On Stage Tonight - Three Musicals

You have three shows to choose from this weekend, including a classic musical, a modern musical, and a mystery musical.

They are:

- Peter Pan will be presented by First Stage Theatre Company at Huntington High School’s auditorium tonight at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children age 12 and under.

- Clue: The Musical will be presented by ARTS at the Renaissance Theater tonight at 10 p.m. (it's a special Halloween performance). Tickets are $15.

- The Producers will be presented by The Charleston Light Opera Guild at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theater tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. This is the first community theatre production of this show in our area, so kudos to the Guild!

So there you go - three fun shows to check out! What are you waiting for?

On Stage This Weekend - "Peter Pan"

After more than eight weeks of learning lines, singing songs, mastering dances, making costumes, building sets and tracking down props - tonight, Peter Pan takes the stage (and flies above it, for that matter).

The classic musical will be presented by First Stage Theatre Company at the (new) Huntington High School Auditorium tonight at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2. The show also takes place next weekend, Nov. 7 - 9.

Tickets are $12 and $10 for children 12 and under.

The stage show tells the story of the boy from Never-Never Land who refuses to grow up, and his adventures with Wendy, Michael, John and the Lost Boys, as they fight the evil Captain Hook and his band of pirates.

The show includes a cast of more than 80 young actors and features professional flying effects provided by the ZFX company, which allows Peter to soar across the stage.

The performance will also include a pre-show featuring Tinkerbellettes and Little Pirates.

The directing team includes director Mary Smirl, musical director Lara Donahoe and producer Elaine Young. For more information, call 304-416-KIDS (304-416-5437).

The First Stage Theatre Company is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing an educational, developmental experience for young people through the performing arts. Peter Pan kicks off the company's 19th season.

"Peter Pan" Gallery

The Herald-Dispatch has posted several photos from a Peter Pan rehearsal this week, and you can check them out right here.

The show starts this Friday, and runs this weekend and the next at (the new) Huntington High School's auditorium. It's going to be a terrific show (though I admit to being prejudiced). You'll kick yourself if you miss this one!

Here's an example of the photos you'll see, as Peter Pan (played wonderfully by Mary Kate Young) sneaks up on the unsuspecting Captain Hook (played zestfully by Tommy Smirl):

On Stage Tonight - "The Pajama Game"

The touring show of the Broadway hit musical The Pajama Game hits the stage at the Paramount Arts Center tonight. Here's the story from the Herald-Dispatch by my pal Beth Hendricks:

It's love on the factory line.

The Tony Award-winning Broadway hit The Pajama Game unfolds at the Paramount Arts Center tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $60.

Chock full of musical numbers such as "Hey There," "Steam Heat" and "Hernando's Hideaway" and romantic subplots, the storyline revolves around a raise demanded by the factory workers and the dispute between them and the labor union. Main characters "Sid," the factory superintendent, and "Babe," a representative of the grievances committee, struggle with doing their jobs and their feelings for each other. The original 1955 production and a subsequent revival in 2006 received 12 Tony Award nominations. Additionally, a movie starring Doris Day and John Raitt was produced in the late 1950s.

"It's a very simple plot that goes through the lives of the people in the factory with a love story that goes on throughout the show," said Dionysia Williams, who plays "Poopsie." "It's very high in entertainment value because of the songs and dance numbers, but it's also very relevant to life today with the economy and the way things are for the working class."

Williams, who hails from Circleville, Ohio, describes the show as fresh, funny and energetic and - maybe - even a little sexy (though still entirely kid-appropriate).

"There is very much a 'girl power' aspect to this, but the guy is a good guy and he really wants to do the right thing for everybody," Williams said. "There are so many relevant topics in this show."

For more information or tickets, call 606-324-3175 or visit www.paramountartscenter.com.

"Peter Pan" Takes Flight on Friday!

The much-anticipated Peter Pan takes the stage on Friday. Here's the official press release:

You will believe a boy can fly!

The classic musical Peter Pan will be presented by First Stage Theatre Company at the Huntington High School Auditorium at 1 Highlander Way in Huntington, W.Va., on Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 7, 8 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 2 and 9 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.00 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

The stage show tells the story of the boy from Never-Never Land who refuses to grow up, and his adventures with Wendy, Michael, John and the Lost Boys, as they fight the evil Captain Hook and his band of pirates.

The show includes a cast of more than 80 young actors and features professional flying effects provided by the ZFX company, which allows Peter to soar across the stage.

The performance will also include a pre-show featuring Tinkerbellettes and Little Pirates.

The directing team includes director Mary Smirl, musical director Lara Donahoe and producer Elaine Young. For more information, call 304-416-KIDS (304-416-5437).

The First Stage Theatre Company is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing an educational, developmental experience for young people through the performing arts. Peter Pan kicks off the company's 19th season.

Peter, Pan and Mary

Yesterday we talked about the load-in for Peter Pan, which will be presented over the next two weekends at (the new) Huntington High School, starting Friday, Oct. 31.

As the cast and crew put the final touches on the show, I just wanted to take a moment to say that none of it would have been possible without a great directing team. We'll talk more about them this week, but today I have to single out my pal Mary Smirl, who's the director of the show.

Mary's a veteran of the First Stage Theatre Company (one of the few who have been on the advisory board longer then your truly), and she has handled virtually every job community theatre can throw at you, including making costumes, tracking down props and building sets.

But her biggest jobs have been choreographing shows like Cats, Seussical the Musical and Honk, and directing shows like Schoolhouse Rock Live, A Christmas Carol, and now Peter Pan.

Directing any show can be challenging, but a show like Pan is a major undertaking - it combines great songs, dancing, acting, flying (yes, flying) and a huge cast. Coordinating all that, figuring out the solution to a hundred different problems, and getting it all to come together on stage is a herculean task - and Mary has handled it with great skill, always with an eye on how to make the experience even better for the young people involved.

My hat is off to her and the rest of her directing team for a job well done! More on the other members of the team in the days ahead.

Set the Stage, Light the Lights!

