President No More (And I Feel Fine)

   Four years ago I was driving back from taking classes in Maryland (a work-related assignment) when I received a phone call from my pal C.E. Wilson.

   "Great news," he tells me. "You're the new President of First Stage Theatre Company."

   It wasn't exactly a surprise. I had been the Vice-President for two years, and as President, C.E. had made some noise about stepping down. That usually means the VP is next in the batter's box.

   I have to admit, I was happy to tackle the challenge. I've been involved with Huntington's children's theatre since 1995, when my oldest son tried out for - and was cast in - The Wizard of Oz. (His big line for the show was, "Hail to Dorothy! The Wicked Witch is dead!")

   As with most child-related activities, I found myself getting more and more involved (and enjoying it thoroughly). As my sons grew up appearing onstage or working backstage, I kept busy. I helped build sets. Ran the lights. Operated the sound board. Helped produce shows. Finally, in 2001, I directed my first show - and had a blast. I've directed eight more shows with First Stage since then.

   My experience has taught me that theatre is a great experience for young people. It teaches some of life's most important skills - working with others, teamwork, public speaking, creativity, thinking fast, kindness, consideration - I could go on and on.

   Best of all, the young people involved make friends and create memories they'll cherish forever - so I admit, I think it's a great thing for kids.

   And it doesn't cost the families anything except time and involvement - important investments in any child.

   For all those reasons, I was happy to tackle the President's job. Even though First Stage has been around for 23 years, there have only been six presidents: George Snider, Clint McElroy, Jerry Morse, Tom Hastie, C.E. Wilson and yours truly - so it's a great club to be part of.

   Our lucky number seven in the line is Hunt Bryan, the group's past Vice-President and a heck of a dedicated dad and board member - it's great to know the group is in such good hands! Mary Smirl is the new Vice-President, and the children's theatre has no stronger advocate!

   As for me, I'll continue as a member of the board. I'm planning to direct our second Alumni Concert next Christmas (more on that soon), I'll serve as a producer on one show coming up next season, and I'll probably direct a show sometime after that. So I'll keep busy.

   I'm proud to be part of First Stage, I appreciate their trust in me and I admit that I'm mighty proud of the work we've done and the young performers we've worked with, both in the last four years and in the 19 before that.

   The way the board looks at it is: it's all about the kids, and giving them a chance to grow and learn and have fun.

   If you know a kid interested in being part of a show - either on stage or behind the scenes - urge them to watch the website - www.FirstStageTheatre.org - or follow the group on Facebook.

   The sky's the limit!
 

Richard III

   So it's a busy weekend for theatre in the Tri-State. There are (at least) seven shows to choose from.

   Tonight's pick (for me and quite a few of my Huntington theatre cohorts) was Richard III, which wraps up its run with a final show at the Alban Arts and Conference Center in St. Albans, WV, Sunday at 2 p.m.

   It tell the story of the wicked and deformed Duke of Gloucester, who dreams of becoming King of England - and will use any method to achieve his goal.

   That includes lots of plotting, murders, marriages of convenience, manipulation and political scheming.

   Richard is brought to brilliant life by Jeff Bukovinsky, who manages to make Richard more than just an evil monster. He infuses a wicked, black sense of humor, a playfulness that makes him all the more despicable - and entertaining.

   The cast is loaded with excellent talent, and there were no weak performances in evidence. Special kudos to the strong female performances (such roles are not always in evidence in Shakespeare's work), especially Melanie Larch, who is a force of nature as Queen Margaret (loved her booming entrance from the back of the theatre), as she delivers the most delightful and forceful Elizabethan curses.

   The troupe makes excellent use of the (former) Alban Theatre, once a movie theatre (where I saw many a film while growing up in St. Albans) and now a theatre and conference center. The stage isn't spacious but is carefully utilized in a minimal but effective staging, and the size of the theatre (I'm guessing it seats about 250) makes it easy to hear and understand the lines even from the back row.

   Richard III is known as the most performed of Shakespeare's history plays, and it's easy to see why - it's loaded with court intrigue, terrific characters, wicked plots, ghosts, violent battle scenes (I saw shards of one shield fly off the stage), blood and death.

