Eyes, Spies, Earth Day and Delegate Rey

Parks and Points--Eyes, spies, Earth Day and Delegate Rey

Posted by TBN Editor On 04/19/2018

St. Leonard, MD - Bullshot Crummond, is coming to the New Direction Community Theater, produced with special rights and permissions of Samuel French, Inc. NY. The 1930s spoof of low-budget detective movies, Bullshot Crummond, written by Diz White, Alan Shearman, Ron House, John Neville Andrews and Derek Cunningham, runs April 27-28 and May 4-5. All performances will be held at the Long Beach Community Center at 5845 Calvert Boulevard. in St. Leonard at 7 p.m. For tickets you may contact www.ndctheater.org. Tickets will also be available at the door and are priced at $15 for adults; $12 for seniors and students. Sherry Mervine is the director.

This 1974 play parodies 1930s British heroes such as Bulldog Drummond and was made into a film in 1983 entitled Bullshot. The specially-scheduled Press Dress rehearsal on April 7 at the Fairview Library featured just Act I but that was more than enough time to gauge the zany send-up of an almost non-existent-plot revolving around manufactured diamonds, evil German subterfuge, British “brilliance”, comedic detectives, damsels in distress, and nefarious criminals in addition to laughs and tomfoolery. Much of the humor derives from audacious (and intentionally failed) attempts to re-create movie-style special-effects “live” onstage. The play’s structure reveals itself merely as an excuse for a series of comic gags as opposed to being organized along a logical plot-line. There are only five actors, but many, many more characters. Actor (Nick Haggerman) displays his admirable versatility in portraying seven different characters. They include the roles of Prof. Fenton, Bullshot’s friend Algy, a Chinese assassin, a local police officer, a waiter, a one-armed Scotland Yard inspector and a Cockney crook. Actor Frank Clever plays Otto and Chicago gangster Scalicio. The action opens as two German spies---Otto and femme-fatale Lenya Von Bruno (Frank Clever and Candida Olney)---have parachuted out of a plane they’ve piloted as part of their plan to kidnap English Professor Rupert Fenton. The plan involves taking the Professor back to Germany in an attempt to ruin the international diamond market. But Bullshot Cummond is soon on their trail. Soon, Captain Hugh Bullshot Crummond receives a mysterious letter and plans to rendezvous with the professor’s daughter who is searching for her missing father. Meanwhile, back to Herr and Frau von Bruno who have now secured the Professor in their cellar – they realize that Crummond is on to them. Mr. Clever (who is, very) and Miss Olney, expertly interpret the scheming spy team complete with German accents to match (bringing to mind the famous cartoon team of Boris and Natasha from the old Rocky and Bullwinkle TV show). Frank’s Italian accent as Scalicio is as hilarious as his German accent for Otto. Lenya has a pet falcon who coordinates beautifully with her red costume – red is definitely Miss Olney’s color. All of the actors are adept at quick costume changes as well as with assisting with scenery and props. Mr. Haggeman performs these quick changes with dizzying facility. Now it’s time for Crummond (J.R. Cook) to meet with the Professor’s daughter who turns out to be the prim-and-properly-British, perfectly poised and sophisticated damsel-in-distress named Rosemary Fenton (Amanda LePore). For their meeting, Crummond arrives at the restaurant disguised as an Arab sheik. Mr. Cook is well-known by local audiences; he has appeared with the Newtowne Players in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He seems to relish the title role here in NDCT’s comic production and exhibits a definite air of authority. Rosemary divulges that she’s in the most terrible predicament - her father’s disappeared from his laboratory while he was experimenting with a new process. And Act I ends on this “cliffhanger”. To find out if all ends “happily ever after” you won’t want to miss attending a performance!

Earth Day

The Annual Leonardtown Earth Day Celebration will be held Sunday, April 22 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Parking and admission are free for this event. The Folk Salad Trio will be performing at 2:30 p.m. in addition to other live music acts and entertainment taking place which include Reptile World, Inc., $5 Waterman Boat Tours, free kayaking, Conservation Education, Reflexology, belly dancing, rescued animals, hands-on crafts and activities, pickleball, and pony rides. For more information you may contact this Facebook page.

Twin Beach Players

Teen Show auditions will be held for Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Sunday, April 22 from 2 to 5 p.m. and Monday April 23 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Please come prepared with a photo of yourself. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script and are for ages 13 to 19 (although mature 12-year-olds will be considered). Auditions will be held at the North Beach Boys and Girls Club located on Dayton Avenue in North Beach. Director is Rachel Cruz. For more information you may contact wwwtwinbeachplayers.org.

Delegate Deb Rey

Del. Deb Rey will be the Guest Speaker for the Republican Women of St. Mary’s Club meeting to be held Monday, April 23 at 6 p.m. at The Front Porch Restaurant in Leonardtown. Dinner will be available for purchase; this event is free and open to all. You do no need to be a member of RWSM to attend.

Concert at The Calvert Marine Museum

Southern Maryland Traditional Music and Dance and the Calvert Marine Museum present Grammy and Indie Award-winning guitarist Al Petteway Friday, April 27 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are priced at $15 for members; $20 for non-members. For more information and for advanced tickets you may contact: www.smtmd.org/new-events-1. For directions you may contact: www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.

Hogan to visit St. Mary’s County

Special Guest Maryland Governor Larry Hogan will speak at the Jack Bailey Fundraiser to be held at Ocean Hall in Bushwood at 6 p.m. Friday, April 27. Tickets are priced at $60 per person, or $100 per couple. For ticket information you may contact (301)752-4606 or www.jackbaileyforstatesenate.com.

You may submit news items for Parks & Points to: [email protected].

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