THEATER AND SUCH

   It's almost here!!! Auditions for the opening show, "Shadow Box" directed by Jeritza Mc Carter have been held and rehearsals are due to begin for the opening on October 8. "Shadow Box" is a pithy drama that will leave the audience with much food for thought, long after they leave the theater. Jeritza had already proved what a capable director she is. When she directed, "Steel Magnolias."
   Douglas Livingston gives us a different kind of musical production. "Cole," a tribute to Cole Porter first opened at the Mermaid Theater in London with a cast of ten. Livingston intends to expand the cast to 14 or 15. He will also incorporate slides depicting the life of this prolific songwriter. The first act gives us a peek into his life during the '20's and '30's. Act II , with the performers clad in formal finery will showcase the glitz of Hollywood and move to New York where Porter died in 1958.
   We've all danced to or hummed his familiar love songs such as: "Night and Day," or "What is this Thing Called Love," but few have heard, "The Bob o' Link Waltz," which Porter wrote when he was 13. Auditions begin following Labor Day. Another audition is scheduled after the snowbirds drift back.
   Moving right along, we also have two comedies , a mystery and the moody, "Streetcar named Desire." Barbara Clippinger (formerly Keener) directs Neil Simon's, "Gingerbread Lady," which deals with a serious subject in a humorous way.
   Little Theater has a Production Manager. His name is John Brown and directors are going to love him, kiss his feet, or bow to the east at sunset. As production manager, he frees up the director to concentrate on directing while Brown takes care of the nitty-gritty things directors are usually saddled with. LLT has made the gigantic step from *LTO to *BTO. (Little time operator to Big time operator.)
   Norma Lyerly, director of "The Vagina Monologues," showcased the first series of invigorating readings by April Watts, Lila Allen and Georgette Richmond. The readings were well attended and the audience was not disappointed by the performances of this talented trio. Fittingly, the profits go to: The Silvia Flores Clinic for Women. Further productions with different readers and different experiences can be seen at the Nueva Posada this month. This columnist took issue with the title of the play only; not with the contents.