tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72552199581607477482024-03-13T14:44:14.826-05:00The Donna Reed FoundationWelcome to the archived blog of the Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts in Denison, IA, a non-profit organization to memorialize Donna Reed's accomplishments and perpetuate her deep commitment to youth, education, and the performing arts.JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-48684598604886091612020-07-23T11:26:00.000-05:002020-07-23T11:26:34.070-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QEXt_RA1_M0/Xxm486YqzJI/AAAAAAAAZJQ/YRuR08G9V6gJZDwGv1Vd2rFn3XgeUn_dQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/weve_moved_MMHQ-1024x662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1024" height="128" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QEXt_RA1_M0/Xxm486YqzJI/AAAAAAAAZJQ/YRuR08G9V6gJZDwGv1Vd2rFn3XgeUn_dQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/weve_moved_MMHQ-1024x662.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The blog of the Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts has moved to a new location. You will now find us on the Foundation’s site at <a href="http://donnareed.org/">donnareed.org</a>.<br />
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This site will no longer be updated but will remain as an archive of our past posts.<br />
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JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-43219812716787673352020-06-19T16:58:00.001-05:002020-06-19T21:40:24.787-05:00Paul Petersen reflects on recording “My Dad”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tTwmaohNY38/Xu0zBEJn24I/AAAAAAAAY0g/3XTvu_AOkW4bzQSKclAiDr732RsmfaR8QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/MyDad.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="383" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tTwmaohNY38/Xu0zBEJn24I/AAAAAAAAY0g/3XTvu_AOkW4bzQSKclAiDr732RsmfaR8QCPcBGAYYCw/s200/MyDad.png" width="154" /></a></div>
<h3>
A Father’s Day Tribute</h3>
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<i>Paul Petersen is best remembered as Jeff Stone, the son on The Donna Reed Show. It was on The Donna Reed Show in 1962 when Petersen sang “My Dad” to his on-screen father, Alex Stone, played by Carl Betz. “My Dad” was released later in 1962 on the Colpix label, reaching #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Petersen penned the following reflection for Father’s Day.</i></div>
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Among those things of which I am most proud is the single episode of The Donna Reed Show called “My Dad.” It is tops among my performance life in television. This single episode is consistently voted in the Top 100 single episodes in television history. That’s why it’s in The Television Hall of Fame. It struck a chord in America when it was first broadcast on October 25th, 1962 and you’d have to be made of stone not to be touched by its straight-forward unapologetic sincerity to this very day.</div>
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"My Dad" was not a spontaneous act of creation captured on film. The song was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, arranged by Stu Phillips, recorded and re-recorded for its presentation on a carefully written family show. It was seamlessly lip-synced for a variety of camera angles over a two-hour period with an hour out for lunch. Scores of people behind the lens made it happen, and they all knew what they were doing, from Donna Reed and Shelley Fabares to the property master and cinematographer.</div>
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Spencer Tracy had a viewpoint he shared with Sidney Poitier that says it all when it comes to acting. “Don’t let anybody catch you at it.”</div>
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"My Dad" was then and is now greater than the sum of its parts. This Father’s Day classic continues to capture people’s hearts and moves them to share its impact. I hope the lyrics reach deep into your soul. Take the time to watch the “My Dad” episode on YouTube. Write to me. I collect these tales. Happy Father’s Day.” -Paul Petersen</div>
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<a href="https://youtu.be/N-vYuV3OmhE" target="_blank">View the video</a></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-73035025857325904332020-05-21T12:26:00.000-05:002020-05-21T12:26:49.514-05:00Children's Musical Theatre Workshop Canceled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzsnV8iPgdQ/XsZ-Ok1C3ZI/AAAAAAAAYbw/yBE-G6Cu288-1oDk3-tIkMcGg-s3KVagQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/COVIDupdate.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="284" height="124" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzsnV8iPgdQ/XsZ-Ok1C3ZI/AAAAAAAAYbw/yBE-G6Cu288-1oDk3-tIkMcGg-s3KVagQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/COVIDupdate.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Workshop falls victim to COVID-19</h3>
