Stories for Arts & Entertainment
CP Rotary brings Snow White production to Southgate
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The cast of Snow White prior to a performance at the Lakewood Playhouse.
Southgate Elementary School students brought the magic of the classic children’s story, Snow White to life for their classmates, teachers and families, thanks to contributions by the Lakewood Playhouse and the Clover Park Rotary.
Beginning last fall, staff from the Playhouse tutored Southgate students in acting exercises. Once the basics were mastered, more than 175 students auditioned for 25 parts. Students performed two productions of Snow White at Southgate Jan. 27 and two additional community productions Jan. 28 at the Lakewood Playhouse.
“This opportunity gives our students confidence and widens their horizons,” said Becky Condra, reading interventionist. “Our students worked extremely hard to memorize their lines and ‘become’ their characters. I was absolutely amazed at how well they performed.”
The collaboration was born from an idea by Rotarian Ernie Heller, and started last school year with a production of Peter Pan. The Clover Park Rotary contributed funds to pay theatre staff and to purchase costumes and props.
Check into “California Suite” for a laugh-filled evening
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by Lynn Geyer
There was a time when, if theatre-goers wanted an assurance of a fun evening, they would look for a Noel Coward play. Since the 1960s, Neil Simon plays have always been sure-fire laugh fests.
Today – things haven’t changed!
No matter how you slice it or what your age, “California Suite,” by Neil Simon is still as funny as it was when first produced in 1976.
This sparkling comedy offers four vignettes involving five actors as 11 characters; all but one of whom plays two or three roles. The differences between these personas are beautifully pulled off by the actors – there is absolutely no similarity of character in the roles each plays.
Much of this is probably due to the excellent direction of Frank Kohel, who has a portent for bringing out the best performances from an actor. Yet, surely, it is the actor who is ultimately responsible for the finished product of any show.
‘Xanadu’ may be no pleasure dome but what a hoot!
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by Lynn Geyer
Somebody made a mistake and dropped the Muse in Venice, California, in 1980, where they collided with “Starlight Express!”
Tacoma Musical Playhouse’s Director/Choreographer Jon Douglas Rake confesses that “Xanadu” is “a Dumb…Stupid… show!” But, it’s SO entertaining!
In a nutshell, this unbelievably campy musical is about a sidewalk artist who isn’t satisfied with his mural of the Greek Muse so he figures he’ll commit suicide. The youngest muse, Clio decides to help him. However, she must disguise herself or break Daddy Zeus’ rules of not revealing herself to a mortal. So, she changes her name to “Kira” and puts on a pair of roller skates, leg warmers and an Australian accent. Sonny, our hero, is instantly inspired and plans to ask location owner, Danny, to donate the old, never opened Xanadu Movie Theater to him to use as a roller disco!
Creative expressions earn cash prizes with teen writing and art contest
Posted by | CommentsTeenagers throughout Pierce County may show their creative talents in Pierce County Library System’s Teen Writing & Art Contest – Our Own Expressions, which runs now through Friday, March 2.
Sam and Woody play on at Lakewood Playhouse
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Humphrey Bogart played by Matt Garry coaches Allan Felix played by Alex Smith how to deal with a woman in “Play It Again, Sam,” the current production at The Lakewood Playhouse. - Photo by Dean Lapin
By Lynn Geyer
If you like Woody Allen, you’ll love “Play It Again, Sam” – the one line Humphrey Bogart never said to Dooley Wilson in “Casablanca.”
“Play It Again, Sam” is the current production at The Lakewood Playhouse; it was written by the man who often saw himself as a loser-character getting the raw end of the shtick.
Allen was a brilliant comic writer who honed his talented skills on early television programs like “Your Show of Shows,” where he invented lines for Sid Caesar, Howie Morris and Imogene Coco, which made the 1950 audiences reel with laughter.
Award-winning author book signings in January
Posted by | CommentsJames Keeffe, author of 'Two Gold Coins and a Prayer' will be signing copies of his book at area Costco stores in January.
- Tacoma Costco (2219 South 37th Street): Jan 21, 1-3 p.m.
- Lacey Costco: Jan 22, 1-3 p.m.
- Puyallup Costco: Jan 28, 1-3 p.m.
Keeffe was awarded the 2011 Military Writers Society of America Award for a book about the Air Force.
Daddy/Daughter Dance set for Feb. 11
Posted by | CommentsBy Janet Orozco, U.P. Parks & Recreation Volunteer
Daddy Daughter Dance – The 9th Annual Daddy/Daughter Dance will be held on Saturday February 11th (6:30-9:00 pm) at Curtis High School. Dance features: a goody bag for all daughters, treat and refreshments for all, and music and dancing and surprise guest entertainment. Come join us for an unforgettable night and dress for the occasion. Father & Daughter - $35. before event, $40 at event, $5 for each additional child. To register call 253-460-2530 Parks & Rec Dept. Space is limited and Photos are available.
