​The Playmakers Send a Librarian on a Quest    
 
Do you remember those library cards with the pockets in the books before library circulation systems went digital, similar to most things these days?   Do you, perhaps, have a library book laying around the house that still has one of the cards in it, but will never admit it?  Be glad that those strict, obsessive librarians aren’t around anymore and library fines are either non-existent or at least reasonable.
 
Except for the one in The Playmakers’ winter production, “Underneath the Lintel” by Glen Berger. When he finds a dilapidated Baedeker Travel Guide turned in that is 113 years overdue, this librarian seems to assume a nature akin to that of a superhero, though a very disheveled, confused, and nostalgic one.  However, his eagerness and curiosity propel him on an around the world quest that most would never fathom.  Messages in the margins become his clues as he collects “impressive presentation of lovely evidences” in his suitcase as he attempts to track down the miscreant who checked out the book, known only as “A.”  It even takes him back some 2000 years into the past when he is convinced that the myth of the Wandering Jew is real. 
 
Jonathan Elmore takes on this one-man show, opening January 31.  (“Ben Butler” switches places and moves to April 17.)   “As I read the play, I could see the wide range of emotions that the Librarian had gone through on his world travels.  I wanted to bring his joy, eagerness, lament and hope to the stage,” he said.
 
Jonathan has been a Playmakers’ leading character in many production, including “The Miser”, Dracula, the Musical”, “Seascapes”, “Dead Man’s Cell Phone”, “Lion in Winter”,  “Hitchcock Radio Plays”, and “If All the Sky Were Paper,”  He has also written a number of short plays that have been presented in the Playmakers’ Readers’ Theatre programs and acted in others. He has designed and decorated sets   He is currently developing his skills as a playwright and screenplay writer.
 
The L.A. Times critic remarked that “Glen Berger’s modern fable is a blissfully ludicrous vision quest, outrageously funny, madly literate…a stunner...but with a spiritual sensitivity that extends the Library’s search for an alternate truth to Everyman.” 
 
The play runs for eight performances on Friday evenings, Sunday matinees, and Tuesday evenings through February 16. (Cancellations due to bad weather will be rescheduled.)  Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. 
 
There are no paper tickets, but seating is $15 for adults and $8 for students, mid-school and above for this production.  Credit cards are accepted.  
 
Reservations are encouraged by leaving a message at the theatre, (918) 786 8950, or emailing groveplaymakers@yahoo.com. A volunteer will contact you to confirm. 

“Rhythm Dancers” & “First Act Theatre” Programs At The Playmakers In 2020.
 
   A unique theatre training program for youth and the creation of youth dance teams begin this coming January at The Playmakers, 121 W. 3rd St, in Grove, Ok.
   Consider the fees for these exciting new programs a Christmas gift for those enthusiastic dancers and thespians.  Maybe the relatives need gift ideas (see below). These programs begin mid-January and will continue for a semester of twelve weeks.  Performances may be scheduled during that time and afterward.
   Enrollment must be made by leaving a message at (918) 786 8950 (for orientation session for theatre training program and/or for auditions for dance teams.). Questions will be answered with a return call to confirm the enrollment.
   “First Act Theatre” (8 yrs. old and above) is an innovative program that will cultivate students’ use of their imaginations to create both the experience of making theatre and its product--the production of plays. Award-winning youth plays have been chosen as the basis for learning to use the process that creates a production, as well as the skills and understanding necessary to perform it: acting and developing characters and their relationships to each other, spatial concepts, body movement and control, and vocal skills that help communicate with audiences.  Some design and technical skills may be included as well, depending upon student interest. Though developing theatre skills is a primary objective, some plays may be performed either as a Readers’ Theatre or as a full production depending upon the performance opportunities & schedules.  Students will be chosen for different plays, some with 2-3 characters, some with larger casts. Rehearsals will be at times selected by the cast and instructor.  Group sessions will be scheduled on Tuesday evenings for special learning activities, though not every Tuesday.
   An orientation session for parents and students will give more information about this program and exciting future ones.  It will be held on Tuesday, Jan 14, 5:00-6:30 in the “wing” room at The Playmakers.
   Auditions for the new “Rhythm Dancers”, teams for young people from kindergarten through high school, girls’ and boys’ will be held on Monday, January 13, 2020 in the “wing” room at The Playmakers. 
“Not since the Red Hots in the 1990s has there been an opportunity for young people to be part of such performance teams,” said Suzanne Boles, Playmakers’ Artistic Executive. “Unlike those dance/drill teams, The Rhythm Dancers will use various rhythms as the basis for dance routines; rhythms from music all over the world as well as those in Broadway musicals.  They may create rhythmic dance numbers also with props or with unusual objects such as those used by “Stomp” a well-known group still performing,” she added.  Boys’ teams will be athletic as well as rhythmic, and make use of props where appropriate.
   Kindergarten and 1st grade students without dance experience will begin in a Rhythm Band, using those instruments to perform musical numbers, by adding them to songs and to appropriate basic dance steps.
   The audition schedule is: kindergarten and first grade students (rhythm band) 3:45; lower elementary students, 4:45; upper elementary students, 5:45; and mid-school and high school students, 6:45. Classes will begin Monday, January 20, at the same times as the auditions.
   Ashley Davidson, Playmakers’ director and a Playmakers’ “triple threat” will be the primary instructor for both programs. Others may be added to assist if warranted by enrollment.  The supervision and project director is Suzanne Boles.
   Fees for each program will be $100 / semester, with half due at first class, (non-refundable) and the remainder on March 4th.  Partial scholarships may be available.  If the student wishes to take part in both programs, there will be a 40% discount on the second program.  Remember, call (918) 786 8950 to enroll.