General Membership Meeting

As required by the bylaws, The Eunice Players’ Theatre will hold its annual General Membership meeting on Tuesday, January 4th at 7:00 p.m at the theatre. The 2010 season ticket holders are invited to attend to hear an update on the theatre's business, nominate and elect the upcoming 2011 Eunice Players’ Theatre Board of Directors, and participate in discussion about the 2011 season. All 2010 season ticket holders are encouraged to attend this meeting.

Season tickets for the 2011 season will go on sale after the Irving Awards on January 22. For more information, contact David at 546-0163 or Debi at 457-2156.

Season Ticket Gift Certificates Available

Having trouble finding the perfect gift? Give the gift that keeps giving all year long! Gift certificates are available for the EPT 2011 season at David’s Hair Salon in Eunice. A $20.00 certificate includes 3 shows, a postcard to notify the holder of upcoming plays, a ballot for voting privileges and an invitation to the annual Irving Awards. For more information, call 337-546-0163 or 337-457-2156. Mastercard & Visa are accepted.

Tickets Are Now on Sale for Christmas Comedy

L-R: Delinda Lafleur, Gabe Ortego, Christy Faulkner,

Cindy Veillon-Mattei, Stacy Moncla

COME SEE WHAT ALL THE FUN IS ABOUT!

Tickets are now on sale for "The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of A Christmas Carol" directed by Liz Bryan. Season ticket holders should call the reservation number on their season ticket. Individual tickets can be purchased at David's Ltd. Hair and Nail at 204 S. 2nd St. in Eunice or by calling 337-546-0163 or 337-457-2156, where Visa and MasterCard are accepted.

Eunice Players' Theatre Closes Season With A Christmas Comedy

The actors at Eunice Players' Theatre are preparing to end their successful 41st season with a Christmas comedy, "The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of A Christmas Carol", by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jnr. Director Liz Bryan notes that the comedy is just as long on laughs as its title.

This delightfully light and goofy comedy has the fictitious townswomen's guild mounting their version of the Christmas classic, in the style of community theatre gone awry. The actors enthusiastically portray a dizzy array of characters from the Dickensian favorite and engineer some novel audience participation. Their share of mishaps, miscues and misunderstandings create an evening of entertainment and a new look at Scrooge and Tiny Tim that one will not soon forget.

Christy Faulkner of Eunice opens the show as Mrs. Reece, the guild's chairwoman, and leads the audience through the show as a variety of other characters including Tiny Tim and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Audiences will remember Christy's work in other EPT comedies including “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940”, “Bathroom Humor” and “Jake's Women”. She also portrayed the reverend mother in “Agnes of God” at EPT.

Also returning to the EPT stage is Delinda Dowell Lafleur of Eunice. Delinda was previously seen in “Steel Magnolias” and “The Queen of Bingo”. In addition to her hilarious character acting for the latter show, Delinda also won an Irving Award for Best Costumes. In the current play, Delinda starts off as Felicity, then pirouettes her way through other characters including some male ones, and Half of the Ghost of Christmas Present.

Former EPT actor is Stacy Moncla of Eunice. She was the other half of the comedy duo for “The Queen of Bingo”, for which she won the Best Actress Irving Award. Other comedic work at EPT includes “Drinking Habits” and “The Girls of the Garden Club”, and she showed her dramatic capabilities in “David’s Mother”. Stacy is cast as Mercedes, who in turn plays memorable Bob Cratchit, plus a few other characters, all while wearing a neck brace as a result of her character’s car accident.

Joining the cast from Opelousas is Cindy Veillon-Mattei. Cindy has an impressive list of credits from Opelousas Little Theater, including “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”, “Noises Off”, “Steel Magnolias”, and “Bats in the Belfry”. Cindy plays the guild's perpetually grumbling Thelma, thereby having the ideal quality for the principal role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Stepping in as Gordon, the stage manager for the play within the play is Gabe Ortego of Eunice. Although Gordon's duties are supposed to be offstage, he ends up on the stage as Mrs. Cratchit, Jacob Marley, and several ghost versions. An accomplished actor in the Opelousas and Eunice theatres, with “Providence”, “A Tuna Christmas”, and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” to his credit, Gabe has also directed “Steel Magnolias”, “Monky Business”, and this season’s “The Subject Was Roses”.

