SOMETHING ‘WRONG’ HAS LANDED ON THE LANDERS STAGE

INSIDE THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG – WITH DIRECTOR, BETH DOMANN

Springfield Little Theatre’s next production The Play That Goes Wrong is a hilarious comedy about, well, a play that goes wrong! It is a play within a play that is nonstop laughter from start to finish. In this classic slapstick, whodunnit comedy, the audience watches as these accident-prone actors attempt to get through their play to the final curtain call! I sat down with the show’s Co-Director, Beth Domann to to get the inside scoop about the show that opens in three weeks.

Shannon: What is The Play That Goes Wrong?

Beth: It is the actors worst nightmare. Seriously, everything that could go wrong in a show, does.

S: That sounds so funny!

B: It’s hysterical! No matter what happens, the actors just keep going.

S: Why type of show is this play?

B: It’s comparable to Noises Off. It is very physical, slapstick comedy.

S: Talk about the actors in this show.

B: All of the actors have amazing comedic timing and are very good with physical comedy.

S: What is something that people may not know about this show?

B: One of the main characters in this show is the set. Which is a little unusual.

S: What has been your favorite part of this process so far?

B: Laughing hysterically in rehearsals! Someone will try something new and everyone will crack up. Everyone has their moment in this show.

S: Summed up in one line, what is a takeaway from the show’s theme?

B: No matter what happens you’ll get through it.

S: Any last words you would like to say to audiences?

B: This is one of those shows you truly don’t want to miss. It really is THAT funny.

I was already excited to see The Play That Goes Wrong, but after sitting down with Beth I am really looking forward to a night of laughter! I am also wildly intrigued by the set being a character in the show! Stay tuned for upcoming blogs as I dive more into that!

Tickets are selling very quickly for this show and there are only eight performance dates available, so do not wait to get your tickets!

The Play That Goes Wrong performance dates

• Thursday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m.
• Thursday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION

MAKE YOUR LANDERS STAGE DEBUT WITH SPRINGFIELD LITTLE THEATRE!

Auditions for Springfield Little Theatre shows are open to everyone in the community and every show the theatre welcomes actors making their Springfield Little Theatre debut! The current show running on the Landers stage, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, welcomed 14 performers that made their Landers stage debut, with two of them being the lead characters. The male lead, Tom Baker made his debut with SLT along with his son, Sam Baker. Today’s Theatre Thursday Blog is a letter from Tom!

A LETTER FROM ACTOR, TOM BAKER

Community theatre has been a major part of my life since 1994. From the first time that I stepped onto the stage as a shark in Westside Story, I have found a love and a family within community theatre.

I will also add that I did not start out as a “theatre person”, which is to say I did not have the lyrics to Les Miserables memorized or show posters on my wall. I was green when I started and to be honest it wasn’t theatre that hooked me in getting onto stage. It was the people. It was the relationships that were cultivated.

I have recently had the honor and privilege to perform in Springfield Little Theatre’s production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the experience has been amazing. Once again, I have found a family that I get to share the stage with. I really can’t say enough about the process and the professional work that has gone into this production. From the director and technical crew to the lovely folks I perform with. The Springfield Little Theatre has made this great house of creativity that we all can play in and express ourselves.

In conclusion, I can sum up the Springfield Little Theatre in 3 words…”Feels Like Home”. I’m so very fortunate and blessed for this experience. From the bottom of my heart I am so grateful to have this community organization in my life and it is a bright spot within Springfield, MO. – Tom Baker

Last weekend to see the show!

You can see Tom, and the rest of this amazing cast in the musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang this weekend only!

Remaining shows:

• Thursday, February 9 – show at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, February 10 – show at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, February 11 – show at 2:00 p.m. AND 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, February 12 – show at 2:00 p.m.

Ticket Information

Thank you to everyone who came out and shared their time and incredible talents despite the winter weather! We greatly enjoyed auditioning each and every one of you! If you were not cast, please come back soon and audition for Beauty and the Beast to wrap up our 2022-2023 season.

Congratulations to everyone who was cast! We cannot wait to get started! Please request to join the “SLT’s Pippin” Facebook group. The first cast meeting will begin Tuesday Feb 7 at 7pm on the third floor of the Landers. We would like all principal characters, ensemble, and understudies to be at this meeting. Please keep up with our Pippin Facebook page for announcements and information. Aerialists and Special Acts, we look forward to seeing you on Feb 12 (at the full company meeting) and Mar 20 on the Landers stage.

