August 2011 Overtones

August 2011/Issue No 276

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

It's hard to believe, but plans are already underway for 2012, and our 2011 season has not yet ended. Kudos and thank yous go out to Shout, Cinderella, The Drowsy Chaperone, and our recently completed production of The Music Man. Our 2011 season has been a success on all levels.

One final production does remain, though. You'll find audition information for Scrooge: The Musical elsewhere in this edition of Overtones. Then it is full speed ahead to the 2012 shows consisting of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Meet Me in St. Louis, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Hello, Dolly! and It's A Wonderful Life.

In the middle of preparations for 10 shows over two seasons, we have been hard at work on one additional "production," our new seating project aptly titled "Please Be Seated." By the time you read this note, the auditorium seating that has served us so well since 1978 will have been removed from our theater. Many seats will find life and audiences at The Center for the Performing Arts, Harrison Hilltop and Princeton Players. For us, though, it was time to move on.

Why not audition for Scrooge and be among the first to see our new seats scheduled for installation the first two weeks of September. We will also be re-carpeting the entire auditorium. Our new sound booth went in shortly after Shout. All is being done in the interest of our audiences and making their theater- going experience that much more enjoyable.

Although we are committed to the project, raising the funds will continue far past the final date of installation. Your response to date has been most gratifying. To those who have already pledged or made a donation to the project, we thank you. If you have not yet made a donation, please consider doing so. It will help ensure Quad City Music Guild's success for years to come.

During the season, we sadly had to say our final farewells to two long time members of our Music Guild family. In June we lost Phyllis Lioen, an active member of our organization since "Sweethearts," our first production in 1949. More recently we said goodbye to Ronnie McGinn, whose legacy includes an extensive hand in the formation of our costume shop, but more importantly leaves behind three generations of family members that continue to share a love of music and theater with our audiences. Both ladies were dear friends and will be greatly missed.

Quad City Music Guild may be a volunteer organization, but even volunteers can become family. Thank you, Phyllis, Ronnie and every one of our volunteers. Each and every production is one big family reunion!

--Bob Williams

PLEASE BE SEATED CAMPAIGN

Quad-City Music Guild is embarking on a project entitled 'Please Be Seated' to replace the 591 seats in Prospect Park Theater. The current seating was purchased used in 1978 and recovered as part of our 1999-2000 'Complete the Dream' renovation and expansion project at the theater.

Audience surveys and frequent patron comments consistently ask that we "do something" about our seating. New and more comfortable seating is the number one request by patrons to enhance their experience at the theater. The Please Be Seated project will not only provide these new seats and replace the existing carpeting, but will also provide a new and more efficient sound booth extending into the middle of the last two rows.

Completion of this project will ensure a comfortable evening for QCMG patrons for many decades to come. We hope to complete this project in the fall of 2011. Total cost is estimated at $160,000. To date, we have secured pledges and donations totaling $114,000.

We hope you will support our project by making your donation in one for the following categories:

The Front Row ($25,000 and up)
Orchestra I ($10,000 -$24,999)
Orchestra II ($5,000-$9,999)
Loge ($2,000-$4,999)
Mezzanine ($500 - $1,999)
Balcony I ($200 - $499)
Balcony II ($199 and under)

Send your tax deductible contribution to: Quad-City Music Guild, Please Be Seated Campaign, P.O. Box 307, Moline, IL 61266-0307.

If you have any questions about the project, please contact campaign co-chair Kevin Pieper @ 309-796-7546 or at kpeiper@dhcu.org

Thank you for your support!!

COMING SOON!

December 2011

Congratulations to our 2011 Training Grant Recipients:

Sheri Brown
Lani Engstrom
Sally Hamer
Ashley Heppner
Mark Holmes
Jordan Lipes
Olivia Lyman
Katie Moore
Jenna Pautsch
Heidi Pedersen
Hillary Pieper
Ashley VanSpeybroeck
Kaitlyn Wehr

Voting Member Information

You are eligible to be a voting member if you do one of the following during the season:

partcipate in our Member/Patron Program
participate in one of our 2011 productions
complete five hours of other volunteer work such as helping in the concession stand, as a bus greeter, or helping with clean up day.

To receive voting member information ahead of the Annual Meeting, you must let us know that you qualify by filling out a registration form, available in the box office. Voting member notifications will only be sent to those individuals who have completed the form. Forms must be received by September 15, 2011. Remember, you must be at least 16 years old to be a voting member.

Starting this year, if we have your email address, voting member materials will be sent out electronically.

QCMG Alumni Gathering

The QCMG alumni will meet for lunch at noon on Oct 19th at O'Melias restaurant at 2900 Blackhawk Road. Patrons enter from the parking lot in back and enter on ground floor. Everyone is welcome. Call Cathie Anderson if you plan to attend. 309-762-3259. Don't forget to bring your memories of Guild in written form so we can work on our book.

Auditions Volunteers Needed

We are in need of volunteers to work auditions for our next production, Scrooge, on September 16 and 17. If you are available to help or would like more information, please contact our Auditions Chair, Jamie Bauschka, at jamiebauschka@hotmail.com.

2012 Directing Staff Applications

Directing staff applications for our 2012 Season are available in the QCMG Box Office or on our website - www.qcmusicguild.com.

Applications for the 2012 Spring and Summer Productions are due by September 18, 2011.

