PALT offers OC thespians opportunities

Penny LeLeux

Orange County's community theater, the Orange Community Players, Inc. has been without a functional theater since TS Harvey in 2017. They were almost up and running again, then the HVAC system went out. Currently they are raising money to replace it and they should be back in action sometime in 2025.

In the meantime, Port Arthur Little Theater has been able to take up some of the slack offering Orange County actors opportunities to continue plying their trade.

Last weekend the just completed a three-week run of "Legally Blonde the Musical" with several Orange County residents in key roles. Bridge City Middle School theater teacher Chase Slaughter played Emmett Forrestt, the character that played opposite Robin Nobles who portrayed the main character, Elle Woods. Elle's best friends, Margot and serena were played by BC graduate, Raven Hankins and Vidor graduate, Sabrina James, respectively. Elle's Mom was played by Orangefield's Amy Carroll and Michael Vu of LCM played Grandmaster Chad and Pforzheimer. Isabella Sandino of Little Cypress-Mauriceville played Vivian Kensington, Elle's nemesis. Whitney was played by Olivia Haynes of Bridge City. Olivia Hayes played the Second Perfume Salesgirl and the Cashier.

They have already auditioned for their next two shows: "Candle in the Window" and the children's Christmas show, "The Christmas Crisis." The cast list wasn't available, but there are multiple Orange Countians in both of those shows as well. They will begin rehearsals now that "Legally Blonde" has finished its run.

"Candle in the Window" is a tale where a small group of weary travelers discover the power of the season while trapped in a lonely train station on Christmas Eve. As a blizzard rages outside, the troubled people are forced to turn to each other for companionship. Trying to make them more comfortable is the old stationmaster, Charlie. When the clock strikes midnight, there is a knock on the station door and seven youngsters appear. They've seen the station lights from the nearby church where, in secret, they've been practicing the story of the nativity which they plan to present at regular service. They offer to perform their play for the travelers and afterward, speak to the travelers individually, giving advice which is seemingly wise beyond their years. The next morning, as a new, younger stationmaster lights a Christmas candle, we realize the mysterious stop in the travelers' journey was more than accidental and has given them a renewed spirit and resolve. "A Candle in the Window" runs Nov. 29-Dec. 8. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $11 for Students.

The Christmas Crisis has Santa and Mrs. Claus forced to confront the digital world head-on when video game addiction strikes the North Pole and threatens Santa's Christmas delivery. The shows are December 13-15, 5:30-7 p.m. and tickets are $10 each.

Tickets can be reserved by calling 409-727-7258 or purchased online at palt.org.

OCP may have been without a home since 2017, but they have held some musical reviews at various locations in Orange over the years and are currently rehearsing for a dinner theater fundraiser that will be held in November for two performances, one at the Orange Depot and one at the First Methodist Church of Orange in November. Directed by 'Rico and Cydney Vasquez, more information will be given later. Once the new HVAC system is purchased and installed, Orange will once again have a live theater and local actors will have even more opportunities through both OCP and PALT.