Tag Archives: Footlighters

Auditions Announced for GUYS AND DOLLS at Footlighers, Inc.

Footlighters, Inc. is proud to announce auditions for GUYS AND DOLLS.

Directed by Jennifer Day
Produced by Evan Blanton & Megan Horton
Music & Vocal Directed by Joseph Rivers
Choreographed by Rachael Petranek
Stage Managed by Janet Wisner

Auditions:
December 7 & 8 – 6:30 – 9:30 PM

Invited Callbacks:
December 9 – 7 PM

Location:
Stained Glass Theatre – 802 York Street, Newport, KY 41071

Audition Materials:

  • Please sign up for an audition time through this SignUpGenius link. Walk-ins are welcomed and will be assigned to the first available audition slot.
  • Please prepare 32 bars of a Golden Age song that is not from Guys and Dolls and demonstrates your vocal range. Make sure your sheet music is printed out, in the proper key, and has cuts clearly marked for the accompanist. No recordings will be accepted.
  • Bring shoes and clothing appropriate for a dance audition, as you will be asked to participate in a dance combination after your vocal audition. A video of the combination will be sent out prior to the audition. Auditionees only auditioning for Arvide or General Cartwright will not need to attend the dance call.
    • Ladies: please wear character shoes or heels for the dance call.
  • Please provide a copy of your theatrical resume and headshot.
  • Please bring a list of conflicts between February and April 2026.
  • Note: Auditionees must be 18+.

Virtual: Please email headshot, resume, and a vocal/dance reel to the director Jennifer Day at jenniferann4097@gmail.com

Questions:
For any questions, please email producer Evan Blanton at evan.blanton0921@gmail.com or Megan Horton at megan.hudson1988@yahoo.com.

Performances:
April 16-May 3, 2026

Character Breakdown:

  • SKY MASTERSON – Lead, Male, Stage Age: 25-40, Vocal range: E5 – B3.
    A high-stakes gambler whose luck never seems to run out, and a wild card who surprises himself when he falls in love with the unlikeliest of women. Suave, smart, handsome.
  • SARAH BROWN – Lead, Female, Stage Age: 25-40, Soprano, Vocal range G5 – B3.
    Bright woman, the Sergeant of the local Mission. Fully believes in her worthy cause; wishes to convert the gambling sinners to saints. Falls unexpectedly in love with Sky along the way. She is prudish and uptight, but eventually lets go.
  • NATHAN DETROIT – Lead, Male, Stage Age: 35 to 45, Baritone, Vocal range: F5 – D4.
    Organizer of the floating crap game; a slightly neurotic, lovable rogue who is always struggling to stay one step ahead of the pack — and looking for the big break he never seems to get; his heart is torn between the camaraderie of his gambling circle and Adelaide, to whom he has been engaged for 14 years; excellent actor with strong comedic timing.
  • MISS ADELAIDE – Lead, Female, Stage Age 35 – 45; , Alto E5 – A3.
    Perky nightclub singer/dancer at the “Hot Box” and Nathan’s long-suffering fiancée, this role requires a strong belter with dancing ability and excellent comedic skills; she adores Nathan but is driven so crazy by his gambling antics.
  • NICELY-NICELY JOHNSON – Supporting Role, Male, Stage Age 30 – 60, Tenor to high B flat.
    Nathan Detroit’s best pal, whose enthusiasm knows no bounds; comic, cheerful, and likable as he delivers funny one-liners and several of the show’s most well known numbers with equal aplomb, including “Fugue for Tinhorns” and the show stopping “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”
  • BENNY SOUTHSTREET – Supporting Role, Male, Stage Age: 30 to 50, Vocal range G5 – D4.
    Nathan’s right-hand man, a gambler, smart, slick, always moving and shaking, but with what he thinks are Nathan’s best interest at heart.
  • ARVIDE ABERNATHY – Supporting Role, Gender: Open, Stage Age: 50+, Vocal range F5 – D4.
    Bass drum and cymbal player in the Mission band, Sarah's loving grandparent. Wise and sweet, wants only the best for her.
  • HARRY THE HORSE – Supporting Role, Male, Stage Age: 30 to 55, Vocal range G5 – F3.
    Quintessential tough guy gambler; has come into money by collecting the reward on his father; sidekick to Big Jule, but is more on the ball and is able to stand his ground when necessary; sings with ensemble only.
  • LT. BRANNIGAN – Supporting Role, Gender: Male, Stage Age: 40+
    New York police officer who is on to Nathan's illegal craps games and is dead-set on catching him. A tough, no-nonsense character.
  • BIG JULE – Supporting Role, Male, Stage Age: 30 to 60, Vocal range: G5 – F3.
    A big- time craps player from Chicago who uses a gun and his own pair of rigged dice to bully his way into never losing. Tough looking. A bit of an oaf.
  • RUSTY CHARLIE – Supporting Role, Male, Stage Age: 30-50, Vocal range: F4-G4
    Another of Nathan’s sidekicks, he is part of the “Fugue for Tinhorns” trio.
  • GENERAL MATILDA CARTWRIGHT – Featured Role, Female, Stage Age 40+, Mezzo.
    The regional representative of Save-a-Soul Mission is a highly anticipated and talked-about presence known for her intimidating demeanor, strong leadership, and surprising sense of humor. (Will double in other areas of the ensemble, to be determined.)
  • HOT BOX GIRLS – Performers who back up Adelaide in her night club act. Strong dancers and singers. Will double into other areas of the ensemble as City Dwellers, Mission Band Members, and Havana Dancers.
  • MALE ENSEMBLE – Liver Lips Louie, Angie The Ox, Rusty Charlie, City Dwellers, Waiters, Havana Dancers.

