PHILIPSBURG – The Arts and Culture Center of the Moshannon Valley YMCA announces an upcoming opportunity for people to get involved in a fun, creative activity, as MOVeALong Community Theatre will hold auditions for its upcoming 2007 theatre productions of “Death By Chocolate” and ‘Working.”
The auditions will be held Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Moshannon Valley YMCA.
Interested people who are 16 years of age or older should attend the audition night.
There will be an informational meeting on Wednesday beginning at 6 p.m. to offer important information regarding the two shows, including a tentative rehearsal schedule, performance dates, audition materials, and more. Should anyone not be able to attend this information session, all of the information is available online at or by calling Stephen Switala at 342-2543 or Emily Kelly at 343-4947.
“Death By Chocolate” is a murder comedy play by Paul Freed that offers a hilarious storyline as members of the newly renovated Meadowbrook Health Resort are dropping like flies, including famed chef Edith Chiles! On the eve of the grand re-opening, this is not the best advertisement! It’s up to John Stone, the manager, to find the cause and the murderer. Delightfully sarcastic and cynical. Stone finds himself teaming up with Ed Parlor, mystery writer and amateur sleuth, in a wacky race against time. The clues point to a sinister box of chocolates, and the suspects include all the outlandish characters working for the resort. Could it be Lady Riverdale, owner of the resort, and a woman with dark secrets? Or Ralph Deadwood, gym instructor and all around cad? Dick Simmering, the aerobics instructor? Anne, the panic stricken nurse? Or could it be “Sweet Pea” Meadowbrook, overweight and grieving daughter of the recently deceased founder of the resort? Combining all the elements of classic murder mysteries with a scathing satire of today’s health crazes. This production is slated to be presented March 2-4.
“Working” is based on the best-selling book of interviews with American workers by Studs Terkel. Working is a musical adaptation that explores the American workday from the Monday morning blues to the second shift blahs using the original words of some uncommon common men and women. Twenty-six workers, including a schoolteacher, a parking lot attendant, waitress, millworker, mason, trucker, fireman, and housewife – just to name a few – sing and talk about their jobs, defining not only their daily round, but their hopes and aspirations as well. It’s a highly original look at the American landscape that’s simply impossible to forget. This production is slated to be presented May 11-13. Those interested in auditioning for “Working” will be asked to sing a vocal selection of their choice at the audition.
MOVeALong Community Theatre is a program of the Moshannon Valley YMCA’s John Manner Arts & Culture Center that strives to provide the people of the greater Moshannon Valley area with an opportunity for community involvement and cultural enrichment through the fun and excitement of theatrical production and performance. Just recently, MOVeALong performed its first shows, A Partridge in a Pear Tree and The Long Christmas Dinner at the historic Rowland Theatre in Philipsburg. In addition to “Death By Chocolate” and “Working,” MOVeALong is hoping to produce “Little Women,” the musical, in December.
MOVeALong was formed to provide an opportunity for people of all ages who enjoy acting and theatre and who were looking for a creative outlet for their talents. In addition to MOVeALong, the Arts & Culture Center offers a Summer Youth Theatre program, which will be producing “The Music Man” in summer 2007. Questions regarding any of the YMCA Drama activities can be directed to Stephen Switala, Producer at 342-2543 or by e-mail to steve@ymcadrama.org.
