New $31 Million Art Facility in Lawrenceville!

On Thursday, June 13 at 11 a.m., City of Lawrenceville Officials celebrated the groundbreaking of a $31 million arts facility in downtown which will be located directly across the street from the Gwinnett County Historic Courthouse. Local officials from the City, County, and State were present to commemorate the start of construction for this new 56,000-square foot performing arts center, which will become the expanded home of Aurora Theatre. “Today’s ceremony marks another big step in Lawrenceville’s revitalization story,” said Judy Jordan Johnson, Mayor of the City of Lawrenceville.  “The City has been the hub of Gwinnett for almost 200 years and we are building on that foundation to create a new ‘sense of place’ that residents and visitors can enjoy.  This new facility only furthers that vision.” The expanded space will house a 500-seat theater, Cabaret, indoor and outdoor civic space, and rooms for educational programming.  It will be managed by the second-largest professional theater company in Georgia and Gwinnett’s only professional theater, Aurora Theatre. Anthony Rodriguez, Producing Artistic Director of Aurora Theatre shared, “What an incredible day for Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, and Aurora Theatre….This is a legacy project [that will be] built from a million dreams held by our community for an arts home where all are welcome.” The new center is poised to transform the downtown and attract more than 100,000 visitors, residents, artists, and students annually to the heart of Gwinnett County. “I applaud Mayor Johnson and the city council for their continued investment in the vitality of downtown Lawrenceville, the Gwinnett County government seat,” said Charlotte Nash, Gwinnett County Commission Chairman.  “The new performing arts center, combined with the restaurants, shops, and public gathering spaces that are already here, will give folks even more reasons to visit.” Adam Hilderbrandt, Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Lawrenceville provided a benediction for worker safety followed by the official shovel ceremony to move the first piles of dirt on the site.  The facility will be occupied with operations by fall 2020 with full completion expected by the end of that same year.  For information on this and other news in Lawrenceville, please visit www.lawrencevillega.org or follow the City on Facebook.

Child Actors Sought for On Your Feet! Production at Aurora Theatre

Aurora Theatre seeks Latinx child actors to portray the roles of young Emilio and Gloria Estefan in the regional premiere of the Broadway hit, ON YOUR FEET! Does your child have what it takes to play an icon of the music industry at the second largest professional theater in Georgia?  Find out as open auditions will be held on Friday, September 20, 2019 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Aurora Theatre. The theater is looking for boys ages 8-12 and girls ages 11-14. This is a professional production; all roles will be paid.  ON YOUR FEET! is the inspiring true story about heart, heritage and two people who believed in their talent—and each other—to become international superstars: Gloria and Emilio Estefan. The musical sensation is a dance party that features all of your favorite songs including: Rhythm is Gonna Get You, 1-2-3, Conga, Turn the Beat Around, and many more. The show will run March 5 – April 19, with rehearsals beginning on February 2, 2020. Aurora will seek 2-6 youth actors for each available role due to the time commitment of the project. For the role of Little Gloria, Aurora Theatre seeks a female actor, aged 10–14. The character is Cuban and innocent, but smart and self-reliant. She’s slightly sad but always full of hope. Talent must speak fluent Spanish and sing well. Those auditioning for Little Gloria will sing the song Cuando Salí De Cuba (When I Left Cuba) and learn one scene from the show. Boys will audition for the role of Little Emilio/Nayib. Young male talent should be aged 8–12, must speak fluent Spanish, be a good mover, but they do not need to sing. Boys auditioning for Little Emilio will do readings from a selection of two scenes from the show. To schedule an audition appointment, email casting@auroratheatre.com along with a headshot and resume of the child being considered. If the child does not have a professional headshot, please email a picture of the child and anything you would like the theater to know about him/her regarding acting, singing, and dancing. Aurora recommends that the child memorize their lines before coming to the audition: it will make them more confident and less nervous. Aurora Theatre is only seeking Latinx children. For more information or to schedule an audition, email casting@auroratheatre.com  or visit http://tiny.cc/c6ugbz .

Aurora Theatre - HOT August Programming!

