"Into the Woods" - The Cast Speaks Out! (Part 3)

Continuing our e-interview with some of the cast members of the musical Into the Woods (which starts Friday evening at Huntington's City Hall auditorium), our next question is:

What's tougher: learning the songs, learning the dances, or learning the dialogue?

- Kiona Graley (The Woods) The hardest thing is probably learning dialogue. The reason is because there is so much of it and during the performance you can not forget it. If you have a big part it is pretty tough to learn all of your lines.

- Kristin Caviani (Jack’s Mother) In this show, I would have to say learning the songs. Most dialogue is like you're just having a normal conversation with someone. But songs are all so similar! Words get mixed up, rhythm is super hard, and intervals are just plain weird sometimes!

- Chloe Donahoe (The Giant, Cinderella's Mother, and Belle) I think the songs are by far the hardest because of the contrast of sounds in the songs. At one point we might be singing a really touching, legato style part and then the next couple of measures in the song we are singing a really staccato part. I also think the music is tricky because of the hard harmonies in the songs.

- Holly Smith (Rapunzel) - For me, it's learning the music. Normally music is no problem for me, it's usually the dialogue, but nothing in the show repeats, and every line is some sort of tongue twister, and you have to enunciate everything three times more clearly than usual, and the moods of the songs change, one second everything is smooth and legatto, then the next second it's very stocatto and fierce.

- Cody Verbage (Rapunzel's Prince) - Well it differs in every show, but in this show it's definitely the music. The style the show is composed in is so difficult, if one person is one beat off, it throws the whole song.

- Daniel King (Cinderella's Prince and Wolf 1) What I think is the toughest thing in this show is the music because it is rhythmic and extremely upbeat. Things can change quickly, so you always have to have your ears open, body ready.

- Hannah Stevenson (Snow White) The toughest thing for me to learn is the dances.

- Chad Arthur (Cinderella’s Father) In all shows it's different, but in this show I'm going to have to say the songs. The songs are more complicated than the dances or the dialogue.

For the next chapter, our question will be: Would you recommend community theatre as an activity for young people?

"Into the Woods" - The Cast Speaks Out! (Part 2)

Continuing our e-interview with some of the cast members from Into the Woods (which starts on Friday at Huntington's City Hall Auditorium), today's question is:

What do you enjoy most about being in a show like this?

- Chad Arthur (Cinderella’s Father) I think it's a very interesting show. It's very creative, and you would never see fairy tales like this in any other show.

- Kiona Graley (The Woods) The thing I enjoy most is probably being in one of the first Children's Theatre companies to do a hard show like this one. It gives you a challenge.

- Kristin Caviani (Jack’s Mother) The people. I like getting to know people's personalities through the way they portray their characters. I also like seeing it come to life opening night.

- Chloe Donahoe (The Giant, Cinderella's Mother, and Belle) I really love all the friends I've made and the theater family I have gained.

- Holly Smith (Rapunzel) - I love the complexity, I like being challenged and this show is one of the ones that you look at inquisitively and say, "Do I really want to do this or not, it looks so complex?" And it's very complex, but that's the fun of it.

- Cody Verbage (Rapunzel's Prince) - The thing I enjoy most about this show is the cast. I have so many good friends in the show and it's always amazing working with people you know.

- Daniel King (Cinderella's Prince and Wolf 1) - I really enjoy singing all the music and making new friends, and the challenge of a (Stephen) Sondheim piece.

- Hannah Stevenson (Snow White) The thing I enjoy the most is making so many new friends and just being on stage.

Our next question is: What's tougher: learning the songs, learning the dances, or learning the dialogue? We'll also have a special e-interview tomorrow with the directors of Into the Woods.

"Into the Woods" - The Cast Speaks Out! (Part 1)

Thanks to the directing team of Into the Woods, for the next few days we'll have a series of e-interviews with members of the show's cast!