The Donna Reed Foundation has made the very difficult decision to cancel this summer’s Children’s Musical Theatre workshop. “During this time of uncertainty, the health and safety of our students, their families, our volunteer staff, and audience members is our top concern,” said Pat Fleshner of the Donna Reed Foundation. “We are disappointed we will not be bringing a popular theatre experience to the community this summer but we are looking forward to offering an exciting adventure next year.”<br />
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This summer will be the first that The Donna Reed Foundation hasn’t staged a Children’s Musical Theatre workshop and production since the program was established in 2007. This year’s workshop production, <i>Disney’s The Aristocats KIDS</i>, will be held over for next year’s program.JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-2836662660830806902020-04-12T15:24:00.000-05:002020-04-12T15:24:01.782-05:00We have a new look.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edyW0WBjvL0/XpN1uzSzVSI/AAAAAAAAYM4/ydEeWXcv7fEZ-nLN4kg_hM5xhnFCNl2JACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DonnsReedBlog.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="938" height="176" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edyW0WBjvL0/XpN1uzSzVSI/AAAAAAAAYM4/ydEeWXcv7fEZ-nLN4kg_hM5xhnFCNl2JACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DonnsReedBlog.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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We’re excited </h3>
to announce that The Donna Reed Foundation's new and refreshed website is live. The update provides a stronger sense of who we are, what we do, and why we do it.<br />
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It also features a modern design, improved functionality, and easy access to essential information. Visit our Website <a href="http://www.donnareed.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-40576739873372449442020-04-05T14:48:00.000-05:002020-04-05T14:48:52.362-05:00NBC to Re-Air Emmy-Winning Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXrqn96P9Bg/XoozSoPZroI/AAAAAAAAYME/oMAMfn5D5Jkirr5s3-swFPpSoyVrQjyXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BrandonVictorDixon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXrqn96P9Bg/XoozSoPZroI/AAAAAAAAYME/oMAMfn5D5Jkirr5s3-swFPpSoyVrQjyXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/BrandonVictorDixon.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandon Victor Dixon<br />sings role of Judas</td></tr>
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Cast includes Donna Reed Scholarship alumnus </h3>
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NBC's <i>Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert</i>, which aired live from Brooklyn on April 1, 2018, will be rebroadcast on the network Easter Sunday, April 12 at 7 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. CDT.<br /><br />The cast includes Brandon Victor Dixon singing the role of Judas. Dixon was a 1999 Donna Reed scholarship finalist in musical theatre. He is known for taking over the role of Aaron Burr in the hit musical <i>Hamilton</i> from original star Leslie Odom Jr. Dixon played Burr for nearly a year at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. <br /><br />As a producer, Dixon's revival of <i>Hedwig and the Angry Inch </i>won the 2014 Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for best revival of a musical.<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.playbill.com/article/nbc-to-re-air-emmy-winning-jesus-christ-superstar-live-in-concert-starring-john-legend-sara-bareilles-more" style="text-decoration: none;">Read the Playbill article</a></span></div>
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JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-8004476708494781082020-04-05T14:01:00.000-05:002020-04-05T14:01:06.834-05:00The Donna Reed Heritage Museum remains closed.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNHhCqtgUkg/XooqlM2sQOI/AAAAAAAAYL4/CZqEk-CFWK0EfR5kt5JX1gfPbI5CZQpkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/museumclosed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="511" height="116" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNHhCqtgUkg/XooqlM2sQOI/AAAAAAAAYL4/CZqEk-CFWK0EfR5kt5JX1gfPbI5CZQpkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/museumclosed.png" width="200" /></a></div>
The Donna Reed Heritage Museum remains closed through Thursday, April 30 to help contain the spread of COVID-19. Like you, we are concerned about the health and safety of everyone during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. We will continue to monitor and follow the advice of the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control regarding a date to reopen.<br />
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Take care of yourselves, your communities and your information intake—make sure you’re following verified sources to help separate findings from feelings.<br />
