REVIEW: Chapin Theatre Company's 10 Minute-ish Play Festival

By Cindi Boiter

I wish I could tell you that if you’re looking for a fun time in the theatre this weekend you should make your way out to Chapin Theatre Company’s new space for the 5th year of their 10 Minute-ish Play Festival. But it would all be a tease unless you’re one of the lucky folks who grabbed a ticket to one of the upcoming three performances before they completely sold out! And THAT alone is a big enough hint to tell you how fun and entertaining this sequence of performances is!

Produced by Lou Clyde and Jim DeFelice, CTC’s 10 Minute-ish Play Festival offers the audience a total of 8 short plays written by SC playwrights and directed and performed by some of the stalwarts of the greater Midlands theatre arts community. Selected from close to 50 scripts submitted before May 31st, these eight plays are clever, innovative, and almost always funny. Playwrights include Jonathan Cook, Lou Clyde, Rae Kostal, MonaLisa T. Botts, Glen Farr, AKR Scott, Eduardo Oliviera, and Susan Demchak with directors Jerry Crouch, Elizabeth Stepp Oliviera, Debra Leopard, Glen Farr, MonaLisa T. Botts, Jane Peterson, and Ivy Munnerlyn.

This reviewer had the pleasure of attending the dress rehearsal for the production Thursday night. It was my first time in CTC’s new space at 830 Columbia Avenue on the way into Chapin where the house was fairly full, considering it was a rehearsal. The space itself says a lot about the perseverance of Jim DeFelice and his board of directors and patrons. (Aside - In an article coming up in the fall issue of the print version of Jasper Magazine,  releasing on Saturday November 8th at Gemini Arts in Columbia, Jane Peterson explores the history of CTC, the conversion from Chapin Community Theatre to its current form, and more, stay tuned to learn more about the tireless dedication of this organization.)

The evening began with the hilarious Don’t Call Me Cupid, written by Cook and directed by Munnerlyn, featuring Hannah Peak, Tyler Zangla, David LaTorre, and Allison Allgood, whose exemplary work shows up in a total of three of the evening’s plays. DeFelice and Clyde made the right decision in opening the fest with Cupid. It’s funny, irreverent, and outside-the-box, setting the stage aptly for the evening to come.

Lou Clyde’s Heartbeat was next up, directed by Jane Peterson and featuring such  a strong performance by Tiffany Dinsmore that I don’t want to miss her next show. Dinsmore demonstrated a wide range of emotions and responses in this very sweet look at pregnancy and family.

Rae Kostal’s Offsides followed, cleverly turning societal expectations of romance and gender orientation on its head and bringing into question institutional biases many of us still adhere to. It was great to see Emily Harrill, who typically works as stage manager actually ON the stage and, again, Allison Allgood was strong, as was Abby Mathias.

 

Without a doubt, the funniest play of the evening was Taking Care of Business written and directed by MonaLisa T. Botts, who also played the character of Diane. But it was Debra Kiser who stole the show  with her performance of Grace, a dry-witted woman who had been wronged and, though hilariously inebriated, was taking matters into her own hands delivering lines in her best Southern drawl like, “He’s just got a bad case of lead poisoning because he’s got a bullet in him.”

Perhaps the most innovative script of the evening came from writer and director Glen Farr with his futuristic, I’m Dead, Jim. Featuring Frank Thompson, Barry Smith, Will Dowd, and Katie Mixon, I’m Dead, Jim is smart, well written, well directed, and right on the cusp of the reality/illusion divide where we tend to find ourselves these days as humanity contemplates potential new dimensions of existence. Like a brief and comical episode of Black Mirror, Farr was right on the money in offering audiences this play at this time.

Though at times following the arc of the play Sticky-Fingered Sailor by A.K.R. Scott was a little challenging, I was delighted to be introduced to Thurayya UmBayemake in the role of Esme, playing opposite David LaTorre as Jack. UmBayemake is a joy to watch, particularly in this very sweet tale, directed by Debra Leopard.

The Princess and the King, a tale of love and manipulation featuring Barry Smith as an Elvis impersonator, Christy Mills, Mark DiNovo and Len Lesslie, was written by Susan Demchak and directed by Jerry Crouch. With more moving pieces than the other plays, Demchak’s script also gave us the surprise ending that characterized most of the plays in the second half of the production. While Mills was a lot for her colleagues to keep up with, they all rose to the occasion with DiNovo holding his own as a well-dressed thug opposite Mills’ over-the-top camp. And in the end, it worked!

