Page A1, THE NEWS OBSERVER, June 30, 2009

THEATER BEGINS FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN
By Cynthia Maude
Staff Writer

Blue Ridge Community Theater has named its effort to provide funding for its new theater the Cornerstone Project “because we see theater as the cornerstone of the community,” said Gene Ivey, who is heading the capital campaign.

The ultimate goal is to raise $500,000. But in the next two to three weeks, the theater needs to raise $100,000 to pay for the build-out to transform the building the theater bought at 2591 E. First St. into a theater, Ivey said.

The challenge is to raise this amount by July 24, so that the new theater is ready in time for the opening of its next production, “The Fantasticks,” he said.

The new theater, located across from the Swan Drive-In, will be a first-class facility with bigger and better seating and two stages, allowing the theater to rehearse two plays at the same time. There’s even the possibility of having catered dinners with the theater, Ivey said.

Earlier this month, Ivey and his wife, Kathi, asked themselves how much they could donate to the theater.

“We asked ourselves, ‘What could we do to benefit the theater in a tangible way?’ and decided to make a sizable donation,” Ivey said.

“We’re not wealthy, but comfortable. We realized that even after the market tanked, we were just fine,” Ivey said. “We have patrons of the theater who take $2 a week out of their salary and send it to us. That $2 a week over time is more valuable than our contribution,” he said.

Ivey described himself as a “Johnny-come-lately” to theater. “I was a type-A personality workaholic for DuPont for 37 years - always up at 4 a.m., always work, work, work. My children always came second and I never found the opportunity to go to the theater in all that time,” he said.

Then, at age 57, Ivey went to see “Phantom of the Opera” in New York City. “I was hooked immediately. I tried to get our two sons to New York to see the show and went back to New York to see ‘Phantom’ three more times,” he said.

After Ivey retired from DuPont and the Iveys moved to Blue Ridge in 2007, Kathi met Elizabeth Hunt, who runs the theater box office, at Blue Ridge United Methodist Church. “She got me started in the theater and the Pink Ladies,” Kathi said.

Not only did Kathi help with the theater database and at the box office, she also “sucked me into the theater,” said Gene, who started building theater sets. “I love to build things - it was an easy fit for me,” he said.

It wasn’t long before the Iveys were hooked on the experience of a small town theater. “It’s not about the fancy production and million-dollar salaries of actors. It’s all about what happens on stage. That’s what I love more than the production,” Ivey said.

“It’s all about growing children for the theater,” said Ivey, who said he’d like to see his 3-year-old granddaughter, Caroline - one of the Ivey’s six grandchildren - be part of the Sunny D Children’s Theater.

Heading a capital campaign like the Cornerstone Project is something Ivey has never done before, and he’s uncomfortable being called the head of the campaign. “It’s not me, but us. All of us interested in theater are ambassadors for it,” Ivey said.

Theater board member Alan Monteleone, who has been involved in theater his whole life, is leading the campaign with Ivey. “We both have the same passion,” Ivey said.

“We’ve gotten great support from the community,” he said, citing architect Rick LaRosa’s pro bono work and a donor who mortgaged his farm to provide the theater with a $60,000 line of credit.

With a donation of $1,000, a person can have his or her name on one of the theater seats. By donating $4,000, one can purchase a “dating seat,” similar to the ones in the old Fox Theater, Ivey said.

A $5,000 donation will buy one of six small dressing rooms, and a $10,000 donation will buy one of three large dressing rooms. Benefactors donating $50,000 can have a rehearsal stage or the theater lobby in their name, he said.

“There are many people in this county who could make the $100,000 go away in a short time,” Ivey said. “The Cornerstone Project is really a grassroots effort.”

For more information about the new theater and the Cornerstone Project, contact Ivey at 678-428-5385, e-mail him at geiv@msn.com, or Monteleone at 706-632-0166 or e-mail him at amonte@tds.net. 

Page B4, THE NEWS OBSERVER, June 26, 2009
"SUNNY D REMEMBERS" SHOWCASES TALENTS OF KIDS FIVE TO TEENS"
Cynthia Maude
Staff Writer

"Sunny D Remembers," a rollicking tribute to the early days of radio and television performed June 26 and June 27 by a cast of 5- to 18-year-old actors, is blue Ridge Community Theater's final performance at Hampton Square.

The grand finale showcases the talent of the 60 children and youth who participated inthe eighth annual Sunny D Children's Theater summer camp, camp executive director Dalila Davenport said.

"It will be great fun for the audience," said Davenport,, who said the show includes tributes to "The Little Rascals," "The Lone Ranger," "Lost in Space," the 1955 version of "The Mickey Mouse Club," the 1940s mystery radio shows and the 1960s TV version of "Batman."

During the two-week theater camp held at the Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge, the young actors were grouped into channels 1, 2 and 3. They will perform scenes they have created from the vintage radio and TV shows.


The 5-to 8-year-olds in channel 1 will perform "The Little Rascals" and "The Lone Ranger." The channel 2 actors, ages 9 to 12, will perform "Lost in Space" and "The Mickey Mouse Club."

The teens from 13 to 18 in the channel 3 group will perform scenes from "Batman" and from old time radio shows.

The scene that the youngest actors decided to perform from "The Little Rascals" portrays the kids' first day back at school after summer vacation. "Two hundred and ten days 'til the next vacation", they wail in unison.

They're fabulously glum," Davenport said, unable to conceal her glee as she watched the 5- to 8-year-olds rehearse.

Learning to walk like robots is part of what the actors in the channel 2 group have to master to enact scenes from the science fiction show, "Lost in Space."

"No hands in pockets. You have to get in character. I'm not understanding what you're saying," Director Ashley Gammon told the 9- to 12-year-olds after watching a run-through of the scene.

Some of the teenagers got pointers on how to improve their scene from "Batman" from Shawna Rosendale-Watkins. She coached Robin, played by Brandon Richardson, to "look more confused," and had him practice whirling around in his cape.

Other actors from the channel 3 worked with guest teacher Chad Farrell on improvisation and creating scenes. Farrell was telling them the difference in auditioning for the stage and for television.

"We tried to tie in history with the performance material" at the theater camp, Davenport said. Each performance group made a "decade banner," creating six banners from the 1920s through the 1970s.

They took pictures, articles and ads from old magazines. Each banner has the cost of a gallon of milk, the average income and the price of a new car for that decade.

While the actors were working on the banners, Davenport said that Kiwanis members would stop and comment, "That's right. I bought a car that year." The banners will hang on the walls of the theater at the performances Friday and Saturday.

After the curtain falls on "Sunny D Remembers" Saturday night, the sets will come down and Blue Ridge Community Theater will close the door to the home at Hampton Square, where the theater got its start in 2003. On July 1, the theater will move into its new location at 2591 East First St.

"Sunny D Remembers" will be performed twice, on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call the box office at 706-632-9223.  (Click here to see pictures.)

