Upcoming Events

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – MainStage at Fairview Youth Theatre

April 11 - April 21

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Showtimes

Thursday, April 11, 7:30 PM
Friday, April 12, 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 13, 2:15 PM
Saturday, April 13, 7:15 PM
Sunday, April 14, 3:00 PM
Sunday, April 14, 7:30 PM

Thursday, April 18, 7:15 PM
Friday, April 19, 7:15 PM
Saturday, April 20, 2:15 PM
Saturday, April 20, 7:15 PM
Sunday, April 21, 1:00 PM
Sunday, April 21, 5:00 PM

Synopsis

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.

Credits

Music and Lyrics by WILLIAM FINN | Book byRACHEL SHEINKIN | Conceived byREBECCA FELDMAN

Additional Material by Jay Reiss

Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine

Originally produced on Broadway by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo

Barrington Stage Company, Second Stage Theatre

Madagascar JR – Frisco – Egelston Akers Black Box at Willow Bend Center of the Arts

April 18 - April 21

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Showtimes

Thursday, April 18, 7:00PM
Friday, April 19, 7:00PM
Saturday, April 20, 2:00PM & 6:00PM
Sunday, April 21, 2:00PM & 6:30PM

Synopsis

At the Central Park Zoo, Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Gloria the hippo and Melman the giraffe prepare for another day of visitors while the Penguins plan their escape (“It’s Showtime“). Zookeeper Zoe, Zookeeper Zeke and Zookeeper Zelda rev up the crowd. Marty, feeling down about being trapped in the zoo, daydreams about what life would be like on the outside (“Wild and Free“). The other animals throw Marty a surprise birthday party, but when he shares his wish to go to the wild, they burst his bubble by telling him that he’s crazy. After the other animals leave, Alex sticks around to cheer up his buddy (“Best Friends“), and talk him out of leaving. Despite the pep talk, Marty escapes from the zoo.

Alex, Gloria and Melman scour the city in search of their friend. Once they are reunited, everyone tries to remain calm, despite the commotion of the city and the threat of capture by Police Officer 1, Police Officer 2 and Animal Control Officers (“Relax, Be Cool, Chill Out“). Tranquilizer shots bring the adventure to an end (“Grand Central“), and the animals fall asleep. When they awaken, the Zoosters, Mason and the Penguins are trapped in crates on a ship bound for Africa. The Penguins take control of the ship and steer wildly, causing the other animals’ crates to fall overboard. Unaware, the Penguins set off for Antarctica (“Penguins’ Sea Shanty“).

Credits

Book by
- Kevin Del Aguila
Original Music and Lyrics by
- George Noriega
- Joel Someillan

Popstars: A 90’s Musical – Starcatchers Theatre at Willow Bend Center of the Arts

April 18 - April 21

NTPA Premiere Production!

Showtimes

Thursday, April 18, 7:15PM
Friday, April 19, 7:15PM
Saturday, April 20, 2:15PM & 7:15PM
Sunday, April 21, 1:15PM & 6:15PM

Synopsis

Join us for the NTPA Premiere of the new musical hit POPSTARS! It’s is a high-energy musical packed with smash hits from the hyper-colored 1990’s by artists such as Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, TLC, *NSYNC, Christina Aguilera, and many more.

The action takes place in a school in the 1990’s where the students are preparing for their annual talent show, learning songs and dances of the times. The competition heats up as the soloists join forces to create the best 90’s boy band and girl group to try to win the talent show. Don’t miss this exciting and fun new musical!

Credits

Written by
- Neil Gooding
- Nicholas Christo
Musical Arrangements by
- Isaac Hayward

Complete the online audition form

Guys and Dolls JR – Auditioning Grades 6-12 – Southlake

April 19 - April 22

New to Auditions?

If you are thinking about signing up your first audition but aren’t sure what to expect, you might consider attending a FREE UpSTARt Workshop which is a fast-paced, high-energy, and fun-filled two-hour workshop designed to our future actors the confidence and training to “take the stage” in their first audition.

Synopsis

Guys and Dolls JR. is an adaptation of the show considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy. Its namesake ran for 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950, and won numerous Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Frank Loesser’s brassy, immortal score and witty book makes Guys and Dolls JR. a perennial crowd pleaser.

Set in Damon Runyon’s New York City, Guys and Dolls JR. follows gambler, Nathan Detroit, as he tries to find the cash to set up the biggest crap game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck. Meanwhile, his girlfriend and nightclub performer, Adelaide, laments that they’ve been engaged for fourteen years without ever getting married. Nathan turns to fellow gambler, Sky Masterson, for the dough, but Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary, Sarah Brown. Guys and Dolls JR. takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, but everyone eventually ends up right where they belong.

Resources

Credits

Book by
- Abe Burrows
- Jo Swerling
Music and Lyrics by
- Frank Loesser

Based on :The Idyll of Sarah Brown” and characters by Damon Runyon.

The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon – Deaf Theatre – Brodie Copeland Theatre at Willow Bend Center of the Arts

April 19 - April 21

Please note: Hearing audience members are encouraged to sit in the side sections, leaving center seating available for Deaf/HoH patrons who need ASL visibility.

Seats A19, A20, A28, and A29 are available for the Visually Impaired

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About NTPA Deaf Theatre

These programs are adapted for actors who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Both Deaf and hearing actors are needed and encouraged to join us for these upcoming programs with an innovative method of combining language to tell stories on stage. Deaf and hearing actors will work together to portray characters in the production with a performance that will be enjoyed by Deaf and hearing audiences alike.

