Live theater returns in Madison

The return of live musical theatre after seven months of silence is finally happening. In Madison.

Madison High School will present a reimagined, socially distanced production of “Chicago: High School Edition” right on the floor of the Madison High School gym at 3100 Burns Road in Madison, Ohio. Performances are Oct. 22, 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. General admission tickets for “Chicago: High School Edition” are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors and are only available via advanced sale.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 440-3433340 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Oct. 24. Tickets must then be picked up between 4 and 5:30 p.m. at the Madison Local Schools Board Office. There will be a limit of 250 people allowed in the audience, socially distanced on premarked areas of the east bleachers in the Madison High School gym.

Originally scheduled to perform in May, this longpostponed production is finally being performed with original cast members who auditioned for the production in January. It has been adapted to the school gym where a larger indoor space will allow for a larger, socially distanced audience than a traditional theatre can provide under the governor’s current guidelines.

I am directing “Chicago: High School Edition” myself with music direction by Madison Local Schools vocal music teacher Jennifer Calhoun and choreography by Jailyn Harris. “Chicago: High School Edition” features a book by Bob Fosse and Fred

Ebb, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins. Script adaptation is by David Thompson with music editing by Paul McKibbins. This production is a brave attempt to kickstart the arts in our area after months of dormancy, hopefully blazing a path forward that can be followed by other area groups.

It is also designed to complete the project begun nine months ago — which does not contractually have streaming or virtual options — in hopes of replenishing the program budget so future productions can be staged.

These intrepid young thespians deserve an appreciative audience.

If you are available and able to come out this weekend, please consider coming out to welcome live musical theatre performance back to our area.

Curtain 440

Last week, Curtain 440 director Angela MiloroHansen shared what her group has been up to while they figure out how to get back into the performing arts. One of them has involved their attempts to find their private traveling troupe a new permanent home.

“Curtain 440 has been in contact with the Newbury ad hoc committee as they recommend what will happen to the Newbury school property,” according to their e-mail to supporters. “After the merge of Newbury students into the West Geauga school system, Newbury and West Geauga have been in discussions about the buildings, one of which includes a theater auditorium. Curtain 440 has virtually attended months of weekly committee meetings, as well as reaching out to Newbury Township members and the West G school board committee. While everything is still very much in a discussion phase, Curtain 440’s hope is to be one of the anchor organizations in a possible community center on the Newbury property.”

Curtain 440 hopes that alongside other community groups that would provide both youth and adult programming, they would be able to offer year-round performances, arts education, and even more community activities than they already do.

“We are very excited about the possibility of having a permanent residence to better serve our Curtain 440 family,” they wrote. “If you live in or nearby Newbury or Chesterland communities, or would benefit from a centrally located arts, athletic and community center, please let your local trustees and the West Geauga school board know. If you are interested in writing a letter of support on behalf of 440, please get in touch with us and we will send you the contact information! Kelly Miloro and her daughter Angela can be reached respectively at kelly@curtain440.com or angela@curtain440.com.

While the Gov. DeWine’s COVID-19 guidelines for theatre make seating restrictions a budget buster on groups like Curtain 440 who depend on ticket receipts largely for their income, Curtain 440 has focused on providing classes and organizing costumes, props, and set pieces.

“Boy, do we need a permanent space!” they write. “Donations and purchases from other theater groups have our space bursting. Add set pieces and...wow. Basements, storage units, barns and horse stables: we get by with a little help from our friends. We cannot wait to start dressing our actors and stages again.”

Fairmount Center for the Arts

Fairmount Center for the Arts is another local group trying to keep their young thespians busy with fine arts classes. Fairmount’s theatre classes are offered to introduce all ages – preschoolers through adults – to theatre games and improv, scenes and scripts.

No previous experience needed.

Their next round of classes begins Oct. 26.

Onsite programs are limited to six per class and online programs limited to 24. You can register for their latest round of classes by calling 440338-3171, by visiting www. fairmountcenter.org, or emailing info@fairmountcenter.org.

Some of the offerings include “Let’s Act: Fall Fun & Holiday Stories” for kids ages 4-7 years (Tuesdays, 10/27-12/15, 10:15-11 a.m. with instructor Justin Steck), “Take the Stage: We’re Off to See the Wizard” for ages 7-10 years (On-site: Tuesdays, 10/2712/15, 11:15-12:15 p.m. with instructor Justin Steck), and “Holiday Storybook Theatre” for ages 7-14 years (Online: Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12, 19, 10 a.m. -11:30 a.m. with instructors Patti Susman and Joan Bendix).

Young Thespians is a column that focuses on youth theatre. Have an idea for a column? E-mail stevecouch@windstream. net.