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Local Director Hired
for “The Producers”
for “The Producers”
It has been announced by the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, of Chagrin Falls, that local director / producer, J.E.Ballantyne, Jr. will direct their production of the Mel Brooks musical hit, THE PRODUCERS in July of 2010. This will mark the first local production of the hit musical since it was released for community theatre companies. Keith Stiver will serve as Musical Director.
A rousing hit on Broadway, THE PRODUCERS is based on the cult film classic of the same name from the 1960s which starred Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. In typical Mel Brooks style, the plot follows a down and out Broadway producer who cons his sheepish accountant into helping him with an elaborate scheme to produce a Broadway flop. The accountant discovers, quite by accident, how you could make more money with a flop than with a hit. With the “worst play ever written” well in hand, they launch their plan to riotous results. The original Broadway production starred Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.
Ballantyne’s theatre career has spanned more than four decades and has ranged from stage management to directing to producing to acting and writing. He has stage managed shows for top celebrities and has worked for both the Civic Light Opera of Pittsburgh and the Kenley Players. For seven years he toured with Chamber Theatre Productions of Boston. His powerful award winning Holocaust drama, BLOCK 5, will be produced by his production company along with the Victorian Players and the Main Street Theater in January of 2010.
Auditions for the show are scheduled at the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre for May 2, 3, 2010. Local actors are urged to consider auditioning for roles since this is an open call with no roles being pre-cast. Audition information may be obtained by calling Ballantyne at 330-799-6176 or by visiting www.jandbproductionarts.com.
The show will open July 23 for a five weekend run.
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The following letter has been submitted as a Letter to the Editor at both the Vindicator anmd the Warren Tribune. The letter appears here in its entirety. The newspaper versions will probably be edited somewhat. Let us know your comments.
EDITOR:
In response to the July 14 article in The Vindicator, “Keeping the Arts in the Picture,” by Ben Donenberg (Los Angeles Times). Mr. Donenberg was apparently told recently, by some no-name philanthropist, that the arts are not an essential part of life.
His above mentioned article is an excellent retort to the stupidity and ignorance of too many people (particularly in government and education), who feel the same as that wayward, misguided philanthropic “do-gooder.”
No, the arts don’t put “points on the board” or Budweisers in your hand (for a small loan at the ballpark), but they do put purpose, integrity, motivation, fulfillment, education, empathy, guidance, dreams, imagination and an all around sense of accomplishment into its participants. And this is not just true of kids but also adults. And although, I am speaking mainly of the performing arts, this is true of every facet of the arts.
The Youngstown / Warren area is blessed to have as many local theatres as it does. Many larger cities cannot boast of more than 16 theatres and performing arts organizations. Everybody raves about the athletic talent in this area but ignores the amount of artistic talent in this area. Yet, with all of this art happening in this relatively small area, the Youngstown Playhouse had to close for nine months. Granted, some of the problems were their own. But many of those problems stemmed from diminished support. Congressman Ryan did not even know that they had closed even though it was all over the news. But he would have been right there had one brick fallen from Stambaugh Stadium with a thumb plugging up the hole until repairs were made.
Government leaders need to “lead” in this area. You’ll find almost all of them glad handing at a Penquins game but very few attending a show at the Oakland Center for the Arts, Victorian Players or Youngstown Playhouse. Why? Because they must know our “friendly philanthropist” from Mr. Donenberg’s article.
Art reflects our lives. Art IS our lives. And the performing arts play out some part of everyone’s life at one time or another. And if the arts are our lives ----- then the arts ARE ESSENTIAL!!! For if we lose the arts, then we lose our lives!
Many things in our society need help right now. But the arts are in drastic need and have been for many years. It is time for the government, as well as the rest of us, to step up and take responsibility for the arts in our community and in so doing, you are taking responsibility for the enrichment of your own life as well as the lives of all of the people in this valley. For who are we without art? Take a look at any third world country. Is that who we want to be?
The new season is about to begin ----- SEE YOU THERE!!
J.E.Ballantyne, Jr.
Youngstown Area Community Theatre Alliance
In response to the July 14 article in The Vindicator, “Keeping the Arts in the Picture,” by Ben Donenberg (Los Angeles Times). Mr. Donenberg was apparently told recently, by some no-name philanthropist, that the arts are not an essential part of life.
His above mentioned article is an excellent retort to the stupidity and ignorance of too many people (particularly in government and education), who feel the same as that wayward, misguided philanthropic “do-gooder.”
No, the arts don’t put “points on the board” or Budweisers in your hand (for a small loan at the ballpark), but they do put purpose, integrity, motivation, fulfillment, education, empathy, guidance, dreams, imagination and an all around sense of accomplishment into its participants. And this is not just true of kids but also adults. And although, I am speaking mainly of the performing arts, this is true of every facet of the arts.
The Youngstown / Warren area is blessed to have as many local theatres as it does. Many larger cities cannot boast of more than 16 theatres and performing arts organizations. Everybody raves about the athletic talent in this area but ignores the amount of artistic talent in this area. Yet, with all of this art happening in this relatively small area, the Youngstown Playhouse had to close for nine months. Granted, some of the problems were their own. But many of those problems stemmed from diminished support. Congressman Ryan did not even know that they had closed even though it was all over the news. But he would have been right there had one brick fallen from Stambaugh Stadium with a thumb plugging up the hole until repairs were made.
Government leaders need to “lead” in this area. You’ll find almost all of them glad handing at a Penquins game but very few attending a show at the Oakland Center for the Arts, Victorian Players or Youngstown Playhouse. Why? Because they must know our “friendly philanthropist” from Mr. Donenberg’s article.
Art reflects our lives. Art IS our lives. And the performing arts play out some part of everyone’s life at one time or another. And if the arts are our lives ----- then the arts ARE ESSENTIAL!!! For if we lose the arts, then we lose our lives!
Many things in our society need help right now. But the arts are in drastic need and have been for many years. It is time for the government, as well as the rest of us, to step up and take responsibility for the arts in our community and in so doing, you are taking responsibility for the enrichment of your own life as well as the lives of all of the people in this valley. For who are we without art? Take a look at any third world country. Is that who we want to be?
The new season is about to begin ----- SEE YOU THERE!!
J.E.Ballantyne, Jr.
Youngstown Area Community Theatre Alliance