The Catskill Community Players’ next production, The Savannah Sipping Society, will be staged at the historic Wieting Theater in Worcester, November 3rd & 4th at 8:00 p.m., and November 5th at 2:00 p.m. This hilarious and heart-warming comedy by Jones, Hope, and Wooten is directed by Lissa Sidoli.
Four unique women with a strong desire to escape their day-to-day routines are brought together by Fate at a yoga class, leading to an impromptu happy hour. Each is confronting her own unexpected and challenging life event, leaving each lost and uncertain. Over the course of six months, filled with laughter, hilarious misadventures, and occasional liquid refreshment, these middle-aged women successfully bond and find the confidence to restart their lives.
Come join us at either of the evening shows, or at the matinee!
This event is made possible with public funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by The Earlville Opera House.
The Catskill Community Players announce auditions for “The Savannah Sipping Society” a Comedy by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten
Directed by Lissa Sidoli
The Catskill Community Players announce auditions for their Fall Comedy, “The Savannah Sipping Society”, a comedy by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, and directed by Lissa Sidoli. Roles are available for four women, ages 50-70, at all levels of acting experience.
Auditions will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St. (use Church Street entrance) on Sunday, August 13, @ 3:00PM, and Tuesday August 15, @ 6:30PM. Those who wish to audition should bring a schedule of conflicts from August 21 through November 5 for rehearsal planning purposes. Those auditioning will be asked to read pages from the script, which will be provided. If you would like to preview a script, contact the director, Lissa Sidoli, at sidoli19@yahoo.com. The play will be presented on November 3rd and 4th at 7:30 p.m., and November 5th at 2:00 p.m., with a possible additional matinée on November 4th at 2:00 p.m., at the historic Wieting Theatre in Worcester, NY.
Play Description: In this delightful Jones, Hope, & Wooten comedy, 4 unique women all needing to escape day-to-day routine are brought together by Fate at a yoga class and an impromptu happy hour. Each is confronting her own individual, unexpected, and unsettling life event leaving each lost and uncertain. Over the course of six months, filled with laughter, hilarious misadventures, and occasional liquid refreshment, these middle-aged women successfully bond and find the confidence to restart their lives.
Character Descriptions:
Randa: -perfectionist/workaholic struggles to cope with surprise career derailment
Dot: -must restart new life from scratch after beloved husband’s death and at a loss as to how to begin
Marlafaye: -earthy, boisterous; leaves Texas after cheating husband leaves her for his 23 year old dental hygienist to start over in Savannah, but how?
Jinx: -spunky ball of fire offers services as a much needed life coach full of ambition but little experience.
CCP events are made possible with public funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a program of the NYS Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by The Earlville Opera House.
CCP is a recipient of a Community Events Grant administered by the Otsego County Government.
If you can volunteer to help us in any way on the production we need you! (Stage Managing, Costuming, Lighting, Ushering, Sets, Painting, Props, etc.) please reply to this email or call/text Diana Friedell if you would like to participate. dianafriedell@gmail.com; Phone: (607) 433-2089.
AUDITIONS:
WHEN: Sunday, August 13th 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. AND Tuesday, August 15th 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
WHERE: First United Methodist Church Fellowship Room (Located on the corner of Chestnut and Church Streets. Enter through the Church Street door on the left side of the building.)
or by Special Arrangement w/Director Lissa Sidoli
BRING: Your Calendar so you can note your conflicts- any times you are NOT available to rehearse for rehearsal planning purposes. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Performance Dates: Friday, November 4, 2023 at 7:30 pm (possibly) Saturday, November 5, 2023 at 2 pm Saturday, November 5, 2023 at 7:30 pm Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 2 pm
All performances are at the Wieting Theater in Worcester, NY. Rehearsals will be both in Oneonta and in Worcester.
The Catskill Community Players’ next production, Office Hours, will be staged at the Worcester Theater May 19, 20, & 21. This fast-paced comedy by Norm Foster is directed by Nancy Bondurant-Couch.
