The Greatest Musical of Them All

The discussion I linked to in Thursday's post got me thinking - what is the greatest musical of them all?

Granted, that segment looked at shows that originated in New York - but it's a fun question to wrestle with.

Everyone would probably have a different answer - and it's made more difficult by the fact that many of us (like me, for instance) haven't seen some of the shows that would be considered.

It would be a challenge just to make a "Top 10" list. A few that leap to mind right away are Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Jersey Boys... and I'm sure I'm missing lots of amazing shows.

For most of us, it would probably come down to a sentimental favorite - but even then it's a tough call. But it's a lot of fun to think and argue about!

On Stage This Weekend - "Shipwrecked"

Wow, I'm falling down on the job here! This weekend, the second community theatre performance for 2011 hits the stage.

It goes by this unlikely title: Shipwrecked (An Entertainment) The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself). It's written by Donald Marguiles, and the Charleston Stage Company presents the show through Jan. 30 at the Walker Theater at the Clay Center.

Check it out!

The Greatest New York Musical Is...?

I ordinarily don't link to other newspapers, but I have to make an exception for this story in New York Magazine - it has some prominent artists trying to decide which New York musical is the best one of all time.

The discussion is a delight to read, but remember - they're talking about shows that originated on Broadway, so that cuts out quite a few favorites, including Phantom of the Opera, Cats and Les Miserables (to name a few).

It's a fun debate that theatre fans have been discussing for decades.

You can read it by clicking on this link.

Auditions for "The Drowsy Chaperone"

Auditions are coming up next week for a terrific show, The Drowsy Chaperone, which will be staged in April by ARTS.

The auditions will take place at 900 8th Street in Huntington - here's the announcement:

ARTS is proud to announce auditions for The Drowsy Chaperone.

Show dates are April 1,2,3 and 8,9,10. Rehearsals are scheduled to begin Monday February 7.

Auditions will take place at the ARTS Resources for the Tri-State Renaissance Theatre. You may audition either Monday, Jan. 31 between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. or Tuesday, Feb. 1 between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. or by special appointment if necessary.

Please bring a prepared 16 bar cut. Accompanist will be provided. Also be prepared to cold read and wear clothes you can move in comfortably. You will also be taught a song from the show.

Director - Bil Neal
Assistant - Stephen Vance
Choreographer - Melissa McGuffin

Oscar Nominees

They announced the nominees for the 83rd Annual Academy Awards this morning, so we'll have to gear up for our annual "Guess the Winners" competition!

I still can't get used to having 10 nominees for Best Picture - it seems awfully crowded (though I'm glad to see Toy Story 3 on the list - a terrific movie, and the only one in there I've seen - so far).

Here are the nominees:

1. Best Picture: "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "Inception," "The Kids Are All Right," "The King's Speech," "127 Hours," "The Social Network," "Toy Story 3," "True Grit," "Winter's Bone."

2. Actor: Javier Bardem, "Biutiful"; Jeff Bridges, "True Grit"; Jesse Eisenberg, "The Social Network"; Colin Firth, "The King's Speech"; James Franco, "127 Hours."

3. Actress: Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right"; Nicole Kidman, "Rabbit Hole"; Jennifer Lawrence, "Winter's Bone"; Natalie Portman, "Black Swan"; Michelle Williams, "Blue Valentine."

4. Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, "The Fighter"; John Hawkes, "Winter's Bone"; Jeremy Renner, "The Town"; Mark Ruffalo, "The Kids Are All Right"; Geoffrey Rush, "The King's Speech."

5. Supporting Actress: Amy Adams, "The Fighter"; Helena Bonham Carter, "The King's Speech"; Melissa Leo, "The Fighter"; Hailee Steinfeld, "True Grit"; Jacki Weaver, "Animal Kingdom."

6. Directing: Darren Aronofsky, "Black Swan"; David O. Russell, "The Fighter"; Tom Hooper, "The King's Speech"; David Fincher, "The Social Network"; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "True Grit."

7. Foreign Language Film: "Biutiful," Mexico; "Dogtooth," Greece; "In a Better World," Denmark; "Incendies," Canada; "Outside the Law (Hors-la-loi)," Algeria.

8. Adapted Screenplay: Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy, "127 Hours"; Aaron Sorkin, "The Social Network"; Michael Arndt, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich, "Toy Story 3"; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "True Grit"; Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini, "Winter's Bone."

9. Original Screenplay: Mike Leigh, "Another Year"; Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson and Keith Dorrington, "The Fighter"; Christopher Nolan, "Inception"; Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg, "The Kids Are All Right"; David Seidler, "The King's Speech."

10. Animated Feature Film: "How to Train Your Dragon," "The Illusionist," "Toy Story 3."

11. Art Direction: "Alice in Wonderland," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1," "Inception," "The King's Speech," "True Grit."

12. Cinematography: "Black Swan," "Inception," "The King's Speech," "The Social Network," "True Grit."

13. Sound Mixing: "Inception," "The King's Speech," "Salt," "The Social Network," "True Grit."

14. Sound Editing: "Inception," "Toy Story 3," "Tron: Legacy," "True Grit," "Unstoppable."

15. Original Score: "How to Train Your Dragon," John Powell; "Inception," Hans Zimmer; "The King's Speech," Alexandre Desplat; "127 Hours," A.R. Rahman; "The Social Network," Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

16. Original Song: "Coming Home" from "Country Strong," Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey; "I See the Light" from "Tangled," Alan Menken and Glenn Slater; "If I Rise" from "127 Hours," A.R. Rahman, Dido and Rollo Armstrong; "We Belong Together" from "Toy Story 3," Randy Newman.

17. Costume: "Alice in Wonderland," "I Am Love," "The King's Speech," "The Tempest," "True Grit."

18. Documentary Feature: "Exit through the Gift Shop," "Gasland," "Inside Job," "Restrepo," "Waste Land."

19. Documentary (short subject): "Killing in the Name," "Poster Girl," "Strangers No More," "Sun Come Up," "The Warriors of Qiugang."

20. Film Editing: "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "The King's Speech," "127 Hours," "The Social Network."

21. Makeup: "Barney's Version," "The Way Back," "The Wolfman."

22. Animated Short Film: "Day and Night," "The Gruffalo," "Let's Pollute," "The Lost Thing," "Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, a Journey Diary)."

23. Live Action Short Film: "The Confession," "The Crush," "God of Love," "Na Wewe," "Wish 143."

24. Visual Effects: "Alice in Wonderland," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1," "Hereafter," "Inception," "Iron Man 2."

Upcoming Events at the Keith-Albee

My pal Dave Lavender has a great story in today's Herald-Dispatch about the renovations at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

I have great fondness for that theater, since I worked there as a doorman when I was in college and watched countless movies. I'm proud, too, that I was involved with the first community theatre production on that stage in decades - High School Musical - and First Stage is getting ready to stage another one in March - Rugrats: The Live Adventure!

Here's Dave's story:

Junior Ross holds up a sheet of paper full from top to bottom and can't help but smile.

Coming to the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center in the next few months is everything from multiple Marshall Artists Series performances to two film festivals, a First Stage Theatre show, graduations, five weddings and three Huntington Symphony Orchestra shows.

Ross, who oversees the maintenance of the historic Keith-Albee, a 3,000-seat theater built in 1928, wants everyone to feel welcome to come on in and love the theater like he does.

"We've got just about everything," Ross said looking over the upcoming schedule of events. "We want everyone to come and use the building."

Formerly a movie theater owned by the Hyman family, the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center has been under the care of the nonprofit Keith-Albee Foundation and its 16-member board since 2006 when Derek Hyman and family handed over the keys.

In a case of restore it and they will come, it seems the Keith-Albee, which re-opened Dec. 12, 2006, for the premiere of the We Are Marshall movie, is continuing to play a strong role in the community as a venue for everything from the Marshall Artists Series to an increasingly popular choice for weddings.

Huntington attorney David Tyson, who is co-president of the foundation along with W.Va. Sen. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, said they're happy where the Keith-Albee is at this juncture of its rebirth.

"We are turning a profit, not a large one, but in today's market, turning any profit is a good thing," Tyson said. "We're happy where it's going. Would we like to have $20 or $40 million and make it look like a palace? Sure, but we have to be realistic, and Sen. Plymale and I are pleased at the rate things are going, and that we certainly have a lot of community support."

