City native to direct romantic comedy at Bonnie Kate
Published 5:21 pm Friday, February 9, 2018
A well-renowned theatrical piece is coming to Elizabethton with a bit of a local flare.
The Bonnie Kate Theater officially announced a handful of showings are on tap for WS Gilbert’s romantic comedy “Engaged,” throughout the month of February.
According to Bonnie Kate Programs Coordinator Marcia Ross, performances are pegged for Feb. 16-17 and 23-24 at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening 30 minutes prior to showtime.
Ross announced that tickets are on sale now for $12 and can also be picked up the day of the event. Tickets and seating for the event can be reserved by calling (423) 895-1762.
Much like previous performances inside the Bonnie Kate, local actors and actresses will be able to strut their stuff as officials with the facility look to raise funds for continued renovations, including improvements of the Bonnie Kate’s roof.
The four-day stretch of showings includes a cast comprised of Camille Cody, Stewart Clark, Mary Jackson, BJ Krug, Lindsey Kyker, John Jackson, Branden Jones, Colin Morgan and Corri Carpenter. According to Ross, “Engaged” will offer a bit of a local flair with Elizabethton native Daniel Banks directing the production.
Banks will look to bring to life the classic, which talks about an upper class Victorian Englishman who proposes to a woman he meets, which results in a multitude of interesting situations.
While popular during its creation in the late 1800s, the director hopes to bring that joy back to a more modern audience.
“(Engaged) was a hit when it premiered in 1877, though it has been largely forgotten by modern audiences. I hope to change that as we bring this show to life, just as we’re hoping to revive the wonderful, historical space that is the Bonnie Kate Theater,” said Banks.
As the Bonnie Kate prepares for a more Valentine’s Day-based production, Ross added the year has started off on a right note with success from their youth theater classes.
“We had a great turnout,” she said.
Bonnie Kate is currently scheduled to host a production called “Screen Test,” featuring class students ages 6-10 along with musical theater students from T.A. Dugger Junior High and Elizabethton High School.
Ross added the current date for the performance is April 7 with two showings — 2:30 and 7 p.m.
To learn more about the different events underway at the Bonnie Kate, visit their website of the Bonnie Kate Theater Restoration Project Facebook page online.