Coming in December: CHRISTMAS BELLES
BLOODY MURDER – April 13-15 – Wieting Theater
The Catskill Community Players will present “Bloody Murder,” a parody on the British murder mystery genre, from April 13 through 15 at the Wieting Theatre in Worcester. In the diabolically different, laugh-out-loud comedy directed by Nancy Bondurant-Couch, each of the story’s characters may not be quite what he or she seems to be, and the behavior and choices of the group attending a soirée at an isolated country estate are being determined by a force outside their control. With elements that salute a classic Agatha Christie tale or Madeline L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” playwright Ed Sala challenges audience members to laugh, groan, and gasp — all the while playing stage-front detective.
Expect the unexpected as the show’s cast — Carol Dean, Diana Friedell, Scott West, Dr. Ben Friedell, and J Lentner — portray delightfully stereotypic stock suspense characters from the tricky maid, an incompetent chief inspector, and a wealthy dowager to the egocentric Major, a secretive countess, a money-hungry nephew, and the declining stage actor. Trapped in a complex and surprising scenario, the confused party guests plot comic yet risky strategies to protect themselves from an unknown assassin.
Set Design for “Bloody Murder” is by Raphael Sasson, with Kyra McKissick as Stage Manager, and Production Management by Diana Friedell and Christine Juliano.
Curtain times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 13 and 14; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 15. Admission is $18 and $15 for Seniors. Reserve a special Theater Dinner at the Worcester Inn, with the play, for $42 for Adults and $39 for seniors by calling at the Worcester Inn at 607-397-8500. Dinner (**see Menu below) is served prior to the Friday and Saturday performances and after the Sunday Matinee. To reserve online advance tickets for the show only, click the link below:
Performance tickets are also available at the door, starting one hour before showtime. For more information, find Catskill Community Players on Facebook.
Don’t Miss the Fun — Come for a delicious dinner at the Worcester Inn, too! Call ahead to reserve 607-397-8500.
Theater Dinner Menu Options:
All Dinners include Salad Bar, Dessert & Soup
(Bloody Bisque)
Entrées:
*BermudaTriangle (Maine lobster Tail & Honey Lime Shrimp Skewer)
*Cannibal (Crab Stuffed Shrimp)
*Colonel Mustard Chicken (Chicken Breast)
*Third Degree Burned (Crisp Boneless Pork LoinChop)
*Dahmer Steak (Delmonico Steak)
*Titanic–(Vegetarian)
Desserts: Pirates Rum Cake or Death by Chocolate
ALL IN THE TIMING – Nov. 3-5, Worcester – Nov. 10-12, Davenport Center
The Catskill Community Players present the award winning comedy-drama “All in the Timing”, by David Ives, for TWO WEEKENDS- Please note there are TWO completely different locations. . .
· November 3 & 4 at 8:00pm, & Sunday 2pm Matinee at the Wieting Theater in Worcester, preceded by an optional theater dinner at the Worcester Inn across the street, Sunday’s Dinner Follows the Matinee. The link below is for SHOW ONLY Tickets. If you prefer to reserve Dinner plus Show, on Nov. 3, 4 or 5, call the Worcester Inn for your reservations at 607-397-8500.
· November 10 & 11 at 8pm & Sunday, Nov. 12th Sunday 2pm Matinee at The Davenport Center for the Arts, located at 62 Davenport Ctr Rd 2, Oneonta, There is no associated Dinner. Show Only Tickets are purchased thru this link.
“All in the Timing” consists of 6 comic sketches about language, the meaning of life & complications in romantic relationships. In “Sure Thing”: a man and a woman (played by Diana and Ben Friedell, pictured above) meet for the first time in a cafe, where they have an awkward meeting that starts over again, each time they say the wrong thing, until, finally, they romantically connect.
Words, Words, Words tests the theory that 3 monkeys locked in a lab with typewriters (played by Bhala Jones, Christine Juliano & Alex Riba), will eventually write Hamlet.
Scott West plays a Language teacher in The Universal Language who is teaching his new student, played by Lissa Sidoli the dubious language of Unamunda;
Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread is a musical parody of minimalist composer Philip Glass, and features Rebecca Chien, Diana & Ben Friedell & Rick Ryther, with musical direction from Dan Chien.
In The Philadelphia: Two friends & their waitress (played by Judy Greenberg, Lissa Sidoli & Stacy Nelson) get entangled in an altered reality when they try to order dinner.
And last but not least, in Variations in the Death of Trotsky, Scott West plays the revolutionary, Leon Trotsky, who muses about his death from an assassin’s axe, as his gardner, played by Christopher Law, and his wife try to help him figure it all out.
Diana Friedell, President of the Catskill Community Players, is producing, Nancy Bondurant-Couch, who teaches theater classes at SUNY, is directing, with Gary Koutnik assistant directing, and Raphael Sason constructing sets.
TICKETS are $18 for adults and $15 for Senior Citizens & Students, and are Also Available at the Door, for both weekends.
