Broadway Closed Until January

   Sad news today as the announcement was made that shows on Broadway are extending their shutdown into January. 

   Here's the latest from Playbill (you can read the complete story at this link): 

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   As performing arts organizations across the country announce plans to forgo their fall programming, Broadway is following suit. The Broadway League has announced that all productions will remain closed through at least January 3, 2021.

   While it is now official, the decision does not come as a surprise. The League stated in May that while shows would be dark through September 6, this date serves more as a determination of how late productions would offer refunds and exchanges than as a look into when the curtain will rise again.

   Once that is able to happen, audiences can expect shows to return on a rolling basis, rather than on one specific date. Details concerning this scheduling and ticketing will be announced in the coming weeks.

Love Streaming "A Wrinkle in Time"

   The Alban Theater is continuing its theatre productions via streaming services, and the next one is coming up this weekend. (For more info go to www.albanartscenter.com.) 

   Here's the info:

   A Wrinkle in Time

   A Live Streaming Theatrical Experience

   June 26, 27, 28

   A Wrinkle in Time is the story of Meg Murry, a high-school-aged girl who is transported on an adventure through time and space with her younger brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin O’Keefe to rescue her father, a gifted scientist, from the evil forces that hold him prisoner on another planet.

   This production will be live streamed from the Alban Theater. The actors will be performing on stage at the same time you are watching the show, so please plan on watching at the scheduled time. When you buy a ticket you will receive a confirmation email, and then on the day of the show you will receive a link that will take you to the Live Stream. So please use your preferred email when purchasing a ticket, and log into the stream 10 - 15 minutes early so you can make sure that everything is working correctly before the show starts. 

   We will be streaming the show via YouTube so anyone with an internet connection should be able to access it. The Link you receive will take you to an unlisted Stream, and you will not be able to use your YouTube App to search for the stream. 

   So if you are planning to watch the show on your television make sure you can either cast to your television from your computer or cell phone, or directly connect the device to your television.

"9 to 5" Has Been Canceled

   This afternoon the Paramount Players announced that their auditions for the musical "9 to 5" were canceled. 

   Here's the statement they released on Facebook:

To all Paramount Players: Due to the large number of people who have traveled to or are planning on traveling to hot spot areas for COVID-19 during the time period of 9 to 5 rehearsals and shows, the Paramount Arts Center executive committee has made the decision for the safety of our community and performers to cancel the upcoming auditions and performances of the musical 9 to 5.  

We are sorry for the late notice, but we were holding out until the last possible minute in hopes that this show would be possible. The safety of our cast, crew and audience remains our biggest concern. 

We look forward to being operational as soon as possible and hope to announce an abbreviated season shortly.

Auditions for "9 to 5"

   The Paramount Players have announced their next show - and auditions next week:

   Audition dates for The Paramount Players Production of "9 to 5" will be Tuesday, June 23, and Wednesday, June 24.

   June 23 will be music auditions.

   June 24 will be dance and cold readings.

   Both will begin at 6 p.m.

   Auditions are open to all ages 13 and up. 

   You can pick up music cuts at the PAC Box Office, open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday - Thursday. 

   If you'd like the music emailed to you, email awiisonhammond@gmail.com .

Auditions This Weekend of "The Dixie Swim Club"

   As COVID-19 restrictions start lifting, area groups are starting to hold auditions for shows. 

   Here's the first one for Huntington:

   Alchemy Theatre will hold auditions for "The Dixie Swim Club" by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten. The play will be directed by Mary Poindexter Williams.

   Auditions will be Friday, June 19 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, June 20 at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Church at 520 11th Street in Huntington (enter at 11th Street Door). ALL ROLES ARE OPEN, and Alchemy encourages women of ALL ETHNICITIES to audition! The age range for roles is 30 - 100! Ladies, you probably fit in there somewhere! Whether you've done a ton of shows or have always wanted to try it out, this is a great time to give it a shot!

   Due to COVID-19 restrictions, social distancing will be in effect. You may also feel free to wear a mask if you so choose.

   Rehearsals for this project will begin the following week, with evening performances set for July 31, August 1, 7 and 8, with a matinee performance on August 2.

