Hello, Bedford Falls! Merry Christmas!

The beloved Christmas classic 'It's A Wonderful Life' is more than just holiday entertainment. It's an inspiring tale of one man's life and the lives he touches in his little town. The Rush County Players are presenting this classic tale Thurs. Nov. 17, Fri. Nov. 18, and Sat. Nov. 19 at 7:30 PM, and a matinee on Sat. Nov. 19 at 2:30 PM, all at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 426 N. Morgan St., Rushville, IN.

Director Matt Amos, Asst. Director Cindy Amos, and Producer Shelli Griffin have put together a wonderful cast for this uplifting tale. Greg Simpson, an RCP veteran, makes his return to the stage as Mr. Potter, the richest man in town, bent on taking over everything he can, and destroying that which cannot. His nemesis is the young George Bailey, played by Greg’s younger brother, Shawn Simpson, also marking a return. George’s family includes his mother, Mother Bailey, played by Betsy Fox, his younger brother Harry Bailey, portrayed by Kyle Huntsman, and Uncle Billy and Aunt Tilly, played by RCP favorites Dan and Sharon Scholl.

Two young ladies in Bedford Falls vie for George’s affections. These are Violet, played by newcomer Haley Briner, and Mary Hatch, as portrayed by Jessica Miller. Mr. Gower, George’s employer as a youth, and friend as an adult, is Sam Davenport, and his best friends include Todd Howard (another returnee to the RCP stage) as Sam Wainwright, Randy Bason as Bert, and Wylie Coons as Ernie.

The cast is rounded out by Alesha Smith as Miss Carter, the bank examiner, Christina Rankin in dual roles as Mrs. Hatch and Miss Andrews, Bonnie Miller also in dual roles as Mr. Potter’s secretary and Mrs. Thompson, and keeping a watchful eye over all, and George in particular, is Michael Best as Clarence, George’s guardian angel.

For this outing the Production Team has decided it is very in keeping with the theme of this show to assist several charities in the county. Each performance will be dedicated to an individual philanthropic effort. For Thursday’s performance, 10% of ticket sales will be donated to the Rush County Toys for Tots campaign, Fridays’ show will benefit in equal measure ARC of Rush County, Saturday’s matinee will give 10% of tickets to the Rush County Food Pantry, and 10% of Saturday evenings box office will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Rush County.

Tickets are currently available by calling 765-938-1711 and leaving a message for a reservation, or by contacting any cast member. Adult tickets are $10, and students K-12 are $5. Children small enough to be held on your lap are no charge. Seating will be at a premium in this smaller venue, so reserve your seats soon!

As Clarence reminds George, “Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?” You can watch it on TV over and over again, but nothing can beat seeing “It’s a Wonderful Life” live. Let Rush County Players touch your life this holiday season. And listen for the bells to ring!

Remember, George, no man is a failure who has friends

Rushville Republican

RUSHVILLE — The Rush County Players will be holding auditions for the Christmas classic, "It's A Wonderful Life," based on the beloved Frank Capra movie starring James Stewart, Lionel Barrymore and Donna Reed, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Playhouse, 201 W. 2nd Street, Rushville, on Sept. 27 and 28.Ê

Roles to be filled range from high school age to adult. Backstage help is also needed, so if you would like to participate, but don't want to be on stage, we have a place for you!

Director Matt Amos, Assistant Director Cindy Amos and Producer Shelli Griffin are excited to bring this wonderful tale to life during the upcoming holiday season. With so many people going through tough times, a tale of love, redemption and appreciation for our everyday lives will be sure to strike a chord with many people.Ê RCP also plans to support several local charity endeavors through-out the run of this show. Details on these efforts will be forthcoming.

Showdates and location are yet to be firmed up, but the production is projected to take place in mid-November. The Players are looking for their own Clarence, as they continue to search for a long-term home. This will be the Players 36th season, making them one of the longest-running community theatre groups in the state.

For more information about auditions or the production, please call Rush County Players at 765-938-1711 and leave a voice message.

Clumsy Custard cuts the mustard!

Once upon a time, there was a magical kingdom by a mystical sea. It was
the land of Zob. And of Zob, there were two parts; the upper kingdom, Zob
Proper, and the lower kingdom, Zob Improper. In Zob Proper, King Dumb is
preparing his daughter, Princess Prince, for the Prince Picking Ceremony.
But, the evil Dacron from Zob Improper has other plans for her.
Will the princess ever find love or become the next meal for the Clumsy Custard?

