Friday at Spokane Civic Theatre

Opening Friday on the Main Stage…at Spokane Civic Theatre

Tickets: Adults $29, Senior/Military $27, Students $22/$11
Spokane Civic Theatre Box Office, 1020 N Howard Street, 509-325-2507 or www.spokanecivictheatre.com/tickets

Sponsored in part by Finders Keepers

On sale now…Season Subscriptions…

 

 

Presenting the epic musical masterpiece, Les Misérables,

as our 67th Anniversary Season opener!

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The Latest News at Spokane Civic Theatre

All of your Spokane Civic Theatre news in one place.

Grease!

Dixie Swim Club

2013 Summer Camps

Starlit Season

Playing through June 6 in the Studio Theatre… The Dixie Swim Club Warmhearted New Comedy By Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope & Jamie Wooten Directed by Tia Wooley   “Wooley’s cast does wonders with the material, and they sidestep stereotype by creating real characters…at its best and most entertaining when it indulges in its sillier sensibilities and goes for broad, goofy physical humor.” - Nathan Weinbender, The Spokesman-Review All tickets $21 Spokane Civic Theatre Box Office, 1020 N Howard Street, 509-325-2507 orwww.spokanecivictheatre.com/tickets Sponsored in part by Kathie Doyle-Lipe Insurance Agency Inc – State Farm & Terry Lipe – Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Photo by Colin Mulvany

See all 10 shows for only $21.50 each! 2013-2014 Starlit Season Subscription We are thrilled with the new season line-up that provides sparkling entertainment, high drama, brilliant musicals, a classic mystery and more. Subscribers to experience the excitement of live theatre with a host     Presenting the epic musical masterpiece, Les Misérables, as our 67th Anniversary Season opener! Order your season subscription at Spokane Civic Theatre Box Office, 1020 N Howard Street, 509-325-2507 or ORDER ONLINE Download our 2012-2013 Season Announcement!

Plays and camps for children of all ages! Camps begin Monday, June 17 Play In A Week Camps for Grades 1 – 6 Musical Theatre Camp & Drama Camp for Teens Main Stage Performance Camp - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Download the summer camps brochure or register online now! Go to www.spokanecivictheatre.com  and follow the Academy link! All of our camps are guided by our talented faculty which consists of veteran teachers with professional degrees and seasoned actors. For further information or questions, contact Chris Taylor, Director of Education at 509.325-2507 x408 or chris@spokanecivictheatre.com

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Spokane is Whistling Dixie Swim Club

No Sneak Peeks

Now we won’t give too much away here. Just enough to peek your interest and hopefully get you down to the Spokane Civic Theatre. The Dixie Swim Club weaves the story of 5 ladies who became best friends through their college swim team (thus the title of the show) and have maintained their friendship throughout the years. We see them in four moments across a period of 30 years to see just what life has thrown their way. The trials and tribulations of having kids, getting married or divorced, the dynamics of friendships, arguments, death, are all portrayed through the points of view of 5 women with very different backgrounds and outlooks on life. They meet the same weekend every year on the Outer Banks in North Carolina to recount the events of the past year.

Hold onto your hats. This is a very fast paced, witty comedy filled with the moments of life that we can all relate to. So if men are worried whether or not they’ll like this show, rest assured, they will learn way more about what happens when women get together than they probably want to know!

It’s always better when we’re together

The cast has had a great time working together. The bonding process was especially strong with this cast of five leading ladies. We went antiquing as a “get to know each other’s process”, and the pieces they purchased now appear on our set. Every page of the script has something hilarious for us to work with – Every character contributes their own personality to the mix – and every character talks about sex, men, food, boobs,(ahem – breasts) husbands and kids at some point or another. Excuse me, where are my manners? I nearly forgot to introduce these 5 fantastic leading ladies:

The characters are all very different and each scene is standalone and does not relate other than to show the passage of time in references, but each scene has its own “topic”.

Giving Thanks

We wish to give some special thanks to: Heather Hanley, owner of the Tin Roof, who provided most of our set furniture – our set design and construction was done by David Baker, Just Roses is providing fresh flowers for our set. We also had dialect and mannerism coaching from Chris and Nina Dirkers. Our sound tech James Bivens, has a small musical group that is re-recording some Dixie Jazz music into Beach songs for some custom music during the scene changes.