  The play focuses on five Southern women whose friendships began many years ago on their college swim team. They set aside a long weekend every August to recharge those relationships. Free from husbands, kids, and jobs, they meet at the same beach cottage on North Carolina's Outer Banks to catch up, laugh, and meddle in each other's lives. "The Dixie Swim Club" focuses on four of those weekends and spans a period of 33 years. Sheree, the spunky team captain, desperately tries to maintain her organized and "perfect" life, and continues to be the group's leader. Dinah, the wisecracking overachiever, is a career dynamo. But her victories in the courtroom are in stark contrast to the frustrations of her personal life. Lexie, pampered and outspoken, is determined to hold on to her looks and youth as long as possible. She enjoys being married - over and over and over again. The self-deprecating and acerbic Vernadette, acutely aware of the dark cloud that hovers over her life, has decided to just give in and embrace the chaos. And sweet, eager-to-please Jeri Neal experiences a late entry into motherhood that takes them all by surprise. As their lives unfold and the years pass, these women increasingly rely on one another, through advice and raucous repartee, to get through the challenges (men, sex, marriage, parenting, divorce, aging) that life flings at them. And when fate throws a wrench into one of their lives in the second act, these friends, proving the enduring power of "teamwork" rally 'round their own with the strength and love that takes this comedy in a poignant and surprising direction. "The Dixie Swim Club" is the story of these five unforgettable women - a hilarious and touching comedy about friendships that last forever.

   If you aren't interested in being in the play but would like to volunteer to help backstage or usher, please sign up at the auditions or send a message.

Introducing a New Style of Theatre: The Eugene O’Neill Project

   At last, we’re starting to see signs of life from local theatre groups - and one impressive new experiment!

    The Alban Arts Center is leading the way with a new way to watch a stage show - from the comfort of your home!

    They’re staging The Eugene O’Neill Project - A Digital Experience!

    They taped a performance of the show based on works by the beloved playwright, and you can buy a ticket and watch the play unfold on your TV or computer!

   It’ll be presented Sunday, June 14 at 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 16 at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 18 at 7 p.m., Friday, June 19 at 7 p.m., and June 20 at 7 p.m.

   You can buy tickets at this website: https://www.onthestage.com/show/alban-arts-center/the-eugene-oneill-project-a-digital-experience-90172/tickets  

   The tickets are $10 each. It’s a great way to support your local theatre and their efforts to find a way to keep producing great shows despite the COVID-19 concerns. 

   Kudos to them!

HART Shuts Down for the Summer

   HART in the Park and the Huntington Park Board have announced that they won't be presenting any shows on stage at Ritter Park this summer. 

   Here's what they posted on Facebook:

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   It is with heavy hearts that we have made the difficult decision to postpone Huntington Area Regional Theater's production of "The Addams Family the Musical" until fall.

   Dates will be determined at a later time.

   We hope that you will come out and get spooky with us then!

Southern Coalition for the Arts Shuts Down for the Summer

   

   Another day, another bout of bad news for theatre fans.

   Southern Coalition for the Arts sent out this note today about their summer plans:

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Friends and family of the ARTS,

   We hope this post finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. 

 

   As you all know, we were set to bring "Into the Woods" to the stage at Southern WV Community and Technical College beginning June 12. Unfortunately, the show will have to be postponed indefinitely. 

   We are continuing to monitor the situation and guidelines from the Governor's office, as well as plans from the college. This has been a difficult decision, but one that is in the best interest of our actors and audience.

   We appreciate the continued support from you all, and hope to see you again in the fall if it is safe to do so. 

   And remember, even though we can't be on the stage right now this is only an intermission. We love you all. 

   Stay safe, stay healthy, and spread kindness in this difficult time.

Fairmont State to Close its Theatre Program

   Sad news out of Fairmont State University, which announced recently that it's closing down its theatre and theatre education program, along with it music program.

   The announcement has gathered quite a few protests, as those programs were highly regarded. 

   Here's the official announcement:

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   During the Thursday, May 21 meeting of the Fairmont State Board of Governors, the board voted to continue its community theatre, community music programs, and Academy for the Arts programming. The board also voted to discontinue academic programs in music and theatre, including music and theatre education. Fairmont State has always been a destination for performing arts education and events in North Central West Virginia and throughout the state. As we transition our theater and music programs the institution’s goal is to continue to honor and uphold that tradition through continued partnerships with our community.

