"Follies" Interview with Rebekah Sword

    We’re just a week away from the musical Follies taking the stage - and we have an interview with a member of the cast to share! 

   Today let talk to the lovely and talented Rebekah Sword, who plays “Solange.”

Q: What is “Follies” about? 

Rebekah: “Follies” is mainly about the interconnected relationships of two couples. They are haunted by ghosts of the past - ghosts of their choices, lost loves, and mistakes. The backdrop for the main love triangle and conflict in these marriages is a cocktail party where those who once performed in the follies come back together before their home theater becomes a parking lot. 

Q: Why did you want to be part of this show? 

Rebekah: I wanted to be a part of this show because I love singing Stephen Sondheim and it’s uncommon in our area for a Sondheim work to be performed. I also love working with director Bil Neal. I haven’t had the opportunity to be on stage in about two years, so when this opportunity came along, I had to take it. 

Q: Tell us about the character you play. 

Rebekah: The character I play is Solange LaFitte, a French former showgirl turned perfume mogul.  She had brought along her perfumes and is attempting to drum up sales amongst her former friends and colleagues. She is possibly going to branch out into skincare or makeup sales as she brags about looking “this good at 66” - an age that she cannot possibly be. 

Q: What's your background in theatre?

Rebekah: I have a degree in voice from WVU and was active in their opera theater during my time there. I was also active in Marshall’s opera theater while finishing up my English degree. I have performed with 5^th Avenue Theater Company, Kanawha Players, and ARTS previously. I am really more of a singer than I am an actor, but I do enjoy getting to perform in any capacity.  

Q: This is Alchemy’s first musical production - what’s more challenging, the singing or the dancing? 

Rebekah: The dancing.  In every show that I’ve ever been in, dancing has been the bane of my existence and I have been a choreographer’s nightmare.  I am truly a “park and bark” singer, but choreographer Amy Browning has been so patient and attentive to my lack of skill and coordination. 

Q: Do you have a favorite number in the show? 

Rebekah: It is so hard to choose just one song as a favorite.  I honestly don’t believe that I can.  One of my favorites is Carlotta’s “I’m Still Here.”  This was one of the few songs that I knew before beginning this show.  Mary Olsen does a brilliant job of being clever and poignant.  It’s a beautiful song that can make a listener both laugh and cry.  I also love “The-God-Why-Don’t-You-Love-Me-Blues.”  While Dr. John Campbell does a wonderful job with this, the two showgirls representing Margie and Sally, played by Johanna Murdock and Nora Ankrom, are hysterical.  I have watched it many times and it never fails to make me laugh.  

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Rebekah: This show has something for everyone.  There are beautiful dancing girls.  There’s fabulous music.  There are brilliant actors.  There’s passion and pain.  There’s humor.  It’s just a brilliant work and Bil has done a fabulous job with it.  The play sucks me in and I get very angry at the characters of Ben and Sally.  I feel sorry for Buddy.  I cheer for Phyllis – my favorite character.  If you see this play for no other reason, see it for Jane Modlin’s Phyllis.  

   Thanks, Rebekah!

   “Follies” - the musical will be presented by Alchemy Theatre on March 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m., and March 8 at 2 p.m. at The Janice Chandler Auditorium (The Cabell County Board of Education Building) at 2850 5th Avenue in Huntington. Tickets are $15 each.

"Follies" Interview with John Campbell

    There are several shows in the area getting ready to take the stage, including the beloved musical Follies!

   To get you ready for the show, we have interviews with the cast to share, starting with the amazingly talented John Campbell, who plays “Buddy."

Q: What is “Follies” about? 

John: Frustrated expectations about love, life, marriage, career. As my character sings, "The things that you want, you don't seem to get." Sound familiar?

Q: Why did you want to be part of this show? 

John: I always enjoy working with director Bil Neal, and playing with the folks at Alchemy. Sondheim writes some wonderful tunes, and this show has some of his best.

Q: Tell us about the character you play. 

John: Buddy is at the reunion of the theater where his wife had performed 30 years earlier as a showgirl, and he has memories of their relationship back then while dealing with the difficulties of their marriage in the present.

Q: What's your background in theatre?

John: I have acted in several shows in the area, and directed a couple.

Q: This is Alchemy’s first musical production - what’s more challenging, the singing or the dancing?

John: For me, the dancing is definitely the greater challenge. Of course, in one of my numbers ("Buddy's Blues") I do both simultaneously, and that's a mental as well as physical workout. But it's a lot of fun too.

