The nation is gearing up for its 250th birthday in July, and area residents are invited to become part of the festivities by joining the MathewsVA250 Committee and the Court House Players as they bring to life the beloved local musical “Crickets on a Hill.”
Auditions for the show will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18, at the Cobbs Creek Art Center, 61 Cobbs Creek Lane, in Cobbs Creek. Rehearsals will begin in late April or early May, and show dates are July 2, 3, 5 and 17-19.
There are opportunities for everyone! Men and women of all ages are needed. The musical portrays the nature and general populous of the times, with roles ranging from Lord Dunmore and his loyalists, to patriots fighting for freedom. One central character is a free black man. There will be limited opportunities for children ages 6-11, while children 12 and older will have active roles.
People aged 12 and older who would like to audition for a singing role must be ready to sing about 1 minute of a prepared song that shows their voice and range. Bring Karaoke-type background music on a CD, iPod, cell phone, etc. There are also non-singing roles.
The audition registration form and more information about auditions can be found online at courthouseplayers.org/shows.
Note that rehearsals for “Crickets on a Hill” do not begin until after the final performance of CHP’s spring musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” so actors and crew will be able to participate in both shows.
About the show
Written by Mathews natives Judy Ward and David Shuber, the musical hearkens back to the nation’s beginnings and provides a peek into life during the colonial era. Originally performed in 1976 to commemorate the nation’s bicentennial, “Crickets On A Hill” quickly became a beloved community treasure and now, 50 years later, it will be revived with additional characters, scenes, and staging as part of a full month of patriotic events in the county.
The musical celebrates driving out the last Royal Governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, at the Battle of Cricket Hill, land situated on the mainland across Milford Haven from Gwynn’s Island in modern-day Mathews County.
Chairman of the Mathews VA250 Committee, Fred Lyon, notes, “This isn’t simply a performance—Mathews County is stepping onto the stage with heart, history and hometown pride to celebrate our nation’s history. We invite the community to join in this celebration—both on stage and in the audience!” Visit courthouseplayers.org/auditions for further information.