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JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-66094443914536454262020-03-17T14:13:00.000-05:002020-03-17T14:14:28.371-05:00The Big Show Show Season 1: Production Complete<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQguU9y0sKQ/W7Unyaip-6I/AAAAAAAAIbw/h-jn5kl-IIkLAJ1Tyi2uEloz6Hj1Ut8nACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Ben-480-HeadshotVersion-683x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQguU9y0sKQ/W7Unyaip-6I/AAAAAAAAIbw/h-jn5kl-IIkLAJ1Tyi2uEloz6Hj1Ut8nACPcBGAYYCw/s200/Ben-480-HeadshotVersion-683x1024.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Giroux<br />
2003 Donna Reed Scholar</td></tr>
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Cast include Donna Reed Alumnus Ben Giroux</h3>
The Big Show Show is all about the heavyweight WWE star Paul Wight aka Big Show. The story revolves around the WWE star and his teenage daughter who comes home to live with him, along with his wife and other two daughters. Giroux is cast as Coach Fener.<br />
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Giroux, from Phoenix, AZ, was a 2003 Donna Reed Scholarship recipient in Acting. On camera, he recurs as The Toddler on Nickelodeon’s “Henry Danger”, Superintendent Bonavich on Disney’s “Coop & Cami Ask The World”, Little Zach on the CW’s “Hart of Dixie”, and the Dark Warrior on Disney’s “Mighty Med”. <br />
<a href="https://bengiroux.com/bio/" target="_blank">Read his bio.</a></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-45924575175217167942020-03-17T13:44:00.000-05:002020-03-17T13:44:03.389-05:00Aretha Franklin Biopic ‘Respect’ Wraps Production<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxt15ogewgs/WEhSwKmPaMI/AAAAAAAACik/xaMhikgT_YouwxpDEGuhCWcq1F83MveHQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Saycon-Sengbloh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="273" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxt15ogewgs/WEhSwKmPaMI/AAAAAAAACik/xaMhikgT_YouwxpDEGuhCWcq1F83MveHQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Saycon-Sengbloh.jpg" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saycon Sengbloh<br />1966 Donna Reed Scholar</td></tr>
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Cast includes Donna Reed Alumnus Saycon Sengbloh</h3>
Respect (to not be confused with Nat Geo’s upcoming Genius: Aretha sequence starring Cynthia Erivo) follows Franklin’s life from singing in her father’s church, to turning into one of the vital iconic figures within the music trade. The MGM biopic is ready to launch in theaters on October 9, 2020.<br /><br /><div>
Sengbloh was a 1966 Donna Reed scholarship winner in Acting and Musical Theatre. She has starred in a number of Broadway musicals. Her breakthrough came in 2015, when she was cast in Eclipsed, a play about five Liberian women and their tale of survival near the end of the Second Liberian Civil War. </div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-29713310717947429312020-03-17T13:25:00.001-05:002020-03-17T13:25:50.598-05:00Come From Away Celebrates Three Years on Broadway<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNlJGl9blik/WphAVUNu2zI/AAAAAAAAGpw/hVMTMYHL6XcPVTaUXksI0F6ISe5J5jyewCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/De%2527Lon%2BGrant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="620" height="112" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNlJGl9blik/WphAVUNu2zI/AAAAAAAAGpw/hVMTMYHL6XcPVTaUXksI0F6ISe5J5jyewCPcBGAYYCw/s200/De%2527Lon%2BGrant.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">De'Lon Grant<br />2002 Donna Reed Scholarship finalist</td></tr>
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Cast includes Donna Reed Scholar De’Lon Grant </h3>
The Broadway production of the international hit musical Come From Away recently celebrated three years on Broadway. The musical, which tells the true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the Newfoundland town that welcomed them in the immediate aftermath of September 11, officially opened on Broadway March 12, 2017.<br /><br />Grant, from Duluth, MN, was a 2002 Donna Reed Scholarship finalist in acting. He has appeared in a touring production of "Jersey Boys," and a production of "The Scottsboro Boys," where he played leader Haywood Patterson.<div>
<a href="https://www.playbill.com/article/see-come-from-away-celebrate-three-years-on-broadway" target="_blank">Read Playbill article</a></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-86699251532284598312020-03-17T13:08:00.000-05:002020-03-17T13:08:01.964-05:00Final Casting Announced for OTHER WORLDS at Bucks County Playhouse<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkV4dpFcQYE/XAmd8fo_wfI/AAAAAAAAIiE/FbKfkruZpQYMJpqY6WE4epSQFxIg0zDFACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Kristen%2BFaith%2BOei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkV4dpFcQYE/XAmd8fo_wfI/AAAAAAAAIiE/FbKfkruZpQYMJpqY6WE4epSQFxIg0zDFACPcBGAYYCw/s200/Kristen%2BFaith%2BOei.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristen Faith Oei<br />1999 Donna Reed Scholar</td></tr>