   The academic programs will continue through the next academic year as faculty members work on a program teach-out to ensure that most current majors can graduate in their chosen discipline. Beyond the next academic year, Fairmont State will continue to work to produce vocal concerts, theatrical performances, and direct our marching band. Members of the university's administration are working to operationalize a plan based on the board vote. 

   While these degree programs will no longer be offered at Fairmont State, we recognize the indelible impacts of Music and Theater on the wider University community, and the exceptional pedagogical opportunities inherent in the Performing Arts; therefore, the board chose to keep the broader community segments of these programs viable. 

   Throughout the United States, universities like Fairmont State are making tough decisions to avoid financial exigency. Institutions are canceling non-performing and under-performing programs in an effort to avoid closing their doors. Regrettably, consecutive years of focused review confirm that the academic programs in music and theatre have had consistent low enrollment for a number of years at a very high cost to the university. 

   Decisions like these are never made lightly. Fairmont State is committed to keeping the institution open and financially healthy. Fairmont State remains committed to educating the next generation of leaders who are poised for success in an innovative and ever-changing economy. The university will continue to provide cultural opportunities to our students and community through participation in community theatre and community music. 

   Together with the programs under the Academy of the Arts, community theatre, and community music, Fairmont State University looks forward to broadening opportunities for our students and our community to join together in celebration of the arts. 

"Hamilton" Arrives Early

    In this time of "hunkering down," musical fans got some great news today. 

   Mark Kennedy with the Associated Press reports:

   This July Fourth holiday, you’ll be able to see the original Broadway cast of “Hamilton” perform the musical smash about a Founding Father from the comfort of your couch.

   The Walt Disney Company said Tuesday it will put the live capture of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s show on Disney TV Plus starting on July 3. It had been slated to be in movie theaters in October, 2021.

   “I’m so grateful to all the fans who asked for this, and I’m so glad that we’re able to make it happen. I’m so proud of this show. I can’t wait for you to see it,” Miranda said in a statement.

   The groundbreaking, biographical hip-hop show about the life of Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton won 11 Tony Awards and made numerous tours.

   The film was made at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016, and stars all of the original Tony Award winners — Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; and Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr.

   Others who star include Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jonathan Groff as King George; Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton; Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton. The filmed version is directed by the show’s director, Tommy Kail.

Outdoor Theatre Announce Summer Adjustments

   Today's Herald-Dispatch covered the plans of two of the Tri-state's outdoor theatre groups. One is shutting down for the season, and the other one is cutting back.

   You can read the story at this link - here's an excerpt:

   The Aracoma Story Inc.’s board of directors has officially announced the cancellation of the company’s 2020 summer season, while locally, Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District and Huntington Area Regional Theater have announced changes to its performance plans.

   “While we are all anxious to return to the stage, we have been monitoring this health crisis and do not think we can safely continue with our summer schedule,” said The Aracoma Story President Diana O’Briant. “The safety and health of our company and audience members are our main priority, and although we are saddened to come to this decision, we know it’s for the best.

   The shows canceled include the company’s namesake and original drama, “The Aracoma Story,” the battle between love and Harvard Law in “Legally Blonde," and the Johnny Cash musical “Ring of Fire."

   O’Briant said she is hopeful the company will be able to return to the stage this year, in the fall or winter.

   HART in the Park on Tuesday announced the cancellation of “Elf: The Musical” due to the ongoing pandemic. However, “The Addams Family the Musical” and “101 Dalmatian Kids Pre-Show,” previously scheduled for June, will be performed in July in the Ritter Park Amphitheater.

   Tentative show dates are July 10-12, July 17-19 and July 24-26, with the pre-show beginning at 7:30 p.m. and the main show at 8:30 p.m.

   Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District will be adhering to all physical distancing guidelines regarding crowd occupancy.

First Stage Continues to Keep Its Shows "On Hold"

   As concerns about COVID-19 continue and announcements that students in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky will not return to the classrooms for the rest of the school year, First Stage Theatre Company has been weighing its plans for the remainder of its ongoing season and its plans for next season (Fall 2020 - Spring 2021).

