Third Annual Community Theatre Festival at Clayton Center for the Arts begins August 2, 2013

The Clayton Center for the Arts is once again planning for the popular annual Community Theatre Festival, which will take place from August 2-4. All five shows can be seen for $40 for adults and $25 for children, which will cover the entire weekend of theatre performances. Individual tickets for each show are $15 for adults and $10 for children. The tickets can be purchased through the Clayton Center for the Arts Box Office at 865-981-8590. Online purchases are only an option for individual tickets; the weekend passes must be purchased via the box office. The Festival schedule can be found on the Clayton Center for the Arts website: www.claytonartscenter.com. The festival will open with food and music in the Foyer.

This year, there will be five shows, three of which will be performed by returning theatre groups, The Word Players, Athens Community Theatre, and the Theatre Downtown Knoxville. The Foothills Community Players will also be joining the theatre festival this year, along with new group, Fee Spirit Performing Arts. This year’s festival is family friendly with only “God of Carnage” being a show for older children and adults only. All other shows are family and children friendly. Participating Theatre Shows are as follows.

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown
Performed by: The Word Players
Book, Music, & Lyrics by: Clark Gesner
This family-friendly show stars the classic character, Charlie Brown, following him throughout a day filled with thoughtful meaning-of-life questions. The heart-warming attempts to win the affections of the Little Red-Haired Girl add an endearing touch, as Charlie Brown finds contentment in his friendships with Linus, his sister Sally, his nemesis Lucy, the musical prodigy Schroeder, and, of course, the lovable character, Snoopy. This is a wonderful play about true happiness and is perfect for a family with younger children.

Always, Patsy Cline
Performed by: Athens Community Theatre
Musical by: Ted Swindley
Directed by Ellen Kimball

Based on the true story of the country singer's friendship with Houston housewife, Louise Segar. Cline is played by Melonie Carideo and Louise is played by Kendra Johnson. Cline and Segar became friends in 1961 and remained connected until the death of Cline in a private plane crash in March 1963. The musical features 27 of Cline's hits, including “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “Walking After Midnight.”

God of Carnage
Performed by: Theatre Knoxville Downtown
This Tony-Award winning comedy is an entertaining production about adults behaving badly. Two highly-strung couples come together to discuss the conflict that took place on a playground between their sons. What begins with a civil and mature approach quickly transitions into what The New Yorker calls, “ninety minutes of sustained mayhem.” There is “adult language” used in this play. Not suitable for small children.

Fiddler on the Roof
Performed by: Foothills Community Players
Directed by: Terry Silver-Alford
Book by: Joseph Stein Music
Music by: Jerry Bock
Lyrics by: Sheldon Harnick

This original Broadway production tells a story centers on Tevye, a poor man that is a husband of twenty-five years and father of five daughters. He attempts to sustain his family and Jewish religious traditions, despite the outside influences that begin to enter their lives. He is forced to cope with the strong-willed actions of his three older daughters, all of which choose husbands that pull them further away from the traditions and customs of his faith. Throughout his trials, the Czar troops evict the Jewish community from Anatevka. A theatre classic.

“Children’s Letters to God”
Performed by Free Spirit Performing Arts
“Children’s Letters to God,” a musical based on the international bestselling book by Stuart Hample. The musical features five young children discussing their beliefs, ambitions, uncertainties and questions. The musical is about the letters that children write to God. The children ask common questions about things such as holidays, loss of a pet, divorces, sibling rivalry, the struggle of being unathletic, and first love.

The Clayton Center for the Arts, located on the Maryville College campus and constructed through a unique partnership between the College and the cities of Maryville and Alcoa, is East Tennessee’s newest venue for arts and entertainment. The 1,200-seat Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre features dance, theatre, concerts, lectures and other events. The 250-seat Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall hosts a wide variety of musicians and performers. The 200-seat Haslam Family Flexible Theatre is capable of supporting theatrical performances from amateur and professional companies. Three art galleries display collections and works of art from Appalachia and beyond.

Published August 2, 2013