The Stars of "Camelot"

While it takes a big cast to create a show like Camelot, it's a show that really revolves around four stars. Yesterday I promised to talk about the stars of the show, which "include an old pal, a veteran of the stage, a well-known TV anchor, and one of my co-workers in the real world."

So let's identify those mysterious figures. The veteran of the stage I referred to is Mark Baker, who plays the part of King Arthur. It's a demanding role that calls for equal skill with comedy, drama and music, and Mark manages it all with great talent and authority. It doesn't hurt that he has a wonderful singing voice and commands the stage. It's been almost a decade since I first saw Mark in a local production of Into the Woods - he was great then and he just keeps getting better and better.

The well-known anchor is, of course, Marina Jurica, one of the meteorologists for WSAZ-TV. She's also a terrific actress and an amazing singer, and this is a show that puts her to the test. Playing the part of Queen Guenevere, she sings (I think) eight songs and is on stage almost constantly, running offstage a few times just long enough to make a quick costume change. Her character is at the heart of the show's love triangle, and she turns in an amazing performance.

The 'co-worker in the real world' is Todd Preston, who works in the same building as yours truly (although in a different department - he's a Structural Engineer). He's a triple-threat in any production - he not only designed and built the set, but he also plays the part of Sir Lancelot, the third corner of the love triangle. He's perfect for the part, with a terrific bass singing voice and great stage presence. Of course, his love scenes with Guenevere are easy for him, since he's actually married to Marina.

The 'old pal' is actually younger then me - I mean 'old' in the sense that I've known him a long time. Danny Ray is a native son and theatre pro who plays the part of Pellinor, and provides the vital comic relief the musical needs. He absolutely kills in this show, and the audience will be howling every time he's on stage - especially when he has his "assistant" with him. Danny's a terrific talent and I'm thrilled to get to work with him again - he also had a starring role in the only other show I've done, 1776.

So there are the stars of the show, and four good reasons to check out Camelot when it takes the stage Friday night at 8 p.m. at Huntington's City Hall auditorium. The show also runs Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., and then does it all over again April 30, May 1 and 2.