   Huntington’s long-running children’s theatre had two shows remaining in its current season: “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” was originally scheduled to be staged on the first weekend in April, and “Disney’s Moana, Jr” on the final weekend in April and the first weekend in May.

   Rehearsals for both productions have been suspended during the outbreak.

   The First Stage Board of Directors met last week and decided against canceling the shows. Instead they will continue to put both shows on “hold” - ready to pick back up with rehearsals if and when the “stay at home” order is lifted.

   First Stage President Amy Browning said, “Both shows include seniors in leading roles who will be going away to college at the end of the summer, and we don’t want to take away their final shows with First Stage as long as it’s still possible that we’ll be able to stage those shows.”

   The theatrical companies that hold the rights have allowed community theatre companies to reschedule shows that were canceled by the COVID-19 epidemic, so the show dates can be shuffled.

   If by the end of summer First Stage hasn’t been able to stage these shows, then they’ll be rescheduled for the next season.

   Browning added, “The lineup for our 31st season (Fall 2020 - Spring 2021) is also on hold, as we wait to see what happens to this season’s shows. We hope circumstances will allow the shows to go on, but for now, we’ll all have to wait and see.”

   The First Stage Board of Directors is working to develop alternative ways to provide an artistic outlet and creative development for the children in our community. More information will be shared on the Facebook page as it becomes available. For now, questions or suggestions should be directed to the Facebook page or a First Stage Board member.

   Based in Huntington, W.Va., the First Stage Theatre Company is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing an educational, developmental experience for young people through the performing arts. There is no charge to take part in a First Stage production.

Celebrating Shakespeare

   Our friends at Alchemy Theatre Troupe in Huntington have been celebrating William Shakespeare's birthday with a couple of videos using local actors reading individual lines from different plays.

   The first focuses on the most famous speech from Hamlet:




    The newest video was posted today, and gives us another famous speech - this one from Romeo and Juliet:


   
    Looking forward to the next chapter!  Happy Birthday, Bard!

"Tecumseh" Shuts Down for 2020

   More bad news for local theatre as it was announced this week that the outdoor drama Tecumseh will not be staged this year.

   The show is a long-running tradition in Chillicothe, Ohio, and it has a significant impact on the local economy - but time has run out on the needed rehearsal time, so for the safety of the cast and the audience the decision was made to shut down for the summer.

   You can read more about it in this story from the Scioto Post.

No News is No News

   I'm afraid there's very little news on the theatre front!

   Most local companies are still shut down, waiting for the "stay at home" restriction to be lifting before deciding how to move forward - or when the schedule their shows.

   Apparently Huntington's outdoor theatre group, HART, is holding rehearsals via Zoom, in hopes they'll be able to stick to their summer schedule.

   And that's about it! I urge you to stay safe out there and wash those hands! More news as it develops!

A Different Kind of Audition for "A Wrinkle in Time"

There are still no show plans or rehearsals going on in the Tri-State area - but the Alban Performing Arts Center has come up with a creative solution to the problem.

They're going to hold online Auditions for their show "A Wrinkle in Time" at the Alban Arts Center in St. Albans.

   Here's the information they provided:

This is an open audition for actors of all ages and experience levels. We will hold two days of auditions online, on Zoom, in small groups. We will read you against other actors and may ask you to be involved in more than one Zoom conference. All groups will meet between the scheduled times on April 4 and 5. 

There will be a Google form in this event that everyone will need to fill out in order to be added to the audition groups. We are trying something new here, so bear with us as we try to make live theatre happen in difficult time. The show is scheduled to be performed on The Alban Stage June 5-14, but is subject to change depending on how things progress with the current quarantines and CDC regulations.

Auditions: Saturday, April 4 from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, April 5 from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

From the Director, Loren Allen: I am thrilled to be bringing this classic beloved tale of good and evil, family and friendship tessered across time and space to the stage here at the Alban. This fast paced, fabulous script will keep our patrons on the edge of their seats as we follow Who, Whatsit, and Which and Meg, Calvin, and Charles Wallace on a dizzying dash across time and space to find and rescue Meg’s dad, the mysteriously disappeared physicist, Dr. Murray, from a terrifying dark shadow force that is slowly but surely consuming our universe and all of its inhabitants.

