Derek's in the Top Two

For this week, at least - so he heads into the semi-finals next week, still vying for the part of Danny in the upcoming Broadway production of "Grease."

Angela offers a great wrap-up of the show on her "Stay Tuned" blog (which you should be reading daily anyway - the link is over there on the right). I enjoyed the comment by one of the judges on tonight's show that the "Grease: You're the One That I Want" show is much more difficult than any Broadway audition. I'm sure that's true, since most auditions only require you to sing and/or dance and/or act a couple of times - not several times every week in front of a live audience.

I predicted last week that it would come down to Derek and Austin for the final spot, but I'm beginning to believe America is actually voting on the basis of talent - in which case, it'll come down to Derek and Max. I stick by my conviction that, all prejudice aside, if I was making the choice, I'd pick Derek. If the selection was on voice alone, maybe Max would win - but you have to cast the person who "is" the character (or at least comes closest to your vision of the character), and that's Derek.

Next week, the one eliminated is chosen strictly by the votes. We'll see if America agrees with me!

“High School Musical” - The Review

Well, this is a review that does you no good - because the final showing of “High School Musical” this evening is sold out. Still, I managed to see the show last night with my lovely wife, and we enjoyed it. (Tip to theatre fans - buy those tickets early! I ordered mine last week and was seated halfway up in the balcony.)

As presented by the Backstage Players, “HSM” is based on the Disney TV movie, and it tells the story of basketball star Troy and his brainy girlfriend Gabriella. They’re both interested in trying out for the school play, but their friends try to keep them trapped in the “status quo.” It’s a fun, sweet story with lots of great music.

The actors did a great job, playing the familiar characters from the TV movie and throwing in a few new characters for the stage version. There are a couple of new songs, too.

Even the crowd was entertaining! Sitting right behind me were a couple of preschool girls who sang along with the actors on virtually every song - it was sweet, and kept me and my wife smiling throughout. (Ordinarily I don't encourage that kind of thing - but I'll make an exception in this case. It's the Dad in me.)

If I wanted to be picky, I’d point out some audio problems that made some lines hard to hear, and I’d note that the production was done with a minimal set - but those were minor problems.

Thanks to the energetic efforts of the cast and crew, they sent a sold-out audience home happy, singing that “We’re All In This Together” - as for a few hours last night, we were all brought together by “High School Musical.”

"Cats" - Getting Ready

The musical "Cats" takes to the stage next week, and it's a show that's very makeup intensive. In recent weeks the cast members have been designing and learning how to apply the distinctive makeup which transforms their appearance.

There's a photo gallery here showing the performers working on their look (just click on the link on the Photo Galleries page).

The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical will be presented by First Stage Theater Company.

Shows are set for 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, March 15-16; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 18; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, March 22-24; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 25, at the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium at Huntington City Hall.

Reserved tickets are now on sale. For more information, call (304) 416-KIDS or (304) 525-6132.

On Stage Tonight - "High School Musical"

The Backstage Players present Disney's "High School Musical" tonight, tomorrow and Saturday at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Ky.

You can read about it right here - and you can see some photos from the performance here.

On Stage This Week - "High School Musical"

No doubt there are plenty of adults out there who have never heard of "High School Musical" - but ask any kid and they can tell you about it.

It's a Disney TV movie about true love and daring to go against the "status quo" and follow your dreams. It's a fun show, and has become a real phenomenon - and as a result, it's now available as a stage show.

As I posted here, First Stage Theatre Company will be presenting it this fall - but if you can't wait that long, you can catch it this weekend at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Ky.

The Backstage Players will present the show March 8, 9 and 10 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students, and may be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets.

The High Cost of Community Theatre

The big secret about local theatre is that it costs a lot of money to put on shows. A great example is the Backstage Players’ production of “Disney’s High School Musical,” which takes the stage at the Paramount Arts Center later this week.

According to a recent story, the show is the group’s most expensive yet, with a budget of $36,000!

Yep, $36,000!

That’s been a growing trend in local theatre in recent years. I’ve read reports of high schools (in larger cities) spending up to $100,000 on a single production. It’s easy to see how a bill like that could happen – if you hired professional carpenters to build your set, rented all your costumes and had to pay top dollar for a performance hall, along with the other costs involved, like rights fees, props, makeup and so on – it would be easy to get into the 100K range.

To curb costs, most local groups rely on volunteers to get the work done – but even then, some costs are inevitable.

The most expensive show I’ve been involved with was last year’s “Les Miserables: The School Edition,” and it came out to about $20,000 total – not exactly pocket change. Thankfully, ticket sales covered that expense and First Stage actually made a little bit of money – which makes it easier to do the next show in line.

That’s why many groups rely on sponsorships to help deal with those rising costs. Or they can charge more for tickets. Or they can hold fundraisers. Or, in most cases, they can do all of the above.

Hey, the theatre is no place for the faint of heart.

"Cats" Poster

If you haven't seen it yet, here's the poster for "Cats." I think that cat is looking at us.

Derek Gets Some Support

Derek had some local support at the live broadcast of "Grease: You're the One That I Want" last night - you can read about it in this story in today's Herald-Dispatch.

So is Derek the best? The last post has stirred up some comments - join in and cast your (non-binding) vote!

Dialing for Derek

You can read a great recap of tonight's edition of "Grease: You're the One That I Want" by my pal Angela Henderson at the "Stay Tuned" blog (the link is over there on the right of this page), and let me just say that I completely agree with her analysis.

Derek Keeling (who, as you should know by now, is from Scott Depot, W.Va.) did a much better job on tonight's broadcast, but he still had one minor warble in his song (and it was a ballad - why don't they have these guys singing songs from Broadway shows?). Still he was easily the second-best singer (out of four), and the guy with the strongest vocal doesn't really "look" the part at all.

Still, it's up to the viewers to vote for their favorite. If I was casting this show - all local prejudice aside - I'd probably choose Derek. He has a strong voice, great stage presence and the right look (let's face it, everyone thinks of John Travolta when they think of Danny - and Derek bears a strong resemblance to the film star).

We'll see what America thinks next week. My guess is that it's going to come down to Austin and Derek for the role - but that's just a guess at this point.

The Last Word on Menopause

The last show of "Menopause the Musical" starts at 3:00 p.m. today at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center at Marshall University.

Sadly, I didn't get to catch it. However, a couple of friends did see it, and I asked them to let me know what they thought. Here's what they said:

<< From 2 Women of a CERTAIN age,
We laughed from beginning to end - it's really nice to know we are NORMAL. Totally identified with the characters. I didn't think there would be any men there but the few that were appeared to be with their wives. Highly recommended! >>

So there you go - if you missed it this time, keep an eye out for it. It was popular enough that I'm sure it'll swing around this way again soon.

"Cats" Countdown Continues

So this morning I dropped by my church to unlock the doors to allow for a (rare) Saturday rehearsal for a local show - in this case, it was for "Cats," which First Stage Theatre Company will be presenting at Huntington's City Hall in a couple of weeks.

Since I'm not directly involved with the show (other than unlocking the door for rehearsals), I've tried to avoid watching the auditions - it's much more fun to be surprised by the finished product on stage. However, what I have seen looks amazing. These young dancers are amazingly talented and are tackling routines that would be difficult for the most experienced dancers. But I shouldn't be surprised - these young performers are the top talents from several local schools.

I've seen some of the makeup designs and a few of the costumes, and I'm amazed at the high quality - they're truly outstanding.

I've never seen "Cats" before, except for a number or two on video - which doesn't count, since a live performance is so much more entertaining - and it's been a long time since I looked forward to seeing a show as much as I'm looking forward to this one.

Better reserve those tickets now - this is a show you'll want to see more than once!

That's What We Want - More Menopause!

OK, the title of this entry is a joke (and a bad one, though not as bad as the entry before it), but there's truth in it - tickets sales have reportedly been very strong for "Menopause the Musical," and I hear the show is very funny and well worth watching. Some friends have offered to share their thoughts - I'll post them as soon as they arrive.

If you haven't seen it yet, luckily, there are still several chances - the show goes on at Marshall University's Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

It's rare to get a chance to catch a professional touring show like this - don't miss it!

Man Who Paused

Even though it's not exactly aimed at my demographic, I thought I'd go see "Menopause the Musical" last night - though I admit I was on the fence. I thought, "I'll leave it to fate. If tickets are still available, I'll go. If it's sold out, obviously, I won't."

So I called the number to order a ticket, and sure enough, there were still some tickets available. But then fate stepped in and I was disconnected before I could place an order. Well, you don't have to drop a house on me - obviously a higher power (namely, the phone company) was telling me to stay home. So I spent a relaxing evening enjoying "American Idol" and "Lost" instead.

However, if you want to learn more about the show, check out this story, or take a look at the Herald-Dispatch's Photo Galleries (the source for this photo).

I haven't given up yet - maybe I'll take in a matinee. If the phone company is willing.

How About That?

Hey, I achieved a goal this month - I managed at least one post a day every day this month! (Granted, February is a short month.) Let's see if I can duplicate that in March.

And as always, thank you for reading!

"Menopause" Sells Out

According to a story in today's Herald-Dispatch, tickets for "Menopause the Musical" are disappearing like a hot flash (sorry), with some shows already sold out. Thankfully, there are lots of performances this week - but you might want to reserve those tickets now.

You can read more about it here.

Theatre News

Lots of theatre news in today's Herald-Dispatch (which is always good).

You can read about tickets going on sale for First Stage Theatre's "Cats" here.

You can see photos from Ironton High School's upcoming production of "Grease" here.

And you can get a preview of the weekend's offerings from the Marshall University Opera Theatre here.

How's that for one stop shopping?

On Stage Tonight - "Menopause the Musical"

The (almost) week-long run of "Menopause the Musical" begins tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse on the campus of Marshall University. Here's what you can expect, according to press information:

Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, "Menopause the Musical" is the little revue that has set the world on fire. Since 2001, the hilarious and heartwarming musical has entertained men and women from coast-to-coast and around the world.

In the hit musical, four women with seemingly nothing in common but a black lace bra meet by chance in Bloomingdale's department store and soon find out lingerie isn't the only thing they share.

Audiences will laugh and cheer along with a joyful parody of 25 re-lyricized baby boomer hits including "I Heard It Thru the Grapevine You No Longer See 39" and the disco favorite "Stayin' Awake! Stayin' Awake."

So whether you are on the brink of, in the middle of, or are a survivor of, you will relate to this side-splitting musical that is a salute to women everywhere experiencing The Change.

You'll have plenty of chances to see it - here's the schedule:
Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Feb. 27-March 3, 2007 at 7:30pm
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007 at 2:00pm Matinee
Saturday, March 3, 2007 at 2:00pm Matinee
Sunday, March 4, 2007 at 3:00pm Matinee

I hope to get a chance to see it later this week, and I'll post a review - if someone out there sees it, send us a comment (or email me at TheMinskers@aol.com).

Broadway at the Oscars

Congratulations to Jennifer Hudson, who may not have won on American Idol, but she won a bigger prize, taking the Best Supporting Actress Oscar last night. Great, too, that she gave thanks (onstage) and proper credit (backstage) to Jennifer Holiday, who originated the role in "Dreamgirls" on Broadway, and has had a tough time since leaving the show many years ago - though she's doing much better now, according to a recent story on CBS-TV.

Grease: You're the One (etc.)

In case you were watching the Oscars and missed tonight's episode of "Grease: You're the One That I Want," Derek Keeling from Scott Depot finished in the top three, so he didn't face the dreaded "sing-off." That also means he's safe for another week, because this week's episode was a "ladies only" event, with only the "Sandy" wanna-bes performing - so the four guys left will hang around another week. Next Sunday's show, then, will be a "gents only" elimination round, so save your votes until then!

Coming Up On Stage In March

In the next month (including the last two days of February) the floodgates open and we get the chance to see several shows on local stages.

First up, it’s a week of “Menopause: The Musical,” which will be presented at Marshall’s Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. Part of the Marshall Artist’s Series, this show takes a funny look at... well, you know. Shows start Tuesday, Feb. 27, and run through Sunday, March 4, including some afternoon performances. Check the local listings.

For more top-notch entertainment, be sure to see Marshall’s Opera Theatre as it presents “Fair Galatea” and “Dido and Aeneas” Friday and Saturday, March 2 and 3 at the Smith Recital Hall. Tickets are $10, $7 for seniors and free to students age 17 and under.

In Ashland, the Backstage Players will present he incredibly popular “High School Musical” March 8 - 10 at the Paramount Arts Center.

Then, the show that’s going to amaze, impress and delight you - “Cats” will be presented by First Stage Theatre at Huntington’s City Hall on March 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 24 and 25. I've seen some of the show in rehearsal and it looks great already! There's a good reason why "Cats" held the record for most performances on Broadway.

It’s a busy month, so mark those calendars and start saving up!

This Weekend On Stage

You have one more chance to catch “I Hate Hamlet” at Marshall’s Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. Showtime Saturday is at 8:00 p.m., and tickets are $12, $10 for seniors and $7 for ages 17 and under.

Check in here tomorrow and I'll have a preview of what shows you can expect in March. Some awesome stuff on the way, theatre fans!

“I Hate Hamlet” - The Review

Comedy comes in all shapes and sizes - lowbrow, slapstick, wry, witty, punnish - you name it. Most comedy in the U.S. can be defined as “broad” - meaning it appeals to most people. Every now and then you run into a comedy that dares to be intelligent - and that’s what you’re in for when you see “I Hate Hamlet,” which is on this stage this week, presented by the Marshall University Department of Theatre.

The show centers around a young TV actor named Andrew who’s been offered a role playing Hamlet in New York’s Shakespeare in the Park. By no small coincidence, he’s also just rented the apartment that once belonged to the great Shakespearean actor, John Barrymore. Of course, as the title tells us, he hates the play. The problem is, his girlfriend, Deidre, his realtor, Felicia, and his agent, Lillian, all want him to take the role.

Since Felicia is psychic, they decide to hold a seance to try to contact Barrymore. (Note that the three women represent the Witches at the beginning of Macbeth - the Crone, the Matron and the Maiden. Just one of many “Shakespearean Easter Eggs” for the observant.)

Thankfully, the seance succeeds (sort of) and Barrymore arrives to coach the young actor, passing along some valuable acting tips - and more than a few life lessons, as well.

This is a “small” show, with only six cast members - but they’re all “choice” performers - among the best in MU’s Department of Theatre.

Nick Reynolds plays Andrew, and demonstrates why he’s one of the best comedic actors around. Nick’s done a lot of great work over the years, and this show is just the latest in a long line of excellent performances.

Travis Caffrey plays what may be the toughest role in the show, John Barrymore. To fill the shoes of a larger-than-life actor and do so convincingly - all while wearing tights - is no easy task, and he delivers a great performance.

Karah Merkins plays Andrew’s love interest, Deirdre, and turns in a wonderful performance - she’s funny, adorable, sexy and quirky throughout - a terrific character and a wonderful job by Karah.

Samantha Elkins pays Felicia the real estate agent who sets Andrew up in the apartment, and she’s a delight - she’s very funny, and her New Yawk accent is terrific!

Mary Williams plays the character role of Lillian, Andrew’s "Mother Hen" agent. Her accent is excellent, and she provides one of the most touching scenes in the show, as she reminisces on her own encounter with celebrity.

Last (but certainly not least) is Jeremy Plyburn as Gary, the quintessential Hollywood producer who tries to lure Andrew back to Hollywood. Jeremy is hilarious in this part, representing the ugly underbelly of the industry. (His idea for a TV show is a scream.) This is Jeremy’s stage debut with MU - I expect to see lots more great performances from him.

The other stars of the show are the set and the effects. As always with Marshall’s productions, the set is amazing - a towering apartment that harkens back to the glory days of the theatre. (The fireplace seems a little impractical, but that’s a minor quibble.) The special effects are somewhat understated, but all the more magical for it. Barrymore’s entrance, for example, is perfect.

Oh, and did I mention that there's an awesome sword fight in there? I love a show with action and comedy!

Excellent work by the cast, the production team and the directing staff - with a special “well done, old man” to director John Colclough, who’s racked up an impressive run of outstanding shows in his near-decade with MU. This is another great one to add to the list.

When you attend a show at Marshall, you know you’re in for a special evening, and “I Hate Hamlet” continues the tradition with a show that’s intelligent, clever and quite funny. You’ll enjoy it, even if you’re not a fan of the classics.

On Stage Tonight - "I Hate Hamlet"

I got to see "I Hate Hamlet" last night with my pals Mark and Clint and enjoyed it tremendously. I'll have a full review later today, but here's a reminder to see it tonight at 8:00 p.m. at Marshall's Joan C. Edwards Playhouse.

On Stage Tonight - "I Hate Hamlet"

"I Hate Hamlet" takes the stage tonight, and has a lot of fun with Shakespeare and a famous star along the way.

If you'd like to know more about the show, which takes the stage tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse at Marshall University, my pal Justin McElroy wrote up a story for today's paper - you can read it here.

The H-D also has a photo gallery - you'll find the link here. The photo here is a sample from the gallery, with photos by Mark Webb.

On Stage This Week - "I Hate Hamlet"

Starting tomorrow is yet another in a series of excellent productions from Marshall's Department of Theatre. For several years now, MU has presented a Shakespeare play as part of each season (and if you've missed them, you've missed some great shows).

This year they're taking a break - but still keeping the Bard in the mix - by tackling "I Hate Hamlet" by Paul Rudnick. Here's the description: "A young and successful television actor relocates to New York, where he rents a marvelous, gothic apartment. With his television career in limbo, the actor is offered the opportunity to play Hamlet onstage, but there's one problem: He hates "Hamlet." His dilemma deepens with the entrance of John Barrymore's ghost, who arrives intoxicated and in full costume to the apartment that once was his. Critically acclaimed 1991 Tony nominee."

The show runs February 21-24 with shows starting at 8:00 p.m. I'll be there, and I urge you to go forth and do likewise!

