Memorial Day weekend

I hope that everyone had a safe and wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

This past weekend, we had a reunion of the Les Miserables cast - we cooked burgers and hot dogs and shared memories and talked about our experiences with the show. One of the joys of community theatre is the feeling of family that exists within the volunteers. Les Miserables was a unique experience for our theatre - the cast worked together for many months to learn the music and the blocking and then performed it for six weekends. Gail Theobald summed it up best when she said that there were many musicals she had performed in the past where she would have been happy to never hear the music again, but Les Miserables was a show that she could have kept performing and hearing even after it closed. Many thanks to all the great volunteers - both onstage and off - that helped make this a wonderful opening to our 2009 season.

Knock Knock continued performances this past weekend and the crowds have been enthusiastic and full of laughter. We have a three show weekend coming up - Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

Finally, many people have been asking me about Summer Mummers recently - the show opens on June 12th and runs through September 5th. Laura Abbott in the Box Office reports that sales are actually stronger for the first 1/2 of the season than the second half. Group sales have been going on in April and May, and the Box Office will open for single ticket sales on Wednesday, May 27th at 10 a.m.

McLaren winner

This past weekend, MCT opened the fourth production of our 2009 membership season - KNOCK KNOCK. The cast and crew did a great job with their two performances this past weekend, and we are looking forward to entertaining audiences with this brand new comedy. If you have not already made your reservations, contact the Box Office at 570-4111 or visit the website for tickets.

Several members of the cast and crew of MCT's version of RENT were in Austin this past weekend to see the national touring production of RENT. It's great to see that the volunteers involved in this show remain so passionate about this wonderful musical. Congratulations to the cast and crew of MCT's RENT - you guys rocked!

Finally, many thanks to all the great MCT volunteers that assisted MCT with the load-in for Summer Mummers on Saturday morning at the Yucca Theatre along with the volunteers who worked Celebration of the Arts in downtown Midland. MCT has an outstanding group of volunteers - we couldn't do it without you!

What's Up?

Sorry for the lack of updates recently - it was easier to provide information as the director of a production (i.e. Les Miserables). As producer, I am less involved in the day-to-day rehearsals of recent or current MCT shows, so I have less "backstage" information that this blog was intended to provide. However, I want to keep you updated on the news at MCT.

On Monday night, I attended the first dress rehearsal for KNOCK KNOCK!, which was the winner of the 2008 McLaren competition. During my 12 years in Midland, we have been pleased to support original works by conducting the annual competition for comedy plays, and by producing winners (or finalists) in future seasons. Director Tracy Alexander and her cast have worked hard on this comedy, and it's shaping up to be a good one. Intern Josh Cooney has designed the scenery, and he's done good work in capturing the necessary space for these events to take place in the confines of our smaller theatre (Mabee Theatre II). The playwright will be in Midland this weekend to attend the final dress rehearsal along with opening night and the Legacy Society reception on Saturday night. If you have not made reservations, contact the Box Office for ticket - (432) 570-4111 or visit the MCT website. KNOCK KNOCK runs May 15 through June 6.

Summer Mummers is in full swing for rehearsals - the melodrama and olio are hard at work at the Cole Theatre, and load-in will take place on Saturday, May 16th starting at 8 a.m. for the SM set at the Yucca Theatre. Starting on Monday, May 18th, the cast and crew will move down to the Yucca Theatre to get ready for their opening on Friday, June 12, 2009. Single tickets go on sale on Wednesday, May 27th - visit the SM website for more information.

Last Chance for RENT

The incredible cast and crew of RENT have done two weekends of great performances, and you have one more chance to see our 2009 Yucca musical.

Saturday, May 9th at 8 p.m.

For tickets, call (432) 570-4111 or visit www.mctmidland.org