   Terrific work by all involved, and highly recommended!
 

On Stage in March

   March is the month when community theatre stages really get crowded - and that's certainly the case this weekend, as at least dozen great shows vie for your attention! 

   Including:

- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - Curtains Up Players presents the musical based on the classic fairy tale at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center at 1030 4th Avenue in Huntington. It will be presented March 1, 2, 7 and 8 at 8 p.m. and March 3 and 10 at 2:30 p.m.

- Doubt - Marshall Theatre Alliance presents the drama set in a Bronx Catholic school in 1964. It examines the intersections of doubt, truth and faith. Sister Aloysius is certain that young Father Flynn has “made advances” toward the school’s first and only African-American student and sets out in search of the truth. The show will be presented at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre March 1 and 2 at 8 p.m.

- Hair - the Marshall Artists Series presents the touring version of the Broadway musical on March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Keith Albee Theatre.  

- The Secret Garden - 5th Avenue Theatre presents the musical based of the classic novel. It follows a young English girl who is sent to Yorkshire to live with relatives she's never met. Her life blossoms when she discovers a secret garden. Shows will be presented at the City Hall Auditorium March 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. and March 10 and 17 at 2:30 p.m. 

- Julius Caesar - Beware the Ides of March! William Shakespeare's classic play is brought to life by ARTS at the Renaissance Theatre at 900 8th Street in Huntington on March 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m.

- Richard III - Alban Alban Arts Center presents the most performed of Shakespeare’s history plays. “Now is the winter of our discontent…”At the end of the English civil war known as the War of the Roses, the people look forward to a period of peace under King Edward IV. But Edward's younger brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, has other ideas. The play will be staged at the Alban Arts Center at 65 Olde Main Street in St. Albans. The show will be presented March 1, 2 at 8 p.m., and March 3 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students/seniors. Call 304-721-8896 for reservations and visit www.albanartscenter.com for more information. 

- The Secret Garden - Portsmouth Little Theatre presents the musical based of the classic novel. It follows a young English girl who is sent to Yorkshire to live with relatives she's never met. Her life blossoms when she discovers a secret garden. Shows will be presented March 1, 2, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. and March 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. at 1117 Lawson Street in Portsmouth, Ohio.

- The Taming of the Shrew - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the story of the courtship of Petruchio and Katherina.  Petruchio has accepted a challenge to tame the headstrong and stubborn "shrew" Katherina. Through the mischief of reverse psychology, Petruchio does his best to domesticate Katherina, which leads to one comedic pratfall after another. The show will be presented March 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Theatre at 218 Second St in Pikeville, Ky.

- The Laramie Project - The show is a compilation of interviews of residents of Laramie, Wyoming during the time of the murder of Mathew Shepard, a young man who was beaten to death because he was gay. The play will be presented at Morehead State University on March 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. and March 3 at 2 p.m.

- The Vagina Monologues - Proceeds from this play about domestic violence will benefit the Starlena Pratt Foundation / Kanawha County Victims Services Center - allowing victims of domestic violence access to multiple types of assistance in one place. It will be presented March 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. at the Kanawha Players, 309 Beauregard Street, Charleston.

- The Hobbit - The Children's Theatre of Charleston presents a musical based on the classic book by J.R.R. Tolkien. Follow Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the wizard and 13 dwarves as they journey on a quest that includes a confrontation with a dragon. The show will be presented at the Charleston Little Theatre March 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. and March 9 and 10 at 2 p.m.

- The Wizard of Oz - Paramount Arts Center presents the classic musical about Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion as they search for the Wizard. The musical will be presented March 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. and March 16 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

- Legally Blonde: the Musical - Portsmouth Area Arts Council & Children's Theatre presents the hit Broadway show about a young woman's quest to overcome all odds and win her man - even if it means going into Harvard's law school! Shows will be presented at the Verne Riffe Center for the Arts March 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. and March 17 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 - for more information call 740-351-3600.

   Whew! So there you go, lots to see! Get out there and support your community theatre!

