“There is nothing that compares to an unexpected round of applause…” MAY 2024 ISSUE 20 Francis Wilson Playhouse A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC May 2 - 19, 2024 Dunedin Showcase Theatre ACTING CAN BE MURDER May 3 - 11, 2024 West Coast Players EXIT LAUGHING May 3 - 12, 2024 Eight O’Clock Theatre SWEENEY TODD The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street May 3 - 12, 2024 Tarpon Arts ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID May 3 - 12, 2024 SAGES Theater MEMORY LANE May 11 - June 1, 2024
The Marquee is FULL again! Enjoy your Spring on and off stage. ********** Remember, if you are in a show, pass the word to new cast members in the area about sending their emails to receive APPLAUSE to: [email protected] Thanks, Val
It’s May, it’s May The lusty month of May That lovely month when ev’ryone goes Blissfully astray Dunedin Showcase Theater (DST) Venue Actor Studio (VAS) c/o Mike Cote 5124 9th Avenue N 1920 Pinehurst Road St. Petersburg, FL 33710 Dunedin, FL 34698 727-822-6194 727-417-0035 [email protected] [email protected] West Coast Players (WCP) Eight O’Clock Theatre (EOT) 21905 US 19 North Central Park Perf. Arts Ctr. Clearwater, FL 33765 105 Central Park Drive 727-437-2363 Largo, FL 33771 wcplayers.org PO Box 297, Safety Harbor, FL 34695 727-587-6751 SAGES Theater (SAGES) [email protected] c/o Linda Goldman www.eightoclocktheatre.com 727-536-7076 [email protected] Francis Wilson Playhouse (FWP) sagestheater.org 302 Seminole Street Clearwater, FL 33755 Tarpon Springs Performing 727-446-1360 Arts (TA) franciswilsonplayhouse.org 324 Pine Street Cultural Center The Ghostlight Young Company (GYC} 101 S. Pinellas Avenue c/o Rachel Fennell Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 3010 51st Street South 727-942-6605 Gulfport, FL 33707 tarponarts.org (978) 930-3804 www.ghostlightyc.org Richey Suncoast Theatre (RST) 6237 Grand Blvd. Gulfport Community Players (GCP) New Port Richey, FL 34652 1619 49th Street S 727-842-6777 Gulfport, FL 33707 richeysuncoasttheatre.com gulfportcommunityplayers.org St. Petersburg City Theatre (SPCT) 4025 31st Street South St. Petersburg, FL 33712 727-866-2059 spcitytheatre.org “CAMELOT” (1960)
AUDITIONS THEATRE: GULFPORT COMMUNITY PLAYERS PLAY/MUSICAL: SUMMER ONE-ACTS AUDITION DATES: May 20 & 21, 7:00 PM at the Players Back Door Theatre, 1619 49th Street S, Gulfport DIRECTED BY: Vic Carr, Stan Gurvitz, Nona Edelson, Roseanne Olszewski, Ron Zeitz MORE INFO: Selected from over 700 plays submitted, these 10 plays are the finalists: A Second Chance by Vic Carr Dr. Drembat by Constance Marse Goodbye Tom by Barry Wood Haunted by the Past by Roger Scott Powers Miss Winnie by Marla Porter Off Brand by Lou Clyde Please Don't Lie to Me by Brad White The Elusive Pursuit of Maximum Bliss by Ken Preuss This Is The Play by Dawn Branch Phasmopobi by Robert Nersesian. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the scripts. Performances will be July 11-21 at the Catherine Hickman Theater.