Page A3, THE NEWS OBSERVER, June 26, 2009
SUNNY D GETS HELP FROM KIWANIS

News Observer Photo / Cynthia Maude

This is the eighth year of Sunny D Children's Theater summer camp, which has been held for the past five years at the Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge. On June 19, Kiwanis Club Treasurer Ken Williams presented a check on behalf of the club to Sunny D Children's theater Chairman Bill Marsh. The kids in the channel 2 group of this year's camp were on hand to show their appreciation to the Kiwanis Club. The channel 2 kids pictured are Tiffany and Brittany Abt, Skyler Bey, Madison Chapstick, Maggie Davis, Adam Farmer, Nick Fry, Andy Harper, Victoria Hausburg, Noah Hornsby, Darby Hubbell, Emma Kaylor, Victoria Keaton, Summer Marsh, Karley Mathews, Blakely and Shay Richards, Lillian and Shane Smith, Emilee Towe, Jack Trammel and Edie Walls.

Page A1, THE NEWS OBSERVER, June 26, 2009
SUNNY D GETTING READY

News Observer photo/Cynthia Maude

It was difficult for the children creating scenes from "Lost in Space" just to hold the magnets, and not experiment with what surfaces are magnetic, during rehearsals at Sunny D Children's theater. Here, Jack Trammel, left, prepared to be a robot, while Brittany Abt tried out the big red magnet to get him going. The two will join others for the Sunny D production this weekend, which will be the final show in the Blue Ridge Community Theater's old building. 

Page A7, THE NEWS OBSERVER, June 2, 2009

STORYTELLERS TO PERFORM SAT., JUNE 6
By Cynthia Maude
Staff Writer

News Observer Photo/Cynthia Maude

The Blue Ridge Mountains Storytellers will perform Saturday, June 6, at 7 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Community Theater. Shown before rehearsal are storytellers, front, from left, Betty Wilson, Sue Canady, Joyce McManious, back, Keith Jones, Bill Canady, Mark Johnson, Bill Jefferson and Gene Curry. The local folk group Butternut Creek and Friends will perform at the event, which is a benefit performance for the Sunny D Children's Theater.


The Blue Ridge Mountains Storytellers will perform at "A Night of Music and Storytelling" on Saturday, June 6, at 7 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Community Theater.

Music will be provided by the local folk group Butternut Creek and Friends, followed by "tales from tall to true" by the Blue Ridge Mountains Storytellers.

The night of music and storytelling is a benefit performance for the Sunny D Children's Theater presented by the Blue Ridge Community Theater, the Blue Ridge Mountains Storytellers and Butternut Creek and Friends. Tickets for the event are $5.

Page B2, THE NEWS OBSERVER, June 2, 2009

THEATER ACCEPTS SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS

United Community Bank is a 2009 production sponsor of the Blue Ridge Community Theater Main stage and donated two scholarships for this year's Sunny D Children's Theater's Summer Camp. For more information, visit www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com. For tickets, call the box office at 706-632-9223. From left, are president of United Community Bank, Johnny Chastain; Business Development officer, UCB, Stacy Lewis; Capital Fund Raising Blue Ridge Community Theater Gene Ivey; and president BRCT, Joe Webb.

Page A10, THE NEWS OBSERVER, May 5, 2009

'HARVEY' OPENS AT BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY THEATER
By Cynthia Maude
Staff Writer

"Harvey," is an eccentric comedy about the ever-friendly Elwood P. Dowd and his best friend, a six-and-a-half-foot tall white rabbit named Harvey, Director Norma Bean said.

"Is the rabbit, or is he not, imaginary?" Bean asked those attending Mingle with the Stars last week to meet the cast, crew and production team of "Harvey," which opens Friday, May 8, at the Blue Ridge Community Theater.

Wayne Roshaven plays the easy-going Dowd, whose sister Louise, played by Kay Thomas, wants to have him committed to a sanitarium because he's ruining her social life.

the play by Mary Chase is set in the 1940s. "I've never seen more professional, authentic-looking sets," said Bean. "I've never seen such detail in sets," said Betty Ratcliffe, who with Susie Monteleone painted sets for this production.

"Harvey" is Bean's directorial debut at Blue Ridge Community Theater, but she has acted in the theater's productions of "Steel Magnolias," "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,", "Nunsense" and "The Foreigner." Ten years ago, Bean directed "Harvey" for the New London Theater in Gwinnett County.

Roshaven has acted in many BRCT Productions, appearing most recently as the priest in "Marrying Walt." He played Dowd in the Licklog Players' production of "Harvey" two years ago.

"Getting used to having a large, invisible rabbit with you" is a challenge, Roshaven said. "I make myself see him, so when I look at Harvey, he's there - he's big and white."

"Elwood P. Dowd is a happy-go-lucky, likable character. The audience loves him," Bean said. "'Harvey' is a play you can bring the whole family to see," she said.

"Harvey" will be presented at the Blue Ridge Community Theater Fridays and Saturdays, between May 8 and May 31, at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Blue Ridge Community Theater is located in Hampton Square at 11 Mountain St. in Blue Ridge. For more information and tickets call the box office at 706-632-9223.

Page A3, THE NEWS OBSERVER, May 1, 2009

SUNNY D OFFERS IMPROVISATION WORKSHOP
By Cynthia Maude
Staff Writer

Improvisation is part of rehearsing a play, and Sunny D Children's Theater is offering an Improvisation Workshop for children on four Saturdays in May.

"Improvisation helps make more believable characters," said Shawna Rosendale-Watkins, who will conduct the workshop for aspiring actors ages 10 to 19 on May 2, 9, 16 and 30, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Blue Ridge Community Theater.

Rosendale-Watkins, who earned a bachelor's degree in teaching drama grades k through 12 from the University of North Carolina Asheville in 2008, directed the teenage actors at the North Carolina Theater Conference who won the best acting award as an ensemble.

The young actors performed "Eleemonsynary," which means the charitable giving of alms. One of the actors also won the NCTC's best actor award, she said.

"We used improvisation as a rehearsal tool. I saw such a dramatic difference in them and myself with improvisation," Rosendale-Watkins said. "Improvisation really makes a script come alive. You find nuances and things you never saw were there," she said.

"Acting is about learning to use your body, your voice and characterization," Rosendale-Watkins said. She'll talk with those in the class "about how acting is reacting and how this makes you do that. With no script, you have to react," Rosendale-Watkins said.

The improvisation workshop will begin with activities such as a cooperation exercise called "the yes game." In this activity, one person in a circle makes direct eye contact with another, and that person says "yes," to indicate that the first person can take the second person's spot, and that person is left out of the circle.

"This activity is to help understand that you can't squash another person's idea by saying 'no,'" she said.

A "freezing" activity will be used in the workshop, in which two people, using pantomime, be given some scene to improvise. When a third person sees the activity pantomimed, he or she says "freeze," and takes the position of one of the two actors.

The actors may have improvised digging a ditch, but the third person may make it into holding an umbrella in the rain, Rosendale-Watkins said. "This makes them think outside the box-what seems one thing can be another. A sneeze in one scene can be someone crying in another," she said.

By the end, the workshop will focus on larger group activities, like a courtroom drama or re-enacting a funeral service, in which one actor portrays the deceased and the others tell stories.

Children and youth in the improvisation workshop must take all four classes.

The cost of the workshop is $35. To register or for more information call Pat Webb at 706-838-4575 or e-mail her at pjwebb@tds.net.

