Wednesday, March 22, 2000
Wednesday, March 22, 2000 |
| The
play
is the thing By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
Shakespeare once wrote: “All the world's a stage.” That may or may not be true, but this week it seems that at least all of the state is a stage. Theatrical presentations will run amok this week with large scale productions like “The Civil War” at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta and smaller productions like “Little Shop of Horrors” at Sandy Creek High School. “The Civil War” is a musical that was first staged at the Alley Theatre in New York City in 1997. In the spring of 1999 the musical opened on Broadway to an enthusiastic popular response. The show was nominated for three Tony Awards and was the source of two recordings, “The Civil War - The Complete Work” and “The Civil War - The Nashville Sessions.” Though newly conceived by the authors for the national touring production, “The Civil War” is inspired by the passion and turmoil of the men and women who defined a nation. The musical stars Bebe Winans and Larry Gatlin. Winans is best known as the male half of the Grammy Award-winning duo, Bebe and Cece Winans. He has recently been signed as a solo artist by Motown Records, with a debut slated for June. Gatlin is also a Grammy Award-winner and has starred on Broadway in The Will Rogers Follies. “The Civil War” will play Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2. Individual tickets range in price from $18 to $40. Sandy Creek High School will be throwing off a Broadway vibe this weekend with “Little Shop of Horrors.” The musical is based on Roger Corman's 1960 cult film about a young nebbish named Seymour and the man-eating plant that can make him a success. The musical has been performed all over the world with stints off and on Broadway as well as on the Silver Screen. The Sandy Creek production features Brent Hostetler and Jonathan Broom as Mr. Mushnik, the grumpy store owner, Jamie Rosser and Kim Brusch as Audrey the ditzy salesgirl, and Terence Hood and Andrew Clough as the inept Seymour Krelborn. The cast is rounded out by students playing everything from flower shop patrons to skid row residents as well as the ill-fated patents of Dr. Orrin Scrivello, played by Giovanti Bonner. Another important element is Audrey II, the plant that grows to enormous proportions and tries to take over the world. The theater department rented the puppets, which are based on the original designs by Martin P. Robinson, from Musical Theatre International in New York City. The puppets are manned by Susan Clough and Celeste Cofer and voiced by Micah Meredith. Theatrical director Kathy Andersen and musical director Millie Turek have collaborated on many productions over the past 20 years and are looking forward to presenting this energetic production, filled with an outstanding blend of fine acting, great musical talent and an upbeat score. “Little Shop of Horrors” will be presented March 23-25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Commons area of the high school. Tickets are $5 if purchased in advance from a member of the cast and $6 if purchased at the door. For information, phone Kathy Andersen at 770-969-2840, ext. 259. Staying inside the musical vein is “Violet,” a new musical by Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley, making its Southeastern premiere this weekend at Actor's Express. “Violet” is based on the Doris Betts story, “The Ugliest Pilgrim.” The story focuses on a woman's journey to find a televangelist who'll pray away her prominent facial scar. Along the way, Violet meets many interesting folks and journeys through the moments that led her to this point in her life. “Violet” will be directed by Bill Fennelly, one of America's hottest young directing talents. “I liked the honesty of the love story at the heart of the play,” explained Fennelly. It reminds me of `The Enchanted Cottage' in that two people become beautiful because they see the beauty in each other.” Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m Thursday through Saturday and at 7 p.m Sundays, from March 22 to May 13. Ticket prices for Thursday, Friday and Sunday shows are $20, while Saturday evening shows are $25. Tickets for the Opening Night Gala Sunday, March 26 are $65 and include a catered pre-show dinner and post show dessert reception with the cast. Phone 404-607-SHOW for information and reservations. And let us not forget that there are several children's shows still running in the area. Offshoot Productions will present “Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine” in the band room of the Old Fayette County High School this weekend. The show will be at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 and available at Fayette Book Shop and Omega Book Center in Peachtree City. Fayette Community Theatre Inc. will present “Winnie the Pooh at the Zoo” at Peachtree City Elementary this weekend. Friday's performance will be at 7 p.m., Saturday's show is at 11 a.m. and Sunday's is at 3 p.m. Admission is $5 and includes a party with the characters after the show. Tickets are available at the Peachtree City and Fayetteville libraries or by calling 770-631-1542. Go out and enjoy some theater this weekend. After all, the play is the thing.
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