Easily my favorite play of the evening, Debt, written by Eduardo Oliveira and directed by Elizabeth Stepp Oliveira, was  the more serious of the festival’s plays and it gave us the best actors’ performances with Scott Stepp as Jerry Wakefield and Allison Allgood as his wife, Beth. While limited to 10minutes-ish, Debt was tight and succinct but it told a tale that could easily be expanded into a full-length play. It almost felt like what we saw was condensed from a lengthier piece and done so expertly. Kudos to the Oliveiras, Stepp, and Allgood, all of whom got my vote for best play and actors. (There is actually a ballot on which audience members can cast these votes.)  

This review would be remiss if we didn’t mention the stellar performance of the emcee for the evening, George Dinsmore. During what appeared to be off-the-cuff riffs between plays but were surely pre-planned, Dinsmore kept the audience entertained and looking as forward to his interludes as we did to the plays themselves. He was charming, entertaining, and thoughtfully humble, never making the show about him as the emcee—something we rarely see in theatre, but something to be appreciated and recognized when we do.

Congratulations to the 30-plus theatre artists of Chapin Theatre Company who put this huge production together, including sound and light engineer Simon Marchant, as well as to the smart and on-the-stick patrons who got their tickets while the getting was good!

Chapin Theatre Company’s 5th annual 10 Minute-ish Play Festival will be staged tonight and Saturday, August 22nd and 23rd at 7:30 pm and Sunday August 24th at 3 pm at 830 Columbia Avenue. For more information on CTC check out their website and look forward to their next production, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors October 3 – 19, directed by George Dinsmore and featuring Frank Thompson, David Fichter, Katie Mixon, and Debra Kiser with Josh Kern as Dracula.

 

Confessions of a Good Man Opens at Harbison, Tarzan + Doctor Dolittle Continue at Town and Workshop

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Walking on Water (WOW) Productions playwrights Tangie Beaty and Donna Johnson have teamed up with author Kevin A. Rasberry to present their brand new production, Confessions of a Good Man.  The show is a prelude of sorts to Rasberry’s book, Evolution of a Good Man, which will be released in 2013 as well. WOW will be returning to the Harbison Theater at Midlands Technical College to bring this show to life for FOUR  nights only! Run  dates are Thursday July 25 - Sunday July 28, and tickets range in price from $20 - $30 (with group rates available.)

Confessions of a Good Man is an inspirational stage play that gives a glance into the mind and struggles of one man. The production tells the tale of three brothers who grew up in the same household, but ended up with three vastly different lives. Each of the brothers takes his own path to try and become like their father, the epitome of a good man. Although the goal seems to elude them all, each of their paths lead to the same place...home. Family secrets, lies and love both bind this family together and keeps them bound. Will a confession free or destroy them?

National Gospel recording artist Blanche McAllister-Dykes, a South Carolina native, will join cast members Kayla Baker, Dana Bufford, Deon Generette, Rod Lorick, Regina Skeeters, and Will Young, IV.   WOW Productions' mission is to inspire, educate, encourage and empower artists and audiences to make communities more conscious and compassionate places. WOW believes in utilizing local and upcoming artists who also share the desire to utilize the performing arts in making a difference in not only their surrounding communities, but nationwide.  For more information about WOW Productions and Confessions of a Good Man please visit www.wowproduction.org or call 803.807.2969.

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Town Theatre meanwhile continues its run of Tarzan the Stage Musical, based on the animated Disney film, which was in turn based on the classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

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Tarzan’s adventure begins when a shipwreck leaves him orphaned on the shores of West Africa. This helpless baby is taken under the protection of a gorilla tribe and becomes part of their family. Growing into a great hunter and leader, Tarzan is much-loved by his ape mother, Kala, but yearns for acceptance from his ape father, Kerchak. When he eventually encounters his first human – Jane Porter, a curious young explorer – both of their worlds are transformed forever. Despite challenges, foes and differences, Jane and Tarzan find that together they can overcome all odds. This unlikely love story, full of adventure and songs by Grammy winner and rock icon Phil Collins promises touch your heart, while thrilling you as Tarzan literally swings over the heads of the audience and onto the stage.

Alternating in the role of Young Tarzan is Luke Melnyk (The Music Man) and Jadon Stanek (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) with newcomer Liberty Broussard and Caroline Quinn (Annie) alternating as Young Terk. Parker Byun (Miss Saigon, The Music Man) plays the grown Tarzan, with Town newcomer Celeste Morris as his leading lady, Jane Porter. The influence of parental guidance pervades the show in ape form with Kala, portrayed by Laurel Posey (Guys & Dolls) and Kerchak, taken by Scott Stepp (Annie Get Your Gun, The Odd Couple), and in human form with Professor Porter, played by Frank Thompson (White Christmas, Harvey). And what is a Disney tale without a scoundrel or two? Creating strife from the-get go is Kristy O’Keefe (Joseph…) as the leopard and Chad Forrister (The 39 Steps) as the conniving Clayton, a nefarious hunter. On the opposite end of the mischief spectrum is the feisty adult Terk played by Jackie Rowe (Peter Pan.)

