move Over Broadway
opens with a parody

CANFIELD — Move Over Broadway Productions will open its season this weekend with the courtroom-drama parody “Sandbag, Stage Left or One Dead Dolly.”

The comedy follows up the death of a community theater diva, who was hit by a falling sandbag during a performance of “Hello, Dolly.” Her wimpy undertaker husband, Arnold Meddle (Mike Sobota of Salem), has been accused of the crime and brought to trial. The mud-slinging begins when Defense Attorney Static (Glenn Stevens of Poland) and Prosecutor Cling (Regina Reynolds of Poland) present their cases to Judge Roy L. Been (Tom Hathhorn of Canfield). One by one, various community theater types take the stand to testify in a nutty parade of witnesses.

Rounding out the cast are Wendy Persson, Liberty; JoAnne Santagata, Poland; Philip Clark, Poland; Fred Weibel, Alliance; Sue Vollmar, Salem; Jessica Persson, Liberty; Keri Jennings, Canfield; Nick Opritza, Struthers; Pam Weibel, Alliance; Patricia Fagan, Youngstown; Tom Gent, Austintown; and John Amer, Canfield. The director is Marlene Menaldi Strollo, with Cherry Marsh serving as stage manager.

“Sandbag Stage Left” will be staged Friday and Saturday and Oct. 5 and 6 with dinner at 6:45 p.m. and curtain at 8 p.m.; and Sept. 30 with brunch at 12:15 p.m. and curtain at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Show-only tickets are $12. For reservations, call (330) 533-8789. All performances are held in the St. Michael Social Hall, Route 46, Canfield. 

Warren native on BET

WARREN — Saudia Mills, a Warren native, is a contestant on the new BET series “Sunday Best.” The show features gospel music artists from around the country.

Mills is one of 20 finalists competing for the “Sunday Best” title. The show will air locally Oct. 2.

Youth Theatre classes

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Playhouse’s Youth Theatre will hold fall classes for pupils in grades 1-12, on Saturdays between Oct. 13 and Nov. 18. Class size is limited. For further information about times, fees and registrations, call Youth Theatre Director Patricia Fagan at (330) 788-8739. The classes are:

UAfrican Tales of Earth and Sky, grades 1-3. An exploration of folk tales such as “Why Mosquitoes Buzz In People’s Ears,” and “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters,” the African version of “Cinderella.” Children with some previous stage or class experience may opt for Tales from the Trick or Treat Trunk. Each week, the class will find a trunk filled with costume pieces, props and odds and ends, which they will use to create a new story of their own to perform. Emphasis is on acting skills, developing a character and working as part of a cast. Both courses are led by Monica Beasley-Martin.

UIt Was A Dark and Stormy Night, grades 4-6. Covers the basics of acting and story-building skills through the use of classic theater games and exercises. The pupils will create a mystery play through group improvisation. Taught by Fagan.

UMusical theater buffs will enjoy “High School Musical 2,” in which students will create a new adventure as well as stage a production number from the Disney film. Led by Elizabeth Rubino.

UActing 101, grades 7-12 who are beginning actors. The class will touch on the fundamentals of vocal and body technique, improvisation, character building, stage skills and script analysis. Another class, Audition 101, is for beginning and/or experienced performers, who want to better their chances to be cast in a show. The class will cover “cold readings,” prepared monologues, musical and dance auditions and more. Both classes will be taught by Molly Galano.

Opera seeks singers

YOUNGSTOWN — Opera Western Reserve is seeking male singers for the chorus of its Nov. 9 performance of Verdi’s opera “Rigoletto” at Stambaugh Auditorium, in Italian with full orchestra and staging. Call the OWR office at (330) 480-0693 Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m., or call director David Vosburgh evenings at (330) 788-9590. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings.

Florez to play at MUC

ALLIANCE — The rock band Florez, whose song “Natalie” premiered on the NBC series “Scrubs,” will perform free Wednesday at Mount Union College. The concert will be held at 9 p.m. in Campus Grounds coffee shop in the Hoover-Price Campus Center. For more information, contact the Office of Student Affairs at (330) 823-7288.