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Kristen Faith Oei will appear in the world premiere production of the new musical-comedy adventure, "Other World." The musical, which celebrates the ability to find heroes in unexpected places, begins performances at the Playhouse on March 13 and run through April 11 with an official opening night on March 28.<br /><br />Oei, a Fremont, Calif. native, and 1999 Donna Reed Foundation National Award recipient in Dance, most recently appeared in the Broadway production of “Spiderman:Turn Off The Dark”, understudying chorus and dance roles. <div>
<a href="https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Final-Casting-Announced-for-Hunter-Bell-Jeff-Bowen-and-Ann-McNamees-OTHER-WORLD-at-Bucks-County-Playhouse-20200306" target="_blank">Read the Broadway World article</a></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-53327005693161105082020-03-17T12:44:00.000-05:002020-03-17T12:44:46.778-05:00‘Black No More’ musical to premiere Off-Broadway<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U46fkLK5bTY/WpRhq7S2nYI/AAAAAAAAGpI/OtXN8r0wbdMFFmq7o3qZ9RsGeInR-OynQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/brandon-victor-dixon-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="827" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U46fkLK5bTY/WpRhq7S2nYI/AAAAAAAAGpI/OtXN8r0wbdMFFmq7o3qZ9RsGeInR-OynQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/brandon-victor-dixon-3.png" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandon Victor Dixon<br />1999 Donna Reed Finalist</td></tr>
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Cast includes Donna Reed Scholarship Alumnus </h3>
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Brandon Victor Dixon will appear in a modern musical adaptation of “Black No More,” a 1931 novel by George S. Schuyler satirizing race relations and a symbol of the Harlem Renaissance. It will receive its world premiere in the fall in an Off-Broadway production by the New Group. It will have a book by Oscar winner John Ridley( “Twelve Years a Slave”) and choreography by Tony winner Bill T. Jones (“Spring Awakening”). The cast will also include Jennifer Damiano (“Next to Normal”) and Theo Stockman (“Hair”). </div>
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Dixon, from Gaithersburg, Maryland, was a 1999 Donna Reed Scholarship finalist in Musical Theatre.</div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-58343805911979774482020-03-17T07:17:00.000-05:002020-03-17T12:50:42.055-05:00Santino Fontana Comes to Bay Area Cabaret<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KtR7h__upo0/WpCYK25EbAI/AAAAAAAAGoo/v-IxXI9eTG00dPjStaUApbFa478j8YHNQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/FontanaNBC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1280" height="111" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KtR7h__upo0/WpCYK25EbAI/AAAAAAAAGoo/v-IxXI9eTG00dPjStaUApbFa478j8YHNQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/FontanaNBC.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santino Fontana<br />
2000 Donna Reed Acting Finalist</td></tr>
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Versatile star with Donna Reed Scholarship ties</h3>
Tony winner Santino Fontana will make his San Francisco concert debut at the Venetian Room of the Fairmont Hotel May 10. </div>
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Santino Fontana won the 2019 Tony Award for his performance as "Michael Dorsey"/"Dorothy Michaels" in Tootsie, and a Tony nomination for his leading role as "Prince Topher" in Cinderella.</div>
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Fontana, from <span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Richland, WA, was a 2000 Donna Reed Scholarship finalist in acting.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.broadwayworld.com/san-francisco/article/Santino-Fontana-Comes-to-Bay-Area-Cabaret-in-the-Venetian-Room-20200226" target="_blank">Read full Broadway World article</a></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-75948485626648765712020-02-27T12:16:00.000-06:002020-02-27T12:16:25.425-06:00Save The Date<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ioBn434PY0Y/XlgE7eMaGeI/AAAAAAAAX9Y/BnFMN3DVZHsGqQyY7sKX-EQsJ7RW3ZN8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aristocats%2B1480x840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1480" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ioBn434PY0Y/XlgE7eMaGeI/AAAAAAAAX9Y/BnFMN3DVZHsGqQyY7sKX-EQsJ7RW3ZN8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/aristocats%2B1480x840.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>We've picked the production!</b></h3>
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<b>Children's Musical Theatre Workshop</b></div>
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<b>Grades K - 8</b></div>
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<b>June 15 - 20, 2020</b></div>
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<b>Denison, Iowa</b></div>