There's one way to find out! Attend RCP's Clumsy Custard Horror Show!
The audience is invited to get into the act through audience participation in this hilarious comedy. You don't want to miss it!

The middle school and high school cast is as follows: Laura Smith, Steven Locchetta, Wade Griffin, Sadie Collum, Justin Crowder, LJ Conrad, Leah Noe, Jordan Fritz, Anna Smith, Alison Ward, McKenzie Conrad, Kellan Dawson, Shawn Fisher, Alec Armstrong, Karlie Hall, Monica Davis, Alli Jett, Kait Jett, Sarah Ford, Carlie Ford, Mackenzie Wells, and Delaney Dawson.

The shows will be held in the Old Milroy Elementary Auditorium two weekends (six shows): Oct. 7 to 9 and Oct. 14 to 16. Friday and Saturday's showings begin at 7 p.m. and Sunday's matinees will begin at 2 p.m.

Audience members are encouraged to dress up in family appropriate Halloween attire and be prepared to have a blast!

RCP will also be collecting coats for the quickly approaching annual Coats for Kids drive.

Tickets are now available by leaving a voice mail message at 765-938-1711.

There’s no earthly way of knowing…why you wouldn’t plan on going….

The Rush County Players prepare to close out their 35^th season with sweet treat: their “all-youth” production of “Willy Wonka, Kids!” This tasty morsel will be served on Fri, July 29 and Sat. July 30 at 7:30 PM and on Sun. July 31 at 2:30 PM in the Auditorium of the Historic Milroy Elementary School, 215 N. Pleasant St. in Milroy, Indiana.

This show is a condensed version of the classic Roald Dahl story, featuring Charlie Bucket, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregard, Mike Teavee, Augustus Gloop and the King of Chocolate himself, Willy Wonka! Oh, and don’t forget the Oompa-Loompas!

All cast members are K-12, and Director Chante’ Wells, Asst. Directors Whitley Fada and Terri Sipes, and Producer Scott Evans certainly had their work cut out for them, with many talented youngsters auditioning. The cast includes: Willy Wonka: Wade Griffin; Narrator/Candy Man: Tony Gulley; Charlie Bucket: Tyler Amos; Augustus Gloop: Jordan Fritz; Mike Teavee: Jameson Dykes; Veruca Salt: Lilli Spaeth; Violet Beauregarde: Gabby Doyle; Phineous Trout: LJ Conrad; Grandpa Joe: Steven Locchetta; Grandma Josephine: Laura Smith; Grandpa George: Shawn Fisher; Grandma Georgina: Jen Lattner; Mr. Bucket: Hayden Meckes; Mrs. Bucket: Larissa Dunn; Mr. Salt: Justin Crowder; Mrs. Beauregarde: McKenzie Conrad; Mrs. Gloop: Sadie Collum; Ms. Teavee: Heather Snow; Oompa Loompas: Carly Buckley, Nick Amos, Jacob Amos, Casey Wood, Dominick Evans, Mackenzie Wells, Calista De Jager, Austin Dunn, Josie Doyle, Andrew Armstrong (& Charlie Bucket Understudy); Candy Shop kids/squirrels: Amelia: Kait Jett; Gwendolyn: Allison Jett; Maggie: Leah Noe; Matilda: Whitney Simpson; Sophie: Sarah Ford; Jamie: Monica Davis. Others involved include: Prod Work/Asst St Mngr: Monica Davis and Backstage: Katie Rankin, Bryce Conrad, Karlie Hall, and Holly Sams.

Tickets are on sale now from cast members or by calling 765-938-1711. Adults are $10 and Students K-12 are $5. Any child small enough to be held on your lap will be free.

Since this show is a condensed version of the movies most are familiar with, the RCP Board and WWK Directing team agreed that this show will be a double feature. The Opening Act will be presented as a kids only musicale– called Sweet Sounds– featuring the kids in the WWK cast and songs about candy, etc. You can expect to hear songs like: The Good Ship Lollipop, I Want Candy, Sugar Sugar to name a few. This will be followed by intermission then Act II will be Willy Wonka, Kids! in its entirety. We expect to have a runtime of approximately 2 hours.

Presenting a show in this school represents a return to RCP’s history. For years, RCP was headquartered in the Pleasant Street Playhouse, just a few blocks away in Milroy. It also presents a new set of challenges, and many, many benefits, one of which is the opportunity to sell refreshments in this facility.

Help RCP and the youth of our community close out a historic season in a new venue by entering a “world of pure imagination” with “Willy Wonka Kids!”