COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE
It's Showtime At First Baptist In February
The congregation of Ivy Gap's First Baptist Church are returning to the stage at South Jackson Civic Center next month.
This time it's for Showtime at First Baptist, the play written by Ron Osborne as a sequel to the popular First Baptist of Ivy Gap.
Gary Mitchell will direct, assisted by his co-director from last season's Community Playhouse production of First Baptist of Ivy Gap, Debbie Zimmerman. The cast of six women includes four returning members from the previous cast and two new additions to the cast of characters.
Returning cast members include: Belinda Bricken who will play Lucille, a staunch church evangelist; Anne Armstrong Black as Mae Ellen, the indomitable church organist; Amy Dorman as Annie, the young upbeat daughter-in-law of Lucille; Amanda Underwood as Olene, who returned to Ivy Gap as a Las Vegas showgirl. New to the cast this year are Sheila Cagle who plays Edith, the pastor’s wife; and Carolyn Bradford as Vera, the banker’s wife and financial matriarch of the church.
Showtime at First Baptist continues where the story of First Baptist of Ivy Gap left off—at the church's 100th Anniversary Picnic. It was a smashing success, except for one little thing—a bolt of lightning destroyed the sanctuary.
In the wake of the disaster, key women of the church, led by the pastor’s take-charge wife, Edith, gather in what’s left, the fellowship hall, to commiserate and try to put things back together. To raise spirits and funds, six of the church’s leading ladies plan a talent show. Change is in the air as these diverse women challenge each other on an inspiring journey. Along the way, there are laughs to be shared, battles to be fought, love to be won, relationships to be mended, and losses to be grieved.
Reservations for Showtime at First Baptist may be made by calling the playhouse number 931-581-7767 or by going to the playhouse website www.communityplayhouse.org and clicking on the “Buy Tickets Now” button.
Performances for Showtime will be February 17, 18, 19 and 24, 25, 26. Starting times for Friday and Saturday evenings is 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and $8 for children 12 and under.
Community Playhouse Auditions On January 21
Community Playhouse will hold auditions for the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on January 21, 22,and 23 at South Jackson Civic Center.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a musical based on the Biblical story of the "coat of many colors" of Joseph from the Hebrew Bible's Book of Genesis. The show has very little spoken dialogue and is almost completely sung through. It has a family-friendly storyline, universal themes and catchy music.
Peggy Heyden will direct the production with Debbie Sanders as the assistant director, Beverly Long, choreographer, Chris Gregory, vocal director and Lucy Majors, children’s vocal director. This production requires a large cast of characters that includes a minimum of 15 men, 10 women and 20 children. Age ranges for those auditioning include: children (3rd grade – 8th grade), teens (9th grade and above) and adults (ages 20 to 75+). All cast members will need to sing and dance.
Auditions for these parts will take place as follows:
January 21 (Saturday): 9:00 -11:30 a.m. Children only (3rd – 8th grade) 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Teens and Adults
January 22 (Sunday): 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Children only (3rd – 8th grade)
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Teens and Adults
January 23 (Monday): 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Teens and Adults
Teens and Adults auditioning should come prepared with sheet music to a vocal selection of their choice that is no more than 16 measures (up to 1 minute). A pianist will be available to play for the auditions. CD accompaniment and/or unaccompanied singing is discouraged. Children will not need to bring specific music but will be asked to sing from the show at the auditions. All trying out should come in comfortable clothes and shoes in which to dance (not tennis shoes).
If there are further questions about the auditions, please call one of the playhouse numbers: 931-581-7767 or 931-455-0620.
Performances will take place April 20,21,22 and 27, 28, 29. Rehearsals will begin on February 2.
Those wishing to secure reservations for the production may call 931-581-7767 or log on to www.communityplayhouse.org and click on the Buy Tickets Now button.
