Tri-State Theater

Some "Cats" Tickets Are Still Available!

2010-02-08T00:07:00.001-05:00

The tickets are going fast for Tuesday's performance of Cats that takes the stage at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center!

Here's the info:

Presented by the Marshall Artists Series, Cats will take place at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8 and Tuesday, Feb. 9. Monday's show is sold out, but tickets remain for Tuesday's show.

Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, and with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cats won seven 1983 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Lighting and Best Costumes.

Cats is the only production in North America sanctioned by Lloyd Webber. With original direction by Trevor Nunn and choreography by Gillian Lynne, this is the production credited with the British invasion of Broadway.

“Anybody who does a musical in England never really feels they've done it until it goes to Broadway and survives or fails that test,” Nunn told The New York Times. “That is the journey.”

The national tour of Cats recently celebrated its 26th anniversary season. In June 1997, Cats became the longest running musical on Broadway, continuing to live up to its motto “Now and Forever.” Its 18 year run ended on September 10, 2000.

Five continents and 26 countries later, Cats is still one of America’s most loved family musicals. Approximately 8.5 million audience members later, Cats is still the ground-breaking and awe inspiring event it was on opening night.

Tickets are on sale now at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center box office and all Ticketmaster locations, online at ticketmaster.com or call 304-696-6656 for more details. Adult tickets are $55, $50 and $45.

Cats is sponsored by the Children’s Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital, Heiner’s Bakery, Touma Foundation, University Physicians & Surgeons, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, West Virginia Department of Education, WKEE, B-97, The Herald-Dispatch, WSAZ, Marshall University, The College of Fine Arts and the Marshall Artists Series.

On Stage This Weekend - Five Shows!

2010-02-05T05:59:00.003-05:00

The weekend is at hand, so get out there, brave the weather and enjoy one of five (count 'em, five!) shows taking the stage this weekend.

Here's the lineup:

- I Love You... You're Perfect... Now Change - ARTS presents this musical comedy in the Renaissance Ballroom (Old Huntington High School). Shows will be presented Feb. 5-7. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8:00. Tickets for the show and dinner is $25.00 per person and $10.00 for show only. A group rate is available for groups of 10 or more. The story is based around four couples who take the audience through the whole journey of love, dating, and relationships and pokes fun at the process we go through in search of a mate.

- The Pirates of Penzance - the Charleston Light Opera Guild presents the Gilbert & Sullivan’s musical comedy on Feb. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. All shows are at the Light Opera Guild Theater on the corner of Tennessee Avenue and Roane Street in West Charleston. Tickets are $15 and it is festival seating. The box office number is 304-342-9312 - for more info go to www.charlestonlightoperaguild.org.

- Galileo - The Contemporary Youth Arts Company will present Bertolt Brecht’s classic drama Galileo at 8 p.m. Feb. 5-6 at the historic WVSU Capitol Center Theater, 123 Summers Street, Charleston W.Va. Tickets are $9.50 for adults and $5.50 for students and seniors.

- The Memory House - A two-person play by Kathleen Tolan will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights at Marshall's Francis Booth Experimental Theatre inside the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. The play is free and open to the public.

- 12 Angry Men - The Kanawha Players presents this classic drama Feb. 5 - 7 and 12 - 13 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Kanawha Players Theatre, 309 Beauregard Street in Charleston. Tickets are $16 for general admission and $10 for students. For more info, go to www.kanawhaplayers.org. (As my pal Mel points out in the comments, I missed this one in the original post - mea culpa!)

Theatre Notes About Three New Shows

2010-02-04T19:33:00.004-05:00

There are three theatre stories to check out on the Herald-Dispatch online. For example:

- Go here and read my pal Dave Lavender's preview of the show that takes the stage next week - the touring show of Cats. Here's an excerpt:

More than 8.5 million purring fans can't be wrong.

Based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, and power-packed with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cats is without a doubt one of the most popular musicals of all times.

Cats set records for longevity in London, scratched out the second-longest-run on Broadway, and on the road, the big '80s musical has lived up to its motto, "Now and Forever" playing in some 26 countries and five continents.

Come Monday and Tuesday, the behemoth musical that cost some $5 million when it first came to Broadway in the early 1980s, brings its amazing and playful musical junkyard to the stage at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, 925 4th Ave.

The Monday night show, produced by the Marshall Artists Series is sold out, as is a Tuesday morning school show that will be performed for more than 2,200 area school children from around the Tri-State.

Tickets do remain for a second night show at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $55, $50 and $45 and are on sale now at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center box office and all Ticketmaster locations, online at ticketmaster.com or call 304-696-6656 for more details.

As a testament to Cats' popularity we caught up with actor Adam Steiner (Rum Tum Tugger). He has only been with the touring production of Cats since February 2009, but has already been to most states, as well as South and Central America.

