Theatre Gift Certificates Available

Having trouble finding the perfect gift? Give the gift that keeps giving all year long! Gift certificates for the Eunice Players’ Theatre 44th Season are available for purchase. A $20.00 certificate includes three shows, a postcard to notify the holder of the upcoming plays, a ballot for voting privileges and an invitation to the annual Irving Awards. For more information, please call David’s Hair Salon at 337-546-0163 or Turning Point at 337-457-2156. To make your shopping easier, Mastercard or Visa are accepted over the phone.

Annual General Meeting to be held December 17

Eunice Players’ Theatre will hold the annual general meeting which is open to all season ticket holders on Monday, December 17th at 7:00 pm. The season ticket holders will nominate and elect the upcoming 2013 Eunice Players’ Theatre Board of Directors. The meeting will be held at the Eunice Players’ Theatre located at 121 South Second St. in Eunice. All season ticket holders are encouraged to attend.

NOTE:  This meeting is for season ticket holders only.

"Five Women Wearing The Same Dress" Ready For Opening Night

Pictured left to right: Kaitlin LeBleu as Frances, Amy M. Rider as Trisha, Bonnie Pitre as Meredith, and Adrienne Miller as Georgeanne.

Pictured standing left to right: Adrienne Miller as Georgeanne as Frances, Kelly Pitre as Mindy, Amy M. Rider as Trisha, Seated left to right,, Katelin Lebleu as Frances, Bonnie Pitre as Meredith.

 

Pictured left to right, Kelly Pitre as Mindy, Amy M. Rider as Trisha, Bonnie Pitre as Meredith, Katelin Leblue as Frances, and Adrienne Miller as Georgeanne.

Pictured left to right, Amy M. Rider as Trisha, Joshua D. Carriere as Tripp.

"Five Women Wearing the Same Dress" opens Thursday, November 29 and runs November 30 and December 5-8, with performances at 7:00 p.m.  There is a 2:00 p.m. performance on Sunday, December 2.  For ticket information, please call David's Hair Salon, 546-0163 or Turning Point, 457-2156. 

 

The show is billed as adult humor and there is smoking onstage.

Meet the Cast of "Five Women Wearing The Same Dress"

 

Bonnie Pitre

Bonnie Pitre plays Meredith, the sister of the bride. After hearing the description of Tracey the bride, one instantly gets the feeling that these two sisters couldn't be more different. Meredith is not happy to be part of the day's festivities and she isn't afraid to speak her mind about it. But there is something darker lurking just beneath the surface with Meredith and it will test the bonds that these women have formed in their short time stuck in that ridiculous dress with what looks like a bird's nest on their heads. So here she is boys and girls! Our last bridesmaid, Miss Bonnie Pitre:

Bonnie Pitre was born and raised in Eunice and is the daughter of Kenneth and Clara Pitre. She was home schooled throughout elementary and middle school. She attended St. Edmund's during high school and graduated from LSU with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and minor in Theatre. Bonnie is currently a co-owner of Lakeview Park & Beach here in Eunice where she wears many hats from managing and bookkeeping to special events planning and bartending. She is also on the board of the Eunice Chamber of Commerce and the Eunice Players' Theater. Some of the more recent roles that Bonnie has had at the Eunice Players' Theatre include Corie Bratter in “Barefoot in the Park”, Honey in “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” and Sarah in “Providence”. She also worked in the light and sound booth for “If the Shoe Fits” and “On Golden Pond”.

Meredith is the younger sister of Tracy, the bride. She grew up very fast and was introduced to many things at a very young age. Bonnie relates to her character in this sense. She grew up hanging out with her older sister and friends and was always the young one in the bunch...although Bonnie was not introduced to nearly as much as Meredith was. Meredith has a dark secret that she has been holding on to which is the reason for much of her anger and despise towards her sister.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amy M. Rider

Amy Martel Rider plays Tricia, the most outspoken of all the bridesmaids. She is a woman who knows what she wants and means what she says. Tricia doesn't bite her tongue for anyone. So, to steal a classic line from that other classic comedy about southern women, if you don't have anything nice to say go sit by Tricia. So here's Amy:

Amy Martel Rider has literally grown up at the Eunice Players’ Theatre. Her first role onstage was in the theatre’s production of “Noises Off” at the age of 23. She has appeared in several comedies, including “Bathroom Humor”, “Jake’s Women”, and “Moonlight and Magnolias” which garnered a Best Supporting Actress award in 2009 as the loyal secretary, Miss Poppinghul. Amy has worked backstage in all aspects of theatre and she has won several technical awards for hair and make-up, lights and sound and costumes. Amy has served on the Eunice Players’ Theatre Board of Director since 2010. She is married to Sean Rider and they reside in Eunice.

