February 2001 Edition

An Invitation to Cinderella

His Royal Highness, Christopher Rupert Windemere Vladimir Karl Alexander François Reginald Lancelot Herman Gregory James, is giving a ball! And you're invited! Dates and times are March 1-3, 8-11 and 15-17 at 7:30 pm and March 4 and 18 at 2:30 pm, to be held at the Port Arthur Little Theatre Playhouse at 4701 James Johnson Blvd. To reserve your place, call 724-1840. Glass slipper optional.

What really is happening is the PALT presentation of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's musical fantasy, Cinderella. Prince Christopher's mother has decided that he needs a wife. She talks his dad, the King, into giving a big ball and inviting all the young women of the kingdom to come and meet their son, hoping he will choose one of them for a bride.

All the ladies of the kingdom are aflutter, getting ready to go to the ball. All except one ... Cinderella's guardian, her stepmother, is planning on one of her own daughters becoming a princess and refuses to let Cinderella go to the ball. The disappointed girl stays home and dreams of the impossible -- that she could wear a beautiful gown and meet the prince at the ball. Impossible? Not if your fairy godmother happens to be in the neighborhood.

Suzanne Van Velson (Pride and Prejudice) plays Cinderella to Phillip McBride's (Annie) prince. The King and Queen are regally portrayed by Tom Van Velson (L'il Abner) and Roxane Gray (Mame). Gale Walker (Harvey) musters some mean to play Cinderella's stepmother and scheming mom to daughters Joy and Portia, played by Mary Kate Coberly (Angel Street) and Janet Wise (The Mousetrap).

Newcomer Denise Hayhurst performs magic as the Fairy Godmother. Jim Crain (1776) and Jalin Barefield (The Elves and the Shoemaker) are the Herald and Page. Lowell Walker Jr. (Pride and Prejudice), Karissa Weatherly (Godspell) and Michael Greata (Mame) serve the King as his Guard, Chef, and Steward respectively. Isaiah Good (Dracula) and Anthony Holland (Mame) are the Footman and the Coachman.

The Chef Chorus consists of Dot Esparza (Godspell) and newcomers Brooke Doyle, Sara Halliburton, Destiny Morrison, Danielle Wills and Anna Wueller. The Steward Chorus is played by Jacob Good (Grease), Jeffry Adams (Mildred Wilde), Nate Hall (Hello, Dolly! ) and Adam Ruiz (Godspell). Kristyn Crysel, Sarah Drummond, Cassie Queen and Jenny Yeats play the horses and Cierra Frederick, Dylana and Devon Sauerwein and Morgan Weatherly portray fairies. Dallas Gray and Carter Holland serve as carriage attendants.

Also appearing as townspeople and ball guests are Carol Aiken, Troy Badeaux, Tory Barefield, Wesley Deggs, Laura Deggs, Charlotte Esparza, Hannah Gray, Phillip Gray, Hilary Gray, Bob and Linda Greata, Ann Holland, Paul Trahan Jr., Matt Kimball, Patrick Lené, Nel Morrison, Raychel Ray, Dominique Sinegal, Amanda Stevens, Janice Terrell, Alex Weatherly, Dustin Wills and Courtney Wind.

Director David Sorrells is assisted by co-director Thomas May, assistant director Troy Badeaux, stage manager Dennis Riley, props mistress Kay Lené and choreographer Karissa Weatherly. Amy Dykes is head costumer, assisted by Paula Good. Hair design is by Jean Heubach and Dawn Wills and art design is by Elizabeth Riley. Dana Deggs serves as vocal director, with Jay Vinecour as accompanist and sound director.

Please note the March 11 performance will be at 7:30 p.m. instead of 2:30. Reserve your seats by calling 724-1840. Admission is $10 ,with a $2 discount for seniors and students, and by season membership.

Cinderella Extra March 4 & 18

Dr. David Sorrells will be giving a historical perspective on the evolution of the Cinderella story before the March 4 and 18 showings of Cinderella. The box office will open at 1:30 p.m. those days, and he will speak at 1:40 pm. Come early and get the scoop on this popular fairy tale.

Children's Show Coming Up

Gale Walker announces she will direct a play with kids, for kids, to be presented this June. Auditions will be held in early May. Watch this newsletter and local newspapers for further details.

New PALT Mailing Address

Port Arthur Little Theatre has a new mailing address. Please send all written correspondence to the following address: PALT, 8691 Ninth Ave., PMB 118, Port Arthur, TX 77642-8011. The Playhouse is still at 4701 Jimmy Johnson Blvd. The reservation line is 724-1840, and the phone number at the theatre is 722-7732.

Father of the Bride Auditions

Co-directors Gale Walker and Rose Moon will hold auditions for Father of the Bride at the theater at 7 p.m. March 5 and 6. The script calls for 16 cast members, 10 male and 6 female, with a couple of parts flexible, ages15 and up. Show dates are April 26-29 and May 3-6.

Directors Sought for New Season

Persons interested in directing a play for the next PALT season are asked to submit a resume or letter detailing their theatrical experience. Plays available at this writing are A Christmas Story and Lie, Cheat, and Genuflect, as well as the musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and a possible dinner theater production. Please send information as soon as possible to PALT Director Information, 8691 Ninth Ave., PMB 118, Port Arthur, TX 77642-8011.

PALT Joins Business Expo

Port Arthur Little Theatre will again set up a booth at the Business Expo 2001 sponsored by the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce. The event will take place from 1-7 p.m. March 28 at the Port Arthur Civic Center. Come by and register for free tickets to see Father of the Bride and for other goodies. You will also be able to purchase your 2001-02 season memberships at the Expo. See you there!