Four times per year, Encore Productions brings live theatrical performances on stage featuring local talent at The Elbert Theatre. There's something for everyone -- drama, mystery, musicals, comedy, kids and families, adults -- and everything in between to showcase a variety of styles and subject matter.
In recent years, the shows and sets have become more elaborate which gains more attention, respect, and rave reviews from the amazed audience. If you have been to see any show in the past two years such as 9 to 5, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Clue, White Christmas, or Hello, Dolly!, then you have a pretty good idea of what I mean. I am so pleased to have these amazing shows right here in our small town!
2023 Encore Productions Season |
This week, I met with Bob Larson, President of the Elbert Theatre Foundation and Director of Murder on the Orient Express, a thrilling mystery to be performed live on the Elbert Theatre stage for just two weekends in June 2023.
Bob gave me a tour of the set and a sneak peek backstage as we talked about his life, theatre experience, and his expectations for the show. As I went behind the scenes, I saw the fascinating world behind the curtain which includes assorted gallons of paint, racks of costumes and accessories, tools and props, a folded-back script containing handwritten notes, a phone app for memorizing lines, and local theatre folks from all ages and backgrounds who all fell in love with the Elbert Theatre.
Bob Larson is originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin, retired from the US Navy, and moved to Elberton, Georgia in 2007. He has since directed, acted, worked, and volunteered on more than 50 performances on this stage.
When I heard his amazing list of achievements and contributions to The Elbert Theatre, I assumed that he must have a background or training in performing arts. However, when he first moved here 15 years ago, he had no experience in theater aside from being in the audience! "A buddy of mine invited me to watch "The Odd Couple" while stationed at a Naval Air Station in 1980. I marveled at ordinary people doing all of that on stage, and that sparked a small interest for me,” Bob recalled.
But his very first acting experience was actually right here in Elberton. He shared, "The first time that I came to the Elbert Theatre, I saw You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (2008) and was really impressed by the performance. My fiancé then expressed an interest in auditioning for an upcoming play and I just went along for moral support. I ended up getting a small role as Officer Brophy in Arsenic and Old Lace. Before opening night, I thought I was having a heart attack from the nerves, but I made it through and that got me started down this path. Not long after that, I got into directing with A Long Days Journey into Night (2009), which contains a very intense subject matter and a small cast of five.”
That was the beginning of Bob's new hobby and passion for community theater. He went on to perform onstage in many plays including, but not limited to, The Addams Family, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, All My Sons, Fruitcakes and Clue; he directed Harvey, Always a Bridesmaid, M*A*S*H, Dad’s Christmas Miracle, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (2022), and many others; and he worked behind the scenes for multiple shows including Who’s on First?, Bye Bye Birdie, On Golden Pond, Always, Patsy Cline, The Red Velvet Cake War, Are You Being Served?, Drinking Habits, The Carol Burnett Show Sketches and Hello, Dolly!... As the list continues, I'm starting to get the strong impression that Bob Larson has been involved with nearly every show from 2009 until now.
These days, Bob spends the majority of his spare time at the Elbert Theatre or Elberton Arts Center at rehearsals (acting or directing, sometimes both), helping backstage with sets, and running the lights or sound during performances. Otherwise, you may find him out doing yard work or researching family history and genealogy to trace his family from Norway to Quebec. To top it off, he is also the President of the Elbert Theatre Foundation where the Board of Directors works together on fundraising efforts, event coordination, and deciding on upcoming shows.
Bob explained, "We have a running list of community requests and suggestions to choose from, but it's not always easy. We work hard to balance each season to showcase a variety of different genres, find a director for each show, work through licensing restrictions, and so on and so forth."
