The lively cast of The Drowsy Chaperone
The Drowsy Chaperone tickets on sale March 14
Laurie Farquhar
Thinking that you might not want to see ShowTime’s The Drowsy Chaperone because it is not well known? Need a good reason to get tickets for this show? Ask the four people who you would expect to see all of the flaws in the production what they think and they are unanimous. The Drowsy Chaperone will be the funniest musical ever produced in PebbleCreek.
The play is a musical within a comedy that tells the story of an eccentric man and his love for an old show from the 1920s. As he recounts the plot of the vintage musical, the characters come to life and his dreary living room is transformed into a Broadway stage filled with singing, dancing, colorful costumes and extraordinary props.
Director Karyn Horst says, “The audience will be blown away with the phenomenal talent of the actors—they are outstanding.” And although the music in The Drowsy Chaperone is not familiar, she quotes one of the characters, saying, “It gives you a little tune to carry with you in your head; a little something to help you escape the dreary horrors of the real world.” Vocal Director Bev Griggs agrees that some of the tunes will stay in minds for days—and I think the humor of this show is not only great but needed in the bizarre times we are living in.
Assistant Director Louise Dick’s favorite part of the production is “watching the cast members become crazy, eccentric, off the wall characters—it is just plain, laugh out loud funny.” Music Director Shirley Nebergall concurs that the actors are “wonderful, entertaining and impressive” and she hopes “our audience will pay close attention so no one misses a rapid fire funny line!”
With these recommendations, why would you not want to get tickets for The Drowsy Chaperone? The show runs six nights from Monday, April 13 to Saturday, April 18. Tickets are $15 and will go on sale Saturday, March 14 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the Renaissance Theatre. After that they will be sold at the Eagle’s Nest kiosk every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Still not convinced? Karyn sums it up with, “For two hours the audience is going to be intoxicated by laughter—what a joy for us all!” Sounds like a great way to spend an evening.
On Golden Pond
PC Players announces fall play
PC Players is pleased to announce its fall production of the award winning play of stage and screen fame, On Golden Pond. This is a theme that may resonate with the lives of many residents of PebbleCreek. It is the poignant love story of Ethel and Norman Thayer who are returning to their summer home in Maine for the forty eighth year. He is nearing eighty, plagued with failing health and memory, but still as tart tongued as ever. She is ten years younger and the anchor in their long and devoted life together, which is now beginning to change. They are visited by their divorced, middle aged daughter and her dentist fiancé who then go off to Europe, leaving his teenage child behind.
There are a number of family dynamics that result as Norman and the teenager begin to form a bond while Norman’s daughter has to deal with her resentment and pain at never being quite good enough to win her Dad’s love and acceptance. As the summer passes Norman and Ethel are brought face to face with a major life change, the prickliness of their relationship and the reality that the end of life is coming. This beautifully written play is filled with many deeply moving moments that touch the heart, interspersed with Norman’s wit and biting humor that will make you smile.
Mark your calendars. Auditions for the seven roles in this play will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings, March 24 and 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the Tuscany Ballroom. Now is the time for any of you in the community who have always had that itch to go on the stage to finally take the plunge into the magic world of theater. For advance scripts contact the play’s director, Jon Lindstrom, at [email protected] or 623-535-5495.
Save The Date!
For those who like to plan ahead, here is the Performing Arts schedule for meetings, auditions and productions for spring, 2015.
Spring, 2015
PC Players: The Hallelujah Girls
Tickets will be sold in the Eagle’s Nest Kiosk on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Performance dates: Wednesday through Saturday, March 11, 12, 13, 14
PC Musicians: Burst of Music VIII
First day of ticket sales: Saturday, March 7 in the Renaissance Theatre, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.* Performance dates: Thursday through Saturday, March 26, 27, and 28
ShowTime: The Drowsy Chaperone
First day of ticket sales: Saturday, March 14 in the Renaissance Theatre, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.* Performance dates: Monday, April 13 through Saturday, April 18.
PC Singers: Spring Concert, Remember When
First day of ticket sales: Saturday, April 4 in the Renaissance Theatre, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.* Performance dates: Wednesday, April 29 through Saturday, May 2.
*The productions will sell tickets in the Eagle’s Nest Kiosk following first day of sales until all are sold. We publish the schedules of exact days and times closer to the events.
Left to right: Sharon Becker, Jill Santy, Sande Nielson, Brenda Peterson, Myra Saunders and Nancy Cole remember poodle skirts, bobby socks, cat’s eye glasses and great ‘50s music.
PebbleCreek Singers “Remember When”
Donna Swagger
Great music has no expiration date! The PC Singers will affirm that when they present their annual spring concert, Remember When—”! The chorus will pay tribute to the power and timelessness of music as they sing some of the celebrated hits of the 20th Century! Concert dates are Wednesday, April 29 through Saturday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. in the Renaissance Theatre.
