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Arts & Entertainment

Theater is Downright 'Ruthless'

It's diva time as Dover Little Theatre sets the stage for a campy, backstage musical.

Theater is a strange and wondrous thing because on a stage, anything can be funny, even a murderous child.

In “Ruthless! The Musical,” on stage at Dover Little Theatre May 7 through 21, 8-year-old Tina Denmark just knows she was born to entertain. So much so that when another child gets the lead in the school musical, “Pippi in Tahiti,” Tina kills her, setting the stage for a show described as a mix of “Gypsy,” “All About Eve,” and “Valley of the Dolls.”

It’s an all female show, featuring a diva mother, a bitter teacher and the sleazy agent, Sylvia St. Croix.

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By the way, “all-female” refers to the characters, not the cast, as Sylvia is typically played by a man. And the man donning the dress at Dover Little Theatre is Alan George. George has never played a woman before, but seemed undaunted by the task, saying playing Sylvia has been nothing but fun.

“It’s very fun because it’s a campy role,” George said. “She’s a talent agent, a ruthless talent agent so I kind of delve into my divas that I love, the Joan Crawfords, the Bette Davises, the Rosalind Russells. And I kind of channel those kinds of women and their portrayals of roles that I would love to play if I were woman. I kind of channel what they do and develop my own character.”

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Director Tom Blewitt said the story behind the musical is that its creators, Joel Paley and Marvin Laird, didn’t plan on casting a man for the role but did so when a man gave the best audition. Similarly, Blewitt was prepared to cast a woman in the part if necessary.

“When we did have auditions, I did consider women in case men didn’t come or I didn’t get the right guy, I’d have other options,” he said. “But it adds a lot more of a sense of outrageousness to it to have him up there. And he’s fantastic. He’s really a dynamite, interesting performer.”

The director was also willing to go out of the box when casting Tina. Blewitt thought it might be tough to find a youngster who could handle the role, but he found the right kid in Coco Dollon.

“That was another part that when it came to casting the show (we wondered), will we get the right kid,” he said. “I toyed with the idea of possibly having an adult act as a child, but once she came in, she was another one, she was just dynamite. She sings, she dances and her acting is very funny.”

Blewitt said the show is in the spirit of later John Waters movies like “Hairspray.” Most of all, he said, it’s very campy. That can be tricky, the director said, because it requires just the right tone.

“It kind of has to move at just the right pace to where people get drawn right in,” Blewitt said. “Even though they’re watching something that’s very silly, they’re sucked into it and they’re waiting to see what happens next. This is the type of piece where if it does lag and fall behind, people will see things coming a mile away.”

Another enticing element of “Ruthless!” is that while it has a cult following, most audience members likely haven’t seen it.

“The thing that appealed to me about doing ‘Ruthless!’ is that it’s not a show that a lot of people do,” George said. “It’s not ‘Sound of Music’ that every community theater and every high school does. It’s one of the shows that people say, 'Oh, Ruthless. I’ve haven’t heard of that. Let me go see it.' I love doing shows that are a little bit more on the obscure side.”

That comes with a challenge in that you have to satisfy followers of the show who may see it in Dover. Blewitt said the show is packed with references to various movies and musicals that fans will be waiting for. But even the cast and crew don’t recognize all the references. During a recent rehearsal, an artist doing some work for the show started laughing at a line, and the director asked him what was so funny about it.

“[He said], ‘That’s from the movie The Women,’” Blewitt said. “And I was like, ‘Oh.’ That was a reference we weren’t catching but he was right on it. There’s a little something for everyone.”

Dover Little Theatre holds a special place in George’s heart. It was the first community theater at which he acted, back in the 1970s when he was in high school and starred in three shows there. He acted in other groups and moved to California, where he lived for years. He moved back to Jersey about three years ago and got a role in Dover Little Theatre’s staging of “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum,” returning to the theater for the first time in about 30 years.

“The first time walking back into that theater for the audition for ‘Forum,’ it almost took my breath away because nothing had changed,” he said. “It just took me right back to where I was 30 years ago. The dressing rooms are the same, the theater looks the same, the stage looks the same. It just gave me a warm, comfy feeling. It’s like, I’m home, I’m home. I love working there.”

Dover Little Theatre is presenting “Ruthless! The Musical” May 7-21. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays March 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20. For information, call 973-328-9208 or go to DoverLittleTheatre.org.

