Suburban Legend presents ‘Gadzooks! A Very Arthurian Pantomime’

Write up from Essex News Daily about our forthcoming show!

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — For the fifth straight year, Suburban Legend brings the perfect cure for the post-holiday blues with another uproarious play. “Gadzooks! A Very Arthurian Pantomime” opens at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Jan. 6, at 7:30 p.m. and runs through Jan. 15. Once again Chrissy and Ridley McIntyre have penned an original British-style panto, this time offering a unique and hilarious take on the legend of King Arthur.
Performances will be Fridays, Jan. 6 and 13, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, Jan. 7 and 14, at 7 p.m.; and Sundays, Jan. 8 and 15, at 2 p.m. The Burgdorff is located at 10 Durand Road in Maplewood.
This is Camelot as you’ve never seen it. In addition to the usual Arthurian suspects, such as Arthur and Merlin, Sir Lancelot and Guinevere, you’ll find a few new ones, such as Morganna and the Dark Knight, Katniss and Kale, Sir Loin and Sir Real. A cross between a fairy tale and a vaudevillian stage show, the panto is a British holiday tradition that offers fun for the whole family.

Read the rest here…

Tickets are now on sale for GADZOOKS! A Very Arthurian Pantomime!

Suburban Legend Arts presents:
GADZOOKS! A Very Arthurian Pantomime
Don’t miss this fun, family-friendly, raucous romp through Dark Ages Britain, from Camelot to Fairyland and back again.
We find ourselves in ancient British realm of Albion during the Dark Ages long ago. Albion’s King Arthur is set to wed his betrothed, Princess Guinevere of Gwent, in two days and preparations in the castle of Camelot are well underway. With Gwent and Albion joined together, all of Britain would finally be at peace.
However, Arthur’s half-sister Morganna has other plans. She wants her son to sit on the throne of Albion, and is prepared to use all of her powers as well as the magic of Oona the Queen of the Fairies to get him there. Will she succeed in making Mordred the King? Who is the mysterious Dark Knight? Why should you never trust a fairy? All these questions and more will be answered in GADZOOKS! A Very Arthurian Pantomime.
Tickets on sale now!
January 6-8 and 13-15 2017 at the Burgdorff Theater, Maplewood, NJ.
Get your tickets today, because tomorrow they may be gone. And then you would be sad.
http://gadzooks.bpt.me/

Suburban Legend Arts donates ‘Panto’ performance proceeds to Bridges Outreach and St. Huberts

With special thanks to Bridges Outreach for sending this to nj.com.

All of the proceeds from Suburban Legend Arts’ winter performance of Last Chance Saloon: A Wild West Pantomime were donated to Bridges Outreach and another local charity, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center. The cast and crew raised $2,250 that was donated to Bridges to help with outreach to local homeless people. The Last Chance Saloon was written, directed, produced and performed by local residents.
Chrissy McIntyre, who with her husband Ridley, produces and directs the shows, explained, “Panto has become a Maplewood winter tradition. We are so happy to share the profits from these happy performances with the local charities that contribute so much to our local area. Giving money to help those in our neighborhood helps foster a real sense of community among the cast. Everyone pitches in to help with the production and we all just want to make a great show so we can sell out and give as much as we can.”
Lois Bhatt, Bridges’ Executive Director, said “We are very grateful to Suburban Legend Arts and everyone involved in these performances. Their generosity will make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in Newark, Irvington and New York City who are in need.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Last Chance Press Release

