Auditions This Week for "The Drowsy Chaperone"

A reminder that auditions are today and tomorrow for a terrific musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, which will be staged in April by ARTS.

How good is it? I wish I had time to try out for the show - that's how good. (Longtime readers will know that I only try out for shows once every 10 years.)

The auditions will take place at 900 8th Street in Huntington - here's the announcement:

ARTS is proud to announce auditions for The Drowsy Chaperone.

Show dates are April 1,2,3 and 8,9,10. Rehearsals are scheduled to begin Monday, Feb. 7.

Auditions will take place at the ARTS Resources for the Tri-State Renaissance Theatre. You may audition either Monday, Jan. 31 between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. or Tuesday, Feb. 1 between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. or by special appointment if necessary.

Please bring a prepared 16 bar cut. Accompanist will be provided. Also be prepared to cold read and wear clothes you can move in comfortably. You will also be taught a song from the show.

Director - Bil Neal
Assistant - Stephen Vance
Choreographer - Melissa McGuffin

The Greatest Musical of Them All

The discussion I linked to in Thursday's post got me thinking - what is the greatest musical of them all?

Granted, that segment looked at shows that originated in New York - but it's a fun question to wrestle with.

Everyone would probably have a different answer - and it's made more difficult by the fact that many of us (like me, for instance) haven't seen some of the shows that would be considered.

It would be a challenge just to make a "Top 10" list. A few that leap to mind right away are Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Jersey Boys... and I'm sure I'm missing lots of amazing shows.

For most of us, it would probably come down to a sentimental favorite - but even then it's a tough call. But it's a lot of fun to think and argue about!

On Stage This Weekend - "Shipwrecked"

Wow, I'm falling down on the job here! This weekend, the second community theatre performance for 2011 hits the stage.

It goes by this unlikely title: Shipwrecked (An Entertainment) The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself). It's written by Donald Marguiles, and the Charleston Stage Company presents the show through Jan. 30 at the Walker Theater at the Clay Center.

Check it out!

The Greatest New York Musical Is...?

I ordinarily don't link to other newspapers, but I have to make an exception for this story in New York Magazine - it has some prominent artists trying to decide which New York musical is the best one of all time.

The discussion is a delight to read, but remember - they're talking about shows that originated on Broadway, so that cuts out quite a few favorites, including Phantom of the Opera, Cats and Les Miserables (to name a few).

It's a fun debate that theatre fans have been discussing for decades.

You can read it by clicking on this link.

Auditions for "The Drowsy Chaperone"

Auditions are coming up next week for a terrific show, The Drowsy Chaperone, which will be staged in April by ARTS.

The auditions will take place at 900 8th Street in Huntington - here's the announcement:

ARTS is proud to announce auditions for The Drowsy Chaperone.

Show dates are April 1,2,3 and 8,9,10. Rehearsals are scheduled to begin Monday February 7.

Auditions will take place at the ARTS Resources for the Tri-State Renaissance Theatre. You may audition either Monday, Jan. 31 between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. or Tuesday, Feb. 1 between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. or by special appointment if necessary.

Please bring a prepared 16 bar cut. Accompanist will be provided. Also be prepared to cold read and wear clothes you can move in comfortably. You will also be taught a song from the show.

Director - Bil Neal
Assistant - Stephen Vance
Choreographer - Melissa McGuffin

Oscar Nominees

They announced the nominees for the 83rd Annual Academy Awards this morning, so we'll have to gear up for our annual "Guess the Winners" competition!

I still can't get used to having 10 nominees for Best Picture - it seems awfully crowded (though I'm glad to see Toy Story 3 on the list - a terrific movie, and the only one in there I've seen - so far).

Here are the nominees:

1. Best Picture: "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "Inception," "The Kids Are All Right," "The King's Speech," "127 Hours," "The Social Network," "Toy Story 3," "True Grit," "Winter's Bone."

2. Actor: Javier Bardem, "Biutiful"; Jeff Bridges, "True Grit"; Jesse Eisenberg, "The Social Network"; Colin Firth, "The King's Speech"; James Franco, "127 Hours."

3. Actress: Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right"; Nicole Kidman, "Rabbit Hole"; Jennifer Lawrence, "Winter's Bone"; Natalie Portman, "Black Swan"; Michelle Williams, "Blue Valentine."

4. Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, "The Fighter"; John Hawkes, "Winter's Bone"; Jeremy Renner, "The Town"; Mark Ruffalo, "The Kids Are All Right"; Geoffrey Rush, "The King's Speech."

5. Supporting Actress: Amy Adams, "The Fighter"; Helena Bonham Carter, "The King's Speech"; Melissa Leo, "The Fighter"; Hailee Steinfeld, "True Grit"; Jacki Weaver, "Animal Kingdom."

6. Directing: Darren Aronofsky, "Black Swan"; David O. Russell, "The Fighter"; Tom Hooper, "The King's Speech"; David Fincher, "The Social Network"; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "True Grit."

7. Foreign Language Film: "Biutiful," Mexico; "Dogtooth," Greece; "In a Better World," Denmark; "Incendies," Canada; "Outside the Law (Hors-la-loi)," Algeria.

8. Adapted Screenplay: Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy, "127 Hours"; Aaron Sorkin, "The Social Network"; Michael Arndt, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich, "Toy Story 3"; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "True Grit"; Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini, "Winter's Bone."

9. Original Screenplay: Mike Leigh, "Another Year"; Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson and Keith Dorrington, "The Fighter"; Christopher Nolan, "Inception"; Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg, "The Kids Are All Right"; David Seidler, "The King's Speech."

10. Animated Feature Film: "How to Train Your Dragon," "The Illusionist," "Toy Story 3."

11. Art Direction: "Alice in Wonderland," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1," "Inception," "The King's Speech," "True Grit."

12. Cinematography: "Black Swan," "Inception," "The King's Speech," "The Social Network," "True Grit."

13. Sound Mixing: "Inception," "The King's Speech," "Salt," "The Social Network," "True Grit."

14. Sound Editing: "Inception," "Toy Story 3," "Tron: Legacy," "True Grit," "Unstoppable."

15. Original Score: "How to Train Your Dragon," John Powell; "Inception," Hans Zimmer; "The King's Speech," Alexandre Desplat; "127 Hours," A.R. Rahman; "The Social Network," Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

16. Original Song: "Coming Home" from "Country Strong," Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey; "I See the Light" from "Tangled," Alan Menken and Glenn Slater; "If I Rise" from "127 Hours," A.R. Rahman, Dido and Rollo Armstrong; "We Belong Together" from "Toy Story 3," Randy Newman.

17. Costume: "Alice in Wonderland," "I Am Love," "The King's Speech," "The Tempest," "True Grit."

18. Documentary Feature: "Exit through the Gift Shop," "Gasland," "Inside Job," "Restrepo," "Waste Land."

19. Documentary (short subject): "Killing in the Name," "Poster Girl," "Strangers No More," "Sun Come Up," "The Warriors of Qiugang."

20. Film Editing: "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "The King's Speech," "127 Hours," "The Social Network."

21. Makeup: "Barney's Version," "The Way Back," "The Wolfman."

22. Animated Short Film: "Day and Night," "The Gruffalo," "Let's Pollute," "The Lost Thing," "Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, a Journey Diary)."

23. Live Action Short Film: "The Confession," "The Crush," "God of Love," "Na Wewe," "Wish 143."

24. Visual Effects: "Alice in Wonderland," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1," "Hereafter," "Inception," "Iron Man 2."

Upcoming Events at the Keith-Albee

My pal Dave Lavender has a great story in today's Herald-Dispatch about the renovations at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

I have great fondness for that theater, since I worked there as a doorman when I was in college and watched countless movies. I'm proud, too, that I was involved with the first community theatre production on that stage in decades - High School Musical - and First Stage is getting ready to stage another one in March - Rugrats: The Live Adventure!

Here's Dave's story:

Junior Ross holds up a sheet of paper full from top to bottom and can't help but smile.

Coming to the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center in the next few months is everything from multiple Marshall Artists Series performances to two film festivals, a First Stage Theatre show, graduations, five weddings and three Huntington Symphony Orchestra shows.

Ross, who oversees the maintenance of the historic Keith-Albee, a 3,000-seat theater built in 1928, wants everyone to feel welcome to come on in and love the theater like he does.

"We've got just about everything," Ross said looking over the upcoming schedule of events. "We want everyone to come and use the building."

