"Lincoln: The Musical" Movie Featured at Drama Circle November 10 at Bruce's Browser

Niles Larson

"Lincoln: The Musical" Movie Featured at Drama Circle  November 10 at Bruce's Browser

On Saturday, November 10th, the Drama Circle will feature a movie of this past summer's world premiere of "Lincoln: the Musical" by Michael P. Riccards. According to Genevieve Fraser, artistic director of the Drama Circle who served as the producer/director of "Lincoln," the film will be shown at 2:00 PM at Bruce's Browser, 1497 Main Street. Athol, MA, to be followed by a discussion of the play as well as the film of the production.
 
The "Lincoln: The Musical" DVD was shot and edited by cinematographer, Niles Larson, a resident of New Salem and 2006 graduate of Mahar Regional High School who attended the New York Film Academy in NYC for post secondary school. Larson is the founder of North Quabbin Productions.  Along with his
freelance camera work, Niles is the Board President of
the 1794 Meetinghouse in New Salem and Master/President of
the North Orange Grange #86.


The Drama Circle, which is free of charge and open to the public, is sponsored by the performing arts division of the non-profit organization, Art for Life.  For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser at (978) 544-1872.
 

Inside Out Dance Company Dancers Featured in “Lincoln: The Musical”

 

Inside Out Dance Company Dancers Featured in “Lincoln: The Musical”

 

Dancers from The Inside Out Dance Company, under the direction of Brenda Ingrid Cromwell Hall, were recently featured in the Drama Circle’s production of “Lincoln: The Musical” by Michael Riccards and directed by Genevieve Fraser. The Inside/Out Dance Company is the year-round performing company of The Dance Studio, located at 5 South Main Street in Orange MA, which has been inspiring dancers in the North Quabbin region since 1977.  

“Lincoln: The Musical” opens and closes in Ford Theater.  The opening featured Jack Arnot as Senator Butterworth singing the 19^th century Irish ballad, “The Last Rose of Summer,” a personal favorite of Abe and Mary Lincoln.  Each night a different “rose” was selected to perform a ballet to the tune as the newly elected President Lincoln watched from the balcony.  The dancers were Marley Aldrich, Haleigh O'Reagan, Angie Price and Haley Jean.

In Act 2, the final scene opens with a red, white and blue clad dancer,         Courtney O'Regan, performing “en pointe” to Faust’s “The Soldier’s March,” a tribute to the Union victory in the Civil War, as the Lincolns arrive and are warmly greeted by an appreciate audience.  At the conclusion of the dance, O’Regan salutes the President and First Lady, and the play, “Our American Cousin” commences with John Wilkes Booth slowly ascending the staircase for the assassination.

“ Lincoln: The Musical” opened at the Orange Town Hall on July 7 and closed on July 15.  Though free to the public, performances were used as a fundraiser for the Town Hall Restoration Fund.  “Lincoln: The Musical” was  sponsored by the Drama Circle, the Performing Arts Division of Art for Life - CF Pals, and was funded, in part, by Heyes Forest Products, the Miller’s River Café and a grant from the Orange Cultural Council which is funded by the Mass Cultural Council.

For further information, contact the artistic director of the Drama Circle, Genevieve Fraser at Tel. (978) 544-1872 or email: FraserGenevieve@gmail.com

PHOTO CAPTION:  Pictured left to right (standing): Marley Aldrich, Courtney O'Reagan, Angie Price and Haley Jean Seated: Haleigh O'Regan

“Lincoln: The Musical” to Raise Funds for Orange Town Hall

Abe and Mary with John Wilkes Booth ready to strike

“Lincoln: The Musical” to Raise Funds for Orange Town Hall

The world premier of "Lincoln: The Musical" by Dr. Michael Riccards, with songs from the Civil War era, enters its final run on Saturday, July 14 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, July 15 at 2:00 pm at the Orange Town Hall, 6 Prospect Street, Orange, Massachusetts.  The play, which is produced by The Drama Circle and directed by Genevieve Fraser, is free of charge; however, donations are gratefully accepted and will be used to purchase lights and sound for the Ruth B. Smith Auditorium at the Orange Town Hall.