Q: Do you have a favorite number in the show?

John:"Losing My Mind" is simply exquisite. Jinnie Knight does a superb job with it. Hearing it is worth the price of the ticket.

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

John: Sondheim's tunes are lovely, and his lyrics are sharp. You'll see some very, very fine acting from this talented cast, hear some wonderful voices, and enjoy the visual splendor of the glittering costumes and big dance numbers. The subject matter - couples struggling in their relationships - is difficult at times. If you aren't in such a situation yourself, you know someone who is, and you will see them on the stage. And yet… there is hope. You will laugh - there are some really funny moments - and you very well may cry; there is catharsis in the journey.

   Thanks, John!

   “Follies” - the musical will be presented by Alchemy Theatre on March 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m., and March 8 at 2 p.m. at The Janice Chandler Auditorium (The Cabell County Board of Education Building) at 2850 5th Avenue in Huntington. Tickets are $15 each.

On Stage This Weekend and Upcoming Shows

Here’s the lineup of community theatre performances for the week beginning Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Upcoming shows are also listed. If I've missed anything, please let me know. Break legs, everyone! (Share freely!)

________________________

LIVE THEATRE

“The Colored Museum” - The Alban Arts Center will present the play by George C. Wolfe on Feb. 28, 29 and March 1 at 8 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and students. The play is Rated “R” due to adult language and content. Making his directorial debut at the Alban Arts Center, Stuart Frazier brings “The Colored Museum” to the Alban Arts Center stage. In the play, African-American “exhibits” come to life to explore culture, identity, and stereotypes. The 1986 play is by African-American playwright George C. Wolfe. Serving as an elaborate satire of the prominent themes and identities of African-American culture, the play is set in a fictional museum where African-American figures are kept for public consumption. Told in a series of 11 sketches, each segment centers on a different “exhibit” in the museum. Exploring themes of racism, stereotypes, intra-community conflicts in black culture, and the ongoing legacy of slavery and segregation, “The Colored Museum” received overwhelming critical praise for its provocative subject matter and in-depth exploration of the African-American theatrical and cultural past.

“Sense and Sensibility” - The Actors Guild of Parkersburg will present the adaptation of the Jane Austen novel by Kate Hamill. Set in the 1790s in England, this play concerns the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, and their journey into happiness and fulfillment. At a time in which a woman’s value and place in society is based upon her husband and his wealth, Elinor and Marianne face many challenges. Will they find a husband who can secure their position? Or, should society allow strong, intelligent, capable women their own position? The play is filled with subtly funny moments, tender scenes, and broad comedy. The play will be presented on Feb. 28, 29, and March 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14.

Murder and Merriment (Interactive Murder Dinner Parties) For a complete list of upcoming murder mysteries, visit www.murderandmerriment-dot-com.

————————————

UPCOMING LIVE THEATRE

“Follies” - Alchemy Theatre will present the musical March 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m., and March 8 at 2 p.m. at The Janice Chandler Auditorium (The Cabell County Board of Education Building) at 2850 5th Avenue in Huntington. Tickets are $15 each. In 1971, on the soon-to-be demolished stage of the Weismann Theater, a reunion is being held to honor the Weismann's "Follies" shows past, and the beautiful chorus girls who performed there every year between the two World Wars. The once resplendent theater is now little but planks and scaffolding. The reunited actors reminisce, perform old numbers, reignite old flames, and appraise relationships as dilapidated as the old theater - often accompanied by the ghosts of their younger selves. 

“The Complete History of Theatre (abridged)” - The Timberwolf Theatre Company of Spring Valley High School presents the comedy/farce March 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m.  and March 8 at 2:30 p.m. at the school auditorium. Title characters feature world renowned William Shakespeare, Russian stage craft master Constantine Stanislavsky, and famed stage actress Sarah Bernhardt. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 a piece and donations for the furthering of our young program will always be highly appreciated!

“Titus Andronicus” - The Shakespeare tragedy will be presented at The Bullock Distillery at 121 West Washington Street in Elk City (Charleston) on March 5, 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 for senior citizens and $10 for students.

 “The Crucible” - Southern Coalition for the Arts presents the play by Arthur Miller on March 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. and March 8 and 15 at 3 p.m. at the Southern EV COmmunity and Technical College Logan Campus. 

“Mamma Mia” - Paramount Players will present the show based on the music of Abba at the Paramount Theater in Ashland, Ky. on March 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and March 14 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $30.

