On Stage This Week (plus Coming Attractions and Auditions)

Here’s the show lineup for the week, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. (Happy Halloween!) Upcoming shows and auditions are also listed. 

__________________________

ONSTAGE THIS WEEK:

- “Of Devils and Men” is a live stage play written and directed by Lawrence Burgess. The death penalty has just been passed into law. Twelve jurors, one is the devil. The end has come. Performances will be at the Capitol Theatre in Charleston on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission, and $10 on Sunday performances.

- “Good Night, Grovers Corners” - Contemporary Youth Arts Company presents Dan Kehde’s radical anti-war play, which was written two years after 9/11. The basis of an independent film of the same name, this hard hitting satirical drama remains relevant to the continuing Iraqi and Afghan conflicts of today. Adult humor and situations make it more appropriate for audiences aged 13 and older. Shows will be presented at 7 p.m. on Nov. 1, 2 and 3. All performance are in the Contemporary Youth Arts Company Theater, 2nd level, Charleston Town Center. Tickets are $8 for Students and $15 for Adults. Tickets are available at the door the night of the performance or online at cyacwv.showclix.com. 

- “Perfect Wedding” - the Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) presents one of Samuel French’s most produced plays, which deals with a wedding day gone horribly and hilariously, wrong. It will be presented at the JB Sowards Theatre on Nov. 2 and 3.

- “Ragtime the Musical” - presented by the Charleston Light Opera Guild and the Clay Center. The musical will be presented in the Maier Performance Hall at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences on November 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11, 2018.

- “Forever Plaid” - Paramount Players present a dinner theater with musical numbers from the ’40s and ’50s, including "Chain Gang,” "Heart & Soul,” "Moments To Remember" and more! It stars Rick Payne, Josh Jannotta, Thaddeus Stambaugh and Matt Hammond at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.

- Murder and Merriment (Interactive Murder Dinner Parties)

For a complete list of upcoming murder parties, visit www.murderandmerriment.com.

_____________________________

UPCOMING LIVE THEATRE

- “Crimes of the Heart” - Marshall University Theatre presents the play by Beth Henley. It will be presented Nov. 14, 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Playhouse of the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. The scene is Hazlehurst, Mississippi, where the three Magrath sisters have gathered to await news of the family patriarch, their grandfather, who is living out his last hours in the local hospital. Lenny, the oldest sister, is unmarried at thirty and facing diminishing marital prospects; Meg, the middle sister, who quickly outgrew Hazlehurst, is back after a failed singing career on the West Coast; while Babe, the youngest, is out on bail after having shot her husband in the stomach. Their troubles, grave and yet, somehow, hilarious, are highlighted by their priggish cousin, Chick, and by the awkward young lawyer who tries to keep Babe out of jail while helpless not to fall in love with her. Tickets are $20 at the door, $15 for Seniors & Faculty, $7 for children under 12, ,and Marshall University students admitted FREE with a valid ID.

- “MARY” - Contemporary Youth Arts Company presents the 22nd annual performance of Scarpelli and Kehde’s seasonal rock opera follows the life of the mother of Jesus during the nine months prior to birth. The show will be presented at 7 p.m. on Nov. 23 and 24, at 2 p.m. on  Nov. 24 and 25, at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 1 and 2.  All performance are in the Contemporary Youth Arts Company Theater, 2nd level, Charleston Town Center. Tickets are $8 for Students and $15 for Adults. Tickets are available at the door the night of the performance or online at cyacwv.showclix.com.

- “A Christmas Story the Musical” - First Stage Theatre Company present the musical based of the story by Jean Shepherd about Ralphie, the boy who dreams of getting a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas, but everyone tells him, “You’ll shoot your eye out.” The show will be presented Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 1 and 2 at Huntington High School’s auditorium.

