Publisher: Elizabeth Hurd

2021

The Pollard’s Dracula is a creepy night of Screams and Scares

Dracula is presented via a live read-through.

The Pollard Theatre Company has faced its fair share of setbacks in the past year. The pandemic forced the closure of the 2020 season, and the historic theatre finally reopened for Season 34, In Good Company, in August 2021. A late summer storm caused extensive damage to the lighting and sound systems in the theatre, and the company was once again forced to cancel an upcoming production. Bram Stoker’s Dracula was slated for a full production, but with the theatre still in repair mode, an alternative option had to be utilized. Always the… Continue reading

UCO returns to Mitchell Hall with RENT

(L-R) Jaylon Crump as Tom Collins and Samuel Moran as Angel

UCO’s College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) and the Musical Theatre Division present Jonathan Larson’s Rent, running until October 10th at Mitchell Hall Theatre. UCO’s Musical Theatre program is one of the best in the state. They produce big, bold works, and never shy away from tough subjects. Rent is polarizing, at times controversial, and it’s an institution of American musical theatre history. Love it or hate it, nearly everyone has an opinion on it. Playwright Jonathan Larson died suddenly before Rent was out of previews,… Continue reading

Jewel Box Theatre- “A Good old fashioned mystery” for their new venue.

    I was out wandering around (in my air-conditioned car, of course) and saw a line of cars filing into what used to be Jewel Box Theatre’s old home but instead, they were driving down a slightly different road (I followed the many signs along the road) to what appeared to be their NEW venue. I found myself curiously drawn into this building which advertised The Vultures, by Mark A. Ridge. I picked up a program, without opening it, and found a comfortable seat. on a raised platform overlooking the Library set (competently designed by Shawn Hancock) I would… Continue reading

3rd Act Theatre Company Delights with “Setting the Nation Right” and other “Easy Plays for Women”

Seated from left, Caitlin Cairns, Lauren Peña and Denise Hughes. Standing from left, Anna Holloway, Cara Chesney, Sarah Nilson, Meredith Harrison and Lana Henson in “Setting the Nation Right” and other “Easy Plays for Women” at 3rd Act Theatre. Photo courtesy of J. Christine Lanning

Bell Elliot Palmer was a well-known playwright of her day which is, amazingly, about a century ago.  Her short one-act “Setting the Nation Right” was published in 1924 and the collection of short plays in “Easy Plays for Women” was published in 1933.   Palmer’s extensive career spanned a period of over 40… Continue reading