Cast List of “How I Learned to Drive”

My pal Jessica Jordan sends along this info about the upcoming show How I Learned to Drive:

Curtains Up Players is announcing the cast list of their newest production, How I Learned to Drive. This will mark the first ever non-musical production for Curtains Up Players.

This Pulitzer Prize-winning production is a wildly funny, surprising and devastating tale of survival as seen through the lens of a troubling relationship between a young girl and an older man. It is the story of a woman who learns the rules of the road and life from behind the wheel.

The production will run March 8, 9 and 10 at 8 p.m., with a Sunday matinee performance on March 11 at 2:30 p.m. at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center.

The cast list is as follows:

Lil Bit - Kate Morris
Uncle Peck - Rhett Pennell
Male Chorus - Greg Morris
Female Chorus - Nancy Jackson
Teenage Chorus - Olivia Morris

How I Learned to Drive will be directed by Misha Renee with a production staff made up of:

Production Director - Misha Renee
Executive Producer - Shayne Gue
Associate Producer - Kaitlin DeSpain
Assistant Director - Mary P Williams
Production Stage Manager - Holly Maynard
Company Artistic Director - Danny Ray
Publicity Director - Jessica Jordan
Graphic Designer - Ryan Hardiman
Production Tech - Bradley Leonard
House Manager - Michael Gore

Any questions or concerns can be directed to: Shayne Gue (Producer) 304-412-0129.

On Stage This Weekend - "Belle" and "Love"

There are two shows you should check out this weekend:

- The Belle of Amherst - CYAC presents the drama Feb. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11. Poet Emily Dickinson takes the stage in William Luce’s play at 8 p.m. Feb. 3-4 and 9-11 at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater, 123 Summers Street, Charleston. Produced by The Contemporary Youth Arts Company and directed by Dan Kehde, the one-person show features the talents of Mandy Harper in the title role. The play follows the tragedy and turmoil in the life of the New England poetess whose humor, sensitivity and profound sense of irony permeate the script.

- All You Need Is Love - the Paramount Arts Center presents the Valentine's concert Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. The show will include performances by: Bo Bice, Stephen Salyers, Ryan Hardiman, Rob McNurlin, Chesi Spriggs, Blue Eyes Rising and Angie Fletcher. Tickets: $15, Table by the stage: $250

Auditions for "The Curious Savage"

My pal Sarah sends along this note about some auditions coming up next month in Kentucky:

Director Jim Maggard and Company of Dreams Theatre will hold auditions for The Curious Savage, written by John Patrick, on Friday, March 2 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 3 at 2 p.m.

Five males and six females will be cast. The auditions will be held at Fairview High School.

The Curious Savage is a comedic play about Ethel P. Savage, a woman whose husband recently died and left her approximately 10 million dollars. The play opens with the five residents of a sanatorium awaiting a new resident. The current residents of the sanatorium, called The Cloisters, function normally, excepting one small ailment. Soon, Mrs. Savage and her stepchildren arrive, and the five inmates eavesdrop from the hallway outside.

Ethel's three stepchildren, Titus, Lily Belle and Samuel Savage, had been shocked to find out that their stepmother had set up a memorial fund with her inherited money in order to fund the ridiculous dreams of average people. They had her committed to The Cloisters so that they could take the money from her. When Ethel's three stepchildren leave, the five inmates introduce themselves: Jeff, Florence, Fairy May, Mrs. Paddy, and Hannibal.

Company of Dreams will present The Curious Savage April 13 - 14 on the stage at Hillside Community Church, 1100 Greenup Avenue, Ashland, Ky. For more information, call 606-615-8439.

On Stage in February

Things are starting to heat up after a relatively quiet January - here are the shows you can watch for in February (as always, if I've missed any, drop me a line at TheMinskers@aol.com and I'll add them to the list):

- Proof - Marshall's Theatre Alliance presents this drama about a woman who sacrifices herself for her brilliant father - but is he a genius, or is he mentally ill? The show runs two weekends: Feb. 15 – 18 and Feb. 23 – 25 at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre.

- Bitsy and Boots in the Tropics - First United Methodist Church presents Jonathan Joy's latest comedy (with a great dinner) Feb. 10, 11 and 14.

- Love Letters - ARTS stages the Valentine's show (also with dinner) Feb. 10, 11, 17 and 18 at the Renaissance Ballroom>

- In the Heights - the Marshall Artists Series presents the touring Broadway show at the Keith-Albee Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.

- A Piece of My Heart - Charleston Stage Company presents the drama Feb. 23, 24, 25 and March 1, 2 and 3.

- The Belle of Amherst - CYAC presents the drama Feb. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11.

- Lend Me a Tenor - Kanawha Players presents the performance Feb. 10, 11, 12, 14, 17 and 18.

- All You Need Is Love - the Paramount Arts Center presents the show Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.

- G2K Cinderella - ACTC presents the classic show in a "Get To Know" format Feb. 17 and 18 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 19 at 2:30 p.m.

So get out there and support your community theatre!

On Stage in February: "Love Letters"

Here's a note about an upcoming dinner and a show from ARTS:

Love Letters is a Valentine's show for friends, lovers, or anyone in between.

Friday and Saturday - February 10 & 11, 17 & 18.
Renaissance Ballroom - 900 8th Street, Huntington, WV
304-733-ARTS
Reservations Required
Dinner and show - $25 (6:30 p.m.)
Show - $15 (8 p.m.)

Love Letters is a Pulitzer Prize for Drama nominated play by A. R. Gurney. The play centers on just two characters, Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. Acted by Amy Knell Carlson and Bil Neal, the characters sit side by side at tables and read notes, letters and cards - in which over nearly 50 years, they discuss their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and defeats - that have passed between them throughout their separated lives.

Directed by SDC member Bruce Rous.

"100 Years of Broadway"

I hear this show was wonderful at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center yesterday (sadly, I was out of town).

Here's the story by my pal Jean Tarbett Hardiman:

The Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center was alive with the sounds of music and history on Sunday afternoon as theater fans gathered for Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway, brought to Huntington as part of the Marshall Artists Series.

The show featured some recent Broadway hits from Movin' Out and Jersey Boys and beloved favorites from shows such as Phantom of the Opera and Funny Girl.

The word "awesome" is overused, said nurse Gigi Gerlach of Huntington, who attended on Sunday. But that's exactly what the show was, she said.

"To have this caliber of talent here in the Keith-Albee on a Sunday afternoon in Huntington, we are blessed," she said. "I love (the Marshall Artists Series). We're really blessed to see shows in this setting. It just takes you back to another place in time."

Helping the audience do that today were pianist composer Neil Berg and Broadway performers Carter Calvert, Danny Zolli, Sandra Joseph, Chuck Wagner and an actor with some ties to Huntington, Ivan Rutherford.

Rutherford told the audience Sunday afternoon that he was born here and lived here until he was 4 years old. He said his parents went to Marshall, and that he had spent the day checking out his and his parents' old stomping grounds, including his house in Altizer and Marshall University's campus.

He also ate at Frost Top, which he said looks the same as he remembers and where, he now suspects, his family might have lifted a few of the old glass mugs once used there. He remembers using the mugs at home growing up, and when he asked about them Sunday, the server told him that they're not used anymore because people kept stealing them, he said with a guilty smile.

It was an enchanting day, he said, segueing into "Some Enchanted Evening." He followed with others such as "Bring Him Home," which he performed as Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables" on Broadway - the same role once played by fellow Huntington native and Broadway performer Mark McVey.

Other songs performed by the group were "Memory" from "Cats," "If I Can't Love Her" from "Beauty and the Beast," "Gethsemane" from "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Cell Block Tango" from "Chicago," "Seasons of Love" from "Rent," a Rodgers & Hammerstein medley and many others.

The show was "fantastic," said attorney Larry Tweel, who attended with his wife, Cheryl.

"It's what my generation and the younger generation clamor for," he said. "The Artists Series needs to have shows that appeal to all ages, and this show truly appeals to all ages."

Jane Hustead, a Cabell circuit judge who attended, said she just wishes the theater had been filled to capacity.

"We have season tickets," she said. "We're so proud of how they've redone the theater and all the work they put into it. A landmark like this should be preserved, and they're doing a wonderful job of it."

On Stage Sunday: "100 Years of Broadway"

You can enjoy some of the best of Broadway this Sunday as the Marshall Artists Series bring another great show to the Keith-Albee performing Arts Center.

