"Come to our Awesome Show"

Young actors have been working for weeks to create and produce a show they describe as "awesome." Bisbee's Obscure Productions began in June, asking their young performers to come up with ideas for their very own play. With help from director Rae Jones and assistant directors Christa Smith and Staci Smith, the actors brainstormed an adventurous trip around the galaxy. Molly Hottel tied their ideas into Journey through the Planets. Molly likes being in the play because she loved the writing process and because everyone contributed ideas. She thinks people should see "Journey" for its suspense, magic and drama.

For some of the actors, this workshop has been a family endeavor. Molly's sister Abby Hottel has appeared twice with BOP before, once in a kid's show and once in Inherit the Wind. Abby thinks the play is "great," and she enjoys the challenge of acting sick on stage. Zarria Starr Dennis has enjoyed working with different people and is looking forward to an audience. "It would be so great for us." Starr's twin Isabella Dennis likes how "you can make your own ideas and mix them."

Linda Herrera wants audience members to come to support "kids getting together and just having fun. It's going to be a great show." The youngest young actor, Hadleigh McLeod, says "I love acting," and "this play is really imaginative." Jasmine Apel finds that "acting is awesome," even though her mother made her join the troupe. "We have all worked so hard," she continues, "and it's awesome!

The whole community is invited to support this production. Tickets are free for kids 12 and under, $5 for everyone else. Journey Through the Planets will have two performances on August 5 & 6 at the “O. G. Squffy” Theater at Central School Project, 43 Howell Avenue in Old Bisbee. Performances for both evenings are scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

BOP's Youth Theater Workshop was made available free of charge to participants thanks to generous help from the Bisbee Arts Commission, the Bisbee Foundation, Central School Project and the Bisbee Rotary Club. Come out to support these budding stars and enjoy an evening of live theater. For more information contact Rae Jones, theaterbisbee@gmail.com, or
520-432-2901.

B. O. P. takes on the Scopes “Monkey” Trial

A cast of 30 of Bisbee’s finest actors, directed by Rae E. Jones, has begun rehearsals for Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee. This intense courtroom drama captures the emotion-packed division between fundamentalist religious believers, bent on keeping the teachings of evolutionary biology (as put forth by Charles Darwin in The Origin of Species) out of the classrooms, and civil libertarians pressing to retain free speech and fighting to keep religious censorship out of education. William Roberts and Eugene (Gene) Conners square off as fictionalized versions of William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow (Mathew Harrison Brady and Harold Drummond in the play), oratorical giants of their day. These courtroom scenes were “torn from the headlines” long before Law & Order was cool. The real life Dayton, Tennessee, has been changed to Hillsboro, Ohio, circa 1925.

Rae likes this play because these issues arise again and again in our society and the dichotomy of beliefs seems to be at a new emotional high at this time, separating our citizens into warring camps. She believes that open-minded playgoers of all beliefs will come away from the theater with considerable food for thought after seeing this drama.

Performances of “Inherit the Wind” are scheduled for 7:30 pm on January 21, 22, 28, & 29, 2011, with 3:00 pm matinees slated for January 23 and 30. Mark your calendars now so as not to miss what promises to be an outstanding show. All performances will be held in the theater at Central School Project in Old Bisbee.

We're bringing it back -- the Bisbee Women's Review. I know it is supposed to be "Revue."

From Merriam-Webster.com:

Etymology: French, from Middle French reveue review — more at review

Date: 1872 : a theatrical production consisting typically of brief loosely connected often satirical skits, songs, and dances

Back in the 80s, someone spelled it "Review," and we're keeping that tradition. Also in keeping with the early beginnings of this show, all tickets are $5 at the door. When we say get there early, we mean it. We only have 80 seats, and sellouts are possible.

We have some fabulous acts in a wide variety of styles: music by Jenny Druckman and friends, Pat Panther and the women of the Occasional Chorus; dance from Abigail Stage, Angelika Johnson and Joan Reichel. Pearl Watkins, Rae Jones and others will handle the drama and humor. And there's more -- come to the show to find out.

For those of you who remember the Women's Shows at the Old Baptist Church, we want to tell you that Central School Project has upgraded amenities with water-saving toilets. Please follow the directions.

We're looking forward to seeing all of you, including our friends of the male persuasion, at these exciting, entertaining performances. One weekend only: March 12 & 13 at 7:30 pm and March 14 at 3:00 pm. Remember, first come, first seated.

We're open!

Urinetown, The Musical opened last night to a standing ovation and many, many, enthusiastic comments:

"The best thing I've seen in Bisbee!"

"Wonderful"

"Thank you!"

Tickets are going fast, so if you want a wonderful evening or afternoon of theater, head to one of our great ticket vendors.

Atalanta's Music and Books, Main Street, Old Bisbee
Bisbee Visitor Center, Main Street, Old Bisbee
Bisbee Food Coop, Lowell
Oscar Yrun Community Center, Sierra Vista