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<b>Mark your calendar for a musical workshop that's</b></div>
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<b>guaranteed to satisfy your acting interests</b></div>
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Sponsored by the Donna Reed Foundation</div>
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Registration forms in April</div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-77052010292231114192020-02-13T12:25:00.001-06:002020-02-13T12:25:19.496-06:00Watch “Les Miz” Tour Preston Truman Boyd's Performance of 'Stars'<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8sYX2YZbaE4/XcMzvCQMaHI/AAAAAAAAOxA/92cMsfhQBIczCUubmczw1jrHfgCO9fMjwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/preston_truman_boyd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="521" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8sYX2YZbaE4/XcMzvCQMaHI/AAAAAAAAOxA/92cMsfhQBIczCUubmczw1jrHfgCO9fMjwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/preston_truman_boyd.jpg" width="157" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preston Truman Boyd<br />2004 Donna Reed Scholar<br />Vocal and Musical Theatre</td></tr>
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<h3>
Donna Reed Award Recipient</h3>
Preston Truman Boyd is currently on the road playing Inspector Javert on the national tour of Les Misérables. The production recently closed a three-day run at the Orpheum Theatre in Omaha the latter part of January.<br />
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Boyd’s Broadway credits include Kiss Me, Kate, The Play That Goes Wrong, Sunset Boulevard, She Loves Me, One the Twentieth Century, Bullets Over Broadway and Big Fish.<br />
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Boyd was a 2004 Donna Reed National Scholarship recipient in both Vocal Music and Musical Theatre.<br />
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<a href="https://www.broadway.com/buzz/198246/watch-les-miz-tour-javert-preston-truman-boyds-luminous-performance-of-stars/" target="_blank">Read the Broadway.com article and watch his performance of “Stars.”</a><br />
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JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-85490012852742771282020-02-13T11:14:00.001-06:002020-02-13T11:14:28.243-06:00Signature Theatre’s “A Chorus Line” Earns 9 Helen Hayes Award Nominations<h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yahOCXeOJlk/W7UdxXtbEXI/AAAAAAAAIbk/6NnkY3FsoOwZGTJMBXj7pLwqgZVnMxYAwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Ben%2BGunderson%2BHeadshot%2BName.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yahOCXeOJlk/W7UdxXtbEXI/AAAAAAAAIbk/6NnkY3FsoOwZGTJMBXj7pLwqgZVnMxYAwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Ben%2BGunderson%2BHeadshot%2BName.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Gunderson<br />2005 Scholar - Musical Theatre</td></tr>
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<h3>
Donna Reed Scholarship recipient among nominees</h3>
Signature Theatre’s A Chorus Line received nine Helen Hayes Award nominations, including Outstanding Musical, Direction, and Ensemble, in the Hayes category (for predominantly Equity productions).<br /><br />Ben Gunderson (2005 Donna Reed National Award Recipient in Musical Theater) is nominated as a member of the best-ensemble nominee “A Chorus Line” by Signature Theatre. He is originally from Moorhead, MN.<br />
<br />Helen Hayes Awards recognizing excellence in theater in the Washington, D.C., area.JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-55036368975779100282020-01-22T11:57:00.000-06:002020-01-22T11:58:46.407-06:00Charles Fuller's "A Soldier’s Play" Opens on Broadway January 21<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-403SJpJg96U/XAmcrMVGLvI/AAAAAAAAIh4/fT16PVQYtuMva5u_Q1hZWvl_sZSawYeuQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Jared-Grimes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="1000" height="108" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-403SJpJg96U/XAmcrMVGLvI/AAAAAAAAIh4/fT16PVQYtuMva5u_Q1hZWvl_sZSawYeuQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Jared-Grimes.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jared Grimes<br />
2001 Donna Reed Scholarship in Dance</td></tr>
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<h3>
Cast includes Donna Reed Scholarship Recipient</h3>
<a href="http://www.playbill.com/person/roundabout-theatre-company-vault-0000115033" target="_blank">Roundabout Theatre Company</a> celebrates the official opening of <a href="http://www.playbill.com/production/a-soldiers-playamerican-airlines-theatre-2019-2020" target="_blank">A Soldier's Play,</a> Charles Fuller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, on Broadway January 21. <i>A Soldier's Play</i> follows an officer's race against his white leadership to unravel the crime of a black sergeant's murder. A hair-raising mystery set in 1944, the play is seen on Broadway for the first time.<br />
