You are an important part of your community theatre, City Park Players! Whether you choose to sit in the seats in the darkness and take it all in or act, volunteer backstage or in the front of the house, without your involvement there is nothing but a void. Your community theatre enlightens, engages and entertains. Don’t miss an opportunity to be a part of the magic and bring along a friend to share the experience and fun.
June 3rd – 13th, CPP presents God’s Favorite – A comedy by Neil Simon directed by Jim Leggett and Kimberly Patton. We meet Joe Benjamin, as portrayed by Jim Weinzettle, at the Hearn Stage on Thursday, June 3rd at 7:30pm. Joe and his family, which includes long-suffering wife, Rose (Theresa Louviere), prodigal son David (Brad Smith), a pair of kooky twins, Ben (Michael Dalme) and Sarah (Belle Bindursky), and the maid and butler, Mady (Belle Rollins) and Morris (Stu Riggar), all live in luxury in an exclusive part of Long Island. One night, a messenger from God, Sidney Lipton (Dan Forest) arrives, and, as in the biblical story, goes through all manner of temptations to get Joe Benjamin to renounce God. Through it all, we find the humor through his torment in this classic Simon production.
God’s Favorite will run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, with Sunday matinees set for 2:30pm at the Kress Theatre / Hearn Stage in Downtown Alexandria at the corner of 3rd and Johnston Streets. Tickets are $12.00, $10.00 and $5.00. Reservations are accepted and encouraged.
The CPP season will continue its 2010 season with a production of Pippin directed by Ty Cedars. Ty is no stranger to City Park Players. Ever since his first production of Little Shop of Horrors little more than a decade ago, he’s plunged deep into the waters of the theatrical community. Lately, he’s been seen working with kids in Family Playhouse, trying to create a good mix of education and theatre. However, this summer, he’s swimming into some uncharted territory, directing adults for the first time in City Park Players’ production of Steven Schwartz’s Pippin. Auditions will be held on June 7th and 8th at 5:30pm in the Kress Theatre / Hearn Stage.
Pippin is a sort of play within a play. It allows the actors to portray troubadours telling a story of Pippin, the son of Charlemagne. Historically accurate? Probably not. Pippin is pure theatre veiled with gossamer ideals. Everyone will find something to take away, from cautions against warmongers to the difficulty of holding on to power. Perhaps most important is the journey of Pippin himself; who, like most young men, struggles to figure out what he wants to do with himself. Pippin features such songs as “Corner of the Sky,” “Morning Glow,” and “Extraordinary,” which have become staples of the musical theatre songbook. The show includes both Schwartz’s powerful ballads and penchant for catchy tunes. Whether you want to or not, you will have a few songs to hum when you leave the theatre. For more information, contact Jean Holliday at the offices of City Park Players (318) 442-1800 or by email at [email protected]
We are pleased to recognize our Community Connection Partners for the 2010 Season: The Boys & Girls Club of Central Louisiana and Rapides Parish Public Library. Every day these two agencies address issues important to the lives of the residents of our community. Help us support their investment in all our lives.
