Meet the Award-Winning Director and Cast of “Oleanna”

February 10, 2019February 10, 2019

Meet the Director

Director Julie Janson (center) with cast members Christopher Crockett and Amanda Ranowsky

Julie Janson, Director

I wanted to do this show because the discourse in this country has become very black and white: I’m right, you’re wrong. But life isn’t black and white. It’s messy and each individual human being brings different experiences and viewpoints to the table. John and Carol’s biggest failure is that they refuse or are incapable of listening to each other.

This show is messy, and it’s uncomfortable. I believe that to be theatre’s purpose: To take something messy and complicated and face it head on. This allows us to unpack difficult emotions in a creative, shared space. People will side with one character or another, that’s expected, but some may also start talking less and listening more.

Casting Announcement: August Osage County

January 30, 2019March 15, 2019

On behalf of Providence Players of Fairfax, Director Michael Donahue is pleased to announce the cast of August: Osage County, which runs March 29 to April 13.

A missing father, a pill-popping mother and three sisters harboring dubious little secrets. When the large Weston family unexpectedly reunites after Dad disappears, their Oklahoma family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling mysteries. Mix in Violet, the drugged-up, scathingly acidic matriarch, and you’ve got a major play that unflinchingly—and uproariously—exposes the dark side of the Midwestern American family.

CAST
(* denotes PPF debut)

Beverly Weston – Allen Flanigan*
Violet Weston – Jayne Victor
Mattie Fay Aiken – Deborah Davidson*
Charlie Aiken – John Coscia
Little Charles Aiken – Joshua Paul McCreary
Johnna Monevata – Lily Pond*
Barbara Fordham – Beth Gilles-Whitehead
Karen Weston – Mary Zuzik Andrechik*
Ivy Weston – Andra Whitt
Jean Fordham – Nora Rice
Bill Fordham – Clint Bagwell*
Steve Heidebrecht – David S. Rawlings*
Sheriff Deon Gilbreau – David P. Whitehead

Providence Honored With WATCH Award Nominations for 2018 Productions

January 21, 2019February 13, 2019

On Sunday January 20, the Washington Area Community Theater Honors (WATCH) organization announced the 2018 WATCH AWARDS Nominations for community theater productions mounted last year. There are currently 31 member companies in WATCH from throughout the DC, Maryland and Virginia area. A total of 100 productions (35 musicals, 65 plays) were adjudicated in 2018. The Providence Players have been a member of WATCH since 2004.

Patrick David (front) as McCue is joined by (L-R) Rob Lee as Kruger, Zachary Todd as Wilson, Steven Rosenthal as Schwartz, Chuck O’Toole as Hildy Johnson, John Coscia as Murphy and Eric Trumbull as Endicott. Photo by Chip Gertozg.

Providence Players of Fairfax has been honored with a total of six (6) WATCH nominations for 2018 including a nomination for the “Leta Hall Outstanding Ensemble in a Play” for “Front Page.”

Audiences Love, Critics Praise “A Christmas Carol” – Breaks Holiday Show Attendance Record

January 3, 2019February 13, 2019

“…delivers a new take on an old favorite…worthy of your time and ticket!” – Julia L. Exline, DC Metro Theater Arts critic

(Left) David Whitehead as Ebenezer Scrooge and Ward Kay as Ghost of Christmas Present. Photo by Chip Gertzog.

DC Metro Theater Arts’ Julia L. Exline Shares:

“As the tale of hope and redemption unfolds ‘onstage,’ the spirit of Christmas spreads throughout the townspeople, and by extension, the audience.” “Midwestern bluegrass adds both depth and mirth to the show without overwhelming the story or performances. I also loved how creative the story was – they could only use what little they had, and suddenly, rubber tires and sheets hanging on a clothesline (among other things) became several imaginative props.” “Providence Players’ A Christmas Carol delivers a new take on an old favorite…This is a show that is worthy of your time and ticket!” Read the entire DCMTA review here.

DC Metro Theater Arts names “Front Page” as a Staff Favorite for 2018

January 2, 2019February 10, 2019

PPF The Front Page David Whitehead as Walter Burns Chuck O'Toole as Hildy Johnson and Jaclyn Robertson as Peggy Wood Photo by Chip Gertzog Providence Players — David Whitehead as Walter Burns, Chuck O’Toole as Hildy Johnson and Jaclyn Robertson as Peggy Wood. Photo by Chip Gertzog.

