By Michael Ryan
TANNERSVILLE - The curtain will soon rise on spring and then summer but the Maude Adams Theater Hub isn’t waiting for warmer weather, presenting a trio of staged readings during Valentines Day week.
“February can be a dark, gloomy month,” MATH producer Amy Scheibe says. “We have a lot to look forward to culturally.
“Our motto at Maude Adams Theater Hub is that local theater saves lives. We want to help people find the joy of community theater, transporting them on what could be an otherwise bleak February night.”
First up, running on February 14 & 16 (7 p.m.) will be “The Women,” written in 1936 by Clair Booth Luce, directed by Patricia Charbonneau from the Big Hollow area of the town of Windham.
“This is a dream-come-true cast of sixteen women,” Scheibe says. “It is amazing, bringing together so many talented people who love being on stage, drawing on women from throughout the Hudson Valley.”
“The Women,” also a successful 1930’s movie, weaves an entangling story about the joys, heartaches and unique special triumphs of being a woman.
“Set in 1930’s New York the dialogue is fast paced, if you have not seen the 1939 film do yourself a favor and see it,” the MATH website states.
“A real treat and the film script is almost verbatim from the play. Filled with strong, colorful, comedic characters, a snappy supporting cast of many dozens and an abundance of witty dialogue.
“The Women” is juicy, wicked, and full of guilty fun,” the MATH website states, “”It is both a scathing commentary on the life of the superficial, selfish socialite and a knowing, heart-felt depiction of romantic rivalry, toxic friendships, and the thousands of supporting roles women play in offices, salons and their own lives.
“The play is a commentary on the pampered lives and power struggles of various wealthy Manhattan socialites and up-and-coming women and the gossip that propels and damages their relationships.
“While men frequently are the subject of their lively discussions and drive the action on-stage, they never are seen or heard.”
Next in the limelight is “God of Carnage ” on February 15 & 17 (7 p.m.), with book by Yasmina Reza, directed locally by Scheibe.
“I am putting on a director’s hat as if I don’t have enough hats already,” Scheibe says, laughing. “We are really delighted to present this play.
“It was originally written in French, set in Paris, and has been adapted by Christopher Hampton to be set in Brooklyn so this version is full of what we affectionately call citiots,” Scheibe says.
“God of Carnage is about two sets of parents; the son of one couple has hurt the son of the other couple at a public park,” the MATH website states.
“The parents meet to discuss the matter in a civilized manner. However, as the evening goes on, the parents become increasingly childish and the meeting devolves into chaos.
“The meeting degenerates into the four getting into irrational arguments, and their discussion falls into the loaded topics of sexism, racial prejudice and homophobia.
“One of the central dramatic moments of the play occurs when Annette vomits on stage, all over the coffee table and books. There are lots of hilarious, shocking, and heartbreaking moments.”
“The question becomes ‘are we civilized or neanderthals?’” Scheibe says. “We are very fortunate to have super talented and highly trained actors; Molly Gaebe, Billy Solley, Marc Wolf and Caitlin McColl.
“The four of them are dynamite. The rehearsals have been explosive. I can’t wait to see what they bring on Opening Night.”
Taking center stage, February 17 & 18 with 2 p.m. matinees, will be “Gin Game,” penned by Donald Coburn, directed here by Christopher Cade.
“We like to round out what we call the V Season with a matinee, a little quieter than the evening shows but funny and poignant,” Scheibe says.
“Gin Game is a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner about two people in a nursing home who play gin everyday and find commonality.”
Saving the not-least for last, Scheibe also announced that MATH has secured the rights for “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” tastefully scheduled for the July 4th weekend.
“This is going to be a barn burner,” Scheibe says. “It hasn’t been available for community theater the past few years.
“We literally kept refreshing the licensing screen until it became available again and got it the same day.
“There are major roles and is a large ensemble with featured ensemble parts so we hope to have as many people at auditions as possible, all ages. We are thrilled to have this show. Just thrilled.”
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