"The Wizard Of Oz" Takes Summerville By Storm-A Must See For The Whole Family

Kansa scene from "The Wizard of Oz"

The timeless 1935 American musical "The Wizard of Oz" opened at the James F. Dean Theatre in Summerville Thursday, August 2nd. The 1900 children's novel that became "The Wizard of Oz" film is one of the most celebrated movies ever made and named the most watched motion picture in history by the Library of Congress. It has carried countless numbers of both young and old "Over the Rainbow" to the colorful land of Oz where you are first greeted by the timid, strange talking Munchkins and the place Dorothy begins her journey down the memorable yellow brick road to the Emerald City, a journey that ends with a defining moment and a life lesson learned-"There is no place like home."

How many of us adults at one point or another in our childhood had thought about running away from home over something we were unhappy over? Especially, if our beloved dog was taken away from us by a cold, heartless matron dressed in black by the name of Almira Gulch. The traumatic event would be enough to send anyone traveling down the yellow brick road in search of someone with the power and authority to rescue you and "your mangy little dog, too." Personally, I can relate. I once had a neighbor report my dog to the Dog Warden for barking and like Dorothy, I fantasized the thought of throwing a bucket of water on the witchy neighbor.

Some of the backstage crew

The movie was famous for incorporating masterful special effects and unusual characters. The most noteworthy of its ideas was to present Dorothy's real life in sepia-tinted black-and-white and her entrance into the dream world of Oz in full technicolor, thus accentuating the beauty and wonder of her mystical journey through multiple, changing scenes, which for a stage adaptation would present a real challenge. A challenge the Flowertown Players production team dramatically executed considering the limited space and budget they had to work with. The stage crew navigated almost crunch-free through the eleven different scene changes and prop adjustments. The most difficult task performed by the crew was the rotation of the circular stage the Flowertown Players added for a previous play. I had never seen c-claps used that way before-quite adaptive.

The list of names involved in the plays successful debut is long. There were many imaginative minds and skillful hands used. So, hats off to producer David Hatch, stage manager Claire Parascandolo, and production manager Sarah Smith, and a salute to all the volunteers involved including the staging of the choreography, costume design, sound design and video production, especially to Ivan Parascandalo for the Muppet Wizard. The supporting cast, many of whom played multiple roles, assisted with the various scene changes. The scene that stood out for me was Scene Four of Act 1, when Dorothy first entered Oz and met Glinda and the Munchkins. The whole Munchkinland segment was executed near perfectly by all the young, enthusiastic performers. However, there was a certain little Munchkin Mayor who lost a mustache just before sending Dorothy down the yellow brick road.

All the Munchkins

I followed this acting group from auditions to opening night. The main cast was perfectly matched to the characters they portrayed, the very same ones who sang and danced their way into our collective psyches. I was more than super-pleased with the performance of Hanna Hiel, a senior from Pinewood  Prepatory, as Dorothy Gale. Over the many weeks of hard work, she came to know her character very intimately and successfully projected the perfect Dorothy from beginning to end. I enjoyed her singing of the award-winning song "Over the Rainbow". She also handled Lacy Gregowicz(Toto) quite well and I must insert at this point, the use of a real dog added a touch of realism and believability. It was amusing to watch the dogs reaction to everything. Lacy was interestingly cooperative about being stuffed into a basket and disappointingly denied a tempting bite of Professor Marvel's(Gary Ludlam) hot dog.

Hanna Hiel(Dorothy) and the cast warming up before show

Robert Culbreth Jr(Hunk/The Scarecrow), Ryan Ball(Hickory/The Tinman), and David Hatch(Zeke/The Cowardly Lion) perspired their way through equally excellent performances. The costumes for all three characters were designed well, and under the bright lights in the heat of performance, they had to be hot. I overheard David remark after the performance, "I lost ten pounds tonight." Deborah Culbreth played the mean hag Almira Gulch and the green-faced Wicked Witch of the West. Her sinister laugh still echoes in my ears with the words, "I'll get you, my pretty...and your little dog, too." Definitely not someone you would want to meet in a dark forest.

