FUSE Productions

02/28/2022

After an exceptionally long hiatus, it's such a joy to announce that FUSE Productions is producing a reading of a brand new musical, called THE FOX SISTERS. Based on the true story of Katie, Maggie, and Leah Fox, it's the story of how the Spiritualism movement began in upstate New York in the mid-1800s.

The show has a book by Jessica Penzias, music by Anthony De Angelis, and lyrics by Christyn Budzyna, the authors of our 2019 children's show THE PRINCE'S NEW PET.

The reading will be on Sunday, March 20 at Singing Onstage Studios. More info about reserving a seat will come soon.

Our amazing cast:
Katie Fox ………………………….………………………...……....Nora Goudie
Maggie Fox……………………….………………………...…...... Olivia Biever
Leah Fox ………………………….…………………..…........…Rose Hanahan
Elisah Kane/Townsman…………………….…………….....… Logan Glaze
Mrs. Fox……………………………………….………….……...… Abbie Jensen
Rebecca Hyde/Clergywoman/Woman 2………...... Bethanie Louise
Mr. Fox/Committee Member 1/Man 1…………....... Jeff Buterbaugh
Mary Redfield/Woman 1/Reporter 1/Lily…….....…..Madeline Biever
Charles Redfield/Host/Man 2……………………................ Chris Hirsh
Hannah Duesler/Reporter 2/Mary/Spirit ..……………… Cat Rokavec
Artemas Hyde/ William Duesler...............…….. Connor Henderson

02/15/2022

Hey State College!
You have a few more chances to see a BRAND NEW MUSICAL! (How often do we get to do that?!?)

Penn State School of Theatre presents NOSTALGIA NIGHT, featuring an amazing cast of BFA musical theatre students, music directed by the one and only Richard Carsey, choreographed by the wonderful Kikora Franklin, and directed by the master John Simpkins, who is also Head of the BFA musical Theatre program.

The show plays tonight (Tuesday) through Saturday and you can purchase 2 for 1 tickets with the code NIGHT here:
https://am.ticketmaster.com/psuarts/buy?filterType=7

Go support these wonderful students and new musical theatre!

01/31/2022

AUDITON NOTICE!
NOTE: To schedule an audition, email director Elaine Meder-Wilgus: [email protected]

Open casting announced for Fallout, a new play that tells the real-life story of Major Claude Eatherly, a pilot driven mad by the horror of Hiroshima and his role in the bombing. This production moves through time and place with abstract sets, staging, and live musical score, using ensemble members to set the scenes. This is a new work, previously staged as a reading in 2019.

Full production slated for State College, PA, March 30-31, 2022. Written by Mary Gage and directed by Elaine Meder-Wilgus, Fallout will play in a house with a potential of 2000+ tickets. Actor will receive an honorarium.

Before auditioning, please confirm that you are available for in-person rehearsal in State College, PA from Sunday, March 13th through March 27th, followed by the TECH/show dates (non-negotiable) March 28-31. Tentatively scheduled with 4 performances, including 2 matinees. SUBJECT to CHANGE due to COVID concerns.

Fallout is one-act, about 90-minutes in length with much ensemble work, so plans are for 2 weeks of in-person rehearsals prior to tech/run dates. Prior to the beginning of formal in-person rehearsals, the following will happen virtually:

Full cast read-thru (1)

Table talks (2-3 with various actors)

COVID safety protocols in place:

Vaccination and boosters required

Rehearsal space has adequate ventilation

Social distancing, masks during majority of rehearsals

Testing during Tech and Run week

Production Dates for FALLOUT 2022:
Monday, March 28th:

Load-In and TECH at the theater

Cast called for cue-to-cue at the theater in evening

Tuesday, March 29th:

DRESS rehearsal, invited preview

Wednesday, March 30th:

School matinee (this is not confirmed) w/ talkback

Opening Night: 7:30pm curtain

Thursday, March 31st:
Matinee: 2pm

Closing Night: 7:30pm curtain

Load-Out

CAST:

Claude Eatherly (Buck) – imaginative, romantic and naïve Texan, to play ages 16 to 40. Major role.

Joe Eatherly – Buck’s brother. Solid, dependable and Texan, actor in 40’s to play ages 28 to 60. Major role.

