New Works, Holiday Homes Tour and a Film Challenge

   It's a busy holiday season for ur friends in ARTS! Here's a note they sent out:

   There's a lot coming up at ARTS this week and next, and you don't want to miss a minute of it!

NEW WORKS 2016!

   This weekend, starting Thursday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m., we'll be kicking off our 2nd Annual New Works Festival with a reading of a horror screenplay, Butcher Holler, by last year's audience award winner Dan Shea! Tickets are $5 each.

   Then, on Friday,  Dec. 2 at 7 p.m., we'll be reading six short plays from writers all over the world - plays never read in front of an audience before! And then we'll be wrapping up the evening with four brand new plays by local favorite Jon Joy.  It's a night you don't want to miss!  Tickets are $5.

   And finally, on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m., we'll start again, with 9 more short plays from talented playwrights all over the world and then finish the evening with a reading of our own Mike Murdock's scary thriller Sarah's Fire. Tickets are $5.

HOLIDAY HOMES TOUR!

   And just as that wraps up the reading portion of New Works 2016, Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1 to 6 p.m., brings on the 10th Annual ARTS Holiday Candlelight House Tour - our biggest single-day fundraiser for Arts Resources for the Tri-State!

   Pick up your tickets ahead of time for $15 at MUG & PIA, Justice Glass, Avant-Garde, Spurlock Flowers, Girlfriends & Sister Chics or Red Door Home, or from any ARTS Board Member!  Tickets are $20 on the day of the tour.

   This year's Festival of Wreaths will be a little different this year - instead of just selling the wreaths, we'll be raffling them off!  Two chances for $5, available at First Sentry Bank on the day of the tour (where you can also see all the wreaths) or from any Board Member!  We have beautiful wreaths kindly donated from Spurlock Floral, Girlfriend & Sister Chics & Red Door Home!  You're bound to find something you'll love to take home!

   Join us at First Sentry bank between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4 to get started on the tour!  You won't regret it!

   Then you think - "Well, surely they must be finished giving us great entertainment, right?" NO! Have you always wanted to try to make a movie? Do you know people that do?  As the second week of the New Works 2016 festival continues, we're bringing back our annual 72-Hour Film Challenge!  Meet us at noon on Thursday, Dec. 8 in the lobby of ARTS, bring us $35 as your entry fee, and we'll give you a word or a phrase and idea and set you loose to make a movie in 72 hours!  The finished project needs to be in our hands by noon on Sunday, Dec.11, and at 4 p.m. that day we'll have an awards ceremony for the festival, including cash prizes for the top 3 films, and we'll screen the films as well!

   And finally...

HALF-SEASON TICKETS WITH A TWIST!

   Because our 2017 season is going to be two half-seasons as ARTS grows and expands, instead of offering a full season ticket, we're taking the advice of our "two for Thursday" audiences and offering something new!

   ARTS 2 Half-Season Tickets for $75! That's right - It's a 2 for one deal for season tickets, just in time for the holidays!  For $75 you'll get (2) tickets to each of the three shows in our first half of the season:  The Pulitzer-Prize, Tony & Olivier Award winning drama Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet and directed by Mike Murdock in February, the beautiful story of love and family Steel Magnolias, for its 30th Anniversary, directed by Dr. Amy Carlson in March, and An Evening With Gilbert & Sullivan, filling you up with some of the best music ever written, directed by Dr. John Campbell in May! A little something for everyone! A show for adults, a show to bring your friends to, and a family-friendly musical - and that's just the FIRST HALF of the season!  We have so much more in store for you as 2017 continues!

   And don't worry - if you're still looking for a single half-season ticket, we're offering one for $40, too. But it's cheaper to find a friend, in the long run!

   Thank you, everyone, for your constant support!  We'll see you at New Works and the Holiday House Tour!  Here's a link to some pictures in the Huntington Herald-Dispatch to get you in the spirit!

   There's never been a better time to be at ARTS!  Be a part of it!

"Yuletide Keys! 8 Hands on 4 Grands"

  There's a unique holiday concert coming up this week, as John McAlister Productions presents its latest show starring four sensational concert pianists. 
   The concert premiers Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. for a one-night only engagement at the Marshall University Foundation Hall. 

