season 2017 - 2018 march 2018 the curtain...

S E A S O N 2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 8 M A R C H 2 0 1 8

THE CURTAIN RAISERComing Events

The ForeignerHysterical ComedyMarch 15 – April 8

Get Up and Go DrawingBegins March 15

ACT 4 St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon & Fashion ShowMarch 17

The Legendary Bobby Darin: A Tribute Theatrical ConcertApril 12-15

27th Annual Charity Golf Tournamentto benefit Ocala Civic TheatreApril 13

Marion Ballet Theatre presentsSwan LakeApril 20-22

Swan Princess Tea PartyApril 21-22

Springtime Dance FestivalApril 22

The student production ofThe Love of Three OrangesOne-Act Fairytale ComedyOn the outdoor stageApril 28-29

Mamma Mia!Smash-Hit Musical ComedyMay 17 – June 17

Auditions

The student production ofThe Love of Three OrangesOne-Act Fairytale ComedyMarch 5-6

Mamma Mia!Smash-Hit Musical ComedyMarch 18-19

March 15 – April 8SPONSORED BY: WIND FM

Laughter needs no translation in this hilarious comedy!

Froggy LeSueur (Chris Williams), an officer in the British Army, is in rural Georgia for the weekend as a guest instructor for the U.S. Army bomb squad. His friend Charlie Baker (Anthony Palumbo), a proofreader for a science-fiction magazine, is especially down-hearted over his wife’s latest affair, so Froggy has brought him along to cheer him up.

While Froggy is on post, Charlie will be staying at the fishing lodge run by talkative elderly widow Betty Meeks (Barbara Russell). However, poor Charlie is painfully shy and too depressed to talk to strangers. So to ensure a quiet weekend for his forlorn friend, Froggy tells Betty that Charlie is a foreigner who doesn’t know a word of English.

Before long, Betty’s boarders and their visitors are speaking freely around Charlie, believing he doesn’t understand what they’re saying. This includes hot-tempered heiress Catherine Simms (Athena Moore) and her slow-witted younger brother Ellard (Joel Petersen), as well as Catherine’s saintly fiancé, Rev. David Marshall Lee (Kyle Delnegro), and county property inspector Owen Musser (Jeff Cole). So when Charlie overhears some scandalous news and sinister plans, does he confess – or keep up the charade? Laughter needs no translation in this hilarious comedy!

The Foreigner is directed by Chip Morris. Stage manager is Patti Cole. Set design is by Timothy J. Dygert. Costume design is by Eryn Brooks Brewer. Lighting design is by Robert P. Robins. Sound design is Jeffrey M. Davis.

There will be 20 public performances from March 15 – April 8, 2018. Tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for full-time students (school ID required for college students). For more information, call (352) 236-2274 or go to www.ocalacivictheatre.com.

Opening Night Reception! Reserve your tickets for opening night and join us on Thursday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m.

for a reception an hour before the premiere performance. Delicious refreshments are catered by HoneyBaked Ham, and beer and wine are available for purchase. Come celebrate the excitement of opening night!

By Larry Shue

P2 | OCALA CIVIC THEATRE

Tickets On Sale Now• The Foreigner

• ACT 4 Luncheon and Fashion Show

Tickets Go On Sale• March 12:

The Legendary Bobby Darin: A Tribute

• March 19: Swan Lake, Swan Princess Tea Party, and Springtime Dance Festival

• April 16: Mamma Mia!

Annual Get Up and Go Drawing begins March 15It’s back! For a donation of only $5, you can have a chance to win one of the terrific prizes in this

year’s ever-popular Get Up & Go drawing, including restaurant and shopping packages, a Disney World weekend, and season tickets for the 2018-2019 season. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 and will be on sale beginning March 15 at the Theatre box office. Tickets also will be on sale at performances of The Foreigner and The Legendary Bobby Darin: A Tribute. The drawing will be held at the Theatre at noon on Tuesday, April 17. For additional information, call (352) 236-2274.


