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Towngate Season Preview Party Aug. 18: Let Us Entertain You!

Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theater announced its 2017-18 season, and a Towngate Season Preview Party at 7 p.m. August 18 kicks off the season in grand style.

Titled, “Let Us Entertain You,” the event begins with hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer in Towngate’s lobby. Then, guests head upstairs for captivating readings from each of the main stage plays featured in this year’s lineup. And if that’s not enough, guests will enjoy musical entertainment by Roger Hoard.

After the show, guests return to the lobby and enjoy a selection of desserts.  Then, a champagne toast kick offs another successful season of performing arts.

Get a Sneak Peek of the Season & Support Local Actors, Musicians, Filmmakers

Towngate Theatre director Tim Thompson said last year was the first time the theater offered a season preview party, and guest really enjoyed it.  “We are excited for our second annual event. Get a sneak peek of our season and celebrate and support all that Towngate brings to the community, too.”

The Friends of Towngate group is organizing and hosting the event. This volunteer group raises awareness and funds to support Towngate and its mission. The group also coordinates volunteers to serve in various roles at the theater such as ushers and concession workers when needed. Proceeds from the season preview party go directly to Towngate and will help fund the upcoming season.

“We invite everyone to come out and support our local actors, directors, stage managers, set and costume designers. They spend months working to bring characters and stories to life. Their efforts produce amazing art time and time again,” Thompson said.

What do people have to look forward to this year at Towngate?  A lot, says Thompson.

Towngate Theatre director Tim Thompson, technical director P.D. Gregg and Friends of Towngate chairperson Dana Applegate plan for the 2017 Towngate Season Preview Party.

Towngate’s Main Season

“Noises Off” will be staged September 22-24 and 29-30.

Called the funniest farce ever written, “Noises Off” centers on a cast of itinerant actors are rehearsing a flop called “Nothing’s On.” Door slamming, on and offstage intrigue and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this hilarious play.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” will be staged December 1-3 and 8-9.

This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940’s radio broadcast. The story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.

“The Cripple of Inishmaan” will be staged March 16-18 and 23-24.

On the island of Inishmaan, off the coast of Ireland, there is not much to do. A young man named Billy, who is physically disabled, wants to leave, as everyone there, even his aunts Kate and Eileen, calls him “Cripple Billy.” A Hollywood film crew shows up on the island, and Billy sees his chance to escape. He goes with the film crew to the United States, only to learn that it is not everything he dreamed it would be.

“August: Osage County” will be staged May 11-13 and 18-19.

A look at the lives of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, where paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them.

Enjoy more than just theater.

But the main season is not all Towngate has to offer, Thompson explained. “Towngate is more than just traditional theater. It is a cornerstone of creative life in Wheeling. People of all ages and backgrounds gather here to create and experience art onstage in a variety of forms.”

Some other great things happening this year include:

Children’s Theater – This season includes “Hansel and Gretel” ballet, “The Reluctant Dragon,”  “The Nutcracker” ballet and “The Arkansaw Bear.”

Live Music – Some of the region’s most versatile and entertaining musicians perform at Towngate on select weekends throughout the year. You can see Bill Gorby and The Musical Mercenaries, Hermie & Harry’s Dueling Pianos and Bridges.  The eight band “Bridge and Tunnel Collective” will perform a special Christmas show December 16.

Towngate Cinema – Enjoy iconic American films at Towngate. Get ready for “Singin’ in the Rain”, “Annie Hall,” “Vertigo” and “2001: A Space Odyssey” as part of the Wheeling Film Society’s season of classic films.  On other weekends throughout the year, Towngate Art House cinema offers classic and independent films, though-provoking documentaries and film shorts by local, regional and nationally recognized filmmakers.

Comedy and Poetry– Those looking for laughs will enjoy performances by two improvisational comedy groups. The Left of Centre Players, an adult improv troupe, and the Crazy 8s, which comprises high school and college-aged thespians, perform throughout the year.  Local spoken-word artists The Prosers also perform on the Towngate stage.

Towngate Season Entertains & Inspires

“Dozens of local actors, musicians, poets, dancers and more contribute to this full season of entertainment that entertains and inspires,” Thompson said. “We are proud to provide a venue for these performing artists to engage in the craft and hone their skills. And we are equally as proud to serve as entertainment destination for residents of the Ohio Valley and beyond.  We invite everyone to join us for a play, a concert, a ballet, a movie or a spoken-word performance.  You won’t be disappointed.”

Get Tickets

Purchase tickets for the August 18 Season Preview Party or for any Towngate show at www.oionline.com or by calling 304-242-7700.

The non-profit Oglebay Institute operates this church-turned-theater, located in Wheeling’s Center Market District, as well as several other Wheeling venues. Other OI facilities include: The Stifel Fine Arts Center and School of Dance on National Road, the Mansion Museum, Glass Museum and Schrader Environmental Education Center in Oglebay.

“GODSPELL” AT TOWNGATE AUGUST 2-5

Talented Cast Delivers Uplifting Message About Compassion & Understanding

See “Godspell” at Towngate! Oglebay Institute’s Parcel Players continue their 2017 season with one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time.  This immensely popular rock opera needs little introduction. However, when first produced in 1971 it broke new ground in its treatment of the historical Jesus Christ.