   "As we kick off our first holiday production, we are thrilled that world-class pianists Robert Holm, Jeff Bennett, Stephen Nielson and Jerry Anderson will continue our tradition of bringing artistically compelling performances to the Tri- State,” said John McAlister, President of John McAlister Productions. "We look forward to welcoming families to the Marshall University Foundation Hall for a heartwarming, holiday gift they will long remember.”

   The piano foursome promises a musical extravaganza like you’ve never experienced before with  four dynamic grand pianos! 

   The piano symphony will play merry, festive favorites in addition to a few surprises along the way. 

   To top off all the fun, the show welcomes WSAZ Newscaster Tim Irr reading a heartwarming Christmas classic.

   John McAlister Productions may be best known and remembered for the memorable Broadway Showstoppers musical revue, and with this show, the entertainment organization once again brings its audience a captivating experience.

   Tickets for Yuletide Keys!—8 Hands on 4 Grands are on sale now. Visit johnmcalisterproductions.com or call 888.453.ARTS for more information. 

Happy Thanksgiving! (And yes, there are shows this weekend!)

   Happy Thanksgiving, gentle readers! Here's wishing you a safe and happy holiday weekend!

   By the way, while most productions avoid holiday weekends, we have two that are braving the holiday to bring you two terrific shows - one in Charleston and the other in Parkersburg!

   They are:

- Mary: A Rock Opera - Contemporary Youth Arts Company (CYAC) presents the 20th Anniversary production of this original musical with music by Mark Scarpelli and lyrics by Dan Kehde on Nov. 25, 26, Dec. 1, 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.

- Scrooge: The Musical - The Actors Guild of Parkersburg presents the holiday classic on Nov. 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 27 at 2:30 p.m. at 724 Market Street in Parkersburg. Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for students and senior citizens.

   So get out there and enjoy a show!

Cast Announced for "Glengarry Glen Ross" and "Steel Magnolias"

   Arts Resources for the Tri-State has just announced the cast of its first two productions in 2017: one that's all male, and the other that's all female.

Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet

Show Dates: February 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11, 2017

Cast:
SHELLEY LEVENE - Robert Hutchens
JOHN WILLIAMSON - Owen Arthur Reynolds
DAVE MOSS - Michael Naglee
GEORGE ARONOW - Dylan M. Clark
RICHARD ROMA - Len Trent
JAMES LINGK - Gregory Morris
BAYLEN - Simon Woods

Crew:
Directed by Mike Murdock
Stage Manager: Michael Sullivan
Misc. Crew: Todd Green, Linda Reynolds

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Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling

Show Dates: March 24, 25, 30, 31 and April 1, 2017

Cast:
M'LYNN EATENTON - Mary Poindexter Williams
SHELBY EATENTON LATCHERIE - Nora Ankrom
TRUVY JONES - Jinnie Knight
ANNELLE DUPUY DESOTO - Joanna Berner Murdock
CLAIREE BELCHER - Mary Olson
OUISSER BOUDREAUX - Linda Reynolds

Crew:
Director - Dr. Amy Carlson
Asst. Director - Tiffany Trent
Technical Crew - Todd Green, Bil Neal, Amanda Maynus, Rachel Sanford, Christina Baughman Anderson

   Lots of talent there - mark your calendars!

MU Theatre Presents "A Christmas Carol"

   There's a great story in today's Herald-Dispatch by my pal Dave Lavender about the production running this weekend only by Marshall University's Department of Theatre - it's their annual presentation of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol.

   You can read the complete story right here (it includes photos by Anthony Davis like the one above) - and here's an excerpt:

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    As if on cue after a rancor-filled election season that spilled anger onto the streets and social media, Marshall University Theatre rolls back out its impressive, large-scale production of Charles Dickens' soul-stirring redemptive tale, set to run at 7:30 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 19, at The Joan C. Edwards Playhouse on campus.

   Tickets are $20, $15 for faculty and seniors, and $7 for children 5 to 12. The show is free to full-time Marshall students with valid ID. Be sure to arrive early as 30 minutes before each show, the cast will perform Christmas carols they've worked up with the direction of David Castleberry and Jacob Smith.

   Directed again by MU professor Nicole Perrone, A Christmas Carol stars Jack Cirillo, an MU professor and long-time professional actor who first brought A Christmas Carol to campus in 2009 and 2010 as a one-man show.