“Romeo & Juliet” - BlackRoot Theatre in Belle / Quincy, W.Va., will present the Shakespeare play. Performances will be March 27, 28 and April 4 at 8 p.m. and March 29 and April 5 at 3 p.m.

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" - First Stage Theatre will present the musical based on the classic comic strip "Peanuts" by Charles Schulz. The show will be performed at the Pea Ridge United Methodist Church at 5747 East Pea Ridge Road in Huntington on April 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. and April 4 and 5 at 2:30 p.m.

“Mary Poppins, Jr.” - The Children’s Theatre of Charleston will present the musical based on the popular Disney movie and the Broadway musical. Performances will be April 2-5 at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center Little Theater.

“Disney’s Moana, Jr.” - First Stage Theatre Company will present the musical based on the beloved 2016 Disney animated film, bringing the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage. The show will be performed on April 23, 24, 25, 26, May 1, 2 and 3.

“The Wizard of Oz” - Huntington High School’s Theatre Department will present the musical based on the beloved film on April 23, 24, 25, 26, May 1, 2 and 3.

“Memphis the Musical” - The Charleston Light Opera Guild will present the musical on April 24, 25 and May 1, 2, 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., and May 3 at 2 p.m. at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center Little Theater. “Memphis” is set in the places where rock and roll was born in the 1950s: the seedy nightclubs, radio stations and recording studios of the musically-rich Tennessee city. With an original score, it tells the fictional story of DJ Huey Calhoun, a good ol' local boy with a passion for R&B and Felicia Farrell, an up-and-coming black singer that he meets one fateful night on Beale Street. Despite the objections of their loved ones, they embark on a dangerous romance as Huey optimistically believes music can transcend race.

“Long Day’s Journey into Night” - The Alban Arts Center will present the show on April 24, 25, May 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. and April 26 and May 3 at 2 p.m. at the Alban Performing Arts Center on Main Street in St. Albans.

“The Producers” - The Actor’s Guild of Parkersburg will present the musical based on the Mel Brooks movie on April 24, 25, May 1, 2, 8, 9 at 8 p.m., April 26 at 2:30 p.m., and May 3 at 6 p.m.

“Ring of Fire” - The Mid-Ohio Valley Players will present the musical at the Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theater at 227 Putnam Street in Marietta, Ohio, on May 1, 2, 8, and 9 at 8 p.m. and May 3 at 2:30 p.m. The Music of Johnny Cash has had a remarkable journey from Broadway to theatres across the world. The show recently received a hot new re-conception by original creator Richard Maltby, Jr. featuring a cast of five actor/musicians.

“The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon”  - The Kanawha Players will present the play. The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm are turned on their heads in this fast-paced, rollicking ride as two narrators and several actors attempt to combine all 209 stories ranging from classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel to more bizarre, obscure stories like The Devil's Grandmother and The Girl Without Hands. A wild, free-form comedy with lots of audience participation and madcap fun.

“The Addams Family” - HART in the Park will present the musical at Huntington Ritter Park Amphitheater in June 2020.

“James and the Giant Peach, Jr.” - Zadokite Woods Productions will present the musical based on the beloved book on June 25, 26 and 27 at the Barboursville Park Amphitheater.

“Elf the Musical” - HART in the Park will present the musical at Huntington Ritter Park Amphitheater in July 2020.

Previewing "Follies"

    Huntington's newest theatre company, Alchemy Theatre, is tackling its first musical production, Follies, and here's a video with the director, Bil Neal, explaining why this is a show you don't want to miss:

   Follies - Alchemy Theatre will present the musical March 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m., and March 8 at 2 p.m. at The Janice Chandler Auditorium (The Cabell County Board of Education Building) at 2850 5th Avenue in Huntington. Tickets are $15 each. In 1971, on the soon-to-be demolished stage of the Weismann Theater, a reunion is being held to honor the Weismann's "Follies" shows past, and the beautiful chorus girls who performed there every year between the two World Wars. The once resplendent theater is now little but planks and scaffolding. The reunited actors reminisce, perform old numbers, reignite old flames, and appraise relationships as dilapidated as the old theater - often accompanied by the ghosts of their younger selves. 

On Stage This Weekend, Upcoming Shows and Auditions

Here’s the lineup of community theatre performances for the week beginning Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. Upcoming shows and auditions are also listed. If I've missed anything, please let me know. 

