A Shayna Maidel by The Autumn Players

The Autumn Players return in March with a new Readers Theatre Showcase production.

Since its opening in 1985 A Shayna Maidel, written by Barbara Lebow, has impressed audiences around the country. The story centers on two sisters, Rose and Lusia Weiss, who are reunited in the aftermath of the holocaust.

As the play opens we are introduced to Rose (played by Mara Breindal), who has spent nearly her whole life in New York and remembers little about her sister or her family's native Poland. Rose wears makeup, jewelry, and attractive clothes, has her own apartment, dates, and by all accounts is "Americanized."

One day her father Mordechai (played by Arnold Sgan) surprises Rose with the news he has found her long-lost sister Lusia (played by Thelma Cousins) and that she will be visiting America.

At first uncomfortable with each other, Rose and Lusia grow close as they share their stories and memories.

Now A Shayna Maidel comes to ACT with RoseLynn Katz directing a talented cast featuring Mara Breindel, Ben Oliver, Thelma Cousins, Kermit Brown, Eileen Walkenstein, Arnold Sgan, and Beth Ely.


Performance dates are Friday and Saturday, March 5-6 at ACT's 35below and Sunday, March 7 at The Reuter Center. All show times are 2:30pm.

Tickets at 828-254-1320 or at the door. $5.

Come in from the cold with ACT's Diva Cabaret

We don't know about you, but ACT is sick of the snow. Our remedy: a smokin' hot night at the cabaret - Diva style.

ACT's 2010 Diva Cabaret, featuring some of the top performers in Asheville, is set for March 12 at 8:00pm at "Olive or Twist" (formerly Decades Restaurant and Bar) on 81 Broadway Street in downtown Asheville.



The performers? For starters, we've got two past ACT Diva*licious winners: Michael Cheek, "2007-Diva" and star of last summer's smash hit Miss Gulch Returns!; and "2009-Diva" Craig Justus. Rounding out the Divas are Kelly Christianson, Jeff Neese, and Lori Hilliard. Lori is directing ACT's next Mainstage production, The Boxcar Children, and was last seen on stage in ACT's fall 2009 production of Peter Pan.

Diva Cabaret will be directed by Eric Mills, with Musical Direction and outstanding piano playing by Ruth Sieber Johnson.

Tickets: $15. Online at www.ashevilletheatre.org or by calling the box office at 828-254-1320.

ACT teams up with Manna and Brother Wolf

It's been a year of great partnerships for ACT. First, we became a "Friend of Earth" - and now we're teaming up with Manna Food Bank and Brother Wolf Animal Rescue for our upcoming production of The Boxcar Children.

"Boxcar" patrons who bring a canned good for either Manna or Brother Wolf (or both!) will be entered into a drawing for a 2010-11 Season Subscription to ACT. That's a great incentive for doing a good deed....and you're going to see a great show to boot.

Cheers!

The Boxcar Children
March 5-21, 2010 on the ACT Mainstage
Fridays, 7:30pm; Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30pm



Video preview with director Lori Hilliard