100 Years of Broadway recreates the biggest moments from the biggest shows of the century, featuring the actual stars of shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Chicago, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar and Jekyll & Hyde. These amazing performers light up the stage with songs from the hit shows in which they starred, as well as other notable Broadway shows.

Neil Berg presents brilliantly revived arrangements of Broadway classics, as well as fantastic numbers from Broadway's newest hit shows. The show features a dazzling cast of Broadway stars accompanied by an all-star New York band.

The show takes the stage Sunday at 3 p.m.

Here's a sample of what to expect:

"1776" Auditions in February

My pal Jeanette Bills sends along this announcement:

1776 Auditions at ARTS

Auditions will be Feb. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Feb. 18 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Callbacks may be necessary on Feb. 19 starting at 2 p.m.

Auditions will be at at ARTS Resources for the Tri-State at 900 8th Street in Huntington.

Performance dates are April 27, 28, 29, May 1, (school show) 4, 5 and 6.

Roles are available for 21 men and 2 women. Clint McElroy has accepted the role of John Adams.

All actors need to be prepared to show movement skills, have 16 measures of music prepared (accompanist provided), and participate in cold readings from the script.

For more information call Bil Neal at 304-544-3926

It's a great show - one of my all-time favorites, and I urge anyone interested (especially you guys out there) to try out and be part of the show!

This Year's Oscar Nominees

We'll get together our annual "Pick the Winners" competition shortly, but here are the 84th Annual Academy Award nominations as announced today (list courtesy the Associated Press and the Herald-Dispatch):

1. Best Picture: "The Artist," "The Descendants," "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close," "The Help," "Hugo," "Midnight in Paris," "Moneyball," "The Tree of Life," "War Horse."

2. Actor: Demian Bichir, "A Better Life"; George Clooney, "The Descendants"; Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"; Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"; Brad Pitt, "Moneyball."

3. Actress: Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"; Viola Davis, "The Help"; Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"; Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"; Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn."

4. Supporting Actor: Kenneth Branagh, "My Week With Marilyn"; Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"; Nick Nolte, "Warrior"; Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"; Max von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close."

5. Supporting Actress: Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"; Jessica Chastain, "The Help"; Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"; Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"; Octavia Spencer, "The Help."

6. Directing: Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"; Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"; Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"; Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"; Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life."

7. Foreign Language Film: "Bullhead," Belgium; "Footnote," Israel; "In Darkness," Poland; "Monsieur Lazhar," Canada; "A Separation," Iran.

8. Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, "The Descendants"; John Logan, "Hugo"; George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon, "The Ides of March"; Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin and Stan Chervin, "Moneyball"; Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy."

9. Original Screenplay: Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"; Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, "Bridesmaids"; J.C. Chandor, "Margin Call"; Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"; Asghar Farhadi, "A Separation."

10. Animated Feature Film: "A Cat in Paris"; "Chico & Rita"; "Kung Fu Panda 2"; "Puss in Boots"; "Rango."

11. Art Direction: "The Artist," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," "Hugo," "Midnight in Paris," "War Horse."

12. Cinematography: "The Artist," "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," "Hugo," "The Tree of Life," "War Horse."

13. Sound Mixing: "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," "Hugo," "Moneyball," "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," "War Horse."

14. Sound Editing: "Drive," "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," "Hugo," "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," "War Horse."

15. Original Score: "The Adventures of Tintin," John Williams; "The Artist," Ludovic Bource; "Hugo," Howard Shore; "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Alberto Iglesias; "War Horse," John Williams.

16. Original Song: "Man or Muppet" from "The Muppets," Bret McKenzie; "Real in Rio" from "Rio," Sergio Mendes, Carlinhos Brown and Siedah Garrett.

17. Costume: "Anonymous," "The Artist," "Hugo," "Jane Eyre," "W.E."

18. Documentary Feature: "Hell and Back Again," "If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front," "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory," "Pina," "Undefeated."

19. Documentary (short subject): "The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement," "God Is the Bigger Elvis," "Incident in New Baghdad," "Saving Face," "The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom."

20. Film Editing: "The Artist," "The Descendants," "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," "Hugo," "Moneyball."

21. Makeup: "Albert Nobbs," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," "The Iron Lady."

22. Animated Short Film: "Dimanche/Sunday," "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore," "La Luna," "A Morning Stroll," "Wild Life."

23. Live Action Short Film: "Pentecost," "Raju," "The Shore," "Time Freak," "Tuba Atlantic."

24. Visual Effects: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," "Hugo," "Real Steel," "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," "Transformers: Dark of the Moon."

Quite a few surprises and disappointments in that list - it would have been nice to see "Drive" and the final Harry Potter movie get more recognition, and Albert Brooks should have received a Supporting Actor nod - but how can you have a Best Animated Feature that doesn't include "Tintin?" Or even "Cars 2?"

Auditions Tonight for "How I Learned to Drive"

A reminder that auditions are tonight for How I Learned to Drive. Here's the info:

"Sometimes to tell a secret, you first have to teach a lesson,” says Lil Bit, the main character in How I Learned to Drive.

The lesson in Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize-winning play isn't so much about driving as it is about survival, forgiveness and growth.

How I Learned to Drive will be presented March 8-11 at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center.

Auditions for How I Learned to Drive will be held Monday, January 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church, 955 Main Street in Barboursville, W.Va. Roles are available for men and women over 18 years old. Please park in the lot in the back of the church and enter through the rear door. Please arrive promptly and be prepared to read.

The play will be directed by Michèle Goodson, produced by Shayne Gue and Kaitlin DeSpain, and will feature a production team including Danny Ray, Holly Maynard and Bradley Leonard.

Michèle Goodson has performed in NYC in The Cradle Will Rock (Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre), multiple performances for New York’s Theatre for Young Audiences, and various regional productions. Austin, TX productions include The Constant Wife (Martha), Lunch Hour (Nora), Hamlet (Polonius), and Muses II (Shana), for which she received a B. Iden Payne nomination. Since returning to Huntington, Michèle has been seen in productions of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Marcy Park) and The Wedding Singer (Julia Sullivan). Michèle is a founding member of the Marshall Theatre of the Air, and has directed and performed in the National Broadcasting Society and Marconi award winning radio productions of Gaffe’s Trail and Murder in Real City. She is a recognized actor/combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors. Michèle has enjoyed working with her friends at CUP and is looking forward to directing their upcoming production of How I Learned to Drive.

Check us out online (www.curtainsupplayers.org) or on facebook (Curtains Up Players) for more information or to contact a production team member. A list of characters and additional show information can also be found on our website. Sponsorships and Advertisement packages are available for local businesses. For more information contact Shayne Gue at shaynegue@hotmail.com or 304-412-0129.

The Cast List for "Stepping Out"

That was quick! The cast list for the upcoming ARTS production Stepping Out has alredy been chosen!

My pal Bil Neal (who's producing the show) sends along this note:

After two tough days of dancing and acting auditions, Gene & Coni Anthony are pleased to announce the following cast for Stepping Out.

Mavis.....Amy Browning
Dorothy.....Leann Haines
Lynn.....Maggie Saunders
Mrs. Fraser.....Karen Pruitt
Maxine.....Jennifer Scott
Andy.....Jennifer Naglee
Geoffrey.....Michael Naglee
Vera.....Emily Asbury
Sylvia.....Jane Modlin
Rose.....Linda Reynolds

Man, that cast is just loaded with talent! I can't wait to see this one!

Auditions Friday Night for "Stepping Out"

A reminder that the dance / musical Stepping Out (being presented by ARTS) is holding auditions Friday night at 7 p.m. at the old Huntington High School auditorium.

Stepping Out is a delightful piece for nine women of various ages and one man. It is a character-driven comedy, and an ensemble piece.

Eight women and one man, each with his or her own "baggage," assemble once a week for a community tap class which is taught by an ex-show girl. None but the teacher, Mavis, and one other lady in the class, know how to tap. They learn in the course of the play and it ends with the group doing a public, costumed performance for a charity event.

The show will be directed by Gene and Coni Anthony. The audition will be a dance audition.

Sounds like a lot of fun - break a leg, y'all!

Murder Mystery in Huntington

The latest murder mystery is waiting to be solved in Huntington - but if you want tickets you'd better hurry.

Silent Night, Deadly Night is a mystery being staged at Heritage Station in Huntington this weekend and next (Jan. 20-21 and 27-28).

