This installment of the history of Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society, the 37th such one, covers 2006.
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One resource for writing these articles are the minutes for each year of the Society.
Unfortunately during the period of 2005 to 2007 not many monthly minutes were available.
The only other areas for information are old programs and newspaper cuttings, so please excuse any detail that may vary slightly.
The year began with Brian Schmalkucke not re-nominating for the president's position after two successful years leading the Society.
At the AGM, Warwick Tom was elected as Chair with Lyn Townsend, secretary; Belinda McGrath, vice president and Andrew Hunt, Treasurer.
On the business front, the Society purchased music stands, negotiated hand rails in the theatre and installed lights outside at the exit area.
Jim Butler, a local sculptor, designed three life size statues of characters from Shakespeare's Macbeth, specifically for the foyer of the Little Theatre.
At a gathering of patrons, the Mayor Robert Wilson congratulated Mr Butler on his magnificent pieces after unveiling the statues.
Annie
In April, Lyn Townsend directed the musical "Annie" assisted by Belinda McGrath as Production Co-ordinator.
With over seventy cast and crew this great musical had a strong line up of leading actors.
Annie cast:
Maddison Ehsman (Annie), Neil Wescott (Warbucks), Jo Mattiske (Grace), Belinda McGrath (Miss Hannigan), Trent Thomson (Rooster), Bec Thomson (Lily) and Greg Ballantyne (FDR).
The music director was Tom Rivett who played bass.
Other music members were Kerriean Hood, (keyboard), Steve Evans (drums and percussion), Alison Westcott (flute) and Michelle Stacey (saxophone and oboe).
CAT awards nominations from Annie:
Maddy as Best Actress in a lead role, Trent (Dooley) as Best Supporting Actor also Magical Moment in Theatre and the Orphans Chorus for Best Chorus.
Groovy Moves
The Society's next production was Groovy Moves, written and directed by Greg Ballantyne; who the previous year had received a prestigious CAT award for his portrayal of Willard in Footloose.
Groovy Moves cast:
Brett Davies, Jack Thomson, Toby Brown, John Smith, Sarah Gillogly, Alyssa Martin, Georgia Woodley, Angie Fanello and Dooley Thomson with fifteen other high school kids.
The band consisted of five members led by Tom Rivett.
Groovy Moves was inspired by a previous musical and described as an 80's music extravaganza which was nominated for the CAT's award for Best Original Work.
The Underpants
The final Society production in December was The Underpants under the joint direction of Sarah Hitchick, Lynne Auld and Catherine Adams.
This was a hilarious comedy about one woman's attraction to different men. There was a saying: "never underestimate the power of a glimpse of lingerie".
The Underpants cast :
Aaron Kingham (Theo), Isabelle Benita (Louise), Sharon Harrison (Gertrude), Kieran Duncan (Versati), Brian Schmalkuche (Cohen), Dave Robinson (Klinglehoff) and Warwick Tom (King).
It was staged over six nights - good light entertainment before Christmas.
Read more history about the Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society:
