The Summit Playhouse: Audition Notice - Over the River and Through the Woods

Over the River and Through the Woods by Jo DiPietro

Directed by Julia Frieri

Production dates: April 27 – May 12, 2012

Audition Dates:
Sunday, January 22 at 7 pm
Monday, January 23 at 7 pm
Callbacks on Wednesday, January 25 at 7 pm

Sides will be provided.

All auditions are at The Playhouse, 10 New England Ave, Summit, NJ (directions: http://summitplayhouse.org/auditions.html).

Synopsis:
Nick is a single, Italian-American guy from NJ. His parents retired to Florida. He sees both sets of grandparents every Sunday for dinner. The dream job he's been waiting for -- marketing executive -- would take him away from his beloved, but annoying, grandparents. Thus begins a series of schemes to keep Nick around. How could he betray his family's love to move to Seattle for a job? In this delightful and touching comedy they do their level best to make him change his mind.

Character Breakdown:

Nick Cristano	Late 20s-Early 30s. High-strung, excitable, loyal grandson. Trying to find a way to honor the past while growing up and moving toward his future.
Frank Gianelli	Can look 60s plus. Maternal grandfather and husband of Aida. Patriarch, family is the center of his world. Worked hard to provide a better life for his descendants and he does not want to slow down. Straight shooter.
Aida Gianelli	Can look 60s plus. Maternal grandmother and wife of Frank. Shows her love through her cooking. Caregiver. Well-meaning but overbearing.
Nunzio Cristano	Can look 60s plus. Paternal grandfather and husband of Emma.  Wisecracking and loud but full of heart. Great storyteller, charismatic, strong.
Emma Cristano	Can look 60s plus. Paternal grandmother and wife of Nunzio. Loud and strong woman. Tells it like it is. Schemes to keep Nick around. Loves her husband.
Caitlin O’Hare	Mid to Late 20s. Irish, envies that all of Nick’s grandparents are around. Charming, opinionated. Wants to find love.

Are you interested in becoming more involved in the Playhouse? Want to work backstage? Help with costumes and make-up? We are always looking for assistance in our productions. Contact Sally Ponzio at 908-273-2192 or send mail to President@SummitPlayhouse.org.

Elefante Music & School for the Performing Arts Announces First Ever Spring Musical - Into the Woods Jr.

Elefante Music & School for the Performing Arts is thrilled to announce its first ever Spring Musical!  For our first full-length musical theater production, we have chosen to produce the Sondheim/Lapine classic INTO THE WOODS JR. 

The Brothers Grimm "go Broadway" as Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine offer up a cockeyed fairy tale where all of your favorite characters – Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk) and The Witch – meet and interact on their journeys.  With unforgettable roles, INTO THE WOODS JR. showcases an ensemble of talented singers and actors.  The sophisticated score has been adapted to make it easier – though still challenging – for young performers.  INTO THE WOODS JR. is a funny and engaging way to get young people to think about the stories with which they've grown up and the ethical issues raised therein.


Students who would like to participate in INTO THE WOODS JR. will have to register for “Elefante Spring Musical Workshop” in the Spring 2012 semester.  This class will meet Thursdays from 5:30-7:00pm from January 26 – May 24, and dress rehearsals will take place May 30 and 31.  The performances will take place June 1 and 2 at the Oakes Center in Summit, NJ.


There’s nothing like putting on a show!  This class is a great opportunity to take part in a unique and exciting musical theater performance experience.  In addition to performers, we’ll also be looking for talented set builders, painters and stage crew members who want to be part of this fun production. 


In addition to INTO THE WOODS JR., we'll also be offering a roster of fun performing arts classes at our studio in New Providence.  Our classes this spring will include: 3-in-1 Acting/Dancing/Singing, Acting the Song, Musical Theater, Acting Onstage, Drama Fun, Tap and Broadway Baby.


For more information or to register, contact Stefani at (908) 464-5928 or shealey@elefantemusic.com, or visit www.elefantemusic.com/springmusical.shtml.

A Well-Deserved Honor for Nelson

Our very own Nelson Popp was named a Road Rep of the Year by School Music Dealer magazine. Congratulations, Nelson!!! Click here to read the entire article.