The show is suitable for all ages, and children will particularly appreciate the slapstick humor, which makes it a holiday treat the entire family can enjoy, as well as an introduction to the holiday classic. The show opens Saturday, November 27, and is followed by other performances Sunday, November 28 at 2:00 p.m., then Tuesday, November 30 through Saturday, December 4. All evening performances begin at 7:00 p.m. Dinner theatre is the Tuesday, November 30 at 6:00 p.m. at Nick's on Second St., with the performance immediately following. Ticket information is upcoming. FMI call 337-546-0163 or 337-457-2156, or look for EPT on Facebook and at www.euniceplayers.blogspot.com.

Scenes from The Subject Was Roses

Christian Richard as Timmy Cleary; Kevin Miller as John Cleary
Kevin Miller as John; Jody L. Powell as Nettie Cleary

Scenes from The Subject Was Roses - Tickets Now on Sale

Jody Powell and Kevin Miller

Jody Powell and Christian Richard

Kevin Miller, Jody Powell, and Christian Richard

Tickets are now on sale for The Subject was Roses, a two-act family drama by Frank D. Gilroy. The show will open with a matinee on Sunday, October 3 at 2:00 p.m. Dinner theatre is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m. at Nick's on Second St., with the performance immediately following. Remaining performances dates include October 6-10, with evening performances at 7:00 p.m. and the Sunday performance at 2:00 p.m. Season ticket holders should call 866-856-3653 to make reservations. Those without season tickets can purchase tickets by going to David Ltd. Hair Salon at 204 S. Second St., Eunice, or by calling 337-546-0163 or 337-457-2156 where Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Season ticket packages are still available. Tickets are $10; dinner (steak, sides, dessert) plus ticket is $25. The theatre is located at 121 S. Second St. in Eunice. Find Eunice Players' Theatre on Facebook.

Cast Announced for The Subject Was Roses

Rehearsals are underway at the Eunice Players' Theatre for The Subject Was Roses, the second production of the 41st season. Gabe Ortego, director of the two-act play by Frank D. Gilroy, is proud to announce an outstanding cast composed of theater veterans and an exceptional newcomer.

The play centers on John and Nettie Cleary, and their son, Timmy, a young man returning home from World War II. As the family drama unfolds, marital strains between John and Nettie become apparent, and Timmy provides the tension-relieving humor in his attempts to smooth the waters over his parents' turbulent relationship. The Broadway play and subsequent movie had outstanding success with critics and the public alike and they won many awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for drama, Academy Awards for the actors, and the Tony Award for Best Play. The Subject Was Roses was previously presented by Eunice Player’s Theatre in 1971 in the second season.

Playing the role of John is Dr. Kevin Miller. An EPT board member and winner of several Irving Awards, Kevin has shown his penchant for comedic and dramatic acting in roles in Greater Tuna, All the Great Books (abridged), Misery, and Never Get Smart With an Angel. He’s eager to show audiences that even though John Cleary has a rough exterior, the man has an interior struggle to repair relationships he’s neglected over the years. Kevin is a member of Acadiana Repertory Theatre (ART), a professional theatre company in Lafayette.

Also a member of ART and an EPT board member, Jody L. Powell portrays Nettie, a woman who is overprotective of her son and hurt by her husband’s misdeeds, yet still manages to achieve emotional growth. Powell is no stranger to the EPT stage, having most recently been seen in The Last Night of Ballyhoo for which she won the Best Actress Irving Award. Other acting roles include Myra in Deathtrap and Dr. Livingston in Agnes of God. She is also known for directing To Kill a Mockingbird, Always…Patsy Cline, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and this season’s opener, What the Bellhop Saw.

Joining the cast as Timmy is Christian M. Richard. A home school graduate, Christian is a freshman at LSU-E studying architecture. Although this is his first play on stage he did run the light board for EPT’s summer show, Humpty Dumpty is Missing. Christian is an artist with talent in drawing, painting, and playing the bass guitar and the ukulele. Christian has also done sketch work at religious retreats.