________________________

LIVE THEATRE

“The Laramie Project” - The Marshall University School of Theatre presents the play written by Moises Kauffman & Members of the Tectonic Theatre Project on Feb. 19, 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theater in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. In October 1998, a 21 year-old student at the University of Wyoming was  kidnapped, severely beaten, and left tied to a fence in the middle of the prairie outside Laramie, Wyoming. He died several days later in an area hospital. His name was Matthew Shepard, and he was the victim of this assault because he was gay. THE LARAMIE PROJECT is a breathtaking collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the heights of compassion of which we are capable. Tickets are $20 at the door, $15 for Seniors & Faculty, $7 for children 12 and under, and Marshall University students admitted free with a valid ID.

“Finding Neverland” - The Marshall Artists Series presents the musical that tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. The magic of Barrie’s classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. It will be presented on Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center.

“The Colored Museum” - The Alban Arts Center will present the play by George C. Wolfe on Feb. 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and March 1 at 8 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and students. The play is Rated “R” due to adult language and content. Making his directorial debut at the Alban Arts Center, Stuart Frazier brings “The Colored Museum” to the Alban Arts Center stage. In the play, African-American “exhibits” come to life to explore culture, identity, and stereotypes. The 1986 play is by African-American playwright George C. Wolfe. Serving as an elaborate satire of the prominent themes and identities of African-American culture, the play is set in a fictional museum where African-American figures are kept for public consumption. Told in a series of 11 sketches, each segment centers on a different “exhibit” in the museum. Exploring themes of racism, stereotypes, intra-community conflicts in black culture, and the ongoing legacy of slavery and segregation, “The Colored Museum” received overwhelming critical praise for its provocative subject matter and in-depth exploration of the African-American theatrical and cultural past.

Murder and Merriment (Interactive Murder Dinner Parties) For a complete list of upcoming murder mysteries, visit www.murderandmerriment-dot-com.

————————————

UPCOMING LIVE THEATRE

“Sense and Sensibility” - The Actors Guild of Parkersburg will present the adaptation of the Jane Austen novel by Kate Hamill. Set in the 1790s in England, this play concerns the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, and their journey into happiness and fulfillment. At a time in which a woman’s value and place in society is based upon her husband and his wealth, Elinor and Marianne face many challenges. Will they find a husband who can secure their position? Or, should society allow strong, intelligent, capable women their own position? The play is filled with subtly funny moments, tender scenes, and broad comedy. The play will be presented on Feb. 28, 29, and March 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14.

“Follies” - Alchemy Theatre will present the musical the first two weekends of March in the Cabell County Board of Education theater. In 1971, on the soon-to-be demolished stage of the Weismann Theater, a reunion is being held to honor the Weismann's "Follies" shows past, and the beautiful chorus girls who performed there every year between the two World Wars. The once resplendent theater is now little but planks and scaffolding. The reunited actors reminisce, perform old numbers, reignite old flames, and appraise relationships as dilapidated as the old theater - often accompanied by the ghosts of their younger selves.

“Titus Andronicus” - The Shakespeare tragedy will be presented at The Bullock Distillery at 121 West Washington Street in Elk City (Charleston) on March 5, 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 for senior citizens and $10 for students.

 “The Crucible” - Southern Coalition for the Arts presents the play by Arthur Miller on March 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. and March 8 and 15 at 3 p.m. at the Southern EV COmmunity and Technical College Logan Campus. 

“Mamma Mia” - Paramount Players will present the show based on the music of Abba at the Paramount Theater in Ashland, Ky. on March 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and March 14 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $30.

“Romeo & Juliet” - BlackRoot Theatre in Belle / Quincy, W.Va., will present the Shakespeare play. Performances will be March 27, 28 and April 4 at 8 p.m. and March 29 and April 5 at 3 p.m.

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" - First Stage Theatre will present the musical based on the classic comic strip "Peanuts" by Charles Schulz. The show will be performed at the Pea Ridge United Methodist Church at 5747 East Pea Ridge Road in Huntington on April 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. and April 4 and 5 at 2:30 p.m.

“Mary Poppins, Jr.” - The Children’s Theatre of Charleston will present the musical based on the popular Disney movie and the Broadway musical. Performances will be April 2-5 at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center Little Theater.

“Disney’s Moana, Jr.” - First Stage Theatre Company will present the musical based on the beloved 2016 Disney animated film, bringing the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage. The show will be performed on April 23, 24, 25, 26, May 1, 2 and 3.

