| By LINDSAY BIANCHI
lbianchi@thecitizennews.com Roger Corman has given the world a slew of z-grade horror films over the years stretching back to the 50s. One movie in particular from 1960 had enough quirkiness and unique character to make it on Broadway as a musical-comedy unlike any other. “Little Shop of Horrors,” the story of a nebbish plant lover who unleashes a man-eating plant on the inhabitants of Skid Row features a surprising number of upbeat and memorable tunes. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who livened Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” and “Beauty and the Beast,” took Corman’s twisted tale and made it rock! By LINDSAY BIANCHI
lbianchi@thecitizennews.com There are few stories more inspiring and moving than that of Annie Sullivan’s heroic struggle to help a young girl named Helen feel her way through darkness and silence toward the realities of the world around her. Unable to speak or see or hear, young Helen Keller’s triumph over her afflictions is one of the great true dramas of the theater. ‘The Miracle Worker” by William Gibson comes to the stage of the Newnan Theatre Company Friday for a three-week run suitable for the entire family. On April 17, Fran Stewart, author of “Orange As Marmalade” spoke to the Fayette Writers Group at the Fayette County Public Library. The book is the first of an eight book series of Biscuit McKee Mysteries. The second of the series, “Yellow As Legal Pads” is scheduled for later this year. Starr’s Mill High School’s Advanced Drama Class directed by David Spearman presents the drama, “The Rimers of Eldritch” April 30 and May 1 at 7 p.m. and May 2 at 2:30 p.m. at McIntosh High School’s Black Box Theatre located at 201 Walt Banks Road. Best-selling author Debbie Macomber is coming to a special event at the Fayette County Public Library in Fayetteville at noon on Monday, May 3. The Friends of the Fayette County Public Library are accepting new and gently used book donations for their next book sale. Children’s books, best sellers and other books in good condition are needed. Books may be dropped off at the library or contact Sig Hall at 770-631-2913 to arrange for pick-up. Donations are tax deductible. The Fayette County Public Library’s next sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Independence Day festivities will be held Saturday, July 3, this year to avoid conflict with Sunday morning church services. All activities, including the fireworks, will be held on Saturday. If the fireworks should be rained out, that event will be rescheduled for Sunday, July 4. The public is invited to a book signing event at Omega Books in Peachtree City May 1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Fayette County Humane Society will host its seventh annual Bark in the Park Pledge Walk Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Fayetteville’s McCurry Park. The day’s events offer animal lovers and their dogs the opportunity to have some fun together as they walk a half-mile loop around the park to raise funds for the Humane Society. | 