June 2002 Edition

Children Present Alice in Wonderland

Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, adapted by Charlotte Chorpenning and directed by Bridget Farias, is a magical tour through a strange and unknown world where animals are human and humans are insane.

Jenny Yeats (Forum) plays Alice, who ventures through the dreamland, meeting new characters at every turn and learning life lessons from each one. Nicholas Fong (Mame) plays the White Rabbit who acts as Alice's mentor and guide. He introduces her to such strange characters as the Mad Hatter, played by Judd Farris (TheElephant Man) and the March Hare, portrayed by Rob Copeland (Big). Carter Holland (Peter Pan) and Gabrielle Seymour (Annie) play the Dormouse and his newfound companion, the Female Dormouse.This quartet proves the importance of manners by displaying a complete lack of them in the famous tea party "Unbirthday" scene.

Next, Alice meets a Caterpillar -- a talking Caterpillar. Heather Durham (Ruby, the Alamo Cat) plays the smiling creature that teaches her the ins and outs of keeping her temper. Kyle Romero (Madwoman of Chaillot) and Haley Seymour (Annie) are the Mock Turtle and the Gryphon.

Cheri Wells (The Drunkard), Rachel Pipes (The Miracle Worker), and Nikolle Freeman (Winnie the Pooh) play the Duchess, the Frog Footman and the Cook, who all "kindly" remind Alice to mind her own business. Isaiah Good (Forum) and Phillip McBride (Cinderella) are Tweedledee and Tweedledum, two of the only characters to show compassion to Alice and acknowledge her intelligence.

Carrie Wilson (Big) as the Red Queen threatens the Knave of Hearts, played by Jacob Good (Father of the Bride), with the loss of his head, administered by Cassie Queen (Forum) as the Executioner. Emily Fontenot (Big) is the White Queen to Alex Rozell (A Christmas Story) as the King. Both of them play devil's advocate to the Red Queen in proving the Knave's guilt.

Dancing flowers, marching playing cards, and buzzing insects add even more abnormality to Alice's wonderland. This supporting cast includes Heather Beck, Cierra Frederick, Casey Farris, Tashia Daigle, Kara Partain, Brittany Gaspard, Devon and Dylana Sauerwein, Hannah Gray, Alisha Armstead, Beth Boudreaux, Dallas Gray and Gavin DeFrancis.

Ann Holland assists director Bridget Farias for this show, which opens at 7:30 p.m. June 14 at the Playhouse, 4701 Jimmy Johnson Blvd. June 15 and 16 will have matinees at 2:30 pm. The schedule varies slightly the following weekend with both June 21 and 22 shows starting at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday, June 23, matinee at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices for this show are $8 for adults and $5 for all children and students. For reservations, call 727-PALT.

Bathroom Humor Auditions Set

Director Donnie Avery will hold auditions at the PALT Playhouse at 7 p.m. June 24 and 25 for a dinner theater to be presented Aug. 9-10 and 16-17 at the Garden Terrace Tearoom. The script is a comedy called Bathroom Humor and calls for three women and four men in their 20's to late 30's (early 40's) and one man in his 50's to 60's.

The action takes place in the bathroom at a party. There is some physical comedy and some adult humor. For information, call 722-7732 or 727-PALT.

PALT Web Site Wins Award

The Port Arthur Little Theatre's web site recently received a first place for web design from the Press Club of Southeast Texas. Press Club President Brian Sattler presented the award to Susan Walker, the designer and webmaster for the site, during the club's annual awards banquet.

The new PALT web site, www.palt.org, went online in December 2001. It features information on the current season, reservations, memberships and how to get involved in the theater. Call 727-PALT for information. We hope to add new features soon. And a big thanks to Susan Walker!

First PALT Spotlight Awards

Port Arthur Little Theatre is hosting a night of fun, food and prizes, and we're asking you to join us. A small donation of $5 is requested per person to help defray the cost of expenses. Dinner will be served along with a night of entertainment, celebration and recognition. There will be highlights of the past season and a few surprises. We hope you join us in celebrating you, the members, the heart of the Port Arthur Little Theatre.

It will be held at the Garden Terrace Tearoom, 1035 Nederland Ave., at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 15. Dress is casual. To make reservations, please call 727-PALT as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you there.

New Board Members, Life Members

Several new board members were elected at the recent general membership meeting held at Port Arthur Little Theatre. Phillip Gray was re-elected as president for the next two years, and Paula Good was elected recording secretary. Board members elected to another term are Ann Holland and Bridget Farias.

Serving for the first time will be Gregg Moon, Michael DeRouen and Brent Rozell. We welcome these new members and wish them a productive term.

Also selected at the meeting were two new life members. Paula Capello and Dr.David Sorrells were chosen to receive life memberships because of their service, leadership and participation in Port Arthur Little Theatre.

Capello was very instrumental in obtaining the grant funds necessary to do the renovations on the theater when it was enlarged and the lobby added. She has done many plays in many capacities as actress, director, voice director, prop person, costumer, etc. She served on the board as president, corresponding secretary and general board member. She has shared her love of theater with her family, which has joined her in many plays in the area.

Sorrells has served as president of the board as well as a general board member. He has been active both onstage and off. His efforts to obtain grant money allowed the theater to purchase a new clavinova, double the production budgets for a season and put new siding on the building. He was also instrumental in obtaining our stage curtains. He has starred in and directed numerous plays for PALT, including the popular musicals Bye,Bye Birdie and Cinderella.

Sorrells and Capello both love theater, and we are happy to welcome them to the rank of life member of Port Arthur Little Theatre.