The new Springer Opera House season

I just got back from the big season announcement at the Springer Opera House.

Reaction from the audience was fantastic. I think it's going to be one of the best seasons for the Springer. Really.

But before the shows were announced, there were some awards given to long-time Springer Opera House supporters.

This year's Emily Woodruff Tribute to Service Award went to board member Carol Vander Gheynst. Carol has been very ill, and the award was accepted by her daughter, Sally, who teaches at the Springer Theater Academy and is a performer.

The next time you go to the Springer, make sure to visit Pigeon Alley, which has been renamed the Hall of Legends and dedicated to Janice Biggers. It's that hallway between the Mainstage auditorium and the Players' Saloon. The Springer chose 15 notable people who have graced the Springer stage and beautifully framed the art created by Springer staffer (and actor) Jeff Holbrook. The text is taken from Clason Kyle's "In Order of Appearance," and include Chet Atkins, Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter and Truman Capote.

Dorothy "Dot" McClure was given a special crystal dot (actually a cube) for all her work, especially with the Springer's Theater Academy. She was escorted to the stage by her sons, Joe and Chuck Jr., and then surrounded by the children who play the King's children in "The King and I." The kids and Debbie Anderson, who plays Anna, sang "Getting to Know You" to Dot. It was truly a special moment.

Even Springer producing artistic director Paul Pierce was not immune. As he took the stage to talk about the new season, a couple walked on the stage from stage left. Paul caught a glimpse of the man moving toward him, turned to look, then went back to his notes. Then in a classic double take, he stopped and then went to embrace the man.

He announced that they were his Texas parents, Drexel and Jackie Riley, who founded the Repertory Theater of America, and gave Paul his first professional job. Paul explained that they were his mentors and friends.

Drexel said that in light of Paul's 20th anniversary at the Springer Opera House, the board and the staff decided to add to his "addiction."

I've known Paul for 20 years and never knew that he collected of American art pottery. The piece that Paul received was one that he said he had wanted to buy from Drexel, who also deals in pottery, but he could never buy.

Then the announcements began with Paul and Ron Anderson, the associate artistic director, doing their usual schtick. It was very funny.

Debbie Anderson and Ward Loving came out to sing "If I Loved You" from "Carousel" and the evening ended with The Taffeta sisters singing "Mr. Sandman."

Here's the season. Tell me what you think.

MAINSTAGE:
The Taffetas: The four singing Taffeta sisters are poised to make their television debut in their hometown of Muncie, Ind. They'll sing the top tunes on the Hit Parade: "Mr. Sandman," "Sh-Boom," "Johnny Angel," "I'm Sorry" and "Where the Boys Are." This is also the Springer's touring show. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20-22, Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-9 and 2:30 p.m. Sept. 30.
Enchanted April: Based on the 1992 movie, it's about four women who decide to leave their husbands at home while they go on holiday at an Italian villa. Then guess who show up? Yup, the husbands. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18-20, Oct. 25-27 and Nov. 1-3 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 28.
To Kill a Mockingbird: Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Harper Lee novel, it's the first time the Springer has produced this play. It's about Scout, the young daughter of lawyer Atticus Finch, who defends a black man wrongly accused of a crime in a small Alabama town in the 1930s. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24-26, Jan. 31-Feb. 2 and Feb. 7-9 and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 3.
Carousel: The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical was last produced on the Springer stage in 1977. set in a fishing community in Maine, it's about a simple, sweet girl and her brute of a husband. Songs include "If I Loved You," "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "June Is Bustin' Out All Over." 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28-March 1, March 6-8 and March 13-15 and 2:30 p.m. March 9.
Greater Tuna: This is the comedy by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard. It's about the third smallest town in Texas, and the strange but memorable people who live there. "Greater Tuna" was last produced at the Springer in 1998. 7:30 p.m. May 1-3, May 8-10 and May 15-17 and 2:30 p.m. May 11.

STUDIO II SERIES:
Crimes of the Heart: Written by Beth Henley, this play won the Pulitzer Prize in 1981 and became a movie in 1986 starring Diane Keaton, Sissy Spacek and Jessica Lange. It's about three sisters who rush home to Hazelhurst, Miss., where their grandfather is dying. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8-10 and Nov. 16-17 and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 18.
Doubt: Playwright John Patrick Shanley won an Academy Award for the "Moonstruck" screenplay in 1987 and won the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for "Doubt" in 2005. The drama, set in a Catholic school in 1964, is fashioned like an old-fashioned detective story. It's about a young priest accused of wrongdoing by a nun. 7:30 p.m. April 17-19 and April 24-26 and 2:30 p.m. April 27.

FAMILY HOLIDAY:
A Christmas Carol: This adaptation by Paul Pierce is now a holiday tradition for many families. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 1, Dec. 6-8, Dec. 13-15, Dec. 20-22 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 16.
A Tuna Christmas: It's time again for the Tuna, Texas', ill-fated production of "A Christmas Carol" and the mysterious phantom who destroys the town's Christmas light displays. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-8, Dec. 13-15, Dec. 20-22 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 16.

SPRINGER CHILDREN'S THEATER:
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse: When Lilly interrupts her class to show off her glittery new glasses and purple plastic purse, the teacher takes them away until the end of the day. And guess what happens? Production dates to be determined.
Afternoon of the Elves: Adapted by Y York and based on the Newberry Honor Book by Janet Taylor Lisle, it's about two popular fourth graders who invite Hillary to join them to become "The Mighty Three." When Sara Kate, the little girl next door, asks Hillary to visit the elf village in her back yard, she has to keep a terrible secret. Production dates to be determined.
The Big Friendly Giant: Is based on the novel by Roald Dahl ("Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "James and the Giant Peach") and is about Sophie, a young orphan who sees a giant. When the giant realizes he's been spotted, he kidnaps Sophie and the adventures begin. Production dates to be determined.

TICKETS:
Season tickets: $225, $90 for the five Mainstage, the Studio II and Holiday shows; $175, $70 for students for the five Mainstage and the Studio II shows; $125, $50 for students for the five Mainstage shows.
Single tickets: $8-$35 for Mainstage shows; $8-25 for Studio II and Holiday shows; $5-$8 for Children's Theater shows. Single tickets go on sale in August.
Information: 706-327-3688 or go to www.springeroperahouse.org or www.tickets.com