STARZ Script Give Away!

A brand new play STARZ, THE MUSICAL premiers April 19-20-21, 2018 and you are invited–to win free tickets! Even if you’re not in the North Texas area, here’s your chance to win a copy of this original show (script and piano score), autographed by the original cast and production team!

Get your reservations here — and enter the sweepstakes, below.

Learn more about SHOJAI & STEELE PLAYS here. And you can LISTEN and WATCH for a bit of a taste in this short trailer:

Now, you KNOW you want to come! Check out the CAST LIST, below, and Get your reservations here — and enter the sweepstakes, below.

THE STARZ CAST

Despite the title, there are no “stars” in the show. Instead, STARZ relies on a strong ensemble dynamic. For instance, the song When Techies Let You Down (complete with rap!) showcases soloists, dancers, and the entire cast. The 14 original songs are performed with full orchestration via an audio recording, and range from solos, duets and full chorus numbers to boogie woogie, big band, folk styles and more.

In STARZ, you’ll meet all the usual suspects. Actor wannabe WALLY is played by 12-year-old Alex Neild, a 6^th grade student in Sherman. This is his second production, having previously performed in The Trial of Goldilocks at Dillingham.

Theatre veteran Lysle Seelig of Denison plays Wally’s sports-booster DAD, who just doesn’t understand Wally’s love of theatre. Lysle appeared in many Sherman Community Players (SCP) productions, including South Pacific and Guys & Dolls. “I’m having a great time being back on stage, in the mix,” he says.

Maegan Flood of Van Alstyne plays SHIRLEY, a reluctant performer who prefers backstage techie magic to the spotlight. She is a 19-year-old student at Collin Community College, and has performed in several Sherman Theatricks productions, most recently as Glinda in Wizard of Oz.

Lori Seelig of Denison, retired from Sherman schools and now working as an educational consultant, plays Shirley’s pushy stage MOM living her own dreams vicariously through her daughter. Lori has performed in many local and Porchlight Players productions in Colorado, including SCP’s South Pacific, and most recently in The Odd Couple (Female Version). “I love seeing all the young talent in our area and having the privilege to work with them on this production. It has been a great opportunity to work with Amy and Frank.”

Theresa Littlefield, a counselor at Fairview Elementary, plays SHECKY. She lives in Sherman and has performed in more than 20 musicals onstage or in the orchestra. “I am most proud of being an original cast member in all three Shojai & Steele Plays productions,” she says. “My favorite part of being in STARZ is playing an insecure jokester, and I love the terrible jokes I have to tell…it’s really hard to tell a bad joke well. Of course the music is fantastic and I have enjoyed getting to know the cast members.”

Jenny Daniel, originally from Green River, Wyoming, brings down the house as know-it-all BLANCHE. “Music has always been a huge part of my life. I love my character in STARZ, it’s been quite a treat to play such a fun character. I’m loving every moment of it.”

Liam Troncalli, a 6^th grade student at Dillingham in Sherman, plays the part of BUBBA dragged to auditions by his jealous girlfriend. “I have worked in many shows such as Strays (also written by Amy and Frank!), Peter Rabbit, and The Wizard of Oz,” he says. “My favorite thing about working in STARZ is that it reflects real life theater problems. I also like working in STARZ because of all the music and dancing!”

Bubba’s GIRLFRIEND is played by 13-year-old Shayla Lynn Hair. She’s an 8^th grader at Pritchard Jr. High in Bells, and an experience dancer. Justine Norris, also a 13-year-old 8^th grader at Pritchard Jr. High, and plays several roles including featured dances. “My favorite thing about the show is watching the personalities come out,” says Justine. Both girls play in the school band, but STARZ is their first musical.

Erica Romm, a 14-year-old 8^th grader at Piner Middle School in Sherman portrays the deeply shy POINDEXTER who overcomes her fears to win the part of her dreams. Erica has performed and danced in many Theatricks productions including Mary Poppins, Little Mermaid and Wizard of Oz.

Ditzy ingénue BERTHA is played by Caera Flood of Sherman, a 17-year-old student at Collin Community College, and a veteran of several Theatricks productions, including Bridge to Teribithia and Boxcar Children. “I’ve worked at Cinemark for two years now and love everything theatre related. This is my first musical and I’m so excited to present it to an audience. My favorite thing about Starz is the family I’ve made with the cast. It’s truly a bond that will last a very long time.”

Caera shares the BERTHA role with 14-year-old Jenna Getts, an 8^th grader at Tom Bean Middle School. Jenna lives in Whitewright where she has acted in school productions but STARZ is her first musical.

Tammie Sims works in McKinney and lives in Pottsboro, and her extensive vocal experience suits her role as VOCAL COACH. Tammie debuted onstage in the recent SCP production of Jesus Christ Superstar and says, “The STARZ show is fun, upbeat, and real.”

Sally Webber-Hawthorne also made her theatrical debut in Jesus Christ Superstar. A recently retired teacher living in Denison, she’s sung in countless choral productions, and portrays the CHOREOGRAPHER. “I love seeing how all the various personalities came together in STARZ to present a very realistic view of how to put together a musical,” she says.

Marty Burkhart of Sherman commands the stage as a take-no-prisoners DIRECTOR and STAGE MANAGER. She has performed both roles in real life, as well as onstage performances in Scrooge, Damn Yankees and the premier of Strays among others.

Keith Clark is a veteran of many SCP and college productions including South Pacific and Les Miserables. He drives from Plano to play the nerdy CHANCE who comes to the theatre to get a date—only to transform into a caring and supportive DIRECTOR.

Rounding out the cast is Tim Jenkins, playing the part of the PIANIST. “This is my first show acting, because most of the time I am the pianist for shows,” he says. “I have played for numerous shows for SCPs and Theatricks children’s theatre. My favorite thing about doing this show is the friendliness of everyone involved. It makes this cast seem like one giant family!”

STARZ PRODUCTION TEAM

Amy Wallace of Bristol, Tennessee, choreographed STARZ, and Shojai and Steele partnered to direct the show. SHOJAI & STEELE PLAYS writes material for “the rest of us” — focusing on unexpected themes and quirky characters. The writing team has taught acting and music, as well as performed individually, for decades.

STARZ was inspired by teaching at the annual Texas Thespian Festival. Shojai & Steele Plays also wrote and produced STRAYS, THE MUSICAL (featuring cat and dog characters) performed locally at the Sherman Honey McGee Theater and Hartman Middle School in Houston, and KURVES, THE MUSICAL performed at The Rialto Theater in Denison.

“Giving birth to a new musical takes hours of dedicated rehearsal, and we are blessed with this cast,” says Shojai. “I know they will also inspire theater-loving audiences, and we can’t wait to share their talent!”