 

 

 

Adrienne Miller

Adrienne Miller plays Georgeanne, who isn't having the best time at her so-called friend's wedding. See, Georgeanne went to the wedding with very specific intentions and her eyes set on a very specific groomsmen but needless to say nothing turned out the way she planned. But we know you will enjoy watching the fallout because we sure do. So everyone, here is Adrienne!

Adrienne was in the 5th grade when she entered her first public speaking contest. Since that time, she has always had a love for speaking in front of an audience. After spending many years in college and 2 degrees later; she decided it was time to take to the stage. After performing a small role in the Acadia Players Theater play, "Cinderella" this past summer; she decided that she wanted to move on to a larger role. She fell in love with her character, Georgeanne, instantly.  Georgeanne is a very blunt, sarcastic individual who is also extremely emotional at times. She has been through much turmoil in her young life and Adrienne feels like many women can personally relate to her. When not acting on stage, IAdrienne works with her first love....children. Currently, she is in her 3rd year as a school counselor, and she truly loves every minute of it! 

Katelin Lebleu

Katelin Lebleu, plays Frances, the Christian cousin of the bride. Frances tends to be the moral center of the group but as you will see she has a little bit of wild side that is waiting to come out. But enough about that, here is Katelin.

Katelin LeBleu, nineteen, is from Basile; where she lives with her father, Bazil, and younger sister, Brittany. She is currently a student at Louisiana State University Eunice majoring in mathematics. Katelin’s previous theater experience includes productions while in junior high though high school. More recently she was involved in "Camelot" at Eunice Players' Theater and "The Hobbit" at Opelousas Little Theatre.

Kelly Pitre

Kelly Pitre plays Mindy, the outspoken lesbian sister of the groom. Mindy is a self described high strung neurotic who is repressed although she may not be as repressed as she thinks when it comes to speaking her mind. Here is Kelly:

Kelly Pitre is the wife of Lance Pitre and mother of Matt, Heidi, Alain, Camille and Nic, and various other “adopted” kids who show up at any given time. She is co-owner of L'Acadie Inn and RV Park which she also manages. Kelly attended St. Edmund's, LSU-E, and LSU where she completed her studies with a Master of Arts in Communication Disorders. She also commits time to her community through the Eunice Chamber of Commerce and to her church through the St. Thomas More Bereavement and Life Teen cooking committees. In her other free time, she reads, sews, cooks, and brews a variety of spirits. She is also a semi-professional off-road truck driver, or so she believes.

Kelly says she relates, in some ways, to all the female characters. She plays the part of Mindy who is the boisterous and sarcastic lesbian sister-in-law. While Mindy is happy, go-lucky, she uses her sarcasm to mask her awkwardness. Kelly empathizes with her character, Mindy, very much in that respect and is affectionately known as “Queen Dragon Lady” at home. But watch out, Mindy and Kelly's humor and dry wit often hide a touch of truth!

Joshua D. Carriere

Joshua D. Carriere is a native of Eunice, La. His theatrical debut came by the way of the musical "Camelot" this summer at the Eunice Players' Theatre. In the production he played one of the three main knights, Sir Lionel.  Joshua has also branched out to other theatres.  He played the role of Agent Fox Smoulder, with Troupe d' Evangeline Community Theatre of Ville Platte, La, in the mystery dinner "who done it" production of "Polter-Heist." It has been a busy season for Joshua in the community theatre world as he continues to stretch and develop in this craft. Joshua's appreciation and interest in theatre continue to grow as he intends to participate in future productions.

"Five Women Wearing The Same Dress" in Rehearsal

From top, clockwise: Kelly Pitre, Kaitlin LeBleu, Bonnie Pitre, Renee Miller, Amy Martel Rider.  Center: Joshua Carriere.