“Over $1,300 was raised from the July 7 and 8 opening of the show, due in part, from a very generous donation from one of the Quabbin Civil War Remembrance steering committee members, Paul Robichaud,” Fraser commented.  “We will be requesting that the Orange Select Board reactivate the Orange Town Hall Renovation Committee so that the money raised can be spent on a state of the art sound and light system.”  The Orange Town Hall Renovation Committee was convened in the mid 1990s and spent nearly a decade renovating the auditorium to its former splendor.

John Wilkes Booth

“As a producer/director, it is easy to fall in love with this extraordinary hall which was built in 1868 and designed by one of the great 19^th century architects, Elbridge Boyden, who was raised and educated in Orange.  Boyden also designed Mechanics Hall in Worcester which is considered by architectural historians as the nation’s finest pre-Civil War concert halls,” Fraser stated. 

“And though the Orange Town Hall auditorium acoustics are extraordinary, there are spots within the hall where the sound fades and needs amplification,” Fraser continued. “In addition, theater and dance require systems for special sound and lighting effects.  Once we acquire these and upgrade the electrical system for air conditioning, the town can offer one of the finest venues in the region for the performing arts.”

“Lincoln: The Musical” chronicles Abraham Lincoln’s determination to lead the country into an era of prosperity but instead faces a conflict that threaten to tear it apart through the American Civil War. “Lincoln: The Musical” is sponsored by the Drama Circle, the Performing Arts Division of Art for Life - CF Pals, and is funded, in part, by Heyes Forest Products, the Miller’s River Café and a grant from the Orange Cultural Council. 

Refreshments for the July 14 – 15 show dates will be sponsored by the Orange Lions Club.  All proceeds will be donated to the Town Hall Restoration Fund, Account # 253 192 4800.  Admission to “Lincoln: The Musical” is free of charge and open to the public.  For further information, contact the artistic director of the Drama Circle, Genevieve Fraser at Tel. (978) 544-1872 or visit website: http://thedramacircle.blogspot.com/

World Premier of “Lincoln: The Musical” July 7 in Orange

General Scott and Secretary of State Seward

World Premier of “Lincoln: The Musical” July 7 in Orange

The world premier of "Lincoln: The Musical" by Dr. Michael Riccards, with songs from the Civil War era, will open Saturday, July 7 at 7:00 pm at the Orange Town Hall, 6 Prospect Street, Orange, Massachusetts.  The play is produced by The Drama Circle and directed by Genevieve Fraser.  

Additional performances are scheduled for Sunday, July 8 at 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 14 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, July 15 at 2 pm.  A reception for Dr. Riccards will be held immediately following the opening night performance. All performances are free of charge and open to the public.  Any donations will be used toward a light and sound system for the the Orange Town Hall Ruth B. Smith Auditorium.

“Lincoln: The Musical” chronicles the Lincoln family’s entry into Washington DC.  The new president is determined to lead the nation into an era of prosperity. But soon, hope turns to despair as the American Civil War commences – “a small skirmish” that quickly leads to a nightmare that engulfs the president, his family, aides, generals, his cabinet and the nation.  Intertwined with the family and political crisis is the drama unfolding at a Washington DC tavern frequented by soldiers, members of Congress and an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth. Following the Emancipation Proclamation and the Cause of the Union’s triumph, Booth plots to take action.

Dr. Michael Riccards, the author of "Lincoln: The Musical" is a political scientist, writer, and professor.  Riccards has been the president of three American colleges and has written extensively on public policy, the American political process, and the history of the American presidency. His book The Ferocious Engine of Democracy was praised by President Bill Clinton.  He currently serves as executive director of the Hall Institute for Public Policy in New Jersey.  The director, Genevieve Fraser holds a BA and MFA  in Theater and Writing.