Suburban Legend Presents
Last Chance Saloon: A Wild West Pantomime
January 8, 9, 10 and 15, 16, 17 at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, Maplewood, NJ
An Original Play by Chrissy McIntyre and Ridley McIntyre
Directed by Ridley McIntyre
Produced by Edward Ash-Milby, Kathleen Ash-Milby and Chrissy McIntyre
Maplewood, NJ: Suburban Legend launches its 4th season with an original play called Last Chance Saloon: A Wild West Pantomime at the Burgdorff on January 8th at 7:30pm. This original play was written by Chrissy and Ridley McIntyre and directed by Ridley McIntyre. The show is produced by Kathleen and Edward Ash-Milby and Chrissy McIntyre.
This year, the writers decided to change things up and move the show from a traditional British setting and put the characters out in the Old West. “Well, it’s not old yet, so they just call it ‘the West’.” You’ll still find all your favorite Panto tropes like the Dame, the Principal Boy, the calling back and forth with the actors, singing, laughing and even dancing. But this year, the actors will have a little western twang. Producer Edward Ash- Milby said, “When Chrissy and Ridley announced the next production would be a Western, there was a lot of excitement among the cast. I believe we yeehawed to the news. The question would be how much of the classic Western we can pack into a show. As it turns out: a lot!”
Once again, proceeds from the show will go directly to local charities. Suburban Legend is happy to donate profits collected to support St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ and Bridges Outreach which has a few locations in our area. Chrissy McIntyre said, “I think giving the money to help those in our neighborhood helps foster a real sense of community among the cast. Everyone pitches in to help with the production and we all just want to make a great show so we can sell out and give as much as we can.”
Towards that end, there is a new way to raise money in the form of a gallery show. Cat Delett of Cat Delett Art and Illustration and Chrissy McIntyre have teamed up to create a gallery show at the Burgdorff during the run. It’s called The American West Through East Coast Eyes and features local artists work on that theme. Part of the art sales will also go to the charities listed above.
On continuing the tradition of bringing panto to Maplewood, Joe Giannone, the longest running cast member had this to say, “I took part in my first British panto because I’m interested in foreign languages and exotic cultures, but I keep coming back because it’s always so incredibly fun. One doesn’t often get the chance to perform, in front of all your friends and family, a play for which you help write gags, build scenery and, in short, bring to life. We have a really talented, wacky group of people and for several months we have a lot of laughs and eat a lot of pizza.”
Show synopsis:
The year is 1865. The town of Lickety Split, Kansas has fallen on bad times, and has been broke for years – owing all their money to a local gang. At the local watering hole, owner Miss Kitty and her bouncer Josie Wales are trying to put together a show to lure interest from the NJT railroad company. They’re looking to build a station nearby and Miss Kitty wants Lickety Split to be that stop, but first she has to convince her childhood friend and secret beau Sheriff John “Duke” Morrison to join in on the idea.
However, all bets are off when two strangers walk into town, with a secret mission to find gold in the haunted caves. Can Smith and Jones get the gold and keep it, or will the local gang clean them out, too? Find out in our hilarious Wild West Show unlike any other!

Last Chance Saloon – Tickets Now Available!

Suburban Legend presents Last Chance Saloon: A Wild West Pantomime, a family show written, directed, produced by and starring local residents, with profits benefiting local charities. BOO Billy The Kidd and his gang! YEE-HAW at the antics of our hero Jonathan Smith and his trusty horse Jones! Sing along to our silly songs and be ready to laugh at some of the best worst jokes ever told in Maplewood.
The year is 1865. The town of Lickety Split, Kansas has fallen on bad times, and has been broke for years – owing all their money to a local gang. At the local watering hole, owner Miss Kitty and her bouncer Josie Wales are trying to put together a show to lure interest from the NJT railroad company. They’re looking to build a station nearby and Miss Kitty wants Lickety Split to be that stop, but first she has to convince her childhood friend and secret beau Sheriff John “Duke” Morrison to join in on the idea.
However, all bets are off when two strangers walk into town, with a secret mission to find gold in the haunted caves. Can Smith and Jones get the gold and keep it, or will the local gang clean them out, too? Find out in our hilarious Wild West Show unlike any other!

