CityView Magazine - Fayetteville, NC
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1477705
30 September 2022 The Gilbert Theater opens its season with the western 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.' Gilbert Theater "What I've tried to do with all our seasons so far is to have a good mix of lesser-known plays and old favorites that people love. Our stage can accomplish more than people would expect," says Lawrence Carlisle III, artistic director of Gilbert eater at 116 Green St. Opening Gilbert's season is the western "e Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," which audiences might know as a 1962 movie starring John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart. "I can't think of a time where I've seen a western on stage," says Carlisle. e show will transform the stage into a frontier from Sept. 16-Oct. 2. e next show is an all-time fan favorite, "e Sound of Music," which will run Nov. 25-27, Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 16-18. Directed by former Gilbert Artistic Director Robyne Parrish, the show has a large cast and familiar musical numbers. e production is Gilbert's Christmas gi to the community, following "It's a Wonderful Life" and "e Carols" in years past. "e Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" will give audiences belly laughs from Feb. 17-March 5 "It's a comedy, for sure. ree nitwits explain all of Shakespeare's plays in an hour. It's very, very meta with lots of audience participation," says Carlisle. Carlisle adds that the show requires little to no knowledge of Shakespeare. "You don't need a doctorate in theater. It's very silly and very funny." e next show of the season is "All in the Timing: Four Short Plays," running April 21-May 7. Carlisle says he was inspired to choose this show because of his days at West Liberty University in West Virginia. "One of the first shows I ever directed was one of these one-acts. ey are all comedies," he says. e final show of the season is the oddly titled "[title of show]." It's the story of a couple of guys trying to write a musical. e show will be directed by Bill Saunders, a veteran of Temple eatre in Sanford, and will run June 23-July 9. Carlisle says he is looking forward to an entertaining season at Gilbert eater. "We've had some serious-toned plays in this past year. We are going to do some fun stuff now," he says.