Curtain Call

A behind-the-scenes look at The Plantation's theater troupe.

The Plantation Theatrical Group began in 1994 as The Sawgrass Players. In recent years, the name was changed to avoid confusion with Sawgrass Village, a new neighborhood within the community. All productions are staged at The Plantation’s Manor Theater.

When audience members settle into their seats for the annual spring comedy at The Plantation at Leesburg, they know they’re in for a treat. Year after year, the large community’s theater group comes up with a real crowd-pleaser. This year, it was the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway hit You Can’t Take It With You by Moss Hart and George Kaufman.

What audience members may not realize, unless they’re directly involved with the theater, is how much work it takes behind the scenes to put on—and pull off!—the annual presentation. Altogether, more than 80 residents worked off stage for this year’s play, from those involved with the presentation itself (stage set, props, sound, costumes, makeup, and lighting) to the equally important crew that handled playbill printing, playbill advertising, tickets, publicity, and photography.

The production brings together retired pro-fessionals with a range of interesting backgrounds—former judges, engineers, and artists, for example—and all bring their own talents to the group. Here’s what you may have missed.

Special thanks to Publicity Director Irene Roth for her assistance with this story.

You Can’t Take It With You,  this year’s production, carried on the Plantation Theatrical Group’s annual tradition of entertaining, successful productions.

Manor Technical Director Fred Roth (right) and assistant Lee Galioto handled all aspects of audio and lighting for this year’s production.

Gary Canner, this year’s director, is a retired federal mediator, judge, and attorney, with more than 35 years of acting, directing, and choreography experience.

Effective lighting is critical to a production’s success.

Jackie Guernsey puts the finishing touches on Howard Arnett’s makeup.

Technical aspects of stage productions are handled from the audio and lighting booth  on the second level of the Theater.

Costumers work closely with cast members to create perfect wardrobes for their characters.

Jackie Mierswa played Essie; Lyle Johnson was Grandpa.

HAPPENING NEXT MONTH

On November 8, the Theatrical Group will present An Evening of Entertainment, featuring two one-act comedies.
For information call (352) 326-4133.