Page B1, THE NEWS OBSERVER, March 6, 2009

FUNNY, FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT AT SUNNY D
By Cynthia Maude
Staff Writer

 

News Observer photo/Cynthia Maude When asked, “What do you do to help your mother?” by Joey Roderick, the TV show host in “Kids Say the Darndest Things,” Hana Gregory quipped, “I put bread in the toaster. The only thing I can’t do is flush.” The Sunny D Children’s Theater spring production begins Friday, March 13, at the Blue Ridge Community Theater.  

 News Observer photo/Cynthia Maude A chorus of four girls, ages 13 to 18, sings tunes from “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” to “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” between the interviews in “Kids Say the Darndest Things.” Belting out, “Old MacDonald” during a rehearsal were, from left, Elizabeth Hornsby, McKayla Barriault, Lillian Smith and Christine Stone.  

News Observer photo/Cynthia Maude Trystin Miller, one of the children in “Kids Say the Darndest Things,” speaks into the microphone of the TV show host, played by Joey Roderick, during a rehearsal for the show. “I took a bath for the first time in a long time,” Miller confided to Roderick.  

News Observer photo/Cynthia Maude Tina Maslankowski, director of “Kids Say the Darndest Things, ” said instead of teaching kids how to be someone else in this show, “we tell kids ‘Be yourself.’”

“You try to teach kids how to get into character and be someone else, but in ‘Kids Say the Darndest Things,’ we tell kids, ‘Be yourself,’” Director Tina Maslankowski said.

“Kids Say the Darndest Things,” inspired from the popular children’s interview segment of Art Linkletter’s TV show from the 1950s and ’60s, “House Party,” is Sunny D Children’s Theater spring production. The show starts Friday, March 13, and runs through March 22 at the Blue Ridge Community Theater.

The stars of the show are 12 children, ages 4 through 10, who are interviewed by the host of the TV show, played by 18-year old Joey Roderick, who played the white rabbit in Sunny D’s production of “Alice in Wonderland.”

At the auditions for “Kids Say the Darndest Things,” Maslankowski asked the children questions like, “Who’s in charge, Mom or Dad?” and “Do you have any pets?”

One aspiring young actor answered with a long list of animals that included chickens, horses and various kinds of birds. When she looked at him in disbelief, a tyke said, “Mamma says we’re frustrated farmers.”

“We incorporated some of the answers from auditions into the script because they’re so cute,” she said. A chorus of four girls, ages 13 to 18, has been added to the script. In between interviews with the children, the chorus sings songs, Maslankowski said.

When the TV host asks a child, “Have you ever been in love?” and the child answers, “No, but I’ve been in like three times,” the choir bursts into a rendition of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”

Interspersed with lines from kids’ letters to Santa, to the president and even to God, are questions from the host like, “How would you make your marriage work?”

“The kid says, ‘I’d tell my wife she looks pretty, even if she looks like a Mack truck,’” Maslankowski said, unable to deliver the lines without giggling. She said when a kid is asked, “Do you have any brothers or sisters ?”a little girl says, “No, I’m single.”

Maslankowski, who had never directed kids this young, said that she “was really nervous. The 4- to 5-year-olds were ready to work, and the 6- and 7-year-olds wanted to play. It was very ambitious for only five weeks of rehearsal.”

“It’s really been a learning experience for me,” she said. “This show says ‘Be yourself’ - this magical thing we lost when we grew up. The kids are just so wonderful. At rehearsal, they run into your arms and say, ‘I’ve missed you!’”

“Kid Say the Darndest Things” will be performed March 13 through 22, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. For information and tickets call 706-632-9223.

February 27, 2009, THE NEWS OBSERVER, Page B3
"KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS" AT SUNNY D

Sunny D Children's Theater, at 11 Mountain St. in Blue Ridge, will present "Kids Say The Darndest Things" March 13-115 and 20-22. Show time for Friday and Saturday nights is 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinee begins at 2 p.m. Admissions is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. For more information, call the box office at 706-632-9223 or visit www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com Cast members include, front, Trystin Miller, Jo Schaly, Erica Schaly, Hana Gregory, Holly Smith, Autumn Stancil, Shane Smith; back, Joey Roderick, Lillian Smith, McKayla Barriault, Elizabeth Hornsby, Trudy Cobb, McKenna Hayes and Claire Cobb. Not pictured are Bubba Whitaker and Nick Fry.

February, 26, 2009, FANNIN SENTINEL, Page A1
SUNNY D CHILDREN'S THEATER PRESENTS...KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS

Directed By: Tina Maslankowski March 13-15, 2009, March 20-22, 2009. Performances: Friday and Saturday Nights at 7:30 PM, Sunday Matinee at 2 PM. Admissions: $10 for adults; $5 for children 12 & under.

"KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS"...Yes, the one we remember from the TV of our youth that was hosted by Art Linkletter! This play is filled with the innocent wisdom that comes out of the "mouth of babes" and reminds us to look at the world with a kid's view. This very funny, family entertainment will be vastly enjoyed by audiences young and old! Get ready to laugh,laugh, laugh when..."Kids Say the Darndest Things"! For more information, call the box office at 706-632-9223.

Or visit us www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com, 11 Mountain Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513.

Page 8A: THEATER: The names of the children pictured in the cast picture are: Front Row: Trystin Miller, Jo Schaly, Erica Schaly, Hana Gregory, Holly Smith, Autumn Stancil, Shane Smith. Back Row: Joey Roderick, Lillian Smith, McKayla Barriault, Elizabeth Hornsby, Trudy Cobb, McKenna Hayes, Claire Cobb. Not Pictured: Bubba Whitaker, Nick Fry.

Page A8, THE NEWS OBSERVER, February 13, 2009

WITHOUT HORNSBY BEHIND THE SCENES, "MARRYING WALT" COULDN'T GO ON
By Cynthia Maude
Staff Writer

Elizabeth Hornsby won't appear on stage in "Marrying Walt," currently being staged at Blue Ridge Community Theater, but the show won't go on without her.

Hornsby, a senior at Copper Basin High School, is technical director of the comedy set in a Florida retirement village. This is her first time to run the lighting and sound for a production by herself.

"Now I did everything," said Hornsby, who has acted, sung, and been stage director at the theater for more than four years.

"She's been fantastic," said "Marrying Walt" Director Mike Lacey. "Elizabeth Hornsby is a great example of kids who grew up in Sunny D Children's Theater," he said. Known as "'theater rats,' these are the kids who hang out there and are learning about theater," he said.

"Lights and sound is really cool. You get to watch the whole show every night. It's like a front row seat every night," said Hornsby, who had to make a quick exit Feb. 6, opening night, because she had to take the ACT college entrance exam the following morning.

One of the reasons Hornsby said.

"In 'Marrying Walt,' one actor is disabled, but he can still act. Theater gives a kind of niche. Once you're here for a while, you get a whole new family, a theater family," Hornsby said.

Ever since she and a friend auditioned for "Anne Frank & Me," a children's theater production, four years ago, Hornsby "got bit by the theater bug." She was scared to be in front of people before doing several monologues and songs in the play. Afterwards, she was hooked.

Next, Hornsby played an elf in "The Christmas Express," and her first main stage production was "Miss Firecracker Contest," where she started as a stage hand and was bumped up to assistant stage manager.

