Valentine's Day is just around the corner...time for something decadent and sweet. To tempt your sweet tooth, we're offering Nine, the story of Guido Contini, renowned Italian film director, who finds himself in a midlife crisis. It's Venice: opulence, luxury, beauty - the epicenter of worldwide culture - and the setting of this sultry and enchanting musical, where Contini is preparing to film his latest picture. Based on Frederico Fellini's comic masterpiece 8 1/2, this production will take you on a whirlwind tour of Guido Contini's mind, his heart, and his soul, together with the women who have touched his life.

The women represent Contini's past, present, and future and, during the course of the show, help him better understand what he has done with his life, and who he eventually will become. The show stars Tim Cormack as the troubled, world-famous director and features a knock-out cast that includes Laura Jacobs as Liliane La Fleur; Vanessa Harper as Carla Albanese; Marcie Ramirez as Ilsa Von Hesse; Heather Kline as Stephanie Necrophorus; Meghan Leake as Gretchen Von Krupf; Emily Taft as Heidi Von Sturm; Jennie Williams as Claudia Nardi; and Mary Capehart as Olga Von Sturm. Also in the cast are Melissa Anderson; Stephanie Flanagan; De'Markeus Howell; Prisca Kendagor; Courtney Koval; Ken Koval; Malena Marcase; Kerrin McNaughton; Samantha Parks; Denise Saylor; Jennifer Scofield; Trista Stone; and Melinda Whitman.

The production team includes stage manager Mike Morrow; music director Kirk Carson; and choreographer Andrew Simmons. The production is directed by Nino Casisi.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, February 8 and 9, 15 and 16, and 22 and 23; with matinee performances each Sunday at 2:00 p.m. on February 10, 17, and 24. Nine is a deep and mesmerizing story of love, life, and relationships. This year, for Valentine's Day, bring your sweetheart to the Barn Players and get lost in the artistic passion of this award-winning musical production.

The Barn Players’ Junior Series opened the 2008 Season with four showings of the classic You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, playing to sold-audiences at each performance.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Charlie Brown brings together your favorite Peanuts© characters: Charlie Brown (played by Andrew Shaw), his sister, Sally (Katie Bowman), and his famous beagle, Snoopy (Sean Hinckle); the intellectual Linus (Dustin West) and his bossy, know-it-all sister Lucy (Alison Boswell); as well as the young piano prodigy, Schroeder (Connor Baty). Rounding out the cast were: Shelby Bessette as Peppermint Patty and Michaela Speck as her sidekick Marcie; Caelin Golladay as the cleanliness-challenged Pigpen; Alyson Golladay as Violet; Carley Whitt as the lollipop-wielding Frieda; and Brennan Hilleary as everyone's favorite bird, Woodstock.

The musical emphasizes the good ol' days - when life was simple and happiness was easy to define. The show's plot revolves around a typical "day in the life" of Charlie Brown and his pals - really just a series of vignettes coupled with some great musical numbers that chronicle the ups and downs, the joys and struggles, of friendship and of growing up. It was a theme the young actors understood well.

The production was adeptly handled by director Jason Coats, whose vision brought the world of cartoonist Charles Schultz to life on the stage.

"While each student grew over the rehearsal period, I think that the greatest periods of growth came during the four actual performances," said Coats. "Just watching how they interacted backstage and prepared before being called to places was an amazing sight. Needless to say, I was immensely proud of all of the young people in the cast. They did an excellent job of sharing this story with the audience."

Coats said the Barn's Junior Program offered important life lessons to the young actors, too.

"Providing community-based outlets - especially those that supplement school-based programs - helps us ensure the continuation of strong performing arts programs where we live. The Barn has shown that it is committed to helping young people by supporting its Junior Program," said Coats. "Yes, theatre is a terrific venue for artistic talent and the Junior Program is an excellent educational tool, but we have to remember that theatre also offers important life lessons about character, commitment, teamwork, and discipline. Things that will serve these kids well in any future endeavor."

As the show wrapped, many of the kids were already talking about the next Barn Junior production. Coats said he, too, is excited about the possibilities for the Barn’s Junior Program.

"I am very much looking forward to another Barn Junior production," he said. "With each one, we raise the bar just a little bit higher...and knowing full-well that the kids always exceed our expectations, I can't wait to see what happens next year!"

This March, the Barn Players Theatre brings you one of the greatest dramatic tragedies of all time: William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Full of murder, betrayal, mischief and mayhem, all underpinned by an unstoppable lust for power, this tragedy is the “granddaddy” of them all. Directed by Scott Stackhouse and starring Rick Williamson in the title role, the show runs March 20-22, 28-30, and April 4-6. Others in the cast include Stephanie Sommer as Lady Macbeth; Don Carlton as Duncan; Landon Boyter as McDuff; Rachel Ommerman as Lady McDuff; Jason Eaken as Malcolm; Sean Leistico as Banquo; Shannon Walsh, Emily Harris, and Cassie Pettigrew as the Witches; Frank Robertson as Porter; Tom Barry as Ross; Cameron Haines as Lennox; Erik Pratt as Donalbain/Caithness/Murderer #2; Mike Ducey as Menteith/Murderer #1; August Gilbreath as Angus; Michelle Stelting-Mauler as Hecate; and Amy Eisele as Gentlewoman/Woman at Banquet. Mark your calendars now!

Talk about starting the year off with a bang! Our 2008 Season opened this past weekend with four sold-out performances of the perennial family favorite, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown. In fact, we had to add seats just to accommodate the number of advance reservations. It was certainly a great production, and featured an incredibly talented group of kids who brought the Peanuts gang to life on our stage. Kudos to the entire production team and especially to the young men and women of the cast (and their families) on a job very well done indeed!

The good news, of course, is that we're just getting started. Our 2008 line-up demonstrates that we're committed to bringing you the very best value for your entertainment dollars. And, as usual, we're very proud to offer a diverse mix of shows. Where else will you see Shakespearean tragedy coupled with a rock opera, and gothic horror with a traditional three-act play...after an opening by Snoopy? Check out the entire season by visiting the Barn’s website at www.thebarnplayers.org.

Next up is the Tony Award-winning musical Nine, directed by Nino Casisi, which follows the emotional tailspin a famous movie director's life takes as he approaches his fortieth birthday, ultimately threatening to destroy his personal and professional life. You won't want to miss it, so be sure to reserve your seat today for one of the upcoming performances. Better still, why not purchase a Barn Players Multi-Pass for all of the upcoming shows? And remember, a Multi-Pass makes an ideal gift for friends or loved ones who enjoy the theatre as much as you do!

Kim Melton was names the Barn’s 2007 Volunteer of the Year. Board President Eric Magnus and I are pictured with Kim as she receives the award.

I'm also excited to report some more good news. Thanks to the generous support of Pfizer and our very own Vida Bikales, the Barn Players Theatre will soon be getting new audience seating! The chairs have been ordered and we anticipate that they will be in place for the next show. I know you'll appreciate the extra padding and comfort that our new chairs will provide.

And last—but most certainly not least—I am thrilled to note that the Barn's Board of Directors recognized the talents and commitment of Kim Melton by naming her as the 2007 Volunteer of the Year. We're extremely proud of Kim and so appreciative of the gifts she brings to the Barn: time, talent, passion, and commitment to excellence. On behalf of the Board of Directors and all of the Barn family—THANK YOU, KIM!