merelyplayers.org - From plays to displays, art abounds

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From plays to displays, art abounds

09/19/2008

by Beth Wilberding
Messenger-Inquirer

Whether it be Broadway productions or avant-garde shows, Owensboro has a wide range of opportunities for residents to view or participate in theater.

Merely Players, a local theater troupe, held its first performance in 2006 and has continued to perform edgy shows, first at the former Zazu nightclub and now at Healing America.

They have performed at the Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival, and "Open 24 Hours," a collection of 10-minute plays Merely Players compiled, was recently published.

"The community has been very supportive," said Alan Velotta, president and founding artistic director of Merely Players. "They seem to appreciate this new type of theatre, with bold and edgy playwrights and performances."

Past productions have included "The Rocky Horror Show," "The Vagina Monologues" and "My Name is Tracy."

They have also worked with Graham Farrow, a British playwright, on two of his plays: "Rattlesnakes" and "Talk About the Passion." Farrow came to both productions and worked with Merely Players during rehearsals.

When Merely Players performed at Zazu, which was on East Second Street, they typically performed short plays. They would perform every Tuesday night.

"We would do a different show every month," Velotta said. "While one show was in production, the next show was in rehearsal."

They hoped to reach out to residents who might not seek out theater as a form of entertainment when they were performing at Zazu, Velotta said.

Zazu closed in 2007. Now that they are performing at Healing America, Merely Players perform fewer shows, but are doing more full-length plays. In the 2008 season, they presented "My Name is Tracy," a show that dealt with different forms of domestic violence.

Merely Players sometimes finds shows to produce by attending theater festivals. The group also receives submissions from playwrights. Velotta said he prefers the latter because it gives Merely Players the opportunity to work with the playwrights or premiere new works.

The RiverPark Center has established itself as Broadway West and has built several touring productions of Broadway shows, including the 30th anniversary tour of "Annie" in 2007 and "Blast II: MIX" in 2006.

Theatre Workshop of Owensboro produces a five-show mainstage season, summer musical and several children's productions each year. Area volunteers make up the casts and crews of TWO performances.