AUDITIONS THEATRE: SAGES THEATER PLAY/MUSICAL: DENYING GRAVITY AUDITION DATES: AUDITION DATES & LOCATION: ONE DAY ONLY – Sunday, June 23rd 2:00-4:00 PM in the AllPurpose Room (APR) behind Temple B’nai Israel in Clearwater (1685 Belcher Rd – on east side between Belleair Rd & East Bay Dr – turn on Kersey Rd and follow SAGES signs). For more info, call Christine Hamacher at 727-692-0902 or email [email protected] DIRECTED BY: David Middleton (Stage Manager & Stage Hands Needed) MORE INFO: Production dates for this comedy are September 14th at Conmy Center in Dunedin, September 21st at Richey Suncoast Theatre in New Port Richey, September 28th at Catherine A. Hickman Theatre in Gulfport, and October 5th at the Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center. This Play with Purpose is a roller coaster experience with twists and turns between comedy and drama. A minor misstep interrupts a retiree’s busy life, and she finds herself in a “twilight zone” of The Unexpected. 8 Roles – all age 50+. Cold reading audition of following 7 roles: Sherry: Daughter, juggling roles of wife, mother, employee, beleaguered by newdemands due to her mother’s accidental fall. Caitlyn: Younger granddaughter, self-confident personality, very much like Grandma Claire. Megan: Elder granddaughter, sensitive, obedient, and prefers being prepared like her paternal Grandma Mae. Grandma Mae: Practical, pleasantly calm, and thoughtful. Loves to cook. Susan: Peppy physical therapist, tries to correct risks in Claire’s home and activities of daily living. Pat: Male or female, Claire’s best friend, accepts lifestyle changes to accommodate aging. Narrator: Commanding, dramatic personality, introduces scenes, guides action.
THEATRE: GULFPORT COMMUNITY PLAYERS PLAY/MUSICAL: AND BABY MAKES SEVEN By Paula Vogel CAST LIST MORE INFO: Production dates June 11 - 21, 2024 at the Catherine Hickman Theatre DIRECTOR: Daniel Harris Cast includes: Jennifer Casler Katerine Laczko Phillip Greenwood (newcomer to the area)
THEATRE: EIGHT O’CLOCK THEATRE PLAY/MUSICAL: SWEENEY TODD CAST LIST MORE INFO: May 3 - 12, 2024 at Central Park Performing Arts Center. Visit www.eightoclocktheatre.com for more information. CHARACTER ACTOR CAST Sweeney Todd David Russell Mrs. Lovett Lauren Butterfield Anthony Kyle Williamson Johanna Kayley Jewel Judge Turpin Stu Sanford Beadle Megan Jetter Tobias Griffin Spriggs Beggar Woman Jenna Jane Pirelli DJ Schuett ENSEMBLE Cheyna Alexander, Amber Britner, Kevin Buete, Rei Capote, David W. Collins, Mary Davis, Lauren Dykes, Emma Foroutan, Steven Fox, Sara Heller, Alexis Kersey, Sarah Libes, Christian McCormick, Reginald Simmons, Jake Veit, TJ Venieris, Jenelle Vinachi, and Katie Voorhees Attend The Tale. Eight-time Tony winner (including Best Musical), Sweeney Todd is a tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat that has simultaneously shocked, awed, and delighted audiences across the world. An infamous story, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which, he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up. Featuring unforgettable characters, unexpected laughs, and some of the most chilling and theatrical music ever written for the stage, this masterpiece will surely leave you wanting more. DIRECTOR/MUSIC DIRECTOR: Jason Tucker CHOREOGRAPHER: Amy Fee
THEATRE: TARPON ARTS PLAY/MUSICAL: ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID By Jones, Hope, & Wooten CAST LIST Performances: Friday, May 3, 2024, 7:00 pm; Saturday, May 4, 2024, 2:00 pm; Sunday, May 5, 2024, 2:00 pm; Friday, May 10, 2024, 7:00 pm; Saturday, May 11, 2024, 2:00 pm; Sunday, May 12, 2024, 2:00 pm DIRECTOR: Jamie Bierchen CHARACTER ACTOR CAST Kari Ames-Bissette Aurora Williams Libby Ruth Ames Laura Carpenter Sedalia Ellicott Anne Pederson Monette Gentry Melissa Honeycutt Charlie Collins Michelle Walker Deedra Wingate Erica Vitelli Stage Manager Eric Weber In this hilarious comedic romp, four friends have sworn to keep the promise they made on the night of their Senior Prom: to be in each other's weddings ... no matter what. Many years later, these friends-for-life are still making "the long walk" for each other, determined to honor that vow. Libby Ruth, the hopeful romantic with the perfect marriage, believes - despite all evidence to the contrary - that her friends can find the very same happiness. Headstrong