ACTC’s 2009-10 Theatre Season will offer a variety of musical and dramatic productions that bring some of the best of Broadway to the college stage.

ACTC Theatre provides a learning opportunity for students and a community theatre experience for area residents.  This is the 53rd year that college theatre performances have been available to the community.

All auditions and performances are in the J. B. Sowards Theatre at the College Drive Campus. Season tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.  Several patron options are also available. For season or patron ticket information, contact the Theatre office 606-326-2073.

Tickets for individual performances are $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for students, seniors and groups of ten or more. Tickets may be reserved with a major credit card through the Bookstore, 606-326-2014.  Unsold tickets will be available at the door for each performance.

Season Opening

The season will open with Blood Brothers-The Musical, one of the longest running musicals in theatre history.  

The musical has been running for more than 20 years in London’s West End. It premiered on Broadway in 1993, won Theatre World and Drama Desk Awards and ran for 840 performances. The book, music and lyrics are by Willy Russell, the author of “Educating Rita” and “Shirley Valentine.”

Blood Brothers is a haunting rags to riches tale of our times. Twins who were separated at birth grow up in different neighborhoods and circumstances. Without knowing the truth of their relationship, they become friends and fall in love with the same girl. One prospers while the other falls on hard times.

A narrator warns that there is a price to be paid for separating twins: the lives of the brothers who die on the day they find out they are related.

The Director is Edward Figgins, ACTC Associate Professor and Director of Theatre. The Musical Director is Kathy L. Saltsman, an Ashland resident who has directed more than 60 programs and shows in her career.  She is employed by the Boyd County Public Schools Board of Education. The Orchestra Director is Eric M. Akers, a Huntington resident who is a musician and Director of Orchestral Strings for Cabell County WV Schools.

Performance dates are Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 9, 10 and 16, 17 at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays, Oct. 11 and 18, at 2:30 p.m.

A Christmas Carol

Celebrate the holidays with the 16th Annual Presentation of: A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley.  Adapted from the Charles Dickens’ book by Israel Horowitz, the production has become a seasonal tradition for all ages.

ACTC will again present the classic tale of Christmas past, present and future in which an old miser gets into the spirit of sharing and giving. Audiences return year after year to this mega production featuring dazzling scenery and spectacular costumes, favorite carols, seasonal music and such favorite characters such as “Scrooge,” the “Cratchets” and “Tiny Tim.”  

Co-directors are Ashland residents Sam Butler and Brian Cook.   Butler is a retired Ashland Independent School System administrator who has directed more than 20 theatre productions in the area. Brian Cook is an ACTC and Morehead State University alumnus who has appeared in many theatre productions in the region.

The Musical Director is Max Jackson, ACTC Professor Emeritus of Music. An Ashland resident, Jackson is an organist and harpsichordist who has been involved with ACTC Theatre for 40 years.

Public performances are December 3 to 6, and school matinees are December 2 to 4.

Children’s Theatre

The annual Children’s Theatre presentation is Willy Wonka Jr., Roald Dahl's timeless story of the world famous candy man and his quest to find an heir.

 This stage adaptation of the book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, features songs from the classic family film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."  Memorable songs include “The Candy Man,” “Pure Imagination,” “Oompa Loompa” and ”I Want it Now” by Academy® and Grammy® award winners Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. The music is neatly fitted into a new script adapted for children under the auspices of the Dahl Estate.

The Director is Karen Curnutte, a Raceland resident who has directed 14 ACTC Children’s Theatre productions.  She is employed by the Boyd County School System.  Musical accompaniment is by ACTC Professor Emeritus Max Jackson. Public performance dates are Friday through Sunday, Feb. 19 to 21.  Matinees for area school children are Thursday and Friday, Feb. 18 and 19, at noon.

Children’s Theatre performers are enrolled in a class offered through ACTC Lifelong Learning.  For class information, call 606-326-2072 or email: as_LLL@kctcs.edu.

Spring Musical

The season finale, Copacabana: The Music of Barry Manilow, brings the Grammy Award-winning song to life onstage!  A love letter to the Technicolor® musicals of the 1940s, Copacabana presents the story of Lola as told through the eyes of Stephen, a present day aspiring songwriter whose imagination takes him back to a time when “music and passion were always in fashion.” 

The plot involves Lola, who arrives in New York with show-biz aspirations, and the men in her life. Tony is a bartender/composer who falls in love with Lola and helps her become a Copa girl. Rico is a nightclub owner who abducts Lola and takes her to his rival nightclub in Havana. Tony, with the help of his Copacabana friends, must try to rescue Lola, and all turns out well in the end.

Edward Figgins is the director, Kathy Saltsman is the musical director and Eric Akers is the orchestra director.  Performances are Friday through Sunday April 9 to 11 and April 16 to 18.

Open Auditions

In the spirit of community theatre, area residents are invited to audition for roles in ACTC Theatre productions.  A Christmas Carol auditions are October 20 and 21.  Copacabana: The Music of Barry Manilow auditions are February 8 and 9. 

All auditions are at 7:00 p.m. in the J. B. Theatre at the College Drive Campus, and no advance preparation is required. For audition information, contact Professor Figgins, 606-326-2073 or email: edward.figgins@kctcs.edu.

Beginning Guitar Still Open

There is still time to sign up for Beginning Guitar, a class in acoustic guitar backup and solo techniques. Instructor Michael Garvin is an area musician and experienced teacher.  The class will meet Wednesdays, Sept. 23 to Oct.28, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The fee is $65, and registration is through ACTC lifelong Learning, 606-326-2072, 800-928-4256 ext. 62072 or email: as_LLL@kctcs.edu.

Continuing Ed for Electricians

Electricians and electrical contractors can take classes for continuing education hours required by the by the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction.  The classes will be held Saturday, Oct. 3, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Technology Drive Campus. 

A Business Practice class for electrical contractors will be taught by John Davis, ACTC Assistant Professor of Business. The class is designed to familiarize contractors with skills needed to operate a successful enterprise.

Analysis of National Electric Code Changes, a class for electricians and master electricians, will include safety issues and updates on code requirements for all types of electrical installations. Instructors Harold Henry and Ricky Collier are associate professors in ACTC’s Electrical Technology Program.

Enrollment in both classes is limited on a first-come basis, and the fee for each is $65. To enroll, contact Robin Harris, Administrative Assistant, 606-326-2252, 800-928-4256 ext. 62252 or email: robin.harris@kctcs.edu.

Culinary Cafe

ACTC's Culinary Café at the Roberts Drive Campus is open to the public from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. Operated by students in the Culinary Arts Program, the Café features an ala carte lunch menu with regional and international dishes.

For information on the Café or the Culinary Arts Program, call Program Coordinator and Associate Professor Peggy Bradley at 606-326-2466 or Assistant Professor Barbara Dunn at 606-326-2468.

 

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