"Sylvia" is the story of an endearing stray dog that enters the empty nest of Greg (successful commodities broker) and Kate (inner-city English teacher).  Sylvia is a mutt who chews ladies shoes and men’s hearts with equal fervor.  
Cast members are Carrie Foxx as Sylvia, Joe Strake as Greg, Sam Straka as Kate, and Mike Huff as Tom, Phyl and Leslie.

The production is directed by Karen Becker, assisted by Vicky Gilpin. David Gilpin is technical director.

All members of the cast represent the coaching staff of the Richland speech team. Assistant Vicky Gilpin is also on the coaching staff. Director Karen Becker, a Merely Players company member since 1996, is an academic director of arts and sciences at Richland.

Merely Players has been responsible for over $3,000 in scholarship contributions in its previous theatrical endeavors.  The group has presented:

•  "Educating Rita" (1987) — P S I, Monticello Theatre Assn., Theatre 7

•  "Love Letters" (1996) — Richland scholarship winner: Michael Huff

•  "The Importance of Being Earnest" (1997) — Robert W. Thompson

•  "Driving Miss Daisy" (2001) — Daniel J. White

"Sylvia" is part of Richland Community College’s Performing Arts Series subscription. Tickets for the event have been on sale since Dec. 14.  Costs are $7.50 for the general public, $5 for Richland alumni and staff, and $4 for students with ID and seniors age 62 and above. The show is not particularly suited to children under 12, so there is no children’s discount.

The show will be presented as written — as a "blue night special" — every performance but Valentine’s Day, when the profanity will be removed. Richland students will be admitted free with current photo ID for the Thursday, Feb. 14, performance. Area high school teachers who would like to reserve seats for their students that evening should phone group ticket sales manager Sam Straka by Jan. 28 at 429-9599.

People with other ticket inquiries should phone (217) 875-7211, Ext. 342.

Profit from the five performances will help offset travel costs for Richland’s speech team, the largest in the state. The team is working with a budget based on previous years’ participation, averaging five students, but the Forensicaturs have more than quadrupled since the spring of 2001. They hope to attend six invitational, state, regional and national tournaments between January and April this year.

[News release from Merely Players]

The cast includes Peter Kareotes as Sidney Bruhl, Mary Wilking as Myra Bruhl, Jeff Cowgill as Cliford Anderson, Missy Grohne as Helga Ten Drop and Lonn Pressnal as Porter Milgrim.

In the drama, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers is struggling to overcome a "dry" spell when he receives a script from a student. Suspense mounts steadily as the plot begins to twist and turn with devilish cleverness that will hold the audience enthralled until the final, startling moment of the play.

The Theatre 7 production is sponsored by Behnke and Company, Inc.

Tickets are on sale to the public at the Decatur Civic Center Box Office, 422-6161.

The LCT board will have interviews for these positions by appointment on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 27, at St. John United Church of Christ in Lincoln.

Interested individuals may write to LCT secretary Roger Boss, 521 Comet, Lincoln, IL 62656, or call (217) 732-8762 for information or to set up an appointment. Appointments will be scheduled through Jan. 25.

Scheduled for the coming season are "Hello, Dolly," June 14-22; "Dearly Departed," July 12-20; and "The King and I," Aug. 2-10. All performances will be produced in the Johnston Center for the Performing Arts on the Lincoln College campus. A scheduled six-week rehearsal period plus one week of technical preparation in the theater prior to the performance is required by board policy for each production.

It is the responsibility of the director to hold open tryouts, cast the show, schedule rehearsals, supervise all staff members, work within his or her budget, and see that the show comes as close to artistic and technical perfection as possible. At the interview, director candidates will be asked to include necessary staff personnel to assist them and be able to suggest ideas about sets, costumes, special effects and any other technical aspects of the production that they may deem advisable.

The technical director, operating under the direction of the artistic director, is responsible for the building and completion of the set and recruitment of any staff needed. He or she is also responsible for striking the set and returning everything to its appropriate place after the final production.

It is the responsibility of the accompanist to accompany all auditions, rehearsals and performances. He or she is under the authority of the director. At the interview, musical accompanists will be asked to perform a short selection that best displays their talents.

The LCT board maintains the rights of censor with regard to appropriate material selection.

[Judy Rader, LCT publicity chairman]

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