Deedra's "rock-solid" union hangs by a thread when she discovers her husband of many years has not only a wandering eye but the hands to match. Monette, flashy, high-spirited and self-involved, continues to test her friends' love and patience with all-too-frequent trips down the aisle. And salt-of-the-earth, tree-hugging Charlie discovers - the hard way - that marital bliss is not the end of her rainbow and panics in outrageous style when the opportunity presents itself. Hop on this marriage-go-round for a laugh-out-loud journey with these beleaguered bridesmaids as they navigate the choppy waters of love and matrimony. Libby Ruth, Deedra, Monette and Charlie are committed to the notion that careers, waistlines and even marriages may disappear, but real friendships last a lifetime. Forsaking all others, in sickness and in health, they repeatedly struggle to stage the perfect wedding in spite of fistfights at the altar, runaway brides and the mistaken, and unfortunate, release of a flock of white doves on the first day of hunting season. Always A Bridesmaid is the rollicking tale of four loyal and determined women who definitively answer the question, "Just how far are you willing to go to keep a promise to a friend?"
THEATRE: SAGES THEATER PLAY/MUSICAL: MEMORY LANE By Linda Goldman and Christine Hamacher CAST LIST MORE INFO: Saturdays, May 11 – June 1, 2024, 2:00 – 3:30 PM: 5/11 St Petersburg City Theater, 4025 31 st St S, St Petersburg; 5/18 Central Park Performing Arts Center, 105 Central Park Dr, Largo; 6/1 Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center, 4951 78 th Ave N, Pinellas Park. CHARACTER ACTOR CAST Liz Marina Spears Nick Rick Kastel Nora Rosalyn Savel Ralph Allen Coyle Mary Martha Norma Caltagirone Father O’Brien Lee Catalfomo Jane Peggy Whelan Nikki Jane Muhrlin Danny Stan Gurvitz Ken Ray Remillard Anna Joyce Wagner Synopsis: Memory Lane invites you into a heartwarming exploration of life’s challenges through the lens of caregiving for a loved one with memory loss and dementia. As family dynamics are tested and redefined, each scene serves as a powerful reminder that resilience is key as we age. With humor and tenderness, Memory Lane navigates the highs and lows of this journey. The poignant true-to-life stories are intertwined with laughter and tears, sparking meaningful conversations about aging with grace and dignity while celebrating triumphs and inspiring hope that caregivers can find strength in reaching out for help. DIRECTOR: Alan Rosenthal
THEATRE: DUNEDIN SHOWCASE THEATRE PLAY/MUSICAL: ACTING CAN BE MURDER By Eddie McPherson CAST LIST DIRECTOR: Michael Cote MORE INFO: May 3, 4, 5, and May 9, 10, 11, 2024 at the Dunedin Community Center. CHARACTER ACTOR CAST Dolores Gordon, LaBree Hans terminal understudy willing to do what it takes to get a lead role Howard Weaver, Robert Torres sophisticated purveyor of antiques with a slightly shady side Beverly Gladstone, Barb Gasper director of the community theater production of “Which Butler Did It” Janet Duncan, Beverly’s Tammy Folstad uber helpful though somewhat OCD stage manager Georgia Styles, high class Jennifer Saner dame who feels she needs to put everyone in their place Lloyd Fischer, the theater’s Jim Green handyman, not as bright as he seems Guinevere Black, former lead Pamela Torres in “Which Butler Did It” and Dolores’ nemesis
CAST LIST ACTING CAN BE MURDER (cont’d) CHARACTER ACTOR CAST Isabella Watts, inconsolable Susan Dearden actress with serious relationship issues Olivia Anderson, Isabella’s Laura Jackson best friend with a secret of her own Alice Oldacre, an actress Karyn Lorenzetti with a hearing problem in more ways than one Oscar Fairfax, Victor Carr actor/butler/doctor Officer Evanna Biddle, Roxanne Kadiam a policewoman very concerned about her offstage image in the community Geoffrey Chance, into fast Roger Steinruck cars, adventure and getting his entrance right Come witness what can happen when an performer has had enough of playing second fiddle and stoops to extreme measures to find the spotlight. Secrets upon secrets abound in this hysterical backstage farce. Tickets are $15.00 each and are available at the Community Center front desk. Showtimes are 7:30 for evening performances and 3 pm for the Sunday Matinee. For more information, visit our Facebook page or email Mike Cote at [email protected].
