by tracyrenee | Apr 27, 2012 | News
Sheboygan Falls WI: The J&G Gypsies are once again on stage at the Final Approach Dinner Theatre in Sheboygan Falls Wisconsin, performing the Sapperstein & Murway comedy, “Friends in High Places.”
Directed by Sheboygan’s own Ralph Maffongelli, aliens from the planet Quirdmut land on the Mall in Washington DC seeking our help, but wind out having to deal with our corrupt politicians to get it solved.
“This is a funny play that’s great for the whole family,” shared Ralph Maffongelli. “We welcome to the stage in starring roles, Randy Stache as President Arnot Thinkinear; Chris Fontaine as Powers Wayning; and Mike Roehl as General Geroge S. Trojan.”
Returning to the Final Approach stage with the J&G Gypsies is Susan Chambers Johnson as the alien Foit, Kevin Horne as the news reporter Chase Storyman and Tamara Richelle Pool as reporter Lilac Hellowitz. Joining them is Randall Stache as President Arnot Thinkineer, Ben Johnson as the alien Gnudt, Jim Johnson as the alien Loodigun, Danielle Rammer as Lola Clematis, Clarke R. Krist as Shelby Dunn and Pat Forkner as Sunny Day. Costuming and set design by Tony Olson.
Friends in High Places is on stage April 27th, 28th, 29th & then gain May 3rd, 4th & 5th. Tickets are on sale now with good seats still available, with a Matinee performance on April 29th. Enjoy dinner with your show, or just come for the show only.
The aliens from the Planet Quirdmut will be available after the show for photography with the audience. Also available after the show is an audio CD of the journey of our politicians to the planet Quirdmut to build intergalactic diplomatic relations.
Call 1-855-345-5550 (toll free) for tickets and information. Box Office is open until 9pm.
ABOUT THE J&G GYPSIES
The J&G Gypsies, led by Ralph Maffongelli, is a wholly owned subsidiary of J&G Unlimited, LLC a theatrical licensing firm representing the writing and composing team of Judith Sapperstein & Gary Murway. For additional information, please visit the J&G website at http://www.TLCScripts.com, or for the Gypsy show schedule.
ABOUT THE FINAL APPROACH RESTAURANT
The Final Approach Restaurant serves fine dining at a reasonable price. The food is exceptional and the menu is expansive, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition to their restaurant, they have a Banquet Facility that can handle up to 650 people for weddings, parties, events, conventions and more. To learn more, please visit http://www.FinalApproachRestaurant.com.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Tracy Byrne, VP, CMO
creative@jandgunlimited.com
215-345-5550
by tracyrenee | Jan 28, 2012 | News
Ralph Maffongelli follows up one successful show at the Final Approach Restaurant with another that promises to be much funnier than the last, “Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus!”
Sheboygan Falls Wisconsin, January 28th, 2012 – The reviews are in from the December 2011 performance of Sapperstein & Murway’s “Love and Merger,” performed at the Final Approach Restaurant at the Sheboygan County Memorial Airport and directed by Sheboygan’s own Ralph Maffongelli.
“We had a good time, it was wonderful! We enjoyed the show and look forward to many more,” was the general theme of audience comments shared with Ralph after their performance of Regal’s.
Now, with this show under their belts, Ralph and the J&G Gypsies have announced their 2012 show calendar, already taking ticket orders for February’s performance of “Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus!” starring Kevin Horne and Eileen McCormick-Kelm as “Man” and “Woman.”
“As a theatrical director, I have read many new scripts, some requested and some not. The vast majority of them were so poorly written, that I could not figure out how people could put their names on them let alone submit them for production. That was NOT the case with any of the Sapperstein & Murway works I’ve had the pleasure of reading, however,” shared Ralph in a recent interview.
![“There is something for everyone in this show [Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus], which is sure to have you laughing and perhaps sighing a little, as evidenced by opening night’s audience.” – Stage Magazine, May 2013](https://tlcscripts.com/wp-content/uploads/ScriptCover1024_WomenAreFromVenusMenAreFromUranus-232x300.jpg)
“There is something for everyone in this show [Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus], which is sure to have you laughing and perhaps sighing a little, as evidenced by opening night’s audience.” – Stage Magazine, May 2013
“Ralph and J&G are working to create a new model for theatre presentation, one that’s all about the audience and their desire to simply have a good time. We are not here to be ‘artsy’ or ‘over-dramatized’. We just want to have fun and we want to do it with our audiences. We encourage our actors to ‘play’ with the audience in order to enhance their entertainment experience and make them feel a part of it all,” shared Judith Sapperstein, one-half of Sapperstein & Murway.
