Winner of the Leslie McElroy Memorial Scholarship Announced

It's a pleasure to share this with you - the winner of the scholarship named in honor of my dear friend Leslie McElroy. Here's the announcement:

The First Stage Theatre Company has announced the first recipient of the Leslie McElroy Memorial Scholarship. The $1000 scholarship was awarded to Evan Price, a junior studying performing arts at Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia. He is the son of Randy and Patricia Price of Huntington.

First Stage sponsors the scholarship to honor the memory of Leslie McElroy, a beloved member of the local theatre community, a former board member of First Stage, a producer, actor, wife and mother who passed away in 2005.

A $1000 scholarship is available to entering freshmen or current full-time students who are studying dramatic or performing arts at a college, university or certified school of the performing arts. Applicants must have been involved with at least one First Stage Theatre Company show, either on-stage (as a performer) or off-stage (as a member of the tech crew).

The First Stage Theatre Company is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing an educational, developmental experience for young people through the performing arts.

I'm really glad to see Evan win this. He's a talented actor and a terrific singer who starred in quite a few local productions (more than 20 shows at least), and it's great to see him enjoying success at the next level. The sky's the limit!

"Alexander" - It's a Wrap!

Sunday afternoon we held the final performance of Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move at the Jeslyn Theater in downtown Huntington.

It was a great experience putting on the show there, our first time at that facility. Everyone there went the extra mile to help us along the way, and I look forward to returning sometime in the future.

After the final show wrapped up, the cast and parents loaded the set and props into the truck and moved it all back to the First Stage Theatre storage facility.

So that wraps up the 19th season for the children's theater! I'll have more thoughts about the show in the days ahead, but for now, let me just say it was a great experience with an excellent, talented cast, a terrific group of parents and an outstanding tech crew!

Now, to catch up on some much-needed sleep!

Governor's School for the Arts

Congratulations to the students from around the state who were named to the Governor's School for the Arts! It's a great program that covers several different areas, including theatre, writing, art, vocals, and much more.

It's a great experience for students, and a real honor to be selected! The 2009 School for the Arts is being held at West Liberty State College.

Congratulations to these local talents for their achievement:

(Vocal Music) Elijah Boyles and Maggie Saunders from Huntington, Caleb Donahoe and Garrett Gaunch from Covenant, Amanda Harris who's home schooled and Daniel Harrison from Cabell Midland; (Dance) Amy Klim and Alexandra Smith from St. Joseph Central and Natasja Van Dijk from Huntington; (Digital Imaging) Arynn Cooper from Cabell Midland and Morgan Jacobson from Huntington; (Creative Writing) Nikul Patel from Cabell Midland; (Visual Art) Julia Kirby and Congqi Zhang from Huntington;

Here's the complete list:

GSA 2009 Students

The following students have been selected by the judges to attend GSA in 2009. Their names are followed by the name of the school they attend.