THEATRE: FRANCIS WILSON PLAYHOUSE PLAY/MUSICAL: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC By Hugh Wheeler and Stephen Sondheim CAST LIST Performances: May 2 - 19, 2024, Francis Wilson Playhouse, 302 Seminole Street, Clearwater, FL 33755 DIRECTOR: Jason Fortner MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Emi Stefanov CHARACTER ACTOR CAST Desiree Armfeldt Lisa Reimer Frederick Egerman Rand Smith Anne Egerman Emma Tighe Count Carl-Magnus Asher Carlson Malcolm Countess Charlotte Natalie Ness Malcolm Henrik Egerman Matt Kosinski Madame Armfeldt Ann Rhody Fredrika Armfeldt Mya Simpkins Petra Nicole Lodge Frid Alex Lodge Malla/Servant Kristy Pike First Lady/Servant Nickie Berlage Carlson Osa/Second Lady/Servant Chloe Adair Bertrand/Page/Servant Jeff Preil The Liebeslieder (the Quintet) Mrs. Nordstrom Emily Szymanski Mrs. Anderssen Madison Schatz Mrs. Segstrom Rachael McCann Mr. Erlanson Ryan Kosinski Mr. Lindquist Peter Barlow
THEATRE: ST. PETERSBURG SUNSHINE SENIOR PLAYERS PLAY/MUSICAL: LOST AT SEA Wrtitten & Directed by David Middleton CAST LIST Performances: May 17 & 18, 2024, St. Petersburg Sunshine Senior Center DIRECTOR: David Middleton STAGE MGR. Carrie Penney PRODUCER: Sally Marvin CHARACTER ACTOR CAST Edie Howard Janice O’Day Josie Patterson Linda Palmer Sarge Letty Mendoza Lola Anderson Lori Friedland Archie Stone John Segars Karen Stone Connie Brown The Captain Richard Isaacs Gopher Scott Rogers Sue Yew Norma Caltagirone Roger Andover Jeff Holstein Ima Cheatum Geri Eaton The Narrator Stan Gurvitz Group of Disgruntled Gina Santamaria Supporting Characters Barbara Casey Maggie Gouldin Chris Reynolds Patricia Price Michael House The show, written and directed by David Middleton, is a comedy with music and follows the continuing escapades of the regulars from Edie’s Diner as they become stranded on a deserted island. In this sequel to Eating at Edie’s, the group comes face to face with an evil land developer who wants them gone and possibly dead.
THEATRE: EIGHT O’CLOCK THEATRE PLAY/MUSICAL: [title of show] By Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell CAST LIST Performances: August 9 - 18, 2024 at the Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo Visit www.eightoclocktheatre.com for more information DIRECTOR: James Grenelle MUSICAL DIRECTOR: William Coleman CHARACTER ACTOR CAST Hunter Nathan Daugherty Jeff Jonathan Pouliot Heidi Lisa Prieto Susan Taryn Holzhauer Larry William Coleman It was written in 2004 by Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell as a last-minute submission for the New York Musical festival. Its plot follows two pals, Jeff and Hunter, as they – stick with me here – write a show about a show that they're writing for the New York Musical festival.
