December 2022
The Wickham’s: Christmas at Pemberley
By Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon
Directed by Vince Petronio
Produced by Mark Lima
Characters from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice have assembled for Christmas at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy’s country estate, where a no-nonsense housekeeper, a spirited new maid, and a lovesick, enterprising footman find their work interrupted by a stream of guests from “upstairs.” The disruption intensifies with an unexpected late-night visit from George Wickham, Lydia Bennet’s roguish husband and Darcy’s sworn enemy, who has been forbidden to come to Pemberley.
Whether upstairs or downstairs, Pemberley’s residents struggle with class conflicts and discover the warmth of family and the generosity of forgiveness in this charming spin-off of the classic nineteenth-century novel. According to Broadway World, The Wickhams is “a play for everyone,” that will “boost the holiday spirit.”
Show Dates
December 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th of 2022.
Membership
Meet Judith Clinton, Our New Membership Chair
Having studied theater since the age of 14, Judith has been a theater professional most of her adult life. She collaborated with her late husband on theater, film, and television projects for many years, until his passing in 2005, when she began writing and producing plays and encouraging and supporting other theater artists, by hosting playwriting retreats at her home in Stonington, CT.
Judith believes the most important part of any theater is the audience because without an audience we don’t have a theater. Now that it’s safer for people to gather again, it’s time to change our covid habits and go back out to the theater for that shared experience of watching live theater with others.
Judith is excited to chair the Membership Committee for such a historic and valuable theater that is also an asset to the community. In her very first foray into membership building, she met Nancy Naughton, a Players member from years ago, who has agreed to work on this project. They are looking for anyone else who sees how important this project is. They promise lots of fun, gathering theater lovers to come to the Barker Playhouse to enjoy the very talented work of The Players. If you are interested, please email Judith.
Green Room
Update provided by Nancy Winokoor & Mark Lima
The Green Room kicked off the season with a Scene Study and Monologue class led by Vince Petronio, which culminated in a showcase on November 5. A lot of excellent work was presented and a good number of people came out to see the performances. If you missed your chance to take this class with Vince, not to worry – Vince will be teaching his much-requested Directing class starting in January, so keep your eye out on the calendar for dates and times.
David Ely will be teaching his two-day stage combat class on March 11 and 12, click here to learn more and signup for his class(es.)
Strictly Shakespeare with Walter Cotter is back! See the calendar for dates and times for the rest of 2023.
Looking forward to seeing many of you join us at the Green Room.
Have an idea of something that could be done at the Green Room? Click here to submit one!
Players Receives a $50,000 Grant
Players President Bonnie Sullivan and Buildings and Grounds Chair Walter Cotter were honored to attend a press conference on behalf of The Players on Monday, November 7, 2022, to accept a grant in the amount of $50,000 from the City of Providence.
Mayor Jorge Elorza presented awards to 18 arts and culture organizations located in the city at the new home of the Educational Center of Arts & Science (ECAS) on Valley Street. This award opportunity was made available through the City of Providence, Department of Art, Culture + Tourism. Funds will be released as part of the PVD Rescue Plan, addressing challenges directly resulting from the negative impact of the Covid virus.
Players was uniquely eligible for this grant due to the Playhouse’s location in the city of Providence and its ability to meet the purpose of this award, which is to assist current RISCA Cultural Facilities grantees who are still in the process of assembling the mandatory matching funds.
Players received a RISCA Cultural Facilities grant earlier this year in the amount of $90,500. Traditionally, the Barker Foundation (which owns the Barker Playhouse), the Sarah Minchin Barker Endowment, and The Players’ fundraising endeavors have met (and exceeded) the requisite matching funds for previous grants.
Higher costs associated with inflation, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and the ongoing maintenance of health and safety precautions have significantly impacted the Raise the Roof capital improvement project. This generous grant of $50,000 will greatly aid in meeting the matching funds’ goal and ensuring that the project is completed in full while continuing the club’s stewardship of the 182-year-old former St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.
