Golden Anniversary Wrapup

The board of directors extended a vote of thanks to Amy Miller for her amazing work in organizing our 50th anniversary party, which took place April 4. Dozens of T&G members, including a couple of the founders, attended the party, which featured champagne, outdoor entertainment, a catered buffet, thousands of icicle lights, and a special birthday cake for the company.

The board also extended a vote of thanks to Marie Bruce, the liaison of the Town & Gown Theatre Guild, for organizing and conducting the silent auction in the course of the evening. Donated mostly by Guild members, the items on offer included a Bulldog sports basket, gift cards, a wine and cheese package, T&G souvenirs, and a hat created by Chris Harris (Andy Garrison's sister), who works as a costumer and milliner.

A major part of T&G's golden anniversary observance has been the Mainstage season, which includes a "new" show (one we have not put up before) dating from each of our five decades (1950s through 1990s) and a musical based on our very first production. For you calendar-keepers, our curtain first rose on The Philadelphia Story March 30, 1954.

We publish a brochure listing every play Town & Gown has ever produced, at least through 2002-3 (an update is due). Pick up your copy next time you attend a performance.

On the Mainstage: Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Playing May 28-30 and June 3-6
Directed by G. Derek Adams

Nothing Charms So Well As Evil.

And nothing is so evil as Allen Rowell and Marie Bruce when they're being charming. Town & Gown Players present the decadent Les Liaisons Dangereuses [Dangerous Liaisons] by Christopher Hampton. The critically acclaimed show follows an enclave of amoral French aristocrats whose lustful intrigues result in a gleeful morass of sex, deceit, betrayal, and death. The aforementioned Rowell as the malevolently elegant Vicomte de Valmont deftly maneuvers his way through the confidences and passions of his prey. But what good is a game without an opponent? Marie Bruce matches him move for move, parry for riposte as the deliciously diabolical Marquise de Merteuil. Many people will be most familiar with the 1988 film version, titled Dangerous Liaisons and starring John Malkovich, Glenn Close, and Uma Thurman. It's an excellent film, but you're going to want to see the game up close and personal on our intimate stage. Watch each move unfold like a chessgame.

And what good are chessmasters without their pawns? You'll see some familiar faces along with some new surprises amongst the victims . . . errr, supporting cast. T&G newcomers include Joe Costello as Azolan, Julia Wilson as Emilie, with Stuart Fleisher as Footman and Courtney Gaston as Maid. T&G returners are Brooke Bender as Tourvel, Will Riley as Danceny, Carrie Jedlicka as Cecile, Kelly McGlaun-Fields as Rosemonde, and Elissa Hadley as Volanges. Justin Knox as Footman and Joe Cerniglia as Major-Domo round out our impeccable ensemble.

The content and subject matter of this play are very mature, and require an audience that is likewise. Or that at least enjoys gratuitous sex, violence, and debauchery. So assuredly, we'll see all of you at one, if not multiple, performances.

Call (706) 208-TOWN (208-8696) during business hours for reservations.

Audition Call for I Hate Hamlet

Audition Dates: May 31 through June 1, 2004. This show runs from July 23 through July 25 & July 29 through August 1, 2004.

I Hate Hamlet is a comedy about a young actor named Andrew Rally, whose successful TV show, L.A. Medical, has just been canceled. Andrew, not really knowing what to do next, agrees to audition and perform in New York's Shakespeare in the Park's production of Hamlet. The only problem is that Andrew hates Hamlet. He moves to New York and his realtor picks out the former apartment of John Barrymore, a famous actor known for his Hamlet. Wacky stuff happens and Andrew inadvertently summons the ghost of Barrymore to help/force him to play Hamlet. From there the two argue about acting styles and fight with words and swords over the fame and money of Hollywood versus the glory of playing a real part in a real play.

Director Mike Smith is calling for a cast of six: 3 men (ages mid-20s to mid-40s) and 3 women(ages mid-20s to late 70s). Auditions will be cold readings from the script on Monday and Tuesday, May 31 and June 1, starting at 7:00, with callbacks on Wednesday, June 2. If you have questions, send Mike an email.

Second Stage Presents Richard III

Shakespeare returns to Town & Gown in June with the Second Stage production of Richard III. Steven Carroll as Richard and Alyssa Jackson as Buckingham lead a cast of many of your favorite T&G actors (and some fresh faces who are sure to become favorites) in this celebrated tragedy directed by Matt Humphrey. One of the Bard's most-performed and most memorable historical dramas ("A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!"), this is in fact the first time that Richard III has ever appeared on the T&G stage. Beheadings, betrayals, and a battle for the throne -- we've got it all for one weekend only.

Performances are set for June 11 & 12 at 8 pm and June 13 at 2 pm; admission is $5 for all shows. We do not take reservations for Second Stage performances, so arrive early and get a good seat!

Special Thanks

The facilities committee not only runs the playhouse day by day but also looks for ways to make things work more smoothly and help lower the stress level of your production. The main way we get anything accomplished is when T&G members donate their time and other resources to upgrade the physical plant. Here are just a few of the projects your friends have helped put over since the first of the year:

• Everybody knows and loves Stuart Ivy's fluorescent worklights. Andy Garrison installed two more units, and now you can see in the wings even when we have a bulky set in place.
• Sam and Allan Williamson of Clarke County Lock & Key made an in-kind gift to T&G by installing new locks on the front door and box office.
• Steve Wildey and Julie Ramsey used a recent dark spell to tune up the lighting system. We have a new circuit map, an accurate inventory and spec sheets on the instruments and lamps, and -- look up! -- readable labels on all receptacles.
• Andy built a new ghost light.
• The committee installed locks on the light/sound booth (door and sliding window) and the storage sheds.
• Amy "The Merciless" Wright removed old makeup, toys, office supplies and a range of personal left-behinds from the center cabinet in the dressing rooms.
• Allen Rowell and Fran Teague clocked hours and hours straightening the paint cleanup and prop storage areas, while Ben Joyner and Karen Cantley transformed the tool and hardware areas backstage.

