GCT schedules ‘Romeo and Juliet’ auditions

Posted May 21, 2011

Garland Civic Theatre has scheduled auditions for “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare on the afternoons of June 11 and 12 beginning at 1 p.m. Callbacks begin at 6 p.m. on June 12. The auditions will be held at the offices of Garland Civic Theatre, 108 North Sixth Street in downtown Garland. Appointments, which can be made by calling 972-485-8884, are required for all auditions. A parent must accompany minor children. Auditioners should bring a headshot and resume to their appointment, but no experience is required.

All roles are available for a variety of men and women, ages 15 to 65. The director prefers that auditioners prepare a monologue of at least one minute but less than three minutes from one of Shakespeare’s tragedies. Scenes from  “Romeo and Juliet” are welcome. Please perform with classical English accents. Monologues are not mandatory.  Cold readings from the script will also be available. Rehearsals begin July 11.  One month will be allowed prior to the rehearsals for memorization.  Kyle McClaran is directing this famous story of star-crossed lovers, and the production dates are August 25 – September 17.

Posted May 10, 2011

Garland Civic Theatre has scheduled auditions for the Children On Stage production 

of “The Mikado” on June 4 and 5. All auditions will be held at 108 North Sixth Street 

in downtown Garland.  Appointments are required and available June 4 from 10 a.m. 

to 2 p.m. and on June 5 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Call 972-485-8884 to schedule.

A parent must accompany minor children. Auditioners should bring a headshot and

resume, but no experience is required. They should be prepared to sing 16 bars of 

a Broadway song and 16 bars of a ballad. Please bring sheet music for songs.  

Auditioners may or may not be asked to sing both songs.

Morgana Shaw will direct “The Mikado,” a comic opera in two acts, with music by 

Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert.

GCT’s latest production, ‘Verdict’

Jeanine Rogers | April 24, 2011

The Garland Civic Theatre is ending its 43^rd season with “Verdict,” penned by Agatha Christie.   Directed by Kyle McClaran, it is set in 1946 England and is the story of Professor Karl Hendryk (portrayed by Gregory Phillips), his wife Anya Hendryk (Amanda Brown), and her cousin Lisa  Koletzky (Evelyn Davis) as they relocate after escaping from Germany.  Professor Hendryk was discovered harboring his Jewish neighbors.

In England Professor Hendryk teaches at a university and his wife is confined to a wheelchair.   Her cousin Lisa, who is her caretaker, also has secret feelings for Karl.

Karl privately tutors students, one of which is a young, rich, and very spoiled girl Helen Rollander (Arielle Engle).  Helen, who is madly in love with Karl, kills Anya and confesses the dastardly deed to Karl.  Karl does not go to the police with this information, and Lisa is blamed for the murder.

This story is different from the typical Agatha Christie mystery as it has a recurring theme of ethics, morals, and forgiveness.

Both the set and the acting were good overall.  Three of the actors played dual roles.  Roxanne Meyart an avid theater patron said, “I liked that Amanda Brown played double roles, she is the strongest actress.”  

“I thought the actress that played Lisa was equally strong, but I wanted to see more emotion from Karl,” said Gabrielle Meyart.  “He lost his accent in the second act.”

Arielle Engle turned in a believable performance as the seductress Helen Rollander, and I look forward to seeing her in more GCT plays.  The maid Mrs. Roper (Robyne Gulledge) provided comic relief.  

Verdict is a little slow at the beginning and the music overpowers the actors at times.  Also the death scene was too long and dramatic.

About a man’s internal conflict between right and wrong, it makes one think about one’s own morals and beliefs.

Verdict will run through May 14.  For tickets call 972-205-2790.

GSO features violinist Curt Thompson

Posted April 24, 2011

Join the GSO on May 6 as it moves through the seasons with the classics!  The orchestra will perform Hugo Alfven’s Midsommarvaka (Midsummer Vigil), Anton Webern’s In the Summer Wind (Im Sommerwind), Richard Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries, and Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring (Le sacre du printemps).