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UPCOMING AUDITIONS:

AUDITIONS FOR: “Mamma Mia” - Presented by Charleston Light Opera Guild. and the Clay Center. Auditions will be held at the Guild Theatre. Singing auditions will be Monday, Nov. 5 at 7:00 p.m. - prepare vocal selection and bring sheet music for Guild accompanist. Reading auditions will be Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 7:00 p.m. - scripts provided for lead, supporting and featured character readings. Dancing auditions will be Monday, Nov. 12 at 7:00 p.m. - dress to dance, musical theater combinations will be taught. Be prompt! The musical will be presented in the Maier Performance Hall at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences on Jan. 18, 19, 25, and 26, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. with matinees on Jan. 20 and 27, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. This musical staging is based on the book by Catherine Johnson and music and lyrics by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. This is the first time the musical will be produced by a community theatre company in the region. ABBA's hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father.  This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise.  On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating an unforgettable show.  A large cast, non-stop laughs and explosive dance numbers combine to make Mamma Mia! enjoyable for any audience. 

——————————-

Tri-State Youth Orchestra Fall Concert on Nov. 6

   The Tri-State Youth Orchestra string section will be presenting their 21st annual fall concert on Nov 6, 2018, at 7 p.m. at the New Baptist Church at 610 28th Street in Huntington.  

   The orchestra's members are from Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.  Admission is $5, children under 12 free.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m.  

   For more information contact Ron Caviani at tsyo@aol.com or 304-743-7425.

Coming Up from the Paramount Players

   The Herald-Dispatch ran this story earlier in the week previewing some upcoming events from the Paramount Players in Ashland. You can read it at this link - here are the highlights:

'Dracula'

The Paramount Players will present, "Dracula" based on the novel by Bram Stoker and adapted for the stage by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston.

The story of Dracula follows Lucy Seward, (whose father is the doctor in charge of an English sanitarium) has been attacked by some mysterious illness. Dr. Van Helsing, a specialist, believes the girl is the victim of a vampire. And so the search to find the elusive Count Dracula begins. Dracula is Rated PG-13 for violence and mild language.

Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 and there will be a special midnight performance on Friday, Oct. 26. Tickets are $25 (price goes up $2 day of show) online at www.paramountartscenter.com, at the box office, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, or by calling 606-324-0007.

Auditions for "Honk, Jr."

The Paramount Players resident theatre company of the Paramount Arts Center will hold auditions for the next show in their Paramount Kids Series "Honk, Jr.," at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, for ages 8-18.

The play tells the story of Ugly, who looks quite a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters. The other animals on the farm are quick to notice and point this out, despite his mother's protective flapping. Feeling rather foul about himself, the little fowl finds himself on an adventure of self-discovery, all the while unknowingly outwitting a very hungry Cat. Along the way, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out being different is not a bad thing to be. There are many parts available for a large cast. There is a $75 fee if cast in the show to cover script and T-shirt and some of the costs of the show. Scholarships are available for anyone who needs one.

The production will be directed by Matt Hammond with choreographer Sarena Johnson. The production date is Jan. 15 and will include two day time shows for area schools and an evening performance for family and friends at 6:30 p.m. Music cuts are available in the box office for those who wish to learn music prior to the audition, but it is not required.

Dinner theater fundraiser

The Paramount Players will present the musical revue, "Forever Plaid," on Friday, Nov. 2, as a dinner theatre production. This production is a fundraiser hosted by the Paramount Players Boosters. Money raised will help finance the Paramount Players as they attend the Kentucky Theatre Association community theatre festival.

This fun revue is chock-full of classic barbershop quartet harmonies and pitch-perfect melodies. Once upon a time, there were four guys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie) who discovered that they shared a love for music and then got together to become their idols - The Four Freshman, The Hi-Lo's and The Crew Cuts. Rehearsing in the basement of Smudge's family's plumbing supply company, they became "Forever Plaid". On the way to their first big gig, the "Plaids" are broadsided by a school bus and killed instantly. It is at the moment when their careers and lives end that the story of Forever Plaid begins.

The cast is Joshua Jannotta as Frankie, Thaddeus Stambaugh as Sparky, Rick Payne as Smudge and Matt Hammond as Jinx. Accompanist is Mark Smith. Songs include: "Three Coins in the Fountain," "Moments to Remember," "Sixteen Tons," "Workin' on the Chain Gang" and many more.

Dinner will be catered by Cab's Catering and includes salad, pasta alfredo, grilled chicken, roasted red potatoes, broccoli casserole, desserts, rolls and lemonade or tea.

Tickets are $35 and include dinner and the show. Tickets must be purchased by October 30. Visit www.paramountartscenter.com, the box office at 1300 Winchester Ave. or call 606-324-0007.

