At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

Okay. Only fifty tickets left for gala night! If you want to see La Vie En Rose here in beautiful downtown Tunkhannock, you have one shot and one alone. We have only been granted permission to show it the one night because it has yet to open in major cities. Of all the festivals, this will be the most special, proving once again that we have a genius film-buyer and that we are very, very lucky indeed.

Festival is such a crazy time! It’s so exciting and so much fun, so much work and, of course, so, so tense. I almost always make myself sick over it. I get so worried that we won’t sell out (like that’s ever happened), or that we’ll run out of food (ditto) or that everyone will hate the lead film and therefore hate me (hmmm – I don’t think it’s happened…at least I hope not) and just any little thing one can imagine going wrong. By the time gala night rolls around I haven’t slept in days and am ripe for whatever germ comes along. Sigh.

So this time I’m going to try really, really hard to act like a normal person and not overly dramatize every little thing that could possibly go wrong. So far, gala night has simply been a wondrous evening and this one is going to be even better than that! (Is there something better than wondrous?) Having Jeffrey with us, having a film playing for the first time in our dear town, having fifteen other films that are top of the heap – it’s a night for pure joy. Call 996-1500 to make sure you’re part of the excitement that will happen on April 13th. Mmmmm. I can’t wait!

Okay, this week is the last week of Wild Hogs. What a good, good pal this movie has been to the Dietrich! Even last Saturday night, its third Saturday, it nearly sold out. That is simply remarkable. And as so often happens, the critics were unduly harsh on it. It’s just fun. It’s silly, it’s not believable, it’s a hoot! Sometimes I want to say – give it a rest guys. Sometimes just plain folks would like to see a movie that makes them laugh and that’s it. Nada. Nothing else. But tell me the price you can put on a good laugh? So if you want an evening of pure entertainment, you have to hurry in to see Wild Hogs this week, because then it’s gone from us forever.

And now, for the kids. An intelligent, thoughtful, well done sci-fi movie called The Last Mimzy. It has been compared to E.T., so if your kids like that one, come see this one. We haven’t had much for kids lately, so this should be a welcome treat. I’d say maybe eight year olds and up should get a real kick out of this.

And then the next week we open Will Ferrell in Blades of Glory, with Farrell as an Olympic skater. Just the thought makes you want to laugh. He’s one of those fellas graced with the ability to be very, very funny. I think Blades of Glory will be a goodie. Keep it in your thoughts.

In closing, I really want to tell you about last Wednesday night, because it was so fantastic! We had so much going on – just the sort of night we used to dream about when we were up to our eyebrows in crumbling building. The theater was full to capacity! We had a drug forum, quilting, Erica Funky and Julia Peterson discussing music in the movies and, of course, the movies! Isn’t that something? It gave us all a much-needed shot of adrenalin (something you often need toward the end of winter).

So, that’s it for this week. Next week I’ll tell you all about the festival movies. You’re going to love ‘em!

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

The Dietrich was buzzing with activity last Wednesday night. Besides playing movies, the Dietrich hosted a drug forum sponsored by Wyoming County Cares and Luzerne/Wyoming County Drug and Alcohol called Finding Hope For A Community Facing Addiction: What You Can Do. They had a great turnout. Our Intergenerational Quilting class met in our Dorothy G. Sheldon Art Studio and we had a presentation with Julia Peterson of Keystone College and Erika Funke of WVIA about “The Role of Music in Film” in the Peg Fassett Performance Studio.

Erika and Julia’s discussion was fascinating. Julia opened up the discussion by talking about the various roles of music in film and then showed examples with clips of the movie “Philadelphia”. We saw how music provided transition to different scenes and showed transformation in characters. Erika then gave us a quick history about music during the days of silent film.

