Bill Robinson
Madison County’s hectic pace of fall events continues this weekend from three plays and an arts walk to a car show and a blacksmithing festival.
Taking the stage
This may be the autumn season, but the Madison Central High School Players will be staging Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
With different names, and without the threat of a death sentence, the bard’s comedy about the chaos and confusion of young love could be a modern teenage drama, said Kate Scibal, the director.
Since school began, the MCHS students “have been working feverishly to tackle Shakespeare's challenging, yet hilarious comedy,” she said.
The production is 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday in the MCHS theater.
The Eastern Kentucky University Theatre is staging a modern comedy this weekend.
“For Better,” by Eric Coble, opened Wednesday night, with the curtain going up in the Campbell Building’s Gifford Theatre on Crabbe Street at 8 p.m. through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Called a romantic comedy for the digital age, “For Better” pokes fun at over-dependence on gadgets with the story of a couple planning their wedding, according to information provided by the university. Karen and Max are getting married — if their jobs will ever let them be in the same city at the same time.
For ticket reservations, call 622-1323.
This is the second and final weekend of the Rose Barn Theatre’s production of “Ruthless! The Musical.”
The play about a child star and the ruthless adults who want to capitalize on her talents introduces an up-and-coming child star to Madison County, said director Sarah Evans.
Kristina Leggas, 10, is “an enormously talented young lady who is perfect for this role,” Evans said. “She is a wonderful singer and dancer with an electrifying stage presence. She could very well follow Laura Bell Bundy as a rising star from central Kentucky who finds success on Broadway.”
The show starts at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday.
A walk with the arts
The second annual Walk with the Arts has added a second day at Berea’s Indian Fort Theatre for public viewing, thanks to a grant from the National Endowments for the Arts.
“We will have more than 25 regional artists displaying their work and demonstrating their creative techniques,” said Gwen Childs, executive director of the Berea Arts Council.
“Visitors can do more than watch and ask questions,” she said. “They can get their hands into the creative process as well.
“Louis Northern will provide huge canvases to paint upon, Neil DiTeresa will teach how to create puppets, David Enge will demonstrate pottery making first hand, the Berea Weavers Guild will provide looms to weave upon, Cathy Currier will provide a multitude of musical instruments to try out, while Heather Richardson and Teresa Libby will help visitors create sculpture from found natural materials.”
A visiting artist from Wales, who uses all hand tools and a foot-powered lathe to turn wood into spindles and furniture, also will be on hand.
On Friday, about 1,500 local students will be transported to the outdoor location on KY 21 east of Berea.
On Saturday, the walk will welcome the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission then is $5 for adults and $2 for students 18 and younger. Children 6 and under will be admitted free.
The arts council and Tater Knob Pottery organized the walk with support from the Madison Fiscal Court and the Berea Tourism Commission, Childs said.
Cruiz-in
Classic cars, street rods and more will be on display as Old Town Berea hosts a “Cruiz-in” on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. Trophies awarded to top 25 vehicles and the Freedom Rider Band will perform. For details, call 986-2540.
Hammer-in
Fort Boonesborough State Park will celebrate the ancient art of blacksmithing with its annual “Hammer-in” on Saturday and Sunday.
A group of blacksmiths, led by Randy Wolfe and son George, will demonstrate techniques and trade ideas and information, according the park’s Web site. They also will swap tall tales of the forge and offer hand forged items for sale.
Blacksmiths are invited to bring their portable forges, start a fire and join in. Visitors will get to ask questions and try their hands at a simple forging project.
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 624-6622.