CALL FOR ART – Last Chance Saloon: The American West Through East Coast Eyes

Local production company, Suburban Legend Arts, invites local artists to submit art for an exhibition to coincide with their annual pantomime at the Burgdorff Center. This year’s show is titled Last Chance Saloon: A Wild West Pantomime and artists should submit works reflecting their impressions, thoughts, and ideas about the American West.
imageArtists can submit up to two pieces. Original artworks in all styles, media, and techniques are welcome, but all work must be gallery-wired to be hung on a wall to be considered.
Submission Guidelines:
Entry fee is $10. Submission deadline is December 10, 2015. Please email jpeg photos, using naming convention “lastname_firstname1.jpg” and “lastname_firstname2.jpg, along with your name, work titles, media, size, and price. Size limit maximum 5ft. Two-dimensional work must be framed and wired for hanging. No sawtooths or clip hangers. Unframed or improperly mounted work will not be accepted.
Please contact us at lastchancesaloonart@gmail.com
Though NFS works will be accepted, we encourage works for sale. Works may not be removed until the close of exhibition. Artists retain 80% of sale with 20% donated to the charities receiving proceeds from Last Chance Saloon ticket sales.
All work must be dropped off at the Burgdorff Center on the drop-off date. No shipping or mailing of work will be accepted.
Acceptances will be sent by December 15, 2015.
This show is curated by Cat Delett and Chrissy McIntyre.
More About Suburban Legend’s productions:
Suburban Legend Productions has been staging a traditional British Pantomime in Maplewood for the past four years. This year they are following up their sell-out success of Robin Hood: A Very British Pantomime with Last Chance Saloon: A Wild West Pantomime. This new, original play written by Chrissy McIntyre and Ridley McIntyre and directed by Ridley McIntyre is a fun theatrical experience the whole family will love. It includes all the fabulous British Pantomime tropes you’ve come to know – Oh yes you do! – and will leave everyone entertained. All the proceeds of the show go to local charities. Come be a part of the British holiday tradition of ‘Panto’ right here in Maplewood.
Press:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/c-m-rubin/we-want-you-to-be-loud_b_6424684.html
http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/in-maplewood-british-panto-takes-the-stage/

Last Chance Saloon – Open Auditions

Ever dreamed of playing a cowboy? How about a cowgirl? How about an actual cow? Then we’re looking for you! Suburban Legend is holding auditions for its newest original show…
Last Chance Saloon: A Wild West Panto.
The Last Chance Saloon is a rickety watering hole in the dusty town of Lickety Split, Kansas and it needs your help to put on a show, win over the railroad company and save the town from bad guys!
OPEN AUDITIONS!
SEPTEMBER 3rd – 7-9pm
and
SEPTEMBER 6th – 2-4pm
At the Community Room in the Burgdorff Center for the Arts, 10 Durand Rd, Maplewood, NJ.
If you’ve seen one of our Pantos before, you’ll know what you’re in for, but if you haven’t…
Last Chance Saloon is a British-style Pantomime combining Vaudeville, stand-up, music, dance, action, romance and some very silly humor, set in the Wild West of Kansas, a family show written, directed, produced by and starring local residents, with profits benefiting local charities. This will be the 4th in our run of hugely successful Pantos, and we’d love you to join us as we bring our latest wacky production to the Burgdorff Theater on January 8-10 and 15-17.
You will need to be available for Sunday afternoon rehearsals as well as one night per week from mid-September to end of December, with an additional night during November and December (days to be determined). It’s a little commitment for a lot of fun!
We’re looking for children ages 8 and upward as well as adult men and women to fill our many roles of varying sizes, but most importantly we are looking for a good man with an attitude to play our feisty bar owner, Miss Kitty! We will be providing script samples for you audition with, so bring your laughing shoes and let us see what you can do.
We welcome newcomers to the stage as well as veterans. Our emphasis is on fun and putting on a great show for all the family, so come down on 9/3 or 9/6 and show us what you got.
Our webpage is currently under construction, so for more information follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/suburbanlegendarts

We Want You to Be Loud!

Author and blogger C.M. Rubin interviewed us for The Huffington Post. Thanks for coming down!