For more information, call 304-523-7526.

Murder and Merriment's latest murder mystery features: Greg Kiser, Sarah Diamond Burroway, Bill Tussey, Brian Cook, Ashley Taylor, Kennedy Snider, Josh Taylor, Kendra Egnor and George R. Snider III.

Reserved Tickets only. Dinner each night served by caterers - 'A Taste From Above.' Lots of great prizes to be won!

A New Season for 5th Avenue Theatre

5th Avenue Theatre has apparently decided to change its plans for the coming year. The group was planning to stage Legally Blonde: The Musical and White Christmas this year.

But it has a new lineup - this was posted today on Facebook:

Maxine Loudermilk made this announcement today: It is my pleasure to announce changes in the 5th Avenue Theatre Company's 2012 season.

The season will be:

9 to 5 - performance dates are May 4 - May 14 with auditions on March 4 at 2 p.m.;

Sweeney Todd - performance dated Sept. 28 - Oct. 17 with auditions July 15 at 2 p.m.;

and White Christmas and Legally Blonde have been dropped from the schedule.

All auditions will be held in the JCS Auditorium located in Huntington City Hall.

Contact Eddie Harbert, Director, at 304-544-2831 or Maxine Loudermilk, Producer, at 304-654-1471 for information.

Auditions for "The Color Purple"

The Charleston Light Opera Guild is tackling a terrific show this spring, and auditions begin Tuesday for The Color Purple!

The group posted some detailed information about the auditions, reprinted here for your convenience:

AUDITIONS - THE COLOR PURPLE

January 17, 18, 19 ~ 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, January 17 - 7:30 p.m. ~ Singing
Prepare a musical selection to showcase your voice; bring sheet music for Guild accompanist

Wednesday, January 18 - 7:30 p.m. ~ Reading, Acting
Scripts will be provided for cold readings of major and cameo characters.
Some characters will be selected from the ensemble.

Thursday, January 19 - 7:30 p.m. ~ Dancing
Auditions for African scene dancers, dress to dance, barefoot or ballet or jazz shoes

All auditions at the Charleston Light Opera Guild Theatre
411 Tennessee Ave at Roane Street
Charleston, WV 25302
304-342-9312

THE COLOR PURPLE
will be performed at Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre
May 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19, 2012

AVAILABLE ROLES:
CELIE: Female actress-singer 20s – 30s, insecure, yet spirited, appears meek and timid but has a tough interior, treated poorly for years, a strong passionate, belter

MISTER: Albert, an attractive, dominant man 30s – 60s, disrespectful and demanding, marries Celie and mistreats her; true feelings are for Shug Avery, strong vocalist with power

SHUG: Well-known singer, 30s – 50s, very charismatic, a sexy confident and powerful woman, comforts Celie and Mister, a dynamic Bessie Smith style bluesy singer

SOFIA: Female warrior, 20s – 30s, humorous, independent, physically larger with a self confidence in her own skin, marries Harpo, will not be mistreated, strong singer

HARPO: Mister’s vulnerable, good-natured son, 20s – 30s, marries Sofia, learns to treat women well, romances Squeak when Sofia leaves until her return, strong singer

NETTIE: Celie’s sister ages 20s – 30s, adventuresome, spunky and educated, has a strong bond with Celie, separated from Celie by Mister, she finds a new life and calling in Africa, strong belter

SQUEAK: Age 18 - 20s, Harpo’s girl after Sofia leaves and until she returns, spunky, fun, sassy opinionated, good mover-dancer, strong belt and soprano capability

OL’ MISTER: Mister’s father, owner of the farm and house that Mister works and lives on with Celie, self-centered man, verbally abusive towards his son, 55 - 80, strong actor often doubled as the Preacher

CHURCH LADIES (Doris, Darlene, Jarene): A trio of strong personalities and presences, character women who are the busybodies of the town, different types and ages, strong singers with comedic flair.

ENSEMBLE ROLES (Cameo role characters who also sing with the chorus):
Young Nettie, Young Celie (both ages 12-16), Mister’s daughter (8-14), Young Olivia (12-16), Henrietta (8-12), Young Harpo (8-12), Young Adam (8-12), Preacher, if not double cast with Ol’ Mister (30-60), Pa (40-60), Prison Guard (30-50), Buster, Chief, Guard, Older Olivia, Older Adam, Church Soloist, Daisy, Glodene, Odessa

ENSEMBLE SINGERS: Strong male and female voices, all physical and vocal types.

ENSEMBLE DANCERS: Strong male and female dancers for huge African dance scene. Dancers may double in the chorus or cameo roles.

THE COLOR PURPLE is a musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer winning novel. Scott Sanders, Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey produced the musical on Broadway in 2005 starring LaChanze with a book by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russel, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. The score features a blend of gospel, blues, soul and musical theatre arrangements. The 1985 film featured an impressive cast led by Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey.

The musical is presented as Celie’s march to freedom and search for peace. Taking place in rural Georgia the story spans the years between 1909 and 1949. Young Celie faces many hardships including a pregnancy at 14, marriage to a cruel farmer called Mister and Mister’s imposed separation of Celie from her sister and best friend, Nettie. Mister’s son, Harpo, grows up and brings home Sofia, a proud and strong-willed woman whom he loves and later marries. Mister’s former love, a blues singer named Shug Avery, helps Celie become a stronger woman.

Nina Denton Pasinetti, director/choreographer
Bobby Hodges, Jr., musical director
For more information call the director at 304-545-6945.

A Play for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Hope you're having a great Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

If you're looking for a good way to observe the event, here's a suggestion from today's Herald-Dispatch:

The Meeting is a critically acclaimed play depicting a fictional meeting and discussion in a hotel room between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, two of the strongest voices of the civil rights movement.

It will be presented at 6 p.m. Monday in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center on Marshall's campus. The program, which is free, also includes members of Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta sororities paying tribute to the women of the civil rights movement, specifically the wives of King and Malcolm X, Coretta Scott King and Betty Shabazz.

Members of the Martin Luther King Jr. Male Chorus of Charleston also will perform.

Sounds like a great show - recommended!

The Return of Bitsy and Boots!

One of my favorite theatre events of the year is on the way, as Jonathan Joy's characters Bitsy and Boots are back in a new original play!

It's all part of the annual First Church Dinner Theater 2012: 20 Years of Fun for Mission. You get to see a very funny show and enjoy a terrific dinner and support a great cause - who could ask for more?

Here's the information provided by my pal Jerry Morse:

They're back! But, where are they? Not Getaway, that's for sure.

How did Bitsy and Boots end up on a tropical island? Will Tommy and Kat get to enjoy their romantic vacation? How many people can one hotel room hold? Will Max survive?

All these questions will be answered when you attend Bitsy and Boots in the Tropics, another hilarious comedy by our resident playwright, Jonathan Joy. To keep the laughs coming, we have assembled a stellar cast of Dinner Theater veterans, including Jane Morse (Bitsy), Loretta Hetzer (Boots), Adam Stephens (Tommy), Melissa Langham (Kat), T. Michael Murdock (Max), Rebecca Payne (Ida), Leann Haines (Pearl), Michael Naglee (Raul), Stephen Vance (Franklin) and Stacy Morgan (Officer).

The Dinner Theater has been a winter highlight in Huntington since 1991. It is an integral part of First Church's Mission program, raising more than $38,000 for Mission projects through 19 productions. For example last year's proceeds helped West Virginia mission projects, the Campus Christian Center, the City Mission, flood buckets for disaster relief and food and clothing for local families in need.

The show will be staged at the First United Methodist Church at 1124 5th Avenue in Huntington on Friday, Feb. 10; Saturday, Feb. 11; and Tuesday, Feb. 14. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 8:00 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 and Assorted Valentine Desserts.

Dinner plus Show: Adult - $24.00, Child under 12 - $8.00, Show only (as space permits)- $5.00.

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

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SHOWS! For Reservations, call 304-522-0357 or (740) 867-8576.

All profits benefit the Missions of First United Methodist Church

Auditions for "Stepping Out"

One of the area's finest directors in Gene Anthony, who recently retired from Marshall's Theatre Department.

I recently heard the great news that he's coming out of retirement, and with his lovely wife Coni will direct the show Stepping Out.

If you have any interest at all in theatre or dancing, I give this my strongest recommendation. I was lucky enough to work with Gene on a show years ago, and it was a delight from start to finish.