A graduate of Western Michigan University, Steiner said it was an amazing experience sharing Cats with audiences in South America, many whom were experiencing their first taste of American Broadway shows.

"It was just phenomenal, and we had sold out houses over and over. It was just an honor to be there as one of the first Broadway shows to go down there," Steiner said. "It's something people had only heard about, but they hadn't seen a full production, so it was so cool for them and for us to be immersed into their culture. It really was amazing to get to go and get a feel for each individual place that we were performing it in."

And here's a show that has its origins a bit closer to home - it takes the stage (and the dinner table) Valentine's weekend:

First United Methodist Church is thrilled to present yet another brand-new comedy by local actor, playwright and drama instructor Jonathan Joy.

First Church Dinner Theater will be hosting the World Premiere of Bitsy, Boots and Friends for your Valentine’s entertainment.

The show will take place Feb. 12-14. Dinner served at 6:30 p.m., the show begins at 8 p.m. There is a choice of entrees: Prime Rib au Jus or Glazed Cornish hen, with Tossed Salad, Baked Potato, Green peas and Pearl Onions, Dilly Rolls and assorted Valentine Desserts.

Tickets: Dinner plus Show: Adult - $22, Child under 12 - $8, Show only (as space permits) - $5. Babysitting available on request for all shows (advance notice required). Reservations are required for all shows. For Reservations, call: 304-522-0357 or 740-867-8576.

Bitsy, Boots and Friends presents still more of the unexpected, as Tommy brings his bride to southern Ohio for another visit with the two oddball aunts who raised him, their even odder cousin Ida, and an assortment of other friends, new and old.

Then go here to read about a show I knew nothing about (but it sounds like a great one to check out):

The Memory House, a two-person play by Kathleen Tolan, will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights at Marshall's Francis Booth Experimental Theatre inside the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

Directed by Marshall University Department of Theatre student, Mary Poindexter Williams, the play is free and open to the public.

Set in a Manhattan apartment on a New Year’s Eve, the play follows a recently-divorced mother baking a pie as her daughter tires of finishing a college essay exploring her childhood memories. As the essay deadline looms, unexamined issues of the girl’s adoption from Russia, questions of her loyalty to one’s culture and country, her parents divorce and the fear of leaving home, surface as her mom works through her own loss and sadness.

The mom, Maggie, is played by veteran Huntington area actress, Linda Reynolds, and the daughter is a Marshall student, Rachel Kenaston, who is a senior theater and French major and also a Yeager Scholar.

For more theater events, go online at www.marshall.edu/cofa and click onto Theatre.

The Oscar Nominees

2010-02-02T20:30:00.003-05:00

This blog is actually about community theatre, not movies, but we bend the rules at this time of the year to talk about the Oscars. This year there are 10 films nominated in the "Best Picture" category, which should make things interesting.

The nominees were announced this morning - give me a few days to get things sorted out, and we'll crank up our annual "Name the Winners" competition!

Wearing the crown from last year is my pal Linda Reynolds. Can she repeat? Will someone else win the title? Will Chuck finish in last place again? Only time will tell!

In the meantime, here are the nominees:

Best Picture:

Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air

Actor:

Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"
George Clooney, "Up in the Air"
Colin Firth, "A Single Man"
Morgan Freeman, "Invictus"
Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker"

Actress:

Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"
Helen Mirren, "The Last Station"
Carey Mulligan, "An Education"
Gabourey Sidibe, "Precious: Based on the Novel `Push' by Sapphire"
Meryl Streep, "Julie & Julia"

Supporting Actor:

Matt Damon, "Invictus"
Woody Harrelson, "The Messenger"
Christopher Plummer, "The Last Station"
Stanley Tucci, "The Lovely Bones"
Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds"

Supporting Actress:

Penelope Cruz, "Nine"
Vera Farmiga, "Up in the Air"
Maggie Gyllenhaal, "Crazy Heart"
Anna Kendrick, "Up in the Air"
Mo'Nique, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"

Directing:

James Cameron, "Avatar"
Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"
Quentin Tarantino, "Inglourious Basterds"
Lee Daniels, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
Jason Reitman, "Up in the Air"

Foreign Language Film: "Ajami," Israel; "El Secreto de Sus Ojos," Argentina; "The Milk of Sorrow," Peru; "Un Prophete," France; "The White Ribbon," Germany

Adapted Screenplay: Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, "District 9"; Nick Hornby, "An Education"; Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche, "In the Loop"; Geoffrey Fletcher, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"; Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, "Up in the Air"

Original Screenplay: Mark Boal, "The Hurt Locker"; Quentin Tarantino, "Inglourious Basterds"; Alessandro Camon and Oren Moverman, "The Messenger"; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "A Serious Man"; Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Tom McCarthy, "Up"

Animated Feature Film: "Coraline"; "Fantastic Mr. Fox"; "The Princess and the Frog"; "The Secret of Kells"; "Up"

Art Direction: "Avatar," "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," "Nine," "Sherlock Holmes," "The Young Victoria"

