April 2003 Edition

Romeo and Juliet at PALT

April showers might bring May flowers, but April rehearsals will definitely bring a tragic love story to life on PALT's stage in May's first three weekends. Dr. David Sorrells of Lamar State College-Port Arthur, assisted by Laura Deggs, will present one of the most famous love stories of all time, that of Romeo and Juliet, written for the stage by perhaps the most famous playwright of all times, William Shakespeare. This is believed to be the first time in PALT's history that one of the Bard?s plays has been done on its stage.

In a contemporary twist on the Globe's tradition of having all-male casts, this production has cast some females in what are normally men's roles. Assistant director Laura Deggs will play the Apothecary, who provides Romeo with poison, for a price.

Sarah Drummond, recently seen in The Butler Did It, will play Balthasar, Romeo's servant. Cassie Queen (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) portrays Gregory, Lord Capulet's servant, and Hillary Gray (The Music Man) doubles as Peter, the Nurse's server, and a page.

Andrea Garcia (The Butler Did It) appears as Tybalt, Juliet's fiery cousin and sworn enemy of Romeo.

Matt Ravey and Lydia Harris, both seen in The Music Man, are taking on the challenging roles of the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Trent Williams and Jenny Yeats (A Funny Thing Happened...) are Lord and Lady Montague, and Dana Deggs (1776) and Patrick Lene (The Mousetrap) portray Juliet's parents, Lady and Lord Capulet.

Nate Hall (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying) plays Benvolio, whose name means "good-natured man." A friend of Romeo, his attempts at peace-making go unheeded, and he is unable to avoid the violence that saturates the tale.

Debbie Miller of Orange plays Nurse to Juliet, as both her servant and her devoted friend. Robert Rush (Peter Pan) is Sampson, a Capulet servant, and Joe Jones of Port Arthur is Abram, servant to Lord Montague.

Isaiah Good (The Butler Did It) has the role of Paris, a young nobleman who seeks permission to woo Juliet to his heart for marriage. He is kinsman to Prince Escalus, Verona's ruling authority.

John Woodard (1776) and Wesley Deggs (Forum) share the role of the Prince, who attempts to bring harmony to his city by instituting a new rule: the next person caught disturbing the peace in Verona will be killed. Paul Bloyd (Lie, Cheat and Genuflect) is Mercutio, Romeo's violent and witty friend and counterpart.

Rounding out the cast are Sandy Wall (1776) as Friar Lawrence, Marcos Martinez as Friar John and Wesley Deggs as Head Watchman. Steven Lasiter and Marcus Miller play guards, with Aaron Gunn, Lindsey Moore, Tina Todd, Michael Chang and Jean and Carl Heubach playing citizens and ball guests.

Dennis Riley is serving as technical director, and Amy Dykes is head of costuming and makeup. Haley Ledet is choreographer and Clifton Reck is the fight coordinator. Colin Williams rounds out the crew.

The show will run May 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18 at the PALT Playhouse, 4701 Jimmy Johnson Blvd. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Tickets at the door are $10, with a $2 discount for students with ID, children and senior citizens.

For reservations, call 727-PALT. See you at the Playhouse!

General Membership Meeting

Port Arthur Little Theatre's next general membership meeting will be held at the PALT Playhouse at 2:30 p.m. June 1. Elections will be held for several officer positions as well as at-large board member seats.

If you have a membership, you have a vote. Please plan to attend and cast your vote for those you want to guide the next PALT season. This is your chance as a member to voice your opinions and give suggestions as well as get caught up on the theatrer's plans for the future, such as renovation projects.

If you love community theater, be an active member and attend this meeting.

Second Spotlight Awards

Mark your calendar for PALT's second annual Spotlight Awards Night. The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. June 20 at the Garden Terrace Tearoom in Nederland.

Plans are still being made, but PALT wants you to be sure to make plans to attend. More information will be released soon.

Vice As In Versa Cast

Port Arthur Little Theatre's next dinner-theater production, presented in conjunction with The Garden Terrace Tearoom, promises to serve up some interesting surprises along with a plateful of laughs. Gale Walker is directing this fast-paced farce that will give new meaning to the term "mistaken identities."

Benny Bryan (The Butler Did It) plays Percible Nimby, a witty, refined, gentle dress manufacturer who has always been considered the sissy of the family. He decides to change that image when he travels to the musty mansion of his rich Uncle Buckridge.

Gregg Moon (Harvey) plays Uncle Buck, a Hemingway type of guy who thinks John Wayne was a little effeminate. Buck is about to write his will, leaving millions to the relative who strikes him as the most manly.

Percy brings his secretary along, and they stumble upon a voodoo doll that switches their personalities. Percy's secretary, played by Jan Freeman of Orange, is in his body, and he has the body of a woman!

Other cast members include Steve Lasiter, fresh from Romeo and Juliet, as Herman Vonn Strogonoff, Uncle Buck's vague manservant, and Mathilda Guidry as Mrs. Butler. Danny McClintock Jr. and Terry Harley, both recently seen in Miracle on 34th Street, appear as another nephew out for money, Brad Buckridge, and his wanna-be actress girlfriend, Roberta Ashton. There's also a masked gunman and a... well, you'll have to come see for yourself.

Robert Freeman is operating sound and lights and Judy Bryan is handling props. Thomas May is in charge of set construction and Rose Moon is producer.

Show dates are May 23-24 and 30-31 at The Garden Terrace Tea Room, 1035 Nederland Ave. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the meal being served at 6:30 p.m., followed by the play. Ticket prices are $22 each.

For reservations, call 727-PALT or 729-4832.

Oliver! Audition Call

A cold, forbidding orphanage looms on the stage, and onto it slowly trudge a ragged group of starved-looking boys who only perk up when they break into song about the one thing they don't have: "Food, Glorious Food!"

That's the beginning of the wonderful musical Oliver!, this summer's joint production with Lamar State College-Port Arthur. Director Keith Cockrell will hold auditions at 7 p.m. May 27-29 at the Lamar Theater, 1600 Lakeshore Drive.

Filled with wonderful songs and great Dickensian characters, it should be a great show for both parents and children. Boys and girls are both welcome, though some girls may have to play boys in certain chorus numbers, and children as young as 7 may audition if they have had at least one full year of school.

Males are needed to play Oliver and the Artful Dodger, Fagin, Mr. Bumble, Bill Sikes, Mr. Brownlow and others. Even more women are needed, with good singing voices for parts that include Nancy and her sidekick Bet, the Widow Corney, Mrs. Sowerberry, the housekeeper and numerous street vendors who will sing some of the sweetest music ever heard on the musical stage in "Who Will Buy?"

Prepared material is not necessary or encouraged, though some practice reading the script will benefit younger children. All ages and types are needed to recreate Dickens' London, so come have fun this summer. For information, call Cockrell at 984-6338 or producer Jean Heubach at 722-0809.