(But first I should mention that the Stephen Sondheim musical starts this Friday at the Huntington City Hall Auditorium.)

Let's kick things off with this question:

What's the most challenging thing about working on Into the Woods?

- Hannah Stevenson (Snow White) - The most challenging thing in these shows is timing and getting the vocals to work with the other cast members and the orchestra. Vocals in this show are everything.

- Chad Arthur (Cinderella’s Father) The most challenging thing is the constant music, because it is very difficult.

- Kiona Graley (The Woods) The most challenging thing in this show is getting it perfect. Also you have to be ready to give up all your free time and dedicate your life to this show. I mean you can't go to the games, dances, or any social gatherings because you have practice. Every rehearsal counts.

- Kristin Caviani (Jack’s Mother) What's the most challenging thing about working on this show? Music. Hands down.... it's Sondheim, 'nuff said.

- Chloe Donahoe (The Giant, Cinderella's Mother, and Belle) I think the hardest part of this show is the rhythms and harmonies in the music.

- Holly Smith (Rapunzel) - Of course, it being Sondheim everything is so complicated, from characters to timing. In all honesty there's not one thing exactly to pinpoint being harder than another.

- Cody Verbage (Rapunzel's Prince) - The most challenging thing in the show is by far the music. Learning Sondheim will make you want to go crazy.

And that wraps up our first installment! And before you start thinking that being in a show is all work and no fun, tomorrow our question will be: What do you enjoy most about being in this show?

A Clip from the Tonys and "Into the Woods"

By the way, for those not familiar with Into the Woods, here's the video of a medley of songs from the show as performed at the 1988 Tony Awards:

The Cast of "Into the Woods"

Starting tomorrow we'll be hearing from the cast of Into the Woods, via e-interview.

The show starts Friday at Huntington's City Hall, and below we have the latest and most accurate cast list (accept no substitutes)!

As I told a friend today, this is what we call an All-Star Cast - being composed of the top talent from local schools, including Cabell-Midland, Huntington and St. Joseph's High Schools (among others).

Here's the cast:

NARRATOR / MYSTERIOUS MAN - Caleb Donahoe
CINDERELLA - Mary Kate Young
JACK - Jesse Donahoe
JACK’S MOTHER - Kristin Caviani
BAKER - Eric Newfeld
BAKER’S WIFE - Sarah Hayes
MILKY WHITE - Elizabeth Schmitz
CINDERELLA’S STEPMOTHER - Meg Riley
FLORINDA - Mary Frances Wilkes
LUCINDA - Emily Dennison
CINDERELLA’S FATHER - Chad Arthur
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD - Sarah Bryan
WITCH - Maggie Saunders
CINDERELLA’S MOTHER/GIANT - Chloe Donahoe
GRANNY - Cassi Bowen
RAPUNZEL - Holly Smith
RAPUNZEL’S PRINCE / WOLF - Cody Verbage
CINDERELLA’S PRINCE / WOLF - Daniel King
STEWARD - Andrew Edwards
HARP - Amanda Harris
SNOW WHITE - Hannah Stevenson
SLEEPING BEAUTY - Mallory Norton

THE WOODS

Brooke Alexander
Meg Barber
Rebecca Craig
Catherine Dennison
Libby Goetz
Amanda Harris
Justin Hesson
Sarena Johnson
Mallory Norton
Hannah Stevenson
Emily Underwood
Samantha Young
Kiona Graley
Leslie Collins

THE BIRDS / FLOWERS

Rileigh Smirl
Mary Bolano
Sheridyn Collins
Lindsay McKelvey

THE 3 LITTLE PIGS

Luke Lovejoy
Nathaniel Fornash
Zoie Fornash

Story About "Into the Woods"

My pal Dave Lavender has a great story about next weekend's production of Into the Woods in today's edition of the Herald-Dispatch. You can read it right here - or right here:

Huntington City Hall is a land of make believe, twisted fairy tales and lessons in what happens when things go wrong.

