MIGHTY GOLIATH PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS AND CHANGES FOR 2007
The Press, November 22, 2006
by Rachel Holzaepfel
"Anything Goes" at this season's MGP show. Mighty Goliath Productions (MGP), Avon Lake's theater company, will present the musical "Anything Goes" in April 2007, but auditions for the play will be held on Dec. 1 and 8 at 7 p.m. in the Choral Room at Avon Lake High School.

The play is a musical farce set in the 1930's, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse. The story stars gangsters, nightclub singers, stowaways and other zany characters. Featured songs include "I Get A Kick Out Of You," "Anything Goes" and "Blow, Gabriel, Blow."

At MGP, new faces are leading the play production this year. Mary Pokrywka, the choir director at Magnificat High School, located in Rocky River, will be directing the show. Rick Fortney, the founder of TrueNorth, will be the vocal director. Pokrywka and Fortney have both been a part of MGP in the past.

There are several main roles, as well as a host of supporting characters. But vital to the play and MGP's vision is the chorus.

Bernie Hisey, who has been involved with MGP productions for years, said, "The chorus is the jewel of MGP. Almost all theaters audition their chorus due to size limitations and directors' visions. At MGP, they believe they fulfill the true meaning of 'community' theater, as anyone in the community may join."

Hisey also mentioned that the 90+ chorus members have included residents from Norwalk, Canton, Cleveland and Medina, but overall, the group tends to be Avon Lakers.

"There are many members who are second, third, and even fourth-generation members," Hisey said.

Also new this year is the performance schedule. For the first time since the 1960's, MGP will present the show for just one weekend. Rising costs forced the group to make sacrifices, so instead of the normal five shows in two weekends, the schedule will be four shows in one weekend.

MGP donates their profits to the performing arts groups of Avon Lake High School. The band, choir and drama club have all benefited. Since MGP's inception in 1959, the group has always donated their proceeds to the Avon Lake schools.

ANYTHING GOES Daniel B. Ross Performing Arts Center in the Avon Lake High School

RUNS: April 19, 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. April 22 at 2 p.m.

TICKET PRICES: $8 for April 19 show, $13 for general admission all other nights, $9 for students/seniors

There will be a dinner theater night on April 21, catered by Novotny Catering. Visit www.mightygoliath.com for more details.