As with most theaters in the nation, part of that support comes from a $1 ticket surcharge that goes to the theater restoration.

State grants also offer help, and Tyson said another encouraging level of support has come from a next generation of supporters, such as thirtysomething Huntington native Trey Murdock, who lives in Texas, but cares enough about his hometown theater to send in $1,200 to date to help with restoration efforts.

Tyson said with ongoing support, the Keith-Albee has made headway on some big projects in the past year.

This past summer, the Keith got a new roof over its stage, thanks to a state grant and matching local funds.

Now, Tyson said the Foundation is currently fund-raising to match a second grant that is just over $100,000. It will go toward the second phase of replacing the theater's roofs, which include the largest roof over the theater "house" as well as a series of four smaller roofs over the front part of the building.

Ross said the number one priority is finishing the replacement of the theater's multiple roofs.

Inside the grand movie palace, the Foundation has done some major work in the past year, nothing more important than the addition of a handicap-accessible bathroom.

In years past, patrons who use wheelchairs would have to go up to the third floor in the adjacent building.

But this past year, the Foundation spent about $60,000 turning an old janitor's storage closet into an exquisite 1920s-era bathroom.

"It's absolutely gorgeous," Tyson said of the bathroom that fits needs for the disabled as well as parents with small children, since there is a baby-changing station.

Another recent project that has been substantial has been spending about $10,000 to letter and number the backs of every chair in the building to help everyone from show producers to ushers and ticket-holders.

"For the first time in over half a century, there are numbers and letters screwed onto the chairs," Tyson said. "Yes, at some point we will change the chairs and make them larger, but that is pretty far off right now. We have to take care of the roof first."

While still awaiting enough funds to completely re-do the roofs, they've been getting a number of other projects done.

One of the most visible projects that will be completed this spring is restoring the lighted wooden boxes -- called "one-sheet boxes" -- located outside in the front of the theater that hold advertisements promoting incoming shows.

A project spearheaded by downtown business owner and theater supporter Liza Caldwell, the elaborately scrolled oak cabinets have been recreated exactly to original blueprints that Edmunds and Ross found in the building.

Built by Quality Woods Inc. in Charleston, the cabinets are a far cry from the black plywood now in front.

"The casings are in, and they're beautiful. They were falling apart," Tyson said. "They're restored exactly to the period."

Behind those grand curtains on each side of the stage, another restoration project is in the works.

Keith-Albee volunteer Bob Edmunds, who helps Ross with some of the maintenance projects in the building, heads up the Huntington Theatre Organ Project Inc., which has been feverishly at work, restoring a room-sized Wurlitzer Marimba Harp.

Edmonds' separate nonprofit just bought and brought the Keith-Albee's original organ that was built in 1927 and gone from the Keith since 1957. He has been working on connecting several of the solo chamber instruments (such as tuned sleigh bells) and the Marimba to the current organ in time for the Symphony concert in April, since they are doing an organ composition.

Edmunds, who's got organ parts stashed in handful of rooms upstairs and in the Keith basement, said so far, they've raised more than $3,000 for organ restoration work. They hope to raise as much as $100,000 to fully restore the Keith organ (which is much bigger than the current organ) to it full glory and then some, as he starts swapping in better instrumentation from the original organ.

Inside a hallway of the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, Ross runs his hand over a stucco wall, where a steam leak had recently wrecked havoc but now has disappeared, thanks to a local plumbing company that patched it up perfectly.

Ross said he and Edmunds are on constant vigilance, watching out for those quiet but could be costly repairs.

"Each project that we do, we get done right, and each one we get done is a God-send," Ross said. "There's a lot of stuff nobody sees and nobody knows what's been done, but you just can't lock up a building this size that was built in 1928 and wait for the next show. There's steam leaks and water leaks at any time. We keep busy. We aren't hurting for work."

Caring for the Keith-Albee

DONATING TO THE CAUSE: To make a donation to the foundation, send checks to The Keith-Albee Foundation, in care of David Tyson, PO Box 1096, Huntington, WV 25714.

UPCOMING SHOWS: Just a few of the upcoming shows include First Stage Theatre's Rugrats: The Live Adventure in March; the Marshall Artists Series season shows: Video Games Live at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3; A Chorus Line, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24; Spring International Film Festival, March 3-9; Spring Awakening, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 29; and The Color Purple, 8 p.m. Friday, April 1. Other bookings include Huntington Symphony Orchestra: "A Winter's Delight" on Saturday, Feb. 12, "Carnivale! Celebrate Life, Love, Fate!" on Saturday, March 12, and "A Springtime Serenade" on Saturday, April 23. The Appalachian Film Festival winds up its three-day fest with two days of film at the Keith on Friday-Saturday, Feb. 25-26.

ON VIDEO: Go online at www.herald-dispatch.com. Click onto local videos and Tyson on the Town to see a video starring Tyson Compton, president of the Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau, as he explores the Keith-Albee and other downtown gems.

"Clue the Musical" in Ashland

The first show of 2011 hit the stage this weekend!

Clue The Musical is being presented by the Paramount Players Saturday at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Ky.

Don't miss it!

Comments About "Spider-Man"

I was hoping one of our readers would have a chance to see the new Spider-Man musical - and my pal Elaine did!

Here's what she had to say about that show:

McKenzie, Mary Kate, Josh Meredith, Nathan Mohebbi and I saw Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, in preview on December 27.

The flying aerial stunts were amazing! With two actors flying simultaneously, crossing lines and flying to ledges on the balcony and the mezzanine from the stage, it was simply incredible. Fortunately, the night we attended, there were no injuries.

Unfortunately, the plot needs work and we commented that the second act lacked aerial stunts for a big finish. McKenzie informed me today that the show has now added new flying stunts for a big finish.

If you like Bono, then you will like the music. There was a mix of video, unusual characters and a bit of a lag in the second act, so the directors are working on that as well as the flying for a delayed premiere on March 15.

Despite the injuries and delays, the previews have sold well and it was a full house when we were there. For the most expensive Broadway show in history ($65 million), it was a sight to behold.

If you have been involved with a flight crew on stage, this is a show to see! It will be interesting to see when the show really comes out of preview and how long they can maintain the safety of the actors.

Thanks for that report, Elaine! Now I want to see it even more!

Things Are Quiet... For Now

Sorry for the scarcity of posts, gentle readers - things have been pretty quiet on the community theatre front!

Quite a few shows are in rehearsals, and a couple are coming up soon - but these are (for the most part) the lean days for local theatre.

I hear rumors about some big news around the corner, but I can't report it until I have the whole story - so stay patient and hopefully I'll have some big news soon.

And if you hear anything - let me know!

A Mystery at Heritage Station

My pal Eddie Harbert sends along this information about a dinner theatre / murder mystery coming up this weekend and next:

The Heritage Station Shop Owners, in association with the Cabell Huntington Visitors and Convention Bureau, are pleased to present A Murderous Reunion, a murder mystery party presented at Heritage Station January 21, 22, 28 and 29, each night at 6:30pm.

This fundraiser is produced to bring visitors to Heritage Village and the downtown Huntington area, to provide entertainment, and showcase the historic Heritage Station and its neighboring shops. This interactive Murder Mystery Party is performed by ‘Murder and Merriment,’ a local murder mystery theatrical company.

The outline of the program each night features the 25th Reunion of the Calvin Coolidge High School Class of 1986, attended by a sordid cast of characters who are all murder suspects, potentially guilty of murdering their former Student Body President. Guests at the party will play the role of junior detective, assisted by mystery writer and amateur detective, Jennifer Fletcher, of the TV show, “Murder, She Writes.”

Each evening, prizes will be awarded to Guests who correctly solve the murder mystery. A catered dinner, provided by Crumpets and Tea, will be served along with non-alcoholic beverages. Reunion Tickets to the murder party are $25 per person and reservations are strongly suggested as seating is limited. Guests can call 304-962-2459 to reserve or purchase their tickets.

