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Open Auditions for “Robin Hood: Crusader for Justice” — Children & Youth Show

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As Brush Creek’s 2017 season closes with the delightful “Christmas at the Blizzard: A Murder Mystery,” we are getting read to launch our 2018 season with open auditions for our children & youth production, “Robin Hood: Crusader for Justice.”

Auditions will be held at 10 am on Sunday, Dec. 17 and at 6 pm Monday, Dec. 18 and Tuesday, Dec. 19. We will use cold readings from the script, so no preparation is necessary. All actors or would-be actors up thru age 18 are welcome!

Rehearsals will begin Jan 2 for the production,
which will run weekends from Feb 15 thru March 4.

The script by Emily Wood and Michael Wood follows Robin as he turns from a somewhat irresponsible nobleman to a reluctant outlaw to a true crusader for justice. Will he, Lady Marian, and the Merry Men be able to thwart Prince John’s schemes? Or will the Sheriff of Nottingham and Sir Guy lead the sheriff’s men to victory over the outlaws? Come join this marvelous tale — great part for males and females of all ages! And we are always glad to see first-time actors. Come give us a try!

If you need information or can’t make the dates listed, contact Director Linda Zellner at ljzel@aol.com or by phone at 503-703-2826.

Make your reservation at the Blizzard Bed and Breakfast for . . . murder!

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A group of strangers gathered together at an old house converted into a bed and breakfast, have been cut off from the world at large. Not long after they are joined by an unexpected visitor, the mystery deepens. Sound a bit like something out of Agatha Christie? That’s no accident. Brush Creek’s final offering of 2017 is Christmas at the Blizzard: A Murder Mystery, a parlor mystery in the tradition of Dame Agatha herself. The play, written by Emily Wood and Michael Wood, returns to the Brush Creek stage 6 years after its debut production.

You have all the makings of a real mystery here. Just toss in a snowstorm, a suspicious stranger or two, a secret treasure, and a . . . food processor?

Get your tickets now for just $10 ($8 for seniors, children and students) — Brush Creek now has reserved seating available. Just pick up your tickets at Books-N-Time on Water Street in downtown Silverton or at Runaway Art & Craft Studio on NE Commercial in downtown Salem.

The production opens Friday, December 1 and runs through Sunday, December 17, with performances at 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays.

Brush Creek announces final cast for “Christmas at the Blizzard” — Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 8!

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Director Michael Wood is pleased to announce the final cast for Christmas at the Blizzard: A Murder Mystery. “I am very pleased with this cast of newcomers, both to Brush Creek and the stage, as well as experienced actors from here and elsewhere. Rehearsals are well under way — the cast is having a great time, and I guarantee that you will too if you come to this show!”

This parlor mystery in the style of Agatha Christie was written by Emily Wood and Michael Wood and will open Friday, December 1 for a 3-weekend run. Performances are at 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with a 2 pm matinee on each Sunday.

Tickets go on sale at Books-N-Time in downtown Silverton and at Runaway Art & Craft Studio in downtown Salem on Wednesday, November 8. Tickets are $10, with discounts available for seniors, students and children. More on our ticket sales can be found at www.brushcreekplayhouse.com/ticket-information/.

The cast and characters are as follows:

TAVIS EVANS plays Lawrence MacGlaf: The handyman at the Blizzard Bed & Breakfast, “MacGlaf” has been in residence only a short while — and has a mysterious past.

EMILY WOOD plays Victoria Anderson: Margret Clay’s daughter, “Victoria” works with her mother at the Blizzard and is an avid fan of mystery novels.

MELISSA RICHARDS plays Margret Clay: Victoria Anderson’s mother, “Margret” is the owner of the Blizzard. But she has a secret she doesn’t want to share.

KARYL CARLSON plays Agatha Fair: Margret Clay’s mother, “Agatha” shares granddaughter Victoria’s love of a good mystery. But is she hiding one of her own?

RAENNA O’CONNOR plays Mary Rogers: An editor for a publishing house, “Mrs. Rogers” is a guest at the Blizzard who soon learns that not all surprises are appreciated.

NORMAN GOUVEIA plays Bruce Rogers: An author who has come to the Blizzard with his wife, “Rogers” doesn’t even own a sweater. But he has a secret.

MICHAEL WOOD plays Dr. Steven Armour: A doctor of podiatry and a guest at the Blizzard, “Armour” is hard for the others to get to know — and to like.

THIA EVANS plays Henrietta Frederickson: An unexpected visitor at the Blizzard, “Frederickson” arrives explaining that her car is in a ditch down the road.

RON DRAKE plays William Clay: Another newcomer to the Blizzard household with a mysterious past, “William” recently married Margret Clay after a whirlwind romance.

