News
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Local playwright Sheri Hickman and longtime theater director Rachel Nelson Fortner have teamed up for the fourth consecutive year to write and direct the Grand Junction Senior Theatre's annual stage event.
The musical comedy, “The Eye of a Newt,” will be performed Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19, at Mesa State College's Robinson Theatre.
The two-act play takes place during medieval times, and features a king, queen, princesses, fairies, jester, wizard, archers and would-be suitors for the king's daughters. There's also a fearsome dragon.
Patrick Metoyer auditioned for the first time this year and was cast as one of the three jolly archers.
Out of the 24-member cast, several are veterans like himself, Metoyer said. Most are Vietnam era veterans, although there are a couple of World War II veterans, as well, he said.
The Senior Theatre is open to anyone 50 and older for $10 a year. The nonprofit organization holds auditions in January for its annual production each spring.
This will be the senior theater's 16th performance.
“Eye of the Newt” is a comedy — “we laugh at ourselves during rehearsals even,” Senior Theater board of directors president Marvin Mitchell said.
While many Senior Theatre members have an extensive background in theater, there's one newcomer in this year's show who said she's always wanted to be in a play, Mitchell said.
“There's always a part or something they can do with the theatre,” such as helping out with publicity, or tickets, said Diana Landes, who's been involved with Senior Theatre for the past four years.
Senior Theatre was founded in part to give seniors an outlet for creativity and for encouragement to stay active.
Hickman wrote the music as well as the script.
“Writing for children that are over 50 years old is a blast,” Hickman stated in a press release. “We are never too old for mystery and adventure. We are never too old to play dress-up. We are never too old to fall in love. We are just never too old — period.”
Mitchell said the theatre group has a loyal following who comes to performances each year.
“I dare you to come and not laugh,” he said.
The musical comedy, “The Eye of a Newt,” will be performed Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19, at Mesa State College's Robinson Theatre.
The two-act play takes place during medieval times, and features a king, queen, princesses, fairies, jester, wizard, archers and would-be suitors for the king's daughters. There's also a fearsome dragon.
Patrick Metoyer auditioned for the first time this year and was cast as one of the three jolly archers.
Out of the 24-member cast, several are veterans like himself, Metoyer said. Most are Vietnam era veterans, although there are a couple of World War II veterans, as well, he said.
The Senior Theatre is open to anyone 50 and older for $10 a year. The nonprofit organization holds auditions in January for its annual production each spring.
This will be the senior theater's 16th performance.
“Eye of the Newt” is a comedy — “we laugh at ourselves during rehearsals even,” Senior Theater board of directors president Marvin Mitchell said.
While many Senior Theatre members have an extensive background in theater, there's one newcomer in this year's show who said she's always wanted to be in a play, Mitchell said.
“There's always a part or something they can do with the theatre,” such as helping out with publicity, or tickets, said Diana Landes, who's been involved with Senior Theatre for the past four years.
Senior Theatre was founded in part to give seniors an outlet for creativity and for encouragement to stay active.
Hickman wrote the music as well as the script.
“Writing for children that are over 50 years old is a blast,” Hickman stated in a press release. “We are never too old for mystery and adventure. We are never too old to play dress-up. We are never too old to fall in love. We are just never too old — period.”
Mitchell said the theatre group has a loyal following who comes to performances each year.
“I dare you to come and not laugh,” he said.
GO&DO
What: GJ Senior Theatre presents musical comedy “The Eye of a Newt”
Where: Robinson Theatre at Mesa State College When: Fri. & Sat., March 18-19, 7:30 p.m. Also, a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Cost: $12 at the door or advance at Roper Music, Albertson's and City Market stores Info: 254-1127, or 245-9145 |
