Coming up Holly!
Christmas Belles
Nov. 28 - Dec. 14, 2008
by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten
Directed by Shirley Marlett
Imagine three squabbling members of a dysfunctional
family trying to put on a Christmas pageant together in a small town like
Fayro, Texas (pop. 3,003). The Futrelle sisters are definitely not in a
festive mood, and anything that could possibly go wrong…does. The resulting
mayhem forms the basis of the hilarious comedy, Christmas Belles,
which opens November 28 at the Wimberley Playhouse.
The entire cast of the Fayro Christmas pageant is
dropping out like flies due to food poisoning at the Band Boosters’ Pancake
Supper. While dealing with a Santa who has kidney stones, a shepherd who
must have his little red wagon, and a reluctant Elvis impersonator who
must guard the manger, Frankie Futrelle lets slip a family secret that has
been carefully guarded for decades.
Christmas Belles is the second play in a trilogy
by three playwrights, Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and James Wooten. The
first play in the trilogy, Dearly Departed, was produced by the
Wimberley Players twelve years ago. In true modern fashion, Christmas
Belles is actually the prequel to the first play.
“This show is fun and colorful, and has an upbeat and
meaningful ending,” says director Shirley Marlett, who has acted in
and directed numerous productions for the Players. Producer and onstage
manager for Christmas Belles is Linda Addeo, who has been
acting in or working on Players productions since 1992.
Kitty Nichols (Barefoot in the Park,
Steel Magnolias, Arsenic and Old Lace) plays Miss Geneva
Musgrave, the deposed director of the previous 27 Christmas pageants.
Julie Dearrington plays the oldest Futrelle sister, hot-flashing Honey
Raye, who agrees to be the neophyte director of the Tabernacle of the Lamb’s
Christmas Pageant more or less as community service. Dearrington is also
arranging and choreographing the show, along with Players veteran and First
Baptist Music Minister Dan Stephens. A newcomer, Amber Lackey,
plays Twink Futrelle; Amber is a recent graduate of Texas State with a BFA
in Theater and French. The third sister, Frankie Futrelle Dubberly, nine
months pregnant with twins, is played by Whitney Marlett
Mollahan, who directed Rose’s Dilemma and acted in
Bright Ideas this year for the Players.
Perry Redden (Rose’s Dilemma and
Bright Ideas) is the deputy sheriff, John Curtis Buntner. Meghan
Nicholson (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and
Anything Goes) returns to the Wimberley stage as Gina Jo Dubberly.
Gary Yowell (The Gospel Accordin’ to Texas) plays Dub Dubberly,
her father. Other cast members include Angie Hasness as Rhonda Lynn
Lampley, Gina McClure as Patsy Price, the society matron, Marvin
Carson as Raynerd Chisum, and Jason Foreman (Man of La Mancha
and several Emily Ann productions) as Justin Waverly, who is trying woo
Gina Jo.
“As long as your young children are accustomed to
thinking of department store Santa’s as ‘helpers’ of the real thing, there
should be nothing objectionable in it for them,” says director Marlett.
Christmas Belles will run weekends from November
28-December 14 at the Playhouse, 450 Old Kyle Road. Performances are 8:00 on
Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 on Sundays. On opening night, November 28, a
special reception will be held before and after the show, with fine hors
d’oeuvres and beverages.
Tickets can be reserved by phone starting November 17
by calling 847-0575. Beginning November 24,
tickets will be available at the theatre box office Monday through Friday
from 1:00-5:00. All tickets are $15 except Opening Night ($20). Visa and
Mastercard are accepted.
The Rest of the Season
The Mousetrap
Feb. 6 - March 1, 2009
by Agatha Christie
Enjoy the play that holds the record as the longest running ever: more than 23,000 performances over 55 years. A small group of snowbound guests at a remote hotel mysteriously becomes smaller. A trap is set for the killer!
Leading Ladies
Apr. 17 - May 3, 2009
by Ken Ludwig
A clever, zany and hilarious tale of two English actors, down on their luck and working in Pennsylvania. Posing as nephews of an old lady supposed to die and leave a fortune, they learn that the missing relatives are actually nieces. Think “Some Like it Hot” and imagine the fun.
Stop the World - I Want to Get Off
July 31 - Aug. 23, 2009
by Anthony Newley
Remember humming “What Kind of Fool Am I?” and
“Once in a Lifetime”? Those songs came from this hit musical of 1961.
Toe-tapping feet and those great songs will make you want this world to spin on and on.
Make sure you have a good seat for these productions!
Season tickets are now on sale for members of the Wimberley Players.
Call the Box Office at (512) 847-0575 for a membership application,
or complete one online. |