ACT I's Fifty-fourth Production,  "Hansel and Gretel," Has March 18 Opening

The ACT I STAGE! production, "Hansel and Gretel," a children's version of the opera by Englebert Humperdinck, is being presented at the Palace Theatre on March 18 and 25 at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm and March 19 and 26 at 2:00 pm.  Under the dramatic and musical direction of Artist-in-Residence Kathleen Berger, accompanied by Assistant Director Aaron Murphy, Production Mentor Larry Adams-Bowers, and Pianist April Noeller, the talented cast includes Ryan Calderwood as Hansel, Megan Christy as Gretel, Ray Bookmeier as Father, Cathi Calderwood as Mother, Sarah Zimmerman as the Witch, Kayla Comer as the Sandman and the Dew Fairy, Ashley Sojka as the Dew Fairy Apprentice, and Kelsey Johnstone as the Sandman Apprentice.  The Children's Chorus includes Robert Hanson, Becca Fisher, Chris Sojka, Annie Horst, Nathan Horst, Dustin Kearnes, Chelsea Hessenius, Stephanie Svoboda, Marissa Eldred, Stephanie Ohrt, Kensley Poettenbaum, Jason Long, Patrick Horst, Clare Horst, Erin Horst, Abby Larkin, Rachel Larkin, Katie Larkin, Jacob Christy, Megan Owens, and Deanna Ferguson.  The Corps de Ballet Members are Principal Dancers Joan Cooling, Lori Strong, Erin Horst, Deanna Ferguson, Emila Hora, Clare Horst, Abigail Jakos, and Elizabeth Huyck.  The younger dance members called Wings and Halos include Amanda Hora, Becky Karr, Dana Kerwin, Danisha Pladsen, Tess Noeller, Brinkley Gerber, Megan Horst, Savannah McChristian, Kali Timmerman, Clare Cooling, Emma Horst, and Julie Nicole Cox.

Assistant Director Aaron Murphy preps the children's chorus before rehearsal.

As the cast and crew were wrapping up their final week before opening day, a beautiful set was being perfected, costumes and props were being organized, and the directors, cast, and crew were working overtime to bring the theatre viewing audience of Benton County, young and old, a delightful, entertaining show.  You may reserve your seats by calling 472-9957.

ACT I Board Spring Schedule

The next ACT I Board meeting will be held on April 2, 2000 at 7:00 pm at the home of Steve Arnold, 603 West 18th Street, Vinton.

The May Board Meeting will be held on May 14, 2000 at 7:00 pm, at the home of Ron Baldwin.  

The ANNUAL ACT I MEMBERSHIP MEETING is scheduled for Saturday, June 24 at board member Linda Radcliffe's cabin.  More information will be available at a later date.  Watch next month's Grease paint for further details.

All ACT I members are encouraged to attend the monthly meetings and particularly the Annual Meeting, when our board elections are held.  We welcome your suggestions and participation!

 March Trivia Quiz 

(Games) 

In this month's ACT I STAGE! production, "Hansel and Gretel," the characters of Hansel and Gretel find themselves in trouble for playing and singing instead of finishing their chores.  Popular games have appeared many times in ACT I shows.  Identify the shows in which the following games have been played:

1. Tiddlywinks 

2. Trivial Pursuit 

3. Poker 

4. Hide and Seek 

5. Leapfrog 

6. Which past production was the ultimate "game" show, with games filling the set, and game playing the theme? 

Answers to the February Trivia Quiz 
(Politics) 

1. Republican 

2. “The Girls in 509” 

3. “The Sound of Music” 

4. “The Foreigner” 

5. “Oliver!” 

6. “Don't Drink the Water” 
 
Congratulations to Pat Lyons who answered one of our quiz questions correctly! 

Please submit March entries to 

Marcy Horst, 1307 C Ave, Vinton 52349 or g.horst@www.mebbs.com 

Members of the Month 

The Christy Family

With Megan Christy (pictured above) cast as one of the lead roles in "Hansel and Gretel" this month, the whole Christy family is getting involved!  Seventh grader Megan, Mom Jeanne, and third grade brother Jacob are all veterans of ACT I, but this is Dad Rex's first ACT I venture. 

Megan, Jacob, Rex, and Jeanne are indeed proof that ACT I tends to attract whole families.  Megan has enjoyed doing children's theatre so much that she has now set her sights on a "main stage" play or musical lead role!  Jacob, on the other hand, is not so much interested in a particular role ( although he really enjoyed Archibald Craven in "The Secret Garden!") as he is having an opportunity to fence on stage!  While Mom and Dad sometimes despair the long rehearsal hours, as Jacob says, "To do a play takes DETERMINATION; to set out and reach a goal.  You get a chance to do things that you can do - like ACTING!"  What parent could deny their child such an awesome learning experience!  And Rex and Jeanne realize that their own personal involvement and participation will only enhance the growth and opportunity for their children. 

Thus, despite their schedules crowded with piano lessons, sports practices, dance, and babysitting, we expect to se the Christy family on the Palace stage in many more of our ACT I productions.  If manhandling that gingerbread house on and off stage doesn't do the trick, once Jacob shows his dad those hidden hallways, Rex is bound to be hooked like the rest of the family.

Not sure about the movie and live production schedule at the Palace this week,

or curious whether the current show is OK for your third grader to see?

Check out the new Palace Theatre Web Site

And add your name to the Palace mailing list!

vintonpalace.org

Message from the Editor

I recently received one of those copied and recopied and recopied emails...this one entitled "You must be an Iowan if...." and, while I smiled at "You've even had to switch from heat to A/C in the same day," and laughed out loud at "You see people wearing bib overalls at funerals," I noticed that the comedic author left out "You baked 90 cookies to keep the cast quiet backstage," "You spent your spring break building set," and "You sold popcorn at the theatre for nothing but the joy of giving your neighbor an extra squirt of butter!"  We in Benton County, Iowa, are so blessed to live among this spirit of volunteerism and cooperation epitomized at the Palace Theatre.  Speaking of which, I still need a few ushers for the "Hansel and Gretel" performances!

Marcy g.horst@www.mebbs.com  472-5518

That's Grease Paint for February, 2000!

To look back at previous online issues, visit our Grease Paint Archives page by clicking here!

Home
Grease Paint Online    Current Season    Scrapbook
Palace Theatre Virtual Tour    ACT I STAGE!   Gems
E-Box Office    Auditions and Calendar   All About Us    Links