Another season is underway, with many exciting things happening at Citadel. Madelyn is no longer writing this blog, but her fans can still experience her work in May as we present the world-premier of Another Piece of Cake by (you guessed it) local playwright Madelyn Sergel. Before then, we have the honor of re-introducing the world to 'Til the Fat Lady Sings, a brilliantly poignant comedy by Scott McPherson, the award-winning author of Marvin's Room. And on top of it all, the Academy @ Citadel Theatre (A.C.T.) is in full-swing, hunting down the finest teachers in the Chicago area and bringing them to Lake Forest for our convenience.

Artistic Director Scott Phelps and Director of Education Carla Lev have put together an impressive collection of classes for kids, teens, and adults. Classes in Musical Theatre, Acting, Improvisation, Stage Combat, and On Camera Technique are now offered in three locations: Jenny's Dance Centre in Green Oaks, the new LoMastro Performing Arts Academy in Bannockburn, and of course through Lake Forest Parks & Recreation at Sterling Hall.

Ellen Lancaster has been teaching our Advanced Actor's Stretch on Monday nights. Ellen recently returned to the midwest after spending 20 years in New York, appearing in TV and films and Broadway shows. You may recognize her from her many appearances on "Law and Order". The Advanced Actor's Stretch is designed for the advanced and professional actor to cultivate and polish their craft. In addition to the full-term students, many local actors attend on a week-by-week drop-in basis to develop a new character or polish up an audition piece in front of a friendly audience.

Speaking of auditions, this overlooked skill is the focus of a new offering, the Master Class in Audition Techniques. Community theatre and school auditions are held differently than a professional audition, and many actors find themselves unfamiliar with the process when attending the Unified auditions required by most theatre schools, or non-equity auditions held in regional theatres and in the city. What are the differences between a classical and a contemporary monologue? How do you choose a piece that shows your strengths? What techniques can help you approach a cold reading? These questions and many more will be addressed in the eight-week master class. Two sessions are being offered, one for teens and one for adults.

For more information on these classes, please contact Scott or Carla by emailing act@citadeltheatre.org.

Did someone mention auditions? General Auditions for our 2007 - 2008 season will be held on November 10, from 9 am to 1 pm at the Theatre Building Chicago, and on November 11, from 1 pm to 4 pm at our home in the Gorton Center, Lake Forest IL. We have roles for 10 Women and 4 Men in their 40's - 60's, and 3 Men and 1 Woman in their 20's. Wow! What a great opportunity for older performers. Sorry girls, we can't do "Anton in Show Business" every year, but the one role that's available in the 20-ish range is choice. Interested actors should email auditions@citadeltheatre.org to arrange an appointment. Walk-ins will be accommodated if time permits, but it's safest to make an appointment.

The first show of our season is 'Til the Fat Lady Sings. This is the only other play written by Outer Critic's Circle Award winner, Drama Desk Award winner, John Gassner Playwriting Award winner, and The Dramatist Guild Hall-Warriner Award winner Scott McPherson, who died shortly after adapting his other play "Marvin's Room" for the screen. 'Til the Fat Lady Sings' is a sharp, satiric comedy that finds wit and humor in family traditions, as clueless, but well-meaning loved ones arrive to offer help and advice to Pat and her son Sean during a family crisis. This includes a hyper-ventilating neighbor, a lonely divorcee, a failed milkman, two military police, and an uncle with a camera determined to take the family portrait. Chicago has not seen a production of 'Til the Fat Lady Sings since it's premier in 1987 at the Lifeline Theatre, and director Wayne Mell is thrilled to be re-introducing this gem to our audiences. The show opens on February 29 and runs through March 16.

Local playwright Madelyn Sergel has not won as many awards as Scott McPherson (yet), but her original play Another Piece of Cake was the opening staged-reading at the 2007 Her Rah Festival of New Plays that was held by the International Centre for Women Playwrights, and was a finalist in the 2007 Moondance Festival. While wishing happy birthday to Great Aunt Clara in the retirement home, Diane and her mother Tandy get much more than they bargained for. Realizing Diane is reaching an age at which she can actually begin to see the bigger picture of life, Clara starts telling Diane what she really thinks. Between bites of birthday cake and shots of bourbon, Great Aunt Clara and her friends begin speaking the truth about humanity, youth, life, aging, rage and family. The memories, jokes and opinions fly with love and humor as the older generation of women welcome Tandy into the crone fold and encourage Diane to embrace her voice, her strength, and her freedom to reject tight-fitting thong underwear. As I said, the role of Diane is choice, but so are the other six characters who play themselves from 40 to 80 as they reveal the stories of their lives. Another Piece of Cake opens on May 2 and runs through May 18.

Neither show is to be missed, so why risk it? Follow the link on our home page and subscribe now. Thanks to Ness Blackman and the people at Ticket Turtle, our online system is safe and secure. Individual tickets cost $25 each, but a subscription for both shows is only $37.50.

Are you a small theatre or other venue looking for an affordable online ticketing solution? Check out Ticket Turtle at www.ticketturtle.com. Mention Citadel Theatre and we could win a toaster oven.

Last winter, Citadel Theatre played host to members of the Lake Forest / Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce. We served complimentary hors d'oeuvres (courtesy of Francesca's Intimo) and cocktails, and chamber members were treated to a special performance of "A Nervous Smile". Everyone had such a good time that we'd like to make the same offer to all of you. If you're a small business looking for a way to entertain your clients, or a local organization trying to plan a special event, why not consider a private party at Citadel Theatre? Our black-box theatre in the Grotto can hold up to 90 guests comfortably. We will arrange a private performance for you, and even serve the refreshments ... all for an affordable price that costs less per person than holiday fruitcakes. For more information, please email Wayne Mell: wmell@citadeltheatre.org.

Thank you for making it all the way down here to the end. We hope to see you this season.

Regards,

Wayne Mell
Blogger of the Month
Citadel Member at Large