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Dinner and a show

he Community Theater will again present a traditional melodrama at its annual meeting Dec. 8. “Life on the Bowery,” a two-act play by Tim Kelly, will follow the 5 to 7 p.m. dinner portion of the meeting. Doors will open at 7:15 p.m. for members attending the play only.  The play is set in early 20^th century Manhattan and the infamous Bowery, its flophouses, saloons, heroes and thieves. Will matronly Mrs. Drayton succeed in marrying off her headstrong daughter Alice to slick and deceitful Thurlow Bleekman? Will Alice’s true love languish in the guise of a Chinese waiter?

   Boo as Monty and Boggs, two bungling burglars, toss unsuspecting Blanche from the Brooklyn Bridge; cheer as charming Steve Brodie jumps from the bridge to save her (will he live to tell about it?). “Life on the Bowery” promises to be fast-paced and fun for all.

   The cast: Ed Grieve as the singing bartender, Carol Wroblewski as Bridget, Maya White as Blanche Livingston, Anne Blue as Mrs. Drayton, Dominick Wasielewski as Steve Brodie, Dan Kam as Officer McGovern, Patricia Arnao as Alice, Lou Hall as Tillie, Marvin Pearlstein as Jack Hobart, Wendell Turner as Thurlow Bleekman, Cindy Scott as Martha Prettywillie, Carole Carl as Boggs, Gabrielle Testa as Monty, Pat Strickland as Lila, Phil Kagan as Yale student, Phylis Giglinto as Mame, Stefano Testa as sailor, Barbara Postel as Salvation Sally, Charlene Freeze as match girl, Larry Della Vecchia as policeman and Joan de Lude as Floosie.

   The cast includes Brenda Compton, Sharon Hutchinson, Susan Joy Jesella and Mary Maitland Kimball as Can Can dancers. Natalie Davis will accompany on piano. Mickey Hoehl and Bud Shalvoy will handle cue cards. Stella Messineo, as she has done for so many other shows, will be the prompter.

   Bob Taylor is the director and Carl Lehmann is assistant director.

   New members of the Board of Directors will be announced at the meeting. Nominees are Gordon Hooper as publicity chairman, Pat Strickland as membership chairwoman, Carol Wroblewski as workshop chairwoman and Bob McCloskey as member at large. Any other theater members who wished to be nominated had until Dec. 1 to submit petitions.

‘Grease’

he cast has been selected, the band hired, the choreographers are hard at work and the set design is almost in model form. The madcap musical of the late 1970s, “Grease,” which documents the life and times of all teenagers in every age, will be presented March 2-4 in Pinckney Hall.

   Director Carol Wroblewski and producer Ralph Speigel are working on how best to get a car on the Pinckney stage. (Carol promises this will be worked out in plenty of time for the show.)

   Principals in the cast are Al Sturdevant as Danny, Sandi Barber as Sandy, Judy Stallone as Patti, Patricia Galloway as Cha-Cha, Michael Stallone as Eugene, Bob McCloskey as Vince Fontaine, Rich DiRocco as Johnny Casino, Bob Marguccio as Teen Angel and Gabrielle Testa as Miss Lynch.

   Pink ladies: Connie Holbrook as Rizzo, Janice Kraimer as Frenchy, Billye Liberatore as Marty and Joan Galasso as Jan.

   Burger Palace boys: Mike Riegel as Kenickie, Bill Smith as Doody, John Lavelle as Roger and Ed Galloway as Sonny.

   Hand jive dancers: Brenda Compton, Marilyn Perry, Dottie Apgar, Georgia Boswell, Sally Downs, Judi Cummings, Lin Sturdevant and Sharon Hutchinson.

   Beauty school chorus: Phylis Giglinto, Joan Shields and Cindy Scott.

  Ticket information will be provided in advance of the production.

