Ann O'Neill, one of the stars of "Carousel," which opens Friday at the Spotlight Theatre, is a relative newcomer to local theater but she doesn't lack for experience.
Before coming to Bakersfield four years ago, she performed with Story Book Theater, a professional company in Augusta, Ga., and also appeared in community theater productions there.
To date, O'Neill's only appearance in a local production was about two years ago when she had a part in First Assembly of God's well-received Christmas production, "The Gospel According to Scrooge."
Now, however, she's on maternity leave from her teaching position at Stockdale Christian School, and despite being the mother of three, has more time to devote to acting.
"It's been a pleasure getting back on stage," she said. "The cast is so supportive and Hal Friedman is so creative -- he's added a lot and it's not a typical 'Carousel' but we're using the same dialogue and all that beautiful Rodgers and Hammerstein music."
Two of the best-known songs from "Carousel" are "If I Loved You," and "You'll Never Walk Alone." The story is set in a 19th century New England fishing village. In an ironic sense, it is a tragedy that ends with a message of hope.
Joe Cannon plays opposite O'Neill as her husband, a carnival barker named Billy. Marvin Ramey did the choreography. Recorded instrumental music backs up the singers. "Carousel" continues with weekend performances through May 9.
'Glassworks' exhibit
I stopped by the Younger Gallery last week and was fascinated with the freshness and creativity of the 27 pieces chosen for the "Glassworks" exhibit. It's a juried show, sponsored by the Arts Council of Kern, and each entry had to be made with glass, said Nicole Garvin, gallery associate.
And if the word "glass" makes you think it's all about bud vases and goblets, you'll be mistaken. The exhibit includes such works as Gilbert Gonzales' "Tres Madres e un Tia," an intriguing 9-foot-long wall hanging made of hand-blown glass and metal, as well as a Nyoka Jameson's 3-foot-high "The Kiss," a sculpture done with chunks of broken glass on wood.
First place went to Chris VanGoethem of Los Osos, for his "Lady Mandala II," an intricate, multifaceted circular object that is 22 inches in diameter and made of flame-worked glass on a steel base. It consists of about 21 tiny female forms whose outstretched arms and legs are linked by thread-thin glass.
Other artists whose work was chosen for the exhibit are Mike Barker, Michael Wheat, Julianna Bernier Dooley, Gina Herrera, Karl Klingenspor, Michelle Kurtis, Michele Mitcavish, Brian Stanton and Don Trainor.
The gallery is located within the Bank of America building at Truxtun and Chester avenues. Free parking is available on the top floor of the bank's parking structure on 17th Street.
Bakersfield Community Concert Association
Tickets are on sale now for the Community Concert Association's 2009-10 season. And as in the past, you get a generous return for your investment. The membership fee of $60 -- with generous discounts for students -- covers all eight concerts. And new or returning members get a bonus free matinee show this season, "Barbra & Frank: The Concert that Never Was," at 4 p.m. April 26.
The new season begins in the fall on Sept. 30 and ends on April 25, 2010. The schedule is designed to appeal to a variety of musical tastes ranging from jazz to rock, classical to swing, as well as a rock musical. The association's board also has selected -- for the first time -- a program for the Christmas season, with a 65-member choral group, the Gary Bonner Singers, on Dec. 6. For more information, call 589-2478 or 663-9006.
Call for artists
Bakersfield Art Association invites artists and fine arts craftsmen to enter work in its "FACES" exhibit and competition. Ribbons and/or monetary awards will be offered. Artwork must be submitted by April 25. The show runs from April 26 through May 31 at the Gallery of Art in the East Hills Mall.
A prospectus that gives eligibility, entry fees, size requirements, and other details can be picked up at the gallery, which is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays. For more information, call 872-2806.
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