By Dawn Krebs
dkrebs@hometownnewsol.com
ST. LUCIE COUNTY - The magic and production of theater is alive throughout the county this weekend and beyond, as a number of shows will keep residents entertained.
At the Pineapple Playhouse, the play "Wild Mushrooms" will open this weekend.
This comedy farce follows a widowed father with two daughters and a son, who secretly writes. The children get the father into a variety of adventures, and the father's sister, who believes herself to be a psychic, does her part to add to the confusion. Add the mafia coming over for dinner, and some unintended appetizers, and the result is a funny, heartwarming play.
According to Clara McCarthy, director, the troupe of seven has been working for the past three weeks on the performance.
"They've been working very hard on this," Ms. McCarthy said. "They're doing an outrageous performance and have been practicing night and day."
For those who want more drama in their lives, Indian River State College is offering "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."
The famous play written by Tennessee Williams will be performed by the school's performing and visual arts department.
"While this is a classic show, this is a new production for the theater," said Rebecca Shearer, McAlpin Fine Arts Theatre manager.
"Every couple of years, the students perform a classic. It's a completely different form of acting and directing from a comedy or a musical."
The play features the Pollitt family, who have gathered to celebrate a birthday, but soon shows how families communicate during difficult times.
This play is slightly different because in addition to the students, one of the college's professors is performing.
"The play is centered around an older patriarch of the family, so the actor playing Big Daddy is English professor Roderick Hofer," she said.
The cast and crew have been working nonstop for about a month to make the written play a reality here in St. Lucie County.
"Everyone worked really hard," Ms. Shearer said. "And the audience will get to see a different side of the students."
"Wild Mushrooms" will be performed at 8 p.m. on Nov. 1-3, 8-10, 15-17 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 4, 11 and 19. Cost is $17 per ticket. The playhouse is located at 700 W. Weatherbee Road in Fort Pierce. For more information, call (772) 465-0366.
"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" will be performed at 8 p.m. on Nov. 1-3, and 2 p.m. matinee performances on Nov. 2 and 3. Tickets are $15. The theater is located at 3209 Virginia Ave. in Fort Pierce. For more information, call (800) 220-9915.