Equus Cast Take a Field Trip

The cast of Equus, recently took a trip to a real working farm! They were able to get to know each other a little better, delve into some deep character development, and get up close and personal with some very beautiful horses. A great time was had by all. Check out some of the photos below!

A special thanks to ALLRAND Photography for taking these beautiful shots!

Bryan Maas (Alan), Sally Cusenza (Dora) and David Segal (Frank)

Will Spilman (Nugget) and Bryan Maas (Alan)

Bryan Maas (Alan) and Shaina Higgins (Jill)

Bryan Maas (Alan) and Shaina Higgins (Jill)

Aren't they just gorgeous??

Equus Cast Hard at Work!

It's been a while since we posted anything, but we thought now would be a great time to let all our trusted readers know that the cast of our upcoming fall show Equus, are hard at work to ensure we bring you our most cutting-edge show yet!

A big thank you of course to everyone who came out to audition  and congratulations to our cast. We can't wait to see you on stage next month!
Dr Dysart: Tel Monks
Alan: Bryan Maas
Jill: Shaina Higgins
Dora: Sally Cusenza
Frank: David Segal
Hesther: Susan d Garvey
Nurse: Wayne Jacques Nugget:
Will Spilman
Horse: Sam Hall
Horse: Christoff Visscher

Plot:
Equus is a Tony Award winning psychological thriller inspired by a true story. It tells the story of psychiatrist Dr. Dysart and his young patient, Alan Strang. Alan's dangerous obsession with horses leads him to commit an unthinkable crime, which leaves Dr. Dysart trying to unravel the reason why – leading to his own crisis of self-doubt. The show is filled with confrontation and mystery as it explores the relationships between devotion, myth and sexuality.

Show runs: November 2-4, 9-11 and 16-17. Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 7pm 

Tickets:
$10 Students and Seniors. $15 General Admission. Group rates for 10+ available. Contact Katerina Paskaris.

Don't take it from us, take it from our patrons!

Of course it's easy for those of us at Taking Flight to be proud of our shows. But its when our patrons let us know what they thought that we're really proud. As a theater company, cast, and creative team, our primary goal with every show we put up is to captivate our audience. Next to Normal does just that from the first note sang to the final bow. Take a look at what some of our patrons are saying so far...

• I saw this show twice in New York with the original Broadway cast. Alice Ripley originated Diana and, over the course of a tour, completely devastated her voice. The acting and vocal chops required to portray Diana are intense, and I was thrilled to see that leading lady Holly McDade was more than up to the task. Apparently she's a new face in the DC community theater scene and I'll be sure to see whatever she's in! Second, the role of Gabe requires a true tenor with an impressive range, and the guy in this cast nailed it. "I'm Alive" and "There's a World" gave me goosebumps. Third, the chemistry between Henry (Michael Bigley, a DC community theater veteran) and Natalie (Claire O’Brien) was perfect. O'Brien's voice and characterization combined with Bigley's solid comedic timing made their scenes very enjoyable.
  
  
• There are THREE other DC-area community theater shows mounting productions of NEXT TO NORMAL over the next year or so, and they'll have to work hard to rival this impressive production. Kudos to the cast and crew. I'll be returning to see the show again before it closes!
  
  
• Outstanding performance....extremely powerful show...actors were all very strong with great voices...not an uplifting story but moving
  
  
• I'm still pinching myself. I really didn't think that the Taking Flight company could pull off this complicated musical. I saw it at the Kennedy Center last year, and I actually think I enjoyed this production more. The singing was excellent and the acting was pretty darn good too. Standout performances were Holly McDade and Keith Miller, but I thought that Claire O'Brien was outstanding. great singer and great actor. I really think she has a future as an accomplished actress. Really enjoyable evening. Well done!
  
  
• This was an amazingly powerful production...I saw the debut of the play at Signature Theater way back when, and this cast at TFT was in every way their equal. The music and lyrics are poetic and moving. I told my friends at the NAMI No Va chapter to get the word out about it, and also will tell everyone at the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance to check it out. Bravo!
  
  
• Emotionally disconcerting! How many families have turmoil at home hidden from others? This show can really shake-up one's recollections and grab you around the heart. This is a brilliant entertaining show that I recommend to everyone.
  
  
• I had seen this at the Kennedy Center last year so I knew the story line (which is VERY powerful and very emotional!) They did a wonderful job--both in acting and singing (some really GREAT voices!) I cried the first time I saw it and I cried this time too! If you can--go see this GREAT production--there are two more weekends--BUT make sure you take tissues!
  
  
• Good script...good singing...had a good time
  

So, what are you waiting for? Buy your tickets online now, or pay with cash, check or credit card at the door!

The Reviews Are In!

Well, opening weekend has come and come, and Taking Flight Theatre Company couldn't be more proud of this stellar cast and production team. We're the first community theatre in the area to tackle this emotional and challenging show, and according to the reviewers, we've hit it out of the park. See what they have to say about Next to Normal!

DC Metro Theatre Arts
NOVA Showbiz

Show runs:
June 1-3, 8-10, 15-16
Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM
Sundays at 7PM

Tickets:
$12 students/seniors
$18 general admission
Group discount available for groups of 10+
Cash, check & credit cards accepted at the door
Purchase tickets in advance, online

Location:
Waddell Theatre on NOVA’s Loudoun Campus
1000 Harry Byrd Highway (Rte. 7)
Sterling, VA 20164 

Next to Normal Opens Tomorrow!

