Swift Creek Mill Theatre

Blues in the Night - Now through May 30

2009-05-21T11:38:00.003-04:00

"As usual, Tom Width directed the show like a master conductor." - Robert Parlier, Petersburg Progress-Index

"Brenda Parker gives us transcendent performances of Billy Strayhorn's breathtaking Lush Life and the winking Alberta Hunter song Rough and Ready Man. Parker is the embodiment of the blues." - Susan Haubenstock, Richmond Times-Dispatch

BLUES IN THE NIGHT - OPENING TONIGHT!

2009-05-14T14:09:00.005-04:00

Blues in the Night
Conceived by Sheldon Epps
Music by Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen, & Johnny Mercer
Off-nights May 11 through May 30

The universal language of the blues wails out full and strong in this dynamite revue. Twenty-six hot and torchy numbers tell the sweet, sexy, and sorrowful experiences that three women have with the lying, cheating snake of a man who does them wrong. Alternately wistful, tender, and naughty with “bring down the house” blues songs.

Tickets: 804-748-5203 or www.swiftcreekmill.com

Seeking Group Sales Coordinator

2009-04-29T08:14:00.001-04:00

Swift Creek Mill Theatre is seeking qualified candidates for Group Sales Coordinator. The Coordinator is responsible for recruiting and selling audiences for our live performances by target marketing to businesses and organizations for the purpose of group sales. The individual will act as a liaison to tour operators and group leaders. Some evening and weekend time is required. FT, Competitive Salary, EOE. Please send cover letter, resume and references to Group Sales Coordinator search to Swift Creek Mill Theatre P.O. Box 41 Colonial Heights, VA 23834 for information call (804) 748-5203. Search will begin immediately.

Altar Boyz

2009-04-13T14:26:00.003-04:00

Here's a sneak peak at those fabulous Altar Boyz!

Many thanks to Michael Hawke and Brett Ambler!!!
Call 804-475-5203 for tickets. Or go to www.swiftcreekmill.com to purchase them online.

Altar Boyz Opening Saturday

2009-04-02T08:18:00.003-04:00

We're not great bloggers here at Swift Creek Mill Theatre, but it's time to come out of hibernation to tell you that you do not want to miss Altar Boyz, which opens this Saturday night (April 4). We had over 100 people at the IDR last night and they loved it! You will, too!

2008-2009 Season

2008-06-02T21:19:00.004-04:00

I couldn’t be more excited about the new season we’ve planned for you here at the Mill: two hilarious comedies, a classic drama, and three very diverse musicals! Indeed, diversity is what we have strived for – to bring you a season that will challenge, entertain, enlighten, and broaden you theatrical experience. You may be assured that I will do my best to bring the most talented performers, designers, and musicians to all of these productions. It’s going to be a wonderful journey – I hope you will come along for the ride!

Tom Width, Artistic Director

SIDE SHOW
Book and Lyrics by Bill Russell
Music by Henry Krieger
September 4 - October 25

A TUNA CHRISTMAS
By Ed Howard, Joe Sears, Jaston Williams
November 13 - January 10

OF MICE AND MEN
By John Steinbeck
January 29 - March 14

ALTAR BOYZ
Music and Lyrics by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker
Book by Kevin Del Aguila
April 2 - May 20

BLUES IN THE NIGHT
Conceived by Sheldon Epps
Music by Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen, & Johnny Mercer
offnights May 11 - May 30 (subscriber bonus)

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
By Joseph Kesserling
June 18 - August 1

and he lived happily ever after

2008-03-28T15:40:00.006-04:00

It was in April 1976 that the young and handsome Tom Width made his Swift Creek Mill Playhouse debut as Sir Harry in Once Upon a Mattress, the hilarious musical version of the classic story, The Princess and the Pea. Thirty-two years later, almost to the day, Swift Creek Mill Theatre will once again present Once Upon a Mattress. Only this time around, the mature (but every bit as handsome) Tom Width is sitting in his now familiar director's seat.

Well, let me clarify. He's the Artistic Director for the theatre. But he's also the director, set designer, production manager, technical director, master carpenter, sometimes choreographer, and all-around heavy-lifter for 5 mainstage shows, four children's shows, and at least one bonus show every season. He also teaches the summer camp, and every now and then dons his actor's cap as well. But I digress.