April 12-15Mathews Entertainment and Event

SPONSORED BY: WITG • Ocala’s Good Life Magazine • Hiers-Baxley

In an era of cool, Bobby Darin was one of the most popular rock-and-roll teen idols of the 1950s and 1960s. Critically acclaimed entertainer Michael Mathews performs Darin’s greatest hits, including “Beyond the Sea,” “Dream Lover,” “Splish Splash,” “Mack the Knife,” and many more. This multimedia live theatrical tribute concert also features the stunning Copacabana dancers, a special guest, and rare video footage of celebrity interviews.

There will be five public performances from April 12-15, 2018. Tickets go on sale March 12 at $25 for adults, $23 for Signature Series subscribers, and $12 for full-time students (school ID required for college students). For more information, call (352) 236-2274 or go to www.ocalacivictheatre.com.

Auditions for Mamma Mia!

March 18-19Music and Lyrics by Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and some songs with Stig AndersonBook by Catherine Johnson • Originally conceived by Judy Craymer

Young Sophie is about to get married on the Greek island paradise where she grew up. She wants her dad to walk her down the aisle… but she doesn’t know who he is. Sophie reads her mother’s old diary and invites three of Donna’s former suitors from 20 years ago to the wedding. Will this blast from the past reveal her father’s identity? Sunny, funny, and full of upbeat ABBA tunes, Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good smash hit!

Auditions are Sunday, March 18 and Monday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m. It is only necessary to attend one night of auditions. Full details are available in the March 2018 Cue Sheet.

Mamma Mia! is directed and choreographed by Katrina Ploof. Music director is Philip King. Stage manager is Ginny Riley. There will be 28 public performances from May 17 – June 17, 2018. For more information, call (352) 236-2274 or go to www.ocalacivictheatre.com.

2017-2018 SeasonThe Foreigner

March 15 – April 8, 2018


April 12-15, 2018

Mamma Mia! May 17 – June 17, 2018

New Year, New LookPhase One of Ocala Civic Theatre’s

exciting expansion begins this summer with new seats! We will be painting the auditorium, removing the current seats and replacing them with new, wider, more comfortable seats – 3”-5” wider!

We would love to have you be a part of this growth and invite you to donate to this first phase. A campaign goal of $200,000 has been set to cover the expenses of Phase One. Each new seat has an established donor or tribute value of $500. Donors will be recognized with an individual plaque permanently attached to the seat. Donors who choose to contribute at a higher level will be recognized on a separate plaque. Gifts and pledges will be welcomed in any amount. Call (352) 236-2274 and ask us for more details.


Volunteer Spotlight

Bob Bella

When we say we have something for all ages at Ocala Civic Theatre, we mean it: Bob Bella turns 89 this month and has been volunteering here for 26 years!

Bob was active in community theatre up north. When he moved here from Long Island, he started looking for another theatre where he could continue performing – and found Ocala Civic Theatre. “I fell in love with OCT,” he says.

Bob’s first appearance on the OCT stage was in Evita in 1992. Over the next seven years, he acted in numerous shows, mostly comedies. His rare appearance in a musical turned out to be his favorite OCT role, as Marcus Lycus in the 1995 production of A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum. Every actor hopes to “go out on top,” and Bob certainly did: His last mainstage role was Joe Keller in All My Sons in 1999, for which he won a Harvey Award. This was a more dramatic role than he typically played, but clearly the departure from type was another worthwhile effort!

After he stopped performing in mainstage shows, Bob decided he wanted to be a part of every phase of theatre production, from front-of-house to backstage. “OCT gave me a lot of opportunities, and I wanted to pay back what I’ve gotten,” he says. So he began helping with set construction and ushering. In recent years, he learned how to run the light board and volunteered as light board operator for Sister Act, Quartet, and The Mousetrap.

He also got involved with the Golden Troupers, which allows him to continue performing – his first love. Bob is one of the readers, acting out readers-theatre (using scripts) comic skits for groups across the community.

Bob continues to prove that it’s never too late to try something new, learn a new skill, or develop a new talent. His willingness to take on a challenge is refreshing – and much-appreciated! Thank you, Bob, for everything you’ve done over the years for Ocala Civic Theatre, from the stage to behind the scenes. A standing ovation for you!

