Tickets: www.showtix4u.com.

The stylish wit of Oscar Wilde comes to the Ashland High School Theatre with his delicious comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest. And as Wilde wrote, “In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing.” Doug Ham directs this final main stage show for the year. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday, May 5-8 and Thurs- Sat May 13-15 with one 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, May 16. All tickets for Wednesday Preview on May 16 are $5. All Tickets may be purchased on line at www.showtix4u.com.

The Importance of Being Earnest is Oscar Wilde’s most enduring play and has been called the funniest in the English language. It’s certainly the most outrageously frivolous with intricate twists and turns, through which the characters move while they carry on sparkling conversations about life – and love. Algernon and Jack are in love with two delectable young women, both of whom have illogically sworn to marry only men named Ernest. Although Wilde’s plot is wonderfully witty, his wit is serious, as he adroitly uses it to skewer the Victorian English upper class and utterly charm everyone else.

The cast includes: Aurelia Grierson (Lady Bracknell); Amelia Farber (Cecily); Jazmine Dake (Gwendolyn); Tay Smith (Jack); Ford Muraski-Brown(Algernon); Drew Starmer(Lane); Jane Excell (Miss Prism) and Uriel Wolfe-Blank(Chausible)and Drew Woods (Merriman). Rosie Alspach will play the role of “Cecily” on Saturday, May 8 only.

Stage Manager is Jacob Roe-Bauer, assisted by Emily Weiser and Nicholas Dake. Doug Ham, director, is also the Set Designer and Co-Tech Director. David Pedersen is a Tech Director and Carpenter.  Bart Grady is the light designer and Emily Erlich- Inget is the costume designer.

All tickets are available on line. Tickets are $15 for reserved seats www.showtix4u.com ; $10.general and $5 for seniors/students. General and senior/students tickets are also available in downtown Ashland at Paddington Station. Tree House Books and   Music Coop. For more information, call 482-8771 7990 or visit www.ahstheatre.net .

In preparation for their April 8 opening night showcase for 2000 Thespians in the 2400-seat Silva Hall at the Hult Center, AHS Theatre will remount their spring 2009 production of the celebrated 2006 comedy-drama Anatomy of Gray by Jim Leonard. Chosen by the state committee as superior high school theatre, AHS will present four evenings at AHS before packing the truck for the Oregon State Thespian Conference opening in Eugene.

Leonard , award winning playwright of The Diviners; And They Dance Real Slow in Jackson,
brilliantly weaves the stories of the heartland’s settlers at the turn of the century into our hearts and minds. Anatomy of Gray is a redemptive fable for all ages – a powerful reminder that sometimes in order to find yourself, you must first lose your way.

When June’s father dies, she prays for a healer to come to the small town of Gray, so that no one will ever suffer again; the next thing she knows, there’s a tornado, and a man in a balloon blows into town claiming to be a doctor. At first, the new doctor cures anything and everything, but soon the town’s preacher takes ill with a mysterious plague. And then the plague begins to spread. The mystery of doctoring and healing is challenged by the beliefs and culture of the simple townspeople. Dr. Galen Gray explains, “Everything good for you has a price.” Set in Indiana during the 1880s, Anatomy of Gray deals with loss, faith, love, and healing in a unique coming- of- age story.

Directed by Betsy Bishop, the nine ensemble cast members are Emma Harding, Ford Murawski-Brown, Aurelia Grierson, Nick McKernan, Rosalie Alspach, Uriel Wolfe-Blank, Jazmine Dake, Sophie Javna, and Tay Smith. The musical coordinator and violinist, Izabel Austin will play with Gerry Pare (cello), Elizabeth Markell,( harp) and Natalie Edson (guitar). Jesse Sharpe is the Stage Manager and Jacob Roe-Bauer and Dana Kossluk are the Assistant Stage Managers. Doug Ham is Set Designer/Tech Director. David Pedersen is a Tech Director /Carpenter. Bart Grady is the light designer and Emily Erlich- Inget is the costume designer.

Anatomy of Gray plays for 4 performances only, March 31 ($5. preview) and April 1, 2, 3 at 7:30 p.m. The following week, all 24 cast and crew members and 12 other thespians will take the show to Eugene for the opening night of the conference.

Reserved seating ($14) as well as general ($10.) and senior/student ($5) tickets are sold only at showtix4u.com. General ($10) tickets are also sold at Paddington Station, Tree House Books, Music Coop and AHS Main Office. All proceeds will pay the bus, truck, hotel and food expenses for the state competition at the Hult Center in Eugene.
An excellent 97-minute play for further discussions about history, religion and medicine. Special school and group rates are available. Info: 541-482-8771.

Thurs Feb 25 – PREVIEW MUSICAL 7:30

Fri Feb 26 – OPEN MUSICAL    7:30

Sat Feb 27 – PERFORMANCE    7:30

MARCH 2010

 Thurs Mar 4 – PERFORMANCE 7:30

Fri Mar 5 – PERFORMANCE     7:30

Sat Mar 6 – PERFORMANCE    7:30

Sun Mar 7 – PERFORMANCE MATINEE 2 p.m.

