Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Thespian Schedule 2012

Thrice Monthly: *

Second Mondays, 7:00-10:00 pm in Room 9
Third Fridays, 1:30-4:30 pm in Room A
Fourth Tuesdays, 7:00-10:00 pm in Room 9

*  Except in November – December we will read only ONE play on the following three dates:
  Monday Nov 12, 7:00-10:00 pm in Room 9
                    Friday Nov 16, 1:30-4:30 pm in Room A 
                    Tuesday Dec 11, 7:00-10:00 pm in Room 9

 

January 9 and 24 at 7 pm; January 20 at 1:30 pm

Harvey by Mary Chase
Host: Miriam Morgan
It’s about this rabbit . . . and his friend Elwood Dowd.
I wrestled with reality for forty years, and I am happy to state that I finally won out over it. - Elwood Dowd. 
Philip’s Commentary

February 13 and 28 at 7 pm; February 17 at 1:30 pm

You Can’t Take it with You by Kaufman & Hart
Host: Armand Schwartz
Well, Sir, we’ve been getting along pretty good for quite a while now, and we’re certainly much obliged. Remember, all we ask is just to go along and be happy in our own sort of way. Of course we want to keep our health, but as far as anything else in concerned, we’ll leave it to You. Thank You. - - Grandpa’s Grace
Philip’s Commentary

March 12 and 27 at 7 pm; March 16 at 1:30 pm

Liliom by Ferenc Molnar; trans by B. F. Glazer
Host: TBA (rescheduled from July 2011)
Ferenc Molnar is a Hungarian playwright – and an amazing one.  He wrote a hilarious slapstick comedy The Play’s the Thing which we read recently, and he has written this emotional block-buster which was the basis for the musical Carousel.
Philip’s Commentary

April  9 and 24 at 7 pm; April 20 at 1:30 pm

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
Host: Tom Morgan
There's a reason why a "classic" is still popular more than a century after it is written - it's good!  And Oscar Wilde’s play is a classic.
Philip’s Commentary

**This Month**

May 14 and 22 at 7 pm; May 18 at 1:30 pm:

Host: Eric Bier

The Tavern by George M. Cohan
The curtain rises at midnight at an undetermined place in a long-ago time before we had telephones, electricity, or automobiles.  Outside a storm rages, but the tavern is snug.  The Tavern Keeper, his Son, the Hired Girl, and the Hired Man have all gone to bed.  ‘Tain’t fit night out for man nor beast, so no action is anticipated.  .  .  .  HAH
Philip’s Commentary

June 11 and 26 at 7 pm; June 15 at 1:30 pm:

Host: John Yarborough

The Rivals by Richard Sheridan

Mrs. MALAPROP on women’s education:
I would by no means wish a daughter of mine to be a progeny of learning .  .  .  I would send her, at nine years old, to a boarding-school, in order to learn a little ingenuity and artifice.  .  .  she should have a supercilious knowledge in accounts;—and as she grew up, I would have her instructed in geometry, that she might know something of the contagious countries;—but above all, Sir Anthony, she should be mistress of orthodoxy, that she might not mis-spell, and mis-pronounce words so shamefully as girls usually do; and likewise that she might reprehend the true meaning of what she is saying. This, Sir Anthony, is what I would have a woman know;—and I don't think there is a superstitious article in it.

Philip’s Commentary

July 9 and 24 at 7 pm; July 20 at 1:30 pm

Host: Sara Newcomb

Halfway up the Tree  by Peter Ustinov

Are you now or have you ever been the parent of a teenager?
Are you now or have you ever been the grandparent of a teenager?
If your answer is YES to any of the above questions, you owe it to yourself to read this play with us this July.

Philip’s Commentary