10D | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014
Tom Tucker is the director of the Flash of Crimson at Forsyth Central High School.
File photo
The “Georgia Senior Follies: The Golden Age of Television” will return to the Cumming Playhouse on May2-8.
Playhouse has much to offer through the year From staff reports
The Cumming Playhouse is located inside the 1923 Cumming schoolhouse at 101 School St. The facility was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 through the efforts of the Historical Society of Forsyth County. This school was the first high school in Forsyth County, issuing the diplomas to graduates. The facility, which is owned by the c i t y o f C u m m i n g , wa s r e s t o r e d through local 1-cent sales tax revenue in 2004. As a center of history, the facility also houses the Historical Society of Forsyth County and the Col. Hiram Pa rks Bell Center f o r S o u th er n History and Genealogical Research. As a performing arts venue, the Cumming Playhouse opened its doors in 2004, providing quality entertainment throughout the season, offering plays, musicals and concerts. Each year, the playhouse provides a wide range of entertainment to thousands of patrons. Everything from concerts and traveling shows to full-scale, main stage plays and musicals grace the historic stage each year. So far in 2014, the venue has been the site of the classic play “On Golden Pond,” as well as a Mardi Gras show supporting Age Well Forsyth, a nonprofit that works to help families of those suffering from dementia. Additionally, nationally-known musicians Peppino D’Agostino and Carlos Reyes presented a concert featuring samples of music from their native cultures of Italy and Paraguay. There is still plenty more to come in 2014 at the venue. Currently, the classic musical “Oliver” is being presented through April 19. In May, locals Bob and Kathy Russell will again present The Georgia Senior Follies, an annual show that focuses on the talents of those ages 50 and up. This year’s show, “The Golden Age of Television,” features the music and comedy of such T.V. hits as “I Love Lucy,” “The Ed Sullivan Show,” and “The Golden Girls.” The show runs May 2-18. Audiences will go from the classic small screen to the deepest jungles as “Tarzan” takes the stage June 2-22. Based on the Disney film and the original story by Edgar Rice, “Tarzan” tells the tale of a young man raised by a tribe of gorillas and the way his life
Upcoming shows at the Cumming Playhouse • “Oliver” – now through April 19 • “Georgia Senior Follies: The Golden Age of Television” – May2-8 • “Tarzan” – June 5-22 • “Oklahoma” – July 10 to Aug. 3 • New West Guitar concert – Aug. 9 • Bob Russell Singers and Jazz concert – Aug. 16 and 17 • Johnny Cash Now concert – Aug. 24 • “Gypsy the Musical” – Oct. 17 to Nov. 9 • China Grove, a Doobie Brothers Tribute Band, concert – Dec. 31 For more information about any show, go to www.playhousecumming.com or call (770) 781-9178.
changes when he meets a pretty, English naturalist who teaches him civilized ways. Summer musicals continue with R o d g e r s a n d H a m m e r s t e i n ’s “Oklahoma” July 10 through Aug. 3. Set in Indian territory at the turn of the 20th century when cattlemen and farmers were fighting over fences and water rights, the story traces the path of a rivalry between a cowboy called Curley and a hired hand named Jud. Music will fill the venue in August as three concerts are offered: New West Guitar on Aug. 9; Bob Russell Singers and Jazz on Aug. 16 and 17; and Johnny Cash Now on Aug. 24. Lon g-running shows return in October with “Gypsy the Musical” from Oct. 17 to Nov. 9. Based loosely on the 1957 memoir of Gypsy Rose Lee, a famous striptease artist, the show focuses on her m o t h e r, R o s e , w h o s e n a m e h a s become synonymous with the phrase “ultimate show business mother.” It follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The year comes to close at the playhouse with China Grove, a Doobie Brothers Tribute Band, on Dec. 31. The band’s repertoire spans the many decades and styles of the legendary California group, including hits like “Long Train Runnin” and “Takin’ it to the Streets.” A complete a list of all upcoming Cumming Playhouse shows, including show times and ticket costs, can be found at www.playhousecumming. com.
Jennifer Sami Forsyth County News
Tom Tucker Forsyth Central High School band director “My freshman year was Tucker’s first year there and I’ve really gotten the opportunity to see the program grow over the years,” she said. “They’ve been highly successful competitively and they’re keeping the standard very, very high in the area and he’s contributing a lot to the drum line culture.” — Tony Mashburn, band director at Lambert High School and daughter of John Mashburn When Tom Tucker first began as an assistant band director at Forsyth Central High in 1999, he wasn’t sure about leadership. He had spent the majority of his professional career under the direction of John Mashburn, of one of the most wellrespected leaders in the school’s history. But when Mashburn retired in 2012, Tucker was offered the chance to lead the Flash of Crimson. “I had to think about it, because it was quite a position to take over,” he said. “It was kind of a scary time for me to just go, ‘Wow, can I really do this?’ John
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was a mentor of mine.” Tucker said it’s been a learning process, but he’s worked hard to maintain the level of prestige the band carried under Mashburn. “I wanted to not only fill in where he left off, but also to be able to take it to higher places,” he said. “You always want to be moving in a forward direction.” Tucker, who oversees more than 180 students through the various band programs at Central, said he’s worked to make himself a strong leader and is adding new competitions. That extends the students to higher levels, but also means more hours of practice. “We’re allowed to focus on the things that we want and push our kids and I really think we’ve blossomed because of that,” Tucker said. After about 15 years at Central, Tucker said he couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. “We made it into a great organization and a great program and it just feels right to stay with it and be here every day ... there is just something about Forsyth Central that I fell in love with,” he said. “This is my home.” — Jennifer Sami