In those times, theaters employed piano players, or, if they were large enough, a full orchestra. Cue sheets were sent out to the orchestra leader before a film came in, and they would pull standard pieces of mostly classical music from their stack. So, if there was a tense scene they might play a little of the William Tell Overture, or if a peaceful scene, perhaps a little Bach. To establish character, if a heroine walked into the room, the orchestra might play the popular “Ain’t She Sweet.” It was only as the film industry matured that movie moguls began to see that movies were better if they were scored, and that the soundtrack could make the difference between a hit and a miss, box-office-wise. When the great Max Steiner scored Gone With The Wind, he used much of the work of Stephen Foster along with other themes, many of which he had used before, patched them together and came up with the hauntingly beautiful Tara’s theme. If you can remember Scarlett walking through the train station, surrounded by wounded and dying men, the track swelled with the sounds of Dixie, Swanee River and Glory, Glory Hallelujah. But they were now in minor keys and the tempo had been slowed way down, so they sounded dirge-like and unspeakably sad. In the same way Tara’s theme, which needed a full four measures to tell its story, is full of longing, desire and melancholy. Music is so powerful!

Now let me tell you about some exciting news about our opening night of the Spring Film Festival, Friday April 13th at 6 pm. Besides showing “The Good German” starring George Clooney, Cate Blanchett and Tobey Maguire which is about espionage in post World War II Berlin. The first movie of the evening will be 'La Vie En Rose,' a drama in French and English about the life of the famous French singer, Edith Piaf.

The screening of 'La Vie En Rose' is a very special event for the Dietrich. It will be shown in advance of its US theatrical release for one show only on opening night. This has been made possible by special arrangement with the distributor, Picturehouse, and through the courtesy and support of their president, Bob Berney and head of distribution, Bill Thompson to whom we are very grateful. 'La Vie En Rose' has just been screened as the prestigious opening night film at this year's Berlin Film Festival and at Lincoln Center in New York as the opening night presentation of the Rendezvous With French Cinema, an annual festival of French film in New York. 'La Vie ...' is a powerful, moving, sometimes funny and always entertaining story of the tumultuous life of one of France's most beloved performers. The film is marked by an extraordinary Oscar worthy portrayal of Edith Piaf by the amazing and powerful actress Marion Cotillard who has garnered rave reviews in the press already. Stephen Holden of The New York Times has written, "Marion Cotillard’s feral portrait of the French singer Edith Piaf ... is the most astonishing immersion of one performer into the body and soul of another I've ever encountered in a film." Now didn’t I tell you we had some terrific news!

Besides having great films for opening night, Twigs and Epicurean Delight will provide hors d’oeuvres at 6 pm, and in between the movies we will have desserts by Epicurean Delight. Tickets for opening night are $30 each and are selling quickly. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to reserve.

We also have a great line up of Spring and summer classes, events and camp scheduled for children and adults. If you would like to receive a brochure in the mail about these events, please call us at 570-996-1500 or pick up a brochure at the theater.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Acting Camp for Kids, ages 6 -11

Use your wonderful imagination and learn all about acting and theater. Activities covered include acting techniques, theatre games, improvisation, storytelling, play making, character creation and more! Students will create their own characters and stories while learning how to act and how much fun theater is. A casual performance will end the week if time allows. Each camp will feature a completely different story and characters so students are welcome to sign up for both weeks.

Camp 1: Monday - Friday, June 18 - 22 from 1:00 - 2:30 pm. Camp 2: Monday - Friday, August 6 - 10 from 1:00 -2:30 pm.

Admission $50 per week.

Instructor: Michaela Moore of All About Theatre

Ahoy Matey! Pirates and Treasure: Theater and Visual Arts Camp

Come find hidden treasure and learn the ancient secrets of pirates! Go on treasure hunts, make a pirate costume (boy or girl...yes there were girl pirates...)and make up your own unique play about...you guessed it - PIRATES! Come aboard our ship for a week and join the fun! For ages 5 -12.

Monday - Friday, August 6 -10 from 10:00 am - noon.

Admission: $50

Instructors: Michaela Moore and Amy Colley

All About Pottery & Sculpture, ages 9-12

Students will learn hand building techniques (Coil slab construction), glazing techniques and experience using potter's wheel.

Thursdays, March 8, 15, 22, 29 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Cost: $35, all materials provided.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Ballroom Dancing for Beginners

Learn how to waltz and fox trot in this five week introductory ballroom dancing class for adults.

Saturdays, April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $30 per person.

Instructor: Connie Kintner.

Decorative Painting for Adults - Spring and Summer

Learn decorative painting techniques while creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. All levels of experience welcome. Preregistration required. Call 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm. April 4 - August 29.