The Dixie Swim Club

By Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope & Jamie Wooten

Directed by Tia Wooley

May 3 – June 2

Warmhearted New Comedy – Firth J. Chew Studio Theatre

Lifelong friends have a lasting impression on us. For thirty-three years, five women have gotten together at the same beach cottage on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They reminisce about the past, catch up with the present and gossip about the future. True friendships do last forever …

Curtain Times
Thur – Sat: 7:30 P.M.
Sun: 2:00 P.M.

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I Dreamed a Dream Benefit at Spokane Civic

Benefit Yourself!

Local area organizations are able to reserve the Main Stage of Spokane Civic Theatre for one night of an entire production. This means that for one night, one production is yours, yours, YOURS! What? What are you supposed to do with such riches? Let’s keep it simple. This is an opportunity for you and your organization to FUND RAISE (we love those two words!). You can sell all of the tickets to this one night for one production at your asking price, serve drinks (don’t forget the banquet license) for a donation, hold a live or silent auction and so much more. Many Spokane organizations have found that one benefit night at Spokane Civic can be their most successful fund raiser of the year. So, why are we telling you this now? Well, tis time to reserve your benefit for the 2013 – 2014 Starlit Season at Civic Theatre. And, boy, do we have a surprise for you!

“Life’s great happiness is to be convinced we are loved.”

Civic is offering one local nonprofit the opportunity to host the very first performance of Les Miserables (Thursday, September 19. Before the show has even opened to the public!) for only  $5,750, er, we mean only $5,000. All other benefit nights will be reserved at the $5,750 level. So, take a trip back to 19th century France for what might be the most popular musical in the world. If your organization is looking for ways to raise funds and would like to offer your patrons an evening of amazing live community theatre at the same time,this is your chance! For more details, contact Jim Humes or go to the Spokane Civic Theatre Benefits webpage to learn more about this and other benefit performances at Spokane Civic Theatre.

“There is nothing like a dream to create the future.”

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Treasure Island & Les Miserables, theatre!

Good Bye Treasure Island, Hello Les Miserables

As we say a fond farewell to Treasure Island, which you can, and should, see this weekend before it leaves the Main Stage at Spokane Civic, we get ready to say hello to season tickets for next season. Can you say Les Miserables?

Last weekend for… Photo by Chris Wooley Treasure Island By Ken Ludwig Based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson Directed by Chris Wooley Fight Choreography by Bryan Durbin “I know I’m not the only young ‘Treasure Island’ reader who relished stories about a smart, industrious kid outsmarting the grown-up bad guys and saving the day. Civic’s version has that sense of good-natured excitement, and as an early spring excursion for the whole family it fills the bill nicely.” Nathan Weinbender, The Spokesman-Review Tickets: Adults $24, Senior/Military $22, Students $18. Spokane Civic Theatre Box Office 1020 N Howard Street, 509-325-2507 or www.spokanecivictheatre.com/tickets Treasure Island is sponsored in part by US Bank

Season Tickets for the 2013-2014 Starlit Season are on sale now! We are thrilled with the new season line-up that provides sparkling entertainment, high drama, brilliant musicals, a classic mystery and more. We were fortunate this season to receive the rights to produce the musical, Les Misérables. This is both an honor and privilege to have been selected by the publishing house to present this iconic title as our 64th anniversary season opener! Order your season subscription at Spokane Civic Theatre Box Office, 1020 N Howard Street, 509-325-2507 or ORDER ONLINE

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Peg Legs and Pirate Ships taking over Spokane Civic

Avast Ye Maties – Take a Journey to Treasure Island

Tonight and for the next three weeks (only three weeks), peg legs and pirate ships are taking over the stage at Spokane Civic Theatre in Treasure Island. When you do a stage adaptation of David Baker’s (the Civic’s Technical Director) favorite book, you better be ready for some serious stage revisions. The Main Stage as you know it is long gone and in it’s place a pirate’s ship at an angle, replete with ramps, a revolving set, drops that fly in and out, traveler curtains (you have to see it and then you’ll understand it), and a climbable ship’s mast that sits center stage. The stage is now in the hands of swashbuckling pirates! Expect epic sound effects and the shooting (fake) of guns to complete this tale on the high seas.