Additionally, this concert will feature GSO’s Concertmaster, violinist Curt Thompson, performing Vivaldi’s “Summer (L’estate)” from The Four Seasons to conclude the season.

Violinist Curt Thompson performs throughout North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia as a concerto soloist, recitalist and chamber musician in such prestigious venues as Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, Salle Gaveau (Paris), and others. Thompson’s debut recording on the Naxos label of the violin sonatas by Charles Ives received outstanding reviews worldwide, including Gramophone, The Strad, The Wire, and The New York Times, where it was included in a listing of “Critics’ Favorites” and was called “…a hole in one…perfectly demonstrating [Ives’] spicy, earthy rawness and appeal...”.

Concerto appearances include the Qingdao Symphony Orchestra (Qingdao, China), Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra (Colombia), and the Corpus Christi Symphony. Thompson has been a featured artist in the Copland/Shostakovich Festival (Rio de Janeiro), the Festival de Primavera (Oaxaca, Mexico), the Seventh Centennial Festival of Villarobledo (Spain), and others.  He is Concertmaster of the Corpus Christi Symphony, the San Angelo Symphony, and the Texas Chamber Orchestra, and has served as Concertmaster of the Fort Worth Symphony (by special invitation) and the Spoleto Festival Orchestra (Italy).

Thompson is founder and executive director of the Mimir Chamber Music Festival, held annually at TCU where he serves as associate professor of violin and director of chamber music studies. The Festival, which will celebrate its 14^th season in July, has enjoyed critical acclaim by audiences and media. Both the Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram have cited Mimir in their annual “Top 10 Musical Events of the Year” listings.

Mr. Thompson maintains a violin studio at the TCU School of Music. He has given master classes at several institutions including the Royal Academy of Music (London), the Bulgarian State Academy of Music (Sofia), El Escorial Conservatory (Spain), the University of Saõ Paulo (Brazil), and others. During the spring 2002 semester, he maintained a violin studio as guest artist/lecturer at his alma mater, Indiana University, where years earlier he received Bachelor and Master of Music degrees and the prestigious Performer’s Certificate while studying with Nelli Shkolnikova. In 2003 Thompson completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Rice University where he studied with Sergiu Luca.

The GSO credits Music Director, Robert Carter Austin for its continued outstanding and diverse programming. Austin’s background encompasses over 30 years of professional music experience and includes degrees from MIT, Cambridge University, and Stanford University.  Austin’s musical experience includes conducting performances in countries including: Korea, Ukraine, Canada, Italy, Spain, China, France, Germany, Mexico, Bulgaria, and the United States.

Single tickets are $15, $25, and $35, available by telephone-972.205.2790, fax- 972.926.0811, or email info@garlandsymphony.org.  Group discounts are available; call 972.926.0611 for information.  Concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Granville Arts Center, Linda Brownlee Auditorium.

GSO turns in magical performance

Jeanine Rogers | April 18, 2011

The Garland Symphony Orchestra’s continuation of the spring concert series on Friday, April 15 was magical.  Conductor Robert Carter Austin was greeted with applause as he returned from vacation to lead the orchestra.

The symphony opened with Rondes de printemps from Images, composed by Claude Debussy, (1862 -1918).  This piece was played with a full orchestra.   It started off with the light sound of the violins then the horn and drums section came in and added drama and texture to the piece.  

“It was very light, and it made me think of butterflies,” said Sasha Campbell, first time symphony attendee.

Jasper High School student Flora Yan said, “It captured the emergence of spring, and it was light and not too serious.”

Next on the program was Piano Concerto in A Major composed by Franz Liszt (1811-1886). It featured pianist Liudmila Georgievshaya.  Franz Liszt composed this free form, meaning it did not have the traditional introduction.