Murder and Merriment, developed by George R. Snider III, leads a cast comprised of Ron Short, Maxine Loudermilk, Susan Rawn, Scott Neill, Jennifer Fuller, Allan Stern and Peggy Walker. The program is produced by Eddie Harbert.

"Spider-Man" - The King of Broadway?

It's surprising that I haven't mentioned the hottest show on Broadway - Spider-Man Turn off the Dark.

Despite the fact that the show is in previews and hasn't officially "opened" yet, it's been the top-grossing show in New York for months now. Of course, it's also been controversial because of injuries to several actors in the show.

It's a production that seems to confound the experts, who've been predicting its demise. It reminds me of Wicked, which also had a high price tag, but went on to be a huge hit (and continues to be one). Spider-Man strikes me as the same kind of spectacle, a stunt-filled work that has to be seen to be believed.

The show's opening has been delayed until March 15 to fix some problems, but it continues to play to packed houses in the meantime.

Here's hoping it hangs in there (and the actors stay safe) until I get a chance to make the trip to New York and catch the show!

"Stomp" Rolls On

STOMP has played its part in this year's Marshall Artists Series, and its final performance here was yesterday.

Here's what the Herald-Dispatch had to say today:

After completing more than 5,000 performances around the world, it was only a matter of time before STOMP stopped in for visit to the Tri-State.

The award-winning, broomstick-busting show swept into Huntington with Tuesday and Wednesday night performances at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center as a part of the latest installment of the Marshall Artists Series.

Created in 1991, STOMP has won numerous awards, been featured in a record-selling HBO special and was named one of the best musicals or plays in the last 25 years by Entertainment Weekly.

During a week's worth of performances, the cast can go through 30 broomsticks, 12 sets of drumsticks, 200 liters of water and five short bins. Multiply that by 5,000 performances and that equates in to hundreds of thousands piece of equipment in the past 20 years.

The next event in the Marshall Artist Series will be Video Games LIVE at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. The show is a concert featuring music from some of the most popular video games of all time.

"Stomp" Hits Huntington

If (sadly, like me) you missed the musical event knows as STOMP when it visited the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center this week, you can at least catch a few photos from the event at the Herald-Dispatch's Photo Gallery, which you can see right here.

Winter Wonderland

Hey, when it comes to song and dance, Glee has nothing on this group.

The award-winning Cabell Midland High School Show Choir is planning its annual Winter Wonderland Dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, at the school.

Dinner will be provided by Outback Steakhouse. Tickets are $20.

For reservations, call 304-743-7427.

A Correction for "Nunset Boulevard"

My pal Jerry Morse sends along a correction about First Church Dinner Theater's upcoming production Nunset Boulevard:

Regarding First Church Dinner Theater’s upcoming Valentine’s production, the dates for the performances are February 11, 12 and 14 - but the days may be listed incorrectly.

The performances will be on Friday, Feb. 11, 2001; Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, and Monday, Feb. 14, 2011.

Thanks, Jerry - I'll correct the original post, too.

Entertainment News

There's a great story in today's Herald-Dispatch about this week's offering from the Marshall Artists Series - STOMP!

But it's not available online - you'll have to pick up a copy of Sunday's paper to read it.

But you will find online a story about some shows coming soon to the Paramount Arts Center:

The classic board game Clue will take on a new life in Clue the Musical for a night of dinner theatre at the Paramount.

The murder mystery features a cast of characters brought together for a dinner party at the mansion of their millionaire host. When the host turns up dead, the guests become suspects.

This is the Paramount's first musical dinner theatre. Tickets are $23 per person. Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, and Saturday, Jan. 22. A few seats are still available.

Another upcoming special event is a "Shakepearience." During the Friday, Feb. 11, performance of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream guests will be allowed to turn their cell phones on. Guests will get tweeted fun, informative facts and trivia about the show.

This production of one of Shakespeare's most revered comedies will feature a fresh technology twist on both the setting (glow in the dark woods) and the audience interaction (tweets). Guests are encouraged to sign up for a free Twitter account prior to the performance. For information on how to sign up, become a follower of Paramount Joe and get push notifications to your cell phone, e-mail Jenny@paramountartscenter.com.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children.

STOMP!

Coming up next week is the first show of the season - the touring version of STOMP!

It should be a lot of fun!

The video link in the poster above doesn't work, but you can see it (and get a preview of the show) by going to this site.

Stuff and Nunsense

My pal Jerry Morse sends along this note about this year's dinner theatre presentation from Huntington's First United Methodist Church:

First Church Dinner Theater is sad to announce that there will not be a new adventure for Bitsy and Boots this February. Bitsy, Boots, and Ida decided that Kat and Tommy needed help with the twins on their Valentine’s getaway to St. Croix.

But DON'T DESPAIR.

Bitsy and Boots contacted their cousin Loretta, the black sheep of the family. Loretta deserted the Methodist flock to become a NUN! She is a member of the Little Sisters of Hoboken and she will be bringing her fellow sisters to Huntington to perform. Rumor has it that it is not holy hymns, but a Hollywood review called Nunset Boulevard!?

First Church Dinner Theater presents the Tri-State premiere of Nunset Boulevard

The Nunsense Hollywood Bowl Show

First United Methodist Church is excited to be the first in the Tri-State area to present this brand-new musical comedy in the Nunsense series, by Dan Goggin, for your Valentine’s entertainment.

In Nunset Boulevard, the Little Sisters of Hoboken head to Hollywood to perform in the fabled Hollywood Bowl. Or so they think.

The Dinner Theater has been a winter highlight in Huntington since 1991. Begun as a part of First Night, the Dinner Theater has been an integral part of First Church’s Mission program, raising more than $35,000 for Mission projects through 18 productions.

Huntington’s First United Methodist is a church in Mission, supporting community projects, Mission projects across West Virginia, and national and international relief efforts. Members volunteer throughout the community, and participate in mission work teams in West Virginia, Alaska, and Nicaragua.

First United Methodist Church, 1124 5th Ave., Huntington

The performances will be on Friday, Feb. 11, 2001; Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011; and Monday, Feb. 14, 2011.

Dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Show at 8 p.m.
Choice of entrees: Prime Rib au Jus or Glazed Cornish hen, with
Tossed Salad Baked Potato
Green peas and Pearl Onions
Dilly Rolls
Assorted Valentine Desserts

Dinner plus Show: Adult - $22.00 Child under 12 - $8.00
Show only (as space permits) - $5.00

Babysitting available on request for all shows (advance notice required)

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR ALL SHOWS
For Reservations, call 304-522-0357 or 740-867-8576

All profits benefit the Missions of First United Methodist

So, plan on joining us Feb, 11, 12, and 14 for some rollicking fun as only nuns can deliver. The cast includes:

Sister Mary Hubert - Loretta Hetzer
Sister Mary Leo - Jane Modlin
Sister Mary Paul - Sara Tschop
Sister Robert Ann - Leann Haines
Reverend Mother - Jane Morse
Announcer, Ursuldeen Snedeker - Stacy Morgan
Musical Director - Eddie Harbert
Director - Jerry Morse

Getting Ready...

This is the time of year when theatre groups start gearing up their rehearsals - for instance, the young stars of the upcoming show Rugrats started working on their show this week.

We'll try to take a look at some of those rehearsals in the weeks ahead. We'll also talk about the shows coming up this Spring - there are some great ones in the works - and I hear rumors that a couple of community theatre groups have big news on the way...

More news as it develops!

Lots of Shows Shut Down on Broadway

As my pal Zach Davis pointed out, quite a few shows shut down this week on Broadway - ironically, the same week that The Lion King passed Beauty and the Beast to take seventh place on the all-time list, and in three weeks The Phantom of the Opera celebrates its astonishing 23rd year on Broadway, setting a new all-time record every time the curtain goes up!

As for the shows closing this week, they include: Promises, Promises, Elf - the Musical, The Pee-wee Herman Show, West Side Story, Brief Encounters, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Bloody Andrew Jackson and Fela! (Hey, Zach - did I miss any?)

Don't worry, theatre fans - lots of new shows will soon take their place!

Shows On Stage in January

Happy New Year!

January's typically a slow month for shows - most groups are in rehearsal for their Spring shows - but here are three to look for:

- Stomp - the Marshall Artists Series presents the show Jan. 11 and 12 at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

- Clue The Musical - the Paramount Players presents the show Jan. 21 and 22 at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Ky.