Creative Writing

Britney Gordon - Hedgesville

Nikul Patel - Cabell Midland

Brittney Walters - Moorefield

Elisabeth White - Bridgeport

Kiersten Woods - Fairmont

Samantha Bennett - Pikeview

Kathryn Baker - Morgantown

Khristian Smith - Pocahontas County

Kassondra Lilly - Shady Spring

Sarah Morgan - Grafton

Chelsi Hewitt - Parkersburg


Dance

Chelsey Bennett - Martinsburg

Kendall Cox - Musselman

Brittany Greenfield - Martinsburg

Amy Klim - St. Joseph Central

Alexandra Smith - St. Joseph Central

Natasja Van Dijk - Huntington

Renata DiGregorio - George Washington

Jovon Minimah - Capital

Katelyn Drake - Home School

Bethany Goff - University

Kelsey McClung - University

Hannah Crewdson - Teays Valley Christian

Kara Daniel - Liberty

Amelia Paine - Shady Spring


Digital Imaging

Arynn Cooper - Cabell Midland

Morgan Jacobson - Huntington

Rachel Steed - Meadow Bridge

Ellie Coughlin - Greenbrier West

Kristie Sparks - Trinity Christian

Erik Abrahams - Morgantown

Jessica Wilson - Woodrow Wilson

Dawnelle Martin - Magnolia


Instrumental Music

Emily Watkins - Philip Barbour

Lauren Trumble - Martinsburg

Kendra Berkley - Notre Dame

Heather McKibben - Bridgeport

Chapman Sklar - Bridgeport

Hallie Brotherton - Capital

Hilary Keller - Capital

Johnna O'Rourke - Logan Senior

Kristine Price - Princeton

Jason Snyder - Morgantown

Keith Michael - Wheeling Park

Sarah Dunaway - Preston

Leah Drumheller - Woodrow Wilson

Cody Hatcher - Shady Spring

Kristina Lipscomb - Summers County

Henry Wang - Parkersburg


Theatre/Acting

Laurna Grubb - Hedgesville

Meaghan Macey - Musselman

Maura Reiff - Martinsburg

Eileen Waggoner - Hedgesville

Laura Holliday - Greenbrier East

Tyler Stovall - Oak Glen

John Jackson II - Moorfield

Sadie Crow - John Marshall

Megan Jack - John Marshall

Seth Skiles - Winfield

Brooks Cline - Woodrow Wilson

Holli Perkins - Independence

Emily Pritchard - Woodrow Wilson

Meghan Martin - Roane County

Bradley Luckton - Summers County

Ryan McAtee - Buckhannon-Upshur


Visual Art

Aleece Abell - Musselman

Sydney Weiler - Brooke

Julia Kirby - Huntington

Congqi Zhang - Huntington

Kathryn Neely - Oak Glen

Melanie Judd - Washington

Meredith Chapman - George Washington

Amber Munn - North Marion

Benjamin Rondy - Trinity Christian

Lillian Warner - Trinity Christian

Laura Stefanow - Wheeling Park

Merandia Shinaberry - Pocahontas County

Julie Sniadowski - Woodrow Wilson

Katherine Sniadowski - Woodrow Wilson

Samantha Truman - Woodrow Wilson

Tessa Maynard - Tolsia

Tyler Ann Jones - Wirt County


Vocal Music

Elijah Boyles - Huntington

Caleb Donahoe - Covenant

Garrett Gaunch - Covenant

Amanda Harris - Home schooled

Daniel Harrison - Cabell Midland

Maggie Saunders - Huntington

Jeffrey Tice - Oak Glen

Audry Wood - Ravenswood

Jessica Starkey - Jefferson

Lindsay Heywood - George Washington

Jared Morgan - George Washington

Victoria Neil - Chapmanville regional

Russell King - Princeton

Elizabeth Kolar - University

Julia Paladino - University

Levi Reynolds - Morgantown

Laura Dailey - Parkersburg

Morgan Schott - Parkersburg South

Congratulations to all!

On Stage This Weekend - "Alexander" and "Cinderella"

I've been so focused on the final weekend of Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move that I've neglected to mention another show running tonight and tomorrow - sorry about that!

So you have two shows to choose from this weekend:

- Alexander will be presented tonight at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center (the former Camelot Theater) at 1030 Fourth Avenue in downtown Huntington. It's a musical comedy based on the sequel to the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children and senior citizens, and group discounts are available. For more information, call 304-416-KIDS or check the First Stage Theatre Company website right here.

- Fairland High School’s spring musical, Cinderella, will be performed at 7 p.m. tonight and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the school, 812 County Road 411 in Proctorville. Tickets are $10 for reserved seating, $7 for general admission, $5 for children ages 5-12 and free for children 5 and under. For more information, call 740-886-3250.

So get out there and support your local community theatre!

On Stage Tonight - "Alexander. Who's Not (x6) Going to Move"

Tonight kicks off the final weekend for "Alexander!"

The First Stage Theatre Company presents the musical comedy Alexander, Who’s Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move at 7:30 p.m. at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center at 1030 4th Avenue in Huntington.

“Alexander” is based on the popular book by Judith Viorst with music by Shelly Markham, and is the sequel to the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. It tells the story of a young boy and how he reacts when his parents tell him the family has to move to a new town.

