OPEN STAGE March 25!

Announcing the final Open Stage nights of the 2015-2016 season! These “who knows what will happen next?” performance art events are coming up soon, on March 25 and April 8. Both exciting evenings begin at the earlier start time of 7:00 pm, and both take place on our home stage at Central School Project, 43 Howell Avenue in Old Bisbee. Contact “Obscure” Rae for venue and technical information and needs. Call 520-432-2901 or theaterbisbee@gmail.com. Come early to sign in.

If you enjoy an evening of grassroots Bisbee-style entertainment and fun, Open Stage is the place to be, whether on stage or in the audience. Either spot, or both, costs a dollar, so BOP can pay the rent. You can’t afford to miss it!

BOP Auditions for Dixie Swim Club

Bisbee's Obscure Productions, in partnership with Central School Project, is happy to announce auditions for The Dixie Swim Club Saturday, February 20, 2016 and Sunday, February 21, 2016 both 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM! Please come prepared to present a one to two minute memorized comedic or dramatic monologue and read a bit from the script. We are looking for five women, eighteen and up! The Dixie Swim Club is written by the witty team of Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten. Great characters, wonderful dialogue.

THE STORY: Five Southern women, whose friendships began many years ago on their college swim team, set aside a long weekend every August to recharge those relationships. Free from husbands, kids and jobs, they meet at the same beach cottage on North Carolina's Outer Banks to catch up, laugh and meddle in each other's lives. THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB focuses on four of those weekends and spans a period of thirty-three years. Sheree, the spunky team captain, desperately tries to maintain her organized and "perfect" life, and continues to be the group's leader. Dinah, the wisecracking overachiever, is a career dynamo. But her victories in the courtroom are in stark contrast to the frustrations of her personal life. Lexie, pampered and outspoken, is determined to hold on to her looks and youth as long as possible. She enjoys being married—over and over and over again. The self-deprecating and acerbic Vernadette, acutely aware of the dark cloud that hovers over her life, has decided to just give in and embrace the chaos. And sweet, eager-to-please Jeri Neal experiences a late entry into motherhood that takes them all by surprise. As their lives unfold and the years pass, these women increasingly rely on one another, through advice and raucous repartee, to get through the challenges (men, sex, marriage, parenting, divorce, aging) that life flings at them. And when fate throws a wrench into one of their lives in the second act, these friends, proving the enduring power of "teamwork," rally 'round their own with the strength and love that takes this comedy in a poignant and surprising direction. THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB is the story of these five unforgettable women—a hilarious and touching comedy about friendships that last forever...

For more information, contact Director: Mitchell A. Reed-Tattan at MitchellBOP@aol.com

Kya Teskey will be Mitchell's able assistant, and Blu Butch will, as always, ably handle lights and sound.

Lots of Chances for Fun. Don’t Miss Yours

It seems quiet at BOP right now, but don’t be fooled. Behind the holiday business, BOP’s actors, singers, musicians, dancers, and techies are beginning rehearsals for the second musical of our lifetime. This one is “Honk!,” the story of the ugly duckling, a tale that reminds us of just how OK it is to be different. Our cast of characters from 8 years of age to 80 is looking for one mature soprano to fill out the cast. Are you her? Do you know her? Come on around and have some fun. Great music, great show, fun cast! The show opens February 26, so there’s plenty of time to learn the part. Call or e-mail Gilles now at 520.432.2901, theaterbisbee@gmail.com

After a rousing start, Open Stage will take a month off in January while we regroup. February 19 will be the next chance to join or to encourage these talented performers, so get off the couch and polish up an act. We want to see it!

After a hiatus, BOP’s brave improv actors will be trying to stir up interest in a group again, perhaps for performance, perhaps just for fun, whatever the participants decide. Former and new players are invited to our first “reboot” gathering on January 29, 2:00 at Central School Project’s Squffy Theater, with further dates to be set at that time. Come to play, to get quick on your feet, just for fun, or for show, but come! No experience necessary -- we are making it up! Rae can give you more improv and Open Stage info at 520.432.2901 or theaterbisbee@gmail.com

Bring your best to the New Year, to BOP, and to Bisbee! You will get the best back.

In the pic: In rehearsal for Honk! Rosa Miller as Queenie, Lizzy Heinrich as Lowbutt and Nikki Heinrich as Cat.

Jeremy Heisner as Tom, Kya Teskey as Laura,
Gabriel Gast as Jim and Kathleen Shaughnessy as Amanda

Honk! Auditions Coming Up!