Formerly a movie theater owned by the Hyman family, the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center has been under the care of the nonprofit Keith-Albee Foundation and its 16-member board since 2006 when Derek Hyman and family handed over the keys.

In a case of restore it and they will come, it seems the Keith-Albee, which re-opened Dec. 12, 2006, for the premiere of the We Are Marshall movie, is continuing to play a strong role in the community as a venue for everything from the Marshall Artists Series to an increasingly popular choice for weddings.

Huntington attorney David Tyson, who is co-president of the foundation along with W.Va. Sen. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, said they're happy where the Keith-Albee is at this juncture of its rebirth.

"We are turning a profit, not a large one, but in today's market, turning any profit is a good thing," Tyson said. "We're happy where it's going. Would we like to have $20 or $40 million and make it look like a palace? Sure, but we have to be realistic, and Sen. Plymale and I are pleased at the rate things are going, and that we certainly have a lot of community support."

As with most theaters in the nation, part of that support comes from a $1 ticket surcharge that goes to the theater restoration.

State grants also offer help, and Tyson said another encouraging level of support has come from a next generation of supporters, such as thirtysomething Huntington native Trey Murdock, who lives in Texas, but cares enough about his hometown theater to send in $1,200 to date to help with restoration efforts.

Tyson said with ongoing support, the Keith-Albee has made headway on some big projects in the past year.

This past summer, the Keith got a new roof over its stage, thanks to a state grant and matching local funds.

Now, Tyson said the Foundation is currently fund-raising to match a second grant that is just over $100,000. It will go toward the second phase of replacing the theater's roofs, which include the largest roof over the theater "house" as well as a series of four smaller roofs over the front part of the building.

Ross said the number one priority is finishing the replacement of the theater's multiple roofs.

Inside the grand movie palace, the Foundation has done some major work in the past year, nothing more important than the addition of a handicap-accessible bathroom.

In years past, patrons who use wheelchairs would have to go up to the third floor in the adjacent building.

But this past year, the Foundation spent about $60,000 turning an old janitor's storage closet into an exquisite 1920s-era bathroom.

"It's absolutely gorgeous," Tyson said of the bathroom that fits needs for the disabled as well as parents with small children, since there is a baby-changing station.

Another recent project that has been substantial has been spending about $10,000 to letter and number the backs of every chair in the building to help everyone from show producers to ushers and ticket-holders.

"For the first time in over half a century, there are numbers and letters screwed onto the chairs," Tyson said. "Yes, at some point we will change the chairs and make them larger, but that is pretty far off right now. We have to take care of the roof first."

While still awaiting enough funds to completely re-do the roofs, they've been getting a number of other projects done.

One of the most visible projects that will be completed this spring is restoring the lighted wooden boxes -- called "one-sheet boxes" -- located outside in the front of the theater that hold advertisements promoting incoming shows.

A project spearheaded by downtown business owner and theater supporter Liza Caldwell, the elaborately scrolled oak cabinets have been recreated exactly to original blueprints that Edmunds and Ross found in the building.

Built by Quality Woods Inc. in Charleston, the cabinets are a far cry from the black plywood now in front.

"The casings are in, and they're beautiful. They were falling apart," Tyson said. "They're restored exactly to the period."

Behind those grand curtains on each side of the stage, another restoration project is in the works.

Keith-Albee volunteer Bob Edmunds, who helps Ross with some of the maintenance projects in the building, heads up the Huntington Theatre Organ Project Inc., which has been feverishly at work, restoring a room-sized Wurlitzer Marimba Harp.

Edmonds' separate nonprofit just bought and brought the Keith-Albee's original organ that was built in 1927 and gone from the Keith since 1957. He has been working on connecting several of the solo chamber instruments (such as tuned sleigh bells) and the Marimba to the current organ in time for the Symphony concert in April, since they are doing an organ composition.

Edmunds, who's got organ parts stashed in handful of rooms upstairs and in the Keith basement, said so far, they've raised more than $3,000 for organ restoration work. They hope to raise as much as $100,000 to fully restore the Keith organ (which is much bigger than the current organ) to it full glory and then some, as he starts swapping in better instrumentation from the original organ.

Inside a hallway of the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, Ross runs his hand over a stucco wall, where a steam leak had recently wrecked havoc but now has disappeared, thanks to a local plumbing company that patched it up perfectly.