Actors will be expected to identify roles in which they are interested. You will be provided with segments of the script and grouped with other actors to do readings for the audition. You will be given an opportunity to review the script for each role briefly before the reading. You should be prepared to make bold character choices including voice, accent, inflection, intonation, movement and physicality. Some actors may be cast in more than one role including as non-speaking “IT” chorus which will be a living, breathing, seething part of the set. Actors interested in portraying Aunt Beast and Beast 1 must be comfortable wearing a heavy mask / headpiece on stage.

Cast size 15-21

Mrs. Whatsit – female age 17-30

Mrs. Who – female over age 25 (must be prepared to learn and speak multiple phrases in various other languages)

Mrs. Which - female over age 35

Meg – Female appx age 14

Calvin – Male appx. 16

Charles Wallace – Male under age 13

Mother – Female over age 30

Father – Male over age 30

Teacher – male or female over age 20

Chris Henderson- male age 16-18

Principle Jenkins – male or female over age 30

Postmistress – male or female over age 30

Happy Medium – Male or female over age 45

Red Eyes – Voice actor only, male or female,

Camozotzian 1, 2, 3 – male or female, ages 25-50

Girl – appx. Age 8-10

Boy (billy) – appx. 8-10

Aunt Beast – female, any age

Beast 1 – male or female

Virus Disrupts Local Theatre Productions

   Your pal Chuck wrote a story this week for the Herald-Dispatch about how local theatre companies are reacting to the coronavirus shutdown. You can read the story at this link - and right here (with a few corrections included):

   The classic theatre slogan is, “The show must go on.” 

   Community theatre companies are used to overcoming obstacles to producing shows, including sick actors, bad weather, power outages, broken microphones and wardrobe malfunctions.

   But the coronavirus (COVID-19) has finally presented an obstacle that local theatre companies can’t overcome (with a few exceptions). Even Broadway was forced to admit defeat and has announced that all shows in New York have been suspended until April 12.

   In the Tri-State, most companies have followed suit, citing the safety of their cast and the audience. With only three exceptions, they have shut down or at least “paused” the shows they planned to stage in the Spring of 2020.

   Students at Marshall University have been sent home, so the School of Theatre has canceled the West Virginia Thespian Festival and the play “Sense and Sensibility.”

   The Paramount Players in Ashland, Ky., canceled their production of the musical “Mamma Mia,” announcing the closing just five hours before the first public performance.

   First Stage Theatre Company, Huntington’s children’s theatre, had two musicals in rehearsal: “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “Disney’s Moana, Jr.” Production on both shows was stopped on Friday. 

    “It’s our hope that we’ll be able to restart the shows within a few weeks,” said Amy Browning, president of First Stage. “But the safety of our actors comes first, so we’re closing down until it’s safe to resume our rehearsals.”

   The three exceptions to the shutdown (at this writing) are in divided between Kanawha County and Ashland. 

   The Alban Performing Arts Center in St. Albans, W.Va., is still rehearsing its up-coming production of “The O’Neill Project.” The group is also holding auditions has canceled planned auditions for its next production, “A Wrinkle in Time."

    In Winfield,  W.Va., the West Virginia Actor’s Conservatory will continue rehearsals preparations for its production of “Dracula.” The group has no plans to pause the production delay upcoming auditions, according to director Lawrence Burgess. “Not even in the slightest. Full steam ahead.”

   In Russell, Ky., the Tri-State’s newest theatre company held auditions for its first production Monday night. Co-founder Samuel Perkins said, “My fiancé and I just started On the Edge Theatre Company and as of now we are still moving forward.”

   Other companies were in the process of preparing the next show, but decided to change plans. The Charleston Light Opera Guild’s rehearsals of the musical “Memphis” were halted and the show has been canceled. The Actors Guild of Parkersburg has suspended all rehearsals and auditions until further notice.

   Charleston’s CYAC theatre company had planned to stage two plays over the next two weekends, but both “BoysNight / GirlsRoom” and “Love Is Not An Angry Thing, A Predator Among Us” have been postponed. 

   The Portsmouth Little Theatre canceled its plans to hold auditions for “Sylvia” last weekend, and the production has been canceled. 

