2016 - 2017 Season
A Christmas Carol
December 2016
Book by Lynn Ahrens and Mike Ockrent Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens Alan Menken (Disney's Beauty And The Beast,Disney's The Little Mermaid, Little Shop Of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once On This Island) breathe fantastic new life into the classic tale of A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who believes personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated "Bah! Humbug!" Scrooge summates his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he's forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his Past, Present, & Future. Thanks to their guidance, Scrooge recognizes his faults and greets Christmas morning with a cheerful "Happy Christmas" before spending the day reconnecting and sharing love with those that mean the most to him. A Christmas Carol is a spectacular adaptation of Charles Dickens's most well known story. Proving its staying power with a decade long run at Madison Square Garden, A Christmas Carol, is an ideal choice for any theatre hoping to create a holiday tradition. Performance Dates & Times:
Students younger or older than the age range must email ratakwillis@gmail.com for permission Tuition: $450, plus $150 ticket packet (if cast) Discount for siblings and scholarships available Rated: G Please email: ratakwillis@gmail.com for questions and more information. 
Working 2012June 2017
Adapted by Nina Faso Additional Contributions by Gordon Greenberg Songs by Craig Carnelia, James Taylor, Mary Rodgers, Micki Grant, Stephen Schwartz, Susan Birkenhead, Lin-Manuel Miranda Nominated for 6 Tony Awards, this classic has been updated for a modern age featuring new songs by Tony Award-winning Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as favorites by Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia, and James Taylor. This new 2012 version of Working is a musical exploration of 26 people from all walks of life. While most of the professions have been updated, the strength of the show is in the core truths that transcend specific professions; the key is how people's relationships to their work ultimately reveal key aspects of their humanity, regardless of the trappings of the job itself. The show, still set in contemporary America, contains timeless truths. This new version of Working allows the audience to get a rare glimpse of the actors and technicians working to put on a show. This raw adaptation only enhances the realistic and relatable nature of the subject matter. With extremely modest set and orchestra requirements, universal subject matter, and featuring a multi-ethnic ensemble cast of variable size, Working is one of the most accessible, relevant and substantive musicals ever created. The new, revised 2012 version includes updated lyrics, a streamlined book and two new songs. Audition Dates: March 12, 18, & 19, 2017 Performance Dates:
Audition Age Range: 12 - 18 Years Students younger or older than the age range must email ratakwillis@gmail.com for permission Tuition: $500 (if cast) Discount for siblings and scholarships available Optional Ticket Packet: $100 for 10 tickets Sibling Discount: $50 discount for each additional sibling Rated: PG Please email: ratakwillis@gmail.com for questions and more information. 
Dear Edwina Jr.August 2017
Book by Marcy Heisler Music by Zina Goldrich Lyrics by Marcy Heisler Dear Edwina is a heartwarming musical about the joys of growing up, from the creators of Junie B. Jones The Musical. The show's heroine is an advice-giver extraordinaire, like a spunky, singing version of Dear Abby. Thirteen-year-old Edwina Spoonapple would do just about anything to be a part of the Kalamazoo Advice-a-Palooza Festival. While her siblings both have proof of their accomplishments, poor Edwina has nothing. When a talent scout from the convention visits her hometown, she trots out her musical advice, giving shows live from the family garage in hopes of finding her place in the spotlight. She is assisted by her older siblings, quirky friends and neighbors. Together, they set out to tackle the world's problems in number after hysterical number about everything from birthday party etiquette to proper table settings. This beguiling charmer can be played anywhere with extremely modest sets and costumes. Sweet, smart and tuneful, Dear Edwina appeals to audiences of all ages and is perfect for educational tours or theatres looking to entertain young audiences. Audition Dates: May 20, 21, 27 & 28, 2017 Performance Dates:
Tues, Thurs: 4:30-7:00 pm Fri: 4:30-6:30 pm Sat: 1:00-4:00 pm Audition Age Range: 6 - 18 Years Students younger or older than the age range must email ratakwillis@gmail.com for permission Tuition: $500 (if cast) Discount for siblings and scholarships available Optional Ticket Packet: $100 for 10 tickets Sibling Discount: $50 discount for each additional sibling Rated: G Please email: ratakwillis@gmail.com for questions and more information. |
Oliver!April 2017
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Lionel Bart Consider yourself at home with Lionel Bart's classic musical based on Charles Dickens' novel, Oliver Twist. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for Best Picture and is widely hailed as a true theatrical masterpiece by actors and audience members alike. The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family. Oliver! is a musical theatre masterpiece, perfectly showcasing the talents of a large ensemble cast as they bring these classic characters and score to life. Performance Dates & Times:
Students younger or older than the age range must email ratakwillis@gmail.com for permission Tuition: $500 (if cast) Discount for siblings and scholarships available Sibling Discount: $50 discount for each additional sibling Optional Ticket Packet: $100 for 10 tickets Rated: PG Please email: ratakwillis@gmail.com for questions and more information. 
Little Shop of HorrorsAugust 2017
Book by Howard Ashman Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Howard Ashman A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop Of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world. The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent towards global domination! One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows, Little Shop Of Horrors the charmingly tongue in cheek comedy has been produced worldwide to incredible success with technical aspects running the gamut from Broadway to PTA budgets. Companies can even rent the series of increasing[ly] large Audrey II puppets directly from Music Theatre International. Audition Dates: May 20, 21, 27 & 28, 2017 Performance Dates:
Mon, Wed, Fri: 6:30-9:30 pm Sat: 4:00-7:00 pm Audition Age Range: 12 - 18 Years Students younger or older than the age range must email ratakwillis@gmail.com for permission Tuition: $500 (if cast) Discount for siblings and scholarships available Optional Ticket Packet: $100 for 10 tickets Sibling Discount: $50 discount for each additional sibling Rated: PG - 13 Please email: ratakwillis@gmail.com for questions and more information. |