Save the date
PC Players presents: The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays, Wednesday, October 18 through Saturday, October 21; 7:00 p.m.; Renaissance Theater
Tickets available online at pebblecreekhoa.org (under Things To Do/Ticket Sales) or at the Eagle’s Nest kiosk on Mondays and Fridays, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Tickets can be purchased online 24/7.
ShowTime presents: Back to Nashville, Monday, November 13 through Saturday, November 18; 7:00 p.m.; Renaissance Theater
Tickets available starting on Saturday, October 14 at 8:00 a.m. in the Renaissance Theater or online at pebblecreekhoa.org (under Things To Do/Ticket Sales). Starting October 16, tickets available at the Eagle’s Nest kiosk on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to noon. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Tickets can be purchased online 24/7.
9 to 5: The Musical; Monday, April 9 through Saturday, April 14, 2018, 7:00 p.m.; Renaissance Theater
Auditions scheduled for Thursday, October 26, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday October 29, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Tuscany Ballroom. Contact Chrissy Bridges at 623-521-6084 or Patti Wegehaupt at 623-536-7233.
PC Singers presents: Welcome Christmas, Tuesday, November 28 to Saturday, December 2; 7:00 p.m.; Renaissance Theater
Tickets available starting Saturday, November 4 at 8:00 a.m. in the Renaissance Theater and online at pebblecreekhoa.org (under Things To Do/Ticket Sales). Tickets will also be available at Eagle’s Nest kiosk. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Tickets can be purchased online 24/7.
“9 to 5 The Musical” auditions take place this month
Laurie Farquhar
Remember when it seemed like your whole life existed between the hours of 9 to 5 and you felt over-worked and underpaid by a manager who did not appreciate you? It is probably too late to turn the tables on that ungrateful boss but you can imagine what getting your payback might have felt like if you join the cast of 9 To 5 The Musical. ShowTime Productions is presenting this award-winning show next spring but auditions are coming up later this month.
Based on the 1980 hit movie 9 to 5, the stage production follows the story of three female co-workers who exact revenge on their sexist, egotistical, lying boss. The Broadway production opened in 2009, earning several Tony nominations and it has played to enthusiastic audiences around the world since then. It is a high energy show with great music and lyrics written by the ever-popular singer/songwriter Dolly Parton.
The ShowTime production of 9 to 5 The Musical will run six nights from Monday, April 9 to Saturday, April 14. Auditions are scheduled for Thursday, October 26, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 29, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., in the Tuscany Ballroom. Copies of the audition material and music are now available from Producer Patti Wegehaupt at 623-536-7233 or [email protected]. Assistant Director Chrissy Bridges is currently booking audition times and she can be contacted at 623-935-9710 or [email protected].
Come be part of one of ShowTime’s outstanding productions and satisfy that urge to get revenge for all those years of unappreciated work.
How to buy tickets online for “Back to Nashville”
Laurie Farquhar
ShowTime’s new online ticketing system is up and running and ready for business when tickets for Back to Nashville go on sale next month.
Following PC Players’ successful launch of their online ticketing system last year, ShowTime and the other performing arts clubs have decided to follow suit, starting this fall. All four clubs will be using the same secure ticketing service which will make it easy for show patrons who are already familiar with it if they purchased tickets for a PC Players main stage production in the past year. In addition, all four clubs will have a link to their individual ticketing system on the same page on the PebbleCreek HOA website.
To find the link, go to the PCHOA website at www.pebblecreekhoa.org. Once you have logged in, click at the top of the page on Things to Do and then scroll down and click on Ticket Sales. On this page, you will find a link next to Back to Nashville that says “Buy Tickets Online.” Click on that link and it will take you to the page where you can purchase tickets and choose your seats in the Renaissance Theater. If you want more information about the show itself, click on the ShowTime link which will take you to the club’s web page. That page also has a link to online ticket sales system.
The launch of the new service will mean that show patrons will now be able to use a credit card (VISA and MasterCard), as well as cash or checks for their purchases; however, the biggest benefit will mean that you do not have to get up early to attend the Saturday opening of sales at the Renaissance Theater or go to the Eagle’s Nest kiosk to get tickets. You can purchase and print tickets from your home computer any time. There will be a $1.50 per ticket service fee for this convenience. For those who want to avoid this fee or wish to pay using cash or check, there will still be the traditional ticket sales at the theater and at the kiosk.
