‘Fantastick’ theatre, Super Saturday and Cabell’s golden throat

It’s that other Thursday again, which means I’ll be down at the Melrose Inn at 6:30 p.m. for the lovely buffet to meet and greet the variety of talented people who arrive for the Artist’s Salon. Rumor has it that banjo man Dan Petrella along with the rest of the Dixie Rhythm Aces will be making an early appearance. Join us with your own poetry, musical, theatrical or even conversational talents for a relaxed evening of entertainment. We’ll get started early enough that you can still make opening night at the Tryon Little Theatre Workshop.

Tonight at 8 p.m. Tryon Little Theatre presents the opening of one of the most endearing musicals of all time, The Fantasticks. There will be a lovely opening night party for the audience to meet the cast after the show tonight with tasty treats catered by Persimmons Bistro.

Directed by Chris Riddle, the production stars the lovely Elizabeth Moore and dashing young Jack Carruth as they sing their hearts through this poetic and humorous story of young love. Surrounded by an exciting cast of characters including Elizabeth’s own father Lindsey Moore playing the young man’s father, as the entertaining Dan Kimble takes a turn at playing the young lady’s father. The eloquent Hamilton Goodman, seen last season as Guildenstern, plays the trickster El Gallo, while Sam Lovelace goes silent as the Mute to show us that not all communication requires words. The comedians Elvin Clark and Ike Wilson will bring plenty of stage experience to their roles of…well, actors. What do actors act like when they are left to wander through a love story? Get your tickets now and see the show to find out by stopping by the TLT Workshop’s box office or call 859-2466. The show runs Thurs. – Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 3 p.m. for the next two weekends.

Friday while you can still visit the Polk County Library for plenty of entertaining books, movies, and music, please note that the noon program for this month has skipped a beat and will resume next month on April 25 with founder of Spartanburg’s Hubb City Writers Project, Betsy Teter.

I’ll be making Friday an early night, perhaps with some jazz piano from Fred Whiskin at the Purple Onion, so I’ll be bright eyed in the morning for the 30th Annual Super Saturday Children’s Festival. Magicians, jugglers, puppeteers, clowns, and more fill the streets and local performance venues from 9:30 a.m. until the afternoon. I’ll be painting faces before and after the noon parade with the talented Sam Lovelace up on Melrose Avenue. Otherwise, despite my age, you’d find me enjoying the Commedia dell’arte Pied Piper presented by the Tarradiddle Players at Tryon Movie Theatre, marveling at Ballet Spartanburg’s presentation of Peter & the Wolf at Tryon Fine Arts Center, or drumming my heart out with found percussion showman Billy Jonas at Holy Cross. With all this wonderful entertainment, I’m most impressed with the support for this yearly event by local businesses to allow the tickets prices to remain family friendly as well. After 30 years three people can get into a show for less than the current price of a gallon of gas. Walk if you have to, and join in a wonderful community event.

If you need to take a break from the downtown festivity, escape out to Harmon Field where Tryon Arts & Crafts will be hosting an open house from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to celebrate the finished work of Wiley Gainus’ lapidary students.

If I’m not worn out by the day, I might just hurry home and wash up for Tryon Concert Association’s final concert of the season Saturday night at 8 p.m. Prize winning pianist Spencer Myer will be accompanying the beautiful voice of lyric soprano Nicole Cabell. This Decca recording artist has been busy traveling the United States and Europe to sing major roles since winning the 2005 BBC Singer of the World competition in Cardiff, Wales. What a treat for Tryon to host an evening of her talent.