The Ken Theatre

It’s coming again this August!

 

A musical variety show based on the book Tommy the Turtle written by Augusta resident retired FBA veteran Jerry King will be on stage at The Ken Theatre for two performances the weekend of January 21 with a 7:00 p.m. Saturday January 21 performance and a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday January 22 according to Babbie Lovett, creative director for the theatre. Donna Moore who has taken the book and adapted it for stage is the director for the production sponsored by The Ken Theatre League, Inc.
King drew upon his native Augusta, the White River, and summer activities as the setting for the delightful book that entertains all ages. A boy named Red found a special turtle that he named Tommy and the two passed the summer entertaining each other. Red discovered unconditional friendship and love from Tommy the Turtle, a thread that runs true with children of all ages as they celebrate the special bonds formed with their varied pets. Alex Morris has been cast in the role of Red and Lee Powell has been cast in the role of Tommy the Turtle. Don, Jane, and Moriah Jones will open the show with “The Lighthouse” and a song made famous by The Judd’s entitled “Grandpa Tell Me about the Good Ole Days”. 

Moore has enlisted talent of Janet Rudick, Autumn Kyle, and Vonda Dozier to choreograph different segments of the show. Ada Heath will bring back the Ken Kids Choir featuring Heath Kendrick, Mary Fran Brogdon, Cara Bowling, Kelby Williams, Kynley Dozier, Sophie Fisk, Chad Veazey, Shelby Bunch, Bailey Jackson, Bianca Rodgers, Bailey Graves, Alex Woodall, Daazha Cornelious, Shelby and Breanna Gossett, Samuel Brown, Anna Kate Horton and Sarah Clemmons. “This choir first appeared on stage during the Christmas show and they were amazing,” said Moore. Also returning from the Christmas show will be Charlie Wiggins with his granddaughters Sara Grace and Carlee Wiggins, singing “You Get a Line…I’ll Get a Pole”.
“We will have dancing turtles (Lofton Reynolds, Keaton Massanelli, Carmen Kyle, Tanner Kyle, and Ally Wright), fairies (Karlee Breckenridge, Evan Lawhon, Sophie Fisk, Audrey Underwood, and Morgan Miller), frogs (Searcy residents Dona, Grant and Chandler Smith) and a whole gaggle of geese and wood ducks,” said Moore.
Moore’s husband, Jackie, and local artist/childhood friend Jayme Huff have been busy building special props for the show. “We are excited about our very own tug boat,” said Moore. Nick Garner will serve as tug boat captain with Sydney Hall and Faith Reeves as part of his crew. This particular segment of the show will feature the very talented Mr. Benny Kittrell of Augusta performing Old Man River. Other new faces on stage will be JT Odom as Gilligan and Christian Little as The Professor for the Gilligan Island segment.
Tickets are $10.00 each and $5.00 for ages 12 and under and will be on sale at Bank of Augusta, Bank of McCrory, Merchants & Planters Bank and The Hair Hut.

The 5th annual Ken Theatre League membership renewal was held on Thursday evening, June 23 at The Ken located in downtown McCrory.  The festive evening was organized by the Ken League Board, Lisa Chappell, President; Billie King, Vice-President; Mary Wimpy, Secretary-Treasurer; Darlene Crawford, Joan Dyer, Betty Kate Thompson, Christie Curbo-Taylor, Peggy Rooks, Mandy Lawhon, Betty Payne, and Regina Burkett.
The smooth and mellow voice of Jason Greenlaw blended masterfully with his guitar providing the perfect setting for guests as they enjoyed heavy hors d’oeuvres.  Tables overlaid in black centered with a massive design of white gladiolus were laden with smoked pork tenderloin medallions and rolls, fresh shrimp mold, assorted cheese balls, hot artichoke dip, southwest corn dip, fresh vegetables and fruit, antipasto kebobs, cookies, and cake bites.
Billye Robertson and Daina Smith chatted with guests at the ARCare beverage table.
Creative Director Babbie Lovett greeted theatre patrons and introduced Matthew and Michelle Little, mlittlephotography to unveil the new Ken Theatre website.
Christie Curbo-Taylor producer and director of Hometown Motown II entertained guests with cameo appearances by Sharon Dozier, Shirley Clark and Denise Nevels from that show.  Pam Caudle wrapped up the mini-show with a preview of her upcoming Michael Jackson Tribute scheduled for August.  This high-energy segment included Michael Brown, Alex Morris, Daina Smith, and Samantha Veazey.
The 2011 Ken Theatre Entertainer of the Year, selected confidentially by league members was announced by Mary Wimpy.  This year’s winner was Chuck Joyner.   Chuck has performed in numerous plays and shows since the theatre opened.  In accepting his award Chuck quipped, “I have no problem talking or performing while standing up here in a fairy skirt and make-up but right now I am speechless.  Thank you!”
Guests enjoyed a break from a hot summers evening visiting with friends during the gala evening!

