LITTLE NUGGETS FROM JEWEL BOX THEATRE With both the theatre and production director honored with a Governor's Arts Award Jewel Box Theatre An Oklahoma Tradition jewelboxtheatre.org Chuck Tweed ~ Production Director James Gordon ~ Box Office Manager 3700 N. Walker 405-521-1786 Oklahoma City, OK 73118-7031 Get free tickets details on page 9
P A G E 2 BLITHE SPIRIT The title comes from Shelley s poem To a Skylark (Hail to thee, blithe spirit/bird thou never wert). The play was first seen in the West End in 1941, creating a new long-run record for a non-musical British plays of 1, 997 performances. It also did well on Broadway later that year, running for 657 performances. Coward adapted the play for film in 1945, starting Rex Harrison, and directed a musical adaptation, High Spirits, on Broadway in 1964. It was also adapted for television in the 1950s and 1960s and for radio. The play enjoyed several West End and Broadway revivals in the 1970s and 1980s and revised again in London in 2004, 2011, and 2014. It returned to Broadway in February 2009. For some time before 1941 Coward had been thinking of a comedy about ghosts. His first thoughts centered around an old house in Paris, haunted by spectres from different countries, with the comedy arising from their conflicting attitudes, but he could not get the plot to work in his mind. Then, on a holiday, he put a piece of paper in the typewriter and started. Blithe Spirit. A Light Comedy in Three Acts. The critical reception was less than stellar, being called an odd mixture and not untouched by a genius of sort, common, and a wearisome exhibition of bad taste. When the piece had its first West End revival in 1970 the play was warmly though not rapturously praised by the critics. Over the years, the play has become a staple for theatres around the world as a Noel Coward comedy classic.
P A G E 3 BOX OFFICE OPENS BLITHE SPIRIT September 23 for season patrons September 25 for the public Monday - Friday from 1-6 pm Check out our website jewelboxtheatre.org Jewel Box Performances run Thursdays through Saturdays 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:30pm For Reservations Call 405-521-1786
P A G E 4 THE 57TH SEASON! THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB BLITHE SPIRIT AMERICAN FARCE WORLD PREMIER EVERYBODY LOVES OPAL FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON COME BLOW YOUR HORN
P A G E 5 Do you believe in spirits? Q & A with Jennifer Teel ~ Director Yes! As a child and a teenager, I experienced several instances of contact with spiritual beings. I still to this day remember those encounters very distinctly. Ever have an experience with one? I think I answered that above ;) Why do you think Blithe Spirit has been such an enduring comedy classic? I think all of us like to think that those we have loved and lost are still with us, watching over us. Combining that universal desire with a love triangle, a kooky medium, and cleaver; it was bound to become a classic. Who is your favorite character and why? Oh, that s a tough one I think I have to go with Madame Arcati. She is so eccentric, and batty, yet wise, and honest. Also she is the only character in the whole play who isn t putting on a façade. You directed The 39 Steps for us, which was quite a frenetic play. Is a comedy such as this just as difficult? It s just as, if not more difficult. Blithe Spirit is a very conversational comedy. Meaning, if you don t listen to all of the dialogue, you very well may miss all the jokes. There are very few big comedic moments in Blithe Spirit, where as 39 Steps was packed full of them. So the tricky part is keeping the conversation interesting. If it becomes stagnant, you loose the audience. What is your favorite comedy play? To this day, one of my all time favorites is Lend Me A Tenor. Next to that is Clue. My dream is to direct a stage version of the well loved film. Hopefully sooner than later.
P A G E 6 Theatrically Tweed THE 57TH SEASON OF CONTINUING EXCELLENCE A. We are now ticketless! Give your name at the podium, and enjoy the show. We might ask for an ID if your name is Smith or you look suspicious! B. More ways to help the Jewel Box. With such low prices for tickets, choose a pillar of support and make a contribution to help keep the theatre thriving. Jump in and help with any level you like. Cash/Money Order/Traveler s Check/wire-transfer are all accepted. Oh, and a few zeroes would be nice! How do we put on a show? Well, you can find out when you sign up for boot camp. Pick a show and go from auditions to a rehearsal to the show. And, on the way, get a free T-shirt and your name in the program. Then you, too, might want to direct! I m so happy we already have people signing up. It will be a fun time. You know you want to. Go for it! I am so proud of Jewel Box! It takes many people on both sides (on stage and off) to make this Oklahoma tradition what it is. 57 seasons and still going strong!
