Casting Announcement: “Love Letters”

Casting Announcement: “Love Letters”

Love LettersProvidence Players is excited to announce the cast for our upcoming production of Love Letters by A.R. Gurney, a tender and timeless story told through the lifelong exchange of letters between two friends, Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III.

Jayne Victor as MelissaJayne L. Victor will take on the role of Melissa Gardner. Jayne is no stranger to Providence Players, having delivered memorable performances as Violet Weston in August: Osage County and Sonia in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. She has also directed many of our favorite productions, including Moon Over Buffalo and The Glass Mendacity. With her extensive experience, Jayne brings incredible depth to the complex and passionate Melissa.

Michael Donahue as AndrewOpposite her is Michael Donahue as Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. Michael has been a vital member of the Providence Players family since 2009, both as an actor and director. His recent directorial highlights include August: Osage County, Calendar Girls, and House of Blue Leaves. With his nuanced approach to storytelling, Michael will bring out Andrew’s heartfelt vulnerability and humor in this emotionally rich role.

Jayne and Michael, who first met through Providence Players, have shared the stage and collaborated on numerous productions. Their offstage connection as a married couple and onstage chemistry as talented and versatile actors promise to make this production a must-see.

Love Letters explores the complex relationship between two lifelong friends, as they share their hopes, dreams, and disappointments through decades of correspondence. Don’t miss this touching and unique theatrical experience!

Tickets

Tickets for Love Letters are on sale now! Be sure to get yours soon!

Performance Dates and Times
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.
October 11 – 26
Sunday Matinees 2:00 p.m.
October 13 & 20

Please note: There will be no performance on Friday, October 25. A matinee performance has been added on Saturday, October 26.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Tina Hodge Thronson

About the Director

Tina Hodge Thronson has done everything for Providence Players from hanging lights, painting sets, and stage crew to directing and acting. Her directing credits include Deathtrap, Silent Sky, And Then There Were None, Born Yesterday, Twelve Angry Men, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Steel Magnolias, and The Laramie Project. Now she is directing Love Letters. This piece, with its use of letters to convey the evolution of a loving but complicated relationship, presents a significant challenge to the actors and to the director. She is excited to be working with two of Providence Players’ best as they tease out the emotional highs and lows of this brilliant play.

Casting Announcement: “Twelve Angry Jurors”

On behalf of Providence Players of Fairfax, Director Dave Wright is pleased to announce the cast of Twelve Angry Jurors, book by Reginald Rose and adapted by Sherman L. Sergel.

This dramatic “twist and turn” court drama tells the story of twelve jurors charged with the unenviable task of deciding a young man’s fate. Accused of brutally murdering his father, the young man’s life hangs in the balance as a jury of his peers battle reasonable doubt, prejudice, and their own morality in a cramped, overheated deliberation room. Tempers flare as the reality of a death sentence weighs on the minds of these twelve strangers, the life or death of the accused foisted upon them. Guilty or not guilty. Life or death. Freedom or damnation. Each juror must vote. Based on Twelve Angry Men, the 1954 Emmy-winning television movie by Reginald Rose.  Tickets on sale now!

CAST
* denotes Providence Players debut

Juror #1 – John Paul Odle*
Juror #2 – Liz Owerbach*
Juror #3 – Bruce Alan Rauscher
Juror #4 – Ann Brodnax
Juror #5 – Jess Rawls*
Juror #6 – Mike Rudden
Juror #7 – Aaron Truax*
Juror #8 – Eric Kennedy*
Juror #9 – Gayle Nichols-Grimes
Juror #10 – Allen McRae
Juror #11 – Roxanne Waite
Juror #12 – Ursula Burgess*

 

Dave Wright

About the Director

Dave Wright has been involved in theatre throughout the DMV for over 30 years. As a director, his credits include “The Foreigner” with CCT and “The Nerd” with Vpstart Crow. In addition, Dave was the Regional Director for Murder Mystery Players from 1999-2010, and is also the creator/moderator of professional improv troupe Last Ham Standing. Onstage, Dave was most recently seen as Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple at Aldersgate and was also part of the W.A.T.C.H. Award winning ensemble of Don’t Dress For Dinner at PPF last June. Dave would like to thank his beautiful wife Angey and amazing daughters Kenzie, Emma and Maddy for their unconditional love and support.

