January 2000 Gossip

CIVIC THEATRE HISTORY

The Fort Wayne Civic Theatre has updated its website at www.fwcivic.org . Information on auditions and other volunteer opportunities are easier to find and will be kept more updated than in the past. In addition, a more inclusive history of the Civic Theatre will be included. Robert Miller has supplied much information on John Pearson, the director who immediately preceded Richard Casey and who was the last director when the Civic Theatre performed at the Palace Theatre.

Under Pearson's leadership, the Maiden Lane Theatre opened in 1969, converted from a ballroom in a former Elks Lodge entirely by Civic volunteers (actors and technicians alike), and was the home of the Civic Theatre until the Performing Arts Center (PAC) was completed around 1972.

Says Miller, "The Maiden Lane Theatre is one of the brightest gems in the crown of the Civic, a time when volunteer effort brought a theatre into existence. All of the other auditoriums either had long been theaters before the Civic used them (the Majestic and the Palace) or built by [outside groups] for use by arts groups (PAC)."

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PULSE OPERA HOUSE 2000 SEASON

HAY FEVER by Noel Coward. Auditions: March 13, Performances: April 28, 29, May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 (4 men/5 women); ONCE UPON A MATTRESS. Auditions: May 8, Performances: July 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 (11 men/10 women/3 children); DIAL "M" FOR MURDER. Auditions: July 24, Performances: September 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 (5 men/1 woman)

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AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION FUN

Bower North Productions presents the audience participation comedy/mystery "Murder at the Casino" in a public performance Saturday, January 22nd at the Knights of Columbus, 601 Reed Road, Fort Wayne. The cast features Larry Bower as Detective John Fieldstone, Ken Low as Pickles Rickles, Toni Kayumi as Ivanna Trump, DonEtte Harold as Debette Enloss, and Teresa Bower as Mya Goodbody. Action takes place aboard the "Raging Queen" casino boat as the audience helps solve the crime. Tickets are $40/couple including prime rib dinner and the show. Cash bar at 6:30, followed by dinner and show. For reservations, call the Knights of Columbus at (219) 493-1914. Contact: Larry Bower (219) 745-0557

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BROOKSIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH VISITS NARNIA

Brookside Community Church will produce NARNIA, a musical based on C. S. Lewis' story "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," February 25-27 and is co-directed by Tad Atkinson and Scott Kump. According to Atkinson (who also plays Aslan), this isn't just another church-produced play, rehearsed once or twice a week; it is a serious attempt to produce theatre which entertains as it allows actors to do work of which they can be proud. The cast is almost entirely new faces: only Atkinson and Nan Durant are familiar community faces, and Andrea Krider is a frequent Youtheatre star. Katie Rocholl, a fourth grader, plays Lucy, one of the principal roles. "She's never done anything on this scale," says Atkinson, "and she's already developing some strong character bits, only a week into blocking."

Performances are Friday through Sunday at 7:30, plus a 2 p.m. matinee Saturday. Tickets are $5 ($3 for the matinee) and are available beginning February 21. For reservations, call (219) 456-3929.