P A G E 7 ~GET FREE TICKETS WHEN YOU VOLUNTEER~ Volunteer and become part of the Jewel Box Theatre family! Choose a position for which you would like to volunteer, call us, and we ll train you! So easy, so fun, and totally free! BOX OFFICE: Greet season patrons and sell box office tickets. At intermission, sell soft drinks and our special Jewel Box blue cups. With sixteen performances per show, you can choose a week night show (7:00-9:30 pm, Thursday - Saturday.) or a Sunday matinee (1:30-3 pm). Get a free T-Shirt, too! PAINT CREW: Choose a show or two or three, and help create the set by painting the walls, floors, doors, and more. When you see the show, you know you helped make it come to life! PROPERTIES: Help the director by finding items needed on the set, or something an actor holds in his/her hand (A tray, glasses, writing pad and pencil, a hanky, etc.). We call them props. Working properties involves organizing/maintaining props during the run of the show. COSTUMES: Work with our resident costumer, Christopher Sieker, preparing costumes for actors to try on, then maintain, iron, sew, and catalogue for the show. HAIR AND MAKE-UP: Such fun to work with stylist Jacque Mooney with wigs and make-up. We have many period pieces this season, so there will be a lot of fun to create hair styles and make-up. So many fun ways to help Oklahoma City s oldest community theatre! Give us a call, and start your theatre journey with us!
P A G E 9 WIN FREE TICKETS Answer the 5 questions below and receive two free tickets to Blithe Spirit. THE FIRST SIX TO CALL IN WILL WIN! Call 405/521-1786 ~ Tuesday -Friday ~ 1-6 pm 1. Which character in The Dixie Swim Club stopped to buy lots of blueberries? A. Jeri Neal B. Lexi C. Sheree D. Vernadette D. Dinah 2. Who was named Best Actress last season? A. Deborah Franklin B. Dana Billingsley C. Jackie Smola D. Paula Parkhurst 3. How many performances does each show have? A. 12 B. 16 C. 19 D. 23 4. What time can patrons and will calls go in? A. 7 pm/7:15 pm B. 7:15 pm/7:30 pm C. 7:30 pm/7:45 pm 5. Which play was named Best Play for last season? A. Forum B. The Lion in Winter C. Cuckoo s Nest AUDITIONS: January 10-11/ 2-5pm Flowers for Algernon Come Blow Your Horn
P A G E 1 0 BENEFIT FOR JEWEL BOX SUPPORTERS You asked for it we ve got it! This season, if you make a $5.00 donation at intermission, we ll give you a Jewel Box insulated tumbler filled with your favorite drink and YOU CAN TAKE IT INTO THE THEATRE WITH YOU. Bring the mug back for future performances and you can have your drink for the regular $1.00 and take it into the theatre. This is only for patrons making a donation for the Jewel Box tumbler Styrofoam cups are NOT allowed in the theatre TICKET DEALS FOR YOU! Come and enjoy the best ticket prices in town Individual Ticket Prices for plays are only $15and $10 for senior citizens/college students/and under Last Thursday of the run still offers TWO-FOR-ONE tickets
P A G E 10 Visit and Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/ OKC.JBT Or follow us on Twitter! Season Ticket Holders! We got your back! Sign up now for an e-mail reminder when our next show is coming up. Just call the box office (405-521-1786) ~ Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 6 pm and give us your e-mail address. If you have a regular night for your reservations (PLAN A), we ll set you up to receive an e-mail at the beginning of the week of your regular performance night. Season ticket holders who call in to make their reservations for each show (PLAN B) will receive an e-mail reminding you when the box office will open for the next production. It s a busy world out there. Let us take a little of the load off by keeping you posted. We ll do the remembering for you! Be a Jewel Box Volunteer and receive two complimentary tickets to a show Call 405-521-1786 for more information Become part of the Jewel Box Family!