When three or more CRIGHTON PLAYERS get together, it’s usually a good time. Imagine what happened when dozens gathered on New Year’s Eve, especially since the celebration included more than a hundred other partiers, just looking for a safe, happy way to welcome 2010. It all came down, as they say, in Conroe’s OWEN THEATRE.
Houston’s well-known restaurant, TREEBEARD’S, began the evening with a rather relaxed four-star dinner of “Cajun Clucker—“ more stylishly identified as boneless chicken breast in a vinaigrette dressing, accompanied with garden salad, French bread and the piece de resistance, shrimp etouffee. Red and white wines were a gift from WIMBERLY VALLEY WINES of Driftwood, Tex., that has a local tasting room in Old Town Spring.
Volunteer waiters heeded every guest’s slightest request. At beck and call were NICK BARFIELD, ORIANA LEE, GWEN SINGLETON, MELISSA SINGLETON, JOEL KELLY, JOSH SCHANK, CHARLES WILLIAMS, SUE and MICHAEL HAYES, CRISTY MULLINS (who also designed table décor), and cast members of the Elvis revue that followed.
The theme, “Shaking up the New Year,” certainly fulfilled its purpose, as director CAROLE LAMONT arranged some of the best CP performers in an Elvis tribute that ranged from rock and roll to gospel. It opened with JOE VISER, CRISTY MULLINS and TERRY LYNN HALE reinacting a scene from “Louisiana Hayride,” where Presley gained early recognition. Announcer CRAIG CAMPOBELLA supplied trivia information between music numbers.
Elvis Presley had a twin brother that died at birth, but the CP show definitely highlighted more than one gyrating Elvis in a clever shadow box effect.
RUTH ANN PERSON, backed by male cast members, left the crowd in awe with her “How Great Thou Art” during the gospel portion of the show. YVONNE NELSON prompted clapping and stomping when she sang “Swing Down, Sweet Chariot,” backed by the entire cast.
A huge envelope stamped “Return to Sender” showcased female vocalists, with “Jail House Rock” for the finale. With two dozen Elvis hits offered, hardly any were omitted. The cast drew a well-earned standing ovation, with numerous calls for an encore, and even a road show request on the spot.
Even after this exhilarating showcase, much more gaiety emerged when the DAVID MCKENERY BAND played for dancing on stage, or just for listening. A balloon drop and champagne toast finalized what just might have been the best New Year’s party of the evening.
Next up for the Players is “Exit the Body,” a funny bone tickler about hypothetical murder, missing diamonds and unresponsive bodies in a closet. It starts January 22 at the Owen Theatre.
Play director GRACE THOMPSON issued a casting call to find performers for Thornton Wilder’s classic “OUR TOWN.” A large diverse cast is required, with many small speaking parts, as well as some larger roles. The Crighton Players’ auditions begin at 7 p.m. January 17 & 18 at the Owen Theatre, 225 Metcalf.
I can’t leave the old year without remembering the performance of fine vocalist and notable performer DAVID GASCHEN at the Crighton Theatre last month. He is a man at ease with himself, appearing to be just as comfortable on stage as he would be in church. Gadschen seems to know who he is, and it’s not all about Broadway, even though his successes there are legion.
At the December 21 show, Gaschen delighted the audience with renditions of just about every favorite Christmas melody ever written, from the most secular, to his encore of “Ave Maria.” Not overly emphasizing the religious aspect of the holiday, he did include just enough old hymns as reminders.
At one point Gaschen bopped a lively boogie a la Elvis, and in another he executed a humorous tone, singing Santa’s reindeer names in German. Nods to Harry Connick, Jr., as well as Michael Bubet,’ added interesting touches. Gaschen also talked about WW I Battle of Bella Woods where German and English soldiers shaped a temporary Christmas truce leading to “When I Find Christmas in my Heart.” Of lasting impact was Gaschen’s soft a capella version of “Silent Night.” The only element missing was a 40-piece orchestra, and the Crighton stage is too small for that anyway. Besides, his own accompanist is quite adequate, thank you.
Elvis impersonator superior DONNY EDWARDS comes to the Crighton Theatre January 22 at 7 p.m., with a show so popular that only a few scattered seat locations remain, according to theatre manager JIM BINGHAM. In fact the show, “One Night with Elvis,” is such a sensation that a second performance has been scheduled January 30 to accommodate the great demand. Tickets just went on sale for the second show, so choice seats remain, priced from $25 to $ 37, depending on location. Not only does Edwards look and dress like Elvis, he sounds like him, too. Visit http://.myspace.com/donnyedwardslive/ .
Hot band “Fever” accompanies Edwards, and special guest is SUNDANCE HEAD, a Porter native who appeared on American Idol in 2007. Call (936) 441- 7469 right away to reserve front and center.
Contact Peggie at (936) 448-6455 or pegmillr@juno.com.