   Cirillo said he too, with another passing year, has melded deeper into the character of Ebenezer Scrooge, who must be visited by a series of ghosts before he changes his hardened, selfish ways to empathy and understanding.

   "Seeing the story on stage and on television, Scrooge has always struck me as an old man. At the ripe old age of 55, he doesn't seem that old anymore," Cirillo said with a chuckle. "I think looking back upon one's life you can see how people make choices to shut down and to become negative and become resentful for things that didn't work out for us. Fortunately for most of us, we realize those things are temporary and that we are blessed with many things."

On Stage This Weekend

   You have several great community theatre shows to choose from this weekend, including:

- A Christmas Carol - Marshall’s School of Theatre presents the classic story by Charles Dickens and adapted by Romulus Linney. It will be presented Nov. 17 – 19 at 7:30 p.m. at The Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

- Jesus Christ Superstar - Charleston Light Opera Guild presents the classic musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Shows will be presented on Nov. 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m., and at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre at 200 Civic Center Drive. Reserved Tickets are $25 each.

- Little Shop of Horrors - The Aracoma Story, Inc. presents the dark musical comedy Nov. 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 19 and 20 at 2 p.m. at the Savas Kostas Performing Arts Center at Southern WV Community & Technical College on County Rt. 73 in Mount Gay, W.Va. Tickets are $11 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $6 for children.

   So go out and see a show!

Auditions for "Glengarry Glen Ross" and "Steel Magnolias"

   Auditions will take place this weekend for two shows being presented by the Arts Resources for the Tri-State in Huntington: Glengarry Glen Ross, directed by Mike Murdock, and Steel Magnolias, directed by Amy Carlson. 
   They'll be held on Sat., Nov. 19, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the ARTS Ballroom at 900 8th Street in Huntington.
   All roles are open on both shows. 
   They'll be doing cold reads from each play at the auditions. 
   Men will be auditioning for GGGR and women will be auditioning for Steel Magnolias at the same time. Please, everyone, arrive at 1 p.m. or a little earlier to sign in.
    Warning for those who don't already know: Glengarry Glen Ross has a lot of adult language. 
    Glengarry Glen Ross runs the last weekend of January and first weekend of February. There will be five performances with the option of adding another weekend at the end if needed. (Feb. 3, 4, 9, 10, 11).
   Steel Magnolias runs the last weekend of March and first weekend of April. There will be five performances with the option of adding another weekend at the end if needed. (March 24, 25, 30, 31, April 1).
   

"School of Rock" is a Wrap!

   Sunday was the final performance of First Stage Theatre Company's production of School of Rock the Musical: Youth Production - and what a fun show it was!

    Your pal Chuck was lucky enough to get tapped to direct the production - the West Virginia premiere of the musical - and it was a real challenge!

    Unlike other shows, this one included actors on stage playing musical instruments (including a keyboard, two guitars, a bass, and the drums), in addition to singing and dancing and acting! Another requirement: the pit band, and everyone in the cast, had to be age 18 and under!

   Luckily, we had some amazing young musicians audition for the show, along with a small army of talented singers, actors and dancers. After 10 weeks of rehearsals, music practice, set building, costume construction and general mayhem, our cast of 42 (that's them in the photo above, natch) brought the fast and funny show to life at the Huntington High School auditorium!

   There's something miraculous about live theatre, as the performers, the tech crew, the directors and the volunteers work together as a team to create this amazing two hours of entertainment.

   The crowds were terrific - each show's audience was bigger than the one before it - and the cast forged friendships and memories that will endure.

   It's a blessing to me to be part of something so special, and my gratitude goes out to all those who made this show possible!

  

You Can't Stop "The School of Rock!"

The School of Rock takes the stage this weekend (for one weekend only) at the (new) Huntington High School auditorium, and you can read more about the show in today's Herald-Dispatch in this excellent article by my pal Dave Lavender.

   You can also see more photos (like the ones here by Larry Butcher) at this photo gallery.

   Here's an excerpt from the story:

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   You'll be happy to know the Pledge of Allegiance is back in schools.

   But this isn't your grandpa's first-thing-in-the-morning-flag-pledge - this week the all-star theater kids in Huntington's First Stage Theatre Company will be pledging allegiance to "the band" as they kick out the jams for the West Virginia premiere of School of Rock.

