Coach House Players Kingston, New York
Intermission Coach House Players announces the 2018 Season! The first show of the season is A Murder is Announced 1 adapted for the stage by Leslie Darbon from the novel by Agatha Christie and directed by Barbara E. Melzer. Dates are April 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 & 15. An announcement in the local paper states the time and place of a murder to occur. When the victim falls, Miss Marple is on hand to provide the final solution. Our summer production will be the musical Barnum 2 by Cy Coleman and Michael Stewart and directed by Tom Tierney. A joyful and moving musical portrait of the nineteenth century’s greatest show-biz legend, P.T. Barnum. It’s is a colorful, dynamic spectacle with heart. Dates are July 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 & 15.
portrait of a family, which conveys the aftermath of the Holocaust through a poignant, imaginatively conceived examination of one divided family's experience. Dates are November 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18.
These show dates are subject to change so watch the www.CoachHousePlayers.org website for details, auditions and to make reservations as show dates approach.
And our final show of the season will be A Shayna Maidel 3 by Barbara Lebow and directed by David Rubenstein. A powerful, haunting and deeply affecting
Our fund-raiser show will take place in August or September and is currently being discussed by the board. More information about this show will be available soon.
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By special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. 2 By special arrangement with Tams-Widmark, Inc. 3 By special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service.
Season Tickets SEASON TICKETS are now available. We encourage you to become a “Season Ticket Holder.” Season Tickets are a great value at $50 for all three shows. They also make great gifts – how about giving Season Tickets for a birthday, anniversary, special occasion, etc.
We will be happy to create a “gift certificate” for you. Remember, being a Season Ticket Holder allows you to call 331-2476 by a specified date for each show and reserve your preferred performance date prior to open advertisements. You can obtain a form on our
web site or from Ann Papelian. Just mail the completed form, along with your check, payable to “Coach House Players,” and a self-addressed stamped envelope before March 1, 2018 to: Season Tickets CHP c/o A. E. Papelian 280 Flatbush Ave. Kingston, NY 12401
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween and Thanksgiving from your friends at Coach House Players
October 2017 Issue
Inside this issue: Intermission or The Livery Letter
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On the web
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Letters
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From the past: Lust ‘n Rust: THE TRAILER PARK MUSICAL
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“Sunshine”
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President’s Message
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Jobs at Coach House
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Needs Lists
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Crossword Puzzle
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Short subjects
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Recipes
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Featuring Tom Tierney
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Costume Loan Policy
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Our next production: 8 “Little Shop of Horrors” Upcoming events: •
Oct 10 Board meeting
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Nov 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19 Little Shop of Horrors
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Nov 12 Board meeting
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Dec 10 Board meeting
Intermission
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* Intermission, The Livery Letter — or what ? The Coach House is divided into three sections. The west side is a large room that served the Coykendalls as the “stable” — the part of the coach house where the horses were housed. The rings to which the horses were tied still dot the walls. It now serves as a space where sets are built and stored and where performers can don costume and makeup.
The rings to which the horses were tied still dot the walls.
The east side was the “livery” where coaches and carriages were stored until ready for use. It now serves as the
performance space. In the late 1990s a set of theater seats was acquired, recovered and installed — but that’s another story. The “foyer,” the area between the two large spaces where the horses were hitched to the carriages, now serves as our lobby. The box office which occupies the large wooden gazebo can be found there as well as a stand which provides complementary refreshments during intermission.
So for now since the livery is the room used for performance, I was planning to call this newsletter “The Coach House Livery Letter”; however, I’m informed by long-time member, Terri Dwyer, that thanks to a contest a long time ago, a past resurrection of the newsletter was called “Intermission” and so I’ll use that name for now. Perhaps we’ll have another contest to come up with a better name.
