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Follow January 30, 2010
God’s Favorite: Feb. 4-7 and Feb. 11-14
Photos by Michael Cochran, MHT
Check out all the things we love!
Feb. 4-7 and Feb. 11-14
God’s Favorite
Market House Theatre
Purchase tix online or call the box office, 270.444.6828.
Friday, March 19
2nd Annual Curtain Call Auction
Market House Theatre
7:30 pm
Entertainment, food, drink and lively bidding on parts in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella Enchanted for a One-Night-Only Performance on Saturday, June 19. Or bid on a Day on a 75’ houseboat at the Lake for 20, a Princess Tea Party, Prince Fishing Party, original Bill Ford art, Stepsisters Get Ready for the Ball Package and more! 270.444.6828 or visit the Web site.
Chair Campaign!
MHT is installing new chairs! Honor someone (or yourself) with an armchair plaque for a $250 donation.
And own a piece of history! The old “vintage” chairs are for sale —$100 for an aisle seat and $75 for an interior seat. If you buy more than two interior chairs, the price drops to $50.
Call the box office, 270.444.6828, for more info.
Neil Simon fans, mark your blackberries! Simon’s ever-popular comedy, God’s Favorite — called “awesomely funny” by The New York Daily News — makes a return visit to the Market House Theatre, with Tom Dolan and Al Knudsen reprising their roles from MHT’s 1996 very successful production.
It’s a story of devout Long Island business tycoon Joe Benjamin (played by Tom), a modern-day Job with a high-maintenance wife, ungrateful children and wise-cracking household help.
He’s visited by a Messenger from God in the form of Sidney Lipton (played by an even funnier than already very funny Al), a compulsive film buff from Queens who is on a mission to test Joe’s faith and report back to “the Boss.”
When our modern Job refuses to renounce God, everything becomes a test of faith, including his family.
“I love this show because it delivers a lot of entertainment overall — but it does have a message about life and a belief in faith and in God,” says director Diane Byrd (she played the high-maintenance wife in the 1996 version). “And this cast is wonderful. Everyone is experienced, cooperative and has the same goal in mind: to put on a great show.”
Valerie Pollard is the assistant director. And along with Tom (last seen in Southern Comforts and Tuesdays with Morrie) and Al (Tom, Dick and Harry and Beauty and the Beast), the cast includes:
Lisa Humphrey as the jewel- and fur-bedecked Rose Benjamin. Lisa directed MHT productions of On Golden Pond and Murder at the Howard Johnson’s.
Landon Baker (Tom, Dick and Harry and The Outsiders) and Allyson Tracy (Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, Jr.) play twins Ben and Sarah Benjamin, who have an IQ of 160…between them.
Joey Judd (The Wizard of Oz and The Boys Next Door) plays the drunken prodigal son David Benjamin. He played the butler in the 1996 version.
Maid and butler Mady and Morris are played by Dvonne Miller (Anything Goes and Doubt) and Steve Schwetman (Anything Goes and The Foreigner). Coincidently, Steve is one of Diane’s former drama students! “I can’t help but still call her Ms. Byrd,” he says.
The play runs Feb. 4-7 and Feb. 11-14, with show times at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday evenings and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays and an additional 2:30 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Feb. 13.
Tix are $19 for adults and $16 for seniors. Groups reserving 10 or more tickets for a single performance receive a group rate of $16 per ticket, with $2 of each ticket donated to Paducah Cooperative Ministry. Purchase them online or call the box office, 270.444.6828.
Be sure to come properly dressed: “This show is extremely funny,” Al notes. “Be sure to wear rubber pants when you come.”
Here’s a sneak peek:
