ROLE FOR SALE! Buy a "Starring" Role for Yourself or Someone You Know!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Role for Sale! Button Theatre, Gwinnett County’s newest professional theater company, offers walk on role For Sale in up coming show “Barefoot in the Park"

May 21, 2008 – Gwinnett County, Georgia

In an innovative twist to generate community interest in Button Theatre, Director Celia Rosenblum is selling the opportunity to become a “Star” for the night. The role for sale, which can be played by any adult, is a walk-on in Neil Simon’s comedy classic “Barefoot in the Park.” The company has chosen to donate a portion of the ticket sales from the play to the Gwinnett fine arts festival “Barefoot in the Park” as part of their continuing community outreach.

“This role an exciting opportunity for anyone to experience theatre from the performer’s point-of-view,” says Rosenblum.

“Barefoot in the Park" is a comedy about young newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter as they move into their first Manhattan apartment, a breath stealing five-flight climb. Their romantic start is given a shake-up as the conservative young lawyer and the vivacious wife work through their differences, as well as intrusions from her mother and the eccentric neighbor in the attic.

The walk-on role is an elderly delivery person from Lord and Taylor. After trudging up five flights of stairs, he or she staggers into the apartment. Exhausted and out of breath, the delivery person must deliver the package to Corie and get her to sign for it, all without saying a word. Finally, he or she stumbles out of the apartment to brave the stairs once more.

Button Theatre is offering two deals for a chance to be a performer for the night.

Individuals may purchase the role for any performance. The cost is $100, and anyone who mentions the individual’s name when purchasing a ticket will receive $5 off the ticket price.

Groups or corporations may purchase the role for three nights. They may choose one individual to play the role for all three nights or give the role to three different people. The cost is $500 and includes 30 tickets to be split among the three performances.

“The role would make a wonderful birthday, graduation gift or employee incentive,” says Rosenblum. “Our hope is that the community will become involved in the production, and that involvement will help us to give back to Gwinnett County.”

“Barefoot in the Park” will run July 5-27, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Anyone interested in buying the role is asked to contact Button Theatre at 770-831-0591 or email info@buttontheatre.com.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for senior citizens or students. All performances will be held at the Hudgens Center for the Arts, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 300, Duluth, GA 30097. Telephone 770-831-0591.

About Button TheatreFounded in 2007, Button Theatre is a non-profit, professional theatre company located in Gwinnet County. In addition to a full season of theatre productions, Button Theatre also offers children’s acting classes and summer camps. For more information about Button Theatre, please visit our website www.buttontheatre.com.

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©2007 Button Theatre

NEXT ON STAGE: Barefoot in the Park

Next on stage for The Button Theatre is the classic comedy, "Barefoot in the Park." Running July 5 - 27, "Barefoot" is the story of Paul and Cory -- newlyweds moving into their first apartment together. Their sixth floor home comes with some special features, the man next door who gets into his apartment by going through theirs, the small hole in the skylight and five flights of stairs. This look at the upheaval felt by newlyweds will have you laughing from start to finish.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM.

Ticket prices are as follows: Regular Adult - $20; Student/Senior - $15; Groups of 10 or more - $17. Please email for more information if you have a group of 20 or more.

To order your tickets online, go to the calendar page of our website, scroll to the month of July and click on the date you would like to see the show. Or call our box office at 770-831-0591.

Closing Weekend for "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" - Your Final Chance to See It!

It's almost time to say farewell to Charlie Brown, Snoopy and his colorful array of comic book friends -- but you have four more chances to see this fantastic show!

March 27 - 30, 2008, is closing weekend and it's not too late to get your tickets!

Don't miss your chance to see this fabulous musical!

* * * * *

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Now through March 30
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 2 PM
Call our box office at 770-831-0591 or go to http://www.buttontheatre.com/

One More Amazing Review!

Great Theatre
by jbcathens (as posted on TheaterReview.com)
4.5 out of 5

It was such a privilege to see this production. All of the actors were engaging and a joy to watch. I had the fortune of seeing the show with five other friends and we all loved the energy. This makes the fifth or sixth time I have seen this show, and this is by far the best yet. Every actor played his character exceptionally. Every one of my friends had their favorite moments and it should be said there were many to choose from including “I think I’m losing my flavor.”, “Suppertime”, “My New Philosophy” and many others. Don't miss the opportunity to see this show. It plays for one more weekend, and you will be sorry that you missed it. It's clever, tuneful and well directed and acted. This makes the second show I have seen at Button Theatre. They offer some of the best theatre I have seen in Gwinnett County.