The cast includes Michael Breglia, Ben Friedell, Diana Friedell, Maria Johnson, Lee Lattimer, Caitlin Liberati, Rebecca Maeder-Chien, Ben Magill, Andy Puritz, Charlie Reiman, Diane Stammel, and Laurie Wehmeyer.
For more information and tickets, visit the CCP website: http://catskillplayers.org or the Catskill Community Players Facebook page.
Catskill Community Players present a dramatic reading of Phil Olson’s new play “Love or Best Offer”, a comedy about the trials of online dating for the Over 50 generation. Directed by Lissa Sidoli, admission is free, donations are welcome. The L.A. author plans to be in attendance via ZOOM, and welcomes questions & comments. Attend in person (seating is limited) or via zoom. Get link when you register. Desserts, wine & beverages are available by donation. This is a fundraiser for CCP, bringing quality theater to the Otsego County community since 1974!
The show features actors Linda Reese, Kristin Sloth, Mark Murphy, and J Lentner.
Phil Olson has written 18 published plays that have had over 450 productions in seven countries. Twelve of his plays are published by Samuel French/Concord Theatricals. Mr. Olson will join us via Zoom from Los Angeles and welcomes audience feedback.
The Catskill Community Players announce auditions for their spring comedy, “OFFICE HOURS”, written by Norm Foster.
Director Nancy Bondurant-Couch invites all those who are interested to give it a try. Flexible casting allows up to 16 roles with a variety of genders and ages (20s and up.)
Auditions will be held in the fellowship hall of the First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta.
Saturday, March 4 at 3:00
Sunday, March 5 at 3:00
Those who wish to audition may attend either of those dates.
Scripts will be provided at the Audition. Nancy asks that you bring your calendar with you to audition, so you can submit your conflicts for creating a rehearsal schedule.
Performances will be held at
The Wieting Theatre
168 Main Street, Worcester, NY 12197
Friday, May 19 at 7:30 pm
• A possible matinee performance Saturday, May 20 at 2:00 pm
Office Hours is a full-length comedy by Norm Foster. Six separate stories are unfolding in six separate offices on one Friday afternoon. In true Norm Foster style, it makes us laugh at our humanity, cleverly linking a TV news producer, a pair of Canadian movie producers, a rather unsavory agent, an entertainment lawyer, a horse track owner. and a psychiatrist. This highly acclaimed theatrical comedy is a madcap race towards quitting time. It’s a wild ride with an ending that sends the audience into a collective howl.
Produced by Diana Friedell, Lissa Sidoli, and J Lentner
This delightful, unique comedy was chosen as #1 pick by New York Magazine, featuring 13 comedic short plays and monologues based on exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Mix in artists, security guards, critics, lovers, curators and one very special night of comic hilarity! Even the artwork speaks to the audience!
FOUR PERFORMANCES
TWO MATINEES
Friday November 4, 7:30pm
Saturday November 5, 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday November 6, 2:00pm
FEATURING:
Ben Friedell Diane Stammel Mark Murphy
Diana Friedell Carol Dean Maria Johnson
Gary Koutnik Ben Magill
Rebecca Maeder Chien Charlie Reiman Caitlin Liberati
Christine Juliano Lee Lattimer Abbey Koutnik
Andy Puritz Kath Roth Lissa Sidoli
Rosemary Summers Kathy Varadi
www.catskillplayers.org
The Catskill Community Players is a not-for-profit community theater group founded in 1974. Its purpose is to provide and promote high quality theater to communities everywhere in Upstate NY.
The group has, most recently, been performing at the Wieting Theater in Worcester, NY. They have also performed at Delhi Tech’s Farrell Hall Little Theater, Foothills Performing Arts Center, and at Stamford Central School.
In September 2016, Catskill Community Players merged with Catskill Theatre Works, a beloved Delhi, NY based theater company under the direction of Alan Davino for 16 years.
