Sherman Community Players present Wyatt Earp: Life on the Frontier

September 24, 2014 | Sherman, Texas

“The story Hollywood didn't tell!”

The contemporary Wyatt Earp is a descendant of the

historic lawman Wyatt Earp and has toured the one-man play throughout the Southwest, as well as performed in Alaska, England, Ireland, Budapest, Hungary, and Scotland.  The Scotsman, a major Edinburgh Newspaper, gave this one-man play a four star review calling it an “authoritative cultural phenomenon.” 

Written by award-winning Arizona playwright, Terry Earp (the contemporary Mrs. Wyatt Earp), the play is set in the mid-1920s, where an elderly Wyatt Earp tells of his adventures during the final days of the American Frontier from Arizona to Alaska.  The play premiered in 1996 in Scottsdale, Arizona and won the 1997 AriZoni Award for Best Original production.

The performance is being held in conjunction with the Sherman Autumn and Arts Festival on September 20, 2014 at the Finley Theatre, 500 N. Elm, Sherman, TX 75090.  Ticket prices are $12 per person, cash or check at the door.  Season members will receive a 25% discount.  Doors open at 6:30 pm and the performance will begin at 7 PM.

Mr. Earp will also be the featured speaker at the Lunch Lecture Series, on Friday, September 19^th.at the Sherman Museum, 301 S. Walnut, Sherman, TX 7090.   Mr. Earp will be discussing his other one-man play, Doc Holiday. 

For more information about the Sherman Autumn and Arts Festival visit http://www.texomaconnect.com/Sherman-Fall-Festival.html

 By the Sherman Community Players

The Sherman Community Players are gearing up to round out their 65th anniversary season with the musical comedy “Chicago” from the book by Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse, based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins.  Featuring songs by John Kander and Fred Ebb, this landmark show has been presented on Broadway for over 6,300 performances since it opened in 1996, and has won six Tony awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. 

The original production, directed and choreographed by the legendary Bob Fosse, opened in June of 1975 and was nominated for nine Tony awards. “Chicago” is based on a play by the same name written in 1926 by Maurine Dallas Watkins.  It tells the story of Roxie Hart, who finds herself on Murder’s Row in the Cook County Jail after shooting her lover.  Smooth-talking attorney Billy Flynn agrees to take on Roxie’s case and manipulates the Chicago press to make Roxie a celebrity.  Roxie has a rival for the media’s attention, however:  another one of Flynn’s client named Velma Kelly.  “Chicago” is a cynical look at America’s celebrity culture and its corrupt judicial system, presented through the highly stylized language of song and dance.

“We picked this show for our big summer musical for a multitude of reasons.  First of all, the music in Chicago is just awesome and has really stood the test of time—songs like Cell Block Tango, All That Jazz, and Class, are really timeless pieces that I know the audience will truly enjoy.  Another reason we picked this show is that I always wanted to put strong female characters on the Finley Stage and what better way to do it then with a production like this one.  Finally, it ties in the sixty-fifth anniversary well.  Even though SCP was officially founded in the 1950’s, the troupe started back in 1926, and having Chicago set in the roaring twenties—I think it nicely book ends the museum exhibit that we opened at the Sherman Museum at the beginning of the season in September in a clever way.”  Explains main stage Artistic Director Anthony Nelson. 

Tickets go on sale beginning the first week of June.  You can reserve tickets by calling the SCP Box office at 903-892-8818, you can also purchase tickets during the day at the Honey McGee Playhouse 313 W. Mulberry St., located in the Arts and Culture District of Sherman, next to the Kidd Key Auditorium.  SCP is offering a new feature, patrons can email the box office at boxoffice@scptheater.org, and an attendant will respond back with reservation confirmation. 
Tickets are $18 for Adults, $10 for students.  Thursday June 5th is the very popular $5 preview night and all tickets can be purchased at the door of the Finley beginning at 7pm.  And every Thursday night is bargain night, and patrons can attend the show for only $10.

The play runs June 5th through June 29th, Thursdays thru Saturdays at 730pm and Sundays at 2pm.  The Historic Finley Theater is located at 500 N. Elm in Sherman TX, 75090.

For more information about Summer Music Concerts, Shakespeare in the Grove, the Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival and more fun events in the North Texas, Southern Oklahoma area surrounding Lake Texoma, visit http:www.texomaconnect.com. 

Sherman Community Players Announces Casting is finalized for “Chicago”!

Cast of Chicago

Casting has been finalized for the final production of the Sherman Community Players historic 65th anniversary season.  “We held auditions a bit early for this particular musical, so we could get the cast into dance workshops, conducted by our Choreographer Anthony Willis—a newcomer to the SCP family.  As matter of fact SCP audiences are going to see a lot of new faces with the final production of the season.  We have local talent, talent from the metro-plex, talent from McKinney and Durant.  The word is getting out about SCP, and the talent wants to be here.” Mentions Artistic Director, Anthony Nelson.

