An actor differs from other artists in one respect. A writer or a painter can continue practicing in private; if they don’t like what they have written or painted, they can stow it in a closet. An actor is not so fortunate. Whatever he does has to be seen by people. That means he will be criticized for his mistakes. But he has to keep acting or he will never progress.”
? Charlton Heston, 1923 – 2008
?Trap’ Captivates
I had the good fortune of going to Lamplighter’s Theatre in Smyrna on Saturday, April 5, to see Agatha Christie’s “Mousetrap.” With good lighting and sound, there was a beautiful stage set that was multilevel to show all the ambiance of the warm suited bed and breakfast “Monkswell Manor.” Directed by Nathan Owen and Dee Warren, the show was indeed the murder mystery it was supposed to be, and had me and the audience of 200 baffled and kept us all intrigued. I have always enjoyed “whodunits” and this was a good one.
My only criticisms of the show had to be one, the temperature of the building. I understand the “blizzard” outside the bed and breakfast, but to have the building at shivering temperatures as well was a bit overdone. Also, the advertising and Web site was absolute in asking theatergoers to leave small children at home. There must have been 50 of the little rodents running around the theatre, talking, sneezing, pulling hair, and being total nuisances. There should have been mousetraps in the lobby as well. Also, the production staff needs to learn a few lessons from Center for the Arts and Murfreesboro Little Theatre in courtesies and personality warmth. They just do not have the magic to treat people like the paying theatre patrons they are.
Rachael Parker and Scott Hutcheson were believable and good as the Ralstons, owners of the bed and breakfast, and special mention to Wilhelm Peters and Greg Wilson, who are staples on the Lamplighter stage. Their presence always seems to carry a show at this venue.
Looking ahead
On to things down the road . . . I don’t think I have ever reviewed a high school theatre production, and have never written one in The Pulse, but Seigel High School is putting on a production the first of May that bears mentioning, and I cannot wait to see it. Sixty Seigel students are about to stage the musical “Fame,” under the direction of Brenda Gregory. (And Murfreesboro wonders where all the great future stage talent for our community theaters comes from!)
“Room Service” continues for two more weekends at the Arts Center of Cannon County in Woodbury, Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. E. Roy Lee is in this comedy production, and it is just 15 minutes down John Bragg Highway.
The Center for the Arts has its inaugural debut of “The Broadway Cabaret” Friday, April 18, and Saturday, April 19, at 7 p.m. With an evening of beautiful songs from Broadway musicals, David Cummings, Gary Davis, Elyce Helford and Francine Berk will warm our hearts with their melodious voices. This is a must see. There will also be complementary desserts and a cheesecake bar, with coffee being served.
Community Players are presenting the comedy “The Nerd,” a Larry Shue production, at Cedar Ridge Community of Christ, 3220 Bell Road, Antioch, from May 2 – 16, 7 pm nightly. J. Spurlock is directing this show, and with a wonderful cast, I would encourage the drive for a night of belly-aching laughter.
Looking even further, Murfreesboro Little Theatre is producing “Ordinary People,” directed by Bob Roberts, beginning May 9, and Center for the Arts is producing “You Can’t Take It With You,” directed by Joel I. Meriwether, beginning June 5. Terry Womack and Jeff Harr have concluded putting together the new 2008-2009 season at Patterson Park Theatre, but it was not ready at press time. This will also be included in the next Pulse.
And you know, Charlton Heston may have played Moses, but only George Burns could play God.
