At far right, Joe Benjamin (Robert Rausch) tries to calm down family members Sarah (Mallory Turvey-Manthorne), Ben (Lewis Beckley), Rose (Robin Finnacom) and David (Nick Wood) after a burglary attempt in The Newtowne Players’ production of “God’s Favorite,” by Neil Simon.
Lexington Park, MD – The Neil Simon comedy, God’s Favorite, opens this week with the Newtowne Players at the Three Notch Theatre in Lexington Park. The production will run from April 6 through April 22 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, students and military, and at $10 for children ages 10 and under. All tickets are priced at $10 on Thursdays.
The play revolves around Long Island cardboard box tycoon Joe Benjamin (Robert Rausch), a modern-day “Job” with a demanding wife, ungrateful children, and wise-cracking employees. Then he is paid a visit by Sidney Lipton (James LePore) who tests Joe’s faith and reports back to “The Boss”. Featured actors are Lewis Beckley as Ben, Mallory Turvey-Manthorne as Sarah, Robin Finnacom as Rose, Nick Wood as David, Larry Silvestro as Morris, and Millie Coryer-Dhu as Mady. Rick Thompson is Director and Sound Designer; Producer is Robin Finnacom. Stage Manager is Cara Brzozowski, Set Designers are Dave Kyser and Linda Sanborn, Lighting Designer is Sid Curl, Costumes are by Millie Coryer-Dhu, and Megan Pobst is Properties Manager. For more information you may contact: (301)737-5447, or www.newtowneplayers.org. Watch for a review of God’s Favorite in next week’s Parks and Points column.
North End Gallery
The new three-person show, 3 Bold Women, features watercolor artist Ann Preston, ceramic artist Rachel Platt, and glass artist Mary Ida Rolape. This exhibit runs through April 29. An Opening Reception will be held for First Friday, April 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Gallery which is located at 41652 Fenwick Street in beautiful, downtown, Leonardtown. Gallery hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. For more information you may contact: (301)475-3130, or www.northendgallery.com.
Auditions for the Watermelon, Inc. One-Act Play Festival
Attention actors and actresses! Auditions for the Watermelon, Inc. One-Act Play Festival (scheduled for the Bruce Davis Theater of St. Mary’s College of Maryland June 2-3) will be held on Saturday, April 7 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Leonardtown Library. Parts for actors of varying ages and genders – including parts for high school-aged boys and one girl – are available for at least three plays that will be directed locally. This Festival is a setting where plays compete against each other with the top plays moving on to the Finals and the winning plays receiving exposure with professional play-writing companies and the Dramatist Guild. It is an exciting opportunity for actors, directors, and playwrights. If you are interested in auditioning but are unable to make it to the library on April 7, you may call 240-925-9797.
Historic Sotterley Plantation
Upcoming activities–Saturday, April 7: 5K Trail Run – Walk-ins welcome; Sunday, April 8: A Taste of Sotterley – an afternoon of wine, beer, and food pairings. (Advanced ticket purchase required); Wednesday, April 11: Spring Homeschool Day – at Sotterley, every moment is a “teaching moment”. For more information on the above-listed events you may contact 301-373-2280, or www.sotterley.org.
Friend of the Library Book Sale
The Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale will be held this year April 13, 14, and 15 at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown. The “members only” Sale will be held on Friday, April 13 from noon to 8 p.m.; public Sale dates are Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, April 15 from noon to 4 p.m. This year, for the first time, you will be able to use credit cards to pay for your purchases as well as checks and cash. Volunteers are needed to set up, take down, and work the Sale dates at both the Leonardtown Library and at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds. (Note to students: yes, this does count as community service!) Memberships are available online (at stmalib.org) or at the door on the Sale dates. For more information you may contact: (301)751-2114, or stmarysfol@gmail.com.
New Direction Community Theatre
Bullshot Crummond, a parody of low-budget 1930’s detective movies, will be performed by the New Direction Community Theater at the Long Beach Community Center located at 5845 Calvert Blvd in St. Leonard, Maryland. Show dates are April 27-28, and May 4 -5 at 7 p.m. Tickets are priced at $15 for adults and $12 for students. Reservations are recommended. For more information you may contact: ndctheater.org.
Recipe of the Week
Stilton and Rosemary Cheeseball with Fig and Honey Conserve From: Tait Farm Foods (taitfarmfoods.com) Serves 8 Ingredients: 8 oz. reduced-fat cream cheese; 4 oz. Stilton cheese (or other bleu cheese); 1 T. fresh rosemary, finely chopped; ½ cup walnuts, finely chopped; ½ jar Tait Farm Fig and Honey Conserve (4 – 6 ounces); Pear slices and/or crackers. Directions: Spread nuts into a small, shallow dish; set aside. Crumble the room-temperature cheeses together and add the rosemary; mash together until well-blended. Form the mixture into a ball, and pat into a disk shape about 1- and ½” thick. Dredge the disk on all sides with the nuts and place on a serving plate. Spoon the Conserve over the top. This may be made ahead and refrigerated; bring to room temperature to serve with pear slices and crackers.
You may send items for Parks and Points to: LynnieBDavis@gmail.com