Golf Tournament to Benefit Ocala Civic TheatreThe 27th annual charity golf tournament to benefit Ocala Civic Theatre returns on Friday, April 13! The tournament will be held at the beautiful Candler Hills Golf Club at 8137 SW 90th Terrace

Road. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. The tournament begins with a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start. The cost is $85 per player, which includes a box lunch, on-course water and sodas, free range balls, greens fees, a cart, goodie bags, and more than 50 on-course and door prizes, with awards immediately following the tournament. (A discount is available for Candler Hills Golf Club members.)

There are opportunities to contribute as a corporate, scorecard, hole, raffle, or door prize sponsor. Sponsors who donate $100 or more will receive a certificate for future play at Candler Hills Golf Club. To become a sponsor, please contact Mary Britt at (352) 236-2851, ext. 104.

Auditions for the student production of

By Hillary DePiano

March 5-6When an evil witch curses a prince to search for three giant oranges, the quest proves

incredibly fruitful in this fairytale comedy! Auditions are Monday, March 5 and Tuesday, March 6 at 5:00 p.m. Full details are in the Winter/Spring 2018 class brochure and on the Ocala Civic Theatre Education Department Facebook page. For more information, call the Education Department at (352) 236-2851, ext. 107.

Box Office HoursMonday – Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

On Saturdays with a performance: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The lobby and box office open one hour before each performance.

Get information and buy tickets online any time at www.ocalacivictheatre.com (A service charge applies to online purchases.)

Box Office: (352) 236-2274Administrative Offices: (352) 236-2851

Social Media

Ocala Civic Theatre

@ocalacivic

ocivictheatre@ocalacivic

Ocala Civic Theatre and

Ocala Civic Theatre Education Department

Restaurant DiscountsSeveral local restaurants offer discounts or

coupons to our patrons throughout the theatre season. You must show your ticket stub to receive these discounts.

• Blue Highway Pizza: 10% off your check on day of show. Not valid with any other offer. 2130 E. Silver Springs Blvd., (352) 629-5555.

• Braised Onion: 10% off your check on day of show, or during the week of the performance at dinner hour. Excludes alcohol. 754 NE 25th Ave., (352) 620-9255.

• Ivy On the Square (new name and location for the Ivy House): 10% off your check. Not valid with any other offers or discounts. 53 S. Magnolia, (352) 622-5550.

• La Cuisine French Restaurant: 10% off dinner any night. 48 SW 1st Ave., (352) 433-2570.

• The Mojo Grill & Catering Co.: 10% off your check. Valid only at the East location (across from the Theatre): 4620 E. Silver Springs Blvd., (352) 291-6656.


Marion Ballet Theatre presents the classic ballet Swan Lake April 20-22 at Ocala Civic Theatre.

Composed in 1875, Tchaikovsky’s mesmerizing masterpiece of magical romance is one of the most beloved of classical ballets. This timeless love story remains a worldwide favorite today.

There will be three performances:• Friday, April 20 at 8:00 p.m.• Saturday, April 21 at 2:00 p.m.• Sunday, April 22 at 2:00 p.m.Tickets go on sale March 19 at $25 for ages

13+ and $12 for ages 12 and younger.

Book a performance today with the Golden Troupers!

The Golden Troupers are a terrific group of age 55+ performers who travel Marion County entertaining local audiences with comedy skits and songs. They perform at no charge for non-profit organizations, but donations are gratefully accepted. To join or to book the Troupers for your club or community, call (352) 236-2274 or Marlene Harr at (352) 687-3868.

Rehearsals are held at the Theatre on Mondays at 1 p.m. from September to May. Join the Troupers – it’s a golden opportunity!

ACT 4 – Ocala Civic Theatre will host a ST. PATRICK’S DAY FASHION SHOW AND LUNCHEON on Saturday, March 17, featuring RESORT FASHIONS BY TIFFANY. The event will be held in the Dining Room of the Ocala Elks Lodge, located at 702 N.E. 25th Avenue in Ocala. Tickets are $25.00 per person (tax and gratuity included). Reservations can be made by calling the Ocala Civic Theatre Box office at (352) 236-2274.

