Chicago Goes to Edinburgh via Short Pump

Posted by Bruce Miller

The Mills E. Godwin High School Drama Department, under the direction of Mac Damron, is taking their new production of the Broadway musical Chicago to the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh Scotland this August. But before they go—and to raise funds that will help them to get there—the school is presenting two performances here in Richmond for the general public.

Now here’s the sad part. I knew the shows were this week, but I thought they were Thursday and Friday or Friday and Saturday. In preparation for writing this blog post, I actually read the fine print on their flyer. The two Richmond performances are Tuesday (tonight) and Friday.

So, it’s too late to catch tonight’s show, unless you want to hot foot it over to Godwin and enjoy the curtain call. But there’s still time to get your tickets for Friday evening’s performance!

Of special note, this Godwin production stars Caron Sinnenberg as Roxie. Caron played Fern with Theatre IV in Charlotte’s Web, and last summer appeared in the ensemble of Grease, co-produced by Barksdale Theatre and Steward School. Also featured in the Godwin production are three other Barksdale and Theatre IV alum: Grace Adams and P J Llewellyn from Grease, and Marissa Vermillera from The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

The Friday performance costs $16 at the door, or tickets can be purchased in advance in the Godwin H S Commons, noon to 2 pm, everyday now through Friday. The show takes place at Godwin H S, 2101 Pump Road. Curtain time is 7:30.

It should be a great show, and a great chance to support more of Metro Richmond’s student actors. All of us at Disney’s High School Musical send a big "Break a Leg" to our friends in Chicago!

--Bruce Miller

"Little Shop" Promises Big Fun

Disney's High School Musical is not the only show in town this summer to feature young talent.

* SPARC will be opening their high school / college / young adult production of Little Shop of Horrors this week, the day before we open.

* The Godwin High School theatre program, under the direction of Mac Damron, will be opening their Scotland-bound production of Chicago next week.

* Dogwood Dell's production of Bye Bye Birdie is in the pipeline, featuring at least one alumnus of last summer's production of Grease.

More on the second two later. As for this week, be sure to reserve your seats for Little Shop of Horrors soon. SPARC’s summer musical opens this Thursday at the Firehouse.

Little Shop is coming together under the expert leadership of SPARC’s returning creative masterminds: Tom Width – Director, Blanton Bradley – Music Director, Pam Turner – Choreographer, Joe Doran – Light Design and Stage Management, Kym Mincks – Costume Design, and Mercedes Schaum – Set Design. It should be a great production!

The cast includes Hayley Roberts as Audrey; David Watson as Seymore; Richmond favorite Jason Marks as Mr. Mushnik, Elliot Lau as sadistic dentist Orin; Erika Thomas, Justine Ryan and Gianna Barone as Chrystal, Chiffon and Ronnette; Eric Stallings as the puppet operator for Audrey II; and T. J. Ellis as the voice of Audrey II.

The show runs July 19 through 29, and the ten performances are all expected to sell-out quickly. You can buy your tickets by calling SPARC at 788-6457.

Everyone from Disney’s High School Musical sends a big “Break a Leg” to SPARC and the entire Little Shop crew!

--Bruce Miller