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
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Don’t jettison landmark
While we respect the request to relocate the F-86 aircraft from outside Mathis City Auditorium to the new Moody Air Force Base Airpark, we would hope the city and MAFB would reconsider moving it.
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Shame in Berrien County
Unfortunately for Sherrie Williams of the Berrien County school-based health clinic, she talked to The Times and praised the program that she oversees. This pride in her work led to the loss of her job.
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Grading policy: A second chance?
In clarifying the Lowndes County Schools’ controversial grading policy, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith spoke of second chances.
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Be up to any weather challenge
Georgia’s Severe Weather Awareness Week starts today and runs through Friday. The idea behind the week is to prepare Georgians for weather emergencies and how to keep these situations from becoming tragedies.
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Parents and schools
There is a lot of talk lately about school systems and grading policies, and how all of a child's problems come back to a lack of parenting. But is it really that simple? Can it be a case where the school systems are so focused on the problem few that the majority of students are ignored?
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Brooks County High School engineering and technology teacher Don Morgan and his students. They recently received national attention for their work with biodiesel fuel. They collect used cooking oil from area fast-food restaurants then process this oil into biodiesel. Morgan hopes to next interest the Brooks County school buses into running on the fuel created in his class. This classroom not only prepares students for the future but may prepare all of us for an alternative energy source.
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Take me out to the ball park
The Valdosta State baseball season begins today. The Blazers host Lindenwood at 2:30 p.m. Nothing beats quality baseball played in warm weather with a great venue like Billy Grant Field.
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What We Think: Signing Day
Wednesday was National Signing Day, the day when high school athletes across the country make official announcements about what school they’ve chosen to sign with.
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School policy fails expectations
Lowndes County Schools recently implemented new grading guidelines for students. These guidelines have left many parents upset ...
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Just the facts, please
The Times has taken some hits this weekend following the reporting of the Rev. Floyd Rose’ rally on Saturday concerning the car which drove into a home, killing an infant on New Year’s, and an incident at Pinevale Learning Center. Some police officers think the VDT is not being fair, and Rose accused the VDT of not printing the facts, but the facts are as follows:
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Don’t jettison landmark