Cinematography: "Avatar," "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," "The Hurt Locker," "Inglourious Basterds," "The White Ribbon"

Sound Mixing: "Avatar," "The Hurt Locker," "Inglourious Basterds," "Star Trek," "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"

Sound Editing: "Avatar," "The Hurt Locker," "Inglourious Basterds," "Star Trek," "Up"

Original Score: "Avatar," James Horner; "Fantastic Mr. Fox," Alexandre Desplat; "The Hurt Locker," Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders; "Sherlock Holmes," Hans Zimmer; "Up," Michael Giacchino

Original Song: "Almost There" from "The Princess and the Frog," Randy Newman; "Down in New Orleans" from "The Princess and the Frog," Randy Newman; "Loin de Paname" from "Paris 36," Reinhardt Wagner and Frank Thomas; "Take It All" from "Nine," Maury Yeston; "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" from "Crazy Heart," Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Costume: "Bright Star," "Coco Before Chanel," "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," "Nine," "The Young Victoria"

Documentary Feature: "Burma VJ," "The Cove," "Food, Inc." "The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers," "Which Way Home"

Documentary (short subject): "China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province," "The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner," "The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant," "Music by Prudence," "Rabbit a la Berlin"

Film Editing: "Avatar," "District 9," "The Hurt Locker," "Inglourious Basterds," "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"

Makeup: "Il Divo," "Star Trek," "The Young Victoria"

Animated Short Film: "French Roast," "Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty," "The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)," "Logorama," "A Matter of Loaf and Death"

Live Action Short Film: "The Door," "Instead of Abracadabra," "Kavi," "Miracle Fish," "The New Tenants"

Visual Effects: "Avatar," "District 9," "Star Trek"

On Stage in February

2010-02-01T21:30:00.000-05:00

The month ahead may be a short one, but there are quite a few great shows squeezed in there.

Here are the shows I know about - as always, if I've missed one, let me know in the comments below, or email the information to TheMinskers@aol.com.

Here's the list for February:

- I Love You... You're Perfect... Now Change - ARTS presents the musical comedy at the Renaissance Center Feb. 5, 6 and 7.

- The Pirates of Penzance - The Charleston Light Opera Guild presents the musical comedy by Gilbert & Sullivan Feb. 5, 6 and 7.

- Galileo - The Contemporary Youth Arts Company presents Bertolt Brecht’s classic drama Jan. 29-30 and Feb. 5-6 at the historic WVSU Capitol Center Theater in Charleston.

- CATS - The Marshall Artists Series presents one of Broadway's most popular musicals Feb. 8 and 9 at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center.

- Bitsy, Boots and Friends - The original show by Jonathan Joy will be presented at the First United Methodist Church in Huntington Feb. 12, 13 and 14.

- 12 Angry Men - The Kanawha Players presents this drama Feb. 12 and 13.

- Willy Wonka, Jr. - ACTC presents the classic musical Feb. 19, 20 and 21.

- Dead Man's Cell Phone - The Charleston Stage Company presents the drama Feb. 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27.

- Lucille Ball: "Thank You For Asking" - The Marshall Artists Series presents a show about the film and TV star at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center Feb. 23.

- Born Yesterday - the Marshall Theatre Alliance will present the drama Feb. 24, 25, 26 and 27 at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

Two Shows Today (and Three Next Weekend)

2010-01-31T06:16:00.004-05:00

My heart goes out to the cast and crew of the three shows that took the show this weekend. Whenever you stage a show, you always fear this kind of weather, because it keeps away all but the most hardy of theatre-goers.

Thankfully, things are warming up and the roads are (mostly) clear, so hopefully you'll get to see one of the shows running this weekend - and if not, they all have more performances next weekend!

Here's the lineup:

- I Love You... You're Perfect... Now Change - ARTS presents this musical comedy in the Renaissance Ballroom (Old Huntington High School). Shows will be presented today and Feb. 5-7. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8:00. Tickets for the show and dinner is $25.00 per person and $10.00 for show only. A group rate is available for groups of 10 or more. The story is based around four couples who take the audience through the whole journey of love, dating, and relationships and pokes fun at the process we go through in search of a mate.

- The Pirates of Penzance - the Charleston Light Opera Guild presents the Gilbert & Sullivan’s musical comedy today and Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. and Feb. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. All shows are at the Light Opera Guild Theater on the corner of Tennessee Avenue and Roane Street in West Charleston. Tickets are $15 and it is festival seating. The box office number is 304-342-9312 - for more info go to www.charlestonlightoperaguild.org.

Making Improvements at the Keith-Albee

2010-01-30T20:08:00.002-05:00

Hey, there's a great story in today's Herald-Dispatch about some improvements being made to the classic Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

As my pal David Malloy writes in this story (with photos by Lori Wolfe), some students took the stage to make some much-needed repairs:

More than two dozen Collins Career Center students were busy outside the classroom on Friday to help make repairs and clean up the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center in downtown Huntington.