Whew! Your friendly neighborhood blogger is a bit tuckered out today - that's because Saturday was "Load-in" day for Peter Pan, which is being presented by the First Stage Theatre Company.

For about two months now, parents and cast members have spent their spare moments working on the gigantic set for that show, which includes a bedroom set, a lair for Peter Pan and the Lost Boys, and a Pirate Ship!

It may very well be the biggest set First Stage has assembled (though it's difficult to be sure, since they all take different shapes). It took three trips in a rental truck to move the set to the new Huntington High School, where the show will be presented starting next Friday (Oct. 31).

Before the set was loaded onto the stage, crews had already installed the flying gear which allows cast members to soar through the air - it was fun to see them practicing.

Thankfully, we had quite a few parents helping out with the loading and unloading of the set, and assembling the whole thing - it's a huge job.

But kudos have to go out to the four who did the lion's share of the work - namely, Jack, Tim and Aaron, who took on the massive construction job and did incredible work, and Pat, who did even more amazing work painting and decorating the set pieces. Those four put forth a superhuman effort, and deserve medals.

Lots of others helped, and kudos to them, too. As I always say, theatre is a team effort, and it takes a lot of people working together to bring together the many elements needed to put on a show.

The cast gets to take a bow at the end of the show - but lots of others deserve some of that applause, too. Here's to them!

On Stage Today - Four Shows!

There are four shows being presented today, and it's your last chance to catch the first three.

Here's the list:

- Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None will be presented by the 5th Avenue Theatre Company at the Huntington City Hall Auditorium today at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 and $10.

- Shakespeare’s Measure by Measure will be presented by the Charleston Stage Company at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater today at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $10.

- Dracula will be presented by Capital High School at the school’s theater tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 and $5.

- Clue: The Musical will be presented by ARTS at the Renaissance Theater today at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15. It'll also be presented next weekend, so you'll have three more chances after today.

Check 'em out!

On Stage Tonight - Five New Shows!

Our crowded weekend at the theater continues tonight with no less than five community theatre shows being presented in Huntington, Charleston and Ashland.

They are:

- Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None will be presented by the 5th Avenue Theatre Company at the Huntington City Hall Auditorium tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 and $10.

- Clue: The Musical will be presented by ARTS at the Renaissance Theater tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.

- Dracula will be presented by the Backstage Players tonight at 8 p.m. at the Franks Extension Building at the Boyd County Fairgrounds at 1760 Addington Road, Coalton, Ky. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors.

- Shakespeare’s Measure by Measure will be presented by the Charleston Stage Company at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $10.

- Dracula will also be presented by Capital High School at the school’s theater tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 and $5.

So pick one and treat yourself to a night out!

"Clue, The Musical" - A Review

I haven't had a chance to see the show yet, but my lovely wife Jeanette attended the dress rehearsal Thursday night, and here's her review of Clue, The Musical:

One of the most popular American board games is Clue. How many of us remember the delicious sense of triumph after correctly deducing that Mr. Boddy was done in by Colonel Mustard in the conservatory with the candlestick?

My own family has enjoyed various incarnations of the Clue experience over the years, including a children's book series and a video game version. Now, thanks to Arts Resources for the Tri-State (ARTS), audiences can play along with the musical stage version of the Parker Brothers game, which opened Friday at the Renaissance (Old HHS) in Huntington.

In addition to being treated to the animated performances of the musically talented cast, each theatre-goer receives a play-along form before the curtain opens. A whole new level of fun is added as Mr. Boddy appears throughout the play to provide clues, which are different at each show - resulting in 216 possible endings. Even better, there's a special prize at the end for the audience member who has correctly checked off the weapon, room and character pegged to the dastardly deed.

"TV's own" meteorologist Marina Jurica shines as the sultry Miss Scarlet, joined by a solid cast of suspects - Jazzy Dodson as Mrs. White, Miles Klein as Professor Plum, Todd Preston as Mr. Green, Karen Pruitt as Mrs. Peacock, and David Mize as Colonel Mustard. Mr. Boddy is played by Nathan Cron, and the detective by Rachel Mize. The vocals are solid, the choreography sophisticated, and hilarity often ensues as Mr. Boddy is pursued in a fashion resembling a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

Saturday's performance offers the option of a pre-show dinner. Clue, The Musical provides a great time for adults of any age, and I can imagine a thrilling experience for a sleuthful kid to enjoy with a favorite grown-up.

On Stage Tonight - Lots of Shows!

Coming up tonight on a stage near you - a community theatre show! You have lots of shows to choose from, as this is one of those weekends where there are more shows to see than time to see them!

Here's the rundown:

- Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None will be presented by the 5th Avenue Theatre Company at the Huntington City Hall Auditorium tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 and $10. You can read a review of the show right here.

- Clue: The Musical will be presented by ARTS at the Renaissance Theater tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. You can read more about the show in this story.

- Dracula will be presented by the Backstage Players tonight at 8 p.m. at the Franks Extension Building at the Boyd County Fairgrounds at 1760 Addington Road, Coalton, Ky. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. You can read more about that show right here.

- Shakespeare’s Measure by Measure will be presented by the Charleston Stage Company at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $10.

- Dracula will also be presented by Capital High School at the school’s theater tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 and $5.

Whew! So get out there and enjoy some outstanding live theatre performances!

"And Then There Were None" - A Review

When it comes to community theatre shows, you usually know what to expect. There will be singing and dancing, bands playing, a happy ending - the usual routine.

But thankfully there are alternatives, and it's great to see one playing out on stage in Huntington. The 5th Avenue Theatre Company has tackled one of literature's most popular genres - a mystery! It's being presented this weekend at the beautiful and spacious Huntington City Hall Auditorium. The play is a clever, perfectly devised murder mystery that will keep you guessing right up to the end, and it features some of the best actors in the Tri-State area.

The play is Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, which is based on her famous mystery, Ten Little Indians. The story is set on a vacation home on an island, where eight guests, a butler and a cook are gathered.

