The Cast Left to right: Amy Sweet, Matt Draggoo, Laurelle Walsh Sharla Lynn, Marc Holm, Mary Kiesau Tony Love, Matt Armbrust From the Director, Missi Smith Audiences will enjoy Bike America regardless of whether they've ever been on a bike, or on a bike trip across the USA. The play tells the story of Penny, a Millennial, a curious seeker whose character represents a longing many of us can relate to. The theme of self-discovery is ubiquitous, no matter what generation you claim, and while Bike America is an outrageous comedy, it also presents thought-provoking content about love, acceptance, individuality, and the quest for identity. We've warned you that the language and themes are adult, but f-bombs aside, this play brings a contemporary, real-life story to our stage with relatable, quirky, and lovable characters who try to help Penny along her journey. You'll enjoy seeing the cast bring them to life onstage. And then there's the bikes! What fun it has been to create the biking world onstage. 4000 miles and you never have to leave your seat. You don't want to miss that. Casting a minimum of 8 people, ages 15 through adults. Come to auditions with a prepared song of your choice, up to 2 minutes long. Please bring your own accompaniment or plan to sing a cappella. Rehearsals will begin mid-August and the show opens October 12th. This is a concert-style presentation of the well-loved musical. Actors will be performing all of the doo-woppin' music and delivering the laughs in a scaled-down version created to fit The Merc stage.
For more information email the director, Kish, or call 509.997.7529 Directed by Megan Fox Hicks & Kathryn Stahl August 6 - 11, 2018 Musical Theater Camp focuses on theater performance for kids with training in acting, singing, and dancing. Campers learn backstage fundamentals such as set building and costuming. Join us for a fun, active, and exciting week in which campers will all receive a part in Disney’s The Lion King, Kids while polishing their skills for two performances at the end of the week. Wear comfortable clothes, bring a sack lunch and your water bottle, and join us for a musical-filled week! A $75, non-refundable deposit is due at registration. To register, call 997-7529 or email Missi Smith. Partial scholarships available. Call now to reserve your spot!
Final Performances of Disney’s The Lion King, Kids are open the public, admission by donation. Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com Calling all actors or want-to-be actors!!
Who: Adults ages 25ish to 45ish, Males & Females What: Auditions for our Summer 2018 Production of Bike America, directed by Missi Smith. Where: The Merc Playhouse When: Wednesday, April 11th & Thursday, April 12th at 7:00 PM Bike America, by Micheal Lew, is "a wildly theatrical picturesque journey that crams the entire continent into one production." Perfect for The Methow - folks riding bicycles from Boston to California and finding themselves along the route. This show promises to be a terrific way to spend your early summer - think trainer bikes onstage, a lot of laughter, and some really cool contemporary and contemplative acting. Casting for 1 or 2 women and 3 men. The ability to ride a bike is not a requirement, kind of. You'll remain stationary at least. But cast members will be in spandex! Haven't you always wanted to wear spandex onstage?! No need to prepare a reading...just come to auditions ready to read the pages provided. Email Missi or call 997-7529 for more information. Rehearsals begin the week of May 14th. Opening night is Friday, July 13th and the production runs through July 22nd. Come join the fun! Not interested in acting onstage? We also need a Stage Manager & 2 tech booth operators for this production. Please contact Missi if you are interested in participating backstage! All students ages 8 and up are invited to audition for our spring production of Rikki Tikki Tavi, directed by Jane Orme & Missi Smith. Come to either day of auditions dressed in comfortable clothes, wearing shoes that are easy to move around in, and ready to read pages from the script. No previous acting experience is necessary to audition.
