CenLa Celebrity Couples to Perform

The play, Love Letters written by A. R. Gurney, will be presented this month by some of CenLa’s Celebrity Couples in an effort to support the continuing work of Central Louisiana Community Theatre - City Park Players .

Directed by Wanda Schenk, a former managing director of City Park Players, this Pulitzer Prize nominated drama is centered on 2 characters and presented as actors read the letters, notes and cards that were written over 50 years as they lived their separated lives. It is unadorned theater, what might be called a platform piece. The play works precisely because there are only two people on stage, sitting and reading to each other from a book of letters.  Seating, at each presentation, will be limited and since the presentation is meant to be a fund raiser, a donation of $20 per person is suggested, however, donations both larger and smaller will be thankfully accepted.  Desserts and coffee will be served during intermission.

The first presentation will be on January 20^th , 7:30pm, at Pineville City Hall on Main Street, with Mayor Clarence Fields and his wife, State Farm Insurance Agent, Rosa Fields.

A second presentation will be at Hinchin Hall at the Jewish Temple, 2021 Turner St in the Garden District of Alexandria on January 22 at 2:30 in the afternoon.  Presenters will be Rabbi Arnold Task and his wife, Judy. 

Each of the presenters is a long time supporter of community theatre.  They realize that it is a vital part of the fabric that creates a healthy community.  Central Louisiana Community Theatre presented its first production in 1948 and has continued each year since as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to offering quality cultural activities and experiences to the entire Central Louisiana community through live theatre productions, programming, and education.  The 2012 season is supported, in part, by grants from the Louisiana Division of the Arts and Roy O. Martin Foundation as administered by the Arts Council of Central Louisiana. But the majority of the monetary support comes from our patrons and donors and people, like you, who believe that community theatre enriches our lives and enhances our quality of life. 

During the last 3 years, since fire destroyed the Little Theatre in Bringhurst Park, over 200 volunteers have continued on with performances and activities at the Hearn Stage in the Kress Theatre. CPP has maintained an office in the Arts Council of Central Louisiana space in the Rapides Foundation Building and is governed by a Board of Directors, each of them volunteers.  Partnerships with various other non-profit organizations have been formed to promote the mission of the Central Louisiana Community Theatre and that of the varying agencies and groups showcased.  These organizations include, Partners in Literacy, Rapides Parish Library, Central Louisiana Community Foundation, VA Medical Center, NEXTStep, Central Louisiana Arts and Healthcare and others.

Financial  support is required to continue the innovative partnerships and we appreciate the efforts made by all of our volunteers to create and maintain our healthy and diverse community.

Additional performances may be scheduled.