CARTHAGE, Mo. — On Feb. 8, you can go where “no one has gone before”: the intergalactic musings of Linda Teeter, a Joplin photographer whose 19-piece photography exhibit opens the 2008 season at artCentral, 1110 E. 13th St. in Carthage.
Sally Armstrong, artCentral’s director, said the artist’s reception begins at 6 p.m.
In “Galactic War,” Teeter has extrapolated her photographer’s eye to visualize what may emerge in a worst-case scenario of global warming, chemical usage and humanity’s last struggle for environmental survival.
The images, Teeter said, turned up on her computer instead of the expected previous night’s fireworks display. “These creatures stared at me, and I knew I must do something with these unique images,” she said. “Most photographs were left untouched, although some cried out for color.”
Teeter is an artist trained in painting, charcoal, pencil and watercolor who uses digitally enhanced photographs to interpret her impressions about an image. By manipulating the photos, she hopes to provoke thought and bring others along on her spiritual journey.
She has written a social commentary correlated with the exhibit’s images and will present that narrative on opening night, accompanied by a musical background. “Galactic War,” which premiered at a Kansas City art gallery, will continue through Feb. 24 at artCentral.
Elsewhere, the Alfred Hitchcock thriller “Dial M for Murder” will be staged for two consecutive runs in February at Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre. The film is so good that it has been produced three times: the original 1954 movie with Grace Kelly, Ray Milland and Joplin’s Robert Cummings; a 1981 TV version with Angie Dickinson and Christopher Plummer; and a 1998 movie under the title “A Perfect Murder.”
Talent from around the area has been cast under the direction of Betsy Fleischaker. Kevin Provins, in a reversal of his real-life role as a Carthage police officer, will play the villainous Tony; Dorothy Convirs, of Wyandotte, Okla.., portrays his wife, Margot; and Rowland Geddie, of Lamar, will play her lover, Max. Rounding out the cast are Douglas Dickey, of Carthage, as Scotland Yard’s Inspector Hubbard, and Tom Brown, of Webb City, as Capt. Lesgate. Playwright Frederick Knott conceived the twisted and suspenseful plot about a perfect plan and perfect alibi that somehow boomerang. Isn’t that what usually happens when a greedy, uncaring man plots to kill his rich, unfaithful wife?
Assure your honey that you are not in that category by making a reservation for the special Valentine’s performance on Feb. 14. For only $5 above the normal rate, your date will receive flowers and candy, and both of you will be served spinach/strawberry salad, herb-encrusted beef tenderloin medallions, baked potato, vegetable medley and chocolate-cherry cake with ice cream.
Funding assistance is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, and Schmidt & Associates. Regular performances will be Feb. 7-9 and Feb. 15-17 at the usual rate of $20 for adults and $19 for senior citizens. Reservations: 358-7268 or 358-9665.
