Thursday, May 28, 2009

HPCT Presents The Midsummer Players

The Midsummer Players
“Tarheel Tales”
June 22—July 3
1:00 - 4:00 pm
$150.00
Ages 7—13

For generations tall tales of mystery and mischief have wound their way through the mountains of North Carolina and this summer they will stop in High Point for a “re-telling “ by our own young actors. Using techniques of good story telling and a little improvisation, just for fun, we will bring to life some of the most famous of our mountain folk heroes and their stories.
Will Jack ever stop the Northwest wind from a blowin’ even if he does find the hole where it comes out? Will Wicked John ever stop roaming the Great Dismal Swamps of NC looking for a place to rest? And…“Where’s my big toooooooe?” And whose big toe is it anyway? We will explore these tales to achieve a better understanding of our mountain heritage. We will use the audience to help us tell our stories. Most will make you laugh but there might be a scary one or two. Want to see Mom and Dad jump? Join us for a great time with “Tarheel Tales”.
Fees include a Midsummer Players T-shirt and light rehearsal snacks.

“Tarheel Tales” will be presented for family & friends in the HPCT Space on Friday, July 3rd at 7:00 pm.

Midsummer Players
will be held at the
HPCT Rehearsal Space,
305 North Main Street, Ste 322
and Directed by Bobby Bodford.

For two or more siblings registering, tuition will be $130.00 per student. There is a $15 discount for all paid registrations received prior to June 10th.

Space is limited and paid registrations will be accepted in the order they were received. Class tuition fees are due upon registration and are non-refundable. HPCT reserves the right to cancel any class not meeting a minimum enrollment. All registration fees will be returned for a class cancelled by HPCT.

Limited partial scholarships based on need are available.
To apply, contact Jennifer Blevins at (336) 882-2542.

To register, complete the information below and mail it with a check made payable to High Point Community Theatre to HPCT, P.O. Box 1152, High Point, NC 27261. If you prefer, you may email the information and then mail a check. But your space is not assured until payment is received. For a downloadable registration form, click here.

Midsummer Players Registration Form

Student’s Name:
Address:
City:
ZIP:
Home Phone:
Parent’s Cell/Work Phone:
Email:
School:
or Home schooled _____
Age:
Grade Next Year:
Parent/Guardian Name(s):

T-Shirt Size (Please circle one):
Child M Child L Adult S Adult M Adult L

Monday, May 25, 2009

You Are Invited!

I hope that you can join us!

Dinner, Dancing, Shag Lessons, Silent Auction & Lots of Fun!


Click here for a printable invitation pdf.

Click here for a printable response card pdf and mail it with your check to:
HPCT, P.O. Box 1152, High Point, NC 27261.

During these difficult financial times, this party will be a wonderful way to have a great time while supporting HPCT. Hope to see you there!

Artwork by Jane Ashley


Dennis Sanders & Rufus

I'd take up my dog and pray for him...
Fasten your....
**snap**
Fasten your eyes upon the cross!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Back By Popular Demand - Smoke On The Mountain

High Point Community Theatre, in cooperation with Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church's Music Program, is presenting three encore performances of SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN.

May 29 & 30, 2009 at 8:00 pm
May 31, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church Chapel
1225 Chestnut Drive, High Point
Join Pastor Oglethorpe of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina as he welcomes the singing Sanders family for a night of old-fashioned gospel music, inspiring (and hilarious) stories and heart-warming fellowship. Audience members are the congregation for the evening’s service of beloved songs such as “Amazing Grace” and “I’ll Fly Away,” as well as lesser known numbers, including “Christian Cowboy” and “I’ll Never Die (I’ll Just Change My Address).”
A suggested minimum donation of $10.00 per person will be accepted at the door. Proceeds will benefit HPCT and the Music Program of Wesley Memorial UMC. Doors will open 45 minutes before the performance time. Seating is limited.
Directed by Bobby Bodford
Musical Direction by Michael Dougherty

Cast:
Pastor Mervin Oglethorpe - Travis Vernon
Burl Sanders – Ken Kennedy
Vera Sanders – Maggie Gallagher
Stanley Sanders – John Lowe
June Sanders - Stephanie Vernon
Denise Sanders - Jane Ashley Raborn
Dennis Sanders - Thomas Gooding
Sanders Cousins (Musicians) - Andy Hunt, Corey Johnson-Erday, Randy Johnson, Randy Mintz