"When I saw Murder on the Orient Express on the list, I knew I wanted to volunteer as the director. Mostly because I love Agatha Christie, I thought it was time for another one of her stories, and I enjoy a good mystery. I also considered the popularity of Clue and the overwhelmingly positive response from the community. There are subtle similarities between the two, whereas Clue is more like a parody of a murder mystery, and Murder on Orient Express is really thought-provoking and deep -- it's a masterpiece that has captivated audiences for decades."
The shows are selected the year prior and preparations are made to have an open reading, auditions, and two or three months of rehearsals, all leading up to the live performance. "We like to start with an Open Reading which is free and open to the public. We invite the community to come, gather around the table, and participate in a casual read-through of the script one time. It's not an audition or anything, and the selected script may not be selected to appear on stage at all. This just gives us an opportunity to review the script with the community, get an overview of the characters, music, and tone of the play, and gives us valuable feedback. Everyone and anyone is welcome to join in."
If the show is to be performed on stage, there is also a round of auditions for two evenings. Bob formally invites everyone to come out and try something new, "Encore Productions' actors and actresses come from all backgrounds... we have teachers, engineers, granite workers, lawyers, and stay-at-home moms. We welcome and encourage all ages and skill levels to participate and gain experience on stage -- it's exhilarating and fun! And if you don't get cast right at first, just keep trying because we need all types of people."
Besides acting, there are countless other ways to get involved and support The Elbert Theatre and Encore Productions. "We can always use some extra help onstage or backstage such as painting, lights, sound, acting, directing, collecting tickets, serving popcorn, and even attending the show and telling your friends," Bob says, "I just want to see this theatre grow year after year."
Murder on the Orient Express boasts a diverse cast of fascinating characters, each with their own secrets and motivations. The main character, Hercule Poirot (played by Michael Weis) meets a host of peculiar characters: an aging Russian princess, her Swedish companion, a Hungarian countess, a Minnesota housewife, a Scottish colonel, an English governess, a French train conductor, a disagreeable American businessman, and his anxious secretary. As Poirot investigates, conflicting clues and convoluted alibis lead him to dead ends. Bob adds, "I don't mean to brag but I think the cast is perfect. And I give all the credit to these actors who really bring the characters to life and make the dialog come alive. We have a cast of 11 actors playing 12 characters in a luxurious train setting, and it's a joy to direct this show and work with this talented cast.”
In my experience, the Elbert Theatre offers an outlet for local creativity, showcasing the local talents and artistic endeavors of the community, and the 2023 Season is no exception. I'm pleased to announce that Murder on the Orient Express is ready to go after several months of rehearsal and will debut at The Elbert Theatre on Friday, June 9, 2023. The show will run from June 9-11 & 16-18 for a total of six shows.
According to Bob, "You need to see it more than once. The first time, hopefully, you’ll be engrossed in the story, characters, and setting. The second time, you’ll notice hints and clues that were hiding in plain sight throughout the script and character work. It’s quite fascinating.”
When: Fri. June 9: 7:00pm, Sat. June 10: 7:00pm, Sun. June 11: 2:00pm, Fri. June 16: 7:00pm, Sat. June 17: 7:00pm, Sun. June 18 - 2:00pm
Cost: $9 Student | $11 Adult | $16 At the Door
Tickets: Tickets are available in a variety of methods including phone (706-283-1049), email, online (BigTickets.com), mail, or at the door. And from what I hear, you'll want to see this more than once. When you do, please send me a note to let me know what you think! I'll be sure to pass on your reviews to Bob Larson and his cast.
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS: Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again. Based on the classic mystery novel by Agatha Christie, adapted for stage by Ken Ludwig, this clever adaptation of the classic mystery boasts glamour, intrigue, and suspense of the celebrated novel, with a healthy dose of humor to quicken the pace. Over the course of 48 hours, will Poirot be able to solve the case of the Murder on the Orient Express?
Murder on the Orient Express is intended for adults and older teens due to violence and subject matter. It lasts around 2 hours and 30 minutes with intermission.
100 S Oliver St
Elberton, GA 30635
(706) 283-1049
