The stage production Grease, started out in Chicago back in the late sixties and early seventies. It has gone on to New York and was even made into a movie. It has done very well, and in March, it will come to the stage of the Three Rivers High School Performing Arts Center (PAC). Oh, it won’t have a Broadway cast, but will have a cast of high school students that will make you proud and leave you wanting more. If you attended the TRHS productions of Phantom or South Pacific, you already know the talent that is here in the Three Rivers area. The directing team of Marcy Bennett, Brian Shetterly, and Joel Moore has been working together to make sure each performance is top-notch. They couldn’t do it without the talents of a dedicated cast, who promise to give you more than your money’s worth. Performance dates are March 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25. Curtain times are 7:30 P.M., except for the 2 P.M. Sunday matinees. Adult tickets are now on sale for $15, and if you’re a senior citizen or student, your cost is only $12. Tickets are available in Three Rivers at Beam Sound & Video on West Michigan Avenue, or at Lowry’s Books & More, downtown. If you forget to mark these dates on your calendar, don’t worry, I’ll mention this again next month.
Got blood? The American Red Cross could surely use some. There’s a blood drive this Wednesday, February 1, from noon until 5:45 P.M., at the West Mendon United Methodist Church, 22994 Portage Lake Road, Mendon. This is another local event that is FREE and doesn’t require a lot of effort. I’m sure you’ll even receive a cup of juice or two. It’s also one of those times when it is more fun to give than to receive.
Relay for Life is an annual event here in Three Rivers that draws a lot of attention. Emotions run strong, and participating is just the right thing to do. Plans for this year’s Relay are already in motion, and to help make this year’s event even more popular, there will be a “Relay Rally” this Thursday, February 2, at 11 A.M., at the JOCO Center on Wood Street, next door to Kadant-Johnson in Three Rivers. This is an opportunity to introduce Relay to those who haven’t previously participated and would like to learn more. If you go to learn, you might find yourself wanting to participate, and this would be a good thing.
The Constantine American Legion is getting a jump on Valentine’s Day by hosting a Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance this Saturday, February 4. A steak dinner will be available from 5 until 7:30 P.M., and the dance floor comes alive with happy feet starting at 8 P.M. and continuing until midnight. The cost is $40 per couple, or if you’d rather come “stag”, it will only cost you $20. If you’d rather come just for the dancing, you may do that for just $5. Tickets for this romantic evening may be purchased at the Constantine American Legion, located on US-131 just north of Constantine.
The Three Rivers Community Players Theatre’s stage comes alive with Needs Garlic, a play written and directed by TRCP’s own Shannon Piper. If you attended the production Aye Do at the Players’ Theatre, then you’ll definitely want to make plans to see Needs Garlic. Opening night is Friday, February 10, with performances continuing February 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 P.M., and the Sunday matinees start promptly at 2 P.M. The cost for adult tickets is $15, and senior citizen and student tickets are $13. You can purchase tickets online by going to the Players’ website at www.trcommunityplayers.org. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Here are a few questions that dwell in my mind:
When you’re feeling up-to-snuff, how far up are you?
Can you cry underwater?
Have a great week, and I’ll see you Out and About!
Submitted by Norm Stutesman