BRIEFS

 

Auditions for Dooley are next week

Wilkes Playmakers will hold auditions for Tom Dooley: A Wilkes County Legend on Saturday Nov. 8 and Sunday Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall at Benton Hall, 300 D Street, North Wilkesboro.

The show is being cast early in order to film segments for another television spot for advertising (similar to what was done last year) and some longer segments for other opportunities that may arise. It also gives Playmaker costumers an opportunity to fit characters early on and get costumes ready for press photos.

Advertising is already being planned. There will be ads in Our State Magazine in May and June through High Country Co-op opportunities and one of the filmed segments will appear again on WXII.

“Wilkes Playmakers is very proud to be in its fourth year of this event. We’ve been delighted to see people from all over the United States and beyond attend the show and we have been pleased to refer overnight travelers to other various attractions, restaurants and lodgings in Wilkes,” said Karen Reynolds, executive director of Wilkes Playmakers, and author and director of Tom Dooley: A Wilkes County Legend. “Our organization is dedicated to contributing to the development of tourism in our county and we look forward to continuing to promote the many rich resources we have here. The only way any of our organizations can truly find the success they strive for is if we all succeed,”

Reynolds added, “I am honored to be the guest speaker on Oct. 28 in Greensboro at the North Carolina Association of College Bookstores’ annual meeting and you can bet they will be very familiar with Wilkes County when I leave. We are always looking for ways to get the word out about what we have here in the foothills.”

Dooley will still be presented in July of 2004 and rehearsals will begin in early June except for a few scenes to be filmed and a few rehearsals for our performances at Merlefest 2004.

All roles are open for the auditions and there is no need to prepare. There will be cold readings from the script. “We are looking not only for talented people that fit the parts, but also a combination of people that are dependable and work well with others,” Reynolds said. “One of the things that audience members have commented on year after year is the sense of community that is felt from the cast members as they perform.”

For more information on Dooley auditions, call Karen Reynolds at 336-838-7529 or e-mail Wilkes Playmakers at playmaker@pcshome.net

 

 

Tickets on sale for Where the Lillies Bloom

Tickets go on sale Nov. 1 for Wilkes Playmakers’ production of Where the Lilies Bloom. The show will be presented for the holidays and will open on Thanksgiving night, Nov. 27. Shows dates are Nov. 27, 28, 29 and Dec. 4, 5, 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.

The cast list is as follows: Mary Call Luther - Lauren Stutts, Romey Luther - Jacob Reeves, Devola Luther - Shayna Lawson, Ima Dean Luther - Sarah Colbert, Kiser Pease -Matt Taylor, Goldie Pease - Nicole Smith, Mr. Connell - Blake Comby, Mrs. Connell - Angie Wyatt, Miss Breathitt – Melissa Walker, Gaither Graybeal - Chad Walker, Alma Graybeal - Jessica Adams, Lacey - Maria Massuco, Jessie - Caitlin Walker, Sammy Lee -Duncan Billings, Hannah Jo – Kristen Glaze, Preacher - Dale Craig, School Children: Victoria Brown, Elizabeth Craig, Rebecca Billings, Kirstin Devlin, Victoria Campbell, Elizabeth Rabon, Shaye Harrold, Alley Royal, Diana Craig, Kylee Chapman, Lauren Glaze, Nicole Wyatt, Townspeople: Alaina Carroll, Dana Shumate, Soloists: Lauren Stutts, Shayna Lawson, Sarah Colbert, Kaitlyne Colbert, Ashley Craig, Brittany McGlamery.

Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the show centers around the Luther family. After just burying their father – their only remaining parent – the Luther children try to carry on as usual – keeping the secret of their father’s death from the community in an effort to stay together and not be taken by “the county.” The bulk of the responsibility falls on the shoulders of 14 year old Mary Call Luther as this heartwarming story unfolds for the audience. It is a story of love for family and community and the power of the human spirit – told primarily through the talent of children and mountain music, that sends a strong message to audiences for the holidays.

Karen Reynolds will direct the production and Jerry Lankford will provide musical direction for the children as they sing such songs as Wayfarin’ Stranger, Barbara Allen, Pretty Saro, Fair and Tender Ladies, Single Girl, The Cuckoo Bird and Go Tell it on the Mountain.

“This was one of my favorite stories growing up” said Reynolds, “I read the book by Vera and Bill Cleaver and remember watching the movie at the Liberty Theatre when it came out. Everyone was so excited because it had been filmed in Watauga and Wilkes County was mentioned. I’m also pleased to hear from many teachers that their students still read this particular story in class.”

This show, adapted for the stage by Celeste Raspanti, will be presented in cooperation with The Dramatic Publishing Company.