This is the first time the show has been presented locally. And where else can you see singing dogs, a huge family of talented girls, and a kid taking a bath in pickle juice?

The show will be presented Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center (the former Camelot Theater). Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

For more information, call 304-416-KIDS (304-416-5437). You can also find more information at the First Stage website.

A Fun Day

Today got off to an early start (at least it was early for theatre-goers), as the cast from Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move gathered this morning at the Jeslyn Theater to perform the show for a few hundred students.

Staging school shows has been successful for First Stage Theatre Company - it brings in a large number of young people who might not otherwise see a live stage show. It serves as a "brush-up" rehearsal for the second weekend of shows, and it charges up the cast, because they get to perform in front of their fellow classmates.

We actually hesitated to stage school shows for years, because we weren't sure we wanted to take our cast members out of school for a day. (My personal motto as a director is: school is the most important thing.)

Finally, after much debate, First Stage decided to give it a try (although I can't remember which show was the first to offer a school performance). It was a huge success, so we've continued the tradition.

After the school performance was finished, we rested for a while - and then this evening the "Alexander" actors gathered for the cast party at a place in Barboursville called "Pump Up The Fun." We had a blast, and now everyone's psyched up for the final three performances of the show!

The next show is Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Jeslyn (the old Camelot Theater in downtown Huntington). Hope to see you there!

More Comments About "Alexander"

My pal Zach Davis sent in this comment about Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move:

I thought everyone did a great job.

If it wasn't obvious enough - the children had me busting out loud laughing. I, along with the cast of Charlotte's Web, rather enjoyed the stuffed pig and fake spider.

The set, as Mr. Vance stated, was bare yet effective. May I also point out that I feel my house made a remarkable addition to Alexander's neighborhood!

I love the young talent our shows have introduced to the world of Huntington Theatre! I had a fantastic time and look forward to further productions with these rising new stars.

Zach, thanks for the kind words!

The "house" he refers to is the door that served as the Arable house in Charlotte's Web. When "Charlotte" wrapped, C.E. Wilson, Eric Newfeld and I threw the door in the back of a truck and moved it to the Jeslyn Theater, where it became the neighbor door in "Alexander." Hey, we try to get lots of mileage out of our sets.

Zach, I also agree that it's great to see so much young talent getting a chance to take the stage. At First Stage we've done quite a few shows lately that featured "older" casts (which is to say, high school and middle school students) - we were overdue for shows that give younger actors a shot at the spotlight!

Between Peter Pan, Charlotte's Web and Alexander, I think we've accomplished that goal!

"Alexander" News and a Review

There was a nice write-up in today's Herald-Dispatch about the opening weekend of Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move, which you can read right here.

You can also check out the photo gallery with some still shots from Sunday's performance right here. The photos were taken by the H-D'sMark Webb. (In this photo on the right, Alexander (Drew Edwards) is being scrunched between his babysitter Rachel (Meg Barber) and the neighbor's dog, Swoozie (Kate Colclough.)

And my pal Stephen Vance sent in a review of the show - which was awfully nice of him! As he points out, it's hardly fair for me to review my own show (there's a good chance that I would tend to rave about it) - but I'm happy to reprint his review here.

He wrote:

As the local reviewer, I'm sure you'll probably skip reviewing your own show, so I thought I'd shoot across a brief one.

I went to see "Alexander" on Sunday expecting a somewhat typical sedate matinee audience and walked into a crowd bubbling with enthusiasm. I learned that the cast and crew of Charlotte's Web had decided to come over and show their support for their sister show. The added excitement brought something that you only experience with live theatre.

The first thing I noticed was the relatively bare stage. A couple of enormous stacks of boxes and a bed were the only set pieces for the opening scene. The scrim, colored lights, door signs, and minimal set pieces did a great job of assisting the story without stealing from the kids.

This show, like Charlotte's Web, had a cast list of mostly newcomers, and I think that's one of the great things about companies like First Stage. It give kids, regardless of experience, a chance to get on stage and do their thing.

I really didn't know what to expect, but within just the first few minutes, the kids had the audience rolling in the aisles. I have never seen such a young group have such a strong sense of comedic timing. "Nick" played by Drew Goodall and "Swoozie" played by Kate Colclough had me laughing out loud every time they spoke, barked, or moved across stage.

