"Still Buffering" with Lin-Manuel Miranda

   It's always great to see hometown stars enjoying great success - and that's just what's happening with the three Smirl sisters!

   Dr. Sydnee Smirl McElroy, Teylor Smirl and Rileigh Smirl are sisters who have grown up acting and working in community theatre shows in Huntington, and now they have their own podcast - Still Buffering, a very funny show that's all about being a teenager. 

   The show centers around discussions of what being a teen was like for Sydnee and Teylor - and what it's like now for Rileigh. The show's catch phrase is "I am a teenager... and I was too."  

   In their latest edition (which you can find right here) they're joined on the show by the Tony-winning creator of "Hamilton," Lin-Manuel Miranda - and he's a fan of their podcast! How awesome is that? 

   It's always a great show - check it out!

On Stage Next Weekend: "Elf the Musical, Jr."

   Cool off from the summer heat next weekend as ARTS Resources for the Tri-State presents the ARTS Summer Theatre Camp production of Elf the Musical, Jr. 

   The show will be presented on July 1 and 2 at 7 p.m. in the Renaissance Ballroom at 900 8th Street in Huntington. 

   Young actors will perform the show that tells the story of Buddy the Elf who discovers he is human and leaves the North Pole to find his human father in New York City. 

   Admission is $5. The show is rated G and is great entertainment for the entire family, so put on your Christmas stockings and add some sparklejollytwinklejingley to your step and see Elf the Musical, Jr! 

   Where else can you find Christmas in July?

On Stage This Weekend

    As always in June, it's a busy weekend of terrific shows. Here are the ones to catch:

- The Wizard of Oz - HART in the Park presents the musical based on the film at the Ritter Park Amphitheater in Huntington on June 25 and 26 at 8:30 p.m. Gates open at 7 p.m., Children's Preshow at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children and senior citizens.

- The Wiz - the Charleston Light Opera Guild presents the musical based on “The Wizard of Oz” on June 25 at 7:30 p.m. and June 26 at 2 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre at One Civic Center Drive. Tickets are $25 each - reserved seating. 

- Disney's Beauty and the Beast - The Aracoma Story presents the musical at Chief Logan State Park in Logan, WV on June 25 and 26 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $11 for adults, $9 for senior citizens, and $5 for children. 

- School Girl Zombies from Hell High - Contemporary Youth Arts Company (CYAC) presents the original musical with music by Mark Scarpelli, book and lyrics by Dan Kehde. It will be presented at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston on June 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.

- Mary Poppins - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the beloved musical on June 25 at 8:15 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Amphitheatre in Prestonsburg, Ky. Tickets are $30 / $18 / $13.

   So get out there and enjoy some theatre!

A Review of "The Wizard of Oz"

   Travel and work have kept me on the road in June, so I haven’t been able to catch the HART in the Park production of the classic musical The Wizard of Oz, which wraps up this weekend at Huntington’s Ritter Park.

   But my pal Kate Woestman Morris posted a review of the show recently on Facebook, and with her kind permission, here are her thoughts:

   I don't know anyone in the cast, so I feel like this is objective. My family thoroughly enjoyed HART's production of The Wizard of Oz in Ritter Park. 

   The singing, dancing and storytelling were lovely. I believed in everyone down to the tiniest Munchkin, and everyone seemed to be having as good a time on stage as we were having off. 

   The entire cast was solid. They all seemed to commit to their characters in voice and body. Some of the Munchkins were surprisingly commanding and impressive for such young performers. 

   I thought the gentleman playing the Cowardly Lion was the cat's pajamas and my 3-year-old took a particular liking to the Scarecrow. Afterward, the actor gave her a handful of the straw from his costume and he might as well have reached up and pulled down the full moon. 

    I have to admit that I was a little hesitant about the 8:30 p.m. start time and the $12 ticket for a child I wasn't sure was going to make it through - but when I asked her what her favorite part was she got this beautiful look on her face and said, "The part when Dorothy made it back home." 

   Right then I knew it was worth every penny. Thank you, cast and crew for a wonderful evening.

One More Weekend for "The Wizard of Oz"

   This weekend you can catch the last three shows for the HART in the Park production of the classic musical, The Wizard of Oz, at the Ritter Park Amphitheater.

