by Brian Knobloch | Oct 26, 2022 | Announcements, Press Release
Hard Road Theatre Productions has opened the form to accept director applications and show submissions for the 2023 season. We will be accepting responses until Tuesday, November 15th.
If you have any interest in directing a show with Hard Road, we strongly suggest you complete our simple online application form. Even if you don’t want to direct next season, but are interested in directing in the future, please fill out the form and let us know.
All submissions will be reviewed and vetted.
https://www.hardroad.org/director-submission-form/
by Bill | Jan 7, 2019 | Press Release, Shows
Monday, January 3, 1958
It was announced today that Springfield High School’s student musical group, The Marvelous Wonderettes, have been selected to perform at the “Class of 1958 Super Senior Prom.” School Principal, Mr. Varney explained, “We wanted to showcase the amazing talent we have here at SHS and these ladies are . . . well, marvelous! We’re all very excited.”
Cindy Lou, Missy, Suzy and Betty Jean – The Marvelous Wonderettes
The group is made up of four SHS seniors, Cindy Lou Huffington, Betty Jean Reynolds, Suzy Simpson and Missy Miller. When asked how the group came to be, Cindy Lou (the self-appointed spokesperson) offered, “Well, I love to sing and have always wanted to sing doo wop with my own backup singers. I mean, I absolutely ADORE The Chordettes and The Pony-Tails! So, I started my own group!” (This seemed to raise a bit of objection from the other three members of the quartet, but they seemed resigned to deferring to Miss Huffington.
The Super Senior Prom-goers will be entertained with songs such as: Mr. Sandman, Lollipop, Dream Lover and Stupid Cupid, among others. The ladies promise that everyone will have a “Marvelous” time at their prom.
The Marvelous Wonderettes are certain to entertain and can be booked for other events through their agent, Hard Road Theater Productions at the Facebook Agency.
by Tom Varner | Oct 23, 2018 | Announcements, Auditions, Press Release
Hard Road Theatre is proud to announce auditions for their winter musical: THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES. THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES is a musical comedy that features all 1950s and 1960s songs. The show revolves around the four women who are the Springfield High Songleaders: Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy, as they are called upon as a last minute replacement to perform at their high school prom. The group gets back together again ten-years later at their high school reunion to perform again. There are almost thirty 1950s and 1960s tunes featured in the show including, “Mr. Sandman,” “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Mr. Lee,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Heatwave,” and “It’s My Party.”
Auditions for THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES will be held on Monday, November 5th and Tuesday, November 6th at 7:00 p.m. at the Highland Elementary School, 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL. There are roles for 4 women. Those auditioning should come prepared with a pop song from the 1950s or 1960s that illustrates their vocal abilities. An accompanist will be provided. In addition, those auditioning should also be prepared to learn a short dance routine and need to be aware of any conflicts they have through January 27th. No recordings will be allowed. Performances for THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES are scheduled for January 18th, 19th, 20th, 25th, and 26th. The show is being directed by Bill Sullivan, with musical direction from David Wilton, and choreography by Christine Taylor.
Online audition form HERE
by Tom Varner | Jul 6, 2018 | Press Release, Shows
Lee’s Fine Jewelry and More, Rinderer Law Firm, and Scott Credit Union in association with Hard Road Theatre are proud to present Annie Jr. Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a beloved book and score by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, Annie Jr. features everyone’s favorite little redhead in her very first adventure.
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. Annie Jr. features several audience favorite tunes including “It’s the Hard Knock Life”, “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile”, and “Tomorrow.” The cast is composed of students from communities all around the area including Highland, Grantfork, Troy, Edwardsville, and Hillsboro. The show is directed by Angela Nuxoll, assistant directed by Kristy Hindman-Cook with musical direction by Dani Boulanger and choreography by Karlee and Kenzie Holzinger.