On line Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/all-in-the-timing-tickets-38821874271
If you are looking to reserve A “Dinner Theater” Ticket (Dinner + Theater) Tickets are $42 for Adults, $39 for Senior Citizens, only for the November 3rd, 4th and 5th Show, Call the Worcester Inn at 607-397-8500.
For more information go to www.catskillplayers.org or find Catskill players on Facebook (Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/65056613773/
“Clever and Laugh out Loud Funny!”
Dinner Theater Menu 11-3, 4 & 5 at the Worcester Inn!
**All dinners include Salad Bar, Dessert and Choice of 2 soups –
Roasted Red Pepper, tomato, gouda Bisque & Autumn Bisque
*Sea food Duo—Maine lobster tail +Honey Lime Shrimp Skewer
*Crab Stuffed Shrimp– with Lemon, Butter + white lime sauce
*Rosemary, Herb Free Range Airline Chicken Breast—
Tender Free Range chicken, with Rosemary, finished with Balsamic reduction glaze
*Apple Crisp Boneless Pork Loin Chop
With caramelized apples and crisp topping finished with Brown Sugar Rum Glaze
*Delmonico Steak—with Bourbon Glaze + Compound Butter
*Vegetarian Zucchini Raft– Mushrooms, Garlic, Onions, Peppers, Tomato with Sweet Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Desserts : Choose from one of our Famous homemade desserts
MOM’S GIFT in Rehearsal
Lisa Hornick. Nancy Bondurant Couch, Danielle Purdy, Casey Thomas, Ben Friedell in MOM’S GIFT. Tonight & Tomorrow at 8:00 PM (Friday April 21, Saturday April 22), and Sunday Matinee (April 23) at 2:00 PM, at the Weiting Theater in Worcester, NY.
For reservations to the Dinner + Play, call the Worcester Inn at 607-397-8500. To buy tickets for the Play only, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/catskill-players-presents-moms-gift-tickets-33265459886.
MOM’S GIFT – April 21-23 – Wieting Theatre
The Catskill Community Players, now in their 43rd season, present the heartwarming family comedy “Mom’s Gift” by Phil Olson, at the Wieting Theatre in Worcester, on April 21st & 22nd at 8 pm, preceded by an optional special theater dinner at the Worcester Inn across the street, with a 2 pm matinee show on Sunday, April 23rd followed by dinner at the Worcester Inn.
In this comedy with a heart, Mom (played by Nancy Bondurant-Couch, CCP Director, and theater teacher at SUNY & Hartwick) has been dead for 11 months and shows up at her husband’s birthday party as a ghost with a mission. The husband is being played by a 20 year veteran of the CCP stage & local favorite, Dr. Ben Friedell.
Like Clarence in “It’s A Wonderful Life,” Mom has to accomplish a task to earn her wings. Only what the task actually is, is a mystery. There are so many things to fix. The problem is complicated by the fact that the only person who can hear or see Mom is her daughter, Kat, played by SUNY theater major, Lisa Hornick. Kat has been ordered by the court to spend Dad’s birthday with him as part of her Anger Management Program.
One by one, the family’s secrets are peeled away revealing a shocking truth that surprises even our ghost. The cast is filled out with Danielle Purdy playing Kat’s ditzy sister, “Brittney”, Casey Thomas playing Kevin, and Bhala Jones playing the nosey neighbor Mrs. Norquist.
Director Shadow LaValley was a theater major at SUNY Oneonta, and he is supported by a strong creative team, including Nancy Bondurant-Couch & Diana Friedell as Producers, with assistance by Dylan Thompson, Sapphira Koerner as Stage Manager assisted by Amethyst Gardner, Taylor Clark designing costumes, and Andy Frank as set designer.
Purchase Advance tickets for the Play only ($18 & $15 for Sr. Citizens) online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/catskill-players-presents-moms-gift-tickets-33265459886, or if Dinner + Play Ticket is preferred, make Reservations for the special rate of $42, $39 for Sr. Cit. by calling the Worcester Inn at 607-397-8500. Tickets are also available at the Door at the Wieting Theatre, starting one hour before performance times. For more information find Catskill players on Facebook (Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/65056613773/)
“A humorously poignant and thought provoking story… Touching and hysterical in turns…Heartwarming and compelling…This story is a heartfelt cross between family dynamics, the loss of a loved one, and the power of love.” -Tolucan Times
The Catskill Community Players and the Wieting Theatre are thankful to be the recipients of a 2017 Otsego County Community Events Grant.
DUETS – October 21-23 – Wieting Theater
The Catskill Community Players present the award winning romantic comedy “Duets”, by Peter Quilter, at the Wieting Theater in Worcester, on October 21st & 22nd at 8 pm, preceded by an optional special theater dinner at the Worcester Inn across the street, with a 2 pm matinee show on Sunday, October 23rd followed by dinner at the Worcester Inn.
DUETS is a hilarious tribute to the strength and madness of the human heart. It is a romantic comedy made of four sets of characters, having four crucial moments. In the first scene, Jonathan and Wendy (played by Ben Friedell and Diane Stammel) are on a blind date and hoping to get it right this time even though they’ve never got it right before; In the second scene, Barrie (played by Scott West) is not really interested in women but Janet sees that as no reason to stop trying; Shelley (played by Rebecca Maeder Chien) and Bobby (played by Shadow LaValley) have decided to holiday in Spain to finalize their divorce whilst drowning in cocktails; Angela (played by Diana Friedell) is marrying for the third time to the dismay of her brother Toby (played by Bill Goertemoeller) and amidst a barrage of bad omens and a dress resembling a parachute.
