Town Players To Celebrate Diamond Anniversary

Town Players of Newtown will celebrate its 75th year with a fundraising gala, a 1930s cabaret evening on Saturday, April 24, at The Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street in Newtown.

“Seventy-five years is a long time for a business to keep its doors open, let alone a community theater that relies solely on volunteers,” said Pam Meister, current Town Players chairman. “What began as a way to raise funds for Congregational Church youth to attend a retreat has become a staple on Newtown’s cultural horizon.

“With the exception of a few years during World War II, Town Players has consistently provided quality entertainment year after year since 1935,” she continued. “We’re thrilled to be celebrating our 75th year, and would like to thank the community for its continued support.”

Board member Mary Poile added, “I’m very excited. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and we hope to see both old and new faces coming to help us celebrate.”

The special evening is being sponsored by Webster Bank, who is also celebrating 75 years.

Doors will open at 6:30 pm, with the show to start at 7:30. Guests will enjoy an evening of song, dance and comedy routines that were popular during the decade, along with the musical stylings of The Bob Lasprogato Trio.

Bring your own supper; coffee, tea and dessert will be provided. BYOB (wine only, please).

Tickets are $30 and seating is limited. Call the Town Players box office at 203-270-9144 for reservations.

For further information, call the box office, send e-mail to TownPlayers@yahoo.com or visit NewtownPlayers.org.

Season Opener Planned

Meanwhile, The Town Players are also planning the opening production for their 75th season.

Move Over, Mrs Markham, a fast-paced British farce written by Ray Cooney and John Chapman, will begin performances Friday, May 7. In this play everyone but the Markhams wants to try out the couple’s fabulous new bed… with mistaken identities, titillating situations and risqué remarks adding to the hilarity and mayhem.

The production features performances by Nick Kaye of Bethel, Angela Bowman of Carmel, N.Y., Richard Warrren of Milford, Alena Cybart-Persenaire of Middlebury, Walker LaVerdera of Norwalk, Douglas Schlicher of Woodbury, Jennifer Ganterwerker of Ridgefield, and Pam Meister of Newtown.

 Director is Karina Ramsey of Millwood, N.Y., who previously directed Ravenscroft and co-directed the evening of one-acts “Love, Marriage and More,” both in 2007. Kathy Conway of Oxford is the production’s stage manager, and Mary Poile of Ridgefield and Pam Meister of Newtown are the show’s producers.

Performances will run Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sunday matinees at 2 pm, until May 23. (Both the May 7 and May 14 performances are sold-out benefits; call the theater’s box office for details.)

Tickets are $20, $10 ages 10 and under. For reservations, directions to the theater on Orchard Hill Road, or other information, call the box office at 203-270-9144 or visit NewtownPlayers.org.