Venice Little Theatre NEWS

December 12, 2006         visit us at www.venicestage.com

Patsy is open and it is on fire . . . because the hugely talented Tamara Sipes and Rebecca Holahan are back in the Pinkerton Theatre where this show sold out last time. They’ve returned along with the Bodacious Bobcats and that wonderful songbook that belongs to the one and only American miracle, the late Patsy Cline. Always, Patsy Cline will run right through this month. Don’t miss it this time. Tickets are only $22.00.

OPENS THIS WEEK!

Has it already been seven years . . . since we premiered our original musical of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol? There are young people in Venice now who have literally grown up performing in this show, moving from children’s roles as school boys or carolers to character roles, like Young Scrooge, Dick Wilkins, Scrooge’s nephew Fred, his wife, etc. But that’s not the only thing that makes it special. For one thing, Eric Watters is back for a fifth year as Ebenezer Scrooge. And for another thing, this is a great show for the family - quite affordable too. There are five performances of this Venice favorite and tickets are still only $10.00. Oh! There’s this too: college junior Carley Blades, originally of Venice, returns to the show this year and so continues to hold the ‘record’: Carley has been in every production of A Christmas Carol since its December 2000 premiere!

It’s the most wonderful time . . . of the year! And to prove it, we’re filling the MainStage with all the sounds of Christmas, featuring the amazingly talented Ditchfield Family Singers. They’ve been defining Christmas at the Sarasota Opera House for years and now they’re bringing that wonderful show right here to Venice. Another perfect family event for the week before Christmas. There will be three shows - December 19, 20 and 21 at 8:00 p.m.

New Years’ Eve is sold out . . . but there are a few left for the December 30 performance of our New Years’ Concert: Broadway Show Stoppers. This is at 8:00 p.m. in the MainStage and those Saturday, Dec. 30 tickets are $27.00. It’s a festive concert, with 15 wonderful singers doing their magic and reminding us all what we love about musical theatre.

And some tidbits:

• spring classes registration is underway - get moving if you want in

• we’re done with auditions ‘till January - and then it’s Oldest Profession and Godspell!

• Silver Foxes are so good this year that your editor is buying her March Follies tickets NOW!

• our own volunteer coordinator, Linda Mounce, is bravely putting her toe in the working day water here, after almost a week down with a herniated disc. If you see her, and you’re glad to see her, please DO NOT give her a hug or a pat on the back. Best to indicate your pleasure metaphorically for a while.

Merry Christmas everyone - have a joyful and peaceful holiday season!

Okay, here are the dates:

DECEMBER 15-17 Musical: A Christmas Carol - in the MainStage - 5 performances only!

DECEMBER 19-21 Concert: The Ditchfield Family Singers

DECEMBER 30-31 Concert: Broadway Show-Stoppers

JANUARY 16 Opening Night: Bedroom Farce in the MainStage

JANUARY 18 Opening Night: Into the Woods in Stage II

JANUARY 21-22 Concert: The Diamonds on MainStage

JANUARY 21-22 Auditions: The Oldest Profession

JANUARY 27-28 Auditions: Godspell

JANUARY 29 Concert: Boots Randolph

For more info and to buy tickets, get thee to:

w w w . v e n i c e s t a g e . c o m