[email protected]
On the Web: CoachHousePlayers.org “The Variety show this year was one of the best productions I have seen at Coach House in my 52 years of membership. Fun, fast moving, the audience totally involved and an enthusiastic cast. Loved the Ed Sullivan segment! And Barbara Koy Jones you outdid yourself...so clever. I'm proud to be part of this wonderful troupe. Rae Bottino, August 28
Thanks to the efforts of Marge Bennett, Coach House Players has had a website for the past several years. Using the website, prospective audience, performers and the community in general can stay informed about Coach House Players. The website contains information about upcoming shows, auditions, the history of
Coach House Players, photos and other information. In recent years Mike Harelick has added other features to the website including an expanded “Photo Gallery”, which houses images from all shows and events for which photos are available, an “On the Radio” channel with recent radio interviews, a “Data Base”
with all performers and production crew for all shows (which is cross-linked so you can see who was in what shows and vice versa), and a set of online forms so viewers can reserve seats, vote for favorite shows and a variety of other services. Check it out!
Letters: Coach House Players 2017-2018 Board of Directors
President: Tom Tierney Vice President: Michael Harelick Treasurer: Rosie Interrante Membership Secretary: Barbara Surowitz Recording Secretary: Linda Primiano Board Members Terri Dwyer Paula Lucas Barbara E. Melzer Susan Regan
Newsletter rejuvenated… I'm delighted to hear about plans to rejuvenate the Coach House Players newsletter. Over the last several years Coach House has gradually relinquished the regular contact between members that brought us all together as an organization. A periodic newsletter will fill the gaps between general meetings and productions (especially the long winter dormancy), while
allowing members to keep in touch on their own individual schedules. I foresee a newsletter that contains relevant and current information, combined with some vision of our future, as well as a smattering of information about how we got to where we are today. I look forward to reading, and contributing to, future issues.
Chris Beall
… to the following new members, who have completed their two work requirements and were voted in as active members at the September Board meeting: Nancy Brucker, Andrew Benedict, Ken Thompson, and Tom Muller. For information about active membership, see the bylaws on the website, or contact membership chair, Barbara Surowitz.
October 2017 Issue
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Featuring a show from our past… Lust ‘n Rust: THE TRAILER PARK MUSICAL In November 2012 Coach House Players produced the musical Lust ‘n Rust: THE TRAILER PARK MUSICAL by Frank Haney, Carol Kimball & Dave Stratton. The play was directed by Tom Tierney with the assistance of Ann Papelian. Lust 'n Rust is the story of Steve, a corporate manager from New Jersey who is transferred by his company to a small Southern Illinois town to run the local Agribig food processing plant. He moves into the Redbud Mobile Estates and meets the quirky characters that live in the trailer park.
Steve's life is immediately complicated by a relationship with Connie, a neighbor in the park who waits tables at Smitty's Diner. Connie is splitting up with her soon to be ex-husband, Duane, who is trying to gain Connie's forgiveness for an unfortunate incident. Steve's life is further complicated when he gets a difficult assignment - an action that could have a disastrous impact on the local economy. The show proved to be outrageously entertaining, and artistically and financially successful. We were even fortunate enough to have one of the writers, Carol Kimball, attend the show.
The cast of Rust ‘n Lust: Edward Kleinke - Steve Morgan Richard Quinn - Buzz Fatima Deen Latisha Washington Nichole Lewellyn Connie Nichols Rachel Davis - Tanya John Thayer - Duane David Rubenstein - Red Michael Harelick - Henderson Anna Susan Miressi - Jannette Daniel DelPriore - Junior Sean O'Connor - Chorus Michael Curtis - Chorus Paula Lucas - Chorus Cecilia Deferrari - Chorus
Who knew?