The show will open with a matinee on Sunday, October 3 at 2:00 p.m. Dinner theatre is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m. at Nick's on Second St., with the performance immediately following. Remaining performances dates include October 6-10, with evening performances at 7:00 p.m. and the Sunday performance at 2:00 p.m. Season ticket holders should call 866-856-3653 to make reservations. Those without season tickets can purchase tickets by going to David Ltd. Hair Salon at 204 S. Second St., Eunice, or by calling 337-546-0163 or 337-457-2156 where Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Tickets are $10; dinner (steak, sides, dessert) plus ticket is $25. The theatre is located at 121 S. Second St. in Eunice. Season ticket packages are still available. Check out Eunice Players' Theatre on Facebook.

Auditions Scheduled for "The Subject Was Roses"

The Eunice Player’s Theatre proudly announces auditions for "The Subject Was Roses", the second show of the 41st season. Director Gabe Ortego is looking to fill the following roles:

* Nettie Cleary- age 40-55, the matriarch of the Cleary family. She is devoted, loving, and often taken for granted.

* John Cleary – age 40-55, patriarch of the Cleary family. He is gruff, stoic, and often misdirects the anger he feels about life’s missed opportunities toward his family.

* Timmy Cleary- age 18-28, he is the only son of Nettie and John Cleary. He has recently returned home after serving in World War II. Funny, good natured, and loyal, he is the mediator between his parents.

"The Subject Was Roses" was first presented by The Eunice Players' Theatre in 1971 during their second season. The play, by Frank D. Gilroy, is the recipient of the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as the 1962 Tony Award for Best Play. It is forever captured on film in the Academy Award winning movie version starring Patricia Neal, Jack Albertson, and Martin Sheen.

Auditions will be held at the Eunice Players' Theatre at 121 S. Second Street in Eunice as follows:

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Thursday, August 12, 2010 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Auditions for the Pulitzer Prize winning play by Frank D. Gilroy are open to everyone who wants to get involved with their local community theatre, either in an acting role or to assist with set decoration, backstage duties, costuming, etc. All who audition for speaking roles will be asked to perform a cold read from the script that will be provided by the director. The performance dates will be in the fall. For more information, contact Gabe Ortego at 337-331-0806.

Children's Workshop

Humpty Dumpty is Missing! is in Production

LOOK OUT, The Sky Is Falling!
At least according to Sophia Raffai as Henny Penny
From Far left, Sarah Martel as Alice, Noah Kittles as Rip Van Winkle

and Caroline Martel as Mistress Mary


Make-up artist, Ashton LaCalle, puts the finishing touches
on Traelyn Brasseaux as Billy Goat Gruff

Make-up artist, Ashton LaCalle, puts the finishing touches

on Murphy Richard as the Troll

As Arnold S. says...we will pump you up, aarrrrggghhhhh!
The King's Men in "Humpty-Dumpty Is Missing!"

Horses and Bunnies and Trolls, Oh My!

Eunice Players' Theatre presents the children's production of
"Humpty-Dumpty Is Missing!"
July 15, 16, 18, 20-23
For ticket information, please call 337-457-2156 or 337-546-0163

Old Mother Hubbard and Mother Goose Size Up the Suspects

Front Row: Logyn Soileau and Ally Klein
Back Row: Sarah Martel, Luke Toepfer and Brandon Persica
Eunice Players' Theatre presents the children's production of
"Humpty-Dumpty Is Missing!"

Humpty Dumpty Cast in Rehearsal

Front: Sarah Martel as Alice, Brandon Persica as Sammy Scoop

and Caroline Martel as Mistress Mary

Front Row: Tyler Martel as that waskaly wabbit, Peter Rabbit
Middle Row: Grace Toepfer, Jesslyn Holcomb and Sadie Martel

as Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail
Back Row: Brooke Aguillard, Jamila Smith, Victoria McGee

and Nicole Bertrand as The Wall

Cast Announced for Humpty-Dumpty Show

Director Van Reed and the cast of "Humpty Dumpty Is Missing"

Hot off the presses….Humpty-Dumpty is missing! Or at least that is what is being claimed by the Eunice Players’ Theatre as it introduces the summer children’s show. Directors Debi L. Crawford and Van Reed are pleased to announce the cast for the two-act whodunit of “Humpty-Dumpty Is Missing!” written by Joseph Robinette.