Enough gabbing from me - he sent out this note with the announcement:

My friend, Bil Neal, has recently been installed as the new president of Arts Resources for the Tri-state (ARTS).

Knowing that he has a high regard for my theatrical background, I decided that in celebration of his new appointment I would offer to come out of retirement and direct a show for ARTS. He enthusiastically accepted and so we are on for a project.

Coni and I will direct a production of Stepping Out with performance nights on June 15, 16, 17 and June 22, 23 and 24.

Stepping Out was written by British Playwright Richard Harris, and after its London run, was revived for Broadway by Tommy Tune.

Stepping Out is a delightful piece for nine women of various ages and one man. Basically, it is a character-driven comedy. All of the characters are delicious, challenging, and of equal importance; in other words, it is a true ensemble piece.

Eight women and one man, each with his or her own "baggage," assemble once a week for a community tap class which is taught by an ex-show girl. None but the teacher, Mavis, and one other lady in the class, know how to tap. They learn in the course of the play and it ends with the group doing a public, costumed performance for a charity event.

This is our plan of action. The initial audition will be held at ARTS (old
Huntington High), beginning at 7:00 p.m. on January 20. It will be a dance audition. All of my darling friends and associates that just groaned because they don't tap dance can take heart. The point of the audition is for us to discover which of our brilliantly talented actor/singer/musician buddies and any others would be able TO LEARN how to tap in the course of a rehearsal period.

The play's primary requirement is a cast of good ACTORS. Coni and I will spoon feed the tap dancing element to the cast.

So, y'all show up and we'll decide if we think you can learn to tap. What do you have to lose? Call backs will be scheduled at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. We will read from the script for the call back audition.

There are some very specific casting specifications: 1. All of the characters require a comic facility; 2. One of the females does not dance but needs to be able to play the piano; 3. The play would be extremely well served by an integrated cast.

Once a cast has been chosen we will begin a free tap class, meeting once a week on Thursday night beginning at 7:00 p.m. on February 2. The class will continue until show rehearsals begin starting the week of May 6. I prefer a five week rehearsal schedule of about four rehearsals per week; three on a weekday evening schedule and one at an acceptable time each weekend.

If you know how to tap dance, you still need to be at the dance audition on January 20. We'll just "stick you in the back row" so that you can't intimidate the newbies. Love you all and looking forward to this project.

- Gene and Coni

More Auditions!

Still more auditions - this one is for young actors in the Paintsville area.

Aladdin, Jr. auditions will be held Jan. 21 from Noon to 4 p.m. at 224 Main Street in Paintsville.

No preparation necessary, looking for all age ranges. People will be asked to cold read and sing selected tunes from the show.

Performances will be at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg.

"Les Miz" Controversy

So my pals on Facebook got into an interesting discussion recently about the planned movie based on the Broadway musical Les Miserables.

The film is using (mostly) film actors to fill the roles, including Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean and Russell Crowe as Javert. Other stars include Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter and Amanda Seyfried.

But the one that has fans of the Broadway show on edge in Taylor Swift, who will reportedly play Eponine. Some think she doesn't have the right voice or the acting chops to play the part.

Fans getting upset about casting choices seems to happen every time a film version of a Broadway show is made, but of course the filmmakers aren't making the film with theatre fans in mind (they probably figure they'll see the show anyway).

They're trying to bring in those who might not know the show at all, but are willing to see anything starring (name of celebrity here).

We should probably be grateful that they haven't cast a Kardashian in there somewhere.

As for me, I'll wait until I see the movie (and I will be seeing the movie, no matter who they cast) to decide if including Taylor Swift was a great idea - or a terrible one.

"Annie" Auditions in Portsmouth Jan. 11

January is all about auditions, and here's another one coming up soon from the Portsmouth Little Theatre:

Annie offers various roles for all ages. Auditions will be held at the Portsmouth Little Theatre on Tuesday, Jan. 10 and Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m.

Please enter the rear of the theatre on US 52 Westbound. You will enter and wait in the Green Room, you will fill out an audition sheet, your picture will be taken, and you will be given a number.

This is a closed audition process to encourage the actor to audition without inhibition (if a child requests their parents watch their audition they will be permitted to sit in the house and watch. However, under no circumstances will a parent coach or help their child through the performance part of the auditioning process).

All those auditioning will be required to read from a preselected monologue (which will be provided) and sing a verse of a musical theatre song of your liking (please bring tracks - no pianist is available). Please be wise in your vocal selections and demonstrate your range and strengths.

Please wear loose clothing and soft shoes (NO FLIP FLOPS). All those auditioning will be required to learn simple choreography. Choreography will be performed in small groups.

For more information, visit the Portsmouth Little Theatre site right here.

Auditions for "How I Learned to Drive" Jan. 23

The Curtains Up Players have announced auditions for their next show, How I Learned to Drive.

Here's the announcement:

The lesson in Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize-winning play isn't so much about driving as it is about survival, forgiveness and growth.

Auditions for How I Learned to Drive will be Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church, 955 Main Street in Barboursville, WV. Please park in the lot in the back of the church and enter through the rear door.

The play will be directed by Michele Goodson and presented in March 2012.

Please arrive promptly and be ready to read.

Bil's Best of 2012

I invited readers to send in their "Best of 2012" lists, and here's what my pal Bil Neal had to say:

Yesterday I took all the "2011" pages out of my Franklin planner and added the first four months of 2012. Your blog about the Best Shows made me curious to see if I had any comments about the theatre I saw last year, and I'd like to share some of the scribblings I found in the margins of my calendar. Feel free to edit any or all for length or content, and keep in mind that I wasn't able to see everything I wanted.

Barefoot In The Park (ARTS) was a delight. Set was orange, and got a smattering of applause every performance. With Karen Pruitt nearly upstaging Clint McElroy, the entire cast was a pleasure.

Nunset Boulevard (First United Methodist Dinner Theatre) Leann Haines has mad puppetry skills.

Dead Man Walking (MU) Nathan Mohebbi was impressive. The work that man did blew me away.

Video Games Live (Artist Series) was one of the most interesting things I saw, and completely out of my comfort zone. What an event.

Titanic (5th Avenue) Orchestra, Orchestra, Orchestra. Mike Murdock (sings!) David Day. Ron Short.

Drowsy Chaperone (CLOG) I would pay to watch Laurie Pennington read the phone book.

Wedding Singer (HOT) Ryan Hardiman enjoyed himself, and made me. Shayne Gue did great. Kerri Easter and Kaitlin Despain surprised me.

Thoroughly Modern Millie (CLOG) Linda Reynolds - wish I could've seen her every performance.

ART's 10th Anniversary Gala (ARTS) Helga got a Lifetime Achievement Award. Ryan Hardiman and Randall Reid-Smith duet of "Lilly's Eyes" second only to Chris Bowling accompanying himself.

New Works (MU) Collis P! So much fun. Burgle - Dylan Clark writes! (really well) New kid Patrick Taylor - one to watch.

Princess Ida (Portsmouth) Mark Near is a bad guy? Set was amazing.

Hairspray (CLOG) Laurie Pennington makes me smile. Jon Lamp has worked his butt off. I knew him when....

Fantasticks (ARTS) environment was a blast. Murdock CAN sing! Owen Reynolds is a pleasure. Dylan Clark and Eric Woods need to be stopped or no one will see me and Mark Near. Tawney Burdine can play anything you put in front of her. Kristin Cavianni belts into a hairbrush. Stephen Vance has a hit.

Noises Off (5th Avenue) Best set they've had. Leann Haines cries. James Holley's physical work is good. I like Michael Naglee on stage, but I'm kinda crushing on Kate Morris.

Schoolhouse Rock (First Stage at ARTS) Who staged a million kids so well? Set was beautiful and used really well. Three IS a Magic Number.

Jekyll and Hyde (ARTS) Ryan Hardiman, Brittany Adkins and Andrea Parkins amazing. Mike & Jenn Naglee are this period. I wanna play in the laboratory.

Family Cabaret (Highlawn Prebyterian) 90 second of Ed Sullivan takes six months of work. My favorite thing.

Pillowman (Company of Dreams) not at all my taste - really well done. Looking forward to seeing more from this company.

Last Night of Ballyhoo (MU) well done. Patrick Taylor and Jordan Bean - I loved them together. She was born with that style.

