A Preview of Theatre in the Weeks Ahead

My pal Dave "Devil Anse" Lavender wrote a nifty recap of upcoming shows for the Herald-Dispatch - and here it is:

There may have been a small lapse of quiet from area stages, but the region’s bevy of theater compa­nies were only rehearsing and reload­ing.

Here’s a look at some upcoming productions.

So you think you can dance, tap-style?

The dynamic theatrical couple Coni and Gene Anthony have teamed up to teach some tapping, and they’ve got the comedy musical to prove it.

Although the professional TV and movie actor is retired after 20 years of teaching at Marshall University, Gene Anthony’s been lured back into the fray as director of Stepping Out, Richard Harris’ comedy about eight students’ comical journey in a begin­ning dance class.

More than 50 folks got a sneak peek at this smash of a show on Thursday night during a free preview that fea­tured a couple scenes from the rol­licking comedy starring Mike Naglee, Jane Modlin, Andrea Parkins, Linda Reynolds and others in their hilarious roles as awkward beginning dancers. Presented by Arts Resources for the Tri-State, Stepping Out runs at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 15-16 and June 22-23 and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays, June 17 and 24 at the Renaissance Art Center, 900 8th St., Huntington.

For reservations and more informa­tion, call 304-733-ARTS.

‘New Works’ on the way

Jack Cirillo and the Marshall University Theatre Department have been an incubator for playwrights with the annual New Works Project, the annual June workshop now in its sixth season.

Set for June 14-16 in the Frances-Booth Experimental Theatre in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center at Marshall, New Works is where both national and regional playwrights come to present works and developing works of everything from full-length plays, musicals and screenplays, to TV pilots and shorts. This year, Marshall University Theatre Alliance and Lunar Strategem, the new company started by playwright Matthew Earnest and MU professor and actress Nicole Perrone will collaborate for the 2012 New Works Project.

Their play, “Dead Letter Office,” will open at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 14 and run through Saturday, June 16 in the Experimental Theatre. There is a $5 suggested donation for admission.

“Dead Letter Office” takes place in an underground bunker in an unnamed, postcapitalist city, where three anonymous Baroque figures are charged with deciphering and re-routing the world’s undeliverable mail. As the only ones on earth still adept with language, their job has been solid for over two centuries. But today the tables will turn: These cloistered and oblivious epistolographers will learn that the Enlightenment ended decades ago, and that their services are no longer needed.

For more information call the Marshall University Theatre box office at 304-696-2787.

‘Legally Blonde’ announces lead and dates

There will be one hot blonde hanging out in Ritter Park Amphitheater this July. Huntington Outdoor Theatre has announced the cast for its 19th season - a production of “Legally Blonde.” Headlining this year's cast as “Elle Woods” is Kathryn Davis, who in a quirky twist of fate is in fact a young attorney practicing at Huddleston Bolen LLP in Huntington.

Also featured is local anchorman Kennie Bass in the role of Callahan.

To view the whole cast and to obtain more information visit www.hotwv.org.

“Legally Blonde” will be presented July 6-8,13-15,20-22,and 27-29 at Huntington’s Ritter Park Amphitheater.

Shows begin at 8:30 p.m. with the Children’s preshow beginning at 7 p.m. and a community preshow at 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for picnicking. Tickets may be purchased at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena or at the gate on the nights of the show. Ticket prices are general admission $15. Seniors 65 and older and children ages 5-12 are $13 while ages 5 and under are free.

Group rates are available. For more information call 304-412-3393.

Hardiman starring in Charleston

Huntington resident Ryan Hardiman, who is singing in August with the Huntington Symphony Orchestra, will be on stage later this month with Emily Capece when the Charleston Light Opera Guild presents “Next To Normal,” the emotive family drama that won three 2009 Tony awards and a 2010 Pulitzer Prize for drama.

As part of the 10-day FestivALL Charleston, “Next to Normal” will run at 7:30 p.m., June 15-16, and 22-23 and at 5 p.m. June 17 and 24 at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theater. Call the Guild box office at 304-343-2287 for tickets. Box office hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

A murder mystery, bluegrass style

The Cosmopolitan Club in Ashland, will be presenting the latest Murder and Merriment interactive murder mystery “party, “Post Time for Murder!” at 7 p.m. June 15. Tickets for the horse race themed murder party are $47 and can be reserved by calling 606-329-0746. Tickets include a gourmet dinner, entertainment, two glasses of wine or two bottles of domestic beer or non-alcoholic beverage of choice, and a chance to win a prize for correctly solving the mystery.

Performing in the mystery are Ashley Taylor, Barry Daily, Sarah Diamond Burroway, Kat Bryant, Scott Black, John Eric Booth, Ashley Bond and Jason Kretzer. George R. Snider III will be performing the role of Detective Columbus. Guests are encouraged to dress for the races, and the ladies can wear their favorite Derby hats.