Georgievshaya, who had stepped in and replaced another pianist with only two weeks to learn the composition, skillfully played this piece.  The music was exhilarating.  The way the piano would build up volume, with the strings following along, was wonderful.

“I liked her [Georgievshaya’s] passion,” said Mary Ford, a regular GSO patron.  “You could tell that she enjoyed what she was doing.  It was breathtaking.”

The theater erupted with applause at the end of the Piano Concerto, and Georgievshaya received a standing ovation.  The contrast of Debussy’s light impressionist style and the fast rougher style of Liszt was striking.

The night ended with an audience participation game – The Great Movie Scores Quiz. The orchestra played music from various movies, and the audience had to tell who the composer was and the title of the music.

“This was my favorite part of the whole night,” Mary Gonzalez said.  “I love to hear the music from the movies I watch on the classic movie channel.”

The next GSO performance is May 6.  For information, call 972 926 0611.

GCT winds up season with ‘Verdict’

Posted April 12, 2011

Garland Civic Theatre will complete its 43^rd season with a production of “Verdict” by Agatha Christie. Kyle McClaran, the theatre’s artistic director, is directing this story of the Hendryks, refugees in England, who have lost everything. Karl, with his talents, charms and hard work, rebuilds their lives, but Anya, his wife is fatally ill. Her old friend, Lisa, who secretly loves Karl, lives with them, runs the house and cares for Anya. All is shattered when wealthy, headstrong Helen Rollander bribes her way into private tutoring by Karl. Even with her infatuation with Karl being denied, she will stop at nothing, not even murder, to possess him. Anya’s mysterious death, Helen’s lies and eventual suicide bring the story to a suspenseful and terrifying crossroad which appears to leave them with nowhere to turn.

The cast includes Gregory Phillips as Professor Karl Hendryck, Amanda Brown as Anya Hendryck, Evelyn Davis as Lisa Koletzky, Arielle Engle as Helen Rollander, Amanda Brown as Lady Rollander, Robin Attaway as Dr. Stoner, Blake Hollowell as Lester Cole, Robyne Guledge as Mrs. Roper, Blake Hollowell as Sergeant Pearce, and Robyne Guledge as Inspector Ogden.

The production will run Friday through Sunday, April 22 – May 14 with Thursday performances on April 21 and 28 at the Granville Arts Center, 300 North Fifth Street in downtown Garland. Call the box office at 972-205-2790 for tickets, which are $20 and includes service fee. There are discounts available for KERA members and groups of 10 or more. Tickets for the preview on April 21 are $15.  Note that Thursday performances are at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday evenings are at 8:00 p.m., and matinees are at 2:30 p.m.

Garland Civic Theatre, a member of Texas Non-profit Theatres is in its 43^rd season. Underwriters include Linda J. Braga, Dr. Lisa Garner, Dunn and Dill, and Garland Power & Light. Visit www.garlandcivictheatre.org or call 972-485-8884 for information.

GSO presents ‘The Essence of Spring’

Posted April 4, 2011

Join the GSO as it moves through the seasons with the classics.  The GSO will be performing Debussy’s “Rondes de Printemps”, Franz Liszt’s Concerto No. 2 in A Major and the Sixth Annual Movie Scores Quiz!         

This concert will feature pianist Liudmila Georgievskaya performing the Liszt Concerto No. 2. 

Russian pianist Liudmila Georgievskaya has performed as recitalist and soloist with orchestras in Russia, Italy, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, France, England, Hungary, the United States, and the Republic of Panama. Her performances have been broadcast on radio and television in Russia, Uzbekistan, Italy, and Vatican City.

