An excerpt from a 15 October ‘45 News Tribune editorial praising the Hovey Players, “…expansion…would be the acquisition of a large building, possibly a barn structure would satisfy…” (It was ever thus…)

Courtesy of Ralph Tomao, Hovey Historian

• Fresh Fields
• Ladies in Retirement
• Sweethearts

A musical by James Valcq

Stage Direction by Tom Berry

Music Direction by Mario Cruz

Choreography by Linda Sughrue

Produced by Leigh Berry and Mark Sickler

A musical comedy reflecting the American ideals and foibles of the Eisenhower era.

Songs, dances, and laughs abound in the unlikeliest of settings as the Cold War and space race paranoia threaten the good folks at the fictional Milwaukee Space Center in 1955, where the staff is all abuzz at the arrival of rocket scientist Trenton Corbett. The budding romance of Trenton and Mary—the daughter of Space Center commander Major Malone—is jeopardized when a flying saucer lands in Milwaukee. The craft is piloted by Zombina, a buxom alien aviatrix bent on procuring he-specimens to re-populate her planet.

Can Mary uphold her lady-like demeanor while using her facile intelligence to save Milwaukee from a Red Menace and a flying saucer invasion? Can plucky delivery boy Billy ever get secretary Charlene to notice his tap-dancing charms? Can the stalwart men of Milwaukee survive brainwashing by a musical menace from another world who gives new meaning to “stratospheric” soprano? Taking its cue from pulp movies popular at the time, ZOMBIES FROM THE BEYOND brings the 1950s nostalgically and hilariously to life with a tuneful, toe-tapping score.

Performances: May 15-30, 2009

8pm on May 15, 16, 22 (sold out!), 23 (sold out!), 28, 29 (sold out!) & 30 (sold out!), 2009
2pm on May 24, 2009

Extra performance added! Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 2pm!

Tickets $20.00 general admission, $18.00 for students/seniors.
For reservations (or to be added to the waiting list for sold out performances), please call (781) 893-9171 or email reservations@hoveyplayers.com.

Hovey Gives Back

Our Hovey Gives Back partner for Zombies From the Beyond is New England Center for Homeless Veterans

The New England Center for Homeless Veterans is a non-profit organization and continues to be a facility that is substance-free and that empowers veterans in need with the tools to achieve independent living.

Headquartered in downtown Boston, the Center has served over 15,000 homeless veterans since its inception in 1989 and its service philosophy continues to be based on themes of sobriety, structure, and employment. The Center is recognized as one of the most effective private veteran’s transition programs in the country.

Please visit their web-site for more information.

By Neil LaBute

Directed by Mario Salinas

Some Girl(s) is a romance that follows a man on his search for redemption, acceptance, and an old flame he may want to re-ignite. Some Girl(s) exposes the selfish motivations behind saying sorry … LaBute’s vignettes of man behaving badly and his probing emotional scars will make almost everybody, male and female, wince with recognition.

Performances: March 13-28, 2009

8pm on March 13, 14, 20, 21, 26, 27 & 28, 2009
2pm on March 22, 2009

Tickets $16.00 general admission, $14.00 for students/seniors.
For reservations, please call (781) 893-9171 or email reservations@hoveyplayers.com.

Hovey Gives Back

Our Hovey Gives Back partner for Some Girl(s) is Places of Hope International

The work of Places of Hope International focuses on abandoned and abused children. We strive to provide the children with a stable, loving home that carries forth a plan of hope through a Christ based relationship with God. Your one-time gift or monthly sponsorship will impact people all over the world. Your gift can change lives. This is your opportunity to give a handful of hope.

Please visit their web-site for more information.

By Charles Busch

Directed by Mark Sickler

“Gidget”, Frankie and Annette beach party epics and Hitchcock psychological suspense thrillers such as “Spellbound” and “Marnie” are given a shotgun marriage. Chicklet Forrest, a teenage tomboy, desperately wants to be part of the surf crowd on Malibu Beach in 1962. One thing getting in her way is her unfortunate tendency towards split personalities. Among them is a black checkout girl, an elderly radio talk show hostess, a male model named Steve and the accounting firm of Edelman and Edelman. Her most dangerous alter ego is a sexually voracious vixen named Ann Bowman who has nothing less than world domination on her mind.