They think they're about to enjoy a relaxing weekend, but each one carries a dark secret - and one guest has murder in his or her heart. One by one, the guests suffer a terrible fate. Can the survivors - or the audience - discover the identity of the murderer before it's too late?

I love a mystery, and this is an excellent one! In short order you're introduced to the characters, and you'll find yourself trying desperately to figure out which one is the murderer. There's a good reason why Dame Agatha Christie is considered one of the greatest mystery writers of all - she gives you all the information you need to solve the mystery, and then defies you to figure it out.

At different points in the play I suspected almost every character (and by the end I was looking suspiciously at the guy sitting in the next row). If you manage to sort it out, you're better at that sort of thing than I am. But I had a blast trying!

Another factor that makes the show a lot of fun is the terrific cast, which I will talk about in alphabetical order in my continuing attempt at not giving anything away (which is what makes reviewing a mystery so tricky).

Michael Beck plays the part of the Butler (Rogers), and he's perfect as the haughty servant who barely tolerates the rude guests at the home.

Griffin McElroy plays the part of Anthony, and does a wonderful job of being a annoying, beastly little prat of a fellow (and I mean that in the best way possible).

Justin McElroy is the 11th actor in this show, putting in a cameo appearance as Fred, the pilot of the ferryboat, and getting a nice turn late in the show.

Travis McElroy plays the part of Phillip, a soldier of fortune and ladies' man who's ready for almost anything. Almost! (He also did an excellent job designing the set for the show, by the way.)

Jane Modlin gets to play the part of Emily, the prissy little old lady, and she has a lot of fun with the role.

Paul Neace plays the part of Sir Lawrence, a judge who finds himself playing detective and analyzing the killer's first moves. He also gets to wear the show's most unique costume at one point.

Mark Near plays the part of General McKenzie, a tragic figure who harbors a dark secret. Mark earns bonus points for having the most impressive facial hair in the cast - his sideburns and mustache will make you think of that guy on the cough drops. Awesome!

Linda Reynolds plays the cook, Ethel, sometimes grouchy and sometimes sensitive - as an actor she's always fun to watch.

Dwight Slappe plays William, a man hiding behind a false identity - but why? He deserves credit for sporting the best accent in the show (or at least the one I enjoyed the most) - though I have to say the entire cast did an excellent job in that regard. In putting on British accents, many casts just don't try at all, or do it badly - every actor in this cast was strong, and the accents weren't exaggerated - they were soft and spot on.

Cindy Stowers plays the secretary Vera, and does a great job carrying a lot of the dramatic weight of the show - she has to be the host, the love interest, the endangered female - she was kept hopping throughout!

Stephen Vance plays the part of Dr. Armstrong, a man with lots of secrets. Stephen is a fine comedic actor, and it's great to see him in a serious role - he does a great job.

Hats off to my pal Clint McElroy, who directed the show. A mighty undertaking, and as always, he does a fantastic job!

This is the kind of community theatre we need more of - serious, thoughtful and darned entertaining performances with terrific actors. What more could you ask?

This is the last weekend for the show, so I urge you to get out there and enjoy it before the mystery is solved for the last time.

On Stage Tonight - "Nunsense"

Tonight at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, you can catch Emmy-Award winner Sally Struthers and the cast of Nunsense for its 25th Anniversary National Tour!

The hilarious show tells the story of the Little Sisters of Hoboken as they cope with an unexpected turn of events. The sisters are suddenly faced with enormous expenses and must find some way to raise the funds! Get ready to giggle as they put on a variety show to raise funds, utilizing their own unusual talents.

Tickets for Nunsense are $55, $50 & $45. Youth tickets (17 & under) are $27.50, $25, & $22.50. Tickets can be purchased through the Marshall Artists Series box office, located in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center, or by calling (304) 696-6656 or (304) 523-5757. Or buy them at the window at the Keith-Albee!

Highly recommended!

The End Is Near For "Spamalot"

Sad but true - the long-running Broadway show Spamalot will be shutting down early next year. Here's an excerpt from the story at Broadway.com:

Spamalot, the Tony-winning musical “lovingly ripped off” from cult flick Monty Python and the Holy Grail, will play its final Broadway performance on January 18, 2009. At the time of its closing, the show will have played 1,582 performances and 35 previews at the Shubert Theatre.

The musical comedy features a book and lyrics by Eric Idle, music by John Du Prez and Idle, direction by Mike Nichols, choreography by Casey Nicholaw and is based on the screenplay of Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Monty Python creators Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.

This is especially sad because I haven't seen the darn thing yet! I was planning to catch it this Spring, but I had to cancel my trip at the last minute. Luckily, there's still time!

On Stage This Week - "Nunsense" with Sally Struthers

I'm surprised to hear that there are still tickets available for this week's performance of Nunsense, which stars All in the Family star Sally Struthers!

Here's the information about the show:

Emmy-Award Winner Sally Struthers joins the cast of Nunsense for its 25th Anniversary National Tour!

This zany comedy tells the story of the one-of-a-kind Little Sisters of Hoboken as they cope with the unexpected funerals of 52 of their sisters who were accidentally poisoned by the cook. The sisters are suddenly faced with enormous expenses and must find some way to raise the funds! Get ready to giggle as the Little Sisters of Hoboken put on a variety show to raise funds for the funerals, utilizing their own peculiar talents.

The New York Times applauds Nunsense as “a hail of fun and frolic!” Emmy-Award winner Sally Struthers leads a phenomenal cast as Reverend Mother Regina, lending her musical talents and undeniable comedy to the role. The show features show-stopping musical numbers, tap and ballet dancing, an interactive audience quiz, and endless comic surprises that are sure to have the audience rolling in the aisles and singing along.

Tickets are going fast, so reserve your seats today!

Tickets for Nunsense are $55, $50 & $45. Youth tickets (17 & under) are $27.50, $25, & $22.50. Tickets can be purchased through the Marshall Artists Series box office, located in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center, or by calling (304) 696-6656 or (304) 523-5757. The box office is open Monday-Friday from noon - 5 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Nunsense is also sponsored by WKEE, B-97, WTCR, WOWK 13, The Herald-Dispatch, Marshall University, and the College of Fine Arts.

