Article published September 25, 2008
'Hats!' blends theater, costume party, support group
Appearing in Hats! The Red Hat Society Musical in Sandusky are, back row, Tamara Damschroeder and Jennifer Wertz, and front, Cindy Franks, Karen Sabo, and Pam Barron.
|
By NANCIANN CHERRY
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Sandusky will be seeing red for the next two weeks as the Sandusky State Theatre presents Hats! The Red Hat Society Musical.
Written by Marcia Milgram Dodge and Anthony Dodge, the musical makes its regional premiere Saturday.
A variety of composers, including several Tony Award nominees, created music for the show that celebrates women approaching or who have marked their 50th birthday.
Among them are Carol Hall, who wrote the music and lyrics for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas; Harry Krieger, who wrote the music for Broadway's Dreamgirls; David Friedman, who composed songs for Disney films including Pocahantas, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast; and Grammy Award winner Pam Tillis.
The protagonist of the group is Mary Anne, who dreads turning 50. Then she meets six ordinary women, who become like royalty once they don their red hats.
Mary Anne listens as the women talk about learning to deal with empty nests, diets, poor memory, wrinkles, breast cancer, and other near-universal conditions and fears of women. They also talk about friendship, joie de vivre, and camaraderie. Six stories later, Mary Anne can't wait to pick out her red hat and join the sisterhood.Hats! premiered in Denver two years ago (Oct. 2006), and in reviewing that production, the Denver Post called it a combination of costume party and support group.
Directed by Thomas T. Kazmierczak III and Michael Shirtz, with Pamela Shirtz as the director of choreography, the cast includes Karen Sabo as Mary Anne, Tamara Damschroeder as Dame, Jennifer Wertz as Baroness, Pam Barron as Princess Polly, Cindy Franks as Contessa, and Joyce Carolyn as Duchess.
"Hats: The Red Hat Society Musical" is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Saturday ; 2 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct 2; 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3; and 2 and 4 p.m. Oct. 4 in the Sandusky State Theatre, 107 Columbus Ave., Sandusky. Tickets range from $28 to $36 plus facilities fees. A dinner theater option is also available for $42. Information: 877-626-1950 or www.sanduskystate.com.Master class
Some of the top names in Toledo theater will be appearing Sunday for one performance of Ron Hill's The Ladies of Harmony.
A benefit for Women Blessing Women, the show will feature Barbara Barkan, Anne Cross, Carol Ann Erford, Gloria Moulopoulos, Pat Rudes, and Shirley Williams. John Duvall directs the production.
A playwright from Old Fort, Ohio, Hill's second work revolves around the funeral committee of Harmony Church, who are planning the funeral dinner for the most hated man in town. When the janitor spikes the coffee in the church hall, it further loosens the women's already well-oiled tongues, and the gossip and secrets begin to flow.
"The Ladies of Harmony" is scheduled at 4 p.m. Sunday in the Lois M. Nelson theater of the Collingwood Arts Center, 2413 Collingwood Blvd. Tickets are $25 at www.collingwoodartscenter.org or 800-838-3006. They may also be purchased at the door, if any remain. Information: 419-244-2787.'Joseph' in Maumee
For its fall production, Holland-based 3B productions presents an old friend, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
It's hard to believe, but the show by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice is more than 40 years old. Written in 1967, it continues to be a favorite of community theaters. It's combination of musical styles - from country to calypso, cabaret to rock and roll - and it's family-friendly theme, based on the biblical tale of Joseph and his jealous brothers, have made it a favorite of community theaters.
The 3B production, directed by Joe Barton and produced by Gary Buerk, with music direction by Janine Baughman, features a cast of 62 from northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Jarrod Goad stars as Joseph and Joy Lemke and Carissa McCurdy share duties as the Narrators.
"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" is scheduled at 8 p.m. today-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Maumee Indoor Theater, 601 Conant St., Maumee. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students, available at Kostumes, Ltd., 7313 International Dr., Suite A, Holland, or at the theater box office. Information: 419-865-5533.
•The Fort Findlay Playhouse opens Tennessee Williams' portrait of a southern family in crisis, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, tonight for a two-week run. Directed by Marty Williams, the cast features Christine Hollington as Maggie, Wes Taylor as Brick, Bill Rayle as Big Daddy, Julie Lane as Big Mama, Pete Rose as Gooper, and Lindsay Taylor as Mae. Also in the cast are Jake Bixler, Lydia Mattingly, and Devony and Demiya Miller as Gooper and Mae's children, Jim Toth as Dr. Baugh, J. Ladd as Reverend Tooker, and Darius Journigan as the house servant. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 5 p.m. Sundays in the playhouse at 300 West Sandusky St., Findlay. Tickets are $12. Information: 419-422-4624.
•The Archbold Community Theatre takes to the high seas with its production of Jolly Roger and the Pirate Queen. The troupe's annual children's show is directed by Faith Knapp of Bryan and stars Eliot Pitman of Bryan as Roger Goodman and Monica Taylor of Delta as Sarah Huffington as rival pirate captains. Gabe Short of Archbold plays Long John Sliver (cq); Anna Pitman of Bryan and Meg Short of Archbold are Belinda and Kate; A.J. Yosick of Bryan is George; and Nathan Lamore of Bryan and Naomi Taylor of Delta play Lord and Lady Huffington, Sarah's slightly off-balance parents. Jake Adkins and Brandon Bryant, both of Defiance, are, respectively, Captains Bluebeard and Belvedere. A large group of area youngsters portray the pirate crews. Performances are at 8 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, and Oct. 3 and 4 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in Giffey Hall in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio. Tickets in advance are $7 for adults and $6 for seniors and students from Patti at 419-267-5717. At the door, all tickets are $8.
Contact Nanciann Cherry at: ncherry@theblade.com
or 419-724-6130.
Permanent Link
|
|
 |
|
Search
advertisement
