"The Apple Tree"

Our last play for the '98-'99 season is "THE APPLE TREE"
Scheduled performances are: Thursday through Sunday, May 6th to 9th (Each production begins at 7:30 p.m. except for Sunday's 2:30 p.m. matinee)

The charming and engaging musical, "The Apple Tree", will close out the 1998-1999 theater season at Delta Center Stage at the Jake and Freda Stein Hall of the Bass Cultural Center.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for Students, and are available at the door and at all the usual outlets in Greenville and Leland. If you're looking for clean family entertainment on the stage, then this is the ticket or the whole family.

"The Apple Tree" is a small-cast musical staged in three parts with three different and distinctive stories put to music. These stories, by famous writers, cover a time from the Garden of Eden, to a primitive, medieval kingdom, to modern-day New York City. For the DCS production, director David Lush has cast three sets of performers who will take to the stage to bring the show to life.

Part One is called "The Diary of Adam and Eve", based on a story by Mark Twain. Playing Eve is Jo Anne Henry, of Cleveland, who is making her debut at Delta Center Stage. Playing opposite her is Bill Downs, whose daytime job is at WABG-TV. Veteran actor Sam Peoples plays the Snake.

The action takes up from the creation, when God tells Adam to name all the animals, to his budding relationship with Eve, to their temptations by the Snake, all at to toe-tapping tunes that are sure to leaving you humming one or two after it's over.

Part Two is the well-known tale "The Lady or the Tiger", written by Frank L. Stockton. The Princess is played by Lesa Baird Trotter, who was returned to the stage after a absence of many years. Her non-royal lover who must make a agonizing choice after their affair is discovered is played by Richard Sharp, news reporter for Channel 6 News. This is Sharp's debut with DCS.

Part Three, the short-story adaptation of "Passionella" by Jules Feiffer, fills up the bill. The setting is New York City, where a common chimney sweep becomes a beautiful, famous movie star with a little help from her fairy godmother.

The 'Cinderella' type role is played by Lennon Parham, a newcomer to Greenville. Her "Prince Charming", the dashing and charming Flip, is played by Richard Sharp. Adding to the "Snake" presence in the last two parts, Sam People again ties together the elements of choice for each of the three sets of leading characters.

Rounding out out the cast of performers are Pamela Jacobson-Kaplan, Michael Riser, Mary Alice Raley, Paul Mounce and David Lush. The music is conducted by Delta State University's Jazz Ensemble director Bart MacMillian. The music has a upbeat, jazzy feel with the jazz ensemble filling the music slots.

Pulling this all together is director David Lush of Rosedale, who was last seen in the DCS production of "My Fair Lady". Assistant directors are Debbie McDermott and Michael Riser.

"The Apple Tree" is produced with permission of Music Theatre International.