Twenty-seven students from the vocational school at Getaway, Ohio, replaced boards on the stage floor and did cleanup work to get the building ready for a production of Cats scheduled Feb. 8 and 9, said Bob Edmunds, a former Marshall University professor helping out at the Keith-Albee.

"They need 15 hours of community service before they can graduate," said Matt Parnell, a carpentry instructor at the vocational school. "We came over before they had the premiere of We Are Marshall. They've been sanding the floor, replacing some boards in the stage and vacuuming."

The students are from the carpentry class and the building maintenance class at Collins, Parnell said.

On Stage Tonight - "Love," "Penzance" and "Galileo"

2010-01-29T17:10:00.000-05:00

The long drought is over, and tonight three great shows take the stage!

Two are in Charleston - a classic musical and a non-musical about a Renaissance man - and the other is in Huntington - another terrific musical!

So here's what you have to choose from:

- I Love You... You're Perfect... Now Change - ARTS presents this musical comedy in the Renaissance Ballroom (Old Huntington High School). Shows will be presented Jan. 29-31 and Feb. 5-7. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8:00. Tickets for the show and dinner is $25.00 per person and $10.00 for show only. A group rate is available for groups of 10 or more. The story is based around four couples who take the audience through the whole journey of love, dating, and relationships and pokes fun at the process we go through in search of a mate.

- The Pirates of Penzance - the Charleston Light Opera Guild presents the Gilbert & Sullivan’s musical comedy on Jan. 29 and 30 and Feb. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. All shows are at the Light Opera Guild Theater on the corner of Tennessee Avenue and Roane Street in West Charleston. Tickets are $15 and it is festival seating. The box office number is 304-342-9312 - for more info go to www.charlestonlightoperaguild.org.

- Galileo - The Contemporary Youth Arts Company will present Bertolt Brecht’s classic drama Galileo at 8 p.m. Jan. 29-30 and Feb. 5-6 at the historic WVSU Capitol Center Theater, 123 Summers Street, Charleston W.Va. Tickets are $9.50 for adults and $5.50 for students and seniors.

So get out there and support your local theatre!

Huntington Symphony Announce Ellis Island Performance on Feb. 13

2010-01-28T18:17:00.003-05:00

Here's one to mark on your calendar - a concert you won't want to miss! You can read about it at the Herald-Dispatch's site here, and here's an excerpt:

The Huntington Symphony Orchestra announced that on Feb. 13 they will perform Ellis Island: Dream of America.

Accompanying the orchestra will Beth McVey, Clint McElroy, Bil Neal and Amy Knell. Tickets are on sale now by phone at 304-781-8343, online at huntingtonsymphony.org or the HSO administration offices, 763 Third Ave., Huntington.

Ellis Island: The Dream of America was born out of Peter Boyer’s fascination with the relationship between history and music.

“I'm drawn to good stories - especially stories which come from the past but are relevant to the present - and as an orchestral composer, I'm intrigued by the potential of the orchestra as a storytelling medium,” Boyer said.

America is a nation of immigrants, and our immigrant history is a profound part of our American mythology. In the history of American immigration, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are icons of immense significance.

“When I decided to create a work about Ellis Island, I knew that I wanted to combine spoken word with the orchestra,” Boyer said.

Three Shows This Weekend

2010-01-26T17:29:00.002-05:00

Now that January is nearly over, it's time for some new community theatre shows to take the stage! Here's the lineup of shows that start Friday night:

- I Love You... You're Perfect... Now Change - ARTS presents this musical comedy in the Renaissance Ballroom (Old Huntington High School). Shows will be presented Jan. 29-31 and Feb. 5-7. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8:00. Tickets for the show and dinner is $25.00 per person and $10.00 for show only. A group rate is available for groups of 10 or more. The story is based around four couples who take the audience through the whole journey of love, dating, and relationships and pokes fun at the process we go through in search of a mate.

- The Pirates of Penzance - the Charleston Light Opera Guild presents the Gilbert & Sullivan’s musical comedy on Jan. 29 and 30 and Feb. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. All shows are at the Light Opera Guild Theater on the corner of Tennessee Avenue and Roane Street in West Charleston. Tickets are $15 and it is festival seating. The box office number is 304-342-9312 - for more info go to www.charlestonlightoperaguild.org.

- Galileo - The Contemporary Youth Arts Company will present Bertolt Brecht’s classic drama Galileo at 8 p.m. Jan. 29-30 and Feb. 5-6 at the historic WVSU Capitol Center Theater, 123 Summers Street, Charleston W.Va. Tickets are $9.50 for adults and $5.50 for students and seniors.

On Stage This Weekend - "Galileo"

2010-01-25T20:22:00.002-05:00

My pal Mel sends along the latest about a show opening in Charleston which focuses on one of history's most famous figures. She writes:

Galileo opens January 29!

