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See A Show
Theater discussion draws crowd; production slated
By Margo Oxendine, Staff Writer
WARM SPRINGS - More than 30 people have expressed an interest in learning more about a community theater in Bath County. At least 25 of them showed up at the library on a dreary Sunday afternoon, and they were full of ideas and enthusiasm.
By no means was the room filled simply with acting wannabes. Two experienced costumers attended, along with a makeup artist, someone with sound and lighting experience, a dancer and choreographer, and a seasoned grantwriter. There was a fellow new to the area, packing decades of community theater experience. One attendee can boast several major film credits. Another is a former standup comedian. Two people held theater degrees. The age groups spanned from fresh-faced children, through teenagers, young adults, and well beyond. Organizer Terry Kershner was beaming when she pronounced the gathering "very encouraging."
After just 90 minutes, a steering committee was formed. That committee met Tuesday night, and got busy. The result? A fun-packed musical variety show, planned for Saturday, April 19 in the Bath County High School auditorium.
The catalyst for such swift action is Michael Sharp, who has decades of acting, singing and dancing experience in community and regional theaters throughout the Maryland- Virginia-D.C. area. Sharp, a Bath native, currently works with the Greenbrier Valley Theater in Lewisburg, W.Va., the place he got his start while still in high school. With the help of GVT, Sharp mounted his most recent production, "42nd Street," at Greenbrier East High School.
Sharp has produced, directed and appeared in numerous variety shows through the years, quite a few of them at the Round House Theater in Silver Spring, Md. Tuesday night, he pulled a great idea out of his brimming hat: a show titled, "It Might As Well Be Spring."
Auditions - open to all in Bath, Highland, Alleghany and beyond - will be held next Saturday, Jan. 26, in the high school auditorium. Children from age eight through 12 should arrive promptly at 2 p.m., accompanied by an adult, who must remain throughout the children's portion of the audition. There is no need for children to bring prepared audition material; they will be featured in production numbers, not as soloists. Parents should also be prepared to fill out a form, and sign a permission slip.
People from age 13 and up will audition from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Those who would like to perform a solo number may bring sheet or taped music, sing a capella, or even use a karaoke machine.
"I'm not a real stickler about that," Sharp says. "They can sing 'Happy Birthday' for me if they like; I just need an idea of their ability and talent level.
Those who would simply like to sing with the chorus, rather than solo, are also quite welcome, as are dancers, who Sharp advises, "Bring your dance shoes and music."
The point of a variety show is just that: Variety. Anyone with any special talent is invited to come and share it, Sharp notes. "This includes anyone with experience working lights, a sound system, makeup, whatever. We'll need it all."
Elaine Brown of WCHG, who holds a degree in theater, has agreed to serve as stage manager, a job at which she is quite experienced.
Anyone who auditions will appear in the show. All cast members must, however, agree to adhere to the rehearsal schedule, and arrive promptly for each rehearsal slated. The schedule will be finalized in time for distribution during auditions.
"We're thinking of Sunday afternoons," Sharp says. "That seems to be the best time, when most people don't have something scheduled. We haven't decided on a rehearsal location yet; we'll need to see how many people we have, so we can find a place that will hold everyone."
The committee - Sharp, Kershner, Brown, Debbie Young, Margo Oxendine, Lori Witschey, Janie Camacho, Rachel Camacho, Graham Kershner and Sage Tanguay - envisions the show as opening and closing with an all-cast production number. What comes in between depends on the various talents of those who audition. It is assured, though, that quite a few songs dealing with the wonders of spring will fill the air that night, as well as a few dances, instrumental numbers and, it is hoped, some comic relief in the form of monologues, improv, parody or satire. Think "Saturday Night Live" in Warm Springs.
When Sharp directed a similar show in Silver Spring, some numbers included, "Younger than Springtime," "Some Enchanted Evening," "Might as Well be Spring," "Shall We Dance?" "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," and "It's a Grand Night for Singing."
At this point, the committee hopes to mount back-toback shows on Saturday, April 19: A matinee at 3 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. performance. The show is not expected to run longer than two hours.
The committee's fondest hope and dream cannot yet be revealed. It involves a special appearance by a special someone, whose acclaim and pedigree will be familiar to all. Sharp, a longtime friend and colleague of this person, is right now pitching his friend, and making plans to fly her (or him) from Nashville to Hot Springs for the show. More on this later; in the meantime, ponder the possibilities.
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