That's no comment on the mayor or council, just a clue of what's happening upstairs at City Hall in the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium.

The First Stage Theatre Company is getting ready to tackle the deliciously dark and funny Stephen Sondheim musical, Into the Woods, which puts a moral-teaching twist on tales from Cinderella to Little Red Riding Hood.

This family-friendly, yet sophisticated, musical not often tackled by children's theater, opens at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, and runs at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20-21, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22.

Tickets are $12 and $10 children 12 and under.


With the theme of "somebody's been messing with our fairy tales," Into the Woods was written by two of Broadway's best. Music and lyrics are by the legendary Sondheim (Sweeney Todd and Assassins) and the book is by James Lapine, who also directed this show on Broadway and who collaborated with Sondheim on Passion and Sunday in the Park with George, for which he won the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Sondheim and Lapine present a skewed view of everyone's favorite fairytale characters such as "Cinderella," "Little Red Riding Hood," "Rapunzel" and "Jack," who climbed the beanstalk.

The musical, which won three Tony Awards when it was on Broadway in 1987, follows the baker and his wife (played by Cabell Midland High School seniors Eric Newfeld and Sarah Hayes) as they learn they've been cursed with childlessness by the Witch (Huntington High senior Maggie Saunders) next door.

They embark on a quest for the special objects (like Red Riding Hood's cape) required to break the spell, swindling, deceiving and stealing from Cinderella, Little Red, Rapunzel and Jack.

While there is a junior or children's version of the show that cuts off after the first act with everyone living happily ever after, First Stage decided to take on the original version whose second half delves into "the rest of the story." Is marrying a prince all it is cracked up to be? What do you do when there's a dead giant in your yard?

Director Mary Smirl, who is co-directing with her husband, veteran actor Tommy Smirl (who was in First Stage's production of Peter Pan), said there were a lot of discussions internally about whether to do the junior version or not.

"In the junior version, it's Act 1, and Act 1 is great and everything is happy but that doesn't tell the whole story -- that's not life," Mary Smirl said. "In the second act, you learn that you have to be careful what you wish for and that everything you do causes a reaction in the world and it can be a domino effect. You have to be careful what you do and when you break commitments there are consequences. Jack has a dead giant in his yard because he stole. He stole the hen, he stole the gold and the harp and everything happened because somebody went about getting what they wanted in the wrong way."

Mary Smirl, who choreographed Into the Woods when Appalachian Regional Theatre did the show in March 2002 at the Huntington Museum of Art, said they went about doing the adult version of the show in a little different way.

That production only calls for 20 plus actors, but in typical First Stage fashion, there's a small army on stage (50) that range in ages from 5 to 18 and in all shapes and sizes.

Unlike other stage versions, First Stage has little actors bringing to life everything on stage: Flowers, bluebirds and even a whole forest played by 14 children.

"I equate the woods to 'the world,'" Smirl said. "The idea is to be careful when you go into the woods because they move and react and that's been great fun to work with. We have tremendous young people to take part as the trees. They're amazing, and it's not easy being a tree -- especially these trees."

Elaine Young, who is producing her fifth show for First Stage, said the collective is quite impressive.

"It's quite a visual feast on stage," Young said of the kids costumed mostly with Magic Makers professional outfits. "It's really an amazing undertaking. We have a 14-foot-high castle for Rapunzel. It's just a labor of love by this conglomeration of people."

Another First Stage twist is the addition of an alternative scene that Sondheim had written in originally but that was pulled. First Stage put back in the Three Little Pigs and the Wolf.

Mary Smirl, who has choreographed many local productions, said the kids, many of whom have grown up in First Stage shows, love to move so there is more dancing and movement than in the original adult version.

"These kids move so there's a lot of physical stuff and that's been a total treat and a joy," Smirl said. "Working with kids is actually easier then working with adults. Kids are more flexible in everything and more open. You tell a kid it is going to be tough and they'll meet the challenge."