THE ON STAGE SCOOP

It’s “Curtains” at Paper Mill Playhouse: The Broadway hit “Curtains” is closing ’s 2010-11 season through May 22. The show is about Frank Cioffi, a detective who dreams of becoming a Broadway star, who is charged with investigating a series of murders at a Broadway-bound show. Written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, the musical stars Robert Newman and Kim Zimmer, known for their roles on “The Guiding Light.” Tickets cost $56 to $92. For information and tickets, call 973-376-4343 or go to Papermill.org. The playhouse is located at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn.

Adults-Only Comedy: Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake will present “Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight,” through May 6. The theater describes the show as a "boisterously naughty romp about three couples searching for love (and lust)." The show’s characters include a mafia hit man with intimacy problems, a young, gay psychiatrist with a much older boyfriend, and Ben, whose relationship with Nancy is thrown a curveball when she screams racial epithets at a rather strange moment. The off-Broadway hit opens April 16 with an 8 p.m. performance. Other performances are Saturdays April 23, 30 and May 7 at 8 p.m. Friday, May 6 at 8 p.m. and Sunday May 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for Saturday performances, $15 Friday and Sunday performances. (Note: This show is R-rated). Call the box office at 973-691-2100 for reservations.

Let’s Just Sing About Life:  is showcasing the “bookless book” musical “Closer Than Ever,” through May 7. The show features self-contained songs by Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire about midlife crises, second marriages, working couples and unrequited love, with many of the songs based on the lives of the writers’ lives. The original revue won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical and Maltby, and Shire both garnered Drama Desk Award nominations for their respective contributions. Tickets cost $25, or $20 for students (18 and under). Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with additional performances on Thursday, April 28, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 1, at 2 p.m. The May 1 performance is a signed performance and an audio description is available if requested two weeks prior to the performance. Go to SummitPlayhouse.org for more information.

Towering Work:  in West Orange will present the world premiere of Matt Schatz’s “The Tallest Building in the World,” through May 15. The play is about the birth of the World Trade Center towers and what is gained and lost when human beings try to reach the skies. Tickets cost $20 to $30. The theater is located at 555 Valley Road in West Orange. For more information, go to LunaStage.org.

That It Should Come to This:  in Morris Township is presenting Paul Rudnick’s “I Hate Hamlet,” through May 22. The comedy hit focuses on Andrew Rally, an actor with a role on a hit TV show, a beautiful girlfriend and the chance to take on that most coveted of roles—Hamlet. The problem is, Andrew hates Hamlet, his show is being canceled and his girlfriend is holding onto her virginity. Tickets cost $40, $36 for seniors, and $20 for students 18 or under or with a valid college ID. For tickets and information, go to MorrisMuseum.org.

Mystery, Meat: Omicron Theatre Productions will present its Murder Mystery Dinner featuring audience participation through May 28, at  on Amwell Road in Hillsborough. Admission costs $49 and includes dinner, the show, tax and gratuity. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. Reservations are required: Call 609-443-5598.

Get into the Heat of the Moment with Asia: 1980s super group Asia is coming to  in Morristown for a May 5 concert. Featuring original members Steve Howe of Yes, Geoff Downes of Yes and the Buggles, Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer and John Wetton, the group’s rock classics includes “Only Time Will Tell,” “Heat of the Moment” and “Soul Survivor.” The group will also perform hits from the members’ Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer days. Tickets cost $37 to $75. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South Street. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

New York State of Laughter: Patrice O'Neal, Harris Stanton, Sheila Kaye, and Joe DeRosa are scheduled to perform during Manhattan Comedy Night at , May 6, 8 p.m. The lineup is subject to change. Tickets cost $25. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Maybe you need to see “Beyond Therapy:”  are presenting Christopher Durang’s “Beyond Therapy,” May 6 through May 21. Described on the theater’s website as “absurd and hilarious,” the play introduces us to Bruce and Prudence, two lonely people, both in therapy, who meet through a personal ad. Now all they have to do is overcome their wacky therapists’ “help” to find true love. Director Lauren Moran Mills directs a cast that includes Scott Tyler, Tara Cioletti, Scott M. Jacoby, Donne Petito, Michael Sundberg and David Jimenez. Performances are May 6 and 7, 13 and 14 and 20 and 21 at 8 p.m., and May 15 at 8 p.m. Performances are at the Chatham Playhouse, 23 N. Passaic Ave., Chatham. Tickets cost $20, or $18 for seniors and youth. The show contains adult situations and language. The box office will start taking reservations on April 26. Call 973-35-7363 for reservations. For more information, go to Chathamplayers.org.

