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November 25, 2024

Centreville Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Centreville

6 Arts Notes Arts

Comedian Dan Brown to Appear at Church Hill Theatre September 29 and 30

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Dan Brown, a master of aggressive, straight-edge, stand-up comedy, will bring his humor to Church Hill Theatre for two performances only, on September 29 and 30. Dan has played at comedy clubs and colleges from Maine to Florida, at Disney World Resorts, and has appeared on the TV show “Huckabee.”  Dan promises a family-friendly show, suitable for teens but tough and honest enough for sophisticated adults.

Dan’s real life observations and experiences resonate strongly, bringing lots of laughs and a few uncomfortable insights. With references to contemporary culture, ranging from school bulling to playing Dungeons & Dragons, Dan has been particularly popular with Millennial and Gen Z audiences. He stresses the challenges of growing up, like building honest relationships and finding our own true selves.  If you want a sample, danbrowncomedy.com has a few video clips.

The Church Hill Theatre “Comedy Club” will present Dan Brown on Stage on Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30 at 8 pm. Tickets are only $20 if purchased online at churchhilltheatre.org or $25 at the box-office on performance nights.  Stand-up comedy rarely comes to Delmarva, so if you turn out for this special event, CHT will add more comedians to its annual schedule of plays and other shows.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Harvey, A Comedy Classic To Open At Church Hill Theatre

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Harvey, one of Broadway’s all-time biggest comedy hits, starts September 8 at Church Hill Theatre and will run through September 24. Opening on Broadway in 1944, Harvey played until 1949, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Best Play and delighting war-time audiences.  The 1950 film version starring Jimmy Stewart then endeared Harvey to millions of people around the world. This Church Hill Theatre revival directed by Bonnie Hill will bring this iconic six-foot-tall rabbit to a whole new generation. 

Chumley’s Rest staff with potential psychiatric patients: Left to Right, Elwood P. Dowd (Frank St. Armour), Orderly Wilson (Michael Moore), Dr. Sanderson (James Diggs ), Dowd’s sister Vera Simmons (Debra.McGuire ), Nurse Kelly (Sharon Herz ) and Dr. Chumley (Brian McGonigle)
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The play’s premise is simple—The Dowd family and their friends cannot enjoy a normal social life because Elwood brings his best friend Harvey everywhere.  Harvey is what we would call a “party animal” but in addition to liking a drink, Harvey is an invisible pooka and, oh yes, also a very large rabbit. Elwood’s sister Vera decides that a long, even permanent, stay at Chumley’s Rest, a psychiatric facility, is the only solution. But a mix-up puts the wrong Dowd inside and the medical establishment is no match for pooka magic. By the end of the play, even the shrinks are struggling to define reality.

The always charming  Elwood P. Dowd is played by Frank St. Armour.  His frustrated sister Veta (Debra McGuire), niece Myrtle Mae (Brianna Johnson) and aunt Mrs. Chauvenet (Sheila Austrian) work with their lawyer, Judge Gaffney (John Kamp), to have him committed. The sanitarium staff then do their best but psychiatrists Dr. Chumley (Brian McGunigle) and Dr. Sanderson (James Diggs), along with a helpful nurse (Sharon Herz) and tough orderly (Michael Moore) are unable to bring order out of chaos.  Mrs. Chumley (Sheila Austrian) and an irascible cab driver (Bob Chauncey) eventually help sort things out. And because Harvey is a pooka, he plays himself.

Assisting Bonnie Hill on the production team are Stage Manager Steve Atkinson, Producer Sheila Austrian, Set Designer Earl Lewin, Set Construction Chief Carmelo Grasso, Lighting Designer Doug Kauffman, Assistant Stage Manager Jean Messick, Costumer Christina Johnson and Properties Chief Wendy Sardo.  

Lead image” Elwood introduces Harvey to his sister and aunt: Left to Right: Vera Louise Simmons (Debra McGuire ), Mrs. Chauvenet (Sheila Austrian), Elwood P. Dowd (Frank St. Armour)

Harvey opens at Church Hill Theatre on Friday, September 8 and will run until September 24. Performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and on Sundays at 2 pm.  Tickets are available on the CHT website: churchhilltheatre.org or through the box-office at 410-556-6003.

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Audition Call for God of Carnage at Church Hill Theatre

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Michael Whitehill, well-known in the local arts community for his masterly direction of edgy contemporary plays, needs four brave actors for Church Hill Theatre’s November production of God of Carnage by Yazmina Reza. Auditions will be held on the CHT stage on Saturday, August 12, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, Sunday, August 13, from 1:30 to 3:00 pm, and Tuesday, August 15, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.  Production dates are November 3-19.

The play, a hilarious but bitterly dark comedy, won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play and the British 2008 Olivier award. The film version, Carnage, was directed by Roman Polanski and starred Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly.

The premise is simple: after two 11-year-old boys have a playground fight, their sophisticated parents meet for a cordial and civilized discussion. But, as the evening progresses, the adult conversation degenerates; the grown-ups are as unable as the boys to resolve their differences.

There are no small parts in this emotionally difficult and dialogue-heavy play. Casting is completely open to four actors between the ages of 35-55 for the roles of Alan, Annette, Michael, and Veronica. Actors should come prepared for a cold reading from the script. Because ensemble work will be particularly important in this play, auditions also will include other readings, movement exercises, and/or interpretive activities. Whitehill also invites potential crew members to attend auditions, as there are always behind the scenes production opportunities.

Church Hill Theatre is located at 103 Walnut Street in Church Hill, Maryland. The CHT website, churchhilltheatre.org, has more information about past productions and current activities. You may also call the CHT office at 410-556-6003 if you have a question about the audition.

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Psychic Medium at Church Hill Theatre June 28th

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For one night only, on June 28, 2023, acclaimed medium Debbie Wojciechowsk will return to Church Hill Theatre to help connect patrons with their loved ones who have passed. As an Evidential Medium with extensive training in the U.S. and England, she is an expert in both near-death experiences and grief counseling.

Debbie does not perform on a stage, but works more intimately, connecting members of her audience with loved ones who have moved beyond their physical lives. As she channels each message, she hopes to bring comfort and awareness to people that there is a life after this one: our loved ones are always with us. Her clients have described her as empathetic and down-to-earth, with a real gift for sensitive readings.

A native of Baltimore, Ms. Wojciechowski holds a Master of Science degree from Johns Hopkins University.  She has enjoyed a 25-year career in federal law enforcement and is a nationally acclaimed and certified Evidential Medium. An Evidential Medium is an individual who can communicate with Spirt.  This information can be unequivocally verified and is evidence of the human’s soul survival beyond physical life.

Whether you are a believer or a skeptic, this could be the perfect outing on a warm summer night.  Many find Medium Debbie particularly insightful.  Tickets to her June 28 appearance may be purchased at churchhilltheatre.org for $50.  Reservations can also be made by calling the Church Hill Theatre office at (410) 556-6003

For more information about Debbie Wojciechowski and her work, please visit mediumdebbie.com or follow her on social media at facebook.com/mediumdebbie and instagram at @mediumdebbie.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.