The twenty-three cast members, who range in age from seven to fourteen, include Brandon Persica as Sammy Scoop, Sarah Martel as Alice, and Luke Toepfer as the police chief. Witnesses include Logyn Soileau as Little Bo Peep and Mother Hubbard, Ally Klein as Little Red Riding Hood and Mother Goose, Joshua McGee, Jeno Holcomb and Shiloh Kittles as the King’s Horses and the King’s Men, and Victoria McGee, Nicole Bertrand, Jamila Scott and Brooke Aguillard as the Brick Wall.

The suspects in this mysterious case of the fallen egg includes Caroline Martel as Mistress Mary, Noah Kittles as Rip Van Winkle, Sophia Raffai as Henny-Penny, Jillian Johnson as Rapunzel, Bryce Pavich as the Handsome Prince, Murphy Richard as the Troll, Traelyn Brasseaux as Little Billy Goat Gruff, Grace Toepfer as Flopsy, Jesslyn Holcomb as Mopsy, Sadie Martel as Cottontail, and Tyler Martel as Peter Rabbit.

Christian Richard will be handling lighting duties while Mila Raffai is in charge of makeup, Ashton and Taylor LaCalle create the set design, and Beth Smith is the stage manager.

“Humpty-Dumpty Is Missing!” runs July 15, 16, 18, and 20-23. Dinner theatre is July 20. Tickets must be purchased for this summer show since it is not included in the season package. For ticket information, please call Turning Point at 337-457-2156 or David’s Hair Salon at 337-546-0163.

Auditions for Children’s Show by Eunice Players’ Theatre

Hot off the presses….Humpty-Dumpty is missing! Or at least that is what is being claimed by the Eunice Players’ Theatre as it introduces the summer children’s show. The directors, Debi L. Crawford and Van Reed, are pleased to announce that auditions will be held for “Humpty-Dumpty is Missing! or The Mysterious Case of the Fallen Egg”, written by Joseph Robinette, on June 8, 9 and 10.

The directors are looking for kids from ages 10 – 15 to fill the roles of some of the most beloved nursery rhyme characters known. The story opens with Sammy Scoop, a 1940’s private eye, facing the challenge of the sudden fall and disappearance of the jolly Humpty-Dumpty. Together with his side-kick, Alice from Dallas, they bring in all of the possible suspects who might have had a motive. Some of the suspects include Henny Penny, Mistress Mary, Rip Van Winkle, Peter Rabbit and his sisters, Rapunzel and the Handsome Prince.

Auditions for “Humpty-Dumpty Is Missing!” will be held for kids ages 10 -15 on June 8, 9, and 10, at the Eunice Players’ Theatre at 6:30pm. The directors would like to stress that no stage experience is needed. Also, the directors need kids in the same age range who would like to work in the other areas of the theatre such as the lights and sound, costumes, make-up and stage hands. This is an excellent hands-on experience for kids who would love a theatre experience!

The Eunice Players’ Theatre is located at 121 S. Second St. in downtown Eunice. The children’s show runs July 15, 16, 18, and 20-23. For more information about auditions, please call Debi L. Crawford at 337-457-2156.

What the Bellhop Saw opens Thursday April 15

Back row (L-R) Noah Kittles, Morgan Booty, Casey Harmon, Glenn "Jay" Mentel, Jr., Angelle Bellard, John D. Kittles, Jerica Guillory
Middle row (L-R) Shiloh Kittles, Deborah D. Ardoin, Shane Guilbeau, Tucker Kelly
Bottom row (L-R) Aaron Booty, Sarah Martel


After weeks of rehearsal, the Eunice Players’ Theatre is set to open its 41st season with “What the Bellhop Saw” a two-act comedy by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore on Thursday, April 15 at 7:00 p.m.. Director Jody L. Powell chose the show for its broad comedy, split-second timing and audience appeal. Everyone needs to make plans now to see the show before dates sell out.