It's a fun show with lots of laughs. Highly recommended!

On Stage Today - "George M!" and "Then There Were None"

You have two shows to choose from this afternoon in Huntington.

Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None will be presented by the 5th Avenue Theatre Company at the Huntington City Hall Auditorium this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 and $10.

Marshall University usually doesn't do Sunday performances, but they're making an exception for the excellent George M!, which has one last performance this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. The show is presented by the Marshall University Department of Theatre, and tickets are $14, $12, $7 and $5.

I'm also sure you'll enjoy either show - so roll into downtown Huntington and check one out!

On Stage Tonight - Four Shows!

The choices are even more difficult tonight, as four shows hit local stages. Two are in Charleston and two are in Huntington. Your choices:

- George M! will be presented by the Marshall University Department of Theatre at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14, $12, $7 and $5.

- Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None will be presented by the 5th Avenue Theatre Company at the Huntington City Hall Auditorium tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 and $10.

- Shakespeare’s Measure by Measure will be presented by the Charleston Stage Company at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $10.

- Bright Ideas will be presented by the Kanawha Players at the Kanawha Players Theater tonight. Tickets are $16 and $10.

So much to see, so little time! Oh, and if it helps you figure out your schedule, Sunday's your last chance to catch George M! and Bright Ideas.

"George M!" - A Review

Most stage shows face the challenge of living up to previous productions of the same show - but George M! has an even bigger challenge. It has to live up to one of the greatest films of all time, Yankee Doodle Dandy, which starred James Cagney.

I'm happy to report that Marshall University's Department of Theatre production holds up very well indeed, thanks to a terrific cast and some fantastic performances.

It's not often you see a show that has the crowd enthusiastically clapping along, but this is that kind of a show. It took an effort of will to keep from singing along with the cast on several songs (and I heard a few people in the audience who gave in to the urge).

The show tells the story of Broadway performer / writer / producer / director George M. Cohan, who became the king of Broadway in the early part of the 20th Century. The show is filled with the songs that made Cohan famous, including "Give My Regards to Broadway," "Harrigan," "Over There" and "You're a Grand Old Flag."

The title role is brought to life in amazing fashion by Sean Watkins, who captures the larger-than-life character perfectly, right down to the accent, the incredible dancing, and the powerful voice of Cohan. Truly impressive!

He's joined by an excellent supporting cast, including Chris Ferris and Emily Chapman as George's parents, and Maggie Saunders as his sister, the fourth member of The Four Cohans.

This is a dance-intensive show (and tap-intensive), which can be extremely difficult to stage, and the cast worked for months getting ready. Their hard work paid off, and the dancing is excellent, especially some of the big tap numbers. And Watkins is incredible with his dancing in the "Yankee Doodle Dandy" number.

The cast includes a surprising number of young actors, and the directors managed to draw on some incredibly talented local performers - in fact, a third of the cast members are recent stars from local children's theatre shows, including the radiant Sarah Hayes, Chuck Herndon, Scott Burner, Amy Klim, Nathan Mohebbi, Jeremy Plyburn and Maggie Saunders.

The rest of the cast also does a terrific job, including Sara Booth, Shelby Brewster, Katie Cavis, Brittany Flowers, Caitlin Haught, Greg Kiser, Erika Lawson, Erin Martin, Tristan Reynolds, Leila Rozzi, Rocky Scarbro and Alisha Woodall.

George M! offers a great look back at the early days of Broadway, and the tough road performers faced, learning the ropes in vaudeville, traveling across the country, and if they were lucky enough and talented enough, working their way up to Broadway.

The show features terrific music and dancing numbers, and is a heckuva lot of fun. Kudos to the directing team - Gene Anthony, who's one of our best directors (if not the best); Coni Anthony, who directing the outstanding choreography on display in the show; Jamez Morris-Smith, who created the fantastic scenic design; Joan St. Germaine, who designed the costumes (which perfectly evoked the era); and Bruce S. Rous, who was the music director and delivered outstanding performances from every member of the cast.

If you're looking for an entertaining show (and who isn't?), want a reminder of a more innocent time, or you're ready for a shot of patriotism, be sure to catch George M! - and bring the whole family. You'll thank me, your mother will thank me, your father will thank me, and your sister will thank me. (And that line will make sense when you see the show.)

Go, and tell your friends! We want to encourage Marshall to produce more terrific musicals like this! Oh, and buy those tickets as soon as you can - Friday night's show was virtually sold out, and the Saturday and Sunday tickets are going fast!

On Stage Tonight - "And Then," "George" and "Measure"

Tonight the choices get tougher for theatre fans, as three shows take the stage - two in Huntington, and one in Charleston.

- Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None will be presented by the 5th Avenue Theatre Company at the Huntington City Hall Auditorium tonight.

- George M! will be presented by the Marshall University Department of Theatre at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14, $12, $7 and $5.

- Shakespeare’s Measure by Measure will be presented by the Charleston Stage Company at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $10.

So you can choose between a mystery, a musical and the Bard!

"And Then There Were None"

The famous play by mystery writer Agatha Christie begins its run at the Huntington City Hall auditorium Friday night - but you can learn more about it by reading this article by my pal Dave Lavender.

Here's an excerpt:

Imagine an island.

And on that foggy island, a Victorian mansion filled with a flock of house guests - all strangers.

Imagine every last one of these strangers has dark secrets in his or her past that have floated to the surface - each have caused someone's death.


Now imagine that these guests and even the hosts begin dying off one at a time.

Like Lost set in an elegant Victorian living room, Agatha Christie's island murder mystery And Then There Were None swirls with suspense, checkered pasts and the stench of evil on the loose and present.

Fifth Avenue Theatre Company's production of the murder mystery begins its first weekend run tonight at 8 p.m. at the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium on the second floor of Huntington City Hall, 800 5th Ave.