   Gates open at 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The children's pre-show is set for 7:30 p.m. "Oz" begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $12 for seniors and kids 12 and under. 

   My pal Dave Lavender posted a story in today's Herald-Dispatch, which you can read right here. Here's an excerpt:

---------------------

    The Wizard of Oz stars Sarah Hayes Navy as Dorothy, Drew Navy as the Scarecrow, Lee Dean as the Tin Man, Levi Kelley as the Cowardly Lion, Tamara Meadows as Glinda, and Denise Comeau as the Wicked Witch.

   The Navys said they were excited to put on their first show together as a couple and as a part of the bigger family of community actors performing for families in the region.

   "It is definitely a huge thing for the community inside the theater and outside the theater because we have a lot of families involved," Navy said. "A lot of family members either become a part of the cast or help out doing part of the sets or costuming or lights, or whatever type of volunteering it takes to make this thing happen. But yeah it is such a positive thing for Huntington to have such a huge production and something we can all be proud of."

On Stage This Weekend

   Taking local stages this weekend are - well, lots of shows, as the summer heats up!

   Here's the rundown:

- The Wizard of Oz - HART in the Park presents the musical based on the film at the Ritter Park Amphitheater in Huntington on June 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at 8:30 p.m. Gates open at 7 p.m., Children's Preshow at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children and senior citizens.

- The Wiz - the Charleston Light Opera Guild presents the musical based on “The Wizard of Oz” on June 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. and June 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre at One Civic Center Drive. Tickets are $25 each - reserved seating. 

- Disney's Beauty and the Beast - The Aracoma Story presents the musical at Chief Logan State Park in Logan, WV on June 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 and 26 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $11 for adults, $9 for senior citizens, and $5 for children. 

- The Little Theatre's Production of Hamlet - Kanawha Players presents the play by Jean Battlo at the Labelle Theatre at 311 D Street in South Charleston, WV, on June 17. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

- School Girl Zombies from Hell High - Contemporary Youth Arts Company (CYAC) presents the original musical with music by Mark Scarpelli, book and lyrics by Dan Kehde. It will be presented at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston on June 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25 at 8 p.m. and June 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.

- Mary Poppins - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the beloved musical on June 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25 at 8:15 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Amphitheatre in Prestonsburg, Ky. Tickets are $30 / $18 / $13.

   So get out there and enjoy some community theatre!

The Tin Man on the Road to Oz

  The Tin Man is the focus of a recent story by my pal Dave Lavender in the Herald-Dispatch, as portrayed by Lee Dean.


   He's a central character in the beloved musical The Wizard of Oz, which continues its run this weekend at the Ritter Park Amphitheatre.


   You can read the full story right here (the photo above is by Anthony Davis) - and here's an excerpt: 


-----------------------

   Hanging out at Ritter Park Amphitheater during rehearsal for Wizard of Oz, Lee Dean sips on a giant mug of hot tea trying to keep his voice intact for another night's performance.

   Although it is probably the last thing he should do, Dean begins excitedly talking about how much he loves being a part of his new extended family of sorts, the team of community members known as Huntington Area Regional Theater (HART in the Park) which is in the middle of its three-weekend-run of The Wizard of Oz.

   These hot summer nights, Dean is doing double duty again preaching and acting up a storm.

   The 39-year-old Huntington area native and pastor at Mud River Baptist Church, who took on his first theatrical role last year as Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins, is back this year in another starring role as The Tin Man in "Oz," which runs at 8:30 p.m. June 17-19 and June 24-26. The production also stars Sarah Navy as Dorothy; Drew Navy as the Scarecrow; Levi Kelley as the Cowardly Lion; Tamara Meadows as Glinda; and Denise Comeau as the Wicked Witch.

   Gates open at 7 p.m. Picnics are allowed, but there are also food and drink vendors. The children's pre-show is set for 7:30 p.m. There is an adult pre-show at 8 p.m. and the main show at 8:30 p.m.

   Tickets are $15 and $12 for seniors and kids 12 and under. Call 304-696-5954 or visit www.GHPRD.orgfor tickets.

   Dean said the summer theater has been a great way for his busy family to do something really purposeful and fun together.