“So many of our audience members pulled me aside after the show’s in December to thank us for bringing something fun and new to them, that they’re so very tired of the same old works being done over and over again,” Judith stated.
In answer to audience demand, the 2012 season begins just in time for Valentine’s Day, February 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 17th and 18th with Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus. Tickets are on sale now by calling toll free, 215-345-5550. Dinner, the show, tax and gratuity are all inclusive in the price of a ticket and group rates are available.
“In April, we begin to bring new musicals to our wonderful audience, starting with Bloomin! a work that holds a very special place in my heart,” concludes Judith. To learn more about the show schedule and what each show is all about, you are asked to please visit the J&G Gypsy website.
ABOUT THE J&G GYPSIES
The J&G Gypsies, led by Ralph Maffongelli, is a wholly owned subsidiary of J&G Unlimited, LLC a theatrical licensing firm representing the writing and composing team of Judith Sapperstein & Gary Murway. For additional information, please visit the J&G website at http://www.TLCScripts.com.
ABOUT THE FINAL APPROACH RESTAURANT
The Final Approach Restaurant serves fine dining at a reasonable price. The food is exceptional and the menu is expansive, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition to their restaurant, they have a Banquet Facility that can handle up to 650 people for weddings, parties, events, conventions and more. To learn more, please visit http://www.FinalApproachRestaurant.com.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Tracy Byrne, VP, CMO
creative@jandgunlimited.com
215-345-5550
by tracyrenee | Sep 2, 2010 | News
J&G Unlimited has always been strongly committed to furthering the theatrical community and the quality and diversity of the works they have available to perform. Our objective is not to just license a play to you … no. We want to build a long-term relationship with you and your theatre, one that will benefit us both and help further our goals of great theatre everywhere.
Because of the like-minded commitment of the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) to our own, and both organizations’ desire to help theatres in every way possible, J&G now offers an exclusive deal for members of the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT).
License any of our works and save 25% off the total cost of materials. Add to that the fact that, with J&G, you ALWAYS keep the materials … well, you save on shipping costs as well.
by tracyrenee | Feb 24, 2010 | News
By Ralph Maffongelli
Bucks County, Pennsylvania: What does the American Association of Community Theatres have to do with a theatre director’s transition from community theatre managing director to royalty house sales rep? Well the organization did not broker the deal between the Sheboygan Theatre Company (STC) and J & G Unlimited for the production of one of their musicals, nor did it play headhunter when I retired from STC and was approached by J & G. But AACT was literally at the center of the entire process.
It was through AACT that J & G located me and STC when they were promoting their catalog and one play in particular. The continual networking that AACT does, bringing all types of theatre companies together, led to a phone conversation between me and Judith Sapperstein, the J of J&G and one half of an energetic and talented collaborating duo.
As is so often the case, the piece first pitched was not the one STC produced. But we almost immediately began working on the world premiere of the election satire HUH? as our annual July 4th offering. The process could not have gone more smoothly and J&G was totally supportive throughout, even though we asked to make an incredible number of cuts and alterations in order to adapt the show for our free, daytime, outdoor venue.
When I shortly after decided that, having spent twenty-eight years at the helm of the Sheboygan Theatre Company, it was time to retire, Judy asked if I would join J&G and assist them in promoting their works. Based on the very positive relationship which had bloomed, I immediately said, “Yes.”
But still the question remains, why would someone be willing to go from one side of the desk to the other, transitioning from mounting shows to convincing others to do so? The answers are quite simple. First and foremost the scripts are good. Otherwise I would not be involved. As Shakespeare said, “The play’s the thing.” That’s the bottom line. Judith Sapperstein and Gary Merway turn out wonderful, well-written, well-conceived plays and musicals that are funny, entertaining and both producer and audience-friendly.