Reviews by Mark

My pal Mark Hayes (no stranger to the local stage) is an avid fan of the theatre, and he sent along these reviews from shows he saw over the weekend. With his kind permission, I'm sharing his comments here:

<< Saturday night, we saw "The Three Phantoms" in Charleston at the Clay Center with the WV Symphony Orchestra. Absolutely amazing! Ron Bohmer, Cris Groenendaal and Craig Schulman, who have all played the Phantom on Broadway, were incredible. My wife kept telling me that she recognized Craig Schulman and then, when Grant Cooper noted that Schulman had performed more times on Broadway as Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables" than any other performer (over 2000!), she remembered that he was the USA's "Valjean" representative at the end of the 10th Anniversary PBS special. He sang "Bring Him Home," and you could have heard a pin drop in the place (that was relatively full for a nice change). They all sang songs from the shows they've been in over the years - "Guys and Dolls," "Jekyll and Hyde," "Sweeney Todd," "Fiddler," etc., but then joined together to sing "Music of the Night." Just incredible - all three were performers that had made that rare step up from having great voices to having "instruments." Great, great evening. We ended up meeting Schulman and Bohmer and, as a result, remaining in the lobby until all of the performance crowd left.

Sunday we made what's become a once a month trip to Columbus for the Broadway Series. This time, it was "All Shook Up," a show that clearly stole its premise from "Mamma Mia" since its a story woven around the music of an icon - this time, Elvis. It's a lot funnier than "Mamma Mia," and had several 'hysterical, laugh out loud, wipe tears from your eyes' moments. It "starred" Susan Anton, who did an admirable job as the museum curator, but was overshadowed by the 'stars' - Jenny Fellner as 'Natalie' and Joe Mandragona as 'Chad'. Mandragona, especially, was terrific as the James Dean-esque character who comes into a "square little town in the middle of a square state" and proceeds to shake up the boredom of the locals. There were a few adult situation moments, but for the most part, it's good "PG" fun and the music was terrific.

By the way, Columbus' Broadway Series is a terrific way to see quality shows that we'll never get locally. We've seen "12 Angry Men" with Richard Thomas, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (with Tom Hewitt) and "All Shook Up," and will be going up to see "Light in the Piazza," "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and (the reason we got the season tickets), "Wicked" in June. It's only 2 1/2 hours from Huntington and it's a lot of fun to spend an afternoon in Columbus to see a show and eat a nice lunch or dinner. Well worth the effort! >>

The Times They Are A-Changin'

OK, a terrible title to this entry, but we're just a week away from the avalanche that is "Menopause: The Musical," which will be presented many times, so you have no excuse for missing it.

I'll have more about it in the week ahead, but for now, here's the press release sent out by the Marshall Artists Series:


Menopause the Musical: A Celebration of Women and The Change!

The Marshall Artists Series and Cabell Huntington Hospital’s Women & Children’s Services are delighted to bring eight performances of the hilarious and heartwarming hit, Menopause the Musical, to the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center! Evening performances are February 27-March 3 at 7:30 p.m. There will also be three matinee performances February 28 and March 3 at 2 p.m. and March 4 at 3 p.m.

In the hit musical, four women with seemingly nothing in common but a black lace bra meet in a Bloomingdale’s department store and soon find out lingerie isn’t the only thing they share.

Since 2001, this slide-splitting musical has entertained audiences from coast-to-coast and around the world. Patrons will laugh and cheer along with a joyful parody of 25 re-lyricized baby boomer hits including “I Heard It Thru the Grapevine You No Longer See 39” “Puff, My God I’m Draggin” and the disco favorite “Stayin’ Awake! Stayin’ Awake!”

Huntington native Joanne Cummings Grant is the national director of production for the musical. She will return home for the Huntington debut. Grant is a Marshall University alumna. She served as promotions and acting director at the Huntington Civic Center from 1980-1982. Currently, Grant is responsible for booking and putting together cast and crew for the musical in six countries and fifteen cities.

A dinner theatre option is available before the March 3 evening show and a brunch prior to the March 4 matinee. The meals will begin two hours before show time. Tickets for the pre-show meals are $20 per person. Seating availability is limited. Patrons should call the Marshall Artists Series at (304) 696-3326 for reservations.

Tickets for the shows are available now. Tickets are $39. Groups of 20 or more people will receive a $5 discount off each individual ticket. Tickets may be purchased through the Marshall Artists Series Box Office, located in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. The box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. Phone orders may be taken from the box office for patrons calling (304) 696-6656. All major credit cards are accepted.

Tickets for all shows may also be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling (304) 523-5757 in Huntington or (304) 342-5757 in Charleston. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. Patrons can pick up tickets at any Ticketmaster outlet, including select Kroger stores.

This show is sponsored by Cabell Huntington’s Women & Children’s Services, WSAZ, the Herald Dispatch, Clear Channel Communications, and the Marshall Artists Series.

"Grease: YTOTIW"

I agree with Angela's post on the "Stay Tuned" blog (the link is over there on the right of this page) - tonight, on "Grease: You're the One That I Want," Derek Keeling really needs your vote. He missed on a note or two at the beginning of his performance, although the rest of it was excellent. He certainly wasn't the worst performer of the night, but for the first time, he wasn't the best, either. Still, I'd be shocked if he gets voted out - you might want to drop by www.nbc.com and throw a vote his way, just to be sure.

By the way, as we get down to the Final Five on the show, you can see why auditions can be difficult to judge - the top performers change week to week! So from a director's view, sometimes you just have to try to guess which performer will do the best job.

“Godspell”

I got to catch the final show of “Godspell” Saturday night at the First United Methodist Church in Huntington, and it was a lot of fun. If you’ve never seen it, it’s a free-spirited presentation of the book of Matthew (in other words, it’s basically the hippie version) - but the songs and dialogue are very true to the familiar Bible stories.

Through parables and songs, the teachings of Jesus unfold. It’s the ideal show for a community group to perform, because it requires very little in the way of sets, props or costumes - but you do need about a dozen talented performers.

They had that more than covered, as the show featured quite a few experienced actors, including Sam Yates as Jesus. For such a young guy - he’s a senior in High School - Sam has appeared in quite a few shows, and he just keeps getting better with each performance. He did a great job in this show, and his strong voice added a lot to the performance.

As Judas (and John the Baptist), Michael Niday provided the counterpoint to Jesus, and did so with lots of authority. The roles of the disciples were played by actors with a variety of experience: theatre veterans Jane Morse, Loretta Hetzer, Leann Haines and Ashleigh Bills (who also provided the choreography); the relatively-new-to-the-stage-but-quite-talented Stephen Vance, Kathy Morris and Jeanette Bills; and the young and talented performers Zach Davis, Alyssa Morris and Sara Morris. Kudos to all for a great job!

There are lots of reasons to like “Godspell” - I think I enjoy it for its energy, for its great songs and for the way it captures the timeless message of peace and love.

Of course, lots of credit also goes to the Music Director, Eddie Harbert, and fellow accompanist Rachel Noe, and a special tip o’ the hat to veteran director (and all around great guy) Jerry Morse, who made it all happen.

If you missed this one, you not only missed a fun show - you missed a great meal before it! Mark your calendars for next year - you’ll be glad you did!

Two Dinners - Two Shows

Tonight you have two chances to get a dinner and a show. It's the last performance for "Godspell" (as mentioned in previous posts), and you can also enjoy "A Salute to the USO" tonight at the Renaissance Center (the old Huntington High School).

The music will be provided by The Carl Toler Quartet plus two. Carl is a 20-year veteran of the Air Force where he performed with the world famous "Airmen of Note." Should be a lot of fun!

Unfortunately, I share this news too late for you to sign up for the dinner at the Renaissance, but you can get tickets to the show, which starts at 7:00p.m., for only $15.00 at the door. For those who already signed up for dinner, the meal is served at 5:30p.m.

Now if the weather will just cooperate...

The "Godspell" cast

Time is running out to catch "Godspell" - tomorrow's show is the last!

And thanks to my pal Stephen Vance, here's the cast and directors list:

Sam Yates - Jesus
Michael Niday - John the Baptist/Judas Iscariot

Disciples - Jane Morse, Loretta Hetzer, Jeanette Bills, Ashleigh Bills, Kathy Morris, Sara Morris, Alyssa Morris, Leann Haines, Zach Davis, Stephen Vance

Director - Jerry Morse
Musical Director - Eddie Harbert
Pianist - Rachel Noe

Miss it not!

"Godspell" Photos

You can see some colorful photos from "Godspell" on the Herald-Dispatch's photogalleries page right here.

The show continues tonight (go here to learn more about it). Like I keep saying: highly recommended!

On Stage Tonight - "Godspell"

As far as I know, possible inclement weather isn't going to stop tonight's performance of the folk rock musical “Godspell” at Huntington's First United Methodist Church. The show is based on Matthew’s gospel, and you get dinner with the show - the meal is served at 6:30 p.m. The shows will continue every evening through Saturday, Feb. 17, at the church at 1124 5th Avenue.

Tickets cost $20 for adults and $8 for children younger than 12. Tickets for the show only are $5. Baby-sitting is available for all shows, if requested in advance. Reservations are required by calling (304) 522-0357 or (740) 867-8576.

"Godspell" has been a favorite of mine for a long time, so I'm looking forward to seeing it - and so should you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's the day set aside to sell flowers and cards - uh, I mean, for all of us to tell our loved ones how we feel about them! Yeah, that's it.

So give a card, hand out a posey, or just pick up the phone and call a loved one - you'll be glad you did.

