There's a lot going on at The Merc in the coming days - so mark your calendars and don't miss these events:
Today & Saturday at 7:00, Sunday at 2:00 - The final three performances of The Last Salmon. Tickets are selling quickly - get yours now. Hopping with tuneful live music and charming characters, this show entertains folks of all ages. Bring the kids, or bring a date and enjoy an evening of fun this weekend. Sunday at 6:00 & Monday at 4:00 - Auditions for our Children's Theater production of The Wind and The Willows. Click for more information and to download your audition form. Turn in forms before auditions on Sunday so Rod can plan accordingly. And if that's not enough - next week rehearsals begin for our next Reader's Theater Production: March 18th & 19th 7:00 PM - Snapshots, written by Cynthia Mercati & directed by Jane Orme Featuring: Erika Halm, Dani Golden, Heidi Andersen, Robin Nelson-Wicks, Anne Andersen, & Lynn Swan. A contemporary comedy, Snapshots draws its humor from three best friends, played in their younger years by Erika, Dani, and Heide and in their more mature years by Robin, Anne, and Lynn. Through a montage of monologues and scenes, these three women obsess and confess as they go from their teens in the 60’s into present day.
The Merc Playhouse Children’s Theater is pleased to welcome back children’s theater expert, Rod Molzahn for a second season directing the timeless children’s classic The Wind in the Willows this spring. Toad is obsessed with motor cars and after crashing several of them, he steals one and lands himself in jail. His usual friends are all there to help: Mole, Badger, and Water Rat arrive to protect Toad Hall. But the Ferrets and Weasels of the Wild Wood throw them out! Will Toad escape from jail and reclaim his home? Will he ever learn a lesson about his boastful and impetuous ways?
Student art is on display at The Merc for the run of our Children's Theater Production of As You Like It. Robin Neslon Wicks, art teacher at Liberty Bell Junior/Senior High School, curated student work with contributions from eighth graders through seniors. Showcasing a variety of mediums, the work compliments the time period and genre of Shakespeare's play which is currently onstage. Also on display in The Merc's window is a mural painted by Ashley Watson, senior at LBHS. Ashley's senior project aimed to create an installation for The Merc using only acrylic paint. Her project portrays many of the talented people who represent The Merc's community and recent productions. Ashley invested over 50 hours of studio time planning, drafting, and then painting the mural in order to have it installed for Opening Night of As You Like It. Join us for the final weekend of As You Like It to view the art. The weekend starts with Pay What You Can Night on Thursday, March 12th and goes through Sunday, March 15th. Thurs - Sat, show starts at 7:00. Sun matinee starts at 2:00. Tickets available online and at the door. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime. Bring your nickels for Nickel Shakespeare scenes performed in the lobby before the show starts. Rod Molzahn, director of our upcoming kids show, has provided a nice synopsis for As You Like It so that theater-goers know what the heck is going on in Shakespeare's well-loved, and perhaps funniest, comedy. Here's how it goes:
Oliver, the older brother of Orlando, refuses to share the family inheritance with his younger brother. He also refuses to let Orlando go to school. Orlando feels that he is treated worse than the horses. The old Duke, who had ruled the city for years, has been overthrown by his younger sister, the new Duchess, and banished to the Forest of Arden with his followers. Orlando agrees to a wrestling match with Charles, the Duchess’ undefeated wrestler. At the wrestling match Orlando and Rosalind, the old Duke’s daughter, meet and fall in love. Orlando defeats Charles. That makes the Duchess angry and she banishes Orlando. Then she banishes Rosalind. The Duchess’ daughter, Celia, goes with her cousin, Rosalind, and the court jester, Touchstone, to the Forest of Arden to find Rosalind’s father. Rosalind disguises herself as a boy and Celia dresses as a servant to be safer on the journey. In the forest they meet several farmers and shepherds. Rosalind and Celia buy a farm. Rosalind and Orlando meet in the forest but Orlando doesn’t recognize her because of her disguise but a young shepherdess falls in love with her thinking she is a boy. Celia finds all the confusion very funny as you will when you see the whole play. As You Like It opens Friday night, March 6th. Doors open at 6:30 and show starts at 7:00. Performances run March 6th - March 15th. Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:00. Sunday at 2:00. Purchase tickets online or at the door. $15.00 for adults, $5 for kids. Pay What You Can Night is Thursday, March 12th. |