You can get your name in the Envoy too. If you point to a needed improvement and say you'll do it, there is (ahem) every likelihood the committee will give you the go-ahead. Send us an email!

T&G Golf Shirts

Don't forget to order or pick up your golf shirt! A bargain at only $20 each, these stylish shirts can show your Town and Gown pride at work, school, on the town or even at the theater! You can pre-order on the website or purchase them at concessions during any T&G performance.

Show your T&G spirit and buy one today!

Member News

But Will They Let Him Wear His Techie Blacks?

A lot of T&G people worked with Mike Ryle, the brilliant designer and artist, on The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Othello, The Comedy of Errors, and many dance and opera productions around town.

Well, Mike has gone to be a paratrooper, and he's waiting for a letter from you.

For the duration of basic training, his address is

RN 147 SPC RYLE, MIKE
A Co. 2-19 INF
BLDG 9050 KINSMAN DR.
FT. BENNING, GA 31905

He adds this instruction: "Write the roster number (RN) on four corners of the envelope."

Our Soon-to-be "Dearly Departed"

Alyssa Jackson and Patty Reeber will be leaving mid-August to attend Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts. Alyssa will be studying for her Masters in Children's Literature and Patty will be working on her Masters in Library Science. Both Alyssa and Patty have contributed to Town and Gown in countless ways. Whether it be on stage or behind the scenes, serving refreshments or serving on the board of directors, Alyssa and Patty have been enthusiastic, creative, and a joy to work with. We'll miss you both!

New member Mo Wiltshire, Hope Vance's boss and former school-mate of Lynn Gieger, is running for District Attorney for Clarke and Oconee Counties. For further information, you can visit his website.

At her new job recently, Pamela Mitchell was greeted by a client with, "I know who you are. You're with Town & Gown! You're famous!" Now knowing what stars we are, we have decided to bring you . . .

I know who you are. You're with Town & Gown!

T&G faces spotted around town:

• Marie Bruce studying her lines for Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Wild Wing
• Rick Rose eating lunch at Wild Wing
• Alison Hooper participating in Speed Dating (well, Hope was there too!)
• Cindy Nason lunching with a friend at Loco's

Welcome to our new T&G members!

• John & Beth Griffin
• Julie Ramsey
• Kathryn Scheffel
• Mr. and Mrs. John R. Wilson
• Mo Wiltshire

. . . and welcome back to our renewed members!

• Patrick Franklin
• Florence King
• Rick Rose
• Allen Rowell
• Lee Wenthe
• Steve & Amy Wildey

Living Lightly

A few things to keep in mind when you use the playhouse:

• Don't ever allow food or beverages in the light booth.
• Garbage gets ripe even when you can't see it. Please empty all trash receptacles weekly.
• Lock all the doors when you leave. Bring all our scenery, tools and equipment indoors first, and set the ghost light when you turn off the worklights.
• Either it goes in a blue bag, or you carry it to the landfill, or we keep it.
• Report trouble to the facilities committee when you first notice it.
• Refreshments cost a buck an item.
• Don't do paint cleanup except in the paint cleanup area. Duh.
• Keep all fire doors clear (including the stage door) when the playhouse is in use.

Playing around Athens

Athens Little Playhouse presents its final two productions as a theatrical venue. James & the Giant Peach runs May 28-30 and June 4-6 and The Gilded Turkey, an original comedy starring T&G Secretary and favorite Keith Johnson, runs June 18-20 and 25-27. The Little Mermaid has auditions June 28 & 29 at the ALPS and will run August 20-22 at Seney-Stovall. Please call (706) 208-1036 or email info@the-alps.org for reservations or more information.

Facilities Committee Announces Near-Term Plans

The thermostats that govern the front of house heating and air will get locking guards soon. The idea is to prevent random twiddling that lowers the efficiency of the system.

The committee will submit to the board of directors a plan for improving the safety of people who use the onstage fire doors. Probably it will be a matter of installing handrails and easily visible permanent steps.

We have our eye on a member who wants to install a clock in the light booth. In consultation with the front of house committee, we will install locks on refreshment storage cabinets as well as shutters to close off the box office when the house is dark. We also hope to get new electrical outlets in the box office and lobby so that we don't have to use dangerous extension cords.

Does your theater need roll drops (olio drops)? We have several units (6 and 8 feet wide by 12 feet deep) but no plans to use them. If we give them to you we'll ask only that you let us use them again on request.

Free to a good home: the vast kitchen counter unit from High Society. It can be adapted to a break room or kitchenette. If no one can use it, we fear it may be for the landfill.

Board and Membership Meeting Schedule 2004

Board Members and Email Addresses

Town & Gown Players is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Your gifts are tax-deductible.

Town & Gown Players
P.O. Box 565
Athens, Georgia 30603
Lobby and backstage phone: (706) 548-3854 · Reservations service: (706) 208-TOWN (208-8696)

Our website includes great links, a form to place your name on our e-mailing list, a map, photographs, history, features about our upcoming shows, and lots of other information. There's even a page where you can sign up to work as an usher, sell tickets, etc.

Comments, suggestions, or questions regarding the newsletter or Town & Gown membership? Contact Membership Chair Hope Vance or Committee Member Pamela Mitchell.

Hope Vance edits and publishes the Envoy six times a year, more or less, with design aid from Pamela Mitchell. Webmaster Eric Wagoner and Ben Teague designed the online version.

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© Town & Gown Players 2004