And to you, dear reader, who makes this blog possible just by reading - Happy Valentine's Day!

On Stage This Week - "Godspell"

If you're looking for something to do on Valentine's Day, the First United Methodist Church has the perfect solution - a dinner and a show!

The church will present the folk rock musical “Godspell,” which is based on Matthew’s gospel, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 6:30 p.m.. The shows will continue every evening through Saturday, Feb. 17, at the church at 1124 5th Avenue in Huntington.

And it's for a good cause - the money raised will help build a new playground at Ebenezer Community Outreach.

The menu includes a choice of prime rib au jus or glazed cornish hen, plus baked potato, tossed salad, green peas with pearl onions, dilly rolls, chocolate pie and Valentine delights. (I'm getting hungry just typing the words!)

Tickets cost $20 for adults and $8 for children younger than 12. Tickets for the show only are $5. Baby-sitting is available for all shows, if requested in advance. Reservations are required by calling (304) 522-0357 or (740) 867-8576.

Like I said before - highly recommended!

Best Broadway Soundtrack

Hey, the Grammys were on last night - who knew? - and handed out an award for the Best Musical Show Album (in other words, the best Broadway cast recording). The winner was "Jersey Boys." The runner-ups: "The Color Purple," "The Drowsy Chaperone," "The Pajama Game" and "Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

"Grease" Recap

Congrats to Derek Keeling for not only doing well in the voting, but turning in a strong performance in a song-and-dance number in tonight's show. He was picked at the end of the show as the favorite of two of the four judges - one of whom was someone who knows a little bit about the theatre - Andrew Lloyd Webber! Impressive!

I can't say I'm crazy about the elimination method the show uses. The bottom four vote-getters (two males and two females) have a "sing-off" where they take turns singing lines from a song - then the judges decide which male and female to send home. Uh, why bother having people vote if you're just going to overturn their choice? One assumes this is to keep the audience from sending home the wrong person - or perhaps it's an attempt to make the show different from "America Idol" - but it seems to defeat the purpose of having a vote.

Live Again Tonight - Grease: YTOTIW

Back again after reruns last week (because of the Super Bowl), we get a chance tonight to see how Scott Depot native Derek Keeling did with the audience votes in the reality TV show, "Grease: You're The One That I Want." You can read about it on the H-D website at www.herald-dispatch.com, and there's a link in the story that takes you to NBC's website, where you can see video from the show.

Isn't the Internet great?

High School Musical - Getting Started

So as recently posted, First Stage has announced plans to stage "High School Musical" in the Fall of 2007, and I've been asked to direct the show.

I've just received the perusal script, and as expected, they've made some minor changes in the show to adapt it for the stage - but the changes take nothing away from the story. It still includes the same songs, with a few added to round things out. It also expands the roles of many of the supporting characters - always a good thing - and adds at least one new character to help hold the story together.

So the first job is to establish a team. So far, I've signed up three of the area's best. Mark Smith, one of the area's most talented musicians, has agreed to be the Music Director and Orchestra Leader (if you've seen a local theatre performance with live music, chances are good that he was playing in it and probably leading the orchestra at the same time). Jack Welch, the master of the circular saw, has agreed to head up the Set Construction team. And for the job of Producer, I've managed to track down the woman who is, in my humble opinion, simply the best Producer ever - my wife, Jeanette. I know, you think I'm prejudiced - but she really is great at managing the zillion-and-one details of putting on a show.

We still need to sign up a Choreographer. I've offered the job to a certain someone who is great at it, but haven't heard back yet. Once that's settled, the planning can begin.

Music Man Cast List

Congrats to the cast of the 5th Avenue Theatre Company's upcoming production of "The Music Man," which will be presented at Huntington's City Hall auditorium from April 20 - 29.

The cast includes:
Harold Hill – Bil Neal
Marion Paroo – Nancy Jackson
Charlie Cowell – Dylan Clark
Constable Locke – Allen Stern
Mrs. Paroo – Karen Pruitt
Winthrop Paroo – Franklin Norton
Amaryllis – Lydia Waybright
Mayor Shinn – C.E. Wilson
Eulalie Shinn – Jane Morse
Zaneeta Shinn – Jessica Maier
Gracie Shinn – Amanda Callicoat
Marcellus Washburn – Kenny Harbolt
Quartet – “The Thundertones”
Ethel Toffelmier – Melanie Hughes
“Ladies” - Loretta Hetzer, Debbie Wolfe

Featured Dancers are Micah Collins, Amy C., Wendy Goodenough, Jessica Maier and Tiffany McCullough.

In the Chorus: Amanda Callicoat, Amy C., Todd Childers, Grayson Collins, Micah Collins, Sheridyn Collins, Shelby Easter, Wendy Goodenough, Kenny Harbolt, Loretta Hetzer, Melanie Hughes, Amy Jones, Anastasia Jones, Chrissy Lewis, Jessica Maier, Jack McGee, Tiffany McCullough, Rachel Meadows, Jane Morse, Franklin Norton, Mallory Norton, Sydney Pay, Karen Pruitt, Andrea Steele, Allen Stern, “The Thundertones,” Emily Waybright, Lydia Waybright, Jordan Wehmeier, C.E. Wilson, Annie Wolfe, Debbie Wolfe, Paul Wolfe and Sarah Wolfe.

For more information about the show, contact Terri Tagmeyer at 304-634-3979 or Maxine Loudermilk at 304-696-5522.

Breaking News!

I've been keeping a secret from you, dear readers - I've been in negotiations to direct a show next fall for the First Stage Theatre Company (Huntington's children's theatre).

Today I received the final approval from that group to direct "High School Musical" for the Fall of 2007 (I'm apparently the only one crazy enough to take the job). For those of you who haven't seen it yet, "HSM" is the popular Disney Channel movie/musical that has become a phenomenon. It became a top-selling CD and DVD, and now it has been adapted for the stage.

I should mention up front that First Stage won't be the first local group to produce the show - it's on the Spring schedule for Ashland's Backstage Players. But why should they have all the fun?

It's a great show, with loads of energy and terrific songs - I know it's going to be a blast, and I'll keep you up to date on our progress right here.

We're not sure where we're going to stage it yet, but we're working on it (along with a few zillion other details). Stay tuned, y'all!

On Stage Tonight - Bell, Book and Candle

As mentioned here, you can catch "Bell, Book and Candle" beginning tonight. Make plans now!

Coming Soon - "Godspell"

There's a nice story online about the upcoming production of "Godspell" at the First United Methodist Church, as directed by my pal (and local theatre legend) Jerry Morse. You can read about it here, and having attended past productions, let me assure you that you'll not only see a great show, but you'll also get an excellent meal out of the deal.

Highly recommended!

Bell, Book and Candle

Ah, Blogger has mended its ways and is cooperating. You can find the story on that show right here.

Remember, it starts tomorrow in Ashland!

On Stage This Week - Bell, Book and Candle

Hopefully the snow will let up in time for everyone to get to see the Blazer Theatre presentation of "Bell, Book, and Candle," which will hit the stage Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 8 - 10, at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 11 at 2:30 p.m.

The show will be at the Millennium Center at Paul G. Blazer High School in Ashland, Ky. The admission is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students & senior citizens. For More Information, call (606) 327-6040 ext. 3207.

There's a nice write-up about the show in today's paper, but Blogger is making it difficult for me to link to it - so just go to the Herald-Dispatch website at www.herald-dispatch.com and you'll find it.

I haven't seen this show before, but Blazer always does good work, so give it a try and support your local theatre!

Oh Well...

Now you see why I rarely gamble. Congrats to the Colts and their fans for the Super Bowl victory, and to Bears fans - there's always next time.

Meanwhile, on the theatre front (you know, the actual topic of this humble blog), things are starting to heat up - some great shows are on the way for February. We'll have a preview soon and we'll try to stick to that topic and avoid sports as much as possible. If just to avoid embarrassing me any more.

Super Sunday

The big drama today is unfolding in Miami, as the teams get ready to duke it out in the Super Bowl.

My prediction? Well, since my youngest son is going to school in Chicago, and all the media seems to have already decided this is the "Peyton Manning Super Bowl' (thereby putting the hex on him), I'll go with Chicago (Da Bears) to win this one, 38 to 28.

Personally, I always look at the Super Bowl as a day of mourning, since it means no more football for many months to come.

So You Want to Put on a Show... (Part 3)

So you’ve lined up some money and decided which show you want to do. Here’s the most important advice ever for tackling a community theatre show: get help.

Putting on a show is a monstrous task, and the only way to accomplish it is by getting lots of help. The theatre bone yard is littered with the broken dreams of those who thought they could handle everything on their own. But one of the many dirty little secrets about theatre is that it’s actually a team sport. You gather talented people, and each person is assigned a job. As long as everyone does their part, you’ll end up with a successful performance.

So you need to assemble a team. Jobs tend to vary according to each team, and sometimes more than one person combines efforts to manage a single job, but here’s a rough division of labor. You’ll need: a Director to deal with the actors, set up rehearsals and generally guide the production from beginning to end; and a Producer to handle the behind-the-scenes jobs, including coordinating costume and set construction, organizing volunteers and tech people and a few thousand other details.

