'Lost Socks' opens this weekend with 'laundramatic proportions
Musical captures essence of youthful romance, tragic loss
BY KELSEY PALMER

Staring in l "Lost Socks" this weekend include Rachel Joseph (in front) with Seth Lord, Castanya Breen and Tim Howell (in back). Tickets are still available and may be purchased by calling the Cherokee Civic Theatre box office at (903) 683-2132.

The Cherokee Civic Theatre is presenting a musical of "laundromatic" proportions. "Lost Socks," an original drama written and directed by Jacksonville local playwright Minnette Satterwhite Trent, promises to blend rock, modern day references and a tragic loss in a made-for-stage performance.

"Lost Socks" depicts a story of youthful romance affected by a tragic loss. After experiencing a similar tragedy herself, Mrs. Trent said the play is not only her way of communicating to the audience but a way of facing a loss.

"The way to heal is to talk about it - this is my way of healing," she said. "And I hope this can touch other people."

Mrs. Trent has been in more than 20 plays in East Texas, including Rusk, Jacksonville and Mineola theatres. "Lost Socks" will be her third production to direct at The Cherokee Civic Theatre. Other productions include two originals, "Baloney on Red, White and Blue" in summer 2004 and "Confederate Spaghetti" in spring 2006.

The musical is staged entirely in a laundromat containing revolving dryers and donated washing machines.

"If you've lived the type of life where you've had to go to a laundromat, then you know it becomes its own little community," said Mrs. Trent.

The production will premiere the theatre's new sound system, including recently purchased headset microphones. Projects such as this are typically funded by a grant from the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.

"I think that there are a number of musicals that this is well suited for," said Dan Trent, the 2007-08 president of the theatre board and technical director of "Lost Socks." The particular use in this play is important because it is a unique musical."

The musical accompaniment was arranged by Seth Lord, vocalist for the local band "Truffula Tree," who will also play lead male, El, in the production. The original cast soundtrack to "Lost Socks" will be sold at the theatre before and after the show for $10. All proceeds benefit the theatre.

For the first time in Cherokee Civic Theatre history some publicity for auditions and now for audiences is being conducted through a MySpace profile, www.myspace. com/lostsockscct. Finding such a youthful outlet has opened the Cherokee Civic Theatre to a generation of new faces.

"This show is contemporary to this age group," said Castanya Breen, who plays Lisa in "Lost Socks." We always want new people in the theatre and we always want to provide an opening for new ideas."

Show dates for the play are April 25-26, May 2-3 at 7 p.m. and April 27 and May 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door for $10 and in advance at $5 for students and $8 for adults.

On opening night the Cherokee Civic Theatre will also hold a launch party at 6:30 p.m. before the show. It will be held in the annex next to the theatre where all members of the audience are welcome to join.

A Red Hat Sunday will be held April 27 where all local chapters of the Red Hat Club are invited to attend.

To contact the Cherokee Civic Theatre to purchase tickets or for more information "Lost Socks" call (903) 683-2132 or go to the Cherokee Civic Theater website, www.cherokeetheatre.net.