Featuring veteran actor and director Clint McElroy at the helm this oft hilarious and plot-turning who-done-it, the show also takes place at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, as well as 8 p.m. Oct. 24 and 25 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 26.

Admission is $12 or $10 for children 12 and under.

McElroy said it's a great play to do since it was adapted to the stage by Christie, whose more than 80 detective novels are second in sales only to the Bible.

On Stage Tonight - "George" and Shakespeare

You have two great shows to choose from tonight. One stars a classic performer, and the other a classic performance:

- George M! will be presented by the Marshall University Department of Theatre at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14, $12, $7 and $5.

- Shakespeare’s Measure by Measure will be presented by the Charleston Stage Company at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater on Summers Street tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $10.

Like I always say, get out and support your local theatre group!

Murder Takes The Stage

Or at least a murder mystery. The 5th Avenue Theatre Company's production of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None takes the stage Friday evening at Huntington City Hall in the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium. It runs this weekend and the next.


These photos are from a recent rehearsal of the show, and were sent along by my pal Paul Neace, who also appears on stage (that's him in the white beard). The show is directed by some guy named Clint McElroy, who's best known for his work on WTCR, but has also acted in a number of shows, and directed several others, including Seussical the Musical, Bye Bye Birdie and Cats. (Oh, he's also one of my best friends.)


The show also features an all-star cast of some of the best local talent, so my recommendation is: don't miss it!

On Stage Tonight - "George M!"

The musical George M! hits the stage at Marshall University tonight.

Who's George, you ask? He's one of the giants of Broadway, immortalized in the movie Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Here's the story from the Herald-Dispatch as written by my pal Beth Hendricks:

There's election year patriotism. And then there's pre-21st century patriotism.

George M!, with tunes by "pre-21st century" patriotic music maestro George M. Cohan, is presented by the Marshall University Theatre Department at 8 p.m. Oct. 15-18 and at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

"This is more a play about show business than it is politics," said director Gene Anthony, "though Cohan is generally known for generating this great patriotic fervor. It's his claim to fame."

The two-hour show tells the story of Cohan, creator of songs such as "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "You're A Grand Old Flag," over a 60-year period from childhood to Vaudeville to Broadway.

It is, Anthony said, a big, huge, behemoth of a show.

"It's a giant song and tap dance show. It's got huge costumes, huge sets, huge theatrical effects. It's very stimulating to the imagination and very engaging," Anthony said. "My guess is this is a premiere of this work in the state."

Anthony himself has been previously involved in George M! onstage, winning a Joseph Jefferson award in Chicago for his involvement.

"This is something that's been in my back pocket that I've wanted to do, so we've trained for three years for this. We've been pointing to this, giving our time in off-credit work to make it ready to happen," he said. "Everyone from 12 to 25 in this show has tap shoes on, and I think these kids are going to shock people."

For more information and tickets, call 304-696-2787.

More on Cerveris

I finally got a chance to watch last week's episode of the Fox TV show Fringe, which featured Huntington's own Michael Cerveris, and his role was pivotal to the story.

He played the part of a mysterious man (well, we think he's a man) who has been spotted at the scene of a number of strange, unexplained incidents. Cerveris does a great job playing the part of an otherworldy figure.

If you missed the episode - it's called "The Arrival" - you can probably still catch it online at ABC's website, or a number of other video sites. Here's the promo from the episode, and you can catch Cerveris in several shots, starting at the beginning of the clip.



I'm not sure if his part is a continuing role - the new episode was on tonight, but I haven't had a chance to watch it yet. My beloved Tivo is holding it for me.

On Stage This Week - "George M!"

Over at the Herald-Dispatch Photo Gallery you can see several photos of the cast rehearsing for the musical George M! Here's a sample:


The musical focuses on the life and success of Broadway legend George M. Cohan. It's being presented by Marshall University's Department of Theatre at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. Oct. 15-18.

My advice is: order those tickets now! If you wait until the day of the show, you might have a tough time finding tickets!

(Photo by Jeremy McKnight for The Herald-Dispatch)

Michael Cerveris on "Fringe"

Thanks to my pal Len for pointing out that Huntington's own Michael Cerveris, who's best known for his outstanding work on Broadway, is also appearing on the new Fox TV show Fringe. (This photo is courtesy Fox Television.)

You can read more about him at this site (the official show site) - look for his link near the bottom.

I've only seen a few episodes of the show, and if I recall he's only appeared briefly so far - but I suspect he'll have a bigger role in upcoming episodes. Is that cool or what?

Oh, and I should mention that the TV show Fringe is very good, although probably not suitable for young ones. And now you have another good reason to watch!

Thanks, Len!

On Stage Tonight - "Jack" and "Bright"

Tonight is your last chance to catch these two shows in Charleston.

Playing tonight:

- The musical Jack the Ripper will be presented by the Contemporary Youth Arts Company at 8 p.m. tonight at the Capitol Theater at 1234 Summers Street in downtown Charleston. Tickets are $9.50 and $5.50 for students and seniors.

- Bright Ideas will be presented by the Kanawha Players at the Kanawha Players Theater at 309 Beauregard Street in Charleston tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $16 and $10.

Both shows have received rave reviews, so check 'em out!

On Stage Tonight - "Jack the Ripper" and "Bright Ideas"

You have two community theatre shows in Charleston to choose from tonight.

They are:

- Bright Ideas will be presented by the Kanawha Players at the Kanawha Players Theater at 309 Beauregard Street in Charleston tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m. Tickets are $16 and $10.

Here's the description of the show:

How far would you go for your child? For Genevra and Joshua Bradley, the question is no longer hypothetical. Their three-year-old son, Mac, is next on the waiting list to get into the Bright Ideas Early Childhood Development Academy — and everyone knows once you’re in there, your life will unfold with glorious ease. Josh and Gen have had to scramble all their lives to get this far…and now they are one fatal dinner party away from the ultimate success as parents: The Right Pre-School. You may never look at pre-school — or pesto — the same way again.

- Jack the Ripper will be presented by the Contemporary Youth Arts Company at 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow at the Capitol Theater at 1234 Summers Street in downtown Charleston. Tickets are $9.50 and $5.50 for students and seniors.