Assuming you’re doing a musical, you’ll need a Music Director to teach the music to the cast and guide the musicians who will accompany the performance, and you’ll need a Choreographer to design and teach the dancing involved.

That’s the core of the team you’ll need, although there are lots of other people you’ll need, including a costume designer, someone to manage set construction, a stage manager to organize the tech crew during performances, and many more.

Once you have you team assembled, then it’s time for the fun to start, and every show kicks off the same way: with auditions.

Next: Looking for talent.

Coming Attractions

You can catch the play "Great Expectations" Monday at the Paramount in Ashland. There's a lot more details and info here.

Also, don't forget about the auditions for 5th Avenue Theatre's "The Music Man" this weekend at the Huntington City Hall auditorium, which we told you about here.

On a more personal note, I hope to have an announcement soon about a certain show I'm hoping to direct in the fall. First I have to talk some friends into it. More on that as news develops.

100!

This post is #100 in the series (collect 'em all)!

So let's see, we started this humble blog on October 4, so that means it's been rolling along for just under 120 days - so that averages out to almost a post a day - not bad!

Hope you've enjoyed the ride so far - we have lots more stories to tell, shows to preview and review, and assorted other nonsense to keep you on your toes!

Thanks for reading - let's see if I can score a perfect score (at least one post a day) for the next 100! (But no promises.)

Vote Early and Often

My pal Angela Henderson sent along this comment about the "Grease: You're the One That I Want" show, printed out here in case you missed it:

<< Okay, so here's the deal for all of you Derek fans out there. Yes, NBC is giving people a second chance to vote this week based on last week's performances. You can vote on-line at www.nbc.com from 10:55 p.m. to 5 a.m. this Sunday/Monday. HOWEVER, you can only vote 10 times per e-mail address. You can vote 200 times by phone and those lines will be open from 10:55 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday/Monday. As you may recall, Derek's number was 1-888-IVOTE-01. >>

Thanks, Angela! She's so good at this blogging thing that she has two sites, which you'll find to the right - one on TV (Stay Tuned) and one on American Idol.

Happy National Gorilla Suit Day!

Enjoy it, because it's our silliest holiday.

So You Want To Put On A Show... (Part 2)

OK, so you’ve tracked down enough money to do a show. Now you have to answer the musical question: which show? Of course, the amount of money can determine the kind of show - if you have lots of money, you can tackle a big-name musical, and if you have limited funds, you might want to try a small non-musical. Budget constraints can also affect the size of your set, the kind of costumes you’ll be able to use and what stage effects you can incorporate.

You also have to consider the talent pool you have available. If you need a cast of 30 kids and only five show up for auditions, you’re in trouble. If you need a dozen guys to play the brothers of Joseph (“and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”) and only five guys show up, you’re in trouble. If you need singers and none are available... well, you get the idea.

You have to consider the auditorium you’re using. If you’re putting on a show at a small theatre, you don’t want to tackle a show with a big cast and a huge set. Likewise, if you’re in a big auditorium, you don’t want to stage a “small” show, where the actors get lost in the expanse.

The most important question you have to answer is: why are you staging this show? Is it for artistic expression? Do you want (or need) to make money? Do you want a show that will provide a great experience for the performers, or are you more concerned about bringing in a big crowd? Is it a show you’ve always loved and just want to be part of?

There are lots of reasons to choose a particular show, but it’s the next vital step in putting on a performance. Once you’ve decided on your show, you're almost ready to start. But first, you’re going to need help.

Next: Assembling a team.

Grease is the Word

Well, I did my duty and watched "Grease: You're the One That I Want" on NBC tonight. For those who don't know, the show gives the viewers the chance to vote for the leads for the upcoming Broadway production of "Grease." They're fighting it out for the parts of Danny and Sandy, played in the film version by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Olivia was a guest on tonight's show, and she looks great - I've always been crazy about her. (Don't tell my wife!)

I was certainly impressed by Derek Keeling, whose hometown is listed as Charleston, WV. I thought he was from Scott Depot? Still, he was the first singer on the stage (after an opening group number), and he was terrific.

The show itself is obviously an "homage" to "American Idol," using the same format for performances, the same number of judges and the same incredibly enthusiastic audience. The hosts I could do without - they're a bit plastic for my tastes - but the performers are all very talented. Since I came in on the middle, I'm not at all familiar with the performers, so I don't find myself as hooked on this show as I am on "Idol," but since it's theatre-related I'll hang with it.

I certainly like Derek's chances - he's a handsome guy who certainly looks the part of Danny, and he has a great voice and a strong stage presence - he was working the crowd.

We'll keep you updated as the show rolls along.

Auditions - The Music Man

Auditions are coming up next week for 5th Avenue Theatre's "The Music Man." They'll take place at the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium in Huntington's City Hall over two days: Saturday, Feb. 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 4 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Be prepared to sing a song (or part of a song) that's no more than one minute long. Good luck!

Oh, and to jog your memory, here's a clip from the recent Disney version of the musical with Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth.

On Stage Tonight - 'night, Mother

Theatre students at Marshall are putting on a show tonight - and the proceeds go to a good cause.

'night, Mother is directed by Courtney Susman and will be presented in the Francis-Booth Experimental Theater in the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse at 8:00 p.m. It's the story of a young woman who tells her mother she's decided to commit suicide.

The show is free, but a donation will be taken up for victims of the Emmons Jr. apartment building fire. You can read more about it here.

The Holiday We're Mad About

It has nothing to do with local theatre, but just for fun, here's a preview of the greatest holiday you never heard of:



Hat tip to my pal Mark Evanier for the graphic - you can read all about this holiday here.

Quick Hits

Sadly, I didn't get a chance to see the Marshall Artist Series presentation of "Wonderful Town" last night. If you saw it, drop us a line and let us know what you thought. You can see a dozen photos from the show at the Herald-Dispatch's nifty Photo Gallery.

In other news, I'm told that the planned production of "The Quilters" ran into some unforeseen obstacles, so the show will be postponed until the Spring of 2008.

"Cats" rehearsals are continuing, and even though they've only been practicing for a few weeks, the cast sounds amazing, and the dancing is awesome. I'm predicting people are going to love this one! (You heard it here first.)

Grease: You're the One That I Want

Since I write this blog about theatre, I should probably be watching the new reality show based on casting the leads for the new Broadway revival of "Grease" - but for some reason I haven't caught it yet. (There's so much TV and so little time.)

I didn't realize a "local boy" was in the running - there's a story about it here.

I'll have to check Angela Henderson's blog about TV (click on the "Stay Tuned" blog over there on the right of this page) to see if she's been following it.

So You Want To Put On A Show...

What does it take to put on a local production? Lots of things: determination, time, effort, people to help - the list goes on and on. But it really comes down to some basics, and that's what we'll be talking about here over the next week.

So assuming you're willing to tackle the job, what do you need first? That's easy: money. In fact, you'll probably need more money than you might expect. That's because putting on a show - even the most modest local performance - takes quite a bit of money. Shows can cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to upwards of $100,000 - and remember, I'm talking about community theatre productions here. Broadway productions routinuely run into millions of dollars.

So why is it so expensive? Well, you have to pay to rent the hall (depending on how many days you need it) - it can costs several thousand dollars to rent a theatre for two weekends. You need to pay for the right to use almost every play in existence - again, that can run from a few hundred for a tiny show to several thousand for the more recent (and popular) shows.

And that's just the beginning - there are costumes to be made or rented, a set to be built, props to acquire, rehearsal space, printing costs (for posters and programs) and much more.

All this is why the first job any director or producer faces is coming up with a proposed budget for each show. Then you have to figure out where the money is coming from. Then you can start working on the show.

Next: Picking a show

On Stage - Wonderful Town

Coming up Jan. 22 (Monday) at 8:00pm at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center is the latest Marshall Artists Series presentation - it's the musical "Wonderful Town."

You can learn more about it right here.

It's a great show - after all, it won the Tony for Best Musical when it premiered in 1953. It was revived on Broadway in 2002 and ran for two years. You'd better order those tickets before they sell out!

MLK Performance

Well, a couple of months blogging and I've already dropped the ball - I missed the announcement about a special performance that was part of the 14th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Symposium at Marshall.

If you missed it, too, there's a nice story recapping the event here. You'll also find a link to a photo gallery.

Sorry about that!

Tragic Fire

So the whole family is sitting around the house Saturday night around 11:00pm and my oldest son's cell phone rings - it's a friend, telling him that he just heard that the Emmons Apartment Building in downtown Huntington is on fire - and that's where my son's apartment is. We rushed downtown and found that the building next to his - the Emmons Junior Apartment Building - was the one on fire. (The two buildings aren't attached, and are separated by a narrow courtyard.

A terrible scene, as bad as any I've seen in Huntington (and I went to lots of fires in the early '80s as a TV news photographer) - at least seven people were killed, maybe more. My son was lucky - his building was spared, and his apartment has only minor smoke damage.

Check your smoke detectors, everyone!

Auditions for "Quilters"

Didn't I tell you that auditions would be coming up soon?

This Saturday (January 13) from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, the Renaissance Theatre (the old Huntington High School) is holding auditions for "Quilters," a musical by Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek. Roles are available for seven women between the ages of 16 to 60 (sorry, guys). That's all the information I have so far, but presumably you'll want to be prepared to sing a short song at the audition.