The Players’ first production was in 1975 with Life with Father and over the years, they have put on 78 productions. Neil Simon’s Rumors in 2022 was CCP’s celebratory return from the pandemic pause.
So many dedicated directors, actors and production staff members have put in countless hours preparing for and presenting each of these productions. We love to make the audience laugh, cry, find joy and forget the world, even for a little while! Thank you for supporting community theater at its best. Your program ad, should you choose to place one, will be viewed by hundreds of your neighbors & clientele. “Exhibit This! The Museum Comedies” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
We’re Baaack! Join the laughter and celebration as the Catskill Community Players bring Neil Simon’s hilarious comedy, Rumors, to the Wieting Theatre.
About this event
UPDATE: PLEASE NOTE: Safety Measures for All Performances: Wearing masks is now required at all times inside the theater building, in order to protect our cast, crew, and audience members.
The Catskill Community Players, celebrating their 48th year, are proud to present Neil Simon’s fast-paced, side-splitting comedy RUMORS at the Wieting Theatre, 168 Main St. in Worcester, NY, April 29th, 30th, at 7:30 pm, and a 2pm Matinee on May 1st, 2022.
The Wieting Theatre is a historic gem-, built in 1910, the theatre was host to many vaudeville troupes, touring across the U.S. by train and stopping to perform at the Wieting. We often hear the phrase “ If only walls could talk, the stories we would hear”- and yet in this theater, the walls DO talk: Signatures of cast members from past shows from as far back as 1920 adorn the backstage walls.
Rumors Plot Summary: On a lovely night in June, at a large, tastefully-appointed townhouse, the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of farce! Gathering for their tenth wedding anniversary, the host lies bleeding in the other room, and his wife is nowhere in sight. His lawyer, Ken, and wife, Chris, must get “the story” straight before the other guests arrive. As the confusions and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity.
A cast of local favorites await you in this hilarious telling of a celebration gone wrong. Maria Johnson and Ben Friedell are Ken and Chris Gorman, the first on the scene at the anniversary bash; J Lentner and Diane Stammel are the next to arrive, as Lenny and Claire Ganz; soon after that, Diana Friedell and Mark Murphy appear as Cookie and Ernie Cusack; rounding out the couples are Michael Tamburrino and Rhiannon LaCross as the young and ambitious Glenn and Cassie Cooper. Also joining the cast are Charlie Reiman and Abbey Koutnik as the officers Welch and Pudney, who show up wondering what’s true, and what’s not.
RUMORS is under the direction of Lissa Sidoli, with Diana Friedell producing, stage management by Deb Bruce, Diane Stammel in charge of costumes, and a set designed by Andy O’Dell and Charlie Reiman, with set painting & decoration by Abbey Koutnik.
UPDATE: PLEASE NOTE: Safety Measures for All Performances: Wearing masks is now required at all times inside the theater building, in order to protect our cast, crew, and audience members.
Please note that in order to protect our cast, crew, and audience members, these safety measures can change at any time.
Ken Gorman, played by Dr. Ben Friedell, plotting with his wife Chris, played by Maria Johnson, what to do when they arrive for a fancy anniversary party and the hosts are not there!“Ernie” played by Mark Murphy, helps his wife “Cookie” (Diana Friedell) with her back spasm.Senator Glen Cooper (played by Michael Tamburrino) is having a little spat with his wife Cassie (played by Rhiannon LaCross).Lenny (played by J Lentner) arrives at the dinner party a little worse for wear after someone hit his BMW. Claire (Diane Stammel) tends to her swollen lip.
The Catskill Community Players host auditions for Rumors by Neil Simon, directed by Lissa Sidoli, and produced by Diana Friedell.