 Rounding out the principles for “Chicago” are Laura Renfro as “Roxie Hart”, Teresa Andrion as “Velma Kelly”, Fred Freeman as the notorious smooth talking lawyer “Billy Flynn”, Travis Lyons as “Amos” Roxie’s gullible husband, Kari Kennedy Flowers as “Mama Morton” Justin Rowe as “Mary Sunshine”, and Ed Richardson as “Sgt. Fogarty”.  “What’s really exciting about this project is the fact we are putting on a real dance show at the Finley Theater, and I think it’s something the audiences will be thoroughly impressed with.”  The extremely talented dance ensemble consists of Kaitlyn Casmedes, Megan McCullough, Jenny Kraft, Laurie Cutler, Marissa Bateman, Heidi Scheibmeir, Laura Fanning, Jessica Huffstetter, and Lori Brin.  Rounding out the ensemble are Jordan Jaska, Lacey Wesson, Jim Smith, Kate Graham, Crystal Kingston, David Griffith, Paul Jordan, Donna Morgan and Tanner Smith.

“Not only is there first class talent on the stage, but also behind the scenes as well.  We are very lucky to have Dan Dominick of the Sherman Symphony Orchestra serving as our Music Director and Aaron Adair serving as vocal coach.  Tina Ross is designing the 1920 circa costumes and Marty Burkhart and Stephanie Schultz are stage managing.  Austin College Theatre professor Liz Banks is designing the set—and we are very excited about her involvement.  With this production, I want the audience to see just how big the Finley Theatre is, so we are not covering up the backstage area like we normally do. I want the audience to see the scope of what this Historic theatre has to offer right here in the heart Sherman.” Adds Nelson.

“Chicago: The Musical” is based on a play of the same name written about two Vaudeville performers who ended up on death row back in the twenties.  It was turned in to a musical conceived by Bob Fosse, John Kander, and Fred Ebb in the mid seventies and then revived again on Boardway in the nineties.  It was also recently adapted into a film starring Katherine Zeta Jones and Renee Zellweger. 

The Play is based on the book by  Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse.  Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, Directed by Anthony Nelson, Music Director Dan Dominick and Choreography by Anthony Willis

Tickets will go on sale beginning the first week of June, and the show opens June 6th and runs the entire month of June, Thursday through Sunday.  All relevant show information can be found by visiting www.scptheater.org.

Find more Lake Texoma special events on TexomaConnect.   Summer in the Texoma area means summer concerts, parades, holiday celebrations and tons of fun things to do, so don't miss out on anything!

Casting for “Boeing Boeing” Completed!

Sherman Community Players

Announces

Casting for “Boeing Boeing” Completed!

Featuring:  Jerry Gundersheimer, Gaynell Dosheir, Lisa Avila, Donna House, Laurie Cutler, Morgan Hernard

Directed by: Anthony Nelson

            Casting is completed and rehearsals are underway for SCP’s ^th anniversary season.  “Boeing Boeing” a comedy written by Marc Camoletti and translated by Beverly Cross and Francis Evans is slated to open on the main stage April 4^th.  “This is going to be a very fun show, and we are having a ton of fun in rehearsals already; it’s kind of a refreshing departure from the gravity of the “Rabbit Hole” themes.  “Boeing Boeing” is a farce centered on an American living in Paris Bernard (Jerry Gundersheimer) and is attempt to a have a relationship with three different women.  His great plan involves three different flight attendants from around the globe; Gloria (Donna House) from NYC, Gabriella (Laurie Cutler) from Italy, and Gretchen (Gaynell Doshier) from Germany.  His friend Robert (Morgan Hernard) from back home in Wisconsin unexpectedly arrives at this door step and the wackiness ensues!  There is also the classic un-happy French maid Berthe (Lisa Avila) who came with the flat; and is in charge of keeping Bernard’s secret.

Boeing Boeing Cast

fourth show of its 65

Rounding out the talented cast is an equally talented crew: Pam Sanza has returned to Stage Manage the production along with Deborah Barrax as Assistant Stage Manager, Understudy, and Prop Goddess.  A new-comer to the SCP Community Tony Poncetti is costume designer for the production, and he has already begun making the authentic 1960’s era flight attendant costumes from scratch.

Here’s an interesting fun fact about this production of “Boeing Boeing” tells Artistic Director of SCP Anthony Nelson.  “Jerry Gundersheimer who is playing the lead Bernard has a brother, Lee Gundersheimer who is a professional theatre director up in Minnesota.  His brother directed a production of BB for the Duluth Playhouse, where I worked before re-locating here to Sherman—and his brother actually had the same two lead male actors I had in two of the productions I directed for the Playhouse. The theatre is a small world”

Tickets:

Go on sale to the general public April 2^nd, call the box office at 903-892-8818.  Adult tickets are $16, Students rate is $8.  Every Thursday night is bargain night and tickets are only $8.  There will be a $5 preview April 3^rd, beginning at 730pm, tickets for this can be bought at the door of the Finley, 500 N. Elm, Sherman TX 75090.  Visitscptheater.org for all the details.