Another Fabulous Review for "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown"!

You are, in fact, a good man, Charlie Brown
by Dagbath Yallington (as posted on TheaterReview.com)
4.5 out of 5

I had the distinct pleasure of experiencing the relatively new Button Theater when I took in the fantastic musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." Now, you have to knock my socks off when it comes to CB because I've seen the show in various incarnations several times and practically know the soundtrack by heart.

To make "Charlie Brown" shine you have to assemble a versatile and talented ensemble or you are dead in the water. The folks at the Button did just that as all the pieces fit into place very well. While the show is named after the lovable mope, it's really Lucy and Snoopy who have the best material and it is essential that those characters shine and shine they did. Maura Gebhardt is tremendous as Lucy. She really captures the spirit of Lucy's crabbiness and has a phenomenal voice. Ms. Gebhart was the best Lucy I've seen in person, kudos.

I don't know what kind of schooling they got going on in Indiana, but they must be doing something right because recent IU grad Nick Arapoglou is stellar as the lovable pooch, Snoopy. He can make you laugh just with a facial expression and both of his big solo numbers are just so charming.

I'm not trying to say that the rest of the cast is days old lasagna here or anything, it's just that a big key to the success of this show is a good Lucy and a good Snoopy. The rest of this ensemble is scrumtrillescent as well. Kristie Krabe is making quite a name for herself around town and she adds another strong performance to her resume as Charlie Brown's sister Sally. Ms. Krabe is really funny and brings tons of life to the character. The biggest surprise for me was Nathan Phillips who plays the pianist Shroeder. I wasn't sure what to think of him because he seemed to just blend into the background because, let's be honest, Shroeder is the straight man in all of this and doesn't get a ton of time to shine. However, when Mr. Phillips got to his big number "Beethoven Day" I was blown away by the range and talent of his voice. This gentleman was just an outstanding performer and was spectacular in a role designed to take a back seat to the others.

And what can you say about Charlie Bradshaw and Matthew Carter who play buddies Charlie and Linus respectively? Bradshaw must have been Charlie Brown in a previous life because he captures Charlie's sentiments incredibly well and Carter is funny as the philosophical Linus. The banter between Bradshaw and Carter just adds depth to an incredibly colorful cast of lovable goofballs.

I had a few minor issues with sound. I think the folks at the Button have something to work with, but the acoustics weren't good in my opinion and I need good acoustics in the theatre because I have minor hearing issues and if it were me, I would have considered a larger band because part of what makes Charlie Brown such an engaging show is the richness of the characters, the colors, the sets and the music. Those are just minor complaints. I really enjoyed the show and emplore those of you out there to give the show, and this theatre a chance. We need as many places around the city for actors to ply their trade and express their creativity and the survival of these places relies on the support of people like you.

* * * * *
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Now through March 30
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 2 PM
Call our box office at 770-831-0591 or go to http://www.buttontheatre.com/

With Reviews Like This, The Show Has to be Good!

Like a worn blanket
by the_unlikely_thespian (as posted on TheaterReview.com)
4.5 out of 5


My daughter and I were fortunate enough to have caught one of the opening weekend performances. First a few general comments and then I'll talk about the actors individually. This is a top-notch handful of performers. I felt that in general, the singing was first rate and the portrayals were delightful. I felt they fit together extraordinarily well as a cast.

The production takes place in a black (purple?) box theater in the Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for the Arts in Gwinnett county. I was unsure at first if this venue would be suitable for this production. I have to admit that I had no prior experience with this company and when I walked into the theater, the first impression wasn't the best. But they won me over as soon as the show started. This show is intimate enough that presenting it in that way worked just fine. The lighting was simple but good enough. At no point was I distracted by it. (I'm rarely conscious of lighting unless it is really bad.)

The one negative comment that I feel moved to make regarding the venue concerns the sound. The acoustics in there were less than stellar. There seemed to be some acoustically dead spots on the stage. I know that the performers were projecting plenty because I heard them well enough much of the time. But there were times when the actors' voices got lost in the ambient noise. This was a shame because there was so much good stuff to hear.

The musical accompaniment--piano and drums--was excellent.

Now let's get to the fun part: the actors themselves.

I am old enough to have seen the original off-Broadway production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," my 6th grade teacher took us on a field trip to NYC to see it. But I'm not going to try to draw any parallels between it and what I saw in the Button Theatre production because the memories are too dim. The one thing that I do remember well is that I came away from that show with an enormous, pre-pubescent crush on Lucy. This time around I would say that "crush" isn't the right word because I'm considerably older now and that would be really, really creepy. But Ms. Gebhardt did a remarkable job at capturing the essence of Lucy. Wonderful facial expressions and mannerisms. She clearly has a lovely singing voice. Lucy requires a brassy voice, and she managed to nail Lucy's character voice without losing that loveliness. "Little Known Facts" was a number that stands out in my head.