Thurs Mar 11 – PERFORMANCE 7:30

Fri Mar 12 – PERFORMANCE  7:30

Sat Mar 13 –  2 shows:

                        MATINEE 2 p.m.

                      Final PERFORMANCE 7:30 p.m.

Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor is a fast-paced Renaissance comedy of delightful intrigue and misunderstandings. When scheming for some fast cash, Sir John Falstaff attempts to seduce and swindle two Windsor merry wives: Mistress Ford and Mistress Page. When they put their heads together and compare his letters, they plan a practical joke or two to teach the knight a lesson. But Mistress Ford’s husband is a very jealous man and is pumping Falstaff for information of the affair. Meanwhile the Pages’ daughter Anne is besieged by suitors which all adds to the hilarious consequences. AHS presents this delightful comedy, directed by OSF’s Tyrone Wilson, with a cast of 31.

The Merry Wives of Windsor plays for 7 performances only, November 4 ($5. preview), November 5, 6, 7 and 12, 13, 14,  at 7:30 p.m. and only one Sunday Matinee on November 15 at 2:00 p.m.

Reserved seating ($15) as well as general ($10.) and reduced senior/student ($5) tickets are sold at showtix4u.com. Tickets are also sold at Paddington Station, Tree House Books, Music Coop and AHS Main Office.

 

Thanks to everyone who came and saw the show! Your continued support of the AHS theatre program and our partnership with OSF has made this 15th anniversary the best ever!

AHS Theatre is proud to present  a celebrated  2006 comedy-drama Anatomy of Gray by award winning playwright Jim Leonard (The Diviners; And They Dance Real Slow in Jackson, My Own Country, Close to Home; Skin, and Thieves; The Marshall, Night Visions, Kilroy, Eastwick, Internal Affairs, and Cracker). Leonard brilliantly weaves the stories of the heartland’s settlers at the turn of the century into our hearts and minds.  Anatomy of Gray is a redemptive fable for all ages – a powerful reminder that sometimes in order to find yourself, you must first lose your way.

When June’s father dies, she prays for a healer to come to the small town of Gray, so that no one will ever suffer again; the next thing she knows, there’s a tornado, and a man in a balloon blows into town claiming to be a doctor. At first, the new doctor cures anything and everything, but soon the town’s preacher takes ill with a mysterious plague. And then the plague begins to spread. The mystery of doctoring and healing is challenged by the beliefs and culture of the simple townspeople. Dr. Galen Gray explains, “Everything good for you has a price.”  Set in Indiana during the 1880s, Anatomy of Gray deals with loss, faith, love, and healing in a unique coming- of- age story.

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Directed by Betsy Bishop, the nine ensemble cast members include Emma Harding, Ford Murawski-Brown, Aurelia Grierson, Nick McKernan, Derrien Burns, Uriel Wolfe-Blank, Jazmine Dake, Sophie Javna, and Tay Smith. The four musicians are Genevieve Harding, arranger and musical director, Isabelle Austin , Morgan Ginsberg and  Phoebe Knowles. Jeffrey Star is the assistant director, Torrie Hood is the stage manager and Jacob Roe-Bauer is the assistant stage manager. Doug Ham is the Tech Director and Set Designer. David Pedersen is the Asst. tech Director and Carpenter.  Bart Grady is the light designer and Emily Erlich- Inget is the costume designer mentoring Aubrey Bauer, the costume designer apprentice.

Anatomy of Gray plays for 7 performances only, April 30 ($5. preview), May 1, 2, and 7, 8, 9 at 7:30 p.m. and only one Saturday Matinee on May 9 at 2:00 p.m.

Reserved seating ($14) as well as general ($9.) and reduced senior/student ($7) tickets are sold only at showtix4u.com. General ($10) tickets are also sold at Paddington Station, Tree House Books, Music Coop and AHS Main Office.

An excellent 95-minute play for further discussions about history, religion and medicine. Special school and group rates are available. Call 840-6410.

Hopefully this won’t happen again anytime soon.

AHS Performing Arts Department is delighted to announce their 2009 spring musical, great for all ages: the ever-popular Tony award winner, Pajama Game. Directed by Chris Williams, and produced by AHS Perfroming Arts with Betsy Bishop,  Pajama Game will run 10  evening performances from Friday and Saturday February 27, 28 and Thurs-Sat. March 5,6,7, and  March 12,13,14 at 7:30 p.m.. Two matinees will be Sunday March 8 and March 15 at 2 p.m. One $10.preview will be Thurs. February 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Reserved seating  for all nights ($18.) is available only online at SHOWTIX4U.COM Non-reserved  general admission on-line will be $13.