On Stage This Weekend: "Snow White"

   Starting this weekend is the first show in the 2013 season for Curtains Up Players (CUP) - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

    It's based on the classic fairy tale about a princess who faces a terrible fate at the hands of her evil stepmother. Here's a recap:

   All our old friends, plus a few new ones, are here in this marvelous musical adaptation. We’ll meet the captivating Princess Snow White, the Prince, the Evil Queen and, of course, the seven mischievous dwarfs — Sarge, Gabby, Gloomy Gus, Ticklish, Spritely, Snore, and Slowpoke. Following the traditional storyline, the fairy tale is brought to life with an eclectic score of toe-tapping tunes - and an all-star cast including:  

Maggie Donahoe, Lara Donahoe, Bradley Leonard, Austin Trimboli, Alayna Paige Berry, Robyn Welch, Carly Christian, and Chris Sunderland, along with the 7 dwarves - Schoch Donahoe, Greg Kiser, Mark Radford, Rick Payne, Crystal Clagg, Laura Clagg, and Maddie Johnson

Directors:  Katie Cook & Cody Vinson

Producer:  Shayne Gue

Musical Director:  Michael Rose

Choreographer:  Chris Sunderland

Technical Director:  April Frye

Company Artistic Director:  Holly Maynard

    The show starts Friday and runs two weekends at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center. Don't miss it!

---

Oscar Winners

   Here are the winners from last night's Oscar ceremony - kind of a mixed bag, with "Argo" taking the Best Picture award, but no film sweeping the categories. 

   I was pulling for "Les Miserables," and it scored a few awards - most notably Best Supporting Actress for Anne Hathaway - but not Best Picture. But the cast had a nice moment in the show singing an oddly-rearrnged version of "One Day More."

     Courtesy of the Associated Press, here's the list of the 85th annual Academy Award winners announced  in Los Angeles:

1. Best Picture: "Argo."

2. Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, "Lincoln."

3. Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, "Silver Linings Playbook."

4. Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, "Django Unchained."

5. Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, "Les Miserables."

6. Directing: Ang Lee, "Life of Pi."

7. Foreign Language Film: "Amour."

8. Adapted Screenplay: Chris Terrio, "Argo."

9. Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, "Django Unchained."

10. Animated Feature Film: "Brave."

11. Production Design: "Lincoln."

12. Cinematography: "Life of Pi."

13. Sound Mixing: "Les Miserables."

14. Sound Editing (tie): "Skyfall," ''Zero Dark Thirty."

15. Original Score: "Life of Pi," Mychael Danna.

16. Original Song: "Skyfall" from "Skyfall," Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth.

17. Costume: "Anna Karenina."

18. Documentary Feature: "Searching for Sugar Man."

19. Documentary (short subject): "Inocente."

20. Film Editing: "Argo."

21. Makeup and Hairstyling: "Les Miserables."

22. Animated Short Film: "Paperman."

23. Live Action Short Film: "Curfew."

24. Visual Effects: "Life of Pi."

___

Oscar winners previously presented this season:

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Jeffrey Katzenberg

Honorary Award: Hal Needham

Honorary Award: D.A. Pennebaker

Honorary Award: George Stevens Jr.

Award of Merit: Cooke Optics

On Stage This Weekend

  Lots of great shows to choose from this weekend!

   Here's the rundown:

- The Bully Plays - First Stage Theatre presents the collection of 10-minute plays that are touching, imaginative, powerful, uplifting and funny. The effect of bullying is explored along with the dangers of cyber-bullying. This collection of short plays will challenge, inspire and enlighten audiences and help confront the issue of bullying in a constructive and creative way. The play will be presented today at 7:30 p.m. at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center. 

- Doubt - Marshall Theatre Alliance presents the drama set in a Bronx Catholic school in 1964. It examines the intersections of doubt, truth and faith. Sister Aloysius is certain that young Father Flynn has “made advances” toward the school’s first and only African-American student and sets out in search of the truth. The show will be presented at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre Feb. 23 and Feb. 28 – March 2 at 8 p.m.