   While Dean meets up with Dorothy in Oz as the Tin Man, his wife, Samantha, stays behind in Kansas as Auntie Em. Their youngest daughter, Ellie, is in the show, and their oldest daughter, Lena, was in the show until she dislocated her knee. Even hurt she still is helping to do tech for the show.

The Tony Awards

   The Tony Awards put on a heck of a show last night, with the focus on the hugely popular Hamilton (which walked away with a total of 11 awards out of 16 nominations - but to be fair, sometimes more than one member of the cast was competing with each other).


   On the non-musical side, The Humans was the big winner.


   Host James Corden did a terrific job keeping it moving along - he had a great opening number all about how his love for the theatre started (and continues). The show was loaded with amazing performances - a great preview of some of the shows now running on Broadway.


   Here's a list of some of the winners for the 2016 Tony Awards, announced Sunday night in New York City:


Best Musical: "Hamilton"


Best Play: "The Humans" by Stephan Karan

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play: Jayne Houdyshell, "The Humans"


Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Renee Elise Goldsberry,
"Hamilton"


Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Daveed Diggs, "Hamilton"


Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theater: "Hamilton" with music and
lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda


Best Direction of a Play: Ivo Van Hove, "Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge"


Best Direction of a Musical: Thomas Kail, "Hamilton"


Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play: Jessica Lange, "Long Day's Journey Into Night"


Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Reed Birney, "The Humans"


Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: Frank Langella, "The Father"


Best Revival of a Play: "Arthur Miller's a View from the Bridge"


Best Revival of a Musical: "The Color Purple"

Tony Awards Tonight!

   Tonight is the Super Bowl for theatre fans - the Tony Awards are tonight at 8 p.m. on CBS, hosted by Broadway veteran and Late, Late Show host James Corden.

   It's expected to be a big night for the hugely popular musical Hamilton, but it's also a great chance to see some great numbers from the other shows on Broadway (all of them excellent).

   Here's a list of the nominees:

Best Musical

"Bright Star"

"Hamilton"

"School of Rock"

"Shuffle Along"

"Waitress"

Best Play

"Eclipsed"

"The Father"

"The Humans"

"King Charles III"

Leading Actress in a Musical

Laura Benanti, "She Loves Me"

Carmen Cusack, "Bright Star"

Cynthia Erivo, "The Color Purple"

Jessie Mueller, "Waitress"

Phillipa Soo, "Hamilton"

Leading Actor in a Musical

Alex Brightman, "School of Rock" 

Danny Burnstein, "Fiddler on the Roof" 

Zachary Levi, "She Loves Me"

Lin-Manuel Miranda, "Hamilton"

Leslie Odom, Jr., "Hamilton"

Leading Actress in a Play

Jessica Lange, "Long Day's Journey into Night"

Laurie Metcalfe, "Misery"

Lupita Nyong'o, "Eclipsed"

Sophie Okonedo, "The Crucible"

Michelle Williams, "Blackbird"

Leading Actor in a Play

Gabriel Byrne, "Long Day's Journey Into Night"

Jeff Daniels, "Blackbird"

Frank Langella, "The Father"

Tim Pigott Smith, "King Charles III"

Mark Strong, "A View from the Bridge"

Best direction of a musical

Michael Arden, "Spring Awakening"

John Doyle, "The Color Purple"

Scott Ellis, "She Loves Me"

Thomas Kail, "Hamilton"

George C. Wolfe, "Shuffle Along"

Best direction of a play

Rupert Gold, "King Charles III"

Jonathan Kent, "Long Day's Journey Into Night"

Joe Mantello, "The Humans"

Liesl Tommy, "Eclipsed"

Ivo Van Hove, "A View from the Bridge"

Featured actress in a play

Pascale Armand, "Eclipsed"

Megan Hilty, "Noises Off"

Jayne Houdyshell, "The Humans"

Andrea Martin, "Noises Off"

Saycon Sengbloh, "Eclipsed"

Featured actor in a musical

Daveed Diggs, "Hamilton"

Brandon Victor Dixon, "Shuffle Along"

Christopher Fitzgerald, "Waitress"

Jonathan Groff, "Hamilton"

Christopher Jackson, "Hamilton"

Featured actress in a musical

Danielle Brooks, "The Color Purple"

Renee Elise Goldsberry, "Hamilton" 

Jane Krakowski, "She Loves Me"

Jennifer Simard, "Disaster!"