A Note from the Artistic Director

With the Holidays just around the corner, now is the ideal time to register for or inquire about spring performing arts classes. The spring semester starts Here are the classes we're offering this coming spring:


3-in-1: Acting, Dancing, Singing
Karen Cantor, Greta Martin and Laura Chaneski


Acting the Song
Joe Elefante & Stephanie Kurtzuba


Musical Theater
Karen Cantor


Acting
Clare Dill


Drama Fun with Miss Clare
Clare Dill


Musical Theater Dance
Laura Chaneski


Beginning & Intermediate Tap
Laura Chaneski


For more information or to register for classes, please visit our Performing Arts Classes page. Happy Holidays!


Joe Elefante
Artistic Director
Elefante School for the Performing Arts

When It's Time to Upgrade - Elefante 10/11 Newsletter

When It's Time to Upgrade - Elefante 10/11 Newsletter



In This Issue:

• When It's Time to Upgrade
• Student of the Month
• So You Have Your Instrument...
• Teacher Feature

Back to School - the September 2011 Elefante Newsletter

Back to School - the September 2011 Elefante Newsletter

A Note from the Artistic Director

Another fantastic summer is winding down! We had three sessions of Music Theater Camp and a week of Jazz Camp. This week, we are in the midst of Rock Camp, and next week we conclude our summer performing arts camps with All-Girl Band. Come by and see the final Rock Camp performance at Crossroads this Friday, August 19th, followed by the internationally acclaimed Joe Elefante Big Band (led by Yours Truly).

Now is the ideal time to sign up for Fall Lessons and Classes. This fall we're offering 3-in-1 Acting/Dancing/Singing, Acting the Song (our by-audition-only music theater performance class), Musical Theater I & II, Acting I & II, Musical Theater Dance I & II, Beginning & Intermediate Tap and Broadway Baby (for 3-7 year-olds). These classes are, of course, in addition to instrumental, voice and dance lessons with our roster of first-rate private instructors. Contact Stefani at shealey@elefantemusic.com or (908) 464-5928, or just visit www.elefantemusic.com for more information or to register.

Thanks to all of you for making this yet another summer to remember.

Joe Elefante

Artistic Director

Elefante School for the Performing Arts

jack menashe photography - affordable actor headshots

Jack Menashe is proud to be bringing professional and affordable high quality headshot photography to Elefante Music and School for the Performing Arts!

A veteran of the entertainment industry and former president of one of New York’s leading talent agencies, Jack Menashe has developed the careers of many of Hollywood and Broadway’s leading performers. He has been known to have photographed Golden Globe, Academy Award, and Tony Award celebrated artists. Having shot thousands of beautiful headshots, his work has been seen on CD covers, America’s Next Top Model, and inVanity Fa ir.

Jack will be offering an exclusive rate to all members of Elefante Music and School for the Performing Arts, and is available to shoot either within the location of the school or at your home. If you give him a call or send him an email, he will discuss with you how he may provide you with great quality, highly effective headshots!

All of Jack Menashe’s sessions include make-up, consultation and a CD of your photographs. He will guide you in your selection of which pictures will work best for you, and will provide you with information on the process of having your photographs duplicated and/or retouched.

Jack’s website can be viewed at http://www.jackmenashe.com.

You could also reach him by telephone at (917) 837-3020, and by email: jack@jackmenashe.com.

He is extremely excited about hearing from all of you, and hopes that he may provide you with everything that you need to continue on your path of success!!

"Is It August 15th Already?" - the August 2011 Elefante Newsletter

"Is It August 15th Already?" - the August 2011 Elefante Newsletter

What's Going on at Elefante

"What's Going on at Elefante" - 07/11 Newsletter

Elefante Music Theater Camp

With Session I of Elefante Music Theater Camp now over, we have been having a blast at Session II so far! Next Friday, July 22nd, we'll be at the beatiful RidgePAC performing music from Cabaret, My Fair Lady, Beauty and the Beast, Candide, Mack & Mabel, Dreamgirls, Mary Poppins, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Footloose, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Guys and Dolls, How 2 Succeed in Business without Really Trying, 1776, South Pacific, Sunday in the Park with George, Lucky Stiff and The Most Happy Fella - not bad for only two weeks of camp, right?