- Richard the Third - Alban Alban Arts Center presents the most performed of Shakespeare’s history plays. “Now is the winter of our discontent…”At the end of the English civil war known as the War of the Roses, the people look forward to a period of peace under King Edward IV. But Edward's younger brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, has other ideas. The play will be staged at the Alban Arts Center at 65 Olde Main Street in St. Albans. The show will be presented Feb. 23 and March 1, 2 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 24 and March 3 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students/seniors. Call 304-721-8896 for reservations and visit www.albanartscenter.com for more information. 

- Sleuth - Kanawha Players presents a play about the ultimate game of cat-and-mouse in a cozy English countryside house owned by celebrated mystery writer. Revenge and murder is plotted in the ultimate “whodunnit.” The show will be presented Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. 

- The Taming of the Shrew - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the story of the courtship of Petruchio and Katherina.  Petruchio has accepted a challenge to tame the headstrong and stubborn "shrew" Katherina. Through the mischief of reverse psychology, Petruchio does his best to domesticate Katherina, which leads to one comedic pratfall after another. The show will be presented Feb. 23, 28, March 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Theatre at 218 Second St in Pikeville, Ky.

- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Ashland Community and Technical College presents the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical about the Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors. The show will be staged Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 24 at 2:30 p.m.

- Neil Simon's Plaza Suite - Neil Simon's classic comedy will be presented at the Kahl Theatre, Vern Riffe Center for the Arts at 940 Second Street in Portsmouth, Ohio tonight at 7:30 p.m.

- Arsenic and Old Lace - Appalachian Community Theatre presents the play Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. as a dinner theatre at the Paintsville Country Club. Tickets are $30/person or $50/couple - call 606-369-4900 to make reservations. The show will be staged Feb. 23 at the Strand Twin in Prestonsburg, tickets are $10/person and sold at the door. The show starts at 7 p.m.

- Murder and Merriment - the group will host a murder mystery Feb. 23 at The Greenhouse of Teays Valley: The Murderer Who Came to Dinner!

On Stage: "The Bully Plays"

On stage this Friday and Saturday, Huntington's First Stage Theatre Company tackles a unique show.

Most theatrical performances by children's theatres tend to focus on entertainment - songs, dances, a few laughs - often with a message, but with the emphasis on fun.

But The Bully Plays rises above all that. 

The show is a collection of 10-minute plays that are funny, or touching, or moving - but at the heart, it's tackling a very serious problem for young people.

Most kids (and many adults) face the problem of bullying - whether it's being teased, physically abused, cyber-bullying or being mentally tormented - and this show addresses the problem with straighforward and imaginative looks at the different kinds of bullying and what kids can do to protect themselves and their friends.

It's a daring show, one unlike any other First Stage has tackled in its 23-year-long history - but it's a very important topic, and one that needs to be addressed.

None of this is to say that the show is filled with nothing but serious moments and preaching. It's loaded with laughs, drama and powerful, uplifting, touching moments.  

A cast of about 30 young actors and adults bring the stories to life, and helps spread the message that its time to put an end to bullying.

There are three shows open to the public, including a show Friday at 7:30 p.m., and two shows on Saturday - one at 2 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m.

All the shows will be presented at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center (the former Camelot Theatre) at 1030 Fourth Avenue in downtown Huntington. 

It's an important show, especially for kids in middle and high school - a serious subject, but one well worth exploring. These plays challenge, inspire and enlighten audiences and help confront a serious issue in a constructive and creative way.

Highly recommended!

   

On Stage This Week: "Doubt"

    Marshall's Theatre Alliance will present the play Doubt this week and next.

   Paul Sebert wrote an excellent story about the production in today's edition of the Herald-Dispatch - here's an excerpt:

   The subjects of doubt, faith, toler­ance and hypoc­risy are going to be addressed in a new production by the Marshall University Theater Alliance. 

   Doubt: A Parable, is a play by John Patrick Shanley. Origi­nally produced in 2004, the play won a Tony award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for drama. In 2008, the play was adapted into a film starring Meryl Streep and Philip Sey­mour Hoffman. The movie was nominated for four Academy awards. 

   Set in 1964, the “Doubt” takes place in a Bronx Catho­lic school. The school’s head nun, Sister Aloysius Beauvier has come to suspect a young priest, Father Brendan Flynn may have an inappropriate relationship with a student. Caught between them are the student’s mother and a young nun. Suspicions, lies, intoler­ance and half-truths collide. Nothing proves to be quite what it appears to be. 