What a year!

f you thought 2005 was a great year for the theater, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet! But what a year, starting with “Guys and Dolls” in February, Follies 2005 in September and “You Can’t Take It With You” in November. These and the monthly mini-productions displayed a wealth of talent among members and non-members alike, some with experience and some with limited or no experience. The 2006 lineup begins with “Grease” in March, Follies 2006 in September, “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” in November and monthly mini-productions that offer a wide variety of interests ranging from music to comedy to drama. The Jan. 12 meeting will feature the annual awards presentations. Also, maybe “1776” will be presented at Bluffton High School to celebrate the 230^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Stand by for more.

   Bob Taylor and Jim Mahoney (play steering chairman) are working on plans for 2006 mini-productions and seeking directors for some of the shows. They hope to provide early notice about monthly offerings and opportunities, provide technical crews with a better forecast of mini-production support needs, offer variety in memorized productions and play readings, music and dance and continue to assure quality in whatever is presented.

   As always, members are encouraged to get involved, regardless of whether they do or don’t have experience.

   Call Jim at 705-9466 or Bob Taylor at 379-5242 for information.

Help wanted

teve Koehl, head of production, is seeking technical help with productions. The theater is fortunate to have such talented technical people as Bill Walker, Bill Ragland, Sue Jesella and Hank Druckerman handling light and audio requirements for shows. But more people like Don Feron, who assisted as a lighting trainee for “You Can’t Take It With You,” are needed if the theater is to continue providing quality productions for members and the community at large.

   The same holds true for stage managers, backstage people and set designers and builders.

    Get involved by calling Steve at 705-7771.

Serving the community

ongratulations to theater members who have been  appointed or re-appointed to Sun City Board of Directors-appointed committees. The following list includes existing committee members. Award Committee: Judy Barry, Ann Walli, Ralph James, Juli Yale, Wendy Shepard, Phylis Giglinto. Covenants: Maureen Wimmer, Michael Vezeau, Bruce Murphy, Albert Bomhoff. Finance: Jo Stephey, Ira Kirschner, Bob Rasmussen. Fitness Advisory: Marilou Bonn, Dave Kimball, Barbara Reuben, Carol Alcorn. Golf Advisory: Bob Barry, Bill Walker, Betty Smith. Government and Business Affairs: Phylis Giglinto, Joe Fragale, Bob Taylor, Nancy Ann Ciehanski, Carl Lehmann, Norma Stewart, Karen Heitman. Modifications: Hugh Dinwiddie, Richard Jankowski. Neighborhood Representative Council: Lenora Small. Nominating: Joe Fragale, Wally Hollinger, Joan Schmid. Property and Grounds: Hugh Dinwiddie. Resident Communication: Perry Molinaro, Steve Koehl, Bob Rasmussen, Barbara Wells. Strategic Planning: Barbara Lenta, Irene Schmidt, Al Stahl.

FYI

arole Carl, SCCT historian, is seeking photographs from the Oct. 13 productions of “A Slice of Life” and selections from “Music Man.” To contribute to the theater library, call Carole at 705-7335.

   The theater now has about 1,400 members and, as its reputation grows, outside groups are asking for performances as fundraisers or entertainment. These kinds of activities are being considered for 2006.  Stay tuned.

   Footlights received only two speak-up responses: One suggested more emphasis on monthly play readings to “bring back the fun atmosphere.” The other objected to the suggestion that members attend at least three meetings or lose first-choice and reduced ticket price privileges. “Some of us are still working full time” and cannot attend all meetings, the writer said. For the record, the club has no such policy. To be published in Footlights, bring your unsigned comments to the lower mailbox at 14 Graham Court or send them to perryjm@davtv.com

Happy holidays!

he theater Board wishes everyone a joyful holiday season and a happy new year. Carl Nusbaum, president; Bob Taylor, vice president; Sharon Walker, treasurer; Perry Molinaro, secretary; Bob Bonn, workshop committee; Jim Mahoney, play selection committee; Steve Koehl, production; Jeanne Koehl, publicity; Joan Flynn, membership; Cindy Scott, social; Judy Clark and Anne Nusbaum, at-large members.

(Footlights is published quarterly: March, June, September and December.)

Revised: December 09, 2005.