Concetta Margetti/ensemble Buck’s wife – starlet from California. 25-35. Ethnicity: Latino/Hispanic

Jack Bivans/ensemble sergeant, from Chicago, assistant flight engineer on Straight Flush, 20s

‘Baldy’ Baldasaro/ensemble radio operator on Straight Flush. Italian American, 30s

Paul Tibbets/ensemble Buck’s commanding officer, 30 to 45

Hideko/ensemble a young Japanese girl

Dr. Frank/ensemble Ukrainian psychiatrist at Waco Veterans Hospital, in his 50s

Gunther Anders/ensemble German Jewish philosopher and moralist, mid 40s

Ralph Yarborough/ensemble Texan Senator - progressive Democrat, late 50s

Nate A modern Missileer, will be double cast from ensemble

Judge – live voice over. Can be cast from ensemble
Cast can also perform the role of judge, reporters, mental patients, and chorus.

NOTE: To schedule an audition, email director Elaine Meder-Wilgus: [email protected]

11/30/2021

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company | Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State

State College Friends! An amazing performance opportunity from the Centre for Performing Arts:
Dear Friends,
The CPA invites local participants to become a part of the cast of Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company’s new work What Problem? scheduled to be performed at Eisenhower Auditorium on Friday, February 11, 2022. The work requires 25 local cast members. We are hoping to create an ensemble reflective of the diversity of our campus and larger community and will be accepting nominations (self-nominations highly encouraged!) representing diversity along many dimensions, including but not limited to: race, gender, age (minimum of 18 years), socio-economic status, education level, and sexual orientation among them. Below is information on the company’s expectations of a cast participant. Please share this email with anyone you think might be interested in this opportunity, including but not limited to your students and colleagues. We will choose the final cast from among the total nominations.
Cast Participants Information
While dance or other performance experience or training is not necessary, cast participants will be required to comfortably perform for a public audience, sit down on the floor, quickly stand back up, and run onstage. For more information on What Problem? please visit the following link:
https://cpa.psu.edu/events/billtjones
In the week leading up to the performance, participants will rehearse with the professional cast as follows:
Monday, February 7: Rehearsal 6-9
Tuesday, February 8: Rehearsal 6-9
Wednesday, February 9: Rehearsal 6-9
Thursday, February 10: Rehearsal 6-9
Friday, February 11: 2:30-5:30 Tech Rehearsal with the performance at 7:30. Call time TBD.
You must commit to attending all rehearsals, which are tentatively to be held at Eisenhower Auditorium. There will be no unexcused absences or exceptions made to full adherence to the schedule above. If you know you will not be able to meet this complete schedule, please refrain from nominating yourself.
To be considered, each potential applicant must complete the attached brief application form:
Community Cast Participation Survey
This form at the above link is to be completed by December 8.
Please reach out to Cheri Jehu at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Thank you for considering this opportunity.

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company What Problem? 7:30 pm Friday, February 11, 2022 Eisenhower Auditorium What Problem? explores the tension between belonging to a community and feelings of isolation that many people have during these divisive political times. Bill T. Jones adapted What Problem? for pr...

11/28/2021

Can't think of a better way to honor Stephen Sondheim than to share moments from our productions. The breadth and variety of his work is astounding!
Thanks to Jennifer Marcovitch for pulling together some clips from the Sondheim shows we produced.
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
Directed by Emmy Frank Levine, Choreography by Donna Dunmire, Music Direction by Richard Biever, Set by Lino Toyos, Lights by Tyler Sperrazza , Costumes from the Arden in Philly, designed by Richard StClair, Stage Manager: Jessica Fleischman
Cast included: Jonathan O'Harrow, Asher Dubin, Talia Suskauer, Miranda Gelch, Johnny Link, and Alex Dorf.
SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM (Singing Onstage)
Cast: Olivia Biever, Hannah Bloom, Anna Marcovitch, Al Eburne, and Logan Glaze
ASSASSINS
Directed by Richard Biever, Choreography and SM by Jill Brighton, Music Direction by Garrett Martin, Set by Molly White, Lights by Tyler Sperrazza and Ethan Vail, and Costumes by Jenny Kenyon, ASM: Rachel Charney
The cast included Mike Waldhier, Tyler Sperrazza, Jonathan O'Harrow, Cat Rokavec, Kat Shondeck, Kyler Sherman-Wilkins, Steve Travis, James McCready, Justin Shondeck, Tim Vetere, Madeline Biever, Susan Chiovarou Burlingame, John Nichici, Chris Hirsh, and Leighton Smithwick
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
Directed (and Music Directed) by Richard Biever, SM and Choreographed by Jill Brighton, Set by Michael Benson, Lights by Tyler Sperrazza, Costumes by Julie Snyder, Sound by Michael Blake, ASM: Rachel Charney
The cast included: Tyler Sperrazza, James McCready, Madeline Biever, Katie Kensinger, Leah Mueller, and Jonathan O'Harrow
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
Directed by Richard Biever, Music Director Alex Shields, Set by Lino Toyos, Lights by Tyler Sperrazza, Projections by Andrew Haag, Costumes by Julie Snyder, Sound by Michael Blake, Stage Manager: Gail McCormick, ASM: Rachel Davis-Charney
Cast included J.D. Daw, Leah Mueller, Joyce Robinson, Norman Spivey, Martha Traverse, Abbie Jensen, James J Ruth, Sarah Rito, Jackson Pavlik, Bethanie Louise, Michaela Tloczynski, Jeff Buterbaugh, Connor Henderson, Susan Chiovarou Burlingame, Avalina Brannen, and Dylan Henderson.