Applications for our 2012 Winter Production are due in June 2012.

Completed applications can be emailed to boxoffice@qcmusicguild.com or submitted to the Box Office. We hope to hear from you!

SCROOGE: THE MUSICAL- AUDITION INFORMATION
PERFORMANCE DATES: DECEMBER 1, 2, 3, AND 4, 2011

scrooge logo

Book Director - Bob Williams

Assistant Director - Jodi McGinn

Music Director - Cindy Ramos-Parmley
Choreographer - Valeree Pieper
Costume Designer - Cindy Monroe

Set Designer - Mark Holmes
Lighting Design - Kevin PIerce
Make Up Design - Sue Starr-Taylor
Producer - Dave Blakey

The joyous spirit of Christmas becomes a musical celebration of life in the rousing adaptation of Charles Dickens' beloved family classic, A Christmas Carol, adapted for the stage in "SCROOGE; THE MUSICAL."

Mean-spirited and stingy, Ebenezer Scrooge has a sour face and a "humbug" for anyone who crosses his path. But on this Christmas Eve, he will learn of the horrible fate that awaits him if he continues his miserly ways. One by one, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future take the startled Scrooge on a journey through time - showing him in one magical night what takes most people a lifetime to learn.

Brimming with heartwarming characters, including the beloved Tiny Tim, "SCROOGE; THE MUSICAL" is the stage adaption of the now classic 1970 holiday movie musical starring Albert Finney with music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. It brings to the stage not just the joy and wonder of Christmas, but a reminder of the impact each and every one of us has on those around us."God Bless Us, Everyone!"

CAST OF CHARACTERS

EBENEZER SCROOGE - "Bah Humbug!" is an understatement. Christmas? Who needs it? Gold is more important than the Golden Rule. Scrooge is the central figure of the story. Scrooge appearance is harsh and unattractive. His many songs are character and emotion driven. Scrooge also experiences extreme growth and change through the course of the show.
EBENEZER - Scrooge as a young man. The character starts as a romantic young adult and slowly turns from love to money as his primary drive. Songs; "Happiness" and "You - You."
BOB CRATCHIT - Scrooge's downtrodden employee and father of five. Nothing is more important to Cratchit than providing for his family, even if it means accepting Scrooge's verbal and emotional abuse. Songs include "Christmas Children," and "The Beautiful Day."
KATHY CRATCHIT - approximately 9-12 years old and constant companion to her younger brother. Songs include "Christmas Children"
TINY TIM - Tim should appear to be about 7 - 8 years old, slight and sickly. Songs include "Christmas Children" and "The Beautiful Day"
TOM JENKINS - A young man who is in debt to Scrooge. Tom is a lead singer and dancer. Songs include Father Christmas," "The Milk of Human Kindness," and "Thank You Very Much"
HARRY - Scrooge's adult nephew. Songs include "The Minister's Cat."
JACOB MARLEY - Scrooge's now deceased former business partner and the first ghost to make an appearance. His character, personality and demeanor would be similar to Scrooge. Songs include "Make The Most of This World"
GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST - A beautiful woman who shows Scrooge the mistakes of youth. Song: "Love While You Can."
GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT - A loud, larger than life presence with a booming laugh and joy in the world. Song: "I Like Life."

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS YET-TO-COME - A large, but silent presence. A non verbal, but integral character.

MR. & MRS. FEZZIWIG - Young Ebenezer's former employers. Happy people who believe money brings joy to others. Song: "December the Twenty-Fifth" which is also a large ensemble production number.

ISABEL - Fezziweg's daughter and Ebenezer's love interest as a young adult' Song; "Happiness."

Additional characters include Mr. Jollygoode, Mr. Harty, Mrs. Dillgood, Dick Wilkins, Mrs. Cratchit, various vendors and street merchants, spirits and urchins. Many ensemble characters may be cast in multiple roles/characters. Plans are to cast approximately 25 adults.

Children include the 5 Cratchit children, Ebenezer and his sister as young children, street urchins and a children's church choir. Plans are to cast 10-12 children, both boys and girls.

Prepare 32 bars of a song that best shows off your vocal talents. Christmas carols are welcome. Why not put us in a holiday mood? Also dress comfortably and be prepared to move. It may be Dickens London, but it is also a musical. Large production numbers include "December the Twenty-Fifth," "Thank You Very Much," "Father Christmas," and Finales at both Act I and Act II.

Rehearsals will begin on or around the second week in October. An actual rehearsal schedule will not be finalized until after casting is complete. We know the holiday season is a busy time. If you have conflicts, don't let them discourage you from auditioning. If we want you, we will find a way to work around your schedule.

'SCROOGE; THE MUSICAL" reminds the audience and performers the importance of the impact each of us has on those around us and that redemption is never too late. So why not share in the milk of human kindness as we celebrate the joys of Christmas in "SCROOGE; THE MUSICAL."

AUDITION DATES AND TIMES

             FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011, FROM 6:00 - 8:30 P.M.
        SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011, FROM 1:00 - 5:00 P.M.
            SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011, FOR CALLBACKS IF NEEDED.
Audition information forms may be downloaded from the Quad City Music Guild web site. There will also be blank forms at the sign-in table on the days of auditions.

Questions about Overtones? Need to change your contact information? Please contact Jen Sondgeroth at boxoffice@qcmusicguild.com. Be sure to put 'Overtones' in the subject line.