When Debbie Sharp played Frankie Futrelle Dubberly in Dearly Beloved, the prequel to Christmas Belles, she got rather attached to the role. "I came to love Frankie when I played her in Dearly Beloved -- I (as Frankie) announced at the end of that show that I was pregnant with twins and I just had to see my babies born."
When I asked the ever entertaining Sharp if she would be singing in the mirthful Holiday musical, she laughed, "Fortunately, only in the chorus!"
According to Debbie, working with director Tonda-Leah Fields and Melissa Wilkeson is a wonderful experience. "I love working with Tonda and Melissa. Tonda’s directing style is like a massage. She is very gentle and patient, yet direct and to the point. Melissa has that rare combination of expression and physicality that just screams 'funny' ... plus, being enormously talented doesn’t hurt. So working with her is a dream."
"We’ve been rehearsing since mid-October, with some time off for Tonda to get her other shows that she was simultaneously directing up and running. Tonda is one busy woman. I can only assume that she needs very little sleep!"
So, why should my Kimmyville readers come to see Christmas Belles and what makes it a such super show to enjoy? Debbie tells me, "Anyone familiar with the playwrights Jones, Hope, and Wooten know that they write non-stop one-liners that keep you laughing from the time the curtain goes up. They honed their writing skills in tv sit-comland and they know their southern comedy. Jamie Wooten wrote for The Golden Girls and you can hear that type of rapid-fire patter throughout their scripts. Our audiences love Jones, Hope, and Wooten shows and we love them too."
A little background:
"I began acting during college and continued for a few years with community theatre. Then school, work, and family took priority for a few years. After a 15-year hiatus from the stage, I returned with a role in The Price in 1995 and have been a part of the Studio Players family ever since. I am currently doing my second stint as President-Elect of the board, in addition to taking care of our mailing list and the programs for every show. As a volunteer organization, we all work together to ensure that every production comes off smoothly."
"I began acting during college and continued for a few years with community theatre. Then school, work, and family took priority for a few years. After a 15-year hiatus from the stage, I returned with a role in The Price in 1995 and have been a part of the Studio Players family ever since. I am currently doing my second stint as President-Elect of the board, in addition to taking care of our mailing list and the programs for every show. As a volunteer organization, we all work together to ensure that every production comes off smoothly."
"In addition to playing Frankie Dubberly once before in Dearly Beloved, past roles at Studio Players include The Unexpected Guest (Mrs. Warwick), Shakespeare in Hollywood (Louella Parsons), The Philadelphia Story (Margaret Lord), Blood Relations (The Actress), Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music (Eva June Wilfong), and Crimes of the Heart (Chick). I have also appeared in Balagula Theatre productions of Line, and The Dresser and in the Surprise Theatre production of El Depresso Espresso."
"
SECRET TALENT: "I can write with my foot. I mean actually put a marker between my first and second toes and write legibly. Is that a skill? I can fall asleep practically anywhere, any time. That's a skill that insomniacs wish they had. I can also laugh myself silly. It's very relaxing."
As you can see from the photo above, Debbie has no problem laughing herself silly! Apart from being gorgeous, she's simply a joy to be around, you just can't help but smile when she's in your presence...and I can't wait to see her on-stage as she reprises her role as Frankie when Christmas Belles opens at the Carriage House next week!
see you at the show,
peace, y'all,
Kimmy
"SECRET TALENT: "I can write with my foot. I mean actually put a marker between my first and second toes and write legibly. Is that a skill? I can fall asleep practically anywhere, any time. That's a skill that insomniacs wish they had. I can also laugh myself silly. It's very relaxing."
As you can see from the photo above, Debbie has no problem laughing herself silly! Apart from being gorgeous, she's simply a joy to be around, you just can't help but smile when she's in your presence...and I can't wait to see her on-stage as she reprises her role as Frankie when Christmas Belles opens at the Carriage House next week!
see you at the show,
peace, y'all,
Kimmy
***************
Studio Players
presents
Christmas Belles
by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, & Jamie Wooten
Directed by Tonda-Leah Fields
Cast:
Honey Raye.......Robin Dickerson |
Twink........Shea Baker |
Frankie.......Debbie Sharp |
Rhonda Lynn...Melissa Wilkeson |
Raynerd....Gil Thurman |
Geneva.....Libby Adkins |
Dub.....Jim Wilkeson |
Gina Jo...Natalie Clements |
Patsy....Jan Kinstle |
Justin....Jason Meenach |
John Curtis.....Alex Maddox |
A church Christmas program spins hilariously out of control in this Southern farce about squabbling sisters, family secrets, a surly Santa, a vengeful sheep and a reluctant Elvis impersonator.
It's Christmas-time in the small town of Fayro, Texas, and the Futrelle Sisters—Frankie, Twink and Honey Raye—are not exactly in a festive mood. A cranky Frankie is weeks overdue with her second set of twins. Twink, recently jilted and bitter about it, is in jail for inadvertently burning down half the town. And hot-flash-suffering Honey Raye is desperately trying to keep the Tabernacle of the Lamb's Christmas Program from spiraling into chaos. And when Frankie lets slip a family secret that has been carefully guarded for decades, all hope for a successful Christmas program seems lost.
But in true Futrelle fashion, the feuding sisters find a way to pull together in order to present a Christmas program the citizens of Fayro will never forget. Their hilarious holiday journey through a misadventure-filled Christmas Eve is guaranteed to bring joy to your world!
It's Christmas-time in the small town of Fayro, Texas, and the Futrelle Sisters—Frankie, Twink and Honey Raye—are not exactly in a festive mood. A cranky Frankie is weeks overdue with her second set of twins. Twink, recently jilted and bitter about it, is in jail for inadvertently burning down half the town. And hot-flash-suffering Honey Raye is desperately trying to keep the Tabernacle of the Lamb's Christmas Program from spiraling into chaos. And when Frankie lets slip a family secret that has been carefully guarded for decades, all hope for a successful Christmas program seems lost.
But in true Futrelle fashion, the feuding sisters find a way to pull together in order to present a Christmas program the citizens of Fayro will never forget. Their hilarious holiday journey through a misadventure-filled Christmas Eve is guaranteed to bring joy to your world!
Production Dates: November 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, December 3, 4, 5, 2010
Opening night, Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8:00pm
Sunday matinee performances begin at 2:30 pm
The Carriage House Theatre is located at 154 W. Bell Court
Ticket Prices are $16 for all performance ($10 for students)
NOTE: Please arrive at the carriage house 15 minutes before the performance time. In the event that the performance is sold out, Studio Players reserves the right to sell unclaimed reserved seats at that time.
Reservations - For reservations please call (859) 225-0370
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