A Love of Literature
As Halloween draws nearer, you might be searching for costume ideas (for the 5K, perhaps?). Not only that, but auditions for The Enchanted Bookshop will be here before we know it! Take a break from chasing ghosts to revisit some classic literary characters that have crossed Encore’s stage over the years.
This summer, many of Dr. Seuss’ famous faces found new life in Encore’s production of Seussical. [2018]
From beloved picture books… [Madeline’s Christmas, 2017]
…to classic fairytales, many stories from literature have found their way into Encore seasons across the decades. [Cinderella, 2015]
Favorite childhood chapter books have also gotten the Encore treatment! [James and the Giant Peach, 2018]
Modern fairytales have carried Encore down the Yellow Brick Road… [The Wizard of Oz, 1984]
…into Wonderland and beyond! [Alice in Wonderland, 2015]
Hopefully you’ve been able to deduce how thrilling literary tales can be. [Sherlock Holmes, 2018]
Ready to take on the roles of Dorothy Gale, Tom Sawyer, the Queen of Hearts, and more? Mark your calendars for The Enchanted Bookshop‘s pre-audition workshop on October 20th and auditions on October 22-23. Click here to register for the optional pre-audition workshop to get some tips on how to have your best audition experience!
Photos by Larry McClemons, Aileen Pangan Christian, and Connie Polnow. Wizard of Oz photo courtesy Mary Anne Penning. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Poltergeists of Encore’s Past
As the end of September draws near, the spirits are stirring. We’re searching for brave souls to join our Ghostchasers to face down the season’s spooks. Are you up to the challenge?
Encore has also tangled with its fair share of witches over the years…
Snow White, 1996
Hansel and Gretel, 1973
Some villains choose to work alone… (Snow White, 2009)
While others prefer to keep some cronies and flunkies on hand. (Disney’s The Lion King, Jr., 2018)
Though not all beasts are necessarily scary. (Reluctant Dragon, 1997)
Cul de Sac, 2016
Sherlock Holmes, 2018
We’ve even had creepy critters and spooky specters show up off the stage…at Encore’s annual Costume Caper, that is!
Come one, come all; we promise to be good hosts. To witches, ghouls, and, of course, ghosts!
If you made it through this menacing menagerie without fear, you might be ready to graduate to the level of the Ghostchasers! Come take in the thrills and chills of poltergeists, ghosts, zombies, and more when the show opens on October 5th. Get your tickets online or by calling our Box Office at (703) 548-1154.
Photos by Larry McClemons and Aileen Pangan. Graphic by Aileen Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
5 Reasons You’ll Love Seussical
Today is the day, Encore fans! Seussical opens TONIGHT at the Kenmore Middle School Theatre! If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, here are five reasons to inspire you to join us on this Seussian adventure.
1) Beloved characters! From the planet of Who to the Jungle of Nool, many of your childhood favorites will grace the stage in song and dance. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Yertle the Turtle, the list goes on and on!
2) Clever and joyful choreography! Kelsey Meiklejohn has choreographed many Encore shows in the past, including The Music Man and Mary Poppins, and she certainly does not disappoint with her work on Seussical. Monkeys, Bird Girls, Whos, and more all have a distinct style of movement that enriches the world of Seuss exponentially. You won’t want to miss these awesome dance numbers!
3) The incredible set! Technical Director and Set Designer Kristen Jepperson has let her imagination run wild on our set. With brilliant splashes of color and layer upon layer of dynamic levels, this set turns the stage into a visual delight.
4) The snazzy costumes! Debra Leonard had her work cut out for her, with birds, monkeys, and more, but she has created a beautiful cast of creatures for your eyes to feast upon. From the sporty Wickersham brothers to creepy Hunches and flirty Bird Girls, these outfits are certainly wild!
5) The catchy tunes! With clever lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and a variety of musical stylings by composer Stephen Flaherty, these songs will follow you home from the theater. From Latin rhythms and ragtime underscoring to moments of gospel choir riffing and heartfelt ballads, there is certainly something for everyone!
Our cast and crew have been hard at work this week, perfecting this fabulous production for all of you. We can’t wait to share the huge heart of this story with our Encore family, so be sure to get your tickets today! Tickets can be purchased online or by calling Encore’s Box Office at (703) 548-1154. See you at the theater!
Photos by Aileen Pangan. Graphic design by Aileen Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Encore’s 2018/2019 Season Celebrates Literature and Magical Missions
Our heroes and heroines are fighting for what’s right and they won’t let ghosts, the status quo, or fear get in their way. Join Encore Stage & Studio for a year of friendship, adventure, and heroes. Learn more.
Ghostchasers!
October 5th – 14th, 2018 | Gunston Arts Center – Theatre One
Things are at their worst at the Asylum for the Extremely Tense, run by the famous Dr. Horace Roy. An earthquake jolt has freed a poltergeist, and it’s creating mischief! The patients have locked up the staff and nobody can tell who’s who! Luckily, Dr. Roy’s cousin Harriet knows just who to call… the Ghostchasers! Honcho and his staff of student ghostchasers are equipped with an array of strange and incredible gadgets, but are they ready for the call? We recommend this production for ages 6 and older.