There are some people who stand out in one’s mind when they are asked to recall thoughts of home.  When most of us think of McCrory, our memories of years past, one name comes to mind:  Babbie.  No other name needed!  Just Babbie.  She has delighted us with her refreshing sense of style, her smile, genuine concern for others, and her positive outlook.  Whether it was treating little ghosts and goblins at Halloween with homemade popcorn balls, leading dance classes, charm and manners school, or working at vacation Bible school, Babbie has always gone about things with enthusiasm and a “you can do it!” attitude.

 

Babbie’s latest project has brought her back to McCrory where she is focusing her energies on the McCrory Community Theatre that will call the Ken Theater its home.  She first became interested in the re-birth of our area when she met Californian Paula Randall Smith.  Smith recognized the potential of Woodruff County and was interested in bringing an art collection to Augusta.  The facility that was to have stored the art collection had a leaky roof and Lovett offered to contact Doyle Fowler who was then mayor of McCrory and the Methodist Church who owned the vacant Fred’s building. She found out through visiting with Fowler that he and his wife had purchased the old Ken Theater.  The building had fallen into disrepair until a couple of years ago when Doyle and Margaret Fowler had a dream to purchase the Ken and restore it as a place for musical events, vintage movies, plays and a dinner theater.  Babbie and the Fowlers became friends and began brainstorming about the future of the Ken Theater.

 

“I was impressed by the commitment of the Fowlers to step out and tackle a big project like renovating the theater.  We soon decided it was not feasible to attract first run movies for McCrory and that was when we began discussing the possibility of a performing arts center in Woodruff County,” said Lovett.  “What I want to explore is where the interests of our people lie.  I know there is great talent here in local churches, schools and organizations.  And this does not just mean on stage.  There is stage talent, technical talent, and yes, even audience talent in our area.  Someone might not be comfortable to perform on stage but they may have great technical skills to apply to sound, lighting, props, or costuming,” she added.  Lovett wants to see children’s theater developed at the McCrory Community Theatre.  Local talent will be relied upon as well as the stage supporting talent brought into the area.

 

Like Babbie, “The Ken” means McCrory.  The Ken provided entertainment for all ages by bringing the latest movies to town. Marquee billboards out on the front of the building announced current movie attractions and promised the latest movie releases that were on the way to McCrory.  The Ken days were back when life was slower and folks found their entertainment right at home.  Friday and Saturday nights were busy in downtown McCrory as movie-goers watched the latest movies while enjoying salty buttered popcorn, fizzy fountain drinks, and candies.  Back then, ticket price was 15 cents for adults and 10 cents for those under the age of 12. Jewel Howell was the manager of the Ken Theater.    The Ken Theater closed its doors in the 1970s falling victim to multi-screen movie houses in neighboring communities.

Babbie is no stranger to production and entertainment.  She is recognized across the mid-south as a top fashion and style show coordinator.  She has worked with major department stores and upscale boutiques in Memphis and Little Rock producing style shows.  Her talents were recognized by President and Mrs. Clinton during their White House years when she visited the White House consulting with Mrs. Clinton on various projects.  At one time she and Deborah Rockefeller, then wife of the late Lt. Governor Winthrop Rockefeller partnered together to market entertainment local to Arkansas.  They produced and aired a talent show during their professional relationship.

A supporter of the arts, Lovett feels that everybody should have a chance to be exposed to live musicals, theatrical productions, and art exhibitions.  The secret to the success of a community theater in Woodruff County will be local involvement.  She views each performance at the theater as a parade (of talent) that will evolve as the theater group determines what type of programming is best suited for Woodruff County.  She and the Fowlers hope to have an Open House in mid-April to allow the public to see the restoration results.  Lovett has donated the lights, sound, and stage equipment to the project as well as devoting her time and energy to the birthing process of a performing arts center for Woodruff County.

