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With the help of three other costumers, Heim set about locating and creating period costumes for each actor,
some with costume changes for multiple scenes. The effect was a stunning recreation of Victorian-era clothing,
enhanced by props gathered by Judy Braymer and Rae Connolly, who also learned to play the concertina for her
role in the show as one of the Fezziwig party guests.
After assuring the costuming was well in hand, McConnell arranged for a small sitting room to serve exclusively
as the set for Charles Dickens in the play, or the Narrator, played by Peter Greene, which was an adaptation
McConnell felt would work well for the Barrow stage. Sets were designed and consructed by Ed Ramage, a
veteran artist who gives countless hours to Barrow performances. McConnell says many of the aspects of the
show simply "fell into place," although he notes, with appreciation, the countless volunteers who also helped
pull things together for a fun and entertaining performance. Typically, the volunteers are permitted to watch the
dress rehearsal and are treated to a volunteer's dinner that evening. "The audience never sees what goes on
backstage," says Smith. "There can be a wonderful perfectly staged or choreographed scene unfolding onstage,
but backstage, it can be total chaos with costume changes, set pieces moving into position, and those fly bars
moving in and out. We have a great stage manager in Linda (Ritsig) who has calm control over it all and keeps it
moving with he cast and crew." For his part, McConnell said he enjoys bringing shows with a message to the
public, and this show's message was easy to discern. As Tiny TIm says at the end of the production, "God bless
us -- Everyone!"
some with costume changes for multiple scenes. The effect was a stunning recreation of Victorian-era clothing,
enhanced by props gathered by Judy Braymer and Rae Connolly, who also learned to play the concertina for her
role in the show as one of the Fezziwig party guests.
After assuring the costuming was well in hand, McConnell arranged for a small sitting room to serve exclusively
as the set for Charles Dickens in the play, or the Narrator, played by Peter Greene, which was an adaptation
McConnell felt would work well for the Barrow stage. Sets were designed and consructed by Ed Ramage, a
veteran artist who gives countless hours to Barrow performances. McConnell says many of the aspects of the
show simply "fell into place," although he notes, with appreciation, the countless volunteers who also helped
pull things together for a fun and entertaining performance. Typically, the volunteers are permitted to watch the
dress rehearsal and are treated to a volunteer's dinner that evening. "The audience never sees what goes on
backstage," says Smith. "There can be a wonderful perfectly staged or choreographed scene unfolding onstage,
but backstage, it can be total chaos with costume changes, set pieces moving into position, and those fly bars
moving in and out. We have a great stage manager in Linda (Ritsig) who has calm control over it all and keeps it
moving with he cast and crew." For his part, McConnell said he enjoys bringing shows with a message to the
public, and this show's message was easy to discern. As Tiny TIm says at the end of the production, "God bless
us -- Everyone!"
partner, Jacob Marley (Martin Rudegeair), and the ghosts of Christmas Past (Laurie Rogers), Christmas Present (Ted Smith), and
Christmas Yet-To-Come (Andrew Ritsig). The spirits help the old miser to see what he has missed in his quest for money, as well
as to see the suffering of those who are less fortunate than he. By the end of the play, Scrooge rights all the wrongs he can find and
Christmas Yet-To-Come (Andrew Ritsig). The spirits help the old miser to see what he has missed in his quest for money, as well
as to see the suffering of those who are less fortunate than he. By the end of the play, Scrooge rights all the wrongs he can find and
said the actors created an atmosphere of friendship and acceptance among one
another. Old friends enjoyed the opportunity to work together again; and strangers
became colleagues, then friends."There are not many things more enjoyable or
exciting than a good community theater production being presented live in front of a
another. Old friends enjoyed the opportunity to work together again; and strangers
became colleagues, then friends."There are not many things more enjoyable or
exciting than a good community theater production being presented live in front of a
Community Playhouse presents "TRUST"
loving, caring, enthusiastic
audience," said McConnell. "We
have five seasoned, veteran actors
-- all of which I have worked with
before." In fact, this performance's
Ebenezer Scrooge, Al Shilling, and
McConnell, worked on their first
show together in 1971. With A
Christmas Carol, McConnell said
his first concern was costuming.