Performances: January 16 – 31, 2009

8pm on January 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30, & 31, 2009

All 8pm shows, except Thursday, January 29th, are now sold out. Please call or email to be added to the waiting list, in case of cancellations.

2pm on January 25, 2009 (SOLD OUT)
Additional performance added! 2pm on January 31, 2009

We are accepting wait list requests for sold out performances (please call or email).
Tickets $16.00 general admission, $14.00 for students/seniors. For reservations, please call (781) 893-9171 or email reservations@hoveyplayers.com.

Hovey Gives Back

Our Hovey Gives Back partner for Psycho Beach Party is Community Servings

Community Servings is dedicated to providing free, home-delivered meals to people homebound with acute life-threatening illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, breast and other cancers, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, liver and kidney disease, hepatitis, and lupus. Each day we provide 725 clients, their dependent families, and their caregivers with nutritious meals, reaching out to those in greatest need in 16 cities and towns throughout eastern Massachusetts. Our goals are to help our clients maintain their health and dignity, provide nutritionally and culturally appropriate meals, preserve the integrity of their family, and send the message that someone cares. Please visit our web-site for more information.

Production staff
Producers – Ronni Marshak & Mario Salinas
Stage Manager – Mario Salinas
Asst. Stage Manager – Nicole Sparks
Costume Designer – Martha Heller
Hair/Wig/Make-Up Consultant – Kimmerie Jones
Set Designer – Kristin Hughes
Sound Designer – Robin Gabrielli
Lighting Designer – Dan Jentzen

Cast
Chicklet – Teresa McNamara
Kanaka – Mike James
Berdine – Stephanie Haddad
Star Cat – Jason Fenton
Marvel Ann – Maryellen Mitrano
Nicky – Elizabeth Zaino
Bettina – Lauren Hall
Provoloney – Anthony DiBartolomeo
Yo-Yo – Bill DeRusha
Mrs. Forrest – Kami Crary
Dee-Dee – Scott Cohen

By Neal Utterback

Directed by Gordon Ellis

A comedy of hope.

It’s Christmas Eve in New York City, where a deadly blizzard threatens a decaying society, and where six lost souls cling desperately to the last vestiges of the American Dream. At the center of the storm, a mysterious man who may just be their last chance for redemption. Neal Utterback’s “second.” weaves three tales into one, setting in motion a comedic spiral where the only answers available are to questions of faith, and where belief may be all that matters.

Performances: November 7-22, 2008

November 7, 8, 14, 15, 20, 21 & 22 (evening), November 16 (matinee)

Tickets $16.00 general admission, $14.00 for students/seniors. For reservations, please call (781) 893-9171 or email reservations@hoveyplayers.com.

Cast
Jake – Kevin Peterson
Davey – Mike Bash
Man – Bill Stambaugh
Lauren – Kimberly McClure
Vick – Melissa Sine
John – Jorge Martinez
T – Teresa McNamara

Production Staff
Director – Gordon Ellis
Producer – Kristin Hughes
Stage Manager Paul Zack
Lighting Design – Matt Silverstein
Set Design – Jim Gross
Sound Design – Robin Gabrielli
Costumes – Leigh Berry, Kristin Hughes
Fight Choreographer – Chris Cardoni

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Jessie Olson

One of Shakespeare’s most enduring and well-known tragedies of star crossed lovers in the midst of their families’ passionate feud.

Performances: September 19 – October 4, 2008

8pm on October 2, 3 and 4, 2008

Our production is now fully reserved. You may reserve for the wait list. If you are on the wait list, please arrive at the theater at 7:30 pm to see if tickets become available. As tickets are released they will be given to people on the wait list in order in which the request was received, but ONLY IF THE PARTY IS PRESENT. Otherwise the name will be passed over until more tickets become available.

Tickets $16.00 general admission, $14.00 for students/seniors. To add your name to the waiting list for one of the remaining performances, please call (781) 893-9171 or emailreservations@hoveyplayers.com. Or, subscribe to our whole season!

