Of the ten (out of 24) categories in which I made Oscar 2010 predictions, I was correct in seven for a total of 70%. Not so good.

I've been watching the Oscars since the 55th Annual Academy Awards in 1983, and as in years past, there were some aspects of the ceremony I liked and others I disliked. Since almost every arts and entertainment blogger on the Internet has already weighed in on the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, I won't bore you with my opinions here.

Now, on to the subject of this entry...

Spencer Community Theatre (SCT), www.spencercommunitytheatre.com, is having a wonderful 50th Anniversary Season, 2009-2010. For the season's opening production, performances October 14-18, 2009, I played Ali Hakim in Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!" During that production, a fellow cast member and playwright, Mark Joenks, asked if I'd consider directing a staged reading of one of his original scripts, "Fallen Shadows."

Having never directed before, I was reluctant to accept; however, Mark assured me there was very little "directing" involved. There would be just one rehearsal and one free reading staged for a small audience. I told Mark that if we referred to my involvement as "managing" rather than "directing," I'd be more comfortable, especially since I've served as Stage Manager for multiple theatrical productions over the years.

This past Monday, March 8, we had our single rehearsal, and this coming Thursday, March 11, we have our free reading in the lobby of the SCT Playhouse in Spencer. The public is encouraged to attend. Doors open at 6:30, and the reading begins at 7:00 p.m. Following the reading, the audience is welcome to stay for a "talk-back response session," a brief post-performance question and answer session, of sorts.

In addition to helping Mark manage the reading, I also read the one of the characters, the Preacher, during the rehearsal. This wasn't because I'm a good reader, but rather because one of the actors had to back out on short notice.

I've worked with Mark on a couple of SCT productions. He's a past recipient of the SCT Volunteer of the Year Award, and he's been involved in almost every SCT production in recent years, sometimes on stage, sometimes back stage, and sometimes as a member of the Production Team. Working with Mark on this reading, however, has been a different experience. It's interesting to work with a playwright on a script, especially an engaging mystery such as "Fallen Shadows," before it's been performed and published.

For more information, a press release drafted by Cara Gerlock, SCT Artistic Director, is reprinted with her permission, as follows...

<< Hello Area Arts Enthusiasts!

I'm excited to invite you all to an original script reading this Thursday, March 11 at 7 p.m. A talented group of actors will be reading Mark Joenk's original script, "Fallen Shadows." A talk-back response session will be held immediately following the production, which is a chance for audience members to share their responses in answer to specific questions asked about the show.

Whether you're an "old pro" in the theatre, or someone who enjoys watching, we'd love to have you at the reading! The reading will take place in the lobby of the SCT Playhouse at 518- 1st Ave. E. in Spencer. Doors will open at 6:30. The event is FREE, so if you're looking for an enjoyable, creative way to spend a couple of hours, come on down to the SCT Playhouse!

Thanks, and hope to see you here!

Cara Gerlock
SCT Artistic Director
cara@spencercommunitytheatre.com
(712) 262-7336

Don't miss the final show of our 50th Anniversary Season, the beautiful musical "The Spitfire Grill," running April 15-18. Tickets go on sale:
March 29 for Contributing Members
April 1 for Season Ticket Holders
April 5 for General Public >>

My sincere thanks to Cara for permitting me to reprint her press release as part of this blog entry! Thanks also to Mark Joenks for involving me in this process!

On a related note, as you can read at the end of Cara's press release, the final production of the SCT 50th Anniversary Season is "The Spitfire Grill." I know from experience that Cara isn't exaggerating when she describes it as a "beautiful musical."

I served as Stage Manager and Conductor for the Lakes Community Theatre (LCT) production of "The Spitfire Grill" four years ago, www.lakescommunitytheatre.org. Our six performances were in the Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre at the Pearson Lakes Art Center (PLAC) in Okoboji, www.lakesart.org, on February 10-12 and 16-18, 2006.

Given the quality of "The Spitfire Grill" script, lyrics and music and the quality of most SCT productions, I highly recommend attending this production, April 15-18, 2010!

Thank you for your time! I hope to see you at the theatre!