Ross said he and Edmunds are on constant vigilance, watching out for those quiet but could be costly repairs.

"Each project that we do, we get done right, and each one we get done is a God-send," Ross said. "There's a lot of stuff nobody sees and nobody knows what's been done, but you just can't lock up a building this size that was built in 1928 and wait for the next show. There's steam leaks and water leaks at any time. We keep busy. We aren't hurting for work."

Caring for the Keith-Albee

DONATING TO THE CAUSE: To make a donation to the foundation, send checks to The Keith-Albee Foundation, in care of David Tyson, PO Box 1096, Huntington, WV 25714.

UPCOMING SHOWS: Just a few of the upcoming shows include First Stage Theatre's Rugrats: The Live Adventure in March; the Marshall Artists Series season shows: Video Games Live at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3; A Chorus Line, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24; Spring International Film Festival, March 3-9; Spring Awakening, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 29; and The Color Purple, 8 p.m. Friday, April 1. Other bookings include Huntington Symphony Orchestra: "A Winter's Delight" on Saturday, Feb. 12, "Carnivale! Celebrate Life, Love, Fate!" on Saturday, March 12, and "A Springtime Serenade" on Saturday, April 23. The Appalachian Film Festival winds up its three-day fest with two days of film at the Keith on Friday-Saturday, Feb. 25-26.

ON VIDEO: Go online at www.herald-dispatch.com. Click onto local videos and Tyson on the Town to see a video starring Tyson Compton, president of the Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau, as he explores the Keith-Albee and other downtown gems.

"Clue the Musical" in Ashland

The first show of 2011 hit the stage this weekend!

Clue The Musical is being presented by the Paramount Players Saturday at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Ky.

Don't miss it!

Comments About "Spider-Man"

I was hoping one of our readers would have a chance to see the new Spider-Man musical - and my pal Elaine did!

Here's what she had to say about that show:

McKenzie, Mary Kate, Josh Meredith, Nathan Mohebbi and I saw Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, in preview on December 27.

The flying aerial stunts were amazing! With two actors flying simultaneously, crossing lines and flying to ledges on the balcony and the mezzanine from the stage, it was simply incredible. Fortunately, the night we attended, there were no injuries.

Unfortunately, the plot needs work and we commented that the second act lacked aerial stunts for a big finish. McKenzie informed me today that the show has now added new flying stunts for a big finish.

If you like Bono, then you will like the music. There was a mix of video, unusual characters and a bit of a lag in the second act, so the directors are working on that as well as the flying for a delayed premiere on March 15.

Despite the injuries and delays, the previews have sold well and it was a full house when we were there. For the most expensive Broadway show in history ($65 million), it was a sight to behold.

If you have been involved with a flight crew on stage, this is a show to see! It will be interesting to see when the show really comes out of preview and how long they can maintain the safety of the actors.

Thanks for that report, Elaine! Now I want to see it even more!

Things Are Quiet... For Now

Sorry for the scarcity of posts, gentle readers - things have been pretty quiet on the community theatre front!

Quite a few shows are in rehearsals, and a couple are coming up soon - but these are (for the most part) the lean days for local theatre.

I hear rumors about some big news around the corner, but I can't report it until I have the whole story - so stay patient and hopefully I'll have some big news soon.

And if you hear anything - let me know!

A Mystery at Heritage Station

My pal Eddie Harbert sends along this information about a dinner theatre / murder mystery coming up this weekend and next:

The Heritage Station Shop Owners, in association with the Cabell Huntington Visitors and Convention Bureau, are pleased to present A Murderous Reunion, a murder mystery party presented at Heritage Station January 21, 22, 28 and 29, each night at 6:30pm.

This fundraiser is produced to bring visitors to Heritage Village and the downtown Huntington area, to provide entertainment, and showcase the historic Heritage Station and its neighboring shops. This interactive Murder Mystery Party is performed by ‘Murder and Merriment,’ a local murder mystery theatrical company.

The outline of the program each night features the 25th Reunion of the Calvin Coolidge High School Class of 1986, attended by a sordid cast of characters who are all murder suspects, potentially guilty of murdering their former Student Body President. Guests at the party will play the role of junior detective, assisted by mystery writer and amateur detective, Jennifer Fletcher, of the TV show, “Murder, She Writes.”