Here's a recap of that show:

With a full cast of more than 30 people, Jack the Ripper whisks the audience back to the Whitechapel District of London, circa 1888 and into the tangled mind of a madman as the world's first notable serial killer begins his reign of terror. Scarpelli and Kehde's Jack the Ripper shows you the man behind the infamous murders from the beginning, and gives the audience a "fly on the wall" insight into his world, as well as the lives of his mother, his victims and those pursuing Jack at any cost.

So get out there and support your local theatre group!

On Stage Tonight - "Jack the Ripper"

This weekend is your last chance to catch the new musical Jack the Ripper.

The show is being presented by the Contemporary Youth Arts Company at 8 p.m. tonight at the Capitol Theater at 1234 Summers Street in downtown Charleston.

There are additional shows on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $9.50 and $5.50 for students and seniors.

You can read a review of the show right here. Recommended for older audiences!

"Peter Pan" rehearsals

Young actors continue to learn their lines, practice their songs and fine tune their choreography as they get ready for the upcoming First Stage Theatre Company production of Peter Pan.

You can see a few photos of the actors right here at the Herald-Dispatch photo gallery. Here's an example:

The Other "Jack the Ripper" Promo

Here's the other video created to promote the musical Jack the Ripper, which runs this weekend in Charleston. This one was created by my pal K.C. Bragg. Take a look:

"Jack the Ripper" Promo

As part of the effort to promote the musical Jack the Ripper, a couple of promotional videos were created and posted online. Here's the first one, created by Rudy Panucci, the host of Radio Free Charleston.

The show runs next weekend at the Capitol Center Theater in Charleston. Check it out:

Shows to Look for in October

As promised, the floodgates have opened and we have a plethora of community theatre shows in our area this month - ten of them (and that doesn't include the just-wrapped Robin Hood)!

Here’s the list:

- Jack the Ripper is being presented by the Contemporary Youth Arts Company at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater, with shows Oct. 9 - 11 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $9.50 and $7.50.

- Bright Ideas will be presented by the Kanawha Players at the Kanawha Players Theater Oct. 10, 11, 17 and 18. Tickets are $16 and $10.

- George M! will be presented by the Marshall University Department of Theatre at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center Oct. 15 - 18 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14, $12, $7 and $5.

- Shakespeare’s Measure by Measure will be presented by the Charleston Stage Company at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater Oct. 16 - 18, 23 - 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $10.

- And Then There Were None will be presented by the 5th Avenue Theatre Company at the Huntington City Hall Auditorium Oct. 17 - 19 and 24 - 26.

- Nunsense will be presented by the Marshall Artists Series Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. at the Keith Albee Theater.

- Dracula will be presented by Capital High School at the school’s theater Oct. 23, 24, 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 and $5.

- Clue: The Musical will be presented by ARTS at the Renaissance Theater Oct. 24, 25, Nov. 1, 2 at 8 p.m., Oct. 25 and Nov. 2 at 2 p.m., and Oct. 31 at 10 p.m.

- Peter Pan will be presented by First Stage Theatre Company at Huntington High School’s auditorium Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 7, 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 2, 9 at 2:30 p.m.

- The Producers will be presented by The Charleston Light Opera Guild at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theater Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Whew! As always, if I’ve missed any, let me know and I’ll add them to the list!

Jack the Ripper - A Review

The story of Jack the Ripper is one that has fascinated people for more than a century. To summarize: at least five women were brutally murdered in London between August and November 1888. The murders were never solved, and the murderer never caught or exposed, so the case has led to much speculation.

That may seem an odd choice for a subject for a musical, but that’s the challenge writer Dan Kehde and composer Mark Scarpelli faced in creating the original show being presented at the Capital Center Theater in Charleston.

And I’m happy to report that their experiment is a success! They take the story, approach it from an original angle, add some excellent songs and a great cast, and produce a story that’s thrilling and entertaining.

Most authors approach the story as a “whodunit” - solving the mystery of Jack’s true identity. Instead, this production is a “whydunit” - it tells you right up front that Jack is really a disturbed painter named Frederick, whose rapid descent into madness is spurred on by the actions of his equally-demented mother. But there are several other mysteries that unfold as the musical follows Jack’s career.

Any good show depends on having a talented cast of actors on stage, and that’s another reason for the show’s success. Cast in the title role is Ryan Hardiman, an outstanding actor who manages the wide range of emotions required, from timidity and tenderness to the sheer rage of a madman. He also gets to show off his tremendous voice, and the songs allow him to demonstrate his range and power.

Playing the part of his Mother is Tanya Dillon Page, another excellent singer who does a great job playing a mysterious and troubled figure. Her voice is an excellent match for Ryan's, and their songs together are spot-on.

Jack’s opposite number is Inspector Abberline, as played by Kevin Pauley. Another excellent singer, his character is always one step behind Jack. (That's him in the photo above with Ryan.)

The cast does a terrific job, including: Donnie Smith, Greg Garner, Nick Tidquist, Liz McCormick, Nick Curnutte, Melanie Larch, Marranda Major, Sam Oxley, Jennifer Davis, Mara Regling, Penny Fioravante, Alicia Lewis, Cabrina Pierson, Jessica Rogers, Kirill Gura, and my pal Paul McNeely.

Mark Scarpelli’s music is as intricate as the Dan Kehda’s story, and blends together different voices and songs, sometimes working together and sometimes playing off each other. It’s an impressive piece of work, and I look forward to the team’s next project.

The only complaints I have are small ones: there were a few minor microphone problems the night I saw the show (it’s one of the biggest problems any community theatre groups faces); and the show was a bit constrained by the small size of the stage. They did their best to overcome the problem by devising a clever three-level set, but the show would definitely benefit from more elbow room.

But those are minor problems, and what the creators, performers and crew have been able to accomplish is nothing short of amazing. The show is moody and dark, and even though there’s no graphic violence, there are more than a few startling scenes, so I really don’t recommend this show for little ones. But for everyone else, the show is a real treat (which seems appropriate as Halloween gets closer).