The Contemporary Youth Arts Company will present Bertolt Brecht’s classic drama Galileo at 8 p.m. January 29-30 and February 5-6.

Based on the clash between the observations of 17th century astronomer-physicist and the teachings of the Catholic church, Galileo is the saga of man versus science, science versus truth, truth versus faith and faith versus man.

The cast, including several CYAC alumni, includes Nik Tidquist as the title character, Caroline Kapo as Virginia, Craig Auge as the little Monk, Meredith Overcash as Barberini, John Szasz as the Philosopher, Mary Beth Griffith as Sarti, Austin Thomas as Andrea, Maria Fioravante as Federazoni with Amanda Mandarola, Paige Baisden, Emily Jessee and Quintin Baker filling out the cast.

Where: The historic WVSU Capitol Center Theater, 123 Summers Street, Charleston W.Va.

Tickets: $9.50 for adults and $5.50 for students and seniors.

On Stage Next Weekend - "Pirates of Penzance"

2010-01-24T16:45:00.003-05:00

After a bit of a dry spell for local theatre (that's January for you), things are going to start hopping next weekend.

My pal Marina Jurica sends along this information about one of my all-time favorite musicals:

I just wanted to let you know that the Charleston Light Opera Guild is opening Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirate of Penzance on January 29 through February 7!

Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Light Opera Guild Theater on the corner of Tennessee Avenue and Roane Street in West Charleston.

Tickets are $15 and it is festival seating. The box office number is 304-342-9312 and for more info go to www.charlestonlightoperaguild.org.

For the group of us who went to HMS Pinafore last year we came 30 minutes early and barely got seats since it is a smaller theater! The cast is really wonderful and is has been a great show to be a part of - I am playing the part of Mabel. Hope you and many others can make it!

It's a great show, and I'm really looking forward to seeing it! Highly recommended!

"Bitsy and Boots" Are Back!

2010-01-22T20:22:00.002-05:00

Great news! The wacky sisters "Bitsy and Boots" are returning to the stage for their third adventure!

They're at the center of an original play being presented in February in Huntington (and as a fan of the first two plays, I highly recommend this show - the first two were hilarious! And the dinner is awesome!).

My pal Jerry Morse sent this press release with all the info:

First Church Dinner Theater presents the World Premiere of Bitsy, Boots and Friends by Jonathan Joy.

First United Methodist Church is thrilled to present yet another brand-new comedy by local actor, playwright and drama instructor Jonathan Joy. First Church Dinner Theater will be hosting the World Premiere of this show for your Valentine’s entertainment.

Bitsy, Boots and Friends presents still more of the unexpected, as Tommy brings his bride to southern Ohio for another visit with the two oddball aunts who raised him, their even odder cousin Ida, and an assortment of other friends, new and old.

The Dinner Theater has been a winter highlight in Huntington since 1991. Begun as a part of First Night, the Dinner Theater has been an integral part of First Church’s Mission program, raising more than $35,000 for Mission projects through 17 productions.

Huntington’s First United Methodist is a church in Mission, supporting community projects, Mission projects across West Virginia, and national and international relief efforts. Members volunteer throughout the community, and participate in mission work teams in West Virginia, Alaska and Nicaragua. Proceeds from the 2010 dinner theater will help fund the Church youth work team and many other projects.

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

When: Feb. 12, 13 and 14

Dinner served at 6:30 p.m., the show begins at 8:00 p.m.
Choice of entrees: Prime Rib au Jus or Glazed Cornish hen, with Tossed Salad, Baked Potato, Green peas and Pearl Onions, Dilly Rolls and assorted Valentine Desserts.

Tickets: Dinner plus Show: Adult - $22, Child under 12 - $8, Show only (as space permits) - $5.

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

Reservations are required for all shows! For Reservations, call: 304-522-0357 or 740-867-8576.

All profits benefit the Mission and Youth of First United Methodist

The producer/director is Jerry Morse. Jane Morse heads up the kitchen crew. The cast includes Loretta Hetzer, Jane Morse, Rebecca Payne, Melissa Langham, Zach Davis, Leann Haines, Sara Tschop, Adam Stephens, Michael Niday and Stacy Morgan.

First Stage Announces Its Next Season!

2010-01-20T22:30:00.004-05:00

Hey, we're always trying to bring you the scoops here at the Tri-State Theatre blog, so here's a good one - First Stage Theatre Company has decided on its 2010-2011 season, which is the 21st for that group!

(As always, the seasons for the children's theatre follows the school year.)

They have three shows they plan to offer:

The classic musical comedy Once Upon a Mattress will be presented in the Fall of 2010. Based on the children's story The Princess and the Pea, it's a hilarious show that hasn't been staged in our area in far too long.

The group's second show will be James and the Giant Peach, which will be presented in Winter 2010. This non-musical play is based on the popular book by Roald Dahl.