Adrienne Warren, "Shuffle Along"

Featured actor in a play

Reed Birney, "The Humans"

Bill Camp, "The Crucible"

David Furr, "Noises Off"

Richard Goulding, "King Charles III"

Michael Shannon, "Long Day's Journey into Night"

Best Revival of a Play

"The Crucible"

"A View From the Bridge"

"Blackbird"

"Long Days Journey into Night"

"Noises Off"

Best Revival of a Musical

"The Color Purple"

"Fiddler on the Roof"

"She Loves Me"

"Spring Awakening"

Best Book of a Musical

Steve Martin, "Bright Star"

Lin-Manuel Miranda, "Hamilton"

Julian Fellowes, "School of Rock"

George C. Wolfe, "Shuffle Along"

Best Choreography

Andy Blankenbuehler, "Hamilton"

Savion Glover, "Shuffle Along"

Hofesh Shechter, "Fiddler on the Roof"

Randy Skinner, "Dames at Sea"

Sergio Trujillo, "On Your Feet"

Best Original Score

Steve Martin, Edie Brickell, "Bright Star"

Lin-Manuel Miranda, "Hamilton"

Glenn Sltater, Andrew Lloyd Webber, "School of Rock"

Sara Bareilles, "Waitress"

Best Orchestrations

August Eriksmoen, "Bright Star"

Larry Hochman, "She Loves Me"

Alex Lacamoire, "Hamilton"

Daryl Waters, "Shuffle Along"

Scenic design of a musical

Es Devlin & Finn Ross, "American Psycho"

David Korins, "Hamilton"

Santo Loquasto, "Shuffle Along"

David Rockwell, "She Loves Me"

Best Scenic Design of a Play

Beowulf Boritt, "Thérèse Raquin"

Christopher Oram, "Hughie"

Jan Versweyveld, "A View from the Bridge"

David Zinn, "The Humans"

Costume design of a musical

Gregg Barnes, "Tuck Everlasting"

Jeff Mahshie, "She Loves Me"

Ann Roth, "Shuffle Along"

Paul Tazewell, "Hamilton"

Best Costume Design of a Play

Jane Greenwood, "Long Day's Journey Into Night"

Michael Krass, "Noises Off"

Clint Ramos, "Eclipsed"

Tom Scutt, "King Charles III"

Lighting design of a musical

Howell Binkley, "Hamilton"

Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, "Shuffle Along"

Ben Stanton, "Spring Awakening"

Justin Townsend, "American Psycho"

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Natasha Katz, "Long Day's Journey Into Night"

Justin Townsend, "The Humans"

Jan Versweyveld, "The Crucible"

Jan Versweyveld, "A View from the Bridge"

Oz Sets Up Shop In Ritter Park

   Tonight wraps up tech week for The Wizard of Oz! 

   That beloved musical takes the stage on Friday to kick off the first of three weekends at the Ritter Park Amphitheater. 

   The show features a terrific cast and wonderful songs - and a story that has entertained generations of fans.

   My pal Dave Lavender filed an excellent story in today's Herald-Dispatch with interviews with the cast (the photo above is by Larry Butcher). You can read it right here - and here's an excerpt:

----------------

   Levi Kelley doesn't remember when he first saw the movie The Wizard of Oz.

   What he does know is that he will not, can not, stop watching it. Starting this weekend, Kelley does one better than watching it - he gets to live it as the Cowardly Lion.

   Come Friday, Kelley and the community theater team at HART (Huntington Area Regional Theater) in the Park bring alive the beloved classic musical The Wizard of Oz that runs at 8:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays for three weekends - June 10-12, June 17-19 and June 24-26 - at the Ritter Park Amphitheater. Gates open at 7 p.m. Picnics are allowed, but there are also food and drink vendors.

   The children's pre-show is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $12 for seniors and kids 12 and under. Call 304-696-5954 or visit www.GHPRD.org for tickets.

   Kelley, who also drew and painted the massive sets built by David Owens and crew, said it is a story that has always stuck to his heart.