Auditions Location: Foothills PAC (ATRIUM), 24 Market, Oneonta Dates & Times: Wednesday, September 29, 5:30-7pm Sunday, October 3, 3:00-4:30pm And…….over Zoom by appointment Thursday, September 30, 5:30-7
Performances will be held at the Worcester Wieting Theater, Worcester, NY April 29, 30, at 8 pm and May 1 at 2 pm (2022)
Seeking Actors for 4–6 female roles and 4–6 male roles, age range 30-70
Those who wish to audition should bring a schedule of conflicts from January 10 thru May 1 (2022) for rehearsal planning purposes. Those auditioning will be asked to read pages from the script, which will be provided.
Play Description: “America’s premier comic playwright delighted audiences with this out-and-out funny offering.
Four couples are at the townhouse of a deputy New York City mayor and his wife to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary. The party never begins because the host has shot himself in the head (it’s only a flesh wound) and his wife is missing. His lawyer’s cover-up gets progressively more difficult to sustain as the other guests arrive and nobody can remember who has told what about whom. Doors slam and hilarity abounds as the couples get more and more crazed.”
Character breakdown 10 roles 4-6 men 4-6 women
CHRIS GORMAN – attractive woman, beautifully dressed, 30-60, lead role KEN GORMAN – husband to Chris, lawyer, smartly dressed, 40-70, lead role
CLAIRE GANZ – attractive woman, evening gown, 30-60, supporting role LENNIE GANZ – husband to Claire, tuxedo, 40-70, tax attorney, supporting role
COOKIE CUSACK – wife to Ernie, cooking show host, 30-60, bad back injury, supporting role ERNIE CUSACK – husband to Cookie, psychotherapist, deferential, 40-70, supporting role
GLENN COOPER – handsome, 40-70, running for Senate, featured role CASSIE COOPER – very attractive, 30-60, well-dressed, featured role
OFFICER WELCH – strong vigorous 30-50 male or female, featured role OFFICER PUDNEY – younger 30-40, female, featured role
More information on the Catskill Community Players, this 46 year old theater company, which has recently merged with the Catskill Theatre Works of Delhi, can be seen at www.catskillplayers.org, or find Catskill Community Players on Facebook.
For more information, to review a script, or to schedule Zoom audition, please contact Lissa Sidoli at sidoli19@yahoo.com.
Otsego and Delaware County-based Catskill Community Players presents a Halloween weekend production of Noël Coward’s 1941 ghost story farce “Blithe Spirit,” with performances Oct. 25, 26, and 27 at the Wieting Theatre in Worcester.
Otsego and Delaware County-based Catskill Community Players presents a Halloween weekend production of Noël Coward’s 1941 ghost story farce “Blithe Spirit,” with performances Oct. 25, 26, and 27 at the Wieting Theatre in Worcester.
The classic supernatural comedy centers on irascible socialite and novelist Charles Condomine, who invites eccentric medium and clairvoyant Madame Arcati to his house to conduct a séance, hoping to gather material for his next book. The scheme backfires when he is haunted by the ghost of his scheming first wife Elvira after the séance, much to the chagrin of his current spouse Ruth. The notion of ”til death do us part” is further turned on its head when Ruth is accidentally killed and joins Elvira as a duo of blithe spirits who haunt their hapless husband with hilarious consequences in this dark comedy.
Catskill Community Players’ production is directed by Nancy Bondurant-Couch and produced by CCP President Diana Friedell. The show features Carol Dean as Ruth, Ben Friedell as Charles, Caitlin Liberati as Edith, Becky Maeder Chien as Madame Arcati, Cassandra Miller as Elvira, Mark Murphy as Dr. Bradman, and Diane Stammel as Mrs. Bradman. The production team includes stage manager Kyra Wehmeyer, costumes by Diane Geerken, and set design by Andy O’Dell and Abby Koutnik.
Famous for his wit and flamboyance, the award-winning British playwright and actor Noël Coward wrote ”Blithe Spirit” after his London apartment had been destroyed in the German’s Blitz bombing campaign as an escapist comedy for British audiences. Produced more than 2,000 times since its premiere, the 78-year-old ”Blithe Spirit” is still entertaining audiences with its witty script and mystical premise.