08/27/2021

AUDITION NOTICE for The Stone Arch Players in Lewistown, PA.

The Stone Arch Players out of Lewiston are looking for a male actor - ages 20-35 - the lead character Bob Schoeder character.

Interested men can call Colette Hartzler at 717-348-1006.

Sarah is a nice Jewish girl with a problem: her parents want her married to a nice Jewish boy. She tells them she is dating a Jewish doctor and they insist on meeting him. Over the heated protests of her not-a-doctor boyfriend, she plans a dinner party and employs an escort service to send her a Jewish date-to-be. Instead, they send Bob Schroeder, an aspiring actor who agrees to perform the impersonation. Happily, he is extremely convincing in the role and Sarah’s parents, and Sarah, are enraptured.

Rehearsals Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 7 to 9 pm.

Shows November 5, 6 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 - Evening performances at 8 pm, the two Sunday Matinees at 2 pm

08/25/2021

AUDITION NOTICE: The Wild Party.
The Penn State School of Theatre
is looking for a male or non-binary identifying actor to join the cast for my thesis production of The Wild Party.
Below is the full official audition notice. Please read it carefully to ensure your success!
Contact director Alison Morooney via email to receive audition material mentioned below, at: [email protected]
****************************************************************************
Audition Notice
Penn State Centre Stage
The Wild Party by Andrew Lippa
The Wild Party is a rock influenced contemporary musical base on the 1928 Joseph Moncure March poem of the same name. The musical takes place over one night of debauchery among a group of show biz personalities and artists during the 1920’s prohibition era. Queenie is the mastermind behind the party, hoping that the chaos will create the perfect concoction for her abusive lover, Burrs, to meet his demise. While she plays out her plan she falls, in spite of herself, for newcomer Mr. Black. Their budding affair sends Burrs into a jealousy induced binge that results in madness. A struggle with a gun ensues, and Burrs is killed. Queenie, in an act of bravery and resilience, leaves the tragedy and life as she knows it behind her, setting out for the first time on her own.
CONTENT WARNING: This piece deals with some tough themes, including drug/alcohol use, intimate partner abuse, and gun violence. It is my strong belief that though these stories hold potential to be painful and traumatic, it is better that we shine light on them rather than keep them in the shadows; violence and hate thrive in secrecy. The Wild Party boldly takes on these themes, and does so with a narrative that centers and empowers the survivor.
Production Information
All rehearsals and performances will take place on campus in the Theatre Building. See the schedule below.
Rehearsals: 9/13-10/25
Monday-Friday, 6:30-10:30
*No Rehearsal Friday Oct 1.
*Rehearsal Saturday Oct. 9, time TBD
Tech: 10/26-11/4
Monday-Friday, 6:30-10:30
*Tech Rehearsal on Saturday Oct. 30, time TBD
Performances:
11/2: 7:30p Preview
11/4: 7:30p Preview
11/5: 7:30p (Opening)
11/6: 2p and 7:30p (2 show day)
11/8: 7:30p
11/9: 7:30p
11/10: 7:30p
11/11: 7:30p
11/12: 7:30p
11/14: 2:00
Seeking submissions for the following role:
Oscar
Male or non-binary identifying, any race/ethnicity; Range: A3-B5; this role calls for some dancing and stylized movement.
A composer and a pianist, loudly eccentric. He is one half of “The Brothers D’Armano,” a vaudevillian song writing duo along with Phil. They are “brothers” and lovers. Oscar is the salesman of the pair. Commanding and sure. (28-30)
To Submit:
—Record a video of yourself performing the provided material. Do your best to ensure you are in a well lit space, and that your audio is as clear as possible.
—Submit your video by Friday, August 27 at midnight via email to [email protected] (director) with the subject line Wild Party Submission_YOURNAME
—In the body of the email, include any conflicts you have with the above schedule. Your presence throughout the process will be paramount.
—After submitting, we may contact you to schedule a movement call on a date TBD. In this regard, please me mindful of your emails, and as prompt as possible in all correspondence.