5/2 - 19 FWP - Production - 8:00 PM - A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC 5/3 - 11 DSC - Production - 7:30 PM - ACTING CAN BE MURDER 5/3 - 12 WCP - Production - 7:30 PM - EXIT LAUGHING 5/3 - 12 EOT - Production - 8:00 PM - SWEENEY TODD 5/3 - 12 TA - Production - 7:00 PM - ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID 5/11 - 6/1 SAGES - Production – Saturdays 2:00 PM - MEMORY LANE 5/20 & 21 GCP - Auditions - 7:00 PM - SUMMER ONE-ACT PLAYS
FRANCIS WILSON PLAYHOUSE - A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Set in 1900 Sweden, A Little Night Music explores the tangled web of affairs centered around actress, Desirée Armfeldt, and the men who love her: a lawyer by the name of Fredrik Egerman and the Count Carl-Magnus Malcom. When the traveling actress performs in Fredrik's town, the estranged lovers' passion rekindles. Performances May 2 - 19 2024 Directed by Jason Fortner franciswilsonplayhouse.org DUNEDIN SHOWCASE THEATRE - ACTING CAN BE MURDER Come witness what can happen when an performer has had enough of playing second fiddle and stoops to extreme measures to find the spotlight. Secrets upon secrets abound in this hysterical backstage farce. Tickets are $15.00 each and are available at the Community Center front desk. Showtimes are 7:30 for evening performances and 3 pm for the Sunday Matinee. Performances May 3 - 11 2024 Directed by Mike Cote [email protected] WEST COAST PLAYERS - EXIT LAUGHING When the biggest highlight in your life for the past 30 years has been your weekly bridge night out with the "girls," what do you do when one of your foursome inconveniently dies? If you're Connie, Leona and Millie, three southern ladies from Birmingham, you do the most daring thing you've ever done. You "borrow" the ashes from the funeral home for one last card game, and the wildest, most exciting night of your lives involves a police raid, a stripper and a whole new way of looking at all the fun you can have when you're truly living. A winner of the AACT NewPlayFest, Exit Laughing broke all records for a nonmusical in Springfield Little Theatre's 50-year history at its premiere. Performances May 3 - 12 2024 Directed by Melody Craven wcplayers.org ON THE BOARDS!
EIGHT O’CLOCK THEATRE - SWEENEY TODD Attend the tale. Eight-time Tony winner (including Best Musical), Sweeney Todd is a tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat that has simultaneously shocked, awed, and delighted audiences across the world. An infamous story, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which, he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up. Featuring unforgettable characters, unexpected laughs, and some of the most chilling and theatrical music ever written for the stage, this masterpiece will surely leave you wanting more. Sweeney Todd will run May 3-12 at the Central Park Performing Arts Center. Visit http://www.eightoclocktheatre.com for more information. Performances May 3 - 12 2024 Directed by Jason Tucker eightoclocktheatre.com TARPON ARTS - ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID In this hilarious comedic romp, four friends have sworn to keep the promise they made on the night of their Senior Prom: to be in each other's weddings ... no matter what. Many years later, these friends-for-life are still making "the long walk" for each other, determined to honor that vow. Performances May 3 - 12 2024 Directed by Jamie Bierchen tarponarts.org SAGES - MEMORY LANE Memory Lane explores life’s unexpected challenges in caring for someone with memory loss and dementia. This poignant collection of true-to-life stories will demonstrate how isolating and misunderstood this disease is and how we can approach the journey with hope and gratitude for the joyful experiences along the way. Laugh at funny moments while savoring tender ones when hardships are met with success in this touching stroll down memory lane. Performances May 11, 18, & June 1 2024 Directed by Alan Rosenthal sagestheater.org ON THE BOARDS!