I was also very impressed with the singing talents of the "mother" played by Hannah Stevenson, "Anthony" played by Justin Hesson, and "Audrey" played by Sarah Bryan.

The title role was played by Drew Edwards and he did a great job moving the show along and pulling the audience in to the story.

The entire ensemble had a great energy and each had moments where they shined.

Of course, one of the highlights of the show was First Stage Alumnus Travis McElroy. He played five different roles and was hilarious in each and every one. I really liked that both "Alexander" and "Charlotte's Web" pulled in the Alumni, because with these exceptionally young casts it appeared these experienced actors brought both a passion and stability to the stage.

Overall, I expected a cute show, but I left smiling from this laugh-a-minute comedy. It was a very entertaining show, and its great to see all of these new faces growing on our local stages. Congrats Chuck on the show! And continue breaking legs over the next weekend.

What can I add, except to say: Aw, shucks! Thanks for the kind words, Stephen!

"Alexander" Wraps Up Its Opening Weekend!

Whew! Sunday afternoon the cast and crew of Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move wrapped up the show's opening weekend - and we had a great crowd along for the ride!

One reason for that was a great turnout by many of the cast members from the recently-wrapped Charlotte's Web production.

And let me just say, it's always great to see how the members of the theatre community support each other's productions.

At any rate, the cast now gets to enjoy a few days off before gearing up for the final weekend of the show - the next show is Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Jeslyn Theater in downtown Huntington.

Hope to see you there!

On Stage This Afternoon - "Alexander"

So are you tired of me talking about Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move?

I know the ol' Tri-State Theatre blog has had something of a one-track mind lately, but I'm just so proud of the great job the cast and crew is doing on the show.

They wrapped up their second performance last night - which just leaves five to go, including next Thursday's special school performance (and there are still some seats available for that - call 304-736-4366 for more information).

(This photo shows Alexander's brothers, Anthony (Justin Hesson) and Nick (Drew Goodall) teasing their brother.)

It's a small show and not well known - the title character is more famous for Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - but it's a funny, fast-paced show, with lots of fun songs and dances, loads of laughs and a sweet message to share. It's a blast for young theater-goers, but adults will find a lot to enjoy in there, too.

You have one more chance to catch it this weekend - there's one more show this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at the refurbished Jeslyn Theater in downtown Huntington (which is the old Camelot Theater, where I saw countless movies).

Since I directed the show (along with a terrific directing team), I'm naturally prejudiced - but it's a show I'm sure you'll enjoy!

So drop by today or next weekend and enjoy a fresh look at "Alexander." And bring a friend!

The First Performance of "Alexander"

Friday night all the hard work paid off, and the cast of Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move had their first performance!

Thursday night they put on their dress rehearsal, which is the final rehearsal before the show starts - and once again, theatre tradition was upheld. The dress rehearsal was a rough one, but according to theatre legend, that means the actual show is going to go well - and it did!

Friday night's show was almost flawless - the cast sang and performed energetically, and the audience laughed and applauded loudly!

If you missed the show, you have two more chances this weekend - performances are at 7:30 p.m. tonight and 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Jeslyn Theatre (the old Camelot Theater) in downtown Huntington.

Drop by and support your community theatre!

More About "Alexander"

Today's edition of the Herald-Dispatch featured an excellent story about the musical Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move (of course, to be honest, it's hard for me to dislike a story that includes a quote from me).

In case you missed it, here's the story:

If you're looking for singing dogs and a kid taking a bath in pickle juice, First Stage Theatre Company has just the show for you.

Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move, adapted from the popular children's book Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move, by Judith Viorst, will be presented March 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and March 22 and 29 at 2:30 p.m. at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center.

The show, a musical comedy, tells the story of a young boy and how he reacts when his parents tell him the family has to move to a new town. It is a follow-up to Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

"About seven years ago, we did the play based on the first book, and it was a huge success. The kids loved it," said Director Chuck Minsker. "We decided to cast two shows at the same time - this one and Charlotte's Web - to give more children the opportunity to be involved."