The Spring 2011 show will be the beloved musical Annie. It's been more than a decade since First Stage last tackled the show, and it's a show tailor-made for a children's theatre - there are lots of parts available for lots of girls. (The guys will have to wait for the next production of Oliver!)

I'm prejudiced, but it sounds like a great lineup to me!

Coming Soon: "I Love You... You're Perfect... Now Change"

2010-01-19T16:32:00.002-05:00

My pal Eddie Harbert sends along this invitation to all of us for a terrific show coming up soon:

Just a note to invite you to come and see ARTS production of I Love You... You're Perfect... Now Change.

The show will be held in the Renaissance Ballroom (Old Huntington High School). It will be the first dinner theatre production that has been held there. They have just bought new lighting and sound systems and are hoping this will be the first of many dinner theatre productions to be held there. It is a very exciting event, especially since we are always looking for good venues to perform small shows in.

The show will be held January 29-31 and February 5-7. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8:00. The show is being directed by me with musical direction by Mike Campbell and choreography by Coni Anthony.

We have a very talented cast of actors. They include: Mary Olson, Mark Baker, Jane Modlin, Dave Benton, Betty Craddock, Ron Short, Jennifer Scott and Josh Taylor.

Cost of tickets for the show and dinner is $25.00 per person and $10.00 for show only. A group rate is available for groups of 10 or more. The prices are exceptional! Most dinner theatres are between $30-$50.

The show can be best described as Saturday Night Live with music. The story is based around four couples who take the audience through the whole journey of love, dating, and relationships and pokes fun at the process we go through in search of a mate. It is a perfect "date play!"

This is an opportunity for all of us to support a great organization and show that there is a desire and need for dinner theatre in Huntington. We have made many attempts to create such a forum, but it has never been that successful. We have the opportunity to change that. It also gives us a chance to support one another and show that we support all theatre and arts within our community not just one agency or another.

Tickets can be purchased by calling ARTS at (304) 733-2787. The easiest way though is to either email me at eddie_harbert@yahoo.com with your request or call me at 304-412-8738. I can take your reservation and have it waiting for you at the "Will Call" table the evening of the show. Just email me the date you would like to attend and the number attending with you.

You can pay by either check, cash, or credit card when you pick up your tickets. I will email back a confirmation for you of your order.

Thank you so much for the support and love that you have given me over the years. Please respond with your order and attendance so that we can make sure that theatre and more especially, dinner theatre, can make a go in the community.

Lisa Sends Her List of the Best of 2009

2010-01-18T10:15:00.002-05:00

Hey, here's yet another list of one reader's choices for the "Best of 2009" - these are the choices by my pal Lisa Williams!

I'm really enjoying these lists, so feel free to chime in!

She writes:

As a local theatre junkie and loyal audience member for years, here's my two cents:

I watched Nathan Mohebbi go from Aladdin in HOT's pre-show to Angel in Rent... talk about a "whole new world!" All I can say is WOW!!! Phenomenal performance. The entire cast and show of Rent was top notch.

I had not had the privilege of seeing Marina Jurica on stage until Man of La Mancha. Her performance left me with chills and tears. She was breathtaking.

As for Into the Woods... I was looking forward to watching Maggie Saunders as the Witch. I knew she would rock the house, and she did; but what an all-star cast. Sarah Hayes made me laugh and cry; Mary Kate Young was beautiful as Cinderella, the princes were hysterical, but it was Eric Newfeld's sweet and tender performance as the Baker that touched my heart. Just an outstanding show overall.

Thank you to all the people both behind the scenes on on stage in our tri-state area who work so hard to provide such wonderful, wonderful quality entertainment each season. Looking forward to the 2010 season!

Thanks, Lisa!

Sending Help To Haiti

2010-01-17T00:28:00.002-05:00

Not a usual topic for this blog, but this is a matter that needs your attention.

If you're looking for a way to offer some help to those suffering in Haiti, let me offer a recommendation: I've volunteered with the local branch of The Salvation Army for more than a decade, and it's an outstanding organization - one of the best in terms of getting help where it's needed, and quickly.

They're on the scene in Haiti right now, and they could use your help. You can make a donation at this website: SalvationarmyUSA.org, or you can make a donation to your local chapter and they'll forward it to the International effort. Clothing and other material donations should be processed through your local unit.

Thanks!

Some Additional Comments From Jon

2010-01-16T23:21:00.002-05:00

Jonathan Joy had some additional thoughts to his last post, which he sends along here:

As soon as I sent (my list), I started thinking about shows/performances that I omitted.

I should mention the strong performances and direction of 5th Avenue Theatre Company's production of Man of La Mancha.

I also had the opportunity to see the Marshall Artist Series Spring production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and thoroughly enjoyed it.

And finally, I am thankful that the Huntington Museum of Art asked me to direct a production of Samuel Beckett's Ohio Impromptu in October. It was part of a night of offbeat, experimental work and very different from most of the plays that I saw or was involved in. I hope we see more theatre at the Museum in the coming years.

