No, we’re not taming any shrews; midsummer is a long way off and if you think something is rotten in Denmark, you’re probably right; a royal Dane is knocking at our door.

Enough, m’lord, say it clear.

Oh, all right, “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare, the first (in 67 years) Shakespeare to be performed by The Little Theatre of Fall River is in the works. Set in and around Elsinore Castle in Denmark, “Hamlet” is a story of revenge and deception.

Director James Tavares (Cabaret, The Crucible), a long time Little Theatre member, actor and director and an English teacher at Durfee High School, recognizes the intrinsic educational value of directing this work. Several Durfee students (for whom “Hamlet” is a required reading) will “speak the speech” as they participate in this production and experience the drama first hand. Local high schools will be invited to attend the dress rehearsal at Bristol Community College.

The cast is a mix of Little Theatre veterans and newcomers

including: Joe Wallace as Hamlet and Nora McGilvray as the tragic heroine, Ophelia; Ray Wary as King Claudius and Nancy Lean (welcome back) as Queen Gertrude; Tim Reid as Laertes, David Mello as Polonius, Richard Pelletier as the Ghost of Hamlet’s father; Kevin Robinson and Bill Soares as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Christine Pelletier is stage managing for director Tavares.

Hamlet performances are March 21-23 at 8p.m. and March 24 at 2 p.m. at the Margaret L. Jackson Performing Arts Center at Bristol Community College.

Tickets are $l2.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors and students, and $5 for children 12 and under. Reserve tickets by calling (508) 675-1852.

Scholarship Awards

Year Five

By Peggy Deston

It was the very last day in my third year as president of the Little Theatre that we gathered at the Quequechan Club for our Annual Meeting and Election of Officers. The year was 1998, the month was June, the weather was grand, and my heart was fill because I was about to see my goal of providing scholarship awards to students pursuing a career in theater, music or dance become a reality. Four young people received scholarship awards that year. Since then we have given out a total of 13 scholarship awards over the course of four years to show our support and encouragement to these young people.

Colleges and universities that have benefited by admitting these students include Boston Conservatory, Belmont University, Connecticut College, Holy Cross, Boston University, Berklee College of Music, University of Tampa, UMass Lowell, Rhode Island College and New York University.

Little Theatre, as a community theater, benefits by giving these scholarship awards and showing that we place a high priority on educating students in the arts, knowing how important the arts are to the full development of youngsters.

Our subscribers have benefited by seeing many of these youngsters appear on our stage

during their high school years and we do hope that they’ll return again after they finish their education. Area towns have benefited by having these scholarship recipients live and participate in the life of each town.

Meet Irene And Ira Rex

Two people who believe in supporting young talent are Dr. Ira and Mrs. Irene Rex. Theater plays a very important part in their life and they have supported Little Theatre and many area cultural ventures for years. They know the importance of introducing the arts to youngsters. Never far from one another, Irene and Ira have been married for 44 years, have raised 5 children and enjoy having 7 grandchildren.

I spent a sunny afternoon visiting Irene and Ira and I’d like to share some of their thoughts with our readers. Ira says that Irene introduced him to theater during their courting days in Philadelphia and he “caught the theater bug!” Upon graduation from medical school and relocating in the Fall River area, one of the first things Irene did was become a subscriber to Little Theatre. In addition, they “went the extra mile” and through generous donations became an “Angel” and “Archangel”. It was Irene’s idea to establish the Little Theatre/Rex Scholarship Fund and to date it has provided funding for six (6) of our award recipients.

With a deep appreciation for the arts through years of attending theater, Irene and Ira were also one of the first subscribers to PPAC in Providence and have earned a sidewalk “Star” in their name. They have seen countless national touring company productions of Broadway shows (although both agree that they have enjoyed some Little Theatre musicals even more than the professional shows!).