Daniel King, a junior at Nitro High School and member of that school's show choir, said he wanted to challenge himself vocally so he decided to try and do the show, his first.

He plays Cinderella's Prince/Wolf 1, alongside such First Stage veterans as Mary Kate Young (Cinderella), a Huntington St. Joe High School senior who's been in 13 shows.

"My vocal teacher Roger Lucas thought it would be really good for me to sing better and to make a lot of good friends," King said. "I've loved it, every minute of it, working with kids that are outrageously good."

One of the toughest challenges of this show is the two dozen catchy but sometimes complicated songs that work to propel the story.

Ron Neal of Charleston is on board with First Stage for the first time as musical director.

"The vocal demands have been unbelievable and Ron has really challenged the kids," Smirl said. "We continue with these kids to raise the bar and they meet it, then exceed it and go higher."

If you go:

WHAT: First Stage Theatre Company production of the musical Into the Woods

WHERE: Jean C. Stephenson Auditorium (upstairs at Huntington City Hall)

WHEN: The show will run at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14, 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20-21, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22

ABOUT THE SHOW: This is the full version of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and the book by James Lapine. The duo presents a cock-eyed view of everyone's favorite fairytale characters in this hysterical take on the Brothers Grimm. When a baker and his wife learn they've been cursed with childlessness by the witch next door, they embark on a quest for the special objects required to break the spell - swindling, deceiving and stealing from Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Jack (the one who climbed the beanstalk).

HOW MUCH: Tickets are $12 and $10 children 12 and under.

GET TIX: Call 304-416-KIDS for info or 304-733-4909. Tickets sold from 6:30 to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, Nov. 9-12, during tech week at City Hall as well as 1 1/2 hours before each show.

ON THE WEB: Go online at www.firststagetheatre.org.

Comments About "Into the Woods"

My pal Elaine Young is one of the producers of the upcoming show Into the Woods, and she offers these insights on the hard work and dedication of the young cast and the directors to bring the show to the stage:

As co-producer with Nancy Newfeld, I can say that First Stage's cast of young adults have taken local theatre to a whole new level with this production.

Starting rehearsals in August, this cast has worked so hard to bring this difficult and complex production to the stage. It has been challenging from all aspects but the kids have adapted beautifully and are ready to give the Tri-State a tremendous production.

In some ways, it is similar to First Stage's production of CATS, only "backwards!" In CATS, the kids worked for weeks and weeks on choreography and then adapted it to their vocals, but with Into the Woods the cast has been working for weeks on extremely difficult vocal selections and now adapting the vocals with acting, blocking, an enormous set, and a fantastic orchestra.

It is certainly a challenging show but with the team of our tremendous directors, Mary and Tommy Smirl, and our music director, Ron Neal, they have brought the cast together to produce an amazing show!

Not only would I like to thank our directors but many thanks to our choreographer, Tiffany Carroll, assistant director, Aliza Wucher, my hardworking and organized co-producer, Nancy Newfeld, our Marshall University student-led orchestra, Ken at Magic Makers, and to all the parents who contributed to this show by making costumes, working on the set, and volunteering in any way.

BUT, as Mary and I always say--IT'S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS! Their hard work, dedication, FUN, talent, perserverance, patience, and sense of humor makes everything rewarding.

We salute our cast - all 40 of them - and can't wait to see them on stage in Into the Woods. We are extremely proud of you !!!!

First Stage Theatre Company's INTO THE WOODS
November 13-15, 20-22 2009 Fri./Sat. 8 p.m. and Sunday 4 p.m.
Jean C. Stephenson City Hall Auditorium

Coming Soon - "Into the Woods"

Coming up next weekend is the outstanding Stephen Sondheim show Into the Woods, which is a show that's not well known among the general public, but it's one that theatre fans love.

