The Gem Players                      2007 - 2008 Season Schedule

"Lying in State"

                                     by David C. Hyer                  

Written by the late David C. Hyer, this laugh out loud comedy asks the question “Can a dead guy run for the Senate? Sure!!

The late senator died in a ridiculous gun accident, making him a national hero and bringing together a host of zany characters looking for love, votes, the right casket, and big purple squirrel named Mel—in this madcap comedy where things are not always what they seem. “LYING IN STATE” will make you laugh ‘til it hurts!” The Barter Theater. Starring Ginger Ramsey, Hunter Cline, Kevin Kerr, Joan Toney, Larry Miller, Hannah-Ruth Earl and Mike Houston.

• August 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25 at 7:30 p.m.

• August 12, 19, and 26  at 2:30 p.m.

"Spoon River Anthology"

                                                                         by  Charles Eidman

Thru musical interludes, we are introduced in a cemetery to the ghosts of those who were inhabitants of fictional, small town Spoon River and whose secrets have gone with them to the grave. Author Edgar Lee Masters collection of poems contain epitaphs of dead citizens and are delivered by the dead themselves. They speak about the sorts of things one might expect. Some recite their histories and turning points, others make observations of life from the outside and petty ones complain of the treatment of their graves while few tell how they really died. Speaking without reason to lie or fear the consequences, they construct a picture of life in their town that is shorn of all facades. “A dramatic presentation reduced to its simplest terms…..moving and beautiful…An evening of astonishingly stirring emotional satisfaction” N.Y. Post.

• October 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19,20 at 7:30 p.m.  

• October 7, 14, and 21 at 2:30 p.m.

"The Homecoming" 

                                                                                       by Earl Hamner

This heartwarming Christmas story is based on author Earl Hamner’s own childhood growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Many will remember the made for TV movie of the same name that first introduced us to the Spencer family later to be called the Waltons, which became an award winning TV series. The time is the Great Depression and the large Spencer family is struggling hard just to survive. Clay-Boy, seventeen and an aspiring writer, is put in charge of his brothers and sisters while his father is away on a job. While the father is long overdue home on Christmas Eve we see the family experience despair and hope for his homecoming. The Homecoming takes us back to a simpler time, without the materialism and pace of the modern world, and where the things that really matter in life---the love and support of family and friends are found in abundance.

• November 23, 24, 29, 30, Dec. 1, 6, 7, 8 at 7:30 p.m.

• November 25, December 2, 9 at 2:30 p.m.

• Special Homecoming Dinner - December 1 at the L&N Depot - Call for reservations at 423-263-3270

"Death of a Doornail"

                                             by Lee Mueller

The Gem Players are bringing back those zany characters by popular demand in Death of a Doornail, a mystery dinner theater event on February 14, 15 and 16 at 6:00 p.m. at the historic L&N Depot in Etowah.  Tickets are $22 per person and includes dinner and the show. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Gem Players office @ 423-263-3270.

 Death of a Doornail has eccentric millionaire, Albert Doornale inviting all of his close friends to his estate, including his ex-wife Abigail, his current fiancé Candy Bombay, and his childhood friend from the lower East Side, Salvatore Carbone. Everyone arrives at the estate greeted by the grumpy Butler and cutlery carrying cook. The only problem is, Albert is not there, no one has seen him. Not his nerdy Nephew or his socially spoiled daughter. None of the guest has any idea why they are there or what happened to their host. That is until blood is found in the upstairs bathroom. Was Albert killed and carried away? In the nick of time, Inspector Bukowski arrives on the scene. A murder investigation will begin, as soon as a body is found. It may be a long wait.

The cast for the production includes new and returning members and are Rick Parker, Virginia Orr, Elaine Baker, Lisa Pemberton, Kevin Kerr, Tina Newson, Joan Toney, George Rose, Zackary Arms, Koltin Thompson, Toni Williams and Loetta Hopson. The director for the production is LaMone Rose.

The Gem Players encourage you to make your reservations for a night of excellent food, lots of fun, laughs and entertaining theater.

"The Diary of Anne Frank"

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the Tony Award, and the Critic’s Circle Award and virtually every other coveted prize of the theatre, this impassioned drama is about the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic. THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence—their fear, their hope, their laughter, their grief. Each day of these two dark years, Anne’s voice shines through. “When I write I shake off all my cares. But I want to achieve more than that. I want to be useful and bring enjoyment to all people even those I’ve never met. I want to go on living even after my death.” The New Times calls it “A lovely tender drama…Strange how the shining spirit of a young girl now dead can filter down through the years and inspire a group of theatrical professionals in a foreign land.” A must see for this generation … the WWII veterans are passing away daily and we must never forget their sacrifice in this liberation.  “…..a moving document on the stage.” The New York Post

• April 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 at 7:30 p.m.
• April 13, 20, 27 at 2:30 p.m.
• Special School Matinee - April 22

Not recommended for children under 10 years of age due to mature subject matter.