She won top prizes and numerous awards in national and international piano competitions, including the J.S. Bach Piano Competition in Kiev (Ukraine), Adilia Alieva International Piano Competition in Gaillard (France), and Twenty-Twenty Music Competition at Hartford University. In Italy she was first prize winner at the competitions Premio Ars Nova, Città di Valentino, Giulio Rospigliosi, Riviera Etrusca, and A.Gi.Mus, and received top prizes at the competitions Domenico Scarlatti, Pino Torinese, Rami Musicali, Lia Tortora, and Benedetto XIII Piano Prize. In 2009, she won first prize at the Liszt-Garrison International Piano Competition in Baltimore, Maryland, organized by the American Liszt Society.

She has been soloist of the Moscow Regional Philharmonic Organization (Russia), for which she gave numerous recitals in the Moscow region. In 2004, she became soloist of the Moscow International Philharmonic Organization of Classical Music.

Liudmila Georgievskaya graduated in 2001 from the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory with Honors Diploma in piano performance, piano pedagogy, chamber music, and accompaniment. Her piano teachers include Tatiana Galitskaya and Liudmila Roschina, both former students of pianist and composer Samuil Feinberg.

In 2008 she completed a post-graduate course in piano performance with Prof. Sergio Perticaroli at the Santa Cecilia National Music Academy in Rome, Italy, where in three years she gave more than fifty recitals throughout the country. In 2010, after being awarded with a Meadows Artistic Scholarship, she received the Artist Certificate under the guidance of acclaimed pianist Joaquín Achúcarro at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.

Currently, Liudmila Georgievskaya is on faculty at Southern Methodist University and continues her intense concert career in Europe and in the Americas.

The Garland Symphony Orchestra credits its Music Director, Robert Carter Austin for its continued outstanding and diverse orchestral programming. Maestro Austin’s background encompasses over 30 years of professional music experience and includes degrees from MIT, Cambridge University, and Stanford University.  Maestro Austin’s musical experience includes conducting performances in countries including: Korea, Ukraine, Canada, Italy, Spain, China, France, Germany, Mexico, Bulgaria, Ecuador, Colombia, Philippines, Guatemala, Dominican Republic and the United States.

Single tickets are priced at $15, $25, and $35 and are available by calling 972.205.2790 or online at www.garlandsymphony.org. Group discounts are available; call 972.926.0611 for information.

All concerts begin at 8 p.m. at the Granville Arts Center, Linda Brownlee Auditorium, 300 North 5^th Street in Garland.  For more information on the Garland Symphony Orchestra, visit www.garlandsymphony.org.

GSO continues through the seasons

Jeanine Rogers | March 21, 2011

The Garland Symphony Orchestra performed their exhilarating spring concert with guest conductor Richard Giangiulio.

The concert began with “Spring” from “The Four Seasons” composed by Antonio Vivaldi (1678 -1741).  This strings only piece featured violinist Victor Rupert.  The piece is usually performed with other instruments in addition to violins, but the unique choice to use violins only was edgy and refreshing.

Rupert played with passion and was an excellent choice as lead violinist   I enjoyed watching him move his body and his facial expressions during the composition’s crescendos and decrescendos.  Movement I was my favorite of the “Four Seasons” because of the speed and the round style of the piece.

“It was my favorite piece,” arts patron Cynthia Smith said.  “I am amazed by stamina of the players.”

“Appalachian Spring,” composed by Aaron Copland (1900-1990) was skillfully conducted by Giangiulio.  The full orchestra handles this long composition with ease.  The piece started off softly and sounded very pure and then gradually grew louder and faster with the horn section. It evoked images of a sunrise on a lake.  The bass drum later added a fullness and texture to the music.

Several audience members commented on “Appalachian Spring.”  “The second one was beautiful”, said Charlotte Hilber a GSO season ticket holder.  “I liked the simple style,” John Hilber said.

Audience member Anika Farouq said, “Copland’s is my favorite piece.  It creates images of springtime on the frontier.”

“The music was meditative at times for me and very familiar,” spectator Bobbi Walker said.  “It sounded like America.”

The last part of the program was Symphony 1 in B Major Spring composed by Robert Schumann, and it was performed with beauty and great artistic skill.  The variety of two European and American composers was wonderful.

