Camp Washington-Carver’s Family Homestyle Dinner Theater Series will serve up a hit musical for its final show of the 2005 season on Saturday, Aug. 20, with the Not-for-Profit Players’ production of “The Taffetas.” The dinner buffet begins at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
A musical revue of 1950s girl groups, “The Taffetas” is an enjoyable education in pre-“Feminine Mystique” American womanhood. Set in a TV studio, the show follows the four singing Taffeta sisters, Cheryl, Donna, Kaye and Peggy, who are making their national debut on the DuMont network’s program, “Spotlight on Music.”
Prior to this “Spotlight” performance, the Taffetas biggest gig has been at the Moose Hall in Muncie, Ind. They’ve earned their appearance on the show with a mixture of charm, chops and chutzpah. The girls’ professional future hinges upon their “Spotlight” performance. If they ace this gig, Ed Sullivan will be on the horn in a heartbeat.
The show features a medley of hits like “Sh-Boom,” “Mister Sandman,” “Where the Boys Are,” “Volare,” “Dedicated to the One I Love,” “Johnny Angel,” and much more.
The musical is directed by Bethany Cline. Musical direction and piano accompaniment are provided by Mary Ellen Logsdon, with Doug Litton on bass guitar and Mark Lanham on drums. Rick Lewis was the creator, author and musical arranger of this Off-Broadway musical which premiered at the Cherry Lane Theatre and is currently in production around the world.
The dinner buffet includes a selection of entrees, vegetables, salad and bread. Iced tea, lemonade, soda and coffee also will be served. At intermission, playgoers will be treated to homemade cobblers and ice cream.
Seating is limited. Reservations are required. Tickets are $30 per person for dinner and the performance, $27 for seniors. Children five and under are free. Rough camping is available at the additional rate of $10 per site per night.
The Not-for-Profit Players was formed in the summer of 1998 by four Charleston performers/friends who wanted to create a seasonal travelling dinner theater group. Their first production, “Angel Street,” was in rehearsal that summer to be shown at the Camp Washington-Carver dinner theater series. Although based in Kanawha/Putnam counties, the Not-for-Profit Players have managed a standing gig at Camp Washington-Carver and love the chance to perform for a whole new audience.
For more information about the Family Homestyle Dinner Theater Series or to make reservations for the show, call (304) 438-3005 or (304) 438-3006.
A beautiful retreat listed in the National Register of Historic Places and operated by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, Camp Washington-Carver serves as the state’s mountain cultural arts center and nurtures the cultural heritage embodied in the site since its dedication in 1942 as a 4-H and agricultural extension camp for West Virginia’s African Americans. The camp is located adjacent to Babcock State Park just off Route 60 (Midland Trail) on Route 41 South in Clifftop, Fayette.
The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, an agency of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, brings together the state’s past, present and future through programs and services in the areas of archives and history, the arts, historic preservation and museums. Visit the Division’s website at www.wvculture.org for more information about programs of the Division. The Department of Arts, Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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