(L to R) Michael Bigley (Henry), Claire O’Brien (Natalie), Holly McDade (Diana) and Keith Miller (Dan) 

We are so excited to be the first community theatre in the NoVa area to bring you Next to Normal. The cast and crew have been working diligently to bring you one fantastic show. Its heart breaking, moving, and yet somehow hopeful. And the icing on the cake? The music. You don't want to miss this Pulitzer Prize winning drama set to an intense rock score. We're positive you won't be disappointed!

Location:
Waddell Theatre on NOVA’s Loudoun Campus
1000 Harry Byrd Highway
Sterling, VA 20164

Show runs:
June 1-3, 8-10, 15-16
Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM
Sundays at 7PM

Tickets:
$12 students/seniors
$18 general admission
Group discount available for groups of 10+
Cash, check & credit cards accepted at the door
Purchase tickets in advance online

(L to R) Claire O’Brien (Natalie) and Michael Bigley (Henry) 

Photos courtesy of Harold Bonacquist

Congratulations to the cast of The Unwicked Witch: An Unlikely Tale

Hannah Harrison - Winona

Natalie Harris - Gobble

Caroline McQuaig - Hobble

Pelin Belendir - Wobble

Bob Rosenberg - Simon

Wayne Jacques - Luke

The Unwicked Witch is the unlikely tale of a young girl, Winona, who lives with her grandmother, great grandmother, and great, great grandmother. These grandmothers happen to be the last three witches in the world - Hobble, Gobble and Wobble. Their goal is to teach Winona the ways of being a witch; but she just can't seem to get the hang of it. When some visitors wander into the house where the girl and her grandmothers live, a series of quirky and unusual events occur.

Written by Madge Miller

Directed by Colleen Stock

Show Dates:

June 9, 10, 16, 17Saturdays at 11am and 2pm
Sundays at 12pm

The Unwicked Witch: An Unlikely Tale

We are excited to announce auditions for The Unwicked Witch: An Unlikely Tale!

The Unwicked Witch is the unlikely tale of a young girl, Winona, who lives with her grandmother, great grandmother, and great, great grandmother. These grandmothers happen to be the last three witches in the world - Hobble, Gobble and Wobble. Their goal is to teach Winona the ways of being a witch; but she just can't seem to get the hang of it. When some visitors wander into the house where the girl and her grandmothers live, a series of quirky and unusual events occur.

Written by Madge Miller
Directed by Colleen Stock

Audition Dates:
Saturday 4/21 – 2pm-4pm @ Sterling Library
Monday 4/23 – 7pm @ Sterling Library

Audition Location:
Sterling Library
120 Enterprise Street
Sterling, VA 20164

Roles Available:

• 3 witches; Gobble (the old), Hobble (the older) and Wobble (the oldest)
• Winona, the witch in training
• Sad Simon, the grandfather
• Luke, the boy

Audition Information:

• The auditions will consist of cold readings from the script
• Auditionees should be no younger than 13 years old
• If you can play an instrument, please bring it and prepare to play something

Show Dates:
June 9, 10, 16, 17

Saturdays at 11am and 2pm

Sundays at 12pm

Next to Normal Cast Announced!

We are excited to announce the cast of our summer musical, Next to Normal! We wanted to thank everyone who came out to audition, and for supporting our theatre and its mission. We hope to see you at auditions for the children's show next month! And now without further ado...

Diana: Holly McDade

Dan: Keith J. Miller

Natalie: Claire O'Brien

Gabe: Daniel DeVera

Henry: Michael Bigley

Doctor: Jason Krage

Next to Normal is the profoundly moving Pulitzer Prize winning musical. Taking Flight Theatre is proud to be the first community theatre in the area to present this masterpiece. The show follows the disintegration and rebirth of Diana, a bipolar suburban housewife and mother. Her struggles and their effect on her family are set to an exciting, rock score that is emotionally challenging and deeply moving for the audience.

Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey
Music by Tom Kitt
Produced by Denise Perrino
Directed by Jessie Roberts
Music Direction by Bobby McCoy

Next to Normal opens June 1

Earth and Sky - FINAL WEEKEND!

Have you seen Earth and Sky yet? If not - you only have TWO more opportunities. This Friday (2/24) and Saturday (2/25) at 8PM at the Waddell Theater on NOVA's Loudoun Campus. You don't want to miss this show, the reviews say it all!

Taking Flight Theatre Company - Earth and Sky - By Michael Clark, ShowBizRadio

Taking Flight Theater Company Revives 'Earth and Sky' - By Jonathan Cook, Shenandoah Press

The cast of Earth and Sky. Back row, left to right: Mario Font (Julius Gatz), David Segal (Carl Eisenstadt), Jude Rodriguez (Billy Hart), Steve Oliverez (David Ames), Michael Richardson (Det. Al Kersnowski), Jim Johnson (Det. W. E. Weber). Front row, left to right: Ruth Neaveill (Joyze Lazlo), Lauren Palmer Kiesling (Sara McKeon) and Kathleen Burnard (Marie DeFaria)

Sneak Peek! TFT paints the floor...

The Behind the Scenes staff snuck into the theatre this weekend to catch a sneak peek of Earth and Sky. Albeit painstaking, painting the stage turned out to be well worth it as the vision of director Matthew Randall and set designer Kevin King came to life. Just looking at it makes us think of an old black and white mystery movie.

We didn't get a chance to see the cast in rehearsal action, but from the inside jokes to the friendly banter, you'd think this group were family. We can't wait to see them bring this great story to life!

Step One: Tape off the pattern

Step Two: Paint between the lines...

The final product!

Tickets are available in advance online, or by cash, check or credit card at the door. $15 general admission. Group pricing is available. Learn More...