Of course, you can't see everything. I've heard rave reviews of Rent and Almost, Maine, two shows that I missed in 2009. And I didn't see a single play in Ashland for the first time in years. Sometimes, it's hard to take in everything when there is so much going on. I'm just glad we have such a wide variety of theatre groups/productions in this area.

Keep up the good work, everyone!

Thanks, Jon! We do have a wealth of great shows in our area, which makes it tough to see them all - but like the old saying goes, better too many than not enough!

Jon's List of Best Shows for 2009

2010-01-15T19:18:00.003-05:00

My pal Jon Joy makes my day by sending in his list of the best shows and performances for 2009!

He writes:

I've been reading everyone's "best of" list and I couldn't resist sending my own. I saw 13 shows in Huntington and Charleston (five of which I was involved in) in 2009 and, as always, I was really impressed with the amount of theatre talent in this region. I'm looking forward to upcoming 2010 shows.

Here it is:

Best shows/festivals:

Avenue Q - The Marshall Artist Series presented this touring production in early November. It was a unique, professional and hilarious production.

Into the Woods: This wonderful play really showcased the wide variety of young talent in the area. It was a treat!

The Third Annual New Works Fest at MU: This is a great outlet for new plays and I really enjoyed each one. Clint McElroy's Pep Sturdley was particularly entertaining. There's nothing else like this festival in the area.

Best actor:

Jack Cirillo in A Christmas Carol - It's one of my favorite stories and Jack did an awesome job of bringing all of the characters to life. It was an engaging and entertaining performance.

Best actress(es):

Jane Morse, Loretta Hetzer and Rebecca Payne as Bitsy, Boots and Ida in my First Church Dinner Theatre play. Of course, I am biased on this one, but the three of them cracked me up every night in rehearsal and got huge laughs out of the audience. Their performances were just perfect.

Best Director:

Mary Smirl for Into the Woods. Mary had a great creative vision for the show and united a large cast of young actors in an admirable way. It's not easy to do and she did a great job.

Honorable Mention(s):

First Stage's Charlotte's Web and Alexander were both fantastic and Charleston Stage Company's WV: Words and Music provided an excellent venue for West Virginia writers, actors and musicians. Taking my play Fly by Night to Festiv-all Charleston was also a lot of fun.

There were many others, as well, but these choices represent my fondest memories of the 2009 theatre season. I want to encourage everyone to keep up the good work in 2010! Have fun and support your local theatre.

Great choices, Jon - thanks!

Paul Names His Favorite Shows From 2009

2010-01-13T21:48:00.002-05:00

I'm really enjoying the selections of "Best Shows and Performances from 2009" our readers have been sending in! Keep 'em coming!

Here's the latest, from my pal Paul Neace. He writes:

Although I’m barely qualified due to only having seen two local shows and participating in two others, here are my nominees for the best of 2009:

Show: The Guns & Hoses Benefit… for several reasons. First is, you can’t have a cast consisting of Marina, Danny, Zach, Linda, Mary, Ryan, Ron, Jennifer and Nancy without getting recognized as quite special. The fact that we all got along and bonded so well is testament enough.

Mike Campbell also needs a lot of props (not the Helga kind) for his outstanding work, he endured a great deal from us and never said "boo" to anyone. And Eddie and Coni’s expertise was evident throughout the show… it was just a wonderful experience.

Director: Mary Williams - sure, I’m biased, but the grace, patience, insight and leadership that she conveyed for her directorial debut was second to none. She’s an outstanding talent and we’re lucky to have her working with us in the community.

Lead Male Actor: Clint McElroy - for I Ought To Be In Pictures.

Lead Female Actor: Alyssa Fetherolf - for the same show.

Supporting Actor: Leanne Haines - ditto.

These three put on an acting clinic in that show. Nice job with the casting, Steven!

Great choices, Paul - thanks!

Jeanette Names Her Favorite Performances of 2009

2010-01-12T06:15:00.000-05:00

It's been a lot of fun seeing so many people send in their choices for best show or best performance of 2009. Here's the latest, from my pal Jeanette.

She writes:

Favorite performances for 2009 - what I've seen:

Breakout Performance: Nathan Mohebbi as Angel in Rent, as well as the entire chorus and band.

Best Non-Musical Peformance: Alyssa Fetherolf and Clint McElroy in I Ought To Be In Pictures.

Funniest Performance: Travis McElroy in Alexander Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move. Honorable mention to Sarah Bryan's "Smoke on the Water" flute solo in the same show, and all the Rooney Girls.

Best Musical Performance: Ryan Hardiman, Mike Murdock and Marina Jurica in Man of La Mancha; as well as Maggie Saunders, Caleb Donahoe, Sarah Hayes and Mary Kate Young in Into the Woods.