The first full company meeting will be Sunday Feb 12 at the Judith Enyeart Reynolds School of the Performing Arts. Costume measurements and headshots will start at 6pm and the full cast meeting will start at 7pm. Please wear something nice for headshots (avoid whites and greens). These will be used for publicity.

Thank you!

Chyrel Miller, Parker Payne, Ryan May, Michelle Sturm

Special Acts:

• Mychelle Omar
• Mason Saddler (also ensemble)

Aerialists:

• Deidra Johnson
• Sarah Byrd
• Heather Carpenter
• Jordan Dykstra
• Jesika Favuzza
• Melissa Lyman
• Chandler Moore
• Celena Sansom
• Crystal Bradford

Leading Player: Sally Trtan

Pippin: Wesley Bryan

Charlemagne: Clay McGranahan

Catherine: Jessica Martens

Theo: Kelton Bailey

Berthe: Judy Luxton

Fastrada: Kassie Seyer

Lewis: Jacob Winter

Pippin Understudy: Andrew Wilson

Fastrada Understudy: Austen McGranahan

Catherine/Berthe Understudy: Claire Claubré

Charlemagne Understudy: Michael Grover

Ensemble Band of Players:

• Logan Scott
• Chuck Lick
• Dustin Godar
• Michael Grover
• Andrew Wilson
• Mason Saddler
• Ryan May
• Natalie Regenold
• Jordan Crain
• Brianna Hobbs
• Emilia Riccomini
• Sydney White
• Gabby Catlin
• Emma Elliott
• Grace Horeczko
• Austen McGranahan
• Claire Caubré
• Mel Jenkins

A LETTER FROM DIRECTOR, JESSICA BOWER

I believe it is important for an artist to stretch themselves, to step outside their comfort zone and take a crack at a discipline that feels challenging to them. I said yes to directing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang because I knew if I held that belief, I would need to put that belief into action. I do not consider myself a veteran director. Even though I have been performing on stage since I was ten years old and studied acting at an intense college training program, I consider myself a novice director. I honestly felt apprehensive to take on this project. I thought, “Beth! Why would you ask me to direct something at this scale for you?! I don’t feel ready!” I have a feeling if she were sitting with me right now, she would say, “Jess, when do we ever feel ready?”

Beth Domann has been a mentor to me for over a decade not only because she has known me since I was ten years old, but also because she gets me. She has that ability, to see someone for who they are even before they know who they are. She was the education director at Springfield Little Theatre when I was a hungry musical theatre student in Y.E.S. Troupe. I reflected on those days and remembered feeling so much abandonment and fearlessness during those years. Perhaps ignorance is bliss, perhaps age and experience weather you and you become more fearful to try new things.

Yes, I was fearful to direct a mainstage musical. But I am so thankful I said yes because I have met some incredible artists while Springfield audiences get to experience this sweet story at a time when stories like this are needed to usher in some light into our lives. It is one of Beth’s favorite movies, and like me, she is a sucker for nostalgia. Any time I find myself chatting her up in her office we end up traveling down memory lane, and I see this cast making those special memories with each other now. Years from now these actors, crew, musicians, and creative team will say, “Remember when…?”

I feel honored to have been given this opportunity to work as a director with Springfield Little Theatre. While acting is still my focus and first love, I can see myself on the boards again as a director because I love the process and creating with incredible talent. Both our music director Carla Wootton and choreographer Alyssa Hakan are astonishing and brilliant. The scenic design by Chuck Rogers is beautiful, whimsical, and enhances the story in a lovely way. I am also thankful to my wonderful husband, Jamie Bower, for his fantastic lighting design and his help during this process. I feel lucky to have a partner who loves theatre and the arts. I feel lucky to have a space to create in this community. Thank you.

Thank you to everyone who auditioned for Springfield Little Theatre’s production of Pippin! We will see the following people on the Lander’s stage Sunday, February 5. Please arrive at 5:45 p.m. in the Landers lobby. Wear clothes you can move in for the dance call which will begin at 6:00 p.m. After the dance call, we will be singing and reading. We will release you when we can to respect your time. If you are released, that does not mean you are not cast.

