Circle Theater Presents A LONE STAR CHRISTMAS 11/19-12/19
By: Gabrielle Sierra Oct. 29, 2009
Circle Theatre, a professional theatre located in Sundance Square, presents the world premiere of A Lone Star Christmas Carol by Gary Moody & Gary Taylor. Preview performances for the show are Thursday, November 19; Friday, November 20; and Saturday, November 21 (matinee). The production will officially open Saturday evening, November 21 at 8:00pm, followed by a post-show party with the cast & crew.
North Texas natives Gary Moody & Gary Taylor worked together on various projects in the 80's. But it wasn't until twenty years later, in 2000, that they decided to collaborate on A Lone Star Christmas Carol. Author, Gary Moody, states, "We thought audiences might appreciate a modern and colloquial "translation" of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It seemed to us that folks would enjoy seeing Dickens' story spoken and sung in the vernacular of the American Southwest, rather than chronicling a traditional English Christmas in the 1840's."
Under the direction of Chris Robinson, A Lone Star Christmas Carol features Jeff McGee**, Gary Moody*, Burl Proctor**, Rachel Rice**, John Venable**, & Heatherton Hardy Wilson*. Music director & guitarist, Gary Taylor, will be accompanied by Charles Crawford (guitar) and Rick Norman (bass). Sara Harris* will serve as stage manager for the production.
Producer, Rose Pearson, says, "Circle Theatre is proud to partner with the "two Garys" in creating a wonderful seasonal offering that will fit beautifully in smaller regional theatres. This musical re-telling of Dickens' classic tale is a must-see for the holiday season. It has toe-tappin' original music and a cast of actors who were all born and bred in the Lone Star State. How is that for a show being "totally Texan"?"
Circle Theatre is partially supported by the Arts Council of Fort Worth and Tarrant County; The City of Fort Worth; The Texas Commission on the Arts; and The National Endowment for the Arts. Corporate sponsorship for the current season is provided by Four Day Weekend Comedy and McDonald Sanders Law Firm.When: November 19 - December 19
Shows: Previews: November 19, 20, & 21 (Matinee)
Opening Night: Saturday, November 21, 8:00pm
Thursdays at 7:30pm;
Fridays at 8:00pm;
Saturdays at 3:00pm and 8:00pm
Tickets: Previews Thursday and Saturday matinees: $10
Preview Friday evening: $15
Opening Saturday Night: $30
Saturday matinee: $20 - $25
Friday/Saturday evenings: $25 - $30 Students and seniors (65+) receive a $5 discount on any full-priced ticket. Student Rush tickets are available for half price, at half hour before show time (on standby).
Groups of 10 (or more) receive a $5 discount on each full-priced ticket.
Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Call 817.877.3040 or stop by the box office, Tuesday through Friday, from 12:00pm to 5:00pm and one hour before show times.
Circle Theatre accepts Bell Helicopter coupons, the KERA Member Rewards Card, Sundance Square Insider coupons and the Star-Telegram Press Pass.
Tickets for children 6 -12 years of age are half price. As a courtesy to our patrons and performers, Circle Theatre does not admit children under age six.
Production Team:
*Actors' Equity Association
Writers:
Gary Moody has worked as an actor, announcer, writer and director on stage and in films and television for over 35 years. As such, he is a member of Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Previous appearances at Circle Theatre include The Retreat from Moscow (Best Performance by a Male Actor, Fort Worth Weekly), Bus Stop (Column Award nomination) and Unnecessary Farce. His web site www.theOscarSite.com, which started out as a hobby in the late 1980s, has become a definitive source for information on the Academy Awards®. A graduate of the University of North Dakota, Gary is one of the founding members of refUNDtheatre, an organization devoted to funding recruitment of talented students to the UND Theatre Arts program.
Gary Taylor was born here in Ft. Worth while his parents were students at TCU, so it is fitting that Circle Theatre is the setting for Gary's musical work. Gary began playing guitar when he was 11 years old, and was composing music at 15. After taking piano and classical guitar lessons, he became interested in theory and composition. During his twenties, Gary could be found teaching high school mathematics and music theory, and playing music around town with his band, The Works. It was also during these years that he scored and recorded his first musical, McMulligan and Reigh, which was performed by his band, along with the SMU symphony orchestra. A master's degree in mathematics and many more original songs followed through the years. He has also written a book on math and music, which he hopes to promote someday soon. Gary has 3 daughters, 2 granddaughters, 1 grandson, and a wife of 36 years.
Director:
Chris Robinson is excited to make his Circle debut after last directing Ruthless! for Flower Mound Performing Arts Theatre. Earlier this year, Chris directed OnStage's hit production of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. Some of his other directing credits include: Greater Lewisville Community Theatre, Guys & Dolls; Sage & Silo, The Rocky Horror Show & Cotton Patch Gospel; OnStage: La Cage Aux Folles. Chris has performed in the DFW theater community for over 19 years, as well as several regional theaters across the country. A Rabin and multiple Column award winner, Chris serves on the board of directors for The Column Awards and produces the multi-media for the ceremony each year.
About Circle Theatre
Circle Theatre is a non-profit regional theatre, founded in 1981 by Rose Pearson and Bill Newberry. The Theatre's mission is to present professional, innovative productions in its intimate 125-seat setting. Circle provides a place for emerging playwrights, directors, designers and actors to hone their craft. As an Equity Theatre, Circle offers salaries and benefits to professional artists who wish to continue pursuing their careers while living in Texas. Additionally, during the Theatre's off-times in its main stage season, Circle provides its space to emerging theatre companies. Circle Theatre also strongly supports the role education plays in the future of all arts organizations and collaborates with local university theatre departments to give students the experience of working in a professional theatre environment. Following a successful capital campaign, Circle Theatre underwent an extensive three-month renovation before re-opening in March 2009. The Theatre will present its 29th season, in 2010. For more information, please visit www.circletheatre.com.
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