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New Kensington Civic theatre |
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" Entertaining the A-K Valley for over 60 years" |
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Richard Devlin Editor, Prevaricator, and Embellisher of this rag |
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OF THE NEW KENSINGTON (PA) CIVIC THEATER OUR 64rd SEASON February 2010 724 339 3140 P.O. BOX 202, New Kensington, Pa 15068 www.nkct.org
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CALLBOARD |
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This hasn’t been – hasn’t been? – this is the worst, cruelest, most abominable February in the annuals of NKCT history and like a nagging, irritable presence its only salvation, so far, is that it may become worse in the near future. The majesty of the landscape draped in white quickly dissolved with the realization that it majestically also covered the driveway with snow about two feet – that’s feet! – deep and that the shovel and a cardiac arrest both await.
OK. We took a turn about the house and we’re composed so we’ll get on with it. First of all the monthly meeting is slated for Friday the 12th shortly after the promised eight more inches of snow makes life even more difficult. It’s at the workshop, corner of Carl and George in the Valley Heights section of our city. There’ll be news of the play now in rehearsal – in fact there’s news somewhere below from director Pam Farneth and they’re going at it with the ‘weather be damned’ attitude.
For some inexplicable reason last month’s meeting was cancelled at the last minute then rescheduled a week later. An email went out but not everyone has email nor do some doggedly check it. There were consequences such as one Nora Ann waiting in her car for about half an hour before giving up. Bad form, that.
But other than that bump it seems that things are moving right along – Pam and cast are busy rehearsing, the set is designed and all the department heads are weighing in. The play is Wait Until Dark and will be at Penn State and running March 11 – 14. This is a suspense thriller, something sorely needed to get the blood circulating and pulse running.
WAIT UNTIL DARK….Cast And Crew
Mike Talman Gabriel Proietti Sam Hendrix John DelVecchio, Jr. Sgt.Carlino Shawn Israel Gloria Kaylyn Farneth Susy Hendrix Monica Filippone Policemen John DelVecchio & Harry Roat, Jr. Nate Newell John Lutman
Director Pam Farneth Set Designer Bill Mitas Book Holder Maria DelVecchio Costumes Angie Mitas Stage Manager Mary Ferrara Props Sue R. Shirey Sound Katy Shields Simovski Lights Jim Wardzinski
The set design by Billy M is complete and work sessions are being planned.
Denny is hard at work with publicity.
An historical first. Tami tells us that some ‘secret fairies’ helped clean up the prop room. Heavenly days! They discovered – tripped over? – enough plastic fruit to end world hunger, an over ample supply of artificial flowers and at least one umbrella to cover each NKCT member. To finish the job we suggest that all the plates, cups and glasses be tossed. They are never used. Come to think of it, who would want to?
THE DIRECTOR’S NOTES – PAM FARNETH The cast and crew have been working very hard on Wait Until Dark. I am lucky to have such a hard working cast and crew. First of all, I couldn’t run these rehearsals without the help of Maria DelVecchio and Mary Ferrara, book holder and stage manager.
Angie and Linda are already at work on costumes, Sue Tammy Monica and Colleen are hard at work gathering props, Jim Wardszinski and Katie Shields are working with lights and sound and Bill and his team are hard at work on the set.
We have the show blocked and are now working on individual scenes and characters. Playing a blind woman is a challenge for an actress and Monica ha certainly stepped up to the plate. The poor girl has bruises all over her legs from the fall she has to take what with Nate playing the evil Roat, chasing her all over the apartment you know that bruises happen.
Speaking of Nate he is so perfect as the rotten Roat and is very creepy! I mean come on, now, who wouldn’t want to watch nasty Nate.
Shawn Israel who plays a fantastic thug, Sgt. Carlino, is already trying off book. Gabe Priotti with his height and charming good looks makes it hard to see him as a bad guy but it looks great with Monica’s character. Kaylyn Farneth plays the bratty Gloria and puts her whole heart and soul into the character.
Newcomer young John DelVecchio coordinates the after rehearsal parties and we love his humor. Older John DelVecchio and John Lutman round out the cast as policemen.
I have to say that this is a very challenging show . With nine pages of props and some tricky lighting we have our work cut out for us. But I am very pleased with the work on the show so far and I look forward to the show week.
Notable... but not a Memoir Hello all… Billy Mitas, Tom Furey and I had a chance for an impromptu visit with Bill Godfry and the redevelopment group from Natrona. I apologize to others where interested in visiting with us, but it is very hard to get 5 or 6 people to blend schedules during normal work time on a weekday. So we had the opportunity and we took the leap on Monday, February 1 at 12:00 noon.
We met at Bill’s very artistic home which is also his workspace. Bill makes banners that have been used all over the world.( http://www.billbanner.com ) After a little meeting with the group we proceeded to Saint Mathias Church, which has been purchased by Dan Timmons and Nick ?????, the owner of Nick Chevrolet. Both owners were there to greet us. A man named Frank ?????, a retired architect, was also there because he is going to draw up some plans for converting the church into a theater/ entertainment center. They are toying with calling it ART, Allegheny River Theatre. If you have not been to Natrona lately, Frank was the designer of the beautiful park that is now along the river. Bill, Tom and I took turns talking to Frank and the owners, giving our input.
The big word is potential. The building itself could easily be converted to a theater that will hold 150 or more seats. The basement was actually used by NKCT one time for rehearsal when we did THE CHILDREN’S HOUR. The basement is very large and has a full working kitchen, opening the opportunity for dinner theatre, or dinner and theatre, or dessert and theatre...You get the idea. There are many options. Another real draw is the huge amount of parking available...more than sufficient for the venue capacity.
The really, really big draw is that they want to make this happen, and would really like us to use it. From all that I could decipher ,THEY REALLY WANT US and seem very willing to work with us on a reasonable price to rent. They also feel that they have a great network to promote and bring in an audience. They are serious about making something happen in Natrona unlike the slow moving cogs and gears here in New Kensington.
I guess we have to wait and see if the impression they gave me was real or just talk. When they detailed the list of their accomplishments so far in redeveloping Natrona( like closings nuisance bars and long term planning with visits from State Congressmen and Allegheny County officials), it all seems to me that they are serious. So, when I know more I will let you know.
Denoir
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Great place to take your Valentine! |