On Stage This Weekend: "Freaky Friday"

    The Herald-Dispatch ran a great story this week about the musical Freaky Friday, being presented this weekend (including Thursday, but not on Friday, oddly enough) by Huntington High School's Theatre Department.

    You can read the story by my pal Dave Lavender at this link (the photo of the lovely Olivia Fosson is by Larry Butcher) - and here's an excerpt below:
   
------------------

When is a "Freaky Friday" on a Thursday, a Saturday and a Sunday? When the Huntington High School Theatre Department says it is!

Right in time for Halloween, the HHS Theatre Department is presenting a production of the fun, body-swapping, "Freaky Friday: The Musical," which will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at the Huntington High School Auditorium.

There will also be matinee shows at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, and Sunday, Oct. 28. Admission is $10 or $5 for students and seniors.

Based on the 1972 book of the same name, the musical is an adaptation of the 1976 and 2003 films, "Freaky Friday: The Musical," which has music and lyrics by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, and a book by Bridget Carpenter, was just released for productions in August.

The musical follows the same story line as the films: "When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again before mom's big wedding."

   

On Stage This Weekend and Coming Attractions

Here’s the show lineup for the week, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. Upcoming shows and auditions are also listed. If I've missed anything, please let me know. Break legs, everyone! *Please share this on your own timeline to reach a wider audience for local theatre.*

__________________________

ONSTAGE THIS WEEK:

- “Freaky Friday” - Huntington High School Theatre presents the play based on the classic Disney movie about a mother and daughter who switch minds. It will be presented at the Huntington High auditorium on Oct. 25 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 27 and 28 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. 

- “Dracula” - presented by The Aracoma Story. It’s based on the novel by Bram Stoker about the classic legend of the Transylvanian vampire. The show will be presented at the Liz Spurlock Amphitheater at Chief Logan State Park on October 25, 26 and 27.

- “Of Devils and Men” is a live stage play written and directed by Lawrence Burgess. The death penalty has just been passed into law. Twelve jurors, one is the devil. The end has come. Performances will be at the Capitol Theatre in Charleston on Oct. 26 and 27 at 8 p.m., Oct. 27 at 2 p.m., Oct. 28 at 3 p.m., and Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission, and $10 on Sunday performances.

- “Good Night, Grovers Corners” - Contemporary Youth Arts Company presents Dan Kehde’s radical anti-war play, which was written two years after 9/11. The basis of an independent film of the same name, this hard hitting satirical drama remains relevant to the continuing Iraqi and Afghan conflicts of today. Adult humor and situations make it more appropriate for audiences aged 13 and older. Shows will be presented at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25, 26 and 27, and at 7 p.m. on  Nov. 1, 2 and 3. All performance are in the Contemporary Youth Arts Company Theater, 2nd level, Charleston Town Center. Tickets are $8 for Students and $15 for Adults. Tickets are available at the door the night of the performance or online at cyacwv.showclix.com. 

- “Dracula” - The Paramount Players present the play based on the novel by Bram Stoker about the classic legend of the Transylvanian vampire. The show will be presented Oct. 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 27 at midnight at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Ky.

- “Arsenic & Old Lace” - Portsmouth Little Theatre. The play will be presented on Oct. 26 and 27 at 1117 Lawson Street in Portsmouth, Ohio. Mortimer Brewster has just become engaged, and he visits his sweet spinster aunts to announce the engagement. His world is turned upside down when he realizes that his dear aunts have been poisoning lonely old men for years! Mortimer must rally to help his aunts and protect his fiancé -- all while trying to keep his own sanity, as well. An uproarious farce on plays involving murder, this show has become a favorite.

- Murder and Merriment (Interactive Murder Dinner Parties)

For a complete list of upcoming murder parties, visit www.murderandmerriment.com.

_____________________________

UPCOMING LIVE THEATRE

- “Perfect Wedding” - the Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) presents one of Samuel French’s most produced plays, which deals with a wedding day gone horribly and hilariously, wrong. It will be presented at the JB Sowards Theatre on Nov. 2 and 3.

- “Ragtime the Musical” - presented by the Charleston Light Opera Guild and the Clay Center. The musical will be presented in the Maier Performance Hall at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences on November 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11, 2018.

