‘One Night Only’ to debut at Pickard Auditorium Saturday
Published 12:39 am Sunday, July 19, 2009
On Saturday, July 25, 53 performers of varying ages, races and backgrounds will take to the stage and Pickard Auditorium to perform “One Night Only.”
The program is Random Acts of Theatre’s summer showcase, designed to give an audience a taste of what the group offers in its fall and spring performances. More importantly, it gives community members who have been too busy in the past a chance to participate.
“This summer production gives them an opportunity to get up on stage and be part of the company,” said Lisa Heuss, a Random Acts of Theatre performer.
Saturday’s program will include comedy skits and dance numbers from several movies, including “The Lion King,” “High School Musical,” “Sister Act” and others.
Production director Amanda Farnsworth said it’s an interesting experience to coordinate such a diverse group, but the experience has been fun.
“It’s amazing to see how many people come out of their shell. Everybody really has given their best,” she said. “They learn about working together as a team to achieve something they’re proud of, and they also learn that they’re capable of more than they thought they were.”
Though the summer production was created to introduce the theatre to newcomers, many of the cast members, like Darlene Fletcher, are Random Acts of Theatre veterans. Fletcher has been a part of the group since its first production in April 2008. She brought her daughter for a tryout, and got drafted. Saturday, she will perform with two of her children and a granddaughter.
“I don’t even have words to say how wonderful it has been to be a part of Random Acts of Theatre,” she said. “It’s been an awesome experience being onstage. It’s something I always wanted to do. I just never had the nerves to do it.”
The company is giving her an outlet to quench her ambitions, but she said she also sees the cast as a microcosm of what Selma can be.
“When you look around and see the diversity of the people that’s been in the plays, it reflects the diversity of our community,” said Fletcher. “Even though we’re different, just learning different things about different people, that’s how a community begins. That’s what holds a community together.”
Karen Tillerson is one of the group’s new faces. Her daughter, Elizabeth, 10, recruited her after she saw the group’s production of Seussical the Musical in November 2008.
“It’s just been a real delight this summer,” said Tillerson. “It’s a fun, positive environment for the community to come and have a chance to get onstage and express themselves.”
Tickets to Saturday’s revue are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and students and $5 for children 12-and-under. They can be purchased from cast members, Radio Shack, or by calling the theater line at 505-0086.