To celebrate Tom's 32 year anniversary (not really - I just made that up), Swift Creek Mill Theatre will be presenting Once Upon a Mattress once again. This time the cast is headed up by Richmond's musical theatre sweetheart, Audra Honaker, as the not-so-delicate Princess Winifred, her real-life boyfriend and Mill star, Brett Ambler as Prince Dauntless, and Joy Williams as Queen Aggravain. Also included in this super-talented cast are Jason Marks, Katrinah Lewis, Matt Polson, Durron Tyre, Michael Hawke, Derek Phipps, Liz Blake, Taylor Baltimore, Audrey Snyder, David Janosik, Lucas Hall, Amy Kaeberle, and Steve Travers.

The official opening night for Once Upon a Mattress is April 5, with preview performances on April 3 and 4. For more information visit our website: www.swiftcreekmill.com/mattress

As a side note, I played Princess #12 in the 1992 Dogwood Dell production. I'll be paying close attention to Liz Blake to see if she has stolen any of my bits.

Robyn O'Neill

Urinetown Eats

2007-10-16T18:21:00.000-04:00

We all know the rules - No Pay, No Pee. No poo either (can I say that?) I can't tell you how much trouble we would all be in if that rule applied backstage. Why? Well, besides the fact that it would take a chunk out of anyone's budget if they had to drop some cash to use the rest room, we'd all be paying double, because we never stop eating backstage. Every show is a new buffet in the Swift Creek Mill Green Room. Two weeks ago, Fernando (Robby The Stockfish) brought in lemon blossoms. Cute little sugar glazed lemon flavored muffins. A week later, he brought round 2. Obviously they were a hit. Candy is a popular choice at the mill, recently the candy corns and even larger candy corn pumpkins have been gracing the food counter. I guess that's something I haven't explained yet. In the green room, there is plenty of counter space for make up and props etc. But there is one little area where the water cooler lives and everyone who's worked at The Mill knows that if food is left on that counter, it's for everyone. Fruit baskets to celebrate opening night to brownie bites from Ukrop's, if it's on the counter it's up for grabs. A veteran food bringer at SCMT is Betty White. Betty has brought us her staple crab dip, and her never fail avocado guacamole, fruit, brownies, dips, you name it. When I know Betty is bringing us food, I skip dinner. That's how much of it I eat. Finally, we have a selection of desserts. Every time a cast birthday comes around, we get a Ukrop's birthday cake. Icing flowers all around! And lucky us, Michael Rieman (Tiny Tom) works at Coldstone Creamery and brings us lots and lots of free ice cream :-) Thanks Michael.

So that's the backstage poop. Nothing but a vast eating frenzy. And we wash it all down with a fridge full of sodas and a never empty 30 cup coffee urn.

-- Brett (Bobby Strong) Ambler

Little Sally with the Poop on Opening Night of Urinetown

2007-09-28T20:25:00.001-04:00

Opening night of "Urinetown: The Musical" at Swift Creek Mill Theatre. Final note of the opening number. Energy is palpable- house is packed, fog is swirling, instruments are blaring, voices are belting, and we all cut off on the proper beat and hold our positions- our expressions dripping with character as the applause swells. We all enjoy the applause and feel excited and more devoted to our characters than ever. And then- a hand stretches out of the darkness of the audience and slowly reaches closer and closer until it pokes one of the cast members in the arm. The hand quickly retracts and the owner turns excitedly to her companion and we watch them share a conspiratorial giggle over her having had the nerve to touch the people onstage. I feel sure they thought we didn't notice.This occurrence was an exceedingly appropriate beginning to the run of a show that has been a rollicking good time each night from curtain to curtain. While individual audience members' responses are varied, as is true with any show, overall people have been wonderfully supportive, really getting to the spirit of things about halfway through Act I. I enjoy sitting in a dirty heap in the floor of the wings and laughing right along with the audience every night at certain lines. I also enjoy having a gander at the faces of the audience at one point in the show (which I won't go into detail about here so as not to ruin a surprise for those who have yet to attend). Expressions range from face-splitting grins all the way to "If you come one step closer I will spontaneously evaporate." By Act II, many audience members have become very involved and are volunteering lines for us to say. So all in all- should you be reading this, I think you should come see this show. You'll have a great time. We sure do. - Audra Honaker (aka Little Sally)