[NEohioPAL] See "The Hobbit" this weekend at the Ashtabula Arts Center

[Pamela Hammond]

G. B. Community Theatre at the Ashtabula Arts Center will stage its three
final performances of "The Hobbit" this Thursday, Friday and Saturday
evenings at 8 p.m. Sponsored by Key Bank, "The Hobbit" was adapted by
Patricia Gray from J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved classic and tells the enchanting
story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, who is hired by a band of brave, daring
dwarves to help them recover a long lost treasure stolen by the evil dragon,
Smaug.  In this prequel to the popular "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Bilbo
first encounters the strange creature, Gollum, finds the magic invisibility
ring and becomes one of the legendary heroes of Middle Earth.



Tolkien wrote "The Hobbit" for his three sons in the early 1930s. In 1937 it
was published to wide critical acclaim and was awarded a prize from the New
York Herald Tribune for best juvenile fiction.  The book has sold an
estimated 100 million copies worldwide.



"Throughout the years, Tolkien's works have given rise to a lucrative
industry in cartoons, action figures, retellings, critiques, and imitators -
not to mention an entire genre of literature, dozens of role-playing games,
and three award-winning movies.  J.R.R. Tolkien's private mythology, created
in part simply to give his invented languages a world to be spoken in, is
now beloved by millions," say director Douglas Anderson.



Anderson, who works as the Reference Coordinator at the Ashtabula County
District Library, has served as both actor and director in numerous shows at
the Arts Center for many years.


"This is an adventure story for all ages," he says.  "It's all about how you
can be braver, more resourceful, and more generous than you realize.  All
you need is a little help.



"It's a very family-friendly show.  One or two scenes might be a little
intense for very small kids, but we hope that the magic and gentle humor
will balance it out.  And Bilbo is a wonderful role model.



"We want to scare you a little, make you laugh a little, touch your heart a
little, and amaze you a lot."



Tickets can be purchased in person or by calling the Arts Center at (440)
964-3396.  Adults $10, Seniors $9 and Students/Children $8.



The Arts Center is funded in part by the Ohio Arts Council.

Pamela Hammond
Public Relations/Marketing Coordinator
Ashtabula Arts Center
Phone/Fax: 440.964.3396
aac at ashartscenter.org
www.artscenternews.com