- “Forever Plaid” - Paramount Players present a dinner theater with musical numbers from the ’40s and ’50s, including "Chain Gang,” "Heart & Soul,” "Moments To Remember" and more! It stars Rick Payne, Josh Jannotta, Thaddeus Stambaugh and Matt Hammond at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.

- “Crimes of the Heart” - Marshall University Theatre presents the play by Beth Henley. It will be presented Nov. 14, 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Playhouse of the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. The scene is Hazlehurst, Mississippi, where the three Magrath sisters have gathered to await news of the family patriarch, their grandfather, who is living out his last hours in the local hospital. Lenny, the oldest sister, is unmarried at thirty and facing diminishing marital prospects; Meg, the middle sister, who quickly outgrew Hazlehurst, is back after a failed singing career on the West Coast; while Babe, the youngest, is out on bail after having shot her husband in the stomach. Their troubles, grave and yet, somehow, hilarious, are highlighted by their priggish cousin, Chick, and by the awkward young lawyer who tries to keep Babe out of jail while helpless not to fall in love with her. Tickets are $20 at the door, $15 for Seniors & Faculty, $7 for children under 12, ,and Marshall University students admitted FREE with a valid ID.

- “MARY” - Contemporary Youth Arts Company presents the 22nd annual performance of Scarpelli and Kehde’s seasonal rock opera follows the life of the mother of Jesus during the nine months prior to birth. The show will be presented at 7 p.m. on Nov. 23 and 24, at 2 p.m. on  Nov. 24 and 25, at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 1 and 2.  All performance are in the Contemporary Youth Arts Company Theater, 2nd level, Charleston Town Center. Tickets are $8 for Students and $15 for Adults. Tickets are available at the door the night of the performance or online at cyacwv.showclix.com.

- “A Christmas Story the Musical” - First Stage Theatre Company present the musical based of the story by Jean Shepherd about Ralphie, the boy who dreams of getting a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas, but everyone tells him, “You’ll shoot your eye out.” The show will be presented Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 1 and 2 at Huntington High School’s auditorium.

- “A Christmas Carol” - Contemporary Youth Arts Company presents local playwright Dan Kehde performing in a one-man presentation of the Charles Dickens holiday classic. The show will be presented at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6, 7 and 8, at 2 p.m. on Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13, 14 and 15, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 16. All performance are in the Contemporary Youth Arts Company Theater, 2nd level, Charleston Town Center. Tickets are $8 for Students and $15 for Adults. Tickets are available at the door the night of the performance or online at cyacwv.showclix.com.

- “Elf the Musical, Jr.” - The Children's Theatre of Charleston presents the musicls comedy on Dec. 6, 7, 8 and 9 at the Civic Center Little Theater. The musical tells the story of Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

———————————-

UPCOMING AUDITIONS:

AUDITIONS FOR: “Mamma Mia” - Presented by Charleston Light Opera Guild. and the Clay Center. Auditions will be held at the Guild Theatre. Singing auditions will be Monday, Nov. 5 at 7:00 p.m. - prepare vocal selection and bring sheet music for Guild accompanist. Reading auditions will be Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 7:00 p.m. - scripts provided for lead, supporting and featured character readings. Dancing auditions will be Monday, Nov. 12 at 7:00 p.m. - dress to dance, musical theater combinations will be taught. Be prompt! The musical will be presented in the Maier Performance Hall at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences on Jan. 18, 19, 25, and 26, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. with matinees on Jan. 20 and 27, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. This musical staging is based on the book by Catherine Johnson and music and lyrics by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. This is the first time the musical will be produced by a community theatre company in the region. ABBA's hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father.  This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise.  On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating an unforgettable show.  A large cast, non-stop laughs and explosive dance numbers combine to make Mamma Mia! enjoyable for any audience. 

——————————-

Interview with the Director of "Of Devils and Men"

   Taking the stage this weekend in Charleston is an original play written and directed by Lawrence Burgess - it’s called Of Devils and Men, and it focuses on a very unusual trial. 

   We sat down with Lawrence recent for an e-interview about the production:

Q: Tell us about Of Devils and Men.

Lawrence: Twelve jurors, one is the devil. On the surface, it seems very much like “12 Angry Men” meets “Devil.” Yet the script came from the need to make myself uncomfortable - tackling my deepest fears and nightmares. I want to become a better person, and this narrative has helped me do so.