   "I don't remember the first time I saw it. I just remember watching it over and over again, and I never, ever grew out of it. I still watch it over and over again," said Kelley, 22. "... For me I am a big Judy Garland fan, and I think I love the fantasy aspect of it, and it is the perfect story for me. It has everything: the beautiful heroine, the wicked villain, the lovable friends, the beautiful shoes, the fantastic scenery. It is a great, great story and one of the greatest films of all times."

On Stage This Weekend

   The weekend gets an early start this week as several shows take the stage Thursday night! 

   Here's the rundown of shows this weekend:

- The Wizard of Oz - HART in the Park presents the musical based on the film at the Ritter Park Amphitheater in Huntington on June 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at 8:30 p.m. Gates open at 7 p.m., Children's Preshow at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children and senior citizens.

- Disney's Beauty and the Beast - The Aracoma Story presents the musical at Chief Logan State Park in Logan, WV on June 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 and 26 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $11 for adults, $9 for senior citizens, and $5 for children. 

- The Flick - Alban Arts Center presents the play by Annie Baker on June 9, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. and June 12 at 2 p.m. at the Alban Arts Center at 65 Olde Main Plaza in St. Albans, WV. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

- The Little Theatre's Production of Hamlet - Kanawha Players presents the play by Jean Battlo at the Labelle Theatre at 311 D Street in South Charleston, WV, on June 9, 10, 16 and 17. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

- Boeing Boeing - the Actors Guild of Parkersburg presents the play about a swinging bachelor in the '60s who is dating three stewardesses at once, which works great until all three are in town at the same time. The show will be staged June 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. and June 12 at 2:30 p.m. at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg at 724 Market Street.

   So get out there and enjoy some local theatre!

Carpool Karoke

    Here's a great warmup for the Tony Awards (which air this Sunday) - host James Corden breaks out his Late Late Show skit, Carpool Karaoke, and invites along four great Broadway stars, including  Lin-Manuel Miranda (who will no doubt be on stage many times on Sunday accepting awards), Audra McDonald, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jane Krakowski. 

   If you're a fan of musicals (and who isn't?), you're going to love this:

Another Chance to See "The Flick"

    Last weekend a thunderstorm knocked out the power at The Alban Theatre, forcing the conciliation of one of the planned performances of the play The Flick.

    To make up for the loss, another performance has been added this Thursday evening, June 9 at 8 p.m. 

   In Annie Baker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning dark comedy, The Flick, the employees of an aging movie theater awkwardly interact; as they drudge through the tasks of their low wage jobs. Avery, a film nut, gets his dream job working in the last 35mm theater in the county. Is he prepared to deal with the friendships, intimate situations, and betrayals that aren’t flickering on the screen? At times the play is hysterically funny with snappy comebacks and the strange situations that one can find cleaning up after the public; and sometimes the subjects can be quite dark, as Avery deals with depression and betrayal from his new friends. This play pushes the envelope on timing, and the tension an audience can feel in an uncomfortable situation. Seating will be limited to 75, and this play does include adult language and situations, so parental discretion is advised. The play is nearly three hours long, but there will be one 15 minute intermission.

   The Flick - Alban Arts Center presents the play on June 9, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. and June 12 at 2 p.m. at the Alban Arts Center at 65 Olde Main Plaza in St. Albans. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

On Stage This Weekend - "The Flick" and "Boeing Boeing"

   There are two shows on tap this weekend as the summer season starts heating up!


   Here's the rundown:


- The Flick - Alban Arts Center presents the play by Annie Baker on June 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. and June 5 and 12 at 2 p.m. at the Alban Arts Center at 65 Olde Main Plaza in St. Albans, WV. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.


- Boeing Boeing - the Actors Guild of Parkersburg presents the play about a swinging bachelor in the '60s who is dating three stewardesses at once, which works great until all three are in town at the same time. The show will be staged June 3,4, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. and June 5 and 12 at 2:30 p.m. at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg at 724 Market Street.


   So go see a show!

Junior Theatre Festival Auditions This Saturday in Huntington

   The First Stage Theatre Company has been accepted to the Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) in Atlanta again this coming winter to perform and learn from professionals in the field of musical theatre. 