Things to bring:
Rehearsals begin March 1st. Performances begin April 27th and run two weekends. There is a $45 costume fee to participate. Includes a production t-shirt. Partial scholarships available. Email Missi with any additional questions at missi@mercplayhouse.org. Egon Franz Steinebach, resident of Twisp, husband of Carolanne, and one of our founders, died peacefully on January 8, 2018. The story of his contribution to the arts in our community begins with a serendipitous moment that led to an artistic thought. The thought created a vision, and the vision became a legacy. In 1994, Egon & Carolanne Steinebach stepped into what was then the Twisp Mercantile to shop the close-out sale. Carolanne spoke to Egon, who had wandered off to the back of the building, "I found something to buy. Where are you?" He replied, "Over here." They both looked up, discovered the distance between them was the length of the building, and had the same thought. The acoustics in the Mercantile made it perfect for a theater--they could hear each other in a regular speaking voice from across the building. Carolanne and Egon had been coming to the Methow Valley to stay in their cabin since the 70s. They knew the art community, so Carolanne ran right across the street to Methow Arts Alliance and told Laura Fine, executive director at the time, that the organization should buy the building. Laura replied that they should buy it. Although the idea was rejected initially, ever-wise Egon said, "Keep the thought and it will happen." The bones of the building were excellent, Egon and Carolanne knew it would be the perfect performing arts space, so their vision remained a dream for the following four years. In 1998, the dream became reality. Egon and Carolanne took the risk and jumped in head-first. Innvesting in the purchase and remodel of the building, they formed The Merc Playhouse Society. The first season of live theater began in 1999. For ten years, Carolanne and Egon ran The Merc. As Technical Director, Egon was responsible for lights, sound, and all the technical aspects of the theater space. For nearly all of that decade, he worked tirelessly and without pay. Egon loved theater and likened it to flying. "You launch yourself into space" is how he often described it. He loved the risk that came with producing each show. We are forever grateful that he and Carolanne saw the vision that launched The Merc into our community—a legacy that continues today. We remember Egon for his love of theater and for his love of The Merc. We remember his smile, his knowledge, and his wonderful stories. His passion for music and the Open Merc program he hosted for years will resound in our space long into the future. The sound of his laughter and his instruments are built into the fabric of our walls. Thank you Egon, for all you did for arts in the Methow. May you rest in peace. **The Merc is accepting messages of condolence to be forwarded on to Carolanne at info@mercplayhouse.org or at PO Box 425 Twisp, WA 98856. Memorial details will be announced in the near future. We are thrilled to announce the line-up for our 2018 season. Mark your calendars now, and stay tuned for information about auditions and volunteer opportunities for each production. We need cast members, crew members, backstage helpers, costumers, and much more to make all of this happen. Contact Missi now if you see a show you really want to be a part of! In partnership with the
Liberty Bell High School Drama Club Rock n’ Roll An electrifying collision of the romantic and the revolutionary. By Tom Stoppard January 25th—28th The Tom Zbyszewski Children’s Theater presents The Adventures of Rikki Tikki Tavi Adapted from the jungle stories of Rudyard Kipling. April 26th—May 6th Turn up the heat with the adult-rated comedy Bike America A wildly theatrical picturesque journey that crams the entire continent into one production. By Michael Lew July 13th—22nd An autumn, concert-style production of the smash-hit Little Shop of Horrors Enjoy all of the doo-woppin’ music and laughs in a scaled-down version created to fit The Merc stage. Book and lyrics by Howard Ashman Music by Alan Menken Based on the film by Roger Corman Screenplay by Charles Griffith October 12th—21st A Holiday production winds up 2018’s Season A Seussified Christmas Carol A whimsical reinvention of Dickens' most beloved Christmas story in wacky rhymed couplets. By Peter Bloedel December 7th—16th
Hang out with friends, maybe meet some of the Seattle U crew, and eat free food! Then take your seats for the show when doors open at 6:30pm. Sound like fun? Email your RSVP to Missi Smith for dinner and general admission tickets no later than Wednesday, November 29th. Questions? Email Missi Smith! P.S. HS students can reserve a seat in one of the first three rows for $7 which can be purchased online only. The hot dogs and s'mores are on us, but don't forget to RSVP with Missi! WARNING - Mother Courage contains language for mature audiences. Check with your parents if you are unsure if they approve of adult language. The play takes place during a war. There is swearing.Big News: We're adding a special, holiday show to wrap up our 2017 Season! Announcing auditions for children’s roles in
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Directed by Jane Orme Tuesday, September 19th Wednesday, September 20th 4:00 at The Merc Children ages 8 and up are invited to audition. No experience or prepared readings necessary. Pages will be handed out at auditions. 16 children's roles available. For more information, email Jane Orme or call 509-997-7529. The Details: Rehearsals are scheduled to begin mid-October. Performances run Dec. 8th—17th. All cast members must be available for rehearsals over the Thanksgiving weekend. Adults interested in roles should email Jane Orme or call 509-997-7529 to schedule audition. |