   The play will take place in the Francis-Booth Experimental Theater at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. The shows will run nightly at 8 p.m. from Feb. 20-23, and Feb. 28-March 3. General admission tickets are $20. Tickets for seniors and faculty are $15, $5 for children ages 12 and under. Admission is free with a valid student ID. To buy tickets or for more information, call 304-696-ARTS (2787). The play contains mature subject matter. 

"The Bully Plays" Makes Front Page News!

   Well, not exactly - but for the first time in my memory, a First Stage Theatre production is getting front-page coverage in the Herald-Dispatch.

   That should be a good indication of how important this topic is and how seriously it's being taken.

   Here's an excerpt from today's story by Dave Lavender about The Bully Plays:

   When Mary Smirl overheard the kids in her acting summer camp class talking about bullying, the long-time theater mom knew First Stage Theatre Company couldn't be a bystander. 

   She knew they needed to take action from the stage. 

   With a cast of some two dozen mostly middle- and high-school-aged students and four adults, regional children's theater company First Stage is performing The Bully Plays, a series of 24 short plays exploring bullying and cyber-bullying. 

   First Stage will perform school shows on Wednesday and Thursday, and will then offer public performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, as well as 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center, 1030 4th Ave., Huntington. 

   Tickets are $10 and $8 for children (12 and under). Group rates are available.

   You can read the rest of the story right here.

Auditions for Edward Albee's "A Delicate Balance"

   Here's the information about auditions this weekend in St. Albans for A Delicate Balance:

   The Alban Arts Center proudly presents auditions for this classic American comedy from master playwright Edward Albee. There are four roles for women ages mid-30s to mid-60s and two men mid-40s to mid-60s. 

   The Alban production will be directed by Patrick Felton and will play on April 26, 27 and 28 as well as May 3, 4 and 5. 

   Auditions will be Saturday, Feb. 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 17 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

   Auditioners do not need to bring a prepared monologue, selections from the script will be available and the audition process will be done through dry reading. 

   A Delicate Balance was first produced on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre on September 12, 1966, where it ran a respectable four months and won the author the first of his three Pulitzer Prizes.  

   The story revolves around the household of an old WASP couple (Agnes and Tobias) and the cohabiting Claire (Agnes' hard-drinking sister), who never passes up an opportunity to drink or to make a good joke at someone's expense (including her own). Their uneasy peace is disrupted first by the unexpected arrival of two old friends (Harry and Edna) - fellow empty-nesters with free-floating anxiety who ask to stay with them to escape an unnamed terror - and then by the arrival of their daughter Julia, whose fourth marriage has collapsed.

On Stage This Weekend

   Lots of great shows taking the stage this weekend - here's the rundown:

- 21 Years! Laughing All the Way - First Church Dinner Theater launches its  third decade of Mission fun by reminiscing with performances from years gone by and with new pieces as well. Several fresh, new faces will be joining some of the regulars in a night of love, music, and fun. Dinner and music will be presented Feb. 14, 15 and 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Huntington’s First United Methodist Church at 1124 5^thAvenue. Tickets for the dinner plus show are: Adult - $24, child under 12 - $8, and for the show only at 8 p.m. (as space permits) - $5. Reservations are required for all shows - call    304-522-0357 or 740-867-8576. 

- Sleuth - Kanawha Players presents a play about the ultimate game of cat-and-mouse in a cozy English countryside house owned by celebrated mystery writer. Revenge and murder is plotted in the ultimate “whodunnit.” The show will be presented Feb. 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. 

- Arsenic and Old Lace - Appalachian Community Theatre presents the play Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. as a dinner theatre at the Paintsville Country Club. Tickets are $30/person or $50/couple - call 606-369-4900 to make reservations. On Feb. 15 and 16, it will be dessert and coffee night at the Paintsville Country Club. Then, on Feb. 22 and 23 at the Strand Twin in Prestonsburg, tickets are $10/person and sold at the door. The show starts at 7 p.m.