“The Wizard of Oz” - Huntington High School’s Theatre Department will present the musical based on the beloved film on April 23, 24, 25, 26, May 1, 2 and 3.

“Memphis the Musical” - The Charleston Light Opera Guild will present the musical on April 24, 25 and May 1, 2, 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., and May 3 at 2 p.m. at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center Little Theater. “Memphis” is set in the places where rock and roll was born in the 1950s: the seedy nightclubs, radio stations and recording studios of the musically-rich Tennessee city. With an original score, it tells the fictional story of DJ Huey Calhoun, a good ol' local boy with a passion for R&B and Felicia Farrell, an up-and-coming black singer that he meets one fateful night on Beale Street. Despite the objections of their loved ones, they embark on a dangerous romance as Huey optimistically believes music can transcend race.

“Long Day’s Journey into Night” - The Alban Arts Center will present the show on April 24, 25, May 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. and April 26 and May 3 at 2 p.m. at the Alban Performing Arts Center on Main Street in St. Albans.

“The Producers” - The Actor’s Guild of Parkersburg will present the musical based on the Mel Brooks movie on April 24, 25, May 1, 2, 8, 9 at 8 p.m., April 26 at 2:30 p.m., and May 3 at 6 p.m.

“The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon”  - The Kanawha Players will present the play. The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm are turned on their heads in this fast-paced, rollicking ride as two narrators and several actors attempt to combine all 209 stories ranging from classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel to more bizarre, obscure stories like The Devil's Grandmother and The Girl Without Hands. A wild, free-form comedy with lots of audience participation and madcap fun.

“The Addams Family” - HART in the Park will present the musical at Huntington Ritter Park Amphitheater in June 2020.

“James and the Giant Peach, Jr.” - Zadokite Woods Productions will present the musical based on the beloved book on June 25, 26 and 27 at the Barboursville Park Amphitheater.

“Elf the Musical” - HART in the Park will present the musical at Huntington Ritter Park Amphitheater in July 2020.

—————————

AUDITIONS:

“Ring of Fire” - The Mid-Ohio Valley Players will hold auditions on Sunday, February 23 and Monday, February 24 upstairs in the Mid-Ohio Valley Players annex, located next door to the theater at 227 Putnam St. in Marietta, Ohio.

Actors should arrive at 6 p.m., Musicians st 7 p.m. Audition material for Ring of Fire: Audition Readings: https://www.scribd.com/document/447346434/RofF-Audition-Readings ; ”Jackson" Music and Lyrics: 

https://www.scribd.com/document/447347448/RofF-Jackson-Music-and-Lyrics

"Big River" Music and Lyrics:

https://www.scribd.com/document/447347613/RofF-Big-River-Music-and-Lyrics Performance dates are May 1, 2, 8, and 9 at 8 p.m. and May 3 at 2:30 p.m. The Music of Johnny Cash has had a remarkable journey from Broadway to theatres across the world. The show recently received a hot new re-conception by original creator Richard Maltby, Jr. featuring a cast of five actor/musicians.

On Stage This Week, Upcoming Shows and Auditions

Here’s the lineup of community theatre performances for the week beginning Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. Upcoming shows and auditions are also listed. If I've missed anything, please let me know. 

________________________

LIVE THEATRE THIS WEEK

“The Laramie Project” - The Marshall University School of Theatre presents the play written by Moises Kauffman & Members of the Tectonic Theatre Project on Feb. 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theater in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. In October 1998, a 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming was  kidnapped, severely beaten, and left tied to a fence in the middle of the prairie outside Laramie, Wyoming. He died several days later in an area hospital. His name was Matthew Shepard, and he was the victim of this assault because he was gay. THE LARAMIE PROJECT is a breathtaking collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the heights of compassion of which we are capable. Tickets are $20 at the door, $15 for Seniors & Faculty, $7 for children 12 and under, and Marshall University students admitted free with a valid ID.

“Waitress the Musical” - The Clay Center presents the Broadway touring show on Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $85.86, $59.11, and $37.61. Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county - and a satisfying run-in with someone new - show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. The Tony Award -nominated hit features original music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles (“Love Song,” “Brave”).

“Lincoln: An Opera” - A collaborative performance featuring the West Virginia Youth Symphony and (CYAC) Contemporary Youth Arts Company. Performances will be Feb. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. These special performances are a truncated (1 hr. 15 minute) edition of the original opera by Mark Scarpelli and Dan Kehde, featuring the talents of Daniel Calwell in the title role, with leads by Maddy Solange, Christian McCormick, Nik Tidquist, Matt Connelly and Susannah Atkins, together with a large chorus and accompanied by the entire WV Youth Symphony.

