THE VERY FULL WEEKEND by Barbara Biddison I think Hamilton-Gibson, Mansfield University, and Cowanesque Valley HS all got together and said, "Could we all plan together and do a show on the same weekend, so that our theatre lovers would have a show every afternoon and every night?? And they all said YES, and we audience members obliged! So here's how I did it with family and friends. Friday, March 3. Opening Night for EXIT LAUGHING. Hamilton-Gibson. The threat of challenging snow had us all wondering if we would have it. Well, there was some snow and slush and rain, but the show went on and about 30 of us enjoyed laughing the stormy night away. When we got out, there was only a bit of rain and no significant snow accumulation. And the sound of 30 people laughing was enough to keep the cast of five going! We all stayed for the Opening Night party/gathering/food and conversation after the show. And, as far as I know, all got home safely. It's a really fun show with 3 who have been on the HG stage before, and 2 who are new to us. Thomas Putnam directs. There are three more shows, next Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and I plan to see it again on Sunday the 12th at 2:30. Saturday, March 4. In the middle of a March 2-5 run for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Mansfield University. I have seen lotsa shows in this Straughn Auditorium Theatre, and this time Straughn was packed!! Children, MU students, and community of all ages. The pre-show energy was high. The show was powerful. The singing was outstanding! And the dancing and blocking, and the dialogue, and the costumes, and... everything! And except for a few characters it was double cast. Peter Davis directed. Todd Ranney was music director. Alexandra Fisher and Rebecca Hawkinds were choreographers. And the chandelier was positioned to come down without frightening the audience under it! I think it's safe to say that we were all captured by the talent and dedication of everyone involved. Then there was Sunday, March 5. And off we went to see MATILDA THE MUSICAL produced by the Cowanesque Valley HS Drama Club. Our dear friend from past HG days, David Wert, is director of theatre there. Last year he produced CHICAGO and this year he has gone in a whole different direction with these young people and given them Roald Dahl's MATILDA. And they grabbed hold of it and ran with it. I just love to see young people do this. And I know that it takes that kind of director to get that kind of performance. They are fortunate to have an orchestra of local professional musicians to play with them, and the whole group sings well. I counted 37 "cast and crew bios" and I think only 4 of those are adults. The students really plug into this theatre experience and it is a joy to watch them perform. Yes, it sure was a good weekend. I'm full, for the moment.
1 Comment
4/4/2023 10:43:43 am
Haha! Sounds like a really fun time! I hope to show up to a performance sometime soon. :)
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