THE PULSE OPERA HOUSE
Corner of Wayne and Second Streets
Warren, Indiana
Just off exit 78 on I-69 in Indiana
(260) 375-7017
WEBSITE

2008 Season

Great Expectations

By Charles Dickens

Adapted by Barbara Field

7 men / 4 women / 2 boys / 1 girl

March 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22

School Shows: March 20 & 21

Auditions: Monday, January 14

Using a simple set and making resourceful use of a brilliantly theatrical storytelling technique, the play conveys all the energy and warmth of Dickens' richly human story. Beginning with his humble boyhood at the home of his long-suffering sister and her husband, the kindhearted Joe Gargery, the play follows Pip through his encounter witht he escaped convict, Magwitch; his experiences with the bizarre Miss Havisham and her haughty ward Estella; and on to his removal to London where, after his "expectations" are mysteriously made known, Pip aspires to become a gentleman. Great Expectations recently won a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and played at the Seattle Children's Theatre, the Guthrie and traveled the country on an 8-month tour. The Seattle Journal-American says that "its a wonderful evening of classic entertainment suggested for ages six through adult."

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of a Murder Mystery

By David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr.

1 man / 4 women

May 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16,1 7

Auditions: Monday, March 24

Every drama group has experienced the horrors of what can go wrong on the night of a show and the ladies of the F.A.H.E.T.G. Dramatic Society are no different, with the possible exception that almost everything that could happen does. The scenery collapses, cues are missed, lines forgotten and the sound effects take on a strange note at times as the ladies present the cunning whodunit "Murder at Checkmate Manor." And just in case the audience gets bored, there's a Film and Fashion Show and a Murder Mystery Quiz complete with a prize. You will never forget these ladies!

The Man Who Came to Dinner

By George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart

15 men / 9 women / small chorus of boys

July 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26

Auditions: Monday, May 19

Sheridan Whiteside, having dined at the home of the Stanleys, slips on their doorstep, breaking his hip. A tumultous six weeks of confinement follow. The Stanley living room is monopolized by the irascible invalid; ex-convicts are invited to meals; and transatlantic calls bring a $748 phone bill. Gifts begin to arrive, including penquins, an octopus and 10,000 cockroaches. Add to that a cast of 1940's Hollywood characters who invade the home and you have comic genius. A revival of this classic American comedy in 2000 starred Nathan Lane as Sheridan Whiteside. It was later broadcast live on PBS.

Leading Ladies

By Ken Ludwig

5 men / 3 women

September 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

Auditions: Monday, July 21

In this hilarious new comedy by the author of Lend Me A Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo, two English Shakespearean actors, Jack and Leo, find themselves so down on their luck that they are performing "Scenes from Shakespeare" on the Moose Lodge circuit in the Amish country of Pennsylvania. When they hear that an old lady in York, PA is about to die and leave her fortune to her two long lost English nephews, they resolve to pass themselves off as her beloved relatives and get the cash. The trouble is, when they get to York, they find out that the relatives aren't nephews, but nieces!

Sorry, Wrong Number / The Hitchhiker

By Lucille Fletcher

4 men / 8 women

October 24, 25, 31 & November 1

Auditions: Monday, July 21

These two one act mystery thrillers are radio drama at its best. Sorry, Wrong Number was originally written for Agnes Morehead who performed it live for five years. It was later made into a movie starring Barbara Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster. This thriller is the tale of a neurotic invalid, whose only contact with the outside world is her phone. Over this, one night, because of a crossed wire, she hears plans for a murder, which turns out to be her own. The Hitchhiker was written for Orson Welles. It later became an installment of The Twilight Zone. This ghost story is the tale of Ronald Adams, an average motorist, who sets out to drive from Brooklyn to California, and early on his journey encounters a strange and inexplicable hitchhiker.

Annie, Jr.

Book by Thomas Meehan Music by Charles Strouse Lyrics by Martin Charnin

17 girls / 12 boys / 1 dog

November 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29 & December 4, 5, 6

School Shows: March 20 & 21

Auditions: December 4 & 5

Based on the popular comic strip, Annie Jr tells the story of a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Roosevelt and finds a new family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy. This show will be performed entirely by the Pulse Youth.

AND THAT'S NOT ALL!