- Murder and Merriment - the group will host a number of murder mysteries this month, including Feb. 14 at Sleepy Hollow Golf Country Club.

   So get out there and support your community theatre!

"The Emperor's New Clothes"

(A royal performance of The Emperor's New Clothes by Alicia Tish Maynard and Bill Burroway. Photo by Roger Hagley.) 

    There's a new theatre group in the Tri-State area, one that's devoted to Children's Theatre - it's called ACT, which stands for Actors for Children Theatre.

    There are basically two kinds of Children's Theatres - the kind that stage shows with young people acting most or all the roles, or performance groups of adults staging shows intended for young people. 

   ACT falls into the second category, and is (I believe) the only such group in our area.

   The company's manifeto says it exists to provide positive, educational experiences for child audiences through theatrical performances by adult actors in the tri-state area of Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. ACT performs for children of all ages at schools, community sites, fairs and festivals and other venues.

   Last weekend the group staged its first-ever production, a performance of The Emperor's New Clothes at the Greenup County Extension Office. The performance was a benefit for River Cities Harvest, and the cost of admission was a can of soup. 

   The performance is based on the classic children's story of a mischievous tailor who comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme that is sure to embarrass the vain Emperor!

   The show is a fun, interactive show aimed at children, and the audience loved it! 

   It's just the beginning for this group -  upcoming performances include;

- February 27 at 4 p.m. - Guyandotte Boys and Girls Club, Guyandotte W.Va.

-  March 6 at 1 p.m. - Wurtland Elementary School, Wurtland, Ky.

-  March 20 - two shows - Campbell Elementary School, Raceland, Ky.

-  April 15 - two shows - Ironton-Lawrence County Head Start at Ohio University and Central, Ironton Ohio.

-  April 17 - two shows - Ironton-Lawrence County head Start at Dawson Bryant / Symmes Valley, Coal Grove and Willow Wood, Ohio.

-  April 24 at 1 p.m. - Charles Russell Elementary School, Ashland Ky.

-  May 13 at 10 a.m. - Cabell County Public Library, Huntington W.Va.

   If you'd like to request or schedule a performance by ACT, you can contact Director Sarah Diamond Burroway on Facebook.

Additional "Evita" Auditions Tonight!

      Charleston Light Opera Guild is continuing its Evita auditions tonight, and they're looking to fill certain parts - here's the info: 

MORE EVITA AUDITIONS 

Tuesday, Feb. 127:30 p.m. New Auditioners8:30 p.m. for Singers 

Charleston Light Opera Guild Theatre411 Tennessee Avenue at Roane StreetCharleston, W.Va. 

MORE SPECIAL NEEDS:Ballet, contemporary or modern trained DANCERS & MEN for supporting and ensemble singing roles & YOUNG SOPRANOS AGE 10-12 

AUDITIONS for ALL ROLES WILL BE HONOREDIf you are singing from the show, the music is available.Otherwise bring sheet music for the piano accompanist.Bring a list of any conflicts you may have with the rehearsal schedule. 

REHEARSALS will begin on Friday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.You will be called on Wednesday. 

EVITA will be presented at Charleston Civic Center Little TheatreMay 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.Sunday, May 12 at 3:00 p.m. 

AVAILABLE ROLES:Eva Duare Perone: Stylish, mezzo-soprano, 30’sChe: Dramatic tenor, 20’s-50Juan Peron: Strong character baritone, 30’s-60Augustin Migaldi: Handsome and dramatic tenor, mid 20’s-30’sPeron’s Mistress: Young soprano featured on the song “Another Suitcase, Another Town”Youth: Girls and boys who sing in the upper register, approximately 12 years old, to portray one or more children who idolize Eva.People of Argentina: LARGE ensemble of men and women singers and dancers to portray various roles including cabinet members, nurses, upper class citizens, military, generals etc.

The Cast of "Laughing All the Way"

   I forgot to include the cast of 21 Years - Laughing All the Way!  