The story centers on two brothers, Wally, a bellhop in New York’s finest hotel, played by Casey Harmon of Crowley, and Georgie, the world’s most hen-pecked husband, played by John D. Kittles of Eunice. Georgie’s plan to have an affair with his secretary, played by Angelle Bellard of Duson, is thwarted when his abrasive wife, played by Jerica Guillory of Eunice, arrives on the scene.

Unbeknownst to any of them, the same room is secretly rented to an author believed to have written a controversial book, played by Larry Reppond of Eunice, and the inept CIA agent hired to guard him, played by Tucker Kelly of Crowley. Wreaking havoc on all of them with a pig mask and a ticking bomb is an assassin bent on killing the author, played by Glenn “Jay” Mentel, Jr. of Opelousas.

The adjacent room holds a guest who wants peace and quiet while seemingly having a party of her own, played by Deborah D. Ardoin of Eunice, while the author’s pig-tailed daughter, played by Sarah Martel of Eunice is hidden elsewhere in the hotel
The bumbling hotel manager, played by Shane Guilbeau of Lafayette, and an aspiring-actress hotel maid, played by Morgan Booty of Crowley, find themselves in the middle of the shenanigans as identities are confused, and the bellhops keep multiplying.

With this crazy cast of characters running in and out of windows and doors and hiding under the bed, things quickly spin out of control and into a delightfully absurd evening.
Other performances set to follow opening night are April 16 – 17 and 21 – 22 at 7:00 p.m. with a matinee on Sunday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m. Dinner theatre (with steak and trimmings) is scheduled for Tuesday, April 20 at 6:00 p.m. at Nick's on Second St., with the performance immediately following.

Season ticket holders should call the number on their ticket for reservations. Individual tickets are available at David’s Ltd. at 204 S. Second St. or by calling 457-2156. Season tickets are still on sale; for $20 a season ticket includes 3 shows, reservation rights, voting privileges and an invitation to the Irving Awards. Angel and patron packages are also available for purchase. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. The theatre is located at 121 S. Second St. in Eunice.
More information can be found on Facebook or at euniceplayers.blogspot.com. Don’t miss your chance to see this side-splitting comedy.

The Cast Getting in Character

Just another night, goofing around on the set of What the Bellhop Saw.

Pictured L-R are Deborah D. Ardoin, Morgan Booty, Jerica Guillory, Glenn "Jay" Mentel, Jr., Larry Reppond, Tucker Kelly, John D. Kittles. Stay tuned for more picutres to come.

Tickets on Sale for "What the Bellhop Saw"

Tickets are now on sale for "What the Bellhop Saw" and can be purchased at David's Hair Salon (204 S. 2nd St.) or call 546-0163. All seats $10; Visa and MasterCard accepted.

Show dates are April 15-17 and 21-22 at 7:00 p.m. & April 18 at 2:00 p.m. Dinner theatre is April 20 at 6:00 p.m. ($15 additional charge). Season tickets are still available - $20 for 3 shows - a real bargain! Patron and Angel packages are available too. Contact David at 337-546-0163 or Debi at 337-457-2156 or any board member.

First President of EPT Crosses to Another Stage

http://www.eunicetoday.com/content/king-karl-derouen-touched-lives-many From The Impossible Years 1980
Karl in the red shirt from Guys and Dolls 1977

at the Irving Awards with Doris Stagg 1971


From Dames at Sea 1973



EPT lost its founding member and first president in the death of King Karl DeRouen Wednesday night. Karl had a great fondness, enthusiasm and fervor for EPT. He was one of those that built the theatre from the ground up in the early days, literally and figuratively. He was one of the ones talking to the city council, securing lighting, hanging curtains, building flats, etc. He knew many people in town and was instrumental in bringing many of them onto the stage and into the theatre. He provided equipment from the radio station and was largely responsible for any sound effects and other recordings that any play needed. He was a driving force behind the development and continuing existence of EPT.