Q: Tell us about the character you play.

Lawrence: I play Donovan, a veterinarian. His professional specialty is loosely based off of a friend of mine, Dr. Jonathan Warner.

Q: What’s your background in theatre?

Lawrence: Thomas Conlin and Selina Midkiff started me into the rabbit hole early. After I played Moriarty, it gave me the juice I needed to pursue it fully.

Q: What’s been the most challenging thing about this show?

Lawrence: Technical stuff. My language has been atrocious, but I've survived.

Q: Tell us about the cast.

Lawrence: These are sweet people who have been nothing but kind and generous to me. There are too many productions in which talent don't get the love they deserve. Jhora Papion is a foreign exchange student from the Ukraine. Everything he does amazes me. There's a true sense of darkness from John Halstead and Linda O'Neill. They worked with me on Jack the Ripper, and it's a sight to behold. I also believe in the power of humor, and in this production it has a name - Norman Clerc. I can't reveal much more without spoiling the show.

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Lawrence: From hardcore horror fans to church audiences, this is a show for the general audience. This is a depiction of mankind at its most terrible. It will rip your nightmares apart, make you laugh, and break your heart.

Q: Thanks!

“Of Devils and Men” is a live stage play written and directed by Lawrence Burgess. The death penalty has just been passed into law. Twelve jurors, one is the devil. The end has come. Performances will be at the Capitol Theatre in Charleston on Oct. 20, 26 and 27 at 8 p.m., Oct. 20 and 27 at 2 p.m., Oct. 21 and 28 at 3 p.m., and Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission, and $10 on Sunday performances.

On Stage This Weekend and Coming Attractions

Here’s the show lineup for the week, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. Upcoming shows and auditions are also listed. If I've missed anything, please let me know. 

__________________________

ONSTAGE THIS WEEK:

- “Love, Loss and What I Wore” - the Alchemy Theatre Troupe will present the play on Oct. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. at Make: Art Studio and Gallery in Barboursville. Ticket are $15.00. 

- “Dracula” - presented by The Aracoma Story. It’s based on the novel by Bram Stoker about the classic legend of the Transylvanian vampire. The show will be presented at the Liz Spurlock Amphitheater at Chief Logan State Park on October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27.

- “Of Devils and Men” is a live stage play written and directed by Lawrence Burgess. The death penalty has just been passed into law. Twelve jurors, one is the devil. The end has come. Performances will be at the Capitol Theatre in Charleston on Oct. 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 and 31.

- “Mr. Mergenthwirker’s Lobblies” - Marshall University’s Department of Theatre presents the radio play by Nelson Bond on Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre of The Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

- Murder and Merriment (Interactive Murder Dinner Parties)

For a complete list of upcoming murder parties, visit www.murderandmerriment.com.

_____________________________

UPCOMING LIVE THEATRE

- “Freaky Friday” - Huntington High School Theatre presents the play based on the classic Disney movie about a mother and daughter who switch minds. It will be presented at the Huntington High auditorium on Oct. 25 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 27 and 28 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

- “Good Night, Grovers Corners” - Contemporary Youth Arts Company presents Dan Kehde’s radical anti-war play, which was written two years after 9/11. The basis of an independent film of the same name, this hard hitting satirical drama remains relevant to the continuing Iraqi and Afghan conflicts of today. Adult humor and situations make it more appropriate for audiences aged 13 and older. Shows will be presented at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25, 26 and 27, and at 7 p.m. on  Nov. 1, 2 and 3. All performance are in the Contemporary Youth Arts Company Theater, 2nd level, Charleston Town Center. Tickets are $8 for Students and $15 for Adults. Tickets are available at the door the night of the performance or online at cyacwv.showclix.com. 

- “Dracula” - The Paramount Players present the play based on the novel by Bram Stoker about the classic legend of the Transylvanian vampire. The show will be presented Oct. 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 27 at midnight at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Ky.

- “Arsenic & Old Lace” - Portsmouth Little Theatre. The play will be presented on Oct. 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 1117 Lawson Street in Portsmouth, Ohio. Mortimer Brewster has just become engaged, and he visits his sweet spinster aunts to announce the engagement. His world is turned upside down when he realizes that his dear aunts have been poisoning lonely old men for years! Mortimer must rally to help his aunts and protect his fiancé -- all while trying to keep his own sanity, as well. An uproarious farce on plays involving murder, this show has become a favorite.

