CARTHAGE, Mo. —
What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than a production of “It’s a Wonderful Life” at Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre?
Scheduled for Dec. 6 to 9 and Dec. 13 to 16, the play stars Kyle Bridges as George Bailey, Corine Probert as his wife Mary, Tom Brown as the grasping banker Henry Potter, Joe Kowalski as Clarence Odbody (George’s “second-class” guardian angel) and Hunter Drake as the young George. Drake also plays one of George and Mary’s four children.
The story relates how George, beset by overwhelming circumstances, postpones his dream of traveling and living the good life to always do “the right thing” by family, friends and his community. Driven to a point where he considers suicide, George’s guardian angel arrives on the scene and shows him what life would have been like in Bedford Falls, N.Y., without him.
The perennial favorite originated in a 1939 short story by Philip Van Doren Stern that was made into a 1946 movie. The American Film Institute recognizes “It’s a Wonderful Life” as one of the 100 best American films ever made.
Director Betty Bell said the cast of 27 “has bonded so well. They are just like a big family.” With all the set designers, costumers, and lighting and sound personnel, the production crew numbers about 40. Bell was especially complimentary to associate director Mark Sponaugle and assistant director Pam White-Schaffer, who she said have been a great help.
This will be the debut of a new cook for the dinner theater. Leann Cole, who has years of experience providing delicious meals to large groups, has joined the staff. I can attest to her culinary expertise. We worked together for years in Victorian Carthage, serving meals to tourists and guests of Kendrick Place. Later she was my partner in the Carthage Route 66 Tearoom.
Her inaugural meal will be what was always the most favorite served at Kendrick Place: Mandarin orange salad with poppy seed dressing, chicken breast over rice in a sherry/mushroom sauce, “cooked-down” (at Chris Lobby’s insistence — she was right) green beans, and baked fudge with ice cream for dessert.
As I recall, our only dilemma with this meal was whether there was enough sherry in the sauce. My vote was always for more.
There is still “spotty seating” available for this production, Bell said, but you had better hurry with your reservations.
Details: 417-358-9665.
Murder mystery
If you are not fortunate enough to find one of those spots, now is the time to make your reservations for the next Stone’s Throw event, which promises to be a hoot. An audience participation murder mystery, “My Big Fat Greek Murder,” will be presented one time only beginning at 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve.
The wedding rehearsal dinner for Sophie Poopadopoulos is turned into a crime scene with the murder of her “non-Greek” groom. While her parents try to salvage the food, Sophie locks herself in the bathroom. Uncle Zorba is enlisted to find the murderer while Aunt Moolah gives Sophie a makeover to help her find a new groom. After all, the church is already rented!
The witness/suspect list alone is worth the price of admission: famous Greek actor Yanni Depp, famous Greek opera singer Tia Maria Callous, famous Greek TV celebrity Opa Winfrey, famous Greek designer Kate Spados, famous Greek actress Olympia Dukaka and famous Greek sheeping magnate Telly Kojackie Onassis.
Who is responsible? Will Sophie find a new groom? How will you be involved? You have to pay to play. Tickets are $25 and include hors d’oeuvres, party favors and a sparkling toast at midnight. Help solve this mystery!
Address correspondence to Jo Ellis, c/o The Joplin Globe, Box 7, Joplin, MO 64802 or email news@joplinglobe.com.
Local News
Jo Ellis: Dinner plus ‘Wonderful Life’ equals Christmas
Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre to present holiday favorite
- Local News
-
-
Donations being accepted for Moore tornado survivors
Joplin residents and area nonprofit and relief organizations, remembering the devastation sustained two years ago in the Joplin tornado, are rallying today to send help to residents of Moore, Okla.
-
Globe reporter describes scene in Moore, Okla.
Joplin Globe Reporter Andra Stefanoni said the tornado-damaged town of Moore, Okla., is eerily reminiscent of Joplin on May 22, 2011.
-
Hearing slated for Joplin East Middle School teacher set for Thursday
An East Middle School teacher who was removed from his classroom last month following an investigation by district officials will go before the Board of Education this week.
-
Catholic Charities puts out call for donations to fill two trucks for Oklahoma tornado survivors
Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri is requesting donations to fill two box trucks with needed supplies for the tornado-devastated region of Moore, Okla.
-
Crowder College president to head to MSSU
Alan Marble, who announced Monday that he would retire as president of Crowder College in June, has been hired as special assistant to the president at Missouri Southern State University, MSSU officials announced Tuesday.
-
Via Christi Health to cut up to 400 positions across state; Pittsburg impact uncertain
Via Christi Health announced Today that it would cut up to 400 positions within its system across the state of Kansas to compensate for financial challenges as a result of declining hospital and physician visits.
-
Vandals cause $37,000 in damage at Joplin business
A Joplin business owner was the victim of a weekend vandalism spree that resulted in an estimated $37,000 in damages and theft, in addition to putting the company out of service for at least two days.
-
Storms cause damage throughout the Four States
Four-State Area residents hunkered down twice Monday to ride out tornadoes and powerful spring storms, then went to work cleaning up. The worst damage from Monday night’s storm was being reported in Ottawa County, Okla., near Wyandotte. That followed a report of an EF-1 tornado early Monday morning near Carthage.
-
Two plead guilty to post-tornado wire theft
Two defendants pleaded guilty Monday to stealing copper wire from utility poles in the wake of the May 22, 2011, tornado that struck Joplin. Timothy M. Silveria, 45, of Joplin, and Nycoa K. Kracht, 32, of Laurel, Ind., entered open pleas of guilty in Jasper County Circuit Court to felony counts of theft from a public utility.
-
Alan Marble, Crowder College president, to retire
After 27 years with Crowder College, President Alan Marble has announced his plans to retire on June 30, the formal end of the academic year. “It’s just the right time,” Marble, 58, said in a telephone interview Monday morning. “I’ve enjoyed, I think, every minute of these 27 years, but it’s time to move on to the next challenge.”
- More Local News Headlines
-
Donations being accepted for Moore tornado survivors
