Sunday, March 26, 2006
A play that appeals to all age groups is planned for December.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Playhouse's 2006-07 season will offer a little bit of everything, from tried-and-true to refreshingly new, including the addition of two dinner-theater plays to be held in the Moyer Room.
"We are literally trying to maintain an 'open door,'" said John Holt, managing director of the Playhouse. "We want something going on every week."
Holt said he hopes the dinner-theater format will attract new audience members to the Playhouse.
The season opens with "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," which Holt says is only truly effective when played by adults. "The message of this play is timeless," he said. "Initially, it may look like it's pulled straight from the paper, but it really is about issues children deal with. When adults do it, dressed up like kids, it is very powerful and funny. From an entertainment standpoint, it is light and fluffy, no political agenda, a nice way to kick off the season in August." Sara Klimenko, who played Shelby in the recent production of "Steel Magnolias," will direct.
Veteran director Bob Gray returns for the September production of "On Golden Pond," which Holt classifies as a funny drama. "The characters are real," he said. "The lines aren't written to be funny. They deal with old age, and the body that won't do what it used to. There are deep-rooted issues, too, that most people don't like to talk about, like the father-daughter relationship, and the father reliving years through the teenage boy that stays with them. And it is all very subtle -- nothing 'in your face.'"
'Secret Garden'
The December offering is one Holt is particularly pleased to announce.
The musical, "The Secret Garden," originally a children's show, has become very popular with every age group. "The play has amazing appeal," said Holt. "And I was able to secure David Jendre to direct this unique and refreshing work. The stage is almost glamorous, with the hidden garden, flashbacks, dream sequences and ghosts. It is such a neat story, and the music is incredible."
The ever-popular "Harvey" will be presented in late January. It's a comedy that deals with the question of who is really insane. "There are certain similarities in this play that we saw earlier this year in 'Cuckoo's Nest.'" Holt said. "Is he crazy, or isn't he? It's up to the audience to decide." David El'Hatton, who was also in the cast of "Cuckoo's Nest," will direct.
Paula Strobel will direct the March musical, "Working," which Holt describes as "not really new, but not well-known, either." "Once people see this musical, though, it becomes a favorite," he added. "It deals with the average working American, giving us a slice of everyday life of people we may not think about: a waitress, truck driver, factory worker. It is a modest set, so the audience has more opportunity to focus on the actors. And the music, by Stephen Schwartz, is unique. This play will be a multi-ethnic ensemble -- and it really is an ensemble cast, with no lead roles."
At end of season
The season ends with an old favorite, "Man of La Mancha," also directed by Jendre. "He actually sold me on the idea of what we could stage," Holt said. "And we had tons of older shows to choose from. This isn't a happy-go-lucky piece -- it is a musical tragedy. In the end, the lead character reconciles his life, and he's OK with it."
One dinner theater show has been confirmed. "Same Time Next Year" will open in April 2007.
The Playhouse will begin its membership campaign at the end of March. Anyone interested in becoming a subscriber or who has questions about the upcoming season may call (330) 788-8739.