ALAINA LESKO plays Shelagh Trott: A police officer (“Detective, please!”) hunting a man suspected of killing his wife, is “Trott” really who she seems to be?

TOM BUCHHEIT plays Morgan Fellowes: An “Englishman” who arrives unexpectedly following a skiing accident, is “Morgan” really just a good-natured adventurer with nothing to hide?

LINDA ZELLNER plays Jordan Burns: An athletic “Englishwoman,” good-natured “Jordan” is disappointed to have her skiing adventure cut short. Or is she?

RICK RICKARD plays Robert Owens: Almost the last to arrive and definitely the first to leave, “Owens” is an author who can be counted on to provide the life of the party. But not this Christmas.

“Kitchen Witches” canceled — “Christmas at the Blizzard” to open December 1

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We know that a number of audience members — as well as the cast — were looking forward to Brush Creek’s production of The Kitchen Witches. We regret, therefore, that we have to announce that we are not going to be able to put on the production.

That means that Brush Creek’s next production will be Christmas at the Blizzard: A Murder Mystery, which opens a three-weekend run on December 1.\

We apologize for any inconvenience, and we regret the unusually long gap between Brush Creek productions. We are in the process of putting together our 2018 season, and we will be announcing those plans very soon. In the meantime, please mark Blizzard on your calendars — this mystery by Emily Wood and Michael Wood is a “parlor mystery” in the Agatha Christie tradition, with suspense, humor and a set of mysteries that will keep you guessing until the play’s final moments!

Open Auditions for “Christmas at the Blizzard: A Murder Mystery” to be held September 6, 7, 13, & 14

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OPEN AUDITION NOTICE

Christmas at the Blizzard: A Murder Mystery returns to the Brush Creek stage.

Brush Creek Playhouse plans to close its 2017 season with the return of the marvelous mystery that first graced our stage in 2011. This parlor mystery by Emily and Michael Wood makes several conscious nods to Agatha Christie as it takes the audience down a series of twists and turns as the characters try to discover the truth – before it’s too late! The play is set at a remote bed and breakfast in the Northern California hills, and after gathering to celebrate the holidays in style, the characters discover that they are trapped at the Blizzard by a real blizzard. And one of their number is a killer!

Open auditions will be held at Brush Creek Playhouse (11535 Silverton Road (the intersection of Brush Creek & Silverton Roads) on the following days (although it is not required, interested individuals are encouraged to participate on multiple days if possible):

  • Wednesday, September 6 (7 pm)
  • Thursday, September 7 (7 pm)
  • Saturday, September 9 (1 pm)
  • Sunday, September 10 (1 pm)

We will use cold readings from the script and some other exercises. No monologues or other preparation is necessary, but it will be useful to have a record of any previous theater experience (first-time actors are also encouraged to try out).

Anyone interested in a role but unable to attend any of the auditions should contact director Michael Wood at mdwelpis@comcast.net or 503-508-3682 to make arrangements.

The production will run Friday, December 1 thru Sunday, December 17, with evening performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and matinees on Sundays.

David Ives’ “All in the Timing” comes to Brush Creek stage June 16 thru July 2

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Brush Creek Playhouse continues its 2017 season with a delightful twist . . . or three. Director Dixie McCartney makes her Brush Creek debut with this set of comedic one-acts from David Ives. 

Produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, these short plays explore some eternal – and not so eternal – themes, with wonderfully comic results. 

For example, “Words, Words, Words” recalls the philosophical adage that monkeys typing into infinity will sooner or later produce “Hamlet” and asks: What would the monkeys talk about as they sat at their typewriters? “Variations on the Death of Trotsky¸” on the other hand, shows us the Russian revolutionary on the day of his demise, desperately trying to cope with the mountain-climber’s axe he’s discovered in his head. In “English Made Simple” an otherwise ordinary encounter between a young man and a young woman at a party takes on an extraordinary depth of meaning when their immediate romantic attraction is translated into a comically unromantic grammar lesson as they struggle to free themselves from the banal constrictions of party talk. Just four actors — Tavis Evans, Julianna Gibbons, Marc Wassom, and Ariel Blain — present all the roles in this critically acclaimed, award-winning set of comedies.

The show opens Friday, June 16 and runs through Sunday, July 2, with performances at 7 pm Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm Sundays. Brush Creek now sells reserved seat tickets. Tickets are $10 ($8 for seniors, children and students) and can be purchased in advance at Runaway Art and Craft Studio on 311 NE Commercial Street in downtown Salem or at Books N Time on 210 N. Water Street in downtown Silverton. They are also available at the door beginning 30 minutes before each performance.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes before curtain in order to ensure that we can get everyone seated in time for the performance.

Parents with young children will want to take note that some of the plays include strong language.

For more information, you can also contact Michael Wood at 503-508-3682.