“Sunshine” When a Coach House member falls ill or suffers a loss, one person has been there to be sure a card is sent and hopefully provide a bit of cheer and support. For years Lynnann Madison has been the Sunshine chair for Coach House Players providing
Message from the President... Dear Fellow CH Members, Fall is just around the corner, it is hard to believe that we are beginning to prepare for our last show for our 67th season Little Shop of Horrors, it seems like only yesterday we announced the show. I would to thank each member for their support to Coach House throughout the year and request that you continue that support for this show and for our 68th Season.
those messages of care and support. I’m sure her messages and those of other members are appreciated. This past year we also lost Coach House members Millie Hoppe and Rae Schlecht. They will be much missed and warmly remembered by their Coach House family and our condolences to their families.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am happy to announce the season for next year. Our first show – A Murder is Announced, (April) followed by our musical BARNUM (July) and our final show Shayna Maidel (November). These three shows are firm and have been paid for with the holders of the plays. I urge each of you to mention it to your friends, family, and co-
“Spring and Summer Coach House Players have had a plethora of Knee and Hip Replacements and back surgeries! All beloved members have healed and are better than ever now. Several members have been dealing with Lyme disease, as well—a Hudson Valley Issue. Thankfully, today's meds are restoring our friends back to Good Health!”
Lynnann
workers. We anticipate that we will again be able to produce a fourth show in the summer, hopefully it will be a Variety Show. I would request that you support these shows and also come out and audition. Internal and external changes have taken place at Coach House this year. Lighting upgrades and new lights in the theatre, and the BIG item ROOF REPAIR ($8,000.00). Roof repairs are underway being done by Derrick McNab, who is a master craftsman in dealing with slate and we are most fortunate to have found him. He lives right here in Kingston on Fair Street.
We continue to need assistance when producing any show. Please fulfill your requirements (two shows per year). As the old saying goes, “Many hands make light work” Please support your organization. Our membership is growing, but we never have enough people. We are updating our Policies and Procedures and Job Descriptions. Hopefully the updates will be approved by the Board prior to year’s end. The present ones are available for viewing on the CH web-site coachhouseplayers.org. Changes will be made and posted to the existing ones after approval by the Board. I would urge each of you to please come to the General Meeting on Tuesday, Sept 19, 2017 at 7:30 at Coach House. We are planning on a fund raiser for next year, but need your input, thoughts and ideas to bring additional revenue to the organization. It takes approximately $10,000 a year to make the building function. If unable to attend please send any ideas to Marge Bennett at
[email protected] but we would really like you to attend the meeting. I look forward to seeing you all Tuesday, Sept 19. Yours for good theatre,
Tom
Intermission
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Many Jobs at the Coach House Job Descriptions “Every production relies on a small army of people who, although they don't appear on stage, are every bit as important to the success of the production as the cast. They build the set, design the costumes, provide for lights, and make sure the audience finds the show. Without them, the cast would perform naked, in the dark, on a bare floor, in an empty room.”
The many various jobs required to stage a theatrical production are listed and described on the Coach House website. These jobs fall into two major categories — organization and production: Organization Jobs These jobs provide the overall support structure for the organization. They provide long-term continuity or address annually-recurring administrative requirements. Unless otherwise stated, these
jobs are of indefinite duration.
— visit the website and click “Job Descriptions”. Then determine what you would like to do and contact the chair for that job (or contact any board member to be put in touch.)
Production Jobs These jobs are related to a specific production. They exist for the duration of that production, except those appointed by the House Manager and Box Office chair, which may be as brief as a single performance. In addition to these job descriptions, we follow a time line which defines when key activities should begin and complete.
Note that some of the descriptions are no longer current and your board of directors and committee chairs are working to bring those descriptions up to date. The updates will be posted on the website and reported in this newsletter. Editor
All of these jobs are described on the Coach House website
MIT Gilbert and Sullivan Players, et. al.
Needed for “Little Shop of Horrors” As with every show you are encouraged to help with props and costumes that are needed and jobs to be done. Props & Costumes: (contact Barbara Melzer if you have and can donate or loan):
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Floral arrangement centerpieces (will return after the run of the show)
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Jobs (contact Marge Bennett if you want to volunteer):
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Parking attendant
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Refreshments
With this show we were lucky enough to find thanks to Ed Kleinke the puppets needed for Audrey II at a theatre in Clifton, New Jersey. They were free and we only had to transport them up to Kingston.