"Marrying Walt" is her sixth main stage production. She was assistant stage manager for both "Moon Over Buffalo" and "The Odd Couple." Hornsby's mother, Kelly Hornsby, said that as stage manager, Elizabeth is unflappable. "She can handle everything. Crazy things happen backstage. Backstage is full of drama."

Twenty-three minutes into "The Foreigner," the first play Elizabeth stage managed, "someone in the audience passed out. After the ambulance came and took her out, we started the play again," she said.

Hornsby had her acting debut as Jobeth, the girl who wanted to be a weather girl, in "Seeing Stars in Dixie." She staged managed the children's play, "The Prince Who Couldn't Talk," worked backstage in "The Velveteen Rabbit," and sang sponsor "jingles" for the Christmas play two years, and directed them for the last two years.

"She has a beautiful voice and is auditioning for 'The Fantasticks,'" which will be staged in June, Lacey said. Hornsby is singing in "Kids Say the Darndest Things," to run from March 13 through 22, and will stage manage "Harvey," the May production.

She's an anchor and writes for Copper Basin High School's CBTV, which airs on ETC 3. In May, she's playing one of the Andrews Sisters in the school's production of "Old Time Radio."

"I love stage managing, but I love being on stage, but I love tech," Hornsby said. "One you get bit by the theater bug, you never get away. If you are away too long, you experience withdrawal," she said.

After graduating, Hornsby plans to attend Cleveland State University for two years, then transfer to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she'll major in history and minor in drama and education.

"I'm thinking about teaching at Copper Basin High school," she said. But wherever she ends up, Hornsby said, "I'm going to be doing something with theater."

"Marrying Walt" continues on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., through March 1.

Page A5, THE NEWS OBSERVER, January 20, 2009

SUNNY D SAYS THANK YOU 

To The News Observer:

The Sunny D Children's Theater Committee would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for their donations and contributions in support of our Christmas Play, "The Hobo and The Miracle," that was held at the Blue Ridge Community Theater on December 12-21, 2008.

Betty's Boutique, Blue Jeans Pizza & Pasta, Blue Ridge Bird Seed Co., Blue Ridge Community Theater, Blue Ridge Mountain Music, Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Bordertown Roadhouse Restaurant;

Copper Basin Veterinary Clinic, Fannin Sentinel, High Country Art & Antique Gallery, Juck's General Store, Kelly Hornsby - Mar Kay, L&L Beanery Bakery & Cafe, Mountain Chiropractic Clinic, Multitudes Gallery, Nancy Blais, Natalie Sharp;

Ocoee Animal Hospital, Serenity In The Mountains Spa & Salon, Serenity Garden Cafe, ssShiney Baubles, Sue & Tim Griffin, Sweet Star Boutique, Sycamore Crossing, The News Observer, Tomorrows Antiques Today, Wrapsody In Blue;

JP Ridgeland Luxury Cabin Rentals, Evergreen Outdoor Group - Rick Gammon, Tina Maslankowski & Pat Baker, and Wen Ze Chen.

Thank you for supporting Sunny D Children's Theater.

Robbie Muschamp
Sunny D Children's Theater

Front Page, THE NEWS OBSERVER, December 12, 2008

Hobo Opens Friday Night

By Dub Joiner
Staff Writer

A large crowd is expected for each of the six performances of the Youth Victorian Christmas production of "The Hobo and the Miracle" that begins at the Blue Ridge Community Theater Friday, Dec. 12.

Production Director Pat Webb said she expects each performance to be sold out because of the number of children in the production.

The production includes a total cast of 34, including eight characters and six dancers in "The Hobo and the Miracle," as well as another 20 in the Nativity scenes and commercials.

"The Hobo and the Miracle" cast includes Julian Smith as the Hobo, Darcy Arnall as the mother, Bobby Whitley as Robert, Grace Little as Dr. Mitchell, Megan Little as the mysterious woman, will Chapman as Constable Fred, and Sunny Chen as Billie.

The dancers are Sarah Cox, Katelyn Davenport, Christy Battaglia Lippman, Rebekah Romano, Lillian Smith and Madison Upshaw.

The creative team for the production includes, in addition to Webb, Ashley Gammon who directs the commercials, Valerie Smith who directs the Nativity scenes, and Chasity Ledford who directs the choreography for "The Hobo and the Miracle."

Rocky Wilson is the assistant director for "The Hobo and the Miracle," Tina Maslankowski is the production manager and set artist, Lee Maslankowski is the technical director, Joe Webb is the set designer, and Bobby Don Bloodworth, a professional songwriter, is the jingles advisor.

Webb said the play tells the story of a hobo who comes to live with a family during Christmas.

The production also features the Nativity, commercials of the theater's sponsors sung to Christmas music, and classic ballet.

Performances include Friday and Saturday nights, Dec. 12 and 13, and Dec. 19 and 20, at 7 p.m., and Sunday Dec. 14 and 21 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.

All tickets must be reserved.

For tickets call 706-632-9223.

Page A5, THE NEWS OBSERVER, December 9, 2008

'Greetings' teaches of love and acceptance, a must-see for community

To The News Observer,

I just saw Blue Ridge Community Theater's production of the play "Greetings," and all I can say is wow! The play is about acceptance. The cast gets it right and portrays each belief and chasracter with sensitivity and care. This is no small acting feat, as the father reminds me of "Archie Bunker."

The Catholic and Jewish faiths are represented, as well as an atheist and a failed believer. There is an autistic adult son, a proposed marriage, and everyone's home for Christmas.

Somehow, there are a lot of laughs in this play as acceptance and love overcome all the problems.

Also, talk about hitting close to home, I will be mother of the Jewish gromm marrying a Catholic bride in the spring. Also, I work in the mental health field. This is a must see show for the whole community.

Susan Greene

Front Page, FANNIN SENTINEL, November 27, 2008

Two students rise above theater

By Amy Akins, Sentinel Writer

Meghan Beaver and Eric Munchel caught the theater bug only recently, but they are already outstanding additions to the Drama Department at Fannin County High School. So when the Blue Ridge Community Theater needed a male and female lead for their new play, Greetings, and came to Department Director Lesa Burgess, she immediately recommended them.

Beaver and Munchel only had 2 weeks to learn all their lines and blocking before the show premiered. Used to pressure, there were a few things they still had to overcome. The stage at the high school's Performing Arts Center is at least three times larger than the tiny Blue Ridge Theater. This not only allows for larger shows, but also serves as an invisible boundary between the actors and the audience. "It is very hard to stay in character when the front row audience is sitting on the stage with you," says Munchel.

But challenges are the life blood of theater. Those who rise to them, onstage or backstage, learn valuable lessons, build character (no pun intended), and find a strong bond of family and support.

"I encourage anyone who is thinking about trying a drama lass to just do it," says Munchel. "Theater gives you much more than just acting and prop building."

Life skills and lessons are theater's foundation. Beaver and Munchel credit the life lessons they have learned to their time in theater. Being prepared for anything, understanding that things don't always go as planned, being flexible enough to change things at the last minute, the importance of working within a team, and leaving personal feelings and problems at the door are just a few things the theater has taught them.

The most important lessons for them, though, are commitment and responsibility. "You have to be reliable and stick with a project all the way," Beaver explains. "The more you prove you're responsible, the more you will be trusted with bigger things," Munchel adds. Knowing this key to success at such an early age is a tremendous boost for them. It develops within them a strong commitment to every project they will undertake now and in the future.

