February/March 2003 Edition

The Butler Did It at PALT

According to the title, the answer to PALT's next whodunit is the butler. But did he? Come to the next mainstage production and see if you can figure it out for yourself before the final curtain.

Rose Moon is directing the comedy detective writer spoof by Tim Kelly to be presented Feb. 28-March 2 and March 7-9. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.

Gale Walker (The Music Man) plays society hostess, Miss Maple, a filthy-rich woman who is hosting one of her famous parties at Ravenswood Manor on Turkey Island. She has invited a handful of detective writers to come for the weekend, but they must come as the character that they write about in their novels.

John Dockens (Sterling: Secret of the Lost Medallion) plays Father Shamus, an amalgam of minister/sleuths with a psychological approach to solving crimes. Jeff Courts (The Music Man) appears as gravelly-voiced gumshoe Chandler Marlowe, and Isaiah Good (Miracle on 34th Street) is the inscrutable Oriental sleuth Louie Fan.

Ann Holland (The Music Man) and Robert Freeman (The Mousetrap) play Laura and Rick Carlyle, witty and sophisticated urbane couple from Manhattan. Benny Bryan (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) as proper British gentleman/detective Peter Flimsy and Andrea Garcia (Nuts) as Charity Haze, a female Bond type, round out the guest list.

Maggie Davis (Bye, Bye, Birdie) is Rita, Miss Maple's social secretary, and Sarah Drummond (Miracle on 34th Street) plays Haversham, the maid. Of course, both women have secrets of their own. All the novelists think they are there to promote their books, but when a real crime takes place, they must try to solve it before they become the next victim.

John Holland is assisting Rose Moon, and Paula and Jeff Laird are producing. Kay Lene is in charge of props and Ann Holland and Paula Laird are designing costumes. Thomas May is designing and constructing the set with help from cast members. Jean Heubach will design hairdos.

For reservations, call 727-PALT. Tickets are $10 for adults, with a $2 discount for senior citizens and all students. Memberships are still available. See if you can solve the mystery before the writers do.

Play Submissions Sought

There is still time to submit play suggestions to the script committee for next season's consideration. Ann Holland is head of that committee, but submissions can be given to any board member and will be passed on to her group.

Title, cast size and a general description of the play are requested as well as the desire to direct or not. Suggestions can be called in to the theater at 722-7732 or sent by mail to PALT, 8691 Ninth Ave., PMB 118, Port Arthur, Texas 77642-8011.

Auditions for Romeo and Juliet

Dr. David Sorrells of Lamar State College-Port Arthur is announcing his audition dates and requirements for PALT's upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet. Audition dates are 6:30 p.m. March 2-4 at the PALT Playhouse, 4701 Jimmy Johnson Blvd. March 5 will be for callbacks only unless approved by the director. Special appointments for auditions will be available from Feb. 23-27 and can be made by calling 736-2314 after Feb. 19.

Auditions will include movement, a brief cold reading, and one memorized scene/monologue. All serious auditioners should prepare only one of the following scenes or monologues for the tryout. It should be delivered from memory, using appropriate interpretation of the role desired and a British, Scottish or Irish accent, preferably British:

• Romeo: Act II, Scene 2, Lines 12-25, beginning "She speaks... " and ending "...touch that cheek."
  
• Juliet: Act II, Scene 2, Lines 38-48, beginning "Tis but thy name..." and ending "...take all myself."
  
• Both Capulets, Both Montagues, Prince, Friar Laurence, Nurse, Apothecary: Act I, Prologue, Lines 1-14 (entire prologue)
  
• All other roles: the same lines as Romeo.

Auditioners should have read the play beforehand and studied the scene of the audition piece. Unprepared auditions will be allowed only as time permits. Additional requirements for participation are availability for performances and rehearsals, participating in at least two work calls and helping with props or costumes.

Auditioners should have a commitment to the show and to learning about Shakespeare and Renaissance England. It will be a rare opportunity to appear in one of the Bard's plays and learn something about him at the same time.

Show dates are May 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18. The rehearsal schedule will be announced at the auditions. All stage crew will appear as townspeople, guards and in other minor roles.

Break a leg!

Moon Speaks to Rotary

Rose Moon was invited to speak at the last January meeting of the Port Arthur Rotary Club by Dr. Corey Rizzo. She gave a brief history of Port Arthur Little Theatre and its search for a permanent location through the last 50 years. The purposes of our organization were stated and membership forms were supplied to the roughly 50 Rotarians and guests in attendance.

Many ways to participate in PALT's projects were explained, including both performance and production opportunities. She stressed the opportunity for family and youth involvement and invited everyone to attend one of the remaining season presentations. Moon received a pen with the Rotary seal as a gift for being the guest speaker.

PALT Visits On Golden Pond

As a Valentine's tribute, the Port Arthur Little Theatre recently presented a dinner-theater production of On Golden Pond at the Garden Terrace Tea Room. Phillip Gray (A Christmas Story) and Rosie Einkauf (Steel Magnolias) played Norman and Ethel Thayer, a senior couple returning to their summer home on Golden Pond for their 44th year.

Stephanie Barclay of Port Neches played their daughter, Chelsea, who's having some problems in her love life. Jeff Courts (The Music Man) appeared as her dentist fiance, Billy Ray, and Thomas May of Beaumont played Charlie the Mailman. Collin Stevenson of Bridge City made his debut as Billy, Chelsea's teen-age son.

Director Jean Heubach was assisted by Krista Holman, and Jenny Yeats and Sarah Drummond shared producing duties. Lights and sound were operated by Joe Jones and Pattie Daniel.