Kids, can you imagine your parents in their younger years . in those impulsive, romantic, carefree days of youth and vigor . driving the family car too fast, dreaming dreams of the future, and otherwise burning the candle of life at both ends?

And parents, can you envision your children as mature, well-adjusted adults capable of managing the responsibilities and challenges of life with strength, grace and wisdom? Or, no matter what their actual age, will your children always be your kids with skinned knees, poor table manners and fears of the dark?

As children grow up and parents grow older, how does the relationship between the two grow? Is the phrase "Adult Children" an oxymoron? And when the baby birds leave the nest, how long should the mama and daddy bird wait before remodeling the extra rooms in the nest into a study and a den?

All these questions, including the SHOCKING EVENT(!!!) that caused the kids pictured above to react with such disgust . will be answered by Blue Ridge Community Theater's production of "Alone Together".

“Alone Together”, written by Lawrence Roman, is a lively comedy centered around two parents who, after raising their family, finally find themselves alone together…but not for long. Their “empty nest” suddenly becomes full again when all three sons and a teenage girl simultaneously return home. This heart-warming and hilarious play is sure to bring a knowing smile to any parent who’s watched their children struggle with impending adulthood.

What are parents to do when their baby birds fly back into the nest? This is the dilemma facing George and Helene Butler (Daniel Parrish and Carol Smith). Dreams of carefree days and passion-filled nights are quickly shattered when oldest son Michael (Shannon Guinn), quickly followed by brother Elliot (Travis Boyce), return home and take up residence in the bedrooms of their youth. Add to the mix college freshman Janie (Leah Dalton), who shows up seeking temporary lodging, and Helene and George have a real situation on their hands. The youngest son Keith (Tyler Simms) was the last to leave. Will he also be the last to return?

“Alone Together” playwright Lawrence Roman, who also wrote “Under the Yum Yum Tree”, carefully crafts both his dialog and his characters. “Alone Together” is witty and touching, but most of all it is truthful. And very little is funnier than the truth.

The Cast

George Butler - Daniel Parrish

Helene Butler - Carol Smith

Keith Butler - Tyler Sims

Michael Butler - Shannon Guinn

Elliott Butler - Travis Boyce

Janie Johnson - Leah Dalton

Behind The Scenes

Director - Jason Smith

Assistant Director - Shannon Fleeman

Production Manager - Tina Maslankowski

Stage Manager - Kelly Hornsby

Assistant Stage Manager - Debbie Hawkins

Technical Operators - Lee Maslankowski & Mike Fleeman

Box Office - Elizabeth Hunt

Costumes - Shannon Fleeman

Costume Maintenance -Jo Washington

Make-Up Mistress - Kelly Hornsby

Props Mistress - Wanda Jefferson

Props - Daniel Parrish, Shannon Fleeman & Pat Baker

Set Design - Jason Smith, Joe Webb & Shannon Fleeman

Publicity - Mike Fleeman, Mike Lacy

Poster Art - Mike Lacy

Playbill - Steffen Smith, Joe Webb

Headshots - Meyer Birnbaum

Set Construction - Joe Webb, Chuck Gorder, Bill Jefferson, Ted McWilliams, Bob Jennus, Tom Kimmell, Albert Kraft, Bill Marsh, Frank Moore, Bucky Radcliffe & Ed Ratcliffe

Cabinet & special furniture maker - Ted McWilliams (Crew: Chuck Gorden & Albert Kraft)

Set Painting - Mae Tidman, Jason Smith, Shannon Fleeman, Mike Fleeman, Lee Maslankowski & Daniel Parrish

Fundraising - Joe Webb (706-838-4575)

Volunteer Coordination - Helen McMahon

Special Thanks:
All of the volunteers who have so generously shared their time and talents to make this play possible. Special thanks also do David Alfrey and Multitudes Gallery, Felicia Smith, Meyer Birnbaum, Tiffany Towery, Joe and Patricia Webb, and Wilda Dickey. Water for the cast supplied by Appalachian Community Bank. Ice supplied by Zaxby's. Thanks also to these individuals and businesses who graciously loaned materials for this production: Dellon Ash of Hunter Furniture (sofa and chair), Habitat for Humanity (front door), Steve Roan of Great Rugs (bearskin rug) and Daniel Parrish (fireplace).

alone together

by Lawrence Roman

may 5 - may 28