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Clark excited to perform

Michael J. Clark, singer, dancer and actor based in New York City, is excited about performing next month at the newly restored Peoples Bank Theatre in his hometown of Marietta.

Clark, 24, is portraying Joey in the national touring musical production of “Saturday Night Fever” at 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St.

Joey is one of Tony Manero’s friends in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1976 in “Saturday Night Fever.” John Travolta played the role of Manero in the film about a young man who sets the dance world on fire with his dancing abilities.

Clark, who attended Marietta Middle School and Marietta High School for two years, told me his lead role as Joey is a “big step” in his professional career.

And it is great that his dancing, singing and acting abilities will be viewed by family and friends on the Marietta stage, he said.

When he was selected for the part as Joey, Clark didn’t know the national touring show would be stopping in Marietta. He was happy to learn later “Saturday Night Fever” would be performed in his hometown.

“I did a triple take when I heard,” he said.

As a youth, Clark worked in musicals in Parkersburg at the Smoot Theatre and in plays in Marietta. Some of his early influences in the entertainment world were area residents Peter and Beth Sour, John Lee, Velma Schrader, Brian Turrill, Felice Jorgeson and Gel Tracewell.

He is the son of Richard Clark of Marietta and Debra McKelley of Canton, Ohio. His grandparents Richard and Marilyn Clark live in Beverly.

The cast of “Saturday Night Fever” started rehearsing on Dec. 15 in New York City, with the first touring show planned for Jan. 15 in Somerville, N.J. The national tour is scheduled to end on May 8 in Worchester, Mass., but Clark hopes it will be extended.

Clark said the show is based on the movie, but is the “family-appropriate version,” not as risque as the film.

The show is packed with hits from the Bee Gees, including “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” “Jive Talking,” “You Should Be Dancing” and “How Deep is Your Love?,” along with two original songs, Clark said.

Clark said it was difficult to leave Marietta at the age of 18 for New York City, but he knew this was a step he had to take to further his career in singing, dancing and acting.

He left Marietta High School after his sophomore year to attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. After high school, Clark joined Disney’s “High School Musical” tour performing the role of “Ryan” and collaborated with Cirque du Soleil. He graduated from the State University of New York’s Purchase College Conservatory of Theatre Arts.

Clark has performed leads in regional productions such as “Oklahoma!,” “Guys & Dolls,” “Anything Goes” and “West Side Story.” He is a freelance dancer and choreographer.

Clark started as a singer at the age of 8. When a throat problem affected his singing, Clark said he started concentrating on dancing.

Three years ago, after an operation on this throat, Clark’s voice got stronger, increasing in range, so he started singing again, he said.

He now sees himself as a “triple threat” — as a strong singer, dancer and actor.

“I am so happy to be coming back” to perform in Marietta, Clark said.

Tickets for “Saturday Night Fever” are available at peoplesbanktheatre.com/events/ or by calling the box office at 740-373-0894.

* * *

First Baptist Church in Parkersburg fulfilled a dream of Judy Smith on Christmas Eve. The church surprised the Julia-Ann Square Historic District, where Smith is president of the residents’ association, by placing bags, sand and candles at the doors of district residents.

The Parkersburg residents then set up the holiday luminarias along Juliana, Ann and side streets in the district on Christmas Eve from 5 p.m. to midnight. “I have always loved the serene beauty of luminarias on Christmas Eve and have dreamed of seeing them in Julia-Ann Square,” Smith said. The glow from the luminarias had lines of cars stopping to look at the display, she said.

* * *

Anyone wanting to discuss any subject with the Rev. Janice Hill, pastor of First Christian Church in Parkersburg, is invited to stop by to see her at the Corner Cafe, at Third and Ann streets in Parkersburg, from 7-11:30 a.m. Jan 7, 14 and 21 and at Jeremiah’s Coffee House, 175 Front St. in Marietta, on Jan. 28 during the same time.

As part of Hill’s “Coffee with the Pastor” program, she will welcome discussion on religion, politics, sports, travel, education and any news of the day. Hill said these casual meetings over a cup of coffee are a way for her to get out of her church office and into the community.

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