It's also a show that apparently generates some controversy. The story is, essentially, a mash-up of well-known nursery rhymes - so you have Little Red Riding Hood meeting Jack (who likes to climb beanstalks) and the evil Witch and Snow White and Cinderella and Prince Charming and the Baker and his Wife and the Wolf and... well, you get the idea. But it's not a "kiddie" show.

The first act of the show follows a (mostly) traditional telling of those stories, woven together with some fantastic songs by Sondheim. It's the second act where things take a surprising turn, because it covers what happens after "Happily Ever After."

Here you see that Prince Charming is something of a cad, and Jack's adventure with a giant has deadly consequences. Some prefer their fairy tales sweet and innocent (though I doubt you could say that about the orginal Grimm's Fairy Tales), and don't care for that second act.

Others have heard about stage versions of the show which included some "adult" material. Of course, almost any show can be made more "adult" - it's all in the presentation. In my own experience, First Stage has presented shows such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cats and Les Miserables: School Edition - all shows that include scenes that could be staged in an adult, lascivious way - but directors have enough control over any show to be able to present it in a tasteful, entertaining way that doesn't offend.

The last time I saw Into the Woods, it was a production of the Children's Theatre in Columbus, and there was nothing objectionable about it (and certainly kids see lots worse things in TV commercials). It's a show that has become a staple for high school theatre groups around the country.

The show touches on the importance of love and family, and being true to your promises. The music is terrific, the show is very funny, and it's a great opportunity for young performers to tackle a challenging work of art.

I know I'm prejudiced, since I'm on the board of First Stage, but I can't wait to see this show! I've listened in to a few rehearsals, and the All-Star cast is incredible - I guarantee, you'll be amazed at these performers!

In the days ahead we'll talk more about it, and we'll have some interviews with the directors and the cast of the show - so stay tuned!

On Stage This Weekend - "Peter Pan" and "Dial M for Murder"

Once again this weekend, you have two shows to choose from - and they're both in Charleston (don't worry, Huntington gets back in the swing of things in a big way next weekend).

Here are your choices:

- Peter Pan - Presented by the Charleston Light Opera Guild, the classic musical takes the stage at the Clay Center Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., and the final matinees is Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Recommended!

- Dial “M” for Murder - Presented by the Kanawha Players Oct. Friday and Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. at the Kanawha Players Theatre.

Check 'em out!

Dancing in the Streets

Or something like that. As you can read in this story in the Herald-Dispatch, British chef Jamie Oliver is injecting some show biz into his healthy eating agenda.

You can see video of the cooking and dancing performance right here, and here's the story by Bill Rosenberger:

About 100 students from Marshall University, MCTC and the Cabell Midland High School Show Choir participated in a promotional dance shoot, held Wednesday afternoon in front of the Memorial Student Center.

The event, also known as a flash mob, was filmed for the untitled healthy eating reality show that stars British chef Jamie Oliver. He also took place in the dance routine, as one of about dozen cooks making beef stir fry in the three and one-half minute song.

“The whole point of this is to let all you at Marshall know food is fun,” Oliver said at the end of the song. “Really and truly, this was fun.”

And, as the students huddled around the fountain, he chanted “We are,” with the crowd responding “Marshall.”

The Marshall student cooperation started a few weeks ago during a filmed conversation with student body president Sean Hornbuckle. Hornbuckle said Oliver asked him what would be the best way to get students involved and to understand the importance of eating healthy.

“We’re learning how to eat healthy,” Hornbuckle said. “And we get to teach our country to eat healthy. The moral of the story (of the song and dance) is to cook a healthy meal in a short amount of time.”

"Glee" Sountrack and Live Appearances

We were talking about the TV show Glee the other day (which you can read right here), and lo and behold, they've just released a soundtrack of songs from that show.

Here's a review from Sandy Cohen with the Associated Press:

Fans of Fox's irreverent musical comedy Glee will love this soundtrack, which includes 17 songs from the show about a high school glee club performed by its talented cast.