For the next two decades he acted in 13 plays and worked on at least 20 more, either doing set construction, lighting and sound, or publicity. He was a frequent and recurring host of the Irving Awards and he is one of a handful of people to have received the Tim Wooten Award.

We'll miss you, Karl.

Comedy Opens 41st Season

As the Eunice Players’ Theatre opens its 41st season, Jody L. Powell brings to the stage a hilarious, fun-filled show, “What the Bellhop Saw”. The two-act comedy written by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore is sure to leave audiences squealing with laughter as one comedic gag falls atop the other at breakneck speed.

Rehearsals are underway and the cast of stage veterans and those stepping on the Eunice stage for the first time are already creating characters that fill a hotel room with physical comedy, mistaken identities, a lot of money and a little bit of romance.

Making his stage debut is John Kittles of Eunice, playing Georgie, the hen-pecked husband of Arlene, played by Jerica Guillory of Eunice. Guillory was previously seen on the EPT stage in “Never Get Smart with an Angel”. Angelle Bellard of Duson steps in as Georgie’s secretary and the object of his affection. She has been seen on the EPT stage in “Providence”, “Bus Stop” and “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940”.

Portraying Georgie’s brother, Wally the bellhop, is Casey Harmon, a 16-year stage veteran from Crowley. Casey was most recently seen in Opelousas Little Theatre’s musical version of “Jekyll and Hyde” and he won the American Assn. of Community Theatre's Best Actor award for his portrayal of Lennie in “Of Mice and Men”.

Tucker Kelly and Morgan Booty, both from Crowley, fill the roles of Stan, a bumbling CIA agent and Missy, the hotel maid, respectively. Both were seen in “Bridge to Terabithia” and “Seance in Acadiana”, put on by the Acadia Players, as well as numerous high school and church productions.

Newcomer to the stage is Larry Reppond, of Eunice, fulfilling the role of Roger Fish, a renowned author whose life is in danger for having written the misunderstood book, “The Satanic Nurses”. Babu, the terrorist out to kill him, is played by Glenn “Jay” Mentel, Jr. of Opelousas. Jay most recently brought his gift for physical comedy to the EPT stage in “If the Shoe Fits” and the OLT stage in “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)”.

Bringing a healthy dose of comedy to Eunice for the first time is Shane Guilbeau, who plays Mr. Bickhardt, the hotel manager. Shane has become a local favorite in his home town of Lafayette for creating the Cajun comic character Grosbec, and playing multiple outrageous characters in “Greater Tuna” and “A Tuna Christmas”.

Rounding out the cast are Sarah Martel and Deborah D. Ardoin of Eunice. Only ten years old, Sarah is already an active violin player with the Eunice Symphony Orchestra. Ardoin is a long-time member of EPT and a founding member of the newly developed Acadiana Repertory Theatre. She is a multiple Irving Award winner, most recently for Best Actress in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”.

The humor in this play lies in a bunch of goofy people all descending on the same hotel room at the same time, with everybody frantically running in and out of doors, donning disguises, hiding and scheming and generally getting in trouble. Believe it when you’re told this is the making for a delightfully absurd evening of pure comedic gold!

Evening performances will be held April 15 – 17 and 21 – 22 at 7:00 p.m. with a matinee on Sunday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m. Dinner theatre (with steak and trimmings) is scheduled for Tuesday, April 20 at 6:00 p.m. at Nick's on Second St., with the performance immediately following. Individual tickets for the show are not on sale yet although season tickets may be purchased and more information can be obtained by calling 457-2156 or 546-0163. For $20 a season ticket includes 3 shows, reservation rights, voting privileges and an invitation to the 40th Annual Irving Awards. Angel and patron packages are also available for purchase.

Auditions Scheduled for "What the Bellhop Saw"

The Eunice Players’ Theatre will hold auditions for the first play of the 41st season, “What the Bellhop Saw” on Tuesday, February 23 and Wednesday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m. Director Jody L. Powell needs 8 adult men, 3 adult women, and one girl age 10-12 to fill the cast. More people are needed to assist with set decoration, backstage duties, costuming, etc. Auditions for the two-act comedy by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore are open to everyone who wants to get involved with their local community theatre. Auditions will be at the theatre at 121 S. Second St. (between Nick’s on Second St. and Bertrand’s Office Supplies). Production for this play will be in mid April. FMI call 337-580-1787.

