For Immediate Release

July 26, 2016

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


Hamlet opens August 12 at Cottage Theatre

Cottage Grove, OR -- Cottage Theatre continues its 2016 season in August with one of William Shakespeare's most famous works. Hamlet, a murderous tale of royal revenge, remains one of the most-produced plays in the English language even 400 years after it was written. Cottage Theatre's production of Hamlet opens August 12 and runs for three weekends through August 28.

Hamlet is a legendary tale of revenge, rich in vivid imagery, complex characters, and powerful language, bolstered by Shakespeare’s unrivaled humor and wit, which allow the audience to connect with the characters and their struggles. Something truly is rotten in the state of Denmark when the ghost of Prince Hamlet’s recently-deceased father appears in the night, claiming he was murdered by his brother Claudius. This spectral visit by the former King sets Prince Hamlet on a path of retribution, intense inner struggle, and ultimately great tragedy for all. 

Cottage Theatre's production of Hamlet is directed and designed by Tony Rust, with lighting design by Amanda Ferguson, and costumes by Rhonda Turnquist. This production features Tim McIntosh as Hamlet, Davis N. Smith as Claudius, Tracy Nygard as Gertrude, Patrick Torelle as Polonius, and Martha Benson as Ophelia. Rounding out the cast of this classic drama are Mark Anderson, Nathan Blakely, Dale Flynn, Joel Ibanez, DJ Luna, Lisa Mattiello, Glenn Rust, and Earl Ruttencutter.

Hamlet runs for eleven performances at Cottage Theatre from August 12 - 28. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 pm.

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 $20 for adults and $15 for youth (age 6 to 18). Box Office hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 2 pm, and one hour before performances. 


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We are very excited to announce that Cottage Theatre is one of just six community theatres across the country who have been selected to present world premieres in the 2018 American Association of Community Theatre's NewPlayFest! Read all about it (and more) in the latest issue of our newsletter.

For Immediate Release

July 6, 2016


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


Original melodrama premieres at Cottage Theatre July 15-17

Cottage Grove, OR — Some dastardly "butter bandits" take the stage soon during Cottage Theatre's 10th annual Bohemia Mining Days melodrama.  As the Butter Churns . . . OR All That Glitters is Not Gold was written especially for Cottage Theatre by local playwright Keith Kessler. The family-friendly melodrama will run for three performances on July 15, 16, and 17 at Cottage Theatre.

This year's melodrama takes place in Leaven-Worth, Oregon, where the Butterworth Mafia, led by Big "Paddy" Butterworth and his Butter Bandits, are slowly taking over the town. The rest of the townsfolk are "neck deep in debt" and things are going from bad to worse. Meanwhile, the local acting troupe, the Something's Rotten Players, are getting ready for their premiere performance of "Much A'Dough About Muffin" at the annual "Stairway to Leaven" Festival. Can the good citizens of Leaven-Worth stop the Butter Bandits before they ruin the Festival and achieve (gasp!) "total town domination"?
 
As the Butter Churns . . . OR All That Glitters is Not Gold features 34 youth actors (ages 9 - 14) from Cottage Theatre's summer melodrama camp. This show is appropriate for all ages and includes plenty of audience participation (in the form of booing and hissing and cheering) as well as an old-fashioned sing-along. In keeping with classic melodrama tradition, "Olios" (silly jokes which have nothing to do with the story) will also be performed. There will also be a pre-show performance showcasing some of the music and dance techniques taught during the two-week summer camp.
 
This year's Bohemia Mining Days melodrama is directed by Janet Rust, with music direction by Catricia Mayhue. The cast includes Maia Andrews, Lafe Bennett, Kira Carver, Campbell Conforth, Kenady Conforth, Hailey Cook, Hailey Daquilanto, Aiden Dickinson, Abigail Earlywine, AJ Earlywine, Cedar Earlywine, Ireland Ellis, Kate Fairbairn, Rhea Florez, Josie Hitt, Jenna Hovet, Owen Hovet, Maci John, Bryce Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Samantha Lind, Hannah Mathis, Connor Mayhue, Cormac Mayhue, Isabelle Moreau, Eliana Piltz, Darcy Rust, Grace Sisson, Elise Smith, Catelyn St. Clair, Hayes Valley, Noe Valley, Maia Wilhour, and Piper Youngmayr.
 
Performances are Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16 beginning at 7:00 pm, and Sunday, July 17 at 2:30 pm. 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. Box Office hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 2 pm, and one hour before performances. All seating is reserved and tickets are $7 for all ages. Advance purchase is recommended.
  

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For Immediate Release

July 1, 2016


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


Cottage Theatre holds auditions for A Chorus Line

Cottage Grove, OR — Cottage Theatre will hold auditions for A Chorus Line on Saturday, July 23 starting at 10:00 am. A Chorus Line, winner of the 1976 Tony Award for Best Musical, will run for four weekends at Cottage Theatre from October 7 - 30. The play will be directed and choreographed by Lanny Mitchell. Roles are available for approximately 13 men and 12 women, and the director will consider a variety of ages.

The sixth longest-running Broadway show ever, A Chorus Line takes place on a bare stage during the final grueling audition for eight spots in a new Broadway musical. The theatre is full of professional dancers, all of whom are longing for their next chance at the big time. As the gypsies’ hopes pour out in song, words, and dance, their stories become a powerful metaphor for all human aspiration. The memorable musical numbers, including "I Hope I Get It," "The Music and the Mirror," and "What I Did for Love," capture the very essence of American Musical Theatre. 

These auditions are open to any interested performers and no appointment is necessary. Dancers are asked to bring both jazz and tap shoes and come prepared to sing 16-20 bars of a song from the musical of your choice (but not from A Chorus Line). Further audition details are available at www.cottagetheatre.org or by calling Cottage Theatre at 541-942-8001.

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