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To the kids in this audience: Good showBy BARBARA FREDRICKSEN © St. Petersburg Times, published May 5, 2001 The scene at the Center for the Arts at River Ridge wasn't very promising: a sea of humanity dominated by 7- to 17-year-olds squirming in their seats, talking, humming, swinging their legs, jumping up every once in a while to call to their pals six rows down, while adults chatted loudly over the din. It was opening night of the River Ridge Middle/High school drama department musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and I was feeling squeamish that I had invited a friend to come along. "Look, if it gets too raucous, we can always leave," I said to her. "The tickets were just five bucks, so we won't be out all that much." When the lights went down to signal the start of the play, a whoop rose from the audience. "Oh, no," I moaned to myself. "This is going to be one long night." Was I ever wrong. At the sound of the first note, the entire audience became as quiet as church mice. During the show, I didn't hear a cough, rattle of cellophane candy wrapper or grating conversation. The kids applauded the singers right on cue, laughed at the jokes, and were attentively silent during the serious parts. When the lights came up to signal the end of the first act, they stayed in their seats until it became obvious it was okay to dash for the restrooms. They were back in their seats before the curtain rose on the second act, where their behavior was a repeat of the first act. When the show ended, no one dashed up the aisles to be the first into the parking lot. They stood up, applauded the cast and crew and didn't leave until the bows were finished and the final curtain came down. "I wish I could take these kids to Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ruth Eckerd Hall" and a few other performance venues that shall go unnamed here, I said to my friend. "They could teach the grown-ups who go there some lessons about theater etiquette." Some credit for such fine deportment can go to their parents and teachers, but perhaps most of all, it goes to Myrt Barber, the director of the theater. For years, Ms. Barber has brought comedies, dramas, puppet shows, singers, dancers and other entertainers to the center in a series of shows for each age group. The school district brings kids from all over to see the shows. Before each presentation, Ms. Barber or a member of her staff gives gentle lessons in proper theater behavior. All the lessons are well done, but I particularly enjoy those given by Ms. Barber herself. Her voice is kind and her tone commonsensical, but her words and delivery nail your fanny to your seat and demand that you listen and heed. I'm looking forward to sharing theater space with these kiddos in years to come. The fundraiser for the Pasco Arts Council's music and drama programs for kids held on Monday at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre was a grand success. The show put together by actors Tom Bengston and Matt McGee featured 13 members of the cast of the current Show Palace production, Carousel, who donated their time and talents to raise money for fledgling musicians and actors. Each segment in the 90-minute show was special, but the two that brought down the house were Sara DelBeato singing At Last in that husky, soul-stirring voice of hers, and the finale, a comic rendition of Some People from Gypsy, when the full cast joined in. I couldn't help marveling at the impressive array of talent on that one stage. Performers such as Elizabeth Brandel, Patti Eyler, Susan Haldeman, Ms. DelBeato and all the rest could hold their own on anybody's stage. Show Palace owners Nick and Sal Sessa underwrote the entire show, paying for technicians, wait staff and snacks and providing the venue -- and the actors -- free of charge. That meant the entire $3,390 in ticket sales went to the Pasco Arts Council, plus another $200 from the Port Richey Knights of Columbus, for a total of $3,590. This is the second boffo fundraiser the Show Palace has completely underwritten for the Pasco Arts Council. The other was the "Appraisal Fest" in October, when more than 700 people paid $5 to have their antiques and collectibles appraised and which brought the Art Council still another $3,500. Former Show Palace Dinner Theatre director Jimmy Ferraro and his wife, singer-actor Dee Etta Rowe, were spotted at the Hernando Symphony Orchestra's concert last week. Ferraro left the Show Palace in September after some serious health problems came up. He mostly has been resting since then, but he and Ms. Rowe have made time to perform for several fundraisers in recent months. They're guest artists at the Reaching for the Stars talent competition-fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Family Organization on Sunday at the Center for the Arts at River Ridge. Ferraro looked nicely recovered, and they both said they're ready to get on with a new project, this time something less stressful than the pressures of doing one big musical after another, as they did at the Show Palace. They're looking for a spot for a small theater, something around 125 seats, somewhere in the Holiday area. Theater watchers will remember the couple's tiny Angel "garden cafe" Theatre in Holiday, which they closed in August 1998, when they merged with the Show Palace. They indicated the new place will offer something similar to the erstwhile Angel -- comedies, musical revues, light dramas -- but they hope to have room to also serve dinner, something very important to tour groups and organizations. Despite its name, the Angel had only desserts and snacks. Like many people, I enjoy plays. It will be great to have still another good venue close to home. Ferraro promised to let me know the moment something concrete happens.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
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