DcMetroTheaterArts’ Bob Ashby:

“There are few perfect things in life, let alone in theater. But Providence Players’ The Front Page comes darn close… ensemble playing at its best, to the credit of the actors and director Michael Donahue.… Every portrayal…fits seamlessly into the fabric of the play. The [production] designers do their part with distinction. Donahue’s direction establishes the production’s concept and keeps its execution clear and consistently fast-paced throughout. There are no lulls here. Every aspect of the production is first-rate.” FULL DCMTA REVIEW HERE

Audiences Loved “California Suite!”

January 1, 2019February 13, 2019

“Folks, they’re good. This play is well done. We laughed hard, a lot. Superior acting, perfectly directed and a great trip down memory lane for a lot of us who came to see it. Get tickets to see this. You’ll truly love it as much as we did.” – Audience Member Opening Weekend

Providence Players California Suite Photo by Chip Gertzog Providence Players 06 — Liz Mykietyn as Millie Michaels and Dave Wright as Marvin Michaels. Photo by Chip Gertzog.

California Suite is Neil Simon’s humorous confection in four separate comedy playlets with one common thread. Four couples from different cities travel to California over the course of a year and stay in the same Beverly Hills Hotel suite, bringing their problems, anxieties and comic marital dilemmas with them. Simon is at his most humane and compassionate, and the banter flies fast and furious in this popular comedy. The New York Times said “Mr. Simon is writing at his ebullient best…[He] makes us laugh so effortlessly.”

The Phantom Tollbooth – An audience hit and critically acclaimed

April 20, 2018February 10, 2019

The Phantom Tollbooth

DcMetroTheaterArts.com says “Providence Players of Fairfax and The Young Hearts’s production of The Phantom Tollbooth delivers all the joy of the holiday season without the jingle. Based on the beloved children’s book by Norton Juster, Susan Nanus’ stage adaptation proves a perfect outing for the whole family! [It is] a riotous adventure that is as deep as it is humorous. Whether you’re delighting in the silly, nonsensical nature of the show or reflecting on its more poignant themes (the lucky can do both), its broad appeal is perhaps it’s biggest strength. The Phantom Tollbooth offers something for everyone. Don’t let this night of family fun go by!” Julia Exline, DCMTA

You Will Just Love This One! Providence Players Opens “The Phantom Tollbooth” Next Week

December 1, 2017February 10, 2019

The Celebration of 20 Years of Award-Winning Community Theater Continues With:

Outstanding Entertainment for the Whole Family!

“90 Minutes of Pure Fun!”

Be sure to get your tickets before they run out!

Derek Bradley as The Humbug, Talia Cutler as Milo, Amanda Ranowsky as Tock and Susan Kaplan as the Spelling Bee in the Providence Players production of The Phantom Tollbooth. Photo by Chip Gertzog, Providence Players — L to R: Derek Bradley as The Humbug, Talia Cutler as Milo, Amanda Ranowsky as Tock and Susan Kaplan as the Spelling Bee in the Providence Players production of “The Phantom Tollbooth”. Photo by Chip Gertzog, Providence Players

Opening December 8th at the James Lee Community Center Theater in Falls Church, Norton Juster’s acclaimed fantasy adventure comes to life onstage! Milo is bored and the Demons of Ignorance keep telling him “If you get the urge to do anything — don’t. It could be dangerous.” To the rescue comes the Phantom Tollbooth! Aided by a trusty timekeeping dog Tock, they meet many memorable characters in the Land of Wisdom on their quest to rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason. Based on the classic young adult novel, The Phantom Tollbooth is outstanding entertainment for the whole family!

The Providence Players “The Front Page” Auditions: Tues Nov 28, Wed Nov 29, Mon Dec 4 – Complete Announcement

November 26, 2017February 10, 2019

Auditions for the Providence Players production of the classic American comedy The Front Page by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur will be held at the James Lee Community Center on Tuesday Nov. 28, Wednesday Nov. 29, and Monday Dec. 4, 2017 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM each evening. Please select one of these audition dates, RSVP to providenceplayers@cox.net and download the complete audition package and instructions at the link below. The Front Page is being directed for the Providence Players by Michael Donahue.

DOWNLOAD COMPLETE AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT FORMS AND SIDES HERE

Last Call for Comedy Hit “Moon Over Buffalo”

October 20, 2017February 10, 2019

Tickets are available for the final two performances (Friday 10/20 and Saturday 10/21 at 7:30 pm) of the Providence Players hit comedy production of Ken Ludwig’s Moon Over Buffalo but they have been selling quickly. For the best possible seat selection, order online now.

I’m telling you, this is your last chance!

“We greatly enjoyed the play. Thank you to all! I laughed so hard at one point that I could barely catch my breath!” Read more