Theatre buffs are invited to take part in history as the Joplin Little Theatre, the oldest continuously running community theatre west of the Mississippi, celebrates its 70th anniversary season.

The JLT's 2009-2010 season includes:

• 1776, a Tony award-winning musical based upon a book by Peter Stone, directed locally by Lisa Green, that humorously depicts Adams, Franklin and Jefferson and their haggling over spurring on a declaration of independence - Aug. 12-16, 2009

• An Evening of Culture-Faith County 2, a comedy directed by Gary Roney in which the unprepared citizens of Faith County are back - this time as the cast for the community theatre's production of Romeo and Juliet - Oct 14-18, 2009

• Doubt, a parable by John Patrick Shanley directed locally by Greg Green that centers around the admission of a black student in a Bronx Catholic school in 1964 and the conflict created between its principal, a traditionalist nun and a laid-back parish priest - Jan. 13-17, 2010

• The Nerd, a comedy by Larry Shue directed locally by Tim Klein about two ex-GIs, one who becomes the house guest of the other with annoying consequences - Mar. 10-14, 2010

• Return to the Forbidden Planet, a musical comedy by Bob Carlton and directed locally by Lisa Hardy Bell based upon Shakespeare's The Tempest that provides a collision with a 1950s sci-fi movie and classic rock and roll, including Wipeout, Great Balls of Fire, All Shook Up and Monster Mash - May 19-23, 2010

Season tickets are now on sale; subscribers must select a night to attend each performance although tickets may be exchanged in person for another night of the same show. Tickets are non-refundable. The cost of an adult ticket for the season is $60; student and senior citizen, $55; and patron, $75 (with recognition in each playbill). The cost of a life membership is $1,000 per person.

Currently the ticket office is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m to 2 p.m. Phone (417) 623-3638. Information about life membership and patron designation is available upon request.

Individual ticket prices are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and students and $5 for children 12 and under.

Advertise in playbill

Various-sized advertisements may be placed for the 2009-10 season. The running ads will be inserted in the playbills that are distributed at each performance. For more details contact Kathy Knapp by sending an e-mail here.

Two homes for JLT

A group of thespians during the 1930s staged plays at the high school in Joplin, the Paramount Theatre, the Scottish Rite Temple, or anywhere else with space for a stage. The Joplin Little Theatre was incorporated in 1939. Park Playhouse, whose structure originally was an old riding academy, was purchased in November 1946 from investments in victory bonds and a gift from George A. Spiva. On 20 lots just north of Schifferdecker Park, the playhouse has been renovated to what it is today.

Adding to the pot

For a $250 donation a plaque will be attached to the back of an available seat of your choice with the money raised going toward the purchase of new auditorium seating. At that time all the name plaques will be moved to the new seats.

In addition, gift certificates are available for purchase as well as having inscribed a tile for the lobby floor. Phone the box office for details.

Of course, besides new faces for tryouts, volunteers are always needed as set builders, painters, scenic and lighting designers, costumers and backstage crews.

The Joplin Little Theatre is located at 3009 W. First St., west of Schifferdecker Avenue.

Crabby's Seafood Bar and Grill will cater a free reception for all ticket holders during intermission on opening night of 1776.

Stone's Throw Dinner Theatre has announced its 2009-2010 show schedule. Season tickets are on sale now for:

• 12 Angry Men, the story of a trial during an era of racial prejudice in which a jury has to decide the fate of an uneducated teenaged Puerto Rican on trial for killing his father with a switchblade knife - Aug. 12-16 and Aug. 26-30, 2009

• Godspell, a 1970s musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak that is a series of parables based on the Gospel of Matthew - Oct. 16-18 and Oct. 21-25, 2009

• Inspecting Carol, a holiday spoof that takes place in a small Midwestern theatre company when they are preparing for their annual cash-cow production - Dec. 3-6 and 10-13, 2009

• New Year's Murder Mystery special event - 12/31/09

• Tiptoe Through the Tombstones, a comedy by Norman Robbins with lots of twists and turns about the Tomb family, a bunch of mass murderers, lured back home by a lawyer and his girlfriend (but wait the lawyer turns out to be gay) who want to turn them over to the police - Jan 28-30 and Feb. 5-7, 2010

• Valentine's Day special event - Feb. 14, 2010 - CANCELLED

• Proof, a play by David Auburn about a daughter and her recently deceased mathematical genius/whacked out father, her proving a math proof found in his office and fearing following in his footsteps mentally - Mar. 18-20 and Mar. 26-28, 2010

• Othello, a tragedy believed to have been written in 1603 by William Shakespeare about a Moorish captain that pursues the themes of racism, love, jealousy and betrayal - May 6-8 and May 14-16, 2010

• Mother's Day special - May 9, 2010

For evening performances doors open at 6 p.m., dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and curtain time is 7:30 p.m. For Sunday matinees doors open at 12:30 p.m., dinner is served at 1 p.m. and curtain time is 2 p.m.

Season tickets that do not include the children's or Christmas show are $90 per person. Tickets may be purchased individually. They are $22 for ages 17-54, $19 for 55 and over, $17 for under 17 and free for 5 and under.

Dinner menus vary and are announced before each performance. All seats must be pre-paid and are concealable up to 24-hours before showtime. A credit card will hold the reservation. Please phone (417) 358-9665 or send an e-mail here.

A brief history

The Stone's Throw Dinner Theatre originated as a group known as the Carthage Music Club. It was formed in 1928 by Mrs. Harry Spradling to perform musical shows in schools, churches and other locations. It was incorporated in September 1984 as the Community Theatre for Southwest Missouri. The land on which the theatre building stands was donated in 1988 by Dr. Foster and Hilda Whitten.

Making further contributions

Stone's Throw Theatre has established the Stone's Throw Theatre Henri Heckert Endowment Fund managed by the Carthage Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Interest income only is used for expenses and capital improvements. Anyone making a donation of $1000 or more is eligible for recognition on a Gallery of Stars plaque in the theatre lobby.

Attend a play and bring your used printer cartridges and/or UPC symbols from Best Choice products for depositing into a container at the theatre.

The Stone's Throw Dinner Theatre is located at 796 S. Stone Throw La., Carthage. For a map go here. The theatre's website is here.

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