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PARKERSBURG -- "The Miss Firecracker Contest" will be presented by the Actors Guild of Parkersburg at 8 p.m. May 21, 22, 28 and 29, and 2:30 p.m. on May 23 and 30.
Tickets are $15 and are available at the Guild website at www.actors-guild.com.
The comedy is set in 1974 in Brookhaven, Miss., and was written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Beth Henley.
The play is about Carnelle who desperately wants to be named Miss Firecracker at her town's Fourth of July Carnival. The title is very important to her and this summer's pageant is her last chance as her age will not allow her to compete again.
Carnelle is not especially beautiful or especially graceful or especially talented, but she wants to be Miss Firecracker in a big, big way. With a colorful cast of characters that includes cousins, friends and a former boyfriend, the show will have everyone rooting for Carnelle.
"'The Miss Firecracker Contest' is a wonderful play," said director Gregory Merritt. "It is character-driven, and the humor and emotion that the play evokes come from these interesting characters. It has been a treat working with this cast and crew. Everyone is excited about being in the production and we look forward to performing in front of a live audience."
The setting of the production in the early 1970s allows for fun costuming and set decoration, he said.
"Look for a telephone with a very long cord, for example. One of the young actresses in this cast had never seen such a phone until we placed it on-stage," Merritt said. "There will also be some great music from that era that helps set the mood for the show."
The play features the talents of several Guild veterans, including:
* Ashley Fluharty as Carnelle Scott
* Isaac Eastwood as Delmount Williams
* Randi Wilson as Elain Williams Rutledge
* Melissa Arnold as Popeye Jackson
* Chloe Arnold as Tessy Mahoney
* George Litman as Mac Sam
The production staff and crew includes:
* Director Gregory Merritt
* Technical Director Beth Lane
* Reinnie Leavitt on costumes
* Sabrina Dye on lighting
* Zach Offenberger on sound
* Brett Meade on the playbill and projections
* Barbara Full, Adviser
The corporate sponsor for the production is Downtown PKB.
"We are so pleased to be welcoming audiences back into our theater," Guild President David Rexroad said. "We weren't sure what to expect when we reopened last month, but we sold out for 'Love, Loss, and What I Wore' and we are just thrilled to be back doing what we love and bringing great entertainment to the community."
In keeping with COVID-19 precautions, seating capacity will be limited to 130 people per show. In addition: all surfaces will be cleaned and seats will be sanitized between performances; frequency of cleaning will be increased in high traffic areas such as restrooms; masks will be required of all staff and patrons; anyone who has recently been sick or has a fever is asked to stay at home and refunds will be available; those attending are encouraged to print their tickets at home to avoid congestion in the lobby; and doors will open 45 minutes prior to show time to allow extra time to be seated and to permit adequate distancing.