When the curtain rises for the Potomac Theatre Company’s summer production of Charley’s Aunt on June 14, there will be more than a performance to celebrate.
This opening night will be a main event in the 13-year history of the Potomac Theatre Company, which began as a spontaneous outlet for Potomac’s theatrically-trained residents and grew into a professional theater company that welcomed everyone with a passion for the arts.
NOW, AFTER YEARS of moving from stage to available stage, Potomac Theater Company has a home. Charley’s Aunt will be the first production in the new Blair Family Center for the Arts at The Bullis School, where PTC assumes its role as resident theatre.
It is a state-of-the-art center for both PTC and Bullis students and will be a permanent setting for the community to enjoy PTC performances in a comfortable and professional setting.
A special reception before the opening night performance of Charley’s Aunt will honor Dr. Richard Jung and the Bullis School community and joining them will be supporters of the Campaign for Our Future, theater members, and local churches and schools who made their spaces available for PTC productions.
“This relationship is a dream that Elie had that even predates my coming here,” said Dr. Richard Jung, head of Bullis School. “So for Elie and I to make the dream come true for both the Bullis family and the Potomac area is about as good as life gets.”
As part of PTC’s commitment to the community and to the Bullis School, the group agreed to raise a $100,000 to become a “Pillar” of the Bullis capital campaign.
“PTC has reached its goal this year thanks to all those who supported our Campaign for Our Future,” said Pisarra Cain.
WITH ITS FUTURE secure, Potomac Theatre Company can look back on more than 28 productions staged since 1989 and look forward to a 2002-03 season that opens with Guys and Dolls in the fall, followed by Chain Links and Amadeus.
Amadeus will have a musical score of the original music by Mozart using live orchestra and opera singers.
Carol Strachan, who directed PTC’s Private Lives last year and who is a member of the British Embassy Players, will be directing Charley’s Aunt. She is a veteran of 46 shows, acting, directing and producing.
“It is useful when you act as well, that way you can see both sides of the story as a director,” said Strachan.
There are two British actors in the production, the rest are American. They spend at least a half hour each rehearsal on accents.
Strachan tries to use local actors and this production will feature performances from Martin Flaum of Potomac as Mr. Spettigue, and Elysa Barron, a former Bullis student, also of Potomac, as Kitty.