SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021

TEMPLE CIVIC THEATER TO OPEN 2021-22 SEASON

‘They’re Playing Our Song’ and a new season to open at TCT

By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple

The Temple Civic Theater officially opens its 2021-2022 season next month with “They’re Playing Our Song,” a heartwarming story about frustrations on the road to love.

The show marks a huge milestone for TCT, according to marketing director Kelly Fitzgerald.

“This will be the 300th main series production since Temple Civic Theater was founded in 1965,” she said. “We invite the community to join us in celebrating this milestone.”

George Hogan, an accomplished director and producer who has more than 75 musicals and operas under his belt, is directing “They’re Playing Our Song.”

“It’s a lovely story,” he said. “But it’s not one I was familiar with. It’s an older show scripted by Neil Simon — a romantic comedy.”

Hogan said the production centers around two principle characters — Vernon, an established composer, and Sonia, an aspiring young lyricist. 

“It’s the story of opposites thrust together by their work,” Hogan said. “The story takes them from an initial meeting where they are put together to create songs.”

“Both have three muses that help them develop ideas for their songs, and that leads to conflict,” he said. “It’s an interesting story — their relation works beautifully professionally but they do hit a few bumps.”

The production involves a cast of nine — two leads, the six muses and the voice of an off-stage studio producer, Hogan said. 

The show has been cast, the set is going up and rehearsals are under way, he said. Public presentation are set for September 10-12 and 17-19.

Portraying the lead characters are Emily Knorr as Sonia Walsk and Ethan Matous as Vernon Gersch. Sonia’s muses will be Catherine Doyle, Sarah Kuriger and Sidney Lowell. Vernon’s muses will be Erick Silvia, Matthew Fulmer and Sean Clark. Hogan will provide the voice of Phil the Engineer.

Season memberships packages and individual tickets are available for purchase at templecivictheatre.com.

“Leading Ladies” will be the season’s second production. Auditions will be Sept. 12-13 and the show will be performed Oct. 22-31.

In this comedy, two English Shakespearean actors — Jack and Leo — are down on their luck so they perform scenes from Shakespeare stories on the Moose Lodge circuit in Pennsylvania’s Amish country to make a few bucks.

Auditions for “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” will be Dec. 12-13, and the show will run Feb. 4-13, 2022.

“Last of the Red Hot Lovers” features a middle-aged and married, overweight and over-worked Barney Cashman. He wants to join the sexual revolution before it’s too late and arranges three seductions: The first, Elaine Navazio, proves to be a foul-mouthed bundle of neuroses; Bobbi Michele is next, and she’s a kooky 20-something actress; and finally comes a gloomy, depressed housewife who happens to be married to Barney's best friend.

Auditions will be held Feb. 20-21, 2022, for “Inherit the Wind,” and the show will be presented April 1-10.

“Inherit the Wind” is a fictionalized account of the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial, which resulted in John T. Scopes' conviction for teaching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution to a high school science class, contrary to a Tennessee state law.

The next performance will be the popular “Steel Magnolias.” Auditions will be March 27-28, 2022, and the show will run May 6-15.

Set in the fictional northwestern Louisiana parish of Chinquapin, the play opens at Truvy's beauty parlor, where a group of women regularly gather. The plot covers events over the next three years and focuses on how the women cope with conflicts and tragedies while remaining friends.

The final production of the 2021-2022 season will be “Guys and Doll,” and auditions will take play May 15-16, 2022. Performances will be July 22 through Aug. 7.

Hailed as the perfect musical comedy, this award-winning classic gambles with luck and love under the bright lights of Broadway.

“We’re looking forward to presenting our new season,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s going to be memorable.”

Cast members of the upcoming production “They’re Playing Our Song” rehearse lines at the Temple Civic Theater.

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HONORING FALLEN 9/11 FIRST RESPONDERS

Memorial stair climb is Sept. 11

Bell County First responder agencies will honor the lives of fallen first responders by hosting a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Saturday, Sept. 11.

The memorial climb will take place from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and will pause for a brief ceremony at 8 a.m. at Temple High School Wildcat Stadium.

“It is a time to come together and remember the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Temple Fire & Rescue Chief Mitch Randles said. “This also allows us to show support to our first responders.”

2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the attack of the Twin Towers that took the lives of 2,977 people.

To participate in the stair climb, register at templetx.gov/911memorial. Participants who register online by Sept. 1 will receive a free t-shirt. Registration will also be available on-site; however, participants will not be guaranteed a t-shirt on the day of the event.

Those who participate will have the option to walk or run up and down the bleachers.

Proceeds will benefit the FDNY Foundation, Tunnel to Towers, and New York City Police Foundation.

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CLEARING THE SHELTER

Alexander and Ariel Cervantes of Rockdale get to know Mandy, a friendly dog at the Temple Animal Shelter. Mandy was one of several shelter dogs to find new homes during Saturday’s Clear the Shelter. The event was scheduled to open at noon, but a long line of eager animal lovers prompted staff to open a little early. Dozens of Central Texans took advantage of the free-adoption event and took home a new family member.

What’s happening, Temple?

August 14, Saturday - Texas Senior Pro Rodeo, Bell County Expo Center Equine/Livestock Complex.

August 14, Saturday - Clint Walker Blues Band. Bold Republic Brewing Co., 6 p.m.

August 14, Saturday - Clear the Shelter animal adoption event. Temple Animal Shelter. Noon to 4 p.m.

Saturday - Downtown Temple Farmer’s Market. 2 N. Main Street. 8 a.m.

August 14, Saturday - Bell County Kennel Club, Bell County Expo Center.

August 14, Saturday - Name That Tune Bingo at Fire Base Brewing Co. Featuring mixtapes of the 1980s and 90s. 7:30 p.m.

August 14, Saturday - The Damn Moore Boys & Co. at O’Briens. 9 p.m.

August 14, Saturday - Broken Arrow at Bo’s Barn Dance Hall, 9 p.m.

August 15, Sunday - Bell County Kennel Club, Bell County Expo Center.

August 15, Sunday - Texas Senior Pro Rodeo, Bell County Expo Center Equine/Livestock Complex.

August 16, Monday - Short Story Reading Group at Temple Public Library. 6 p.m.

August 17, Tuesday - An evening with winemaker Tom Parmeson of Parmeson Wines. Four-course wine dinner at Pignetti’s. 6:45 p.m.

August 17, Tuesday - Taroks Card Party and Lessons at Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center. Learn and play the 1400’s European card game brought to Texas by Czechs in the 1800s. 7 p.m.

August 19, Thursday - Temple City Council, City Hall. 5 p.m.

August 20, Friday - Coffee with a Cop, Bella Blue Cafe, 7-10 a.m.

August 21, Saturday - Bob Schneider, Texas Music Series,Cultural Activities Center. 7:30 p.m.

September 11, Saturday - Pink Fishing’s Reeling in the Cure, 6th annual bass tournament. Proceeds benefit breast cancer patients and cancer research. Cedar Ridge Park. 6 a.m. Call (254) 681-0102 for details.

September 18, Saturday - Dale Watson, Texas Music Series,Cultural Activities Center. 7:30 p.m.

October 9, Saturday - Shinyribs, Texas Music Series,Cultural Activities Center. 7:30 p.m.

November 6, Saturday - Chris Hillman, Texas Music Series,Cultural Activities Center. 7:30 p.m.

Have an event you would like to promote? Email info to OurTownTemple@gmail.com with “What’s Happening” in the subject line. Keep it short and sweet — what, when and where. You may include a short description. You must include a phone number for verification purposes. The phone number will not be published unless requested by submitter.

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