It’s amazing how songs can bring back so many memories. Concert goers are sure to find at least one of the sixteen sensational numbers in the program that will take them back to a time and place that they haven’t been in years. Sing a Song, a hit from the ‘70s by Earth, Wind and Fire, sets the tone for this reminiscent musical journey. Travel back to the ‘30s and ‘40s and recall some of the memorable songs from the silver screen. Revisit the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s as the chorus sings a few rock ‘n roll tunes, a doo wop number, several dreamy ballads and some Broadway favorites. Two of the numbers from this era are a cappella! The 80’s and 90’s feature two inspirational pieces that have a classical flair. The finale is a new Mark Hayes arrangement of two of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beloved songs powerfully set together in a combination of great emotion and strength. The number’s moving message – pursue your dreams and never lose hope – is certain to stir every listener’s heart. As the musical journey comes to an end, audiences are sure to say, “Thanks for the Memories, PebbleCreek Singers!”
Tickets for Remember When—” will go on sale Saturday, April 4 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the Renaissance Theatre. Tickets are $15 each and, for this concert only, individuals may purchase up to ten tickets per person. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the Eagle’s Nest kiosk. Look for more details in the April PebbleCreek Post.
The PebbleCreek Big Band at the conclusion of last year’s Burst of Music VII
Get Ready for “Burst of Music VIII”
Laurie Farquhar
Tickets for Burst of Music VIII go on sale on Saturday, March 7 and once again, the PebbleCreek Musicians are planning an exciting evening of entertainment.
The PebbleCreek Big Band will perform selections made popular by Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, The Temptations and Tom Jones. The numbers will range from classic swing, jazz and Latin sounds to Broadway and movie theme songs. In addition, well-known PebbleCreek vocalists Chanca Morrell and Barry Jeannelle will sing with the band. For both singers, this will be an opportunity to present a completely different side of their vocal talents. Chanca’s first love is country music while Barry has been crooning rock and roll since he was a teenager. However, both of them are very excited about working with a live 22-member band.
A new group will also be joining the show this year. Silk will perform smooth Latin sounds and will showcase Ed Buda on vibes.
Finally, you can expect some laughs throughout the evening since ventriloquist Jerry Layne and one of his friends will once again be the emcees. Jerry and his friends have performed around the world and recently spent a week entertaining at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. They have also appeared in five motion pictures and many commercials. When not on stage, Jerry is the leading supplier of ventriloquial figures to magic dealers throughout the country. These figures are hand-made by Jerry and are an example of his artistic talents beyond his performing abilities.
Burst of Music VIII will run three evenings from Thursday, March 26 to Saturday March 28. Tickets, which will be $15, go on sale Saturday, March 7 in the Renaissance Theater from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. After that, tickets will be available at the Eagle’s Nest kiosk on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. They will also be sold during karaoke on Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
So get ready for an evening of great music and comedy that will get your toes tapping and bring a smile to your face.
Opportunity Knocks
Do you now, or did you ever, play a musical instrument? If so, the PebbleCreek Musicians would like to talk with you. For more information contact Bruce Birnel at [email protected]. Indicate what instrument you play, for how long you played, playing experience (bands, solos, etc.) and if you can read music.
ShowTime would like you to consider being a part of the performing arts in PebbleCreek. We use volunteers for ushering, set building, sound design, costume, make-up, props and backstage—not to mention the musicians, singers and dancers that perform on stage. With all the new neighbors moving in there is most likely talent and theater interests that have yet to be tapped. The opportunity knocks for you to consider being a part of the performing arts in PebbleCreek.
ShowTime’s Annual Membership meeting is Wednesday, April 22. We will have sign up sheets for volunteers for a variety of committees. If you have any technical skills in sound, lighting or set building, we are eager to meet you.
Laurie Farquhar
Behind the Scenes
Laurie Farquhar
Recently a friend mentioned that she had asked her husband to go to the Eagle’s Nest kiosk to purchase tickets for the upcoming PC Singers show. Her husband looked at her blankly and said, “What is a kiosk? And where do I find it?” Keep in mind, this couple has lived in PebbleCreek for many years so it makes you wonder, if they are not aware of the kiosk, then how many other homeowners also do not know what it is and where it is located.
The Eagle’s Nest kiosk is the usual place where you can purchase tickets being sold by most of the official clubs in PebbleCreek. Many of the state parties also sell their tickets at the kiosk. The four Performing Arts Clubs – PC Players, PC Musicians, PC Singers and ShowTime – have their first day of ticket sales in the Renaissance Theatre, but after that tickets are sold at the kiosk during scheduled times. An important note: tickets for all events sponsored by the Activity Office are sold only at the Activity Office.
So where is this infamous kiosk? As you walk through the main doors of Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse you will see the Guest Services desk on your left. Walk past that desk towards the bar area and you will see another smaller desk and that is the kiosk. One of the reasons that you may have not noticed this desk before is that it is not always manned. Tickets are only sold there during scheduled times.
And that brings up the question of how do you find out when tickets will be sold for a specific club production or party? The best source for this information is in the PebbleCreek Post every month. Many of these events are also announced on the HOA website at www.pebblecreekhoa.org on PebbleCreek’s Channel 22 and in flyers posted on the boards outside each clubhouse.
So the next time you read an article about an upcoming Performing Arts Club show that says tickets are available at the Eagle’s Nest kiosk, you will know exactly where to find it.