Season Tickets Now on Sale for 2010 Season

Season tickets are now on sale for the 2010 season of shows. Individual tickets are $20 each and allow entrance to 3 shows, reservation rights for seating, and an invitation and voting privileges for the 41st Annual Irving Awards. Patron and Angel packages (for $75 and $125 respectively) are also available for purchase.

Season tickets may be purchased from any board member or charged to Visa or Master Card by calling Debi Crawford at 337-457-2156 or David Manuel at 337-546-0163.

2010 Season:
April - What the Bellhop Saw - directed by Jody L. Powell
Early Fall - The Subject Was Roses - directed by Gabe Ortego
Late Fall - The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Town Women's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of A Christmas Carol - directed by Liz Bryan

2010 Board Members: David Manuel, Van Reed, Liz Bryan, Lise Richard, Debi L. Crawford, Ching Wasmuth, Stacy Moncla, Cathy Dischler, Suzanne LaHaye, Denise Fusilier, Kevin Miller, Jody L. Powell, Angie B. LaCalle, Gabe Ortego

Irving Award Winners

Best Play - Greater Tuna - L-R: Gabe Ortego, Denise Fusilier, Kevin Miller, Director Ching Wasmuth, Van Reed, Jody L Powell, Vincent Veillon, Barbara Wells, Deborah D. Ardoin

Congratulations to all Irving Award winners!!

Best Set - Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - Brett Faulkner, Liz Bryan, Jerica Guillory, David McGee, Jody L. Powell

Best Lighting and Sound - Greater Tuna - Deborah D. Ardoin, Rick Nesbitt, Gabe Ortego

Best Costumes - Greater Tuna - Jody L. Powell, Denise Fusilier

Best Hair and Makeup - Moonlight and Magnolias - David Manuel, Pilar Parrie

Best Supporting Actress - Amy Martel Rider as Mss Poppenghul in Moonlight and Magnolias

Best Supporting Actor - Brett Faulkner as Victor Fleming in Moonlight and Magnolias

Best Actress - Deborah D. Ardoin as Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Best Actor - Van Reed as 10 characters in Greater Tuna

Best Director - Debi L. Crawford for Moonlight and Magnolias

Best Play - Greater Tuna

Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical - Duncan McBride

Best Perfomance by an Actress in a Musical - Holly Bell

Joanie Kerstein Musical Award (for outstanding contriubution to Eunice Players' Theatre musical productions) - Debi L. Crawford

KATC TO FEATURE EUNICE PLAYERS' THEATRE DURING LIVE REMOTE

As part of the Eunice Players' Theatre's 40th anniversary season celebration, KATC Channel 3 will be on hand Thursday, January 28 to feature the theatre during a live remote broadcast. Good Morning Acadiana anchor Tom Voinche will return to his old stomping grounds to host the show from the EPT stage. Voinche is a former EPT actor and board member.

EPT president David Manuel is pleased to announce that the theatre will be featured several times during the entire morning show's broadcast from 5:00 to 7:00 a.m. Although the hurs are early, he is inviting EPT supporters to come to the theatre and be a part of the live audience. "We welcome anyone who has worked on a show, has a season ticket, or wants to experience EPT for the first time".

During the broadcast, Voinche will interview current board members, review pictures of EPT from days gone by, and reveal the magic behind the scenes that comes from the lighting and sound booh, the makeup counter, and the dressing room.

Manuel notes that the KATC show will be the springboard into the Irving Awards to be held Saturday, January 30. Invitations have gone out to current season ticket holders, as well as former members and performers who helped build EPT and keep it successful over the past four decades. Still, anyone with a connection to EPT who hasn't received and invitation and wants to attend the invitation-only event should call Manuel at 337-46-0163 or Debi Crawford at 337-457-2156.

"This is a time to celebrate the legacy left by the founders and the contribution that EPT has made to Eunice and the surrounding area," Manuel stated. "Join us in supporting live local theatre by comint out Thursday morning and all season long." Season tickets will go on sale the night of the Irving Awards and can be purchased from any board member in the following weeks.