The production is under the theatrical direction of Tim Thompson, musical direction of Mikayla Schultz and choreography by Cheryl Pompeo.  You can see the production at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, August 2-5 at Towngate Theatre.

Based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, the show is not based on a traditional plot.  Instead, it utilizes clowning, pantomime, charades, song and dance and vaudeville to deliver its messages. A production that moves from moment to moment, “Godspell” is a reflection on the life of Jesus by twelve performers to whom the audience can easily relate.

John-Michael Tebelek originally directed “Godspell” and Stephen Schwartz, from “Wicked” fame, created the music and lyrics.

Creative, Smart, Energetic Cast

Director Thompson says audiences will be very impressed with the “creative, smart and energetic” young cast and will find the show “uplifting.”

“Godspell fills us all with hope, faith and love and illustrates how compassion and understanding can build a community of man and that those things are possible even in our divided and chaotic world,” he said.

“Godspell” started as a college project performed by students at Carnegie Mellon University. Later, it moved to La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in Greenwich Village. It was then re-scored for an off-Broadway production, which became a long-running success.

See Godspell at Towngate Aug. 2-5

Don’t Miss Schwartz’s Sparkling, Seminal Score

Featuring Schwartz’s sparkling, seminal score, the musical boasts a string of recognizable songs. Led by the international hit, “Day by Day,” other songs include: “Prepare Ye (The Way of the Lord),” “Save the People,” “O, Bless the Lord, My Soul,” and “Light of the World.” Through song and dance, audience members see stories come humanly and hearteningly to life.

In addition to “Godspell,” Stephen Schwartz contributed music and/or lyrics to popular Disney and DreamWorks animated features. Schwartz earned three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards and four Drama Desk Awards.

Director Thompson Finds Special Meaning in “Godspell”

Thompson said “Godspell” has a special meaning to him.  “It was the first show I ever did back in high school.  At the time, I was experiencing a personal tragedy and being in this play saved my life.   It also led me in the direction of what I wanted to do with the rest of my life – work and play in the theater.”

In addition to his personal affinity for the play, he chose “Godspell” to be a part of the Parcel Players season for several reasons.

“The cast and crew from our high school production really bonded. They all remain great friends of mine and will forever. I wanted our Parcel Players to experience the same. To bond with a group of fellow actors is a very special thing. I want our young actors to remember this experience and keep in touch with each other even after the curtain comes down on their final performance,” he said.

A Showcase For Young Talent

Additionally, Thompson says, “Godspell” is the perfect vehicle to teach young actors about acting. When Tebelek and Schwartz wrote “Godspell” for their thesis project, they created it to be a showcase for young actors who could sing, dance, act and improvise.

“Another unique thing about ‘Godspell’ is that the entire cast never leaves the stage so actors learn stamina.”

Jesus, played by Woody Pond, and John the Baptist/Judas, played by Maguire Glass, lead the cast as the two specific characters in the play. The ensemble characters play themselves while representing twelve disciples learning lessons about community, hypocrisy, love and many morals and values through parables and stories from their teacher.

See Godspell at Towngate Aug. 2-5
Woody Pond plays Jesus and Maguire Glass plays John the Baptist/Judas.

Ensemble cast members include:  Joana Tsuhlares, David Gaudio, Betsy Brossman, Ryan Bartsch, Lexie Kosanovic, Josie Jarrett, Stephanie Ebarb, Ben Ashmore, Megan Chacalos and Veda Wheeler.

Band members are Schultz on piano; Cody Stepanek on drums; Anthony Panebianco on bass and Greg Pond on guitar.

Large & Impressive Crew Supports the Production

In addition to Thompson, Schultz and Pompeo, a large and impressive crew supports the production.  Bob Gaudio serves as assistant director; Sarah Miller is stage manager; Mallory Fischer is assistant music director/vocal coach; set designer is Dave Henderson; P.D. Gregg is technical director; Julia Schmidt is prop master and board operators are Chelsea McAvoy and Brooke Lander.   Students in Towngate’s set construction camp provided assistance building and painting the set.

“We typically only have 2-3 crew members.  For this sure, we have 16.  It has been wonderful to have so many people using their skills to make this show a success,” Thompson said.

The production is a true community effort with people from all over the area.  Students from four middle schools (Bridge Street, Triadelphia, Wheeling and Warwood), three high schools (Wheeling Central, John Marshall and Wheeling Park) and four universities (Muskingum, West Liberty, Bethany and WVU) participate in the show.

Uplifting Message Inspires Audiences of All Ages

Thompson said audiences of all ages will enjoy and appreciate this show. “The play is first and foremost about Jesus building a community of man from a group of isolated, scared, angry people. Now, more than ever, we need this message shared, understood and put into action.”

Oglebay Institute’s Parcel Players began more than 40 years ago and offers young people interested in theater a chance to perform, direct, work with costumes, lighting and more.

The plays are wonderful examples of community theater at its best and offer local audiences a chance to enjoy comedy, drama, song and dance – perfect for the whole family.

Get Tickets

Purchase tickets online or by calling 304-242-7700 or at the door, if available.

Towngate Theatre is located at 2118 Market St. in Centre Wheeling and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is handicap accessible, and you can purchase refreshments, including beer and wine.  The box opens one hour before all shows and can be reached at 304-233-0820.