SHOW REVIEW THEATRE: FRANCIS WILSON PLAYHOUSE PLAY/MUSICAL: THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG This comedy delightfully brought to us by Francis Wilson Playhouse, has the completely incorrect title. What it should be titled is - “The Play That Goes RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT!!!” The play-within-the-play was entitled “Murder At Haversham Manor” and, as it should be, it began with a dead body. Playing his dead-level best to be motionless, was Christopher Rogers as Charles Haversham/Jonathan Harris. One of the funniest schticks you can have in a comedy is to deliver a series of pantomimes that is funny to the audience the first time, but is equally, if not more so, the second and succeeding times. Mr. Rogers played it to perfection in several exits, to uproarious laughter. A newcomer to FWP, portraying Thomas Colleymoore/ Robert Grove, was Mike Briggs. Spot on for this role, he succeeded in bringing the civility as well as the comedy, to each scene. When it comes to the repeated (and repeated, ad nauseam) dialogue, subsequently having to re-drink cup after cup of who-knows-what, our front-row seats soon became the “splash zone” and we were thrilled, as we were laughing beyond any concern whatsoever. Great job, Mike! Another debut at FWP was Jennifer Lauriello rendering Florence Colleymoore/Sandra Wilkinson. A beauty to behold, but wait - so much more. Comedy chops, both verbal and physical. Just watching her limp body being contortioned through a window by a handful of people turning her this way and that. Laughing, but at the same time feeling so sorry for her poor limbs! Also new to FWP, playing Perkins/Dennis Tyde, was Blake Boles. This is one crazy guy with comedic timing among the best! His characterization drew you to him like a British Gilligan. So innocent, but could he have been the murderer? Hmmmm…
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG (cont’d) Alex Lodge was Inspector Carter/Chris Bean. Mr. Lodge is consistently remarkable, so it’s no surprise that this play fits his talents once again. He adapts to each of his stage roles instinctively and never leaves you guessing what he’s attempting to convey. This season alone, he’s tackled a full spectrum of comedy, music, and drama without missing a beat. Bravo! Portraying the role of Cecil Haversham/Max Bennett was Drew Street. Ever the applause-loving Max as well as Lover Cecil, Mr. Street tackles both angles effortlessly. His physical comedy is his forte and he is everywhere - all of the time! Engaging, witty, and clever, he keeps you guessing if he, too, could be the killer. Annie Twilloil, was played by Shelly Fowler. She was hysterical with her deadpanned evil eye, or her extended arm keeping back the lovely ingenue, Florence. We also have Sonny Roberts as Trevor Watson. He is the Lighting & Sound Operator for “Murder At Haversham Manor”. He manages to make it onstage at various points and adds to the crazy mayhem. Jeffrey Preil, Stephen Lahowetz, and Daniel Wininsky served as Stagehands of the play-within-the-play and drummed up energy from the audience at the start. APPLAUSE to Director Jason Fortner for undertaking this dynamite comedy. In his hands it became the bombshell hit that we all appreciated. The Cast of Francis Wilson Playhouse’s “The Play That Goes Wrong”
SHOW REVIEW THEATRE: GHOST LIGHT YOUNG COMPANY PLAY/MUSICAL: SECOND SAMUEL If you haven’t yet attended any performances at Ghose Light Young Company, you are totally missing out on some of the very best in Pinellas County community theatre. And this production of Second Samuel was no exception. Appearing on stage in the lead role of Narrator/ B-Flat was Landon Moore. What a natural! So at ease, he was. Took us on a journey to meet some very interesting characters in Second Samuel, GA. And some places in his own psyche also. A small town holds some secrets, as we were about to find out. Bill Shideler portrayed Mansel, sitting pretty much on a stool at the “Bait & Brew”, eating peanuts and drinking a beer. With him were Frisky, rendered wonderfully by Daniel Harris; US, portrayed expertly by Craig Kennedy; Doc, presented by the fabulous Curt Fennell; and Eric Walby superbly giving us a grumpy old codger named Mr. Mozel. Later we met Allen Coyle who characterized June Cline, who gave us the big secret which came to light when Miss Gertrude died. While over in the stage left split set was the “Change Your Life, Hair & Beauty Emporium.” In a comeback role from 30 years ago, Victoria Baumann returned to the part of Marela. She never missed a beat in that time, I will tell you! In the chair, dishing out made up gossip stories for the sake of Jimmy Deanne (the town’s stuck-up rich *itch girl), played beautifully by Jennifer Casler. Ms. Baumann and Ms. Casler were perfect together - one feeding the bait and one taking it - action and reaction equaling uproarious laughter! Katherine Laczko played Ruby in the salon, bravely trying to keep the peace between parties. Tammy Lukas was astounding as Omaha. She was the catalyst on the women’s side for bringing Miss Gertrude’s secret to them. And you just know I’m not divulging anything here. If you get the chance to see this wonderful play, please do. And if you get the chance to see any future play at Ghose Light Young Company, you will not regret it. Rachel Fennell produces and directs and she is nothing short of phenomenal. Check them out!
