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WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Angelo and Ylsa Giuffre of the Spire Theater to learn more details about their “Raise the Roof” fundraiser happening on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018.

The main roof at the Spire is in dire need of replacement so fundraising is under way as well as putting on a festival to preserve this historic structure.

Over 20 acts, bands, performance groups, and solo artists have stepped forward to volunteer their talents and will be performing all day from 3 p.m. until around midnight, Saturday Sept. 29.

The performances will take place on 4 stages at the InSpire Development Center complex; the main Spire Theater Stage, The Odyssey Hall Stage, Studio Metro Underground Theater and right outside in the courtyard in front of the theater on 3rd St.

Tickets to the festival’s four stages are available at inspirejamestown.com for $10. The Olive Garden has also offered to provide a Pasta dinner fundraiser at The Spire on the same day as the festival for an additional $10. Ordering your tickets in advance is greatly appreciated and all who buy presale tickets will be entered to win a prize.

The capital campaign recently started and has already raised over two thousand dollars. This is a long way from the 62k needed to replace the roof. Donations are being accepted and there is a donation option on The Spire Theater’s Facebook page or you can visit InspireJamestown.com.

The Schedule of performances for the Raise the Roof Fest is:

MAIN STAGE:

• Shut up, Jesse! 3:20 p.m.
• Cindy Haight & the Loves 4:40 p.m.
• Kaleidoscope Sky 6 p.m.
• The Probables 7:20 p.m.

ODYSSEY STAGE:

• Muttnick 3:30 p.m.
• The Trombettas 4:45 p.m.
• Charity Nuse 6 p.m.
• Rebecca Mcilvain 7:15 p.m.
• 3 Philosophers 9 p.m.

METRO STAGE:

• Trip the Deuce 5:15 p.m.
• Comedy Showcase 6:15 p.m
• Slow Motion breakdown 7:45 p.m.
• Vintage gold 9 p.m.

COURTYARD:

• Leisha Arthurs 5 p.m.
• Adam McKillip 6 p.m.
• Libby Lutgen 7 p.m.
• Deep Fried and Dipped in Honey 7:35 p.m.
• InCrowd Plays at 10 p.m.

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The Spire Theater’s Studio Metro will be the location fora one-act thriller showcase starting Friday, Oct. 9 and continuing both Saturday, Oct. 10 and also the following weekend.

The October showcase consists of several short one-act plays strung together to create a feature-length production.

The scripts that were chosen for the October showcase range in genre from Murder Mystery to Sci-Fi or Twilight Zone style but they all fall within a common realm fitting of the Halloween season with just the right amount of comic relief somewhat reminiscent of Monty Python.

None of the scripts have ever been performed before on this side of the pond making them United States premieres.

“Mike Richardson also wrote The Man Who Liked Order which premiered last December in Studio Metro,” says director Angelo Giuffré, “I loved the play so much, and it received such rave reviews, that I couldn’t wait for the opportunity to present his work again. I’m also really excited to introduce some of his colleagues, who are also extremely talented playwrights, to the American audiences.”

TICKETS: $12.00 Pre-sale at Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge, online at www.in-spire.us or $15.00 day of.

OTHER BRITISH THEMED SHOWS IN THE WORKS

The rest of the Spire Theater’s season is in keeping with the British Invasion theme: a Beatles Tribute Concert on Nov.21.

“The Mince Pie of Doom!” – a Christmas comedy for the whole family – by British Playwrights Richard Olson Walter and Simon Baker – will take place on Dec. 4, 5, 11, and 12.

Another one act showcase featuring the same writers from England along with some new British playwrights is planned for Feb. 19, 20, 26, and 27.

And the season concludes with a presentation of “No Sex Please, We’re British” – the world’s longest running comedy – a very funny British farce written by Alistair Foot and Anthony Marriot which premiered in London’s West End in 1971 and played to full houses until 1987. It will be performed on the state at the Spire Theater on April 22, 23, 29, and 30.

For more information or to get season tickets go to www.in-spire.us or www.spiretheater.org

The InSpire Development Center strives to promote diversity, camaraderie, and artistic inspiration. The Big Time Players provide an outlet for local performers to showcase their talents as well as contributing to the vibrant arts and entertainment of our community.

Ylsa and Angelo Giuffre

Big Time Players announce auditions for the play, Bram Stoker’s Dracula at The Spire Theater at 7 p.m. Monday.  A wide range of performers and backstage crew are needed for this production.  The requirements for auditions are to read a small section from the script and to fill out an audition form stating availability for rehearsals.

The play calls for 7 females and 7 males.  For more information about auditions please contact Ylsa Giuffre at (716)450-0989 or visit www.spiretheater.org.

Promotional poster for the Great American Trailer Park Musical, making its debut in Jamestown on May 24, 2013.

JAMESTOWN – Big Time Productions will present “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” later this month at the Spire Theater in downtown Jamestown. In anticipation of the show, WRFA’s Jason Sample sat down and talked with director Angelo Giuffre about the performance during the May 17 episode of Arts on Fire.

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Set in Starke, Fla., at the Armadillo Acres Trailer Park, “Trailer Park” tells the tale of high-school sweethearts Norbert (Corey Osborne) and agoraphobic Jeannie (Cathy Covarrubias). Their nearly 20-year marriage is jeopardized when newcomer Pippi (Shannon Nixon) begins an affair with Norbert. Meanwhile, Pippi’s jealous boyfriend, Duke (Michael Taylor), travels from Oklahoma City to Starke seeking his runaway lover. Helping the story along are Armadillo Acres residents Betty (Jamie Lee), Linoleum “Lin” (Ylsa Giuffre) and Donna “Pickles” (Jillianne Dolce Higgs), three women who introduce themselves and their neighbors in song while setting up the story and its themes.

Music and lyrics for “Trailer Park” are by David Nehls and the book is by Betsy Kelso. Accompanying the hijinks at the trailer park is the “trailer trash band” Barb Cybart on guitar, Sara Rafaloski on bass, David Reino on Keyboards and Glenn Wahl on drums.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical will take place May 24, 25, 31, and June 1 at 8. p.m. at The Spire Theater (317 E. 3rd St., Jamestown N.Y.). For tickets visit The Labyrinth Press Co. Café on E 4th Street in Jamestown or call the box (716) 450-7357.