The doors will open at 12:00 noon and Pre-Show Shopping will begin at 12:30 p.m. Lunch will be served at 1:00 p.m., with a menu of Assorted Fresh-Baked Muffins, Irish Wedding Soup, Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders atop Garden-Fresh Tossed Salad, Home-Made Key Lime Pie, Coffee and Iced Tea. Select cocktails and wine will be available for purchase. The Fashion Show and Shopping will begin at 1:45 p.m. Join the ACT 4 models for this fun-filled afternoon of beautiful fashions!

ACT 4 is a not-for-profit Florida Corporation designated by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are deductible within the limits allowed by law. All funds raised by ACT 4 are designated for use by Ocala Civic Theatre, including scholarships for after-school and summer youth programs and scholarships for college students majoring in the arts.

Marion Ballet Theatre presents

April 21-22Join us April 21-22 for the Swan Princess Tea

Party! Designed for children, this special event is

a wonderful introduction to one of Tchaikovsky’s three great ballets. Children will meet the cast of Swan Lake, enjoy sweets and cookie treats while listening to the story of the ballet, and take part in a dance lesson onstage with Swan Lake characters. Children may wear Swan Lake finery or their favorite princess or prince costume. Adults, bring your cameras: There will be photo opportunities with the cast in their costumes in front of the Swan Lake set.

There are two sessions of the Swan Princess Tea Party: Saturday, April 21 at 10:00 a.m. and Sunday, April 22 at 10:00 a.m.

Tickets go on sale March 19 at $12 for adults and $10 for children. Each child must be accompanied by an adult, who also must purchase a ticket and remain with the child for the duration of the party.

Marion Ballet Theatre presents The 9th Annual

April 21

On Saturday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m., the Springtime Dance Festival returns for its ninth year!

Presented by Marion Ballet Theatre, the Festival is a showcase of local dance talent in Marion County. This is an evening of sharing, learning, and performing in celebration of National Dance Week. Our mission is to promote greater dialogue between local dance artists and enthusiasts through showcasing the diversity of the local dance community.

Tickets go on sale March 19 at $15 for all ages.


2017-2018 Board of Directors

President Philip Leppert

Vice President Jim Ross

Treasurer George Kirkland

Secretary Lois Kohlweiss

MembersGarry D. Adel

Dr. Glenda “Rusty”

Belote

Jeffry David

Ana Dunwoody

Leslie Hagan, MD

Sarah Lankester

Joy Newkirk

Andrea Pizzuti

Darrell Riley

Herb Schmoll

Gordon Schwenk, MD

StaffExecutive Director Mary H. Britt

Production Manager/Technical Director Jeff DavisAssistant Technical Director William Spratt

General Technician/Custodian Ken Noble

Scene Shop Intern Grace Trudeau

Administrative Assistants Janice Kirk Melody Murphy

Box Office Manager/Volunteer Coordinator Craig James

Box Office Assistants Nancy E. Bennett Ann Dietrich

Director of Education Kirstin Kennedy

Director of Marketing & Promotions Larry Kiernan

Comptroller Marilyn Price

Costume Designer Eryn Brooks Brewer

Costume Shop Intern Abigail Barbier

Notes from the

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mary H. Britt

Hello! Opening night is always special. For the cast and crew, it’s the first time they will perform before a live audience. For the designers and volunteers who work in the scene shop and costume shop, their job is complete and they can see the audience reaction to their work. We wanted to mark the occasion and make it more special for the audience by having a reception on opening night. For the last few years, our board and hospitality committee organized the reception. Sometimes, we purchased the refreshments from local stores. Sometimes, we used a local caterer such as the terrific folks at Rosemary & Thyme from the College of Central Florida. There is no extra charge for the reception. The folks with opening night tickets pay the same as all other performances, so there was always the challenge of balancing the cost of the reception with the desire to make it a delicious and fun event.