Audiences and families in the greater Atlanta area invited to enjoy laughs, tricks and more! There’s no shortage of good times at Aurora Theatre this August!  Georgia’s fastest-growing professional theater is lining up some of the best comedic talent for adults in need of a laugh-filled night out, from Dad’s Garage to The 3 Wise Guys – Dan Mengini, Steve “The Nice Guy” Mingolla, and Vinnie Coppola. Young theatergoers can also get in on some educational, magical, and wholesome fun with several shows from Aurora Children’s Playhouse, including Cirque du Todd, Phenomenal Physics, and The Flying Turtle and Other Animal Folktales.  Families can also head to the main stage for the soaring, thought-provoking Stephen Schwartz musical Children of Eden or get spooked on the Lawrenceville Square during Lawrenceville Ghost Tours. From serious to scary – and everything in between – there’s a slew of entertainment at Gwinnett’s favorite theater this August! Special August Programming The 3 Wise GuysFriday, August 23 and Saturday, August 247:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.Tickets from $15 Those who love to laugh are invited to a hilarious, fast-paced show with three of the area’s best headlining comedians!  The 3 Wise Guys is a collaboration of talents:  Dan Mengini’s honest comedy will keep attendees laughing for a lifetime; Steve “The Nice Guy” Mingolla’s act is clean and never mean; and Vinnie Coppola is a true comic’s comic – his real secret weapon is his persona.  For more information and tickets, please visit bit.ly/AT3WiseGuys. Aurora Children’s Playhouse Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tickets $7 Aurora Children’s Playhouse brings together the best children’s performers in the region to showcase their artistry for parents and children.  Featuring puppeteers, magicians, storytellers, and musicians, these 45-minute shows are intended to give children their first theatrical experience through a lively production, sure to capture the attention of the whole family!  For more information, visit bit.ly/ChildrensPlayhouse2019. Cirque Du Todd Saturday, August 10 Marvel at some magic with Todd Key, an extraordinary talent with amazing skill in the art of juggling.  A legendary fixture at Renaissance Festivals in North America as a part of the act The Zucchini Brothers, Key hones his solo show Cirque Du Todd especially for children and families.  Attendees are sure to be awestruck and entertained, as a man balances upon a small, thin board, performs rope tricks, interacts with the audience, and juggles the ten most dangerous objects in history – all while keeping everyone laughing.  For more information, please visit bit.ly/CirqueDuTodd. Phenomenal Physics Saturday, August 17 Prepare to be amazed by the force, as this show by Big Thinkers Science Exploration explores the whirring world of physics!  Audiences can learn to defy gravity and make water levitate, gain a new perspective about inertia with some “skate board science,” observe awesome flashes of heat as energy is converted from potential to kinetic, and more!  This physics show is truly ph-abulous!  More information available at bit.ly/PhenomenalPhysics. The Flying Turtle and Other Animal Folktales Saturday, August 24 Families are invited to travel the world with storyteller Barry Stewart Mann, exploring tales of animals from as close as the Cherokee mountains and as far as China and Australia.  Ever since the beginning of creation, humans have been fascinated by and told stories about animals that have helped to explain the natural world, to entertain each other, and to teach basic values.  This show features a series of lively retellings of a diverse array of folklore, replete with playful puppets, colorful costumes, props, and plenty of audience participation and volunteer opportunities sure to have audiences feeling companionship with Earth’s four-legged and winged friends!  For more information, visit bit.ly/AnimalFolklore. Continuing in August… Children of Eden Through September 1 Tuesday – Saturday at 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Telling the tale of the Book of Genesis in two acts, this family-friendly masterpiece with book by John Caird and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz covers the story of creation and the great flood – all while examining the complex love between parents and children.  Audiences of all ages will appreciate the musical twist on these famous stories!  For more information and tickets, please visit bit.ly/ticketseden. Lawrenceville Ghost Tours Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. Adults $12, Children $9 For years, the Lawrenceville Ghost Tours have told tales about Gwinnett County’s spookiest spots.  Guests can take 90-minute guided tours around metro-Atlanta’s oldest city and hear stories of its history and paranormal activity.  The tour begins and ends at Aurora Theatre and runs May through September, with tours continuing every night in October.  To purchase tickets online, please visit scarystroll.com or call 678.226.6222. For more information or to purchase tickets for events, call the Box Office at 678.226.6222 or visit www.auroratheatre.com.

