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<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>There are many times when you finish a play or a
musical that you hug the actors and shake hands with the crew and forget to tell
the public really how successful the play actually was. To the cast, crew,
patrons, and general public, To Kill a Mockingbird which was presented by the
Canal Fulton Players on March 1-3, 8-10 at the SALT Box Ministries in Canal
Fulton was a major artistic and business success. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>I would like to thank the leads Chuck Cover (Atticus
Finch), Rufus Malone (Tom Robinson), Jack Yoak (Bob Ewell), Katelyn Zeitz
(Scout), and Kyle Zeitz (Jem) for all of their hard work for making the leads so
believable. Chuck's rendition of Atticus' final summation mesmerized me so
much one night that I almost forgot to help Tina Thompkins get on stage.
He made people forget that Gregory Peck won an Academy Award for the
part.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>What can be said about Rufus? He made Tom
Robinson so believable that Jack Yoak, who played the villainous Bob Ewell got a
standing boo from the audience during the curtain call. Rufus kept the
cast loose as we approached opening night. When informed by this director
that Tom was going to lose again, Rufus stated, "I want Tim Misny." (I
will make them pay). </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>Katelyn, who is thirteen, was a delight as Scout and
more than matched her alter ego, Jean Louise Finch, played by Amiee Jarzenski,
in presenting a character. You honestly believe that Scout actually
matured to Jean Louise, who narrated the story. Katelyn is actually a
thirty five year old woman trapped in a thirteen year old body. Amiee had
a difficult part because she had to narrate and did not interact with the
characters. She was absolutely wonderful.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>Katelyn's brother, Jem, acting only for the second
time, brought a great deal of warmth to the part especially when he forges a new
relationship with one of the most delightful and opinionated actresses of our
time, Carol Zeh, who played the old rebel Mrs. Dubose. Carol, who taught
English for thirty years at Perry High School in Stark County, Ohio and taught
the story all during that time, was Mrs. Dubose. Her advice during
consultations was invaluable as she brought differing perspectives to the
story. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>Jack Yoak was born to play Bob Ewell. Normally,
a mild mannered character actor who brings warmth to his characters, Jack
totally was great as the abusive, racist, lying, etc etc Bob Ewell. As
stated above, he received a standing boo from the
audience.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>Juliana Freisen (Dill) was so convincing playing a boy
that the audience gasped when she removed the wig to show that she had long
locks of hair. Juliana had to learn and talk like a boy and she listened
very well. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>I never felt that they showed Mayella Ewell as a
sympathetic character in the movie version. Bobbi Norman played the part
so well that there were tears in several people's eyes when she testified
against Tom Robinson. Bobbi made Mayella, a difficult part to
conceptualize, very believable.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>Special thanks goes to Tina Thompkins, who played
Calpurnia, the loving but strict housekeeper for the Finch Family. Tina
came in with one week of rehearsal to go to take over the part. She had
just finished performing in Flying West at Weathervane on a Sunday afternoon
when she began rehearsing for this play on that Sunday evening. I
personally would like to thank the people at Weathervane for getting the
emergency message to Tina, who came in with total
professionalism.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>I will miss teasing Miss Maudie (Geri Marken) and Miss
Stephanie (Denise Robb). They learned their parts so quickly that we
normally conversed while they were still in character. They both were
excellent members of the cast and one of my directors for another play stated
that they were so good during the trial scenes that he watched them perform even
though they had only one line between the two of them for thirty seven
pages. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>I will also miss working with Tyler Brewer (Walter
Cunningham), Travis Dudley (Mr. Gilmer) and Wally Thieshen (Linc Dees) who
though they made it interesting at times performed well when the call
came. They were excellent support players.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>Also, I cannot stop talking about Jim Barnes as Judge
Taylor and Gary Liknes as Heck Tate. Jim was so good as the judge that
when Gary announced that court was in session and that the gallery on stage
should rise to attention when the judge entered, some members of the audience
rose. Gary's dignified approach as the sheriff was so good that when he
says, "I may not be much Mr. Finch, but I'm still the sheriff of Maycomb
County," I wanted to state, "No! you're more." Thank you gentleman for
bringing the dignity to the court that it richly deserves.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>And what can be said about our small parts.
Julie Ovendorf as the bigoted child, Laura Haines as the child who loves to see
Scout get in trouble, Mary Kocsis who plays the court stenographer, and George
Dorer who plays a member of the mob and the jury foreman, played their parts so
well that they helped the leads set the stage for the dramatic conclusion to
this wonderful story.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>And what can be said about Drew Hutchinson who played
Boo and Nathan Radley. Drew was excellent in the scene where he saves the
children from the murderous attacks of Bob Ewell. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>I want to thank my support staff and crew.
Debbie Liknes on lights, Emily Liknes on sound, Ike Canfield, Connor Lenhart and
Kevin Henderson as stage crew did everything without a hitch. Everyone
except Kevin is a young teenager. When we needed them they were
there. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>The same can be said as to Josh Rowe (Assistant
Director), Debbie Haines (Costumes and props), George Dorer (Lighting
supervisor), Dan Graves and Gary Liknes (Sound supervisors), Joe Pasternak (set
design), Sharon Burnley (prompter), the box office people, the concession
people, and everyone else who made this wonderful story a treasure.
</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>Special thanks is being given to Debbie Haines and
Marcus for their wonderful cooking for the two dinner theatres. I would
also like to thank the people who all worked hard for making those two dinners
memorable. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>Also special thanks goes to the SALT Box Ministries
for being gracious hosts and to the Canal Fulton UMC for allowing us to use
their space during early rehearsals.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>I love the story of To Kill a Mockingbird.
Gregory Peck is one of my favorite actors. I was hesitant to take this
play on because of its legendary status. However, the cast and crew made
this a very memorable project and it ranks as one of my best efforts as a
director. I thank you all and to the general public and our patrons, we
will be seeing you again in May for our Night of Music and Comedy and in June
for Romeo and Juliet.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>Dave Van Gaasbeek</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>Executive Producer and
Director</FONT></STRONG></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>