Admission: $15 per class plus the cost of the painting surface.

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Decorative Painting for Kids, ages 8 and up

Monday, April 30 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.Learn some decorative painting techniques and turn a plain wooden box into a work of art for Mom - make wrapping paper too!Tuesday, June 12 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.Make a decorative box for Father's Day and wrapping paper to wrap it in.

Monday, April 30 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm and Tuesday, June 12 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Cost: $5 per class.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Digital Arts Camp, for ages 8 -13

Explore the arts through claymation, robotics and special effects.

Monday - Friday, July 23 -27 from 2:00 - 4:30 pm.

Admission: $50.

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

Digital Film Making for ages 14 to adult

In this ten week course, students will begin with basic characterization and end up with several short films. Learn how characters are developed, interesting scenes are created, camera framing is used to tell the story, and how the editing process works. Participants will create their own comedies or dramas and learn to shoot, score and edit their films.

Thursdays from 7:30 - 9:00 pm on April 5, 12, 19, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 7. Saturday, April 28th - Claymation: 10 am - 12:30 pm. Film Making: 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

Admission: Free

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

Digital Film Making, for students in 7th and 8th grades

In this ten week course, students will begin with the basics of characterization and end with several short films. Learn how characters are developed, interesting scenes are created, camera framing is used to tell the story and how the editing process works. Participants will create their own comedies or dramas and learn to shoot, score and edit their films.

Thursdays from 6:00 - 7:30 pm on April 5, 12, 19, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and June 7. Saturday, April 28 - claymation from 10 am - 12:30 pm and filmmaking from 1 - 4 pm.

Admission is free!

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs!: Theater and Visual Arts Camp

Have a blast discovering these fascinating ancient reptiles. Make up live dinosaur adventures in costumes and create art that is all about preshistoric creatures. Stomp through fossils and long extinct mammals and reptiles while learning fantastic facts. Come be a meat eater or a plant eater for a week at the Dietrich! For ages 5 -12.

Monday - Friday, June 18 -22 from 10:00 am - noon.

Admission: $50.

Instructors: Amy Colley and Michaela Moore.

Everhart Explorations, ages 5 - 12

Make it a scienterrific summer! Discover facts, features, and fun in the world around us. From atmosphere to illusions, experimenting with the Everhart has never been so exciting!

Mondays, July 9, 16, 23, 30. Ages 5-8: 10:00 -11:00 am. Ages 9 -12: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Admission is free.

Instructor: Everhart Museum Staff

Golden Days of Radio Players Group

Come back with us to those thrilling days of radio drama and comedy. Join us as we prepare a radio play production. Together we will explore the magic of "The Theater of the Mind".

Tuesdays, April 3 - May 22 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: Free!

Instructor: Valerie Paulus

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages - Spring

"Rolling Stone" - Learn about and use unique Pennsylvania fabrics as you create your own interpretation of this classic quilt design that was popular in the 1800s.

Wednesday, April 4 - May 30 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $6/ class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller.

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages - Summer

"Farmers Market" - Quilting is food for the soul! Fashion a tablerunner or throw for an indoor or outdoor setting made with fruit and vegetable print fabrics, homespuns and more. Learn the basics of sewing and quilting.

Wednesdays, June 6 - July 25 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission is $6 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller.

Introduction to Natural Basketry

This class is designed for students to learn how to recognize, process and weave natural materials. Each student will have the opportunity to weave their own rectangular basket. For adults and students ages 16 and up.

Friday, May 4 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm and Saturday, May 5 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Admission: $80, materials are provided.

Instructor: Susi Nuss

Leonardo Da Vinci - His Life and Ideas

Da Vinci's interests and accomplishments will be explored as children sketch birds and other animals, try mirror writing, make a lute, and even learn a little Italian!

Monday - Friday, July 30 - August 3 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm.

Admission is $50.

Instructor: Amy Colley.

Making Cards, ages 8 and up

Make unique cards with decorative paper and learn to crimp paper.

Monday, April 23 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6.00.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek.

Mixed Media, ages 5 -12

A new artist will be introduced each week as students learn about famous artists and create their own works using materials including clay, tempera, charcoal, pastels, etc.