It’s not often you get to see an original musical, and audiences should make a point of doing what the police weren’t able to do 120 years ago: catch Jack the Ripper!

"Hairspray" Shutting Down in 2009

According to a story at Broadway.com, the popular musical Hairspray is near the end of its long run - but there is some good news, as an original star returns to give it a strong send-off:

The Tony Award-winning musical Hairspray will close on January 18 at Broadway’s Neil Simon Theatre. Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein, who originated the role of Edna Turnblad, will return to the production on November 11.

Hairspray centers on Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, who has only one passion — to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, The Corny Collins Show and overnight is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. She then tries to vanquish the program’s reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a television show—all without denting her ‘do.

The musical opened on Broadway on August 15, 2002. No doubt it'll continue touring the country for years to come - and according to rumors, a film sequel is in the works. Still, it's surprising to see it reaching the end of its run - it seems to be happening a lot lately.

On Stage Tonight - "Jack" and "Robin"

There are two shows running tonight in Charleston:

- The new musical Jack the Ripper is being presented by the Contemporary Youth Arts Company at 8 p.m. tonight at the Capitol Theater at 1234 Summers Street in downtown Charleston. Tickets are $9.50 and $5.50 for students and seniors.

- The play Robin Hood is being presented by the Children's Theatre of Charleston at 7 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theater. Tickets are $10 and $8.

So don't say there's nothing to do tonight!

Happy Anniversary!

Things are really starting to percolate on the local theatre scene! There are over a dozen shows taking the stage this month, which I'll be listing soon (I'm running a bit late - sorry about that), and I have to post my review of the excellent Jack the Ripper musical I saw last night - but first, let me note that today is the second anniversary of our humble efforts here.

It's been a lot of fun writing the Tri-State Theatre blog, and many thanks to all of you who've made us part of your Internet family! Feel free to keep sending in suggestions, comments and corrections - that's what makes it all possible! You can reach me at TheMinskers@aol.com, or send a comment to the link at the bottom of each post. I love hearing from you!

Just for fun, here's the first post I wrote on October 4, 2006 (with a smidge of editing for timeliness):

Local theatre in an interesting phenomenon, wherein a group of people gather together to “Put On A Show.”

Huntington has a rich history of theatre, both at Marshall University and its outstanding Department of Theatre, and through community efforts, including groups like the Musical Arts Guild, the First Stage Theatre Company, Huntington Outdoor Theatre, Fifth Avenue Theatre and ARTS, to name the ones that leap immediately to mind.

You’ll also find active theatre groups at almost every local high school, and several groups just a short drive away in Charleston and Ashland.

And thanks to the Marshall Artists Series, we even get to see professional theatre groups perform locally.

So if you like live theatre (and we assume you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t), there’s a lot to choose from. In addition to its rich history, Huntington has a bright future ahead, with some impressive shows on the way in the months and years ahead.

That’s why, under the kind auspices of The Herald-Dispatch, we’re launching this theatre blog -- to focus on those local shows, and talk about the shows that are coming up, shows from years past (the ones you loved and the ones you hated), and to take you behind the scenes to see how shows are made.

If you have a topic you want to offer up, drop me an e-mail and we’ll get the discussion going. I’ll be offering my own comments, reviews and previews as we go along. Comments are always welcome, as long as they’re civil.

So thanks for stopping by -- we hope you’ll add us to your “Favorites List” (hint, hint)!

On Stage Tonight - "Jack the Ripper" and "Robin Hood"

There are two shows running tonight (and this weekend) in the capital city:

- The new musical Jack the Ripper is being presented by the Contemporary Youth Arts Company at 8 p.m. tonight at the Capitol Theater at 1234 Summers Street in downtown Charleston. Tickets are $9.50 and $5.50 for students and seniors.

- The play Robin Hood is being presented by the Children's Theatre of Charleston at 7 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theater. Tickets are $10 and $8.

Check 'em out!

The Music of "Jack the Ripper"

Yesterday we brought you an e-interview with the writer of the new musical, Jack the Ripper, which premieres tonight in Charleston.

Here's the second part of our discussion, as the show's composer, Mark Scarpelli, tells us about the show.

Q: Tell us about your theatre background, and past projects...

Mark: My theater background is primarily the role of composer/musical director. I have directed a number of productions the past ten years for (CTOC) Children's Theatre Of Charleston, Kanawha Players, and (CYAC) Contemporary Youth Arts Company. When working with CYAC I am collaborating with playwright Dan Kehde. We have worked together writing and re-writing and composing and re-composing numerous musicals, operas, ballets and collections for the past eleven years.

Q: You have a new show taking the stage this week - tell us about Jack the Ripper.

Mark: Jack is a story from the folds of Dan's brain. There is fact and fiction in this production that translates into a character who I think you develop feelings for. There is a sympathetic side to this guy (Jack/Frederick) who displays much emotion as well as the ever expected rage.

Q: Jack seems like an odd subject for a musical - it's not exactly an upbeat, feel-good story. Did that present a challenge to you in composing the music?

Mark: The music for Jack The Ripper is probably the darkest stuff I've ever written yet, it is some of the most melodic and romantically dramatic. The challenge was that I had to write music for three seperate stage settings... a tavern/streets of Whitechappel, the inspector's station and Jack's studio. There is focus on particular settings at different times but the real challenge was writing for the musical events happening in all settings simultaneously. I initially scored the piece for two pianos and then developed it into a piece for piano, string quartet, electric bass and drums/percussion. In this performance we are using piano and string quartet.

One interesting thing about writing the music for "Jack" is that I had the advantage of writing to a show that was already cast. We cast this thing back in January '08 but shelved it for a number of reasons. Probably the main reason was because we were still writing this thing. The original principals agreed to stay with the project and committed themselves to a production run in October '08. Now that I knew the voices, I had the advantage of writing to their strengths. I had some incredible talent to work with (Ryan Hardiman, Kevin Pauley, Tanya Dillon-Page, Mel Larch, Elizabeth McCormick). Having these incredible voices in mind to write for made the process a little smoother.

