You’re not squeezed into the corner of a noisy bar – You’re PERFORMING on our stage – beautifully lit by our technical maestro, Big Al.
And our regular range of (very reasonably priced) Playhouse concessions is available too!
Why not start the NEW YEAR with a song? Go on, you know you’ll love it!
We will be showcasing the work of five writers – All brand new to our program! – Giving them the chance to hear their work live, with actors, in front of an audience – for the very first time. All roles will be cast on the night of.
Writers! Want to join in on the fun for a future volume? Email your 10-15 minute piece/excerpt to Morgana at lemonade@shermanplayers.org.
Actors! Want to read? Come to the Playhouse at 7 and find Morgana to let her know you’re interested. She’ll be rocking the heels and holding the scripts.
The event is free and open to the public.
So without further ado, let’s meet our writers!
GENE SWANSON is a writer, artist, and a senior in high school in Bedford, New York. Their work invites people to laugh, reflect, and engage with the deeper experience of what it means to be human.
ALLEN JEFFRIES is a veteran actor/director/designer. He now lives a quiet life in the country with his wife and three cats. GONE ARE THE FLOWERS is Allen’s first full length original drama.
JARED REYNOLDS is a writer, director, and actor living in Bristol. You’ve probably seen him on stage at the Brookfield Theater, where he does most of his performing. As always, he’d like to thank his guinea pigs for their background noise while he tries to write.
CHERYL HUGHES is an actor/writer who resides in Northern Westchester, NY. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in journalism. While living in New York City, she studied acting at HB Studio. She took sketch writing at the Groundlings and has studied at the Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield Theater Barn, One-on-One Acting Studio, and Blind Tiger Improv. She wrote a comedy short play, The Couch, which is going on stage this January in NYC.
TED SCHWARTZ Ted is a local performer who has been in numerous productions in theaters around the greater Danbury area, including Musicals at Richter, the Brewster Theater Company and the Brookfield Theatre for the Arts. Play writing is a relatively new hobby for him. He is a retired forensic scientist and currently is a full-time professor at the University of New Haven, teaching classes in Forensic Science.
And your host –
MORGANA KATE WATSON is the Original Works Program Director for the Sherman Players. A professional writer and performer, she has performed all over New England and in New York. Her writing has been shown in New York, Westchester, Connecticut, and Australia. She is repped by Alexander Management. www.morganakatewatson.com
Actors! Want to perform in one of the pieces listed above? Arrive at the Playhouse at 7, let Morgana know you’re there, and she will cast you if she has a role (or two!) for you to play.
The readings will commence at 8. It’s free to attend, but donations are appreciated to help offset costs, and concessions will be on sale.
See you at the Playhouse!
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Writers! Want to workshop your piece in a future volume in 2025? Email your 10 minute segment or short piece to Morgana at lemonade@shermanplayers.org
Fun Fact: At least seven of the plays we’ve featured in previous Cold Lemonade sessions have gone on to have staged readings or fully produced performances! So, come along and see the best in local playwriting at the Sherman Playhouse and who knows, you could be the first to experience the next Tony award winning play!
Audition Dates:
Location: The Sherman Playhouse 5 Rt 39 N, Sherman, CT 06784. Please report to the Green Room at the rear of the Playhouse to sign in. (if using GPS to find us, please search for Sherman Players)
Performance Dates:
Synopsis: “Dinner with Friends” is a poignant and insightful dramatic comedy that explores the complexities of friendship, marriage, and the inevitable changes that come with time. This Pulitzer Prize-winning play follows two married couples who have been friends for years, delving into the ripple effects when one couple announces their divorce.
Characters:
Audition Requirements:
Rehearsals: Rehearsals will begin on February 2, 2025, and will generally be held on Monday-Thursday evenings from 7:00 pm. This information is for guidance only, actual rehearsal timings will be dependent on cast schedules.
How to Sign Up: To register your interest use this link. Audition-Signup
Walk-ins are also welcome.
Contact Information: For any questions or additional information, please contact: auditions@shermanplayers.org
Bradford Blake and Charles Smith are renowned for staging the best in our region’s musical theatre, and they don’t disappoint with this snappy 60’s do-wop, be-bop, holiday extravaganza.
It’s the 1968 Harper’s Hardware Holiday Happening and the Marvelous Wonderettes have been asked to be the main event! They entertain the workers with wonderful versions of holiday classics from the 50’s and 60’s and their trademark wit. But what happens when Santa fails to show? The ladies get creative and deliver a Christmas bonus that you won’t forget!