Murder and Merriment (Interactive Murder Dinner Parties) For a complete list of upcoming murder mysteries, visit www.murderandmerriment-dot-com.

————————————

UPCOMING LIVE THEATRE

“Finding Neverland” - The Marshall Artists Series presents the musical that tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. The magic of Barrie’s classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. It will be presented on Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center.

“The Colored Museum” - The Alban Arts Center will present the play by George C. Wolfe on Feb. 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and March 1 at 8 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and students. The play is Rated “R” due to adult language and content. Making his directorial debut at the Alban Arts Center, Stuart Frazier brings “The Colored Museum” to the Alban Arts Center stage. In the play, African-American “exhibits” come to life to explore culture, identity, and stereotypes. The 1986 play is by African-American playwright George C. Wolfe. Serving as an elaborate satire of the prominent themes and identities of African-American culture, the play is set in a fictional museum where African-American figures are kept for public consumption. Told in a series of 11 sketches, each segment centers on a different “exhibit” in the museum. Exploring themes of racism, stereotypes, intra-community conflicts in black culture, and the ongoing legacy of slavery and segregation, “The Colored Museum” received overwhelming critical praise for its provocative subject matter and in-depth exploration of the African-American theatrical and cultural past.

“Sense and Sensibility” - The Actors Guild of Parkersburg will present the adaptation of the Jane Austen novel by Kate Hamill. Set in the 1790s in England, this play concerns the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, and their journey into happiness and fulfillment. At a time in which a woman’s value and place in society is based upon her husband and his wealth, Elinor and Marianne face many challenges. Will they find a husband who can secure their position? Or, should society allow strong, intelligent, capable women their own position? The play is filled with subtly funny moments, tender scenes, and broad comedy. The play will be presented on Feb. 28, 29, and March 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14.

“Follies” - Alchemy Theatre will present the musical the first two weekends of March in the Cabell County Board of Education theater. In 1971, on the soon-to-be demolished stage of the Weismann Theater, a reunion is being held to honor the Weismann's "Follies" shows past, and the beautiful chorus girls who performed there every year between the two World Wars. The once resplendent theater is now little but planks and scaffolding. The reunited actors reminisce, perform old numbers, reignite old flames, and appraise relationships as dilapidated as the old theater - often accompanied by the ghosts of their younger selves.

“Titus Andronicus” - The Shakespeare tragedy will be presented in Charleston on March 5, 6 and 7.

“Mamma Mia” - Paramount Players will present the show based on the music of Abba at the Paramount Theater in Ashland, Ky. on March 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and March 14 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $30.

“Romeo & Juliet” - BlackRoot Theatre in Belle / Quincy, W.Va., will present the Shakespeare play. Performances will be March 27, 28 and April 4 at 8 p.m. and March 29 and April 5 at 3 p.m.

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" - First Stage Theatre will present the musical based on the classic comic strip "Peanuts" by Charles Schulz. The show will be performed at the Pea Ridge United Methodist Church at 5747 East Pea Ridge Road in Huntington on April 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. and April 4 and 5 at 2:30 p.m.

“Mary Poppins, Jr.” - The Children’s Theatre of Charleston will present the musical based on the popular Disney movie and the Broadway musical. Performances will be April 2-5 at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center Little Theater.

“Disney’s Moana, Jr.” - First Stage Theatre Company will present the musical based on the beloved 2016 Disney animated film, bringing the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage. The show will be performed on April 23, 24, 25, 26, May 1, 2 and 3.

“The Wizard of Oz” - Huntington High School’s Theatre Department will present the musical based on the beloved film on April 23, 24, 25, 26, May 1, 2 and 3.

“Memphis the Musical” - The Charleston Light Opera Guild will present the musical on April 24, 25 and May 1, 2, 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., and May 3 at 2 p.m. at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center Little Theater. “Memphis” is set in the places where rock and roll was born in the 1950s: the seedy nightclubs, radio stations and recording studios of the musically-rich Tennessee city. With an original score, it tells the fictional story of DJ Huey Calhoun, a good ol' local boy with a passion for R&B and Felicia Farrell, an up-and-coming black singer that he meets one fateful night on Beale Street. Despite the objections of their loved ones, they embark on a dangerous romance as Huey optimistically believes music can transcend race.

