Lincoln Community Theatre returns triumphantly in “LCT Encore!”
A preview of Act I

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[July 17, 2015]  LINCOLN - There is an adage, "save the best for last" in the world of musical performances. If this holds true this weekend, those who attend the Lincoln Community Theatre "LCT Encore!" are bound to enjoy a selection of musical cuts that would stand up to anything appearing on a Broadway stage.

The opener of the show is three selections from "You're a good Man Charlie Brown." All are exceptionally well done, especially the piece "Suppertime" which features Dan Bailey in the role of Snoopy, who is overjoyed by the arrival of his dinner. Even so, his performance does not overshadow any of the next half dozen or so numbers in the first hour of the show as performed during the dress rehearsal on Thursday evening.

The two-hour production will feature a wide variety of music that is a selection of favorites from past performances of the theater group. Guests can expect to see a selection from Les Miserables by Brenda Popham. Dan McLaughlin will perform a well-known selection "If I were a rich man" from Fiddler on the Roof.

Other selections will be taken from The Sound of Music, The King and I, and Godspell in the first half of the program. After a ten minute intermission, the second half will open with selections from My Fair Lady featuring the voices of Emmary Roemer and Tom McLaughlin.

Additional selections will be performed from the musicals Nunsense, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Seussical: The Musical, and Pirates of Penzance. There will also be a feature of Leading Ladies that will include Glenda from Wicked played by Brittney McLaughlin, Adelaide from Guys and Dolls by Julie King, and Gail King will perform "Don't Cry for me Argentina" as the title character in the musical Evita.

Opening comments about the theater group will be offered by Jean Gossett, and Tom McLaughlin will introduce the performances. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Kay Dobson, Julie Kasa and Paula Knopp.

Director Tim Searby said on Thursday evening that the cast is very excited to see opening night arrive. The rehearsals for the performance started six weeks ago, and everyone is very well prepared for opening night.

The theater group offered up their first performance 43 years ago, in 1972. For many years they offered three performances each summer and are hopeful that next year they will be able to offer at least two.

Searby said the board of directors would meet after this weekend and look at the financial capabilities of the group for next year. He is hopeful that the donation-only performances this weekend will bring in enough to support two productions next summer. If so, Searby said they want to do one play specifically for children, then a second family oriented play.

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Searby noted that he is thrilled with the response that the return of the Lincoln Community Theatre has brought in. Right now the Friday night performance is filled, and there are 200 seats spoken for the Saturday night performance.

Searby said the Johnston Center for Performing Arts is a wonderful place to hold their productions and in the history of the group there had been only two seasons when they did not perform on the campus of Lincoln College.

He noted that in those two years, the performances were done at the Lincoln Theater just off the Downtown Square in Lincoln. He said then the theater was set up for Vaudeville style performances in addition to movies and being there was also a great time for the group.

The group took a few years off, but this summer they are returning triumphantly with a remarkable performance.

For anyone who wishes to attend one of the two remianing performances (Friday is filled) at the Johnston Center this weekend, they need to act quickly. Tickets are required and are going fast. To reserve a free ticket go to the Lincoln Theatre Group ( http://lincolncommunitytheatre.org/ ) website and click "add to cart" beside the performance you wish to attend. On Saturday, the curtain opens at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday performance will be a 2 p.m. matinee.

While there is no admission fee, a donation envelope will be enclosed in the program, and Searby is hopeful that guests will give generously.

Searby also noted the group had planned on doing some short clips from their performance at the Lincoln Art in the Park event on Saturday and Sunday. However, he said looking at the weather, and considering the tempo of the performances plus the makeup and costumes, they decided they would have to cancel that plan for the well-being of the performers. Another good reason to get those seats reserved now.

[Nila Smith]

 

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