The Coshocton County Beacon February 26, 2020 | Page 4

4 • The Beacon
February 26, 2020
Take a glimpse behind the curtain with
The Footlight Players
By Josie Sellers
www.CoshoctonBeaconToday.com
T
he Footlight Players will give a
glimpse of what it’s like behind
the curtain when they present “Play
On.”
The new production tells the
story of a community theater group
trying to put on their play while
dealing with interferences and revi-
sions from the playwright.
“Anything that can go wrong
does,” director Kathy Reid said.
“From beginning to end there are
lots of laughs.”
Co-director of the show is Mick-
ie Galajda, and the producer is Carol
Remington. Featured in “Play On”
are Jill Baumgardner, Sophia Dot-
son, Amanda Gress, Kevin Kreider,
Jackie McCune, Angie Pyle, Shane
Pyle, Sam Scott, Cyndi Shutt and
Jeff Wherley.
“As always at this stage in the
game, we are family,” Reid said.
“We have fun when we are here, but
we also take the play very serious.”
Amanda Gress plays Polly in the
play.
“I’m kind of a know-it-all,”
Gress said. “Henry is my husband,
and I like to boss him around. I’m
still lovable though and have a good
sense of humor.”
Henry is played by Kevin Kre-
ider, who has enjoyed getting to use
big, overdramatic words in the play
like fiddlesticks and hogwash. This
is Kreider’s third production with
the Footlight Players. He decided to
get involved after watching his son
take part in children’s productions at
the theater.
Josie Sellers
Kevin Kreider and Cyndi Shutt are practicing a scene from “Play On,” which is the Footlight Players’ newest production.
“This has been a chance to do
something different, and it’s a nice
atmosphere here,” Kreider said.
“This play has a lot of laughs and
people trying to be serious while
doing something goofy.”
“Play On” is Gress’ seventh or
eighth production with the Footlight
Players.
“I enjoy the camaraderie with the
other actors,” she said. “We are fam-
ily in a very unique way. It’s kind of
like summer camp. You are sad it’s
over but ready for the next one. I get
to meet new people and get to know
some better.”
Gress knew she wanted to be part
of “Play On” after reading the script.
Play It Again
Angie and Shane Pyle are
pictured practicing a scene
from “Play On.” The Footlight
Players will perform the play
at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Sat-
urdays, March 6-7, 13-14 and
20-21 and at 2 p.m. on Sun-
day, March 15 at the Triple
Locks Theater. For tickets
call 740-622-2959 or visit
www.footlightplayers.com.
“It was super funny, and I tend to
gravitate toward the humorous and
funny stuff,” she said. “I love the fact
that there are so many people in this
cast too and I get the chance to work
with new people.”
The youngest member of the cast
is Sophia Dotson, the daughter of
Angie and Shane. Dotson had come
along to their audition and was asked
to read for a part because no one
young enough for it came. She ended
up landing the role of Smitty and
joined Angie and Shane in the play.
“It’s so much fun,” Dotson said.
“Half of them I’ve known since I
was little, so they are like family.
There are some new faces too, and
they are all such a joy to work with.”
“Play On” will be performed at
8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays,
March 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21 and at
2 p.m. on Sunday, March 15 at the
Triple Locks Theater. An opening
night reception will be held at 7 p.m.
on March 6.
Reservations may be made by
calling the box office at 740-622-
2959 or by visiting www.footlight-
players.com.
Tickets are $12 for adults and
$7 for students up to 12th grade.
Strobe lights are used in the play
and may impact people with light
sensitivities.
It was super funny,
“
and I tend to gravitate
toward the humorous
and funny stuff. I love
the fact that there are
so many people in this
cast too and I get the
chance to work with
new people.
”
Amanda Gress