And they're not wasting any time - rehearsals will begin next Monday night. Good luck! (I never bought into that "Break a Leg" stuff.)

Back in Town

I'm back after a little jaunt to Washington, DC for some corrective surgery on my left eye (fear not - it went well and didn't hurt a bit, other than my hotel bill).

I didn't get to take in any shows while in the capitol, but wife Jeanette and I did visit the National Portrait Gallery - and was it ever amazing! We spent more than two hours and didn't get past the first floor! It's filled to the brim with amazing artwork and paintings that you've seen in many books (or, in the case of a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, on actual currency). You could spend days in there and still not see everything. If you get the chance, pay it a visit!

The Second Act

For most theatre groups, this is the time of year that they get started on the second half of their season. Like the school year, they start in the fall and stage one or two shows before the end of the year.

Now it's time to start the second act of their season, so it's time for auditions and rehearsals. Since it takes four to 10 weeks from auditions to the first performance to get a show ready (depending on how complex it is and how much rehearsal time you have available), you'll start seeing shows sometime in late February or March.

"CATS" is already way ahead of the game - because it's such a dance-intensive show, they had auditions months ago, and have already held several dance rehearsals. If you'd like to be involved in a show, keep your eyes open - those audition notices should be showing up in the paper anytime now (and I'll try to mention them here, too).

Getting Into Local Theatre - Part 7

(In which your author finally ends this series about how he found himself involved in local theatre. To recap, his sons started acting in local shows, which led good ol’ Dad to helping with sound, then producing, then acting, and finally directing.)

The auditions for "A Christmas Story" (in 2001) were amazingly easy. If someone had looked at every kid in the Tri-state area, I doubt they could have found a group of young actors more perfectly suited to their parts.

Chuck Herndon was perfect in the lead role of Ralphie, the boy who wants a BB Gun for Christmas. It’s a tough role to play because the young actor spends a lot of the play complaining and scheming, but the audience must always be sympathetic to him. Chuck did a fantastic job in the part (and he was the first lead to memorize his lines).

As his friends, Flick and Schwartz, Clint Wilson and Taylor Miller made a great team. Flick is the comic relief - he’s the one who gets his tongue stuck to a flagpole, and he’s always getting roughed up by the bully - Clint was perfect for the part - his comic timing was (and still is) excellent. Schwartz is the anchor of the group - dry and very funny, and Taylor nailed it perfectly.

Ralphie’s little brother Randy was played by Shawn Crews, and he was terrific - he played the role of the quirky (but very funny) little brother, and nailed it.

One pivotal role is that of the bully, Scut Farkas, and to fill the part we cast a young man who was the exact opposite of the character. Andrew LaCara is not at all menacing in real life, but I knew he could act out the role to perfection, and still wring every last laugh out of it - and he did.

For the role of Miss Shields (the teacher) we cast Ingrid Olson, one of only two young actors to play the part of an adult. She did a great job balancing the stern disciplinarian with the sillier fantasy roles the teacher plays (at one point she doubles as the Wicked Witch of the West).
The other young actor who played the part of an adult was Michael Moore, who doubled as both the wicked Black Bart and a neighbor who admires the legendary leg lamp.

As the "love interest" for Ralphie we had Esther Jane, sweetly played by the talented Sarah Hayes in one of her earliest roles. Her best friend is Helen, played by Anna Fahrman, a talented actor who was great as the incredibly smart but equally tough friend who looks out for Esther Jane.

Robyn Welch and Kelsey Bellamy were great as the grouchy elves. Filling out the roles of the classmates (and assorted extras) were Owen Reyolds, Hailey Bellamy, Sarah Bledsoe, Sara Crews, Hanna Elliot, Kaytlin Hall, Zack Spaulding and Ellen Weed.

So the cast was assembled, and six weeks of rehearsals began in the friendly confines of the First United Methodist Church. But where were we going to stage the show?

For a "small" show - which is to say, a non-musical with a cast of about 25 actors - "A Christmas Story" has a big set. (And kudos to Jack Welch and Jerry Morse who built the huge set together, with some help from assorted parents.) You have to re-create the home of the family, with a kitchen, living room and Ralphie’s bedroom, you need a classroom and Santa’s throne (with a slide, of course). We’d need a big stage to handle that - and were amazed when we were offered the best stage in the city.

Lang Reynolds, the dean of Marshall University’s Department of Theatre, gave us an early Christmas present - he offered to let us use the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center to stage our show at a very reasonable price. I was stunned - the only time First Stage had been at that facility was when we were part of the production of "Oliver" with Marshall (we provided the kids - they did everything else). It was an incredibly generous gesture and we didn’t hesitate to take them up on their offer.

And not only were we allowed to use their stage, they also provided the tech crew. James Morris-Smith, Deb Carder-Deem and Kevin Bannon were amazingly generous as they trained our young tech crew and allowed them to operate their state-of-the-art equipment. It was an invaluable experience for our young tech crew, which included stage manager Emily Asbury, Peter LaCara on lights, Evan Minsker on sound effects, Griffin McElroy on props, and stage crew Laura LaCara, Nicole Gray and Rachel Bailey (apologies to anyone I'm forgetting to include). I’ll always be grateful to everyone at Marshall for their generosity and kindness to our cast and crew. It was an amazing experience.

And that’s the funny thing about theatre - sometimes the breaks all go your way and you end up with a great show and an unforgettable experience. That’s exactly how it was with "A Christmas Story" - the show went off virtually without a hitch, the cast was amazing, the audiences appreciative, and it actually made money for First Stage - it was a great experience and really rewarding.

I should also mention that it would never have happened without tons of help from the First Stage board members and the family and friends of our actors - not to mention the producing team of Clint McElroy, Jerry Morse, Tom Hastie and Bev Miller, who saved my neck many times over.

It was the first show that was really "mine." I was hooked - and I’ve been involved with local theatre groups ever since.

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You...

Lots of shows are on tap for the next few months - here are the ones I know about offhand:

CATS - In March 2007 First Stage Theatre will present the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical on stage at Huntington’s City Hall. (I listened in to some of the rehearsal the other night, and I was impressed - the cast, made up of the most talented teens in the Tri-State, are going to amaze and impress audiences.)

I Hate Hamlet - Marshall’s Dept. of Theatre offers a different look at Shakespeare when they stage this production Feb. 21 - 24. The word on this show is: don’t miss it!

The Musical Arts Guild is planning a Choral Presentation in March (we’ll tell you more about it as information becomes available).

Fifth Avenue Theatre Co. will present The Music Man in April (I think) at the City Hall auditorium.

The Marshall Artists Series has a couple of top-notch shows coming up: Wonderful Town on Jan. 22 and several performances of Menopause: The Musical beginning Feb. 27.

Marshall’s Music Department will present an opera performance March 2 and 3, 2007. I’m not sure which opera they’re doing yet, but I know it’ll be tremendous.

All that and much more (as they say on TV). We’ll do our best to update those show dates and times as we get a little closer to showtime - but it’s shaping up to be a great spring for shows!

2007

Happy New Year!

The holidays are over, so life (and blogging) should return to normal. Lots of shows are coming up this year, and I'll have a (more or less) complete list posted here as soon as I track down my notes. (Some things never change.)

Hope you had a great holiday!

We Are Marshall - The Review

Hey, not to step on the toes of my pal Justin McElroy (whose fine blog, “Marshall Movie News,” is just a click away – the link is over there on the right side of this page), but I finally saw "We Are Marshall," and while I admit to being prejudiced, I have to say: what a great movie!

Kudos to all involved for making a film that is respectful without being maudlin, funny without being stupid and heartfelt without being cloying. Take a handkerchief, but be prepared to laugh a lot, too.

All the actors turn in great performances. Matthew McConaughey is perfect as Coach Jack Lengyel – he’s very funny but very real, and he holds the film together. Matthew Fox is amazing as Red Dawson, who really carries the emotional burden of the story, and his emotions play out across his face – he’s great in this film. David Strathairn nearly steals the movie as Marshall’s President – his part is understated, but he makes a perfect foil for Lengyel’s antics and Ian McShane’s bitter resident (also spot-on in this movie). McConaughey’s last line to Strathairn (which I won’t spoil here) is my favorite in the film.

The players are perfectly cast, including Anthony Mackie as Nate Ruffin, who is the heart of the team and has the most touching scene in the film. Special kudos to MU (and Cabell-Midland) basketball star Mark Patton, who has a couple of fun scenes.

It was also fun to see friends showing up on the big screen, including Keith Morehouse (who shows up as a kid and all grown up), C.E. Wilson (remember, there are no small parts – just brief cameos) and WSAZ-TV’s Doug Korstanje, who looked right at home in the press conference. I’m sure there are others I’ll spot in upcoming viewings. It was also fun to pick out local settings where exteriors were shot.

But imagine my surprise to discover that - even though I'm not on screen - I actually shot part of the movie! To catch it, you have to watch very, very closely.

