By JOSEPHINE NORRIS, Photo Editor.
Clues from several plays and musicals lined the room of Pit and Balcony’s second annual “Cocktails and Curtain Calls” event. The Saginaw Community theater chose to reveal their upcoming 2015-2016 season shows by displaying props and clues to guests.
A vintage TV was displayed as a hint for the musical “Hairspray,” a paper wedding bell for “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a red umbrella for “Eurydice,” a can of sardines for “Noises Off” and a mannequin leg with the lyrics “No day but today” from the musical “Rent.”
The event not only revealed the tiles to be performed at the theater. The attendees were comprised of season ticket holders, theater volunteers and performers, as well as Pit and Balcony board members.
“It’s really cool to meet the board members. As actors [we] don’t normally get the chance to [meet them],” said Carly Peil of Auburn. Peil has been involved with the theater since 2009 and since then has performed in 5 shows.
The room was crowded with people sitting around tables enjoying the hot dogs, root beer floats and of course cocktails offered.
“It is great to see such support,” said Pit and Balcony board member Debbie Mazur.
To begin the 2015-2016 season in October is “Hairspray” the winner of numerous Tony awards. The story revolves around plus-sized Tracy Turnblad and her dream of dancing on the Corny Collins Show. It is a family friendly musical filled with messages of acceptance and progress in society.
Next in the lineup, just in time for the Holiday season is the play, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Based off the classic movie by the same name is the story of everyman George Bailey who gets the chance to see what the world would be like if he was not in it.
Following is “Eurydice” in February is a modern retelling of the classic Greek tragedy “Eurydice.” The play contains three movements with numerous scenes in each.
Next, the play “Noises Off” will hit the stage in April. The concept is a play within a play about a group of actors rehearsing a new show. It is filled to the brim with door slamming and physical comedy.
Closing the season is the acclaimed and award winning rock musical “Rent.” It is the modern retelling of the opera “La Boheme” set in New York in the late ‘90s. The musical follows the lives of a group of impoverished friends through the course of a year, as they strive to “live for today.”
Community member Gerry Kelly was happy with the lineup. ““I love it, it sounds great and upbeat. I have a season ticket, so I will see all of them.”
Theater volunteer and “Cocktails and Curtain Calls” organizer Suzie Reid was “very pleased with the turnout,” and is looking forward to the upcoming season. “It is going to be wonderful. I am especially excited about ending with “Rent.”
During the event board president Martha Humphreys spoke of the importance of ongoing support for the theater, as well as the actors who perform on Pit and Balcony’s stage.
“Pit and Balcony is their outlet. It is their bowling league or bridge club,” said Humphreys. She also pointed out that Pit and Balcony may be the only theater experience some people in the community may ever have.
With a mix of musicals, drama, and comedy, the upcoming season at Pit and Balcony has something for everyone.
Season tickets for Pit and Balcony will be available after April 15 through the Pit and Balcony website www.pitandbalconytheater.com or by calling the box office at 989-754-6587.
