Shelby theater scene offers a touch of class
Posted: 12/1/2009
By James Mulcahy
Before I came to Shelby County in 2001, my theater experiences were limited to a supporting role in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" when I was in grade school (yes, you can guess which character) and being part of a few dinner theater audiences. I watched "Godspell" performed after a cold roast beef/boiled potatoes dinner, and my undeveloped taste allowed me to enjoy both. I was easy to please.
That was then.
Now refined, Julie and I are regulars for productions at both Actors Theatre of Louisville and the Shelby County Community Theatre. To say there is a comparison between the two would be unfair to SCCT. Actors Theatre, after all, has a large budget and, I'm pretty sure, a requirement that all the actors have been in at least one Law & Order episode.
The shows at Shelby County Community Theatre have been both very good and very memorable -- not because many of the actors are personal friends, but because those personal friends are bankers and farm implement salespeople and schoolteachers. None of them, to my knowledge, has been on Law & Order.
Take that fact and then consider that the actors' compensation is a cast party, and that they're playing on a tiny stage and, by comparison, to a tiny audience (the theater seats maybe 100). Even with all that, I'd put any production I've seen there up against any in the country. Who can forget the marvelous singing and acting from a slew of children in "Seussical Jr."? One play stands out for me: "To Kill a Mockingbird," performed in a few years ago with seasoned actor Clint Gill and young natural actress Elizabeth Sames in the lead roles. That's good stuff.
I know I took the long route to make my point, but I have two points, so I guess it took twice as long.
The first is a plea for all to support the upcoming Fantasy Ball. The fund-raising event the source of the vast majority of SCCT's money. It pays, among other things, the electric bill and buys rights to produce a play and covers the property tax -- all the things needed for day-to-day operations. The Fantasy Ball, called "Christmas Fantasy" this year, is Dec. 5 at Settle Gym. They need financial and moral support from all of us.
Point No. 2: City Center.
Back in September, Dr. Leon Mooneyhan made a bold presentation for a downtown convention/civic center. The proposal is not for another Rupp Arena or Freedom Hall, but what a shot in the arm it would be for little ol' Shelbyville!
Mooneyhan, former Shelby County Public Schools superintendent and now CEO at Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative (OVEC), wants to partner with local governments and local citizens to build the $9.2 million facility. City Center, as it has been dubbed, would have ample conference space to fit most needs locally -- including OVEC -- and a 300-seat theater. Located in the Main Street/7th Street/Washington Street block, the complex would include the current theater space and Operation Care.
Mooneyhan's public presentation brought out more than 100 people to the Stratton Center -- apparently all in support, although a few were concerned that the architectural design didn't fit so well with the historical designs that surround it.
Among the public comments:
• From Gary Steinhilber -- "This is great! I hope it moves with speed and great dispatch."
• From drama teacher Tracy Gayle -- "This would be a wonderful addition to our community."
• From Shelbyville Mayor Thomas Hardesty -- "When the (City Center) committee gets together, I see no reason why we can't make it work. If this project fails, we have nobody to blame but ourselves."
• From Gary Walls -- "You've put together ... a wonderful plan."
• From Bobby Hudson, executive director of the Shelby County Industrial Foundation -- "You have to take a leap of faith and do it, so let's go, Leon!"
I couldn't have said it better myself. Let's go.
That was then.
Now refined, Julie and I are regulars for productions at both Actors Theatre of Louisville and the Shelby County Community Theatre. To say there is a comparison between the two would be unfair to SCCT. Actors Theatre, after all, has a large budget and, I'm pretty sure, a requirement that all the actors have been in at least one Law & Order episode.
The shows at Shelby County Community Theatre have been both very good and very memorable -- not because many of the actors are personal friends, but because those personal friends are bankers and farm implement salespeople and schoolteachers. None of them, to my knowledge, has been on Law & Order.
Take that fact and then consider that the actors' compensation is a cast party, and that they're playing on a tiny stage and, by comparison, to a tiny audience (the theater seats maybe 100). Even with all that, I'd put any production I've seen there up against any in the country. Who can forget the marvelous singing and acting from a slew of children in "Seussical Jr."? One play stands out for me: "To Kill a Mockingbird," performed in a few years ago with seasoned actor Clint Gill and young natural actress Elizabeth Sames in the lead roles. That's good stuff.
I know I took the long route to make my point, but I have two points, so I guess it took twice as long.
The first is a plea for all to support the upcoming Fantasy Ball. The fund-raising event the source of the vast majority of SCCT's money. It pays, among other things, the electric bill and buys rights to produce a play and covers the property tax -- all the things needed for day-to-day operations. The Fantasy Ball, called "Christmas Fantasy" this year, is Dec. 5 at Settle Gym. They need financial and moral support from all of us.
Point No. 2: City Center.
Back in September, Dr. Leon Mooneyhan made a bold presentation for a downtown convention/civic center. The proposal is not for another Rupp Arena or Freedom Hall, but what a shot in the arm it would be for little ol' Shelbyville!
Mooneyhan, former Shelby County Public Schools superintendent and now CEO at Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative (OVEC), wants to partner with local governments and local citizens to build the $9.2 million facility. City Center, as it has been dubbed, would have ample conference space to fit most needs locally -- including OVEC -- and a 300-seat theater. Located in the Main Street/7th Street/Washington Street block, the complex would include the current theater space and Operation Care.
Mooneyhan's public presentation brought out more than 100 people to the Stratton Center -- apparently all in support, although a few were concerned that the architectural design didn't fit so well with the historical designs that surround it.
Among the public comments:
• From Gary Steinhilber -- "This is great! I hope it moves with speed and great dispatch."
• From drama teacher Tracy Gayle -- "This would be a wonderful addition to our community."
• From Shelbyville Mayor Thomas Hardesty -- "When the (City Center) committee gets together, I see no reason why we can't make it work. If this project fails, we have nobody to blame but ourselves."
• From Gary Walls -- "You've put together ... a wonderful plan."
• From Bobby Hudson, executive director of the Shelby County Industrial Foundation -- "You have to take a leap of faith and do it, so let's go, Leon!"
I couldn't have said it better myself. Let's go.
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