Performances for Annie Jr. are July 12, 13, and 14th at 7:00 p.m. and July 15th at 2:00 p.m. the Highland High School Kennel, 12760 Troxel Ave., Highland, IL. House doors open approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled show time. Tickets are $10 for adults and $9 for children (4-12) and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased online at the Hard Road website (hardroad.org). Physical tickets can also be purchased at the Highland Chamber of Commerce or at the door. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. All online ticket sales stop approximately 30 minutes before scheduled show time.
Hard Road Theatre Productions is a non-profit theatre organization committed to providing Highland and the surrounding area with high-quality, affordable, live theatre productions.
by Tom Varner | Jan 8, 2018 | Press Release, Shows
4″x6″ Post Card Template
Hard Road Theatre is proud to announce their winter musical: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do. Breaking Up Is Hard to Do is an original jukebox musical featuring 18 Neil Sedaka songs, including “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do”, “Where the Boys Are”, “Sweet Sixteen”, “Calendar Girl”, “Stupid Cupid”, and “Love Will Keep Us Together.” Set during Labor Day weekend in 1960, the show follows two friends, Lois and Marge, who travel to a resort, Esther’s Paradise, in the Catskill mountains to help Marge overcome a recent breakup. While there, romance flourishes in the most unusual places and a visitor from Dick Clark’s American Bandstand might just save Esther’s Paradise from financial ruin.” I love the music in this show and that’s what attracted me to it,” said co-director Tom Varner. “It’s a fun and charming show that audiences are going to love.”
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do stars Breanna Noe as Marge Gelman, Kenzie Holzinger as Lois Warner, Eric Sykes as Del Delmonaco, Weston Holzinger as Gabe Green, Lori Wahl as Esther Simowitz, and Bill Sullivan as Harvey Feldman. Members of the ensemble include Linda Collman, Karlee Holzinger, Mary Knebel, Sandy Leitschuh, and Gentry Fifer. The show has musical direction by David Wilton, choreography by Christine Taylor, and is directed by Gentry Fifer and Tom Varner.
Performances for Breaking Up Is Hard to Do are Jan. 19, 20, 26, and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the Highland High School Kennel, 12760 Troxel Ave., Highland, IL 62249. House doors open approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled show time. Tickets are $12 for adults and $11 for children (4-12) and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased at the door, at the Highland Chamber of Commerce, or online. It is recommended that tickets be purchased in advance, if possible. All online ticket sales stop approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled show time.
by Tom Varner | Sep 25, 2017 | Press Release, Shows
Sponsored by TheBANK of Edwardsville and in association with the Highland Arts Council, Hard Road Theatre Productions invites you to join them for an evening of hilarity in Suite #719 at the Plaza Hotel as they present Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite. Written by Neil Simon (The Odd Couple, Brighton Beach Memoirs, et al), Plaza Suite is a portrait of three different couples successively occupying Suite #719 at the Plaza Hotel. The first act features a suburban couple staying at the suite while their house is being painted and it turns out to be the one in which they honeymooned 23 (or maybe 24) years before and was yesterday the anniversary or is it today? This wry tale of is followed by the exploits of a Hollywood producer who, after three marriages, is looking for fresh fields. He calls a childhood sweetheart. Over the years she has idolized him from afar and is now more than the match he bargained for. The last couple is a mother and father fighting about the best way to get their daughter out of the bathroom and down to the ballroom where guests await her or as Mother yells, “I want you to come out of that bathroom and get married!”
Plaza Suite is directed by Warren Frank. The cast includes Angela Nuxoll, Chris Weckler, Nick Borror, Breanna Noe, Mitch England, Gentry Fifer, Linda Collman, and Lindell Webb.
Performance dates for Plaza Suite are Oct. 6, 7, 13, and 14th at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 8th at 2:00 p.m. Performances will be held at the Highland Elementary Auditorium, 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL 62249. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $9 for seniors (those 60 and over) and children (students from ages 4 -12). Tickets can be purchased online via the Hard Road website (www.hardroad.org) or at the door.
Make your reservations, check in, and be prepared for an evening of comedy and fun.