OPEN MIC NIGHTS

Beginning on January 18, the Pulse will open up the lobby for open mic nights, featuring stand up comedy, improvisation, music, readings...you name it! It's all up to you! The first nights are January 18 & 19 featuring the comic talents of Scott Nedberg, David Dean, Bob Barnes and other Pulse favorites. On February 16 & 17, things will turn romantic as Scott and Kim Nedberg read A.R. Gurney's valentine Love Letters. After that, it's up to you! Please let me know your ideas. We are going to have a six month trial. The dates are:

Jan. 18-19 - Comedy Night

Feb. 16 & 17 - Love Letters

March 14 & 15 - after the show performances

April 18 & 19

May 23 & 24

June 20 & 21

2007 Season

2006 Season

The Odd Couple

by Neil Simon

March 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 2006

Mousetrap

by Agatha Christie

May 12, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 2006
(Auditions March 20, 7:30 p.m. 5M/3W)

Wild Oats

by James McLure

July 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 2006
(Auditions May 22, 7:30 p.m. 26M/3W + Variety of singing/dancing/specialty acts)

See How They Run

by Philip King

September 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 2006
(Auditions July 24, 7:30 p.m. 6M/3W)

A Christmas Carol

by Michael Paller

November 24, 25, 30 & December 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 2006
(Auditions September 18, 7:30 p.m. 5M/3W/1B/1G + Victorian Christmas carolers)

Additional Season Highlights

Playwright's Project

Readings on August 25 & 26, 2006

Valentine's Day Concert & Fundraiser

February 10, 11, 14, 2006

Frumpled Fairytales

by William Springer

March 31, April 1, 6, 7, 8 - School Tour: April 6, 2006

for 5-18 Players ages 5 and up (must be able to take a day off school for school tours)
(Auditions February 20, 2006, 7:00 p.m.)

Pulse Kids Day Camp

June 12-16, 2006

2005 Season

Talley's Folly

by Lanford Wilson

February 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 2005

Auditions: Jan. 10th. 7:30pm.

New Plays Festival

Playwrights Project

March 11 & 12, 2005

Auditions: to be announced

Great Shakes Alive!

Adapted from William Shakespeare by Cynthia Smyth-Wartzok

April 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 & May 5, 6, 7, 2005

Auditions: March 14th. 7:30pm.

Lucky Stiff

Book and Music by Lynn Ahrens

Music by Stephen Flaherty

July 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 2005

Auditions: May 9th. 7:30pm.

The Foreigner

by Larry Shue

September 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 2005

Auditions:July 18th. 7:30pm.

Best Christmas Pageant Ever

by Barbara Robinson

November 25, 26 & December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 2005

Auditions: Oct. 10th. 7:30pm.

2004 Season

Arsenic & Old Lace
April 29, 30, May 1, 6, 7, 8, 2004

A Midsummer Night's Dream
July 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 2004

The Fantasticks
September 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, October 1, 2, 2004
Plus a performance at the International Festival in Fellbach, Germany
November 24-28

2003 Season

Scapino
March 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 2003
ICTL Festival – March 28, 29, 30, 2003

Room Service
May 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 2003

New Plays Festival
June 13, 14, 15, 2003

My Favorite Year
August 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 2003

Diary of Anne Frank
September 26, 27, October 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 2003

2002 Season

Twelfth Night
by William Shakespeare adapted into a one-act play by Cecil Pickett
March 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 2002
ICTL Festival March 22-24, 2002 (Elkhart, IN)

Lost in Yonkers
Neil Simon
May 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 2002

Scapino!
A long way off from Moliere, by Frank Dunlop & Jim Dale
July 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 2002

Rodgers & Hart: A Celebration
August 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 & September 5, 6, 7, 2002
Starring Kira Christiansen (1st Soprano), Alana Gradeless (2nd Soprano), Lani Christiansen (Alto & musical director), Jonathan Cable (Tenor/Baritone), Deontre Martin (Baritone)

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Adapted by Eberle Thomas and Barbara Redmond
Auditions: August 12, 2002 at 7:30 p.m..
October 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 2002

2001 Season

"A Midsummer Night's Dream"-March 9-17 with a performance at the ICTL Festival in Indianapolis March 23-25, 2001

"The Apple Tree"-May 11-26, 2001

"Noises Off"-July 13-28, 2001

"Grand Night for Singing" (Rodgers & Hammerstein Review) August 24-September 8, 2001

"Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged)" a.k.a. The Compleat Works of Wllm Shakspr (abridged) September 21-October 4, 2001

2000 Season

Dames at Sea
May 5-20, 2000

The Pulse Opera House has been invited to participate in a Musical Theatre festival in Stuttgart, Germany July 5-9. "Dames at Sea" will be their entry. Performers and crew will be responsible for finding sponsors to pay for their plane tickets. Food and lodging will be provided. Eight international groups have been invited.