Babbie spent her childhood in McCrory growing up alongside one brother, Jerry Morris.  Her childhood was shaped by parents G.L. and Cornelia Morris, her aunt Minnie Morris McGregor and grandparents Dr. and Mrs. John Morris.  Dr. Morris began practicing medicine by traveling in a horse drawn buggy.  Dr. Morris was a fixture of life in McCrory practicing medicine until the age of 96 living a long and productive life that ended at the age of 104.  Laughing, Babbie recalled that at one time her life’s ambition was being a nurse.  “I had a little nurse’s uniform and rode around with Doctor as he made house calls.  My dream of being a nurse ended when Doctor let me stand at the head of his operating table during a tonsillectomy that he was performing.  I was in my glory until I saw the blood and then I fainted away!”  Lovett and her daughter, Deborah Lee have recently restored Dr. Morris’ old stone office building on West Main Street and it now serves as an office for them.

When asked about growing up in McCrory and special childhood memories, Babbie’s eyes twinkled.  “Oh my I was forever playing ‘Let’s Pretend’!  I played and played and could walk to town by myself without being afraid.  I went to movies on Saturdays and would spend the entire afternoon watching the same movie three times.  Saturday afternoons featured cowboy movies.  I would go home to eat supper and go back to town to watch the 7:30 movie.  It was not until I was over 12 that my parents allowed me to stay for the 10:00 movie…those were the really scary or dramatic movies! During my growing up years there were three different movie house locations in McCrory.  There was one in the area where Larry Smith’s store is now, the other upstairs from what is now Pizza Plus and then the third one being the Ken.  I’m old enough to have gone to movies in all three places!  I would always pretend to be my favorite movie character for the next week.  We had a brick barbeque grill in our back yard.  I put ply-board over the grill part to make a stage, used even branches off of the willow tree in our yard to make costumes and pulled all the neighborhood kids into my performances,” recalled Lovett.  “We were nurtured by our community.  The teachers I had gave more than was expected of them and helped to mold so many good lives.  Time was slower in McCrory.  You had time to be bored and time to create your own excitement,” she added.

When asked to name a few unique personalities, or “the Babbies” from her past who helped form the concept of community she recalled her first grade teacher Miss Ethel Johnson, a third grade teacher Mrs. Lundsford who made her learn the multiplication tables, sometimes resorting to an encouraging spat from a ruler on the palm of her hand, and Miss Willie Parks (Taylor).  “There was also Grace Trice…she was a sharp dresser…my Aunt Minnie…and I think Mr. Walter and Mrs. Ida Raney have to be among the top of my list.  He owned the local newspaper, was a state senator and Mrs. Ida taught piano and was very instrumental in instilling me with a keen sense of rhythm.  She would also take young people from McCrory to the state capitol in Little Rock.”

What advice could Babbie give to young people interested in the arts, entertainment, or the fashion world?  “They should believe in themselves and don’t be afraid to be different.  They should be individuals who are not put down by peer pressure and above all, protect their bodies and their minds.  If it is harmful to your body or your mind, don’t do it!  They need to give themselves the opportunity to take the time to train, to learn, to enjoy and to explore life.  And look to your family for support.  My mother has been my greatest cheerleader in life.”

Babbie will hold her first meeting for the formation of the McCrory Community Theatre on Saturday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the Civic Center in downtown McCrory.  This is a project that is open to all ages and all Woodruff County residents.  This first meeting will be used to inform the public about the theater and give people an opportunity to discover how they can become a part of this project.  “Theater is not just stage.  It’s made up of so much more.  There will be something for everyone.”

 

–Betty Kate Thompson

Special to the MONITOR

 

 

PROFILE:  Babbie Morris Lovett

Date and Place of Birth: McCrory in 1932 during the height of The Depression.  Doctor Morris delivered me in my mother’s bedroom.

My Favorite Musical: My all time favorite would be Chicago.  My favorite new one is Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Vivien Leigh is a Hollywood Legend because she was a British actress who so accurately portrayed the southern heritage in Gone with the Wind.

For fun I: Play “Let’s Pretend”!

Most People Don’t Know that I: Love to sculpt.  I love to work with clay but it takes such a great amount of time and commitment.

The Most High Energy Entertaining City is: New York!  London would be next.

If I could Live In a Different Time and Place it would be: Paris in the 1920s.

If I could Bring any Four Entertainers/Artists/Muscians together for an Original Production at The Ken it would be: Written by Jeanine Tesori, orchestrated by Burt Red, directed by Lawrence Hamilton, and the lead would be Sutton Foster (who was the lead in Thoroughly Modern Millie currently starring in The Drowsy Chaperone).

My Proudest Accomplishments: Deborah and Paul