General non-reserved admission tickets are also available at AHS. Paddington Station, Tree House Books and Music Coop for $15. The AHS annual musical is a popular Ashland event, so buy your tickets early!
Pajama Game, is full of popular musical numbers such as “Hey, There”; “Steam Heat” and “I’m Not At All in Love” as well as “Hernando’s Hideaway” and many fun production numbers and romantic subplots.
The musical is set is set in Iowa’s Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory, where garment-union workers are demanding a raise to keep their salaries comparable with other workers’ pay.  Sid, the new factory superintendent, pushes the workers and himself hard to prove himself to the owner. However, a visit by the union grievances committee in the form of lovely but tough Babe brings out his softer side.  Despite their love, Babe warns Sid that the union turmoil will cause problems for them, too.  Sid has to juggle his job, his heart and his conscience to find a solution that will solve everything.
Jeffrey Star (Sid)  and Rosie Alspach (Babe) play the main romantic roles. Also featured are Aubrey Bauer, Bella Pribyl; Ford Murawski-Brown, Daniel Burt; Max Kiss; Sophie Javna; Aurelia Grierson; Zach Miller; Genevieve Harding; Tay Smith; Emma Harding and Jazmine Dake.

Chris Williams is the director and Audrey Flint is the choreographer of this cast of 41.  Holly Johnson is the musical director and John Soderberg- Chase is the pit orchestra conductor. Doug Ham is set and lighting designer and David Pedersen is the set carpenter; they both work with the 20 stage management students on the technical aspects of the show. Emily Erlich Inget is the costume designer. Anna Barth is the stage manager and her assistants are Elli Von Radics and Cherish Stafford.
New feature! SHOWTIX4U.COM sells both reserved ($18.) and general seating ($13)  tickets. General non-reserved admission tickets are also available at AHS. Paddington Station, Tree House Books and Music Coop for $15.for weekend shows March 27—March 15. $10. preview shows on Thursday, Febraury 26 are also available on- line and at all of these venues: AHS main office, Paddington Station, Musc Coop and Tree House Books.
Interesting Facts

The Pajama Game has received 12 Tony Award nominations:
•    Three nominations and wins for the original 1955 production: Best Musical, Best
Choreography and Best Featured Actress (Carol Haney).
•    Nine nominations for the 2006 revival and two wins: Best Musical – Revival and Best Choreography.

CAST LIST

Female
Babe Williams- Rosie Alspach
Gladys- Aubrey Bauer
Mabel- Aurelia Grierson
Mae- Genevieve Harding
Poopsie- Bella Pribyl
Brenda- Sophie Javna
Martha- Emma Harding
Charlie- Jazmine Dake

Male
Sid Sorokin- Jeffrey Star
Hines- Ford Murawski-Brown
Prez- Zach Miller
Hasler- Daniel Burt
Pop- Max Kiss
Max (Salesman)- Tay Smith
Stanley (Helper)- Uriel Wolf-Blank
(Salesman)- Tay Smith
Bill- Nicholas Dake

Factory Gals
Maureen-Chloe Rosenthal
Patty- Kristyn Baker
Babs- Rebecca Perper
Lulu- Eileen Wasche
Sally- Chloe Landes-Michelli
Shirley- Chloe Rosenthal
Cathy- Aurelia Grierson
Susie- Isis Terrall
Priscilla- Holly Niewhaus
Mary Ann- Hillary Gorson
Nancy- Kierstin Rakestraw
Pam- Natalie Edson
Vera- Taylor Arras
Tammy- Savannah Williams
Leeann- Savannah Edson
Didi- Anika Rahlston
Jill- Kyanna Kuriyama
Sandy- Meghan McNulty
Jane- Tenaya Kerner
Cindy- Sierra Houk
Jeanie- Emily Pew
Sara- Emily Curty
Lydia- Katie Moeglien

Factory Guys
Joey- Drew Woods
Eddie- Chris Keasbey
Pete- Morgan Ginsberg
Frank- Jesse Sharpe

History of the Show

The Pajama Game opened at the St. James Theatre in New York in 1954, to great reviews.  It starred John Raitt as Sid Sorokin, Janis Paige as Babe Williams, Eddie Foy, Jr. as Hines, and Carol Hainey as Gladys.  Shirley MacLaine, who was Hainey’s understudy, was discovered by Hollywood producer Hal Wallis, who happened to be in the audience on a night she went on for Hainey.  The show closed after 1,063 performances, becoming only the eighth musical in Broadway history to run over 1,000 performances.  There have been three New York revivals of the show; one in 1957 at the New York City Center, and the other in 1973 starring Hal Linden, Barbara McNair and Cab Calloway.  In 1957 Warner Brothers released a film version starring John Raitt, Doris Day, Eddie Foy, Jr. and Carol Hainey, directed by George Abbott and Stanley Donen; the screenplay was written by Abbott and Richard Bissell.
The third revival happened in 2006, a stunning new musical revival starring Harry Connick, Jr. and Kelli O’Hara took Broadway by storm with a sold-out, smash hit run earning nine Tony Award nominations and winning the Tony Award for Best Choreography and Best Revival of a Musical.