I did not have a very "social" summer in '08 because writing Jack the Ripper was all-consuming.

Q: Which comes first - the script or the music? How do you and Dan work together?

Mark: Dan Kehde and I work best when he hands me the script and/or the libretto. From that I typically write the music and sometimes reset dialogue and or phrases to fit musical ideas. Through the creative process 99 percent of our contact is done through emails and downloads (a real timesaver).

Q: It must be a major challenge to bring a new musical to the stage - what have been some of the biggest challenges you've faced?

Mark: The biggest challenge in getting Jack The Ripper together has been "timing." Since it is almost 100 percent music there are a number of areas where the music is underscored to highlight dialogue and then out of the blue a character might sing a phrase. Working to get the correct timing and phrasing and mixing in this dialogue with music has been a tremendous effort on everyone's part. Rehearsals were organized around characters and not much around scenes. The interaction of characters and the musical counterpoint they vocally create was the main focus in setting up a rehearsal schedule. If there was more time, I would love to have spent it on full cast/street people scenes. For example, there is a "whore rhapsody" that was cut, mainly because there was not enough time to work up the scene with choreography.

Q: How has the cast managed, learning a brand new show?

Mark: The cast has been extremely focused for learning this production. There are many tricky musical sections with odd time signatures and multiple key changes and dissonance. Getting a cast to accept this and to successfully function out of the norm of a standard 4/4 time reflects mature qualities and patience. I am very pleased and proud of our talented cast and look forward to this world premiere in Charleston at the WVSU Capitol Plaza Theatre.


Thanks, Mark! That premiere is tonight, and Jack the Ripper will run this weekend and next - don't miss it!

Writing the Musical "Jack the Ripper"

Thursday is the premiere the new musical, Jack the Ripper. The writer of the show is Dan Kehde, who created the show with composer Mark Scarpelli.

Both of them took the time to talk about the show in an e-interview, and we'll start with comments from Dan.

Q: Tell our readers a little bit about your theatre background...

Dan: It's a long and checkered past indeed. Actually I graduated from college in 1973 with a commission to write the libretto for a rock opera for the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC., and it's been downhill ever since. So, except for the years when my son was growing up, I've been at this for 35 years. I've been fortunate enough to have nine plays of mine published, plus a few books of monologues and short scenes; wrote songs with Bob Whitmore and his production company up in New York back in the '70s; won a bunch of awards for the videos of some of my shorter works, including a Telly and screenwriting award from the New York Film Festival back in 2000. I've been collaborating with Mark Scarpelli for the past 12 years, writing the librettos for an insanely eclectic portfolio ranging from a fantasy opera Griswold and the Goblin King to Lincoln an opera on the last day in the Lincoln's life. We've also set Romeo and Juliet and the Blob to music, and have run our first piece Mary, a rock opera based on days and months before the birth of Christ every Christmas for the past eleven years. I've lost the actual count of the number of musicals and operas we've written so far, off the top of my head I count eleven or twelve.

Q: Your latest project is hitting the stage this week - tell us about Jack the Ripper.

Dan: This is a pretty wild piece. We've always written for multiple voices - lots of duets and trios - over the years. This seemed to lend itself to going even further. The libretto was actually written in three, sometimes four columns, so we could work in voices from multiple settings, in this case Jack's studio, the tavern in Whitechapel where the whores congregated, and Inspector Abberline's station several blocks away. It's a very challenging piece, dark at times, funny at others. Very weird.

Q: Jack has been a source of fascination for a long time, and there's an incredible number of books out there about him. Was this a difficult show to research?

Dan: Impossible. Everybody has a pet theory. I liked the character that Patricia Cornwell theorized was the ripper - the artist Walter Sickert - but the facts don't really prove her or anybody else's case. Still, I thought the Ripper as an artist was intriguing. The Ripper Encyclopedia was invaluable, and the websites are truly obsessive, if not absolutely accurate. If I had a theory, I'd say an awful lot of the
characteristics of the ripper killings were used to sell newspapers - maybe too much so.

Q: Jack seems an odd subject for a musical - it's not exactly the usual upbeat feel-good topic. What made you choose this as a topic?

Dan: We wanted to call it High School Musical 4: The Ripper Goes East, but we thought Disney might have a problem with it. Actually, that's all my fault. I have a tendency to write dark pieces and this seemed challenging to me, though Mark never disagreed. It gave us a chance to explore a whole new range of techniques.

Q: It must be a difficult undertaking, to create a new show and bring it to the stage for the first time. What have been some of the biggest challenges you've faced? Also, which comes first - the story or the songs?

Dan: The idea comes first: sometimes from me, sometimes from Mark, but that's how it all starts. Then I'll write a scenario and run it by Mark. He'll either agree or make changes, or we'll hash it out for a while until it sounds right. After that I'll begin the libretto and e-mail him portions as they get finished. We rarely see each other while we're creating a piece - maybe once in a while he'll play me what he's working on, but that's usually when we're not sure how a particular moment in the libretto is going to work musically. Creating a new show is a real bear. Especially one as difficult as this one. Who knows if the thing is actually going to work - what the real moments are - and whether an audience is going to tolerate our experimentation.

Q: Tell us a little bit about the cast and how they've managed, working on a new show.

Dan: We got lucky on this show - for reasons far beyond all understanding, we've ended up a group of true artists as castmembers. Principals Ryan Hardiman, Kevin Pauley, Melanie Larch, Tanya Dillon Page, Nick Curnutte, Donnie Smith, Niklaus Tidquist all know the trials of living as an artist and so are personally dedicated to this project. Our chorus is amazingly tolerant of the monumental amount of work staging an original piece entails. Between shortages of scores and inaccurate librettos, they've had to claw their way through some of these scenes by their fingernails. I really can't say enough about our cast. We're proud of this piece and the folks who are in it.

Thanks, Dan! Tomorrow we'll hear from composer Mark Scarpelli!