Wicked Witch of the West

If you were to close your eyes(this is not the part where you tap your heals and say, "There's no place like home," three times) and listen to Sara Armistead's voice portrayal of Glinda, you would think you were listening to the original actress, Billie Burke. Sara looked the part and sounded the part. She also played Aunt Em. Last-but-not-least, Henry Gale/Emerald City Guard was played by Lynn Latham. If Lynn looks more like a high school football referee than a farmer, it's because he is.

Glinda

This is a must-see play. You will be pleasantly entertained. It is well worth an afternoon or an evening out. So, I encourage you without delay to purchase a ticket to "The Wizard of Oz" now. Show dates are August 2, 3 and 4, 9, 10, 11 and 17 with 2pm shows 4, 5, 11 and 12.
 
A special thanks goes to the Flowertown Players for enriching the community of Summerville with their talent and love for the performing arts. The sacrifice of time made by all the cast members and especially the younger ones involved in this production, putting other interests on hold for a few months, is greatly appreciated by the residents of Summerville and surrounding communities. A special thanks goes to Claire Parascandolo from myself for allowing me the opportunity to mingle backstage with the cast and crew to take pictures.

After party with David Hatch, Sara Armistead, Hanna Hiel, and Ryan Ball

Charleston's April Events Continue-A Full Line Of Family Fun

There was a festival scheduled this past week that was dedicated to the lowly yet very common "grits". Yes, the gritty stuff, when added to water or milk, that turns into a sticky, clumpy pile of goop and dries like cement if the remains are left in the bowl to long. It was called The World Grit Festival and held in St. George. It seems people will come up with anything for an excuse to party. If by chance you missed out on the fun, not to worry, there are more scheduled events in the Charleston area. Plus, things are beginning to warm up nicely and the numerous beaches are now an option.

The Festival of Houses and Gardens will be coming to a conclusion this week. The final Glorious Gardens Tour has sold out as well as the South Battery Tour for Wednsday, but there is still availability for the final South Battery Tour on Saturday the 16th. Fun for the whole family is the Festival Oyster Roast and Picnic at Drayton Hall on Sunday April 15, 4:30 - 7 p.m. This event will introduce guests to the culinary pleasures of the Lowcountry with steamed oysters as appetizers, along with other Southern cuisine. Admission includes a guided tour of the historic house and grounds. Drayton Hall was built when George Washington was only six years old. How's that for an introduction.

It's spring. Time to spruce up the house and landscaping. Thank goodness a government shutdown was avoided because that would have meant tax refunds being delayed and all that extra money you could use for that very purpose. To help you out with some good ideas and suggestions the Home and Outdoor Living Show will take place at the Charleston Area Convention Center April 15-17. Friday is free admission for everybody. Saturday and Sunday admission will be $5.00 for adults. There is also a Home Sweet Home Improvement Giveaway.

If the theater is your cup of tea then check out the Dockstreet Theater. The Original Peter Pan will begin showing April 15. The production will feature Flying by Foy, who flew Peter Pan on Broadway, five full sets, including a pirate ship. The story of Peter Pan is timeless and entertaining for the whole family.

That's it. Well, not entirely. There are plenty of things to do in Charleston, plenty of excellent places to eat. Beaches, tours, museums, harbor cruises, golf, and shopping. Get your mojo on and get moving.-Vacation Rick Travel

Run For The Fun Of It-The Cooper River Bridge Run

Run, Charleston, run. That's exactly what it will be doing April 2. Something it has been doing since 1977. The 34th annual Cooper River Bridge Run registration has reached 40,000 participants, where it was be cut off. So if you haven't and you want to, it is now too late to register. But don't let that minor setback prevent you from joining in the fun.

The first run took place on, and this is a fitting piece of information, April 2 1977. At that time there were two bridges crossing the Cooper, one called the Silas Pearman Bridge and the other the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge. The Silas Pearman Bridge hosted that first run, but later it was switched over to the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge. Over the course of time the starting locations and ending locations changed as well as the distance. The two bridges eventually met their demise, but the race continued to grow. The run is now a 10K(6.2 mile) race on the new Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

People from all over the States and other countries will participate. Action will begin on Coleman Blvd near Simmons Street and end on Meeting Street near George Street. The race for the first time will have a wave start, which will include 12 unique starts categorized by color, alpha and numeric. Runners with the best times are set in the front. The cost is $40 dollars.

