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The Paper | Thursday, January 22, 2015
HAPPENINGS Continued from 3B
For The Paper
The Jefferson Community Theatre cast of “Biloxi Blues” -– From L-R: Jacob Rosenberger as Don Carney, Dylan Gearin as Joseph Wykowski, William Martin as Sgt. Toomey, Olivia Smith as Daisy Hannigan, John Aquino as Eugene Jerome, Kathy Wortham as Rowena, Ethan Strong as James Hennessey, Brian Willis as Roy Selridge and Alex Dye as Arnold Epstein.
Jefferson Community Theatre’s ‘Biloxi Blues’ showcased young talent
By FARAH BOHANNON
fbohannon@clickthepaper.com
“Man, it’s hot. It’s like Africa hot. Tarzan couldn’t take this kind of hot,” said Eugene Jerome, one of the young Army recruits who had just arrived in Biloxi, Miss., during the sweltering summer for boot camp. Last weekend’s Jefferson Community Theatre production of Neil Simon’s “Biloxi Blues” was a huge success for the cast, crew and those who had the pleasure of watching it. It took place in the performing arts center at Jefferson High School. The play was about a group of young army recruits trying to survive boot camp during World War II and constantly dealing with being under the watchful eye of their obnoxious supervisor, Sgt. Merwin J. Toomey. The young men who performed in the play are all in high school, which was quite impressive due to their prowess on the stage — John Aquino as Eugene Jerome, Alex Dye as Arnold Epstein, Dylan Gearin as Joseph Wykowski, William Martin as Sgt. Toomey, Jacob Rosenberger as Don Carney, Olivia Smith as Daisy Hannigan, Ethan Strong as James Hennessey, Brian Willis as Roy Selridge, Kathy Wortham as Rowena, as well as Kaylan Hopewell and Kendall Matthews as USO girls. Keith Johnson, show director and vice chairman of the Board of Directors for Jefferson Community Theatre, said he could not agree more that the cast was impressive despite many of their young ages. “The actors and crew have worked very hard to bring the best performance possible,” said Johnson. Johnson directed “Brighton Beach Memoirs” two years ago and said he knew in the back of his mind he wanted to eventually direct “Biloxi Blues,” which is actually the second show in playwright Simon’s trilogy; “Broadway Bound” concluded said trilogy. Johnson said that the timing of “Biloxi Blues” was perfect because not much time has passed. His desire was for John Aquino, who portrayed Eugene Jerome in “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” to play him again in Biloxi Blues. “I wanted John to have the opportunity to portray Eugene at least one more time, and maybe twice if he
is willing, before he graduates from high school next year,” said Johnson. Alex Dye, who portrayed the skittish Arnold Epstein, was also an actor in Brighton Beach —he played Stanley, Eugene’s brother who was not in “Biloxi Blues.” Stanley actually reappears in Broadway Bound, as do most of the characters from the first play. Johnson hopes that the original cast will reprise their roles in the final play of the trilogy. It was the first time for the other cast members to appear in one of Neil Simon’s plays, and they truly did a fantastic job showing the audience what it was like to be a soldier during World War II. Each one of the character’s personalities were perfectly portrayed by the actors—Private Joseph Wykowski and Roy Selridge’s and their confidence, Private Don Carney and his witty and sarcastic comments, and Rowena and her sultry demeanor, to name a few. The acting was laudable, as well as the staging and costumes. The props and set made the audience feel like they were transported back in time to World War II while the costumes were very realistic and accurate. Sherry Aquino was the costume and props mistress for this show, as well as several other shows in the past. Her son, John, who portrayed Eugene Jerome, is the one who can be thanked for her involvement in theater. Mike Aquino, Sherry’s husband and John’s father served as assistant director for the first time. He was also the set designer. Aquino and Johnson worked well together. Diana Norton-Bagwell served as the producer and playbill designer while Wendy Oesterle was the stage manager and Jay Holl was the lighting designer. Other crew members included assistant stage managers Jeanna Atchley and Kaylan Hopewell, lights and sound helpers Kendall Matthews, Jennifer Dolezal, Kathryn Hopewell and Tommy Hopewell, and set crew members Jennifer Dolezal, Kathryn Hopewell, Tommy Hopewell and Amy Perella. Rick Bennett made the sound effects possible while Steven Carroll was in charge of poster design. The Girl Scouts of Jackson County sold concessions for the guests to enjoy.