The play, which runs about an hour and 15 minutes, features a smaller cast of 13, including Barboursville Middle School student Andrew Edwards, who plays the title role of Alexander. It is the 12-year-old's first time having a lead role.

"I didn't care which part I got. I just wanted to make it," he said. "I've been acting with First Stage for about a year and did Peter Pan and Children of Eden."

Edwards said he enjoys one aspect of the show in particular.

"I think it's funny all the ways Alexander tries to get out of moving, but the whole show is really good," he said.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens. Group discounts are available. For more information, call 304-416-KIDS.

On Stage Tonight - "Alexander"

Tonight's the night! After almost two months of rehearsals, Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move takes the stage!

It's been a lot of fun, and I think audiences are going to get a big kick out of it. (The photo below shows Travis McElroy (right), wearing a funny wig, and as "Alexander," Drew Edwards.)

There's a story running in today's edition of the Herald-Dispatch (which I'll link to when it shows up), but in the meantime, here's the last press release that went out (hey, it includes a quote from me!):

The First Stage Theatre Company will present the musical comedy Alexander, Who’s Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move March 20 – 22 and 27 – 29, 2009 at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center at 1030 4th Avenue in Huntington.

“Alexander” is based on the popular book by Judith Viorst with music by Shelly Markham, and is the sequel to the children's book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. It tells the story of a young boy and how he reacts when his parents tell him the family has to move to a new town.

A limited number of tickets are still available for a morning school performance March 26. For more information, call 304-736-4366.

The musical features a cast of 13, including a dozen young performers from around the Tri-State. The cast includes one adult cast member, Travis McElroy, who portrays “Dad” and several other grown-ups in the show.

“This is the first time this show has been presented in our area, and audiences are going to love it – it’s funny, the songs are catchy and the actors are terrific,” according to director Chuck Minsker. “Where else can you see singing dogs, a huge family of talented girls, and a kid taking a bath in pickle juice?”

The show will be presented at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center (the former Camelot Theater) March 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m., and March 22 and 29 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, call 304-416-KIDS (304-416-5437). You can also find more information at the First Stage website.

Photo Gallery for "Alexander"

A photographer for the Herald-Dispatch, Taylor Kuykendall, paid a visit to Tuesday night's rehearsal for Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move, and filed a bunch of photos in this Photo Gallery.

For example, this photo shows Drew Edwards (left), who plays the title role (Alexander, of course), while his brothers Anthony (Justin Hesson) and Nick (Drew Goodall) look on.

The first performance of the First Stage Theatre Company production of "Alexander" will take place Friday at 7:30 p.m. the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center (the old Camelot Theater) in downtown Huntington. The show will run the last two weekends in March.

Another Day of Tech for "Alexander"

We made it through our second day of Tech Week for Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going To Move with no major problems - which is actually kind of disconcerting, because tech rehearsals are usually a nightmare.

But there's still time for problems to spring up, so I shouldn't brag too much. But I'm really proud of the cast, the tech crew, the musicians and the directing team, who have worked hard to make the show a reality.

There are still lots of little problems to fix and scenes to fine-tune, but so far, so good. Tonight a photographer from the Herald-Dispatch stopped by to take photos - I'll provide a link as soon as they're online.

I should also mention the cool online ad you can see on the home page of the Herald-Dispatch (it's in rotation with other ads, so you may have to look a few times to catch it). It's a nifty bit of animation, based on the poster designed by my son Justin and featuring art by my pal Jill Asbury.

To be continued!

Tech Week for "Alexander"

Monday was the first day of Tech Week for the show Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move, and surprisingly enough, it went well.

It's surprising because tech rehearsals are notorious for running long and late into the evening. Some shows have been known to rehearse well into the early hours of the next morning.

But we wrapped up just 15 minutes over our usual stopping time - a tribute to the cast, the band and especially our small but mighty tech crew. Oh, there are still problems to solve - but they're all pretty minor.

(By the way, this photo is from an earlier rehearsal.)

I was also worried because we're staging the show in the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center (the old Camelot Theater), and the First Stage Theatre Company has never put on a show there before. I shouldn't have worried - the workers there have been terrific, incredibly helpful and very understanding.

