CCT is the Caribbean Community Theater
The first time I went to a CCT play, it was at the Sydney Lee Theater at Island Center for the Arts. I saw “South Pacific” and fell in love with that musical and our local theater company. I didn’t know, at that time, that calling for reservations was necessary because the theater was so small and the place was packed! I just barely got a place to sit. Many people had to stand.
I love the Sydney Lee theater (named after a former senator who was a great supporter of the arts and whose daughter is in the publishing industry), just as I love Island Center. When we first moved here and my daughter performed in “The Nutcracker Suite” ballet, I was in awe of being able to see a first-rate classical ballet shown in a large open-air theater. The tropical heat is tempered in December by the “Christmas winds” and the lack of humidity. It’s a beautiful place to watch a show. One of my favorite things about it is watching the bats swoop in and around the lights for treats of moths and other delicacies. Très islandy!
But alas, our community theater group has outgrown the Sydney Lee Theater and has moved to a more “industrial” type building. It fits more people (no need to call for reservations any more, but if it’s a popular show, you must get there early), and it is air-conditioned. I guess some people love that. I was not thrilled at first to have to leave the charming playhouse at Island Center, but I have almost gotten over my dismay since they continue to stage wonderfully entertaining shows. At least the bar area is still outside under the stars.
This season we have thoroughly enjoyed our CCT’s productions of “Chicago” (the play blows the movie out of the water), “Grace and Glorie”, a two-woman show which had us alternately in stitches and in tears. It was fabulous! A strange is that CCT decided last year to do this show and shortly before they had auditions, the author (or writer ?) moved to St. Croix. He found out about it and helped with all aspects of staging his play.
This week-end, Neil Simon’s “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” will open. It’s a four person show with the lovely and talented Nicole Gariepy (who was quoted in the St. Croix Avis this week regarding the triathlon’s effect on her business) in the role of “a flaunting sexpot with a fondness for cigarettes and whiskey”. Shouldn’t be too much of a stretch for her to play. Bruce Specter, who played “Mary Sunshine” in “Chicago” is Barney, the blundering adulterer. I crack up every time I think of Mary Sunshine kissing my daughter on stage.
I’m really excited about seeing this show. I’m sure the cast will do a great job. Stay tuned for the review…..
May 9th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I didn’t know your daughter was into performing arts. Next time we are there, I’d like to check out a show, and support the local theatre.
I dream of the day when we can move to St Croix, where Natalie can be a pharmacist and I can work in the local arts community. I suppose Natalie ought to go to Pharmacy school before that can become a reality.
May 9th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
This is her first role with lines… well, sort of. She had a couple lines in Chicago, but mostly dancing and singing. Dancing is her art, and jewelry, but she caught the theatre bug with Chicago. She just told us she realized she’s been in rehearsal or performance, pretty much non-stop since October. Went straight from Nutcracker shows into Chicago rehearsals, and from Chicago performances into rehearsal for “Hot Lovers”.