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WNY Arts Society

Auditions for WNY Arts Society's production of 'Legally Blonde' are next weekend

By Billie Owens

"Legally Blonde" is a musical with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, and script by Heather Hach. Local auditions are scheduled next weekend and the show will premiere in Genesee County in July.

The show is based on the novel "Legally Blonde" by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name.

It tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner. She discovers how her knowledge of the law can help others, and successfully defends exercise queen Brooke Wyndham in a murder trial.

"Legally Blonde" will be directed by Ann Marie Gsell, with vocal direction by Jacqueline McLean, choreography by Kris Ashley, and produced by Jason Juliano in conjunction with the WNY Arts Society.

Auditions are at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, and at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 29 (with call backs at 6:30 p.m. on the 29th). Auditions are at Stuart Steiner Theatre at Genesee Community College, 1 College Road, in Batavia.

Auditioners are asked to prepare a song of at least 16-bars from a modern/pop musical that showcases his/her vocal abilities. An accompanist will be provided. Auditioners are asked to bring their own sheet music. There will be a dance/movement portion of auditions; those auditioning should come prepared to dance. Those considered for a role will be asked to stay or return for call backs to sing a song selection from the show and read from the script.

(The musical was recorded in September 2007 and aired on MTV in October 2007. Following this, a reality TV show was aired showing the audition process for the next person to play Elle Woods on Broadway.)

In the Genesee County premiere, performances of "Legally Blonde" will be at 7:30 p.m. July 12-14 and there's a matinee at 2 p.m. July 15.

For more information, those interested in auditioning can call Jason Juliano at (716) 390-7615 or visit www.FaceBook.com/wnyarts.

Original 'RENT' cast member joins local performers on stage

By Howard B. Owens

An original Broadway cast member of "RENT," Gwen Stewart, was back in Batavia this weekend, making a side trip while visiting friends in Buffalo, to catch the local performance of the hit musical. Stewart joined the WNY Arts Society cast on stage for one of the production numbers.

WNYAS's final performance of "RENT" is today at 2 at the Ross Street Performing Arts Center, Batavia Middle School, 96 Ross St., Batavia.

The Batavian still has a few specially discounted tickets available. Click here for more information.

Auditions this weekend for rock opera RENT

By Billie Owens

WNY Arts Society has announced auditions for its fall/winter production of Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning production of RENT with performances January 13-16 in Batavia.

RENT will be directed by Ashley Bateman with vocal direction by Jacqueline McLean.

Auditions are from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday Sept. 25 and Noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday Sept. 26 at the YWCA, 301 North St. in Batavia (enter from rear door).

Auditioners should prepare an audition song FROM A MODERN/ROCK MUSICAL
that’s at least 16-bars long. Please bring your own sheet music. Accompanist will be provided, no a cappella please.

There will be a dance/movement portion of auditions. Please come prepared to dance. There will NOT be any readings from the script as this show is 95 percent music. If
you’re being considered for a role, you will be asked to stay to sing from the show following auditions and/or be called back Sunday evening.

Anyone interested in auditioning is encouraged to visit www.WNYAS.com or call (585) 201-3750 for additional information and casting requirements.

RENT is the famed rock opera with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini's opera La Bohème. It tells a story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City.

RENT ran for 5,124 performances on Broadway making it the 8th longest
running production. It closed Sept. 7, 2008.

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