Regional audiences can prepare to seize the day with Aurora Theatre’s 2018-2019 Peach State Federal Credit Union Signature Series, announced today.  The second largest professional theater in Georgia will once again bring premiere performances, heartfelt dramas, and Broadway-caliber productions with extraordinary talent to the heart of downtown Lawrenceville.  This season’s diverse line-up features Disney’s NEWSIES, BE HERE NOW, A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2, the world-premiere musical MEN WITH MONEY, NATIVE GARDENS, and the highly anticipated return of the celebrated holiday classic CHRISTMAS CANTEEN 2018, back by popular demand for a 23rd year.  The upcoming season is led by co-founders Anthony Rodriguez and Ann-Carol Pence and features a tremendous assortment of dramas, comedies, and musicals that will have audiences of all ages ready to seize a season subscription! “On the heels of one of our most successful seasons ever, we are proud that we continue to attract the best artists in the nation to bring an exceptional line-up to our patrons,” said Aurora Theatre Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez.  “Whether visiting Aurora Theatre for the first time or the hundredth time, audiences will experience a variety of themes this season, from romance and friendship to perseverance and heart — sure to entertain, educate, and inspire!” The upcoming Signature Series includes ground breaking new works as well as the best of Broadway, as Aurora continues to foster meaningful artistic partnerships through co-production collaborations with local theatrical organizations, bringing the very best to devoted donors and subscribers.  Patrons to the theater during the upcoming season will also witness the first steps of Aurora Theatre’s 2020 expansion with an additional $26 million-dollar arts complex, including a new 500-seat theater, educational facilities, and an electrifying cabaret space. “The impact Aurora Theatre has on this community is due to our belief that cultural infrastructure is as crucial to a vibrant downtown as sidewalks, parks, and roads.  Because we laid an initial firm foundation of artistic excellence, people now drive to the suburbs of Atlanta to see theater,” said Associate Producer Ann-Carol Pence.  “Our 23rd season is going to knock your socks off, and that’s a promise!” Disney’s NEWSIES July 19 – September 2, 2018 Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Jack Feldman Book by Harvey Fierstein Based on the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White Inspired by the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, this high-energy musical is set to soar with rousing dance numbers and non-stop thrills.  In New York City at the turn of the century, publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst look to take advantage of newsboys to increase profits.  Enter charismatic Jack Kelly who unwittingly leads a ragged band of teenaged "newsies" across the city to strike for what’s right.  This Tony Award-winning musical, based on the timeless Disney film, is toe-tapping fun for the entire family! BE HERE NOW September 20 - October 14, 2018 By Deborah Zoe Laufer Bari is in a perpetual funk, biding her time at a mind-numbing job shipping Tibetan-themed tchotchkes.  Cheerful co-workers Patty and Luanne try to see past her cynical exterior through their Prozac-colored glasses.  Will Bari ever leave her parents’ house in provincial upstate New York?  Will she finish her dissertation?  Will she go on a blind date with a dude who makes art out of garbage?  And what’s up with her headaches and the bizarre side-effects?  The answers await in this wonderfully weird comedy that will have audiences in stitches. CHRISTMAS CANTEEN 2018 November 15 - December 23, 2018  Gwinnett's longest-running theatrical holiday tradition, Christmas Canteen 2018, returns for a 23rd smash year!  This stunning musical revue makes the most wonderful time of the year even more wonderful.  Brimming with songs, comic sketches, trips down memory lane, and a sprinkle of Christmas magic, it’s the holiday show with a little something for everyone on the list! A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2 January 10 - February 10, 2019 By Lucas Hnath A co-production between Aurora Theatre and Actor’s Express This 2017 Broadway smash-hit is a fresh comedy based on the characters of the Henrik Ibsen classic, considered to be a cornerstone of modern theater.  In the original story, Nora Helmer leaves her husband and family with the slam of a door.  Fifteen years later and now a successful author, Nora finds herself knocking at the same door.  Then comes that awkward moment when she needs a favor from her estranged husband Torvald – a divorce. MEN WITH MONEY A New Musical March 7 – April 7, 2019 Book and lyrics by Bill Nelson Music and additional lyrics by Joseph Trefler Audiences will love this show that is an old-fashioned, brand new musical!  Louis, Max and Sonny are charming, young, and eligible bachelors looking to marry their way from rags to riches.  This romantic romp with a twist is full of dreams, schemes, and lavish musical numbers set in the golden age mecca of Manhattan in the 1950s.  It’s an alternative view to the gleaming, fabulous, and mighty Big Apple that will have audiences captivated as two of the leading men embark on the search for husbands! NATIVE GARDENS May 2 – June 2, 2019 By Karen Zacarías Neighbors clash in a dazzling new comedy about a battle for the backyard.  In one yard, Frank and Virginia, a well-established D.C. couple, trim a prize-worthy pristine garden.  In the other, the ambitious attorney Pablo moves in with his very pregnant wife and doctoral candidate Tania, a woman with a penchant for native flora.  When a disagreement over the property line quickly escalates into a war, taste, class, and entitlement push them all over the hedge. The 2018-2019 Peach State Federal Credit Union Signature Series lineup includes:  Disney’s NEWSIES July 19 - September 2, 2018 BE HERE NOW September 20 – October 14, 2018 CHRISTMAS CANTEEN 2018 November 15 – December 23, 2018 A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2 January 10 – February 10, 2019 MEN WITH MONEY March 7 – April 7, 2019 NATIVE GARDENS May 2 – June 2, 2019 Ticket prices for the 2018-2019 Signature Series vary by performance.  Season subscribers have the opportunity to select preferred seating starting now, whereas single-show tickets go on sale to the public starting July 1.  For more information on the series or to become a season subscriber, please visit auroratheatre.com, or call the Box Office at 678.226.6222.

Maytag Virgin to Play Lawrenceville's Aurora Theatre!

Maytag Virgin is set to weave a tale of love, loss, and everything in between at Aurora Theatre, January 11-February 11!

