Hill Country Arts Foundation News -

In The Theatre:

The Futrelle Sisters –From left, Suzanne Edwards,
Jessica Roberts, and Ambra Andrew.

Christmas Belles Opens Friday on the Indoor Stage

The Point Theatre rings in the holiday season with "Christmas Belles" opening Friday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. on the indoor stage. The Southern comedy, directed by Sarah Tacey, runs through Dec. 12.

Opening night festivities begin at 6 p.m. with a pre-show reception in the Gallery to celebrate the opening of the show and the exhibit "Destinations" which features the artwork of Texas college students.

Tacey has directed numerous comedies for The Point including "The Kitchen Witches;" "Nobody's Perfect;" "Same Time, Next Year;" and "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." She is also a well-known Hill Country actress.

"Christmas Belles," by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, is the sequel to "Dearly Beloved" which was performed by Playhouse 2000 in August. The play is set in the small town of Fayro, Texas at Christmastime. The three squabbling Futrelle sisters - Frankie, Honey Raye and Twink - are trying to reign in the mayhem as the church Christmas pageant they are working on spins wildly out of control.

Suzanne Edwards plays Frankie who is pregnant with twins, Ambra Andrew portrays Honey Raye who is suffering from hot flashes, and Jessica Roberts appears as Twink who is in jail for accidentally setting the town on fire. Edwards and Andrew are reprising the roles that they created in "Dearly Beloved." Roberts most recently appeared in Playhouse 2000's "Schoolhouse Rock Live!"

Cast members include Ann Galland as Geneva Musgrave, the ousted director of previous Christmas pageants; Cassandra Reedus as Patsy Price, the local society matron; Jeff Talarico, as Frankie's husband Dub; and Wright Roussel as John Curtis Buntner, the deputy sheriff. Galland appeared in last year's Point production of "The Kitchen Witches." Reedus and Talarico will again be playing the characters that they played in "Dearly Beloved." Roussel has made frequent appearances on both Point and Cailloux stages.

Rounding out the cast are Sherry Wardlaw as Rhonda Lynn Lampley, the manager of The Dairy Dog; Alex Barbutti as Frankie and Dub's daughter, Gina Jo; Phillip Huddleston as the interim church pastor Justin Waverly; and James Wooten as Raynerd Chisum, a part-time employee at The Dairy Dog. Wardlaw, Barbutti, and Huddleston are making their Point Theatre debuts. Wooten is best known for portraying Rev. Oglethorpe in The Point's production of "Sanders Family Christmas."

This comedy is "guaranteed to bring joy to your world," and is appropriate for all ages according to a Point spokesperson. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for youths 17 and younger. For reservations or more information, call 830-367-5121.

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In The Gallery:

Destinations Exhibit Opens With Reception Friday

Opening with a reception Friday, November 20 from 6 to 7:30 pm is "Destinations," the Hill Country Arts Foundation's fresh, innovative and inspiring exhibition featuring the artwork of emerging artists currently enrolled in a Texas college or university.

At the beginning of the fall semester, a call for entries went out to schools of higher education throughout Texas. Once digital entries were received, the artwork to be included in the exhibition was chosen by juror, Ash Almonte.

Almonte is a successful young artist, educated at McMurry University in Abilene. Her work has been exhibited in several one-person and group exhibitions including those at the Center for Contemporary Arts in Abilene, TX, the Broadway Mall Gallery in New York, NY, and Simply Art Gallery in Galveston, TX, among others. Her passion for painting has attracted many collectors and numerous awards including a "Best in Painting" award in the Manhattan Arts International 24th Anniversary competition.

Art students enrolled at Baylor University, Collin Country Community College, McMurry University, St. Mary's University, Texas State University, Texas Tech University, Texas Christian University, and University of Texas at San Antonio are featured in "Destinations." Selected winners of the exhibition's awards will be announced at Friday's reception.

This exhibition is sponsored by a grant from the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and an underwriting donation from Sue Hovey of Kerrville. Ms. Hovey is a long-standing supporter and patron of the Hill Country Arts Foundation.

Immediately following Friday's reception, the Point Theatre will present the opening performance of "Christmas Belles." The gallery's regular hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and one hour prior to each Point Theatre performance. Admission to the gallery is free. For more information on this exhibition or other visual arts opportunities at HCAF, call 830-367-5120.

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Other News:

HCAF Facilities Available for Rentals

HCAF facilities are available for rental when not being used for our regular theatre and art events. We have everything from the outdoor theatre which seats over 700 to a studio room for as few as 10.

One of our most popular rooms is The Country Kitchen. This picturesque meeting room is adjacent to the outdoor theatre and overlooks the Guadalupe River. It seats 50-75 and is equipped with a warming kitchen.

Book your next party, reception, concert, or reunion at The Point. For more information, contact Rosanne at 367-5121 x227

www.hcaf.com

830-367-5121