- Shipwrecked (An Entertainment) The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself) by Donald Marguiles - the Charleston Stage Company presents the show Jan. 27 - 30 at the Walker Theater at the Clay Center.

Chuck's "Best of 2010" List

In looking back at 2010 I'm amazed at how many shows I didn't get to see. I only made it to 10 shows this year - about half my normal number.

So I don't feel I have any right to hand out awards for the "Best of the Year" performances or shows. But I will talk about what I did see - in order of appearance.

The first show I saw this year was the delightful Bitsy, Boots and Friends in February. It's the third in the series of plays starring the cantankerous sisters as written by Jonathan Joy. It's become an annual Valentine's production for First United Methodist Church. ("Come for the dinner, stay for the great show.") The shows are hilarious, the actors are wonderful - it's become a tradition in our household, and I'm looking forward to their 2011 offering!

March brought with it two wonderful shows, as First Stage Theatre Company celebrated its 20th Anniversary by bringing back its first show - You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown - and adding the sequel, Snoopy! The Musical, just for good measure. Both shows were terrific, with amazing casts. The young actors in those shows are loaded with talent, and did a wonderful job of bringing those shows to life. I wish I could buy the soundtrack to their version!

In April things were a little different, as (for the first time in 10 years) I was part of a show on stage. I had a small role in 5th Avenue's production of Camelot, and while I admit to being prejudiced, I think it was a terrific show - and most of the credit goes to the lead actors: Mark Baker as King Arthur, Marina Jurica as Queen Guenevere, Todd Preston as Sir Lancelot, and Danny Ray as Pellinor. The show had a great supporting cast, too, and it was a heck of a lot of fun to be part of the show. I highly recommend getting involved in local theatre!

In May I actually saw two shows. First Stage tackled its first original play with Jonathan Joy's The First Day of Summer, a touching story about two young people who meet in the woods and find their lives are changed forever.

The other show I saw in May was the only show I saw in Charleston this year: Courting Disaster, an original musical comedy set in a courtroom. It was a lot of fun and clever as can be, and it was great to see my pal Mel Larch having so much fun playing the conniving Judge.

September brought another terrific show - First Stage's James and the Giant Peach, as directed by Jonathan Joy (he's everywhere)! A fantastic cast, a great story and a fun show - I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

ARTS brought a show to life in August that I hadn't seen before - Will Rogers Follies - and they did an amazing job with it. The cast was terrific - special kudos to Stephen Vance for being able to do all those lines while twirling a rope, to Jane Modlin, who sang so beautifully (without falling down all those stairs), and to Jim Lamp, for stealing every scene he was in. A great show - if I were naming a "Best Show of the Year," this would be in the running.

So would The Good Doctor, presented by Marshall University in November. Apparently when you combine Neil Simon and Anton Chekhov you get an amazingly funny show. It doesn't hurt that the cast was terrific, with Chuck Heardon absolutely killing as a ladies' man.

I enjoyed all the shows on the list, but the last show I saw for the year was probably my favorite (though it was a close call with so many outstanding shows on the list). First Stage's Once Upon a Mattress featured a terrific cast, great costumes and set, wonderful songs, and a very funny show. The young actors were amazing! The directing team (led by Amy Browning) had to overcome some major hurdles to get this show done, and the final product was a real delight!

(And yes, I admit to being prejudiced, since I'm on the First Stage board - all I can say is, feel free to make your own list and I'll print it here!)

There are lots of shows I regret missing - Pirates of Penzance, Jack Cirillo's performance of A Christmas Carol, Barnum, Mary, White Christmas, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Dreamgirls - it was a season filled with great shows! Hopefully next year will be likewise, and time will permit me to see more of them.

As always, send along your list of favorites from the part year - send the to me at TheMinskers@aol.com and I'll post it here.

Oh, one more thing: Happy New Year, everyone!

Zach Davis' "Best of 2010"

Here's my pal Zach Davis with his contribution to our "Best of the Year" feature.

He writes:

Well, first off this year has been a rather interesting one to say the least. Theatre-wise I did catch a few great shows and, well, Aiden decided when I saw too many (LOL) but I have a few highlights from the year I would like to mention.

Last Spring I landed my second lead in a row over at ACTC in Copacabana. It also was the largest singing lead I have ever had and I was truly thankful for the opportunity. I also won an award for that performance but most importantly I learned the news that Allison and I were going to have a baby!

Now who can forget the great Liza Minelli performance! We had such a blast at her concert.

I along with Allison also had the chance to see the tour of Best Imitation in the Charleston Festiv-all line-up. Although it was short and ended, well, suddenly, it was a nice piece. The local author did a very good job and several great performers were in it.

I had the honor to be the technical director for I Love you, You"re Perfect, Now Change! I was the lucky one who got to actually put a functioning set in the ballroom of the ARTS building. So I was the guinea pig as one may say who paved the way and made it easier for those after me. I basically showed them what didn't work (LOL). However I loved every minute of it and loved touring to the Alban Theatre in St. Albans.

This year I made my directorial debut with Steel Magnolias! I feel that I along with my team at 5th Avenue Theatre Company had a great success on our hands and man, did that cast rock! The cast was so supportive in my family's time of need when our son Aiden came six weeks early into this world and later got sick and was transferred to Cincinnati, making me miss the final weekend and close of my first show. Aiden had surgery the morning of the final performance. I can't stress enough how much that cast and crew meant to us. That show also introduced some new talent, brought back some former Marshall actors and showed some more talent of veterans. May I also add that I brought some new faces to work behind the scenes from Ashland who built my set and I was super thankful and blessed to have them.

Allison and I were planning on attending Baby at ARTS but after we saw half the show during tech week so I could learn the plot our Son felt he needed to be born the next day! Kind of ironic really.

While in Cincinnati we did have a few chances in the evening to get out and clear our heads a little. We won tickests to see Disney on Ice Princesses! We even had box suite seats. The show was a great spectacle and very entertaining for all the families in attendance. The special effects were awesome. Also we got to see Evil Dead the Musical at the Falcon Theatre in Newport. It was so amazing and funny. We really needed to laugh that hard after what all we went through. The actors were outstanding and the producer sat right behind us. We were told that every show sold out at least a day before each performance and therefore they extended the run for an extra week. The show also featured a splash zone for those who wished to be sprayed with the fake blood. Allison wouldn't let me (LOL). It was a great way to spend Halloween night.

Finally I must add that being able to perform in White Christmas was an honor considering we spent 90 percent of the rehearsal period in Cincinnati. The show was so good and everyone was again so supportive and it was awesome to Have Allison carry our son Aiden in a few scenes! That marked his stage debut at only three months old. This year has just been a roller coaster for me and my family. Hopefully next year we will be able to get out to see more shows and from what I know, there sounds like some great plays coming up!

Bil Neal's "Best of 2010"

My pal Bil Neal is the latest to send in his comments about the "Best Community Theatre for 2010."

He writes:

In looking through my Franklin this past year, I noticed that there was a lot of theatre in our area that my schedule didn't allow me to see. Since that's the case, I find myself unable to post a "Best of " list this year - I feel like I missed too much.

Among the shows I somehow didn't get to see, I can say that lots of folks were talking about the following, and I feel bad that I didn't get to...

First Day of Summer (by Jonathon Joy), Annie (at HOT), Pippen: His life and times (gonna try to get out to that theatre in 2011), Barnum (CLOG - heard a lot of great stuff about that one and missed Kris Corbet), Steel Magnolias (Fifth Avenue), 25th Annual Spelling Bee (Pullman Hotel), Dreamgirls (CLOG - saw some of the costumes, missed the play).

Also missed a lot of the Benefits this year, but heard a lot about the one for Hospice (No Place Like Home) and the ones that Marina Jurica organized. Hope the MU Theatre Guild will do another, there's just so many causes I'd like to support.

There were several things I was able to get in town at the last minute to see at least one act. In this way I was able to enjoy Peanuts (First Stage - That role was written for Levi Kelly), Baby (ARTS - really good work, especially George Snider III and Jane Modlin), Once Upon a Mattress (First Stage - Costumes, Cast, Set - lovely), Little Shop of Horrors (Andrew Surber had me laughing out loud), and White Christmas (Fifth Avenue - good to see tap onstage, and who doesn't love Josh Janotta's voice?).

