Local Theatre Alum Directs During College Break

Gettysburg Community Theatre (GCT) the not-for-profit 501c3 community theatre located at 49 York Street in historic downtown Gettysburg, will present Children Of The Battlefield and America The Beautiful running in rotating repertoire July 6-22, 2018. These productions continue the theatre's 10th Season of revivals of some of the theatre's favorite shows. GCT originally presented America The Beautiful and the World Premiere production of Children Of The Battlefield during the 150th Anniversary of The Battle of Gettysburg in 2013.

"GCT gives artists of all ages opportunities to grow and develop their talents", says GCT Board Treasurer, Steve Herr. "It offers quality live entertainment for our community with shows that make us laugh, cry, and think. The theatre brings people of diverse backgrounds together to work towards a common goal."

This is seen in every production at GCT including the revival production of Children Of The Battlefield, an original one act play written by GCT alumni Katie Pellegrino, and based on true stories of the children during the Battle Of Gettysburg. The play features Civil War Era songs and the recorded voice of the incomparable late great Jim Getty as President Abraham Lincoln. It takes us through the emotions and struggles that children faced during the battle. With songs like "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Battle Cry of Freedom", we are reminded of hope for the future as long as we help one another as Americans should.

The play will share performance dates with a musical revue titled America The Beautiful at various times this July and both productions are brief half hour performances perfect for tourists, residents and children. America The Beautiful is a musical revue featuring songs made popular in the U.S.A. With everything from classic country to New Orleans Jazz, from 50's rock, as well as Broadway and patriotic music, this show is sure to have you smiling and tapping your feet.

The casts include local youth: Emma Greenawalt and Caleb Greenawalt from Dillsburg, Rebecca Williams from Littlestown, Reia Hogan, Emma Kirk, Maria Kirk, Liliana Hoedemaker, Kalia Hoedemaker, London Nieves, Jorja Nieves, Ivy Nieves, Audrey Norwood, Lucy Heaton, Tessa Trax, Audrey Trax, and Jordan Coscia from Gettysburg, Joshua Schriver from McSherrystown, Jeffrey Miller and Sara Miller from Biglerville, and Gaven Dingle from Waynesboro.

Eleanor Hogan and Sarah Kirk from Gettysburg volunteer as Stage Managers, with Carrie Trax from Gettysburg as Music Director, and GCT Alumni and now Senior Musical Theatre Major at Catholic University in D.C., Marilyn Lopes, originally from Gettysburg, serving as Director/Choreographer for these two productions that she was a cast member in back in 2013 when still in high school. GCT is proud to have Marilyn return home in the summers to share her love of theatre with the students here. Children Of The Battlefield performs July 6th, 7th, & 20th at 8pm and July 14th, 15th, 21st at 2pm, while America The Beautiful performs July 7th, 8th, & 22nd at 2pm and July 13th, 14th & 21st at 8pm at GCT. Tickets to either of these July productions can be purchased online in advance for $12+tax/fees per person. The discount code FAMILY will get online ticket buyers a special buy one get one free discount for online orders only.

As the theatre only seats 80, advanced purchase is highly recommended for these popular shows. Also on sale now, are performances held at GCT including A Year With Frog And Toad -August 10-26, 2018, Annie -September 7-23, 2018, The Diary Of Anne Frank -October 5-21, 2018, and The Rocky Horror Show LIVE on stage October 27-November 3, 2018. Performances of The Wizard Of Oz (Penguin Project 2018) -November 16-18, 2018 will held at the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center in Hanover and tickets for that production are being sold through The Eich. Tickets are on sale for GCT's Annual Christmas Concert Home For The Holidays November 23-December 2, 2018 at GCT and other special event Wine Cabarets to be held at GCT at 8pm on July 27 & 28, and September 29, as well as Improv Comedy Nights at GCT at 8pm on August 3 and December 7. GCT is located at 49 York Street within the first block of Lincoln Square in historic downtown Gettysburg in the building that was once The Elks Lodge. GCT box office phone number is 717-334-2692. Audition, ticket, educational, donation, volunteer opportunities and more can be found online at www.GettysburgCommunityTheatre.org

PHOTO: Marilyn Lopes, GCT alumni and currently Senior Musical Theatre Major at Catholic University of America, directs the Summer 2018 productions at GCT.