Spotlight: ‘M*A*S*H’ major to star in ARt play in ‘07-‘08

Major Charles Emerson Winchester III of “M*A*S*H” – aka David Ogden Stiers – headlines The Actor’s Repertory Theatre 2007-08 season.

Stiers will play the lead role in Eugene O’Neill’s “A Long Day’s Journey Into Night.” He is best known for the “M*A*S*H” TV series and for his many animated movie voices including Cogsworth in “Beauty and the Beast.” However, he is also an accomplished Shakespearean actor.

Here’s ARt’s just-announced lineup:

“”All the Great Books (Abridged)” – The same crew who brought you the hysterically fast-paced “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)” has a new show which speeds its way through 86 books – Dickens, Thoreau, Swift, among others – in 90 minutes. Aug. 24-Sept. 8.

“”Long Day’s Journey Into Night” – O’Neill’s masterpiece about a shattering day and night in the life of the tragic Tyrone family. Many consider this the greatest American play of all time. Sept. 21-Oct. 6.

“”Souvenir” – Stephen Temperly’s comic off-Broadway hit about a woman who rents Carnegie Hall for an operatic recital. The problem is, she can’t sing a note. Nov. 23-Dec. 8.

“”Rabbit Hole” – David Lindsay-Abaire’s new play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama last week. It’s about a family coming together during one of the most difficult periods of their lives. Jan. 11-26.

“”Pete ‘n’ Keely” – This is ARt’s first musical, although not a conventional one. It’s the off-Broadway hit about a 1968-era Steve-and-Eydie-like lounge duo attempting to resuscitate their career – even though they haven’t spoken to each other since their divorce. Curt Olds, a Broadway veteran, will be featured. April 4-19.

Like what you see? Season subscriptions start at $65 and are available by calling (509) 838-4013.

ARt is a professional theater just finishing its third year in residence at the Spartan Theatre at Spokane Falls Community College

Send them off to Charlotte

Do you have any idea how much it costs to send 22 people to Charlotte, N.C., for a week? About $30,000.

That’s how much the Spokane Civic Theatre must raise in order to send the cast and crew of “Assassins” to Charlotte in June for the AACT/Fest national community theater competition.

Director Troy Nickerson admits that this number has him more than a little worried. This is an uncommonly large production and cast compared to the Civic’s past excursions to the nationals.

Here are two ways you can help – and see two great shows at the same time:

“”Assassins” encore benefit performance: Saturday, 8 p.m., on the Civic’s Main Stage, 1020 N. Howard St. This is the full production of the Stephen Sondheim musical. Tickets are $25, available by calling (509) 325-2507.

“”Lonely Planet,” staged reading benefit: May 9 and 13, 7:30 p.m., Firth J. Chew Studio Theatre at the Civic (use Dean Street entrance). Nickerson and Thomas Heppler reprise their performances in the production that won Best in the Nation at the 1999 AACT/Fest. Tickets are $20, available by calling (509) 325-2507.

Opera Plus gala

Opera Plus, the Coeur d’Alene-based opera organization, will hold its big Gala Celebration on next Sunday, 5 p.m., in the Courtyard of the Plaza Shops at the Coeur d’Alene Resort.

This celebration is especially significant since the guests of honor will be Mark and Marlo Faulkner and Anne Manzo, guiding forces behind Opera Plus from its inception eight years ago.

The gala will includes arias, duets and ensembles from past productions, as well as a gourmet dinner. Tickets are available by calling (208) 765-3723.

Spokane Youth Symphony

Two concerts featuring the various orchestras of the Spokane Youth Symphony are coming up soon:

“The Junior Symphonic Orchestra, conducted by Collins Loupe, and the Junior Orchestra, conducted by Carol Pederson, next Sunday, 4 p.m.

“The Intermediate String Orchestra, conducted by Faye Atwood, and the Spokane Strings, conducted by Melissa Mills, April 30, 7 p.m.

Both concerts are at the Spokane Masonic Center’s Commandery Room, 1108 W. Riverside Ave. Tickets at the door are $5 each, or $10 for families. Kids 12 and under are admitted free.

‘The Great Warming’

“The Great Warming,” a film about climate change narrated by Alanis Morissette and Keanu Reeves, will be shown Monday at 9 p.m. at the Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave.

With the possible exception of a certain Al Gore movie, this is considered the most thought-provoking of the global-warming documentaries.

A donation of $5, with net proceeds going to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, is requested.

He’s a vaudeville cowboy …

Don’t forget about “An Evening with Sourdough Slim,” Monday, 7:30 p.m. at the Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave.

He’s a California-based “vaudeville cowboy” whose act includes comedy, rope-twirling, yodeling and tall-tale-telling.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of show, through TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).