Of the plays and musicals I got to enjoy from curtain to curtain, most noteworthy were I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (ARTS - Dave Benton was a blast!), the Concert Version of A Chorus Line (MU - did anyone else cry over Nathan Mohebbi?), Harvey (ARTS - Dylan Clark's dialect, and Kenny Harbolt's physical comedy was wonderful), Always, Patsy Cline (Logan State Park - always wanted to see this show, the ladies who pulled it off were brilliant), It's a Wonderful Life (Portsmouth Little Theatre - Mark Near had me from the beginning), and (naturally) Will Rogers Follies (ARTS, but I've said enough about that).

Looking forward to so many things in 2011.

Jon Joy's "Best of 2010" List!

My pal Jonathan Joy is next to weigh in on our end-of-the-year tradition, as he sends along his "Best of 2010" list.

He writes:

I'm not going to break down the "best of" the way I did last year, because I did not see as many shows as usual. In 2009, I was able to take in 13 different plays, compared to only a handful in 2010. Having a newborn son meant we were much more likely to stay home or enjoy outdoor activites such as the pool or a variety of fairs and festivals. Fortunately, I was able to be involved in a bunch of shows and I have highlighted my best theatre experiences/memories/thoughts/people of the year here.

10) Dr. David Wohl: After a quarter century of guiding theatre artists at West Virginia State, Charleston Stage Company and Festiv-all, Dr. Wohl retired his WVSU position and moved south. Like many in the area, he helped open many doors of opportunity for me. The theatre community will miss him.

9) Amy Browning: She's a terrific director and I could not have asked for a better assistant director for my First Stage show The First Day of Summer. My son was born midway through the rehearsal process and I had to miss a few rehearsals. Amy steered the ship in my absence and helped me to craft a terrific show. Kudos to Jeanette Bills for an awesome producing job, as well.

8) Clown Jubilee: Levi Tobin Joy made his unofficial stage debut at this event at Charleston's Labelle Theatre in May. Clown Jubilee was organized by Tom King and featured an interactive approach to performing and all things clowning related. We had a great time.

7) David Johnston: The NYC based playwright visited MU's fourth annual New Works Festival in June. His play Coney was terrific and this festival may just be my favorite theatre event in Huntington.

6) The River Play: My MCTC Intro to Theatre students and I took a stab at the annual Festiv-all playwriting contest this year. The result was a funny 10-minute play about young love, pirates and redemption. We didn't win, but I was proud of their creative and entertaining ideas.

5) Theatre Camp! For the ninth straight summer, I conducted theatre camps at the Huntington Museum of Art. They have a great summer program that includes exposure to all of the arts. I had a blast with the theatre kids as they wrote their own scripts and performed them for friends, family. Jessica Fox also invited me back for a third straight year of camp at the Jeslyn.

4) Dubai: My plays were performed in North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Iowa and (of course) West Virginia this year. I was most excited, however, when a theatre from Dubai contacted me requesting rights for my 2002 political comedy American Standard. The result was my first ever overseas production.

3) WV Writers: T.W. McNemar invited me to take part in the WV Writers annual conference in Ripley. I taught three playwriting workshops in less than 24 hours and met some great fellow WV writers. There is a lot of talent in this state.

2) James (and Levi) and the Giant Peach: I had a terrific cast, crew and production team for this awesome First Stage production. I don't think I've ever had so much fun leading a young group through the rehearsal process. The result was a fun and imaginative play. It was also Levi's first full production. He was in attendance twice and he was a very good audience member - he didn't make a sound at either performance.

1) Bitsy and Boots and Friends: The good folks with the First United Methodist Church (Jane and Jerry Morse) were kind enough to stage my third helping of Bitsy and Boots fun for their annual dinner theatre. The crowds were terrific and seemed to enjoy it. I'm writing a fourth Bitsy and Boots play, though it may be a while before it hits the stage.

Of course, there are others. ACTC's festive opening night atmosphere for A Christmas Carol, Marshall University Theatre's extended use of the black box for student productions and this theatre blog should all make the list. I'm sure I'll remember others after I finish writing this. I'm just glad I live in an area with such an active and supportive theatre base. Keep up the awesome work, everybody!

Stephen's "Best of 2010" List

First up with his "Best of 2010" list is my pal Stephen Vance.

He writes:

I'm not going to do a full out best of list but here are some of the shows and performances I really enjoyed simply as an audience member (that doesn't get to happen much these days).

I had a blast at I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. It was a ton of fun and a great show for the ballroom space at ARTS.

I loved Pirates of Penzance by the Charleston Light Opera Guild. I love Gilbert and Sullivan, and that genre seems to fit what they do up there so well.

My favorite of the Artist Series of last year was Lucille Ball: "Thank You For Asking" and the Mark McVey and Marvin Hamlisch show.

I won't pick a favorite performer of the year per se, but in my opinion there has been no one that has shown more variety or growth as a performer than my friend Dylan Clark. I only got to see him in three shows, but he was brilliant in each. Born Yesterday, Harvey and The Good Doctor. He definitely deserves mentioned for his work.

There was tons of other great theatre in the area but at the chance of forgetting to mention anyone or anything, I will stop here.

The Best Of 2010 in Local Theatre

Hope everyone had a great holiday!

The end of the year is rushing up fast, so it's time (as my pal Bil reminded me) to put together a "Best of the Year" list - and as always, you're invited to send along your list of favorites, too!

The idea isn't to slight anyone, but just to mention some of the best performances in community theatre from the past year - best shows, best actors, actresses - that sort of thing.

Feel free to email those to me at TheMinskers@aol.com and I'll include them here. I'm still working on my list, and I'll post it before the 31st, but feel free to send yours along - it's fun to look back at the year in review.

If you need reminders about the shows from 2010, the first day of each month I tried to list the shows taking the stage (and I mostly succeeded) - feel free to look those over to jog your memory (the archives are over there in the right-hand column).

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Here's an all-time favorite bit of animation for the season (and a great performance, too)! Have a great holiday, and we'll see you back here on Monday:

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Here's a great song from one of my favorite Christmas TV Specials - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Let's turn it over to snowman Burl Ives:

"Must Be Santa Claus"

Here's one of my favorite holiday videos - Bob Dylan (honest) singing a great version of "Must Be Santa Claus."

The video makes little sense, but that's part of the fun:

Christmas Light Display - "Amazing Grace"

Here's an terrific light display at The Amazing Grace Christmas House which was designed and programmed by Richard Holdman in Pleasant Grove, Utah. (I should admit that I love these displays, but they always make me feel like the laziest guy in the world - we just put our tree up yesterday!)

The display has 50,000 lights and is computer controlled. The song is Amazing Grace by Yule. I'm not sure how I feel about this version of that wonderful song, but it makes for a great display. Enjoy!

Christmas with the Muppets

For the first of our holiday videos, here's an odd one: it features Andrea Bocelli singing a classic holiday song with the Muppets.

There's an announcer who pops in at the beginning to intro the segment for an audience overseas, but it's a fun video:

The December Chill Sets In...

We're at the point in our community theatre season where all the groups turn out the lights and enjoy their holiday break - but they'll be back at it in January, producing shows or rehearsing for the next performance.

Of course, that doesn't mean we'll be shutting down here completely - I'll be posting some Christmas videos in the days ahead to keep you entertained, and I'll probably slide some news in there from time to time - and then we'll get back in gear as the New Year gets going.

In case I don't see you before then, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and a great New Year!

Youth Orchestra Concert Rescheduled for Sunday

The event was snowed out last week, but they'll take another run at it on Sunday.

The Tri-State Youth Orchestra will present their annual Christmas Concert on Sunday Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. in the Ballroom of ARTS Renaissance Center on 8th Street and 10th Avenue in Huntington.

The doors open at 7:30 p.m. and admission is $5, children under 12 free.

Come hear the orchestral sounds of the season performed by the best music students in the Tri-state area.

The Top 10 Shows Presented by Schools

The Playbill website has an interesting feature about the top 10 most-produced musicals and plays in high schools in North America.