Producing a better “Mousetrap:” Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,” the longest-running show in history, is coming to the Brundage Park Playhouse, May 6 through 15. In typical Christie fashion, a group of strangers are trapped together during a snowstorm, and one of them is a murderer. The show opened in London’s West End in 1952, and has been running continuously ever since. Performances are May 6 and 7, 13 and 14, and 20 and 21 at 8 p.m., and May 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. The theater is located at 2 Bungalow Lane in Randolph. For tickets and information, call 973-989-7092 or e-mail bbp@brundageparkplayhouse.org.

Oy vey, it’s “Jewtopia:” Things will get politically incorrect when in Hillsborough presents “Jewtopia,” Bryan Fogel and Sam Wolfon’s off-Broadway hit about two single friends named Chris and Adam. Chris is a gentile and wants to marry a Jewish woman, while Adam, who’s Jewish, wants to marry out of his faith because he wants to forget his upbringing. The show is for mature audiences only. The show runs May 6 through 22 with performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $17, or $15 for seniors and students. Somerset Valley Players’ Playhouse is located at 689 Amwell Road/Route 514, Hillsborough. Call 908-369-7469 or go to SVPTheatre.org for more information.

About Kids and Bullying: The Growing Stage Children’s Theatre of New Jersey will perform Linda Daugherty’s “The Secret Life of Girls,” May 6, 7, 14 and 20. The dramatization explores the impact of cyber-bullying and mean behavior through modern technology. The show is recommended for grades 5 and up. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $12. Click here to purchase ticketsGo to GrowingStage.Goes.com for more information.

This is One Creepy Town: “The Merry Wives of Stepford,” a drama based on Ira Levin’s novel “The Stepford Wives,” is coming to Darress Theatre, May 6 through 8. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $12 at the door, $10 in advance. Darress Theatre is located at 615 Main St., Boonton. For information, call 973-334-9292, e-mailinfo@darresstheatre.com or go to DarressTheater.com.

What’s It Worth To You?: Rick, Corey and Chumlee, stars of the hit series “Pawn Stars” on History Channel, are coming to  in Morristown on May 7 for performances at 3 and 8 p.m.  The stars will negotiate with pre-selected audience members, conduct a Q&A and play "Are You Smarter than a Chumlee." To be considered for pre-selection of an item, send a picture of your collectible item to pawn@entertainmentevents.com. Do not bring any items unless you are pre-selected. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

A Little Mouse with a Big Heart:  will present Stuart Little, produced by Theatre IV, as part of its Children’s Theatre presentations, May 7 at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $12 to $15. The playhouse is located at 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn. For tickets and information, call 973-376-4343 or go to Papermill.org.

Law and Love: “Legally Blonde The Musical” will take stage at on May 10 for an 8 p.m. performance. Based on the hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon, the show follows Elle Woods and her quest to get a law degree after her boyfriend dumps Elle for her smarter sorority sister. Tickets cost $52-$77. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org

Seeing “The Scarlet Letter” Might Help You Get an A:  An adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” will be performed at  on May 11 at 10 a.m. The performance has a curriculum tie-in in language, arts, reading, ethics and history for grades nine through 12. Tickets cost $10. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Meet the Artist and Watch a Play:  in South Orange is hosting two free readings of new plays as part of its Meet the Artist Series. David Lee White’s “Random Horrible Thoughts About Love” will be read on May 11 at 7:30 p.m. White is the associate artistic director at Passage Theatre Company in Trenton and his play is a collection of five short comedies. Suzanne Bradbeer’s “Shakespeare in Vegas” will be presented May 25 at 7:30 p.m. The comedy is about a frustrated New York actress who takes a job with a classical theater company in Vegas. Dreamcatcher has previously produced Bradbeer’s “Full Bloom” and “You Miss Them When They’re Not Around.” After each new play reading, the floor is opened to discussion between the playwright, director, actors and audience. Readings will take place at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum, 165 Hobart Ave., Summit. For information, call 973-378-7754, ext. 2228 or go towww.DreamcatcherRep.org.

Knock Three Times if you Want to See Tony Orlando: ’70s hit-maker Tony Orlando will perform at on May 13 at 8 p.m. He’ll be singing favorites like “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ’Round The Ole Oak Tree,” “Knock Three Times,” and “Candida.” Tickets cost $42-$77. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Beastly Behavior: The Grownig Stage Children’s Theatre of New Jersey is hosting four performances of “Lord of the Flies” May 13 through 28. Nigel Williams wrote this adaptation of William Golding’s legendary tale of a group of school boys on a deserted island who descend to savage behavior. Show times are May 13, 21 and 27-28 at 7:30 p.m. Recommended for grades 5 and up. Go to GrowingStage.Goes.com for more information.