Showtimes

Friday, April 19, 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 20, 2:00 PM
Saturday, April 20 7:00 PM
Sunday, April 21 2:00 PM

Synopsis

The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm are turned on their heads in this fast-paced, rollicking ride as two narrators and several actors attempt to combine all 209 stories ranging from classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel to more bizarre, obscure stories like The Devil’s Grandmother and The Girl Without Hands. A wild, free-form comedy with lots of audience participation and madcap fun.

Credits

By Don Zolidis

The Producers – Rodenbaugh Theatre at Willow Bend Center of the Arts – NTPA Repertory

April 19 - April 28

NOTE: Occasional strobe lighting is used during this production

Free Ticket Cards & Free Passes are NOT eligible for use in this production except those that specifically list this show.

NTPA Repertory Theatre continues its tradition of bringing professional quality productions with adult stage veterans to Plano and North Texas.

Bialystock and Bloom! Those names should strike terror and hysteria in anyone familiar with Mel Brooks’ classic cult comedy film. Now as a big Broadway musical, The Producers once again sets the standard for modern, outrageous, in-your-face humor. It is a truly “boffo” hit, winning a record twelve Tony Awards and wowing capacity crowds night after night.

The plot is simple: a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history, thereby bilking their backers (all “little old ladies”) out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit! The antics of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom as they maneuver their way fecklessly through finding a show (the gloriously offensive “Springtime for Hitler”), hiring a director, raising the money and finally going to prison for their misdeeds is a lesson in broad comic construction. At the core of the insanely funny adventure is a poignant emotional journey of two very different men who become friends.

With a truly hysterical book co-written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan (Annie) and music and lyrics by Mr. Brooks, The Producers skewers Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an “equal opportunity offender!”

Showtimes

Friday, April 19, 7:30 PM

Saturday, April 20, 2:30 PM

Saturday, April 20, 7:30 PM

Sunday, April 21, 2:30 PM

Thursday, April 25, 7:30 PM

Friday, April 26, 7:30 PM

Saturday, April 27, 2:30 PM *ASL Performance

Saturday, April 27, 7:30 PM

Sunday, April 28, 2:30 PM

*ASL interpreted performance – recommended seating to view the interpreter is on stage right

Credits

THE PRODUCERS

A Mel Brooks Musical

Book by MEL BROOKS & THOMAS MEEHAN | Music and Lyrics by MEL BROOKS

Original direction and choreography by Susan Stroman

By special arrangement with StudioCanal

Complete the online audition form

Mary Poppins JR – Auditioning Grades 3-12 – NTPA Dallas

April 20

New to Auditions?

Synopsis

The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “Anything can happen if you let it.”

Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and astonishing stagecraft.

Resources

Credits

Original Music and Lyrics by Richard M Sherman, Robert B Sherman | Book by Julian Fellowes | New Songs and additional music and lyrics by Anthony Drewe, George Stiles | Co-Created by Cameron Mackintosh | A Musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film

The Adventure of BetaKid (Film Production) – Studios – Rodenbaugh Theatre, Willow Bend Center of the Arts

April 21

Film Showings

April 21, 6:30 pm
April 21, 8:15 pm

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Synopsis

This film follows the journey of Peter and Sam as they travel through different video games, enlisting help from the heroes to help them fight their “boss.”

Credits

Original script by Gregory McKnight

Complete the online audition form

Finding Nemo, JR – Auditioning Grades K-8 – Frisco

April 23

New to Auditions?

Synopsis

Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo, with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.

Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” Finding Nemo JR. brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure.

Resources

Credits

Music and Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez Book by Lindsay Anderson

complete the online audition form

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (3-week intensive) – Auditioning Grades 7-12 – Plano

April 24

New to Auditions?

Synopsis

Presenting NTPA-Plano’s Pride Month Title: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie!

Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation.

Supported by his brilliant, loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies, and steps out of the darkness into the spotlight.

Sixteen: the edge of possibility. Time to make your dreams come true.

Director’s Note

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to direct “Everybody’s Talking about Jamie” because it’s a story that resonates deeply with me. At its heart, it’s a tale of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of unconditional love.

Jamie New’s journey is one of triumph over adversity. Despite facing numerous challenges and societal prejudices, Jamie refuses to dim his light. His unwavering confidence and pride are truly inspiring, serving as a reminder that we should never let others dictate our worth or dampen our spirits.

One aspect of the story that particularly moves me is Jamie’s relationship with his mother. Their bond is a beautiful portrayal of love, support, and acceptance. It highlights the importance of having a strong support system, especially during times of uncertainty and doubt.

As a director, I am passionate about bringing Jamie’s story to life on stage because it’s a celebration of individuality and the courage to embrace who you truly are. It’s a reminder that we all deserve to shine brightly and take center stage in our own lives. I believe that “Everybody’s Talking about Jamie” has the power to uplift, inspire, and spark meaningful conversations about acceptance and inclusion.

– Jason Robert Villarreal

Resources

Credits

Book & Lyrics by Tom MacRae
Music by Dan Gillespie Sells
From an idea by Jonathan Butterell

James and the Giant Peach JR – MainStage at Fairview Youth Theatre

April 25 - April 28

Showtimes

Thursday, April 25, 7:15PM
Friday, April 26, 7:15PM
Saturday, April 27, 2:15PM & 7:15PM
Sunday, April 28, 1:00PM & 5:00PM

Synopsis

When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that grows a tremendous peach, rolls into the ocean and launches a journey of enormous proportions. James befriends a collection of singing insects that ride the giant piece of fruit across the ocean, facing hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements along the way.

Credits

Book by Timothy Allen McDonald, Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul