Feature: STATE FAIR at Agape Players

If you are familiar with Atlanta community theatre, you already know the top players in the area. So, is there a room in the scene for a new company to take charge? John Glover sure hopes so. Agape Players, founded by Glover two years ago, parted the seas with "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" last season. This spring the company brings you Rodgers and Hammerstein's STATE FAIR.

Originally made as a non-musical movie, the story was based on Phil Strong's novel published in 1932. After the "Oklahoma!" and "South Pacific" team adapted the film into a movie musical, STATE FAIR was finally adapted for the stage with its debut performance in 1946. With a book by Tom Briggs and Louis Mattioli, the story follows the Frake family as they set their sights on blue ribbons at the Iowa State Fair.

Kathy Winchell returns to directing community theatre after nearly seven years with her last production being "West Side Story" at the now-closed Atlanta Studios Theater. With a track record of nearly 30 years directing community theatre productions, not to mention an actual film career of her own, Winchell will have no problem jumping back into the game.

Leading the show are six principle characters, some of whom are working actors and actresses breaking into the film industry. Steven Reddington ("Devious Maids") plays the part of Wayne Frake who falls in love with Emily Arden played by Joy Walters ("Drop Dead Diva," "Sleepy Hollow"). Charles Fowler's character, Pat Gilbert, is also hit with the love bug and becomes smitten with Margy Frake, played by Mackenzie Messick. Jeff LeCraw and Robbin Fowler, a veteran Atlanta stage actress, play the parents, Abel and Melissa, who, along with their children, learn lessons of life and love at the Iowa State Fair.

The cast is also comprised of Jonn McDaniel, John Murrillo, Traci Weisberg, Weston Slaton, Lee Chastain, Wayne Davenport, Stephen Patton, Christin Curtis, Caroline Scott, Jeff Frazier, Ken Whitley, Michael Swearingen, Anna Brennan, Amor Owens, Camden Johnston, Becky Simon, Pamela Parry, William Curtis, Alisha Boley, Hope Collier, Erika Bowman, Sarah Fetner, Luke Fowler, Larissa Treadway, Bethany Barnes, Kiuleia Brandon, Leah Brosnan, Gracie Beth Chastain, Matthew Thornton, Jacy LeCraw, Julia Walters, Linda Cahill, Virginia Clark, Julia Collier, Janet Glover, Shannon Jacobs, Kat LeCraw, Brittany Kicker and Mark Riggins.

Liza Jaine French, STATE FAIR national tour cast member, takes on choreography with the help of dance captains Sarah Fetner, Stephen Patton and Larissa Treadway. Musical direction will be by John Glover with assistance from Phillip Allen.

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STATE FAIR takes over the Infinite Energy Theater in Duluth, GA, for three performances April 1-2, 2017. Tickets are on sale here. For more information about Agape Players please visit agapeplayers.org.

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