Posted by admin on February 21, 2012 at 6:04 pm
What’s not to love about a show like “Seussical, Jr.”? Fun music, dancing galore, colorful costumes, and Dr. Seuss are the recipe for a show that will capture any child’s imagination. This is Kaitlyn Crowell’s third audition-only performance at FVR, and she couldn’t be more excited about her role as “Bird Girl 2″.
“I’m learning all kinds of techniques like blocking, new dance moves, and how to project when I sing.” When asked if she’s having fun, she replies, “I’m having a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious time! I love being with my friends and I love being on stage!”
Her experience with FVR has only deepened her love of theater, and has made her confidence soar.
“Seussical, Jr.” will be performed on the main stage on Monday, March 11th at7 p.m.and Sunday, March 18th at 11 a.m.
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Posted by admin on February 21, 2012 at 5:56 pm
I am so excited to be playing Annie in Annie jr. This is my second show at FVR. I recently was in All Shook Up. I had so much fun, I couldn’t wait to audition for another show!
I love the character of Annie because she is such an optimistic girl who wins everyone’s heart. The show is fun for both children and adults with lots of great songs and dance numbers!
The cast has so much fun rehearsing and I’ve made a lot of good friends through FVR. All of our hard work and love for performing will be noticeable and make this a great show to see. I hope everyone who comes to see it loves it as much as I do! Hope to see you in March at Annie jr.!
-Maddie Novak
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Fox Valley Rep’s Youth Ensemble production of Annie Jr., rated G, can be enjoyed by all on Saturdays, March 10 and 17 at 10:30 a.m.; Sunday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, March 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through the Pheasant Run Box Office at (630) 584-6342 or online by visiting www.foxvalleyrep.org. Tickets are $15. Lunch packages are available starting at $22.
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Posted by admin on February 13, 2012 at 5:15 pm
With each new show comes an even stronger passion for the theater for Caden. As he prepares for his sixth audition only performance as Jojo in “Seussical Jr.” Caden continues to have the time of his life! All of the roles that he has played have been unique in personality. “Jojo is my favorite character so far because he is adventurous and has a great imagination!” Caden not only enjoys the roles, but also enjoys spending time with the many talented friends he has made. “Seussical Jr.” will be performed on the main stage on Monday, March 11th at 7pm and Sunday, March 18that 11am.
-Mrs. Bohmer, Caden’s Mom!
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Posted by admin on January 25, 2012 at 11:54 am
I was thrilled to be cast in the role of Producer David O Selznick in MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS and began working on it right away – back in November of 2011. I went into first rehearsal on January 3rd, 2012 more prepared than I had ever been. I had done the research, gotten together with my castmates to run lines, read books on Selznick, watched an AMAZING documentary called MAKING OF A LEGEND (three times) and of course, watched GONE WITH THE WIND.
David O. Selznick and Vivien Leigh with "Gone With the Wind" Oscar
But as I came off stage after act one of our first preview on Thursday, January 19, barely able to breathe, I realized: I was getting my butt handed to me by this role. After speaking with my friend Ron Orbach, (who originated the role of Selznick in the Goodman’s production back in 2004) I learned, it wasn’t simply the short rehearsal period I had to prepare (9 rehearsals before our “tech” with just 3 full run-throughs before an audience). It was the role. Playing Selznick, in Ron’s words, is “Monumental”. It’s relentless. And you can never let down for a second. The role is very much like Selznick was in real life. I had to go further and much deeper than I had in our first preview. I was terrified.
It was our wonderful director Dennis Zacek that put it in perspective for me and kept me in the game with his very simple direction of “Don’t Panic.” And he was right. Friday afternoon (after a not great preview performance Thursday night and a five-hour trip out to Pheasant Run from the city in a snowstorm!) I worked tirelessly on the material and the notes I was given. Had a good preview on Friday night (albeit with a smaller crowd due to the storm) and on Saturday and Sunday, just 14 (working) days since our first rehearsal, we were holding for laughs and nearly stopping the show because the audience was enjoying themselves so much. We had found the play.
Stef Tovar as Selznick (right) with Screenwriter Ben Hecht (Dennis Grimes, middle) and Director Victor Fleming (Weston Blakesley, left). Trademan Photography
I’m nowhere near done working on it, but I’ve got four days before opening night and feel confident I can get where I need to be by then. I’ve got an incredible cast, a GREAT play and the perfect director for this material steering the ship. I’m looking forward to the run.
After doing A TWIST OF WATER, which was a beautiful play, but very difficult to get through emotionally and telling Matt Damon that his wife was dead in CONTAGION last year, it is a JOY to be able to come to work in 2012 at the wonderful Fox Valley Rep doing a COMEDY. But it’s not just about the laughs. It’s a great script, with a lot to say and wonderful actors to play with. I’m a lucky guy. Exhausted, but lucky.