To that end, he enlisted the help of
Cathy Heim, who has
considerable sewing and
costuming experience. "I have to
admit I was thrilled upon meeting
with Cathy the first time,"
McConnell recalls. "She had good
ideas right up front and I just let
her run."
audience," said McConnell. "We
have five seasoned, veteran actors
-- all of which I have worked with
before." In fact, this performance's
Ebenezer Scrooge, Al Shilling, and
McConnell, worked on their first
show together in 1971. With A
Christmas Carol, McConnell said
his first concern was costuming.
To that end, he enlisted the help of
Cathy Heim, who has
considerable sewing and
costuming experience. "I have to
admit I was thrilled upon meeting
with Cathy the first time,"
McConnell recalls. "She had good
ideas right up front and I just let
her run."
Ebenezer Scrooge is a new, friendly and generous man
after his ghostly night of revelations. He is delighted by
the children he encounters instead of annoyed by them.
after his ghostly night of revelations. He is delighted by
the children he encounters instead of annoyed by them.
While being guided by the Ghost of Christmas Past, (Laurie Rogers), Scrooge is transported back in time
to a party he attended which was hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Fezziwig (Tom Last and Lori Spence, dancing).
Young Scrooge was portrayed by Aaron Ritsig (left).
to a party he attended which was hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Fezziwig (Tom Last and Lori Spence, dancing).
Young Scrooge was portrayed by Aaron Ritsig (left).
It wouldn't be Christmastime without the opportunity to see all our favorite
Christmas shows: It's a Wonderful Life, The Sound of Music, A Christmas Carol, to
name a few. Perhaps one of the most enduring of these shows, with countless film
versions being shown and re-made each year, is Charles Dickens classic,
"A Christmas Carol." It is a timeless classic, set in London in 1843, and was
inspired by the injustices Dickens saw in nineteenth-century industrialist England,
including child labor practices. This year at the Barrow-Civic Theatre, folks in and
around Venango County were treated to a live showing of A Christmas Carol,
directed by John McConnell. A cast of well over 50 men and women from around
the Oil Region auditioned in mid-October and began rehearsing a short time later
to bring the story to life on the Barrow stage. McConnell said he was asked to direct
the production in late September, and since he is "a sucker for holiday shows," he
readily agreed. "I have directed other adaptations of this story and have found it to
be a fun story to bring to life, with the spirits, the kids, the costumes," he added.
The story follows a night in the life of Ebenezer Scrooge, "a squeezing, wrenching,
grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner," as Dickens himself writes.
Scrooge is visited on Christmas Eve by his dead business
Christmas shows: It's a Wonderful Life, The Sound of Music, A Christmas Carol, to
name a few. Perhaps one of the most enduring of these shows, with countless film
versions being shown and re-made each year, is Charles Dickens classic,
"A Christmas Carol." It is a timeless classic, set in London in 1843, and was
inspired by the injustices Dickens saw in nineteenth-century industrialist England,
including child labor practices. This year at the Barrow-Civic Theatre, folks in and
around Venango County were treated to a live showing of A Christmas Carol,
directed by John McConnell. A cast of well over 50 men and women from around
the Oil Region auditioned in mid-October and began rehearsing a short time later
to bring the story to life on the Barrow stage. McConnell said he was asked to direct
the production in late September, and since he is "a sucker for holiday shows," he
readily agreed. "I have directed other adaptations of this story and have found it to
be a fun story to bring to life, with the spirits, the kids, the costumes," he added.
The story follows a night in the life of Ebenezer Scrooge, "a squeezing, wrenching,
grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner," as Dickens himself writes.
Scrooge is visited on Christmas Eve by his dead business
The Ghost of Christmas Present (Ted Smith)
and Ebenezer Scrooge (Al Shilling).
and Ebenezer Scrooge (Al Shilling).
John D. Rockefeller (Steve Luxbacher) and
his assistant Henry Rodgers (Mike Yarnell)
his assistant Henry Rodgers (Mike Yarnell)
Bob Crachett (Bill
Hennessey) carries
Tiny Tim (David
Zlotnickil) on his
shoulder.