Photo by David Barber. — with Parker Byun and Celeste Morris.

Director/Choreographer for this production is Shannon Willis Scruggs; the Scenic Designer/Technical Director is Danny Harrington; and the Costumer is Lori Stepp. Don’t miss this opportunity to see Tarzan come to life on Town's stage, with only four shows remaining: Thursday July 25- Sunday, July 28. Curtain is at 7:30 pm, and 3 pm on the fimal Sunday matinee. Tickets are $15-25. Call the box office at 803-799-2510, or for more information visit www.towntheatre.com.

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Workshop Theatre meanwhile continues its production of the family-friendly musical Doctor Dolittle , with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, and based on the classic film.  This is a tale about the adventures of a doctor who learns to speak to animals, and who takes a journey from the small English village of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh to the far corners of the world. In the beginning, Doctor Dolittle is wrongly accused of murder and the animals and his friends rally together to prove his innocence. Once Dolittle is pronounced innocent, he continues with his search for the Great Pink Sea Snail -- the oldest and wisest of the creatures on earth. This is the classic tale of kindness to animals based on the stories of Hugh Lofting.

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Lee O. Smith (Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka) plays Doctor Dolittle, the wacky, but kind doctor who can talk to animals. He is joined by Kate Huggins (Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella) as Emma, Hans Boeschen (Legally Blonde the Musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella) as Matthew Mugg, Liza Hunter (Disney Camp Rock) and Marra Edwards (The Color Purple, Disney Camp Rock) as Polynesia, Doctor Dolittle's parrot, and Workshop newcomer Ben Connelly as Tommy. along with a host of youth actors.

E.G. Heard Engle (Disney's Camp Rock, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella) directs a talented cast of veteran actors and up-and-coming youth. Music director Daniel Gainey (Disney's Camp Rock, Songs for a New World) helps create a harmonious sound, and choreographer Katie Hilliger (Disney's Camp Rock, Hairspray) brings her energetic style to the dances.  For ticket information, call the box office at 803-799-6551 from noon to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or visit www.workshoptheatre.com.  Only three performances remain:  Thursday July 25 - Saturday. July 27.

You can read reviews by August Krickel for both Tarzan the Stage Musical and Doctor Dolittle at Onstage Columbia.

 

 

Sneak Peak at Jeff Driggers' new film -- The Cricket Trial -- premiering at Jasper release celebration

Here's a little something about Jeff Driggers' Southern gothic film -- The Cricket Trial --premiering Thursday night at the Jasper release event. The 12 minute long film will premiere at 7:30 in the Jasper Studios at the Arcade (Suite 75) with repeated showings beginning at 9:30.

Maddened by grief, Harold Honeycut forces Palmer Reynolds, the teenager he blames for the death of his daughter, to dig his own grave. Underneath the roar of the crickets in the cornfield, a trial is held that forces both participants to face unpleasant truths that lead to the worst day of both of their lives.

Town Theatre staple Scott Stepp and PCA theatre alum Trey King star in this 12 minute short that deals with grief, guilt, and the conflicting love that two men share for one person. The Cricket Trial was written and directed by Jeff Driggers, a filmmaker who developed a passion for filmmaking while he was a student at Richland Northeast High School, and the passion continued at the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a degree in Radio, Television,& Film. Driggers now runs his own videography company, Palmetto Pictures.

The Cricket Trial was produced by USC graduate Drew Baron who, along with O'Neal Peterson, founded Medianauts, an independent company dedicated to making works of passion instead of profit.

Line-up for Jasper Volume 002, Number 001 Release Event this Thursday

If you've been hearing about the big shindig Jasper is planning to celebrate the release of the first magazine in VOLUME TWO of our little publication, then you know how excited all of us on the Jasper staff and in the Jasper Family* are. The event is this Thursday night at the Arcade Studios on Main and Washington Streets in downtown Columbia -- we'll start about 7 and proceed through the night with food, fun, adult beverages, and all kinds of art.