Lakewood Holds Ninth Annual MLK Celebration, January 14
Posted by | CommentsBy Phil Raschke
Lakewood will hold its Ninth Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Saturday, January 14 at the Sharon McGavick Center at Clover Park Technical College. The event starts at 10 am and ends at noon. The public is invited. Admission and parking are free.
This year's celebration features a wonderful variety of performers to include: the Prairie Bells, the Korean Traditional Drummers, Lakes High School Performance Choir, the Scoil Rince Slieveloughane Irish Dancers, Trumpeter Morris Northcutt, Lakewood's Charisma School of Dance, the Freedom Dancers and many more outstanding performers. The ceremony will also feature a reading by the winner of the Clover Park School District MLK essay contest. The theme for this year's contest was "Freedom, Yesterday and Today".
Artist & Lecture Series Lineup at Tacoma Community College
Posted by | CommentsBy Rachel Payne, Tacoma Community College
Tacoma Community College’s Artist & Lecture series brings in extraordinary people to converse with the campus community. Presentations are free and open to the public. The winter 2012 lineup is as follows (all three lectures will be held at 11:30 am in Building 11 - Student Center):
Eric Ethridge (Jan. 17) is the author, journalist, and photographer of “Breach of Peace: Portraits of the 1961 Freedom Riders,” published in 2008. The book includes mug shots of the 328 black and white Freedom Riders who were arrested in Jackson, MS and charged with breach of peace for trying to desegregate transportation terminals in the city. Ethridge is a graduate of Vanderbuilt University.
Meet bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz at Lakewood library
Posted by | CommentsBy Mary Getchell, Communications Director, Pierce County Library System
Saturday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. meet New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz at Lakewood Pierce County Library, 6300 Wildaire Road S.W. Krentz will give a writing workshop and sign books. To attend the free event, register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/calendar. FRIENDS of Lakewood Library are sponsoring this free event.
Krentz’s newest book in the Dark Legacy series—"Copper Beach”—is scheduled to be released Jan. 10, 2012, and it will be available at the event. A bookseller will be onsite to sell books.
Habari gani?
Posted by | CommentsBy Nancy Covert
Habari gani?—What’s the News? "Kuumba!” (Creativity)
Candles, special foods, music, gift exchanges, time for reflection about the past and planning for the days to come…no matter how it’s celebrated: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa… this time of year is regarded as the Season of Good Will. At the root of this Season is a collection of customs designed to lighten the hearts of its participants as they continue the quest for Peace on Earth.
Sponsor a Lakewood Child for the Arts
Posted by | CommentsLearn, create and connect on second Saturdays at Pierce County Library System
Posted by | CommentsBy Mary Getchell, Communications Director, Pierce County Library System
People will learn, create and connect during free events at eight libraries in Pierce County Library System on the second Saturday of the month. Friends of the libraries sponsor these free events.
Join the learning and fun at Pierce County Library System story times
Posted by | CommentsPoem: Santa In Blue
Posted by | CommentsThe following poem by written a few years ago by a Seattle Police Sgt Peter Verhaar, the son a Suburban Times reader.
... The house was sparsely furnished,
the walls in need of paint,
A tree stood in the corner, it's lit, but very faint.
A little boy stood sadly, his gifts had disappeared,
He knew Santa was coming,
then his mom broke down in tears.
The thief who stole this family's gifts
took more than he ever knew.
I looked at my partner and he at me.
We knew what we had to do.
Santa will visit this family, his sleigh a different hue,
Tonight Santa is coming but he will be wearing Blue.
'Jingle Bell Rock' flash mob by St. Mary's students
Posted by | CommentsStudents from St. Mary's Episcopal Church & School performed a "Jingle Bell Rock" flash mob at the Starbucks in Lakewood Towne Center on December 16. Watch the flash mob on YouTube or below. Read More→
Lakewood Arts Commission needs a new member
Posted by | CommentsDESCRIPTION: The role of the Lakewood Arts commission is to assess needs, establish priorities and make recommendations for enrichment of the community and promotion of its cultural vitality through the arts. The Lakewood Arts Commission will do the following:
- Promote the visual, performing and literary arts;
- Encourage the creative contribution of local artists;
- Make recommendations for Public Art to the City Council;
- Support community-building events; and
- Foster the City’s cultural heritage.
