At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

As I write this the Evans is populated by about a hundred first graders. They came to see a special showing of Chicken Little. They each got a small popcorn and a soda or an Icee. For some that decision, soda or Icee, soda or Icee, was of monumental proportions.

You see these tiny little people, all shapes and sizes, blondes and brunettes, blue eyed and brown, and they stand in front of the concession, fully in the moment, trying to figure out the ramifications inherent in the choice – soda or Icee. Some come right up and in as booming a voice as a six year old can manage say - -“I want a blue Icee.” “Please,” coaches the teacher. “Please” he/she says, making it sound like an order. Then you get the shy ones, who whisper, little eyes downcast, head turned slightly away…”Soda, please.” Then there are the children who are frozen to the spot, unable to make the decision, making more of it than it ever should be, worried and worried and worried that they’ll make the wrong decision. What a microcosm of us they are.

But once the major decision was over, and the theater went dark, the joyous sound of laughter bounced off the walls as the children watched delightedly the antics of that little chicken with the big glasses. You know, honestly, we live for this stuff. There is never a better time here than when the theater is full of little ones, united in laughter, having just the best, best time. These special shows were just a dream once, and they still seem like the stuff dreams are made of. What precious cargo these tiny tots are, and how blessed we are to have them visit us.

So Erica wants me to tell you about The Golden Days of Radio players. They are going to perform (in our gorgeous Fassett Studio) Arsenic and Old Lace as well as The Night Before Christmas Suspense. Our very own Bob Kulow will be doing the sound effects (he does them so, so fine) and it’s a super fun evening. It’s free and just for fun, December 6 at 7:00.

Okay. So here is how the season is going to go with the movies. We segue this week from Chicken Little to Good Night and Good Luck (a stunner!) and then from that to Chronicles of Narnia. We will have advanced tix on sale in a few days for Narnia , so call 996-1509 for details. Then when Harry has finished its run with us we open King Kong. We will have advanced tix on sale for that soon, too. Kong will open in the Murray because Narnia will be only five days old in the Evans. Kong will have a midnight show in the Evans, however, for those who simply can’t wait. Then those two movies will be with us for the rest of the month. Oh, Lordy, how I wish we had a third screen! There won’t be a new film for Christmas, but we hope that many people will want to see Narnia multiple times and that Christmas week will be a great time to see it. And we think Kong is going to be huge (no pun intended) and that once again, there will be multiple viewings. I want you to know that the hardest thing I do here is actually make the movie selections – especially at the holidays, when we must make horrific choices between films we know will both play well, but one may play better than the other. Or something.

Before I forget - - the street lamps are going up in town today. Are they too beautiful or what? Do you realize how gorgeous our little town is going to be next summer with the new trees and new streetlamps? Not that it isn’t just about the prettiest town in the world as is, but oh, my, is it going to be wondrous when the lamplight twinkles through the leafy boughs. Oh, yeah, I guess we have winter to get through first, don’t we? Hmmm.

Don’t forget to mark the date for Wonderful Life, and for the Writer’s Workshop with Jane Friedman. Have a great week, dear friends.

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Christmas in Our Hometown is just a little more than a week away and I wanted to let you know about all of the festivities the Tunkhannock Business and Professional Association and other community organization have lined up for the weekend of December 9th and 10th.

On Friday, December 9th, activities will kick off at 5 pm and continue through 10 pm. There will be an ice sculpting demonstration in the center of town and a gingerbread house contest at Lizza Studio. Christmas carolers will be out and about and the Wyoming County Players will perform a few skits. Free hot cocoa and roasted peanuts will be provided. There will be a live nativity, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus will hand out goodies to all of the kids. That night you can also catch a play at the Nativity BVM Church and take free carriages rides in town.

The Dietrich will have two free performances of “Weird, Wild, & Wonderful – A Look at the Holiday Season at 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Explore the busiest time of year using the quietest art form, pantomime, in these special holiday shows featuring Box of Light Theatre and the Dietrich’s own Pantomime class. These performances will include a mixture of stories, mime, computer animation, and audience participation Admission is free. The Tunkhannock Kiwanis Club has sponsored the pantomime performances. Stores will be open late for your shopping convenience! So enjoy some entertainment and get in a little bit of holiday shopping.

Then on Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, the festivities will continue in downtown Tunkhannock with a Victorian Christmas Tea at the Prince Hotel. Christmas carolers and Mr. and Mrs. Claus will still be in town, and you are invited to participate in a shopping spree drawing. The Dietrich’s annual Holiday Workshop will be held from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm and is great fun for all ages. There will be cookie decorating, holiday crafts, singing with Bill Frye, and creations by the balloon lady. Admission is free. The Holiday Workshop has been sponsored by State Farm Insurance.

Join us on Sunday, December 18th at 7:30 pm. Jane Friedman, Executive Editor of Writer’s Digest Books, will be at the Dietrich for a Writer’s Workshop. She will give advice on how to find an agent and also spend time discussing how a book is sold once it is picked up by a publisher. A Q&A session will conclude the workshop. There are still spaces available. Admission is $15.00. This would be a perfect early holiday gift for that writer in your life. Call 996-1500 to sign up.