“The Garland Symphony always puts on a great show,” said Vearura Singh.

The GSO’s next performance is Friday, April 15^th at 8 p.m. at the Patty Granville Arts Center.  For more information call 972.926.0611. 

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ continues

Posted March 20, 2011

Garland Civic Theatre’s 2010-2011 season will continue with a staging of “To Kill a Mockingbird” as dramatized by Christopher Serge from the book by Harper Lee. Scout, a young girl in a quiet southern town, is about to experience the dramatic events that will affect the rest of her life. She and brother Jem are being raised by their widower father Atticus and by a strong-minded housekeeper Calpurnia.

Wide-eyed Scout is fascinated with the sensitively revealed people of her small town but, from the start, there's a rumble of thunder just under the calm surface of the life here. The black people of the community have a special feeling about Scout's father and she doesn't know why. A few of her white friends are inexplicably hostile, and Scout doesn't understand this either. Unpleasant things are shouted and the bewildered girl turns to her father. Atticus, a lawyer, explains that he's defending a young Negro wrongfully accused of a grave crime. Since this is causing such an upset, Scout wants to know why he's doing it. "Because if I didn't," her father replies, "I couldn't hold my head up."

When she asks why he takes on such a hopeless fight, he tells her, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason not to try." He goes on to prepare Scout for the trouble to come. "We're fighting our friends. But remember this, no matter how bitter things get, they're still our friends." Things do get bitter to the point where Atticus props himself in a chair against the cell door of the man he's defending and confronts an angry mob. Horrified Scout projects herself into this confrontation and her inconvenient presence helps bring back a little sanity. Atticus fights his legal battle with a result that is part defeat, part triumph. As Atticus comes out of the courthouse, the deeply moved town minister tells Scout, "Miss Scout, your father's passing!" This play is a meaningful work of art.

Peter Ray is directing the production. The cast includes Gregory Hullett as Atticus Finch, Cate Stuart as Scout, and Nathan May as Jem.  Griffin Wetzel will play the role of “Dill” Harris, Marilyn Twyman will portray Calpurnia, and Janye Anderson has the role of Miss Maudie Atkinson.  Christine Wetzel will portray Miss Stephanie Crawford; Celeste Rogers will portray Mrs. Dubose, and Gregory Phillips has the role of Bob Ewell. Mayella Ewell will be portrayed by Rachel Granville, Dennis West will play Heck Tate, Pat Greer has the role of Sister Sykes, and Tony Carpenter will portray Judge Taylor.  Charles Maxham will play Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Gilmer, and Boo Radley, and Darron “D” Dean will portray Tom Robinson. 

The production will run Friday through Sunday, March 11 – April 2 with Thursday performances on March 10 and 17 at the Granville Arts Center, 300 North 5^th Street in Garland. Call the box office at 972-205-2790 for tickets. All tickets are $20 which includes service fee. There are discounts available for KERA members and groups of 10 or more. Tickets for the preview on March 10 are $15.  Thursday performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m., and matinees are at 2:30 PM.

Lone Star Youth Orchestra to perform with GSO

Posted February 8, 2011

The Garland Symphony Orchestra takes pride in presenting 20 audition-selected members of its Lone Star Youth Orchestra in its yearly tradition of the “Side by Side” performance.  This year the selected musicians will join the GSO on Feb. 18 in performing Sibelius’ Spring Song.  Rehearsing and performing with the GSO allows students to experience the highest level of musical education.  Each season these young musicians compete for the highest seating placement in their section and the honor to participate in this concert event.  This event is an incredible learning experience for these young musicians and a great way to showcase the young talent in Garland and the surrounding communities.