Auditions are coming up for BOP's (only) second musical, Honk! Honk! is a multigenerational show for all audiences – a funny, smart & wry retelling of Hans Christian Anderson's "The Ugly Duckling." It is so fabulous that it beat out both The Lion King and Mamma Mia for the British Olivier Award, the equivalent of the US Tony Award.

The characters don't wear fur suits, though there might be a feather or two to grace a chapeau. Ducks, swans, geese and frogs are a pleasing amalgam of humans and critters. All actors play multiple roles with the exceptions of Ugly, Cat & Ida (Ugly’s mom). This gives our talented BOP actors a chance to triply please audiences with their talents.

Auditions will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 21 & 22, 2015, at 2:00 pm. If you can't make the scheduled auditions, you are encouraged to email or call for an appointment (theaterbisbee@gmail.com or 520.432.2901). Auditions will be held in Central School Project's Community Room, 43 Howell Avenue, Old Bisbee. 

Gilles directs, and we team up with Ben Caron as Music Director.

We're looking for talent ages 8 and up. If you're under 8 and have theater or music training (and discipline), you are welcome to show us your skills. Roles are:

• 4 men or older teens to play Ugly, the (nasty) Cat, Drake, Wild (!) Geese, etc.
• 4 women or older teens to play Ida, Penny (a lovely swan) Geese, Ducks, etc. 
• 4 or more kids: ducklings, froglets, crazy geese & more

Please bring a 1-3 minute memorized monologue (not original work) and a song with piano or karaoke accompaniment. Kids can bring a poem or nursery rhyme for a monologue. Dress to move.

Honk! will rehearse December 5, 2015 – February 25, 2016 on selected weekday evenings &

weekend afternoons. Rehearsals during the holidays TBD. We will do our best to accommodate your schedule, but we are looking for seriously committed performers. Performances will be February 26 – March 6, 2016, Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.

A script will be available after November 9 at the Copper Queen Library. Check YouTube for music.

Bisbee’s Obscure Productions Open Stage Continues

A veritable deluge of Bisbee and area talent flooded the Central School Project stage at BOP’s first offering of Open Stage on October 16. The number, quality, and range of performers was beyond all expectations, and showed without a doubt that these fine folks had been seeking a venue.

That being noted, BOP’s Open Stage will continue with the next fun-filled offering happening on Friday, November 13, 7:00 p.m. (please note early start time), at Central School Project’s Squffy Theater, 43 Howell Ave., Old Bisbee. Admission is $1 to watch or to perform and snacks and beverages will be available for donation.

“Obscure” Rae tells audience members,  “This is an informal event. The door won’t lock at 7:00. Come late, leave early, come back. Whatever! I’m guessing you’ll want to see it all.”

Performers can contact emcee “Obscure” Rae for tech and venue information at 520-432-2901 or obscurerae@gmail.com

Don’t miss the fun!

The Glass Menagerie Auditions!, Sylvia continues, Open Mike on Steroids?

The joint is jumpin’ as BOP swings into our lucky 13^th Season! The brilliantly acted comedy, Sylvia, opened to a full house last Friday evening and will continue at 7:30 pm September 25, 26 and at 3:00 pm on the 27^th.  Look for tickets at Finder’s Keeper’s, Mimosa Market and Bisbee Food Coop.

Nearest and dearest to my heart at the moment is the upcoming auditions for Tennessee Williams', The Glass Menagerie, coming up on the heels of our Sylvia run. The auditions will be on October 3 & 4, 3:00 pm at CSP. I’ll be directing this much beloved classic drama and am looking for some fresh young talent to bring this story to life. Mother, Amanda, is 40ish plus, but Tom, Jim and Laura, the younger folk, must be able to play 20 up into early 30’s. Young women have talked to me, but I’m still seeking some eager young men. No experience necessary. I will train you up! The script is at the CQ library and you can call me with questions at 520-432-2901, if you’d like to know what you’re getting into. . . Hint: (Something magical!)

Open Mike on Steroids? I’m not sure BOP’s new and upcoming variety talent night, Open Stage, will be quite ready to pump up with the big leagues when we take the Squffy stage on October 16 at 7:00 pm.  (though I do love the way dear Britt pumped it up in his curtain speech) We will have snacks and drinks for donation, a stage and mikes, and at least a few fun and interesting acts to get us started. No sword swallowers or plate spinners yet, though, so come on out! Bring a buck and maybe an act and come on up to the 3^rd floor. Let’s have some fun and see what develops.

See you soon at the Squffy!

“Obscure” Rae