Holiday Memories (Cup) Chris Sizemore is good, but the surprise pleasure was almost all of the Donahoes singing together. Love those people.

It's a Wonderful Life (Paramount) How long did they rehearse? Backdrops are stunning.

Things that I'm sorry I missed this year, (just from discussions with friends) include Marina Jurica's Farewell Concert, Albert's Hall, Bat Boy (Cup) - heard good things about Chris Sunderland's physical work, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Auditions This Week in Portsmouth

January is a time for auditions, and here's one this week for teen actors:

Sweeney Todd: School Edition auditions will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 3 and 4 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Portsmouth Area Arts Council & Children's Theatre Senior Co. will hold auditions for actors ages 14-18, who are still in high school, for the upcoming production of Sweeney Todd: School Edition.

Auditions will be held in Theatre 5 of the Wheelersburg Cinema, adjacent to the SONGS Stage.

Actors will be required to sing a solo of their choice and be asked to read from the script with other auditions. Actors do not need to come for both nights of auditions, but may if they like.

A small photo of the actor to attach to the audition form is recommended.

The production dates for the show are March 2, 3 and 4, 2012 on the main stage of the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts in Portsmouth.

Rehearsals will be held at the Wheelersburg Cinema stage Monday-Friday 6:30-9:00 p.m. beginning Jan. 9.

Actors will be required to have signed parental consent to participate in the show before they accept a part.

Auditions will also be held for a special Pre-Show for younger actors:

The Portsmouth Area Arts Council & Children's Theatre will be producing a short pre-show for our production of Sweeney Todd: School Edition at the Vern Riffe Center.

Auditions will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 3 and 4 at 5:30 p.m.

Rehearsals will be 5-6 Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Jan. 12 at the Wheelersburg Cinema.

Production dates are March 2, 3 & 4 at the Vern Riffe Center in Portsmouth.

We are looking for singers and dancers to do a spooky pre-show in both the lobby and main stage before Sweeney Todd. Younger ones will be singing and doing simple choreography for the lobby and older ones will be auditioning for a more dance-centered routine to be performed on the main stage.

Parents, please be aware, this pre-show will be spooky and involve scary make-up and costumes.

Come to auditions prepared to move and learn small pieces of choreography.

Stephen's Best of 2012

I invited readers to send in their highlights from 2012, and my pal Stephen Vance sent in this note:

I always like to put a little different spin on "the best of" list you offer up every year. This time I'd like to mention some people I've had a chance to work with and be a fan of over the last couple of years and how they had some crowning moments in 2011. Call it a list of people I hope we don't forget when we are all making our lists list.

Shayne Gue has been someone I've seen on stage since before I even thought about getting involved. I've always appreciated his work, but this summer Shayne was at his best in HOT's Wedding Singer. His timing and commitment were superb. Best I've ever seen him.

Dylan Clark has been a good friend of mine for a long time and a counterpart in shows on many occasions. This summer during MU's New Works, Dylan presented his original play Burgle. It was hilarious. We all know he is a great performer, but he has got quite a writing talent as well. I can't wait to see what he does in the future.

Jonathan Lamp is another guy I've admired on stage for a long time and also had a chance to work with. I can easily say that the most surprising and delightful performance of the year goes to John as Link in CLOG's Hairspray. We all knew he could sing, but he danced like nobody's business. He was perfect as the charming young star to be.

Patrick Taylor is somebody I just met this year. He was fantastic in Burgle as the idiot criminal and wonderful as the mute in the Fantasticks. However, I was super impressed with his work in the Last Night of Ballyhoo. He was simply charming. As the new guy in town, I'm excited to see what he does next.

Karen Pruitt in Barefoot in the Park was a riot. If you missed her, you missed a wonderful, wonderful thing. She's quite a lovely lady in person also.

Lastly, I'd like to mention two people I don't know at all but got to see twice this year and thought their work was great, both from Charleston. Laurie Pennington as the Chaperone in the Drowsy Chaperone and Velma in Hairspray. She is a true joy to watch. Brynna Hornswell as Penny in Hairspray and JoAnne Galloway in A Few Good Men. Total commitment, totally different roles, completely wonderful.

I could go on but I wanted to catch some of the people that others might miss. This of course is not a complete list because I could brag on a lot of others, and I do.

It was a very good year.

Thanks, Stephen!

On Stage in January 2012

Happy New Year, gentle readers! Hope you've been enjoying the holiday season!

Coming up in January - as far as community theatre is concerned - is nothing!

No shows, although lots of them are in rehearsal or about to hold auditions.

But take heart, the Marshall Artists Series has a touring show that will help us get through the first month of 2012.

100 Years of Broadway takes the stage at the keith-Albee Performing Arts Center Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m.

The show recreates the biggest moments from the biggest shows of the century, featuring the actual stars of shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Chicago, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar and Jekyll & Hyde. These amazing performers light up the stage with songs from the hit shows in which they starred, as well as other notable Broadway shows.

Neil Berg presents brilliantly revived arrangements of Broadway classics, as well as fantastic numbers from Broadway's newest hit shows. The show features a dazzling cast of Broadway stars accompanied by an all-star New York band.

Sounds like a great show - mark those calendars!

The Best Shows of 2011

I'm not going to name the "Best show of 2011."

For several reasons:

1) I hate applying the "Best of" label to community theatre shows - every single show was created after a lot of hard work by a lot of people, and while some are better or more accomplished or had a bigger budget than others, they were all a labor of love.

2) It's apples and oranges. Unless you're comparing different productions of the same show, there's no way to compare different shows made with different casts, different budgets, different conditions, etc.

3) I didn't see all the shows that hit the stage in the Tri-State area in 2011. I saw lots of shows, but I missed many, many more (this was a year in which life got in the way of shows). I have friends who see lots of shows, more than I see - but I don't think there's anyone who sees every show.

4) I can't be impartial, because I'm the President of First Stage Theatre Company - obviously, I love every show they stage.

What I will do is talk about some of the shows I saw and enjoyed, and invite you, gentle readers, to make comments about shows you liked, too. Send your comments to the link at the bottom of this post, or email them to me at TheMinskers@aol.com and I'll share them.

Brag on shows you worked on, rave about shows you saw, but no negative put-downs, please. (I don't believe in "Worst of the Year" lists, either.)

So, here's my quick recap of shows I saw:

I'll start with First Stage, since it was an excellent year for the children's theatre, with three shows - each one very successful and lots of fun to watch, including: Rugrats: A Live Adventure, with local actors doing an amazing job of imitating the voices and characteristics of the Nickelodeon cartoon kids; Schoolhouse Rock Live, one of my all-time favorites, with a terrific cast bringing the classic educational cartoons to life; and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, a co-production with Marshall's Theatre Alliance that was a sweet, funny and touching holiday tale - it's quickly becoming a holiday staple, and I thought this cast was fantastic!

ARTS presented a couple of outstanding shows this year, including the fast and funny hit The Fantasticks, and the dark musical Jekyll and Hyde, which provided a star vehicle for Ryan Hardiman and an outstanding cast.

Ryan was busy this year, rocking out on stage in HOT's July show, The Wedding Singer with a talented cast that brought the '80s to life!

Fifth Avenue Theatre tackled a couple of big shows - the popular Titanic: the Musical, based on the tragic voyage, and (at the other end of the drama scale), the hilarious Noises Off, which was without a doubt the funniest show I saw this year, thanks to an outstanding cast and an amazing set!

Marshall's Theatre Alliance had several excellent productions this year, including: the terrific musical Working, which was loaded with amazing performers; the fantastic New Works Project; and an awesome production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, which was a showcase for a talented cast, an incredible set and an ingenious adaptation of the original script - it was one of the most impressive shows I can remember seeing in years.

I'm not going to name a best show, of course - but the one that probably managed the best mix of music and comedy, and would certainly be in contention if I were to name the top show, would have to be the Charleston Light Opera Guild's production of Hairspray, which was a pure delight from beginning to end.

Outstanding work by one and all!

So, another great year of theatre - and hopefully another great one on the way!

Happy New Year, theatre fans, and thanks for joining us here at the Tri-State Theatre blog!

So let's hear it - what were your favorite moments?

