FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. COC-07-053-SC
January 18, 2007
Auditions for Two Theatre Productions Set for Feb. 7 and 11 Despite the recent freezing temperatures, the College of the Canyons Theatre department is looking ahead to the spring production of "Company" in April and "Mother Courage and Her Children" in May, and will hold open auditions for both shows in February. The Tony Award-winning musical "Company" follows five married, once-married or soon-to-be married couples along with their bachelor friend, Robert, who learns that having some company is a necessary part of life. Set in New York, "Company" addresses the highs and lows of marriage, commitment, friendship and loneliness through a series of vignettes and memorable melodies such as "Being Alive, "Getting Married Today," and "The Ladies Who Lunch." "'Company' is one of my favorite musicals because it's so intimate," said Mark Salyer, the producer of both shows. "We see each character so transparently as they negotiate marriage and dating and just what it means to be alive. It's a great show for actors who sing. There is a new production of 'Company' on Broadway this season and our director, Andrea Slominski flew out to see it. It garnered rave reviews and sold-out houses, because this show still speaks to people." "Company," which Variety called "one of those little-seen masterpieces of the American musical theatre," will open at the Black Box Theatre at the COC Performing Arts Center on April 11, 2007 for a five-day run, and will be directed by Andrea Slominski. Following closely on the heels of "Company" is Bertolt Brecht's "Mother Courage and Her Children," a classic story of a woman torn between protecting her children or profiting from war. "Mother Courage is a grand and epic story of a woman who does everything she has to do to survive in a war-torn country," noted Salyer. "The character Mother Courage is a real tour de force role for a woman. The supporting characters are wonderfully eccentric and feature people of all ages and types. The show was revived last year at the Public Theatre in New York with Meryl Streep playing the role of Mother Courage." "Mother Courage and Her Children" will open on May 10, 2007 on the main stage of the COC Performing Arts Center and will be directed by Steve Whelan. Auditions for both "Company" and "Mother Courage and Her Children" will be held at 7 p.m. on February 7, 2007 and at noon on February 11, 2007 at the COC Black Box Theatre. Students and non-students of all ethnicities are encouraged to audition and must be 16-years and older. Although no preparation is necessary, those who would like to familiarize themselves with the plays are welcome to take advantage of the show's scripts and music on reserve at the COC library as of Jan. 22. Those given roles in the shows will need to register in a theatre production course at College of the Canyons. For more information about auditions or about the shows call (661) 362-5070 or for tickets visit the performing arts center website at www.canyonsPAC.com. | 
