Featured Articles About Punxsutawney Theatre Arts Guild
The Punxsutawney Theatre Arts Guild (PTAG) declares, “We are eager to present a wise and witty play that offers big thoughts, big laughs, and a big challenge for our audiences with this next one. You've got to commit yourself to seeing "The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord." It will raise a chuckle and make you think twice."
PTAG's production of the work by Scott Carter, via Dramatists Play Service Inc., is said to not disappoint. The 90-minute work will be staged Friday, November 8, and Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Punxsutawney Presbyterian Church on the corner of Union and Findley Streets. The show begins at 7:30 pm and tickets can be purchased at the door. Patron’s tickets are also honored.
The show's director, Jef Dinsmore, states, "By the title alone this play, "The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord," sounds a bit cerebral and overbearing. Well, maybe it is a bit but it is NOT stuffy, long-winded, or boring by any means. Yes, you will get the three figures from the title into one space and they will expound on why they are trapped together in one room. Think of it this way - they are in one of those Escape Room-style games and must strive to work together to get out. But what they discover about each other and themselves is profound and the unique and funny ways they do that will make you laugh. Along the way, they wrap their minds (and make you do the same) around such topics as morality, mortality, the Holy Bible, and more. We took the challenge to stage it; you take the challenge of seeing it!"
We are told that the play gets us into the minds of these characters, their physical appearance is not what is important here. Three Guild regulars take the stage as the famous men. Michael Shaffer is Thomas Jefferson, Debra Dinsmore is Charles Dickens and Jef Dinsmore is Count Leo Tolstoy. PTAG counts on its followers to take on the challenge of seeing the show, to ponder what it presents, and even engage the performers afterward about the discord, the debates, the revelations & confessions of these great men, representatives of us all.
In conclusion, the director adds, "We enjoy the variety of theatre we can offer the community. It is not all song-and-dance or mirth. Good theatre can invoke strong thought. This show does that, but in a light-hearted fashion to make for a well-rounded night of theatre. We challenge you to get into the heads of these historical figures and enjoy a true theatrical experience. See you on November 8th and/or 9th."