If you can't make the performance (or if you just want an encore), you can always check out video of student performances at the Elefante Facebook page.

Believe it or not, there are still slots open for Session III (July 25 - August 5). Visit www.elefantemusic.com/summer.shtml for more info or to register.

Session I Comes to a Close

We had so much fun at RidgePAC last Friday at the Elefante Music Theater Camp Session I performance! Here is some video of the closing number:

EMU Newsletter 6/11

EMU Newsletter 6/11

• Summer at Elefante
• Student of the Month
• Thank You!
• Teacher Feature
• Elefante Represented at Duckfest 11
• Joe Directs Little Anthony and the Imperials

Customer Appreciation Day/Open House Video

Thanks to everyone who came out the Elefante Customer Appreciation Day/Open House last weekend. Enjoy some video of the day's events:

The Elefante All-Stars perform "Grenade."

Joe Elefante performs "Up on the Roof" with Elefante Music & School for the Performing Arts faculty.

Al Elefante performs "Summer Wind" with Elefante Music & School for the Performing Arts faculty.

Kelly Bennett performs "Piece of My Heart" with Elefante Music & School for the Performing Arts faculty.

Elefante Music & School for the Performing Arts faculty perform "All the Things You Are."

And, as always, check out all of our student and faculty performance videos at www.youtube.com/elefantemusic.

What's on Our Minds...

Michele is now blogging regularly for New Providence Patch. Check out her latest installment here:

"What Inspires You?"

Joe is still writing Elefante on Entertainment for The Alternative Press. His latest entry can be found here:

"Sending the Elevator Back Down"

Elefante Music & School for the Performing Arts is Going Green!

Elefante Music & School for the Performing Arts is Going Green!

Clarinet Mania

Elefante Music is pleased to be presenting

Clarinet Mania

Monday, May 23

4:30-6:00pm

sponsored by Rico Reeds

Performances by the J.P. Stevens H.S. clarinet choir and clarinet quartet, and many more T.B.A.

Featured clinician/performer: Dr. Edward Joffe

Versatile woodwind artist Dr. Edward Joffe has been a vital part of the New York music scene for 40 years. He has performed in every type of musical situation including jazz bands, orchestral & ballet work, Broadway shows, recording dates, chamber music ensembles and solo recitals. He has offered numerous clinics on woodwinds and jazz at music education conferences and universities over the last two decades. A graduate of the Juilliard School and the first person to receive his doctorate in multiple woodwind performance form the Graduate School of the City University of New York, Dr. Joffe has studied with some of the most respected woodwind artists including Joe Allard, Eddie Daniels, Thomas Nyfenger, Paul Dunkel, Michael Parloff, Joseph Rabbai, Peter Simenauer, Ronald Reuben, Keith Underwood, Bob Porcelli, and Bob Mover.

For the past 20 years, he has been a professor of music at New Jersey City University, where he acts as Coordinator of Jazz & Woodwinds Studies. Under his guidance, New Jersey City University has engaged a faculty of adjunct instructors who are among the finest performers in America and have helped attract a high level of student performer. The jazz band that he conducts has been hailed as one of the best in the country by greats such as Maria Schneider, Charles McPherson, Randy Brecker and Eddie Daniels. He has authored two books on woodwind studies—Woodwind Doubling and Beyond The Notes—and is a popular clinician at music education conventions and schools throughout the U.S. This summer he will be presenting a lecture/performance at the International Clarinet Association Conference in Los Angeles on the legendary woodwind teacher, Joe Allard.

Elefante Music & School for the Performing Arts

1790 Springfield Ave.

New Providence, NJ

(908) 464-5928

www.ElefanteMusic.com

"What Music Means to Me"

Okay, so I didn’t get any responses to my plea for your personal experiences with music. Just for that, you’ll have to hear about mine.

"What Music Means to Me" - The Alternative Press

"What Does Music Mean to You?"

Joe's latest column for The Alternative Press: "What Does Music Mean to You?"

Summer at Elefante

Summer at Elefante - the April '11 Elefante Newsletter