Left to right:  Bonnie Pitre, Amy Martel Rider, Joshua Carriere.

Rehearsal has started for the hilarious comedy by Alan Ball, “Five Women Wearing The Same Dress”, which is the third and final show of the Eunice Players’ Theatre's 43^rd season. This comedy is scheduled to open with Dinner Theater at Ruby's Restaurant on November 29^th at 6:00 p.m.  Other performance dates are November 30 and December 5-8 at 7:00 p.m. and December 2 at 2:00 p.m.  According to the director, Gabe Ortego, get ready for some antics of five women immediately following a friend's wedding as they start to reveal some not-so-nice facts about themselves and the bride.

The five women include: Kaitlin LeBleu, of Basile, as Frances; Bonnie Pitre, of Eunice, as Meredith; Amy Martel Rider, of Eunice, as Trisha; Adrienne Renee Miller, of Eunice, as Georgeanne; Kelly Pitre, of Eunice, as Mindy; and Joshua Carriere, of Eunice, as Tripp.

Single tickets will be available for purchase by mid-November at David’s Hair Salon, 337-546-0163 or Turning Point, 337-457-2156.  This show is billed as "Adult Humor" so fasten your seat belt for this comedy, it will be a “bumpy” ride!  There will be smoking onstage.

Auditions To Be Held For "Five Women Wearing The Same Dress"

Auditions for "Five Women Wearing The Same Dress" by Alan Ball will be held Wednesday, October 10 at 6:00 pm at Eunice Players' Theatre at 121 S. Second St. in Eunice.  The cast includes 5 women and 1 man.  The production is scheduled to run in December.  For more information, call the director of the show, Gabe Ortego, at 331-0806.

"On Golden Pond" Continues With Four More Performances

 Kevin Miller, Vincent P. Barras, Jody L. Powell

 Vincent P. Barras, Jody L. Powell

 Vincent P. Barras, Sarah Soileau, Murphy Richard, Jody L. Powell

 Vincent P. Barras, Allen Higginbotham

 Murphy Richard, Allen Higginbotham, Vincent P. Barras

 Vincent P. Barras, Sarah Soileau

Jody L. Powell, Sarah Soileau, Kevin Miller

 

After a successful first weekend run, "On Golden Pond" continues at Eunice Players' Theatre with four more performances.  Evening performances will be held Wednesday through Saturday, September 26, 27, 28 and 29 at 7:00 p.m.   Individual tickets for the show are $10; they can be purchased at David Ltd. Salon or by calling David at 546-0163 or Debi at 457-2156 to charge by phone. Season tickets are also still available to include this show and the final show of the season.

 

Under the direction of Vincent P. Barras, the warm but funny story, written by Ernest Thompson, centers around Norman and Ethel Thayer, a spirited and lovable elderly couple facing the complications of their twilight years during their 48^th year at their summer home on Golden Pond in Maine.  While there, they are visited by Chelsea, their divorced, middle-aged daughter and her dentist fiancé, who then go off to Europe, leaving his teenage son behind for the summer. The boy quickly becomes the "grandchild" the elderly couple has longed for.  As the summer wanes and the family is brought even closer together, they reflect on time, relationships, and the prospect of spending another summer on Golden Pond.

Doing double-duty, director Vincent P. Barras also takes the lead role of Norman Thayer.  Vincent was seen on EPT’s stage as Carl in “A Nice Family Gathering” last season.  He has also recently played Amos in “Chicago” and the mayor in “Remember When Again” with Iberia Performing Arts League, and Father Tim Farley in “Mass Appeal” at Theatre 810 in Lafayette.

Playing Norman’s wife, Ethel, is Jody L. Powell, a board member for EPT.  Jody’s last role at EPT was that of Nettie in “The Subject Was Roses”, for which she won the Irving Award for Best Actress.  Other recent roles include Boo in “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” at EPT and Melissa in “Love Letters”, which she performed in St. Martinville and Opelousas.  She has also recently directed “A Nice Family Gathering” and “The Murder Room” at EPT.

Sarah Soileau portrays Chelsea, the couple’s daughter.  Sarah was most recently seen at EPT in “A Nice Family Gathering”.  Allen Higginbotham has the role of Bill Ray, Chelsea’s fiancé’.  Allen’s first and most recent time on the EPT stage was almost twenty years ago, when he played a police officer in “Rumours”.