The stage is just the right size for a musical like this, and I think it's going to be a good fit for us. But there's no time to relax or get overconfident - we still have a lot of work to do to get ready for Friday's first performance!

A "Princess" in New York!

Exciting news! I got this message from my pal Laura Frye in New York:

Hyperion Theatre Project and Gotham Comedy Club presents: Jon Joy's The Princess of Rome, Ohio

Starring: Laura Frye, Raven Peters, Aaron White, Laura Montes, Ann Marie Siegwarth, John Sundham and Lenny Banovez.

For those who know the "I killed him" monologue, this is the show!

Hope to see you there!

Jon Joy, of course, is a writer here in Huntington. I asked him about the show and he wrote:

My full length comedy The Princess of Rome, Ohio will be presented at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York City this week. I wrote the play as a part of my thesis for my Master's degree at Marshall in 2004.

I premiered it at the Huntington Museum of Art (and the Columbus Fringe Festival in Columbus, OH) in May 2005. Laura Frye, an original cast member and fellow MU Theatre alum, is heading up the current NYC premiere. The play will be presented March 16 and 17.

"Princess" has always been one of my favorites. We had a great ensemble cast for the original production and it was a lot of fun. I'm glad to see Laura breathing new life into it.

And she's not the only Marshall Theatre grad that's involved. The NYC premiere will feature two original cast members from that Huntington show four years ago. Laura will play the role of Lulu and Raven Peters, also a graduate of MU Theatre, returns as her ex-husband, Bud. They were both excellent in the original production and it sounds like they've rounded up a great cast for this show.

Part of the proceeds in New York will go to benefit people here in the Tri-State. A portion of the ticket money will go to the Stella Fuller Settlement House in Huntington, WV. Stella Fuller is a wonderful organization that provides food, clothing, toys and help with bills for low income families in the Tri-State area.

A Busy Day

Whew! The ol' scout is tuckered out, folks, after taking part in both a load-in and a load-out - both in one day!

I should explain what that is: for most community theatre groups, you have to build the set for your show at a different building, and then load it onto a truck and move it to the theater where you're staging the show. After the show's over, you load the set back out of the theatre.

Today, for example, the cast and parents of Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move loaded up the set and put it in place on the stage at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center (the old Camelot Theater downtown).

Right after that, it was over to the Renaissance Center, where the cast and families of Charlotte's Web wrapped up their final show, and the set was taken apart, loaded onto a truck, and moved back to the storage building.

That's what we call a busy time for the First Stage Theatre Company! Two shows, two sets, about 40 young performers and tech crew and more than a dozen performances (not including rehearsals) in four weeks! Whew!

Last Chance to Catch "Charlotte's Web"

This afternoon is your last chance to catch the excellent play Charlotte's Web, which is being presented by First Stage Theatre Company at 2:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Theater (the old Huntington High School).

It's a fun and touching show based on the classic story by E.B. White.

The photo here by Mark Webb is one of many you can see right here in the Herald-Dispatch Photo Gallery.

And this just marks the halfway point in the First Stage "March of Fun" - the first two weekends belonged to Charlotte's Web, and the last two weekends in March will feature Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move.

More about that in the week ahead!

Having Fun on Saturday

If you're looking for something fun to do today, here are a couple of suggestions: you can see a great show, or you can catch a preview of an upcoming show. Or you can do both!

- You can catch Charlotte's Web at the Renaissance Theatre (the old Huntington High School) tonight at 8 p.m.

The play is based on the classic story of the friendship between Wilbur the pig, a girl named Fern and Charlotte, a beautiful spider (that's her in the photo on the right). It's a great story, brought to life by a talented cast of young performers.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and children younger than 12. For more information or tickets, call 304-416-KIDS or visit www.firststagetheatre.org.

- You can also catch a free preview of the upcoming comedy musical, Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move today at 2 p.m. at Border's in the Huntington Mall. Members of the cast will be performing a couple of the songs from that show, and they'll read the original book to the kids in the audience. (The cast is rehearsing for the show in the photo on the right.)

So don't say there's nothing to do this weekend!