by Lorie Lewis Ham
There always seems to be a lot of theatre going on in this Valley! Selma Arts Center and the Raisin’ Cain Players have already given us some great theatre this year. They have a couple of shows coming in October which will each run just one weekend, so we took a moment to chat with Arts Center Coordinator Nicolette Anderson about those shows.
KRL: What do you have coming in October?
Nicolette: An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein October 8, 9 & 10 at 7pm, 6pm cocktail hour
Steel Magnolias October 22 & 23 at 7 p.m., October 24 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
KRL: Can you tell us a little about each show?
Nicolette: We have two plays coming to the arts center in October, both guaranteed to be crowd pleasers. The first is An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein which consists of several one-act comedic skits written by Shel Silverstein. Audience members will know Silverstein as the writer of children’s poetry, but what many people don’t know is that Shel Silverstein also wrote for publications like Playboy and Esquire, or that he wrote the Johnny Cash song “A Boy Named Sue.” These one acts are all written for a very adult audience, so much so that tickets are available only for audience members who are over 18-years old. The show runs for only three nights: Thursday, October 8, Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10. There will be a 6 p.m. cocktail hour before each show with an improv pre-show for entertainment. We are really looking forward to a naughty night full of laughs. We performed many of these one acts last summer, and we are back this year with a whole new set of plays for our patrons.
Our second play of the month is Steel Magnolias, a heartfelt comedy with tear jerking obstacles. Steel Magnolias contains all the charm from the 1980s film, featuring what its title suggests, strong as steel women with a flower exterior.
KRL: Who is directing these shows?
Nicolette: Juan Guzman (The Crucible, Young Frankenstein, Into the Woods) is directing An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein, and I (South Pacific, Mary Poppins, Into the Woods) is directing Steel Magnolias.
KRL: How big are the casts?
Nicolette: The cast of An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein consist of 12 actors from across the Valley, many of them are returning to the arts center but we also have some actors that are brand new to our stage.
AN ADULT EVENING WITH SHEL SILVERSTEIN
Steel Magnolias is a six woman show with actors from Selma, Kingsburg, and Fresno areas.
KRL: Will we see some familiar faces?
Nicolette: Yes! Audiences might recognize Bryan DeBaets who played “Dr. Fronkensteen” in our recent production of Young Frankenstein. He will be making you laugh (all over again!) as a player in An Adult Evening, as will Adrian Oceguera, who played the Blind Hermit in the same production.
Many of the women in Steel Magnolias are returning from some of the past year’s performances. One of our performers, Anne Peterson, is among the original Raisin’ Cain Players, she has since come out of retirement and is as plucky as ever. Another is Cathy Hughes who most recently played “Frou” in Young Frankenstein and” Bloody Mary” in South Pacific20.
KRL: Why did you pick these shows?
Nicolette: Both shows are wonderful examples of the variety we try to bring to the Selma Arts Center. An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein is fun night out for adults, whereas Steel Magnolias is the perfect Mother Daughter outing or girls night. These two strait plays are a refreshing alternative to our Family geared musicals.
KRL: Anything unique about your productions?
Nicolette: Not many get to experience the other side of Shel Silverstein. We remain the only company in the Valley to perform his adult works. This is no Peach Blossom! Steel Magnolias is sure to touch the heart and capture the eye with our working onstage saloon.
KRL: Why are they each only one weekend?
Nicolette: Though both productions run only one weekend, they are packed full of entertainment you don’t want to miss. Take advantage of our October Offer and enjoy both productions for a discounted price of $25.
KRL: What do you have coming yet this year beyond October?
Nicolette: Our Season is full!!! Music Man is performing November 7 – 22, Twelve Angry Men runs February 2016 and Shrek runs April 22– May 7. Shrek will also coincide with our “Dinner Under the Stars” gala. Other productions this 2016 season are Jekyll and Hyde, running summer 2016, and our Junior Company will be performing Willy Wonka Jr. after the holidays.
KRL: Where and how do people get tickets?
Nicolette: Tickets are available at Tickettomato.com or at the Selma Arts Center Box Office 1935 High Street, Selma Ca 93662. For Information please call (559) 891-2238. The Box Office is open Tuesday– Friday 1 p.m.-6 p.m.
KRL: Anything else you would like to share?
Nicolette: Tickets are $15 for An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein, beer and wine starting at $5. Tickets for Steel Magnolias are also $15. Enjoy both shows for the $25 dollar offer -please call the Selma Arts Center Box Office (559) 891-2238. Thursday nights are $12 discount nights!!
You can find more theatre articles, and other entertainment articles, in our Arts & Entertainment section.
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