Guest Artists and Designers Producing Phantom

Phantom Features Guest Artistand Designers for Opulent Tale

PHANTOM March 22-24 & 28-31 Quincy Community Theatre

Quincy Community Theatre’s most extravagant production of the season, Phantom, promises to captivate audiences this March!

Set to a gorgeous score with soaring songs, Phantom is a lush interpretation of Gaston Leroux’s classic novel, The Phantom of the Opera. With a script by Arthur Kopit and music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, Phantom whisks patrons away to Paris at the turn of the nineteenth century.

Within the walls of the Opera House, a tale of betrayal, murder, vengeance, and salvation is woven between the tragic titular character Phantom/Erik, and his mesmerizing protégé Christine Daaé. The Phantom lives for beautiful music and offers to be Christine’s mentor. Turmoil arises when the Opera House manager and Phantom’s confidante, Gérard Carrière, is fired. He is replaced

by Carlotta, Christine’s rival as the new diva. Carlotta’s husband Cholet, Philippe de Chandon—Christine’s roguish love interest, an exhilarating ensemble of cryptic characters, and graceful ballet dancers complete the impressive cast.

Patrick Beasley. Submitted photos.

(L-R) Ben Larson, Ken Phillips and Seth Campbell

After a nationwide search, Patrick Beasley of Kansas City was selected for the lead role of The Phantom/Erik. "I couldn't be more excited to return to Illinois, and to this incredible role,” said Beasley. “It isn't very often that actors are able to revisit a role, which we’ve played before, and I am very thankful to Brandon and the generous community at Quincy Community Theatre for inviting me to do so. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone in this fantastic arts community, and becoming a small part of the QCT family!"

“This is a show I have wanted to direct for years,” said Brandon Thomsen, Artistic Director, “and I am overthe-moon excited that the time has come to do it at QCT. The characters are richly defined; we laugh with them, and we cry with them. It’s a full theatrical experience.”

Phantom is under the direction of Brandon Thomsen, with music direction by Ben Larson, choreography by Cheryl Kaiser, technical direction by Lorne Kelley, scenic design by Seth Campbell, lighting design by Ken Phillips, costume design by Tania Ballve, sound design by Josh Hoenshell and stage management by Dan and Jeri Conboy.

Audiences can get a sneak peek of the show during “Discovery Night” on Monday, March 11 at 6 pm. This one hour, backstage, behind-the-scenes look at the making of this musical thriller is free and open to the public. Preregistration is preferred.

Audiences are also invited to meet the cast at the post-show talkback following the performance on Friday, March 29.

Tickets are $22-24, on sale Monday, Feb. 25. Performances are March 22-24 and 28-31. For showtimes, tickets, to RSVP for “Discovery Night,” or to volunteer as an usher, visit 1qct.org or call the QCT Box Office, located in the Oakley-Lindsay Center, at 217-222- 3209.

Try Out for Spring Performances

Students in grades 6-12 are invited to audition for roles in Quincy Community Theatre's Touring Production, Apollo: To The Moon on Monday, March 25.

All his life, Scott wanted to go to the moon. As he sets goals and works hard to achieve them, audiences will learn about NASA, the Apollo missions, and the USA's journey to space. Most importantly, audiences will discover what can be achieved if you keep dreaming and reaching for the stars.

Perfectly coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, roles for the small cast include Scott, the strong star-gazing lead, and more. Performances will be during school hours April 29-June 8.

Men and women over the age of 18 are invited to audition for You Can't Take It With You on March 25 and 26.

The Sycamore family isn’t your average bunch. When Alice attempts to contain her embarrassingly eclectic family’s ways to make a good impression on her fiancé, the entire night spirals out of control. From fireworks to the IRS and everything in between! This laugh-out-loud comedy is the perfect escape from “ordinary" life.

Diverse roles for this large, eccentric cast include a feisty grandpa, a doting mother, a Russian ballet instructor, an IRS employee, an inebriated actress, a moonlighting model, a Grand Duchess of Russia and more. Performances are May 10-11 and 16-19.

Online registration, detailed audition requirements, audition tips and character descriptions will be available at 1qct.org/on-stage/auditions. For more information call the QCT Box Office at 217-222-3209.

Spring Classes

Quincy Community Theatre invites students and adults to spend a few weeks exploring a theatre class this spring!

The new spring theatre courses feature classes available for ages 3-5, grades K-12 and adults.

Kelsey Celek, Head of Education shares, “Our classes at QCT are a great way for newcomers to learn more about the theatre or for veteran performers to take on a new skill. I’m excited about what new discoveries our students might make in our spring classes!”

All courses are designed to give people of all experience levels a safe space to refine their acting training and technique, enhance their and public speaking skills, gain confidence, meet other creative individuals and try something new.

View the entire class offerings online at 1qct.org. The registration deadline for all classes is Friday, Feb. 15.