August 13-18, 2012 at 7:30pm

Witness the birth of a brand new play as regional playwrights compete each night to have their play produced on The Players main stage next season.

Tickets: $8 each, three plays for $21, all six plays for $36.

Valid May 10 thru May 13th!

Call (941) 365-2494 for details.

Actors will be seen in 5 minute slots. 

Please come to the Backstage at The Players door on the south side of the building (not the stage door). Please bring a headshot or resume. Callbacks will be announced at a later date.

ZOMBIE TOWN is a new, fast-paced, irreverent comedy featuring a mixed cast of five actors who play multiple roles.

 Actors should familiarize themselves with the material prior to the auditions. Sides will be available in the theater lobby starting May 1.

The Players lobby is open 10-7 M-F and all day Saturday.

ZOMBIE TOWN will run October 11-14 and 18-21, 2012 in the intimate backstage studio space.

Linda MacCluggage is directing.  Rehearsals begin in September.

Other questions? Please contact  lmaccluggage@aol.com / 941 323-4200.

by Jay Handelman, Herald-Tribune

“With all the screaming at the start of “The Full Monty,” you might think you’ve entered into a Chippendales strip show rather than the Players Theatre…

In surprising ways, “The Full Monty” is a show about the redemptive power of taking charge of your life and feeling confident in yourself, even if these guys take an odd route.

The often rousing musical by Terrence McNally and songwriter David Yazbek has a contemporary sound and attitude (yes, there is some strong language), mixing driving, rock rhythms with tender ballads that add more heart to the story.

The production staged by Jared E. Walker moves with a sense of fun and spirit, making the show seem shorter than its nearly three hour running time…

The cast members work well together, dancing with a humorous spirit and working hard to meet the vocal demands of Yazbek’s score, which gets a driving and supportive sound from the large band led by musical director Rick Bogner.”

Read the full review here.

By Steven J. Smith
Theatre Critic
SCENE Magazine

The Players Theatre closes its 2011-12 season in style with a spirited, moving, and downright fun production of this lively musical based on the 1997 film about six unemployed men who form a striptease act to make some cash. Touching on such contemporary issues as unemployment, child custody, depression, impotence, homosexuality, suicide, and how we look at our bodies, the show never wavers in its relevance and entertainment value.

Director Jared Walker does a phenomenal job coaxing winning performances from Jeffery Kin as Jerry Lukowski, who organizes the act, and Tim Fitzgerald as his portly best friend Dave. They’re joined by Tony Boothby (Malcom), Mike Phelan (Harold), Steve Bikfalvy (Ethan), and Gordon Gregory, in my favorite performance of the evening, as Noah (Horse) Simmons. Mr. Gregory’s rendition of the song “Big Black Man” absolutely stopped the show. Bobbie Burrell shone brightly as well as Jeannette, a tough-as-nails musician who “shows up, piano and all,” to accompany the boys’ rehearsals. Congratulations also to Musical Director/Keyboarder Rick Bogner, who kept the musical numbers coming at us with style and panache.

“The Full Monty” plays through May 6. Tickets are $25. Ahead on the Players’ schedule is their Summer Sizzler Series, which includes “Taffetas,” “Terra Nova,” “Lettice and Lovage,” and “Stay.” For more information about these shows or to secure tickets, call the box office at 941-365-2494 or visit them online at www.theplayers.org.

All actors should come prepared with a one minute song & one minute monologue and be prepared to learn some dance moves.

Actors are welcome to bring a photo, however The Players will take your photo that morning. All resumes and photos will be filed with your profile. New actors are welcome and encouraged to audition!

To reserve your audition time slot, please call the box office today! (941) 365-2494

“We have never swapped out a show before” said Jeffery Kin, Artistic Director for The Players Theatre. “Considering an opportunity of this magnitude, we know that our patrons will understand and be as excited as we are!”

Sunset Boulevard is a perfect fit for The Players stage considering the local talent pool and the size and enormity of this blockbuster production. The 83^rd Season line-up will now consist of Applause, Nunsense, Annie, Sunset Boulevard, 9 to 5, Harvey, and Side Show. Patrons should know that The Players still has plans to bring the heart-felt musical Violet to life on stage during the 84^th Season.

“There are rare and exciting times in every theatre lover’s life when they are able to be a part of their dream show” elaborates Kin. “After seeing Andrew Lloyd Webbers’ Sunset Boulevard on Broadway in the 90’s, I have dreamt of the day I could somehow be a part of this musical and its amazing story. After years of applying for the rights, and being turned down, it seemed as though The Players would never get it. On a whim, I applied again this year and at the last minute, we were granted the rights. There is something to be said about being persistent!”

It is not too late to celebrate this incredible coup by subscribing to The Players entire Broadway season!  Subscribers will get the best choice of seats at the very best price, with subscriptions starting at just $60!  Single tickets for each show will be available for sale on August 1, 2012.

Featuring our amazing students from The Players Studio appearing in songs, dances and acting scenes. A must see!

One night only!

Tickets: $8