Jingle Arrgh the Way!
November 16th – 18th & November 30th – December 9th, 2018 | Gunston Arts Center – Theatre One
A mysterious message left in the crow’s nest of their ship brings Captain Braid Beard and his pirate mates back to North Beach to seek out young Jeremy Jacob to help solve a riddle and find the Christmas treasure. Favorite characters, a rollicking story, great songs, and a trip to the North Pole to find “you know who” – makes Jingle ARRGH the Way! a wonderful holiday show for the whole family. Based on a story by Melinda Long, author of How I Became a Pirate. We recommend this musical for ages 4 and older.
The Enchanted Bookshop
January 11th – 20th, 2019 | Gunston Arts Center – Theatre One
During the day, A Likely Story looks like any other bookshop, but at night the characters inside the books come alive. Classic characters — including Dorothy Gale, Pollyanna, Heidi, Tom Sawyer and more — long to help Margie, the scatterbrained owner, save her struggling store. When a pair of smugglers come looking for a stolen necklace hidden inside one of the books, the characters must find a way to rescue the bookshop without being seen. Join us on this magical mission to celebrate the enchantment and joy of reading. We recommend this production for ages 4 and older.
Robin Hood
February 22nd – March 3rd, 2019 | Gunston Arts Center – Theatre One
Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham are cruel and unfair to their citizens. Robin Hood and his merry men are on a mission to help by taking from the rich and giving back to the poor. To arms! When the Sheriff and Lady Merle hatch a plan to stop him, Robin Hood must save Maid Marian, defeat the awful sheriff, and secure Nottingham for the true king’s return. We recommend this production for ages 6 and older.
The Talented Clementine
May 31st – June 9th, 2019| Gunston Arts Center – Theatre One
Clementine gets nervous when her third grade teacher announces that her class will be putting on a talent show to raise money for the spring trip. She can’t sing or dance or play an instrument like her super talented friend Margaret, and what talents she does have would not work on a stage. Clementine must find an act, any act, to perform before the night of the big show. But with only a few days to do so, can she put it together in time? We recommend this musical for ages 6 and older.
Disney’s Newsies
July 19th – 28th, 2019| Kenmore Middle School Theatre
Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right!
The Ca(s)t in the Hat!
Welcome back to the Front Row blog, Encore friends! We hope you’ve been spreading the word about next season’s shows that were revealed on Sunday. Before we can take in those exciting productions, we have more of this summer’s Seussical to share with all of you.
Though some of you weren’t able to join us for our season reveal scavenger hunt, we have a fun new Instagram segment to share. As we continue through the rehearsal process keep an eye out at @EncoreArlington for more behind-the-scenes peeks, including this series:
You’ve heard of the Cat in the Hat, but now it’s time to give some other Seussians a turn! Here are some of the questions we’ve been asking our cast members:
2. What is/was your favorite Seuss book or story?
3. What’s the most challenging song in the show?
4. Give us your best jungle animal noise and/or Who battle cry.
5. Why will audiences love the show?
Here are the responses of just a few of our talented performers:
Click here to check out the Cast in the Hat IG story.
Enjoying these sneak peeks? Follow us at @EncoreArlington on Instagram for more fun as we get closer to the opening of Seussical. Be sure to purchase your tickets today – you won’t want to miss this show!
Photo by: Larry McClemons. Graphic by: Aileen Pangan. Instagram stories by: Shannon McCarthy. Blog contribution by: Shannon McCarthy.
So “Satisfied!” 2018/19 Season Reveal Recap
On Sunday evening, Encore Stage & Studio returned to our roots – Lubber Run Amphitheatre – where, in 1967, A Pocketful of Preposterous Poems took the stage. This performance began a legacy of over 50 years of “Theatre by kids, for kids” in the Washington, DC area. It felt only right to return to our artistic home to celebrate during this, our 50th season. The event was jam-packed, so here’s a brief recap of what you missed!
Up first, from the House of Delegates, was Alfonso Lopez, Representative of the 49th District, who presented a Virginia General Assembly Resolution honoring Encore Stage & Studio for its work to bring the arts to children in Arlington, onstage, backstage, and in the audience. It was wonderful to have Delegate Lopez join us for our birthday celebration, especially because he’s also a big fan of Hamilton!
Next, we were excited to honor several of our 2017/18 STAR Award winners. To see our complete list of accomplished winners from this season, check out this blog post!
We were thrilled to honor two of Encore’s long-term staff members as well. First up was Larry McClemons, who has served as Encore’s photographer for many seasons, capturing memories of Encore shows for performers, parents, and audiences alike. We here at the Front Row blog certainly couldn’t do what we do without Larry’s wonderful images.