   Several fresh, new faces will be joining some of the "regulars" in a night of love, music, and fun. The cast of players includes Tess, Maribeth and Scott Anderson, Cassie and Carter Bacon, Katie and Bert Fulks, Leann Haines, Jane and Jerry Morse, Anne-Marie Neal, Rebecca Payne, Stephen Vance, Antwon Williams and Eric Wilson. Alex Naegele will be working tech.

   As always, a great show and a great dinner at First United Methodist Church in Huntington!

Laughing All the Way!

    One of my favorite theatre events is taking the stage this weekend, as First Church Dinner Theater 2013 presents 21 Years! Laughing All the Way.

   The Huntington church presents an excellent dinner and a show to raise money for a great cause! Highly recommended!

   Here's the official announcement:

   To launch our third decade of Mission fun, First Church Dinner Theater will be reminiscing with bits and pieces from years gone by and with new pieces as well.  Since the nuns are playing Vegas again and Bitsy and Boots are working on their new reality TV show, we launched a talent search.  Several fresh, new faces will be joining some of our regulars in a night of love, music, and fun. 

   The Dinner Theater has been a winter highlight in Huntington since 1991. It is an integral part of First Church’s Mission program, raising more than $41,000 for Mission projects through 20 productions. For example, 2012’s proceeds helped West Virginia mission projects, the Campus Christian Center, the City Mission, Nicaraguan families, the city’s homeless, “Sandy” relief, a washer for a young family, and food and clothing for local families in need. 

Location: First United Methodist Church, 1124 5^th Ave., Huntington 

Show times: Thursday, Feb. 14; Friday, Feb. 15; Saturday, Feb. 16
Dinner served at 6:30 p.m.     Show at 8 p.m. 

Menu: Choice of entrees: Prime Rib au Jus or Glazed Cornish hen, with Tossed Salad, Baked Potato, Green peas and Pearl Onions, Dilly Rolls, Assorted Valentine Desserts 

Dinner plus Show:  Adult - $24   Child under 12 - $8
Show only (as space permits) - $5 

Babysitting available on request for all shows (advance notice required)
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR ALL SHOWS
For Reservations, call:    (304) 522-0357   or   (740) 867-8576
sheepshot@netzero.com
All profits benefit the Missions of First United Methodist Church

"Cabaret" - A Review

   It’s never an easy task to explain the delights of seeing a live performance at the theatre. With movies or television you just sit there and soak up the show, but at live theatre there’s a connection between the audience and the performers.

   The best shows make you feel like you’re part of the experience, not just a casual observer. There’s an immediacy, a passion to it that makes each performance a one-of-a-kind experience.

   That was exactly my experience at last night’s performance of Cabaret. 

   The musical, best known for the 1972 film that was a star vehicle for Liza Minneli and Joel Gray, originated on Broadway - and that’s the version being staged by ARTS.

   It’s set in Berlin in 1931 as the Nazis rise to power. We see the story of how life and attitudes change through a most unusual venue - the Kit Kat Club, and the effect a visit there has on a young American and the performer he falls in love with. The show is rich in characters who grow and change as the story progresses.

   The key character is the one we learn almost nothing about - the Emcee of the club, brought to life with great gusto and amazing skill by Michael Naglee. A virtual cartoon character (in the best sense of the term), he sings, dances, introduces acts, juggles, does skits, tell jokes - but we never learn much about him. But as his act changes and seems - at times - downright sinister, we get the sense of the changing tides in Germany. 

   Another key character is Kit Kat singer and performer Sally Bowles, played by the wonderful Andrea Parkins. Sally is a mercurial character - loving and ingratiating at one moment, calculating and distant the next - you can’t take your eyes off her. She’s a terrific singer and nails the title song with a heartfelt and moving rendition.

   Falling in love with Sally is American writer Clifford Bradshaw, played earnestly by Clay McKnight. It’s through his eyes that we see the changing face of politics in Germany, and we feel his heartbreak as he sees the country he has grown to love changing in a dark way. Clay does a great job with the role, creating the sympathetic character that is the key to the story.

   There’s actually another love story at the heart of the show - the one between Fraulein Schneider, who runs the boarding house where Clifford stays, and Herr Schultz, who runs a successful fruit market. They’re brought to life with terrific performances by Linda Reynolds and Rick Fleenor, pros who know how to wring every last bit of joy or sorrow out of their part. They play a couple brought together by love, but kept apart by a dark threat on the rise.