The annual list was put together by Dramatics Magazine. Here are the top five musicals:

1. Disney's Beauty and the Beast
2. Seussical the Musical
3. Grease
4. Into the Woods
5. Footloose

The top (non-musical) play was Almost, Maine, followed by A Midsummer Night's Dream
.

Good to know we're up with the times locally - every one of those shows has been produced locally at some time in the past six or seven years.

You can read the complete list at this link.

Bad Weather for Theatre

Well, it's bad weather for just about anything, but this is the kind of weather any theatre company fears: snow, and lots of it.

The only show that was on tap today was in Ashland - The Best Christmas Pageant Ever was being presented at the Paramount Arts Center.

Don't worry if you couldn't make it, I'm told that there will be another show Friday evening (when the roads will hopefully be a bit easier to navigate), so be sure to check that one out - it's a fun holiday play.

Stay safe out there!

On Stage in the Week Ahead

We're running down to the last few shows of the holiday season - here are your last two chances to catch live community theatre this year.

One show is in Ashland and the other's in Charleston:

- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - the Paramount Theatre presents the play Dec. 16.

- The Homecoming - The Kanawha Players presents the heartwarming classic Dec. 17, 18 and 19 at the Kanawha Players Theater.

Tri-State Youth Orchestra in Concert on Thursday

Here's another great way to get into the holiday spirit:

The Tri-State Youth Orchestra will perform their best concert of the year, the annual Christmas Concert on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010, at 8 p.m. in the Ballroom of ARTS Renaissance Center at 8th Street and 10th Avenue in Huntington.

The doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5, children under 12 are free.

"Rugrats" Cast List

The cast for this Spring's live Rugrats show has been posted - and an amazingly talented bunch it is!

Here's the list:

RUGRATS

Tommy Pickles: Salem Carlton
Chuckie: Maggie Donahoe
Angelica: Elizabeth Schmitz
Susie Carmichael: Bailey Saunders
Philip Deville: Griffin Conaty
Lillian Deville: Rileigh Smirl
Stu Pickles: Chad Arthur
Didi Pickles: Emily Underwood
Grandpa Lou: Drew Edwards
Spike: Nathaniel Porter
Steve: Jesse Donahoe
Larry: Thomas Armstrong
Astoria: Allie Bartram
Ms. FlashlighT: Kate Colclough
Torch Singer: Meg Barber
Opera Diva: Sarah Bryan

Flashlight Dancers/Gospel Singers

Lindsay McKelvey
Olivia Goodenough
Kathryn Booth
Kennedy Magner
Madalein Jackson
Rebecca Craig
Leslie Collins
Becca Stevenson
Lilly Hines
Kathryn Jennings
Jalen Nicely
Savannah Sakhai
Sam Young

Minions/Flashcards
Grace Adkins
Elisabeth Dick
Avery Jackson
Elisabeth Ross
Emily Belcher
Carlee Magner
Jensen Bird
Cali Ellis
Truett Bird
Nicholas Goodenough
Danny Fulks
Teddy Haddox
Nathaniel Fornash
Zoie Fornash
Ian Tsai
Jenna Dorsey
Luke Lovejoy
Ben McKelvey
Ian Carlton

NICKTOONS PRE-SHOW

Jimmy Neutron - Samuel Collins
Cindy - Leslie Collins
Libby - Becca Craig
Sheen - Stone Van Camp
Carl - Nick Wood

Spongebob Group

Spongebob - Nathaniel Porter
Patrick Starfish - Claire Aulick
Sandy Cheeks - Olivia Hughes
Sqidward - Nathaniel Fornash
Mr. Crabs - Sarah Phillips
Plankton - Ben McKelvey

Jellyfish Dancers

Grace Adkins
Elisabeth Dick
Avery Jackson
Elisabeth Ross
Emily Belcher
Carlee Magner
Zoie Fornash

Fairly Odd Parents Group

Timmy Turner - Drew Goodall
Cosmo - Ian Carlton
Wanda - Jensen Bird
Vicki - Ginny Blake
A.J. - Teddy Haddox
Chester - Danny Fulks
Mrs. Turner - Rebecca Southall
Tootie - Shannyn Kyle
Trixie - Catey Giompala

Dora the Explorer Group

Dora - Maleea Roy
Diego - Ian Tsai
Boots - Nicholas Goodenough
Swiper - Hunter Morrison
Map - Raven McClintock
Backpack - Tarraneh Karimpor

Dora Dancers

Kathryn Booth
Lyndsay McKelvey
Olivia Goodenough
Sam Young
Savannah Sakhai
Kennedy Magner
Kathryn Jennings
Lilly Hines

Blues Clues Group

Blue - Becca Stevenson
Magenta - Madalein Jackson
Periwinkle - Kathryn Booth
Paprika - Jalen Nicely
Notebook - Katie Fulks
Tick Tock - Megan Underwood
Salt & Pepper - Jenna Dorsey & Luke Lovejoy
Shovel & Pail - Cali Ellis & Truett Bird

"Rugrats" Auditions

I had fun this morning helping out with auditions for the next First Stage Theatre show - Rugrats: A Live Adventure!

Judging by the small army of young actors who came in to audition, they're going to have a tough time sorting out the cast for this show - there's a lot of amazing talent to choose from!

The show's going to be one to watch - not only is it based on the long-running Nickelodeon cartoon, it's also going to be presented in the historic Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center!

That makes it just the second community theatre show to be staged in that venue in the last 30 years (if not more). (The first was High School Musical, natch.)

As soon as the cast for Rugrats is announced, I'll post it here. I can't wait to see it!

White Christmas Photo Gallery

You can see some great photos from the production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas at this photo gallery on the Herald-Dispatch's website.

You have two more chances to catch the musical comedy - shows will be presented at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium located in Huntington's City Hall. Tickets are $15 and $12 for children 12 and under.

It's a holiday classic - don't miss it!

Nick Reynolds Acting in New York

My pal (and Marshall graduate) Nick Reynolds just wrapped up a stint in an Off-Broadway show last month in New York.

There's a big story in today's Herald-Dispatch - here's an excerpt:

Reynolds, 26, was cast as as Pincer, the Superintendent of Police, in the musical comedy Drat! The Cat! — a show about a young detective and a young heiress, who has been stealing diamonds all over town.

After getting his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Marshall in 2008, Reynolds was accepted for Penn State’s graduate acting program, where he taught two theatre classes for undergraduates. He also became a member of Actors’ Equity while working for Pennsylvania Centre Stage in The Apple Tree and Ctrl+Alt+Delete. In addition to Pennsylvania Centre Stage, he worked for the Greenbrier Valley Theatre and the outdoor drama Tecumseh during that time.

Reynolds, who graduated from Huntington’s St. Joseph Central Catholic High School in 2002, said during his time at Marshall he learned a lot of different acting techniques and is thankful for the knowledge and experience of the professors at Marshall.

We're proud of Nick and his accomplishments and looking forward to hearing more about his exploits!

On Stage This Weekend - A Holiday Bonanza

Start planning your weekend now, because you have four community theatre shows to choose from!

Here's the list:

- Irving Berlin's White Christmas - 5th Avenue Theatre presents the classic musical comedy at the City Hall Auditorium Dec. 10 - 12.

- It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play - The Portsmouth Little Theatre will present the show based on the classic film Dec. 10, 11 and 12.

- Nightmare Before Egos Out of Control Saves Christmas - Red Lion Theatre presents the show Dec. 9 - 12 at the KYOVA Tri-State Mall & Lifestyle Center.

- Anne of Green Gables - Kanawha Players presents the play Dec. 10, 11 and 12 at the Civic Center Little Theater.

So get out there and support your community theatre!

Get the Holiday Spirit with the Collegium Musicum

Hey, if you're ready to get into the holiday spirit, I recommend one of my favorite events - the Christmas Madrigal Dinner put on by Cabell-Midland High School's Renaissance choir, Collegium Musicum.

The food is great, the music is outstanding, the play is always lots of fun, and it all happens this weekend! Here's the story from today's Herald-Dispatch:

Imagine the hit show Glee taped from the 15th century. Well, that’s the vocal quality of Cabell Midland High School’s own Renaissance-style ensemble, Collegium Musicum, which is celebrating the 17th year of their Christmas Madrigal Dinner.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10-11 with the sit-down dinner, play and concert starting at 7 p.m.

