Theatre--Auditions

The Eunice Players’ Theatre will hold auditions for the first play of the 43^rd season, The Murder Room on Monday, February 27  and Tuesday, February 28 at 6:00 p.m. each night at the theatre at 121 S. Second St.in Eunice (between Nick’s on Second St. and Bertrand’s Office Supplies).  Director Jody L. Powell needs 3 adult men and 3 adult women, ages 20’s to 50’s to fill the cast.  More people are needed to assist with set decoration, backstage duties, costuming, etc.  The play is a two-act mystery farce by Jack Sharkey, with rehearsals throughout March and production scheduled for mid-April.  Auditions are open to everyone who wants to get involved with their local community theatre. 


FMI, or to schedule an audition time, call Jody at             337-580-1787      . 

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

The pop culture phenomenon comes to the musical stage. Schoolhouse Rock Live!, the Emmy Award-winning 1970's Saturday morning cartoon series that taught history, grammar, math, science and politics through clever, tuneful songs is lighting up the stage at the Eunice Players' Theatre.  Familiar songs include "Conjunction Junction", "Three Is A Magic Number", "My Hero, Zero", "Rufus Xavier Sasaparilla", "Lolly Lolly Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here", "Do the Circulation", "Interplanet Janet", "I'm Just a Bill", and more.

 

Dates for evening performances (7:00 p.m.) are:
Friday, July 29th
Tuesday, August 2nd - Dinner theatre night ($10 extra)
Thursday, August 4th
Saturday, August 6th

Dates for matinee performances (2:00 p.m.) are:
Sunday, July 31st
Sunday, August 7th

 

 

Tickets are available at the door or can be purchased in advance by calling 457-2156 or 546-0163.

Cast members in the pictures are: Kristi Burleigh, Taylor LaCalle, Angie B. McBride, Gabe Ortego, Deborah D. Ardoin, Jersten Seraile, John Burleigh, Walter Duncan McBride, Andy Doucet, John Christian Lyons
Not pictured: Jeanne Aucoin

Theatre--Workshop

In conjunction with the preparations for Schoolhouse Rock Live!, the 3rd Annual Eunice Players’ Theatre Children’s Theatre Workshop will be held on Saturday, July 23rd  from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Kids ages 7-13 will enjoy a fun-filled morning of singing, acting and games while learning the basics in the performing arts. The fee is $10.00 and space is limited so register early! For information, please call 337-546-0163 or 337-457-2156. Also, checkout the theatre website at euniceplayers.blogspot.com and the theatre's Facebook page. The workshop will be held at the theatre at 121 S. Second St. in historic downtown Eunice.

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

Remember "Conjunction Junction" or "The Preamble" or perhaps "Do The Circulation"?  This is just a taste of some of the groovin' fun songs from the 1970's pop culture phenomenon that taught history, grammar, math, science and politics through clever, tuneful songs that Eunice Players' Theatre is bringing to the musical stage in their production of Schoolhouse Rock Live!

Director Angie B. McBride is very proud to have an extremely talented cast, who are working very hard to provide a top notch show. Cast members are Deborah D. Ardoin, John Christian Lyons, Gabe Ortego and Jeanne Sonnier of Eunice, Kristi and John Burleigh of Ville Platte, Duncan and Angie McBride and Taylor LaCalle of Lawtell and Andy Doucet, Jersten Seraile and pianist, Debbie Bertinot from Opelousas.

Dates for evening performances (7:00 p.m.) are:
Wednesday, July 27th
Friday, July 29th
Tuesday, August 2nd (Dinner theatre)
Thursday, August 4th
Saturday, August 6th

Dates for matinee performances (2:00 p.m.) are:
Sunday, July 31st
Sunday, August 7th

The ticket price for this family-friendly show is $10.00 per seat, and for children 5 and under, $5.00 per seat.  Tickets may be purchased by calling David’s Hair Salon at 337-546-0163 or Turning Point at 337-457-2156. Mastercard and Visa are accepted.  Dinner theatre will be on Tuesday, August 2nd at 6:00 pm. The kid-friendly meal is catered by Nick’s on Second St. for an additional $10.