New Year's Concert with Ryan Hardiman

Here's a fun way to spend New Year's Eve - enjoying music by Ryan Hardiman (and friends) - and what a great price:

Charleston Community Music Association and Goodnight 2011 present two FREE 45-minute New Year's Eve performances - 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Ryan Hardiman - Moonage Daydream: The Bowie Songbook

Special guest vocalist: Madeline Gourevitch

... with pianist Mark Scarpelli and a string quartet featuring Molly Lynn Page and Kristi Holstein (violin), Alasha Al-Qudwah (viola) and Shawn Simms (cello)

New Year's Eve, Saturday, December 31
Two 45-minute performances, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Trinity Lutheran
1600 Kanawha Boulevard East
(Corner of Kanawha Blvd and Elizabeth Street)

Featuring the songs of David Bowie:

Moonage Daydream
Space Oddity
China Girl
The Prettiest Star
Life on Mars?
Wild is the Wind
Absolute Beginners
Under Pressure
Changes
Lady Grinning Soul

Merry Christmas!

No silly songs today - just a heartfelt wish, from all of us at the Tri-State Theatre blog, for a Merry Christmas to one and all!

Must Be Santa Claus

Here's another favorite, and a truly odd video - Bob Dylan singing "Must Be Santa Claus." Lots of fun:

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

The late great Burl Ives puts us in the spirit with a beloved song from the animated feature "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

The Christmas Song

As a break from the usual silly songs I post at this time of the year, here's a classic - the incredible Mel Torme singing a song he composed - "The Christmas Song." You'll recognize it at once:

All I Want for Christmas Is You

Here's a clip from the movie "Love Actually" (which is actually quite good), and my favorite version of this song. A bit silly, but fun:

White Christmas

Here's our first video - an old favorite:

News, Notes, and the Seussical Cast!

Hope everyone's having a great holiday season!

The Christmas shows are over and the stages will be dark for a couple of weeks - so what shall we do in this space? That's easy - starting tomorrow I'll post some Christmas-related videos for you to enjoy! (It's a tradition and I'm sticking with it!)

There is one last bit of business, as First Stage has announced the cast list for its spring show, Seussical the Musical, which will be staged in April at the beautiful Keith-Albee Theatre!

So here's the cast (and a talented bunch it is):

The Cat in the Hat - Jack McGee
Horton - Levi Kelley
JoJo -Arman Karimpour
Gertrude - Meg Barbour
Mayzie - Maggie Donahoe
Sour Kangaroo - Sarah Bryan
Baby Kangaroo - Braylan Balandra

Bird Girls - Alli Bartram, Elizabeth Schmitz, Catherine Dennison, Sam Young

Cat Girls - Emily Underwood, Becca Stevens, Kathryn Booth, Bailey Sanders, Madalein Jackson, Becca Gaunch

Wickershams - Andrew Edwards, Nick Wood, Salem Carlton, Samuel Collins
General Schmitz - Jessie Donahoe
Mayor - Josh Moore
Mrs. Mayor - Rileigh Smirl
Yertle the Turtle - Sarah Metz
Marshall/Lorax - Katie Fulks
Sam I Am - Jalen Nicely
Intro Cat - Lindsay McKelvey
Vlad Vladicoff - Ian Carlton

Seuss Rockettes

Taranee’ Karimpour (Dance Captain)
Olivia Roberts
Lindsay McKelvey
Shannyn Kyle
Erika Turner
Brynne Kyle
Mary Bolano
Savannah Sakkai
Kathryn Jennings
Olivia Johnson
Abby Mandt
Abigail Parks
Hayley Spurlock
Jalen Nicely
Maleea Roy
Emily Branam

Mini Rockettes

Chloe Mayo “Mitsy Godiva”
Cali Ellis “Teeny Godiva”
Piper May “Tizzy”
Emma Pittman “Tizzle”
Sophie Haddox “Kweety”
Elizabeth Blake “Preep”
Cheyenne Ferrell “Proo”
Ellie Reynolds “Foona”
Olivia Roberts (Martha Road) “Yeps”
Natalie Jane Eastone “Yottle”

Cadets

Griffin Conaty “Bipper Fuddnudler”
Abigail Eplin “Skipper Fuddnudler”
Ian Carlton “Bud Fuddnudler”
Zoe May “Jipper Fuddnudler”
Hannah Sparks “Dinwoodie Fuddnudler”
Jacob Gross “Jeffery Fuddnudler”
Ethan Lovejoy “Chief Yookeroo Fuddnudler”
Luke Lovejoy “Frederick Fuddnudler”
Nathaniel Fornash “Slinky Fuddnudler”
Jameson Reynolds “Hendrix Fuddnudler”
Jacob Paul Haddox “Zooks Fuddnudler”
Teddy Haddox “Yooks Fuddnudler”
Patrick Dempsey “Horatio Fuddnudler”
Scotty Ferrell “Stuart Fuddnudler”
Avery Jackson “Zower Fuddnudler”
Hunter Morrison “Wocket Fuddnudler”
Zachary Kincade “Zax Fuddnudler”

Whos

Emma Davis “Aunt Annie”
Macenzie Simmons “Violet Vinn”
Zoie Fornash “Vera Vinn”
Lauren Wills “Zooie Catz”
Ashtan Fraser “Kooie Catz”
Makenzie Chapman “Katy Klopps”
Katherine Savageat “LuLu”
Paula Ames “Dapples Thidwick”
Sarah Phillips “Misspecket”
Hadley Massie “Parcifal Thidwick”
Maggie Kayt Franks “Cindy Lou Who”
Jensen Bird “Gussey Headwig”
Samantha May “Lola Lee Lou”
Elisabeth Ross “Spritz Stroodel”
Hallie Trader “Mrs. Umbroso”
Claire Aulick “Dr. Spreckles”
Raven McClintock “Mitsy Von Krandall”
Brooke Ferguson “Jill Ikkajast”
Emily Belcher “Nixie Knox”

Baby Whos/Zoo Animals

Brody Reynolds “Vug”
Amelia Westbrook “Chookie”
Cameron May “Ish”
Mace Owens “Sneedle”
Owen Jennings “Spazzim”
Sophie Eastone “Thing Two”
Jack Eastone “Thing One”
Macy Murdoch “Kitty O’Sullivan”
Caden Chapman “Max the Dog”

On Stage This Weekend - Four Shows!

You have one last weekend to stock up on Christmas cheer! Here are the shows taking a stage near you:

- The Santaland Diaries - Portmouth Little Theatre presents the play Dec. 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m.

- The Story of My Life - Charleston Stage Company presents the play at the Capitol Theatre Dec. 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m.

- Black Nativity - Kanawha Players presents the play Dec. 15 - 18.

- It's a Wonderful Life - The Paramount Players will present the classic holiday tale on the Paramount stage in Ashland Dec. 16 and 17, with a matinee at 3 p.m. Dec. 17.

So check one (or more) out, and take a loved one. Theatre tickets make great Christmas presents!

Tri-State Theatre News and Notes

Thanks to my pal Sarah Diamond Burroway for sending along some theatre notes to share:

- Murder and Merriment presents Silent Night, Deadly Night. A murder mystery dinner theater event. Now taking reservations, make yours today! An eclectic group of characters are vacationing at a mountain ski lodge. An avalanche closes the only road off of the mountain, stranding all the guests and causing a power outage. Then people start disappearing and turning up dead... Come join us for a murderously good time! The murder mystery takes place at Heritage Station Jan, 20, 21, 27 and 28. The show begins at 6 p.m., with catering provided by A Taste From Above Catering. The cost is $35 per person - make your reservations now by calling Event Solutions at 304-523-7526.

- ACTC Children's Theatre auditions for Cinderella are coming up Jan. 3 and 4 at 4 p.m. at the J.B. Sowards Theatre. It's part of an enrichment class for students in grades 3 through 9, and the cost is $125. Shows will be presented Feb. 17 - 19, with school shows Feb. 15, 16 and 17.

- Stay tuned for details from Ashland's Company of Dreams Theatre - auditions coming this spring for The Curious Savage under the direction of Jim Maggard.

"Seussical" Auditions - A Note

This past Saturday I helped sign up a mob of young actors who were auditioning for the upcoming First Stage Theatre performance of Seussical the Musical, and I witnessed something that reminded me why I support children's theatre.

At one point, a couple of very young girls were at the audition - but they were nervous, they were getting upset, worried about auditioning. One girl was on the verge of tears. (I could sympathize - as a kid I would have been absolutely terrified of auditioning, too, and I've seen many kids similarly struggle over the years.)

