Sneads Ferry Community Theatre opens 2010 season

The Sneads Ferry Community Theatre begins its 2010 season on Saturday, January 9 when the curtain rises on the first production. The initial play of the year is usually a readers’ theatre, and this year continues that tradition, but with a twist. Instead of a single play the audience will be enjoying two one-act comedies with their dinner and dessert.

Charles Enloe, Personal Chef is catering the meal. The menu includes: braised Angus beef brisket, savory potato gratin, sautéed mixed vegetables and tomato demi-glace.

After the entrée the first play, “Ada Gives First Aid” will be presented. The story takes place during the 40’s when Ada decides that the one thing she can do for the war effort is to make sure all of her friends become experts in first aid. There’s only one problem: her “injured” volunteer becomes ill and she suddenly finds herself with a room full of eager ladies, but short one victim. Until….

Dessert, white chocolate crème brulee (including tea or coffee) will be served during intermission.

The second play is a timeless piece about married life, “The Neglected Husbands’ Sewing Club.” Seems that all the wives have been a bit busy with their volunteer work and the husbands are not happy that some of their “wifely” duties have been suffering. The boys concoct a plan to make their point, but just maybe they’ve overplayed their hand a bit.

A traditional readers’ theatre production features the cast seated in position, reading from the scripts. But several years ago the Sneads Ferry group combined that concept with a main stage play to form a hybrid: a staged readers’ theatre. The actors, dressed all in black, perform with a few props on a minimally dressed stage. Fewer visual distractions allow the audience to really focus on the dialogue and the acting.

Readers’ theatres are a wonderful way to get your feet wet in community theatre. Lines do not have to be memorized and rehearsal time is a fraction of that required for a main stage play. This is Karen Sota’s third time directing a staged readers’ theatre. The talented local cast and crew includes: Mary Grossnickle, Ed Sota, Amber Parker, Tom Brady, Kevin Connolly, Lisa VanBeekom, Michelle Bizek, Anya Hyden, Emylee McIntosh Andrea Horan and Ann Brinson.

Because this is dinner theatre seating is limited and prepaid reservations of $25 are required. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and curtain at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday January 9 and 16. Sunday performances on January 10 and 17 are matinees. Doors open at 1:15 p.m., dinner at 1:30 p.m. and curtain at 2:15 p.m. You can reserve your table by calling the box office no later than 6 p.m. on the Wednesday before the performance you will be attending: 910-327-2798.