On January 21, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, Cottage Theatre is hosting the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event, which will feature (among other things) a sneak preview of the opening number of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Read more about this event and other news in the latest copy of our newsletter.

For Immediate Release

January 19, 2016


Contact:
Susan Goes, Executive Director, 541-942-8001


Cottage Theatre announces auditions for Annie Get Your Gun

Cottage Grove, OR — Cottage Theatre will hold auditions for Annie Get Your Gun on Sunday, February 7 and Monday, February 8 at 6:30 pm. This production of Irving Berlin's ever-popular musical, as revised in 1999 by Peter Stone, tells a fictionalized version of the life of sharpshooter Annie Oakley (1860-1926). Auditions will be held at the theatre, located at 700 Village Drive in Cottage Grove. 

Stone reshaped the original 1946 classic to create a Wild West show-within-a-show that frames the ageless "Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better" love story of Annie Oakley and rival marksman Frank Butler. “The book has been updated in ways that pass p.c. muster,” reported Time Magazine, “without losing all the fun.” Wedded to the new book is the amazing Irving Berlin score, featuring hit after hit after hit, including "You Can't Get a Man With a Gun" and that enduring favorite, "There’s No Business Like Show Business."

A large cast of over 20 actors (men, women, and children) is needed for this production directed by Tony Rust. Annie Get Your Gun will run for 15 performances from April 8 - May 1.  

These auditions are open to any interested actors and no appointment is necessary. Potential cast members should come prepared to sing about 18 bars from a classic American musical and a section of "There's No Business Like Show Business." Actors should also come dressed and ready for a short dance audition. Additional details are available at www.cottagetheatre.org or by calling Cottage Theatre at 541-942-8001.


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For Immediate Release

January 19, 2016


Contact:
Susan Goes, Executive Director, 541-942-8001


The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opens January 29

Cottage Grove, OR — Cottage Theatre kicks off its 2016 season with a hilarious musical romp through middle school. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, winner of the 2005 Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, features music & lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, and was conceived by Rebecca Feldman. A riotous ride complete with audience participation, each performance will give a few lucky audience members the chance to compete alongside cast members for the coveted spelling trophy. Cottage Theatre's production opens January 29 and runs for three weekends through February 14.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has captivated audiences across the country with its unforgettable humor. An eclectic group of six awkward adolescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens (portrayed by adult actors) spell their way through a series of words hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Oh well, at least the losers get a juice box!

Cottage Theatre's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is directed by Mark VanBeever. Choregraphy is by Alex Holmes, set design by Janet Whitlow, lighting design by Amanda Ferguson, and costume design by Rhonda Turnquist. The production features Mark Allen, Madison Baker, Kyle Carrillo-Enders, Maeve Dahlen, Brittany Dreier, Ward Fairbairn, Joel Ibanez, Bil Morrill, Traci Knight, Tracy Nygard, and Donovan Seitzinger — as well as four audience spelling contestants at each performance. (Interested guest spellers are invited to make their interest known at the Box Office before each show.)

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs for eleven performances at Cottage Theatre from January 29 - February 14. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 pm. Parental discretion is advised as the show contains a frank (but very funny) puberty moment.

Tickets are available online at www.cottagetheatre.org, by phone at 541-942-8001, or in person at the Cottage Theatre Box Office, 700 Village Drive, Cottage Grove. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for youth (age 6 to 18). Box Office hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 2 pm, and one hour before performances. Advance purchase is recommended.


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