It no doubt was an experience running across the old bridges, which were substantially narrower and old. I remember the first time I came to Charleston crossing those bridges and wondering if at any moment they would collapse into the Cooper. The Author Ravenel Jr Bridge offers a beautiful panarama of Charleston Bay and surrounding areas. When the gun goes off a wave of humanity will be set in motion and will continue for some time. When the race is over the fun will not end there. Music, drinks, food, and celebration continue long after the race is over.

So, for those who registered, make preparations and get ready to strap on those running shoes. The weather has been quite warm. Be prepared to sweat out all that sweet tea and bottled water. If you do not plan to run, go for the festivities and fun times. Charleston will be at her glorious best with other events planned for that busy April weekend, no fooling.-Vacation Rick Travel

When The Weather Outside Gets Frightfully Cold-Charleston Winter Events

When it gets cold in Charleston, like it has been this week with nighttime temps dipping into the teens and day time highs barely reaching 40, there isn't much to do in the way of outdoor activity. Beach and coats don't make good postcards. Fishing rods and gloves are not compatable. A walk in the open air Old Market isn't as appealing. A stroll along the Battery with the waves crashing the waterfront from the nippy brisk wind loses its nostalgia. A carriage ride through the historic French Quarter loses some of its luster. Even the nighttime ghostly tours leaves you with a chill in more ways than one. There is no snow. You can't ski, tobbagan, or sled ride. You can't make a snow fort with the kids and then destroy it with a snowball fight. Which brings me to a subtle fact that only Northeners can appreciate, snow makes the cold more fun, and when it's cold here, it's just cold. So, what do you do in Charleston when the temperature takes a dip?

You can wait until it warms up because it will surely do that. Cold snaps don't last for long, although this year they have come early and have lasted longer. In the meantime, here are some of the things on tap during these chillier months.
 
Flowertown Players-Theatre on the Square in Summerville-Presenting Same Time, Next Year a Romantic Comedy for ages 18 and up.-January 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 8 PM, January 16, 23 and 30 at 2 PM.-Purchase tickets
Dock Street Theater-"America's First Theatre" presents A Christmas Carol, A Ghost Story of Christmas December 3 - 19, 2010. Charleston Stage's acclaimed original adaptation magically returns with a wonderful story of Scrooge and his Christmas Eve encounter with three ghoulish spectres. With colorful period costumes, stunning Christmas card sets, magical special effects and scores of actors, singers, dancers and musicians.-Purchase tickets
Footlight Theater-"White Christmas"  by Irving Berlin playing December 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 at 8 PM; December 5, 12 (sold out), and 19 at 3 PM. This brand new musical shines with classic Berlin hits like "Blue Skies," "How Deep is the Ocean?" and, of course, the unforgettable title song, "White Christmas."-Purchase tickets
North Charleston Coliseum Performing Arts Center-Charleston Ballet Theatre The Nutcracker Dec 17 at 7:30 PM and Dec 18 at 3:00 PM. Charleston Ballet Theatre unwraps its glittering holiday treat with performances that have become the centerpiece of holiday tradition for families throughout the region. Adult tickets are $45.00, $40.00, $35.00, and $25.00. Children 2-12 tickets are $35.00, $30.00, $25.00, and $15.-Purchase tickets
Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” is the one performance this season you shouldn’t miss! Tickets are $88.50, $68.50, $48.50, $38.50, & $28.50 plus applicable fees. Limited Premium Seating and VIP seating avaiable.-Purchase tickets
Holiday Festival of Lights-James Island County Park hosts November 12, 2010-January 2, 2011. Your journey begins with a 3-mile drive through millions of sparkling lights and hundreds of light displays. They also offer a marshmallow roast and a 54 passenger train ride through the park to view the lights. To tour the lights in your car is $10/car and if you'd like you can ride the train around the lake for approximately $2/person and children under 2 are free if they sit in the lap of an adult.
South Carolina Aquarium- Learn all about the animals that call the ocean home at the South Carolina Aquarium. Here there are a large number of hands on exhibits that include information on both ocean animals, and those that call the beach home. Learn in the discovery lab, and then watch a movie about the creatures of the Amazon.-(843) 720-1990
Southern Comfort Lowcountry Blues Bash-21st annual Lowcountry Blues Bash 12 days, 25+ venues, 50+ acts Bars, restaurants, hotels, many all-ages venues. Blues performances day & night. Reasonable cover charges and many free shows. February 3-13, 2011 Metro Charleston, South Carolina.
Lowcountry Oyster Festival-Selected By the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event. January 30, 2011, Boone Hall Plantation.(843) 577-4030
The 26th Annual Charleston Boat Show at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex held January 21-23, 2011. Boats and water equipment from 30 of the most popular dealers in America.
Southeastern Tourism Society-Charleston Wildlife Exposition-When: February 18 - 20, 2011. Where: Charleston, South Carolina. What: The largest wildlife art and nature event in the nation, SEWE offers something for everyone.-Purchase tickets
Old City Jail-Good stories and a great tour located at 21 Magazine St, Charleston, SC. Bulldog Tours is located at 40 North Market St, Charleston, SC or call 843-722-8687

