Greetings, Players!

To all Concord Players Members, Subscribers, and Newcomers:

For the past few years we have offered a combined Subscription/Membership brochure, but for various reasons, this year we have decided to separate them again. So, we just wanted you to be on the lookout for TWO brochures that will be arriving in your mailboxes in early summer. We hope that you will consider joining us as a subscriber and member next season. We will be presenting three wonderful, diverse shows: Bad Seed, Over the River and Through the Woods, and Chicago. Our subscription prices are still a bargain ($35.00 per person for all three shows). And membership is rewarding: we offer camaraderie, workshops, discounts on trips, and a variety of ways to become involved in the Players! Remember, as a member, you are included in our membership book, and every month you will receive one of these informative newsletters! We hope to see you next season.

Little Women was a huge success. The producers are very pleased that their collaborative efforts with Orchard House worked out so well. Jan Turnquist, Director of Orchard House (and one of our Marmees), sent a letter of thanks to the Board. We will also donate seven dresses that were made for the show to Orchard House (retaining the option to borrow them if the need arises).

Have you a business or profession you'd like to advertise in the Players program? Your ad will reach approximately 6,000 people during the season, all from nearby towns, and all in a receptive frame of mind as they view your ad; they're settling in for an evening of terrific theater! To reserve a space or renew last year's ad, please send your camera-ready ad by August 1st to Claiborne Dawes, 29 Munroe Place, Concord, MA 01742; call 978-369-5899 with questions as to size, etc. Rates are from $100 for a business card or 1/4 page ad to $400 for the inside and rear covers; send payment with your ad, please!

We are pleased to announce that we are reviving that popular holiday celebration, the Winter Welcome, our own version of revels, under the auspices of Judith Broggi. Stayed tuned for more details from Judith in the coming months. Anyone interested in working on this should feel free to contact her.

Jackson Royal is playing the role of Mr. Lawrence in a production of Little Women (the Sands Hall script) at the Wellesley Summer Theatre. Performances are in the Ruth Nagel Jones Theatre in Alumnae Hall at Wellesley College beginning Wed. June 12, through Sat. June 29. On the first weekend, June 13, 14, and 15, tickets for Concord Players members are only $10 (reg. $20 and $15). You just need to mention your association with the Players to get the discount. For information, or to make a reservation, call 781-283-2000.

Don't forget to come to the Spring Frolic on June 9 at 7:07 PM. Bring a box supper; beverages (including beer and wine) and dessert (our famous strawberry shortcake!) will be provided. Some mystery entertainment will follow dinner. Bring a friend, and introduce them to the joys of the Players.

Our entry in the Emact Festival at Brandeis, Side Man, will be on Wednesday, May 29, at 7:30 PM. If we should make the finals, they will be on Sunday evening, June 2. We usually find out in the afternoon on Sunday whether we will be in the Finals. Rik Pierce will post any results on the web site, as soon as they are available, so do check!

The Town Cow Theater Company of Concord, Massachusetts will hold auditions for Shakespeare's The Life of Timon of Athens, to be performed outdoors in Anne Chamberlain Park, Concord, during the first three weeks of August. Auditions will be held Saturday, June 15, from 12 PM to 4:30 PM in the green room at The Concord Youth Theatre, 40 Stow Street, and on Sunday, June 16, from 12 PM to 4 PM at FOPAC, home of The Concord Players, 51 Walden Street. Call-backs will be from 4 PM to 5 PM Sunday afternoon. Auditioners should prepare a memorized speech from Shakespeare of 12-14 lines. Rehearsals will take place Sat/Sun afternoons and Mon/Tues evenings in July. No pay. For further information e-mail director Thomas Caron.

At the Elliot Norton Awards ceremony in Boston recently, Nancy Curran Willis and codirector Jason Southerland received an award for Outstanding Production by a Local Fringe Company for The Laramie Project, presented at Boston Theatre Works. Nancy E. Carroll won the Outstanding Actress in a Small Company Award for her portrayal of Mommo in Ballengangaire at the Sugan Theatre Co. Nancy is Dorothy Schector's god child.

We would like to extend a big welcome back to David Atwood, who has returned from an extended assignment in the Middle East. We are very happy to have him home!

Sam Petrie (a duckling in Honk!) and Charlie Streff (Father Swan in Honk! and Papa in Little Women) are featured as Grandson and Grandpa in a short film, Family Tree, to be premiered at the Newbury Street Film Festival in late May.

Claiborne Dawes has just had a new book published. The title is Then & Now: Concord, which she co-authored with Sarah Chapin and Alice Moulton.

Cliff Bean sends us news of Marilyn Zavidow. Marilyn, who is a singer-songwriter, has just released a new CD of her original songs, entitled When you Least Expect it. Find out more at <www.zavidow.com>. Many of you may remember Marilyn as Dolly Levi in our production of Hello Dolly some years ago, among other roles.

Laura Weiss and Jeff Harris have a new address: 14 Chase Dr., Montecito, CA 93108. We wish them the best of luck living in California; we will certainly miss them!

That's the news for this month. Please send your news to me, or to Sara Ballard, 34 Aurora Lane, Concord, MA 01742. The next newsletter deadline is June 20.