On Stage This Weekend

   You have three great shows to choose from this weekend! 

   Here's the rundown:

- Crimes of the Heart - Ashland Community and Technical College present the play on Sept. 28, 29 and 30 at 7 p.m.

- Mercy - Contemporary Youth Arts Company (CYAC) presents the musical by Mark Scarpelli and Dan Kehde on Sept. 28, 29, 30, Oct. 5, 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Center Theatre at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students.

- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Actor's Guild of Parkersburg presents the musical based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson on Sept. 29 and 30 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 1 at 2:30 p.m. There will be a special show on Sept. 29 at 11:30 p.m.

   So go see a show!

Cast for "Little Shop of Horrors"

   The Paramount Players has announced its cast for the musical Little Shop of Horrors - and here they are:

Audrey - Heather Myers

Seymour - Austin Muncy

Crystal - Cierra James

Ronnette - Taylor Isacs

Chiffon - Amy Nolan

Dentist - Greg Kiser

The Plant - Rick Payne

Mushnik - Mark Baker

Winos/Customers/Ensemble - Dani Gilstrao, Thom Saltsman, Sam Fowler, Sarah Brehm

Puppeteers - Emily Pritchard, Josh Janota

   The show will be presented at the Paramount Theatre on Oct. 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m.

On Stage This Weekend

    Taking the stage this weekend are three community theatre shows - all musicals. Here's the rundown:

- Princess Diana the Musical - The Paramount Players presents the new production Sept. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students.

- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Actor's Guild of Parkersburg presents the musical based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson on Sept. 22, 23, 29 and 30 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 1 at 2:30 p.m. There will be a special show on Sept. 29 at 11:30 p.m.

- Smoke on the Mountain - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the story of a Saturday Night Gospel Sing at a country church in North Carolina's Smoky Mountains in 1938. The show features two dozen rousing bluegrass songs played and sung by the Sanders Family, a traveling group making its return to performing after a five-year hiatus. It’ll be presented on Sept. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Mainstage in Pikeville, Ky.

   So get out there and watch a show!

Auditions for "Little Shop of Horror"

   Auditions are coming up next week for the Paramount Players production of the musical Little Shop of Horrors.

   The auditions will be held on Monday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Paramount Arts Center at 1300 Winchester Avenue in Ashland, Ky.

   The musical will be presented on Oct 27 and 28.

Touring Version of "1984" Available for Your School!

   My pal Leah Turley sent out this note today about a special program that brings performances to area schools:

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   Calling all Middle & High School Theatre, English and Arts educators!

   Marshall University's Theatre ETC!, our Educational Touring Company that produces stage adaptations of literary classics, is excited to announce our Spring 2018 tour of George Orwell's 1984!

   We perform on the Friday of your choice in your school's auditorium, cafeteria, gymnasium or classroom. Our production is self sufficient and requires no technical support. With a cost of $5 per student, and no bussing required, there is no easier way to give your students the gift of theatre. 

   If you're interested, have questions or would like more information, please feel free to email leahnturley@gmail.com for help! Check the available tour dates and performance times to see what might work best for you and your school (we're selling out fast!).

   1984 Available Performance Dates (performance times available anytime between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.):

Jan. 26
Feb. 16
March 2 and 30
April 13 and 20

Give a Listen to "SpongeBob Squarepants: The New Musical"

 Thanks to my son Evan for pointing this story out to me about the honest-to-goodness musical heading to Broadway starring SpongeBob Squarepants.

   It's been getting rave reviews, and now you can hear the cast recording at this link.

   Give it a listen, and get ready to smile!

   (And you don't really need to be a fan of the cartoon to enjoy it.)

Marshall's Upcoming Theatre Season

   Writer Paul Sebert files a great story in the Herald-Dispatch previewing the upcoming season for Marshall's School of Theatre, which begins with The Miracle Worker.

   You can read the story at this link - here's an excerpt:

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   For its 2017-18 season The Marshall University School of Theatre has a full slate of productions, from comedy to drama with a holiday favorite sprinkled in as well. 

   In addition to training actors and theater technicians, the department presents a full calendar of stage shows with big time production values. 

   This year's lineup includes a classic drama, a holiday favorite, a Southern gothic fable and a production of Shakespeare.

   The first play of the fall season is William Gibson's The Miracle Worker, which tells the real-life story of educator Annie Sullivan and her blind and deaf student Helen Keller. The story has been retold both on stage and on film, most famously in the 1962 movie starring Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke. The play will run at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4-7 and Oct. 12-14 at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

On Stage This Weekend - "Traditions," "Jack the Ripper" and "Smoke on the Mountain"

   Four shows were originally on tap for this weekend, but that number is now down to three.

   Godspell was scheduled to be presented by the Alban Theatre on Sept. 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. at 65 Olde Main Plaza in St Albans, WV, but word went out today that the production has been canceled. Hopefully they'll be able to reschedule it soon.

   Here are the three shows that are taking the stage this weekend - one in Huntington, one in Charleston and one in Pikeville:

- Traditions: The Rise of Marshall - this mutimedia production (which includes live performances) about the history and traditions of Marshall University will be staged Friday and Saturday, Sept. 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center in Huntington. Tickets are free, but seating is limited.