The part of Abraham Lincoln is played by Chuck Berube, Mary Todd Lincoln by Sally Howe and Willie Lincoln, their young son, by Brian Johnson.  Nancy Hanks (Abe’s mother) is performed by Charlene Deam, John Wilkes Booth by Charles Tower, General Winfield Scott by Tim Waite, Senator Cotesbury Butterworth  by Jack Arnot, Secretary of State Seward by Philip Hubbard, John Hay – Lincoln’s aide – by Noah Dawson, and President James Buchanan by Barry Robichaud.  Issac is Luke Meunier,

Rose is performed by Emily Lapinskas, the barmaid is Joyce Sawyer and Mrs. Laurey is played by Genevieve Fraser.  Tim Waite also plays the manager of Ford Theater Manger.  The cast of “My American Cousin,” the play the Lincolns had come to see at Ford Theater at the time of the assassination includes Joyce Sawyer, Emily Lapinskas and Barry Robichaud.  The railroad conductor is performed by Andrew Tower and the soldiers by William Johnson, Daniel Boucher, David Farnum and Ethan Doiron-LaRue.  The town women are Vicky Graw and Doreen Gallien.  The Inside Out Dance Company also performs.  The pianist is Deborah Kent.

 “Lincoln: The Musical” is sponsored by the Drama Circle, the Performing Arts Division of Art for Life - CF Pals, and is funded, in part, by Heyes Forest Products, the Miller’s River Café and a grant from the Orange Cultural Council. 

For further information, contact the artistic director of the Drama Circle, Genevieve Fraser at Tel. (978) 544-1872 or visit website: quabbincivilwar.blogspot.com

Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Orange, Massachusetts July 4 - 15, 2012

Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War

Orange, Massachusetts

Quabbin Civil War Remembrance

July 4^th 2012

“Lincoln: The Musical”

By Michael Riccards

July 7 – 8  & 14 - 15

Civil War Reproduction Quilt Contest Exhibit

July 4 – 15

Free Admission to all events

“Lincoln: The Musical” is sponsored by the Drama Circle, the Performing Arts Division of Art for Life - CF Pals, and is funded, in part, by Heyes Forest Products, the Miller’s River Café and a grant from the Orange Cultural Council.  For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser at

Tel. (978) 544-1872 or visit website: quabbincivilwar.blogspot.com

Quabbin Civil War Remembrance - July 4^th 2012

#1 Orange Gun Club - Oldest charted gun club in Massachusetts

357 West River Street, Orange, MA

9:30    – Black Powder Shoot

11:00  – Antique Fire Arms display and discussion with Terry Whitney

12:30  -  Civil War game stew and chicken bar-b-que - $15

              Call Mark Kovalsick for reservations Tel. 978-467-6076

Music with Ken Levine and friends

15^th Massachusetts Infantry Civil War demonstrations

Living Heritage Farmer and Artisan Market

#2 Orange Town Hall – Ruth B. Smith Auditorium

6 Prospect Street, Orange, MA

2:00 – 8:30

Civil War Remembrances

          Abe Lincoln, Lucius Spooner - 19^th century Petersham farmer

          Mark Twain’s “The Campaign That Failed” with Tim Waite

Civil War stories, group discussions & readings from Civil War era diaries and letters – all invited to participate

Music with Ken Levine and friends

Quilt Exhibit & Living Heritage Farmer and Artisan Market

#3 Orange Historical Society & Museum

41 North Main Street, Orange, MA (2 doors up from Town Hall)

2:00 – 4:00 Tea

5:00 – Dinner and “Tin Type Show and Tell”

“Lincoln: The Musical”

(Civil War era songs)

By Michael Riccards

Directed by Genevieve Fraser

Orange Town Hall, 6 Prospect Street, Orange, MA

Saturday, July 7 at 7:00 & Sunday, July 8 at 2:00

 Saturday, July 14 at 7:00 and Sunday, July 15 at 2:00

July 15^th Quilter reception 6:00 pm at the Orange Historical Society

“Lincoln: The Musical” chronicles the Lincoln family’s entry into Washington DC.  The new president is determined to lead the nation into an era of prosperity as he sings Foster’s “Hard Times Come Again No More.” But soon, hope turns to despair as the War Between the States commences – “a small skirmish” that quickly leads to a nightmare that engulfs the president, his family, aides, generals, his cabinet and the nation.  Intertwined with the family and political crisis is the drama unfolding at a Washington DC tavern frequented by soldiers, members of Congress and an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth. Following the Emancipation Proclamation and the Cause of the Union’s triumph, Booth plots to take action.