An Important Announcement from Providence Players

Kevin Harnisch

There has been a change to the final show of our season. Due to unforeseen issues, we will not be performing The Minutes, by Tracy Letts, as originally planned.

However, we are thrilled to announce that we will be presenting Twelve Angry Jurors, book by Reginald Rose and adapted for the stage by Sherman L. Sergel. We are confident that this powerful and thought-provoking drama will captivate our audiences. Director Dave Wright and his production team remain on board for this new production.

Please note that due to a change in schedule Twelve Angry Jurors will run for two weekends only, from June 13 to June 22. We understand this is a departure from our usual three-weekend run.  Providence Players is committed to delivering an outstanding production.

Stay tuned as we will soon announce the cast for Twelve Angry Jurors.

Kevin Harnisch
President, Board of Directors

Sneak Peek of “Surviving Grace!”

Surviving Grace is a brutally honest, irreverent and moving story – laced with humor – that sheds light on the emotional ups and downs of a daughter’s experience as she cares for her ill mother.  With great humor and authenticity, Trish Vradenburg’s personal story conveys the struggles between an in-your-face parent and a tough-but tender daughter who learn just what it takes to care of someone you love – no matter how difficult it may be.  Mature themes.

Enjoy these photos by Matthew Randall of Providence Players production of Surviving Grace, by Trish Vradenberg.

 

Announcing Auditions: The Minutes

The Minutes

by Tracy Letts
Directed by Dave Wright

In this scathing new comedy-drama, a town’s proud history, the legend of a local hero, and the coveted privilege of reserved parking become battle grounds in small-town politics and real-world power. Nothing is sacred during this town council meeting. This razor-sharp comedy turns from hilarious to chilling as petty policy matters give way to the truth roiling just beneath the surface of this town’s dubious history. The Minutes is both a political comedy and a wicked, methodically plotted horror show, that will keep you riveted to the very end.

 Providence Players of Fairfax is:

  • A non-profit community theater troupe. All participation is on a volunteer basis. No members of the cast or crew are compensated.
  • A membership organization. Membership is not required to audition. If cast, all actors (and in fact, all volunteers), are required to become members of Providence Players of Fairfax. Member dues are $25.00 per individual or $60.00 per family (3 or more), and new members must join before or during the first rehearsal. Dues can be paid online or paid with cash or check to the producer.  If dues are not paid by or during the first rehearsal, the actor or actress may be asked to leave the rehearsal until dues are paid.

Casting Announcement

Providence Players is casting 11 roles (3 Female and 8 Male).  No roles are precast, and all roles are open. All backgrounds and ethnicities are welcome and encouraged to audition!

Download both documents: Audition Announcement and Audition Form (in word and pdf).

 Audition Location

James Lee Community Center Theater
2855 Annandale Rd, Falls Church, VA 22046

Audition Dates:

Tuesday, April 16, 7 -9 pm
Wednesday, April 17, 7-9 pm
Callbacks if required: Saturday, April 20, 1 – 4 pm

PLEASE RSVP to info@providenceplayers.org with the date you plan to attend.

Actors who audition one night may be asked to come back a second night, if available. You are not required to be available multiple evenings to be considered.

The Director reserves the right to extend the audition period pending initial audition response.  Callbacks are scheduled but may not be necessary.

Performance Dates and Times (at the James Lee Community Center)

Preview:     Thursday, June 6
Evening Performances:  Thurs. Fri. Sat.; June 7 – 22 at 7:30 pm
Matinees:    Sundays, June 9 & 16 at 2:00 pm

About the Play              

Time: The Present
Setting:  A city council meeting room

Characters

  • PEEL (30’s-40’s) – Pediatric dentist & new council member. Recently moved to town
  • MAYOR SUBERBA (50’s-60’s) – Slick (but not too slimy) Mayor of Big Cherry
  • JOHNSON (20’s-30’s) – Carefully quiet council clerk, a bit harried
  • BLAKE (30’s-50’s African American man) – Goes with the flow, enjoys a good Happy Hour
  • BREEDING (40’s-50’s) – The most non-PC council member. Smarmy & crude
  • HANRATTY (30’s-50’s) – Likes to fight to get his way.
  • ASSALONE (40’s-50’s) – Unscrupulous, with an unfortunate name that is usually mispronounced.
  • INNES (60’s-70’s) – Self-involved council member, singularly focused
  • MATZ (40’s-50’s) – Ditzy, lives in her own head
  • OLDFIELD (60’s-70’s) – Long-serving (and frequently befuddled) council member
  • CARP (40’s-50’s) – Missing council member