They'll remember cute teacher Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) pop-locking as he raps on Kanye West's "Gold Digger," feel self-centered star Rachel Berry's (Lea Michele) heartache as she sings into a hairbrush on Rihanna's "Take a Bow" and picture the fast-paced routine led by cheer captain Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron) to the Supremes' "Keep Me Hanging On."

They'll relish the harmonies and recall the group's triumph on Queen's "Somebody to Love" and smile again at Will's bowling-alley duet with Kristin Chenoweth on Heart's "Alone."

Though the vocal performances are top-notch, those unfamiliar with Glee may prefer the originals to the cover versions on the soundtrack. But the album's eclectic mix of songs has its own appeal: Where else would you find a mix tape that includes tracks from Neil Diamond, Young MC, REO Speedwagon and Cabaret? Non-Gleeks can also appreciate the innovative choral arrangements on Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and the girls' background harmonies on the 1989 rap hit "Bust A Move."

Missing from the soundtrack, though, are the memorable mash-ups of Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" with Usher's "Confessions" and Beyonce's "Halo" with Katrina and the Waves' "Walking on Sunshine." A second volume of Glee music is set to hit stores next month.

And if that wasn't enough, here's a video clip of the cast singing the National Anthem at the World Series - pretty impressive!

On Stage Tuesday Night - "Avenue Q"

For those who haven't heard about the Broadway show Avenue Q, which takes the stage at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center Tuesday night, my pal Dave Lavender has an excellent story which you can read right here in the Herald-Dispatch.


Here's an excerpt:

Joshua Holden was the worst New York City waiter ever.

But boy does the Massachusetts actor play well with puppets.

Fired twice as a waiter within a couple months, Holden was back living with his parents when the trained actor and puppeteer -- who had worked with puppets in London and Chicago -- got the call of a lifetime to join the cast of Avenue Q, one of the coolest puppet shows on the planet.

Holden, who performed with the Chicago Children's Theatre and the Oily Cart in London, is one of a dozen actors/puppeteers criss-crossing the nation bringing alive the smash-hit Broadway musical Avenue Q, which pulls into the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, as part of the Marshall Artists Series.

Adult tickets are $50, $45 and $40.

Because of some adult situations, like full-puppet nudity and some Simpsons-like humor, Avenue Q may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Called "The most fun on-stage this year," by the New Yorker when Avenue Q opened on Broadway in 2003, the three-time Tony Award-winning play uses actors on stage with the puppets to tell the musical story of Princeton, a poor college graduate with big dreams living in New York City and running into a menagerie of neighborhood characters such as Gary Coleman, the building's superintendent, Brian the out-of-work comedian and his therapist fiancee Christmas Eve and roommate Rod, a Republican investment banker who seems to have some sort of secret.

Written by the then-fledgling composer/lyricist team of Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, Avenue Q has been tabbed as like Sesame Street for grownups with puppets singing straight-talking, sometimes politically incorrect songs such as "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" and "The Internet's for Porn."

Avenue Q is Broadway’s smash-hit 2004 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. A hilarious show full of heart and fun tunes, it's about trying to make it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account.

Called "one of the funniest shows you’re ever likely to see" by Entertainment Weekly, the musical features a cast of people and puppets who tell the story in a smart, risque and downright entertaining way. The New Yorker calls it "subversive and uproarious!"

Highly recommended (but not for kids)!

On Stage in November

There are several great shows coming up this month. Here's the ones I know about - please let me know if there are any I've overlooked and I'll add them to the list:

- Into the Woods - First Stage Theatre Company presents the Stephen Sondheim musical at Huntington's City Hall on Nov. 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 8 p.m., and Nov. 15 and 22 at 4 p.m.

- Almost, Maine - Marshall Theatre Alliance will present this mystic story of love Nov. 18 - 21 at 8 p.m. in the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center in Huntington.

- Avenue Q - Marshall Artists Series presents the touring Broadway show at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. You can read more about it in this story from Sunday's Herald-Dispatch.

