County Players is Proud to Present

The Twilight of the Golds

County Players, Inc. presents, the entertaining drama, The Twilight of the Golds, written by Jonathan Tolins, Sept. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19, 1998 at 8:00 PM at the County Players Falls Theater, 15 West Main Street in Wappingers Falls. Tickets for Friday and Saturday performances are $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for senior citizens and children under 12.

If your parents knew everything about you before you were born, would you still be here? That is the question posed in, The Twilight of the Golds a funny, rich and articulate piece. The play opens on Suzanne Gold-Stein (Terry Toots), relating to her family that she is pregnant. Suzanne's husband Rob (Kevin McNaughton), who is a genetic researcher, then reveals the prenatal test that he's been working on: they can now determine if a child will be homosexual genetically. It is the results of the test that forces the Golds to face their own issues of bigotry and evolution and the limits of love. The play is narrated by David (George A. Conrad), Suzanne's gay brother, who while fighting for the rights of the unborn child confronts his parents, Phyllis (Joan Cohen) and Walter (Doug Woolley) and asks, what if? The Twilight of the Golds speaks volumes to matters that are paramount today.

The show is being directed by, Joseph Gayton, who is making his directorial debut with County Players. Some of Joseph's directing credits include, March of the Falsettos, Brighton Beach Memoirs and Two by Two. Gayton has also served as Artistic Director for Amodeo Productions for 4 years. No stranger to the stage Joseph also appeared in, County Players' La Cage Aux Folles as Zaza/Albin and held the title role in Sweeney Todd as well as Arnold in Torch Song Trilogy with other regional theater groups, just to name a few. When asked about The Twilight of the Golds Gayton states, "This is my story. When I first saw it on Broadway I couldn't get out of my seat. It was like seeing an echo of my own family." Gayton also states, "This is an important story that needs to be told and that not everything in life is a choice."

To obtain tickets for this season opener. Call the County Players Box Office at 298-1491. Visa and Mastercard now accepted.

Upcoming Auditions

• Director Rachel Cassidy seeking 6 actors for the comedy, How the Other Half Loves written by Alan Ayckbourn. This hilarious play is a comedy of errors in which three couples try to sort out a web of deceit woven by the husband from one couple and the wife from another. Needed are 3 men between the ages of 25-60 and 3 women ages 25-50. Auditions will be held Sunday, September 13th and Monday September 14th at 7:00 PM at the County Players Falls Theater, 15 W. Main Street, Wappingers Falls. Production dates are November 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21, 1998 at 8:00 PM. For further information, contact the Director, Rachel Cassidy at 454-1916.
• Auditions for Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon will be held on Sunday, Nov. 15, and Monday, Nov. 16 at 7:00 PM. Needed are two men ages 30s-40s, two women ages 30s-40s, one older woman, and two young men teens to early 20s. Production dates in February 1999. For more information, please call director Jeff Wilson at 297-8148.
• Auditions for Into The Woods by Steven Sondheim and James Lapine will be held on Sunday January 24 and Monday January 25, 1999 at 7:00 PM. This show will have a fairly large cast and will afford many solos. Please prepare a song from a Broadway show. Actors can expect to sing, dance and read lines for the audition. Production dates are in May 1999.

County Players is asking for your help. Did you ever wonder what happens to the large set pieces we use in our productions after the show ends? Remember the fire escape in West Side Story? How about those spiral steps used in Anything Goes and Hello Dolly or the window units that have been used in dozens of shows? We don't rebuild each time we need flats or set pieces. We store them at our scene shop located a few miles from the theater in the town of Wappingers. We'll be doing an inventory and purge of some set pieces at the scene shop on Saturday, September 12th at 9:30AM. If you can spare few hours of your time and would like go behind the scenes of County Players, please contact Jeff Wilson at 297-8148.

Call for Directors

County Players is seeking directors for our 42nd season. Individuals interested in directing during the 1999-2000 season should submit a resume and a list of proposed play titles by September 15th, 1998 to: George Conrad c/o County Players, Inc., 15 West Main St., Wappingers Falls , NY, 12590. If you have any questions, please call the theater box office at 298-1491.

Ushers Needed

Want to help out at the theater but can't make a big commitment? Have an extra weekend evening free? Ushering could be just the thing for you! If you could usher for any performance of The Twilight of the Golds please call Grace Padworski at 297-8527 or Holly Padworski at 831-7169

From the President

Welcome to a new season with County Players. We look forward to another year of quality theater for the Hudson Valley. This year's offerings introduces two new playwrights to the CP stage and audiences: Jonathan Tolins (The Twilight of the Golds) and Alan Ayckbourn (How the Other Half Loves). Don't let lack of familiarity frighten you away. These are outstanding plays by outstanding playwrights and we are pleased to be offering their work to you.

On August 9, CP feted its volunteers with a clambake at Bowdoin Park. Over 75 people feasted on steamed clams, lobster, chicken, and corn-on-the-cob as a "thank you" from CP. Get involved with our shows and other theater work and you will reserve yourself a spot in next year's event.

Finally, this column would not be complete without recognizing the efforts of Anna Marie Creighton. Anna finished her term as President in June and has left a legacy of good works and high achievement during her tenure. We wish her well in her endeavors and look forward to her directing of this Spring's Into the Woods.

Tom Lawrence - President

Visit Us on the World Wide Web

County Players' web site has a new look thanks to the efforts of Jeff Wilson. There you can find photos of recent shows, current season information, a seating chart, and more. Check us out at

http://www1.mhv.net/~jwilson/cp.html

See you at the theater!