Diana Friedell, President of the Catskill Community Players, is producing, Nancy Bondurant-Couch, who teaches theater classes at both SUNY and Hartwick, is directing, with Lisa Hornick, a Theater major at SUNY Oneonta serving as stage manager, and Charlie Reiman constructing sets.
Purchase Advance tickets and Dinner Reservations ($42, $39 for Sr. Cit, $18 for Show Only) for the October 21st-23rd show by calling the Worcester Inn at 607-397-8500. For more information go to www.catskillplayers.org or find Catskill players on Facebook (Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/65056613773/
“This bittersweet quick-change comedy is streaked with pathos and is effortlessly charming, with each character sketched with verve and skill” (Sydney Morning Herald)
“DUETS” Dinner Theatre Menu
Vanya, Sonia, Masha & Spike
The Catskill Community Players present the award winning comedy, “Vanya, Sonia, Masha & Spike”, by Christopher Durang, at the Wieting Theater in Worcester, on May 13th & 14th at 8 pm, preceded by a special theater dinner at the Worcester Inn across the street, with a 2 pm matinee show on Sunday, May 15th followed by dinner at the Worcester Inn.
Siblings Vanya (Scott West) and Sonia (Abbey Koutnik) share the family homestead in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where they bicker and complain about their lives. Suddenly their movie-star sister, Masha (played by Diana Friedell), swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike (Shadow C. LaValley). Cassandra, their fortune telling housekeeper, played by Bhala Jones, forecasts impending doom when Nina (Katie McKenna), the beautiful young aspiring actress comes a calling and becomes the object of Masha’s jealousy.
Nancy Bondurant Couch, who has been the director for Oneonta High School Productions for the past eight years, is directing, with Diana Friedell producing, Charlie Reiman constructing sets and Laurie Wehmeyer stage managing.
Purchase Advance tickets and Dinner Reservations ($42, $39 for Sr. Cit, $18 for Show Only) for the May 13th-15th show by calling the Worcester Inn at 607-397-8500. For more information go to www.catskillplayers.org or find Catskill Community Players on Facebook.
“Deliriously funny. . . a heedless good time.”
– NY Times
AUDITIONS – Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Catskill Community Players Announce
AUDITIONS!!
“VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE”
Written by Christopher Durang
Directed by Nancy Bondurant-Couch
AUDITIONS
- Held at First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta
o Please bring a print out of your schedule/conflicts/commitments
- THURSDAY, March 3 at 7:00 pm
OR
- SATURDAY, March 5 at 2:00 pm
- If you want to audition but unable to attend either time, please contact the director for an alternate date/time to audition:
o or call 607-433-0575
PERFORMANCE DATES/LOCATION:
- MAY 13-15, at the Wieting Theatre in Worcester, NY, combined with Pre-Show Dinner at the Worcester Inn.
Synopsis:
Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home in Bucks County, PA, where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives. Suddenly, their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Old resentments flare up, eventually leading to threats to sell the house. Also on the scene are sassy maid Cassandra, who can predict the future, and a lovely young aspiring actress named Nina, whose prettiness somewhat worries the imperious Masha.
— Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play.
Character Descriptions (2 male, 4 female):
- Vanya: 50s, lives in Bucks County with Sonia, his adopted sister; resigned to his life, more or less, at least compared to Sonia
- Sonia: early 50s, lives in Bucks County with Vanya; discontent, upset, regretful
- Masha: 50s, Vanya and Sonia’s sister; a B-list movie actress who gallivants around the world. She has had five failed marriages and has recently taken up with a young actor, Spike.
- Spike: 29, Masha’s new companion; an aspiring actor who’s friendly, sexy, very well built and self-absorbed
- Nina: 20s, niece of Vanya and Sonia’s neighbors; an energetic and sincere would-be actress who is star struck by Masha
- Cassandra: (any age) Vanya and Sonia’s odd housekeeper; a soothsayer who often makes ominous predictions
- All roles are open. Performers of all ethnic and racial backgrounds are encouraged to attend.
- Everyone of college age and above is welcomed to audition.
Nancy Bondurant-Couch also directed ALMOST MAINE for CCP in November, and also has to her credits other plays in the community including some for Orpheus Theatre and Oneonta High School productions from 2006-2014, and. She currently teaches at SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College.
Back Up Plan
In the event that we are unable to cast VANYA and SONYA and MASHA and SPIKE, the back-up choice will be “DUETS: A comedy in four acts” by Peter Quilter which is billed as an examination of the chaotic world of love, relationships and why the “grass is never greener.”
REHEARSALS:
Flexible rehearsal dates, times and locations will be arranged after casting.
TECH & DRESS REHEARSALS: Will be scheduled between May 6 – 12
‘Almost, Maine’ Rehearsal Photos