- The Rat Pack is Back! - Marshall Artists Series presents a show based on the original Rat Pack: Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin and Joey Bishop with full orchestra and original holiday arrangements. The show wil be presented Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

- Peter Pan - Charleston Light Opera Guild and the Clay Center present the classic musical at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences Maier Performance Hall on Nov. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 8 at 2 p.m.

- Dial "M" for Murder - Kanawha Players present the mystery Nov. 6-7 at 8 p.m. at the Kanawha Players Theatre.

- ...It's The Word - Spring Valley High School Showchoir presents a musical performance Nov. 15 at 3:00 p.m. at the Spring Valley High School Auditorium.

If you know of other shows I've missed, email them to me at TheMinskers@aol.com, or leave a comment by clicking on the link below. Thanks!

A Nearly-Missed Anniversary

Wow, I must be slipping - I almost forgot that this month marks my third anniversary with the Tri-State Theatre blog, which kicked off way back on Oct. 4, 2006!

It's been lots of fun, and I hope you've enjoyed our efforts here, gentle readers.

Thanks to all those who have sent comments, story ideas, reviews, press releases and other information - as I always say, this blog is here for everyone in the Tri-State area who's interested in theatre, so if you have something to say or a show to promote, send it along!

You can send a comment by clicking on the link at the bottom of each post, or you can email me at TheMinskers@aol.com. You can also keep up to date on this site on Twitter right here.

There are lots of shows on the way in the days and months ahead, and as always, I'll try to keep up with the news as it develops.

Thanks again for reading, and Happy Halloween!

On Stage This Weekend - "Pan" and "Murder"

You have two shows to check out this weekend, both of them in Charleston:

- Peter Pan - Presented by the Charleston Light Opera Guild, the classic musical takes the stage at the Clay Center Saturday night and Nov. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m., and you can catch matinees on Nov. 1 and 8 at 2:00 p.m. A great show!

- Dial “M” for Murder - Presented by the Kanawha Players Oct. Saturday night and Nov. 6-7 at 8:00 p.m. and Nov. 1 at 2:00 p.m. at the Kanawha Players Theatre. Recommended!

A No Pants "Scaretacular"

If you're looking for a fun way to spend Halloween, here's a suggestion from my pal Tony Slack:

The No Pants Players will be performing their annual "Scaretactular" Saturday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m.

This will be an all-improv show, with lots of audience participation. As always, the show will be held at the Labelle Theater, located at 311 D St. in South Charleston.

Everyone is encouraged to come in costume for a contest that will be held during intermission, with prizes going to Scariest, Funniest, Most Original and Best Couple. Concessions and No Pants Players merchandise will also be available.

Tickets are only $6 each. For more info call 1-877-IMPROV9 or visit www.nopantsplayers.com.

Thanks, and hope to see everyone at the show!

Here's the official poster for the event:

On Stage This Weekend - "Peter Pan" and "Dial M for Murder"

Our busy October is winding down, but November has several awesome shows on the way, which we'll talk more about in the days ahead - but first, here's the rundown of shows for this weekend.

There are two good ones to choose from, but you'll have to make a trip to Charleston to see them:

- Peter Pan - Presented by the Charleston Light Opera Guild, the classic musical takes the stage at the Clay Center Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m., and you can catch matinees on Nov. 1 and 8 at 2:00 p.m. Highly recommended!

- Dial “M” for Murder - Presented by the Kanawha Players Oct. 30-31, Nov. 6-7 at 8:00 p.m. and Nov. 1 at 2:00 p.m. at the Kanawha Players Theatre. Also recommended!

Check 'em out!

Thoughts on "Glee"

I usually leave the TV shows to my pal Angela and her Stay Tuned blog, but Fox's TV show Glee touches on some interesting points about Glee Clubs (around here we call 'em Show Choirs) and Community Theatre, so I thought I'd mention it here.