Act 1

Ford Theater

Flashback - Little Pigeon Creek settlement, Indiana

Washington DC Train Station

President’s Office at the White House

Washington Tavern

Battlefield

President’s Office

Intermission

Act 2

Washington Tavern

Willie Lincoln’s bedroom

President’s Office

Living Room at the White House

Washington Tavern

Ford Theater

“LINCOLN: THE MUSICAL” DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Abraham Lincoln                                          Chuck Berube

Mary Todd Lincoln                                      Sally Howe

Willie Lincoln                                                Brian Johnson

Nancy Hanks (Abe’s mother)                       Charlene Deam

John Wilkes Booth                                        Charles Tower

General Winfield Scott                                 Tim Waite

Senator Cotesbury Butterworth                  Jack Arnot

Secretary of State Seward                            Philip Hubbard

John Hay – Lincoln aide                               Noah Dawson

John Nicholay – Lincoln aide                       David Farnum

President James Buchanan                          Barry Robichaud

Issac                                                                Luke Meunier

Rose                                                                Julie Graziano

Barmaid                                                         Joyce Sawyer

Mrs. Laurey                                                   Genevieve Fraser

Ford Theater Manger                                   Robert Mathews

Cast of “My American Cousin”                  Joyce Sawyer

                                                                        Emily Lapinskas

                                                                        Barry Robichaud

Conductor                                                      Andrew Tower

Soldiers                                                           William Johnson

Ethan Doran LaRue

                                                                        Daniel Boucher

Town women                                                 Vicky Graw

                                                                        Doreen Gallien

Inside Out Dance Company

Pianist                                                             Deborah Kent

Costumes                                                        Vicky Graw & Deborah Kent

Technical Director                                        Tim Waite

SPECIAL THANKS

Michael & Barbara Riccards                       Donald “Spin” Ainsworth

Town of Orange                                            Select Board                                      

Miller’s River Café                                       Kris Burns & Jeanie Miller

Bruce’s Browsers                                          Diane Lincoln

Swift River Valley Historical Society           Elizabeth Peirce

Halloween Costume World                          Barbara Hanno & Sally Howe                    

Mahar Regional High School                       Fred Heyes

The Dance Studio                                          Brenda Cromwell Hall

Workers Credit Union                                  Orange Gun Club

North Quabbin Woods                                 Kirby Lecy & Nancy Blackmer

Orange Historical Society                             Linda Temple

North Quabbin Antiques                              Brenda Piro

Paul Robichaud                                             Phil and Ivana Hubbard

Lisa DeWitt                                                    David Belcher

Ingrid Whitten & Ames Trophy                  15^th Massachusetts Civil War Infantry

Orange Cultural Council                              Jim Rich & Mark Kovalsick

Sing-Along with Cast of "Lincoln: The Musical" on March 10

Brian John will perform Willie Lincoln

Sing-Along with Cast of "Lincoln: The Musical"
On Saturday, March 10, the regularly scheduled Drama Circle will feature songs of the Civil War era that will be sung as part of "Lincoln: the Musical" by Michael P. Riccards.  The cast rehearsal is open to the public between 2:00 and 5:00 PM at The Dance Studio, 5 South Main Street in Orange, Massachusetts.   Debbie Kent will accompany singers on the keyboard.  


"We are still recruiting members of the chorus and additional musicians.  This is an excellent opportunity to check out the music along with the cast," director Genevieve Fraser stated.  "There are a few good parts still open for men between 18 and 40 years of age too though at this point most parts have been filled."

Tim Waite

Brian Johnson, age 11 years has been cast in the part of Willie Lincoln.  Brian is the son of Trish and Scott Johnson of Athol.  Tim Waite will play the elderly Union general Winfield Scott, the United States Army General who devised the Anaconda Plan which - though derided in the press - helped to win the war.  Waite is also serving as the assistant and technical director.