   Made famous in 2003 by Jack Black, the runaway hit movie musical gets a local twist as First Stage Theatre Company premieres the youth production of School of Rock at Huntington High School at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12, and at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12 and 13. Tickets are $8 for students (age 12 and under) and senior citizens, and $12 for adults.

   For First Stage, the production is epic on a couple levels. First off this is the West Virginia premiere of the rock musical, and it is the first time students have played their own instruments on stage.

   Chuck Minsker, who directs School of Rock, said the production owes a tip of the hat to famed Broadway composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, who made sure youth theater groups got the first crack at performing School of Rock while it's running on Broadway. Webber composed 14 new songs for the Broadway musical, which was based on the Richard Linklater-directed Paramount film which starred Jack Black.

 

On Stage This Week: "School of Rock the Musical"

   After 10 weeks of rehearsal, the cast and crew are putting the finishing touches on School of Rock the Musical: Youth Production, which takes the stage - this weekend only - in five shows!

   It's the latest show from First Stage Theatre (Huntington's long-running children's theatre), and the West Virginia premiere of the hit Broadway show!

   

   This will be the first community theatre show from First Stage Theatre to include actors playing musical instruments live on stage during the show!

  The musical is based on the Paramount movie starring Jack Black and created by Mike White. It tells the story of a would-be rock star who finds himself working as a substitute teacher at an upper crust private school - and he decides to build a rock band using the talented students in his classroom!

   The show will be performed at Huntington High School at 1 Highlander Way in Huntington Thursday through Sunday - on Nov. 10, 11, 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 12 and 13 at 2:30 p.m.  Tickets are $8 for students (age 12 and under) and senior citizens, and $12 for adults. 

   The book for the show is by Julian Fellowes, with lyrics by Glenn Slater and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The show also includes original songs from the film.

   Tickets may be purchased at the door, and seats may be reserved by leaving a message at 304-416-5437. 

   Don't miss it!

On Stage in November

   November promises to blow the roof off the joint, with loads of great shows on tap. See for yourself:

- School of Rock the Musical: Youth Production - First Stage Theatre Company presents the musical based on the Paramount movie by Mike White. Book by Julian Fellows, Lyrics by Glenn Slater, New Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, plus the original songs from the film. It will be presented at Huntington High School at 1 Highlander Way on Nov. 10, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 12 and 13 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children (age 12 and under) and senior citizens. 

- A Christmas Carol - Marshall’s School of Theatre presents the classic story by Charles Dickens and adapted by Romulus Linney. It will be presented Nov. 16 – 19 at 7:30 p.m. at The Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

- Rent - Marshall Artists Series presents the beloved rock musical on its 20th Anniversary Tour. It will be presented Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $85 to $54 each.

- Jesus Christ Superstar - Charleston Light Opera Guild presents the classic musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Shows will be presented on Nov 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre at 200 Civic Center Drive. Reserved Tickets are $25 each.

- A Christmas Carol - ACTC presents the holiday classic on Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and 2 at 11 a.m., Dec. 2 and 3 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 4 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and senior citizens.

- Sherlock Holmes and the Beast of Whitechapel -  Astral Theatre Collective and Limelight Theatre Co. present the original play adapted by John Johnson, Lawrence Burgess and Adam Stover from the works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

It will be presented Nov. 3, 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. Tickets are $15 each.

- The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare - Essential Stages: The Donna Skeen Theatre Artist Enrichment Series and West Virginia State University present the play on Nov. 9 - 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. at the David Stephen Slkeen Theatre at 119 Cole Complex at West Virginia State University in Institute, W.Va. Tickets are $10 each - free to WVSU Faculty and staff.

- Mary: A Rock Opera - Contemporary Youth Arts Company (CYAC) presents the 20th Anniversary production of this original musical with music by Mark Scarpelli and lyrics by Dan Kehde on Nov. 25, 26, Dec. 1, 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.

- Little Shop of Horrors - The Aracoma Story, Inc. presents the musical Nov. 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 2 p.m. at the Savas Kostas Performing Arts Center at Southern WV Community & Technical College on County Rt. 73 in Mount Gay, W.Va. Tickets are $11 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $6 for children.

   So get out there and support your community theatre!