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Included in the cast is Jared Grimes who is cast as “Private Tony Smalls.” Grimes was a 2001 Donna Reed national scholarship recipient in dance. He made his choreography debut in Cirque Du Soleil's, <i>Banana Shpeel </i>off-broadway, He has choreographed the musical <i>Holler If You Hear Me </i>with Kenny Leon, <i>42nd Street </i>at Drury Lane Chicago with Michael Heitzman, and <i>The Scottsboro Boys </i>with Joe Calarco at the Signature Theater in DC.JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-80997273786496937672020-01-21T10:44:00.000-06:002020-01-21T10:44:10.039-06:00“The Rookie” Adds Once Upon a Time’s Mekia Cox <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SMtCGzp6-Sw/XicpSSviSkI/AAAAAAAAPWM/o5DT2STPSTsRCN8qTlcteEeFBnQTCPjaACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/mekia-cox-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="620" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SMtCGzp6-Sw/XicpSSviSkI/AAAAAAAAPWM/o5DT2STPSTsRCN8qTlcteEeFBnQTCPjaACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/mekia-cox-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mekia Cox<br />
1999 Donna Reed Scholarship finalist</td></tr>
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<h3>
1999 Donna Reed Scholarship finalist - Musical Theatre</h3>
<i>Once Upon a Time</i> princess Mekia Cox is returning to ABC. Cox, whose additional TV credits include <i>Chicago Med, Secrets and Lies, Impastor </i>and<i> 90210</i>, will play Nyla Harper, an LAPD detective who after four years of undercover work practically misplaced herself. Now, Nyla is hoping to seek out normalcy once more as she takes on the function of John Nolan’s new coaching officer.<br />
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JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-71099273988470911802019-12-17T11:41:00.002-06:002019-12-17T11:41:23.384-06:00Jared Grimes to Perform During World Premiere of Ted Nash’s Transformation<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-403SJpJg96U/XAmcrMVGLvI/AAAAAAAAIh4/fT16PVQYtuMva5u_Q1hZWvl_sZSawYeuQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Jared-Grimes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="1000" height="108" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-403SJpJg96U/XAmcrMVGLvI/AAAAAAAAIh4/fT16PVQYtuMva5u_Q1hZWvl_sZSawYeuQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Jared-Grimes.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jared Grimes</td></tr>
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<h3>
The piece will be presented at Jazz at Lincoln Center in 2020</h3>
Jared Grimes, a 2001 Donna Reed national scholarship recipient in dance, will debut a new dance piece during the world premiere of Ted Nash’s Transformation at Jazz at Lincoln Center January 30–February 1, 2020.<br />
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Tony-winning star of stage and screen Glenn Close will read aloud several works.<br />
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Grimes made his choreography debut in Cirque Du Soleil's, <i>Banana Shpeel off-broadway.</i> He has choreographed the musical <i>Holler If You Hear Me</i> with Kenny Leon, <i>42nd Street </i>at Drury Lane Chicago with Michael Heitzman, and <i>The Scottsboro Boys</i> with Joe Calarco at the Signature Theater in DC.JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-53404875673190067172019-12-15T15:22:00.000-06:002019-12-15T15:22:09.389-06:00‘Spirit Riding Free’ Christmas Special Teased in Delightful New Trailer<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WtdDHAYA8-E/Vi-Rrn2jeBI/AAAAAAAABzI/PZVNNNx6-MIXkB0NislU8YcqLimPz-oLwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Wahlgren%252C%2BKari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="210" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WtdDHAYA8-E/Vi-Rrn2jeBI/AAAAAAAABzI/PZVNNNx6-MIXkB0NislU8YcqLimPz-oLwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Wahlgren%252C%2BKari.jpg" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kari Wahlgren</td></tr>
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<h3>
Kari Walgren voices part of Aunt Cora</h3>
DreamWorks Animation unveiled the heartwarming trailer for the holiday special of its Emmy Award-winning series <a href="https://collider.com/tag/spirit-riding-free/" target="_blank">Spirit Riding Free </a>titled, <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81146370" target="_blank">DreamWorks Spirit of Christmas</a>. In this episode, Kari Walgren (DreamWorks Archibald’s Next Big Thing) voices the parts of Aunt Cora.<br />
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<i>Spirit Riding Free</i> is a computer-animated series, produced by DreamWorks Animation Television and distributed by Netflix, based on the 2002 Oscar-nominated traditionally-animated film, <i>Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron</i>. The series was first released on Netflix on May 5, 2017.<br />