Back to Nashville tickets go on sale at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, both online and in the theater. If you enjoy the social part of buying tickets on opening day, then join your fellow show patrons in the theater. If you are not a morning person, then you can purchase tickets while sitting at your computer still in your pajamas and drinking your coffee. You now have a choice.
For more information or help with the online system, contact Chanca Morrell at 602-321-4020, [email protected] or Laurie Farquhar at 623-251-4158, [email protected].
Run to see “The Games Afoot”
Melissa Kallett
To quote William Shakespeare, “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players.” Nothing is truer to the eight PebbleCreekers who comprise the cast of this month’s production of the comedy whodunit—The Games Afoot. They have spent the summer learning lines, refining their comedic timing and feigning murderous scenes that will bring enjoyment to all who attend. Another dozen of your neighbors withstood the heat designing and building a set that transforms the Renaissance Theater stage into the Connecticut mansion of the “dashing and handsome” William Gillette—the actor who brought Sherlock Holmes to the theatrical stage years ago. Even more of your neighbors contributed behind the scenes on costumes, props, lighting and sound. The end result is a fun filled evening that is well worth the price of admission!
The PC Players production of The Games Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays runs October 18 through 21. Tickets ($15) are on sale now online (via a link at pebblecreekhoa.org), at the Eagle’s Nest Kiosk Monday and Friday from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. and at the door on performance nights (while they last). This comedy is inspired by real-life turn-of-the-century actor William Gillette, and his alter ego, the infamous sleuth of Scotland Yard.
As the show opens we meet famed stage actor William Gillette at his Connecticut mansion, recovering from an attempt on his life following a performance of his renowned play, Sherlock Holmes. It’s Christmas Eve and, much to his mother Martha’s chagrin, William invites fellow actors Aggie and Simon and Felix and Madge over for the holiday weekend. Also joining the festivities is the famous theater critic “everyone loves to hate,” Daria Chase. Gillette’s elaborate home, filled with gadgets and hidden passageways, becomes the setting for a murder and he must use the Sherlock Holmes crime-solving skills he made famous on stage to catch the culprit—as he battles wits with the local, quirky at times, police inspector. Will Gillette uncover the secrets his guests are hiding? Will he discover who the murderer is before he/she claims another victim? Will his guests ever be able to drink eggnog again?
PebbleCreek Singers familiar voice and face Ray Hadden portrays Gillette, with PC Players favorite Shirley Robinson, (last seen in the Player’s production of On Golden Pond) as his mother Martha. Completing the cast are Jon Lindstrom (Leading Ladies, The 39 Steps, Noises Off), Judi Blankenship (Hallelujah Girls, Red Herring, Rumors), John Gimon (Arsenic and Old Lace, Bedroom Farce and 18 other PC Players performances), Sophie Shrum (Fox on the Fairway), Donna Gray (Spamalot, Gypsy, Dixie Swim Club) and Laurie Overson (Female Odd Couple, White Christmas, Harvey). The design team includes Karen Blankenship (scenic design), Pat Kelly (lighting), Maura Weddle (costumes) and Bob Oswald (sound).
Plan your night of entertainment and secure your ticket now. Then head over to the theater and hear again, Sherlock Holmes famous cry, “Watson! The Games Afoot!”
Calling all musicians
Norma Whitley
Do you play an instrument? There may be opportunities for you to connect and play with other musicians in the PebbleCreek Community. Please contact Bruce Birnel of the PC Musicians at [email protected] for more information.
Save the Date – Mark your calendars for the spring performance of Burst of Music XI, which will take place the evenings of March 22, 23 and 24. More details regarding ticket sales will be available in future articles in the PebbleCreek Post and on the PCHOA website.
Ed Buda at Burst of Music X performance
October Musician of the Month – Ed Buda
Norma Whitley
Edward H. Buda was born to Henry and Anna Buda on October 23, 1948 in Jersey City, New Jersey. He began accordion lessons at age eight and is thankful to his grandparents who encouraged him and paid for his lessons.