Nowhere is this more evident than in their current play. Only the best students could have withstood the incredible pressure of a mere 14 days' rehearsal. Others would have chucked the entire thing when they found out the part was uncompensated. But Beaver and Munchel rose to the occasion, downed 12 cups of coffee and did run-throughs into the wee, small hours of the morning. The result is a spectacular play!

Beaver and Munchel have been given an incredible gift: a chance to grow, to branch out and learn much more than is covered in any textbook. As a result, they have discovered the path their lives should take. Theater for them is a discipline, teaching students self-esteem, character, and responsibility. The experience gained from it becomes an invaluable resource and asset for life beyond the classroom.

Page B1, THE NEWS OBSERVER, November 7, 2008

“Greetings” to open Nov. 14

The Blue Ridge Community Theater’s production of “Greetings” will open a week later than originally scheduled due to sickness of one of the cast members.

Theater President Joe Webb said the production will open Friday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. with Mike Lacy playing the part of “Phil Gorski,” one of five cast members in the play.

Lacy is replacing Phil Avery, who became ill and could not continue, Webb said.

Other Gorski family cast members include “Randi,” played by Meghan Beaver, “Mickey,” played by Micah Stuart, “Andy,” played by Eric Munchel, and “Emily,” played by Beth Inman.

The play is directed by Lee Maslankowski, who is making his directing debut. Tina Maslankowski is the production manager for the theater.

“The production is a family Christmas with a little bit of reincarnation,” Lee Maslankowski said.

The production will begin each Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m., Nov. 14-30.

For ticket information call 706-632-9223.

Page A5, THE NEWS OBSERVER, September 5, 2008

OUR TOWN A MUST-SEE FOR ALL

To The News Observer:

If you've not yet to see the Blue Ridge Community Theater's production of "Our Town," let me encourage you to go - soon! You will not regret finding time in your daily life to go see a play about daily life, and so much more.

I have neither been paid nor requested to write this endorsement. In fact, I've seen many plays that do not inspire me to write a letter to the local newspaper. Consider this a gift from my heart.

Lee and Tina Maslankowski have given us gifts, including their time, creative insight, and expert direction. They've given of themselves and it shows. The actors have given us the gift of courage, their time, and their inspiration. Some have never acted and some are seasoned pros; however, every sing one brings their character to life superbly, and some performances border on brilliance. Indeed, we have a real play here.

It is rightly noted, in the impressive playbill, that Thornton Wilder, famed American author that he was, has also give us a gift: This remarkable play defines the word "classic."

Methodologically, he is well-known for visual minimalism and his belief that "the eye is the enemy of the ear in real drama" (New York Times, 1961). What this means for us, the audience, is that our actors have perfected their pantomime and verbal delivery so that we really hear what is being said. And yet, the play is still visually captivating, and your eyes will be fixed on the action, period costumes, and beautiful "scenery."

And what is being said? Come and hear! Virtually every line presents us with an opportunity to ponder the meaning of life and the roles we enact, in funny, practical, stirring, and theological ways that may change you, if you're game. You could see, read, and act in "Our Town" many times, over the course of years, and still extract some new understanding or emotion that is directly relevant to your life today. After all, has life, love, marriage and death really changed that much, since the turn of the century?

In fact, I believe "Our Town" is meant to elicit the truest worship of ou creator, the contemplation of spiritual themes that cross denominational lines, and the application of these truths to our current personal relationships. Themes like: life is short, love the people around you, don't be too busy for your children, and forgive and help those in the community that struggle.

He asks us "Who is the real 'star' of a wedding? What is a sacrament? In what and in whom are the dead really interested in, after they pass on from this life?"

Thornton Wilder tells us, "There are some things we all know, but we don't take them out and look at them very often," and, "We all know there is something eternal in each of us."

If this kind of thing doesn't inspire you, dear friend, could you be missing out on something? Come to "Our Town" on Friday or Saturday night! How about Sunday, after church? And as the saying goes, "Come as you are."

Valerie A. Smith
Morganton

Page B3, THE NEWS OBSERVER, August 15, 2008

BLUE RIDGE THEATER PRESENTS 'OUR TOWN'

The Cast of The Blue Ridge Community Theater production of Our Town, Aug. 29 through Sept. 21, are from left, front, Lillian Smith, Zachary Cox, Sarah Cox, Bobby Whitley; middle Sue Canady, Rod Chamberlain, Elizabeth Hunt, Betty Ratcliffe, Ruby Chandler, Julian Smith, Charlie Poss; back: director Tina Maslankowski, Bill Canady, Betty Wilson, Paul Estey, Alex Nawrocki, Eileen Kerr, James Wood, Michael Lacy and assistant director Lee Maslankowski.

The Blue Ridge Community Theater has set the cast for its next main stage production, "Our Town," by Thornton Wilder. This cast is a large one with over 20 actors who are now working to bring this American classic to the community.

"Our Town" is a modern theater classic. Thornton Wilder has transmuted the simple events of a human life into universal reverie. In the Blue Ridge Community Theater's staging of this classic drama, one can see one of the most important theatrical experiences of all time.

Unlike most of the BRCT plays, there is no set in this performance - no props, no scenery - but instead the quintessence of acting, thought, and speculation.

Show dates are Aug. 29 through Sept. 21, every Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. and S

Page 4A,  FANNIN SENTINEL, August 14, 2008

OUR TOWN CAST ANNOUNCED

L-R Front Row: Lillian Smith, Zachary Cox, Sarah Cox, Bobby Whitley; Second Row: Sue Canady, Rod Chamberlain, Elizabeth Hunt, Betty Ratcliffe, Ruby Chandler, Julian Smith, Charlie Poss; Third Row: Director, Tina Maslankowski, Bill Canady, Betty Wilson, Paul Estey, Alex Nawrocki, Eileen Kerr, James Wood, Michael Lacy and Assistant Director, Lee Maslankowski.

The Blue Ridge Community Theater would like to announce the cast for the next Main Stage production; Our Town, by Thornton Wilder. This cast is a comparatively large one with over 20 actors from Blue Ridge and the surrounding areas and is hard at work to bring you this superb American classic.

Our Town is one of the finest achievements of the current stage. Thornton Wilder has transmuted the simple events of a human life into universal reverie. He has given it profound, strange, unworldly significance - brimming over with compassion. This play reaches into the past of America and movingly evokes a way of life which is lost in our present turmoil. In Blue Ridge Community Theater's staging of this classic, you will see one of the most important theatrical experiences of all time.

Our Town has escaped from the formal barrier of modern theater. Unlike most of the BRCT plays, you will see no set in this performance; no props, no scenery but instead the quintessence of acting, thought, and speculation.

Our Town is a beautifully evocative play; a hauntingly beautiful play.

Show dates are Aug. 29 through Sept. 21, every Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 pm. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 706-632-9223.

Page 6, THE NEWS OBSERVER, Happenings August 2008

"OUR TOWN" COMES TO MAIN STAGE
By Joe DiPietro, Staff Writer

The classic play "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder will be coming to the main stage of the Blue ridge Community Theater in August.

The show will open on Aug. 29 and run through Sept. 21, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and on Sundays at 2 p.m.

