After a great summer of acting and directing, I have the honor of returning to the Lyric Stage Company, playing the role of the King in the great musical, Big River. Some reviews:

Huck Finn adventure rolls in ‘River’

STAGE REVIEW

....... turning its focus to the antics of a pair of admittedly colorful scam artists, The Duke (Peter A. Carey) and The King (J.T. Turner),...... Turner sputters and schemes entertainingly as The King.

BWW Reviews: Book Passage on Big-hearted 'Big River'
Tuesday, September 6, 2011; Posted: 09:09 AM - by Nancy Grossman

 Huck falls under the tutelage of a pair of grifters played to the hilt by J. T. Turner (The King) and Peter A. Carey (The Duke). At first they appear to be stock ridiculous caricatures, but in the hands of these fine actors, The King hardens into a mean-spirited crook and The Duke develops a conscience and garners a small measure of sympathy.

Although they are only ancillary figures, each member of the cast provide a fully developed picture of Huck’s adventures.  Peter A. Carey and J.T. Turner portray the shifty Duke and King who try to take advantage of every person they meet. 

We play till October 8th, come check it out! lyricstage.com

I am delighted to be playing Feldzieg in The Drowsy Chaperone at Speakeasy Stage Company! It is a great cast, and will be a fun show! Check out all the details at the Speakeasy website, speakeasystage.com. We run into June, so I hope to see you there!

Our summer worshops for kids are filling up, and private lessons are very popular at the Actors Company. If you are interested in any of our summer activities or lessons, drop us a line at jtactor@aol.com

Had a wonderful run at the North Shore Music Theater in A Christmas Carol, playing Mr. Fezziwig and Gentleman 2. Also was proud to understudy Mr. David Coffee. Some reviews:

NSMT’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ is more spectacular than ever
By Sheila Barth
INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS
December 15, 2010

Another NSMT favorite, J.T. Turner, adds ebullience as Scrooge’s jolly employer, Mr. Fezziwig and as a gentleman.

Christmas Carol engaging as ever at the North Shore Music Theater

By Sally Applegate

Cheryl McMahon is fun as the bewildered Mrs. Dilber, and J.T. Turner makes a perfectly Dickensian Fezziwig.

We have also had some great audio releases from Colonial Radio Theater, including a great Perry Mason mystery.

Perry Mason, The Case of the Velvet Claws-

Jerry Robbins' edgier Mason brings us closer to Gardner's writing. JT Turner's Paul Drake is a great foil for Robbins' Mason.

 J.T. Turner is Detective Paul Drake and, as usual, he rounds out the character beautifully. These productions are first rate.

GREAT 2011 AHEAD!!!- JT

 Today we start our rehearsals for the North Shore Music Theater's A Christmas Carol! Looking forward to working on this great Christmas tradition!

http://www.nsmt.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=895&Itemid=2186

And for those of you wondering, yes I will do my one-man version, First Church Ipswich, December 12, 7:30pm :)

I am delighted to announce I have been cast as Fezziwig in North Shore Music Theater's A Christmas Carol. This production ran for 24 years, and after a short hiatus is back with its original director. I am honored to be a part of this production. I will post ticket info soon.

Before that run I have several seminars to give through CFT, as well as giving a keynot speech at thier annual gathering in Newport, RI. But first a trip to Guatemala with Partners in Development. Our Ipswich Middle School show, the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, plays October 22,23,24.Also my production of Our Town plays at First Church Ipswich, November 18, 19 and 20 at 7:30pm.

I have the great honor to join author Ilyon Woo in a staged reading event at The Fruitlands in Harvard MA, Friday,  September 24th. Ilyon Woo has written a great book about an episode in American History that could have been easily overlooked, but is fascinating  and historically significant.

The Great Divorce tells the true story of Eunice Chapman, a woman whose errant husband, James, leaves the marriage to join the Watervliet, New York Shakers, and takes their three children with him. Eunice’s fight to reunite with her children involves her masterfully successful lobbying efforts to convince the New York State Legistature to intervene on her behalf and grant her a divorce, dramatic public show-downs with Shaker Elders, and harrowing journeys to track down the children after they’re whisked away into hiding. All impressive feats, made extraordinary considering that at the time women were considered “legally dead” once they married and divorce was practically unheard of.

The book is an engrossing and exciting read, and has been called “movie worthy” by More magazine. Ilyon’s book has garnered national attention including features on NPRs All Things Considered and Diane Rehm Show, a full-page article in the Wall Street Journal.

I will be reading roles such as James Chapman, Horace Greely and Thomas Jefferson. For more info, check out the Fruitlands site: http://www.fruitlands.org/

Well this summer has gone by fast and furious! Over at moonlight productions we presented 5 different shows, Jungle Book Jr., The Drowsy Chaperone, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Treasure Island and 101 Dalmatians! All our summer fare was well received. I played Banquo in Macbeth, and had a terrific cast and a great time.

Lot's of recording this summer at PBS, new episodes of ARTHUR, and NATURE. At Colonial Radio, we have been recording new and exciting project, some of which I can't mention yet. But Father Brow is going to be re-released with a new audio publisher in November, which will be great.

Next up is directing The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at the Ipswich Middle School, and Our Town at moonlight. I also have the honor of working on a show for Ipswich Illuminated, an annual Fall festival here in town!

Hope you all had a great and blessed New Year! Mine was spent with family and friends, and as usual I have been plotting new ventures for 2010!

I have a new blog, which gives advice to actors. But some of the info, like eye contact and relaxation techniques, are great for anyone. Please check it out, and become a follower, I need the numbers! And suggest it to any actors, singers, dancers, performers you know. Or anyone who has to do public speaking or presentations.

www.jtturneractor.blogspot.com

I am casting our new show over at moonlight, Jason Robert Browns musical, "13". I am also directing Pirates of Penzance at Ipswich Middle School. My new touring show about William Shakespeare, Will's World, debuts this week!

My production of  A Christmas Carol has been named this weeks BEST BET by The Boston Globe. Come see it!

December 16-19th at 7:30,  December 20th at 2:30. general Admission is $18, seniors and kids 12 and under $15

Gloucester Stage Company/Gorton's Theater, 267 East Main St., Gloucester. Call 508-942-9938

For the lucky 13th year, I am presenting my one man show. As Charles Dickens, I retell the story of A Christmas Carol, playing all the roles! This show has gotten rave reviews, and I hope you and your family will make it a part of your tradition.

THIS SEASON:

GLOUCESTER STAGE COMPANY/GORTONS THEATER

In this classic Christmas story, Turner portrays Charles Dickens using minimal set, a few simple props and lights. Turner brings the entire show to life before your eyes, portraying over 25 characters in the course of this one show.

A Christmas Carol, December 16-19 at 7:30pm, and December 20th at 2:30pm. Tickets $18 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under and seniors.Group discounts availabe for groups of 10 or more.

SATURDAY EVENING THE19TH IS A FUND RAISER FOR FIRST CHURCH IPSWICH!

SUNDAY THE 20TH MATINEE IS A FUND RASIER FOR PARTNERS IN DEVELOPMENT, SERVING THE POOREST OF THE POOR IN GUATEMALA AND HAITI,

To Reserve Tickets, please call 508-942-9938

GLOUCESTER STAGE
267 EAST MAIN ST.
GLOUCESTER, MA, 01930