Charleston's Nighttime Fun Should Include a Trip To The Footlight Theatre

We all like to be entertained with a good scare once in awhile. Remember the fun times sitting in a semi-dark room on a stormy night or around a crackling campfire taking turns at telling scary stories and seeing who could come up with the most sinister plot. That was how Mary Shelley gave birth to her first novel now known as "Frankenstein".

Sorrel-Weed House

While vacationing on Lake Geneva, Switzerland, Mary and her friends amused themselves by reading German ghost stories, prompting a suggestion they each write their own supernatural tale. Mary's scary tale was conceived in a waking dream she had one night. She wrote a short story about her horrific dream and later expanded it into the famous novel. Needless to say, her story took the honor of being the scariest tale that infamous night.

Looking for inspiration for a winning scary novel? Savannah was dubbed by The American Institute of Parapsychology as "America's Most Haunted City". The Sorrel-Weed House at 6 W Harris Street at Madison Square was featured on Ghost Hunters and is one of the top ten creepiest places in America. Be sure to take the 10:30pm tour for the greatest affect, if you dare.

Charleston's darker side can most certainly fuel the imagination and inspiration for a winning frightful tale. Travel Channel designated Charleston "America's Most Haunted Places". Take an inside look at Charleston's haunted Old City Jail, enter the Provost Dungeon, or visit Poogan's Porch where Zoe makes her presence known. Walk the streets, bars, and cemeteries while the guides of Bulldog Tours amuse you with the tales and stories of the not so holy side of the Holy City.

Footlight Players Theatre

Take your search for nighttime fun and storytelling entertainment a step further and consider what the Footlight Theatre has to offer October 28, 29 30 and November 4, 5, 6 at 9pm. "The Weir" by Conor McPherson will be presented by the Footlight Players. "The Weir" takes place in a small tavern in rural Ireland where local men swap spook stories in an attempt to impress a young woman who recently moved into a nearby "haunted" house, but the tables get turned on them when she tells a tale of her own. Old-fashioned story telling guaranteed to send chills up your spine. Ticket price ranges $10-$15. Footlight Players Theatre is located at 20 Queen Street.-Vacation Rick Travel Charleston

 

Kayaking The Intercoastal Waters Of Charleston And Its Backwaters

I have rented kayaks on the Isle of Palms and paddled around the intercoastal waters near the Wild Dunes area. It was a great experience and alot of fun. Kayaking the tidal creeks can get tricky with the changing tides. Everything looks different when the waters are high as opposed to low. Very easy to lose your bearings and get sidetracked in the grasses. At one point of our excursion we were quite positive we confronted an alligator in the thick grasses because of its distinct low bellowing growl. We took it to be a warning and boogied out of there.