And don’t forget on Tuesday, December 6th at 7:00 pm, our Golden Days of Radio Players Group will perform “Arsenic and Old Lace” and “The Night Before Christmas Suspense” in the Peg Fassett Performance Studio. Go back with us to those memorable days of radio. Admission is free.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Decorative Painting for Adults, age 13 and up, Day Sessions

Learn the skills and techniques of decorative painting as you create decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. All levels of experience welcome. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesdays, November 30 - December 14 from noon - 3:00 pm

Cost: $15 per lesson + cost of painting surface

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Discovering Great Artists, ages 5-8

Mixed media for children ages 5-8. The art activities in each four-week session are designed to expand the creative experience and awareness of young artists in all aspects of the visual arts through drawing, painting, printing, and sculpture.

Fridays from 4:00-5:30 pm. November 11, 18, Dec. 2, 9.

Admission is $30 per session.

Instructors: Amy and Steve Colley, M.F.A., B.F.A.

Discovering Great Artists, ages 9-12

Mixed Media for children. The art activities in each four week session are designed to expand the creative experience and awareness of young artists in all aspects of the visual arts through drawing, painting, printing, and sculpture.

Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 pm. November 10, 17, Dec. 1, 8.

Admission is $30 per session.

Instructors: Steve and Amy Colley, B.F.A., M.F.A.

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". Call 570-996-1500 for more information.

Tuesdays through December 6 from 7:00-8:30 pm

Admission is free.

Instructor: Valerie Paulus

Holiday Camp, ages 6 and up

Young artists will become familiar with pottery, drawing, and painting as well as famous artists in those fields in this holiday camp. Enjoy one day of camp or explore the arts in all three days. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

December 27 from 9:30 -11:00 am - Pottery. December 28 from 9:30 - 11:00 am - Drawing. December 29 from 9:30 - 11:00 am - Painting.

Admission is $15 per class or $30 for all three classes.

Instructors: Steve and Amy Colley, M.F.A., B.F.A.

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages.

A Study in Color - Following a series of simple exercises, students will explore color in a new way. A sampler will be created by studying 6" blocks. You will rethink how you use color in your next quilt after taking this class. For beginners and advanced quilters.

Wednesdays through December 14 from 6:00-7:30 pm.

Admission is $6.00 per class. All materials will be provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, Terri Keller.

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing and Pottery

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to work at their own pace and medium of their choice with instructor Steve Colley. A model will be provided for an additional fee, if the group chooses.

Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30 pm. November 8, 15, 22, 29.

Admission is $30 per child and $45 per adult.

Instructor: Steve Colley, M.F.A.

Pantomime, ages 8 to adult

Learn how to tell a story without words. Rand will teach students ages 8 and up a series of mime techniques, as well as moonwalking and invisible walls. In pantomime you will learn how to focus your coordination and concentration to communicate without words. This class will culminate with a Christmas in Our Hometown performance of "Weird, Wild and Wonderful - A Look at the Holiday Season" with Box of Light Theatre.

November 1,7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, Dec. 6, 7, 8, 9. Afternoon Session - 4:30 -6:00 pm.

Admission is $60.00

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre

Pottery & Sculpture

This class is designed for students of all levels of experience. Students will work on pottery wheels and learn hand building and sculpture techniques. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register

Mondays, 7:00-8:30 pm. November 7, 14, 21, 28.

$45 for four classes

Instructor: Steve Colley, B.F.A., M.F.A.

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

Maple Medley - Create a Maple Leaf quilt sampler. The more you sew, the move leaves you collect. Let nature teach us about color and learn about the beautiful maple trees that grow here.

Wednesdays, through December 14 from 3:30-5:00 pm

Admission is $6.00 per class. All materials are provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, Gloria Eastwood, Mary Louise Dodge, and Terri Keller.

Writers Group

Love to write? The group celebrates all different types of writing styles and formats. Join at any time. Admission is free.

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

Admission is free.

group format - no instructor

Yoga for You

Accomodations will be made for beginners, experienced practitioners, and those with special needs. 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.

Instructor: Melissa Russo: Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor

Yoga for You at Night!

Accomodations will be made for beginners, experienced practitioners, and those with special needs. Call 570-996-1500 to confirm dates. Please bring yoga mat or beach towel.

Mondays through December from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

$10 per class

Instructor: Mary Frances Giodano, certified Hatha yoga instructor

Yoga for You -Saturdays

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

Saturdays through December from 10:00 am -11:00 am

Admission is $10 per class.

Instructor: Mary Frances Giordano, certified Hatha yoga instructor

Young at Art - Preschool Art, ages 4 and 5

Preschoolers will have the opportunity to engage in projects that encourage critical thinking and problem solving skills as they explore drawing, painting, paper & sculpture.

Thursdays, noon - 12:45 pm. November 10, 17, Dec. 1, 8.

Admission is $25 per session.

Instructor: Amy Colley, B.F.A., M.F.A.