Media Coverage of The Broadway Bound Players

•  The Sentinel, Franklinville, N.J., 6/10/03

Broadway Bound Players Take on Cole Porter's 'Anything Goes'
By Pamela Mood

The Broadway Bound Players (BBP) are getting ready for their second season with auditions for Cole Porter's musical "Anything Goes."

Anyone who lives in either Elk or Franklin townships in Gloucester County, N.J., and is between the ages of 10 and 18 is encouraged to audition for a role.

There's still time to join the cast of the BBP. The cost of registering is $55 per person.

Audition workshops will be held on Monday and Tuesday June 23 and 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Delsea Middle School. During audition workshops, future cast members will learn audition techniques such as a small dance routine and a song. Actors will also get help with their monologues.

Auditions will take place on Wednesday, June 25 from 6 to 9:45 p.m. at Delsea Middle School.

Those wishing to try out must choose a specific time slot before June 25 and may leave when finished. It’s not a requirement to stay the entire time.

This is the BBP's second year as a community youth theater group. Director Michael Del Rossi (under the auspices of the Elk and Franklin townships Parks and Recreation committees as well as the Delsea Regional High School District) founded it in 2002. The BBP is run entirely by college students and other young adults interested in theater.

"Growing up in the theater, I became aware of a need in our area for quality theater programs for students in our community, Del Rossi said. “As a child, I was in other summer theater programs, but many were far away and cost a lot.”

The Players aim to provide an alternative for youths in the area who are either too involved during the school year to participate in the theater, he says, or who are looking to refine their theatrical skills over the summer.

In 2002 the BBP presented Bob Fosse's "The Pajama Game," a comedy about a strike in a pajama factory during the 1950s. This year's production, "Anything Goes," takes place aboard the S.S. American as it sails from New York to England. Passengers include a gangster, a stowaway, an English lord and other colorful characters. The show also features a large chorus of sailors and others along for the ride.

"Anything Goes" will take place Aug. 7, 8, and 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Delsea High School auditorium.

•  The Sentinel, Franklinville, N.J., 7/10/03

Auditions Completed For Play
By Pamela Mood

The Broadway Bound Players (BBP) have just completed auditions for their sophomore season. On Wednesday June 23, over 30 young adults from Elk and Franklin Townships tried out for this year's production of "Anything Goes."

Members of the BBP will rehearse every night until show dates in August. In less than two months, the actors and staff plan to create a performance that rivals and even surpasses most high school productions.

The BBP are fortunate to have director Michael Del Rossi and musical director Kevin Hahn returning from last year. "The people that are involved in the production do it because they want to,” Hahn said. “Not only are they talented, but they are enthusiastic to work with."

Something new this year for the BBP is the group's own Web page, www.broadwayboundplayers.com. The site features staff biographies and information about show times.

Director Michael Del Rossi hopes community members will visit the Web page. He intends to post pictures and information as rehearsals for "Anything Goes" continue.

The BBP look forward to having a successful second season, but they cannot do so without support from community members. Please spread the love of theater and the news that "Anything Goes" will take place at 7:30 p.m. August 7, 8, and 9 at Delsea Regional High School.

For more information visit www.broadwayboundplayers.com

•  The Sentinel, Franklinville, N.J., 8/1/03

Play Set For Delsea Stage
By Pamela Mood

The Broadway Bound Players (BBP) are dancing the night away getting ready for this year's production of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes."

Although "Anything Goes" is a musical comedy, it features five large dance numbers, as well as six smaller ones. The songs "Anything Goes" and "Blow Gabriel Blow" are especially important since both feature the entire cast.

Many of the characters in "Anything Goes" such as nightclub singer Reno Sweeney, and her four back up dancers Purity, Charity, Chastity and Virtue, also known as Reno's Angels have roles that require knowledge of tap and jazz.

"Even though they (the angels) don't have a lot of lines they are very prominent in the dance parts," Choreographer Jen Fox said. They are the main dancers in the show. "

For her first year in the BBP, Ashley Cunningham is playing the role of the angel Purity. "It takes a lot of practice," she said. However, she is glad she joined the program because it is "a good way for people to stay in touch over the summer."

Jessica Fox, the choreographer's cousin, plays the role of the angel, Charity. She has been dancing for 10 years, and joined the BBP because she wanted to dance in this year's production. "I love to tap," she said. "There is a lot of energy in the songs and dancing. Everyone looks like they're having fun up there."

The cast of the BBP hopes to dance into the hearts of their audience. The BBP will perform "Anything Goes" on Aug. 7, 8, and 9 at Delsea Regional High School. All show times are at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, please go to www.broadwayboundplayers.com.