Our Town is the story of life in a small, rural fictional town in New Hampshire called Grover's Corners between 1901 and 1913. 

The central themes in the play include Christian morality, community, family and the appreciation of everyday pleasures, Director Tina Maslankowski said. "Our Town concerns itself with the continuing cycle of life, humankind's nearest understanding of eternity," she said.

Our Town is one of the most popular plays of the 20th century and Wilder was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for it.

"It is quite possible that on almost any given day of the year, somewhere in the world, Our Town is being performed by either a professional company or an amateur troupe of actors," Maslankowski said.

Being able to put on a production of Our Town is thrilling, Maslankowski said. "I hope that everyone will make every effort to see this one," she said. "It can be a life-changing event."

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the theater's box office at 706-632-9223. 

Page A5, THE NEWS OBSERVER, July 4, 2008

To The News Observer,
"The Theater" is an indispensable hallmark of true education: it deepens our understanding of humanity and enables us to partake in that "Great Conversation." As newcomers to the area, our family was most excited upon discovering the talented and devoted group of individuals that collectively from the Blue Ridge Community Theater. In fact, when Scott, my husband, introduced the idea of moving here, we went straight to the computer to find the nearest theater. Voila! BRCT was a selling point for us, and Fannin County, Ga., is now our home!

The purpose of this letter is threefold; to urge our new neighbors to pause for a moment and consider the rich resource we currently possess; to publicly thank some folks for a wonderful two-week experience called the Sunny D Children's Theater Camp; and to invite you, the reader, to become part of the action by bringing your time and talent, your family and your funds, to the theater!

Quality community programs don't just happen; this is especially evident in children's education and outreach programs. At the BRCT, we've discovered gifted writers, teachers, actors, coordinators, craftsmen, house crew, and volunteers of all sorts that have created a healthy, artistic environment that doesn't just come with the territory. We know this, both professionally and by evaluating many, many programs for our children.

This group should be proud of their tradition of not turning a child away from summer camp, due to insufficient funds. This is the epitome of a proverb we've heard repeatedly, "It takes a village..." And it's being done right here, in our community!

I prefer a quote by Socrates, who usually just asked the right questions. "The right way to begin is to pay attention to the young, and make them just as good as possible" (in Plato's Eurthyphra). This is what I saw at Sunny D Camp this year.

In fact, we had three children enrolled, so we got a wide view of the action And we're new to tow, so consider this feedback objective. And here it is: I have rarely seen such a well-run operation, such truly gifted directors, such dedicated leaders, and such happy, healthy children.

Personally, my big thing is safety first, and on the very first day I became aware that the physical well-being of the kids was also a BRCT high priority, from safe parking lot procedures, to a good child-student ratio, to the fin e lunches (thanks businesses, for your donation). These guys weathered storms with grace and perseverance (like the failing air conditioning), and considered it a privilege to work with our children.

That's the right attitude, folks! And the final performances were indeed spectacular! I personally know a handful of kids that are turned on to the theater as a direct result of this intensive, two-week experience. And wasn't that the goal?

This is not a "pat someone on the back" type of letter. Listing names is dangerous: there are simply too many and I don't know them all. Besides, that's not my style. This letter is a reasoned plea to my new neighbors, who have welcomed me, my husband, and my children so warmly.

You see, despite the successes of the last two weeks, I understand that the theater has hit hard times. And while the image of the struggling actor is romantic, a struggling theater won't last very long. Alas, that would be tragic, given the hours and love and money that have been so tirelessly invested in this rich resource - your theater.

We have a very good thing going here in Blue Ridge, including a terrific and full lineup of upcoming shows. There's room for everyone: actors and the audience, stage directors and stage makers, the young and the old, the haves and the have-nots, the novice and the well-trained. "Each loves the play for what he brings to it," (Goethe's prelude, in Faust). So come, be a part of the theater. And bring something of yourself: bring your time and talent, your family and your funds.

Allow me to end on a cautionary note: To live in Fannin County without a thriving, healthy theater would be worse than a Greek Tragedy, for all of us.

Valerie A. Smith
Morganton

Page 1A, FANNIN SENTINEL, July 3, 2008

Page 4A, FANNIN SENTINEL, June 5, 2008

The Foreigner: Comedy Theater
By Dr. John P. Nichols

Blue Ridge Community Theater is presenting another great entertainment opportunity at Hampton Square the next two weekends with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoons.

The Foreigner by Larry Shue is a modern farce complete with mistaken identities, surprising plot twists, evil villains and innocents damsels; with a nod to classic vaudeville and old-time melodrama thrown in to ensure chaos and hysteria onstage as well as in the audience!

Though Shue's main interest in the foreigner is to make his audience laugh, he also is concerned with two important underlying themes. First is the theme of self-awareness where his characters Charlie, Ellard, Betty and Catherine struggle to discover who they really are while David and Owen attempt to hide their real identities from both others and themselves. At the same time, Shue is reinforcing his thematic assertion that human beings must tolerate and even celebrate individual differences if the world is to survive.

Charlie is the most obvious example of the struggle to achieve self-awareness. Convinced at the beginning of the play that he is boring and dull, Charlie discovers not only that he has an interesting personality but that he is worthy of a woman's love.

Like many insecure people, Charlie has permitted others to define the way he sees himself. Uncharacteristically competent, calm, clever, inevitable and brave, Charlie finds a sense of self by the end of the play and earns the love of Catherine.

The second theme, equally as important on our diverse world, is the theme of tolerance and intolerance. David and Owen illustrate most clearly Shue's distaste for prejudice. When Owen first meets Charlie, the concept of "Foreigner" is enough to turn Owen into a hilariously ludicrous bigot. While David, though a little more subtle, is similarly intolerant of anyone who doesn't resemble him And what fun it is to communicate such profound themes through the hilarious antics that Larry Shue is able to create with his clever brand of comedy. Laughing and learning IS the best combination.

The cast includes Ray Pigott, Duane Miller, Kay Thomas, Jason Boskey, Norma Bean, Phil Avery and Charlie Pass under the direction of Mike Lacy and Dalila Davenport, Elizabeth Hornsby is stage manager with Tina and Lee Maslankowski serving as production manager.

A special invitation is extended to those who might enjoy a pleasant Sunday afternoon at the 2 p.m. performance, June 8th and 15th.

Page A9, THE NEWS OBSERVER, May 2, 2008

PLAYWRIGHT BRUEL PRESENTS "SHORT HAIRED GRACE"
by Cynthia Maude, Staff Writer

Playwright Bill Bruehl will present his play "Short Haired Grace," based on the conversation between 16th century Irish woman pirate Grace O'Malley ad Queen Elizabeth I, on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, at the Blue Ridge Community Theater. Bruehl said the cast performing the play in Blue Ridge is the first amateur cast to produce the play. "I think it's the best cast yet," he said.

Irish woman pirate Grace O'Malley - who led a band of 200 pirates in the 16th century and was a thorn in the side of Queen Elizabeth I - was irresistible to playwright Bill Bruehl when he discovered her story on the back of a menu in an Irish cafe.

After researching the story for a year, Bruehl wrote a play based on it "Short Haired Grace," which he will personally present on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, at the Blue Ridge Community Theater.

