Aug. 21, 2002 – Embarking on its second full season, St. John's Epiphany Theater Company will be on the move this weekend to raise funds at both ends of the island.
And sometime in the next few months, it will making a big, permanent move — to a new performance venue "to be announced."
Kicking things off this weekend is a benefit show of sketches and music set for Saturday night at Paradiso Restaurant in Mongoose Junction, with an encore show to follow on Sunday night at Skinny Legs.
At the Paradiso event in Cruz Bay, set for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Epiphany members will perform in the comedy revue, and the St. John Iguanas will provide the music — with internationally acclaimed jazz violinist and frequent St. John visitor Brian Silber as special guest artist.
Admission is a $25 donation, which includes complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres plus admission to the Paradisco for dancing after the show. There'll also be a cash bar. Tickets are being sold at both Connections offices and at The Mail Center in the Marketplace; they'll also be available at the door.
For the Skinny Legs show in Coral Bay on Sunday, which also is to start at 6 p.m., the show and the music will be the same, but without the food and drink accompaniments. Admission is a $10 donation, payable at the door.
Tickets for a raffle of prizes including resort accommodations and scenic flights over the islands are being sold by Epiphany members now and will be available at both venues. They're $5 apiece or five for 20.
Epiphany's move to a new home is necessitated by the fact that its first season home is about to go out of existence. The three premiere season productions "Bus Stop," "The Tender Trap" and "Picnic" — were staged at the Marketplace, in space the management made available for community events. But now, with that area being converted into office space, the benefit shows are "to raise funds to establish a permanent community theater and multi-use facility," artistic director Paul Devine says.
"The theater company would like to thank the owners and staff of the Marketplace for their kindness in allowing the company to put on our performances as a gift to the community of St. John," Devine says. They not only provided a free venue but helped Epiphany get up and running by providing lighting, materials for constructing sets and administrative support, he says.
Special thanks go to Marketplace principal David Mugar, manager Ce Ce Burns, designer Glen Spear, and the Bertolino and Swan families "for their constant help and encouragement," he adds, "and to the staff, the performers and the people of the Virgin Islands for their support and dedication."
Epiphany has been functioning under the auspices of the not-for-profit Good for St. John corporation, and donations to the theater company may be made as a tax-free contribution to the Good for St. John Foundation, Devine says. Epiphany "will be soon applying for individual non-profit status as a Virgin Islands corporation," he adds, and will then seek federal tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status. After that, its board plans to pursue grant support from arts funding organizations.
Meantime, "regardless of the fact that no permanent facility is available at this time," he says, plans are proceeding for the season's first production, the venerable Broadway musical "The Fantasticks."
The show, which will be Epiphany's first musical, is to open on Nov. 22 and run for three weekends, through Dec. 8. The first casting call was Monday and a second is set for Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. in the theater at the Marketplace. Those wishing to audition should being sheet music for a song to perform; an accompanist will be provided. Casting needs are a young man and a young woman in their late teens, and five adults of either gender, Devine says.
Lisa Duncan will direct the production, with Elizabeth Putnam as choreographer and Danny Silber as musical director. For more information on auditioning or getting involved behind the scenes, call Duncan at 714-6087 or contact Devine by calling 714-2807 or e-mailing to Epiphany Theater.
Epiphany "is dedicated to providing quality theater to the community of St. John and also to providing an outlet for those persons interested in or with skills in the theater arts," Devine says. Anyone with the desire to get involved in theater is encouraged to try out for roles or to apply for production positions. Devine says the company staff includes individuals "with many years of production and performing who want to create a membership of persons interested in becoming part of the magic of theater."
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