Also again this year, Mrs. McBride will hold the theatre's annual Children's Workshop, scheduled for Saturday, July 23rd. Please watch for future articles for more details and for ticket purchasing information. You can also check out our Facebook page and our blog at www.euniceplayers.blogspot ​.com for the latest information and pictures.

For more information, call Debi at 337-457-2156.

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

A pop culture phenomenon comes to the musical stage! The Emmy Award-winning 1970's Saturday morning cartoon series that taught history, grammar, math, science and politics through clever, tuneful songs is lighting up the stage at the Eunice Player's Theatre. Schoolhouse Rock Live! is now in rehearsals. Performance dates are scheduled for Wednesday, July 27th, Friday, July 29th, Tuesday, August 2nd, Thursday, August 4th and Saturday, August 6th at 7:00pm. There will also be two matinees on Sunday, July 31st and Sunday, August 7th at 2:00pm.   Make sure to mark your calendars and save the dates.

Director Angie B. McBride is very proud to have an extremely talented cast, who are working very hard to provide a top notch show! Cast members are Deborah D. Ardoin, John Christian Lyons, Gabe Ortego and Jeanne Sonnier of Eunice, Kristi and John Burleigh of Ville Platte, Duncan and Angie McBride and Taylor LaCalle of Lawtell and Andy Doucet, Jersten Seraile and pianist, Debbie Bertinot from Opelousas.

Also again this year, Mrs. McBride will hold the theatre's annual Children's Workshop, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 23rd.

Theatre--Auditions (Musical Theatre)

Auditions for the Eunice Players’ Theatre Summer musical, Schoolhouse Rock Live, are as follows: Saturday, June 4th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Monday, June 6th and Tuesday, June 7th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. We will be casting male and female roles from ages 15 years old and up in singing and dancing roles. Anyone interested in auditioning for the show or interested in helping, please come to the Eunice Players’ Theatre, located at 121 South 2nd Street, within those dates and times. If auditioning, please prepare a short monologue of your choosing and bring an accompaniment track to sing one solo song. No a cappella auditions will be allowed. The show is scheduled to open mid-July and it is family friendly. If you should have any questions, please call Debi at 337-457-2156. You can also check our Facebook page.

Theatre--Performance

Eunice Players’ Theatre is preparing its season opener, Barefoot in the Park, a two-act comedy by Neil Simon. This production of the play marks a revival on the EPT stage following its first run in 1972. Director Suzanne LaHaye has put together a cast of stage veterans and audience favorites to bring to the stage the story of a newlywed couple who must contend with their own differences - she being free-spirited, he being a strait-laced lawyer - as well as a faulty postage-stamp sized New York apartment, a quirky neighbor and a nosy mother-in-law.

Bonnie Pitre and Charles Seale

Bonnie Pitre and Gabe Ortego 

Gabe Ortego, Bonnie Pitre and  Tucker Kelly

Gabe Ortego, Bonnie Pitre,  Ricci Arnaud and Charles Seale

Ricci Arnaud and Gabe Ortego

The show will begin its run Thursday, March 24 through Sunday, March 27. Dinner theatre is scheduled for Tuesday, March 29 at 6:00 p.m. at Nick's on Second St., with the performance immediately following. Other performances dates include Wednesday and Thursday, March 30 and 31. All evening performances are at 7:00 p.m.; the Sunday matinee is at 2:00 p.m. Individual tickets for the show are $10 and on sale at David Ltd. Salon on Second St. Season tickets may be purchased and more information can be obtained by calling 546-0163 or 457-2156. For $20 a season ticket includes 3 shows, reservation rights, voting privileges and an invitation to the 42th Annual Irving Awards. Angel and patron packages are also available for purchase.

More pictures and information about EPT can be found on their Facebook page or at euniceplayers.blogspot.com.

