Every March for the past nine years, the Wakulla Community Theatre has treated us to a hefty slice of entertainment with a spectacular Broadway musical production. Since 1993, the Digest has been privileged to help publicize this event with a front page photograph and cover story.

We have in the past written about performers and others who normally bask in the limelight. And while Mina Sutton and Allen Nelson, Kiss Me Kate�s two leads, are shown on the cover, we found that what goes on back stage and behind the �scenes� is an interesting array of people and tasks. We thought you might like to know about some them.

Critical to the success of every show are the sets and carry-on props that assist the actors with the plot extension. For the last several years, beginning with Guys & Dolls at the Wakulla Middle School, Carolyn Lambert has designed and build the stage sets for every play with help from her husband Gene and Mike Mason. Kiss Me Kate will feature a balcony set Carolyn designed, and brother-in-law Lute McEwen built, that takes advantage of the stage extension (proscenium). An adjoining dressing room set that requires removal from the stage several times during the play was built from ultra-lite insulation material by Mike Mason and his students. Carolyn painted the set and collected an assortment of props (e.g., mirrors, dressing stand and other items) to complete the scene.

The magnificent backdrops in WCT productions are painted on huge canvases, mostly by Sandy Wolfe. Due to the size and expense of these wonderful murals, the one used in the 1999 production of My Fair Lady has been redrawn and repainted by Fran Mathis for Kiss Me Kate.

Props and sets have to be changed as the story progresses, and great precision is required. Marian Revell is known as "1st Sergeant" back stage and has managed the sets crew for several years. The show�s pace is actually controlled by the crew: the performers rely upon the sets as memory cues for their lines. Marian has to train a new crew for almost every play and always pulls off a crisp performance. Some scenes require the lowering of backdrops in addition to carry-on items, so strict communication via walkie-talkie is maintained. So proficient is Marian, that she is able to perform in the chorus line with all the costume changes!

Sound and light systems in the historic Sopchoppy School Auditorium are continually being improved with the addition of new equipment. Mike Mason has been the �light man� for several years and Rody Strickland, Maintenance Foreman at the school, has operated the sound system. The modern light control board is programmed for each scene, and with the flick of a button, the lighting is changed on cue from Stage Manager Marian Revell. The WCT is fortunate to have body microphones, little battery-powered devices with pea-sized mics, for use by the main cast. They are invisible to the audience and allow the actors to project through the house speakers. There are four drop mics that hang above the stage and four mics strategically placed on the stage floor. The sound is enhanced by the rich acoustic quality produced by the limestone and wood surfaces in the auditorium.

Kiss Me Kate is the 9th major musical produced by the WCT. The others were Hello, Dolly!, Guys & Dolls, Oklahoma!, South Pacific, Camelot, My Fair Lady, A Christmas Carol, and Pajama Game. Musical revues Jubilee, The Fabulous Fifties, Let It Loose!, Stepping Out! and Cet Magnifet! were arranged by Director Reba Mason and performed at Shadeville Elementary School, Posey�s Beyond the Bay Restaurant, Wakulla Middle School, Wakulla High School and Sopchoppy School.

The premiere performance of Kiss Me Kate is scheduled for Saturday, March 17 at 8 pm in the historic Sopchoppy School Auditorium, with additional performances on March 18 (3 pm matinee) and March 23 and 24. Tickets are on sale now at the Sopchoppy Education Center (962-2151) and at the Wakulla Education Center (926-8227). Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children. * * *