Footlight Players present ‘Funny Valentines’
Angela Stewart and Nathan Mayse are pictured practicing a scene from “Funny Valentines,” which the Footlight Players are bringing to the Triple Locks Theater stage. Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – Sheila Mayse encourages people to come see what the Triple Locks Theater offers and right now that is the Footlight Players production of “Funny Valentines.”
“There are a lot of twists and turns and cases of mistaken identities,” said Mayse, business manager of the board and a member of the play-reading committee. “You are going to walk away glad you spent the evening here.”
“Funny Valentines” is about a children’s book author who faces surprises from his agent, a contract lawyer and his ex-wife. Featured in it are Luke Widder, Kennedy Webb, Jill Baumgardner, Angela Stewart and Nathan Mayse.
“It’s been several years since Kennedy was with us in children’s productions,” Shelia said. “We are excited to welcome her back as an adult. Everyone else is pretty experienced. They are mostly seasoned actors so the performance just flows. You don’t have to worry about personalities meshing.”
Co-directors are Nathan Mayse and Jackie Mishler.
“This is Jackie’s first time directing,” Shelia said. “She has been a stage manager, producer, on stage and off stage and is now taking a leap into directing.”
Stewart is happy to be part of the play with them.
“I love the camaraderie of being in plays here,” she said. “I enjoy being with old friends and making new ones and memories.”
Stewart plays Nathan’s love interest in the play, which is quite humorous for them since they work together off stage.
“We are really trying, but sometimes we get fits of giggles, which make practices go longer,” Stewart said.
Baumgardner plays Webb’s mother in the play.
“It takes her (my character) a while to catch on to things and they spend a lot of energy trying to keep things away from her,” she said.
Baumgardner likes the feeling of accomplishment she gets from being part of a play.
“It’s difficult and takes a lot of preparation, but I love being part of telling the audience a story and making it come alive for them,” she said.
Performance dates for “Funny Valentines” are 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, Saturday, Dec. 1, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7-8 and 14-15 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9. There will be an opening night complimentary reception starting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 30.
For tickets, visit www.footlightplayers.com or call the box office at 740-622-2959. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for students. Suggested age for audience members for this play is 13 and up.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