At the end of the movie, they recap what happened since 1971 and included a couple of shots from a Marshall game that was shot by yours truly. In 1984 Marshall managed its first winning season in almost 20 years, but it came down to the last game of the season, a game at East Tennessee State. At the time, WOWK-TV produced the coach's show, so they shot video at every game. Marshall was 5-and-5 going into that last game, and WOWK was the only station that sent a videographer to the game. I was the one tapped for camera duty (my wife made the trip with me, and though we didn't know it yet, she was pregnant with our first child - so Justin was there, too). Ordinarily we shot footage from the press box, but our Sports Director, Terry Bumgarner, knew that a victory would mean lots of emotion on the sidelines, so if it looked like Marshall was going to win (or could possibly win), I was to take my camera down to the sidelines and get footage of the celebration. As the fourth quarter started, the game was close, so I went to the sidelines. Marshall won and I was there to shoot the players hoisting Coach Stan Parrish on their shoulders and the celebration that followed. That's the shot that appears in the movie.

After the game I was gathering up my equipment and ran into my old pal, sports writer Jody Jividen (God rest his soul). We had been through many of those losing years for Marshall, and we gave each other an exuberant “high five” to celebrate the end of the team’s losing streak. Little did we know how much higher Marshall would soar in the years ahead.

Of course, I didn’t get a credit at the end of the movie, but that’s OK. Heck, they didn't even credit the TV station. Still, it was pretty cool to see my work up there, if just for a few seconds.

But (as much as I hate to admit it) it would have been a great movie even without it. Congrats to the director, McG, and everyone else involved, for creating a classy movie that’s respectful, heartfelt and a lot of fun. Highly recommended for everyone,

Merry Christmas!

Hope you're all having a great holiday! (Mine has been awesome, aside from eating entirely too many sweets.)

Once the holiday cruch is over, I'll be back with lots more postings, including a preview of the shows coming up this spring, a look at local theaters (and the positives and negatives of each one) and a beginner's guide to putting on a show. And I'll finish the many threads I've started here in 2006.

But for now, enjoy your holiday!

A Great Show

Even though no humans are involved, here's a great holiday show. I have no idea whose house this is, but someone decided to configure his or her home Christmas light display into this monster. You gotta figure the neighbors hate it - but it's a lot of fun to watch. Click on the box to see the video.

Person of the Year

Time magazine has named its Person of the Year, and believe it or not, it's me. Go here for proof.

Oh, by the way - you're the Person of the Year, too. Congratulations!

Getting Into Local Theatre - Part 6

When the board of the First Stage Theatre Company (the local children’s theatre) decided to stage “A Christmas Story” in 2001, I knew this was the perfect show to tackle as my first directing job. For one thing, I loved the source material - the original film based on Jean Shepherd’s stories about his efforts as a kid to get a Red Ryder BB Gun.

I’m the only person I know who saw that film at the theater when it was released (although I’ll admit it was just luck - at that time I saw virtually every movie that came out). I loved it - it was funny, nostalgic and pretty much nailed the whole feeling of what Christmas is like for a kid.

In casting, I decided early on to cheat a bit and cast adults in at least three roles - as the Father (always referred to as the Old Man), the Mother and the Narrator. There were two reasons for that - believability (it’s not always easy to pass teens off as adults) and because I wanted some veteran actors to help guide the young performers. Only a handful of adults showed up to the auditions, and casting the show was a no-brainer.

For the Old Man, it had to be C.E. Wilson. He had lots of experience in comic roles, so I knew he’d get the maximum laughs out of the part - and even though he’s really an incredibly nice guy, I knew he’d also be able to sell the Old Man as a grouch. As expected, he was wonderful in the part. If they ever decide to reshoot the film, they’d be smart to use C.E. - he owns the role.

For the Narrator, I tapped my pal Clint McElroy. Filling in for humorist Jean Shepherd (who narrated the film) is no small task. Not many actors could convey the emotion and humor of the part just with their voice - but I knew Clint could do it, and I was right - he was terrific.

The role of the Mom was tough, because there were several good candidates - but I settled on a woman I had seen on stage doing great work in Easter shows at her church. Leslie McElroy (Clint’s wife) was perfect in the part. As a Mom (both on stage and in real life) she could go from stern discipline to loving concern, from outrage at the Old Man’s antics to gentle manipulation, all without batting an eye. Like C.E., she owned the part.

I ended up using two other adults in the show - Tom Hastie made a great Santa (hey, the real Santa was busy at the time) and a guy named Bobby Williamson filled out the other adult parts and almost stole the show with his turn as a cowboy - he took it as far over the top as I’ve ever seen an actor go (in a comedy, this is a good thing), and the crowds loved it.

All we needed now was a bunch of kids and a place to stage the show.

Next: Staging the show.

Getting Into Local Theatre - Part 5

There have been so many shows lately that I lost track of my running memoir about how I found myself involved in local theatre. So where was I? Ah, yes...

I had landed my first role as an actor (not counting my starring turn as a blade of grass during my first grade class play, “The Three Billy Goats Gruff”). What followed was a couple of months of rehearsal and lots of fun.

There’s a special camaraderie that brings most acting troupes together - you become a team, fighting to get through the impossible job of learning all the lines, memorizing the songs, figuring out the dance steps and the stage movements, all while pretending to be a different character - and sometimes more than one character. The group of guys (and two women) who made up the cast a “1776” really bonded - we laughed, told stories and just in general had a heck of a good time.

That was largely possible because we had a great cast - too many to name here, but I have to mention Clint McElroy, in one of his best performances ever as John Adams, and Danny Ray, who played Ben Franklin perfectly. There were so many others - I could fill volumes just talking about how wonderful they all were, each perfectly cast in their part.

Of course, no show would succeed without great leadership, and director Gene Anthony did a herculean job pulling the cast together and turning it into a wonderful show. I don’t want to embarrass him by gushing too much, but he and the rest of his directing team did an amazing job bringing all the disparate elements together and crafted a terrific show. He made every rehearsal a joy.

In fact, I was worried that the weakest element in the show was going to be - well, me. Thankfully, they had me covered - I was given a part that called for a timid man who didn’t demand the limelight - that was me all over! I only had about a half a dozen lines, and any fears that I wouldn’t be able to remember them quickly vanished - after two months of rehearsals, they were locked into my head, and since my entrance didn’t happen until about 45 minutes into the show, I had plenty of time to review them while everyone else was out there working.

I only had one moment of uncertainty. During the final week of rehearsal, I was pulled aside by someone not directly involved with “1776” - an actor who wanted to give me some advice. It seems I wasn’t talking with a New Jersey accent (my character was the delegate from that state). I smiled and said, “Let me explain. I don’t do accents because I can’t do accents. Second of all, my character was actually Scottish, and another character in the show was already using a Scottish accent to great comic effect, and he probably wouldn’t appreciate me stealing his bit.” (That part was played by my pal Jim Lamp, who was terrific, especially in his on-stage arguments with fellow real-life attorney Mark Hayes.)

When the shows arrived, everything went like clockwork - the costume makers had provided me with an awesome black suit, and the makeup crew applied the necessary coverage to my mug (I must admit that I hated that part. It wasn’t their fault - I just hated having makeup on. I was probably just thinking, “What would Dad say if he saw me now?”).

I did my part, the shows went well, my fellow actors were incredible, I survived, got rid of most of my stage fright in the process, made new friends and had a great time.

It was time for the next challenge: directing.

Next: A Christmas Story

On Stage Sunday Afternoon

It's your last chance to see these shows:

First Stage Theatre presents "Babes in Toyland" today at 2:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Center (the old Huntington High School).

5th Avenue Theatre Company presents a musical version of “A Christmas Carol,” at the Jean C. Carlo Stephenson Auditorium at Huntington's City Hall at 2:30 p.m.

As the holiday gets closer the chances to see live theatre diminish, so get out there and see a show while you can!

On Stage Saturday Night

You have three shows to choose from tonight:

First Stage Theatre presents "Babes in Toyland" tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Center (the old Huntington High School).

5th Avenue Theatre Company presents a musical version of “A Christmas Carol” at the Jean C. Carlo Stephenson Auditorium at Huntington's City Hall at 8:00 p.m.

Cabell Midland High School's Collegium Musicum will present its 13th Annual Christmas Madrigal Dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the school cafeteria.

Pick one and enjoy some local talent!

On Stage Friday Night

Yet another busy December night for shows. Here's what to look for tonight:

First Stage Theatre presents "Babes in Toyland" tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the old Huntington High School.

5th Avenue Theatre Company presents a musical version of “A Christmas Carol,” at the Jean C. Carlo Stephenson Auditorium at Huntington's City Hall at 8:00 p.m.

Tomaseen Foley's "A Celtic Christmas" will be presented by the Marshall Artists Series at 7:30 p.m. at the Keith-Albee Theater.

Cabell Midland High School's Collegium Musicum will present its 13th Annual Christmas Madrigal Dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the school cafeteria.

The Backstage Players present “A Christmas Story” at 8:00 p.m. at the Paramount Arts Center.

So no one can complain there's nothing to do. Brave the cold and see a show tonight!

On Stage Thursday Night

Tonight you can catch "A Christmas Story" at Ashland's Paramount Theater at 8:00 p.m.

It's based on the movie which is based on a story by Jean Shepherd about a boy named Ralphie who wants a BB Gun for Christmas, but everyone says "You'll shoot your eye out!" Basically.