Dinner is $15 for baked ham, baked potato, green beans, roll and dessert along with the traditional wassail and coffee or tea. All proceeds go to the theatrical choir which is raising money for a spring trip to Ireland.

Tickets are available from any Collegium musicum member, CMHS Choir Booster parent or online at www.cmhscollegiummusicum.org. Call director Ed Harkless at 304-743-7400 ext. 7420 or e-mail at tharkles@access.k12.wv.us.

First Stage Looking for a New Home

As comedian George Carlin once observed, we all need a place to put our "stuff," and that's true for community theatre groups, too.

Here's a press release that went out recently that explains the problem facing Huntington's children's theatre. Full disclosure - you'll note that the release includes quotes from yours truly.

If you have any information about a possible building that might house the group, please let me know - the contact info is in the release:

The First Stage Theatre Company has been producing community theatre shows in Huntington for 21 years now, but for all that time it’s been an organization without a home.

“We’ve been very fortunate over the years to have space donated to us to store our sets and costumes, but we recently had to move out of the building we had been using for storage, so we’re looking for a new space,” said First Stage President Chuck Minsker.

First Stage is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that stages up to three shows a year. “It’s a great experience for young people to be part of a show, either onstage or helping out backstage – it builds confidence, they learn teamwork, they make lasting friendships – and we’re proud to be able to offer that to area young people at no cost to them,” according to Minsker.

The group requires a large storage space to house its set pieces and equipment – approximately 3000 square feet. They use the space to store materials and construct the props and sets for each show.

Anyone with information about available space can contact Chuck Minsker at 304-736-4366, or by email at TheMinskers@aol.com.

The First Stage Theatre Company is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing an educational, developmental experience for young people through the performing arts. For more information, visit their website at www.firststagetheatre.org.

"Rugrats" Auditions Next Week

A reminder that Rugrats auditions are a week from today. Here's the announcement from today's Herald-Dispatch:

Auditions for First Stage Theatre’s upcoming performance of Rugrats - A Live Adventure will take Saturday, Dec. 11.

The auditions will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pea Ridge United Methodist Church, 5747 Pea Ridge Road. Children in kindergarten through 12th grade can audition.

The show is a musical comedy with audience interaction. Cast members will need to have high energy and be able to think on their feet. There will be a total of 17 named male and female characters in the ensemble cast.

There will also be additional chorus members. Characters will be from the well-known cartoon with established voices and characteristics. Show organizers will be looking for children that can bring these cartoon characters to life being true to their already-established form. Reviewing the cartoons and working voices and characterization is encouraged.

Participants will be asked to read various parts of the script in character as well as sing a portion of a song that this character will sing in the show. Familiar songs will be provided.

Characterization will be considered equally with singing ability. In addition to the main show, there will also be casting for a short pre-show that will be a Nickelodeon-based character concept production. This is will be an actual 30 minute show presenting an assortment of various Nickelodeon characters. All ages will be considered for the Pre-Show characters.

Performance dates are March 17-20, 2011 at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. Rehearsals will start in January on weeknights except for Wednesdays, but early in the process, there will be Saturday workshops for various groups.

The Cast List will be posted Sunday evening Dec. 12, and the first cast/parent meeting will be scheduled for that week.

Co-directors are Mary and Tommy Smirl. Musical director is Lara Donahoe. Producers are Elaine Young and Leslie Porter.

For more information, go online at www.firststagetheatre.

On Stage This Weekend - Lots of Shows!

Holy cow, there's no shortage of shows to catch this weekend! Here's the rundown:

- A Christmas Carol - Marshall's Theatre Alliance presents the one-man show by Jack Cirillo at 8 p.m. tonight at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse.

- Mary - CYAC offers its annual production about the mother of Jesus at the WVSU Capitol Center in Charleston tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m.

- Irving Berlin's White Christmas - 5th Avenue Theatre will present the show at the City Hall Auditorium Dec. 3 - 5 and 10 - 12.

- A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley - ACTC will present the holiday classic Dec. 3, 4, 5 and 6.

- Oliver! - The Children's Theatre of Charleston presents the beloved musical Dec. 3 - 5 at the Civic Center Little Theatre.

- It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play - The Portsmouth Little Theatre will present the show based on the classic film Dec. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12.

So get out there and support your community theatre!

Previewing "White Christmas"

My pal Dave Lavender filed a great story today about this weekend's premiere of White Christmas - and here it is:

As if on cue, snowflakes are dancing to the ground, shoppers are rushing home with their treasures and Maxine Loudermilk no longer has to just dream of a "White Christmas."

The executive director of the City of Huntington Foundation had been applying for years so that when the Broadway musical, "Irving Berlin's White Christmas: Musical," was released to community theaters that the Foundation's 5th Avenue Theatre Company would get the rights to do the show.

Wish granted.

One of only 20 community theaters across the country with rights to the show, Fifth Avenue presents the region's first performance of "White Christmas," at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 10-11, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 5 and 12, at the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium located in Huntington's City Hall.

Tickets are $15 and $12 for children 12 and under.

Director Eddie Harbert, who will be directing, "Titanic: The Musical," for Fifth Avenue in the spring, said bringing in "White Christmas" has long been a dream of Loudermilks, who is serving as the show's producer.

"It's kind of a big deal," Harbert said of snagging the rights to the show. "Maxine started five years ago trying to get the rights for the show and just kept applying and applying. The musical had exclusively been on Broadway during the holidays, but when they released it, because she had asked so long ago, they actually gave her the rights."

Loudermilk, who was applying every six months or so to get the rights, said she stood at the side of the stage Wednesday night in rehearsal and wept watching her favorite holiday movie come alive.

"I stood and cried last night when I watched it," Loudermilk said as snow fell from the stage during the closing number. "We have just wonderful people giving their heart and soul to it ... It is one of my favorite movies that I watch every holiday season and to me it is the most wonderful thing we could do around here."

Harbert said there's been a big buzz surrounding the show, which brings to life the classic holiday movie and that features a slew of Berlin's most beloved songs such as "Blue Skies," "How Deep is the Ocean," and of course, the unforgettable title song, "White Christmas," which is the number one Christmas song of all time.

That buzz has translated into unprecedented tickets sales which started in October, Harbert said. In fact, he said people better scramble and get tickets quick because they are almost gone for this weekend.

"To be truthful I have been surprised at the response," Harbert said. "People that I grew up with 21/2 hours away are wanting to come and see 'White Christmas.' But we've got a lot of people out-of-state coming to see it because 'White Christmas' is one of those things that people get excited about. It's such a classic like a 'Wizard of Oz.' People have a lot of good memories associated with the movie. It's part of their childhood and everyone wants to be taken back to good memories."

Packed with music and dancing, the show follows Army buddies Bob Wallace (Josh Janotta) and Phil Davis (Greg Kisor), first on the Western Front in World War II and then in their travels to New York and to a ski resort in Vermont where Wallace and Davis try to save the inn owned by General Waverly (Scott Black) by having a show in the barn of the inn.

Communications get skewed, fun ensues, and the buddies find perfect mates in the process.

Written by Berlin for the 1942 movie musical, "Holiday Inn," the song softly crooned by Bing Crosby, has gone on to sell more than 100 million copies, making it the best selling record of all time, and one that Crosby sang again in "Blue Skies," in 1946 as well as the classic movie, "White Christmas" in 1954.

Harbert said "White Christmas" has been an epic journey in every way, taking a small army of folks to bring the movie alive on stage.

The show features a cast of 25 actors and singers, including such theater veterans as Angela Wolfe-Hunt and Jessica Maier (playing Betty and Judy Haynes) as well as a rarity for 5th Avenue -- a 13-piece orchestra -- under the direction of Mike Campbell.

"Having a live orchestra is something new to us since orchestras cost so much money," Harbert said. "But there has been more support for this show than any I've ever seen. We have a 60-page program which I've never had. You get a book when you come and see 'White Christmas.'"

