August 4 - WHERE WERE YOU...?
Most folks my age can tell you where they were the day the astronauts of Apollo 11 walked on the moon. My parents could tell me where they were the very hour that President Kennedy died of an assassin's bullet. And, unfortunately, most adults I know can tell you what they were doing when the World Trade Center was attacked.

What most of us don't remember is where we were or what we were doing (assuming we were already born) when the Martians attacked New Jersey. (I'll pause while you read that again.)  Yes, I said "when the Martians attacked New Jersey." One of the more interesting chapters in American broadcasting history was the Sunday night that Orson Welles and his radio drama company broadcast a version of H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds. For those who did not hear the disclaimer, that it was only a drama (although that was broadcast several times), it was a horrifying experience. There was widespread panic in the eastern United States, and it bubbled over into the rest of the country.

Van Wert Civic Theatre is opening the new performance season with a wonderful play about that fateful evening in 1938, called The Battle of Shallowford. It will be a great hoot to watch folks who think the Martians are coming get ready to do battle with them! Steve Lane from here in Van Wert will be directing, and auditions will be held at the theatre this Sunday and Monday, August 8 and 9, at 7:00 PM both nights. There is a cast of 8 men of various ages (2 of whom need to be or look like teenagers) and 1 woman who is or looks like a teenager. Steve is inviting all actors of all experience levels to audition. If you would like to know more about the show or see a script, call Steve at 419-203-7469. Performances are set for September 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, and October 1 and 2.

By the way, thanks to all who welcomed me back after my extended vacation. We had a wonderful time, and now I need a vacation to get over my vacation! See you at the show!

August 18 - THE MARTIANS-ER, GERMANS-ER, SOMEONE'S COMING!
George Orson Welles was one of the most accomplished dramatic artists of the twentieth century, noted for his acting, directing, writing, and producing. He starred in what is arguably the greatest film ever made, Citizen Kane. His career spanned most of the century, from about 1936 to his death in 1985. What catapulted him to fame, however, was an event that is still debated. Was it a hoax, a grand experiment by scientists, or just a really good drama done extremely well?

On October 30, 1938, the Mercury Theatre of the Air premiered a radio adaption of H.G. Well's novel The War of the Worlds, written some forty years prior. Although the CBS Radio Corporation began the broadcast with a disclaimer, reminding listeners that what they were hearing was fictional, some 20% of the viewing audience (upwards of 1,000,000 people) believed that they were listening to breaking news of an invasion from Mars. Although a lot of the clamor over the broadcast was later proclaimed as nothing more than hype, Orson Welles succeeded in planting a paranoid seed in a nation already nervous about the world situation in 1938.

Van Wert Civic Theatre's first production of the 2010-2011 season, The Battle of Shallowford, places the audience squarely in the middle of that fateful night so many years ago. A group of locals are gathered at Mock's General Store and Post Office, like they are so many evenings, to play checkers, share gossip, and avoid eating Mock's rabbit stew. However, this evening is different. Like so many people, the folks gathered at the store miss the disclaimer at the beginning of the radio show and truly believe they are being attacked by Martians-all except one teenage science fiction fan, who recognizes the material.

Steve Lane of Van Wert is directing the production. Most of you will recognize Steve from his many roles on VWCT's stage. In the coming weeks, I will let you know about the cast and crew of the show.

The rest of our season is outstanding. In November, you'll be seeing The Dixie Swim Club, a very funny comedy about the relationships of five women. The first musical of the year is in January and February 2011-The Full Monty! This is an Americanized musical version of the hilarious British movie of the same name. You might see more than you bargained for in this one! Then, in March 2011, the moving comedy, A Month of Sundays, set in a nursing home where two residents view life with comedy, mostly to keep from crying. The final production of the season is the final (yes, final) installment of the wonderfully funny Nunsense series, Nunset Boulevard. The nuns think they are booked at the Hollywood Bowl, but it turns out to be the Hollywood Bowl-a-Rama!

The season ticket sellers are out in force right now! If you've been contacted, I hope you purchase the season. It's a real winner! If you're interested in becoming a season ticket holder, contact the theatre at 419-238-9689 or Dee Fisher at 419-513-0053. You'll be directed to an eager ticket seller.

See you at the show!

August 25 - CASTING THE BATTLE
You've heard the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child"? Well, I can tell you that it takes at least as many people to raise a show onto the boards. In the months that I've written this column, I've tried to remind all of you, dear readers, that community theatre is one of those rare creatures, a totally community-driven entity. It's one of those places that allow you to get to know people of all ages.

The cast of The Battle of Shallowford is a good example of that phenomenon. The characters who have gathered in Burton Mock's general store that fateful Sunday night in October 1938 represent two generations: the adults, who are supposed to be more experienced and wiser, and the teenagers, who are supposed to be learners, less experienced in life's ups and downs. The director, Steve Lane, has been able to find real teenagers to fill the appropriate roles, which is a great opportunity for the two generations in the cast to learn from each other. The cast of The Battle of Shallowford includes:

Burton Mock - Doug Grooms
Ruthie Mock - Rachael McCroskey
Lonny Hutchins - Thad Davis
Clunette Campbell - Ed Eichler
Roy Sprinkle - Chris Burkheimer
Dewey Sowers - Dillan Fadely
Newsome Jarvis - Bob Howell
"Doodad" Jarvis - Brad Doner
Fred Martin - Shawn Hamilton

You may recognize some of these names as veteran performers at Van Wert Civic Theatre, both adults and teenagers. It promises to make the show an enjoyable experience for all!

Steve will be assisted in his directing duties by Michelle Klutka. The set itself is the responsibility of Harold Allen and Mary Ann Falk, who will also direct the lighting. You'll be hearing some of the historic broadcast of War of the Worlds courtesy of Burdette Bolenbaugh, who is in charge of sound. Backstage, the actors will be costumed by Ruth Ann Boley and be using props gathered by Amy Boley and Jewell Kurtz. The "village" surrounding this show continues to grow!

The Battle of Shallowford opens on September 23 and runs for two weekends. Tickets will be available to the general public on September 20 and to patrons a week before that. If you're not a patron, you can become one! Contact a member of the theatre, and they can direct you to one of the sellers in our patron drive. The drive will continue through September 20, so there's plenty of time for you to join the fun and help fund this great Van Wert institution.

See you at the show!