Old man Farnsworth’s millions are up for grabs in Judge Judy’s Peoples Night Court, where audience members become plaintiffs, defendants and jury in a comedic send-up of all those TV court shows.
The West Point/Clay County Arts Council’s dinner theater production of “Contempt of Court,” by David Landau, begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25 at The Ritz in downtown West Point.
Retired Oak Hill Academy educator Mary Ann Berry directs this farcical play that stars some of West Point’s best comedians.
“We’ve tried to gear it somewhat to West Point,” she said, explaining that many of the facts, characters or events have been creatively adapted to the Clay County city. “It’s a courtroom drama, and all these outrageous cases are being heard.”
Tickets to the one-night, interactive play have sold quickly, perhaps to the slight surprise of some of the cast and crew.
“What our hopes are is to bring back having the big summer musical and then do some small productions in the fall and spring. We decided to do (this play) one night and see how it went, but there are very few tickets left,” Berry said Thursday.
West Point/Clay County Arts Council President Scott Reed is excited about this newest endeavor and said, “We have had numerous requests from the community to reinvent the Follies productions that were so popular, fun and enjoyed for many years. This production is similar in tone, but without the musical numbers. The result is that we are putting on a show!”
Any audience hopefuls who may miss out on a ticket to “Contempt of Court” can look forward to increased opportunities to see theater in West Point in the future.
The doors will open at 6:15 p.m. when a cash bar will be available for patrons’ enjoyment. Dinner and the performance begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person and must be purchased in advance. For more information, contact Kathy Dyess at 662-494-5678.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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