Renee Browne, Jazzy Cores, Jacquelyn Schultz and Daisy Stott as Missy, Cindy-Lou, Betty-Jean and Suzy, are perfectly cast as the delightfully harmonic and hilarious Marvelous Wonderettes, or as they’re known at this time of year, THE WINTER WONDERETTES!
Jacquelyn Schultz’s Betty Jean is in charge – but only just! Her reluctant rendition of “O, Tannenbaum” is delivered with precise, if hilarious, Germanic diction and contrasts perfectly with her tender Act I closing solo. Jacquelyn’s performance has audiences in stitches throughout, she’s a comedic gem who’s also able to touch our hearts. Renee Browne’s Missy tries to keep things on an even keel. She’s prim, proper and super organized, so it’s great fun when her naughty side makes an appearance – especially when serenading her new hubby ‘Bill’. Renee’s sweet vocals are a delight. Her version of “Mele Kalikimaka” is full of Hawaiian charm, and she shows she can rock out with the best as she opens Act II with the high energy “Run, Run Rudolf.” Cindy Lou, played by Jazzy Cores, turns up the Caribbean heat with the sexy “I wanna see Santa do the Mambo” and gets to show off her powerhouse belt in “Santa Claus is comin’ to town.” As well as playing the vixen of the group, Jazzy gets to show us her tender side too in her moving solo, “All Those Christmas Cliches“. And then there’s Suzy – adorably played by Daisy Stott as a young lady who’s eggnog glass is definitely always half-full! Her enthusiasm for everything Christmas is infectious and Daisy’s performance as “Suzy Snowflake” is great fun. But she’s not just a ditzy blonde – this young lady’s voice is as enchanting as she is funny!
As individual performers they’re fantastic, but it’s together as the Wonderettes where they excel. Their chemistry is perfect – you really feel like you’re in the company of old friends, sharing in all the humor, conflict, understanding, snarkiness, and love. From the peppy opener, “Mister Santa” and classics like “Rockin’ around the Christmas tree” to the gentle and melodic “Snowfall” their perfect harmonies are the icing on the Christmas cake – and just you wait for the opening to “Walking in a Winter Wonderland“.
And these ladies can really move too! Brad Blake’s choreography is on point and full of energy. The whole production is lively, stylish and colorful, with a clever set designed by Mr. Blake and gorgeous lighting (as always at the Playhouse) by Technical Director Al Chiappetta. Charles Smith leads his excellent musicians with precision and flair.
In the words of the Sherman Playhouse’s patrons “The casting is perfection and I just know you’ll leave feeling better than when you walked in.”
And that’s not all they had to say: “Every single performance is heartfelt and strong”, “Kudos to Brad Blake”, “Exactly what my heart needs right now”, and “Family-friendly and charming”.
And maybe the greatest praise of all – “It’s comedy gold…don’t miss it!!“
You should rush to get your tickets to this festive treat at Connecticut’s longest running Community Theater.
WINTER WONDERETTES is suitable for all ages and runs for its final two performances at the Sherman Playhouse on Friday 12/20 & Saturday 12/21 @8.00pm.
Doors open 30 mins before curtain.
Tickets available at the door or at Winter-Wonderettes-Tickets
Adults (13+) and Seniors – $30
Youth (under 13) and Students with ID – $15
Written & Created By Roger Bean
Vocal Arrangements by Roger Bean & Brian Baker
Musical Arrangements by Brian Baker
Directed and Choreographed by Bradford Blake
Music Directed by Charles Smith
Winter Wonderettes is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC. (www.broadwaylicensing.com)
The Sherman Playhouse is located at 5 Route 39 N, Sherman, CT 06784, between the Firehouse and the Town Hall.
NOTE: If using navigation to find us please either enter the address or ‘Sherman Players’. We’ve been made aware that navigation apps may have the wrong location for the Playhouse and could take you to the Sherman Old Store instead! (it’s lovely BTW, you should check it out! If you do end up there, just look up the hill and you’ll spot the Playhouse – big white chapel like building, says ‘Sherman Playhouse’ on it. You can’t miss it.)
The Sherman Players is a not for profit 501(c)3 theatre company relying on generous supporters to continue to bring quality entertainment to the local community. For more information go to shermanplayers.org. Great Theatre Is Closer Than You Think.
Location
The Sherman Players,
The Sherman Playhouse,
5 Route 39 N,
Sherman, CT 06784
Mailing Address
The Sherman Players,
PO BOX 471,
Sherman, CT 06784
Tel: 860-354-3622
Email: contact us via our contact page
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