CCT – “What a Way to Make a Living!!!” 45th Annual AGRIFEST—2016! Caribbean Community Theatre, celebrating its 31st season, is proud to present 9 to 5 The Musical in February 2016. The tale of three female co-workers who concoct a plan to get even with their sexist boss is sure to be a crowd pleaser, with comical and sprightly songs written by Dolly Parton to complement the script by Patricia Resnick. “Backwoods Barbie,” “Cowgirl’s Revenge,”“One of the Boys” and “Get Out and Stay Out” are notable additions to the popular title song from the movie. 9 to 5 will run for three weekends starting Friday, February 5 (Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM) through Saturday, February 20, with a matinee at 4 PM on Sunday, February 14.
L-R, Judi Buckley, Natalie Hollins, Janney Gerson. Tafv Sampson
“Agriculture: From Brown to Green in 2016”
Agriculture fairs were held on St. Croix during the 1930s and 1940s at the former Agriculture Experiment Station at Estate Anna’s Hope, giving the farmers in those days something to look forward to. These “field days” were the highlights of the year and occasions when residents could get first-hand exposure to what the farmers produced. These fairs were put on hold until 1970 when they were established at the Estate Lower Love Agriculture Station where they continue to this day encouraging young people in the agricultural process, and increasing job opportunities and growth in production.
9 to 5 is co-directed by Eileen Bishop Des Jardins and Jamile Smith, with Patrick Baron as Music Director, and features (former Senator) Judi Buckley, Janney Gerson and Natalie Hollins as the vengeful trio, Sean Bailey as their boss, and a talented cast of singers, dancers and actors as their fellow office workers. Ticket prices for 9 to 5 The Musical are $25 for adults (with discounts for seniors, students and CCT members).
CCT will also present an After Dinner Dessert Cabaret on Saturday, March 12 at 8 PM. Seating will be cabaret style, an ideal opportunity to share an evening of songs and skits with friends. In March, the comedy Rumors, by award-winning playwright Neil Simon, opens with the first of four couples arriving at their friends’ townhouse for a wedding anniversary celebration, only to discover the host lying unconscious and unresponsive in his bedroom and his wife missing. As the other guests arrive, confusion and miscommunications mount, and the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity, as you’d expect from a playwright of whom it has been said: “Neil Simon makes people laugh a lot!” – USA Today. Rumors will be directed by Michael Baker, who helmed last year’s Barefoot in the Park. Performances will be held March 25 through April 9. Tickets for Rumors cost $20 (with discounts for seniors, students and CCT members).
Young girl at Ag Fair, Annas Hope, 1930s. St. Croix Landmarks Society Library & Archives
Donkey. Susan Wall
Now centrally located on the Rudolph Shulterbrandt Agricultural Complex at Estate Lower Love, across from the Albert A. Sheen St. Croix campus of the University of the Virgin Islands, the Fair always takes place during the 3-day President’s Day weekend. Three stages in the various areas of the fair provide simultaneous ongoing entertainment throughout the day. About 50 farmers from St. Croix and other islands occupy about 70 booths; 90 vendors sell t-shirts, jewelry and other items. In addition, fair goers can visit the Livestock Pavilion, Food Pavilion and Farmers Market to check out locally raised animals, and grown and prepared food.
This biggest Fair in the Territory opens February 13 for three days. Billed as “Agriculture: From Brown to Green in 2016,” it’s a ‘Family Day’ showcase for locally produced agricultural products, livestock, arts, crafts, and local cuisine— try some kallaloo or maufe, and local drinks like ginger beer, sorrel, passion fruit, and maubi! Eat at the Fair AND take some home!
All performances are held at the CCT theater at #18 Estate Orange Grove in Christiansted, St. Croix. CCT’s musical productions are always popular, so visit the theater website: www.cct.vi, call 340-778-1983, or email eileencct@gmail.com to purchase tickets in advance. For 30 years, Caribbean Community Theatre has provided intimate, small-scale theatre projects, educational and community outreach programs, and co-production with other artistic groups on St. Croix. Thought-provoking works, such as Real Women Have Curves and A Raisin in the Sun, have shared the bill with comedies; musicals, such as Jesus Christ Superstar, RENT, and The Color Purple swell audience attendance and invite participation by local choreographers and dance schools. An ongoing Outreach effort offers an afterschool theatre program to students ages 6 to 15 – The Calico Cat Company. Local authors have works produced as well—Sundays at Eleven, Tom Ziegler’s play about the rivalry between an all-white church congregation and an all-black one, and Anton Teytaud’s Sarah & Addie, showcasing the lusty humor to be found in West Indian marketplace gossip. w w w.stcroix thisweek.com
Booths.
Susan Wall
Highlights include The Farmer of the Year Award during Opening Ceremonies, Junior and Senior Calypso Shows, Quadrille Dancing, and Donkey Cart and Horseback Rides. Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the Official Fair Booklet for a program of the weekend’s events plus special local recipes. Jointly sponsored by the VI Department of Agriculture, The UVI Cooperative Extension Service, and The VI Department of Tourism.
Agrifest 2016 • February 13 – 15 • 9:00 am – 6:00 pm daily $6 Adults - $4 Seniors – $3 Children • www.viagrifest.org Februar y / March 2016 • Page 3