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Category: Local Events Local Events
Published: 19 September 2020 19 September 2020

"'Just a Song at Twilight,' Silver City Community Theatre's (SCCT) third Zoom production is coming! Saturday, September 19, at 7 pm," according to MaryAnn Marlar, SCCT Board Member. "Producing plays on Zoom is challenging—artistically and technically—and this third production is the most complex yet. We are really having a good time and hope our audiences are too."

Marlar says "In 'Just a Song at Twilight," playwright Marcia Savin tells the story of an attractive woman in her 60s who moves into a senior apartment complex. She's welcomed by another tenant sitting on a park bench. He offers a "warmish" toddy from his thermos, which they sip as they banter in the chilly air talking of memories old and new, learning that memories of long ago aren't always what you think."

There will be two Saturday performances of "Just a Song at Twilight," according to Marlar. The first on September 19; the second on September 26, both at 7 pm."

To stream the first performance put https://zoom.us/j/92748316164 in your browser address bar, the one at the top (not the search bar, the one in the middle) between 6:30 and 7pm on September 19th, the third Saturday in September. The show starts at 7pm.
To stream the second performance put https://zoom.us/j/98567659448 in your browser address bar, the one at the top (not the search bar, the one in the middle) between 6:30 and 7pm on September 26th, the fourth Saturday in September. The show starts at 7pm.

"Playwright Marcia Savin was born in San Francisco and now lives in New York," Marlar says. "She wrote and performed school skits which lead to productions on Off Broadway and in regional theatres. The Moon Bridge, a children's wartime novel based on her childhood, sold 160,000 copies. She says her goal is to make people laugh."

"Phyllis McQuaide and Melvyn Gelb, the actors featured in "Just a Song at Twilight" have long histories with SCCT," according to Marlar. "And, Phyllis was one of the 2014 founders of SCCT."

"Marcia writes strong parts for women," says Phyllis McQuaide, "That's part of what attracted me to the part," McQuaide says. "I have been acting in community theatre for over 20 years here and in Maine. My latest performance was "Can, Can't", a one act with SCCT. In spring 2019, I performed my most challenging role as Marjorie Prime with Virus Theater at El Sol. Theatre is my passion! I hope you enjoy SCCT's 3rd Zoom production!"

Melvyn Gelb says, "I have lived in Silver City for 21 years. I'm a retired Public Health Nurse/NM Department of Health and diabetes educator. I've acted with SCCT and other theater companies. My previous theatrical performances include: "Arsenic & Old Lace;" "You Know I Can't Hear You When the Waters Running;" "The Silver Whistle;" "The Laramie Project;" "J.B.;" "Gilgamesh;" "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings;" "Fiddler on the Roof;" "Across the River & Through the Woods;" "And Then There were None;" "Who Invited Falstaff;" "Don't Drink the Water," and "A Murder Is Announced."

"Brenda McFarlane, SCCT Board Member, directed "Just a Song at Twilight," according to Marlar. "She studied theater at St Lawrence University and specifically directing at Tulane University. She spent two summers as a Director's Assistant at Williamstown Theatre Festival with Nikos Psacharopolous and Bonnie Monte. She wrote, produced, and direct plays with the help of various Canadian grants and assistantships. She was accepted at the Canadian Film Center, attended three of their programs for television and film professionals, and moved to Hollywood. She wrote many spec scripts and won the Austin Film Festival prize for best teleplay. She continues to write and is active in theater as she runs Silver City's ZirYab's Body Brew, Deodorants and Personal Care Products." Brenda says, "Now I have found what I am really good at, a business that needs all of my disparate skills and talents."

"Part of the challenge of Zooming "Just a Song at Twilight" is incorporating music," according to Marlar. "We are delighted that tenor saxophonist Michael McQuaide performed and recorded the music for "Just a Song at Twilight." A resident of New Jersey, Michael is son of Jim McQuaide and stepson of Phyllis McQuaide. A retired public health inspector, he has been playing alto saxophone since 1972, and tenor saxophone since 1998. His instrument for the musical selections in "Just a Song at Twilight" is a fully overhauled 1940's vintage King Zephyr tenor saxophone. He splits his time between two community wind bands, both now on hiatus due to Covid-19."

"Be the Community in Community Theater—join SCCT! Individual and family memberships receive tickets and admission to opening night parties and workshops. Family memberships are $35; individual memberships, $20. Additionally, we have great community sponsors and recognize them in programs and other publications," according to McQuaide.

A home-grown theater company, SCCT grew out of a series of acting classes presented by The Western Institute for Lifelong Learning (WILL). Several class members joined forces to create the Silver City Community Theatre. Now after 6 years and many productions, SCCT's mission continues: to enrich, educate and entertain the Silver City and Grant County communities by providing a broad range of live theater experiences on a recurring, seasonal basis.

SCCT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.