The World Premier of “Lincoln: The Musical” will be performed on the two weekends following the 4th of July.  The production will be staged at the Orange Town Hall, 6 Prospect Street in Orange, MA as part of commemorative activities honoring the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War.  The production is funded, in part, by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and will be free of charge and open to the public.

The Drama Circle is sponsored by the performing arts division of the non-profit organization, Art for Life.  

Organizations, businesses or individuals wishing to help sponsor the play or other Quabbin 150th Anniversary Civil War commemorative activities should make tax deductible donations out to "CF Pals - Drama Circle," 1 South Main Street, Orange, MA o1364.  In-kind donations are also gratefully accepted.  For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser at 978-544-1872, or email: FraserGenevieve@gmail.com


Photo credit:
Genevieve Fraser

FUNDRAISER for “Lincoln: The Musical”

********FUNDRAISER*******

“Lincoln: The Musical”

(Songs from the Civil War Era)

By Dr. Michael Riccards

Orange Town Hall
1^st and 2^nd weekends in July

  

$$$ NEEDED FOR LIGHTS, SOUND
COSTUMES & SETS

TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS

Make checks out to: “CF Pals - Drama Circle”

1 South Main Street, Orange, MA o1364

In-kind donations are also gratefully accepted.

(For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser

Tel. (978) 544-1872, or email: FraserGenevieve@gmail.com)

Berube and Howe to Lead Cast in "Lincoln: The Musical"

Chuck Berube has been cast
as Abraham Lincoln

Berube and Howe to Lead Cast in "Lincoln: The Musical"
On Saturday, February 11, the regularly scheduled Drama Circle will feature a reading and discussion of "Lincoln: the Musical" by Michael P. Riccards between 2:00 and 5:00 PM at The Dance Studio, 5 South Main Street in Orange, Massachusetts.  The public is invited to attend.

Sally Howe at auditions

Chuck Berube of Petersham has been cast as Abraham Lincoln.  Sally Howe, a resident or Orange, is Mary Todd Lincoln, and Charles Tower of Athol will perform the part of John Wilkes Booth.  Genevieve Fraser, the artistic director of the Drama Circle will serve as director, and Tim Waite, the assistant director, will also perform the part of General Winfield Scott.  General Scott developed the Anaconda Plan which ultimately led to the Union victory.

The World Premier of “Lincoln: The Musical” will be performed on the two weekends following the 4th of July.  The production will be staged at the Orange Town Hall, 6 Prospect Street in Orange, MA as part of commemorative activities honoring the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War.  The production is funded, in part, by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.  

Charles Tower will be dying his beard to play the part.

Along with the main characters, the script calls for a chorus to include all ages as well as soldiers.  Roles for soldiers and additional members of the chorus are still available, and Lincoln's secretary and assistant John Nicolay and John Hay have not yet been cast as well as the part of 12 year old Willie Lincoln.  Volunteers are also needed to help with costumes, make-up, sound and light, sets and props.  The music for "Lincoln: The Musical" is from the Civil War era. 

Barry Robichaud is President Buchanan

All readings and performances of the Drama Circle are open to the public free of charge.  The Drama Circle is sponsored by the performing arts division of the non-profit organization, Art for Life.  

Organizations, businesses or individuals wishing to help sponsor the play or other 150th Anniversary Civil War commemorative activities which will be held on the 4th of July should make tax deductible donations out to "CF Pals - Drama Circle," 1 South Main Street, Orange, MA o1364.  In-kind donations are also gratefully accepted.  For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser at 978-544-1872, or email: FraserGenevieve@gmail.com

Final Audition for "Lincoln: The Musical" Saturday, February 4 at The Dance Studio

AUDITIONS – AUDITIONS – AUDITIONS – AUDITIONS

LINCOLN: 
THE MUSICAL

By Michael Riccards

Saturday, February 4

From 2:00-5:00 PM

The Dance Studio, 5 South Main Street,Orange MA

Scripts are available for review at reference desks in libraries in the towns of Athol, Barre, Gardner, Greenfield, New Salem and Orange.

Directed by Genevieve Fraser