6:00 PM – Dancing

• Artemis Leo
• Trish Baker
• Jonathan Robertson
• Dustin Godar
• Chuck Lick
• Mel Jenkins
• Logan Scott
• Andrew Wilson
• Brianna Hobbs
• Jordan Crain
• Austen McGranahan
• Austin Fogg
• Natalie Regenold
• Caden Rowe
• Sydney White
• Emilia Riccomini
• Michael Grover
• Caleb Miofsky
• Wesley Bryan
• Quenton Ellis
• Gabby Catlin
• Jessica Martens
• Claire Caubré
• Grace Billingsly
• Robert Hazlette
• Samari Johnson
• Sally Trtan
• Grace Horeczko
• Ryan May
• Zoe Temple
• Kassandra Seyer
• Emma Elliot
• Lisa Spence
• Imari Stout

6:45 PM – Singing

Add the following Auditioners:

• Sandy Skoglund-Young
• Judy Luxton
• Clay McGranahan
• David Schwarz
• Brooke Stephens
• Caedmon Wilcox
• Kelton Bailey
• Arthur Johnston
• Charlie Teague

8:00 PM – Reading

After the dance call, we will be singing and reading. We will release you when we can to respect your time. If you are released, that does not mean you are not cast. Please make sure to check the cast list which will be posted on the SLT Live Facebook page Monday at noon as well as the front door of the Landers.

A LETTER FROM OUR MARKETING DIRECTOR, SHANNON SHERROW

Who’s ready for a family adventure with a flying car?!

Happy Theatre Thursday! This Thursday is extra special because it is also the Preview Night for our production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! Preview Night is an exclusive sneak peek of the show before it opens to the public. Generally people that receive tickets to this are our sponsors, underwriters, local media, and contest winners. This is a great way for the cast to experience an audience for the first time before they officially open their show.

Inside The Family Aspect Of The Show!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a family musical both onstage, and off! Family is what this show is centered around and something audiences might be surprised to learn is there are also family units sharing the stage. The father/son duo, Tom and Sam Baker, are both making their Springfield Little Theatre debut with this show! Tom plays the lead, Caractaus Potts, and Sam is a member of the Ensemble. Tom has said multiple times throughout this rehearsal process that it has been truly special to share this experience with his son. We also have mother/daughter duos of Stephanie and Makenzie Derrick, as well as Erin and Kinsley Hillis. Both moms are making their Springfield Little Theatre debut with this show as well! One mom, Erin Hillis mentions in her cast bio that she is “so happy’ to “share the stage” with her daughter. A Sister duo, Allyssa and Hailey Hakan both veterans of the Landers stage and both a Featured Dancer in the show. And a brother duo, Dean and Jim Price who is sharing the stage together for the first time in fifty years! It’s no surprise that this is the perfect show for families to experience together onstage, as this story echos family and “Teamwork” throughout the show. Children that attend will be dazzled by the flying car, the children’s ensemble dancing around on stage, and the two children leads, played by Caedmon Wilcox and Ava Bartlett, who are both adorable and talented. There is a sense of wonder and imagination that the two Potts kids bring to this show that really tie this family adventure together. Adults that attend will appreciate the nostalgic feel of the stage version and will walk away with the title song stuck in their heads, the same as 55 years ago! “Oh you, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we love you!”

The family adventure, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang opens January 27 at the Landers Theatre and runs through February 12, 2023.

Tickets

Springfield Little Theatre, SpringfieldLittleTheatre.org and the Landers Theatre box office are the only official ticketing services for Springfield Little Theatre shows and events. Tickets sold online at any other web location may reflect inflated pricing and/or speculative seating options and are not endorsed by Springfield Little Theatre. To purchase show tickets you can call the box office at 417-869-1334 or in person at the box office M-F Noon- 5:00 p.m. or visit SpringfieldLittleTheatre.org.

Let’s Connect!

Make sure you follow us on social media for exclusive photos, videos, and behind-the-scenes content! While you’re at the show make sure you hashtag us #LandersTheatre and tag us on Facebook “Live At The Landers Theatre”! Also, “check in” on Facebook and tag us @Spfldtheatre on Instagram so we can repost your adventures at the Landers!

Facebook   Instagram

See you at the show!

A BEHIND-THE-SCENES INTERVIEW WITH CHOREOGRAPHER, ALYSSA HAKAN

Hello! My name is Gracen Miller, I am a senior in highschool and am thrilled to be returning to the Landers stage during Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a Featured Dancer. I had the privilege to interview my friend, castmate, and choreographer, Alyssa Hakan. She will be graduating from OTC in May and will continue her education studying dance, theatre, and film at Lindenwood University. She is currently on a national tour as a Tap Into The Network Apprentice. Alyssa and I both got involved with Springfield Little Theatre when we were young through the summer camps. Alyssa said “This is what made me realize I belonged on the stage.” Below is our interview!

G: How do you juggle being in multiple shows and choreographing multiple shows at the same time? 

