THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 17, 1995 TAG: 9508160169
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Some of the names are familiar: ``My Fair Lady,'' ``Godspell,'' ``Driving Miss Daisy.'' Some are not: ``The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,'' ``It Runs in the Family,'' ``Sherlock's Last Case.''
They are among plays scheduled for the 1995-96 season by the Smithfield Little Theatre and The Gallery Theatre in Ahoskie.
The popular Lerner & Loewe musical ``My Fair Lady'' will kick off the 33rd season in Smithfield.
Director Cecil W. Gwaltney Jr., at the helm since 1980, vowed a couple years ago to give someone else the opportunity to direct the next musical. Instead, Gwaltney will direct performances Nov. 2-5, 9-12 and 16-18.
``My Fair Lady'' is adapted from George Bernard Shaw's ``Pygmalion.'' The story of the highbrow professor who transforms a Cockney waif into something regal is filled with memorable tunes, including ``On the Street Where You Live'' and ``I Could Have Danced All Night.''
The Smithfield production will involve a cast of about 30, ``one of the largest, if not the largest,'' in its history, said Jim Abicht, president of the board of directors.
Rounding out the season are ``It Runs in the Family,'' Feb. 22-25, Feb. 29- to March 2, and March 7-9; and ``Sherlock's Last Case,'' May 2-5, 9-12 and 16- 18.
Brian Pritchard, a stage veteran, makes his directorial debut in ``It Runs in the Family,'' the story of a London hospital, a doctor and a disgruntled nurse. Abicht calls it ``a laugh fest.''
Next is a suspense-drama. An adaptation of an Arthur Conan Doyle story, ``Sherlock's Last Case'' tells what happens when Dr. Watson gets his revenge for that feeling of inferiority Holmes imposed for many years.
Another actor-turned-first-time-director, Hurston Griffith, will take charge.
The 30th season of The Gallery opens with ``The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,'' Nov. 16-19. The plot is familiar, but twists make it fun.
The Gallery's musical for the season is ``Godspell,'' a folk-rock piece that looks at the last hours of Jesus' life, according to Matthew.
Next is ``Driving Miss Daisy.'' Warm-hearted and gently humorous, it concerns the relationship between an aging Southern lady and the proud, soft-spoken African-American in her employ.
Another show appealing to all ages is ``The Emperor's New Clothes.''
The Franklin Little Theatre has not announced a schedule for the year. ILLUSTRATION: File photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
A few years ago, Hurston Griffith, second from left, starred in
Smithfield Little Theatre's ``Lion in Winter.'' This season, he will
do some directing.
by CNB