Theatre--Performance

Eunice Players’ Theatre is preparing its season opener, Barefoot in the Park, a two-act comedy by Neil Simon.  This production of the play marks a revival on the EPT stage following its first run in 1972.  Director Suzanne LaHaye has put together a cast of stage veterans and audience favorites to bring to the stage the story of a newlywed couple who must contend with their own differences - she being free-spirited, he being a strait-laced lawyer - as well as a faulty postage-stamp sized New York apartment, a quirky neighbor and a nosy mother-in-law.

Filling the roles of the newlywed couple, Corie and Paul Bratter are Bonnie Pitre and Gabe Ortego of Eunice.  Gabe was most recently seen in The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of A Christmas Carol as Gordon, for which he won the Best Supporting Actor Irving Award.  An accomplished actor in the Opelousas and Eunice theatres, with Providence, A Tuna Christmas, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? to his credit, Gabe has also directed Steel Magnolias, Monky Business, and The Subject Was Roses.

Bonnie returns to the stage following her Irving Award-winning performance in Providence and a stellar turn in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.  Bonnie appeared in several plays at LSU while earning a minor degree in theatre; she has also been seen on the EPT stage in Woman and The Sound of Music, and she also ran the lighting for If the Shoe Fits.

Longtime EPT actor and frequent set designer Charles Seale returns to the stage in the role of the quirky but charming Victor Velasco after having recently taken part in Fiddler on the Roof and co-directed Deathtrap.  Interestingly, Charles assisted with painting the scenic backdrop for the EPT's earlier production of this show.

Joining the cast as Corie’s mother, Mrs. Banks is Ricci Arnaud from Crowley .  Ricci is past president of Acadia Players in Crowley , where she appeared in The Queen of Bingo, A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking, and Seven Nuns in Vegas.

Stepping in as the telephone repairman is Tucker Kelly of Crowley, most recently seen in last season’s What the Bellhop Saw at EPT.  He’s also had roles in Bridge to Terabithia and Seance in Acadiana at Acadia Players, as well as numerous high school and church productions.

Rusty Moody of Eunice has the cameo role of the delivery man.  Currently the mayor of Eunice, Rusty is returning to the stage after a 20 year absence, having last been seen in The Nerd for which he won an Irving Award.

The show will begin its run Thursday, March 24th through Sunday, March 27th. Dinner theatre is scheduled for Tuesday, March 29 at 6:00 p.m. at Nick's on Second St. , with the performance immediately following.  Other performances dates include Wednesday and Thursday, March 30 and 31.  All evening performances are at 7:00 p.m.; the Sunday matinee is at 2:00 p.m.  Individual tickets for the show are $10 and on sale at David Ltd. Salon on Second St .  Season tickets may be purchased and more information can be obtained by calling 546-0163 or 457-2156.  For $20 a season ticket includes 3 shows, reservation rights, voting privileges and an invitation to the 42^th Annual Irving Awards. Angel and patron packages are also available for purchase. 

More pictures and information about EPT can be found on Facebook and at www.euniceplayers.blogspot.com.

Theatre--Performance

The actors at Eunice Players' Theatre are preparing to end their successful 41st season with a Christmas comedy, The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of A Christmas Carol, by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jnr.   Director Liz Bryan notes that the comedy is just as long on laughs as its title.

This delightfully light and goofy comedy has the fictitious townswomen's guild mounting their version of the Christmas classic, in the style of community theatre gone awry.  The actors enthusiastically portray a dizzy array of characters from the Dickensian favorite and engineer some novel audience participation.  Their share of mishaps, miscues and misunderstandings create an evening of entertainment and a new look at Scrooge and Tiny Tim that one will not soon forget.

Christy Faulkner of Eunice opens the show as Mrs. Reece, the guild's chairwoman, and leads the audience through the show as a variety of other characters including Tiny Tim and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.  Audiences will remember Christy's work in other EPT comedies including The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Bathroom Humor and Jake's Women.  She also portrayed the reverend mother in Agnes of God at EPT.  