Needs List for 2018: April 2018 — A Murder Is Announced Directors for Shows in our 2018 Season have identified things they will need for their shows.
It may seem early, but whatever props and other items that you can find now and can loan or donate will save time and money when these shows arrive.
Although the full prop list is available, director Barbara E. Melzer has not yet identified those hard-to-find items which she will need next spring. But, rest assured any needed items will be identified in future issues of this newsletter.
July 2018 —
(As fate would have it, we now know of even more Audrey II puppets that are available — oh, well.)
November 2018 — A Shayna Maidel The show is set in a Jewish apartment in1946 New York City, so props should be appropriate to that time and place. Currently know needs:
Tom Tierney is looking for:
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Christmas tree lights — all sizes. (Figure it’s smarter to ask now, before they are discarded this winter.) More items to be listed in the next newsletter.
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Newborn infant doll (male) wrapped in swaddling
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Date appropriate fountain pens, radio, telephone candlestick (with strikepad)
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Sabbath associated items (e.g., prayer book, Sabbath cloth)
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Contact David Rubenstein or his prop chairperson when chosen.
October 2017 Issue
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There’s No Business Like…. Crossword Puzzle
Have some fun and work on this Crossword Puzzle. The words are related to theatre in general and Coach House Players in particular. The answers can be found on the Coach House website and in general theatre lore, but hopefully you know most of the them. A larger downloadable and printable version of this puzzle appears on the www.CoachHousePlayers.org website. There is also an interactive version of this same puzzle on the website (To use it you must have JavaScript enabled.) The solution will appear on the website and in the next issue of this newsletter. And anyone submitting the correctly solved puzzle prior to the reveal to
[email protected] will receive honorable mention in the next newsletter.
September 9/7 Lynnann Madison 9/7 Tom Roberts 9/10 Thomas Mayhar 9/11 David Rubenstein 9/12 Richard Quinn 9/16 Howie Riggs What appears every one hundred years? Ethyl or Drew Theatre company before Coach House Players Between the seats Musical play based on Damon Runyon short stories (3 words) Home of 800 seat theatre and lagoon (3 words) The end Whose coach house was it? One of the two masks "Everthing about it is _____" Shaw play based on Greek legend "________ Angry Men" Where tickets are sold (2 words) First actor Annual fund-raiser (2 words) Between the acts One of the two masks Coach House street "Me and My Girl" walk
Old makeup. Coach House Players' first play 1950 (4 words) _____ is as high as an.... Mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart is credited with the phase (4 words) Between the livery and the stable Dastardly dude Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain Oversees the artistic aspects of a theatre production Other side of the "fourth wall" The Bard Innocent young girl Waterfront park or twisted thread Hand clapping approval Divert attention from someone else. Mystery playwright Eliza or Alfred Part of the stage in front of the curtain Disapproval Coach House roof
October 10/6 Sandra Daw 10/9 Steve Klein 10/13 Frank Marquette 10/25 Terri Dwyer November 11/4 Linda Tierney 11/6 Murray Rivette 11/21 Susan Regan 11/23 Ken Thompson 11/27 Ed Kleinke Did we miss your birthday? Let me know at: editor@ coachhouseplayers.org
Intermission
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Education & Outreach One of Coach House Players objectives is to “promote a little theater movement for the education and training of its members in all phases of the dramatic arts.”* For the past few years Barbara E. Melzer has been offering and conducting Acting Classes to Coach House members and the community at large. She plans to continue offering them. Next year Coach House will institute an Outreach Program to local high schools
2018 Refreshments Chair Needed After many years chairing the refreshements committee Marge Bennett is stepping down. If you would be intererested in the job, contact Marge.
to bring students into an Intern Program to learn directing, stage managing, lighting and other theatre skills. The first interns who will be working on “Little Shop of Horrors” will be listed in the show’s program. The intern program will be supervised by Barbara E. Melzer, director and Coach House board member. * Coach House Players bylaws
Scholarship Program Since its inception it has always been an objective of Coach House Players “to present scholarships to those such persons deemed worthy and deserving.” So each year we award monetary scholarships to local students who are pursuing an education in the arts. For more information about this program visit the Coach House website.
