Greetings, Players!

Gisele Ganz will be coordinating the Players' Jacques Brel... entry in the EMACT Festival in May, and would appreciate having someone to help her. If you would be interested in assisting, email Gisele at Ganzchic@msn.com. The festival runs from Thurs. May 25 to Sun. May 28, so you would have to be available over Memorial Day weekend. I'm told that the festival is lots of fun, so consider getting involved!

Nancy Curran Willis is directing the Quannapowitt Player's production of Sam Shepard's Simpatico where the line between winners and losers is as treacherously thin as a razor blade. Production dates are: Feb. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 @ 8:00 and Sun, Feb. 20 @ 3:00. For tickets call: 781-942-2212. Nancy has directed two Concord productions, Deathtrap and Jake's Women.

Mikki Lipsey will be appearing as Du in the Litterbox Production of Keeley and Du the first weekend in March at the Actor's Workshop space on Boylston St. in Boston. Mikki would like her friends to know that she and her family have recently moved to Concord; her new address and phone number are in the latest membership book.

The Shakespeare Study Group, under the tutelage of Lisa Wolpe, Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Shakespeare Company, is busy at work rehearsing scenes to be performed after the upcoming Annual Meeting on March 19 at 8:15 PM at 51 Walden. Participants are Susan Becker, Judith Broggi, Patricia Collins, Artie Crocker, Pamela Dritt, Gisele Ganz, Richard Gifford, Mike Gowing, Lida McGirr, Carol Mitchell, Brenda Peskin and John Schatterly. Come join the fun!

Lida McGirr has been busy. She performed as the Ward House Witch at the Peabody Essex Museum's "Eerie Events" in October, played Ciara in a short movie entitled The Path Twice Taken in November, directed a mini-opera parody protesting WCRB's refusal to continue to carry "Saturday Afternoon At the Met" in December, and can be seen March 10, 11,12, 17, 18 as Martha in the Natick Ensemble Theatre's production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf.

Congratulations to Janice Dallas, who sends this news: "At this year's ARISIA convention in Boston, Ron and I were judged 'Best Presentation' in the Journeyman Class for our Disabled Fairy. This is the first time I've competed in a Fantasy Masquerade." The description she included of their performance sounds quite inventive and funny. Janice is also working on the costume crew of the Sudbury Savoyards production of Ruddigore. Performances are Feb. 25 & 26, March 2, 3, & 4 at 8:00 PM, and Feb. 26 & March 4 at 2:00 PM. Call 978-443-8811 for tickets.

On Feb. 11 and 12 Patricia Till, Betsy Connelly, Tim Jacoby, Pamela Schweppe, Jan Taylor, Kate Kavanaugh, and Sara Ballard performed in a Valentine Weekend Cabaret, Love on Broadway, at First Parish in Concord. They performed songs from a variety of Broadway shows about love, loss, and friendship, and played to a packed house both nights. Lights and sound were provided by Art Crooke.

David Gould has been hobbling around on crutches lately because of a broken ankle due to a fall on the ice. We hope that ankle heals up fast, David!

Bill Smith reports that some time in the not too distant past, he loaned a Players microphone, table stand and line transformer to someone, but he cannot remember who. He would greatly appreciate their prompt return.

Claiborne Dawes passes along a suggestion for a splendid show bus trip, if anyone is interested in organizing it. The Shaw Drama Festival in Niagra-on-the-Lake runs from March 31 to November 11, and features 11 plays in 3 theaters (although not all running simultaneously). Besides Shaw, there are works by Noel Coward, J.B. Priestly, Oscar Wilde, & Pirandello. They offer "substantial discounts" to groups over 20. Besides the shows there are other things to do in the area, like see THE FALLS! Their web site is http://www.shawfest.com/, and their phone # is 905-468-2172. If anyone would like to organize a trip, they should email Claiborne (Cwdolphin@aol.com) or Sally Bull at Sallybull@erols.com

From Pam Sturgis: Another golden opportunity for those who missed out in February! Any of the Our Town note cards and sweatshirts that are not sold during the run of the show will be available at the March Annual Meeting. The sweatshirts and the note cards, designed especially for Our Town by a local artist, are described as"classy" and "lovely". Both are of the highest quality. When you make a purchase, you not only receive something special, but you help support the Concord Players as well.

Philip Valentine, a Hollywood casting director and screenwriter who has recently moved to the area, will be offering a class, "Why Can't you Tickle Yourself?", which will focus on the root causes of nervousness for people in public speaking or performing, and how to eliminate it. He will also cover what is looked for in auditions and job interviews, and how to increase your chances of getting cast or hired. Classes will meet once a week starting in March, Mon. through Thurs. evenings or Sat. daytime, and will run for 2 months. Cost is $125 per month. This will be followed by an "actor's gym", an ongoing class for actors, writers, and producers to work & network on a regular basis. E-mail him at PhilipValentine@aol.com to register or request more information.

Please send your news to me at sara@sb.org,

Sara Ballard