New Improv Group: Off Book, a new improv group, will present its premier performances at Pax Amicus Castle Theatre on May 13 and 21. The group will perform in the style of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” meaning everything it does will prompted by the audience, making each show different. Nick deVries hosts and directs. Group members are Stina Braun, Giffy Giffoniello, Brian Graziano, Dawn James, Michel Jay, Britni Morley, Jason Nicholas, Jen Russ and Mark Smith. The show is family-friendly. Bring props you want to see used and suggestions for skits. Tickets cost $10. Pax Amicus Castle Theatre is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. For information, call 973-691-2100 or go to PaxAmicus.com.

One Wild Weekend: Things should get pretty fun as The Strollers presents Alan Ayckbourn’s “Round and Round The Garden” May 13-21. The play is the third part of Ayckbourn’s “The Norman Conquest” trilogy, about six characters, with all plays taking part on the same weekend. Performances will take place at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Road in Maplewood. Tickets cost $16, $13 for seniors and students. Go to TheStrollers.org for more information.

Audition Alert, “Tom Sawyer:” in Hillsborough is holding auditions for a musical adaptation of Mark Twain’s “Tom Sawyer” on May 14, 2 to 5 p.m. and May 15, 6 to 8 p.m. Needed are seven males and nine females ages 18 and over, along with seven to 10 boys and three to 10 girls. Please bring 16 bars of music that show off your vocal range. Those auditioning may be taught part of a song. Readings will be from the script. Please bring with you the dates you will not be available for rehearsals from Memorial Day through the show dates. Performances are July 22 through Aug. 7. Auditions are being held at the Somerset Valley Players’ playhouse at 689 Amwell Road/Route 514. Call 908-369-7469 or go to SVPTheatre.org for more information.

If the Slipper Fits: Pax Amicus Castle Theatre is presenting “Cinderella,” May 14 through July 23. Performances for the family show are Saturdays May 14 through June 4 at 11 a.m. Performances are also scheduled for the following dates: July 12 and 14 at 10 a.m., July 20 through 22 at 10 a.m., and July 23 at 11 a.m. Tickets cost $12. Pax Amicus Castle Theatre is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. For information, call 973-691-2100 or go to PaxAmicus.com.

Singing in Harmony: David Crosby and Graham Nash are bringing a bit of folk history to  on May 16 at 8 p.m. The duo have recorded together and as part of Crosby, Stills & Nash and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Tickets cost $60-$100. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. Check with the box office for ticket availability at 973-539-8008.

Audition Alert, “Aladdin Jr:” Brundage Park Playhouse is holding auditions for "Aladdin Jr.," a for kids by kid production, May 17 and 19, 7 to 9 p.m. A character breakdown can be found here. Performance dates at July 8 through 23. Brundage Park Playhouse is located at 2 Bungalow Lane in Randolph. For information, call 973-989-7092 or e-mail bbp@brundageparkplayhouse.org.

Summer Concert Schedule in Bridgewater: Somerset County Park Commission has announced its schedule for summer concerts Sundays at  on Old York Road, and the July 4 Family Festival at  on Milltown Road, both in Bridgewater. The season kicks off with Dr. K’s Motown Revue on June 26. Verdict and Total Soul will headline the July 4 Festival. Other shows include Tommy Mara & The Crests (with special guest Carisma) on July 10; Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes on July 17; Michael Amante July 24; Zydeco-A-Go-Go on July 31; Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King on Aug. 7; The Infernos on Aug. 14; Neil and the Diamonds Aug 21 and New Riders of the Purple Sage on Aug. 28. For information, call 908-722-1200.

School Will Be Out For Summer, So Why Not See Alice Cooper?: Tickets for Alice Cooper's Aug. 15 concert at  in Morristown are on sale now. The recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee will be playing hits like “School’s Out,” “I’m Eighteen” and “No More Mr. Nice Guy.” Tickets cost $57-$97. Click here for more information.

Camp Shakespeare:  has started enrollment for its summer educational programs, which offer training in classical theater by professional theater artists for middle- and high school-aged students. Applications for the Junior and Senior Corps are now being accepted. Returning students or children of 2011 season subscribers receive a $100 discount. To sign up for an audition slot, or for more information, call 973-408-3980 or email Classes@shakespearenj.org.

