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Feature article
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Johnson City Community Theatre readies for 2009 season
By staff report
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Agatha Christie’s ‘The Hollow’ kicks things off Feb. 13
Opening night is still more than a month away, but already, Johnson City Community Theatre is looking ahead to its 2009 season.
JCCT will kick things off Feb. 13 with “The Hollow,” an Agatha Christie classic. A weekend gathering has reunited a group of guests who happen to be involved in a complicated love triangle — one that eventually turns deadly. With nearly everyone having motive and opportunity, it’s up to an inspector and sergeant to solve the crime before the killer strikes again. Directed by Bill Campbell, “The Hollow” will run through Feb. 28.
Winner of two Obie Awards and two Outer Critics Circle Awards as Best New American Play and Best Off-Broadway Production, “The Foreigner” runs April 17-May 2. While staying at a remote Georgia lodge, a pathologically shy and self-described boring man pretends to be a foreigner who doesn't speak English in order to avoid having to participate in conversations. Assuming he doesn't understand what they are saying, the guests at the lodge speak openly around him, and he soon becomes privy to secrets and scandals. The nonstop hilarity leads to a wild and funny climax. Written by Larry Shue, the production will be directed by Chris Murray.
“Southern Hospitality,” the much-anticipated sequel to “Dearly Beloved and Christmas Belles,” hits the stage June 5-21. This time, the Futrelle sisters — Honey Raye, Twink, Frankie and Rhonda Lynn — are on a crusade to save their beloved hometown of Fayro, Texas, from becoming extinct, and, as usual, it’s chaos and laughter from beginning to end. To make matters worse, Aunt Iney, the “meanest woman in 12 counties,” arrives for a visit. Joe Smith will direct this Southern comedy written by Asheville playwrights Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten.
The season continues July 31 with “Cheaper by the Dozen,” in which two adult children reflect back on the days of their youth when they were members of a large and unique family, and the lessons of efficiency taught by their father. Dad had a good reason for his methods that were funny and embarrassing at times, but Anne, who was the eldest, decided to rebel. This heartwarming story, adapted by Christopher Sergel from the book by Frank Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, is a delight for the entire family. Directed by Pam Johnson, the show runs through Aug. 16.
“The Philadelphia Story,” a comedy love story to be directed by John Beard, opens in October, with performances set for Oct. 2-17. Tracy Lord is the spoiled daughter of a prominent Philadelphia family. Once divorced, she is now engaged to be married a second time, but she finds herself growing interested in a reporter assigned to cover the wedding. Who will be the lucky man? Katherine Hepburn starred in the title role of Tracy on Broadway and later in the 1940 movie, which also featured Carey Grant and James Stewart.
Marley was dead, but ever wonder what happened to him next? For the holiday season, JCCT will stage a beloved Christmas story told from a different perspective. In “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol,” by Tom Mula, the audience will follow Scrooge’s longtime business partner on a journey to escape his own chains. But before Marley can redeem Scrooge and open his heart, he must first discover his own. This story is performed by four actors in multiple roles and runs Dec. 4-19. Kaeli Gardner will direct.
For more information, call JCCT at 423-926-2542 or log onto jcct.us.
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