THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 3, 1996 TAG: 9610020138
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: THEATER REVIEW
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 105 lines
IT'S SHOW TIME.
The 1996-'97 schedules are set, and they look good for the playgoer.
The Smithfield Little Theater, Ahoskie's Gallery Theatre, Franklin Little Theatre and Theatre IV in Franklin and the Peanut Players of Suffolk are presenting plays to think about and to laugh about.
Coincidentally, the Franklin Little Theatre is presenting the original ``Nunsense'' Nov. 14 to 16. At the same time, Smithfield Little Theatre is offering ``Nunsense II - The Second Coming.''
All the theater groups are offering a can't-miss mix of familiar productions and new ones.
The theater season starts next month and continues through May. Here is a preview of coming attractions:
Smithfield Little Theater
``Nunsense II - The Second Coming,'' Nov. 7-10, Nov. 14-17, Nov. 21-23.
It is the sequel to ``Nunsense'' and just about as hilarious. Once again, the sweet, and seemingly innocent, Little Sisters of Hoboken put on a show. It is filled with crazy dialogue and songs.
``Gold Dust,'' Feb. 20-23, Feb. 27-March 2 and March 6-8.
This was written by North Carolinian Jim Wann, known for two of the fastest-moving, fun musicals around: ``Diamond Studs'' and ``Pump Boys and Dinettes.'' SLT had rousing success with both.
If the winning streak continues, ``Gold Dust'' should be worth its weight in gold. Set in an 1850s mining town, it features the crazy antics of a bunch of cowpokes and their ladies.
``Witness for the Prosecution,'' May 1- 4, May 8-11 and May 15-17.
The classic Agatha Christie story, a success on stage and on film, tells of a young man in postwar England, accused of a horrible crime. His German-born wife holds the key to his exoneration.
Gallery Theatre
``It Runs In the Family,'' Nov. 7-10.
This farce, set in a hospital, has a host of wild characters running in and out, confusing themselves and everyone else.
``ER,'' it definitely isn't. In this play, Dr. Mortimore has to deal with a paternity suit, an ex-wife, a punk son. As they say in the movie ads, this one is for mature audiences.
``Smoke On the Mountain,'' Feb. 20-23.
It has a North Carolina background - Mount Pleasant, to be exact. The production centers around the Rev. Oglethorpe and the Sanders Family Singers. The evening is uplifting with lots of singin' and witnessin'.
There are vintage pop hymns - it takes place in 1938 - and some wild stories from the more or less devout Sanders singers.
``Inherit the Wind,'' April 17-20.
This is a classic, critically acclaimed Broadway-Hollywood success. It is about the famous Scopes trial, an explosive American episode.
``Ain't Misbehavin','' June 12-15.
This is the biography of Thomas ``Fats'' Waller, and that means some of the greatest jazz and pop music ever written.
His colorful career takes place in a variety of places from uptown clubs to Tin Pan Alley to the recording studio.
Waller, an American original who seldom took himself seriously, is known for, among other things, the jabber he often came up with in mid-song.
Peanut Players
The group has one offering announced as it pounces into its premier season.
``Play On,'' Nov. 9-10.
The play, to be presented at Forest Glen Middle School, is a madcap piece about a group of performers who have to cope with a playwright who changes scenes and dialogues with alarming regularity.
The result is a production that adheres to Murphy's Law, resulting in a comedic farce, a parody of actors and their production.
Theatre IV Family Playhouse
The group is Richmond-based, with Franklin a regular stop every year. These productions are especially for children.
``The Steadfast Tin Soldier,'' Oct. 29.
This is one of those ``toys-come-to-life'' tales. The musical features such charmers as a teddy bear, jack-in-the-box, paper ballerina and the title character whose evening is filled with adventure and - gulp! - true love.
``Songs of the Season,'' Dec. 1.
The season is plentiful - Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. You will hear the celebratory music sung by families around the world.
``The Emperor's Nightingale,'' March 8.
This is a Hans Christian Andersen story about the miracle of love and the importance of generosity and forgiveness.
The emperor banishes his nightingale, opting for a jeweled, mechanical imitation. The little bird, though, remains faithful to his boss.
``Lyle, Lyle Crocodile.'' May 11.
Many children know about this character. The play is a musical adaptation of the familiar story about a croc loved by almost everyone.
One day, Lyle receives a note saying someone does not like him. Once again, there are messages. In this play, they concern prejudice, friendship and courage.
Franklin Little Theatre
The group is back in action with their first production since the fall of 1994.
``Nunsense,'' Nov. 14-16.
To be performed at the group's old stomping grounds, Franklin High School, the fun musical comedy concerns five nuns who put on a show to raise some dough.
The craziness has caused the production to become a theater staple.
As is our custom, The Sun will offer closer looks at all the presentations, with previews of each production. by CNB