Secondly, J&G is committed to Community Theatre. They truly want to see good theatre presented and good theatres succeed. They will work with a producing company every step of the way, from making the script, perusal and royalty process as simple as possible to solving production challenges and authoring script changes. Thirdly, with their own marketing department and complete recording facilities, they have the necessary resources to provide this assistance. Along with scripts and scores come audio tapes which range from those with and without lyrics so performers can fully appreciate the vocal melodies to those that can be used in performance. Moreover, J&G designs, produces and markets ancillary products specifically for each show to be sold at show time.
So it was an easy sell for me to join J&G, but had it not been for the commitment of AACT to the national and international networking of all entities involved in producing quality amateur theatre the connection may never have been made. So keep reading good scripts and continue networking through AACT.
About J&G Unlimited, LLC.
J&G is a licensing company representing the works of Judith Sapperstein & Gary Murway. Being a small firm, J&G has the power and flexibility to work deals with theatres that will suit their timelines AND their budgets quite nicely. Additionally, J&G keeps the directors in close contact with the authors when they need to ask questions, get approval for changes or otherwise make requests. Need to receive your materials sooner than 8 weeks? DONE! Need materials you do not need to return when the show is over? DONE! Need to NOT be nickle-and-dimed to death on all the little things? DONE! Partner with J&G today and lets get the show on the road!
Contact Information:
Tracy Renee
Vice President, Marketing
tracy@JandGUnlimited.com
215-345-5550
http://www.JandGUnlimited.com
by tracyrenee | Apr 3, 2009 | News
by tracyrenee | Feb 2, 2009 | News
Has anyone noticed that musicals just don’t seem to stick in the head like they used to? Yes, some rise to great fame and popularity like Cats or Wicked, but what do you remember about them 10, 20 or 50 years later? Once their run is over, do you think 50 years later theatres all over the world will still be paying to perform them as they do Gypsy or Oaklahoma?
Think about it … “I’m gonna wash that man right outta my hair” became a commercial ditty, but got its start in the amazingly popular stage musical and movie, South Pacific. Then There’s always “Singin In the Rain,” while that was a movie, it was still a musical and who can forget that tune? Come to think of it, where did the musical and dancing movies go?
So, how many songs from “Cats” do you remember well enough to hum a few bars? What about Wicked? They’re amazingly popular Broadway musicals, but the music from them don’t seem to have longevity with any age bracket. Why is that do you suppose?
Well, I’ve read a number of blogs on the topic … the general consensus is that today’s musicals are actually being classified as “modern operas.” The songs are actually the speaking lines set to music whereas the good old show tunes and memorable plays like “Funny Girl” or “Gypsy” even “Oklahoma” have the story happening in the lines and the songs are there to enhance the story line, but not be the actor’s lines. Because of this, they’re memorable, they’re catchy … and today, in the new millennium, 50 years or so after they were originally produced, these plays are still the popular favorites for small and large theatrical groups around the world.
What’s going on in the entertainment industry these days with the types of productions being produced? So many things are spin-offs, remakes, rewrites, spoofs … where’s the original works? The truly new stuff as once came about in the early days of Broadway? Research has brought me to realize that the smaller theatres wont do it unless the production is proven to bring in a crowd and make money and Broadway wont take much note unless it’s been performed in smaller venue’s. Kind of a catch 22.
Has the stage seemed to have lost it’s draw to the world as the silver screen spin’s off the new “classics” like “G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra,” and “Transformers,” or yet another Friday the 13th remake. It’s all death, dismemberment, violence, big guns, high tech, blow it up bigger than the other guy and scare you out of your pants. It’s no wonder the kids are doing this to each other. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Transformers :), and I’m sure when the kids drag me to GI Joe I’ll probably enjoy it at least once, but I just wish there was more going on with entertainment than this.
I wish there were more opportunities to take the kids to the theatre, off Broadway, off-off Broadway, doesn’t have to be on Broadway. But if I take them, I don’t want to see another rendition of Cinderella, or a stage version of a Disney cartoon and they don’t want to see a long boring drama … wouldn’t it be nice to walk out laughing with a tune stuck in your head that you enjoy humming throughout the house?
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
You have Successfully Subscribed!