No Substitutions
Everyone who’s ever attended a show has heard, “Ladies and Gentlemen, at tonight’s performance the role of (the actress you love more than chocolate, and the only reason you bought a ticket) will be played by XXX.”
I love seeing the understudies, as they are frequently more talented than the big-name stars, and will work their butts off to prove it.
Now hear my tale of Ken and Mike—two guys from St. Louis who moved to the Big Apple, and landed jobs on Broadway. Mike spent years in the original production of A Chorus Line, and Ken starred in hit after hit. Ken was heading out on a national tour and offered Mike a free apartment for one year if he would tend to Ken’s 20 prized pet parakeets.
December, 1979. NYC is colder than an Eskimo’s outhouse. Mike has been Christmas shopping all day, done a show, and drags his frozen butt home. He trudges up three flights, opens a bottle of wine, cranks up the thermostat, and heads for bed.
He wakes sweating l and starts to make coffee when he realizes all 20 prized pet parakeets are feet up in the bottom of their cages. His scream wakes up dogs in Staten Island. As his head clears, a plan is hatched.
He grabs 10 empty Christmas card boxes, puts two broiled budgies in each box, and stacks them a shopping bag. Every pet store owner in the five boroughs hears the dreadful story, replacements are purchased, and by day’s end there are 20 understudies chirping in their new home. Phew!
Ken sent Mike a note after the tour—“Dear Misha—can’t thank you enough for caring for my babies. Girl, they were all so old I didn’t think they’d make it till I got home, but it’s like the original cast has all been replaced by their understudies! Thanks again, babe! K.”
I’ve always found it a bit ironic that Ken’s next show was Cats....
CAMP Rehoboth Puts Art at The Heart of Our Community
AND THE WINNER IS…
CAMP Rehoboth is excited to announce the Award Winners XIX Exhibition, a group show featuring the work of the 2019 Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) Individual Artist Fellows.
One hundred thirty-six Delaware artists submitted samples of their work to the DDOA; the works were then reviewed by out-of-state arts professionals, and 20 of those 136 artists were selected for Fellowships. Among the winners were environmental activist G. W. Thompson; artists Susan Benarcik, Shawn Faust, and Matthew Glick; photographer Shannon Woodloe; writer Billie Travalini; musician Shelley Kelley; and jeweler and crafter Kaitlyn Evans.
An exhibition of their work has been on display at the Biggs Museum of American Art, and the museum is partnering with CAMP Rehoboth to bring this exhibition to our community. Through September 1. ▼
PERFORMING ARTS
CAMP Rehoboth Chorus (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) features its 24-voice ensemble in “Bad Boys/Bad Girls”—an evening of greed, lust, murder, treachery, corruption, and adultery—all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts. September 27 and 28 at the Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware (30486 Lewes-Georgetown Highway). Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at camprehoboth.com.
Cinema Art Theater (17701 Dartmouth Drive, Lewes; 302-313-4032) screens new independent films through the Rehoboth Beach Film Society. Try “Food & Film Wednesdays.” Attend the 4 p.m. screening for $8, and have dinner at Lefty’s Alley & Eats for $10. Ticket sales are open for the 2019-2020 Met season. Check website for films and show times.
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) has Mamma Mia!, Hello, Dolly!, and The Wedding Singer—running Monday-Saturday through Labor Day weekend. Children’s Theatre every Saturday morning (11 a.m.), and the LateR Night Show selected Saturday nights after the mainstage show.
Dickens Parlour Theatre (35715 Atlantic Avenue, Millville; 302-829-1071) offers magic and comedy in an intimate setting. Randy Forester: through August 29; Rich Bloch: through August 17; and running six nights a week through September 1—The Comedy Show Tonight.
Freeman Stage (31750 Lake View Drive, Selbyville; 800-840-9227) offers these August events: 9: Locals Under the Lights; 10: The Bronx Wanderers; 11: Bryan Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot! 15: Billy Currington; 16: Summer of Love—Songs from the Woodstock Generation; 17: Tito Puente & the Rico Monaco Band; 22: Tedeschi Trucks Band; 23: Jim Gaffigan—the Secrets and Pies Tour; 24: Beach Boys—Now & Then. Check website for details.