Featured in Photo: (left to right)

Pam Sanza, Morgan Hernard, Laurie Cutler, Gaynell Doshier, Jerry Gundersheimer, Donna House, Lisa Avila, Deborah Barrax

For more fun events in the Greater Texoma area visit www.texomaconnect.com.  

SHERMAN COMMUNITY PLAYERS EXHIBIT OPENS SEPTEMBER 10

Press Release
Dan Steelman, Executive Director, Sherman Museum

 

The Sherman Museum will team up with the Sherman Community

Sherman Museum

Players (SCP) to present an exhibition entitled, “The Show Goes On”, highlighting the Sherman Community Players’ long history of producing live theater in Texoma. The exhibition begins September 10, 2013 and runs through October 12, 2013. A grand opening event with ribbon cutting will be held Friday, September 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 

The Sherman Community Players organization debuted in February 1926, making it one of the pioneers of the Little Theater movement in Texas. “The Show Goes On "exhibition will feature items from SCP’s performance history, including costumes, stage props, photos, playbills and other items. The month-long exhibit will spotlight the contributions over the years of the talented volunteers, staff, and facilities that brought the performances to life. Dan Steelman, Executive Director of The Sherman Museum, noted “We are thrilled to celebrate the SCP and their sixty-five years of uninterrupted live theatrical excellence that the group has provided for Sherman and the Texoma region.”

 

The Sherman Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is: $5.00 for adults; $3.00 for seniors (Ages 60+); $2.00 for students (ages 6-18); FREE for children 5 and under; and FREE for museum members. Admission includes access to all other temporary and permanent exhibits, in addition to “The Show Goes On”. The Sherman Museum is located at 301 South Walnut in Sherman, Texas.

 

About The Sherman Museum

The Sherman Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization devoted to collecting, preserving and interpreting objects of historical significance to Grayson County and the Greater North Texas Region. The museum was previously known as the Red River Historical Museum prior to a name change in March 2011.

For more information about The Sherman Museum, visit us on the web at http://www.theshermanmuseum.org.

For more events in the Lake Texoma area, visit www.texomaconnect.com.  The Texoma area has a rich history that dates back to the wild west and historical markers dot the countryside.  If you would like to know more about where these markers are located and the history of the area, visit http://www.texomaconnect.com/Historical_Sites.html

Dixie Swim Club

Presented by the Sherman Community Players...

Five southern women, whose friendships began many years ago on their

college swim team, set aside a long weekend every August to recharge their relationships. Free from husbands, kids and jobs, they meet at the same beach cottage on North Carolina's Outer Banks to catch up, laugh and meddle in each other's lives. "The Dixie Swim Club" focuses on four of those weekends and spans a period of thirty-three years. As their lives unfold and the years pass, these women increasingly rely on one another, through advice and raucous repartee, to get through the challenges (men, sex, marriage, parenting, divorce, and aging) that life flings at them.

Often referred to as the Steel Magnolias of our time, The Dixie Swim Club is one of the more popular all female cast shows being produced around the country. 

Written by Jones, Hope, and Wooten, this trio has written dozens of plays that are geared towards a southern audience, Southern Hospitality and Red Velvet Cakes Wars to name a few.  They also are responsible for the long-running hit television show The Golden Girls.   The play features the acting talents of:  Allison Minton, GayNell Doshier, Lisa Avila, Jessica Adams, and Morgan Morgan.

“We are also really putting a lot of extra work and detail into the overall production, not only do we have a great cast for this show, but Webster Crocker has designed a terrifically detailed set," remarked Anthony Nelson, Artistic Director of SCP.  "We are also collaborating with local Sherman artist Darrah Dunn who is handling the set dressing for the play.  He has been working closely with Knight’s Furniture and Daresa Sofey Home Design Studio in downtown Sherman.  They will be furnishing the set; which is a huge opportunity for the SCP Main Stage, in having local business directly involved with the production.”

Performances begin on April 12th and run thru April 28th at the Finley Theater in Sherman, TX.  Evening performances begin at 8pm, Sunday matinees begin at 2 pm. 

Box Office will open for season members of SCP on April 8th and 9th, 2013 at 9am and will go on sale to the general public on April 10th at 10am.  Box office phone is 903-892-8818 and is located inside the Honey McGee Playhouse at 313 W. Mulberry in Sherman.  Visit scptheater.org for more information or follow the action on Facebook.  Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for students.

For more fun events in the Lake Texoma area visit www.texomaconnect.com.