Each evening, prizes will be awarded to Guests who correctly solve the murder mystery. A catered dinner, provided by Crumpets and Tea, will be served along with non-alcoholic beverages. Reunion Tickets to the murder party are $25 per person and reservations are strongly suggested as seating is limited. Guests can call 304-962-2459 to reserve or purchase their tickets.

Murder and Merriment, developed by George R. Snider III, leads a cast comprised of Ron Short, Maxine Loudermilk, Susan Rawn, Scott Neill, Jennifer Fuller, Allan Stern and Peggy Walker. The program is produced by Eddie Harbert.

"Spider-Man" - The King of Broadway?

It's surprising that I haven't mentioned the hottest show on Broadway - Spider-Man Turn off the Dark.

Despite the fact that the show is in previews and hasn't officially "opened" yet, it's been the top-grossing show in New York for months now. Of course, it's also been controversial because of injuries to several actors in the show.

It's a production that seems to confound the experts, who've been predicting its demise. It reminds me of Wicked, which also had a high price tag, but went on to be a huge hit (and continues to be one). Spider-Man strikes me as the same kind of spectacle, a stunt-filled work that has to be seen to be believed.

The show's opening has been delayed until March 15 to fix some problems, but it continues to play to packed houses in the meantime.

Here's hoping it hangs in there (and the actors stay safe) until I get a chance to make the trip to New York and catch the show!

"Stomp" Rolls On

STOMP has played its part in this year's Marshall Artists Series, and its final performance here was yesterday.

Here's what the Herald-Dispatch had to say today:

After completing more than 5,000 performances around the world, it was only a matter of time before STOMP stopped in for visit to the Tri-State.

The award-winning, broomstick-busting show swept into Huntington with Tuesday and Wednesday night performances at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center as a part of the latest installment of the Marshall Artists Series.

Created in 1991, STOMP has won numerous awards, been featured in a record-selling HBO special and was named one of the best musicals or plays in the last 25 years by Entertainment Weekly.

During a week's worth of performances, the cast can go through 30 broomsticks, 12 sets of drumsticks, 200 liters of water and five short bins. Multiply that by 5,000 performances and that equates in to hundreds of thousands piece of equipment in the past 20 years.

The next event in the Marshall Artist Series will be Video Games LIVE at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. The show is a concert featuring music from some of the most popular video games of all time.

"Stomp" Hits Huntington

If (sadly, like me) you missed the musical event knows as STOMP when it visited the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center this week, you can at least catch a few photos from the event at the Herald-Dispatch's Photo Gallery, which you can see right here.

Winter Wonderland

Hey, when it comes to song and dance, Glee has nothing on this group.

The award-winning Cabell Midland High School Show Choir is planning its annual Winter Wonderland Dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, at the school.

Dinner will be provided by Outback Steakhouse. Tickets are $20.

For reservations, call 304-743-7427.

A Correction for "Nunset Boulevard"

My pal Jerry Morse sends along a correction about First Church Dinner Theater's upcoming production Nunset Boulevard:

Regarding First Church Dinner Theater’s upcoming Valentine’s production, the dates for the performances are February 11, 12 and 14 - but the days may be listed incorrectly.

The performances will be on Friday, Feb. 11, 2001; Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, and Monday, Feb. 14, 2011.

Thanks, Jerry - I'll correct the original post, too.

Entertainment News

There's a great story in today's Herald-Dispatch about this week's offering from the Marshall Artists Series - STOMP!

But it's not available online - you'll have to pick up a copy of Sunday's paper to read it.

But you will find online a story about some shows coming soon to the Paramount Arts Center:

The classic board game Clue will take on a new life in Clue the Musical for a night of dinner theatre at the Paramount.

The murder mystery features a cast of characters brought together for a dinner party at the mansion of their millionaire host. When the host turns up dead, the guests become suspects.

This is the Paramount's first musical dinner theatre. Tickets are $23 per person. Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, and Saturday, Jan. 22. A few seats are still available.

Another upcoming special event is a "Shakepearience." During the Friday, Feb. 11, performance of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream guests will be allowed to turn their cell phones on. Guests will get tweeted fun, informative facts and trivia about the show.

This production of one of Shakespeare's most revered comedies will feature a fresh technology twist on both the setting (glow in the dark woods) and the audience interaction (tweets). Guests are encouraged to sign up for a free Twitter account prior to the performance. For information on how to sign up, become a follower of Paramount Joe and get push notifications to your cell phone, e-mail Jenny@paramountartscenter.com.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children.