Taking the role of Bill’s son, Billy, is Murphy Richard.  At only 12 years of age, Murphy already has a list of stage credits including “Humpty Dumpty is Missing!” at EPT and “A Place Called Christmas” and “A Neverland Christmas Carol” with Pandemonium Theatre in Crowley. 

Kevin Miller, a veteran of many EPT plays and Irving Award winner for many roles, portrays Charlie, the local mailman and Chelsea’s former summer boyfriend at Golden Pond.  Kevin’s recent shows at EPT include “Completely Hollywood (abridged)”, “The Subject Was Roses”, “A Tuna Christmas” and “Misery”.  He was also recently seen in “The Rehearsal” at Cite’ des Arts in Lafayette. 

More pictures can be found on EPT’s Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/allen.higginbotham?ref=ts#!/pages/Eunice-Players-Theatre/118584529630

Cast Prepares For Opening Night of "On Golden Pond"

Murphy Richard, as Billy Ray, and Vincent P. Barras, as Norman Thayer, rehearse a scene from "On Golden Pond".

The play will open with Dinner Theatre (steak and trimmings) on Wednesday, September, 19 at 6:00 p.m. at Ruby’s Restaurant, next door to the theatre. Evening performances will be held September 20, and 26, 27, 28 and 29 at 7:00 p.m. A matinee is scheduled for Sunday, September 23 at 2:00 p.m. Individual tickets for the show are $10; dinner theatre is an additional $15. They can be purchased at David Ltd. Salon or by calling David at 546-0163 or Debi at 457-2156 to charge by phone. Season tickets are also still available to include this show and the final show of the season.

Cast for "On Golden Pond" Announced

Rehearsals are underway at Eunice Players’ Theatre for “On Golden Pond”, under the direction of Vincent P. Barras, with performances scheduled later this month. 

The warm but funny story, written by Ernest Thompson, centers around Norman and Ethel Thayer, a spirited and lovable elderly couple facing the complications of their twilight years during their 48^th year at their summer home on Golden Pond in Maine.  While there, they are visited by Chelsea, their divorced, middle-aged daughter and her dentist fiancé, who then go off to Europe, leaving his teenage son behind for the summer. The boy quickly becomes the "grandchild" the elderly couple has longed for.  As the summer wanes and the family is brought even closer together, they reflect on time, relationships, and the prospect of spending another summer on Golden Pond.

Doing double-duty, director Vincent P. Barras also takes the lead role of Norman Thayer.  Vincent was seen on EPT’s stage as Carl in “A Nice Family Gathering” last season.  He has also recently played Amos in “Chicago” and the mayor in “Remember When Again” with Iberia Performing Arts League, and Father Tim Farley in “Mass Appeal” at Theatre 810 in Lafayette.

Playing Norman’s wife, Ethel, is Jody L. Powell, a board member for EPT.  Jody’s last role at EPT was that of Nettie in “The Subject Was Roses”, for which she won the Irving Award for Best Actress.  Other recent roles include Boo in “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” at EPT and Melissa in “Love Letters”, which she performed in St. Martinville and Opelousas.  She has also recently directed “A Nice Family Gathering” and “The Murder Room” at EPT.

Sarah Soileau portrays Chelsea, the couple’s daughter.  Sarah was most recently seen at EPT in “A Nice Family Gathering”.  Allen Higginbotham has the role of Bill Ray, Chelsea’s fiancé’.  Allen’s first and most recent time on the EPT stage was almost twenty years ago, when he played a police officer in “Rumours”.

Taking the role of Bill’s son, Billy, is Murphy Richard.  At only 12 years of age, Murphy already has a list of stage credits including “Humpty Dumpty is Missing!” at EPT and “A Place Called Christmas” and “A Neverland Christmas Carol” with Pandemonium Theatre in Crowley. 

Kevin Miller, a veteran of many EPT plays and Irving Award winner for many roles, portrays Charlie, the local mailman and Chelsea’s former summer boyfriend at Golden Pond.  Kevin’s recent shows at EPT include “Completely Hollywood (abridged)”, “The Subject Was Roses”, “A Tuna Christmas” and “Misery”.  He was also recently seen in “The Rehearsal” at Cite’ des Arts in Lafayette. 

