Thursday, March 28, 2024
 
Click HERE to sign up to receive Eye On Sun Valley's Daily News Email
 
See What’s Coming to St. Thomas Playhouse
Loading
   
Friday, February 9, 2018
 

STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Get ready for a change of habit when St. Thomas Playhouse presents the feel-good musical comedy “Sister Act.”

The playhouse’s Summer Theater Project will stage the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical based on the 1992 smash hit film June 20-23.

And the Playhouse will parade a cast of favorite Dr. Seuss characters across the stage, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Lazy Mayzie and Jojo, when it stages the Tony Award-winning “Seussical” Sept. 20-23.

St. Thomas Playhouse drew back the curtains on its 2018 season at its annual Girlfriend Luncheon on Wednesday.

A hundred ladies munched on truffle fries, pizza slices, salmon, chicken and bubbly served up with Dr. Seuss napkins as they learned about this summer’s B Performing Arts Day Camps, which will feature “Dr. Dolittle Jr.” and “Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.”

The benefit luncheon drew a sellout audience at the Limelight Hotel.

“This is one of my favorite gatherings,” said Melodie Taylor-Mauldin. “It gives The Playhouse a chance to say ‘Thank you.’ And it drums up support for the arts. In a time when I worry about arts getting cut in schools, I’m so grateful for programs like St. Thomas Playhouse.”

Sara Gorby and R.L. Rowsey shared cheerleader roles throughout the luncheon.

“We hope to raise a lot of dough re mi today,” Gorby told the audience, as children and adults alike launched into a plethora of songs from last year’s performances, including “Children Will Listen” from “Into the Woods” and “Think Positive” from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.”

Annabel Webster offered a sneak preview of “Sister Act” with her song “The Life I Never Led” and Grant Carey, Brett Moellenberg and R.L. Rowsey offered a short but snappy rendition of “How Lucky You Are form “Seussical the Musical.”

Olympic Ice Dancer Judy Blumberg, a member of the St. Thomas Playhouse Committee enlisted Olympic Figure Skater Lisa-Marie Allen and Olympic Pairs Skater Judianne Fotheringill Fuller in being part of a live auction package titled “An Evening with Olympians.”

The lot, which went for $1,200, offered 20 guests to join the three for food, drink and expert commentary while watching one of this year’s Olympic skating competitions.

“The first couple times I emceed this I thought it was my job to make you know that Playhouse is doing good works. But many of you have been supporting it for 15, 16 years. If you didn’t know that it was doing good works, you wouldn’t be here,” said Rowsey as he encouraged the women to volunteer and even audition for a play, in addition to supporting The Playhouse financially.

Susan Blair, a longtime supporter of St. Thomas Playhouse, invited Dr. Leslie Durham to join her from Boise where Durham is director of the new School of Arts at Boise State University.

“We had an arts program at BSU, but now we starting a school of arts,” said Durham, who is getting ready to stage “The Wolves,” about a pack of female warriors on a soccer field. “And I would love to bring my students up to here to see what a wonderful arts community you have.”

Grant Carey, who has taken part in St. Thomas Playhouse productions as well as productions for The Spot and Company of Fools, echoed Durham’s enthusiasm for the community’s support of the arts.

“What I like about here is how the shows impact the community,” said Carey, who recently took part in “Striking 12” and “Floyd Collins.” “When we did ‘Next to Normal,’ which deals with mental illness, I was amazed how people were so open to being challenged with something different.”

Patty Morton, who divides her time between Sun Valley and Gig Harbor, Wash., said she enjoys St. Thomas Church, as it reminds her of the church she grew up in in Portland.

“And I believe in children’s theater. It gives kids things like confidence,” she added.

“It builds skills and confidence,” added Lisa Leach and Carol Walleck, a regular visitor to Sun Valley from Maui.

Suzanne Gerlits said she has loved every single play St. Thomas Playhouse has staged.

“I loved Andrew Alburger when he was ‘The Music Man,’ and I loved ‘The King and I.’ The plays are just so much fun.”

Theater and other arts enrich and support every other aspect of our lives,” added Taylor-Mauldin. “Music, for instance, is mathematical. It supports left brain activity. And, as a dance teacher, I get to see kids come in to dance after a long day at school, and I see how it calms and relaxes them.”

COMING ATTRACTIONS

February-March: “STELLALUNA,” the story of a baby fruit bat who is knocked out of her mother’s loving grasp when attacked by an owl and is adopted by a mother bird. The puppet show is being showcased as St. Thomas’s annual Children’s Theater Tour to elementary and preschools. There will be a public performance at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

June 11-23: “Dr. Dolittle Jr.,” the story of the wacky doctor who can talk to animals. Company B Performing Arts Day Camp for youngsters 4 through 13.

June 20-23: “Sister Act,” the story of a lounge performer who hides out in a Catholic school, taking students to new singing heights. For teens and young adults

June 25-30: Summer Performing Conservatory Camp at Camp Perkins. This year’s theme is “Americana and Folklore.” For youth entering fifth grade through high school.

Aug. 6-17: Disney “The Little Mermaid Jr.,” based on the Academy Award-winning musical of Ariel and her aquatic friends. Company B Performing Arts Day Camp for youngsters 4 through 13.

Sept. 20-23: “Seussical: The Musical,” which tells the story of friendship, loyalty, family and community through such characters as Horton the Elephant and The Cat in the Hat. Community theater with roles for all ages.

St. Thomas Playhouse was founded to celebrate the human experience, build community and explore lives theologically and personally. For more information, visit www.stthomasplayhouse.org. Or, call Brett Moellenberg or Sara Gorby at 208-726-5349.

~  Today's Topics ~


Lou Whittaker Leaves Behind a Legacy of Mountaineering and Storytelling

Free Range Poetry Society to Hold Second Gathering Tonight

Easter Bunny to Begin Hopping Friday
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Website problems? Contact:
Michael Hobbs
General Manager /Webmaster
Mike@EyeOnSunValley.com
 
Got a story? Contact:
Karen Bossick
Editor in Chief
(208) 578-2111
Karen@EyeOnSunValley.com
 
 
Advertising /Marketing /Public Relations
Leisa Hollister
Chief Marketing Officer
(208) 450-9993
leisahollister@gmail.com
 
Brandi Huizar
Account Executive
(208) 329-2050
brandi@eyeonsunvalley.com
 
 
ABOUT US
EyeOnSunValley.com is the largest online daily news media service in The Wood River Valley, publishing 7 days a week. Our website publication features current news articles, feature stories, local sports articles and video content articles. The Eye On Sun Valley Show is a weekly primetime television show focusing on highlighted news stories of the week airing Monday-Sunday, COX Channel 13. See our interactive Kiosks around town throughout the Wood River Valley!
 
info@eyeonsunvalley.com      Press Releases only
 
P: 208.720.8212
P.O. Box 1453 Ketchum, ID  83340
LOGIN

© Copyright 2023 Eye on Sun Valley