Robin Hood is a lot of fun, and you can feel good about supporting it too! In the past two years of sold out shows, the McIntyre’s have raised over $9,000 for charity with their productions. This year continues their tradition of using the pantomime to raise money for two local charities: Rent Party and St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center. The show is also a family enterprise, from the husband and wife team at the helm, to the many children acting alongside their parents. Whitney Pillsbury, playing the ‘Dame’, describes watching his son develop during the process: “I’ve watched my son go from being too shy to try out for the part to being a very professional young thespian. He has become responsible for his own wardrobe and cues and I could not be more proud of him.” And perhaps the best advertisement comes from Alexandra Krim, a 13-year-old member of the cast, who says: “Pantos are lots more fun because you don’t have to do what’s expected in a normal play.” So if you are in the area, be sure to check out this hilarious very loud version of a fairy tale classic.

Read the entire article here.

Coming to Maplewood January 2015 – “Robin Hood: A Very British Pantomime!”

That’s right, Ladies & Gentlemen, boys and girls, Deadgood Events may have moved to the sunnier vales of California, but the Maplewood holiday Panto tradition will live on at the Burgdorff Cultural Center for 2 weekends on January 2nd-4th and 9th-11th. Watch this space for details on how you can score the hottest tickets in town.
Suburban Legend presents Robin Hood: A Very British Pantomime, a family show written, directed, produced by and starring local residents, with profits benefiting local charities. BOO the Sheriff of Nottingham! HUZZAH at the antics of Robin Hood and his Merry Band! Sing along to our silly songs and be ready to laugh some of the best worst jokes ever told in Maplewood.
The year is 1194. England’s King Richard the Lionheart has been captured on his way back from the crusades and is being held for ransom. His brother, Prince John, is hoping to align with France in order to take England’s throne in Richard’s absence, and has enlisted the ambitious Sheriff of Nottingham to help him raise funds for his cause.
Join Robin Hood and his band of merry outlaws, the feisty Maid Marian and her nanny Matilda, his young apprentices the Hoodies, the Real Housewives of Sherwood Forest and a mysterious deer as they fight together to stop the Sheriff and his sidekick Guy of Gisbourne’s wicked plan to overthrow the king!

British Pantomime continues in Maplewood under new production company Suburban Legend

Maplewood, NJ: Chrissy and Ridley McIntyre have formed a new production company called Suburban Legend Arts to assume the role of the vacating Deadgood Events. Following Deadgood’s two sell-out ‘A Very British Pantomime’ shows held at Maplewood’s Burgdorff Performing Arts Center, the new production team led by Chrissy and Ridley will take over and continue the tradition of British ‘Panto’ in the town. “We are very sad to lose our friends Liz and Gareth Jones of Deadgood but we felt the show must go on,” said Chrissy McIntyre one of the show producers. Kathleen Ash-Milby, the children’s director said, “I can’t imagine Maplewood without a panto now.”
The first production “Arrrr! A Very British Pantomime” introduced the town to the British holiday tradition of “panto.” It is a family show that is a cross between a fairy tale and a broad vaudevillian stage show. There are some classic pantomime tropes including the ‘principal boy’ which is always played by a woman, the ‘Dame’ which is always a man is garish drag and the plot usually ends with a ‘happily ever after’. In between all of that there is singing and joking, talking back and forth with the audience and a raucous good time had by everyone, young and old. Arrrr! raised over $3,000 for local charities.
The sell out show led to “Wotcha Gotcha” A Very British Pantomime the following year. This show, held over two weekends helped to raise over $6,000 that was given to local charities including Rent Party, The Jersey Animal Coalition and the Heifer Fund.
Now in it’s third year, Chrissy and Ridley have assumed the role of writers and will bring the story of Robin Hood, like you’ve never seen before! Once again, all the money raised will be given to local charities. The actors, directors, producers and all the behind the scenes helpers all graciously donate their time to create a very special theatrical experience to the families of our towns. You won’t want to miss this new show. It will be performed during the weekends of January 3rd and January 10th, 2015 at the Burgdorff Performing Arts Center in Maplewood.