-Stef Tovar
WATCH VIDEO CLIP OF FOX VALLEY REP’S MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS
MORE SHOW INFO
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STEF TOVAR (SELZNICK )* is thrilled to be working at Fox Valley Rep for the first time on this gem of a show. A native of Bartlett, Stef began working professionally as an actor in Chicago in 1992, and won a Jeff Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play for his work in Blade to the Heat at Apple Tree Theatre directed by Gary Griffin. Some of Stef’s favorite roles include Knute Rockne in Knute Rockne All-American at Theatre at the Center and Houdini (and others) in the Jeff Award-winning Ragtime at Drury Lane Oakbrook. After six years in Los Angeles with roles such as Jamie in The Last Five Years, George in Sunday in the Park with George and Che in Evita, Stef returned to Chicago and founded Route 66 Theatre Company, where he has been seen on stage in On an Average Day (also in L.A.), High Fidelity and as Noah in the critically acclaimed A Twist of Water, which will play Off-Broadway in 2012. In addition to numerous commercials and the television show Boss, Stef can be seen breaking the bad news to Matt Damon as Dr. Arrington in the movie Contagion.
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Posted by admin on January 12, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Each month, FVR Performing Arts Academy selects an outstanding student to be featured in the Student Spotlight of the Month. The selected student is featured in the FVR Playbill and on the blog. Our current Student Spotlight recipients are sisters Erika and Keira Denker!
Ever since nine-year-old Erika Denker took her first performance class at Fox Valley Rep in 2009, playing the Bookseller in Beauty and the Beast, she has thoroughly enjoyed the craft of putting on a play. After two more classes, she auditioned for the Youth Ensemble’s production of Sleeping Beauty where she was thrilled to be the youngest ensemble member and play the role of Goon Blather. Erika had a “great experience because there is a costume designer and a lighting designer, just like a professional play!”
Youth Ensemble rehearsals were long and hard, but Erika’s pursued by auditioning for the next YE show, Beauty and the Beast, and getting cast as the acrobatic Footstool/Dog. Other Youth Ensemble shows include: Munchkin Barrister in the Wizard of Oz, a Who and Jungle Citizen in Seussical, and most recently in All Shook Up. Erika continues to keep in contact with her cast mates from all shows!
Erika also loves the Kids Musical Performance classes. Roles include Sleeping Beauty/Briar Rose in Sleeping Beauty, Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Recently, she played Alice in Alice in Wonderland, which was a challenging role in her mind because of the difficult songs and the walking pneumonia that plagued her throughout most of the rehearsals.
Erika’s favorite thing in the whole world is reading. She also enjoys dance classes since age three, piano lessons since age five, playing viola, and voice lessons. She also loves making up plays, writing out the scripts, and horseback riding.
“Erika is a dedicated and inquisitive student, always looking for a way to go above and beyond the expectation,” says Teacher Mrs. Alvis. “Erika is also kind hearted, she is quick to offer assistance to any of her classmates and brings a joy of learning to the classroom.”
Erika’s goal is to someday play the role of the villain, although as people generally consider Erika a “gentle soul,” she knows she has her work cut out for her. When she grows up, Erika plans to be a singer, actress, or a scientist.
After watching Erika on stage, little sister Keira signed up to take a Wizard of Oz class at age five. Now eight years old, Keira loves every minute of her FVR theater experiences. She took two more classes (Gabriella in High School Musical and Ella in Camp Rock), and then was able to play the Coroner Munchkin in the Youth Ensemble’s Wizard of Oz alongside her sister. She then started auditioning for advanced classes She was thrilled to be the Pest Goon in Sleeping Beauty where she “got to be funny, wear black lipstick, and my hair was a mess!” Other roles include Bashful in Snow White, Lila in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Small Alice in Alice in Wonderland .
“Keira is an independent and spirited individual, who applies herself enthusiastically and creatively to any task she undertakes. Though she enjoys all manner of theatric productions, and relishes the roles she has had the opportunity to bring to life, as her teacher I particularly treasure her attributes as a writer,” says Teacher Beth Robins. “For one so young she has an assured ability to express herself in a lively and invitational manner. One day indeed maybe it will be one of her plays or stories that we will see dramatized in theaters!”
Like her sister, Keira has been dancing since she was three. She plays the piano and takes singing lessons, and has taken interest in Beatles songs. Keira plans to take up the cello and continue her horseback riding lessons. She enjoys writing stories, scripts, cartoons–anything!! For years, Keira has wanted to be a cowgirl/cheerleader when she grows up, but now intends to only be a cowgirl. Or an actress. Or a scientist.
Both girls consider themselves very lucky to have met so many wonderful friends through FVR. They also think the world of FVR Instructor Tracy Whiteside, who treats the kids with respect and patiently listens to Keira’s numerous directorial suggestions.
“Erika and Keira are two of the most delightful kids I have ever met. Not only are they talented, but they are both hardworking, kind and full of joy. They are always smiling. Their enthusiasm is infectious and lifts the entire cast,” says Tracy. “Erika and Keira bring such intelligence and understanding to their characters–especially for actors so young. I can’t wait to work with them in another show.”
Their mom always says that “the theater kids at FVR are truly the nicest kids I have met.”
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“I’m learning all kinds of techniques like blocking, new dance moves, and how to project when I sing.” When asked if she’s having fun, she replies, “I’m having a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious time! I love being with my friends and I love being on stage!”
