The Tyrone Community Players take the “Community” part of their name seriously. The Players are always looking for “fresh blood” to be part of the cast and crew, and they especially cherish the community for the support that’s given for their shows. Always looking to involve more of the community, the Players decided to put on a children’s show this Spring. Once that decision was made the search for a script began.
They say that necessity is the mother of invention. After hours of pouring through catalogs, books, and script companies with no appropriate script to be found, Cindy Bennett decided to take matters in her own hands. She decided to write one of her own.
Writing a play is no easy matter. Not only does the writer have to come up with a story, characters, and a setting, but the play must also have stage direction, light and sound cues, and costumes. It took several months for Ms. Bennett to complete a short children’s play. Once the script was completed there were several group readings and rewrites. Finally, Bennett presented the script to the harshest of critics, her grandchildren. Several readings and revisions later, Bennett and her grandchildren agreed the script was complete.
The play, “FGMIT’s Accidental Magic,” involves nine children, and revolves around a Fairy God Mother In Training (FGMIT), and her inability to control her magic. Her friends and her own Fairy God Mother help her discover magic is really something living in us every day, and that is what is really important in life.
With script in hand, auditions were announced. Information was distributed, posters hung, and articles written in hopes there would be enough interest among the young performers in the area. The crew was pleasantly surprised at the amount of interest, and decided to broaden the production with a chorus and several vaudeville style routines. Nine children were chosen for the play, and twenty performers, between the ages of seven and thirteen, are in the chorus.
Karen Mayhew stepped in to direct “The Magic Children’s Chorus.” Not only is Mayhew directing the chorus, she also taught the children the music, choreography, arranged several musical numbers, and wrote original lyrics.
With the show expanding, it really needed a master of ceremonies. Dennie Huber, the gentle gant of children’s magic, offered to add his talents to the show. The addition of his magic and music were the icing on the cake, so to speak.
Behind the scenes the Players worked hard to have everything ready for the show. The existing set from TCP’s spring show, Steel Magnolias, was altered and repainted. Props were brought in and costumes were decided upon and sewn. Light and sound cues were checked and rechecked. Programs and tickets were printed, and posters and flyers were made and distributed.
This program of the Tyrone Community Players is sponsored in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (a state agency), the National Endowment for the Arts (a federal agency), and the Tyrone Borough.
Everything is set for the debut of “FGMIT’s Accidental Magic,” with professional magician Dennie Huber. The show will take the stage at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the YMCA. The Tyrone Community Players invites everyone to come and show their support for these talented children, who represent the TCP of the future.
For information call 684-ART2.