The program said the setting was “Connie Harland’s home in Trussville, AL on a warm summer night”. You couldn’t have been more right. This show made you feel as if you were right there, enjoying every bit of their lives and laughter. This cast was a family. You can always tell somehow. The always fabulous Elizabeth Bell played Connie, and we loved her from the very start. She was awesome - hilarious and joyful, she gave us Connie’s mothering side as well as her gal-pal side. And she had quite the challenge in the mothering with a daughter like Rachel, portrayed by Isabelle Lunsway. The shouting matches abounded, but underneath, you know there was love. Ms. Lunsway turned a proper tantrum when she was stood up by her date. She conjured up that teenage angst that we all remember so well. Connie was hosting the bridge-play this evening, so the guests were arriving - Leona came first rendered by Donne Petito. She was fine and dandy as long as there was some H2O added to whatever booze was on hand with ice. Ms. Petito was superb in her role and showed that comedy is her forte with impeccable timing. Second to arrive was Millie, fabulously rendered by Ginny Holscher. She was dressed to the hilt and ready to rock her character! Comedy via Carol Burnett and reminiscent of Carol Channing. Just divine. And when you think this couldn’t be any crazier, in comes Danny Tyrawa as Bobby. His appearance throws a spin into the whole plot and ends Act 1. Act 2 opens exactly where Act 1 stopped and you pick up with the zaniest plot right from the get-go. Mr. Tyrawa gave us terrific and never let go. Through hoops and circles we went ‘til we were dizzy and spinning from laughter! It just never let up. Many kudos to director Melody Craven for bringing us Exit Laughing. Thanks to Stage Manager Dawn Bronson for her tireless work. Producer Dianna Hanger - thanks! All involved in behind the scenes - Cherie Albury, Mike Bruno, Daniel Lyons, Mike Arnold, Mickey Bronson, Julie Johnston, Allen Coyle, and Helen Crowley. THEATRE: WEST COAST PLAYERS PLAY/MUSICAL: EXIT LAUGHING SHOW REVIEW
Roslyn Savel and Rick Kastel Denying Gravity SAGES Theater Jane Muhrlin and Stan Gurvitz Denying Gravity SAGES Theater
Rick Kistner, May 1st Alan Mohney, May 2nd Kathleen Monahan, May 2nd Drew Street, May 2nd Grant Vuille, May 2nd Sarah Rowell, May 3rd Catherine Fowle, May 4th Lisa Malloy, May 6th Emily Szymanski, May 7th Lorraine Montgomery, May 7th Latoya McCormick, May 8th Moira Caraballo, May 9th Colleen Coughenour, May 11th Stephanie Krebs, May 12th Caitlin Greene, May 12th Emi Stefanov, May 12th Jimmy Chang, May14th Tammy Lukas, May 15th Nancy Wright, May 18th Terri Rick, May 18th Daniel Keeffe, May 19th James Grenelle, May 20th Mary Jordan, May 20th Rick Kastel, May 20th Rocco Morabito, May 20th Steve Caverno, May 21st Ron Zietz, May 23rd Mike Martin, 24th Leanne Germann, May 25th Jerry Slutsky, May 27th Roger Steinruck, May 27th Sheelagh Wallis, May 27th Norma Caltagirone, May 27th George Kolitsas, May 29th