The 2018-2019 Red Raven Repertory Theatre will kick off the 2018-2019 season with a three-day run of "Anton in Show Business." Shows on Oct. 5 and Oct. 6 will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on Oct. 7 starting at 2 p.m. All performances will be in the Spencer/Rounds Performing Arts Theatre on the main campus of Coffeyville Community College. Admission is free and tickets can be reserved online at www.redravenrepertory.eventbrite.com. Donations to support the CCC theatre program will be accepted at the door.
"Anton in Show Business," written by Jane Martin, is a madcap comedy that follows three actresses across the footlights, down the rabbit hole, and into a strangely familiar Wonderland that looks like a lot like American theatre - the resemblance is uncanny. As these women pursue their dream of performing Chekhov in Texas, they are whisked through a maelstrom of "good ideas" that offer unique solutions to the Three Sisters' need to have life's deeper purpose revealed. In the tradition of great backstage comedies, "Anton in Show Business" conveys the joys, pains, and absurdities of "putting on a play" at the turn of the century. The play is recommended for audiences 13-years of age and up.
Coffeyville Community College's production will feature a guest artist, Crocket James Ward. Ward will be hosting workshops (both performance and tech based), and will also serve as the vocal coach and dialect captain for the production. Ward holds his M.F.A. in Theatre Performance from The University of Southern Mississippi. Ward is a licensed practitioner of the Lessac Body and Voice work, is recognized as an immersive and interactive theatre performer through "The Art of Play" by Gary Izzo, and is certified in multiple areas of stage combat through Dueling Arts International. Ward is currently a freelance actor.
The play is directed by CCC Theatre Director Ryan Mahannah. Tyler Allen is the Assistant Director, and Kayla Semmel is the Stage Manager.
The cast for the play includes:
- Juleonna Stevenson as T-Anne/Andywyneth.
- Katelyn Shearhart as Lisabette.
- Meagan Strum as Casey.
- Tylar Dougan as Holly.
- Serenity Johnson as Joby.
- Leslie Hasenbank as Kate.
- Larry Irwin as Ben.
- Crockett James Ward as Wikewitch.
- Ryan Hightower as Don Blount.
- Amber Holcomb as Ralph.
- Noah Garcia as Jackey.
- Andrew Holcomb as Gate Manager.
- Nathaniel Rowe as Joe Bob.