Turn and return: Rex Smith

Found my #TBT Throwback Thursday today by complete surprise: the program from the Broadway National Company of GREASE! starring Rex Smith as Danny, Davy Jones as Vince Fontaine & Sally Struthers as Miss Lynch. I made the trek from Southern Pines to Charlotte (by myself) to see the show at the Blumenthal in October 1994--it was a great show and the audience went nuts for it, and there was Rex Smith in the center of it all.

Flash forward nearly 21 years, and Rex Smith is headlining PLAZA SUITE at Judson Theatre Company. Feeling honored and fortunate that he will be joining us, and can't wait to see what he does with a script as well-written as PLAZA SUITE.

Rex Smith joins the cast of PLAZA SUITE at Judson Theatre Company

So proud to reveal the news that Rex Smith will be joining the previously announced Eve Plumb in Judson Theatre Company's June production of Neil Simon's Plaza Suite! A theatre fan like me immediately thinks of Rex's classic "leading man" Broadway performances in The Pirates of Penzance (with Kevin Kline and Linda Ronstadt), Grease, and The Scarlet Pimpernel, as well as Sunset Boulevard (opposite Diahann Carroll) and Kiss Me, Kate. But I also remember Rex when he hosted Solid Gold and appeared on As the World Turns and his own series, Street Hawk.  We're delighted to have Rex with us for Plaza Suite--please join us June 18-21 at Owens Auditorium in Pinehurst for an evening of laughs and love: tickets at JudsonTheatre.com.

Directing DIAL "M" FOR MURDER at Millbrook Playhouse

With the casting announcement out there, the cat's out of the bag--I'll be spending about 2 1/2 weeks directing Frederick Knott's suspense play Dial "M" for Murder at Millbrook Playhouse in July!

As my faithful friends are well aware, I only direct shows that I really love and know well. So here's to another treasured favorite checked off the "bucket list!" Thanks to David Leidholdt for the opportunity.

Announcing Judson Theatre Company 2015 Season!

As Executive Producer of Judson Theatre Company, I'm excited to announce our 2015 Season! 

Our fourth season opens with Neil Simon’s comedy smash Plaza Suite, starring Eve Plumb (best known as “Jan” on The Brady Bunch). Laughter abounds in this portrait of three couples in the swinging 1960s occupying a suite at New York’s Plaza Hotel: a suburban couple who are revisiting their honeymoon suite in an attempt to rekindle the romance in their relationship; a much-married Hollywood producer who reunites with his childhood sweetheart, now a suburban housewife, who has idolized him from afar over the years; and the parents of a nervous bride who’s locked herself in the bathroom with the wedding waiting downstairs. Time magazine declared the original Broadway production “An avalanche of hilarity!” and indeed, Plaza Suite is a clever comic meditation upon the effects of time upon love. Show dates: June 18-21. BUY TICKETS

In the fall, the laughter continues with the beloved Pulitzer Prize winning hit Harvey by Mary Chase. It’s the story of Elwood P. Dowd–one of the modern theatre’s most beloved characters. Charming and kind, Elwood has one quirk: an unwavering friendship with a 6’3 1/2″ invisible rabbit named Harvey! It’s a classic comic fantasy about losing your mind–and finding your real (and imaginary) true friends. Show dates: September 24-27.

For the first time, you can SUBSCRIBE! By popular demand, Judson Theatre Company is proud to introduce Season Subscriptions this year. Subscribers save over the single ticket price and pay no ticketing fees. All performances take place at Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College (3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374).  Judson Theatre Company is the Professional Theatre Company in Residence at Sandhills Community College. For tickets and information visit www.JudsonTheatre.com.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Proud to announce

Johnny Whitaker

is joining the cast of

To Kill a Mockingbird

as Judge Taylor!

View fullsize

Johnny Whitaker

is best remembered for his roles as ‘Jody’ on CBS’s

Family Affair

and as ‘Tom Sawyer’ in the 1973 film adaptation of

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

As a child, Johnny also starred in more than 5 major motion pictures and guest starred on numerous TV series, including

Bewitched, Green Acres, Bonanza,

and

Gunsmoke.

For the past 15 years, Johnny has been a co-owner and career path advisor for LA Kidz Management, a division of Whitaker Entertainment. He has served as the National Secretary of the Young Performer’s Committee of SAG/AFTRA.

TICKETS ON SALE/GROUPS: Also, tickets are now on sale at

www.JudsonTheatre.com

at our special Earlybird price. To save even more, organize a group (10+) and take advantage of our special Group Rates: the larger the group, the more you save! Email JudsonTheatre@gmail.com for Group Sales details.

AUDITIONS: Further, we will be having local auditions for

To Kill a Mockingbird

by appointment only

for several roles (including the children's roles) in Moore County on Monday, July 28 and Tuesday, July 29. Professional actors and experienced non-professionals are welcome to audition. Audition time and location will be included in appointment confirmation. Email current headshots and resumes to JTCStaff@gmail.com.