STOMP!

Coming up next week is the first show of the season - the touring version of STOMP!

It should be a lot of fun!

The video link in the poster above doesn't work, but you can see it (and get a preview of the show) by going to this site.

Stuff and Nunsense

My pal Jerry Morse sends along this note about this year's dinner theatre presentation from Huntington's First United Methodist Church:

First Church Dinner Theater is sad to announce that there will not be a new adventure for Bitsy and Boots this February. Bitsy, Boots, and Ida decided that Kat and Tommy needed help with the twins on their Valentine’s getaway to St. Croix.

But DON'T DESPAIR.

Bitsy and Boots contacted their cousin Loretta, the black sheep of the family. Loretta deserted the Methodist flock to become a NUN! She is a member of the Little Sisters of Hoboken and she will be bringing her fellow sisters to Huntington to perform. Rumor has it that it is not holy hymns, but a Hollywood review called Nunset Boulevard!?

First Church Dinner Theater presents the Tri-State premiere of Nunset Boulevard

The Nunsense Hollywood Bowl Show

First United Methodist Church is excited to be the first in the Tri-State area to present this brand-new musical comedy in the Nunsense series, by Dan Goggin, for your Valentine’s entertainment.

In Nunset Boulevard, the Little Sisters of Hoboken head to Hollywood to perform in the fabled Hollywood Bowl. Or so they think.

The Dinner Theater has been a winter highlight in Huntington since 1991. Begun as a part of First Night, the Dinner Theater has been an integral part of First Church’s Mission program, raising more than $35,000 for Mission projects through 18 productions.

Huntington’s First United Methodist is a church in Mission, supporting community projects, Mission projects across West Virginia, and national and international relief efforts. Members volunteer throughout the community, and participate in mission work teams in West Virginia, Alaska, and Nicaragua.

First United Methodist Church, 1124 5th Ave., Huntington

The performances will be on Friday, Feb. 11, 2001; Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011; and Monday, Feb. 14, 2011.

Dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Show at 8 p.m.
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 - $22.00 Child under 12 - $8.00
Show only (as space permits) - $5.00

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

All profits benefit the Missions of First United Methodist

So, plan on joining us Feb, 11, 12, and 14 for some rollicking fun as only nuns can deliver. The cast includes:

Sister Mary Hubert - Loretta Hetzer
Sister Mary Leo - Jane Modlin
Sister Mary Paul - Sara Tschop
Sister Robert Ann - Leann Haines
Reverend Mother - Jane Morse
Announcer, Ursuldeen Snedeker - Stacy Morgan
Musical Director - Eddie Harbert
Director - Jerry Morse

Getting Ready...

This is the time of year when theatre groups start gearing up their rehearsals - for instance, the young stars of the upcoming show Rugrats started working on their show this week.

We'll try to take a look at some of those rehearsals in the weeks ahead. We'll also talk about the shows coming up this Spring - there are some great ones in the works - and I hear rumors that a couple of community theatre groups have big news on the way...

More news as it develops!

Lots of Shows Shut Down on Broadway

As my pal Zach Davis pointed out, quite a few shows shut down this week on Broadway - ironically, the same week that The Lion King passed Beauty and the Beast to take seventh place on the all-time list, and in three weeks The Phantom of the Opera celebrates its astonishing 23rd year on Broadway, setting a new all-time record every time the curtain goes up!

As for the shows closing this week, they include: Promises, Promises, Elf - the Musical, The Pee-wee Herman Show, West Side Story, Brief Encounters, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Bloody Andrew Jackson and Fela! (Hey, Zach - did I miss any?)

Don't worry, theatre fans - lots of new shows will soon take their place!

Shows On Stage in January

Happy New Year!

January's typically a slow month for shows - most groups are in rehearsal for their Spring shows - but here are three to look for:

- Stomp - the Marshall Artists Series presents the show Jan. 11 and 12 at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

- Clue The Musical - the Paramount Players presents the show Jan. 21 and 22 at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Ky.

- Shipwrecked (An Entertainment) The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself) by Donald Marguiles - the Charleston Stage Company presents the show Jan. 27 - 30 at the Walker Theater at the Clay Center.