Great choices! You'll get no argument from me!

Comment On That "Peter Pan" Video

2010-01-11T06:32:00.002-05:00

The other day I posted a video showing a couple of near-disasters on the set of a community theatre production of Peter Pan (though not a production from around here, I should add).

My pal Elaine Young sent in this comment:

I watched the Peter Pan YouTube video you posted with disbelief. It was obvious that there was little thought on setting the stage in this production but especially with the safety of the actors and the wire flying.

First Stage Theatre Co. just presented Peter Pan in 2008 and we spent hours and hours training our flight crew, stage crew and actors as to the aspects of set placement, sight lines and actor safety.

In fact, we had our flight director from ZFX here 10 days during tech week and during our first weekend of performances. Sometimes, in an effort to conserve finances and with the idea that a short and simple instruction of wire flying will be adequate, some theatre companies can become overconfident about the ability to produce this type of show.

In the YouTube video, it was obvious the flight crew did not have a proper sight line and the set was improperly placed and constructed. I have to give credit to First Stage on always keeping the actors' safety as our primary goal in all of our productions.

Proper training with a mature and knowledgeable tech crew will lead to a safe and enjoyable production for everyone. Thanks for the reminder and thanks to the amazing flight crew, tech crew and cast of First Stage Theatre's Peter Pan in Fall 2008.

That video does show the importance of going that extra mile in rehearsals and planning. Apparently the show went on as planned after that incident, but watching it should send a chill through anyone who's taken part in community theatre.

Eddie Names One Of His Favorite Shows for 2009

2010-01-10T00:40:00.001-05:00

My pal Eddie Harbert sends along this email about one of his favorite shows and performances from 2009. He writes:

I noticed that no one has mentioned another show that was not well-attended, but that was a great show with a lot of heart. That show was Damien, which was a one-man show based on the story of Father Damien who moved to an island that was a leper colony and served there until contracting the disease himself and dying.

The show was a one-man show starring Paul Neace and directed by Mary Williams.

It is very difficult to keep a one-man show moving along, especially in a drama like Damien. Paul did a great job at showing the emotion that Father Damien went through when arriving to serve the lepers and then the awful realization that he had contracted the disease himself.

This production was a production of love that was presented at the Huntington Museum of Art last October. If you missed it, you missed a real treat.

This was also Mary Williams' directoral debut. I am sure that we will be hearing from Mary again. This was a great show to do as a first endeavor and a challenging one. One-man shows are never easy to direct. It can be very taxing to the actor (and sometimes to the audience) to keep it flowing and interesting. Paul was very effective at keeping the audience involved in the show.

I wanted to be sure that we gave this show a nod, and I am sure that we will hear more from Paul and Mary in the 2010 season!

Thanks, Eddie! I wasn't able to see the show, but I've heard nothing but raves about it!

"Peter Pan" On-Stage Accident

2010-01-09T19:07:00.003-05:00

I caught this video online the other day, and wanted to share it as a cautionary tale. When it comes to live theatre, anything can happen - and sometimes, that can even mean danger for the actors onstage.

The site I saw this clip on was making fun of the fact that the show was fouled-up, but I have to tell you, I see nothing at all funny about this. I see at least two instances where cast members could have been seriously injured - it's every director's worst nightmare.

Here, look at the clip (it's about 1:45) and we'll talk more about it:

So not only did a huge section of the set fall over, thankfully not landing on anyone (though it's not clear if the actor playing Peter Pan was hurt), but when they get the scene reset, the wrong actor goes flying into the air and nearly slams into a set piece (they apparently thought they were lifting Pan and had their wires crossed).

Thankfully, no one appears to be injured, and the show went on - but these are the kinds of incidents everyone in theatre tries to guard against.

I mean no disrespect to the company that was staging this show. Sometimes things just go wrong no matter how careful you are.

Still, it's a good cautionary tale about checking and double-checking your sets, your effects - everything, really. I've been involved with shows that had some close calls, but thankfully, nothing on this order. (Knocks on wood.)

Levi Names His Favorite Performers For 2009

2010-01-08T23:15:00.002-05:00

Here's another list of "Favorite Performers" - courtesy Levi "Charlie Brown" Kelley, who writes:

Okay, I have to say my Favorite Actor this year is definitely Ryan Hardiman, his performance in Man Of La Mancha gave me CHILLS, and in Rent he along with Beth Winkler as Mimi had me crying.

My choice for Best Actress is definitely Jessica Maier for her performance in All Shook Up. Such a strong presence and her comedic ability was awesome.

Best comedic actor had to be Stephanie Cook in ACTC's production of A Little Night Music. Her portrayal of the Countess Carl-Magnum had me rolling in the aisles, yet feeling sorry for her at the same time. Such a strong performance.

Those are my Favorites for this year. Oh, as well as Maggie Saunders in Into The Woods. Great job on such an iconic role as The Witch.

Thanks, Levi!