From HPCT's last weekend performance at the High Point Theatre


For further information, call 336-882-2542 or email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org

Friday, May 15, 2009

High Point Enterprise Review

This will run in Saturday morning's High Point Enterprise

HPCT's "Smoke on the Mountain" Provides a Wonderful Time

Joseph Rosenblum

High Point Community Theatre closes out its 2008-2009 season this week-end with joyous, hand-clapping, foot-stomping performances of "Smoke on the Mountain." Set in 1938 Mt. Pleasant, NC (for the pickle jokes), "Smoke on the Mountain" consists of twenty-one gospel tunes strung together on a thin strand of narrative. It is an ensemble work, but all of the principals have opportunities to shine as they exhibit their wide range of talents.

Ken Kennedy's Burl Sanders, the leader of the musical Sanders family, displays virtuosity as both singer and guitarist. He also skillfully plays both the piano and harmonica, and his story about the beer salesman is an absolute hoot. Maggie Gallagher as his wife, Vera, adeptly plays just about every instrument on stage, from piano to bass to dulcimer to violin and banjo. She takes the lead singing part in "Blood Medley," which showcases her lovely voice. Her story about the good and bad junebugs earned many well-merited laughs. Their daughter June Sanders (Stephanie Vernon) doesn't sing (or so she says); she signs. Her signing vocabulary is far more entertaining than the conventional one. Seeing her bring in the sheaves and washing herself in the blood of the lamb is in itself worth the price of admission. She also shows skill in handling a wide range of percussion instruments from cow bell to cymbal to washboard. Her singing sister, Denise (Jane Ashley Raborn), has a wonderful voice and tells a great story about trying to become Scarlett in "Gone with the Wind." Selznik made a big mistake not casting her. John Lowe's Stanley Sanders introduces a somber note with his poignant story about his time in prison and his song "Everyone Home but Me." Thomas Gooding as Denise's twin, Dennis, sings and plays magnificently and delivers a rousing sermonette. The Reverend Mervin Oglethorpe (Travis Vernon) serves as Master of Ceremonies and humorously tries to keep his parishioners in line. He shows that he can sing with the best of them, and he performs a mean number of the squeezebox. Randy Mintz (Cousin Randy Sanders), Randy Johnson (other Cousin Randy Sanders), Andy Hunt (Cousin Andy Sanders), and Corey Johnson-Erday (Cousin Sandy Sanders) supply expert musical back-up. Bland Wade has designed a lovely and atmospheric set.

People leaving Thursday night's show repeatedly said, "I feel so happy." So, brothers and sisters, fly away to the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church (aka High Point Theatre), where you will find no more tears, no more sorrow. You'll have a wonderful time down there. Services (performances) continue through Sunday.

(Joseph Rosenblum teaches library science and literature at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Bethany Alston

Don't miss a very special dance recital presented by Arts Evangelica and featuring one of HPCT's teen members...Bethany Alston. You will experience it all....fabulous dancing, glorious music, beautiful sets and costuming, and an evening of inspiration.

The recital is called "Sole Deo Gloria" and will be on May 22 at the High Point Theatre.

Benji Starcher

Our PRODUCERS' Choreographer, Benji Starcher's grandfather passed away Sunday in West Virginia. The funeral will be this Friday - tomorrow. If you would like to send condolences, you can go to http://www.maticsfuneralhome.com/ and reference Terrance "Buck" Hanson.

Our deepest sympathies to our dear friend Benji and his family.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Our New Lighting Designer In-Training

And he is learning from the best...



David Bell gives Leo a tutorial.

Thanks To Our Great Volunteers

Thanks to all who helped with Scenery Load-In for SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN this weekend. I am looking forward to great tech rehearsals and performances.

Don't miss this one. It's going to be a blast! Performance and Box Office Information can be found in the right column of this blog.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Smoke On The Mountain Rehearsals



The SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN Cast sings Angel Band, I'll Fly Away and When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder - complete with June's "sign language".