   The traveling cast attending JTF 2017 will perform the full-length play Honk, Jr. (a musical based on the story of the Ugly Duckling) in late winter / early spring, and a 15-minute excerpt from the show will be performed at JTF. 

   JTF 2017 is an awesome weekend-long experience for kids to learn and perform with over 3,000 peers from across the country. The event is sponsored by iTheatrics, MTI, Disney, and Playbill. 

   The event allows for showcasing a 15-minute show selection, workshop classes, guest speakers and performances. It is an awesome event!

   Audition Date: Saturday, June 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

   Location for the Auditions: Pea Ridge United Methodist Church at 5747 East Pea Ridge Road in Huntington. 

   Those auditioning should prepare 32-64 bars or 1-2 minutes of a musical theater song (NOT a pop song). An accompanist and CD player will be available. You may bring sheet music or a karaoke track. Please, no a cappella auditions. 

   Actors should be prepared to learn a short dance. 

   To audition, actors must be 10 years old by Sept. 1, 2016, and have performed or worked tech for at least one First Stage production previously. 

   The full production of Honk. Jr! will be performed early March 2017.

"Oz" Prepares to Take Over Ritter Park

   As The Wizard of Oz gets ready to take the stage this month in Huntington, my pal Dave Lavender provides a preview you can read right here. (The photo above of Co-Dirctor Tommy Smirl is by Sholten Singer.)

   Here's an excerpt:

   Technically no one lives at the Ritter Park Amphitheater, but for the past couple months, Tommy Smirl has been stuck on stage somewhere between giant, movable sets depicting Kansas, the Forest, Munchkinland and the castle in Oz, and you can tell for him there is no place like this home.

   Smirl, who played the Tin Man in the 2002 Huntington Outdoor Theatre version of The Wizard of Oz, is co-directing the classic with his wife, Mary. The couple is in the homestretch of rehearsals for the Huntington Area Regional Theater in the Park production of The Wizard of Oz, set to hit the stage for three weekends - June 10-12, June 17-19 and June 24-26. Each performance begins at 8:30 p.m.

On Stage in June

    As summer arrives, community theatre moves outside (at least partly). So here’s the list of shows to watch for in June!

- The Wizard of Oz - HART in the Park presents the musical based on the film at the Ritter Park Amphitheater in Huntington on June 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at 8:30 p.m. Gates open at 7 p.m., Children's Preshow at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children and senior citizens.

- The Wiz - the Charleston Light Opera Guild presents the musical based on “The Wizard of Oz” on June 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. and June 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre at One Civic Center Drive. Tickets are $25 each - reserved seating. 

- Disney's Beauty and the Beast - The Aracoma Story presents the musical at Chief Logan State Park in Logan, WV on June 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 and 26 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $11 for adults, $9 for senior citizens, and $5 for children. 

- The Flick - Alban Arts Center presents the play by Annie Baker on June 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. and June 5 and 12 at 2 p.m. at the Alban Arts Center at 65 Olde Main Plaza in St. Albans, WV. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

- The Little Theatre's Production of Hamlet - Kanawha Players presents the play by Jean Battlo at the Labelle Theatre at 311 D Street in South Charleston, WV, on June 9, 10, 16 and 17. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

- School Girl Zombies from Hell High - Contemporary Youth Arts Company (CYAC) presents the original musical with music by Mark Scarpelli, book and lyrics by Dan Kehde. It will be presented at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston on June 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25 at 8 p.m. and June 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.


- Boeing Boeing - the Actors Guild of Parkersburg presents the play about a swinging bachelor in the '60s who is dating three stewardesses at once, which works great until all three are in town at the same time. The show will be staged June 3,4, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. and June 5 and 12 at 2:30 p.m. at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg at 724 Market Street.

- Mary Poppins - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the beloved musical on June 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25 at 8:15 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Amphitheatre in Prestonsburg, Ky. Tickets are $30 / $18 / $13.

- 9 to 5 - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the beloved musical on June 30 at 8:15 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Amphitheatre in Prestonsburg, Ky. Tickets are $30 / $18 / $13.

- Sleeping Beauty Kids - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the musical on June 30 at 6 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Mainstage in Pikeville, Ky. Tickets are $7 and $10.

   And that’s it!