THEATRE + COMEDY

KVPAC’s Adult Community Theatre Presents Comedic Version of a Holiday Classic. Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center's Encore Players presents The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of A Christmas Carol.

KVPAC's Encore Players finish out another successful season of theatre with their solute to the mad-cap, physical comedy. An ode to the British farce, The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of A Christmas Carol is exactly as it seems a play within a play about the beloved Dickens’s classic. Directed by Amber Gray and sponsored by Sarah Springer, Attorney at Law, the show runs one weekend only December 17, 18 & 19. All shows begin at 8:00pm, except for Sunday's performance which is a matinee beginning at 2:00pm.

“This show promises you a night full of holiday cheer that you will never forget," boasts Amber Gray, Farndale’s director. “I think the audience will love it. Rehearsals have been great! All of my actors (and Frank Mena, costume designer) have put in 100% since the process began. I am really excited for this show!”

In a festive mood, Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society ladies mount yet another assault on the classics with their stage version of A Christmas Carol. Enthusiasm their middle name, and with the virile support of stage-manager Gordon, the cast presents a dizzy array of characters from the Dickensian favorite ... and a few which aren't ... under the ever-battling leadership of Thelma, the quick-tempered prima dona (played by Miatta Lebile), and Mrs. Reece, the elegant but bossy lady's club president (played by Janet Sze). Rounding out the cast are Felicity, the youthful but incompetent actress (played by Tina Morille) and Mercedes, the phlegmatic yet cheerful thespian (played by Amanda Barker).

“It hasn't felt like work putting it together,” Gray tells us. “It has been a fun process, and that shows on stage. And when the actors are having fun the audience should as well. It is as much their show as it is ours.”

Farndale was written by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr and published by Samuel French. It was first produced at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in England in 1987, much to the delight of its participating audience. Yes, Farndale is 'one of those shows' in which, regardless of where you sit in the theatre, you may just be called upon by one of the actors, portraying actors in a play, to help them out by holding a prop or bounding up onto the stage to recite a line or two. All this makes for a charming and fun-filled evening of LIVE theatre at its best.

"All in all, these five incredibly talented actors portray seventeen different characters," explains Lisa Connolly, KVPAC Director of Marketing and Public Relations. "They make these well choreographed dashes on and off stage to change costumes or switch out props. It is absolutely hilarious to watch them as the onstage madness grows and grows as a result of all the mayhem."

Encore Players is the all-volunteer adult community theater program of KVPAC that taps into the acting, vocal and dance, as well as stagecraft talents of adults within the Katy-area. Either on stage or behind the scenes, Encore Players is home to those who love the theater and want to be a part of bringing that magic to life.

Pre-Sale Tickets of $15 Adults and $12 Seniors are still available. Tickets increase by $3 at the door. Group rates are available at www.kvpac.org or by calling 281-829-2787. For Katy audience members who seek an evening at the theater, they can look to Encore Players as a source to enjoy the theater in their own backyard without the commute or cost involved with heading to one of downtown Houston’s theaters. Thank you for supporting KVPAC and the Arts in Katy!

Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center (KVPAC) is located at 2501 S Mason Rd, #290, Katy, TX 77450 in the Great Southwest Equestrian Center Complex.

Pictured below:

Thelma as Scrooge (Miatta Lebile) is tormented by Mrs. Reese as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (Janet Sze) who is shroud in haunting black cloak with designer handbag.

Show Logo by ACampbell Designs exclusively for KVPAC.