Elizabeth I hated that Grace was exacting tolls fro ships sailing off the west coast of Ireland, and for 40 years she fought Grace and never succeeded. "Nobody could beat Elizabeth at any game, but Grace," Bruehl said.

When the two powerful women were in their 60s, they finally met and talked. "They talked in Latin - no record was kept - so no one knew until now what they said to each other. This is a case when history worked out perfect ground work for the play, he said.

"Short Haired Grace" is one of 25 plays that Bruehl has written. I look for interesting but ignored historical figures," such as his splay, "Giordano Bruno and the Field of Flowers," which focuses on Bruno, the 16th century martyr, and "Darwin's Captain," about the Christian fundamentalist captain of naturalist Charles Darwin's ship.

"I've always been interested in individuals the most likely to be picked on - that kind of person who's had insurmountable odds," Bruehl said.

"I write, direct and act - I can't stop. It's a genetic problem. My father was a designer and technical person in theater. I was introduced to theater at the age of 2," said Bruehl.

He has directed more than 60 professional plays and taught theater arts at the State University of New York at Stony Brook for 30 years.

On Saturday at 11 a.m., Bruehl will conduct a free masters acting workshop at the Blue Ridge Community Theater. Participants will look at the motivation of characters. "The actor will give a different meaning to words depending on the inner drive," Bruehl said.

The two performances of "Short Haired Grace" at the Blue Ridge Community Theater are reader's theater productions without costumes and props.

Show times are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Page 6, THE NEWS OBSERVER, Happenings, May 2008

"THE FOREIGNER" IS LIGHTHEARTED, FAMILY FUN

By Joe DiPietro, Staff Writer

The Blue Ridge Community Theater will open its production of "The Foreigner" by Larry Shue this month. Here, cast members in the play are, from left, Kay Thomas, Ray Pigott, Duane Miller, Norma Bean, Matt Dixon and Charlie Pass. Not pictured is Phil Avery. Performances of the show will be given on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 2 p.m., from May 16 through June 8.

The Blue Ridge Community Theater will put on several performances of "The Foreigner," by Larry Shue this month.

The show will open May 16 and run through June 8. Show times will be at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays.

"The Foreigner" is a comedy set at a hunting lodge in rural south Georgia. The plot revolves around two men from England, named Froggy and Charlie, who have come to visit the hunting lodge.

Of the two men, Froggy has been visiting the lodge for many years and Charlie, who is painfully shy, has come for his first visit, said the show's director, Mike Lacy.

Because of Charlie's shyness, he and Froggy arrange to act as if Charlie is actually from a foreign country where English is not spoken.

Along the way, Charlie is able to learn of plans in the small community to condemn the hunting lodge.

This discovery takes the play on some hilarious turns, Lacy said. "There's a whole series of hilarious scenes of (Charlie) not knowing English and trying to learn English," he said.

Because the premise that Charlie is acting like a foreigner is established during the show, "the audience is in on the whole scheme," Lacy said.

From the standpoint of the director and the actors, "keeping the audience in stitches is just a blast," Lacy said.

"The Foreigner" is a popular production at community theaters across the country and Lacy said he thinks the local community will enjoy it.

"It's just one funny situation after another," Lacy said. "It's very lighthearted and family-friendly. We've learned the audiences here like to come and laugh and that's what this play is all about."

Admission to the play is $15 and tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. For more information, call the box office at 706-632-9223.

Page 8A, FANNIN SENTINEL, March 27, 2008

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND COMING TO BRCT MAIN STAGE!

Cast L-R Front Row:  Megan Little, Alice Holden, McKayla Barrialut, Jesie Turner, Madison Upshow, Erica Lalak, Patch Hreha (Tech).  L-R Second Row:  Rachel Tompkins, Diamond Keener, Bobby Whitley, Meghan Beaver, Morgan Tinker, Katie Gent, Grace Little, Darcy Mrnall, Ciera Hudson, Heather Fillingham, Allie Lindstrom, Samuel Sims.  L-R Third Row:  Carrie Baker, Lindsay Arp, Ross Alexander, Joey  Roderick, Hanna Sims.  Not Pictured:  Abigail Anderson

Sunny D Children's theater is proud to present this magical adaptation of the original Alice in Wonderland (adapted by Tim Kelley)!

Performances will be March 28 - April 6, 2008 at the Blue Ridge Community Theater.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a triumph of imagination in which nonsense cavorts with meaning in a celebration of language.

Showing only two weekends - performances will be Fri & Sat 7:30 pm and Sunday 2:00 pm.

Admission is $10 for adults/$5.00 for Children 10 and under.

Please call the box office at 706-632-9223 for reservations. Additional information is available on our website at www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com. 

Page A7, THE NEWS OBSERVER, March 25, 2008

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND AT BRCT

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a triumph of imagination where nonsense cavorts with meaning in a celebration of language. Performances will be March 28-April 6, 2008, at the Blue Ridge Community theater at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and on Sundays at 2 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults/$5 for children, 10 and under. PLease call the box office at 706-632-9223 for reservations. Additional information is available online at www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com. Cast members, from left, front, are Megan Little Alice Holden, McKayla Barriault, Jesie Turner, Madison Upshaw, Erica Lalak, Patch Hreha (Tech); middle, Rachel Tompkins, Diamond Keener, Bobby Whitley, Meghan Beaver, Morgan Tinker, Katie Gent, Grace Little, Darcy Arnall, Ciera Hudson, heather Fillingham, Allie Lindstrom, Samuel Sims; back, Carrie Baker, Lindsay Arp, Ross Alexander, Joey Roderick and Hanna Sims. Not pictured is Abigail Anderson.

Page 10, THE NEWS OBSERVER, Happenings April 2008

COMMUNITY THEATER PRESENTS "RARE TALENT" APRIL 25-26

Page 6A, FANNIN SENTINEL, March 6, 2008

LIVE THEATER SEEKS SUNDAY AFTERNOON AUDIENCES
Dr. John P. Nichols
Reviewer

The production, "Lend Me a Tenor," is another great opportunity for area residents to be entertained by Blue Ridge Community Theater located in Hampton Square. Two weekends remain, March 9 through March 16, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays (March 9 and 16) 2:00 pm. Attendance on  a drab late winter/early spring Sunday afternoon is especially encouraged as ample up close and personal seating abounds.

The play is directed by Sonia Smith with technical and production assistance from Tina and Lee Maslankowski and state management provided by Jode Hanson. The production enjoys a talented cast consisting of :Micah Stuart, Wayne Roshaven, Sophia Swain, Mike Lacy, Beth Inman, Denver Clark, Norma Bean, and Daniel Parrish.

"Lend Me a Tenor" by Ken Ludwig is an old fashioned knock-about farce which originally opened in London in 1986 and was first performed on Broadway in 1989 when it won two Tonys and the Outer Critics Circle Award.

Director Sonia Smith says directing Lend Me a Tenor "has been a bit like choreographing a ballet on speed." There is as much chaos going on behind the scenes as you see on stage. The fast-paced comedy is a mile-a-second laugh from beginning to end with every character having a unique over-the-top quality.

Underneath all the zany antics, mistaken identities and fast paced slapstick is a wonderful love story with a message about taking risks far outside our comfort zone.

Show up at 2:00 pm on March 9 or 16 and be prepared for a hysterical ride. Sit back and enjoy the gift of comedy.