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Walgren, a University of Kansas graduate from Hoisington, KS, was a 1995 Donna Reed Scholarship recipient in Acting and Vocal.<br />
<a href="https://collider.com/spirit-riding-free-christmas-special-trailer/" target="_blank">Read the article and watch the trailer</a><br />
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JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-59047749426908166452019-12-15T14:38:00.001-06:002019-12-15T14:38:39.734-06:00Scholarship alumna appears in Pasadena Playhouse production<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EjxfnYgfwfs/XfaY7VcWnvI/AAAAAAAAPHs/R1HWgFSG_mM8OP69puJaE_mFWWZJop17ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SarahUtterback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EjxfnYgfwfs/XfaY7VcWnvI/AAAAAAAAPHs/R1HWgFSG_mM8OP69puJaE_mFWWZJop17ACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/SarahUtterback.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah Utterback</td></tr>
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<h3>
2000 Donna Reed Foundation National Scholar in Musical Theatre</h3>
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Sarah Utterback, a native of New Hampton, Ia, recently appeared in a Pasadena Playhouse production of <i>A Kid Named Jake</i>. The play addresses a couple’s struggle with their four-year-old son's gender identity when they realize he might be transgender. Alex and Greg struggle to figure out what's best for their son as they apply for him to go to a private kindergarten in New York City.<br />
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Utterback is most notable for her role as Nurse Olivia Harper on ABC's medical drama series <i>Grey's Anatomy</i>. She is also a film and theater producer.JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-14231002185644959452019-12-14T17:03:00.000-06:002019-12-16T15:01:05.209-06:00Casting Announced for BLISS at The 5th Avenue Theatre<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XyAK_ycUJc/XAmZCvwIs0I/AAAAAAAAIhg/xXIBaIQRf0kFKyEIeIr6Qjc5qIzTLXQwwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/jose-luaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XyAK_ycUJc/XAmZCvwIs0I/AAAAAAAAIhg/xXIBaIQRf0kFKyEIeIr6Qjc5qIzTLXQwwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/jose-luaces.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jose Luaces</td></tr>
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<h3>
Includes Donna Reed Scholarship alumnus</h3>
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Jose Luaces, a 2003 Donna Reed Finalist in Musical Theater and a native of Miami, FL, has been cast as a member of the ensemble for the upcoming production of BLISS at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle.</div>
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Bliss is an electrifying new musical that tears up the rules on happy endings. In this fractured fairytale with an addictive pop-rock score, created at The 5th, four wildly distinctive royal sisters sneak out of their castle and discover an intoxicating world of fancy balls and dreamy princes-and a burning desire to be at the center of it all. In a world that demands they fit in, it will take a sister's love to remind them to stand out. Together they discover that chasing their bliss means leaving expectations behind.</div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-24752027587085012562019-12-14T16:41:00.000-06:002019-12-16T15:03:14.334-06:00Seneca Falls Celebrates "It's a Wonderful Life" Festival<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_Pq2Gk9ZrA/XfVj-S1frhI/AAAAAAAAPG4/QAuDNZ1mi-slIZiANIagP8EkyanzNYSDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IAWL_Festival.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="387" height="66" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_Pq2Gk9ZrA/XfVj-S1frhI/AAAAAAAAPG4/QAuDNZ1mi-slIZiANIagP8EkyanzNYSDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/IAWL_Festival.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 13-15, 2019</td></tr>
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<h3>
December 13-15, 2019</h3>
Seneca Falls, NY has been taken over by the classic Christmas movie “It’s A Wonderful Life”! The annual festival has a long list of themed events all weekend. But what most people look forward to is meeting the actors from the movie themselves!<br />
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Four actors from the film — Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu), Jimmy Hawkins (Tommy), Jeanine Ann Roose (Violet), and Carol Coombs (Janie) — have come to town to sign autographs and meet fans. Six actors from the 1946 film are still living; five were child actors at the time.<br />
