Open Auditions for 2019 children & youth pirate adventure

Even as our current show has audiences laughing, it’s time to think about Brush Creek’s next wonderful production!

Brush Creek will be holding auditions for actors and would-be actors up through the age of 18 to perform in the 2019 children & youth show, The Pirate’s Paradise, directed by Linda Zellner. Open auditions using cold readings from the script will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, December 15, and at 5 pm on Sunday, December 16 (which provides you an opportunity to catch a performance of Arsenic & Old Lace on either day!). No preparation is necessary, and the auditions are expected to last about two hours. While it isn’t necessary to be there both days, it can sometimes be useful, especially for actors who are new to Brush Creek.

The production will rehearse through January and February to open its three-weekend run on Friday, February 22. There will likely be two casts who will share a total of 12 performances (1 on Friday, 2 on Saturday, and 1 on Sunday each of the three weekends). If you want to know more about rehearsal expectations – or you are interested in being in the show but cannot make either audition date – contact Director Linda Zellner at ljzel@aol.com.

This adventure is another original script by Emily Wood and Michael Wood, who have been writing Brush Creek’s children & youth scripts for the last several years. The production has adventure, mayhem, plenty of rousing good humor – and perhaps just a touch of romance!

The Pirate’s Paradise offers an unusual twist on the typical pirate tale. Many years after the days of Blackbeard and John Morgan, Victorian England’s gives little thought to pirates. Social position, family obligations – and even the quest for the latest, most unique exotic orchid flower are of much greater concern. When professional orchid hunter Frederick Devereux sets out yet again in search of new varieties of the valuable flower, he instead discovers a paradise…a pirate’s paradise. He’d heard vague stories of Libertalia, the utopia for those scoundrels of the sea, but as a man of science and reason he dismissed the tales as romantic nonsense. So Frederick cannot help but be astonished when he not only stumbles upon evidence that the stories are true, but he actually encounters a thriving community of folks whose traditions and norms are neither those of his own society nor exactly what he’d expect from a group of ruthless buccaneers!

Frederick encounters the bold Cap’n Tsunami, the adventurous but noble Captain Reinhardt, and various other crews with their own sometimes bizarre quirks and personalities. He also discovers the seeds of Libertalia’s destruction, brought to life by Frederick’s arrival in the camp. Will the crew of the powerful ship Scarlet Reign bring an end to this pirate Utopia, or is it Frederick himself who offers the greatest threat to Libertalia’s continued existence. Can Frederick find honor among these thieves?

“Arsenic and Old Lace” Runs from Nov 30 thru Dec 16

Don’t forget to buy your tickets for “Arsenic & Old Lace,” the classic comedy with a dark twist, written by Joseph Kesselring and directed by Norman Gouveia. The cast is entering their final week of rehearsal for the production, which opens Friday, November 30 for a 3-weekend run ending Sunday, December 16.

The action in the play centers on the two elderly Brewster sisters, who have developed their own unique…ummm…”outreach” program to lonely older gentleman who may cross their path. As their nephew Mortimer begins to unravel the mystery and plan his own future with his fiancée, Elaine, he also must deal with the humorous alternate reality of his brother Teddy and the much more disturbing antics of his menacing brother, Jonathan.

The play was a success on Broadway before being adapted as a film starring Cary Grant in 1944.

Performances are at 7 pm Fridays and Saturdays, with matinees at 2 pm on Sundays.

You can buy reserved seat tickets at Runaway Art and Craft Studio at 311 NE Commercial in dowtown Salem or Books N Time at 210 N Water in downtown Silverton. You can also buy tickets at the door beginning 30 minutes before each performance.

For further information or for group ticket sales, contact Michael Wood at (503)881-6270.

“Arsenic & Old Lace” Auditions Oct. 8th and 9th

Brush Creek playhouse will be holding open auditions for “Arsenic & Old Lace” by Joseph Kesselring at 6 pm, Monday, Oct. 8 — and then again at 6 pm, Tuesday, Oct. 9.