Another Busy Weekend

Just when you thought things were calming down on the local theatre scene, here comes another busy weekend with lots of shows to choose from.

First Stage Theatre will present three more shows of "Babes in Toyland" at the old Huntington High School in Huntington - shows are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Fifth Avenue Theatre will present "A Christmas Carol" at Huntington's City Hall at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Part concert, part original show and part dinner theatre, The Cabell Midland High School Collegium Musicum - a vocal ensemble of students who perform in Renaissance costume - will have its 13th annual Madrigal Dinner at 7:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8-9, in the school cafeteria. I've been going to these for years - both before, during and (starting this year) after my youngest son was involved with the group - and it's a fun evening with wonderful holiday music. Tickets are $15 per person and include a sit-down dinner served by the students.

Also, even though we focus on the Huntington area here, I wanted to mention two performances of "A Christmas Story" at Ashland's Paramount Theater Thursday and Friday at 8:00 p.m. It's the story by Jean Shepherd about a boy named Ralphie who wants a BB Gun for Christmas, but everyone says "You'll shoot your eye out!" Wouldn't be Christmas without it.

4 shows in 4 days

Our pal "MarshallMark" just sent the following in as a Comment - he reviews four shows from the past weekend. I love it! I wanted to be sure everyone saw this, so I'm turning this entry over to him. Here's Mark:

Last Thursday, my lovely wife and I had a pleasant evening out taking in "Driving Miss Daisy" at Marshall. The show was terrific, and the performance by the actress that portrayed 'Miss Daisy' was superb. She looked and acted in her 70s, even though I'm sure she was college-aged. Director Gene Anthony took a simple set and made it interesting, and functional, and molded his small cast into three excellent characters. It was a LOT of fun.

Friday night (and Saturday night, for that matter), we attended Cabell Midland's performance of "Little Shop of Horrors". That show has always been one of my favorites since I saw it at the Orpheum Theatre in New York City in the late 1970s. Midland's production was excellent! John Wolfe was terrific (as usual) as Seymour, and Ashton Ernst was funny as ditzy Audry. The narrating trio was great, especially the pretty soprano (disclaimer: that's my daughter)! The plant stole the show, particularly after promising to eat the audience (and Cleveland). Very nice performance -- probably the best high school production I've ever seen!

Sunday, my lovely wife (the same one!) and I ventured to cold Columbus to see "12 Angry Men" as part of the Broadway Across America series. This show featured George Wendt (Norm in 'Cheers') as Juror #1, the foreman, and Richard Thomas (John Boy from 'The Waltons') as Juror #8, the same part played by Henry Fonda in the 1957 movie. Wendt really didn't have that much to do, but Thomas was excellent. The show is very much an ensemble cast, and this production had 12 very, very good characters to enhance the show's development. It was very much worth the drive!

Next weekend we're scheduled to see "Babes in Toyland" and "A Christmas Carol", then off to "CATS" in Columbus the following weekend! What's the old saying...no rest for the wicked?

A Christmas Carol - The Review

The story of Ebenenzer Scrooge and his discovery of the true meaning of Christmas must be the most-performed stage show ever. The show has been staged numerous times in our area, and theatre groups are always looking for a way to give the show a fresh spin.

One of the newest versions of that story is on display at Huntington’s City Hall auditorium as Fifth Avenue Theatre Company presents the musical version of “A Christmas Carol.” If you missed it this weekend, there are three more shows being staged next Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

The show features a huge cast, including some of the area’s best performers. Schoch Donahoe tackles the part of Scrooge, and does a great job (although it takes a moment to get used to seeing Scrooge singing). Playing the ghost of his old partner Marley is Mark Near, who leads a terrific number and lugs a huge chain around at the same time (and the chain is very real and very heavy - talk about method acting)!

Veteran performer Tommy Smirl turns in his usual excellent job as Scrooge’s employee Bob Crachit, and Caleb Donahoe and Sydney Pay perform a sweet duet as Young Scrooge and his sister Fan. The Ghosts of Past, Present and Future are brought to life by Jessica Maier, Paul Neace and Kerri Easter.

There are quite a few fun dance numbers and songs along the way, but the show really hits its stride when Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, played with delightful gusto by Clint McElroy and Linda Reynolds, kick off their Christmas party.

The company has put together an energetic and fun-filled version of the holiday classic - special kudos to director Mary Smirl for tackling such a herculean task. “A Christmas Carol” is a notoriously difficult show to stage, and the directors, the cast and the tech crew have done some amazing work to make this one happen. A special tip o' the top hat to orchestra leader Mark Smith and his band - as always, they're awesome!

There are those who claim Charles Dickens "saved" Christmas by popularizing the holiday with his famous story (first published on Dec. 19, 1843). That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but it sure wouldn’t seem like Christmas with the “Carol.”

The Weekend That Was

There's a short story and photogallery about "A Christmas Carol" in today's Herald-Dispatch. You can see it here.

On Stage Sunday Afternoon

Things calm down a bit today - there are only two shows to choose from this afternoon. They are:

First Stage Theatre's "Babes in Toyland" at 2:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Theater (the old Huntington High School).

Fifth Avenue Theatre's "A Christmas Carol" at 2:30 p.m. at Huntington's City Hall.

But if you can't see one today, take heart - both run again next weekend!

Music from "Aida"

Since the musical "Aida" isn't as well known as some, I wanted to provide a clip to give you a sample of what to expect - but the only thing I could find was lots of clips of a high school performance somewhere - and this one, with Shania Twain performing Amneris' Song with Elton John, who wrote the music for the show with Tim Rice shortly after their collaboration on "The Lion King."

Here's the clip:

On Stage Saturday Night

Here it is, the busiest night in local theatre in memory (if there was ever a night with more shows to choose from, I'd like to hear about it)!

Tonight's line-up:

The Marshall Artist Series presents the only performance of "Aida," which features songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the Keith Albee Theater.

The final performance of Marshall's "Driving Miss Daisy" is at 8:00 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

First Stage Theatre's "Babes in Toyland" is at 7:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Theater (the old Huntington High School).

Fifth Avenue Theatre's "A Christmas Carol" is at 7:30 p.m. at Huntington's City Hall.

Cabell-Midland High School presents the final performance of "The Little Shop of Horrors" at 8:00 p.m.

Five shows in one night - amazing! Get out there and try one!

More Babes in Toyland

There's a nice write-up and photogallery in today's Herald-Dispatch about "Babes in Toyland" - you can see it here.

Babes in Toyland - The Review

Strictly speaking, First Stage Theatre’s “Babes in Toyland” isn’t really a Christmas show - it contains no direct references to the holiday at all. However, watching it will put you in the holiday spirit. That’s because the show evokes the magic and wonder of childhood.

It tells the story of a family made up of characters from Mother Goose stories - Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, Little Bo Peep, Jack and Jill, Little Boy Blue, Little Red Riding Hood - well, you get the idea. They’re all being threatened by the bad guy, Barnaby, who wants to marry Mary - but Mary’s in love with Barnaby’s nephew, Alan, who survives more than one attempt on his life by a couple of bumbling henchmen, and the whole gang survives a trip through the Spider Forest and finds themselves at Toyland, where magical things happen. (Whew!)

This is a show that really is aimed at the young - and (if you’ll pardon the cliché) the young at heart. It’s funny and sweet and endearing all at the same time. The cast combines some veterans of the children’s theatre with some new faces and creates a show that’s a lot of fun, with several sweet songs and lots of high-spirited choreography.

Special kudos to: Brittany Hazeldine, who is perfect as Mary (her expressions are priceless and her singing is tremendous); Sam Yates, who has a great time chewing up the scenery as the evil Barnaby (and he sports an amazing mustache); Elijah Boyles, who’s a relative newcomer to the stage, but does a great job as the hero of the show; Hilary Rousch and Alissa Fetherolf are hilarious as the bumbling henchmen; Lauren Cundiff has some great scenes as the Widow Piper (who’s easily confused); and Tom Hastie, the show’s only “grownup,” is obviously having great fun playing the Toymaker.

I certainly don’t mean to slight anyone else in the cast - they’re wonderful, and theatre is a team effort - it takes everyone doing their part to being a show together, and the cast is excellent, whether singing, dancing, telling jokes, staging bits of business or just delivering their lines. The show proves that the future is bright for First Stage.

If you want a refresher course in the magic of childhood, check out “Babes in Toyland.” You’ll find yourself watching with a big smile on your face - and if you have any little ones around, take them and enjoy watching them smile, too.

Roll the Tape

Hey, the Herald-Dispatch's website is including actual video these days. They should tell me these things!

Click here to see a short video story about Cabell-Midland's "Little Shop of Horrors."

On Stage Friday Night

Tonight's the night - there are lots of shows to choose from out there, including:

Marshall's "Driving Miss Daisy" at 8:00 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

First Stage Theatre's "Babes in Toyland" at 7:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Theater (the old Huntington High School).

Fifth Avenue Theatre's "A Christmas Carol" at 7:30 p.m. at Huntington's City Hall.

Cabell-Midland High School presents "The Little Shop of Horrors" at 8:00 p.m.

There's a nice wrap-up of local productions here on the Herald-Dispatch website. I won't be able to see them all this weekend, so write in and let us hear your thoughts about the shows.

Happy theater-going!