Busy Fall at MCT

As we prepare to turn the page to October, the theatre continues to be a very busy place. Our Mabee Theatre II production of THE DINNER PARTY finishes performances this weekend, and I congratulate this talented cast on their outstanding run. As this show wraps up, our Davis Theatre I production of AND THEN THERE WERE NONE opens tonight with an incredibly talented cast led by the skilled direction of Carl Moore. This Agatha Christie mystery - based on the nursery poem "Ten Little Indians" - is a tour de force of acting and technical elements. While these shows are in performance, three shows are preparing for their eventual runs. CHARLIE COX RUNS WITH SCISSORS is in rehearsal in the basement and waiting for THE DINNER PARTY to clear out of Mabee Theatre II so they can move upstairs and get ready for their opening in mid-October. THE HUNDRED DRESSES - the fall Pickwick show - is currently in rehearsals in preparation for their public run on October 21-23 followed by performances for MISD students the next week. Finally, our 2011 holiday musical THE SOUND OF MUSIC will have auditions this weekend - youth on Saturday (October 1st) and adults on Sunday and Monday (October 2nd and 3rd) - and will start rehearsals on October 10th in preparation for their opening in mid-November. Needless to say, there's always so much happening at your community theatre!!

DINNER WITH FRIENDS

Tonight is the opening of the Neil Simon comedy DINNER WITH FRIENDS in Mabee Theatre II. Director Jane Moore and her strong cast have done a wonderful job with this later work of Mr. Simon - it's really more of a drama with comedic parts - that deals with divorced couples who are forced to face their former partners. Kudos also to Scenic Designer Brian Baillif, who challenged me to allow him to put this play "in the round" in Mabee Theatre II and build the platforms and seating areas that can be used again in future Theatre II productions. We hope our audience will enjoy the new seating option - it's not permanent, just an option for future Mabee Theatre II shows - as well as the production. Cast members Andy Salcedo, Joe Thomason, Paul Mangum, Missy Hulen, Stephanie Rivas-Guevara and Samatha Spencer have done a great job with this play - support their hard work and come on down as we resume our 2011 membership season with this Neil Simon play.