Here is a rundown of what to expect and when to expect it.**

7:00 -- Doors Open -- Open house in Jasper Studios #75 upstairs

7:30 -- World Premiere Film, THE CRICKET TRIAL, starring Scott Stepp and Trey King, directed by Jeff Driggers; Drew Baron, producer (Jasper Studios #75)

8:00 -- Don McCallister will be reading from his new novel, Fellow Traveler, coming in October from Muddy Ford Press   (Jasper Studios #75)

8:00 -- Countertenor Danny Jenkins will perform in the Arcade Atrium (Washington Street side)

8:30 -- Centerfold signing by surprise artist (Jasper Studios #75)

8:30 -- Marshall Brown performs (Arcade Atrium, Washington Street Side)

9:00 -- Don McAllister second reading (Jasper Studios #75)

9:30 -- THE CRICKET TRIAL second showing with repeat showings throughout the remainder of the evening (Jasper Studios #75)

9:30 -- Devils in Disguise band performs (Arcade Atrium, Washington Street Side)

Throughout the Arcade, please visit the following Arcade Studio Artists who will have their studios open at times of their own discretion during the evening:

Blue Sky     Bonnie Goldberg     Tish Lowe     Eileen Blyth     Beth West

Mike Spotts     Payton Frawley     Leah Avery     Walton Selig

Martha Thomas     Suzi Shealy     Page Morris

Bryce Dixon     Whitney LeJeune     Veronica Jeffcoat

Guest Artists from the September issue of Jasper will also be on hand showing samples of their work.

Chef Joe Turkaly will be serving up the results of the fine art of BBQ ($).

The Jasper EconoBar will be in full swing with cheap beer $3, decent wine $4, and big spender craft brew $4***

Paradise Ice will have their cart of cold sweet yumminess ($).

Artisanal jewelry and candles will be available via LA Ti Da and Southern Baked Candles.

Learn about upcoming arts events from Trenholm Artists Guild and the Rosewood Arts Festival, Columbia City Ballet, and more.

And here's one more thing --

Against the likely good advice of our friends and family, Jasper has decided to continue to put together these lovely celebrations free of charge. It's important to us that everyone be able to get in the door and experience this fascinating amalgam of performing and visual arts that we get to write about and photograph for Jasper Magazine on a daily basis.

At the end of our first year, we are delighted that issue No. 001, Volume 002 is the first issue that has paid for itself (before paying out commissions and honoraria to our talented staff of writers, photographers, and our heart-of-gold designer). We've come a long way in a year and we're very proud of the work we do.

That said, it's a labor of love.

If you love our labor and would like to pitch 10 cents or 10 bucks into the pot to help Jasper continue to grow healthy and strong, we'd like to help you do that -- and we'd like to publicly give you credit for having done so!

Please visit the Jasper Studios in the Arcade upstairs in suite #75 Thursday night and see one of our staff members about publicly supporting the arts magazine that supports your city's arts. We won't be able to put your name in lights, but we can put it in print. 

We're calling it the Jasper Guild and you can learn more about it Thursday night.

See you then!

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*We're an affectionate bunch. And sometimes when we meet another arts organization, or even an advertising client, that shares our mission of nurturing Columbia as the Southeastern arts destination it was born to be, we get all chummy with them. They become "Family."

**Please keep in mind that these times are represented (rather than in EST or DST) in CAT (Columbia Artists' Time). Our artists keep a chronograph all of their own making -- and Jasper loves this about them.

***The Jasper EconoBar is a fundraising arm of Jasper Magazine -- all prices are suggested donations. Please be prepared to show ID to partake of adult beverages.

St. Paul's Players Present The Living Last Supper

Ever wonder what it might be like for Leonardo da Vinci's classic image of The Last Supper to come to life, just in time for Easter? Wonder no more, as the St. Paul's Players present The Living Last Supper at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, corner of Bull and Blanding Streets, starting this Tuesday, April 3rd, and running through Thurs. April 5th. Shows begin at 7 PM, admission is free, and seating is on a first-come basis.

Director Paula Benson and Producer John Henry (if you've gone to Workshop Theatre in the last 20 years, he's probably given you your tickets) helped revive the St. Paul's Players some six years ago after a 30-year hiatus, and have mounted a number of shows ranging from The Littlest Angel to Oliver!  The Players are a ministry of the church, offering family-oriented productions for people to enjoy as participants and/or as audience members. You don't have to be a church member to get involved, and volunteer opportunities include set building, costuming, makeup, hair, and of course acting.

The play runs approximately an hour and a half, and concludes with the chance to take communion.  Veteran local actor Scott Stepp plays Judas Iscariot, and St. Paul's Pastor Tony Metze plays Jesus.  You've seen Stepp in any number of shows, including Elephants' Graveyard (he played the town Sheriff) at Trustus a few years back, plus Annie Get Your Gun (as Frank Butler) and The Odd Couple (as Oscar) both at Town Theatre. Included in the performance is an original song, "World Without End," written by Paula Benson and Frank Fusco, performed by soloist Nancy Jane Stock, and  accompanied by Frank Fusco on guitar and Rachael Hebert on cello.

St. Paul's is located at 1715 Bull St., corner of Bull and Blanding. Call 803-779-0030 for more information.

-- A. Krickel