When two recent widows find themselves living as neighbors, both coping in their own way with the aftermath of tragedy, they drive each other crazy before finding common ground.  Audiences will follow Lizzy Nash as she battles her grief and the quirky behaviors of her new neighbor, odd duck Jack Key, with whom she might have more in common than she realizes.  Will this encounter between Lizzy and Jack change their paths and their hearts for good?  Kick off the New Year with this non-traditional romance from Aurora Theatre’s 2017-2018 Signature Series! 

“Part of what makes Maytag Virgin such a great production is its relatability and raw emotion,” said director Melissa Foulger.  “The show connects with audiences because it keeps them cracking up.  It balances between approaching sad situations in an uplifting way while it allows audiences to see the good and feel the humor.  I’m sure it will resonate with everyone who has ever experienced love and loss on the roller coaster of romance.”

From the creative efforts of award-winning American playwright Audrey Cefaly, Maytag Virgin is a classic southern love story offering laugh-out-loud comedy and poignant moments from beginning to end.  Alabama school teacher Lizzy Nash loses her husband to an unexpected death, leading to her leave of absence. In a stroke of luck and uncanny timing, a very odd yet winsome Jack Key moves in next door.  Over the course of a year, the two find themselves frustrated with each other yet drawn together by their shared circumstances.  Lizzy struggles with honoring memories and respect for her late husband, while pondering this newly-found neighbor who may give her a second chance at life, love, and self-discovery.  Fit for teens and adults, this quirky yet heartfelt tale is the perfect way to start the year!

Under the direction of Melissa Foulger, Maytag Virgin stars Suzi Bass award nominee Courtney Patterson as Lizzy Nash and showcases the talents of Brad Brinkley in the role of Jack Key.  The show is brought to life by the creative and ingenious design team of Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay (set), Jordan Jaked Carrier (costumes), Sarah Thomson (scenic artist), Kevin Frazier (lights), and Angie Bryant (sound).

Maytag Virgin will play at Aurora Theatre January 11-February 11, 2018.  A Tuesday discount matinee show will be offered on Tuesday, January 23 at 10 a.m. with tickets starting at $16.  Regular tickets range from $20-$55 and may be purchased online at tickets.auroratheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 678-226-6222.  To make the most of Aurora Theatre’s 2017-2018 season, season tickets and group rates are also available.  For more information on this production or other programming, please visit auroratheatre.com.

Regular show times are as follows:

• Tuesday–Saturday: 8 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: 2:30 p.m.

Aurora Theatre - A Christmas Carol Returns!

Captivating patrons young and old, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will bring the true meaning of Christmas to Aurora Theatre, November 24-December 23! The entire family can prepare for another year of seasonal sensations with the return of this Christmas classic, now in its 11th year.  Follow cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge (Anthony Rodriguez) as he undergoes recognition, realization, and remission while journeying through the past, present, and future of Christmas. Audiences will revel in the spirited truth that unfolds within this timeless tale, commonly recognized as the greatest Christmas story to date!  "Anthony's (Rodriguez) one-man performance of A Christmas Carol becomes richer, deeper, and more personal each year,” said Tony Brown, the show’s adapter and director.  “With finely tuned vocal inflections and his specific and character-evoking physical mannerisms, he brings each character in this classic tale to life with a remarkable blend of power and sensitivity.  His Scrooge in particular reminds us of the power of forgiveness and the possibility of the renewal of our spirits, particularly at this holiday season and encourages us to take those gifts to heart long after we've left the theater." Featuring the work of multiple Suzi Award-winning set designers Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay and costumes by designer Alan Yeong, A Christmas Carol returns to Aurora Theatre for the enjoyment of all ages.  Starring Anthony Rodriguez for the 11th consecutive year, the classic characters of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Jacob Marley, and the remarkable ghosts are brought to life in the audience-aweing performance.  Guests can watch the troubled and resentful Scrooge transform as he encounters the three ghosts of Christmas, recalls forgotten memories, and is forced to make life-altering decisions.  The stone-cold Ebenezer Scrooge is acquainted with lessons and stories specific to each ghost, which may or may not lead him to embrace the joy of Christmas.  This one-man version of the traditional tale will impress theatergoers in an incredibly personal and uplifting light this holiday season! Celebrating its 11th successive year, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is presented Wednesdays through Sundays on Aurora Theatre’s studio stage, November 24-December 23.  Tickets range from $20-$30 and can be purchased online at tickets.auroratheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 678-226-6222. Regular show times, in repertory with The 12 Dates of Christmas, are as follows: ·     November 24, December 2, 6, 8, 14, 16, 19, and 20 at 8 p.m. ·     November 25, December 3, 9, 17, and 23 at 2:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets for programming, call the Box Office at 678.226.6222 or visit www.auroratheatre.com.