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Footlighters Inc. Call for 2026-2027 Directors

The Footlighters, Inc., is accepting submissions for directors for our 2026-2027 season. Interested directors must submit an online application that will include uploading their theatrical resume and scripts for their proposed shows. Directors will be allowed to submit up to three (3) productions for consideration. In our most recent survey, Footlighters patrons have expressed that their favorite types of shows are comedic plays, followed by classical musicals, contemporary musicals, and dramatic plays. However, ALL submissions will be considered equally regardless of whether they are of the previously listed genres or not. Our goal is to have a diverse yet balanced season that appeals to our patron base and artistic community alike.

We are seeking directorial candidates who feel they can bring a fresh and inclusive perspective to the shows they’ve submitted, and we encourage directors from diverse backgrounds to apply, whether you’ve directed for Footlighters before or not.

All submissions must be submitted via this Google form. The deadline to submit your materials is Sunday, October 19, 2025. Directorial candidates will be contacted to schedule their interviews with our committee. Interviews will be in person and take place at The Stained Glass Theatre beginning the week of October 27, depending on schedules. All candidates will be interviewed.

We will produce a four (4) show season for 2026-2027, so we will be selecting four (4) directors and four (4) productions, one of which we would like to be a play. Should you have additional questions or need assistance, please email the chairperson at footlighters.showsubmissions@gmail.com, and we will be happy to help.

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THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL Runs Nov. 6-23

THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL
Footlighters, Inc.
Nov. 6-23
[Newport]

Directed by Aubrey E. Wilson
Music Directed by Alan Masters
Produced by Bunny Arszman and Alan Masters

Official cast list |

America’s darkest family with an affinity for all things macabre comes to life in this hilarious musical comedy about love, family, honesty, and growing up. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable and “normal” family – a man her parents have never met. What’s our favorite ghoulish couple, Morticia and Gomez, to do?

  • Thu-Sat, Nov. 6-8 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Nov. 9 at 2pm
  • Thu-Sat, Nov. 13-15 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Nov. 16 at 2pm
  • Thu-Sat, Nov. 20-22 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Nov. 23 at 2pm

Official page |

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The Passing of Dylan McGill

From DignityMemorial.com

He was born on February 10, 1988, and raised in Franklin, Ohio. Dylan earned his BFA in Musical Theatre from the Boston Conservatory and went on to live in Boston, Chicago, and Corpus Christi, Texas, before eventually returning to his hometown.

Dylan truly exemplified everything fun, vibrant, and joyful. He was considered a best friend by many and a bright light in every space he entered.

To his family, friends, and colleagues, Dylan was a gift. He lived life to the fullest, but it was the theatre that truly captured his heart. His passion for storytelling, performance, and community was a defining part of who he was.

A celebration of Dylan’s life will be held on Sunday, September 14, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Anderson Funeral Home in Franklin, Ohio. In honor of his love for the stage, we invite guests to join us as we remember Dylan in the spirit he lived: with heart, creativity, and an open curtain.

All friends and family are welcome.

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The Passing of Marvel Gentry Harmon

From Legacy.com

Marvel Harmon Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by J. C. Battle and Sons Funeral Home on Aug. 26, 2025.

