The
Concord Players were well-represented in the Patriot's Day parade on
April 17. l-r: Connie Benn, Susie Schmidt, Sara Ballard, Mike Lague,
Kathy Lague, Jay Newlon, Mary Turner, Keith Turner, Craig Howard, Nicole
O'Keeffe, Lizzie Springer, Dana Booth, Meg Springer, Anne Bantly,
Andrea Roessler, Andy Swansburg and Kathy Booth.
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THE PRODUCERS A REAL HIT
Not one. Not two. But three, count 'em,
three standing ovations for the Concord Players' opening weekend
performances of Mel Brooks' The Producers. "I
want you to have fun up there," said director Brian Kelly to his
performers on opening night. And boy did they! Twenty four cast members
sang and danced their way through 27 musical numbers, dozens of scene
changes and too-many-to-count split-second costume changes in the wings.
Crew and costumers stayed busy juggling set pieces, costumes, props and
even actors to keep the show apace. The
fun was infectious. Audience members voiced their appreciation with
cheers and applause throughout the performance and rose to their feet to
pay worthy tribute to an ensemble that would surely make Mel Brooks
proud. And why wouldn't he? This production has all the "tinsel and
glamour" one would expect on The Great White Way. Allen Bantly's
ingenious sets move and fly throughout the show; scenes change as if by
magic. Carol Antos' costumes glitter, even the prison stripes! The
orchestra, led by Lee Condakes, sounds as though they've been playing
together for years - not a note out of place. Choreographer Katie
Alexander has combined ballet, jazz and the great rhythms of tap dancing
to create a moving masterpiece with her dancers. It all comes together
under the artful direction of Brian Kelly, who inspires collaboration
among the entire talented ensemble. The result is a night of theater
that leaves audience members with a smile on their faces and a spring in
their step. Tickets are moving fast, so go now to our website to
reserve your seat - and have fun out there.
-Linda McConchie
MAY EVENT AT 51 WALDEN May 19, 20 and 21. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday May 21 at 2 p.m. The Concord Orchestra Pops: Ol' Man River. Vocalist Jeffrey Corn sings a Jerome Kern medley by Bernard Hoffer. Also on the program is The River Suite by Duke Ellington, The Moldau by Smetana, and selections from The King and I. Table seating, refreshments for purchase. Call 978-369-4967 to reserve or buy on-line |
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DICK HATCH HAS LEFT US
Richard M. "Dick" Hatch, Jr., 96, a founder of the 51Walden
organization and an award-winning set designer for The Concord Players,
died peacefully in his sleep on April 11. Born in Watertown on July 24,
1920, Dick was a child of parents who had grown up in Concord. He and
his wife Mary Jac took up residence in West Concord in 1952. Dick's
first volunteer effort as a set designer (followed by a dozen more) goes
back a half century to A Taste of Honey, for which NETC awarded him Best Set Design. Along the way he also served as Players president. As
a founder and president of Friends of the Performing Arts in Concord
(now known as 51Walden), he famously re-conceptualized the auditorium at
51 Walden St. to include a music stage at the opposite end-which opened
the way for Band and Orchestra events by night and concurrent set
construction by day. He also designed and created the lobby. Upon his
retirement, he and Mary Jac relocated to Cape Cod. There he became
president and acting executive director of the Academy of Performing
Arts in Orleans. But he and she never lost interest in Concord events,
and rarely missed a Players opening-night gala. After
her death in 2010, Dick moved back to Concord to reside at Newbury
Court. The family has requested that gifts in his memory be directed to
the 51Walden Performing Arts Center, P.O. Box 251, Concord, Mass.
01742.
--Paul Gill
PLAYERS NEWS
The Burlington Players will be presenting the musical Man of La Mancha from
May 5 through May 20. The show is directed by Ben Delatizky. The role
of Don Quixote will be played by Tom Frates. Current and former members
of The Concord Players appearing in the show are Roland
Boutwell, Robert Hallisey, Arthur Comer, Alexandra Neville, Kate
Beattie, Maria Sundquist, Peter Nawrocki and Margaret Healey.
Craig Howard will be appearing as Tevye in the Colonial Chorus Players' production of the classic musical Fiddler On The Roof, to be performed at the Parker School in North Reading MA the weekend of May 12. Information and tickets at ccp1961 And please mention Craig when you order your tickets!
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