Season's shows will Live!, Love!, Laugh!

Yuma Community Theater's new season will follow a theme of "Live!":
• "It's a Wonderful Life " - Nov. 21-23, 28-30 and Dec. 5-7.

"Love!":
• "South Pacific" - weekends in January from 9 - 25.

and "Laugh!":
• "Don't Dress for Dinner" - March 20-22, 27-29 and April 3-5

All plays will be presented at the Historic Yuma Theatre, 254 S. Main St.

Season tickets are $40 per adult for all three shows. This year season tickets for children, ages 12 and younger, are $25 each. Admission for each show is $15 per adult, $10 per child.

All tickets are now available at the Yuma Art Center, phone 373-5202, or the Yuma Civic Center, phone 373-5040.

"Auditions for the opening play will begin (this) week," announced Ralph Gray, recently re-elected as president of YCT.

First auditions will be at 301 S. Main St. at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 4 and 5. Saturday's tryouts will be in the auditorium of the Gila Ridge High School, 7150 E. 24th St.

The second sessions will be Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Main Street address. At 10 a.m. Sept. 13, and 2 p.m. Sept. 14, auditions will be at the Gila Ridge High School.

This stage play is based on the classic story of a depressed man who tries to commit suicide on Christmas Eve but is saved by an angel who takes him through a "life" without the man.

It was first filmed in 1946 with James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore and Henry Travers in starring roles.

"This will be the first time the YCT has presented this play, and it is one that doesn't require actors to be singers or musicians. Everyone will do readings from both scripts, and anyone who does sing can have a short tryout for the upcoming 'South Pacific,' which was given by YCT in November 1988," Gray said. "They can audition for one or the other."

YCT productions are open to any aspiring thespian and anyone interested in other parts of the theatrical world.

"I got involved in several of the past musicals," said Gray, a parks and recreation employee at the Desert Hills Golf Course.

"I enjoy singing, and would like to retire and follow this dream. My wife, LaRae, has been involved with behind-the-scenes activities and was assistant then director of "Oklahoma." Our daughter, Suzanna, has been in two of the CT productions."

Fred Brown, a longtime member of YCT that was organized in 1983, said, "I was one who was bitten by the theatrical bug. I've be in a variety of productions - musicals and acting. I've also been a director and producer.

"We really need a lot of other help - painters, costumers, set builders," Brown said. Anyone interested is invited to come to the auditions.

"For the 'South Pacific' production, we're looking for an ethnic diverse cast - from 20 to 30 adults, ages 15 to 75! Also, we will need one boy and one girl, age 8 and 15."

The YCT officers along with Gray are Bob Rammelt, vice president; Cathy Abarno, secretary; Joanne Kidd, treasurer; and board members Fred Brown, LaRae Gray, Patty Perry, Bob Lukas and John Paul Plante.

For information, contact YCT at 919-4876.