Follies will be CHOC full of fun

Tom Titus

Admit it. You’ve always had a secret desire to sing, dance or

otherwise entertain. You just never got up the nerve to take a crack

at it.

Well, you’ll have your big chance Sunday. That’s when auditions

will be held for the annual CHOC Follies, that entertainment

extravaganza benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, and

experience is not a prerequisite. The first eight programs raised

$2.1 million total for the hospital.

Gloria Zigner, local publicist and the creative force behind the

Follies, announced that tryouts will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.

at the Sutton Place Hotel, 4500 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. If

you miss that date, another round of auditions is scheduled from 10

a.m. to noon Jan. 15.

Auditions will be held in groups, unless you’re trying out for a

solo or an acting role. If you’re seeking a solo, you need to bring

sheet music, a CD or tape. A pianist will be available.

Rehearsals will be held in the former Wells Fargo Bank building at

3400 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. The first all-cast meeting will

be held at the rehearsal hall Jan. 22 at 10 a.m.

“Most rehearsals will be held during the day on Saturday and on

Wednesday evenings,” Zigner said. “The number of rehearsals you will

need to attend are determined by the number of production numbers and

scenes you are in and the size of your role.”

Cameo sponsorship roles have a minimum number of rehearsals, and

every cast member is required to purchase or sell a minimum of $500

worth of tickets or sponsorships.

“Being a part of the CHOC Follies is great fun and one of the most

memorable experiences you’ll ever have,” Zigner said. “Theatrical

experience is not required.”

If you’re interested but still have questions, you can contact

Zigner at [email protected] or associate producer Lois Augustine at

(714) 532-8690 or [email protected].

‘GODSPELL’ TAKES OVER

Orange Coast College has announced a shift in its theater

schedule, replacing a little-known musical with a more popular one.

“Godspell,” the rock musical based on the life of Christ, will be

staged March 10 to 20, replacing the originally scheduled “Dora

Hand.” The switch was made because of casting considerations, school

officials said.

Beth Hansen, a local actress, singer and director who staged

“Pippin” at the college last season, will direct “Godspell.” Hansen

has mounted dozens of shows at the Saddleback Civic Light Opera over

the past 15 years and has performed starring roles in musicals such

as “Gypsy” and “Hello Dolly.”

“Godspell,” with book by Jon-Michael Teblak and music and lyrics

by Stephen Schwartz, was one of the more popular musicals of the

1970s. It was revived recently at the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse.

Performances will be given March 10 to 13 and 17 to 20 at Orange

Coast College’s Drama Lab Theater. More information is available by

calling the college at (714) 432-5880.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.