On Stage: "Peter and the Starcatcher"

   My lovely wife and I attended Friday night's performance of Peter and the Starcatcher and we recommend it highly!

   It's a musical that serves as a prequel (of sorts) to the story of the boy who refused to grow up.

   It's presented in a gleeful, fast-paced and very funny production that doesn't rest for a moment, as its incredibly talented cast (a baker's dozen strong) speed through numerous characters and costume changes, bringing to life adventures at sea, pirate attacks, being shipwrecked, finding magical treasure chests, wrangling orphans, finding a hilarious band of mermaids, being attacked by savages and getting a few sweet kisses.

   Kudos to director Leah Turley for an ingenious production which gets the maximum out of the cozy "black box" space in Marshall's Experimental Theatre, and to music director Mark Smith for lots of mightily entertaining songs!

   The show was sold out last night, so I recommend getting your tickets early for the final show Saturday night. Don't miss it!

   Peter and the Starcatcher is presented by Marshall University’s Department of Theatre on Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre of The Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

On Stage This Week, Coming Attractions and Auditions

Here’s the show lineup for the week, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Upcoming shows and auditions are also listed. If I've missed anything, please let me know. 

__________________________

ONSTAGE THIS WEEK:

- “Peter and the Starcatcher” - Marshall University’s Department of Theatre presents the musical on Oct. 10, 11, 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre of The Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

- “Dracula” - presented by The Aracoma Story. It’s based on the novel by Bram Stoker about the classic legend of the Transylvanian vampire. The show will be presented at the Liz Spurlock Amphitheater at Chief Logan State Park on October 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27.

- "Wait Until Dark" - the Kanawha Players present the suspense classic at the LaBelle Theatre, 311 D Street, South Charleston, 25303. Performance dates are Oct. 12 and 13. All shows starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and students, and you can get 4 for $40 in a group deal. Call Kanawha Players at 304-343-PLAY(7529) to reserve your tickets today!

- Murder and Merriment (Interactive Murder Dinner Parties)
For a complete list of upcoming murder parties, visit www.murderandmerriment.com.

_____________________________

UPCOMING LIVE THEATRE

- The Rustic Mechanicals' Hamlet" - The Alban Arts Center presents The Rustic Mechanicals as they bring their Antic Disposition Tour of William Shakespeare's Hamlet to the Alban Arts Center at 65 Olde Main Plaza in St. Albans on Sunday, October 14, 2018 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Hamlet has the world at his feet. Young, wealthy, and living a hedonistic life studying abroad. Then word reaches him that his father is dead. Returning home he finds his world is utterly changed, his certainties smashed and his home a foreign land. Struggling to understand his place in a new world order he faces a stark choice. Submit, or rage against the injustice of his new reality. As relevant today as when it was written, Hamlet confronts each of us with the mirror of our own morality in an imperfect world.

- “Love, Loss and What I Wore” - the Alchemy Theatre Troupe will present the play on Oct. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. at Make: Art Studio and Gallery in Barboursville. Ticket are $15.00. 

- “Of Devils and Men” is a live stage play written and directed by Lawrence Burgess. The death penalty has just been passed into law. Twelve jurors, one is the devil. The end has come. Performances will be at the Capitol Theatre in Charleston on Oct. 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 and 31.

- “Mr. Mergenthwirker’s Lobblies” - Marshall University’s Department of Theatre presents the radio play by Nelson Bond on Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre of The Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

- “Good Night, Grovers Corners” - Contemporary Youth Arts Company presents Dan Kehde’s radical anti-war play, which was written two years after 9/11. The basis of an independent film of the same name, this hard hitting satirical drama remains relevant to the continuing Iraqi and Afghan conflicts of today. Adult humor and situations make it more appropriate for audiences aged 13 and older. Shows will be presented at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25, 26 and 27, and at 7 p.m. on  Nov. 1, 2 and 3. All performance are in the Contemporary Youth Arts Company Theater, 2nd level, Charleston Town Center. Tickets are $8 for Students and $15 for Adults. Tickets are available at the door the night of the performance or online at cyacwv.showclix.com. 