I have to admit that I'm on the fence about the show (though obviously it's not aimed at a geezer like me). I like the musical numbers - they're well done and whoever picks the music has great taste - but the soap opera-ish hijinks between the songs don't do much for me. Still, it's good to see a musical-based show on TV.

The main reason I bring the show up is because, as near as I can tell, almost everyone involved in community theatre loves the show and watches it faithfully. Of course, Show Choirs and Community Theatre are closely related (in my opinion).

Community Theatre is all about bringing a story to life, often using music and dance to illustrate the tale. Show Choir is all about the performance, blending music and dance to provide an entertaining show. Sometimes there's a story there, but usually it's just a combination of somewhat-related songs. So both groups use similar tools, they just have a slightly different goal in mind.

Some people love one, some love the other. I certainly hope there's room for both in this big ol' world, though I know the two occasionally clash, mostly because of the time requirements for each. I've been involved in more than one show where time conflicts between a show and a Show Choir made for difficulties. It takes a lot of rehearsal to prepare for any show, and it's tough to do more than one show. It's possible, but it's difficult.

It's my experience that Show Choirs and Community Theatre groups try to coexist, with mixed results. The thing is, they're both drawing on the same talent pool, and both require the commitment of a lot of time and energy.

It's a shame that kids often have to choose one or the other (depending on the requirements of each) - it would be nice if they could do both. But there are only so many hours in the day, after all.

Glee is actually showcasing an activity that rarely gets time in the spotlight, and it's a well-done show, so hopefully it will spark interest and bring more young people to joining a local music or theatre group.

Whichever group they end up with (or both), being part of performances is a great experience for young people. They make friends, have fun, and build self-confidence.

It's what they call a "win-win" situation.

Broadway in Town - "Avenue Q"

A Broadway touring show will be making a stop in Huntington a week from tomorrow.

It may look like a show for kids, but trust me here - this is a show for grownups only!

Avenue Q is Broadway’s smash-hit 2004 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical (it beat Wicked), Best Score and Best Book. A hilarious show full of heart and fun tunes, Avenue Q is about trying to make it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account.

Called "one of the funniest shows you’re ever likely to see" by Entertainment Weekly, the musical features a cast of people and puppets who tell the story in a smart, risque and downright entertaining way. The New Yorker calls it "subversive and uproarious!"

You can catch it at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center next Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m.

Contributions to Children's Theatre Can Reduce State Taxes

As I've mentioned in this space before, it takes money to keep a community theatre running.

Most groups depend on ticket sales to keep going, but most organizations also accept donations. Now one local group is working with the state of West Virginia to offer tax credit vouchers to donors. Here are the details from this story in the Herald-Dispatch:

Those planning to make donations to Huntington's First Stage Theatre Company now have some added incentive.

The First Stage Theatre Company has received $3,930 in West Virginia Neighborhood Investment Program (NIP) tax credit vouchers, and it will distribute the vouchers to contributing businesses and individuals.

Contributors to the long-running area Children's Theatre can reduce certain West Virginia taxes. The West Virginia Legislature sets aside $2.5 million each year in state tax credits for the program that is divided among qualifying 501(c)3 nonprofit groups.

That allows First Stage to issue tax credits up to $3,930 to businesses and individuals who make donations. The minimum contribution that a donor can make to receive a tax credit is $500. The maximum is $3,930.

Contributors can get up to 50 percent of their donation amount in tax credits, which can help decrease their state corporate net income tax, business franchise tax and personal income tax.

"It's an opportunity for us to give back to the individuals and organizations who have supported First Stage over our 20-year history," said Elaine Young, vice-president of First Stage.

First Stage will use the funds to provide education, auditions and participation opportunities in the performing arts to low-income children.

For more information, contact Young by e-mail at eyoung4039@aol.com, by phone at 304-733-4909, and by mail at 6421 Rt. 60 East, Barboursville, WV 25504.

The First Stage Theatre Company, whose 2009 fall production Into the Woods will take place in November, will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2010.