‘Two Trains Running’ Back On Track

A mid-run crisis nearly derailed “Two Trains Running,” the outstanding August Wilson play at the Spokane Civic Theatre’s Studio Theatre, but it eventually chugged its way safely into the station.

On Nov. 2, one of the actors, who played the role of Sterling, went AWOL for unknown reasons. Director John G. Phillips had to cancel two shows while the cast regrouped.

“This is the first time anything like this has ever happened here,” said Phillips.

Bryan Jackson, who had been playing the role of West, took over the role of Sterling. A new actor, Debro Blankenship, was brought in to play West. Those two actors carried scripts during the first few performances until they fully memorized their roles. After that, “Two Trains” went back to full speed.

Every performance after that was sold out. The show closed Saturday at the Studio Theatre, but two more performances are scheduled at the East Central Community Center on Dec. 1 and 2. Call 625-6699 for tickets and information.

Pick a title

Don’t be alarmed, Andrew Lloyd Webber fans. There is no need to panic.

Even though “The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber” is no longer booked into the Spokane Opera House, something else is.

It’s called “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Music of the Night.”

Actually, it’s the exact same show. This is only a title change, apparently to get the name of one of Lloyd Webber’s biggest songs in the title.

It will still feature 12 singers and a 35-piece orchestra doing songs from “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Evita,” “Cats,” “Starlight Express,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Aspects of Love.”

This touring show is part of the Best of Broadway series, scheduled April 29 to May 2. Call G&B Selecta-Seat for tickets.

Skater dudes

Which superstar could possibly have been causing those long, long ticket lines at the Spokane Arena Monday?

Elvis.

Yes, Elvis Stoyko, as a matter of fact, with a little help from Nancy Kerrigan, Oksana Baiul and Brian Boitano.

Tickets were skating out of the box office for the Tour of World Figure Skating Champions at the Arena on June 23.

There are still some good tickets left, but if you want to see this tour, don’t wait much longer.

By the way, there’s another big skating show coming in Janury, with Kristi Yamaguchi, Katarina Witt and Scott Hamilton. Tickets for that one go on sale Nov. 20.

Connor & Johnson

Jeff Connor and Darren Johnson, cut loose as the morning team at KEZE-FM as part of a format change, are doing just fine, thank you.

Connor departed this week for Montana, where he will work for KBMJ-FM, a rock station in Billings. He will also do some standup comedy work.

Johnson has more important things on his mind than radio right now. His wife is due to have a baby in mid-December, and he said he will start looking around for a radio job after that particular blessed event.

Good luck to them both.

KEZE-FM mornings

Meanwhile, Haley Jones and Mike Stone have taken over mornings at the new alternative-oriented KEZE-FM (105.7), “The Peak.” Both are veterans of the station.

However, program director Scott Souhrada said that all of the DJ slots are still “interim” at this point.

Disco fever, baby

Strike that pose, disco lovers.

Dave Sposito and Ken Hopkins, the Breakfast Boys on KZZU-FM (92.9), will host another “Return to Disco Party” on Friday from 6-10 a.m. It’s your chance to hear those cheesy disco hits you know and love.

‘Daved and Kenfused’

The Breakfast Boys CD and cassette, cleverly titled “Daved and Kenfused,” goes on sale Dec. 1 at all Hastings and DJs Sound City stores.

It’s a collection of their on-air shtick, including those imitation Tom Brokaw phone calls. Proceeds benefit Spokane Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN).

Jerry alert!

Here’s your chance to see Mr. Showbiz, the Nutty Professor, the Hey Lady! guy himself, live on stage in Seattle.

We are speaking of the legendary Jerry Lewis.

The touring production of “Damn Yankees,” featuring Lewis as Mr. Applegate, is booked into the Paramount Theatre Dec. 12-24. Call (206) 292-ARTS for tickets.

Operation Turkey Drop

Here’s a radio promotion stunt that sounds like it’s right out of “WKRP in Cincinnati.” KHTQ-FM (94.5) will drop as many turkeys as possible onto Riverfront Park’s Lilac Bowl from a helicopter Saturday at noon.

Are these live turkeys, a la Les Nessman?

Program director Scott Shannon is being coy about it, saying that we’ll “just have to wait and see.”

But the station does recommend some special precautions:

“Families are encouraged to participate in the event by bringing a large net and a medium-size animal cage,” says a news release.

They are also suggesting protective eyewear, work gloves and heavy jackets.

I reckon them turkeys can get mean, especially around Thanksgiving when they suspect that something’s up.

Unless, of course, they have already been flash-frozen. We’ll report back to you on what goes down.

, DataTimes