   The Aracoma Story in Logan, W.Va., has put its auditions for the summer season on hold. In Charleston, BlackRoot Theatre has paused for at least two weeks.

   Other groups are moving their next production. Huntington’s Alchemy Theatre was planning to stage “Opening Night: A Cabaret” in May, but the performance date is now in question. The Children’s Theatre of Charleston has moved its production of “Disney’s Mary Poppins, Jr.” to July 10-12.

   It’s typical for area companies to produce more than a dozen shows between March and June, but with current health concerns, it may be weeks - or longer - before a new schedule for shows is determined, and some of those shows will not be rescheduled - which also calls into question the negative financial effects on those companies. 

On Stage This Week: Nothing!

    Every Wednesday we try to post the upcoming shows and auditions in this space - but that's all out the window now. 

   Thanks to the coronavirus, almost everything is either canceled or on "hold."

   The only shows that were scheduled this weekend were CYAC's plays ”BoysNight/GirlsRoom” and “Love Is Not An Angry Thing, A Predator Among Us” - and those have been postponed. 

   The only audition was for the Alban's "A Wrinkle in Time," and that has also been postponed.

   I have a story covering a wider range of the effects coming up in the Herald-Dispatch, and I'll post a link when it shows up. 

   Stay safe out there, theatre fans!

First Stage Puts 30th Season On Hold

     First Stage Theatre Company, the children’s theatre based in Huntington, W.Va., has announced plans to temporarily suspend its final two productions in the current season: “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “Disney’s Moana, Jr.”

    Because of concerns about the coronavirus and the closing of schools in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky, the First Stage Board of Directors has stopped production on the final two shows in the group’s 30th season.

    “It’s our hope that we’ll be able to restart the shows within a few weeks,” said First Stage President Amy Browning.  “But the safety of our actors comes first, so we’re closing down until it’s safe to resume our rehearsals.”

   The original plans had “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” being staged the first weekend in April, and “Disney’s Moana, Jr.” at the end of April, but those show dates are now subject to change, depending on when the schools reopen.

   Based in Huntington, W.Va., the First Stage Theatre Company is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing an educational, developmental experience for young people through the performing arts.

"Follies" Interview with Becky McClellan

   You have (at this writing) one more chance to catch the musical Follies in Huntington, and we have one more interview with the cast to share.

   Stepping up to our e-microphone is the lovely and talented Becky McClelland, who plays the part of Emily Whitman:

Q: What is Follies about?

Becky: Follies is a reunion of showgirls who have been out of the business for 30 or more years. Once there they get to perform old numbers while pairing up with ghosts of their past. Some characters are much more affected by the ghosts of their past than others. 

Q: Why did you want to be part of this show?

Becky: I love a good musical and Sondheim writes the best ones! I also knew that our director Bil Neal loves flashy costumes and this show is absolutely designed for them! 

Q: Tell us about the character you play.

Becky: My character is Emily Whitman. She is a former Weisman Girl who teaches dance with her husband in her older years. She’s sweet and always ready for fun, but she’s kind of a ditz. 

Q: What's your background in theatre?

Becky: I ventured into the world of theater in 2014 after my kids grew up. Since then I’ve been a part of about 15 shows whether on stage or behind the scenes. 

Q: This is Alchemy’s first musical production - what’s more challenging, the singing or the dancing?

Becky: The dancing. Hands down. I’ve never tapped and there is a big tap number. Add to that the part where I’m supposed to be a dance instructor! It’s a really good thing my ghost is amazing!

Q: Do you have a favorite number in the show?

Becky: I absolutely love “I’m Still Here” performed by Mary Olson. She is always first rate, but in this case she takes you through her entire career bringing you through a range of emotions. It’s incredible!

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Becky: This show is by design a reunion of veteran performers. Bil has pulled together some of the Huntington area’s very best; some of whom you haven’t seen on stage in years. Add to that the younger ghosts who are new to our company and SHOWGIRLS! And who doesn’t love showgirls?

  Thanks, Becky!

   Follies - the musical will be presented by Alchemy Theatre on Saturday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. at The Janice Chandler Auditorium (The Cabell County Board of Education Building) at 2850 5th Avenue in Huntington. Tickets are $15 each.