General Admission Tickets Performances of CCP’s production of ”Blithe Spirit” are at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27. The show is about 2 hours, 30 minutes, with one intermission. General admission tickets are $18, and student/senior tickets are $15 with ID. Tickets are available at www.catskillplayers.org or at the door starting one hour before performances at the Wieting Theatre, at 168 Main St. in Worcester. Tickets are also available at the Green Toad Bookstore in Oneonta and the Worcester Inn in Worcester.
Dinner and Theater Combination Tickets In conjunction with CCP’s production, The Historic Worcester Inn, across the street from the Wieting Theatre at 151 Main St. in Worcester, is offering a combination dinner and ticket package, as well as a discount on overnight stays at the Inn. The combination tickets are $42 ($39 for seniors) and include a ticket to the show and a buffet dinner. Pre-show dinners are offered before Friday and Saturday’s 8 p.m. performances, and a post-show dinner is offered after Sunday’s 2 p.m. matinee. For reservations, call the Worcester Inn at 607-397-8500.
About Catskill Community Players Catskill Community Players is a community theater group founded in 1974 with the purpose of ”promoting and presenting theater in the community.” Based in upstate New York’s Delaware and Otsego counties, its membership is drawn from the communities of South Kortright, Hobart, Stamford, Jefferson, Delhi, Franklin, Oneonta, and surrounding areas. The group typically produces two shows per year: one musical and one straight play. Most performances are currently presented at The Wieting Theatre in Worcester. Past performances have been presented in South Kortright Central School’s Harbaugh Hall, Stamford Central School, and the Farrell Hall Little Theatre on the campus of SUNY Delhi.
The Catskill Community Players, a Community Theater Company in their 44th season, will present “The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby”, a heartwarming comedy, on April 5, 6, and 7 at the Worcester Wieting Theater, in conjunction with a dinner at the Worcester Inn. The production will be directed by Nancy Bondurant-Couch, and is produced by Diana Friedell and Raphael Sason with sets by Raphael Sason and Abbey Koutnik.
The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby is a beautifully written story about one small town, five big-hearted people, and a big fish. Written by award-winning Canadian playwright Norm Foster, this quirky, funny, and heartwarming comedy comes complete with romance, broken hearts, and the hunt for the elusive catfish named Hollis McCauley.
Uptight investment banker James Bell (played by Scott West) is on his way to present a very important speech when his car breaks down in the wilderness town of Kooshog Lake. Finding himself stranded with little to do, he is lured into participating in the annual fishing derby, which offers a prize of $92,000 to the angler who can catch Hollis McCauley, the legendary catfish named for its resemblance to the local high school shop teacher! Soon James realizes that he is the fish out of water, and we follow this city boy as he is bewildered and beguiled by the people he meets. Lissa Sidoli plays Sienna, the owner of the town’s only store; Dr. Ben Friedell plays Kirk Douglas, the owner of the town’s garage and bait & tackle shop; Abbey Koutnik plays Rhonda, the flirty hotel owner; and Caitlin Liberati plays Melanie Morningside. James gets a crash course in fishing, but the real lessons he learns are about life. There’s laughter all through this charming and funny fish story, a story that’s filled with real people and real heart.
Performances are at 8pm on Friday & Saturday, April 5 & 6, 2019; and on Sunday, April 7th there is a 2pm matinee. Tickets are $18, and $15 for Students & Seniors.There is a special Dinner Theater rate when you reserve Dinner & Play Tickets at the Worcester Inn, (across the street from the Wieting Theater) of $42 and $39 for Seniors. Reserve Dinner and Show by calling the Worcester Inn at (607)397-8500.
Sunday’s dinner is served AFTER the matinee. Coming from out of town? The Worcester Inn is discounting an overnight stay for theatergoers! For those not attending the dinner, tickets may be obtained online at www.catskillplayers.org (see the “buy tickets” link above), or at the door of the Wieting Theater starting one hour before performance time.
