December 2017 Theatre Spotlight

www.FCTstage.org

FCT Presents

Fruitcakes

Photo Credit Stephen Rummel

FrUiTcAkEs

Fauquier Community Theatre is excited to present the comical, fun-loving, family-friendly Christmas play, " FrUiTcAkEs" written by Julian Wiles, directed by Lucia Hanover, and produced by Amanda Gibson.

Welcome to McCord's Ferry, stereotypical Small Town, USA, that is, indeed, rather like a fruitcake: mostly sweet with plenty of nuts. Here, we find Mack Morgan (played by Gregory Leggott) a central figure in the town offering a helping hand, listening ear, and wise counsel to all who come through his whirligig shop. One December night, a runaway named Jamie (played by Thomas Albrigo) hides out in Mack's barn, but not before stealing a fruitcake which throws two bickering, spinster sisters, Miss Sarah (played by Betsy Hansen) and Miss Alice (played by Sherry Bendt) into an uproar. Beebo Dantzler (played by Bobb Jordan), the town's only police officer, is on the case when he isn't preparing for his "Grand Illumination" where he decks out his house for Christmas. Add to the mix a Harvard graduate who fishes with poetry for bait, a six-timed married woman with a big heart, a frantic Christmas pageant director, and some energetic kids and you have the recipe for a heart-warming, funny tale that brings you back to the TRUE spirit of the Christmas season.

Lucia Hanover comes to Fauquier Community Theatre having previously directed shows in New York including off Broadway and off-off Broadway. When asked to share her thoughts on this show, she says, " FrUiTcAkEs meaning is really two-fold. There is the underlying story about redemption and driving home the message of kindness and honesty at all costs. Then there is the message of forgiveness, not just forgiving a wrong done, but being able to forgive ourselves and others and how freeing forgiveness is and the strength it brings in uniting people in kindness and love." Under Hanover's direction, the cast of "FrUiTcAkEs" gives us a picture of friends and neighbors, each portraying their character with charm, wit and affection. This down-to-earth interpretation makes the scenes all-the-more entertaining and heart-warming.

Bring your whole family for some Christmas cheer and find out what happens to the McCord's Ferry "fruitcake rustler" and all the eccentric townsfolks this December. The show runs Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm

at Vint Hill Theatre 4225 Aiken Dr, Warrenton VA 20187. Get your tickets ($15/$17) online at www.FCTstage.org.

Please Note that ALL FRIDAY AND SATURDAY performances during this 2017-2018 season will begin at 7:30 pm! Sundays will remain at 2 pm.

The Fauquier Community Theatre Invites YOU to CELEBRATE our 40th Anniversary with us.

FCT will be hosting a Fundraising Gala at the Inn at Vint Hill on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 6:30 pm.

Join us for dinner and entertainment as FCT presents Through the Years in song and theatrical presentation, as well as a silent auction, raffle and wine pull. All proceeds will go to improving the SOUND quality at FCT!

Spotlight on Bud Ross

Henry M. "Bud" Ross, 89, died at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. Defying the odds, he successfully fought numerous heart problems - but nothing deterred him from living life to the absolute fullest right up to the very end.

Here is some info about Bud's connection with The Fauquier Community Theatre:

Although never a performer on FCT's stage, Henry M. "Bud" Ross deserved a spotlight as much as anyone! He was responsible for so much of what we continue to enjoy.

To begin with, he financially supported the Founding of our theatre. Since then he has continued to support it financially and in countless other ways, applying skills and talent gained as a boyhood tinkerer, Naval Aviator, inventor, electrician and successful industrialist.

When the Army announced the closing of its Vint Hill Station Post near his home, he and the Chairman of the FCT Board conceived the idea of pursuing the possibility of using the Vint Hill movie theatre as the new home for FCT. They had already examined several facilities in downtown Warrenton, but this facility seemed the best. Earlier the President of the Board had decided to create a "Business Board" whose sole purpose would be to solicit financial Sponsors for each production at our theatre. Bud was the perfect person to be Chairman of that Board and when asked, Bud enthusiastically agreed. He chose several prominent business friends to complete that Board. Bud was instrumental in negotiating FCT's use of the Post movie theatre instead of "The Loft" in downtown Warrenton. Next a special meeting of the new Business Board was held and Bud presented the exciting option to them. Votes were taken and passed. The use of the movie theatre was secured and then the WORK began. The movie theatre had no stage, no handicap bathroom, no dressing rooms, etc. Seats were removed and stored, the stage and orchestra pit were constructed by Bud and 3 of his friends, and other modifications were made to satisfy the Post fire department. Bud applied his mechanical and electrical skills moving FCT's stage lighting from The Loft to their present location, allowing it to open with an ambitious production of the musical rock opera, Evita.

