Port Arthur Little Theatre's first Main Stage production of the 2001-2002 season, The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance, is a story of the triumph of the human spirit against what seem to be insurmountable odds. The play is based on the life of Joseph Merrick, called John, and Frederick Treves, the London doctor who finds him in a freak show display in a dark room off a London side street. Tipped off by a colleague, Treves seeks the severely deformed man, dubbed "The Elephant Man" because of the terrible growths that cover his head and body. Only his left arm has escaped deformity. He is thought to be an imbecile. Taking him into his care to be studied and examined, Treves begins to understand that John is, indeed, not an imbecile but an intelligent graceful man underneath the covering of his hideous body, with a gentle spirit despite his terrible abuses from family and strangers alike. The Elephant Man leads us to ponder our own prejudices, conceptions and motives for action in our present-day world.

The play is not performed in full makeup. Kelly Tibbetts (The Mousetrap) will portray John Merrick by contorting his body and altering his speech to achieve his performance. Judd Farris (Peter Pan) plays Dr. Frederick Treves, the brilliant young surgeon who takes John to the London Hospital. PALT veteran actor/director Sam Covington (Nuts) plays Carr Gomm, administrator of the hospital, who tries to help Treves help Merrick. Michael Derouen (Jake's Women) plays Ross, Merrick's money-hungry manager. Roxane Gray (Hello, Dolly!) is Mrs. Kendal, an actress who befriends John at the hospital. The cast is rounded out by Guy Varney (Harvey), Ida Steele (The Mousetrap), Patrick Lene' (The Mousetrap), Bridget Farias (Harvey), Isaiah Good (Father of the Bride), Andrea Garcia (Nuts), Robert Freeman (The Mousetrap) and newcomers to PALT, Drew Lynch and Lynette Bloyd. Phillip Gray directs with assistance from Mallory Harwood. Gale Walker produces and Roxane Gray is in charge of costumes.

This production will also mark the first time in its history that Port Arthur Little Theatre will incorporate the technique of "shadow signing" on its stage. This is the use of silent actors signing the dialogue for the hearing impaired. The shadows will be on stage as the actors perform. Director Phillip Gray is very excited about this and will combine talents with Dr. Tony Martin of Lamar University to do something unique and enjoyable for both the hearing and hearing impaired theatre patrons. Join us for a very memorable show.

The show debuts Sept. 28 and 29 at the Playhouse at 4701 Jimmy Johnson Blvd. in Port Arthur and plays again Oct. 5-7 and 12-14. The Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday afternoon matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for adults with a $2 discount for seniors over age 65 and all students and children. For reservations, call 724-1840.

It's September and the local theater season is in full swing. Port Arthur Little Theatre is opened its new season this summer with the hilarious musical revival How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, the annual joint production with Lamar-Port Arthur's theater department. It was one of the funniest things on stage here in a long time. The rest of the season promises more laughter, plenty of smiles and perhaps even a tear or two.

The first Main Stage production, The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance, is a story of triumph over adversity; a tale where the human spirit wins against insurmountable odds. The play is based on the life of Joseph Merrick, called John, and Frederick Treves, the London surgeon who finds him in a freak show display in a dark room off a side street. Severely deformed, Merrick is thought to be an imbecile. Taking him into his care, Treves begins to understand that John is, indeed, not an imbecile but an intelligent graceful man underneath the covering of his hideous body, with a gentle spirit despite his terrible abuses from family and strangers alike. The Elephant Man leads us to ponder our own prejudices, conceptions and motives for action in our present-day world.

Mallory Harwood and Ann Holland will join forces to co-direct A Christmas Story, the tale of a boy and his dream. All 9-year-old Ralph wants for Christmas is a B.B. gun. His parents are less than thrilled and try to dissuade him. Grownup Ralph takes us back to a simpler, more innocent time. Show dates are Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7-9 and 14-16.

Spring 2002 will see A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum roar onto stage, directed by Gale Walker.

PALT has changed the run of performances to accommodate more of our members. All shows will open on Friday instead of Thursdays as in the past. Shows will run for three weekends instead of two. The shows will run only Friday and Saturday nights of the opening weekend. The following two weekends of each run will add our traditional Sunday matinee. We hope this will allow members more flexibility in seeing every show in the season. Join us!

Port Arthur Little Theatre is proud to announce Heather Capello as its Princess in the upcoming CavOILcade celebration. Heather is a 17-year-old senior at Port Neches-Groves High School. She is a member of the Indian Singers performance group and serves as their secretary. She also takes drama classes at PN-G and performs in their productions. Heather has been an active member of PALT for a long time, appearing as Kim in Bye-Bye Birdie as well as a chorus member in Grease. She plans to major in theater after graduation and is active in her youth group at First Church of the Nazarene in Port Arthur. Heather resides in Port Neches with her parents, Major and Mrs. John Keith Capello and brother, John Ryan.

It's a little strange for me to say "President" when speaking of myself at events concerning PALT. Anyway, here we are! School has started and lots of things are going on in the area and with us. Our fall season of shows at The Playhouse is fast approaching. The Elephant Man is opening Sept. 28. A Christmas Story auditions are coming up early October and show dates beginning Nov. 30. Please look in this newsletter for other details about our upcoming season.

We kicked off our new season this summer with smash run of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying in our combined musical production with Lamar State College-Port Arthur. Dr. Keith Cockrell directed another outstanding show. Those of you that came to see it, know that it was a great show. If you missed it, don't be too upset. We have the rest of a great season coming up. Be sure and get the information within this newsletter and purchase your season memberships. It's the most economical way to see every show for 2001-2002.

Although it's only Fall 2001, we are already thinking about next seasons shows for 2002-2003. Within the programs of upcoming shows, there will be an opportunity for you to voice your opinion of what you would like to see for next season. Please be sure to make your choices. Final selections for 2002-2003 season will be considered from your list.

At this writing, we are in the preliminary stage to implement a way to honor and award the outstanding performances and services of PALT for each season, beginning with this one. Our plan is to have an "Oscar-like" event to recognize those who contributed to the completed season of shows some time in May 2002. Look for more details in our next newsletter.

I was very honored to be elected the new President of Port Arthur Little Theatre at the May general membership. Some of you know me because my association with PALT in recent years. I actually started doing theater at the old Fifth Street Playhouse. Sam Covington took a chance on a novice wanna-be-actor and cast him in The Oldest Living Graduate in the fall of 1984. I was cast in Hello, Dolly! the following spring and that did it. The "bug" hit me. I went back to school at Lamar as a Theatre Arts major and finished in 1989. Marriage and children kept me busy most of the 1990's and I recently came back to my "roots" here at PALT.

I plan to do my very best to keep Port Arthur Little Theatre the premiere place to see the best of local amateur shows and talent. Our former President, David Sorrells, has done a tremendous job helping spur the recent growth of PALT and acquiring much needed financial aid. Our Board and members thank David for his services. David promises not to go too far away and plans to stay closely associated with out theatre.

Look in future newsletters for information and opportunities for all members to participate.

Thanks and hope to see all of you at the shows!