<a href="https://therealbedfordfalls.com/" target="_blank">Visit the festival site</a>JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-20025980194850238672019-12-14T16:10:00.001-06:002019-12-14T16:35:28.351-06:00Jackie Schmillen appearing in Des Moines Playhouse production<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aoX0pjafpdM/XfVcmBT6dsI/AAAAAAAAPGs/0GjLHCDXQIoDPS9qDspQklPRLPeWP7U0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/JackieSchmillen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="112" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aoX0pjafpdM/XfVcmBT6dsI/AAAAAAAAPGs/0GjLHCDXQIoDPS9qDspQklPRLPeWP7U0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/JackieSchmillen.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackie Schmillen</td></tr>
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<h3>
1998 Donna Reed Iowa Scholarship Recipient in Acting</h3>
Jackie Schmillen, CW Iowa (KCWI) morning show host, is back on stage at the Des Moines Playhouse in the family holiday classic, <i>A Christmas Story: The Musical</i>, playing the role of Ralphie Parker’s mother.<br />
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Set in the 1940s in Hohman, IN, the musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts: an Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. Rebuffed at every turn with a similar echoing response ("You'll shoot your eye out!"), Ralphie plots numerous schemes to achieve his desperate desire for the coveted BB gun. All the iconic scenes from the movie are here: Ralphie's friend, Flick, getting his tongue stuck to the flagpole; his brother, Randy, getting dressed in his snowsuit; the bullies, Farkus and Dill; the leg lamp award; the bunny suit; the Bumpus hounds; and many others. We triple dog dare you to see this show!<br />
<a href="https://tinyurl.com/stq5o7v" target="_blank">Read a review</a><br />
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JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-55702033763245586582019-12-13T17:48:00.000-06:002019-12-13T17:48:48.391-06:00“Show Business, The Foy Way: Memoir of a Hollywood Casting Director”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDkrRuUsq7A/XfQib1EqSKI/AAAAAAAAPGY/0lvEd8NNpIg1bhlopbdSvw3Gpk7xbY3vACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/FoyBook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDkrRuUsq7A/XfQib1EqSKI/AAAAAAAAPGY/0lvEd8NNpIg1bhlopbdSvw3Gpk7xbY3vACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/FoyBook.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<h3>
Give a gift written by the casting director of The Donna Reed Show</h3>
In this candid autobiography, Eddie Foy III, grandson of Vaudevillian icon and son of a Broadway legend, takes you through the heartache and triumphs of his life. His illustrious career as a Hollywood casting director spanned more than four decades, which he honestly recounts with his behind the scenes anecdotes and humorous insight. No topic is off-topic as Eddie covers his relationships with the Hollywood elite and divulges his own pains, both personally and professionally. "Show Business, The Foy Way: Memoir of a Hollywood Casting Director" illustrates one man's journey: at times dark and gritty and other times joyous and magical.<br />
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Contact the Donna Reed Foundation for information<br />
<a href="mailto:info@donnareed.org">info@donnareed.org</a><br />
712-263-3334JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255219958160747748.post-60922162009496795672019-12-13T14:48:00.000-06:002019-12-13T14:48:27.319-06:00Ben Giroux appearing in Pasadena Playhouse Holiday Production<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyN5tODrQ8I/XfP344l0ThI/AAAAAAAAPGM/YBAv3Y91p2YlX9G-XhkU_f4L6G45XUMpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Hurley.Giroux.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyN5tODrQ8I/XfP344l0ThI/AAAAAAAAPGM/YBAv3Y91p2YlX9G-XhkU_f4L6G45XUMpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Hurley.Giroux.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John O’Hurley and Ben Giroux </td></tr>
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<h3>
Phoenix native was 2003 Donna Reed Foundation National Acting Award Recipient</h3>
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Ben Giroux has been charming Pasadena Playhouse audiences in the current production of PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL: A PIRATES' CHRISTMAS. Cast as Smee, Captain Hook’s right-hand man, he adlibs, interacts with the audience and connects with jokes obviously meant for adults.<br />
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What sets this production apart from others is that “Peter Pan & Tinker Bell” is a “panto,” an English tradition that usually starts with a familiar fairy tale or a children’s story, then adds music, humor, contemporary references, and audience participation where booing the villain and cheering the hero is encouraged. Filled with big laughs, magic, dancers and contemporary songs by everyone from Taylor Swift to The Bee Gees, this family show has a little bit of something for everyone.<br />
<a href="https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/curtain-up-6/" target="_blank">View the Laguna Beach Independent article and photos</a>JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782841456593550536noreply@blogger.com0