Also returning to the EPT stage is Delinda Dowell Lafleur of Eunice.  Delinda was previously seen in Steel Magnolias and The Queen of Bingo. In addition to her hilarious character acting for the latter show, Delinda also won an Irving Award for Best Costumes.  In the current play, Delinda starts off as Felicity, then pirouettes her way through other characters including some male ones, and Half of the Ghost of Christmas Present.

Former EPT actor returning to the stage is Stacy Moncla of Eunice.  She was the other half of the comedy duo for The Queen of Bingo, for which she won the Best Actress Irving Award.  Other comedic work at EPT includes Drinking Habits and The Girls of the Garden Club, and she showed her dramatic capabilities in David’s Mother.  Stacy is cast as Mercedes, who in turn plays memorable Bob Cratchit, plus a few other characters, all while wearing a neck brace as a result of her character’s car accident.

Joining the cast from Opelousas is Cindy Veillon-Mattei.  Cindy has an impressive list of credits from Opelousas Little Theater, including Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Noises Off, Steel Magnolias, and Bats in the Belfry.  Cindy plays the guild's perpetually grumbling Thelma, thereby having the ideal quality for the principal role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Stepping in as Gordon, the stage manager for the play within the play is Gabe Ortego of Eunice.  Although Gordon's duties are supposed to be offstage, he ends up on the stage as Mrs. Cratchit, Jacob Marley, and several ghost versions.  An accomplished actor in the Opelousas and Eunice theatres, with Providence, A Tuna Christmas, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? to his credit, Gabe has also directed Steel Magnolias, Monky Business, and this season’s The Subject Was  Roses.

The show is suitable for all ages, and children will particularly appreciate the slapstick humor, which makes it a holiday treat the entire family can enjoy, as well as an introduction to the holiday classic.  The show opens Saturday, November 27, and is followed by other performances Sunday, November 28 at 2:00 p.m., then Tuesday, November 30 through Saturday, December 4.  All evening performances begin at 7:00 p.m.  Dinner theatre is the Tuesday, November 30 at 6:00 p.m. at Nick's on Second St. , with the performance immediately following.  Ticket information is upcoming.

For more information, call 337-546-0163 or 337-457-2156, or look for EPT on Facebook and at www.euniceplayers.blogspot.com.

Theatre--Review (Eunice Players' Theatre)

Ray Blum's review of the Eunice Players' Theatre production of The Subject Was Roses was in the Friday, October 8th edition of the Daily Advertiser.  The show continues through this weekend.

Theatre--Performance

(Pictured, left to right:  Jody L. Powell as Nettie Cleary, Christian Richard as Timmy Cleary, and Kevin Miller as John Cleary )

The Subject Was Roses is now in production at Eunice Players' Theatre.  Dinner theatre is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m. at Nick's on Second St., with the performance immediately following.   Dinner tickets must be purchased by noon Tuesday.  Remaining performances dates include October 6-10, with evening performances at 7:00 p.m. and the Sunday performance at 2:00 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased by going to David Ltd.Hair Salon at 204 S. Second St., Eunice, or by calling 337-546-0163 or 337-457-2156 where Visa and Mastercard are accepted.  Tickets are $10; dinner (steak, sides, dessert) plus ticket is $25.  The theatre is located at 121 S. Second St. in Eunice.  Check out the Eunice Players' Theatre on Facebook for photos and more information about EPT.

Theatre--Performance

The Eunice Players' Theatre is opening The Subject Was Roses, their fall show, this weekend.   The play centers on John and Nettie Cleary, (Dr. Kevin Miller and Jody L. Powell) and their son, Timmy ( Christian Richard), a young man returning home from World War II.  As the family drama unfolds, marital strains between John and Nettie become apparent, and Timmy provides the tension-relieving humor in his attempts to smooth the waters over his parents' turbulent relationship.  The Broadway play and subsequent movie had outstanding success with critics and the public alike and they won many awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for drama, Academy Awards for the actors, and the Tony Award for Best Play.  The Subject Was Roses was previously presented by Eunice Player’s Theatre in 1971 in the second season. 