Additional Audition Information/Instructions:

  • HOW WE WORK:  Most Providence auditions have actors up and down to read multiple times in multiple combinations and scenes. As space allows, you will be able to watch the auditions. Actors may be asked to “work” on a scene with a scene partner during the audition. Actors may be asked to read for multiple roles. If an actor is only interested in one specific role, the director should be reminded during auditions. The Providence Players strives to make our productions open to all levels of actors regardless of experience.  Providence Players works hard to make the audition experience a fun and relaxed experience.
  • AUDITION PROCESS & SIDES: Auditions will consist of readings from the script. No monologue required. Sides for the audition process will be supplied at auditions.
  • AUDITION FORM:  Please TRY TO COMPLETE, in a separate attachment, the Providence Audition Form and bring it with you to the audition.
  • Please come to auditions prepared to list any conflicts with rehearsal or the performance schedule.  Space is provided on the audition form for this purpose.
  • Resumes and headshots will be accepted but are not required. We may ask to take a picture of you, but this is for internal use only and will not be shared.

From the Director: Dave Wright

  • First read-thru will be Monday, April 22nd.
  • Rehearsals will begin Saturday, April 27th
  • Initially the entire cast may not be called for every rehearsal. Rehearsals will take place on weekday evenings and Saturday in the late morning/early afternoon (times TBD).
  • Unless indicated otherwise, all rehearsals will be at the James Lee Community Center.
  • Set build weekend is May 4th & 5th, and all cast members are STRONGLY encouraged to attend.
  • Tech weekend is scheduled for June 1st & 2nd.
  • Set strike is June 23rd, and all cast members are expected to participate.

About the Director: Dave Wright

Dave has been involved in theater throughout the DMV for over 30 years. While most of his experience has been onstage, he has also directed several main stage plays. In addition, Dave was:

  • Regional Director for Murder Mystery Players from 1999-2010, directing over 50 productions
  • Owner of Market Street Productions, which operated the historic Tally Ho theatre in Leesburg, VA from 2008-2012
  • Creator/Moderator of professional improv troupe Last Ham Standing, since 2003

Most recently Dave was seen onstage as Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple at Aldersgate and was also part of the WATCH Award winning ensemble of Don’t Dress for Dinner at PPF last June. The Minutes has comedy, satire, politics, mystery and horror all wrapped up into 90 minutes, and Dave is looking forward to the challenge of combining those elements in a collaborative process with some talented people!

Providence Players Receives Top Awards at Washington Area Theater Community Honors (WATCH)!

On Sunday, March 17, 2024, Washington Area Theater Community Honors (WATCH) announced award winners for 2023.  Providence Players was honored with eight (8) nominations for its productions of Deathtrap and  Don’t Dress for Dinner.  The list of nominations can be found on our Recent Awards and Recognition page.

We are pleased to share that Providence Players of Fairfax was honored with the three (3) top WATCH awards for its production of Don’t Dress for Dinner:

  • Leta Hall Outstanding Ensemble – Cast of Don’t Dress for Dinner
    • David Wright as Bernard
    • Jayne L. Victor as Jacqueline
    • Bruce Alan Rauscher as Robert
    • Keely Sullivan den Bergh as Suzette
    • Eileen Copas as Suzette
    • Ann Brodnax as Suzanne
    • Gene Downing as George
  • Outstanding Direction of a Play – Beth Gilles-Whitehead and David Whitehead – Don’t Dress for Dinner
  • Outstanding Play – Don’t Dress for Dinner
    • Producers: Kevin Harnisch & Tina Thronson
    • Stage Manger:  Michael Donahue
    • Assistant Stage Manager:  Robbie Snow

We are so honored to have received this recognition, and we congratulate the producers, directors, cast and production team that led such a wonderful effort on behalf of the audiences that attended.

Beth Gilles-Whitehead and David Whitehead, directors of Don’t Dress for Dinner, accept the WATCH award for Best Directors of a Play. Click the image to see the video.

Read more

Casting Announcement: “Surviving Grace”

On behalf of Providence Players of Fairfax, Director Jayne L. Victor is pleased to announce the cast of Surviving Grace, by Trish Vradenburg.