This year, we were excited to have the owners of HoneyBaked Ham & Café choose us as one of the many charities they support. They committed to providing the food for the reception of all five of our Signature Series opening night parties, a donation valued at thousands of dollars! With three shows complete –La Cage Aux Folles, Over The River and Through The Woods, and I Love A Piano -- I am so very impressed. I had purchased hams from the store in the past and discovered they make really incredible soups, but I had no idea that their catering menu was so extensive! If you’ve attended one of our Signature Series opening nights this year, you know what I mean. They offer several items to choose from and each opening night highlights a different menu. The owners, Ted and Candy Cole, are so dedicated to making sure the quality of the food and presentation are top-notch that they personally deliver everything to the theatre and prep a lot of the items onsite, plus bring their staff to serve. Candy told us, “It is wonderful to sincerely like what we do. We love having the opportunity to bring joy and to develop and fulfill the needs of our customers. The people we get to work with each day make it even more enjoyable, and we constantly get compliments on our employees, reminding us what a terrific, helpful, and courteous group of associates we are so lucky to have – and we know it! These are some really great folks, and they really understand what it means to take care of our guests.”

Ted grew up an “Army brat,” moving all over the country, and as an adult served over 30 years in the Army himself. His assignments took him all over the U.S. and to Germany, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He earned the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal. Candy and Ted met and married in 2004 just before Ted’s Army assignment in Germany. She worked at several of the bases, and both were distinguished in their dedicated service.

Their HoneyBaked Ham, Roast and Smoked Turkey Breasts, sandwiches, and catering efforts are terrific in helping families who are “Celebrating life, one meal at a time.” The HoneyBaked Ham and Café has been in Ocala for nearly 20 years, and Ted and Candy are fortunate to have been the owners for a little over two of them. Since their purchase of HoneyBaked Ham of Ocala, they have increased their catering efforts substantially. They now cater breakfast, lunch and dinner – and not just with their famous sandwiches, but hot catering food items as well! In addition to their support of Ocala Civic Theatre, the Coles work with local food banks, Brother’s Keeper, the YMCA’s Annual Turkey Trot, M.O.M.’s Park, Ocala Symphony Orchestra, and Fine Arts for Ocala. Marion County is lucky that the Coles brought their family to Ocala when they “retired.” “We enjoy success by focusing on our goal to give our best, versus looking at only the financial aspects,” Candy said. “By focusing on others, everything else naturally follows.” Another segment of the philosophy behind their work involves the quality of their food: “If it’s not good enough for your momma or your best friend, then it better not go out of our store!” If you haven’t joined us for opening night, give it a try. It’s a great time.

See you at the Theatre!

SEASON 2017 - 2018 MARCH 2018

THE CURTAIN RAISER

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDOCALA, FL

PERMIT NO. 94337 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, FL 34470

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The Curtain Raiser is the official newsletter of The Marion Players, Inc., dba Ocala Civic Theatre. The Theatre is located at 4337 East Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, Florida, 34470. The Curtain Raiser is published monthly and is available free of charge to anyone who is interested in our activities. For information about the organization or to be added to the mailing list, call (352) 236-2274.

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts & Culture.

LARGE PRINT

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Britt at (352) 236-2851, ext. 104, or [email protected].

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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

MARCH

Get Up & Go Drawing Begins

The Foreigner 8pm

TheForeigner

8pm

Tickets On Sale for

Bobby Darin

Auditions for The Love of Three

Oranges 5pm

Auditions for The Love of Three

Oranges 5pm

ACT 4 Luncheon & Fashion Show

12:30pmThe Foreigner 8pm

The Foreigner 2pm

Auditions for Mamma Mia! 7pm

TheForeigner

8pm

TheForeigner

8pm

TheForeigner

8pm

TheForeigner

2pm & 8pmThe

Foreigner2pm

TheForeigner

8pm

TheForeigner

8pm

TheForeigner

8pm

TheForeigner

2pm & 8pm

Tickets on sale for Swan Lake, Tea

Party, Dance Festival Auditions for

Mamma Mia! 7pm

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

APRIL

Swan Lake8pm

Three Oranges11am & 3pm

TheForeigner

2pm

TheForeigner

8pm

TheForeigner

8pm

Bobby Darin8pm

Golf Tournament 1pm Bobby Darin 8pm

Bobby Darin2pm & 8pm

Bobby Darin2pm

Tickets on sale for

Mamma Mia!

Get Up & Go Drawing

12pm

Tea Party 10amSwan Lake 2pmDance Festival

7:30pm

Tea Party 10amSwan Lake 2pm

Three Oranges3pm

TheForeigner

2pm

TheForeigner

2pm

season 2017 - 2018 march 2018 the curtain...

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