Working For Those Laughs: Tickets for Bill Engvall’s Aug. 17 comedy concert at the  in Morristown are on sale now. Engvall stars in his own sitcom on TBS and hosts Country Fried Home Videos on CMT. Tickets cost $57 to $97. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Bickford Theatre announces its 2011-2012 season: Eric Hafen, artistic director at the  in Morris Township, announced his 10th anniversary season with four plays by writers whose works have previously been performed at the theater. The season will open with the New Jersey premiere of Richard Dresser’s comedy “The Last Days of Mickey & Jean,” directed by John Pietrowski, Sept. 22 through Oct. 9. Next up is “Over the River and Through the Woods,” directed by Hafen, Nov. 17 through Dec. 4. The comedy by Joe DiPietro (“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) is a “heartwarming and hilarious funny comedy… filled with love, laughter and lasagna,” according to the Bickford. Things will get scary in 2012 with Ira Levin’s “Veronica’s Room,” directed by Daniel LaPenta, Jan 26 through Feb. 12. The season will wind up with “I Do! I Do!” the Tony-winning hit by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt. Four-play subscriptions include tickets to one of the Bickford’s “A La Carte Series” of concerts. Those are pianist Vladimir Zaitsev on March 4, a performance of Avi Hoffman in “Still Jewish After All Those Years” on March 11, and an evening of opera and popular song, “Italian Giants and American Icons” on March 18. Season subscriptions are on sale now and cost $115-$150. Single tickets go on sale Aug. 1. For information, call 973-971-3706 or go to BickfordTheatre.org.

Playwrights Theatre Summer Programs: Registration is open for summer programs at the . Acting Lab for grades four through six allows kids to act, play and be creative in a supportive, process-oriented class with an emphasis on play-building skills through improvisation, theater exercises and group collaboration. Five sessions will take place over the summer, with the first session starting June 20. Playwrights will also hold the Full Day Theatre Camp for grades seven through nine, offering daily classes in acting technique, play production, musical performance and playwriting. Sessions will start July 5 and July 18. The theater’s website notes that if class attendance numbers are not met by registration deadlines, classes will be canceled. Click here for more information about the full-day camp and here for more information about the acting lab.

Registration for Summer Theater Camps: Brundage Park Playhouse in Randolph has announced its 30th season of summer performing arts education with the return of three programs. Summer Stages is a workshop for young performers ages 8 through 14 who have completed second grade or higher during the 2010-11 school year; staff instructs students in acting, music and dance, and each two-week session will end with a production for audiences of parents, relatives and friends. The Advanced Performers Workshop is open to students who are already at least 12 and will be entering seventh through 11th grades in the 2011-2012 season. Admission is by audition and interview. Students will spend part of their time in rehearsal for whatever show they are working on, and part of their time in workshops on various aspects of theater arts. The Budding Stars program is designed for children ages 5 to 7. Students will also create simple props and costumes for skits, fairy tales and children’s stories they perform. For pricing, schedules and registration, go to RandolphNJ.org, click on “Parks and Recreation,” and click on “Online Registration.” You can also register in person at the Parks and Recreation Department, located in the Senior Community Center on Calais Road, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 973-989-7092.

Registration Open for Villagers Summer Theater Programs: The Villagers Theatre in Somerset has announced its summer programs for training in theater arts, preparing young performers for the stage. Actors ages 9 to 12 who have demonstrated desire and talent for the performing arts will discover many aspects of theater, including acting, dance, voice, and musical theater, and production arts through both instruction and experience. The program will begin June 28 with two 3-week sessions, Monday through Friday. Li’l Villagers half-day sessions are offered from 9 a.m. to noon for younger performers, 6 to 8 years old; Villagers Apprentice full-day sessions are offered from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Each session will culminate in a performance on the Villagers Main Stage on the final Friday at 1:30 p.m. and Saturday at noon. Overture care and encore care are available for an additional fee. Students will be grouped for instruction by age, ability or experience. Arts educators will be assisted by college interns and high school counselors. Students are required to provide their own transportation and brown bag lunches. Session 1 will take place July 5 to 23. Session II: July to 23-Aug. 13. For more information, go to Villagerstheatre.com.

Get Schooled: The educational touring wing of , Shakespeare LIVE!, presents abridged productions of the Bard's work that keeps Shakespeare's language intact. It's offering A Midsummer Night's Dream and Julius Caesar through June 10. For more info and bookings, see here.

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