Also on Feb. 18, the GSO will perform Goldmark’s In Spring (Im Frühling), Op. 36, Charles Ives’ Washington’s Birthday from New England Holidays, Johann Strauss II’s Frühlingsstimmen (Voices of Spring), and the US premiere of Kenneth Fuchs’ Divinum Mysterium (Concerto for Viola and Orchestra) with Paul Silverthorne, principal viola for the London Symphony.

This concert features the U.S. premiere of Fuchs' viola concerto "Divinum Mysterium". This piece is well-crafted, imaginative, and the most complete work of his that audiences have heard to date.

Meditative in spots, hauntingly beautiful in others, restlessly energetic in still others, the work builds over its 16-minute time frame to an atmospheric climax. As it opens up and breathes, the overall effect is one of journeying through a spiritual experience into a place of joy and peace.

It will be performed by the musician for whom it was written: Paul Silverthorne, principal violist of the London Symphony Orchestra.  Silverthorne's performance of the work, which he had a significant role in helping craft, is nothing short of spectacular.

Paul Silverthorne is one of the UK's foremost viola players. He holds the principal positions in both the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Sinfonietta and appears regularly as a soloist with these and other major orchestras around the world.

Throughout his career he has worked with some of the leading composers of our time, this relationship inspiring many of them to write for him, enlarging a repertoire that already encompasses the major viola works as well as his own transcriptions and lesser known pieces.

He has recorded for EMI, Black Box, Naxos, Chandos, Koch International Classics, Meridian, and others to critical acclaim.   He is a professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and plays a viola made by the Brothers Amati in 1620 which is loaned to him from their collection.

The GSO will also feature guest conductor Geoffrey Simon for this performance.  The Australian conductor is resident in London and has appeared there with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Chamber Orchestra and English Chamber Orchestra.

Internationally, he has appeared with the Adelaide, Atlanta, Bournemouth, City of Birmingham, Fort Worth, Melbourne, Milwaukee, Queensland, Sapporo, Shanghai, St Louis, Sydney, Tasmanian, Vermont and West Australian Symphony Orchestras, the Israel, Moscow, Munich and New Japan Philharmonic Orchestras, and the American Symphony to name a few.

For his own label, Cala Records, Geoffrey Simon has brought together large ensembles of single instruments—violins, violas, cellos, double basses, horns, trumpets, trombones and harps—drawn from London’s leading solo, orchestral and chamber musicians. Known as The London Sound Series, the recordings have attracted interest amongst instrumentalists worldwide, and The London Cello Sound has performed live for H.M. The Queen and H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh.

The Garland Symphony Orchestra credits Music Director Robert Carter Austin for its outstanding and diverse programming.  His background encompasses more than 30 years of professional music experience and includes degrees from MIT, Cambridge, and Stanford. 

Season tickets are priced as low as $53.00 and single tickets are $15, $25, and $35.  All are available by calling 972.205.2790, faxing 972.926.0811, or emailing info@garlandsymphony.org.  Group discounts are available; call 972.926.0611 for information.

Concerts begin at 8 p.m. at the Granville Arts Center, Linda Brownlee Auditorium, 300 North 5^th Street in Garland, 972.205.2790.

GCT brings tale of alien abduction and mystery to Granville Arts Center

Jeanine Rogers | February 1, 2011

“The Sugar Bean Sisters,” written by Nathan Sanders and directed by Kyle McClaran, is a comedy about alien abduction, family, and mystery, taking place in the swamps of Sugar Bean, Fla.

Faye Clementine Nettles (Emily Reyna Hunt) and her sister Willie Mae Hunt (Charlotte White) are an odd pare of spinsters.  Faye wants to build a landing strip for aliens in a sugar cane field, and Willie Mae wants to find a Mormon husband.  

The audience is drawn into the Nettle sisters’ world as they discuss snakes, rat poison, and Willie Mae’s infatuation with Bishop Crumley (Patrick Parsons), the Reptile Lady (Marilyn B. Twyman), and an unexpected visitor, Videllia Sparks (Janet Lambert), who has a secret.