“The Producers” - The Actor’s Guild of Parkersburg will present the musical based on the Mel Brooks movie on April 24, 25, May 1, 2, 8, 9 at 8 p.m., April 26 at 2:30 p.m., and May 3 at 6 p.m.

“The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon”  - The Kanawha Players will present the play. The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm are turned on their heads in this fast-paced, rollicking ride as two narrators and several actors attempt to combine all 209 stories ranging from classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel to more bizarre, obscure stories like The Devil's Grandmother and The Girl Without Hands. A wild, free-form comedy with lots of audience participation and madcap fun.

“The Addams Family” - HART in the Park will present the musical at Huntington Ritter Park Amphitheater in June 2020.

“James and the Giant Peach, Jr.” - Zadokite Woods Productions will present the musical based on the beloved book on June 25, 26 and 27 at the Barboursville Park Amphitheater.

“Elf the Musical” - HART in the Park will present the musical at Huntington Ritter Park Amphitheater in July 2020.

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AUDITIONS:

“Long Day’s Journey into Night” - The Alban Arts Center will offer auditions on Feb. 15 and 16 at 1 p.m. at the theatre on Main Street in St. Albans. Feel free to prepare a one-minute monologue or sides will be available at the audition. The show will be presented on April 24, 25, May 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. and April 26 and May 3 at 2 p.m.

On Stage This Week, Upcoming Shows, Auditions

Here’s the lineup of community theatre performances for the week beginning Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. Upcoming shows and auditions are also listed. If I've missed anything, please let me know. Break legs, everyone!

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LIVE THEATRE

“The Simon & Garfunkel Story” - The Marshall Artists Series presents the musical based on the best-selling duo. The show features a full live band and state of the art video projection and lighting. It includes all of their hits, including ‘Mrs. Robinson,’ ‘Cecilia,’ ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water,’ ‘Homeward Bound’ and many more. It will be presented on Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center.

“Madame Butterfly” - The Marshall Artists Series presents the fully-staged opera from Teatro Lirico D’Europa, performs with 30-piece orchestra and English supertitles. It will be presented on Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center. 

“Anything Goes Variety Show” - Blackroot Theatre presents it monthly open mic / variety show on Friday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. All talents are welcome to perform, including comics, singers, magicians, fire-eaters ... ANYTHING GOES! BlackRoot Theatre is located at 2700 E. Dupont Ave (the old Fastenal building) in the Quincy Center.

Murder and Merriment (Interactive Murder Dinner Parties) For a complete list of upcoming murder mysteries, visit www.murderandmerriment-dot-com.

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UPCOMING LIVE THEATRE

“Junie B. Jones the Musical, Jr.” - The Paramount Players will present the musical on Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m.

“Waitress the Musical” - The Clay Center presents the Broadway touring show on Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $85.86, $59.11, and $37.61. Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county - and a satisfying run-in with someone new - show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. The Tony Award -nominated hit features original music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles (“Love Song,” “Brave”).

“Lincoln: An Opera” - A collaborative performance featuring the West Virginia Youth Symphony and (CYAC) Contemporary Youth Arts Company. Performances will be Feb. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. These special performances are a truncated (1 hr. 15 minute) edition of the original opera by Mark Scarpelli and Dan Kehde, featuring the talents of Daniel Calwell in the title role, with leads by Maddy Solange, Christian McCormick, Nik Tidquist, Matt Connelly and Susannah Atkins, together with a large chorus and accompanied by the entire WV Youth Symphony. 

“The Laramie Project” - The Marshall University School of Theatre presents the play written by Moises Kauffman & Members of the Tectonic Theatre Project on Feb. 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theater in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. In October 1998, a 21 year-old student at the University of Wyoming was  kidnapped, severely beaten, and left tied to a fence in the middle of the prairie outside Laramie, Wyoming. He died several days later in an area hospital. His name was Matthew Shepard, and he was the victim of this assault because he was gay. THE LARAMIE PROJECT is a breathtaking collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the heights of compassion of which we are capable. Tickets are $20 at the door, $15 for Seniors & Faculty, $7 for children 12 and under, and Marshall University students admitted free with a valid ID.

“Finding Neverland” - The Marshall Artists Series presents the musical that tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. The magic of Barrie’s classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. It will be presented on Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center.

