2010-2011 Season

The Night We Knocked The Critic Dead

Comedy by L. Don Swartz

Fall 2010, directed by Mike Taylor & produced by Janice Grant

Mickey Chigger, a nasty newspaper critic, turns up dead at the Chestnut Hollow Little Theatre's final dress rehearsal of their latest play. The actors, desperate for a box office success, will go to any lengths to avoid a scandal. And that means - yes! - moving the critic's body from the rest room where he died to the parking lot. That way the late Mr. Chigger will keep his dignity, even though he doesn't really deserve it, but even more importantly, the theatre won't get bad press. Can't you see the headlines? asks one. "The play was so bad it killed him!" But just when they think they might squeak by, a detective arrives on the scene to declare that Chiggers has been murdered! To add to their troubles, Editor Blather of the local paper insists that the Little Theatre host a memorial service for the late critic, a decision she soon regrets with the ever-wailing widow and inappropriate bathroom sound effects blaring from the sound booth. Does the critic's laptop computer with his final review hold the clue to the identity of the murderer? And what in the detective's mysterious past makes him seem so familiar? Here's a spoof just for (and about) community theatres that will knock'em dead with laughter. This play is presented by special arrangements with Eldridge Publishing Company. If you have any questions or want to be involved, inquire with the director Mike Taylor at 352-949-6929 or mikelandi@yahoo.com

Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus

Christmas Play by Pat Cook

December 2010, directed by Linda Hagan

"Dear Editor, is there a Santa Claus?" - a question innocently asked by 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon. Christmas was coming and all was right with the world ... until her friends mischievously fill her in on the "facts" about Old Saint Nick. Who could tell her the truth? Not her father, a doctor who is always fighting against old world cures. Not her teacher, who is already fed up with Christmas even though it hadn't arrived. So Virginia writes a letter to the editor of The New York Sun, for her father always said, "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." Virginia's letter falls into the hands of Francis P. Church, a veteran editorial writer who knows he must answer, and must answer truthfully. And so he begins his reply, which becomes one of the most memorable and cherished editorials in newspaper history. A perfect choice for your theatre's holiday season. This play is presented by special arrangement with Eldridge Publishing Company. If you have any questions or want to be involved, inquire with the director Linda Hagan at 352-215-9634 or linda.svplayers@gmail.com

The Drowsy Chaperone

Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison

Spring 2011, directed by Stacey Trenteseaux

A rare combination of unprecedented originality and blinding talent, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE boldly addresses a great unspoken desire in all of our hearts: to be entertained. If you've ever sat in a dark theatre and thought, "Dear Lord in heaven, please let it be good," this is the show for you! It all begins when a die-hard musical-theater fan plays his favorite cast album on his turntable, and the musical literally bursts to life in his living room, telling the rambunctious tale of a brazen Broadway starlet trying to find, and keep, her true love. This play is presented by special arrangements with Musical Theatre International. If you have any questions or want to be involved, inquire with the director Stacey Trenteseaux at 352-246-8063 or strenteseaux@gmail.com

Crimes of the Heart

Comedy/Drama by Beth Henley

Early Summer 2011, directed by Andy Kidd

The scene is Hazlehurst, Mississippi, where the three Magrath sisters have gathered to await news of the family patriarch, their grandfather, who is living out his last hours in the local hospital. Lenny, the oldest sister, is unmarried at thirty and facing diminishing marital prospects; Meg, the middle sister, who quickly outgrew Hazlehurst, is back after a failed singing career on the West Coast; while Babe, the youngest, is out on bail after having shot her husband in the stomach. Their troubles, grave and yet, somehow, hilarious, are highlighted by their priggish cousin, Chick, and by the awkward young lawyer who tries to keep Babe out of jail while helpless not to fall in love with her. In the end the play is the story of how its young characters escape the past to seize the future�but the telling is so true and touching and consistently hilarious that it will linger in the mind long after the curtain has descended. Winner of the 1981 Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. This play is presented by special arrangements with Dramatists Play Service. If you have any questions or want to be involved, inquire with the director Andy Kidd at 352-490-7975 or akidd@bellsouth.net

Pollyanna

Adapted by Susan Pargman

Summer 2011, directed by Linda Hagan

This is the delightful, classic tale of the greatest optimist of all time� Pollyanna. But it's much more than that. It's the story how a little girl's faith in her father's promise�that you can find something good about anything that happens�guides her steadfastly through circumstances that most adults would find formidable. Pollyanna becomes an orphan, and she is placed into the care of her purely pessimistic and domineering aunt. Talk about difficult circumstances-the clash of hope and doubt meeting under the same roof! The town itself isn't much better. Led by a "fire and brimstone" pastor whose favorite Bible verse is "Woe unto you," folks are always complaining, feeling sorry for themselves and viewing their existence as dark and dreary. Yet, Pollyanna faithfully plays her "glad game," innocently teaching it to others wherever she goes. The hired help, such as maid Nancy, cook Mrs. Durgin and gardener Old Tom, seem to catch on first. Other townspeople like hypochondriac Mrs. Snow and her sarcastic daughter Millie slowly learn the joy of the game too. Charmingly narrated by Jimmy Bean, another orphan, we also meet the hermit-like John Pendleton and Dr. Chilton, who had closed his heart to taking risks� that is, until he met Pollyanna. We're optimistic that this fresh adaptation will put a smile on faces of all ages in your audience. This play is presented by special arrangements with Pioneer Drama Service. If you have any questions or want to be involved, inquire with the director Linda Hagan at 352-215-9634 or linda.svplayers@gmail.com.

Open

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