One of the first calls of duty when Harbert signed on for the show was casting in July, and then promptly getting measurements to Magic Makers, the national costume supply house in Huntington, which custom-made the more than 100 costumes needed for "White Christmas," which has a costume mistress, Diane Styles.

"Most of the cast has three to four costume changes and we have 25 people in the cast," Harbert said. "So it was a pretty big job finding the costumes from the 1940s and 1950s. Since this is the first time that the show has been allowed to be performed by community theater, Magic Makers did not have all of the costumes so they had to make them."

While Kerri Easter Stambaugh, who plays Rita, is choreographing the tap-dance-filled show, there is also quite a dance going on the technical side with the show's unique swinging and swiveling sets changed out while folks are still on stage singing as scenes change.

Harbert said tech director and set designer Suzi Henderson has been working since Nov. 1, on choreographing set changes with the eight stage hands.

"It's on wheels, and because it was a Hollywood musical we have to flip the scenes easily so we had to be in New York then on a train and then in an office in New York and in an Inn in Vermont talking so the actors stay on stage and the set revolves around them," Harbert said.

As if putting on the super-sized Christmas show wasn't enough, 5th Avenue has also added a children's pre-show with 16 children performing an original show written by Staci Bond, who works in the children's department at the Cabell County Public Library.

And when folks come into the lobby, there will be a rotating mix of carolers, a band, and dancers from Nancy's School of Dance.

"We wanted to set the mood and to get everybody into the Christmas spirit and to take people back to this whole community of the 1950s where everything stayed in the community and people's lives revolved around church and community activities," Harbert said. "We're having all these activities in the lobby and that creates that feeling of small-town Christmas which is what the show is all about."

WHAT: The City of Huntington Foundation's 5th Avenue Theatre Company's production of "White Christmas"

WHERE: Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium located in Huntington's City Hall

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 10-11, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 5 and 12.

HOW MUCH: $15 and $12 for children 12 and under.

GET TICKETS: At the door or contact Maxine Loudermilk, 304-696-5522, to make reservations or get additional information.

BEFORE THE SHOW: Come early and enjoy carolers in the lobby as well as Staci Bond's children's pre-show.

THE CAST: There are 25 in the cast. Some of the main characters and actors include Bob Wallace played by Josh Janotta, Phil Davis played by Greg Kisor, Betty Haynes played by Angela Hunt, Judy Haynes played by Jessica Maier, Gen. Waverly played by Scott Black and Susan Waverly played by Maggie Rawn and Emma Tapley, Martha Watson played by Elaine Tapley and Ralph Sheldrake played by Elijah Boyles.

BEHIND THE SCENES: "White Christmas" is directed by Eddie Harbert with Mike Campbell, musical director. Choreographer is Kerri Easter Stambaugh. Producer is Maxine Loudermilk. Assistant director is Carol Scarberry, stage manager is Cynthia Simmons, Props coordinator is Helga Thorn, props mistress is Pat Manis. Costume mistress is Diane Styles. Set design is Suzi Henderson and sound is Bill Galloway.

ABOUT THE SHOW: The story of "White Christmas" begins on the Western Front in World War II and then travels to New York and continues in the state of Vermont where Bob Wallace and Phil Davis try to save the inn owned by General Waverly by having a show in the barn of the inn. Communications get skewed, and the fun ensues. This fun, romantic comedy introduced great songs such as "White Christmas," "Sisters" and "I Love a Piano." "Snow" and "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing."

ON DECK: Other upcoming 5th Avenue Theatre productions include, "Titanic the Musical," May 6-8 and May 12-15, 2011, directed by Eddie Harbert and "Noises Off," Sept. 9-11 and Sept. 16-18, 2011, directed by Stephanie Sands.

ON THE WEB: Go online at www.cityofhuntingtonfoundation.com for more info.

On Stage Tonight - A Special Version of "Christmas Carol"

Wow, this one snuck up on me (just like the holidays always do)!

It's the one-man version of A Christmas Carol performed by Jack Cirillo. I saw this last Christmas and absolutely adored it - it gets my highest recommendation!

The show runs this weekend only, starting tonight. Here's the story by my pal Angela Henderson-Bentley:

Charles Dickens' story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his road to redemption is a familiar fixture on area stages at this time of year.

But it's not often it's only performed by one actor playing all of the roles.

But that's exactly how the Marshall University Department of Theatre will present the classic tale this week starring one of its own, faculty member Jack Cirillo.

A Christmas Carol will be presented at 8 p.m. today, Dec. 2 and Friday, Dec. 3, at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Marshall students are admitted free with a valid ID.

The performance is a fundraiser for the Marshall University Theatre Guild. Members of the guild will be singing Christmas carols before each performance.

"It's a great evening for the family to hear one of the greatest classics of our culture and support a great cause," Cirillo said.

The idea of this one-man performance, according to Cirillo, is actually from Dickens himself when he came to America on a book reading tour in the 19th century.

"Dickens fancied himself a theatrical person. He put on quite a show," he said. “The actual presentation is verbatim to what Dickens used. It's a little bit of readers' theatre and a little bit of improvisation. It's a challenge that way."

The play gives Cirillo a chance to perform, which is something he doesn't get to do a lot of these days.

"I love working with my students,” he said. “But I do miss the opportunity to work with peer professionals in theatre on a regular basis.”

After receiving his graduate degree from the University of Washington at Seattle in 1986, Cirillo, whose given name is John Colclough, moved to New York City, where he lived for 14 years. He stayed busy doing theatre, commercials and television work. One of the highlights of his career was doing an episode of the NBC series, The Cosby Mysteries, starring Bill Cosby.

"I bought the TV Guide because my name was in it,” he said. “It was pretty cool."

One of his last major performances was at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park where he got the chance to work with Lynn Redgrave.

"That was such an education. A magnificent experience," Cirillo said. "I had my fair share of those high moments. A great 'New York Times' review, great feedback from Stephen Sondheim. But New York has a way of wearing you down."

So when his wife, Penny Watkins, got the opportunity to become the executive director of the Marshall Artist Series, the couple moved to Huntington. They planned to only stay a few years, but after Cirillo was hired at Marshall and the couple had their second child, they ended up staying.

"My focus now is different both personally and professionally," he said. "Professionally I want to continue to work with my students and continue to encourage them to develop companies and product for themselves," Cirillo said. "Personally, I'm all about my kids and seeing where life takes them. For me, it's been a terrific ride."

"White Christmas" Photo Gallery

This weekend the musical White Christmas takes the stage at Huntington's City Hall auditorium, and you can get a sneak peek courtesy of this photo gallery at the Herald-Dispatch's website.

The show is based on the film that starred Bing Crosby, and this is the first time the stage version has been produced by a community theatre group n our area.

I'm looking forward to seeing this one - it's produced by 5th Avenue Theatre Company, and directed by my pal Eddie Harbert. Break a leg, y'all!

On Stage in December

There are ten shows on the way in December, just in time for the holiday. Here's the rundown:

- A Christmas Carol - Marshall's Theatre Alliance presents the one-man show by Jack Cirillo at 8 p.m. Dec. 2 and 3 at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse.

- Mary - CYAC offers its annual production about the mother of Jesus at the WVSU Capitol Center in Charleston Dec. 2 - 4 at 8 p.m.

- Irving Berlin's White Christmas - 5th Avenue Theatre will present the show at the City Hall Auditorium Dec. 3 - 5 and 10 - 12.

- A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley - ACTC will present the holiday classic Dec. 3, 4, 5 and 6.

- Oliver! - The Children's Theatre of Charleston presents the beloved musical Dec. 3 - 5 at the Civic Center Little Theatre.

- It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play - The Portsmouth Little Theatre will present the show based on the classic film Dec. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12.

- Nightmare Before Egos Out of Control Saves Christmas - Red Lion Theatre presents the show Dec. 9 - 12 at the KYOVA Tri-State Mall & Lifestyle Center.

- Anne of Green Gables - Kanawha Players presents the play Dec. 10, 11 and 12 at the Civic Center Little Theater.

- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - the Paramount Theatre presents the play Dec. 16.

- The Homecoming - The Kanawha Players presents the heartwarming classic Dec. 17, 18 and 19 at the Kanawha Players Theater.