These performances support the mission of the Georgia Center by "holding a mirror up to life" for reflection on life's experiences and the human condition. The Masters Hall Singers and the Masters Hall Players also provide the means for individuals committed to the arts--either as an avocation or as a developing professional--to learn and practice their craft. Guest artists, established and recognized performers, enrich the educational experience, serving as mentors and inspiring new and emerging talent.
Rehearsing for the first performance of the Master Hall Players are, l. to r., Rex Totty, who played "Charlie Reader"; Rick Rose, as "Joe McCall"; and Lauren Tewes, the show's guest artist, who played "Sylvia Crewes." "The Tender Trap," by Max Shulman and Robert Paul Smith was first presented in New York's Longacre Theater, on 48th Street near Broadway, October 13, 1954. It starred Robert Preston, Kim Hunter, and Ronny Graham. For Masters Hall audiences, the play offered a comic glimpse of past attitudes as well as some universal truths.
The play tells the story of "Joe McCall" (Rick Rose), who visits his friend "Charlie Reader" (Rex Totty) in New York, and meets the women in Charlie's life. Both men find, in the end, that love is indeed a "tender trap." The show also featured Catherine R. Clayton as "Julie Gillis," Steve Elliott-Gower as "Earl Lindquist," Lisa Johnson as "Poppy Matson," and Sonja Pemberton as "Jessica Collins." Special guest artist Lauren Tewes portrayed "Sylvia Crewes."
Tewes played "Julie" on the television show "The Love Boat," which aired from 1977-1986. After "The Love Boat," she continued to pursue a theater career; her roles included "Katherine" in "Taming of the Shrew," "Kess" in "Independence," and "Maggie" in "Jake's Women." Tewes also performed recently in a play by Alan Ayckbourn, "Man of the Moment." Tewes' participation in this Masters Hall Players production helped the acting company to learn and grow in their craft, while sharing her talent and experience with Masters Hall audiences.
A mother-and-son "discussion" during "Butterflies Are Free," with Allen Rowell as the son, "Don Baker," left, and Alicia Bickley as the mother, "Mrs. Baker," right. "Butterflies Are Free," by Leonard Gershe, was first performed in New York's Booth Theater on October 21, 1969. It featured Keir Dullea, Blythe Danner, Eileen Heckart, and Michael Glaser.
A light-hearted comedy with touching complications, the show offered the Masters Hall audience the opportunity to share a young man's effort to develop independence, a young girl's development of the ability to make a commitment, and a mother's love that is, ultimately, strong enough to "let go." The play involved several themes from the 1960s, some of which are still relevant today.
The leads were played by Allen Rowell as "Don Baker" and Suzanne Reamy as "Jill Tanner." "Mrs. Baker," Don's mother, was played by Alicia Bickley and "Ralph Austin," a theatrical producer and a friend of Jill's, was played by Steve Elliott-Gower.
A budding romance between "Victor Velasco," middle, played by James Hawes, and "Mrs. Banks," right, played by Kathleen McManus? Mrs. Banks' son-in-law, "Paul Bratter," played by Speedy Arnold, left, is underwhelmed by it all as an evening gets underway in a scene from "Barefoot in the Park."Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" was first presented in New York's Biltmore Theater on October 23, 1963. It featured Elizabeth Ashley, Robert Redford, Mildred Natwick, and Kurt Kasner. One of Simon's most recognized and beloved works, the show enjoyed a long Broadway run, and is a classic American movie.
The Masters Hall Players cast featured James Hawes, a long-time actor, director, designer, and leader of regional theater, as guest artist. In the play, a new wife, a new apartment six flights up, and a new law career wildly complicate the life of "Paul Bratter" (Speedy Arnold). Add a romantic "situation" between his mother-in-law "Mrs. Banks" (Kathleen McManus) and a zany neighbor, the fact his wife "Corie" (Katry Harris) is demanding a divorce, and you have a delightful, comic romp. Alicia Bickley played the telephone repair person, and Hawes portrayed "Victor Velasco," the colorful neighbor who lives in the attic.
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