- “Dracula” - The Paramount Players present the play based on the novel by Bram Stoker about the classic legend of the Transylvanian vampire. The show will be presented Oct. 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 27 at midnight at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Ky.

- “Arsenic & Old Lace” - Portsmouth Little Theatre. The play will be presented on Oct. 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 1117 Lawson Street in Portsmouth, Ohio. Mortimer Brewster has just become engaged, and he visits his sweet spinster aunts to announce the engagement. His world is turned upside down when he realizes that his dear aunts have been poisoning lonely old men for years! Mortimer must rally to help his aunts and protect his fiancé -- all while trying to keep his own sanity, as well. An uproarious farce on plays involving murder, this show has become a favorite.

- “Perfect Wedding” - the Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) presents one of Samuel French’s most produced plays, which deals with a wedding day gone horribly and hilariously, wrong. It will be presented at the JB Sowards Theatre on Nov. 2 and 3.

- “Ragtime the Musical” - presented by the Charleston Light Opera Guild and the Clay Center. The musical will be presented in the Maier Performance Hall at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences on November 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11, 2018.

- “Forever Plaid” - Paramount Players present a dinner theater with musical numbers from the ’40s and ’50s, including "Chain Gang,” "Heart & Soul,” "Moments To Remember" and more! It stars Rick Payne, Josh Jannotta, Thaddeus Stambaugh and Matt Hammond at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.

- “MARY” - Contemporary Youth Arts Company presents the 22nd annual performance of Scarpelli and Kehde’s seasonal rock opera follows the life of the mother of Jesus during the nine months prior to birth. The show will be presented at 7 p.m. on Nov. 23 and 24, at 2 p.m. on  Nov. 24 and 25, at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 1 and 2.  All performance are in the Contemporary Youth Arts Company Theater, 2nd level, Charleston Town Center. Tickets are $8 for Students and $15 for Adults. Tickets are available at the door the night of the performance or online at cyacwv.showclix.com.

- “A Christmas Story the Musical” - First Stage Theatre Company present the musical based of the story by Jean Shepherd about Ralphie, the boy who dreams of getting a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas, but everyone tells him, “You’ll shoot your eye out.” The show will be presented Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 1 and 2 at Huntington High School’s auditorium.

- “A Christmas Carol” - Contemporary Youth Arts Company presents local playwright Dan Kehde performing in a one-man presentation of the Charles Dickens holiday classic. The show will be presented at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6, 7 and 8, at 2 p.m. on Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13, 14 and 15, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 16. All performance are in the Contemporary Youth Arts Company Theater, 2nd level, Charleston Town Center. Tickets are $8 for Students and $15 for Adults. Tickets are available at the door the night of the performance or online at cyacwv.showclix.com.

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UPCOMING AUDITIONS:

AUDITIONS FOR: “Elf the Musical, Jr.” - The Children's Theatre of Charleston is looking for actors and actresses ages 8 - 18 to audition for our upcoming show. Audition slots are now available at www.ctoc.org or walk in to audition on Saturday, October 13 from 9 a.m. to noon or Sunday, October 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. Please bring a prepared one-minute song to audition. Auditions will take place at the CTOC Workshop located at 1120 Kanawha Blvd. E. in Charleston. Performances will be Dec. 6 - 9 at the Civic Center Little Theater. The musical tells the story of Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

AUDITIONS FOR: “Mamma Mia” - Presented by Charleston Light Opera Guild. and the Clay Center. Auditions will be held at the Guild Theatre. Singing auditions will be Monday, Nov. 5 at 7:00 p.m. - prepare vocal selection and bring sheet music for Guild accompanist. Reading auditions will be Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 7:00 p.m. - scripts provided for lead, supporting and featured character readings. Dancing auditions will be Monday, Nov. 12 at 7:00 p.m. - dress to dance, musical theater combinations will be taught. Be prompt! The musical will be presented in the Maier Performance Hall at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences on Jan. 18, 19, 25, and 26, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. with matinees on Jan. 20 and 27, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. This musical staging is based on the book by Catherine Johnson and music and lyrics by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. This is the first time the musical will be produced by a community theatre company in the region. ABBA's hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father.  This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise.  On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating an unforgettable show.  A large cast, non-stop laughs and explosive dance numbers combine to make Mamma Mia! enjoyable for any audience. 

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