Bone Chiller Showcases Major High School Talent!

When I was first asked to direct the Hartland High School fall play this year by my friend and drama club sponsor, Mary Jo DelVero, I wasn't completely sure what I was in for.  For those of you who haven't read my blog before, I'm a professional performer, trained in New York City with acting credits all over the United States in professional theatre, as well as a Broadway National Tour. 

I'm also the founder of Dionysus Theatre and Performing Arts Academy, Livingston County's brand new professional theatre company, making it's debut this December with Home for the Holidays, An Original Musical. I'm used to working with adult actors who work in the professional performing industry...I was nervous about getting involved with a high school production.

I am so happy to tell you that all of my hesitations were pointless.  The kids I have gotten to know over the past 2 months are incredibly talented and dedicated young people.  I pushed them, for sure.  I treated them the way I would treat any cast of professionals that I was working with.  And they rose to the challenge, from cast to crew.

A group of about 60 kids total, have worked very hard to put together a very entertaining night of live theatre.  We have a cast of 13 on stage, a cast of about 30 in our lobby, and a crew of countless others working on marketing, props, costumes, hair, make-up, lobby atmosphere, lights, sound, and set building...and I hope I didn't forget anything.

I encourage everyone reading this blog to take a about 2 hours out of your weekend this week, and come out and support these future entertainers.  Each of them has thrown themselves into this project completely, and I couldn't be more proud.  I hope they'll take away some great memories from the show, and maybe a bit of knowledge as well.  But a show isn't a show without an enthusiastic audience, and that's where you come in!

Bone Chiller is a comedic-mystery-thriller...it has something for everyone.  Thirteen colorful characters gather on Friday the 13th at the Travers mansion in New York for the reading of the will of the late Josiah Travers, a will in the form of a puzzle that almost defies solution. Instead of designating an heir to Josiah's millions, it offers the estate to anyone who can solve the will! Meanwhile, the lights keep going out and people keep getting murdered. You and your family will have a ball trying to untangle the puzzle faster than the hapless characters. By the final act, revelations are exploding as surprise piles upon surprise and gasps alternate with howls of laughter.  The show might be too exciting for young children, but anyone 10 years of age or older is the perfect age!

Tickets for Bone Chiller are $15, and can be purchased online by visiting www.hartlanddramaclub.weebly.com.  Performances take place Friday and Saturday, November 9 and 10 at 7:30pm, and Sunday, November 11 at 2:30pm.

If you'd like more information about Dionysus Theatre's upcoming original musical production, Home for the Holidays, please visit www.diotheatre.com or call (517) 672-6009.

See you at the theatre!

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