At its core, the play is a dark comedy about two emotionally disturbed women, and Hunt and White turn in good performances as the Nettle sisters.

Hunt’s comic timing is on point as she delivers lines such as, “If you piss in my ear you can’t tell me its rain.”

White also has some zingers, with one of the most memorable being, “You can roll a dog turd in powder sugar, but that don’t make it a sugar cookie.“

The supporting cast members’ performances are admirable.  Lambert is entertaining as Videllia Sparks, a mysterious visitor that is just as outlandish as the Nettle sisters.  Parsons, as the Bishop, is the calm voice of reason in contrast to the sisters. 

Twyman leaves the audience wanting more after her short appearance as the Reptile Lady.  Her singing is soulful, and her acting is superb.

The staging is different, and the actors entering through the audience involves the viewers in the action.

“The Sugar Bean Sisters” is a production worth seeing.  It will run through Feb. 19 at the Granville Arts Center.  For ticket information, call 972-205-2790 or visit www.garlandcivictheatre.org.

GCT presents ‘The Sugar Bean Sisters’

Posted January 14, 2011

Garland Civic Theatre has scheduled “The Sugar Bean Sisters” by Nathan Sanders as its first production of the new year. The production will run Friday through Sunday, January 28 – February 19 with Thursday performances on January 27 and February 3 at the Granville Arts Center, 300 North Fifth Street. Tickets, which are $15 for “preview” Thursday and $20 for all other performances, are available by calling 972-205-2790 during regular business hours.

Kyle McClaran is directing this production of an exuberantly fresh and wacky comedy by Nathan Sanders. In this Southern Gothic comedy of romance, murder and alien abduction, the Nettle sisters are determined to escape spinsterhood—Willie Mae by going to Salt Lake and finding a good Mormon husband and Faye by hopping on the spaceship when the "space people" return for another visit.

We meet Faye and Willie Mae as they return home to their ramshackle swamp dwelling in Sugar Bean, Florida, after a disastrous daytrip to Disney World, where Willie lost her prized Eva Gabor wig on Space Mountain. Having witnessed the landing of an alien space craft some 25 years ago in her daddy's sugarcane field, Faye prepares for the return of her celestial visitors on this night, the anniversary of that fateful day. A disturbance in the sugarcane field lures the sisters outside to investigate, and Faye recalls how their infamous daddy claimed to have witnessed dead folk walking through Sugar Bean on a similar night many years before.

A strange bird-like woman suddenly appears out of the darkness of Buster Swamp, setting in motion a chain of extraordinary events. Lies begin to unravel and the truth is revealed as the Sugar Bean Sisters hatch a diabolical plot to ensure the space people's return.

The cast includes Emily Reyna Hunt as Faye Clementine Nettles, Charlotte White as Willie Mae Nettles, Janet Lambert as Miss Videllia Sparks, Marilyn Twyman as The Reptile Woman, and Patrick Persons as The Bishop Crumley.

Garland Civic Theatre is a member of Texas Non-profit Theatres. Visit www.garlandcivictheatre.org or call 972-485-8884 for additional information.

Underwriters needed at GCT

Posted January 14, 2011

Garland Civic Theatre is at the halfway point of its 43^rd season of producing quality live theater for the enjoyment of audiences from the area. GCT strives to maintain affordable ticket prices, but ticket sales alone are never sufficient to cover the cost of producing the shows. Angel underwriters are always needed, and they can reap many benefits, the least of which is the knowledge that they helped promote a love of the theater in Garland.