Cast:

Romeo – Tom Giordano
Juliet – Rebecca Baumwoll
Capulet – William Doscher
Lady Capulet – Sara Jones
Nurse – Ronni Marshak
Friar Laurence – Peter Floyd
Mercutio – Gabrielle Hatcher
Tybalt – Michael Haddad
Benvolio – Jorge Martinez
Paris – Bill DeRusha
Balthasar – Lauren Hall
Escalus – Stephanie Haddad
Montague – Lis Adams

Production Staff:

Stage Manager – Mark Sickler
Fight Choreographer – Edward Eaton
Choreographer – Eve Summer
Lighting Designer – Matthew Silverstein
Asst. Lighting Designer – Mark Sickler
Sound Designer – Robin Gabrielli
Costume Designer – Kristina Perry
Publicity – Leigh Berry, Kristin Hughes, Tracy Sullivan, and Susan Harrington

Reviews:

David Brooks Andrews in the MetroWest Daily News on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Denise Taylor in the The Boston Globe on September 25, 2008

By Wendy MacLeod

Directed by Mark Sickler

The House of Yes was this year’s offering at the annual EMACT Drama Festival. The festival took place at The Groton School, June 13-17. Hovey participated along with 12 other Eastern Massachusetts community Theaters.

Produced by Michelle Aguillon and Stage Managed by Nicole Sparks, with lighting by Michael Clark Wonson, set design by John Mackenzie, and sound by Robin Gabrielli. The show was assisted by a dedicated run crew, which included Gabrielle Aguillon-Hatcher, Sara Jones, Mario Salinas, Michelle Aguillon, and Kristin Hughes.

Hovey received nominations for Best Actress (Gnatowski), Best Supporting Actress (Marshak), Lighting Design, and Sound Design. Hovey was honored with two awards this year, one for Sound Design and a special Adjudicators’ Award for Notable Theatrical Risk Taking. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew for an oustanding showing!

About the festival:

One of the highlights of the EMACT theatre season is the Annual Community Theatre Drama Festival, held in the late spring of each year. The popular long weekend event, which can accommodate a maximum of 18 participating member companies, entertains as well as educates. It’s an opportunity to witness a wide range of theatre and learn from professionals who adjudicate each production presented.

More information about EMACT can be found on their web-site: www.emact.org.

Cast (In Order of Appearance):

Jackie-O – Philana Gnatowski
Anthony – Angus Merry
Mrs. Pascal – Ronni Marshak
Marty – Judson Pierce Lesly – Jessie Olson

By Christopher Lockheardt

Directed by Michelle M. Aguillon

Hovey Players is proud to again be part of the Boston Theater Marathon, taking place at the Calderwood Pavilion, Sunday, May 11, 2008. This Marathon performs 50 plays by 50 companies in 10 hours! Michelle M. Aguillon will direct “Helluva Poker Face” by Christopher Lockheardt. The Cast includes J. Mark Baumhardt, Michael Sean Corbett, Claude Del, and Mark Sickler.

About the Boston Theater Marathon:
Funded in part by the Humanities Foundation of Boston University, founded and produced by the Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, the Boston Theater Marathon, now in its tenth year, is a one-day ten-hour event each Spring. Fifty 10-minute plays are selected from a pool of 300 greater Boston playwrights and are produced by a different New England theatre company between 12 noon and 10 pm on Sunday May 11th. All net profits from the tickets, merchandise and door prizes are given to the Theater Community Benevolent Fund. Come for any show or stay all day with your all-day pass.

The Boston Theater Marathon is the largest gathering of theatre professionals in New England.  Since the birth of our festival in April of 1999, we have seen 412 ten-minute plays in nine annual Sundays by playwrights including David Mamet, Robert Brustein, Theresa Rebeck, Ernest Thompson, Ed Bullins, Israel Horovitz, Melinda Lopez, Ronan Noone, John Kuntz, Sinan Ünel and hundreds of locally known playwrights.  Over 100 producers, directors, and actors volunteer their time each year.  But names and numbers do not tell the whole story.  The past nine Boston Theater Marathons have also raised over $100,000 for charities including the Theatre Community Benevolent Fund, a StageSource-managed charity that assists area theatre artists who have suffered a catastrophic event.

The Boston Theatre Marathon will be presented at the Wimberly Theatre, located at 527 Tremont Street.

For more information about the Theater Marathon, please visit the Boston Theater Marathon site.