A: I like keeping myself busy with something I enjoy and want to continue pursuing. I stayed organized with choreography by making videos for myself and writing down the choreography so that it would be easy to teach. 

G: Amazing! How did you get the opportunity to choreograph Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

A: I choreographed the tap numbers for The SpongeBob Musical and the musical, White Christmas both with Springfield Little Theatre and was then asked to choreograph this show because Jessica loved the numbers and my other choreography pieces.

G: What do you pull your inspiration from and how did you make it your own?

A: I pulled a lot of inspiration from the movie and showed the featured dancers clips before learning choreography to get into character and understand the overall vibe of each dance. I enjoyed adding my own style to this show by making “Me Ol Bamboo” a tap number and adding unique numbers such as a lyrical dance to “Hushabye Mountain.”

G: Showing us the movie clips before we learned the combo was for sure a huge help! With these more stylized numbers, was it important to you to have a featured dancer ensemble?

A: This show has a variety of fun dance numbers and it was so important to have a solid group of talented dancers. This show would truly not be the same without the featured dancers.  All of the featured dancers share a special passion for dance and this is a unique bond that forms quickly on stage. Everyone is always on board for extra rehearsals and is willing to put in the work to make the show amazing. The dancers are positive and hype each other up. I absolutely loved working with this group and am excited to see them excel.  

G: Aww thank you Alyssa! You’re so fun to work with and I am so excited I get to share the stage with you. I know you have quite a bit of dance training and a talent for choreography, what is your training specifically?

A: I have extensive training in tap and have worked under the mentorship of Chloe and Maud Arnold from the Syncopated Ladies. I was a part of their tap company in Los Angeles and performed as their opening acts for their Syncopated Ladies Live Tour. I have training in all dance styles and have trained with NYC Rockette Summer performers, Springfield Ballet, Rhythmic Souls Dance Company in Dallas, and Joffrey Ballet. I started choreographing at the age of 14 and knew this was something I wanted to do as my career.

G: You are such an inspiration! Lastly, why do you think fellow dancers will enjoy this show? 

A: Fellow dancers will love this show because of the unexpected and exciting dance numbers presented. I did not stick with just one style of dance. I included musical theatre, tap, lyrical, jazz, and a mix of other different styles. My dancers have a certain honesty and bring the characters to life. Especially in “Hushabye Mountain” where we enhance the mood of the song and share a side of the mother’s story. I am so grateful to the amazing director Jessica Bower for this opportunity. I am so excited for this production, come see the show! 

It has been an absolute privilege to work with Alyssa during this rehearsal process, and I love how she has stylized the show through her choreography. The entire cast and crew has been working incredibly hard and is ecstatic to share this experience with the community. Being able to grow as a dancer and performer through this show is a joy. Come see these larger-than-life musical numbers and the cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Landers Theatre from January 27 through February 12! For tickets call the box office at 417-869-1334 or visit SpringfieldLittleTheatre.org!

XOXO,

Photography in the blog is courtesy of Brooke Blair (www.brookeoliviaphotography.com) and Emma Elliott (SLT Social Content Creator).

We can’t thank you enough for your time and talent during auditions. Blown away by last night. Thank you for the laughs and fun. Please come back and audition soon if you weren’t cast – trust me, it wasn’t for the lack of talent – we could have had three casts for this show. Amazing!

The first rehearsal will be a read through on Sunday, January 15 at 1:00 p.m. at The Judy. The Judy is located at 237 S. Florence Ave one block south of National. We will be taking costume measurements and headsets this day. Please join the “SLT’s The Play That Goes Wrong” Facebook group page for further information.

Annie – Sarah McQuiggan
Sandra/Florence – Rachel Arp
Jonathan/Charles – Corey Kilburn
Max/Cecil – Clayton Avery
Dennis/Perkins – Joshua David Smith
Robert/Thomas – Jamie Bower
Trevor – Matt Winston
Chris/Director/Inspector – Seth White
Sandra Understudy – Jodianne Loyd
Annie Understudy – Sami Lick
Jonathan/Max Understudy – Joseph Galetti
Robert Understudy – Benjamin Pomeroy
Chris Understudy – Jon Spence
Dennis/Perkins Understudy – Anthony Saviello
Stage Crew – Sami Lick, Jodianne Loyd, Joseph Galetti, Benjamin Pomeroy, Jon Spence, Anthony Saviello

Thanks everyone, see you Sunday!
Beth and Marni

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED – WITH VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR, MICHELLE STURM

Springfield Little Theatre is a volunteer driven community theatre and volunteers are the heartbeat of the organization. I sat down with Volunteer Coordinator, Michelle Sturm to talk about what volunteering is like at the historic Landers Theatre.