When Ira retired from his medical practice as a dermatologist, they pursued their love of travel which instilled in then a desire to preserve the rich heritage of architectural history. In that regard, they were founding members of a group called S.A.V.E., which means “Save Architecturally Valued Edifices”, and worked for years to preserve the Central Congregational Church from the wrecking ball. Today it is the site of the International Culinary Institute and The Abbey Grille. Irene and Ira proudly note that the church steeple still stands as an historic symbol of America’s religious roots.

I remember the day in November of 1997 when we met and they said they would like to help enhance our scholarship fund by establishing one in their name. I asked them to tell our readers how others might benefit our Scholarship Fund. They suggested that those who support live theater and youngsters wanting to pursue their dream in the performing arts might consider establishing a scholarship in their own name or by a donation to the Little Theatre Scholarship Fund. Since Little Theatre is a non-profit, 501c3 – corporation, a financial advisor can provide advice to maximize tax benefits.

Little Theatre salutes Irene and Ira Rex for their exuberant interest in live theater. They represent what is best about our nation in many ways; people who have worked hard, earned their way, are enjoying the fruits of their labor, but who also feel a conscientious need to give back and help a youngster along who dreams of the “great white way”.

Indulge Yourself

The Scholarship Committee of Little Theatre will be holding a special Fundraiser for the benefit of their annual scholarship awards.

During the entire run of Shakespeare’s HAMLET, patrons will have the opportunity of purchasing a raffle ticket ($2.00 each or 3 for $5.00) which may win them the beautiful “Sweet Indulgence” Basket which will be on display and feature such items as Godiva Chocolates, Godiva Coffee and mugs, candles, Bathworks items, a romantic music CD Champagne and Glasses, plus a Hickory Farms gift pack and a Gift Certificate for a body massage. So, come on and see for yourself the wonderful treats in store for the lucky winner. The winning name will be drawn on March 25^th, 2002 at the Little Theatre membership meeting and the winner contacted by a member of the Scholarship Committee. We cordially invite you to Indulge Yourself in The Little Theatre Scholarship Fund. You may be the winner of our fabulous Sweet Indulgence Basket.

If you are not able to take part in our Indulgence Basket Raffle and you would still like to support our Scholarship Fund, your donations can be mailed to Little Theatre Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1282, Fall River, MA 02722 will be gratefully accepted.

This autumn, the Fall River Garden Club, the Fall River Historical Society and the Little Theatre of Fall River, in a joint effort will be presenting an historical cemetery walk entitled, “History Under Foot.” The walk will take place in the Oak Grove Cemetery where the characters will come “alive” and will tell you about themselves and their part in Fall River history.

Claire Melanson, representing the Fall River Garden Club, Kathy Carey, representing the Historical Society and Pat Taylor, representing Little Theatre of Fall River along with other members of their organizations, have had several meetings to discuss logistics, finances and committees, including a meeting with the Park Commission. They have taken many walks through Oak Grove Cemetery in search of a walking tour that is interesting, not too long and where the paths are safe. They think they have succeeded.

Little Theatre is being asked to supply actors for the portrayals and to help with costumes and props. The actors will be given a “bio” of their character and will be writing their own script, being sure to add life to their character! Volunteers will drive actors to the cemetery and help move furniture and “set” props to the gravesites. The Historical Society will do research on the characters and the

Garden Club will prepare the cemetery for the day of the event. They will also host a lecture (Victorian Mourning Customs by Susan Galligan) the Friday night before the tour.

Tour guides will lead 15 to 20 people at a time to the portrayal stops. The guides will also point out interesting markers, symbols and other points of interest along the way.

A date for the tour will be determined after Little Theatre has set its dates for the Fall Show. Tentative portrayals along the tour include: Louis Howe - friend and confidante to Franklin D. Roosevelt; Grace Hartley Howe - Fall River postmaster, close to her cousin, Lizzie Borden, active in women’s civic groups; E. P. Charlton - storeowner, merged with F W. Woolworth, Philanthropist; Cornelia Otis Skinner - Actress, Author and others.