Immediately a half-dozen girls, all veterans of local shows, gathered around the new girls, talked them through it and encouraged them. It was a kind, gracious thing to do - I was so proud of them!

In no time, the new girls were smiling, laughing and having fun.

And that, my friends, is what theatre - especially children's theatre - is all about!

On Stage This Weekend - Four Holiday Shows!

Lots of great holiday shows on tap this weekend, including:

- White Christmas - 5th Avenue Theatre Company presents the holiday musical Dec. 9 and 10 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 2:30 p.m. at Huntington's City Hall auditorium.

- The Littlest Angel - The Children's Theatre of Charleston presents the play at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre Dec. 8 - 11.

- The Santaland Diaries - Portmouth Little Theatre presents the play Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m.

- The Story of My Life - Charleston Stage Company presents the play at the Capitol Theatre Dec. 8 - 10 and 15 - 17 at 7:30 p.m.

So get out there and get in the spirit of the season!

"White Christmas" Pre-Show - and a Correction

My pal Dave Lavender wrote a nice story in today's Herald-Dispatch about the pre-show that's part of the local White Christmas production - but there's a big error in there, which I'll address in a moment.

First, the story:

Last weekend, Stacy Richardson-Bond got the best birthday present ever. Through some early Christmas miracle, all of her elves somehow remembered their lines, songs and dance steps.

By day, Richardson-Bond is the children's librarian at the Cabell County Public Library in downtown Huntington, and by Christmas nights, she's been writer, director and den mother, of sorts, for the children's pre-show, "Santa's Surprise," which will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium at Huntington City Hall.

The original pre-show is the appetizer for the main show, 5th Avenue Theatre Company's Irving Berlin's White Christmas musical, which is in its last weekend. Accompanied by a 13-piece live orchestra under the direction of Chris Bowling, White Christmas will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

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

Richardson-Bond, who is on the board with Fifth Avenue Theatre Company, said she got involved with the troupe a few years when her niece was in A Christmas Carol, and got hooked.

"It was a lot of fun and I remember (director) Mary Smirl said you'll be back, and I was like 'I don't know about that' but she was right, I kind of got sucked into it and now I'm on the advisory board, and I asked if we were doing anything with the kids and they said 'you can if you want.'"

Richardson-Bond, who wrote "Santa's Surprise," for last year's Christmas pre-show, also wrote, "Titanic Comes to Town," another 30-minute pre-show for last year's "Titanic."

She said the idea was to create short (under 30 minutes-long) pre-shows giving small children and first-time children actors a chance to get on stage, learn lines, simple choreography and singing on a small scale and simple format.

"Other theaters like First Stage really reach the older kids, and so we can take the younger kids and let them get their feet wet so they'll be ready for the other play companies," Richardson-Bond said. "One thing that we do is that every kid wants a line, and so I have found that writing a play was something easier to do on my own. I can go back in and change the script as more kids come and I always have to revise it. This year, I've had four re-writes so every rehearsal almost there's been a new script."

This year, Richardson-Bond is wrangling lines and stage time for 22 children ages 4 to 14 in the 25-minute-long production whose storyline is Santa's elves teaming up to throw him a surprise party for when he gets back from delivering gifts since everyone likes to receive once in a while.

"I know how much my nieces love it and they're in it, so I just want to give all the kids the opportunity to do this," Richardson-Bond said. "It's a lot of work but it is so rewarding. They all think they are an actor and actress now and I love to see how excited they are about it."

Go online at www.cityofhuntingtonfoundation.com for more information.

OK, I'm back.

So the big mistake is where Stacy says, "Other theaters like First Stage really reach the older kids, and so we can take the younger kids and let them get their feet wet so they'll be ready for the other play companies."

Since I'm on the board of First Stage, I have to point out that First Stage does shows for all ages, not just "older kids." The group just wrapped The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which used kids of all ages, and is holding auditions on Saturday for Seussical the Musical, and it's open to kids from pre-school to high school seniors.

First Stage has done shows that focused on older kids, and it's done shows that focused on younger kids. Most of its shows are open to all ages. That's all I'm saying.

Sorry for the rant, I just wanted to set the record straight.

This Saturday: "Seussical" Auditions

This Saturday, First Stage Theatre Company, Huntington's long-running children's theatre, will hold auditions for its spring show, Seussical the Musical!

The auditions will be held Saturday, Dec. 10, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. (auditioners are welcome anytime between 10 and 5).

They'll be held at the First Stage Building at 222 Seventh Avenue in Huntington (the old Electronics Supply building).

Auditions are open to students from Pre-School age to seniors in High School. There is no charge to audition or participate in the show.

Auditioners should arrive ready to sing about 30 seconds of a song demonstrating range and ability. Script excerpts will be provided for reading. Wear shoes you can dance in - auditioners will be taught a short dance to perform.

The show will be staged at the Keith-Albee Theatre April 20, 21, 22, 26, 27 and 28.

The director is Mary Smirl and the producer is Tommy Smirl. For more information, call Mary or Tommy at 304-525-2557 between 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Good luck!

"It's a Wonderful Life"

Here's a show I somehow missed: It's a Wonderful Life by the Paramount Players!

"Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings," and this time it will happen on the Paramount stage in Ashland during the performance of It's a Wonderful Life. This heart-warming story is a Christmas classic that follows the saga of George Bailey as he discovers what life would be like for his friends and family if he had never been born.

There are three evening performances by the Paramount Players, Thursday through Saturday, December 15 through 17, with a matinee at 3 p.m. Dec. 17.

Tickets are $15 adults, $12 kids.

Last Chance to Catch "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!"

Today's your last chance to catch The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

The First Stage Theatre Company, Huntington's children's theater, and the Marshall Theatre Alliance have teamed up to present the rollicking show.

Co-directed by the husband and wife team of Justin and Sydnee McElroy, the one-hour play will be presented at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.

Tickets are $12 and $8 for children. Call the box office at 304-696-2787 for more information.

Based on the best-selling 1972 book by Barbara Robinson, "Pageant" tells the story about the six wild urchins in the Herdman family who come to church just for the snacks and stay to take all the roles in the Sunday School's Christmas play, giving the show a little bit of a twist.

It's a fun show and really captures the meaning of Christmas. Don't miss it!

On Stage: "White Christmas"

Back again by popular demand is the holiday classic White Christmas:

Like an extra helping of mashed potatoes and gravy at Thanksgiving, who's going to turn down seconds of a White Christmas?

Last year, Huntington's 5th Avenue Theatre Company was one of only 20 community theater companies in the nation to get the first crack at putting up the Broadway musical, Irving Berlin's White Christmas: Musical.

They had such a good time swinging into the holidays 1940s style that Fifth Avenue is back dreaming and tap dancing again into the holidays.

Director Eddie Harbert, a cast of more than two dozen actors and a 13-piece orchestra present White Christmas at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and Dec. 9-10, as well as matinee performances at 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 4 and 11, at the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium located in Huntington's City Hall.

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

Harbert, who had just finished up a successful October run of Jekyll and Hyde, said White Christmas was such a tremendous success last year that they made a rare move and decided to stage the production again.

They've actually also got it on the calendar for 2013 as well.

"We're thinking about playing it annually," Harbert said. "It's a story that everybody loves, and everybody loves the music and so everybody loves the songs and it's just a feel good show. It's kind of like Wizard of Oz you know what is going to happen but you don't care because you feel so good in the end. Here in this rush of Christmas we hope White Christmas will become that Christmas tradition that everyone takes their families to see."

Based on the classic 1954 movie that starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and regional native starlet Rosemary Clooney (who hails from Augusta, Ky.), White Christmas follows Army buddies Bob Wallace (George Snider) and Phil Davis (Greg Kiser), first on the Western Front in World War II and then in their travels as performers on tour in the U.S.

They run into the talent-laden Haynes sister act, Betty and Judy Haynes (played by Jane Modlin, Brittany Adkins, respectively). When Judy and Phil fall in love, they conspire to reroute the guys to the Vermont lodge where the Haynes sisters were booked.

Although at first reluctant, Bob, gets on fire to create a fresh show with the ladies to help save the Vermont ski resort inn owned by General Waverly (Michael Byrd) by having a show in the barn of the inn. The new collaboration sets off sparks on stage and off as the two pairs of singers find their soulmates.

Kiser and Modlin are two of the only returning major cast members, although Modlin played a different role last year.