At the age of 10, Ed and his brother Jeff formed a band. They continued to play together until their careers made it impossible to keep the band together, which was over 30 years later.
Ed was married for 27 years and has been single for 24 years. He is the father of two beautiful daughters Melissa and Laura and is blessed with two grandsons, Isaac who will be seven and Liam who is two years old.
Ed’s career in broadcasting spanned 43 years. He was with WNJU TV in Newark, New Jersey, then in Manhattan with ABC News, later moving to NBC News. He retired in November of 2010, at which time he was mostly editing for the Today Show. Ed also served in the Army Reserve from 1969 to 1976 as staff sergeant.
Being honored with four Emmy nominations, Ed won two individual achievement Emmy awards as senior editor for the America Held Hostage documentary during the Iranian hostage era and as editor of a documentary about Franklin D. Roosevelt. Other awards Ed received for editing include the CINE Golden Eagle Award, NBC Dateline National Press Photographers Association 1st place award, National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators Award for Excellence and The Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award as well as many other industry awards. I must mention that Ed is very modest about his achievements and it took quite a bit of investigative questioning to get him to share these wonderful experiences and milestones.
After being introduced to PebbleCreek by his brother Jeff, Ed decided to move here in December 2010 from his home in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. He taught himself to play the vibraphone, which was something he never thought of playing until he relocated to PebbleCreek. He also plays a bit of drums and piano.
As a member of the PebbleCreek Big Band playing the vibes, timbale and other percussion instruments, Ed is able to play again with his brother Jeff. Ed started the musical group The Smooth Sounds of SILK with the help and organizational skills of his close friend Tess Braden that consists of musicians mostly from PebbleCreek. You may have seen them at Eagle’s Nest Restaurant or other area locations. He enjoys light jazz, Latin on the vibes and the Big Band music of the 1940s to present.
Ed is amazed by the productions at PebbleCreek and all the talented people that live here. He enjoys PebbleCreek as it is one stop shopping for activities, however, he shared that it is really about the people that he has met and new relationships he has formed. Ed also enjoys spending time at the gym, going to Karaoke, traveling and cooking.
PC Singers gearing up for Christmas
Donna Swagger
PebbleCreek Singers is getting in the holiday mood as they prepare to Welcome Christmas. The annual Christmas concert will be performed on Tuesday, November 28 through Saturday, December 2 at 7:00 p.m. in the Renaissance Theater.
Concert-goers are advised to sit back, hold on to their stocking caps and get ready for one rollicking sleigh ride as the chorus opens with a lively version of Jingle Bells! This sparkling rendition of the perennial holiday favorite is straight out of the swinging 1960s and was first featured on The Andy Williams Christmas Album. Next up is Welcome Christmas from the Dr. Seuss movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas. If you fell in love with this song when all the Who’s down in Whoville joined hands and sang it around the Christmas tree, then you’re certain to enjoy this harmonized arrangement of the holiday classic! And that’s just the beginning! Christmas carols, holiday pop classics, some novelty songs, beautiful sacred numbers, two acapella pieces and a Hanukkah song round out the program. Charming renditions of select holiday numbers will be performed by small ensembles and soloists. This delightful mixture of songs of the season is guaranteed to create a heart-warming holiday mood.
Choral Director Gail Kennedy will be conducting her sixteenth concert with the PebbleCreek Singers. Mrs. Kennedy was a music teacher in the public schools before retiring and moving to PebbleCreek. She sang with the chorus four years prior to becoming choral director in 2009. Under her direction, the chorus has added a acapella numbers to the repertoire, achieved memorization of several songs and succeeded in attaining a fuller choral sound.
Opening day tickets sales will be Saturday, November 4 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the Renaissance Theater. The PC Singers is moving to online ticket sales, but will continue to offer in-person sales on both opening day and at the kiosk. Several computer stations will be available on opening sales day for those who would rather make on-line purchases.
The holiday season can become hectic with all the preparations. Take some time out to relax and come hear the PebbleCreek Singers perform Welcome Christmas. It’s our gift to all of you!