The play will open with Dinner Theatre (steak and trimmings) on Wednesday, September, 19 at 6:00 p.m. at Ruby’s Restaurant, next door to the theatre.  Evening performances will be held September 20, and 26, 27, 28 and 29 at 7:00 p.m.  A matinee is scheduled for Sunday, September 23 at 2:00 p.m.  Individual tickets for the show are $10; dinner theatre is an additional $15.  They can be purchased at David Ltd. Salon or by calling David at 546-0163 or Debi at 457-2156 to charge by phone.  Season tickets are also still available to include this show and the final show of the season.  More information can be found on EPT’s Facebook page or at www.euniceplayers.blogspot.com.

Rehearsals Underway for "On Golden Pond"

On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson
Directed by Vincent P. Barras

Cast:
Vincent P. Barras as Norman Thayer
Jody L. Powell as Ethel Thayer
Kevin Miller as Charlie Martin
Sarah Soileau as Chelsea Thayer Wayne
Murphy Richard as Billy RayAllen Higginbotham as Bill Ray

Synopsis:
This is the love story of Ethel and Norman Thayer, who are returning to their summer home on Golden Pond for the forty-eighth year. He is a retired professor, nearing eighty, with heart palpitations and a failing memory—but still as tart-tongued, observant and eager for life as ever. Ethel, ten years younger, energetic, and the perfect foil for Norman, delights in all the small things that have enriched and continue to enrich their long life together. They are visited by their divorced, middle-aged daughter, Chelsea, and her dentist fiancé, Bill, who then go off to Europe, leaving his teenage son, Billy, behind for the summer. The boy quickly becomes the "grandchild" the elderly couple have longed for, and as Norman revels in taking his ward fishing and thrusting good books at him, he also learns some lessons about modern teenage awareness—and slang—in return. In the end, as the summer wanes, so does their brief idyll, and in the final, deeply moving moments of the play, Norman and Ethel are brought even closer together. Time, they know, is against them, but the years have been good and, perhaps, another summer on Golden Pond still awaits.

Dates:
Wednesday, September 19 at 6:00 -- Dinner Theatre
Thursday, September 20 at 7:00
Sunday, September 23 at 2:00
Wednesday, September 26 at 7:00
Thursday, September 27 at 7:00
Friday, September 28 at 7:00
Saturday, September 29 at 7:00

Ticket information:
Season ticket holders need to call the number on their season ticket. Individual tickets can be charged by phone by calling 337-546-0163 or purchased at David Ltd. Hair Salon at 204 S. Second St., in Eunice. Individual tickets are $10. Dinner tickets are $25 ($15 for season ticket holders).

Location:
Eunice Players' Theatre, 121 S. Second St., Eunice LA

Auditions To Be Held For "On Golden Pond"

Eunice Players’ Theatre to Hold Auditions

The Eunice Players’ Theatre will hold auditions for the next play of the 43^rd season, “On Golden Pond” by Ernest Thompson, on Saturday, August 11 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., and Wednesday, August 15, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the theatre at 121 S. Second St. in Eunice (between Nick’s on Second St. and Bertrand’s Office Supplies). 

 

Director Vincent Barras needs 3 adult men, 2 adult women, and one young teenage male to fill the cast. More people are needed to assist with set decoration, backstage duties, costuming, etc. Rehearsals will be held throughout August and September with production scheduled for mid- to late-September. 

 

Auditions are open to everyone who wants to get involved with their local community theatre. FMI, or to schedule an audition time, call Vincent at 337-519-0865 or Jody L. Powell at 337-580-1787.

Opening night of "CAMELOT"

4th Annual Children's Workshop - July 14, 2012

The Eunice Players' Theatre sponsored the 4th Annual Children's Workshop with an amazing turnout of kids from the surrounding area! Unfortunately, after 29 kids were accepted, many were turned away at the door. Angie B. McBride conducted this theatre workshop by playing learning games through acting out emotions or objects. Board members came in to show the kids the behind-the-scenes aspect of costumes, make up, and lighting and sound.  We want to thank Angie for the successful Children's Theatre Workshop and we hope to see the kids at our musical, "CAMELOT" to open on July 25!