The JCT also gave a special thanks to United States Army Sgt. Johnmicheal French from the Commerce recruiting office for offering the actors insight about proper army lingo and stances as well as stylist Misti Elrod for giving the boys their real military haircuts. “’Biloxi Blues’ is a story about love, lust and war,” said producer Norton-Bagwell. “On behalf of our cast and crew, we dedicate this production to our veterans. Thank you for protecting our freedom. Without it, we could not be here today, doing this. Thank you.” Sponsors included Broadway Arts Center, Crawford W. Long Museum, Joel Harbin Allstate Insurance, Jackson EMC, Jefferson Tire & Battery, Newell Orthodontics, Advocare’s Doug & Theresa Turco, Swirlee’s Frozen Yogurt and Trinity Tire & Auto. The following businesses donated time, products or services to this particular production: Auction Ventures, Ferranti’s Cakery, U.S. Army’s SFC French, Jefferson Civic Center, Wahsega 4-H Camp, and Wilco Printing. For more information about the Jefferson Community Theatre, call the Main Street Jefferson office at 706367-5714 or visit www.jeffersoncommunitytheatre.com.
Friends of the Library member drive/appreciation. The 2015 Friends of the BraseltonWest Jackson Library membership drive/ member appreciation event is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. at Country Inn & Suites in Braselton. Georgia author Victoria Wilcox will present the program on her family’s Hollywood connection where one of her relatives starred in “B” Westerns alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and share information about her restoration of the Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House Museum in Fayetteville and the connection between Doc Holliday, Margaret Mitchell and Gone With the Wind. Optional dress for the evening will be blue jeans, plaid shirts, boots, hats, bolos, etc. R.S.V.P. appreciated, but not required (friendsbwjlibrary@gmail.com). Call Dan Aldridge at 678-756-8136. Day of Encouragement. A Day of Encouragement will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, in the Colleen Williams Theater of the Winder Cultural Arts Center, located at 105 Athens St., in Winder. Sponsored by Encouraging Today’s Women, the free event for all women includes haircuts, refreshments, door prizes, a safety class led by Detective Sgt. Rachel Love with the Winder Police Department, special music and praise dance and words of encouragement from Cheryl and Annie Tabler. Each lady attending is asked to bring one personal hygiene item, For more information, contact Annette Herndon at 770-868-9847. CASA training in Hall/Dawson. This year, more than 400,000 foster children in
America will need a CASA volunteer. Join the Hall-Dawson CASA Program to help lift up the voice of every abused and neglected child. Volunteer training begins Feb. 3. Call 770-531-1964. Chocolate Walk. Downtown businesses will host a delectably unique opportunity for patrons and their valentines by hosting its inaugural “Chocolate Walk” on Thursday, Feb. 5. Braselton’s Downtown Office will host the fun promotion. Patrons are asked to stop by its office between 4-6 p.m. for a bag and map. Then stroll to the quaint nearby shops for discounts, chocolate, coupons and more chocolate You will be treated while you shop. Reservations are being taken at www.DowntownBraseltonChocolateWalk2015.eventbrite. com or call 706-684-0369. HeART for Children, Heart for Chocolate Gala. Piedmont CASA is hosting its fundraiser event on Feb. 7 at the Braselton-Stover House. Sponsorships are available and tickets are $55. Enjoy a buffet dinner by Cornbread & Caviar, chocolate creations by local bakers, dance music by Line 6, a silent and live auction as well as a showcase of children’s art. Call Annette Bates at 706-387-6375 or buy tickets at www. PiedmontCasa. org. Reading with Ringling Brosthers. The Jefferson Library is participating in Reading with Ringling Brothers. Children ages 2-12 can earn a free ticket to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus for reading any five books of their choice. Circus dates are Feb. 11-16 at Philips Arena and Feb. 19-March 1 at Gwinnett Center. Pick up a Reward Card at the Service Desk and start reading, Visit www.readingwithringling. com for more information.
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