By Barbara Lebow

Directed by Frank Moffett

“A Shayna Maidel” (a beautiful girl), by Barbara Lebow, is a story (late 1940s) about a young polish girl, Rose, in her twenties, who came to the United States with her father, Mordechai, at the age of four and is now completely “Americanized.”  The plan had been for Rose’s mother and sister to join the others, but her sister fell ill with scarlet fever, the mother stayed on to care for her, and soon the rise of the Nazis cut off their escape.  Their ordeal in the concentration camps, which only the sister survived, has brought a burden of guilt to the aging Mordechai and deeply mixed feelings as he awaits the arrival of his elder daughter, Lusia, who has, at last, found her way to America.  With her halting English and old world ways, Luisa is a striking contrast to Rose, who is somewhat embarrassed by her rediscovered sister’s presence, and fearful that it will threaten her own hard-won independence.  Distraught, and concerned that she may never be reunited with Duvid, her young husband, Lusia embraces a series of memories and fantasies which make real the joys and horrors of her life before the war.  But when Mordechai gives Rose a letter from her mother, a “proof” of family is somehow restored, and old barriers give way to a renewed sense of hope and mutual dependence, and the conviction that a better future may yet arise from their troubled past.

Performances: May 2-17, 2008

May 2, 3, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 at 8pm, and May 11 at 2pm

Tickets $15.00 general admission, $13.00 for students/seniors. For reservations, please call (781) 893-9171 or email reservations@hoveyplayers.com.

Almost Fully Reserved!

Cast

Kris Reynolds as Rose Weiss
Sonia Maslovskaya as Lusia Weiss Perchenik
Joel Hersh as Mordecai Weiss
Evan Bernstein as Duvid Perchenik
Kimberly McClure as Mama
Kate Lovell as Hanna

Production staff

Assistant – Bruce Kantor
Stage Manager – Jessie Olson
Asst. Stage Manager – Gabrielle Aguillon-Hatcher
Production Assistant – Mark Sickler
Costume Designer – Kimmerie H.O. Jones
Light Designer – Jeremy Medicus
Sound Designer – Ed Council
Set Designer & Dress – Michelle M. Aguillon, Gabrielle Aguillon-Hatcher, & John MacKenzie
Props – Susan Aliber & Nancy Zagami
Publicity – Leigh Berry & Susan Harrington
Photography – Michelle M. Aguillon & Gabrielle Aguillon-Hatcher
House Manager – Kristin Hughes
Box Office Mngr & Reservations – Ronni Marshak
Webmaster – Eric Houghton Producer – Michelle M. Aguillon

IRNE Nomination!

The IRNE Awards for productions January 1 through December 31, 2008 were held April 6, 2009. Congratulations to Sonia Maslovskaya for her Best Supporting Actress award! She won for her performance as Lusia Weiss Perchenik in Hovey’s A Shayna Maidel.

The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards were founded by Beverly Creasey of the Journal Newspapers and Larry Stark of TheaterMirror in 1997. The IRNE Awards recognize the extraordinary wealth of talent in the Boston theatre community. IRNE Reviewers include among others David Brooks Andrews, Sheila Barth, Jules Becker, Kay Bourne, Beverly Creasey, Joe Crowley, Shirley Esthimer, Richard Fahey, Guy Giampapa, Norm Gross, Rudy Kikel, Beatrice Lee, Kilian Malloy and Larry Stark.

By Jane Martin

Directed by Bill Doscher

“For your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too…”

Pro-life. Pro-choice. Who is accountable, God or man? What man or woman can be accountable for a human life?

What is the extent of individual freedom?

What is a rape victim’s right? What is a Christian’s duty?

These are among the infinitely troubling questions provoked by Jane Martin’s drama Keely and Du.

Keely, a young woman, is kidnapped by a right-to-life organization on her way to an abortion clinic. While being held captive, Keely forms a relationship with Du, the pro-life nurse who looks after her.

In this close encounter with two opposing sides, how far does a friendship go? Here is a story that evenly explores both sides of this volatile debate, where irresistible forces meet unwavering convictions.

Performances: February 29 – March 15, 2008

February 29, March 1, 7, 8, 13, 14 & 15 at 8 pm
Sunday March 9 at 2 pm

Opening night party at Baan Thai follows February 29 performance.

Tickets $15.00 general admission, $13.00 for students/seniors.

Cast List
Keely: Philana Gnatowski
Du: Ann Carpenter
Walter: Larry Lickteig
Cole: Robin Gabrielli