   No cast can succeed without a strong supporting cast, and they have that in spades. Eric Wilson is amazing as Ernst Ludwig, a likeable German who befriends Clifford - but he hides a dark secret. Eric is an amazing actor, and virtually tells the story with his facial expressions and reactions alone.

   Jenn Naglee is a delight as Frauein Kost, a (shall we say) resident of the boarding house who seems to have many friends who are sailors. 

   Owen Reynolds has a small part, but it’s pivotal and includes a wonderful song. 

   Weaving throughout the show are other supporting characters, including Frau Kruger (Sarah Diamond Burroway), Frau Wendel (Karen Kelly Pruitt) and an assortment of sailors, waiters and other roles by Jonathan Maynard, Gregory Picklesimer and Tristan Reynolds (who also gets to show off his dance skills - though he’s well disguised in one scene).

   A special shout out (and a few wolf whistles) to the Kit Kat Girls - Joanna Berner, Sheila Meade, Marnie Riddell and Tiffany Caldwell Trent - for their high-energy performances. They sing, they dance, they flirt shamelessly, but it’s always with a fun, sexy attitude - they’re never sleazy or exploited. Terrific work all around! 

   Oh, and a special tip of the hat to the cast for their work creating appropriate accents for each character - whether German or British, the accents were always spot on - very impressive!

   The show, staged in the ballroom at the Renaissance Theatre in Huntington, uses what director Gene Anthony calls an Environmental Setting. Rather than changing the set between scenes, they have several different sets placed around the room, and the scene plays out to one side or the other (and sometimes between). It’s a very effective and inventive way to tell this story.

   The tech work in the show was excellent, with a clever use of lighting to highlight scenes and songs, and the sound work was outstanding - I could easily hear every word and note.

   Kudos also to the band, who reside on stage and become part of the show (including a great gag early on).

   Of course, you’d expect nothing less than an noteworthy show from the all-star directing team - Gene Anthony is one of the best in the Tri-state and, as always, does an amazing job directing this show, Coni Anthony has created wonderful dance sequences (including a tap number), and technical director Stevie Brigode and stage manager Ashleigh Bills provided a nearly-flawless stage production. 

   Quite simply - it’s a terrific show, one of the best in Huntington in recent memory - you owe it to yourself to see this one. But you only have one chance left - the show tonight at 8 p.m. wraps up the run! 

   Cabaret is dark, it’s funny, it’s touching, and features a tremendous cast bringing the story to life on a unique stage. It’s not a show for kids, but for any adult looking for a show that will draw you into the magic of theatre, this is one that you don’t want to miss. Highly, highly recommended! 

On Stage This Weekend

   Four great shows to catch this weekend, including:

- Cabaret - ARTS presents the hit musical that is full of comic and entertaining moments, but is set against a very dark and serious background: Nazi Germany. The setting is a cabaret, and the story centers around three major characters: Sally Bowles, Cliff Bradshaw, and a comic narrator type called the M.C. It is a story that embraces love, tragedy, hardship, persecution, satire, frolic and sensuality. The observer will experience both laughter and shock. It is a totally engaging evening of music, comedy and provocative thought. The musical will be presented in the Renaissance Ballroom at 900 8th St., Huntington at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 8-9.

- Almost, Maine - Company of Dreams presents the play set on a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, where all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost's residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend - almost - in this delightful midwinter night's dream. Performances are Feb. 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Community Church in Ashland. Admission is $5, all of which goes to charity. 

- The Emperor's New Clothes - ACT (Actors for Children Theatre) presents the classic tale Saturday, Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. at the Greenup Co. Extension Office at Wurtland Avenue in Wurtland Ky. Admission is free!

- Perfect Wedding - Blazer Theatre presents Robin Hawdon's romantic comedy. Come see what happens when the groom wakes up the morning of his wedding with a girl who isn't his bride-to-be. The play will be presented Feb. 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 10 at 2:30 p.m. at Paul Blazer High School’s Millennium Center. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors.

   So get out there and support your local theatre!