FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE MAY 16TH SHOWS BEGINNING

Film clips are being edited, photo montages are being worked out, stage sets are being prepared, and actors and actresses are being recruited and practiced! It’s an exciting time for the Princess Productions and Roane State Community College staffs, and everyone is convinced that “Appalachian Dreams”, scheduled for a 2PM matinee, and a 7PM evening, showing at the Roane State Theater on May 16^th, will be a crowd pleaser!

Bill Landry’s Media Production class, held every Monday evening from 6 to 9PM, at Roane State is putting the final touches on scripts and film sequences planned for the May show. I visited the class this past Monday evening and found Brooks Benjamin, local school teacher and independent film maker, leading the first hour of Bill’s class. The class was discussing the nearly completed J. D. Williams filmed interview, and the reviewing the raw footage taken at the Phillippi Primitive Baptist Church back in March.

Bill was delayed getting to class because he was busy in the Roane State Theater, watching rehearsals of the upcoming “Seussical” at Roane State Community College (Saturday April 25, 2009). Why, you may ask, because there is some great talent on stage that would be perfect for the “Appalachian Dreams” production! One great find he made was getting Ms. Maggie Kohlbusch to be part of the cast.

Maggie is considered a budding talent at the tender age of 10, and is spoken of very highly by the Roane State Humanities staff. Maggie has already been active in stage productions and there’s talk of Roane State doing “Annie” next year, with her having a large part in it. She will be seen in the opening moments of the May 16^th production, as well as in later skits. She is the daughter of Jay and Susan Kohlbusch of Knoxville.

When Bill Landry finally made it to class, he took a seat in the back until Brooks finished the first hour of the class. Later he entertained the class and the rest of us (including Gary Baker, Susan and Maggie Kohlbusch, and Bill Farnham) by shifting into his well known narration voice and rehearsing the voice-over for the J. D. Williams story. It’s going to be great!

Incidentally, I want to wish Brooks Benjamin the very best of luck. He is taking his latest film, “The Boys of Summerville” to the “Big Island Film Festival” in Waikoloa, Hawaii that begins May 14^th. I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed that he will receive all the recognition he deserves for this film, and that it will finally get the wider distribution the film needs. By the way, the movie will also be screened for the public sometime in May at the Roane State Theater. Keep watching for more information!

It is my understanding that tickets for the evening performance are getting scarce, so I’m expecting a great crowd on May 16^th…will you be one of them?

THE PRINCESS ENTERTAINED US FOR OVER 70 YEARS!

The Princess Theater has been entertaining Roane and surrounding counties for over 70 years (’32 and ’39)! The heyday of her importance to the community may have been the vital diversion she offered during the World War II years, with promotional events such as “Bank Night”, during which a whopping $75 was given away! That was big money in those days!

It wasn’t just the movies, like “Gone with the Wind”, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”, Vincent Price horror movies, or Roy Rogers and Trigger westerns that entertained us. Often it has been live entertainment on stage, or on a temporary stage out front on Roane Street.

Unfortunately, most entertainment events are outside these days, but the Princess Theater still takes center stage by offering shelter and a focal point along Roane Street. We’ve all been there! Remember the “Tennessee Polk Salad Association’s” street and park events every year, or how about the Harriman’s Car Shows, and their “Cruisin’ in Historic Downtown Harriman” the second Saturday of each month during the summer!?

It is the hope of many local leaders and interested supporters, that the Princess will again soon be the indoor stage for local live events and entertainment.

Over the years, the Princess has seen many movie and television stars, nationally known as well as home-grown musicians, and happy pageant queens come to entertain the local masses.

It has even been the sanctuary to some who just wanted a quiet peaceful place to say “I do”, like Brooks Benjamin and
Jackie Barnes back in March of 2008!

Someday real soon, she will again be the site of entertainment! The Princess Theater will become an arts, education, and conferencing center for all to enjoy.

Keep watching this site and your local news for more information on upcoming events that will celebrate local student accomplishments, regional entertainment, and showcase the bright future of the Princess Theater.