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The Westside Players Present "Joyful Noise" August 10-12
“What a witty, inspiring play this is” says R. W. Rasband, when he writes about “Joyful Noise”, a new “dramedy” by Tim Slover. The story of George Frederick Handel and his writing of “Messiah,” may seem an unlikely subject for the Westside Players next production, but it will surely fool and delight you, the unsuspecting audience.
Brimming with humor and a special message of hope, this two act play will be presented at Central Christian Church on August 10, 11 and 12, 2007. The play’s director, Ed DeLatte, has chosen eight actors to people London in 1741, the year Handel wrote the beloved masterpiece, most often heard at Christmas or Easter.
Heading the cast as Handel is veteran actor David Tinney, playing the curmudgeonly composer. Actress B. J. Austin plays Kitty Clive, a singing actress from Drury Lane Theatre, and Tina Weger is seen as Kitty’s rival for the soprano’s solos in Handel’s creation. Mike Lay plays the role of Charles Jennens who was the librettist of the oratorio, while Whitt Whittington is John Christopher Smith, Handel’s business manager. Handel’s music patron is Mary Pendares (Susan Shinn). King George II is John Hawley and Rick Harding rounds out the cast as Bishop Henry Egerton.
The play is a bracing call for artistic freedom; to think that many at the time thought setting scripture to “popular” music was blasphemous, even obscene is to examine how changeable our notions of propriety are.
Tickets to “Joyful Noise” are available from cast members or at the door on the performance dates. Adult tickets are $8 and Children under 12 are $5.
Running concurrent with the play, Central's Art Show will feature four of the church's artists. Come to the play then browse and enjoy. Their art is a gift from God and we are grateful to each for adding to our "joyful noise" experience.” The Art Show will be available for unrestricted viewing prior to the play, at intermission and after the play. To add enjoyment to your evening or matinee, please arrive early to enjoy these four local artists. Refreshments will be served. Suggested arrival time would be for Friday August 10th and Saturday August 11th, by 7:30pm., Sunday August 12th, by 1:30pm. Click here for details about the Art Show.
Performances:
Friday, August 10, 2007 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 12, 2007 at 2 p.m.
Location:
4711 Westside Drive
Dallas, TX 75209
For information about the Westside Players, click here.