Interested in being a part of this classic comedy, with twists and turn and madcap humor at every turn? As well as a mystery and a sinister villain or two? Director Norman Gouveia is looking forward to assembling a wonderful cast for this production. The script includes 14 roles for actors of all ages — you’ll want to give this a try!

Brush Creek’s auditions require no preparation — we use cold readings from the script and some other exercises — and we are always happy to welcome both experienced cast members and first-time actors.

If you have questions about the production or about casting requirements, contact Director Norman Gouveia at (503)897-7320

“Mayhem at the Faire” opens August 3

New Murder Mystery Mayhem at the Faire opens 3-week run at Brush Creek on August 3

Brush Creek Playhouse continues it 2018 season with its annual teen and young adult show — yet another light-hearted mystery by Emily Wood and Michael Wood. This time the setting is a Renaissance Faire in a pleasant little mountain valley. The cast includes both vendors and guests – but at least one of their number is a killer! The authors say that this particular script is inspired by a combination of Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes and . . . Scooby Doo!

The play, which is directed by Michael Wood, includes a cast aged 12 to 21. Wood says that his actors “bring a terrific amount of enthusiasm to their parts – they’re having a great time, and the audience will too!”

The show opens Friday, August 3 and runs through Sunday, August 19, with 3 performances each weekend. Tickets are available now for all nine shows – 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 pm on Sundays. Reserved seat tickets are just $10 ($8 for children 12 and under, students, and seniors 60 and over) and are available at the following two ticket-selling locations:

Runaway Art & Craft Studio                               

311 Commercial NE, Salem                                      

(503)881-6270                                                           

Books-N-Time

210 N. Water, Suite B, Silverton

 (503)874-4311

The remaining tickets are available at the door beginning 30 minutes before each performance. Contact Michael Wood at (503)508-3682 for group purchase or for further information.

“The Golden Harp” Opens Friday, June 22!

It’s time for the annual summer melodrama!

Brush Creek Playhouse, located at 11535 Silverton Rd NE, Silverton Oregon,(intersection of Brush Creek and Silverton Roads) will present, The Golden Harp that Saved Silverton, written and directed by Norman Gouveia — who also features in our wonderful cast!

It will run Friday, June 22 thru Sunday, July 8. Performances will be at 7 pm Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm Sundays.

Evil Dusty Dirk – also known as “Dirty Dirk” – is trying to squeeze the Nicely family off their land so he can get the treasure his uncle buried somewhere on the property. He is also trying to get our heroine, Cicely Nicely, to marry him. But she only has eyes for Cole Thorpe, the very handsome hero.

Tickets are available beginning the week of June 11 at our two ticket-selling locations, Books-N-Time (210 N Water Street in downtown Silverton) and Runaway Art & Craft Studio (311 NE Commercial in downtown Salem).

Questions about the venue or the performances? You can reach Brush Creek’s Michael Wood at 503-508-3682.

NOTE: You may have seen a June 15 opening date based on our original plans for the season. That date is NOT correct.

Open Auditions for “Mayhem at the Faire” — Teens & Young Adults

Brush Creek is casting another original mystery from Emily Wood and Michael Wood as this summer’s Teen/Young Adult show. All young actors and would-be actors from 13 through mid-20s are encouraged to come join the fun as the operators or this Renaissance Faire face a series of unfortunate mishaps — or are they accidents at all?

Auditions will be May 26, May 27, and May 28 — all at 6 pm. We use cold readings from the script so no special preparation is needed. You can attend one, two or three of the auditions — this is your chance to really strut your stuff! All three auditions will be held at the theater, which is located at 11535 Silverton Road (intersection Brush Creek and Silverton Roads — enter the parking lot from Brush Creek).

For more information, contact Director Michael Wood at mdwelpis@comcast.net or by text or voice at 503-508-3682.