Debra Leonard was also honored at Sunday’s festivities for her work as costumer on over 100 Encore shows over the years. With casts ranging from 15-40 cast members, her dedication has been enormous and we are so grateful to have her creative mind working on this summer’s Seussical as well!
Then came the big reveal – the 2018/19 season! Complete with sound effects, Sara Strehle Duke and Susan Alison Keady announced next year’s shows:
Jingle ARRGH the Way! A “How I Became a Pirate” Christmas Adventure
Robin Hood
The Talented Clementine
Disney’s Newsies
Then, of course, we rocked out to some Hamil-tunes! Hamiltons, Burrs, and Elizas of all ages took the stage to lay down some quick rhymes and lovely notes. We certainly hope to see many of you young revolutionaries at auditions this coming season.
Thank you to all of our Encore friends who participated in our season reveal, both in person and through our Instagram scavenger hunt. We hope you’re as excited as we are about all of the fantastic productions coming our way in the next year. Why not ensure your best show-going experience by reserving your best seats through a season subscription today?
Photos by: Aileen Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Tips for Audience Members!
Our production of Pinocchio opens tomorrow! So you’ve purchased your tickets – what comes next? Luckily, Brian Tatum, our Front of House Manager from James and the Giant Peach has some tips for audience members just like you!
#1 – *Be on time.*
Leave yourself enough time to purchase concessions, learn about the lobby raffle, and get settled in your seats. This will make the performance the most enjoyable for you and your surrounding patrons.
BONUS TIP: Our ticket scanners can read the ticket barcodes off your smartphone. If you’ve purchased your tickets online in advance, simply locate the email confirmation you received and click the link to “Print these tickets.”
#2 – *No electronics.*
To make this the best possible show-going experience, please turn off any cell phones, smart-watches, or other electronic devices. This allows you to focus on all of the hard work that the actors, crew, and creative team have put into crafting this production for you and your family.
#3 – *React!*
Performers always love when audiences match their energy levels. Feel free to laugh, applaud, and support the actors with your reactions. However, please save any plot discussions for the lobby!
BONUS TIP! *Stay connected!*
Share your experiences with family and friends, using the hashtag #EncorePinocchio. We can’t wait to hear what you thought of the show! Tag us at @EncoreArlington and join the conversation.
Still need to purchase your tickets? Don’t delay- buy them today online or by calling our Box Office at 703-548-1154.
Photo by Rosemarie O’Connor. Graphic design by Aimee Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
3 Reasons to Catch the Final Weekend of The Lion King Jr.
Welcome back to #FrontRowFriday! Encore welcomed over 1,300 patrons to the savanna of Kenmore Middle School Theatre last weekend to enjoy the “roaring” success of Disney’s The Lion King Jr.
“The Circle of Life” must go on, but you still have four chances to catch this “wild” production before it closes. We’re excited to share three reasons you won’t want to miss the performance that’s had audiences on their feet.
1) “Hakuna Matata.” Forget your worries! This 90 minute show is full of fantastic choreography, beautiful costumes, and soaring voices. You’ll leave your cares at the door and be rushing back for more after intermission.
2) See a production that’s been months in the making. Our cast (all ages 14 and under!), crew, and design team have been working hard in rehearsal and the shop since October to bring this production to life. Their wonderful work will have audiences in a “Stampede” to join Encore’s next production or learn more in our classes.
3) Share your favorite Disney memories with new audiences. If you grew up dancing around your living room to “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King,” this weekend is your chance to share these classic songs with a new generation – children, grandchildren, students, and more. There is certainly a song for everyone to love!
Take a trip to Pride Rock this weekend for the final weekend of Disney’s The Lion King Jr. We certainly hope that you’ll be “Feeling the Love” for our talented cast and crew. Click here to read what Arlington Sun Gazette had to say!
Friday, February 23, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 11 am and 3 pm
Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 3 pm
Photo credits: Larry McClemons and Aileen Pangan
Walk on the Wild Side: 3 Easy Ways to Dress for the Jungle
Get excited, Encore family! We can’t wait for our upcoming production of The Jungle Book! As you prepare to join us at the theatre June 2-11, we want to give you a few simple ideas on how to express your inner animal through your fierce outfits! You’ve joined us for Princess Balls and Pirate Parties, so why not show off your jungle style too?
1. Wear your favorite prints or clothing with animals on them. It’s so simple to get in touch with your jungle style, using items already in your closet!
2. Create some simple animal accessories, such as these adorable animal ears from Paging Supermom.
3. Looking for a more subtle approach? Find color and accessory inspiration from your favorite animal characters! The folks over at Disneybound are pros, so feel free to check it out.
No matter how you decide to show your animal spirit, we’re excited to see it! Be sure to get your tickets for The Jungle Book and get ready to show off your style.
Friday, June 2, 2017 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 11 am and 3 pm
Sunday, June 4, 2017 at 3 pm
Friday, June 9, 20176 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 11 am and 3 pm
Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 3 pm
Blog contributor: Shannon McCarthy, 2016-17 Arts Apprentice