Underwriter status is determined by any amount of support of $2500 or more. The shows that still need an underwriter are:

March 10 – April 2 – “To Kill a Mockingbird” is dramatized by Christopher Serge from the book by Harper Lee. Scout, a young girl in a quiet southern town, is about to experience dramatic events that will affect the rest of her life. She and brother Jem are being raised by their widower father Atticus and by a strong-minded housekeeper Calpurnia. Scout is fascinated with the sensitively revealed people of her small town but, from the start, there's a rumble of thunder just under the calm surface of life here. The black people of the community have a special feeling about Scout's father and she doesn't know why. A few of her white friends are inexplicably hostile and Scout doesn't understand this either. Unpleasant things are shouted and the bewildered girl turns to her father. Atticus, a lawyer, explains that he's defending a young Negro wrongfully accused of a grave crime.

Since this is causing such an upset, Scout wants to know why he's doing it. "Because if I didn't," her father replies, "I couldn't hold my head up." When she asks why take on such a hopeless fight he tells her, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason not to try." He goes on to prepare Scout for the trouble to come. "We're fighting our friends. But remember this, no matter how bitter things get, they're still our friends." Things do get bitter to the point where Atticus props himself in a chair against the cell door of the man he's defending and confronts an angry mob. Horrified Scout projects herself into this confrontation and her inconvenient presence helps bring back a little sanity. Atticus fights his legal battle with a result that is part defeat, part triumph. As Atticus comes out of the courthouse, the deeply moved town minister tells Scout, "Stand up, your father's passing!" This meaningful work of art is being directed by Peter Ray.

April 21 - May 14 - “Jesus Christ Superstar” with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Jesus’ meteor-like rise in renown provides, as the title suggest, a parallel to contemporary celebrity worship. As his teachings are evermore embraced, Judas increasingly questions the enlightened motives of this new prophet, leading to betrayal. Christ’s final days are dramatized with emotional intensity, thought provoking edge, and explosive theatricality. Propelled by a stirring score, by turns driving and majestic, satirical and tender, “Jesus Christ Superstar” illuminates the transcendent power of the human spirit with a passion that goes straight to the heart.   This production is being directed by Kyle McClaran.

Garland Civic Theatre, a member of Texas Non-profit Theatres is performing its 43^rd season. Underwriters include Linda J. Braga, Dr. Lisa Garner, and Garland Power & Light. Season sponsors include Garland Cultural Arts Commission and The Dallas Morning News.

GSO celebrates with A Symphony for All Seasons

Posted January 4, 2011

Join the GSO as it moves through the seasons with the classics.  The GSO will be performing Rimsky-Korsakov’s Suite from The Snow Maiden, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1 in G Minor (“Winter Dreams”), and Vivaldi’s “Winter” (L’inverno)” from The Four Seasons featuring Phillip Anderson as violin soloist.

Phillip Anderson received his Bachelor’s Degree from Stetson University in Florida, where he grew up in Daytona Beach.  At Stetson, he was concertmaster of the university orchestra and president of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity.  He came to Texas to study with Philip Lewis at the University of North Texas, earning a Master’s Degree in Violin Performance in 2002.

Anderson is currently orchestra director and chair of the Fine Arts Department at MacArthur High School in Irving.  His students regularly earn “excellent” ratings at UIL competitions and can frequently be found in the ranks of the Texas Music Educators Association All-Region Orchestra.

He performs in the ranks of the Sherman Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Pines (Nacogdoches).  He has been a member of the Garland Symphony Orchestra since 2000 and was appointed principal second violin in 2010. 

The GSO credits its Music Director, Robert Carter Austin for its outstanding and diverse orchestral programming.  Maestro Austin’s background encompasses more than 30 years of professional experience and includes degrees from MIT, Cambridge University, and Stanford University.  His musical experience includes conducting performances in countries including: Korea, Ukraine, Canada, Italy, Spain, China, France, Germany, Bulgaria, Ecuador, Colombia, Philippines, and the United States.

Season tickets are priced as low as $53.00, and single tickets are priced at $15, $25, and $35; all are available by calling 972.205.2790 or visiting www.garlandsymphony.org.

Concerts begin at 8 p.m. at the Granville Arts Center, Linda Brownlee Auditorium, 300 North 5^th Street in Garland.