MADIGRAL FEASTE ON TAP FOR DEC. 7-9

While the plot premise changes in the sixth annual Ye Olde Madrigal Feaste, the format remains the same.

Plenty of singing, dancing, comedy, food and Medieval atmosphere will be on tap Dec. 7-9 when the annual event takes place at the Bavarian Halle near Fruitland. Tickets, at $16.50 apiece, are expected to be gone by early this week. Those still seeking tickets should call 243-9513 or 243-1517 by Monday.

The feast has grown every year since its inception in 1995. That growth keeps Jackson High School Choir Director Jean Schweain hopping.

"It's like running a small business," said Schweain, who oversees the music, drama, script, food arrangements and decorations. "It always comes together, though."

More than 100 JHS choir students will be involved in the production. Several of those with major speaking parts have some high school theater experience. That, naturally, will be a plus.

"They're working hard, learning their parts," Schweain said. "It seems like kids today can memorize things so fast. It's been such a hectic fall, I feel like we've been short on time."

This year's plot involves the tale being read as a fairy tale. Jennifer Watkins will portray the mother who reads the story. Mandy Burlbaugh will be Catherine, her small child.

The King's Court includes Andy Young as the court Stewart; Chris Shank as King Louis, the Saint; Erika Beasley as Queen Isabelle; Greg Schwab as Lord Phillip O'Riley; Meredith Lape as Lady Erin O'Riley; John Jackson as Sir Ebeneezer Rouge; Deidre King as Lady Agatha Rouge; Jason Brown as Duke Edward Chesire; Brittney Dickerson as Duchess Marge Cheshire; Layne Beller as Sr. William Westmoreland; Lindsey Hobeck as Lady Mariam Westmoreland; and Jeff Niswonger as Gerald the Herald.

"The last two years the plot was written around Father Time, which was written for Adam Sherinski," Schweain said. "We've revised it this year, taking a storybook approach. The mother is reading the story from a fairy book. It will still be full of music, dancing and comedy."

Shank, one of the stage veterans, also wrote a poem about a knight battling a dragon. The poem will be acted out as one of the period skits.

Chris Fields, Jonathan Parks, Ryan Stroder and Dustin Winkler will be the "Knights of the Square Table," while Blake Burress and Zach Rice will entertain as Sir Chester and Sir Lester, the court jesters. Royal trumpeters will be Jimmy McCormack, Brent Eaton and Brandon Andrew. Royal pages will be Laura Eftink, Samantha Myer, Erin Holshouser and Rachel Smith. Royal guards will be Tim Spradlin and Matt Roethemeyer.

The evenings will include a Medieval-style meal, served at 6 p.m. Schweain said that this year the production will begin at 6:30 p.m., sharp.

The handbell choir will also be featured, as well as Sophie Gathman on the harp. This year a guitarist and a mandolin player will be added.

"There should be lots of variety," Schweain said.

Among the other actors with speaking parts are Samantha Thurman, Stuart Knowlan, Christa Chubboy, Tuffy Keenan, Samuel Gregg, Roni Hayden, Gathman and Jessica Brown.