Surviving Grace is a brutally honest, irreverent and moving story – laced with humor – that sheds light on the emotional ups and downs of a daughter’s experience as she cares for her mother with Alzheimer’s.  With great humor and authenticity, Trish Vrandenburg’s personal story conveys the struggles between an in-your-face parent and a tough-but tender daughter who learn just what it takes to care for someone you love – no matter how difficult it may be.  Mature themes.  Tickets on sale now!

CAST
* denotes Providence Players debut

Kate Griswald – Elizabeth Keith
Grace Griswald- Barbara Gertzog
Jack Griswald – John Coscia
Sam Gelman – Ian Wade
Lorna – Sandra DeRocha*
Madge Wellington – Jacqueline Youm*
Marty – Ward Kay

About the Director

Jayne L. Victor

Jayne L. Victor has been involved in many aspects of local theatre and like you she knows it takes a village to mount a show.  We all must be jacks of all trades and masters of none.  In addition to directing, Jayne has designed costumes, been the master of props, decorated sets, as well as acted in a show or two. Most recently Jayne directed November for Providence Players and was seen on stage in Don’t Dress for Dinner last spring.

Announcing Auditions for “Surviving Grace”

Surviving Grace

by Trish Vradenburg
Directed by Jayne L. Victor

This very touching and funny play is an intensely honest, irreverent, and moving story about that complicated thing called the mother/daughter relationship! This relationship is tested by the complication of the mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. And obviously it affects the entire family. It is a story which was inspired by the playwright’s own real-life experiences. It is filled with hope and possibility and reinforces that humor and laughter are life’s best medicine. This play is filled with humor, empathy and substance.

 Providence Players of Fairfax is:

  • A non-profit community theater troupe. All participation is on a volunteer basis. No members of the cast or crew are compensated.
  • A membership organization. Membership is not required to audition. If cast, all actors (and in fact, all volunteers), are required to become members of Providence Players of Fairfax.  Member dues are $25.00 per individual or $60.00 per family (3 or more), and new members must join before or during the first rehearsal.  Dues can be paid online or paid with cash or check to the producer.  If dues are not paid by or during the first rehearsal, the actor or actress may be asked to leave the rehearsal until dues are paid.

Casting Announcement

Providence Players is casting six (6) roles (4 Female and 2 Male).  No roles are precast, and all roles are open.  All backgrounds and ethnicities are welcome and encouraged to audition!

Download both documents: Audition Announcement and Audition Form (in word and pdf).

Audition Location

James Lee Community Center Theater
2855 Annandale Rd, Falls Church, VA 22046

Audition Dates:

Monday, February 12 & Tuesday, February 13
Auditions begin at 6:30 p.m.
Callbacks (if required): Thursday, February 15

PLEASE RSVP to info@providenceplayers.org with the date you plan to attend.

Actors who audition one night may be asked to come back a second night, if available. You are not required to be available multiple evenings to be considered.

The Director reserves the right to extend the audition period pending initial audition response.  Callbacks are scheduled but may not be necessary. Read more

“‘Deathtrap’ is an outstanding production!”

Only two weekends remain!  Get your tickets now!

Enjoy these dress rehearsal photos from the production.  All photos by Chip Gertzog.

In photos:  Matthew Randall as Sidney, Chuck O’Toole as Clifford, Roxanne Waite as Myra, Angela Cannon as Helga and David Ranowsky as Porter.

 

Casting Announcement: “Deathtrap”

On behalf of Providence Players of Fairfax, Director Tina Hodge Thronson is pleased to announce the cast of Deathtrap, by Ira Levin.

In this well-known mystery thriller, Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway hits, is struggling to overcome a “dry” spell which has resulted in a series of box office flops.  A possible break in his fortunes occurs when he receives a remarkable script from a student which Sidney recognizes immediately as a potential Broadway juggernaut.  Sidney’s plan, which he devises with his wife’s help, is to offer assistance to the student in exchange for co-credit.  But is that really his plan?  Suspense mounts steadily as the plot begins to twist and turn with devilish cleverness, and with such an abundance of thrills and laughter, that audiences will be held enthralled until the final, startling moments of the play.  Tickets on sale now!

CAST

Sidney – Matthew Randall
Clifford – Chuck O’Toole
Myra – Roxanne Waite
Helga – Angela Cannon
Porter – David Ranowsky Read more