Benjamin McQuillin was thrilled beyond measure when he was asked to join the cast of Baskerville. He hopes that all the hard work that his castmates, director, and crew have put into this production will bring laughter to the Strauss and is grateful to them all for allowing him to join in their success. He is especially thankful to his director, Terri Cunningham, for the opportunity to show new talents to the world and for challenging him in new and exciting ways. He looks forward to many more productions and hopes to continue to share his love of theatre with the people of Monroe.
Ben plays numerous characters in Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery and was also recently cast as Bud Frump in our upcoming show How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. For ticket information, call Donna in the box office at 318-323-6681 or go online at StraussTC.com.
Cassey Bernstein is a Health, Safety, and Environmental Manager for Norsk Hydro in Delhi, LA. Well, at least that’s what pays the bills. It’s hard to define what makes Cassey, the person. She is made of all kinds of bits: actress, baker, Best Auntie Ever, quilter, competition shooter, fly-fisher, racecar driver, magical wife, and toxicologist. She has performed for more than a decade with ULM, Murder Is Served, and Strauss. Needless to say, she’s a busy girl.
Cassey plays a multitude of characters (14 in all!) in Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. To reserve your tickets, call Donna in the Box Office at 318-323-6681 or buy your tickets online at StraussTC.com!
Strauss Theatre is excited to announce the cast and crew for “How To Succeed in Business With Really Trying.” We have a extremely talented cast that will soon begin rehearsals in preparation for this show. Click HERE to see who made the cast. Don’t forget to SAVE the date… March 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28.
Taylor Michiels joins actress Cassey Bernstein backstage at rehearsals for Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. Call Donna at the box office at 318-323-6681 today to reserve your tickets!
Final Auditions for “H2$” will be held today at 3pm at Strauss! Not sure if you want to audition? Come to auditions and decide for yourself. Auditions are open to the public for all aspiring actors 17 and up.
Auditions this weekend for “How to Succeed” at Strauss! Loesser’s songs are wonderful, of course, top-of-the-line models of tuneful wit and economy.
Act One:songs • Overture • How to Succeed – Finch, Ensemble • Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm-Rosemary • Coffee Break – Smitty, Bud Frump, and Chorus • Company Way – Finch and Twimble • Company Way (Reprise) – Bud Frump, Twimble, and Company • A Secretary is not a Toy- Bratt, Ensemble • Been a Long Day – Smitty, Finch, and Rosemary • Been a Long Day (Reprise) – Bud Frump, Biggley, Hedy • Grand Old Ivy – Finch and Biggley • Paris Original – Rosemary, Smitty, Krumholtz, Ensemble • *Elevator Dance – Bud Frump • Rosemary-Finch • Act I Finale – Finch, Rosemary, Bud Frump Act Two: songs • Cinderella, Darling – Smitty, Rosemary, Secretary Ensemble • 1995 revival replacement: How to Succeed (Reprise) • Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm (Reprise) – Rosemary • Love From a Heart of Gold – Biggley, Hedy • I Believe in You-Finch, Men Ensemble • *The Yo-Ho-Ho – Ensemble • I Believe in You (Reprise) – Rosemary • Brotherhood of Man – Finch, Womper, Biggley, Miss Jones, Ensemble • Company Way (Finale) – Company A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character’s name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Auditions this weekend for “How to Succeed” at Strauss! It’s a large cast and we would invite EVERYONE to attend Auditions and join the fun.
Characters: J.B. Biggley, Male Baritone Rosemary Pilkington, Female Mezzo-Soprano J. Pierrepont Finch, Male Tenor Gatch, Male, Spoken Bratt, Male Baritone Miss Jones, Female Soprano Mr. Twimble, Baritone Wally Womper, Male Baritone Smitty, Female Mezzo-Soprano, Alto Hedy LaRue, Female Mezzo-Soprano Bud Frump, Male Bass-Baritone Miss Krumholtz, Female Mezzo-Soprano Ovington, Male Spoken Jenkins, Male Spoken Tackaberry, Male Spoken Peterson, Male Tenor, Baritone, Bass Toynbee, Male Spoken Matthews, Male Spoken Johnson, Male Spoken Davis, Male Spoken Policeman, Scrubwomen (2) Female Employees of the World Wide Wicket Corporation are Ensemble and sing all parts
“H2$” is a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical comedy set in the 1960’s in NYC. The story portrays the triumph of the common man amid the buffoonery of big business. When a restless, creative, and ambitious window washer named J. Pierrepont Finch happens upon a book entitled ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’, he decides to begin his rise up the corporate ladder. With the book’s instructions and a dose of his own cleverness, Finch starts by landing a job in the mailroom at the World Wide Wicket Company, before quickly gaining promotions and outsmarting his scheming, sniveling rival, Frump – who also happens to be the boss’s nephew– until finally reaching the very top of the organization.
From the very beginning, Finch has had the love and support of Rosemary, a marriage-minded secretary who recognizes Finch’s potential, and finds his innocent demeanour endearing. But in his single-minded pursuit of the top job, Finch is in danger of discounting Rosemary’s love. In a moment of crisis, Finch’s manual to success can no longer help him: he must rely on his own wits, and ultimately, his heart, to save the day. The standout score by Frank Loesser features such classics as the surreal and funny “Coffee Break”, the rousing “Brotherhood of Man”, and the melodious tongue-in-cheek ballad, “I Believe In You”, while the immensely clever book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1962 for Best Drama.
Many of you have asked for details on our upcoming Auditions for “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” Here are some of the details that will help you prepare for this weekends auditions.
**AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: Please prepare a memorized song selection from the musical H2$, and a comedic monologue from any play. Together-the song and monologue should last no more than 90 seconds total. Sheet Music selections will be available at the box office starting Dec 9th. (*M-F from 10a-4p.)
The first night of auditions (Jan 4th) you will be given a number and an audition form to complete with contact info and calendar conflicts. Please bring a headshot and performance resume if you have one. When called, you will perform your 90 second audition: song with monologue in a closed audition setting with an accompanist provided.
The second night (Jan 5th) you will learn the dance audition selection and do some cold reading if asked. Please dress in clothing/shoes that are appropriate for movement. **It will be necessary for you to attend BOTH audition days.
Jan 6th is reserved for call back auditions if needed.
As always, the auditions are open to anyone in the community-specifically adults (17+) who are energetic, athletic and creative. For more information regarding auditions please contact our box office manager, Mrs Donna at (318) 323-6681.
Auditions for “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” will be held at Strauss Theater this coming weekend – Saturday, January 4th @ 3pm and Sunday, January 5th at 3pm. Auditions open to the public.
H2$ is a fabulous musical about a window washer who becomes a tycoon and is brimming with music and a large number of roles to fill. If you are an actor who likes to sing, come audition. If you have dance skills, come audition. If you love to volunteer your time doing anything production related, come and join our family on or off stage!
Performances for How To Succeed, or H2$, will run March 19th-28th.
