Steel Magnolias to be staged at the CCC      Rehearsals are underway for the Footlighters spring production.  The theatrical company of the Courthouse Community Center in Salem is staging Robert Harling's poignant and heart warming play, Steel Magnolias.  The all female cast is hard at work mastering the lines and nuances of this play which showcases the strong bonds of friendship. Steel Magnolias is being produced by Jenn Borntraeger, directed by Siri Allison and features the powerful cast of Shelly Dean, Jill Little, Patty Mansmith, Sue O'Keefe, Sara Rogers and Mary Skelly.  The play will be performed in the CCC Courtroom on Friday, March 26th and Saturday, March 27th at 7 pm and on Sunday, March 28th at 2 pm.  Tickets are available at the CCC and may be reserved by calling 518-854-7053.

On Trial at the Salem Courthouse

Back row: Stage Manage, Mary Skelly, Director Quentin Beaver, Dan Garfinkel and Don McPhee Front row: Producer Bruce Ferguson, James Allen, Elana Andrews

     On Friday and Saturday, October 2-3, the Salem Footlighters, in association with the Courthouse Community Center, will stage Inherit the Wind. Under the direction of Quentin Beaver, this fictional version of the famous 1925 Scopes trial will take place in the courtroom of the Courthouse at 7:30 pm
Based on a highly-publicized trial held in Dayton, Tennessee, a conflict between religion and science will play out in this 1955 drama written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Lee. When teacher Bert Cates (Jamie Allen) presents Darwin’s theory of evolution to his class, Rev. Brown (Charlie Kremer) and the people in the small town of Hillsboro react. A trial results.

     The right to think actually goes on trial once defense lawyer Henry Drummond (Don McPhee) begins to argue Cates’ case against prosecutor Matthew Harrison Brady (Dan Garfinkel). Over the course of the next few days, young people and adults in Hillsboro reluctantly gain insights about religious faith and scientific knowledge. Director Beaver believes this drama “touches home and allows people to have opinions on either side.” The ironic outcome will cause every member of the audience to wonder, indeed, who “shall inherit the wind.”

     Director Beaver and HSCPA’s director Donna Farringer are delighted that Inherit the Wind will be performed in the Courthouse courtroom.  According to Farringer, “This has been the wish of many. It is finally coming to fruition.” As his set for the drama, Beaver is using the judge’s bench, prosecutor’ s and defense lawyer’s tables, and witness stand that were part of Salem trials for years.
For tickets, call the Courthouse (518) 854-7053. Adults-$15; Senior citizens-$11; Students-$9; Children 5 and under-free.  For groups of 12 or more, contact the Courthouse for special pricing.  For information, visit the website at www.salemcourthouse.org.

The first Salem Footlighters drama group was organized by the early 1950s. Later groups were formed when a number of inspired, local thespians decided to share their talents with the community. The most recent Footlighters, a community theater group of volunteers, have become a part of HSCPA.

Footlighters have been producing plays and talent trials since 2004. They built a stage in the courtroom that can be dismantled and stored, purchased and placed stage lights in the courtroom, and acquired numerous costumes which are stored in the jail. Volunteers who wrote, directed, and played the roles in “For Sale M” and the 2008 Halloween Play gained insight about the creative process associated with producing a play. Join the fun and find your niche whether it be on or off stage. There is a place for everyone.

The Footlighters are under the umbrella of HSCPA as a courthouse program. They elect their own officers in order to facilitate this very creative theater program:

• President - Al Budde
  
• Vice President - Mary Skelly
  
• Secretary - Cindy Rogers
  
• Treasurer - Bruce Ferguson
  
  
  The 2009 Talent Trials will be held at the Fort Salem Theater on Saturday, June 6th, at 7:30 p.m. The entertaining Dr. Dan Garfinkel will return as Master of Ceremonies.