Only a Real Peg Leg Will Do

Pay special attention to Long John Silver’s Peg Leg. It’s actually rather amazing. Many theatres have struggled with challenge of having a two-legged man have only one leg on stage. Solutions have included painting the cast member’s real leg to look like a peg or simply bandaging the leg, Spokane Civic Theatre director Chris Wooley said “no way” In this case, the costume/technical team worked really hard to devise a solution to a believable peg leg. After serous attempts and considerations of amputating  Damon Mentzer (you might remember him from the Count of Monte Cristo), they came up with a solution. Be on the look out for it. You’ll love it! Long John Silver is the ultimate one legged pirate. And yes, he does have a parrot.

What Pirate’s Do Best

Other than plunder, pirates are darn good at fighting. The cast of Treasure Island starting practicing this skill on their first day of rehearsal. The result? AMAZING fight sequences. The Spokane Civic Treasure Island pirates are equipped with real swords, strong choreography, and a pirate attitude. By practicing fight choreography constantly, the pirate’s fights will keep you entertained and won’t look cheesy. Remember, Civic is serious about their pirate action.  Did we mention that we purchased about 20 swords just for this production? Add to the mix Bryan Durbin, the fight instructor, is also a cast member and one of the pirates. We’re really bringing you serious sword expertise.

Come See the Pirate Ships and Meet the Pirates

This may be your only opportunity to meet Long Johns Silver, Dr. Livingston, Billy Bones, Black Dog, and so many more. 

Treasure Island

By Ken Ludwig www.KenLudwig.com
Based on the Book by Robert Louis Stevenson

Directed by Christopher Wooley

April 5 – 21

Family Adventure Story – Main Stage

The classic swashbuckling tale comes to life in this new stage adaptation! Young Jim Hawkins sets off on the adventure of a lifetime as he searches for the buried treasure of pirate Captain Flint. Sword fights and mutiny abound onboard the ship. Watch out for Long John Silver as he navigates more than the high seas!

Curtain Times
Thur – Sat: 7:30 P.M.
Sun: 2:00 P.M.

All photos courtesy of Chris Wooley of Heads and Tails Photography.

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What’s another word for Pirate’s Treasure?

Who’s got the Pirate’s Treasure

Looks like it’s time for a Treasure Hunt, Treasure Island style. So, get your swashbuckling pirate gear together and meet some of the cast and crew of Spokane Civic Theatre’s Treasure Island Saturday March 30th as you use your treasure map to try and locate the Pirate’s Booty. That’s another word for Pirate’s Treasure, in case you were unaware.

Treasure Map

With your treasure map of 10 Downtown Spokane businesses in hand, visit said business and get a stamp on your treasure map. Once you have been good and stamped. take the map to Green Salon & Day Spa at W 227 Riverside Ave. Spokane, Washington. You shall then be entered into a drawing to win the pirate’s treasure.  Added bonus: special treasure hunters deal. Check out the pirate’s list of the businesses, prizes, and specials.

What You Need To Know To Be A Pirate

What: Downtown Treasure Hunt

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On Golden Pond, nearly all sold out, opening this weekend

Opening this weekend in the studio theatre…

On Golden Pond

Uplifting Classic Play

March 22 – April 14

Firth J. Chew Studio Theatre

Directed by Wes Deitrick

On Golden Pond is a story about Norman and Ethel Thayer returning to their summer lake home in Maine. They plan to celebrate Norman’s 80th birthday party. Enter teenager Billy Ray, Jr. Life on Golden Pond is not the same. It becomes a remarkable and unforgettable experience.

The Cast -

What's going on at Spokane Civic Theatre this week?

February Good Times at Spokane Civic

Playing through March 3

Firth J. Chew Studio Theatre

Click for MORE

Turn of the Screw Part deux

It’s time to gear up for Kaleidoscope 2013

And no, we do not mean the little tube toy with mirrors and glass and colors that uses reflections to create ever changing patterns. We mean the State Theatre Festival. This year’s Washington State Community Theatre Festival will be held in Bremerton at  the Bremerton Community Theatre and takes place February 28 through March 3 and includes participants from the Tacoma Musical Playhouse – they happen to be presenting The Drowsy Chaperone which Civic opens on the Main Stage on February 22. Small theatre world, we tell you – and the Richland Players among other theatres. The full list is available on the Kaleidoscope flyer on the Bremerton Theatre website.