Bud also obtained and refurbished at least one of the several dressing trailers at his home before bringing it to the theatre and he created many improvements and props in his industrially-equipped shop.

Bud then served two years as FCT Board Chairman and President. After Vint Hill was turned over to the State and County, Bud obtained the Post motel and other buildings intending to develop them for commercial use, and was instrumental in having FCT purchase the 2-story "white building" with a proposal of converting it into our theater to eliminate conflicts with Fauquier Parks and Rec. Even though this didn't happen, the building served admirably for several years for storage and office space, props storage, and audition and rehearsal space. Bud also created a Climate-controlled Costume Shop. In the end, with Bud's help, FCT was financially able to successfully carry on with new arrangements at the movie house.

Bud continued to apply his advice and skills to FCT. He modified and installed keyless locks at the white building and the current theatre. These and many other things we continue to enjoy remain as as Bud's Legacy.

Written by Henry Baxley

Much Ado About Nothing

Audition Dates

Thursday, December 14 at 7 pm

Saturday, December 16 at 1pm

Callbacks, Sunday, December 17 at 2pm

No appointments are necessary, auditions are first-come first-serve. All roles are open

Location

Hope Christian Fellowship (4173 Bludau Drive, Warrenton, VA)

Be Prepared

Auditions will consist of cold-readings from the script. (Note that the role of Balthasar requires singing, so if you're auditioning for this role you may sing a brief a-cappella piece).

Rehearsals will begin the week of Dec. 18th. Rehearsal location TBD.

Performances are March 9-11, 16-18, 23-25. All performances are at FCT, 4225 Aiken Dr, Warrenton, VA 20187

Big Fish

presented in memory of award-winning costumer Susan Kirk Noe

Audition Dates

Friday, January 19, 7:00 PM

Saturday, January 20, 10:00 AM
callbacks Sunday, January 21, 2:00 PM

Audition Location

Hope Christian Fellowship (4173 Bludau Drive, Warrenton, VA)

Be Prepared

Arrive promptly to sign in and be ready to go at the beginning of auditions! Prepare a song from a Broadway musical (other than Big Fish), and bring either piano sheet music or recorded trax without vocals (either CD or digital to plug in from a headphone jack). You may be asked to perform a "cold reading" from the show. Wear comfortable clothes and appropriate shoes; you will be asked to learn and perform a brief piece of choreography. Bring your completed Audition Form-Big Fish as well as a head shot.

Performance Dates

May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 ~ Performances will be held at Hope Christian Fellowship (4173 Bludau Drive, Warrenton, VA)

Synopsis

Edward Bloom has lived a full and fantastical life, populated by witches, giants, and mermaids, marked by true love that stops time in its tracks, and framed by heroics that push the limits of believability. His adult son, Will, is no longer amused by his father's fantastical tales, insisting on a rational rather than a fantastical account of one's life. When Edward's health declines, and Will learns that he and his wife, Josephine, will have a son of their own, Will decides to find out his father's "true" life story, once and for all. Big Fish is a heartfelt, powerful, and truly magical musical about fathers, sons, and the stories that we use to define our identities. With spine-tinglingly beautiful music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, and a funny, heartwarming book by John August, Big Fish is a magnificent "big fish" of a tale, itself - spectacular, fantastical, and overflowing with love.

2017-2018 Season of Shows

Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 pm, Sundays 2 pm

Fruitcakes

Written by Julian Wiles

Directed by Lucia Hanover
Produced by Amanda Gibson

Performances:
Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17

Tickets $15 Seniors (60& above)/ Students (4-18), $17 adults

Deathtrap

Written by Ira Levin

Directed by Scott J. Strasbaugh
Produced by Evelyn Rice

PG 13

Performances: January 26, 27, 28, Feb. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11

Tickets $15 Seniors (60& above)/ Students (4-18), $17 adults

Much Ado About Nothing

Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Will MacLeod
Produced by Rodrigo and April Pool

Performances: March 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25

Tickets $15 Seniors (60& above)/ Students (4-18), $17 adults

Big Fish

In Memory of Susan Kirk Noe

Directed by Scott Heine
Produced by Dawn Fansler

Performances: May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20
Tickets $18 Seniors (60 & above)/ Students(4-18), $20 Adults

2017-2018 Membership!!

FCT is inviting you to join us in membershipnfor our 2017-18 Season! We have several different levels available for you to join. This is a member run 501c3 organization. Your donation more than $25 is tax deductible. You will receive a receipt to use for tax purposes.
Members get their name in the 2017-18 playbill and on our website.
Donate here.
or print form here.

Check out this new website that will keep you informed about all the different Arts events in our area! You can sign up on their website to receive a monthly update.

www.fauquierarts.com

Click Here

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