A Busy Time of Year for Theatre Companies

    It's a hectic time for most of the area theatre companies, as they're hard at work rehearsing (or getting ready to start) their big Spring shows.

   At Huntington's Alchemy Theatre they're learning the song-and-dance moves for the musical Follies, the first major musical for that group. It'll be presented in March at the old Huntington East High School auditorium.

   First Stage Theatre (also in Huntington) actually has two shows in rehearsal (it's their 30th anniversary, so they're celebrating). The first one will be You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, which is based on the classic comic strip Peanuts by Charles Schulz. It's a long-time favorite, and one that First Stage presents every 10 years - it was the first show the group ever staged. It'll be presented the first weekend in April at Pea Ridge United Methodist Church.

   The other show from First Stage is Disney's Moana, Jr, based on the beloved animated film. The cast is set and they'll start rehearsals soon - the show will be staged at the end of April and the first weekend in May.

   The Charleston Light Opera Guild just wrapped its first production, The Sound of Music (which earned rave reviews), and is gearing up for auditions for their next musical, Memphis.

   In Ashland, the Paramount Players are hard at work on the ABBA-based musical Mamma Mia, which is a lot of fun. It'll be presented in mid-March. 

   Another Disney classic is being prepped by the Children’s Theatre of Charleston, as the high-flying antics from the musical Mary Poppins, Jr. take the stage in April. 

   The Alban Arts Center is presenting the play The Colored Museum in February - the play brings African-American “exhibits” to life to explore culture, identity, and stereotypes. 

   There are others in the works, including a several Shakespeare plays, so watch this space - we'll do our best to keep up!