The show will open with a matinee on Sunday, October 3 at 2:00 p.m.  Dinner theatre is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m. at Nick's on Second St., with the performance immediately following.   Remaining performances dates include October 6-10, with evening performances at 7:00 p.m. and the Sunday performance at 2:00 p.m.  Season ticket holders should call 866-856-3653 to make reservations.  Those without season tickets can purchase tickets by going to David Ltd. Hair Salon at 204 S. Second St., Eunice, or by calling 337-546-0163 or 337-457-2156 where Visa and Mastercard are accepted.  Season ticket packages are still available.  Tickets are $10; dinner (steak, sides, dessert) plus ticket is $25.  The theatre is located at 121 S. Second St. in Eunice.  

Check out www.euniceplayers.blogspot.com for photos and more information about EPT.

Theatre--Performance

Rehearsals are underway at the Eunice Players' Theatre for The Subject Was Roses, the second production of the 41^st season.  Gabe Ortego, director of the two-act play by Frank D. Gilroy, is proud to announce an outstanding cast composed of theater veterans and an exceptional newcomer.

      

The play centers on John and Nettie Cleary, and their son, Timmy, a young man returning home from World War II.  As the family drama unfolds, marital strains between John and Nettie become apparent, and Timmy provides the tension-relieving humor in his attempts to smooth the waters over his parents' turbulent relationship.  The Broadway play and subsequent movie had outstanding success with critics and the public alike and they won many awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for drama, Academy Awards for the actors, and the Tony Award for Best Play.  The Subject Was Roses was previously presented by Eunice Player’s Theatre in 1970 in the second season.

Playing the role of John is Dr. Kevin Miller.  An EPT board member and winner of several Irving Awards, Kevin has shown his penchant for comedic and dramatic acting in roles in Greater Tuna, All the Great Books (abridged), Misery, and Never Get Smart With an Angel.  He’s eager to show audiences that even though John Cleary has a rough exterior, the man has an interior struggle to repair relationships he’s neglected over the years.  Kevin is a member of Acadiana Repertory Theatre (ART), a professional theatre company in Lafayette.

Also a member of ART and an EPT board member, Jody L. Powell portrays Nettie, a woman who is overprotective of her son and hurt by her husband’s misdeeds, yet still manages to achieve emotional growth.  Powell is no stranger to the EPT stage, having most recently been seen in The Last Night of Ballyhoo for which she won the Best Actress Irving Award.  Other acting roles include Myra in Deathtrap and Dr. Livingston in Agnes of God.  She is also known for directing To Kill a Mockingbird, Always…Patsy Cline, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and this season’s opener, What the Bellhop Saw.

Joining the cast as Timmy is Christian M. Richard.  A home school graduate, Christian is a freshman at LSU-E studying architecture.  Although this is his first play on stage he did run the light board for EPT’s summer show, Humpty Dumpty is Missing.  Christian is an artist with talent in drawing, painting, and playing the bass guitar and the ukulele.  Christian has also done sketch work at religious retreats.

The show will open with a matinee on Sunday, October 3 at 2:00 p.m.  Dinner theatre is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m. at Nick's on Second St., with the performance immediately following.   Remaining performances dates include October 6-10, with evening performances at 7:00 p.m. and the Sunday performance at 2:00 p.m.  Season ticket holders should call 866-856-3653 to make reservations.  Those without season tickets can purchase tickets by going to David Ltd. Hair Salon at 204 S. Second St., Eunice, or by calling 337-546-0163 or 337-457-2156 where Visa and Mastercard are accepted.  Season ticket packages are still available.  Tickets are $10; dinner (steak, sides, dessert) plus ticket is $25.  The theatre is located at 121 S. Second St. in Eunice.  Check out www.euniceplayers.blogspot.com for photos and more information about EPT.