What do you think?
Sing, Sing, Sing
Coach House is occasionally contacted to provide singers for holiday events (e.g., Fourth of July, Snowflake Festival, etc.) We will use this newsletter as a way of getting the word out.
If you have questions about these events, or wish to participate, contact: Terri Dwyer
Well, this is the first newsletter of its form in a number of years and I’d like your thoughts about continuing it.
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I love it — keep doing it.
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Forget it — I don’t read it.
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I not only want you to keep doing it, but I’d like to contribute.
Let me know what you think:
[email protected]
Short subjects: Remember this is your newsletter; I just edit it. The plan is to publish bi-monthly assuming I get articles contributed. If you have content you would like to contribute, send it along and I’ll include it if appropriate; if there is something you would like to see appear, let me know.
[email protected]
Win the Quilt! There is still time to buy raffle tickets for the quilt handmade by Linda Tierney. Other prizes will also be raffled. Tickets will be available until the final performance of Little Shop of Horrors in November. See photos of the quilt on the website or in person at any performance of Little Shop of Horrors.
The 2018 Ad Journal Past Ad Journals were such a huge success that we are doing it again for 2018. For as little as $100 for a quarter-page ad (discounts for larger ads,) merchants and patrons can buy an ad or congratulatory message which will have 1000—2000 exposures. More information and order forms are available on the website of from the Journal editor.
What was your favorite show? You can now vote for your favorite Coach House Players production of the two hundred plus which have been staged in the past 67 years. Vote on the website (where you can see a complete list of shows and see how others voted) or complete a ballot when you’re at the Coach House.
October 2017 Issue
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Lemon Bar Recipe Here's a recipe for lemon bars: Ingredients: 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sifted confectioners sugar 1 cup butter or margarine 4 eggs 2 cups granulated sugar 1/3 cup lemon juice (either fresh or bottled) 1/4 cup all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder sifted confectioners sugar
Reminder:
Sift together the first 2 ingredients. Cut in butter till mixture clings together. Press in 13 x 9 2-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees till lightly browned, about 20 to 25 minutes. Put eggs, 2 cups sugar & lemon juice in blender; blend till thick & smooth. Sift 1/4 cup flour & baking powder. Add to blender; blend to combine. (NOTE: An electric mixer can be used instead of blender.) Pour over crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar. Cool. Cut in bars - makes 30. Terri Dwyer
“Another item that could be included [in the newsletter] is a recipe; especially if it's a good one for show refreshments.” Terri Dwyer
A few members still owe their 2017 dues. It’s only $10 per person per year, so it’s easy to forget. Dues are due by the May general membership meeting. So why not pay your 2018 dues at the beginning of the new year and then you won’t forget as May approaches. Contact: Barbara Surowitz, membership secretary, if you have questions.
We Have Reservations
Like every theatre group we accept and encourage reservations. It ensures that the theatregoer knows seats are available and lets the theatre know what to expect for attendance, especially for
patrons with special needs. Coach House records your reservation, but does not take payment until the time of the performance, when you may pay by check of cash (but not credit or debit card.) You are encouraged to let us know if you need to cancel your reservation. Your reservation will be held until fifteen minutes before curtain, when it might be released if there are people
without reservations waiting. Reservations may be made online (the most reliable and advantageous method) www.coachhouseplayers.org/seats/
or by telephone 845-331-2476. There are also guidelines regarding ticketing and reservations on the website, including the advantages of reserving online.
