Published: July 20, 2008 12:00 am      

PCT’s quality shows keeping us entertained

Published Sun., July 20, 2008

The Palestine Community Theatre has entertained us for decades with everything from mysteries such as “Clue: The Mystery” to musicals like “South Pacific,” “Hello Dolly,” “The Music Man,” “Man of La Mancha” and “The Sound of Music”.

The local theater group has kept us laughing with fine comedies like “Li’l Abner,” “Once Upon a Mattress,” “You Can’t Take it With You,” “Calamity Jane” and “The Beverly Hillbillies”. But that’s not all folks. Children’s favorites such as “Peter Pan,” “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” “The Jungle Book” and “Pinocchio” also have taken the stage in Palestine, Texas.

Even holiday favorites like “Scrooge,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street” have been presented here by the PCT the past few years.

PCT also has presented amazing productions of the dramatic “Steel Magnolias” and the unique “Barefoot in the Park.”

Whatever show the local theater group undertakes, the common threads that run through every show are the quality of the performances and the incredible dedication by the many people who give of their time to keep us entertained.

The best thing about live community theater are the people who work their everyday jobs and then volunteer much of their free time to bring Palestine the caliber of entertainment seen in much bigger cities. All those involved in Palestine Community Theatre productions, either on stage or behind the scenes, are local. They are your neighbors and friends.

From the actors and directors to the singers, dancers and choreographers, they are all local residents with a love for live theater and their community. Thanks to their spirit and love of theater, our town is thriving with good, old-fashioned, live community theater.

PCT does an amazing job on large-scale shows packed full of action, energy and music and featuring dozens of cast members. One such musical was PCT’s production of “The Music Man” in 2006. The show’s director, PCT veteran Sandy Couch Hanson, remarked “This is my all-time favorite show. It is a show that everyone knows and loves the music to.”

“The Music Man” included a cast and crew of more than 40 plus a 16-member orchestra. On that show, Hanson worked with musical director and longtime PCT member Cleve Walker and choreographer Trish Couch.

“This is the finest group of singing and chorus prinicpals that I have ever had the privilege to work with in any show bar none,” Hanson stated.

From age three, Trish Couch has trained in ballet, jazz and tap in addition to hip-hop, modern and lyrical dance. She attended the Houston Metropolitan Academy of Dance and received additional training at the New York City Dance Alliance and the L.A. Dance Force. Her experience brings a generous amount of talent to the PCT shows she’s involved in.

Longtime PCT members Michael and Amelia Cook have donated years to our community theater. Both have been recognized for their dedication to PCT and for their work in helping to restore the Texas Theater on Crawford Street.

The Cooks, an amazing team on stage and off, appeared together in PCT’s musical “Calamity Jane” in 2007.

“This is one of the most fun shows I have ever done,” Michael Cook, who also played the part of saloon owner Henry Miller, said at the time. “And I think it is one of the best the PCT has done so far.”

Audiences loved it too, walking away complimenting the “lively, toe-tapping and very funny” show.

Amelia Cook’s performance as Calamity Jane stole the show, with Cook admitting that the role was a new personal favorite.

“It has been so exciting,” she said after one show. “I still feel like a kid, I find myself peeking out the curtains before every show.

“I just love hearing people talk about how much they enjoyed the show and the theater,” Amelia Cook added. “It has been like a dream.”

Sandy Couch Hanson and Cleve Walker teamed up again as director and musical director, respectively, for the Western musical comedy.

Another longtime PCT member, Terri Warren directed the holiday classic “Miracle on 34th Street” in 2006. It marked the first Christmas play the PCT had done at the Texas Theater in many years. This show was a true gift to the community in more ways than one, as it marked the first time Palestine residents got to see the historic Texas Theater after some long renovations.

It’s people like the Cooks, Sandy Couch Hanson, Cleve Walker, Terri Warren and so many other dedicated folks who make the Palestine Community Theatre and its productions a genuine asset to our community.

If you have never been to one of PCT’s shows, you don’t know what you’re missing. We encourage you to take the next opportunity to be thoroughly entertained when the PCT presents the Lionel Bart musical “Oliver” at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the historic Texas Theater, 217 W. Crawford St.

Because it’s opening night, guests will be treated to a wine and cheese reception starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets at the door are $12. Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for students 18 and under.

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Additional performances of “Oliver” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and Aug. 1-2; and at 2 p.m. July 27 and Aug. 3. Advance tickets are available at the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce and Education Unlimited. Call 903-723-8383 or visit www.thetexastheater.com for more info.