by Bill | Nov 19, 2012 | Announcements, Shows
The Odd Couple, Oscar and Felix, are returning to Hard Road in February for a benefit performance by John Jatcko and Bill Sullivan courtesy of First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust. The Odd Couple was Hard Road’s second show and opened in January 2002. This time the show returns for a limited 3-day only event and all proceeds from the show will go to benefit the HACSM Food Pantry.
Besides reuniting Jatcko and Sullivan, this show will feature some performers who were prominent in Hard Road’s early success including Tom Varner, Wayne Steiner, and Rob Bowman as the poker-playing, unpredictably-funny buddies of Oscar and Felix and Gentry Nessel and Meredith Canterberry as the crazy, but endearing, Pigeon sisters. Additional surprises are also in store.
Performances will be at the Highland High School Kennel on February 1, 2 and 3, 2013. All seats are $10 and are available through the Hard Road web site or the Highland Chamber of Commerce. When purchasing your tickets, you’ll have an opportunity to make an additional donation to the food pantry should you wish to do so. Seating is limited, so we do encourage you to purchase your tickets early.
Several businesses have already stepped up to assist in this Hard Road production in this charity event. If you would also like to help, please contact Bill Sullivan. We welcome any and all assistance in making this a successful event.
by Bill | Jul 24, 2012 | Announcements, Shows
Looking for a place to cool off this weekend?
Well look no further than the (air conditioned) Highland Elementary Auditorium where you’ll find Hard Road’s presentation of All Shook Up!. The music is ALL Elvis (Presley, not Costello) and what’s cooler than that? How about a trip back to the 50’s into a square little town in a square little state with a guitar-playing roustabout who changes everything and everyone he meets in this hip-swiveling, lip-curling musical fantasy that’ll have you jumpin’ out of your blue suede shoes with such classics as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Don’t Be Cruel.”
You won’t what you want to do more – dance in the aisles or roll with laughter into them. Well, why not do both!
All Shook Up! opens this Friday, July 27th and runs through Sunday, August 5th (Friday, Saturday and Sundays only). Tickets are $10 at the door or can be purchased online for $7 – child, $8 – senior, and $9 – adult. There are several links on this website to our ticket site. Save yourself a few dollars and purchase your tickets today.
by Bill | Jul 4, 2012 | Announcements, Shows
The kids, parents and directors of Winnie the Pooh, Kids are in the final preparation stages in anticipation of opening night on Thursday, July 12. Dances are being refined, songs are being finely tuned and characters are being perfected. In other words, a GREAT show is opening next week.
Just to show you what a wealth of talent is awaiting showcase, we’ve prepared a promotion video highlighting the kids in rehearsal. You can find it on YouTube at this location. Check it out and see how much fun the kids are having during rehearsal. Prepare to be amazed with this cast!
Opening night is 7:00 Thursday, July 12, with additional shows at 7:00 on July 13 and 14. Our final show is a 2:00 matinee on Sunday, July 15. Tickets are $7.00 online (ShowClix) and $8.00 at the door. Online ticketing is easy and convenient – try it out.
Plan on seeing the show early – you’re going to want to come back again and bring friends with you.
See you then!
by Bill | Jun 8, 2012 | Announcements, Shows
Director, Paul Kruta, is busy putting the polishing touches in Into the Wood, Jr. as opening night for our summer season rapidly approaches. Everything is nicely falling into place and the cast is eagerly anticipating seeing you on Thursday, June 21st (continuing through Sunday, June 24th).
Tickets are available online through ShowClix (www.showclix.com) and there is a quick link to all of our upcoming events on this website. If you purchase your tickets online, you will save money – tickets at the door are $8.00 at the door and only $7.00 if purchased online. It’s easy to purchase tickets and we would encourage you to try our ticketing system.
Into the Woods, Jr is the first of three summer productions being presented by Hard Road Theatre. This show features the kids in the middle school and entering high school range and some a little younger. The talent is amazing and if you haven’t attended one of our kids shows before, this is the summer to do so. You WILL NOT be disappointed.
Be sure to plan on seeing our other summer productions, Winnie the Pooh, Kids (July 12th through the 15th) and All Shook Up (July 27th through the 29th and August 3rd through the 5th). Tickets for all three shows are now available online.
by Bill | May 25, 2012 | Announcements, Auditions
After two great nights of auditions, Evan Fifer – director of All Shook Up – has decided on a cast. Such decisions are not easy, especially considering the amazing talent of all those who auditioned. So, for all of you who are interested, we now present the cast of ALL SHOOK UP:
- Natalie Haller – Beth Augustin
- Chad – Mitchel England
- Sylvia – Gentry Nessel
- Jim Haller – Tom Varner
- Dean Hyde – Will Thomae
- Dennis – Tim Albaugh
- Lorraine – Erin Hoepfner
- Miss Sandra – Jamie Oestreich
- Mayor Matilda Hyde – Linda Collman
- Sheriff Earl – Hank Crider
- Members of the Ensemble: Margaret Sue Paletti, C.J. Knebel, Michael Miller, Cullen White, Megan Jakel, April Cook, Courtney Hochuli, Courtney Talbert, Tyler Lee Zobrist, Alexa Rinderer, Raven Miranda, Kyle Wiegand, Mary Knebel, Nic Zobrist, Bailey Bricker, Dallyce Hill, Myra Juenger, Angela Nuxoll
If you want to decline a role or have questions please contact the director prior to Monday, May 28th. If we have not heard anything from you by then we will assume you have accepted your role. Also if you are an ensemble character, please realize that there are SEVERAL solos within the show as well as speaking parts that will be distributed throughout the ensemble.
First rehearsal? 7:00 PM, Monday, May 28th at the Highland Elementary Auditorium.
Congratulations to everyone in the cast. BREAK A LEG ! ! !
by Bill | May 7, 2012 | Announcements, Auditions
The excitement usually associated with cast announcements is lost with this one since we’ve already posted the lists on Facebook. But let’s pretend this is new to you . . .
Hang on, folks, HERE ARE THE CAST LISTS! (Excited?)
Winnie the Pooh Cast List
Into the Woods Cast List
We made every attempt to accommodate all casting requests, and in most cases were able to do so. If not, we apologize.
If, after reviewing the cast list, you find that you are unable to accept the role, please contact the director so that we might adjust the casting accordingly. And in case you forgot, Paul Kruta (pkruta@gmail.com) is directing Into the Woods,Jr and Gentry Nessel (gentrynessel@gmail.com) is directing Winnie the Pooh,Kids.
Your next question should be “When is the first rehearsal and when can I get my script?” Technically that’s two questions but the answer to both is the same.
- Winnie the Pooh will have a read-thru this Thursday, May 10th at 5:30 in the Auditorium. The rehearsal should last no more than one hour.
- Into the Woods will have a read-thru this Wednesday, May 9th at 5:30 in the Auditorium. This rehearsal should last until 7:00.
In addition to handing our scripts and reading through the play, we will try and review all aspects of the rehearsal process: rehearsal times, schedule changes, parental assistance, and so on. So we would ask that each cast member have one (or more) parent or guardian with them.
And that’s it! We’ll see you at the read-thru at which time we can answer any and all of your questions (hopefully!)