- Jack the Ripper is a stage play dedicated to those lost from mental illness. The story of the feared killer will be presented at the Capitol Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston on Sept. 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for Seniors, Students and Military.

- Smoke on the Mountain - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the story of a Saturday Night Gospel Sing at a country church in North Carolina's Smoky Mountains in 1938. The show features two dozen rousing bluegrass songs played and sung by the Sanders Family, a traveling group making its return to performing after a five-year hiatus. It’ll be presented on Sept, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 19, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 10 and 17 at 3 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Mainstage in Pikeville, Ky.

   So go see a show!

Theatre in Huntington for 2017

   So, what's going on with community theatre in Huntington?

   Well... right now it's all about rehearsals. It generally takes six to 12 weeks to prepare a show (depending on whether it's a big ol' musical or a small non-musical), and in Huntington, the only two groups active right now are just getting started on their next shows.

   So our friends at ARTS are working on their last show of the season, Neil Simon's comedy, The Odd Couple. (Their season, I should note, follows the calendar year, so this will be the last of five shows they've presented this year).

   The show is directed by Gene Anthony and features a talented cast - and it's a very funny show, perhaps Simon's best, so you'll want to watch for that one.

   The other group active right now is First Stage Theatre Company (Huntington's children's theatre), and their season follows the school year so they're just getting started with rehearsals for the first of two shows taking the stage before the year is over.

   First up is Poe's Midnight Dreary, a Halloween offering that focuses on the life and work of author Edgar Allan Poe, and it promises to be a spooky delight. The play is directed by Brynne Kyle and features a terrific cast!

   The other show in the works is Elf, Jr., a Christmas musical based on the beloved film starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf. It'll be staged after Thanksgiving at the new Huntington High School. It's directed by Amy Browning and is loaded with amazing talent!

   So what are the other theatre groups in town doing? I haven't heard any news from either 5th Avenue Theatre (based out of City Hall) or Curtain Up Players (CUP), so they're probably making plans for their next production - or else they're just being shy.

   HART in the Park has wrapped its summer of shows, and we should hear about their plans for next year sometime around the end of the year or the beginning of 2018.

   They're not really a community theatre group, but Marshall University's School of Theatre is hard at work on their new season, which kicks off with The Miracle Worker in October, and then A Christmas Carol for the holidays.

    Oh, and the Marshall Artists Series is bringing in some great shows, including the funny musical Kinky Boots!

   So that's the good news: we have lots of great shows to look forward to in the months ahead!

Meet "Jane Austen"

   Astral Theatre Collective will be bringing a beloved literary author to life with an event called Tea Time with Jane Austen.

    It'll feature an hour-long presentation as "Miss Austen" shares stories of her storied life, and she'll read excerpts from her famous books.

   The character is portrayed by actress Rachel Sanford of Huntington, who will also answer questions from the audience.

   You can catch the presentation at:

- Cross Lanes Branch Library on Sept. 8 at 1 p.m.

- Kanawha County Main Library on Sept. 9 at 11 a.m.

- St. Albans Branch Library on Sept. 12 at 6 p.m.

- Riverside Public Library on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.

- Elk Valley Branch Library on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.

 

On Stage in September

   Here are the community theatre shows taking the stage in September:

- Seussical Kids - The Paramount Players presents the musical based on the books of Dr. Seuss on Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre in Ashland, Ky. Tickets are $5 each.

- Princess Diana the Musical - The Paramount Players presents the new production Sept. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students.

- Godspell - Alban Theatre presents the musical on Sept. 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. at 65 Olde Main Plaza in St Albans, WV.

- Crimes of the Heart - Ashland Community and Technical College present the play on Sept. 28, 29 and 30 at 7 p.m.

- Jack the Ripper is a stage play dedicated to those lost from mental illness. The story of the feared killer will be presented at the Capitol Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston on Sept. 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for Seniors, Students and Military.

- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Actor's Guild of Parkersburg presents the musical based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson on Sept. 22, 23, 29 and 30 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 1 at 2:30 p.m. There will be a special show on Sept. 29 at 11:30 p.m.

- Smoke on the Mountain - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the story of a Saturday Night Gospel Sing at a country church in North Carolina's Smoky Mountains in 1938. The show features two dozen rousing bluegrass songs played and sung by the Sanders Family, a traveling group making its return to performing after a five-year hiatus. It’ll be presented on Sept, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 19, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 10 and 17 at 3 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Mainstage in Pikeville, Ky.

- Mercy - Contemporary Youth Arts Company (CYAC) presents the musical by Mark Scarpelli and Dan Kehde on Sept. 28, 29, 30, Oct. 5, 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Center Theatre at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students.

   So go see a show!

On Stage This Weekend: "Toad Wife"

   There's only one show running this weekend - weather permitting!

   Toad Wife is being presented by Appalachian Artists Collective - Theatre for Young Audiences. The World Premiere of the play is Sept. 1, 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. at the St. Albans City Park Amphitheater. Tickets are $12 for children ages 4 and up, and $15 for adults. Families with two adults and two children for only $40! Tickets can be purchased at the door. Seating is general admission, first come, first served.

   Check it out!