Broadway comes to the Playhouse: The big buzz around the playhouse this week centers on Broadway legend Elaine Stritch attendance at the “Company” benefit show on Sunday, November 3.  Her presence was pure magic for everyone involved.  Ms. Stritch visited with the actors backstage prior to the show and remarked at what a “quaint” playhouse we have.  She was seen in our kitchen trolling for a cup of coffee (2 Sweet ‘n Lows, please). After the show, she participated in a talk-back with very appreciative audience.  She was so very gracious, calling the cast back on stage and making very complimentary remarks about the entire production and the cast, and even singling out a few cast members. My question is, How you gonna keep them down on the farm, after they’ve seen Broad-way?

Company Opening Weekend: Our second show of the season is up and running.  Opening night festivities included red carpet(s), Board Members in tuxes and gowns, and a nice friendly afterglow. Special thanks to those who came out to support the club.  The curtain speech kicked off with a BOGO offer to fill the seats for Saturday night’s performance.  The campaign showed modest results as more than half of the open seats were filled for Saturday’s performance. The buzz on the street should fill the houses from here on out, as, to put it bluntly, this is a great show with killer talent.  Just ask Elaine Stritch!

Director Presentations are this Saturday, November 9. The Board of Directors will be holding the director presentations for the 2014-2015 season this Saturday starting at 10 a.m. at the Birmingham Public Library. Interested in directing? There’s still time to get your presentation together (contact Michael Gravame for details).  We’ve had a pretty good response to the proposed slate of eight shows from which we’ll select the season’s five.  Final decisions will be made by the BOD at their regularly scheduled monthly meeting, set for 7 p.m., Sunday, November 10, Green Room.

“The Sun’ll Come Out, Tomorrow” The youth theater rehearsals for “Annie, Jr.” are in full swing, and oh, by the way, the show is completely sold out!!  Something about dogs and kids I think!

“Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” was cast this week. Here’s the cast:

Juanita = Eileen White
Joanne = Sandra Prokopp
Mona = Suzie Skibicki
Mona Then = Julia Raphael
Sissy = Rita Smith
Sissy Then = Katherine Huyghe
Stella Mae = Laura Bradshaw-Tucker
Edna = Melissa Miller Farr
Joe = Chris Peterson

–Gary Mach