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.

Bonnie Hill, director of the upcoming production of Harvey at Church Hill Theatre, has assembled an outstanding cast for this iconic American play.  Harvey premiered on Broadway in late 1944, in the middle of World War II, bringing the nation a welcome dose of comedy and whimsy. Mary Chase’s play won the 1945 Pulitzer Prize and has been delighting audiences ever since.  Who knew that a six-foot-plus tall rabbit would become such a memorable presence in world culture?

Harvey is (mostly) visible only to Elwood P. Dowd, a carefree charmer who takes Harvey everywhere and introduces him to everyone.  This is so distressful to Dowd’s family and friends that they decide to institutionalize him. The sanitarium copes no better than the real world with an imaginary rabbit, but medical science does have methods to deal with Dowd.  Mary Chase’s solution of course allows Harvey to live on forever.

The ever-amiable Elwood P. Dowd is played by Frank St. Armour.  His frustrated sister Veta (Debra McGuire), niece Myrtle Mae (Karenna Foley) and Aunt Mrs. Chauvenet (Sheila Austrian) work with their lawyer, Judge Gaffney (John Kamp), to have him committed. The sanitarium staff then manage to botch things thoroughly by locking up Veta instead of Elwood. The psychiatrists Dr. Chumley (Brian McGunigle) and Dr. Sanderson (James Diggs), along with a clever nurse (Sharon Herz) and tough orderly (Michael Moore) do not bring order out of chaos.  Mrs. Chumley (Mary Ann McGunigle) and an irascible cab driver (Bob Chauncey) do help sort things out. And because Harvey is a pooka, he plays himself.

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.

Cast of Harvey at a read through of the script and discussion of the set. In clockwise order: Brian McGunigle (Dr. Chumley), Frank St. Amour (Elwood P. Dowd), Debra McGuire (Veta Louise), Karenna Foley (Myrtle Mae), Sharon Herz (the Nurse), James Diggs (Dr. Sanderson), Michael Moore (Wilson), Sheila Austrian (Mrs. Chauvenet), Mary Ann McGunigle (Mrs. Chumley). Not pictured: Bob Chauncey (EJ Lofgren)

Roald Dahl’s Matilda, The Musical, continues playing on weekends at Church Hill Theatre from June 9th until June 25th.  CHT’s annual spring musical is always a major production, with a large cast, live orchestra, and enthusiastic audiences. The cast and crew pull out all the stops to create on-stage magic and tickets are selling fast. CHT management suggests you purchase tickets now on the website churchhilltheatre.org or by calling the office at (410) 556-6003.

The world first met Matilda in 1988 through Roald Dahl’s young adult novel about a book-worm determined to surmount her problems at home and at school. Instantly memorable, Matilda (who has telekinetic powers) soon found herself in a hit movie, then a prize-winning West End and Broadway musical! CHT’s revival of the Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly original show is your chance to experience the heartbreak and joy of Matilda’s quest for justice and love.

While the cast includes 19 local young people as well as adult actors, Matilda, the Musical is far from a show just for children. Grownups will appreciate Roald Dahl’s sophisticated wit and teens will revel in Matilda’s subversive ability to deal with adults. Matilda’s parents are not just neglectful, they are supremely unfit to raise a child. The headmistress of Crunchem Hall School, Ms. Trunchbull, is not just strict; she is a proper Brothers Grimm villain. Nurturing adults of course exist, with a kind teacher and a wise librarian each supporting Matilda’s quest for a happier life. Matilda’s classmates bring exuberance and energy to the dystopian school setting, demonstrating the power of team spirit and cooperation.

Like all great musicals, Roald Dahl’s Matilda, the Musical builds the fun and excitement on a framework of real substance as well as superb music. Growing up is hard.  Parenting is hard. Teaching can be really hard. How we cope and grow is a measure of our maturity and character.  Matilda, the Musical stresses the value of words and knowledge, of resilience, of personal responsibility and, most of all, of love.

Directed by Sylvia Maloney, with musical direction by Erin Bradley and choreography by Cavin Moore, Roald Dahl’s Matilda, the Musical will play at Church Hill Theatre from June 9 – June 25, with performances at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays. Tickets are available on the website at churchhilltheaatre.org or through the CHT office at 410-556-6003.

Left to right:  Front row:  Schuyler Helmsley as Lavendar, Liam Kruhm as Eric,  Charlie Thomas as Nigel, Carly Mourlas as Matilda, Sydney Hill as Elsie, and Isla Clemens as Alice.

Back row:  Jocelyn Matera as Lucinda, Helen Willard as Clara, Addyson Crooks as Gemma and Maria Boone as Cecily.

The pose is from the end to the song “Revolting Children.”

Auditions for Harvey, Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama will be held at Church Hill Theatre on Monday and Wednesday, June 12^th and 14^th at 5:30 PM and Saturday morning, June 17^th at 10 AM. Directed by Bonnie Hill, the play runs three weekends from September 8 – September 24.

In this whimsical period comedy, Edward P. Dowd introduces his imaginary friend, Harvey, a six-and-a-half-foot rabbit, to guests at a society party given by his sister, Veta. She has seen enough of her brother’s eccentric behavior and decides to have him committed to a sanitarium to spare her daughter and the family further embarrassment. The results are both surprising and hilarious. In 1950, this delightful and amusing play was made into a film starring Jimmy Stewart.

Ms. Hill is looking to cast six men and five women in this period comedy. Ages for male and female characters range from 25 to 80. More information about the characters can be found on the Church Hill Theatre website: https://www.churchhilltheatre.org/shows/auditions.

Familiarity with the script is beneficial, but not necessary. Scripts are available for your perusal at CHT but must be returned.

Construction and technical assistance are also needed.

For further information, call/email Bonnie Hill at 410-708-2870/ [email protected]

Church Hill Theatre, in Queen Anne’s County, has been Delmarva’s premier venue for live drama for more than thirty years. CHT is actively seeking new talent to grow its reputation for excellence. If you have substantial theater experience and can commit the necessary time and attention, CHT would love to hear from you.

The Church Hill Theatre season, which will be announced in mid-June, usually includes four main stage shows (a mix of musicals, comedies, and dramas, each running for three weekends, an established summer camp for children, and occasional smaller productions. Directors receive a modest honorarium, but all the actors and crew members are volunteers. An estimated budget is created for each show’s set, costumes, and props, with musicals receiving a larger budget for musician stipends. Directors are responsible for managing the productions from auditions through the final performance, arranging an appropriate rehearsal schedule and recruiting a crew of set builders, costumers, light & sound designers, etc. CHT keeps a roster of willing and experienced volunteers for these positions but does not maintain a standing production crew.

Potential directors are invited to send contact information and a full theater biography and resume to the Theater Business Manager at [email protected]. Once the 2024 season is announced, applicants will be invited to present detailed proposals for the show or shows they would like to direct. Applicants who are unfamiliar with the theater facilities may arrange to inspect the stage, check out the sound and lighting systems, and discuss any other concerns by calling 410-556-6003. The CHT website, churchhilltheatre.org, has additional information about the organization and past productions.