Tom Tierney: President, director and more I plan on featuring a member of Coach House in each issue of this newsletter. It seems fitting to have the first one for Tom Tierney, currently serving as president of Coach House Players and director of the coming production of “Barnum.” Tom has directed on and off for the last twenty-plus years
and has “many” musicals under his belt with CHP, as well as several comedies. Tom is currently serving as President of Coach House and “Jack of all trades!”
banker, Tom now spends three days a week as the Marketing Director for Shire Reeve Associates, Inc., a security guard/ private investigator firm in Kingston.
He also has been a member of the Kingston Kiwanis Club for over 30 years and has written and directed over twenty shows for Kiwanis. A retired
Tom as Bunting is CHP’s 2012 production of “Murdered to Death.”
A couple walked into a fancy restaurant. The maitre' de asked, "Do you have reservations?" The guy replied, "Yes, but we want to eat here anyway."
Coach House Players Kingston, New York Coach House Players, Inc PO Box 3481 Kingston, New York 12402
Costume Loan Policy With Halloween approaching, it might be a good idea to review Coach House Players policy regarding borrowing costumes (and other Coach House property.)
The Coach House is located at: 12 Augusta Street, Kingston, New York
In general a Coach House member may borrow items (with a board members approval), under the following conditions: (lighting must have approval of the Lighting Custodian)
Phone: 845-331-2476 E-mail:
[email protected] Newsletter questions or contributions:
[email protected]
. Borrower will take every care to prevent damage or loss.
Established 1950 “Ulster County’s longest operating community theatre group, bringing quality live theatre to the community.”
. Items may not be permanently altered in any way. . Borrower must return all items to the Person signing this form (or their representative) to be checked in.
We’re on the web at
. Costumes must be returned clean. . Any missing items will be charged to the borrower and/or organization accordingly. . Borrowed items must be returned within a 2 week period being borrowed or after the show event has ended. . Late returns or lack of care of borrowed items may affect your ability to borrow in the future. In the event of loss or damage, the amount and manner of restitution will be at the direction of the Board of Directors of Coach House Players. Note that it is the approving board member’s responsibility to insure that the loan does not conflict with the needs of a current show or event.
www.CoachHousePlayers.org
Our next production: Little Shop of Horrors Coach House Players next production will be the musical Little Shop of Horrors4 written by Alan Menken & Howard Ashman. The play is directed by Barbara E. Melzer with musical direction by Mathew Camara. The story is: Meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!
This play is outrageously entertaining, so early reservation are an excellent idea (reservation, online and by phone, are open now). Performances will be held November 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 & 19. Evening performances at 7:30 PM; Sunday matinees, at 2:00 PM.
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This play is produced by special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI)
I encourage you to make reservations early online at www.coachhouseplayers.org/seats or by phone at 845-331-2476.
The cast of Little Shop of Horrors: Ronnette - Akasha Davis Crystal - Grace Jarrold Chiffon - Jennelle Liscomb Mushnik –Richard Quinn Audrey – Anna Susan Miressi Seymour – Valentin Shauger Dentist –Scott Woolley Voice of Audrey II – Jovan Bradley Puppeteers – Ada GrahamLowengard, Tom Roberts Ensemble –Terri Dwyer, Matt Hall, Jon Hester, Thomas Mayhar, Jeremy G. McLaughlin, Howard Riggs, Maria Smith, Kelsey Whitaker Director – Barbara E. Melzer Music Director – Mathew Camara Stage Manager – Corinne Carolan Set Design – Tom Tierney Lighting Design & Operation – Quentin Champ-Duran Costumer – Suzelle Cobb
Do you want a special memento of the show? For a small donation you can have your picture taken with Audrey II after the show — get details in the lobby before the show or during intermission! Bring your camera or cell phone.
