Guest Blogger - Lee Willard

Hi All

Hope you have a chance to see Seussical The Musical!

You will be delighted as all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters come to life on stage. Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mazie and all of the Who's of Whoville!

These classical, colorful tales are seamlessly brought together by Jojo, a young boy and "a thinker of strange and wonderful thinks"! As each story unfolds, you will see how relevant and profound Seuss's subtle themes are, making this musical one that appeals to people of all ages.

I am playing the role of Horton the Elephant in the show. It is being directed by Bobby Bodford who directed this past season's productions of "Guys and Dolls" and Little Shop of Horrors." Maggie Gallagher who is a veteran of several HPCT shows as an actor and musical director is the musical director for "Seussical", and a couple of other actors you may recognize are John Dillon from "Guys and Dolls" as a "Who", and Mary Barnhardt fron "Anything Goes" as a "Bird Girl" (along with Mary's two sisters AND father). Making it even more of a family affair is Bobby's son Rhett who is a "Who" child and cadet in the army of General Gheng as Khan Schmitz.

It will be a great deal of fun and looks to come in at no more than two hours including intermission (YEAH!). I hope that many of you will be able to attend.

Hugs and kisses,

Lee

August 8, 9, 15, 16 @ 8 p.m. & August 17 @ 2 p.m.
at Reynolds Auditorium, 301 North Hawthorne Road

Adults -- $20
Students under 16 -- $10

Tickets are on sale now. Call 725-4001 or order online: http://www.littletheatreonline.com/

Frank Luedtke Home from Afghanistan

Frank Luedtke has reunited with his wife Julie and children Morgan and Dylan after completing his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. He also served in Iraq in 1991 and a second tour there following 9/11.

His parents Fran and MaryAnn (HPCT cast photographer & actress) are extremely relieved to know that he is safe & sound.

We are so proud of you Frank. Thanks for your service!

Field (Street) Trip to 1000 Cranes

The Midsummer Players had a great experience today with our trip to NCSF's production of A Thousand Cranes. We managed to walk the blocks between the rehearsal space and the HP Theatre without losing anyone. Everyone created a beautiful crane. We enjoyed watching a moving performance. And had a great time asking questions of the actors after the show.



It's amazing what miracles can happen in fifteen minutes...



Please check out www.ncshakes.org for information about the remaining performances and ticket info for A Thousand Cranes. It is a perfect show to share with your family members over the age of 6. And the most creative use of the High Point Theatre stage I have ever seen. Performances run through Sunday, August 3rd. Go See It!

The Midsummer Players

Martha Mendenhall is doing a great job leading our band of Midsummer Players as they explore Japanese theatre forms. On the right of the picture above is Tyler - a 3rd generation participant in HPCT following his grandfather (HPCT veteran Lawrence Forrester) & aunt (Annelle from Steel Magnolias).

You might recognize these two faces....
My niece Danielle (Age 10) who used to sit cross-legged on the production table and watch rehearsals of shows like Grease & The King & I before her family's move to Virginia when she was 4. She and her sister Hannah (Age 9) are here and participating in The Midsummer Players.

Hannah Garis (Age 7) is following in Mom Shelley's footsteps. And she is as beautiful, animated and creative as you would expect her to be.

The whole gang seems to be having a good time and learning alot. Tomorrow, we will be attending NCSF's 1000 Cranes and next Friday will be having our own Japanese-themed performance in the rehearsal space.

Jennifer

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Guest Blogger - Timmy Metzner

Hello HPCT Family,

I've been in Sarasota, FL for almost two months now and its hard to believe that much time has passed since I was devoured by Audrey II. I just wanted to update everyone on my adventures, trials and tribulations.

I'm currently working as a literary intern at Florida Studio Theatre. Its a professional equity house which specializes in contemporary (recently on broadway/off-broadway) shows. I read and critique plays, compile dramaturgy packets, and maintain the theatre's library. In the evening I house manage. I work 50 hours a week, which means not much free time, and I'm often tired. I love it though, getting this experience is invaluable and will look great on grad school applications. In two weeks I'll be switching to a casting/hiring position and I'm excited/anxious about it.