“The Colored Museum” - The Alban Arts Center will present the play by George C. Wolfe on Feb. 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and March 1 at 8 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and students. The play is Rated “R” due to adult language and content. Making his directorial debut at the Alban Arts Center, Stuart Frazier brings “The Colored Museum” to the Alban Arts Center stage. In the play, African-American “exhibits” come to life to explore culture, identity, and stereotypes. The 1986 play is by African-American playwright George C. Wolfe. Serving as an elaborate satire of the prominent themes and identities of African-American culture, the play is set in a fictional museum where African-American figures are kept for public consumption. Told in a series of 11 sketches, each segment centers on a different “exhibit” in the museum. Exploring themes of racism, stereotypes, intra-community conflicts in black culture, and the ongoing legacy of slavery and segregation, “The Colored Museum” received overwhelming critical praise for its provocative subject matter and in-depth exploration of the African-American theatrical and cultural past.

“Sense and Sensibility” - The Actors Guild of Parkersburg will present the adaptation of the Jane Austen novel by Kate Hamill. Set in the 1790s in England, this play concerns the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, and their journey into happiness and fulfillment. At a time in which a woman’s value and place in society is based upon her husband and his wealth, Elinor and Marianne face many challenges. Will they find a husband who can secure their position? Or, should society allow strong, intelligent, capable women their own position? The play is filled with subtly funny moments, tender scenes, and broad comedy. The play will be presented on Feb. 28, 29, and March 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14.

“Follies” - Alchemy Theatre will present the musical the first two weekends of March in the Cabell County Board of Education theater. In 1971, on the soon-to-be demolished stage of the Weismann Theater, a reunion is being held to honor the Weismann's "Follies" shows past, and the beautiful chorus girls who performed there every year between the two World Wars. The once resplendent theater is now little but planks and scaffolding. The reunited actors reminisce, perform old numbers, reignite old flames, and appraise relationships as dilapidated as the old theater - often accompanied by the ghosts of their younger selves.

“Titus Andronicus” - The Shakespeare tragedy will be presented in Charleston on March 5, 6 and 7.

“Mamma Mia” - Paramount Players will present the show based on the music of Abba at the Paramount Theater in Ashland, Ky. on March 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and March 14 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $30.

“Romeo & Juliet” - BlackRoot Theatre in Belle / Quincy, W.Va., will present the Shakespeare play. Performances will be March 27, 28 and April 4 at 8 p.m. and March 29 and April 5 at 3 p.m.

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" - First Stage Theatre will present the musical based on the classic comic strip "Peanuts" by Charles Schulz. The show will be performed at the Pea Ridge United Methodist Church at 5747 East Pea Ridge Road in Huntington on April 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. and April 4 and 5 at 2:30 p.m.

“Mary Poppins, Jr.” - The Children’s Theatre of Charleston will present the musical based on the popular Disney movie and the Broadway musical. Performances will be April 2-5 at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center Little Theater.

“Disney’s Moana, Jr.” - First Stage Theatre Company will present the musical based on the beloved 2016 Disney animated film, bringing the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage. The show will be performed on April 23, 24, 25, 26, May 1, 2 and 3.

“The Wizard of Oz” - Huntington High School’s Theatre Department will present the musical based on the beloved film on April 23, 24, 25, 26, May 1, 2 and 3.

“The Producers” - The Actor’s Guild of Parkersburg will present the musical based on the Mel Brooks movie on April 24, 25, May 1, 2, 8, 9 at 8 p.m., April 26 at 2:30 p.m., and May 3 at 6 p.m.

“The Addams Family” - HART in the Park will present the musical at Huntington Ritter Park Amphitheater in June 2020.

“James and the Giant Peach, Jr.” - Zadokite Woods Productions will present the musical based on the beloved book on June 25, 26 and 27 at the Barboursville Park Amphitheater.

“Elf the Musical” - HART in the Park will present the musical at Huntington Ritter Park Amphitheater in July 2020.

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AUDITIONS:

“Memphis” - The Charleston Light Opera Guild will hold auditions for Dancing: Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. (please be prompt; dress to dance; combinations will be taught). Auditions will be held at the Guild Theatre. “Memphis” is set in the places where rock and roll was born in the 1950s: the seedy nightclubs, radio stations and recording studios of the musically-rich Tennessee city. With an original score, it tells the fictional story of DJ Huey Calhoun, a good ol' local boy with a passion for R&B and Felicia Farrell, an up-and-coming black singer that he meets one fateful night on Beale Street. Despite the objections of their loved ones, they embark on a dangerous romance as Huey optimistically believes music can transcend race.