The Milton Theater (110 Union St., Milton; 302-684-3038) “keeps Milton weird”! August events: 9: Men in Motion (18+); 10: Beatlemania Now; 11: The Waterman’s Daughter and Naked Blue; 16/17: The Janglebachs—50th Anniversary of Woodstock; 18: 78th Army Dixieland Brass Band; 23/24: Simply Streisand. Check website for details.
Rehoboth Beach Bandstand (Rehoboth Avenue at the Boardwalk) hosts these August concerts: 9: Petty Coat Junction (Tom Petty tribute); 10: Jimi Smooth Band; 11: Jimmie’s 80s Flashback Band; 16: US Air Force Band Max Impact; 17: US Army Jazz Ambassadors; 18: 78th Army Band—Fort Dixieland Brass Band; 23: Earth, Wind, & Fire Tribute Band; 24: North of Mason-Dixon; 25: The Big House Band. All concerts begin at 8 p.m.
Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre (in residence at Epworth UMC; 19285 Holland Glade Rd.; 302-227-6766) presents The Jungle Book, The Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland. Theatre and film/TV camps through August 23.
Stango Park Concerts (corner of Kings Highway & Adams Street, Lewes) presented every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. August 13: US Navy Band—The Commodores (brass band); 20: The Gibbonses; 27: 5th Avenue featuring Vincent Varrassi. Bring a blanket or a beach chair! Rain location: Cape Henlopen High.
GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
Abraxas Studio of Art (515 Federal Street, Lewes; 302-645-9119) features the oil portraits and landscape paintings of Abraxas.
The Back Porch Cafe (59 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-3674; rodcook.us) presents New Work 2019 by Rodney Cook—through August 14.
The Brush Factory on Kings (830 Kings Highway, Lewes; 302-745-2229) houses a co-op of 50 local artisans and merchants.
CAMP Rehoboth Gallery (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) features Award Winners XIX through September 1. (See listing elsewhere in this column).
Cape Artists Gallery (110 W. 3rd Street, Lewes; 302-644-7733) is a half-block from the Zwaanendael Museum and features the work of two dozen artists, with much of their art focused on beach scenes.
Delaware Art Gallery (239 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-853-5099) offers new and classic Delaware photographs by Kevin Fleming.
Gallery 37 (8 South Walnut Street, Milford; 302-265-2318) represents over 45 artists and artisans from around the country with fine art, wood-turned vessels, fibers, glass art, and more.
Gallery 50 (50 Wilmington Avenue; 302-227-2050) in addition to original paintings, jewelry, glass, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media. Opening August 9: Rae Hamilton—seascape, landscape, farm life oils—through August 29.
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) has unique hand-made pieces and classes in jewelry making. Currently showing: Ways of Untangling—works by Kaitlyn Evans.
Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Road, Lewes; 302-645-0551) offers over 3,000 square feet of display and custom framing. Through August 31: Coastal Camera Club Juried Exhibition.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane, Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) opens three new exhibitions: 81st Annual Members’ Fine Art Exhibition (through September 1); Ethereal Ireland—works by Beth Trepper (through September 1); and Rehoboth Dreaming—juried members’ showcase (through October 20). Check website for their class offerings.
Rehoboth Beach Museum (511 Rehoboth Avenue at the Canal, 302-227-7310) has fresh exhibits on its renovated second floor for you to enjoy, and lots of Rehoboth Beach history on the first floor. Check the calendar on their website for walking tours and special events.
Tideline Gallery (111 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-4444) offers unique gifts, Judaica, jewelry, pottery, lamps, and art glass.
Ward Ellinger Gallery (CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, 39 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2710) features art in different mediums by abstract expressionist Ward Ellinger and Sondra N. Arkin. ▼
Doug is the Artistic and Musical Director for CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, Director of Music Ministries at Epworth UMC, and co-founder and Artistic Director emeritus of the Clear Space Theater Company. Contact Doug at dougyetter@gmail.com if you want to add your events to the calendar. Check out CAMP Arts on our website at camprehoboth.com for links to all the listed theatres, galleries and museums
