D Sawyer — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:01:00 -0500

COMEDY CONTINUES AT THE WAREHOUSE THEATRE

After a successful first weekend, Hamilton-Gibson Productions’ funny and nostalgic visit to a small town called SECOND SAMUEL will continue this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 at the Warehouse Theatre in the Deane Center on Central Avenue.

“Audiences loved it,” said Thomas Putnam, director of the play. “We love to laugh; and this play has plenty of invitations to do just that.”

The sleepy little town of Second Samuel (the first one burned down) is about to be “woke up.” As one of the characters in the play says,” Some days it don’t pay to get out of bed. You don’t ever know it till it’s too late. If you could get a preview of your day first thing in the morning, you know, kinda like they do at the picture show? You could take a look at it while you’us eatin’ breakfast and decide whether you wanted to participate or not.

Meet Frisky Madison, the owner of the local watering hole “Bait and Brew”, is played by newcomer to the HG stage Don Benelli. Benelli is a social worker in Tioga County and is enjoying his first experience on stage. Originally from New Orleans, Benelli is enyoying revisiting his southern roots in this comedy by Pamela Parker.

Frisky Madison’s helper and partner in the Bait and Brew is U.S. played by Bill Price. Price is also a newcomer to the HG stage. With a home base in Atlanta, Georgia, Price is here in Tioga County working with title searches. Price has never been on stage—or at least not since elementary school a few decades ago—and is finding it an affirming challenge.

During the course of the play the local watering hole is inhabited by a four colorful characters. Mansel Dean is a good ol’ boy who would rather spend time with the fellas than anywhere else. Mansel is played by Jeff Sawyer. Sawyer has been seen on the HG stage in such shows as THE LARAMIE PROJECT, 7 STORIES, OUR TOWN, and WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION. He lives in Wellsboro and works behind the scenes for a number of HG activities.

Mr. Mozel is a bigoted ol’ fool who loves nothing better than to hear his own voice utter scornful words. Mozel is played by Larry Biddison who has been involved on and off stage with HG for a number of years. A former English professor at MU, Biddison now co-coordinates HG’s ACTING UP, theatre experience for senior citizens; as well as serving on the board of directors. Biddison also coordinates HG’s education trips to both the Shaw Festival and the Stratford Festival in Ontario. Biddison has been seen in a number of HG shows including THE LARAMIE PROJECT, OUR TOWN, 12 ANGRY MEN and others.

June Cline is the local undertaker who has his hands full. Cline is played by Herb Johnson who was last seen as the quirky endearing Uncle Billy in HG’s IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE in December. He was also featured as Mayor Shinn in last summer’s THE MUSIC MAN.

Doc is a voice of reason in the bar, and is played by Tom Walrath. Walrath, a local attorney, has been seen in a number of shows in the area. HG shows in which he appeared include ANYTHING GOES, 12 ANGRY MEN, GEORGE M! and most recently HE HELD ME GRAND.

The story is told through the eyes of simple, lovable B Flat, played by MU student T.J. Maro. Maro is a philosophy major and has appeared in two MU shows most recently THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. As a high school student he appeared in school plays and in summer stock with the Pocono Playhouse.

Other roles are played by Mary Ginn, Liz Costanzo, Linda Iseri, and Penny Eckman. The play is directed by Thomas Putnam, and sponsored by Nelle Rounsaville and her Wellsboro Diner and Lambs Creek Food and Spirits. To reserve tickets call Hamilton-Gibson Productions at 570.724.2079; or email hamgib@gmail.com.

D Sawyer — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:13:30 -0500

Friday's (2/17) performance is SOLD OUT. Call 570.724.2079 to make reservations for the remaining performances!

SECOND SAMUEL OPENS THIS FRIDAY

Pamela Parker’s Southern comedy SECOND SAMUEL opens this Friday at the Warehouse Theatre stage in the Deane Center on Central Avenue, Wellsboro. The possibly controversial and hilarious two-act play, sponsored by The Wellsboro Diner and Lambs Creek Food and Spirits runs February 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25 at 7:30; and February 19 at 2:30.

The play features local singer Penny Eckman as Omaha Nebraska the owner of the “Change Your Life Hair and Beauty Emporium.” Ms Eckman is known locally as the voice of Patsy Cline. Eckman has been singing locally in classic rock bands—most notably Shylock Foxx—for decades. HG became associated with her when she auditioned for and won the part of Patsy Cline in the revue “Always, Patsy Cline.” Since performing in the HG role, Eckman has toured and performed her own revue “Penny Sings Patsy.” Ms. Eckman also played the role of Mama Rose in HG’s GYPSY, and as Sophie Tucker in last year’s celebration of the legendary singer.

Playing Omaha Nebraska’s assistant in the beauty salon Ruby is Mary Ginn who owns and operates Needles Quilt Shop with business partner Katie Mader. Ginn has appeared in a number of roles over HG’s two decades of operation. Among many other roles, she played the mysterious governess in THE CHALK GARDEN; the zany housekeeper in the British farce SEE HOW THEY RUN; the plate-smashing mother in THE NERD; and the caring wife in WALK RIGHT UP. Most recently she played a number of roles in HG’s riveting THE LARAMIE PROJECT.

One of the patrons of the beauty salon is played by Linda Iseri, a math professor at Mansfield University. Iseri first appeared in HG’s THE SUGAR BEAN SISTERS, the alien-inhabited southern comedy performed in Steadman Theatre. Other roles have included multiple roles in A FEZZIWIG CHRISTMAS, and one of the characters in the windows of SEVEN STORIES. Iseri now serves on the HG board of directors; and is involved with the steering committees of the VOICES project, and the PACTFest which will take place in March.

Another patron of the beauty salon is played by Liz Costanzo. Costanzo is perhaps best known to local audiences through her performances as part of the country duo Roses Wild in which she shared with her sister Chris. Costanzo played one of the lively trio in HG’s HONKY TONK ANGELS, a role which she reprised in HG’s 20^th Anniversary Celebration two years ago.

The male counterpart to the beauty salon is the local watering hole, the Bait and Brew. In it, U.S. (Bill Price) helps out Frisky (Don Benelli). Customers include Doc (Tom Walrath), Mansel Dean (Jeff Sawyer); Mr. Mozel (Larry Biddison,) and June (Herb Johnson.) The story is told through the eyes of simple, lovable B Flat, played by MU student T.J. Maro.

The production—with set created by Kate Phillips—opens on Friday night with an Opening Night Reception for cast/crew and audience members. Saturday night is the FIRST SATUREDAY SPECIAL which offers ticket prices of Adults at $10; with Students/Children admitted free of charge. Sunday’s performance is a Pay-What-You-Can admission. Opening night and the performances on February 23, 24, 25 are Adults $15; Student/Children $6. FLEXPasses can be purchased at the door offering six admissions to one or multiple performances at a greatly reduced price. To reserve tickets call Hamilton-Gibson Productions at 570.724.2079; or email hamgib@gmail.com.