Wednesday, June 19, 2013

TOP STORY >> Cabot theater this weekend

By SARAH CAMPBELL
Leader staff writer

The Cabot Community Theatre on Friday will present “Here Comes the Bride…And There Goes the Groom,” a one-act play that aims to give the audience a case of the giggles.

Reservations for the 7:30 p.m. show are required and can be made by calling 501-941-2266. Tickets are $15.

In a separate event on Saturday, Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, Cabot Police Chief Jackie Davis, Fire Chief Phil Robinson, Dr. Scott Hill of Hill and Moudy Family Dentistry and Cabot High School band director Joe Trusty and their wives will be contestants in the “The Not-so-Newlywed Game."

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. Saturday game are also $15, but those making reservations for both nights will receive a $5 discount — a total of $25 — to see the one-act play on Friday and the game on Saturday. The theater is at 204 N. First St.

All About Stage students will begin both events with a concert.

The one-act play is set at Millie Compton’s wedding when her fiancé leaves her standing in the aisle after seeing her approach the aisle. The wedding party is left to figure out what happened.

Catherine Roberts, who is starring as the bride’s grandma Alma, said while laughing loudly, “I told my family I hope I don’t embarrass ya’ll.”

About why she is performing in the play, Roberts added, “It’s just fun to be silly.”

Alma is a character with no filter. She says what she wants when she wants to say it and what she says is often taboo, Roberts explained. She said she is channeling Sophia from the “Golden Girls” for the role.

The rest of the all-female cast is Scarlett McLain as Millie, the bride; Tonya Rafferty as Julianne, the bride’s sister and matron of honor; Shann Nobles as Carolyn, mother of the bride; Macy Long as Babs, Millie’s best friend; Addison Bennett as Georgia, the groom’s sister and a bridesmaid, and Kathy Whitt as Emily, the groom’s mother.

One highlight of the play is when the mothers of the bride and groom use their purses to teach each other a lesson. Who wins the brawl between the two moms? Attend the play to find out.

McLain, who is starring as the bride, said, “I love my character. She’s very interesting. I love how she has a classy side and a sassy, sarcastic side. The play is so fun. Everything you could worry about at a wedding comes together.”

All About Stage founder Autumn Watson said about the play, “It’s normal people.”

Her daughter, Addison Bennett, who is acting as the groom’s sister, explained that the characters are less theatrical. They are everyday people, she said.

This is the second one-act the theater has held and the first one done through a licensing company, Nobles said.

The theater usually stages five plays every season, but there isn’t much happening between those shows, she noted.

Nobles said the nonprofit wants to bring more people in for small events, like one-act plays and “The Not-so-Newlywed Game.”

She is also looking for sponsors to help the theater present Peter Pan in August. Coming in July is another rendition of “The Nerd,” a two-act comedy, Nobles added.