We cruised past huge villas that lined the sides, each one with its own boat dock and overlooking beautiful pools. Tried some fishing along the way, but didn't have much success. We absorbed the sights and sounds and raced one another to see who was the fastest. We made it back to the marina despite our perils fully satisfied and happy.

Charleston has plenty of coast from the IOP to Folly filled with rivers, salt creeks and backwaters to explore. But the intercoastal waters are not the only place in the Lowcountry you can adventure around with kayaks and canoes. Recently I read an article about three places where you and the whole family can experience the beauty of South Carolina in the Charleston Lowcountry: The Edisto River Trail, Givans Ferry State Park, and Francis Beidler Forest.

Edisto River Trail is a stretch of the longest, free flowing blackwater river in North America. Carolina Heritage Outfitters will help you with all your necessities and equipement for a fun and safe outing. They offer trips of a few hours or a two-day experience of 22 miles to include an overnight stay in one of the treehouses or you can just camp out anywhere along the way.

Givans Ferry State Park was voted one of the "Top 15 paddling spots in America". It is part of the 56 mile long Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail and is at the end of a 21 mile downstream paddle from Colleton State Park. It has campgrounds and rustic cabins.

Francis Beidler Forest is located in Four Holes Swamp, SC, 45,000 acres of blackwater and swamp. Four Holes Swamp is a major tributary of the Edisto river. Francis Beidler Forest is 15,000 acres of forest and swamp containing bald cypress and tupelo gum trees and the only two stands of old growth still left in the state. A visitor center is there for your convenience and guided canoe trips are offered.-Vacation Rick Travel

Cypress Gardens In Berkeley County, SC-Nature And A Movie

When I moved to the Summerville area of South Carolina and first heard the name Cypress Gardens mentioned as a place to visit, Florida automatically came to mind. Little did I know, at the time, there was a Cypress Gardens right here in the surrounding area of Charleston. So, I checked it out. No glass bottom boats will you find there and if you are also thinking the Florida connection, I have come to learn the Cypress Gardens of Florida is now closed, but the Cypress Gardens of South Carolina, is alive and doing great.

Spring is an ideal time to visit Cypress Gardens with its beautiful azaleas in bloom along with a host of other wildflowers common to the area. Birds and butterflies too numerous to mention in a blog also begin to make their presense known as the weather begins to warm in the month of March and continuing on into April when the azaleas are at their peek and the dogwoods abundant with color. Every month from there on out will bring its own steady procession of plants in bloom and new arrivals of the bird kingdom as well as butterflies and a host of other wildlife, including the earth-shaking bellowings of the territorial, breeding alligator in June.

Cypress Gardens is composed of approximately 80 acres of open swamp filled with bald cypress and water tupelo trees and 3.5 miles of beautiful nature trails for you to explore. Flat-bottom boats that hold 4-6 people are provided for your use to be paddled along a marked route through the shallow swamp. You can listen to a guide tell about the swamps history and its aquatic residents. A large greenhouse called the Butterfly House filled with flowering plants, live butterflies, birds, a pond, an arthropod exhibit, and an observation beehive is located on sight along with the Swamparium, an aquarium/reptile center, with tanks and terrariums featuring fish, amphibians, and reptiles (including venomous snakes) native to the swamp and nearby waterways. As you leisurely walk the trails you will find interpretive and plant identification signs all along their route widing around the black water swamp.

Cypress Gardens has been featured in numerous national magazines. It has hosted over 16 major movies and television series. While taking the guided tour through the swamp I learned various swamp scenes in the movie, "The Patriot", were filmed there. Other notable movies were "North and South", "Cold Mountain", and "The Notebook". On the humerous side, who would have thought "Swamp Thing" was also filmed in its swamp. Go figure. Engage yourself in a challenge. Visit Cypress Gardens and then rent the movies out to see if you can identify those particular scenes.

Beautiful Cypress Gardens in Berkeley County, South Carolina is worth your time and be sure to bring your camera. Check upcoming events, admission, and directions. Located at 3030 Cypress Gardens Rd., Moncks Corner, SC 29461. Phone: 843-553-0515.-Vacation Rick Travel