WILLIAMSVILLE The Rock River Players (RRP) present What’s Love Got to Do with It?!–A Valentine’s Cabaret, Friday and Saturday, February 15 and 16 at 7:30 PM at the Williamsville Hall, Dover Rd., Williamsville, Vt.
Cabaret brings to mind a dark and intimate night club and an evening full of songs, laughter, scenes, and surprises. Williamsville Hall will be transformed into just such a place with cafe tables, flickering candles and a tempting array of sweets and savories. In a wry nod to Valentine’s Day, “What’s Love Got to Do with It?! A Valentine’s Cabaret” will feature music and comedy presented by Rock River Players known to area audiences from past RRP productions: Miriam Allbee, Mike Kelly, Stewart McDermet, Bill Lincoln, Annie Landenberger, T. Breeze Verdant, David Roberts, and, from Leland and Gray Union High School’s performing arts programs, Fairen Stark, Caroline Mehner, Ben Kelly, and others.
Admission is $10 and includes savory and sweet snacks. Cabaret goers are asked to bring their own beverages. For reservations text or call 802-451-6283 or write verbatimvt@gmail.com.
WILLIAMSVILLE – The Rock River Players [RRP] present Twelve Angry Jurors by Reginald Rose October 11-14 at the Williamsville Hall, Dover Road, Williamsville, VT.
A riveting courtroom drama about a jury’s deliberation in a homicide trial, Twelve Angry Jurors was televised in 1954; soon adapted for the stage, it was then made into a highly-acclaimed film. Rose’s timeless piece has since evolved into myriad productions around the globe.
Twelve Angry Jurors — originally Men — depicts a jury forced to consider a homicide trial. At the beginning, they have a nearly unanimous decision of guilty, with a single dissenter of not-guilty who, throughout the play, sows a seed of reasonable doubt. Several jurors have different reasons for discriminating against the defendant: his race, his background and the troubled relationship between one juror and his own son. The RRP jury of eight women and four men– Bahman Mahdavi, John Moran, Dawn Slade, Susan O’Hara, Dody Riggs, Miles Keefe, Addie Mahdavi, Kayla Williams, Stewart McDermet, Rose Watson, Johanna Gardner, Rebecca Musgrove– finds itself in intense, heated and passionate debates until the denouement. Bill Lincoln rounds out the cast; Annie Landenberger directs; Tanyan Avendano assists.
Cast member Dody Riggs says, “Twelve Angry Men is one of my all-time favorite movies—great acting and a powerful message. It has been a tremendous challenge and an eye-opening experience to tackle this play that bears such relevance today.” Fellow juror Stewart McDermet adds, “Having men and women, all different personalities, compelled to decide a complex issue—the fate of a fellow human–is powerfully appropriate at this time in the world. People of the play are moved to realize truth beyond their personal biases—beyond “alternative facts”– and to open themselves to other possibilities.”
Performances are Thursday, Friday, Saturday October 11-13 at 7:30; Sunday, October 14 at 3:00.
Tickets will be available at the door; to reserve in advance and for more information write: verbatimvt@gmail.com.
Rock River Players, a 501c3 non-profit theatre collaborative, grows on the inspiration and initiative of those who wish to see the lively arts thrive in the West River Valley.
Rebecca Musgrove foreground with l. to r. Miles Keefe, Dody Riggs, Johanna Gardner, Rose Watson
Kayla Williams l and Dody Riggs
l to r Stewart McDermet, Bahman Mahdavi, Susan O’Hara
WILLIAMSVILLE – Rock River Players present Justice? Just Us, an original music theatre piece conceived, written and composed by Dan Dewalt. An exploration of how restorative justice can transform conflict and help heal those who have been harmed by conflict, the play combines scripted action, improvisation, music and songs to present the vast array of emotions and intricacies of feeling that most prefer to leave unacknowledged in daily life. Continue reading “Rock River Players present Justice? Just Us”