Singers Getting in Tune for the Irving Awards

The Eunice Players' Theatre is preparing for the 40th Annual Irving Awards and Dance for Saturday, January 30th. This stellar group of preformers were all involved in the theatre's summer musicals over the past 40 years and were invited to come back and sing a medley of songs saluting the theatre's past musicals. The music is under the direction of Angie LaCalle and pianist Jimmy Broussard and this will be presented on the night of the Irving awards. This gala event is by invitation only.

In this photo: Pat Dossman, Barbara Voinche, Sharon Blankenship, Holly Bell, Gabe Ortego, Gracie Feucht, John Burleigh, Kristi Burleigh, Christian Miller, Audrey Bell, Paula Vizinat Feucht, Liz Bryan, Taylor LaCalle, Darrel LeJeune, Angie LaCalle, Jimmy Broussard, Lisa Vizinat.

Dancers Prepare for the Irving Awards

The Irving Dancers are busy preparing for the opening dance number for the Eunice Players' Theatre's 40th annual Irving Awards and Dance on Saturday, January 30th at the St. Thomas More Social Hall. This honorary dance group will preform to "One" from the broadway musical, "A Chorus Line", choreographed by Oliva Dodd and London Dodd from Oliva Dodd's School of Dance in Eunice. The event is by invitation only.

Sitting from left to right: Natasha Raffai, Elizabeth Heinen, Mehgan Fontenot. Kneeling: Sadie Fontenot, Victoria Heinen, Amelia LeJeune, and Mila Raffai. Standing: Courtney LeJeune, Kimberlyn Fruge and Jordan Siebert. Not pictured: Lauren Heinen and Andre Powell.

Singers Wanted for Irving Awards

Angie LaCalle is putting the word out to anyone who ever participated in a musical on the Eunice Players' Theatre stage: she wants you to be a part of the musical medley covering the past 40 years of musical productions at this year's Irving Awards ceremony on Saturday, January 30. Rehearsals will be held Sunday, January 17, and Sunday, January 24 at 4:00 p.m. at the theatre (121 S. Second St., Eunice).

If you are interested or have any questions, please call Angie at 337-580-2567 as soon as possible so she can arrange the appropriated medley. As this year is our 40th anniversary, the musical entertainment is going to be bigger than ever and we need your voice to help us celebrate the years. Call to join in the fun, and reminisce with your old friends !

Eunice Players' Theatre Reaching Out for Past Patrons, Cast, and Crew Members

In preparation for the upcoming 40th Annual Irving Awards on January, 30, the Eunice Players’ Theatre is searching for past patrons and cast and crew members. Board president David Manuel says, “This year’s awards ceremony is going to be a blowout; we want these people to get an invitation and come to the party.” He’s looking for past participants and season ticket holders to come home to the EPT, not only to join in the awards celebration but also to become a season ticket holder again, take a role on the stage, or lend a hand backstage.

Historian Debi Crawford echoes his sentiments, adding, “We culled our scrapbooks and found that we’ve lost contact with many people in Eunice and the surrounding area who used to belong to EPT. We need these people to let us know where they are.”

Attendance at the awards ceremony is by invitation only, for current season ticket holders and those who worked on the past season’s shows, but in this special anniversary year, invitations will go out to those with a historical connection to the theatre as well. The board is seeking email and postal mailing addresses that will be used to send invitations and notification of upcoming shows.

Manuel believes former patrons will remember the fun of Irvings past and encourages anyone with past involvement who doesn’t receive an invitation to send their contact information to euniceplayers@gmail.com or call Crawford at 337-457-2156 or Manuel at 337-546-0163. They can also join EPT’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Eunice-Players-Theatre/118584529630?ref=ts

As in years past, music will pave the way for the evening’s entertainment from beginning to end. Irving Dancers will open the show with “One” from “A Chorus Line” choreographed by Oliva and London Dodd. An added feature this year is the return of a live band to perform after the awards are handed out. Desire Street Band from New Orleans will play a variety of favorite tunes just right for dancing.