Civic is turning the screw for this year’s competition

In October 2011, Turn of the Screw, directed by Susan Hardie, consistently played to sold out audiences. It was part mystery, part scary story, part thriller and more. Doug Dawson played The Man and Laticia Widman, The Woman. And yes, those were the actual names of their roles. The play received wonderful reviews from both professional and lay reviewers in the Spokane community.

We interviewed Susan to get the 411 on the Festival, Turn of the Screw and Spokane Civic Theatre’s plans moving forward:

Spokane Civic Theatre: Susan, will you explain the AACT competition?

Susan Hardie: The American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) is a non-profit organization that provides networking, resources and support to community theatres across the nation. Every two years, they hold a giant national theatre festival called AACTFest. Community theatres from across the country (broken down by AACT into 10 regions) enter productions for adjudication and advancement from state to regional to national level. Spokane Civic Theatre has had a remarkable history at AACTFest, advancing and receiving more top honors, I believe, than any other Community Theatre in the country. You can look up the stats on Civic’s website I think…

Civic: Who is going to this one and where is it?

Susan: This time, Civic has chosen our production of “The Turn of the Screw”, a show I originally directed in Studio Theatre last season. We are heading to Bremerton, WA to compete at the first level, the State Competition. We’ll be competing with eight other theatres from around WA state for advancement to the Regionals.

Civic: How long have you been preparing? What does it take to put this together?

Susan:I started cutting the play quite a few months ago. Festival rules dictate a sixty-minute time limit for each show. If your show goes one second over 60 minutes, you’re screwed. Disqualified. I cut about 25 minutes off the show. That was an interesting process… We all started getting together to read/time the newly cut script and plan rehearsals, etc. starting in November, I think. We just met a few times in Dec & January and now that we’re into February we’re hitting it hard. Several things need to happen: the cast has to re-learn a cut version of the script; the blocking must change to accommodate a proscenium stage with different dimensions than we had in the Studio; the set must be redesigned to fit the new space, to travel, and for ease of assembly. But the really fun stuff is the opportunity to revisit the show and continue to explore it, tweak it and make it better!

Civic: Synopsis of Turn of the Screw?

Susan: Based on Henry James’ classic ghost story, “The Turn of the Screw” is the story of a young, impressionable Governess who travels to a lonely English manor house called Bly to care for two recently orphaned children. But she is not their first governess. Her predecessor, Miss Jessel, drowned herself when she became pregnant by the sadistic valet, Peter Quint, who was himself found dead soon after under mysterious circumstances. Dark, shocking secrets emerge, and soon the Governess is seeing specters of Quint and Jessel haunting the children. The classic question this piece begs (and the subject of endless literary debate) is, are the ghosts real, or are they the product of the Governess’ own fevered imagination? The play, like the novella, leaves this purposefully ambiguous. So be prepared to come and use your own imagination, which sometimes can be scarier than anything you can see with your own eyes.

Civic: Which scene will they be playing out?

Susan: Rather than cut big chunks out of the script, I peeled out select lines or parts of lines, or speeches that were not vital to the understanding of the play. So you will see a “condensed” version of the original.

Civic: Can anyone attend this?

Susan: Absolutely! It would be wonderful to see lots of folks at our free final dress rehearsal at Civic on Monday, 2/25 at 7:30pm! The audience is the final, vital piece of the puzzle and having this opportunity to play before a crowd is huge! And I think for the audience, it’s interesting to see the cast & crew assemble the set in under 10 minutes and then strike it in under 10 minutes. That is definitely part of the performance. The Festival is open to the public too (although not free), and I’m sure the theatre could get information to anyone who wished to attend and cheer us on! We perform at the Bremerton Community Theatre on Saturday night, March 2nd at about 8:25pm. We will be the final production at the Festival. So if you’re in the neighborhood… come on by!