Once Upon a Mattress
Music by Mary Rodgers
Lyrics by Marshall Barer
Book by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer & Dean Fuller
August 25, 26, 31 and September 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9, 2000

SYNOPSIS: A musical re-telling of "The Princess and the Pea." A fairytale kingdom is under a curse that can't be broken until "the mouse devours the hawk." Queen Aggravain has decreed that no one can get married until Prince Dauntless finds the perfect bride. Many princesses apply, but all fail the test given by the Queen. All is lost until Princess Winifred (a.k.a. "Fred") swims the moat. Can she pass the test? Fun for the whole family

11 Men / l0 Women / 3 Children

CAST
Minstrel - Barry Jamison
Pantomime Queen - Ashlee Murrill
Pantomime Prince - Alex Rader
Pantomime Princess - Lorry Plasterer
Princess No. 12 - Drew Wiedman
Wizard - John Tolen
Lady Larken - Emily Dye
Queen Aggravain - Marsha Walton
Prince Dauntless - David O'Roark
King Sextimus the Silent - David Dean
Jester - Tony Sirk
Sir Studley - Jeff Dye
Sir Luce - Eric Sorg
Sir Harold - Evan Saltsman
1st Knight - Steve Rodenberger
2nd Knight - Chad Smyth
1st Lady-in-Waiting - Rowena - Rachel Fox
2nd Lady-in-Waiting - Merrill - Callie Stockman
3rd Lady-in-Waiting - Lucille - Josey Dye
4th Lady-in-Waiting - Beatrice - Courtney Elmore
Sir Harry - Darren Turney
Princess Winnifred - Evelyn White
Lady Mabelle - Ashley Elmore
Kitchen wench - Katelyn Rader
Lord - Charly Dye
Lady - Dianna Dean
Servants - Linda Willard, Chris Fuller, Julie Turney
Children - Stephen Willard & Taylor Murrill

DIAL "M" for Murder
by Frederick Knott
September 8-9, 14-16, 21-23, 2000
Auditions: July 24, 2000 at 7:30 p.m.

5 Men / 1 Woman
Tony Wendice - Mastermind who plots his wife's death
Sheila Wendice - His wife
Max Halliday - Sheila's former boyfriend
Captain Lesgate - Hired killer
Inspector Hubbard -Police Inspector
Thompson - Police Constable

SYNOPSIS: A murder mystery thriller in the style of Alfred Hitchcock. A man marries for money and then plots his wife's murder for the same reason. He blackmails a former schoolmate into strangling her and plans the perfect alibi. Every detail is carefully worked out and his plan is flawless . . or is it? A perfect whodunit for mystery fans.

Auditions for "Hay Fever" and "Dial M for Murder" will consist of readings from the plays. Those auditioning for "Once Upon a Mattress" should prepare a song. An accompanist will be provided.

1999 Season

The Actor's Nightmare by Christopher Durang (will be performed at the 1999 ICTL Festival)
Performances: March 12, 1999

And March 19, 1999 at the ICTL Festival

Little Shop of Horrors by Alan Menken & Howard Ashman
Auditions: March 15, 1999
Performances: May 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, June 3, 4, & 5, 1999

Moon Over Buffalo by Ken Ludwig
Performances: July 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, & 24, 1999

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum by Shevelove, Gelbart, and Sondheim
Performances: September 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, & 18, 1999

Story Theatre
(Aesop's Fables)
Auditions: October 4, 1999
Performances: November 12, 13, 18, 19, & 20, 1999

1998 Season

1940s Radio Hour
April 25, 26, 30, May 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 1998

Life With Father
June 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, July 2, 3, 4, 1998

Anything Goes
August 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, September 3, 4, 5, 1998

1997 Season

A Day in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine
May 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 1997

Bye Bye Birdie
July 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 1997

I Hate Hamlet
August 29 & 30 September 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 1997

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