Hennessey) carries
Tiny Tim (David
Zlotnickil) on his
shoulder.
all is right with the world --the
ultimate happy ending. All was right
with the performance, according to
the cast and crew as well. Smith,
whose lighted Christmas wreath
hat and light hearted, bouncy spirit
came perilously close to stealing
the show, both onstage and
backstage, said he was delighted
by the "ensemble cast (which)
features new and familiar faces."
"Everyone has been great," he
added. All during the rehearsals
and the shows, the comments
made by actors, producers and
crew alike, were positive. People
talked about the team effort that it
took to put the show together, and
ultimate happy ending. All was right
with the performance, according to
the cast and crew as well. Smith,
whose lighted Christmas wreath
hat and light hearted, bouncy spirit
came perilously close to stealing
the show, both onstage and
backstage, said he was delighted
by the "ensemble cast (which)
features new and familiar faces."
"Everyone has been great," he
added. All during the rehearsals
and the shows, the comments
made by actors, producers and
crew alike, were positive. People
talked about the team effort that it
took to put the show together, and
Story by Maggie Bernecki
Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present & Future
After forty years of immense wealth
and power, Standard Oil titan John
D. Rockefeller's empire was shaken
by the mighty pen of Ida Tarbell of
Titusville. This dramatic tale has
come to life in playwright Bill
Duncan's new play, Trust. Our
region's OIL 150 celebrations caught
the attention of the New York writer,
who then offered his drama to Oil
City's Community Playhouse.
Publisher Sam McClure of the
popular McClure's Magazine, and
Tarbell (played by Bill Trimble and
Amber Kellogg, right) teamed up for a
and power, Standard Oil titan John
D. Rockefeller's empire was shaken
by the mighty pen of Ida Tarbell of
Titusville. This dramatic tale has
come to life in playwright Bill
Duncan's new play, Trust. Our
region's OIL 150 celebrations caught
the attention of the New York writer,
who then offered his drama to Oil
City's Community Playhouse.
Publisher Sam McClure of the
popular McClure's Magazine, and
Tarbell (played by Bill Trimble and
Amber Kellogg, right) teamed up for a
two-year expose of Standard Oil. Duncan's play reveals that Ida had a personal grudge
with the oil tycoon. She learned during her investigative reporting that Rockefeller had
wrecked her father, uncle and numerous other independent oil producers. By revealing
Rockefeller's monopolizing ways, Tarbell was able to influence public opinion and effect
congressional action.
with the oil tycoon. She learned during her investigative reporting that Rockefeller had
wrecked her father, uncle and numerous other independent oil producers. By revealing
Rockefeller's monopolizing ways, Tarbell was able to influence public opinion and effect
congressional action.
Community Playhouse of
Oil City continues to renovate
the Lyric Theater on Seneca
St. Heavy duty work will
resume in the Spring.
Volunteers and donations are
welcome as the wandering
troupe persists in having a
venue to call their own.
To support the Lyric Theater,
call (814) 677-7469
Oil City continues to renovate
the Lyric Theater on Seneca
St. Heavy duty work will
resume in the Spring.
Volunteers and donations are
welcome as the wandering
troupe persists in having a
venue to call their own.
To support the Lyric Theater,
call (814) 677-7469
Director - Paul Lukach
Producer - Bob Monroe
Stage Mgr. - Tammy Schwab
Cast:
Amber Kellogg - Ida Tarbell
Steve Luxbacher and Edmond
Ramage - John D. Rockefeller
Bill Trimble - Sam McClure
Mike Yarnell - Henry Rodgers
Mike Canaan - Frank Rockefeller
Rushi Lavani - John Siddall
Gary Dittman - Bill Rockefeller
Janet Hutchinson - Preacher
Patti Fryman - Cettie Rockefeller
Producer - Bob Monroe
Stage Mgr. - Tammy Schwab
Cast:
Amber Kellogg - Ida Tarbell
Steve Luxbacher and Edmond
Ramage - John D. Rockefeller
Bill Trimble - Sam McClure
Mike Yarnell - Henry Rodgers
Mike Canaan - Frank Rockefeller
Rushi Lavani - John Siddall
Gary Dittman - Bill Rockefeller
Janet Hutchinson - Preacher
Patti Fryman - Cettie Rockefeller