Shannon: The Landers Theatre is always bustling with so many fun shows and events. What are some of the ways you can volunteer at the Landers Theatre?

Michelle: We have a lot of different ways to volunteer. You can help during the day with set construction and painting, cleaning and organizing, costumes and that doesn’t even have to include sewing, craft projects, hanging posters around town, there’s so many ways.

S: So many different ways to get involved! If someone wants to come and work with the set or props, do they have to have specific knowledge about that task such as how to use a drill, or experience with painting professionally?

M: No, not at all. No experience necessary. We have people that come in and know a little bit about this or that and Chuck (the theatre’s technical director) will sit and work with them and gage their skill level and say, okay, I can give you a project that involves this. You know, everyone can pick up a paint brush!

S: So it’s safe to say that all skill levels are encouraged to come volunteer.

M: Definitely.

S: Is there an age range that you’re looking for, or a minimum required age to volunteer?

M: Typically for set construction early teens. We’ve had some younger kids that were good as well. We have younger kids as young as elementary volunteering as ushers during the show. It also depends on the show and how hard the projects are. There are certainly projects that all ages can do. The SpongeBob Musical we had kids as young as 3 years old helping with props! There are projects that can be done by all ages, just depending on the show and the department in which you want to volunteer.

S: Does volunteering for SLT (Springfield Little Theatre) mean specifically coming into the Landers Theatre and working on site?

M: No, not always. We have things you can take home, sometimes. Costume kits, sometimes props. Hanging posters is always something you can do on your own time.

S: What kind of availability is someone required to have as far as hours when they come to the Landers to volunteer?

M: Most of the time we work during the day with volunteers, usually 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with set and props. Sometimes when we get closer to opening a show we’ll have an evening volunteer calls, and sometimes weekends.

S: You mentioned a volunteer call. How would someone in the community find out about these calls for volunteers?

M: The costume show has their own Facebook group page (SLT’s Costume Shop Volunteers) that they will put out calls. You would find it on our Facebook page (Live At The Landers Theatre), If you want to usher or work front of house during a show you can call the box office and sign up over the phone.

S: Why volunteer with Springfield Little Theatre?

M: It’s such a great organization that brings so much to the community. It feels so great to be a part that and to help support the arts. It’s fun! It really is just fun to be here (at the Landers) and be around all of these fun people.

S: It really is fun! Last question, because I get asked this a lot. If someone volunteers at the Landers, do they get a ticket to the show they worked on?

M: Yes! Ushers see the show for free. We give you a comp ticket to see the show if you helped in some way.

S: Thank you for sitting down with me, Michelle. I hope people will be emailing you like crazy to volunteer!

M: Absolutely!

There are so many great ways to volunteer with Springfield Little Theatre at the Landers Theatre. A few I’d like to mention that was not talked about in this interview include working backstage during a show, and general office work. Working on a show crew is a larger commitment usually for the run of the show, but so much fun and there are so many different areas to work backstage. The business office at the Landers is also a great way to get involved helping with general office work. To get involved in any area of volunteering at the Landers you can email Michelle at [email protected] or call the Landers box office for more information at 417-869-1334.

See you at the show!

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG – CALLBACKS!

Thank you to everyone who auditioned! Marni and I have been wrestling and going through all the auditions and all we can say is WOW! Every single person left it on the floor. Unbelievable talent. Please, please, please come back and audition again. PIPPIN and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST are coming up and will be a blast. We are humbled by your talent, commitment and passion for theatre. Thanks for the night of no sleep – we owe you one.

These are the people we need to see on Thursday, January 12, 7:00 pm on the 4th floor at the Landers Theatre.

Seth White
Bryant Turnage
Mark Gideon
Jon Spence
Thomas Reasoner
Matt Winston
Rachel Arp
Jodianne Loyd
Bailey Doran
Alexandra Still
Joshua David Smith
Anthony Saviello
Sarah McQuiggan
Michelle Sturm
Mariah Michelson
Dave Logan
Benjamin Pomeroy
Trisha Baker
Corey Kilburn
Bailey Diehl
Jamie Bower
Clayton Avery
Sami Lick
Erik Kiser
Nathaniel Parrales
Tabitha Varvil
Nikki Boldt
Tonya Cunningham
Ryan Haywood
Joseph Galetti

Thanks again,
Beth and Marni