On Stage in October

   October is always a big month for community theatre, and 2016 is no exception! 

   Here's the lineup of great shows coming up - mark your calendar!

- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer -  First Stage Theatre Company presents the play based on the novel by Mark Twain. The play features a unique take on the classic story, putting it in a steampunk setting. It will be presented at Huntington Middle School on Oct. 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 16 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.

- God of Carnage - Arts Resources for the Tri State (ARTS) presents the dark comedy by Yasmina Reza. In this play two married couples come together to discuss an incident involving their two sons. As the story unfolds bigger issues are discovered and we slowly see four adults revert to acting like children. This play is directed by Gene Anthony and will be presented Oct. 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for show only and $30 for dinner and show tickets. On Thursday, October 20 only, tickets will be two for $20! Seating is limited for this show. 

- Picnic - Marshall University School of Theatre presents the play by William Inge on Oct. 6, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center at 1655 5th Avenue. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for faculty and senior citizens, $7 for children ages 5-12, and free to full-time Marshall students with valid ID.

- Norman Rockwell's An American Paradise - CYAC presents this original musical, which features 27 vignettes, each based on a different Rockwell painting that tells a story behind each painting. Shows will be on Oct. 6, 7 and 8 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. Tickets are $8 for students and senior citizens and $15 for adults.

- The Jungle Book -  The Children's Theatre of Charleston present the play based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling on Oct. 7, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m., and Oct. 8 and 9 at 2 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre at 200 Civic Center Drive. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students. 

- Dracula - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents and adaptation of the Bram Stoker classic vampire novel by the creator of CBS’s Extant, Mickey Fisher. The play will be presented at the Pikeville Mainstage on Oct. 13, 14,15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25, $22 and $14.

- "Boone" on the Carriage Trail Leaf Walk - Limelight Theatre presents the charm of Charleston's Carriage Trail in the midst of fall foliage. Daniel Boone returns to his family after a long exploration. He’s been gone a long time and seen a lot of things, but nothing compares to returning home. His wife Rebeccah has managed to keep the farm up while he’s been gone but she wants Daniel home with her and the children. James, Israel, and Jemimah have missed their father terribly and are desperate to hear all of the new tales he brings with him this time! His boys are determined to join their father on the next outing – if he lets them! Presented as part of FestivAll on Oct. 23 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

- Mother Hicks - Alban Theatre presents an evocative story, richly realized through all of the resources of theatre including poetry, character and story. The setting includes various locations in and around Ware, Illinois, in the late spring of 1935 during the Great Depression. This play is about three outsiders - a foundling girl known only as Girl; a deaf boy, eloquent in the language of his silence; and an eccentric recluse, Mother Hicks, who is suspected of being a witch. The tale, told with poetry and sign language, chronicles the journeys of these three to find themselves, and each other, in a troubled time. The play will be presented Aug. 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 23 and 30 at 2 p.m. at the Alban Theatre in St. Albans.

- The Merchant of Venice - The Rustic Mechanicals present the play by William Shakespeare on Oct 2 at 5 p.m. at the LaBelle Theatre at 311 D Street in South Charleston. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students.

- Once -  A touring production of the Broadway musical will be presented Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Eloise Covert Smith Theater at Vern Riffe Center for the Arts at 940 Second Street in Portsmouth. Reserved tickets range from $60 to $12. Call 740-351-3600.

   What a great lineup! Lots of reasons to support your community theatre!