Assisting Harbert is musical director Chris Bowling, who directs a 13-piece orchestra, choreographer is Josh Meredith, and producing the show is Maxine Loudermilk, who is responsible for reeling in the hard-to-get rights for the show.

Loudermilk, who was just voted onto the Huntington Wall of Fame earlier this year and who heads up the non-profit City of Huntington Foundation, was applying every six months or so to get the rights to the musical of her favorite holiday movie.

Harbert said the dance and music-packed show is infused with new energy yet benefits greatly from having a year of experience - not to mention costly custom costumes and sets with which to work.

"Different people always make it different and we were able to come up with better things," Harbert said. "We have more snow, and the snow works better this year and so experience helps a lot. For me, last year was learning the show, and I think this year I have a better understanding of the show and I think that's helped us choreographically with new routines. This is also the biggest costumed show we have ever done and at this point will probably ever do. Having those things taken care of has helped me to be more creative about different ideas."

The wheeled set spins from New York to a train to an office in New York to the inn, and then barn in Vermont, as the actors stay on stage while the set revolves behind them.

While veteran choreographer Coni Anthony has done 20 shows with Harbert, she doesn't do Christmas shows, so young dancer Josh Meredith, who was taught to tap by Coni's husband Gene, is taking his first crack at choreographing a show.

"White Christmas in itself is such a dance show, I mean people watch it to see Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney, so I watched the movie a lot to gather inspiration," Meredith said.

Of course, front and center throughout the show are the timeless classic songs of Berlin.

The sisters swoon and sway with super-sized sky-blue ostrich feather fans to "Sisters," the entire cast frolics about on the number, "Snow," both songs from the original movie.

The musical is beefed up by other Berlin hits ("I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," "I Love a Piano," "Let Yourself Go") and, of course, "White Christmas," one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time - written by Berlin for the 1942 movie musical, "Holiday Inn," softly crooned in the movie by Bing Crosby.

That song has sold 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.

To add to the holiday magic, White Christmas has added live musical entertainment downstairs in the city hall lobby (where folks buy tickets), as well as a cute, original Christmas children's pre-show that starts about 45 minutes before show time, and written by Stacy Richardson-Bond, who works in the children's department at the Cabell County Public Library.

With Paramount Players set to put up It's a Wonderful Life in a couple weeks, Harbert said it's an exciting time in the Tri-State as fans of the greatest holiday movies can see them come to life on stage.

"This year with us and the Players doing 'Wonderful Life' you have your choice of these perennial favorites and instead of just seeing them on TV you can go and see them live and let that become a tradition."

All in the Family at "Best Christmas Pageant Ever"

My pal Dave Lavender files this excellent story about The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which runs tonight and this weekend:

While Marshall University students are prepping for finals, the younger kids in the area have commandeered the bright lights of the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

The First Stage Theatre Company, Huntington's children's theater, and the Marshall Theatre Alliance have teamed up to present the rollicking show, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Co-directed by the husband and wife team of Justin and Sydnee McElroy, the one-hour play will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, as well as 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.

Tickets are $12 and $8 for children. Call the box office at 304-696-2787 for more information.

Based on the best-selling 1972 book by Barbara Robinson, "Pageant" tells the story about the six wild urchins in the Herdman family who come to church just for the snacks and stay to take all the roles in the Sunday School's Christmas play, giving the show a little bit of a twist.

Robinson adapted the book to the stage, and since 1982 it has been a solid community theater holiday hit around the world. The book was made into an ABC movie in 1983 starring Loretta Swit, of MASH fame.

The McElroys, who also co-directed the play back in 2005 for First Stage when they weren't married, said although they're both super busy, they couldn't pass up a chance to have another go at "Christmas Pageant."

"It takes about six years to wash away any bad memories, so we thought wasn't that a lot of fun," Sydnee McElroy said.

"Yeah, you know survivors of disasters are often drawn together," said Justin McElroy.

Seriously, though, both said they were drawn to the play for the fun of it and the chance to work with the First Stage family, which includes family of their own since Justin McElroy's dad Clint McElroy, and Sydnee's mom, Mary Smirl are the producers. Sydnee's sister Rileigh Smirl is also in the play.

"It's easy to get lost in everything you have to do, all the stress of the holidays but being around all of these kids they are just so excited and being out there and having fun celebrating Christmas is kind of refreshing and that is what it is all about," Sydnee McElroy said. "Everybody being together and sharing this time of year and it's kind of been a family affair for us."

In her third year of residency through Marshall University's School of Medicine at Marshall Family Practice, Sydnee McElroy had to not only direct, but had to step in to play the role of the Mother when someone dropped out.

"Strangely enough this is probably my biggest role and the most lines to do ever, which I didn't plan to do but I was going there every night any way and it's so rewarding and such a nice break," she said. "My job tends to be very serious so getting to go play with 50 kids every night is a great stress reliever. That is the best part for me. The kids are just little comedians, and since it's based on a children's book, it's their kind of humor and it's really hilarious and parents will think it is hilarious too."

Clocking in at just about an hour, the one-act "Christmas Pageant" is a great show to bring the family since it is fast-paced and has a nice message tucked in as well, Justin McElroy said.

"It's just a great show for people who don't see a lot of plays because it's structured a lot like a TV show with quick cuts and 30 seconds here and there and James (Morris-Smith) and the lighting has a lot to do with making that work," he said. "It's also only a one-act so it's good for smaller kids who maybe can't sit through a whole play."

Justin McElroy, who graduated from Marshall with a theater degree, said they've felt blessed to be able to come back to the home turf and get to utilize the professional talents of MU's award-winning staff such as Morris-Smith and Deborah Carder-Deem.

Clint McElroy seconded that emotion.

"When Mary Smirl and I, the co-producers, were putting together the deal with Marshall we were blown away that we would be able to use what is one of the best facilities and most creative theater programs in the region," he said. "Our kids are loving the experience, and there's a lot of connections inside the school too. Chris Crawford - one of the crew in the theater department - started out with First Stage and now he is in theater because he fell in love with it doing First Stage. It's fun to see it come full circle."

On Stage in December

Holy cow, it's December already?

Here are a list of the shows taking the stage this month - as always, if I missed any, let me know by clicking the comment link below, or email me at TheMinskers@aol.com.

Now, on to the list:

- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - First Stage Theatre Company presents the one-hour play at Marshall University's Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 1, 2 and 3, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.

- White Christmas - 5th Avenue Theatre Company presents the holiday musical Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 4 and 11 at 2:30 p.m. at Huntington's City Hall auditorium.

- A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley - Ashland Community and Technical College presents the classic holiday tale Dec. 1, 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 2:30 p.m.

- Mary - CYAC presents its annual musical about the mother of Jesus at 8 p.m. Dec. 1, 2 and 3 at the WVSU Capitol Center at 123 Summers Street in Charleston.

- The Littlest Angel - The Children's Theatre of Charleston presents the play at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre Dec. 8 - 11.

- The Santaland Diaries - Portmouth Little Theatre presents the play Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m.

- The Story of My Life - Charleston Stage Company presents the play at the Capitol Theatre Dec. 8 - 10 and 15 - 17 at 7:30 p.m.

- Black Nativity - Kanawha Players presents the play Dec. 15 - 18.

- It's a Wonderful Life - The Paramount Players will present the classic holiday tale on the Paramount stage in Ashland Dec. 15 through 17, with a matinee at 3 p.m. Dec. 17.

So lots of great shows to check out - Happy Holidays, everyone!

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!"

My lovely wife and I had a wonderful time last night at the first performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! (Not counting the sold-out school show earlier in the day.)

I admit to being prejudiced - I am on the board of the First Stage Theatre Company (although I wasn't directly involved with this show) - but the show is a pure delight, and guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit.

The play is a co-production with the Marshall Theatre Alliance, and it's what we call a "small" show, with minimal sets and costuming, but the army of young performers put on a terrific show.

It tells the story of the attempts by a church to stage its annual Christmas pageant - but things go terribly wrong when the world's "worst" family, the Herdmans, decide to take part. Will the show be a disaster - or can the holiday work its magic and make this the best pageant ever?

The show will make you laugh and may even bring a tear to your eye (as it did for me). Special kudos to the choir that provides songs that bridge between scenes - they're terrific!

You have several more chances to catch the show - it runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Marshall's Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

Go see it - you can thank me later!