An adventurous trip along the mighty Mississippi, a magical tale set in the Caribbean, a madcap romp on Broadway: Peach State Summer Theatre’s 2009 season has all of these things this year.
And there's only one more week to see these fine shows.
In case you haven’t been paying attention during the past several weeks, here’s a recap of what’s playing.
BIG RIVER: Country singer Roger Miller hit upon a classic idea with this concept: Why not set Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” to music? Miller did, and “Big River” was the award-winning result. Featuring bluegrass and country music, “Big River” charts Huck and Jim’s journeys along the mighty Mississippi River.
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND: Created by the same team who translated E.L. Doctorow’s book “Ragtime” into a musical, lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty retell Hans Christian Anderson’s tale of the Little Mermaid, minus the mermaid, and a wee bit of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” tossed in, all told in the French Caribbean. This is a one-act play of awesome power and magical thrills.
THE PRODUCERS: Originally, this was a non-musical 1968 Mel Brooks movie starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder as Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, then this movie became the basis for Mel Brooks’ smash, live Broadway musical starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, who then went onto create a movie version of the musical. But it was the live Broadway show that became a phenomenon, with its story of two con men who oversell what they are certain will be a Broadway flop (“Springtime for Hitler”) so they may profit. Funny lines, funny songs, funny characters. Also, adult language and themes.
Peach State is a professional theatre company, underwritten by the talented folks with Valdosta State University Theatre. PSST! is the state’s official musical theatre.
The Valdosta Daily Times is proud to serve as Peach State’s corporate sponsor. PSST! is an opportunity to increase Valdosta’s potential as a destination and the theatre keeps culture alive locally during the summer months.
All three shows play several times this last week. If you haven’t seen all three performances yet, now’s the time before the curtain closes on another season.
What We Think
What We Think: Curtain closing on season soon
- What We Think
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
Twenty years ago, most area elections were decided during the primaries. Then, almost every candidate qualified as a Democrat. While there may be plenty of challengers on the ballot, many seats were decided in July or a few weeks later during the primary run-off.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To South Georgians making fine impressions on television singing competitions. Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won “American Idol” this week. Meanwhile, Lowndes High School graduate Stacia Watkins participated in the new ABC show “Duets.” Well done!
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Farewell to the vanishing ace
Donald S. “Bush” Bryan was not only a rare individual. He was part of a vanishing breed.
An Adel resident for the past 30 years, Bryan was a World War II flying ace. Not just an ace but a double ace. A pilot must down five enemy aircraft to become an ace; Bryan downed 13.3 enemy planes in Europe. The fractions represent planes downed with other pilots. -
A widespread mosquito alert
In announcing the discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus strain, city and health officials did not include the specific location of the discovery.
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Of Guantanamo Bay and a Founding Father
Some readers may wonder how a Valdosta High School graduate could bring himself as an attorney to represent a Guantanamo Bay prisoner charged in connection to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
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Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. - More What We Think Headlines
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
