Spotlight: Civic reveals ’11-’12 lineup

The Spokane Civic Theatre has lined up its 2011-2012 season, and it looks good for fans of Ebenezer Scrooge, Daddy Warbucks, Charlotte Bronte and a certain madam named Mona.

Here’s the Main Stage lineup:

• “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” the Roaring ’20s musical, based on the 1967 movie, Sept. 23-Oct. 23.

• “Jane Eyre,” the musical adaptation of the Charlotte Bronte novel, Oct. 28-29 (this is the annual in-concert fundraiser).

• “A Christmas Carol,” a new musical version of the Dickens classic, Nov. 18-Dec. 18.

• “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” the rollicking country-western musical about a bawdy house, Jan. 13-Feb. 4, 2012.

• “The Count of Monte Cristo,” an adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas swashbuckler, Feb. 24-March 18, 2012.

• “Duck Hunter Shoots Angel,” a comedy by Mitch Albom of “Tuesdays With Morrie” fame, April 6-22, 2012.

• “Annie,” everybody’s favorite singin’-dancin’ orphan, May 18-June 17, 2012.

Meanwhile, down in the more intimate Firth Chew Studio Theatre space, the lineup includes:

• “ The Turn of the Screw,” an adaptation of Henry James’ classic mystery-thriller, Oct. 21-Nov. 13.

• “Catfish Moon,” a Southern-themed comedy by Laddy Sartin, Jan. 27-Feb. 19, 2012.

• “Bingo!” a musical comedy about, yes, bingo, March 16-April 15, 2012.

• “Premiere!” a comedy by Dale Wasserman about the supposed discovery of a “new” Shakespeare play, May 4-June 3, 2012.

If this lineup piques your interest, circle March 14 on your calendar. That’s when season tickets will be available, by calling (509) 325-2507.

And don’t forget that the Civic is bringing back its sold-out production of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” as a special summertime show, July 22-31.

‘The Absent’ is present

An independent, locally made thriller, “The Absent,” is on the way to Spokane’s Magic Lantern Theatre on Jan. 12, 9:30 p.m.

When we say local, we are expanding the definition slightly to include Twisp and Winthrop, Wash., where most of the movie was filmed and where filmmaker Sage Bannick is from.

The cast includes a number of well-known Spokane actors and collaborators. Damon Abdallah appears in it and he also co-wrote the script. Ginny Abdallah is the co-producer and production manager. Damon Mentzer is the co-editor and director of the second unit. All three names are familiar from Interplayers and other area stages.

Kelly Quinnett and Jonathan Rau, also familiar from local stages, have roles in the film as well.

The Magic Lantern screening will include a Q & A with the cast.

Bannick is holding numerous other screenings throughout California and the Northwest in January, including a Jan. 11, 7:30 p.m. showing at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre in Moscow, Idaho.

The local movie update

Speaking of locally filmed movies, “Camilla Dickinson,” starring Cary Elwes, has wrapped up shooting.

A number of other Spokane-filmed movies are scheduled for release (in some manner, at least) in 2011, including:

• “The Hit List,” with Cuba Gooding Jr.

• “The River Sorrow,” with Ray Liotta, Christian Slater and Ving Rhames.

• “The Big Bang,” with Antonio Banderas and Sam Elliott.

• “The Mooring,” with Hallie Todd.

• “The Knights of Badassdom,” with Summer Glau and Steve Zahn.

• “The Ward,” the John Carpenter horror movie starring Amber Heard (which has already been making the film festival circuit).

A lot of these will probably surface on DVD and cable, the usual spots for Spokane-filmed movies.

For example, I couldn’t help but notice that the Spokane-filmed “Give ’em Hell, Malone” and “Finding Bliss” both aired on the same day recently on The Movie Channel and Showtime.

What’s up next?

Seattle writer-director Nicholas Gyeney said he plans on filming an action movie titled “Rekindled” in Spokane. We’ll have more details soon.

‘Glimmer of Glamour’

Interplayers Professional Theatre, 174 S. Howard, is planning its big midwinter fundraiser on Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m.

The event, titled “Glimmer of Glamour,” will include an auction, food, drink and a music-comedy-dance show featuring the comic and vocal talents of artistic director Reed McColm. He’s well-known for his acting, writing, directing and comedy talents, and now he’ll unleash his musical stylings.

The auction includes an intriguing item: the chance to have a walk-on cameo role in a future Interplayers show.

The event will be an opportunity to celebrate Interplayers’ 30th year as a professional theater – and help assure a 31st year.

Reservations are $25, available by calling (509) 455-PLAY. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Hampton jazz tickets

Just a reminder: Tickets to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival go on sale Tuesday, available by calling (208) 885-7212 or toll-free, (888) 884-3246 or online at www.UItickets.com.

This is the world-class jazz extravaganza at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Feb. 23-26. Headliners include the Manhattan Transfer on Feb. 25 and Carmen Bradford and Jimmy Heath on Feb. 26.

Tickets range from $25 to $39.

On the horizon

A couple of new shows have been added to the February list in Spokane:

• Natalie Cole, Feb. 13, Northern Quest Casino.

• Melissa Etheridge, Feb. 17, Northern Quest Casino.

Both are on sale through TicketsWest outlets (800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).