And while we're on the subject of facial expressions, the actor who portrayed Snoopy really caught my eye. His facials were terrific and I loved the character voice. Unfortunately for some of the other actors, I found that my eye was sometimes drawn to his antics when it was supposed to be elsewhere. (Not that he was upstaging them. His actions were subtle and in character. I just enjoyed his portrayal.) I confess that "Suppertime" is one of my favorites from the show and Mr. Arapoglou didn't disappoint. (Though there were a few acoustics problems during that number.) I also enjoyed the Red Baron scene immensely.

I can't put my finger on what it was about it, but the portrayal of Charlie Brown left me just the slightest bit cold. Mr. Bradshaw lists among his credits some NATS placements and I believe it. There is most assuredly many years of training in his voice. He had some lovely moments, but sometimes something was getting in the way of his obviously great singing voice. Perhaps something about the characterization. I don't know. I believe it was in "Happiness" where I heard him really shine vocally. Now, please don't get me wrong, there was much here to like, but there was something missing for me. I wish I could be more specific.

Ms Krabe is especially well known around these parts but this was my first opportunity to see her on stage. What a delight! Her voice, and characterization were first rate. Very cute portrayal. If I remember correctly, the show that I saw many years ago featured Peppermint Patty so Sally was all new to me. She did a fantastic job with it. And kudos to Ms Krabe for some fine and fitting choreography.

Mr Carter as Linus was fun; thumb sucking, blanket hugging, soft shoe and all. There were a few points where the singing was iffy, and by that I mean a loss of projection more than anything else. I attribute that to the same acoustic issues that I heard throughout the show. I'm no dancer--as anyone who has worked with me will attest--but I thought the soft shoe was pretty good. Fun stuff. By the way, what flavor is that thumb anyway?

And lastly Mr Phillips' Schroeder: his energy was high and I liked his character choices as well as his singing. "Beethoven Day" was a hoot.

In summary: Niggles aside, go see this show.

There is just so much to love about it.I hope the Button folks can find a sugar daddy because it's clear to me that there is talent aplenty here that is need of a more suitable home. They deserve larger audiences.

* * * * *
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Now through March 30
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 2 PM
Call our box office at 770-831-0591 or go to http://www.buttontheatre.com/!

HAPPINESS IS...A Good Review

HAPPINESS IS . . . By Brad Rudy
Grade: B+ (With Apologies to Charles Schulz and Clark Gesner)
4.5 out of 5

Happiness Is …
...Going to a Musical with my Little Girl.
...Seeing an old Favorite Done Right.
...Being Pleased with additions and changes to that old Favorite.

Happiness Is …
...Any Time spent with the words of Charles Schulz
...Any Time spent with Characters of Charles Schulz
...Any Time spent with the Wisdom of Charles Schulz

Happiness Is …
...Seeing Kristie Krabe with Blonde Hair.
...Seeing Kristie Krabe on stage at any time.
...Seeing Kristie Krabe make me forget Kristin Chenoweth.

Happiness Is …
...Seeing talented people perform for the first time.
...Seeing Maura Carey Gebhart make crabbiness HOT HOT HOT.
...Seeing Nick Arapoglou channel a dog.

Happiness Is …
...Seeing a musical with live musicians.
...Seeing a musical with no artificial amplification.
...Seeing a musical in which the cast can actually sing and dance and act.

Happiness Is …
...My little girl begging me to play the music from a show we just saw.
...Hearing my little girl rattle off the “Peter Rabbit” lyrics after hearing the song only once.
...Any time I can spend with my little girl in a theatre.

For Happiness is any time and any show at all, that makes me feel this good.

-- Brad Rudy (BKRudy@aol.com)

Postscript: I apologize if the structure of this pseudoreview does not let me go into more detail. This ensemble is one of the most talented groups I’ve seen in days (I admittedly have seen a lot of talented ensembles this year), this is one of my all-time shows, and the production is a delight for kids (round-headed or otherwise) and their children. My quibbles are pointless, and will remain unsaid, because the positives of this production overwhelm them and makes them petty. This show is a gift to us all.

* * * * *
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Now through March 30
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 2 PM
Call our box office at 770-831-0591 or go to http://www.buttontheatre.com/