Location: J.C. Battle & Sons Funeral Home (543 Rockdale Ave, Cincinnati OH 45229)
Born: Monday 11/09/1953 Died: Thursday 08/21/2025 Died In: Loveland, OH

Visitation
When: Friday 08/29/2025 10:00am to 11:00am
Location: Quinn Chapel
10998 Southland Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45240

Service
When: Friday 08/29/2025 11:00am to 12:00pm
Location: Quinn Chapel
10998 Southland Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45240

Burial
When: Friday 08/29/2025 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Location: Spring Grove Cemetery
4521 Spring Grove Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45232

Obituary
Harmon, Marvel Gentry, beloved wife of Arthur W Harmon Jr, devoted mother of Epiphany Davis, Christina Reeves and Justin Harmon. Passed Thursday, August 21, 2025 Age 71 years. Visitation Friday, August 29, 2025 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Quinn Chapel AME Church., 10998 Southland Rd Cincinnati, Ohio 45240 452 Funeral Service on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Quinn Chapel AME Church.. Burial at Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Life Story
Marvel Gentry Harmon was born Marvel Denise Gentry on November 9, 1953, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is the eldest child born to Helen Lee Gentry and Marvin Gentry, Sr. She began her formal education at South Woodlawn Elementary School but transferred quickly to North Avondale Elementary School. Marvel accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized by Rev. Otis Moss, Sr at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Lockland, Ohio

As a child, Marvel was the apple of her parents’ and grandparents’ eyes. She was a bright, vibrant, energetic, and curious child who loved to talk, sing, and dance for her family. That’s when her love for entertaining began. She graduated from Walnut Hill High School in 1971 and was accepted to the prestigious Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, with the intention of studying medicine. That did not last very long, but Marvel loved NU nonetheless. During her time at NU, Marvel made history as the first Black pompom girl and the only person of color in the homecoming court. She stayed in the Chicago area after graduating in 1975 and began her professional career in sales, later transitioning into the technology field.

Marvel was highly esteemed in her work life leading to many annual president club recognitions for her accomplishments. Computer Software sales led to newer technology and other companies until Marvel found herself as the publisher of Madeira and Indian Hill Neighbor magazines. As publisher she won the Spirit of Madeira award for her community engagement, and rookie of the year in acknowledgement of her magazines’ successes.
Marvel’s greatest accomplishment is her beautiful daughter. She welcomed Epiphany Elease Gentry Davis in 1989 with her then-husband, Elease Skip Davis. As an only child the bond Marvel shared with her daughter was truly special.

After many years of Marvel and Piph being a dynamic duo, in 2017 Marvel married Arthur W. Harmon, Jr. and gained two more daughters – Christina Reeves and Justin Harmon, and two grandsons, David and Christian Reeves. Marvel and Art loved to travel. Together they went on many adventures, domestically and abroad. They agreed that their romance and the last eight plus were a ‘Divine Conspiracy’ in God’s plan for them, plans to proper them and not to harm them and plans to give them hope and a future in their Golden Years.

Marvel enjoyed many things – travel, music, golf, swimming but most of all Marvel loved the arts and the stage. She was the Producing Artistic Director of ballet tech cincinnati, later arts innovation movement (aim: cincinnati) where she fostered countless performance opportunities for dancers of all ages in the Aronoff Center’s Jarson Kaplan Theater. Not only did she produce new and original shows, but she produced The Gala of International Dance Stars for 10 years – bringing the best of the best in the dance world to Cincinnati. For her passionate efforts, she received several recognitions and honors from the local community. Marvel was an outstanding performer in her own right – from her early days of dancing as a child, through adulthood. More recently Marvel discovered musical theater and truly found a community with the Loveland Stage Company – taking weekly dance classes there and performing with them several times a year.

Marvel was passionate about her relationship with God and ministering to others. Beginning with her work in Southern Baptist Children’s Church and culminating in the ministry she created with her husband. Together, they built Standing in the Gap USA into a strong scripture-based ministry that is available on video and podcast.

Marvel’s life was her greatest performance, filled with love, faith, and joy. Though the curtain has fallen, her light endures, reminding us that it is not the length of life, but the beauty of how it is lived, that truly matters. She was, in every sense, a wonderful woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, remembered forever as someone for all of us to Marvel.

Marvel is preceded in death by her mother, Helen Lee Gentry; her grandmother, Perrine Richardson; and her uncle, Virgil Thompson. Left to cherish her memory, her loving husband Arthur Harmon, Jr.; her children, Epiphany Davis, Christina Reeves, Justin Harmon; her grandchildren, David Reeves, Christian Reeves; her father Marvin (Rosemary) Gentry, Sr; her siblings, Victoria (James) Crook, Jennifer (Yvette) Gentry, Marvin (Monica) Gentry Jr, Hilde (Barry Willingham) Hochwald, Jonathan (Eyonda) Gentry, Cleoyvonta Longmire Gentry; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends who will miss her immensely.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:17

Acknowledgements
There are no words to fully convey our thanks to everyone who called, prayed, visited, sent comforting messages and expressed their sympathy and condolences during the unexpected hospitalization and passing of Marvel Gentry Harmon. The family will send more formal acknowledgements in the weeks ahead.

In lieu of flowers, we ask for charitable donations to the Helen Lee Gentry Scholarship Fund

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