I wanted to send you all my love and let you know I think about you and miss you immensely. To the cast and crews of Little Shop and G&D; thank you for giving me memories and friendships that I'll cherish forever. HPCT changed me in ways I never anticipated and I can't wait to come back and work with all of you again.

This picture is of me at an opening night party with some other interns.

I miss and love you all!!
Long live the fierce foursome!
Hugs and Kisses all-around!
Best of luck with next season, Jennifer!

Timmy Metzner

Guest Blogger - Steffanie Vaughan

Click poster to enlarge.

Greetings from Brigadoon!

For those of you who haven't heard, "Miss Adelaide" has traced her roots back to Scotland and discovered that she is a descendant of the legendary town of Brigadoon, the town that only appears every 100 years, which probably explains why she didn't object too strongly to being engaged for 14 years (she's on Brigadoon time)! Her great-great-great-great-great grandmother was a lovely young woman named "Fiona" who fell in love with a native New Yorker, a Mr. Tommy Albright, who happened upon Brigadoon during a hunting trip to Scotland with his best friend, Jeff Douglas. You'll be amazed at how much Miss Adelaide looks like Fiona!

Surprisingly this summer, "Brigadoon" will be appearing a little more frequently than once every 100 years. In fact, it will appear nine times in the next three weeks, specifically July 18 - 19, 25 - 26, and August 1 - 2 at 8 PM and July 20, 27 and August 3 at 3 PM. The location for its appearance has also changed which is lucky for those of us who can only (only she says) afford gas fare. "Brigadoon" will be appearing at the Stained Glass Playhouse in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Directions to the Playhouse:
Driving Directions
From Greensboro: Take I-40 bypass to U.S. 52 Get off on Akron Drive Exit and go left on Akron Drive. Take Akron Drive to the end of the road and bear right onto Indiana Avenue. Go approximately .8 miles and turn right onto Methodist Drive, then turn immediately left into Marvin United Methodist Church parking lot.

Tickets:
Adults: $12.00 / Students/Seniors: $10.00
Box Office (336) 499-1010
Reservations are HIGHLY recommended. The theatre only holds about 92 patrons and seats go fast.

Come experience a sense of community such as you find in Anatevka and the joy of love at first sight such as Sarah and Skye experienced in the wilds of New York. Luckily, there's no Queen Aggravain to keep the lovers apart! Don't be surprised if you see Nathan Detroit, Sister Sarah or Nicely Nicely Johnson there.

Guest Blogger - Craig Dixon

Craig Dixon would like to invite all of you to CTG's production of Pageant. In addition to Craig, HPCT veteran Jay Poole appears as Tawny Joe.

Craig is playing Miss Deep South which is so fitting since he's originally from Alabama. The story is about 6 beauty pageant contestants vying for the title of Miss Glamourese. It's a comedy with men playing the parts of women. There are production numbers and each contestant does a spokesmodel ad, a talent number, a swimsuit competion finshing up in evening gown. Its going to be a hoot.

Click on the above image to enlarge.

Guest Blogger

Hey,

It's summertime and other than Midsummer Players, budget work and trying to finally organize the office, not much is going on.

So for July & August, I am turning the blog over to YOU! Feel free to blog about anything that you would like - what you are doing this summer, your favorite HPCT memory or photo, ideas or suggestions, your dogs (or cats, I guess), pictures of your children or grandchildren, anything that you would like to share with the HPCT family.

Email your posts to me at jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org and put For Blog in the subject line.

Jennifer

Happy 4th of July!

Dear Friends: I hope that you have a Fabulous, Fun & Safe 4th of July.

Love ya, Jennifer

People Are Talking....

Hi All,

This is a first draft of the project using your words to describe HPCT. Click to enlarge. It's not too late to add to the project. The final version will be done on July 15th - so talk away.

Please email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org with your list.

Jennifer