Page 8, THE NEWS OBSERVER, Happenings March 2008

SUNNY D PRESENTS "ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND"
By Joe DiPietro, Staff Writer

A group of Fannin County youth will take to the stage at the Blue Ridge Community Theater March 28 to open the Sunny D Children's Theater production of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."

Performances of the show will be given on March 28, 29 and 30, and April 4, 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays.

A group of more than 20 local youth will take part in the production, adapted from Lewis Carroll's book by playwright Tim Kelly.

Tina Maslankowski will be directing the show, along with the help of assistant director Pat Webb.

The central plot and theme of the story will remain much unchanged from how it's popularly known, Maslankowski said, "'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' is a fantastic tale about a young girl who falls down a rabbit hole into a strange and mysterious place where nonsense is the norm," she said.

The play is great for both youth actors and audience members, Maslankowski said.

"The staging of Lewis Carroll's fantastic journey is full of surprises and reimagined characters," she said. "And, like Alice, these kids face enormous riddles of reality on a daily basis The rules change for them. Time is fluid for them and their relationship to the world is in a continual state of flux. Because they already live in Wonderland, they re most receptive to Wonderland, no matter how it is conceived."

More than a dozen of the young actors in the play are new to the community theater stage and are being supported by numerous veteran Sunny D Children's Theater participants who are also in the play, Maslankowski said.

The average cast member age is 15 and the show is appropriate for audience members from 5 years old and up, Maslankowski said.

To purchase tickets for the show, call the box office at 706-632-9223.

Season tickets for all shows at the  Blue Ridge Community Theater are also available for purchase.

Page B3, THE NEWS OBSERVER, February 29, 2008

THEATER HOLD KICKOFF PARTY FOR MEMBERS

The Blue Ridge Community Theater held its annual season kickoff membership party Jan. 26. Here, musicians performing on the theater's stage durin gthe party are, from left, Jonathan Moore, Jed Dotson, Bobby Don Bloodworth and Tedi May. Main Stage productions in the theater's 2008 season include "Lend Me a Tenor," starting Feb. 22; "The Foreigner," opening May 16; "Our Town," starting on Aug. 29 and "Greetings!" opening Nov. 7. Several one-act plays and children's plays are also scheduled at the theater in 2008. For more information on theater membership, season tickets or volunteering at the theater, call the box office at 706-632-9223.

Page B3, THE NEWS OBSERVER, February 22, 2008

BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY THEATER HAS OPENING NIGHT

The cast is all dressed up and ready to go! Lend Me a Tenor is directed by Sonia Smith with Jode Hanson as stage manager. The cast of Lend Me A Tenor is all set for its opening on Feb. 22. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Students may attend the Sunday performance by buying one ticket and getting one free, so grab a friend or a date for a great time. Ticket prices are $15 per seat and $13.50 for seniors so reserve your seats now by calling 706-632-9223. Back, from left, is Daniel Parish, Denver Clark, Norma Bean, Wayne Roshaven, Beth Inman, Mike Lacy, and seated are Sophia Swain and Micah Stuart.

Page 2A, FANNIN SENTINEL, February 21, 2008

Page A5, February 12, 2008 THE NEWS OBSERVER

SPONSORS MADE FOR A SUCCESSFUL 2007 SEASON

To The News Observer,

2007 was a great year for theater in Blue Ridge and a lot of the success is owed to the wonderful sponsors. While we are all feeling the effects of a tightening economy, I think it is important to acknowledge those consistently responsible for keeping our community moving forward. to that end, the Blue Ridge Community theater has committed to spotlighting each of its sponsors in a series of articles over the course of the year.

So it is time for a few of last year's theatrical angels to take a bow. First up are the 2007 full season sponsors: Appalachian Community Bank, BB&T Branch Banking and Trust Co., Blue Jeans Pizza and Pasta Factory, Blue Ridge Law, ETC-TV3, John E. Foster Realty & Appraisal Co., The News Observer and United Community Bank.

BRCt expanded our Sunny D Children's Theater stage time in 2007 from three week-ends to five. Forty children were in our well-received "The Best Christmas Pageant, Ever." Overall, we had 27 weekends of live theater in Blue Ridge last year. That's 11 different plays. Highlight additions last year were great performances by international actors Karl Sutton as Mark Twain and Ian Frost as Lord Byron. These and more friends of BRCT will showcase their talents here in Blue Ridge in the future.

Up on stage next are the 2007 production sponsors who are well deserving of a bow and applause, too. They are: The Cabin Grille, Parris Pharmacy, The Real Estate Connection, The Downtown Team, Sugar Creek Farm/Alpaca, TDS Telecom, and Tri-State Electric Membership Corp.

One of the premier theater endeavors of the year was the cooperative to bring the Georgia Shakespeare program at Oglethorpe University and their professional troupe performing "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to the school system and the community. There also was a month long after-school program at West Fannin Elementary School that produced a play that was praised by 250 parents and friends as well as the founder of the Georgia Shakespeare program who attended the cafetorium performance.

BRCT's production of "Vincent" included collaboration with the middle and high school art programs, Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association and the community.

And finally, while too many to mention in one letter, it is delightful to welcome all the contributions from the director, designers, stage managers, and players categories to the stage. Our parents and volunteers, actors and directors, are more committed to community theater than ever. It is fun to imagine them all on stage, holding hands together as they take their bow, just as they help hold together BRCT.

Blue Ridge Community Theater proved its community roots when, by chance, the director and the whole cast of "The Glass Menagerie" were Fannin High School graduates, classes of 1983, 1984, 1987 and 1990. Theater is a proven route to educational success. At Fannin County High School, Ms. Lesa Burgess graduates 100 percent of her drama student seniors. Over time, about 90 percent have gone on to college or higher education.

Our children's programs are mostly free and Summer Camp is normally 50 percent to 75 percent scholarships. The year St. Luke's Episcopal Church and the Blue Ridge Kiwanis Club continued their support of our camp program. We continue to extend to all Habitat for Humanity families and foster care families scholarships and free tickets, etc.

We thank all of you for your support and want the community to know there is always room for more to take a bow on our stage! Without sponsors, we could not afford live theater in Blue Ridge, much less 27 full weekends. Thank you all for your support past, present and future.

Joe Webb, President
BRCT

Page B4, THE NEWS OBSERVER, February 8, 2008

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS HELD AT BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY THEATER

News Observer photos/Dub Joiner

First Picture:
Chris Albreckt, left and Rick Tullis compare notes at the Business After Hours, sponsored by the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday, Jan. 22, at the Blue Ridge Community Theater. More than 75 chamber ambassadors and others attended the event.

Second Picture:
Pat Webb, left, Bobby Don Bloodworth and Lynda Thompson chat during the Jan. 22 Business After Hours at the Blue Ridge Community Theater. The event is sponsored by the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce to allow chamber ambassadors and members of the local business community to meet and share information. More than 75 people attended the event.

Third Picture:
Fannin County Chamber of Commerce Chairman Emily Dunn, left, shared information with Christy Shull at the Jan. 22 Business After Hours at the Blue Ridge Community Theater. More than 75 people attended the event sponsored monthly by the chamber as an opportunity for chamber ambassadors and members of the local business community to get together and network.