Fridays from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Session 1 - April 13, 20, 27, May 4. Session 2 - May 11, 18, 25, June 1.

Admission is $35 for four classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Mixed Media, ages 5- 8

A new artist will be introduced each week as students learn about famous artists and create their own works using materials including clay, tempera, charcoal, pastels, etc.

Fridays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm, March 9, 16, 23, 30.

Cost: $35 for each series of four classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Move Over Mr. Spielberg, for ages 14 to adult

Learn how to create your own digital films using a digital camera and a computer. Using everything from clay actors to human ones, the class will shoot, edit, score and output several short films in the course of a week.

Monday - Friday, July 23 -27 from 6:00 - 8:30 pm.

Admission is $50.

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing and Pottery

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to work at their own paceand with the medium of their choice.

Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Session 1 - April 3, 10, 17, 24. Session 2 - May 1, 8, 15, 22. Session 3 - July 10, 17, 24, 31.

Cost: $15 per class or $50 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Pottery & Sculpture, ages 13 to adult

This class is designed for students of all levels of experience. Students will work on pottery wheels, learn hand-building and sculpture techniques as well as making molds and casting.

Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Session 1 - April 2, 9, 16, 23. Session 2 - April 30, May 7, 14, 21. Session 3 - July 9, 16, 23, 30.

Cost: $50 for all four classes

Instructor: Steve Colley

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up - Spring

"Outside the Box" - Play with courageous and unique color choices as you learn to quilt these magical boxes. Learn about old and new quilts inspired by a classic quilt design.

Wednesdays, April 4 - June 6 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane and Terry Keller.

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up - Summer

"Secret Garden" - Design and sew a garden quilt. Make this quilt all your own with colorful fabrics. With a seed of imagination, you might find dandelions, bugs and a cat in your garden patch quilt.

Wednesdays, June 13 - July 25 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Admission is $6/class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller.

Theatre Workshop, for Middle and High School Students

Middle and high school students are invited to join us for a week of fun as they learn about stage combat, improv, Pandora's Box, games, dance choreography and more!

Mondays - Fridays, June 25 -29 from 10 am - noon.

Admission: $50.

Instructors: Patti Dunning and Carl Canedy of First Act Children's Theatre.

Under the Sea: Theater and Visual Arts Camp, ages 5 -12

Mermaids, sharks and underwater adventures! Ever wonder what it would be like to live uder the sea, be a mermaid or even a shark? Come find out at this salt water camp that is all about the ocean. Create costumes, pottery, watercolors (how appropriate), stories and plays for a week of splashy fun!

Monday - Friday, July 9 - 13 from 10 am - noon.

Admission is $50.

Instructor: Michaela Moore, All About Theatre

Watercolor for Beginners - Color and Composition

Learn the basics of color and composition in watercolor painting.

Friday, March 30 from 7-9 pm and Saturday, March 31 from 10 am - 4 pm.

Admission is $60. Call 570-996-1500 for a materials list.

Instructor: Jan Henning

Writers' Group

Come and read your work or listen and be inspired. Learn the craft of writing as you write. All genres and levels of writing are welcome.

Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Meetings are ongoing.

Admission is free.

group format - no instructor

Yoga for Beginners

Create a strong foundation of breath awareness and training to support your gentle yoga practice. Variations will be given to meet all physical needs including chair variations as alternatives to floor poses. Dress comfortably and bring a mat or blanket and pillow.

Tuesdays from 10 -11 am. Session 1 - April 3, 10, 17, 24. Session 2 - May 1, 18, 15, 22.

Admission: $40/month.

Certified Yoga Instructor: Melissa Russo.

Yoga for You

This class will teach and reinforce the basic yoga poses (asanas)which gently stretch and strengthen the body. Attention will be given to breathing and alignment in postures. Call 570-996-1500 to confirm dates. Please bring yoga mat or beach towel.

Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Call 570-996-1500 for class dates.

Cost: $10 per lesson. Children are free.

Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor: Melissa Russo

Yoga: Intermediate Level

For those familiar with yoga basics who whould like to deepen their practices. A more vigorous approach to the basics as well as the introduction of more physically challenging postures.

Saturdays from 10 -11 am, ongoing classes.

Admission: $10 per class.

Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor; Mary Frances Giordano.