From the President
Bonnie Sullivan
It seems like yesterday I was welcoming you back after a long beautiful summer, and here we are on the cusp of the holiday season! I am gratified by the hard work of casts and crews that are giving us a wonderful season. 20th Century Blues was a spectacular kickoff, and The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley promises to be “wicked good” fun.
The Presidents’ Reception on November 13 was a lovely chance to meet several of our newest members, catch up with old friends, and enjoy great entertainment and food courtesy of our Vice President’s Committee. If you missed it, be sure to mark your calendars for the Mid-Winter Party on February 11.
In addition to our Main Stage, our Green Room is hopping, and Strictly Shakespeare is in full swing. And this is just what we know as of press time! Be sure to check our calendar for all upcoming events.
One of the things that makes The Players unique is the chance to try your hand at all aspects of theater. If your favorite role is audience member – thank you!!
If you have the itch to learn how our shows are created, or you have theater knowledge you’d like to share, let us know! Send an email to our General Manager, Bill Whitehead, Jr., or leave a message at 401-273-0590. Our theater is stronger and our members have the most fun when we work together.
Wishing you all safe and Very Happy Holidays.
Hail To The Chief
This year, at our annual Presidents' Reception, our treasurer (Peter Lamberton) wrote an exquisite poem that included all of the past presidents of The Players, entitled “Hail To The Chief.” An amazing feat!
If you missed his reading of the poem, you’re in luck, we have the lines below to read.
-
From Rathbone to Bonnie
And all in between
We thank you for guiding
Each play, act, and scene.
Not quite 50 people
Have served in the role
To keep the train running
Replenish the soul
There’s Tom Crosby, Jr.
And Henry Hart, too
Who led not for one term,
Oh, no, they served two
Through wars and pandemic
The club persevered
Because of the people
Who chartered and steered
To Harrison, Barnes and
O’Keefe and Bouchard
The lead role can often
Be thankless and hard
We’ll always be mindful
Of how much they care
Despite only having
A “Wing” and a prayer
The styles surely varied
No one size fits all
DeWolfe, Dart, and Wilkins
All answered the call
With Jonathan Rawson
And also, a Sweet
Charles Raymond, Bill Farnsworth
The list’s not complete
John Mutter, Ed Gnys, and
Maurice Dolbier
Bill Smith and Joe Riker
What more can we say?
The president, sometimes,
Must make a tough choice
To go with the gut and
To be Players’ voice
Ben Brown, Clarence Sherman
The groundwork was laid
Provide entertainment
And keep the bills paid
Dear Alma Fontana
We all salute you
The Applegates, thank you
Not just one, but two
Bob Fredriksen, Charles Gross
And Marion Giles
To Atkinson, Epstein
You’ve brought us all smiles
There’s Trisha McManus
And Ambrose Kelly
We thank Preston Atwood
And Dom Mainelli
Dave Crossley, Ken Brown and
The rest of the pack
To Marilyn Meardon
And Joan Dillenbach
We thank Marcia Layden
For wanting to teach
And make sure we knew that
All dreams within reach
Collins and Messier
And Cotter as well
Your legacies shine and
Our future as well
Extending our big thanks
To you, Kathy O.
Your gifts will keep giving
Much more than we know
There can’t be an end to
A rhyme such as this
If mention were not made
Of one special Miss
Sarah M. Barker
Your light is a beam
That shines bright today
And continues the dream
My friends, raise your glasses
And offer a toast
To this group of people
Whom we owe the most
They’ve given so much that
Mere words cannot say
For over a century
Day after day
Whether here in this room
Or in heavenly ranks
Please know that we love you
And offer our thanks!
CHEERS!!!
The Players Cookbook!
Just in time for the Holidays!
Our long-awaited cookbook, featuring more than 90 treasured recipes from Players members, and friends, is now available. The cost is $35 each.
You can order your cookbook(s) by clicking here or emailing us.
Cookbooks will also be available for purchase at our holiday play, The Wickhams.
Remember: This is a fundraiser for the Raise the Roof project: $17 of the purchase price is tax deductible.
