TUTS to hold auditions for Disney play
When you wish upon a star, your dreams can come true.

TUTS' Humphreys School of Musical Theatre is preparing for its fifth annual ACT@TUTS (Apprentice Conservatory Training at Theatre Under The Stars) program and will be holding auditions for The Southwest Regional Premiere of Disney's Geppetto & Son, a new stage musical based on Disney's made for television movie Geppetto.

With a book by Emmy Award-nominated David I. Stern and music and lyrics by multi-award winner Stephen Schwartz, Disney's Geppetto & Son features some of the most unforgettable and treasured music from Disney's Pinocchio.

Open to teens ages 13-18, auditions will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m. in the TUTS Professional Rehearsal Studios located at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby St.).

Auditioners are required to sing 16 bars of both an up-tempo and ballad; provide own sheet music (accompanist will be provided); and wear dance clothing. Students will be given a dance combination at the beginning of the auditions and some students will be asked to cold read from the script, to be determined by the Director. Students should plan to stay until their audition is over.

Auditioners must be 13 years of age by the first rehearsal on July 28. For more information on ACT@TUTS auditions, email shay@tuts.com or call (713) 558-2806.

ACT@TUTS' fifth annual production, Disney's Geppetto & Son, plays Sept. 11-13 in Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center. TUTS' Associate Director Roy Hamlin will serve as director and Shay Rodgers will choreograph the production.

Combining the much-loved characters of the classic Disney cartoon Pinocchio (along with its familiar song hits "When You Wish Upon A Star" and "Got No Strings") with the popular Drew Carey television film Geppetto, this new take pulls a few fresh strings for the most famous puppet in the world. With careful guidance by the film's composer, Stephen Schwartz, Disney's Geppetto & Son pairs the modern sensibility of Schwartz's Wicked with the traditional storybook tale for a fun and fresh result. Following ACT@TUTS' Southwest Regional Premiere, Music Theatre International will be licensing this newly-developed stage version.

The adventurous and heartwarm- ing musical features unforgettable music and lyrics by Academy, Grammy and Tony Award-winning Schwartz, best known for his songs for the stage including Wicked, Godspell, and Pippin as well as his lyrics in the popular Disney films Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Prince of Egypt.

ACT@TUTS provides advanced youth performers the chance to experience a new level of musical training focusing on all performance aspects essential to developing and mounting a theatrical production.

This program is uniquely designed to enhance teens' musical theatre knowledge through direct interaction with professional directors, musical directors, and choreographers.

Single tickets for ACT@TUTS' production of Disney's Geppetto & Son ($26-$31) are available to the public by phone at (713) 558-8887 or outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882; or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, (800 Bagby at Walker, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.); or on-line at www. tuts.com.

Group discounts are available to groups of 15 or more.