By James Massara
CCN News Director

BUCYRUS — The Bucyrus Little Theater is set to host an event to show its appreciation for the community’s support and for those who volunteer countless hours to perform in shows.

On Sept. 15 from 2-4 p.m., the Bucyrus Little Theater board also is celebrating the achievements of its casts with hot dogs, popcorn, chips, ice cream and drinks. Backstage tours of the theater also are in the plans.

“My hope is that the community is able to come and enjoy a couple of hours at the theater.  Bucyrus Little Theatre has been a staple of the city of Bucyrus since the 1950’s, and yet so many in our community are unaware or marginally aware of who we are and what we do,” Bucyrus Little Theater Board President Jason Chandler said. “We would like to invite our community to come in to our building and allow us to show them around, to let them see what a wonderful place BLT is, and to open ourselves up to our community as a whole and say ‘Thank you’ for the decades of support given to us, while at the same time try to get the word out to others that may not know about us yet.”

Board members also hope to celebrate the accomplishments made by the cast and crew of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The cast and crew recently competed in the Central Ohio Community Theatre Association regional competition. The counties in The Bucyrus Little Theater’s district are Crawford, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Knox, Licking, Madison, Marion Morrow, Pickaway, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Union and Wyandot.

During the competition, the cast and crew of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat were named alternates for the OCTA State Conference during Labor Day weekend, behind The Curtain Players’ Wendy Darling and the Eclipse Theater Company’s performance of Glass.

“I am very proud of the showing that our actors and crew displayed earlier this year at OCTA,” Chandler said. “To put together such a well-received show here in November, then to be willing to dedicate themselves to another performance, months later, in a theatrical competition, is a testament to their efforts and joy of working at BLT.  Their scores and awards received at OCTA is something for us all to be proud of.”

Chandler added he was extremely proud of the cast for competing and being equally compared to groups from larger cities, such as Columbus, and showing the quality that came from the group’s dedication.

Individual award winners included:

Ryan Shealy – Merit in Direction
Sheila Holloway – Excellence in Musical Direction
The Cast of Joseph – Excellence in Vocal Ensemble
Peter Henkels – Excellence in Vocal Performance as Joseph
Sydney Harris – Merit in Vocal Performance as Narrator
Mary Faulds – Merit in Vocal Performance as Narrator
The Cast of Joseph – Excellence in Ensemble Acting

The cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat included:

Narrator: Sydney Harris
Narrator: Mary Faulds
Joseph: Peter Henkels
Potiphar/Pharaoh/Dan: Jason Chandler
Reuben: Cole Robinson
Simeon: Sarah Burk
Judah: Caitlin McArthy
Jacob: David Cory
Benjamin: Emma Scott
Mrs. Potiphar/Asher: Baylee Wilson
Butler/Naphtali: Rebecca Wilden
Issachar: Emily Myers
Zebulon: Marley Eidson
Gad: Tim Chandler
Levi/Baker: Chris Collins

The crew included:

Director: Ryan Shealy
Music Director: Sheila Holloway
Stage Managers: Alexa Franklin and Marina Bayless
Costumes: Candy Boyd, Candy Scott, Cindy Light and Lisa Christoff
Lights: Marina Bayless
Props: Chanda Heinlen
Set Concept and Painting: Ryan Shealy
Set Design and Construction: Tom Etsinger

Chandler said there are many ways to be involved in the theater.

“The Theater requires not just actors, but also stage hands, costumes, props, sets, lights and sound all need to be designed utilized for our productions,” Chandler said. “If anyone is interested in becoming a part of BLT, feel free to come to our appreciation day, or simply contact us through our website…or to call our office at 419-562-0731.”

Bucyrus Little Theater’s next production, Arsenic and Old Lace, written by Joseph Kesselring and directed by Alexa Franklin, will be showing Oct. 5-7 and 12-14 at the Bucyrus Little Theatre.

The Bucyrus Little Theater is located at 130 Songer Ave., Bucyrus.