See what 26 years of seclusion can lead to!?

The Girls in 509 is here and the box office is already buzzing with activity, so make plans to buy tickets for this wacky and witty play. This is the first show of the 2004-2005 season, and we would love to celebrate it with you. A very special gala catered by Verde’s Bistro will kick off opening night on Thursday, September 30th. If you've never been to a gala, it's time to make a date. For just an additional $10 over the ticket price, you can enjoy food, drink, fun and friends, and that's before the show starts! It will also be your chance to meet the guest director Barry Pineo, and I’ll be there to talk with friends both old and new.

One of the many unique aspects of this show is that the Guest Director is Austin theatre critic, Barry Pineo of Round Rock. He is an Arts Writer for the Austin Chronicle and lives in Round Rock with his wife, Johanna, (Head of the Drama Department at Round Rock High School) as well as their two sons. Actually, Barry describes himself as acting coach, arts writer, freelance director, freelance actor and co-founder of The Austin Acting Workshop. He's happy to wear many hats and say's that he feels very fortunate to be able to make his living within theatre centered activities. This month, Barry can add Author to his list of occupations. His book, Acting That Matters is due to be released on Allworth Press by the end of September.

Barry says this story is about Aunt Hettie, the wacky, wealthy Republican who holes up in a Big Apple hotel room with her young niece for 26 years. She does this because Herbert Hoover loses the 1932 election to "That Man", also known as FDR. Sally Stemac of Kingsland is cast as Aunt Hettie. Sally was last seen as Grace in Grace & Glorie at HCCT. Beth Burroughs makes her debut at HCCT as Mimsy, Hettie's niece. Local favorites Kirk Tatum and Priscilla Casteneda, both of Marble Falls also join the cast. Barry say's that he is struck by how relevant this story is today, in spite of the fact that it was written long ago. It's also very funny and made absolutely hysterical by at least two characters who do the entire play in voices other than their own. Barry even draws parallels between this play and Shakespeare's, The Tempest. ( Hmmmm, very interesting. ) As to the actors, he say's he's been very impressed with the level of talent in the cast. Interesting components? Barry promises an elevator which you will believe is moving from the ground floor all the way up to the fifth floor, right there on the stage at The Hill Country Community Theatre. Also, there is a zebra trap guaranteed to thrill.

Rounding out this talented cast are Frank Adams, Jack Frazee, Brian Jacobs, Mike Morelli, and Dave Pantano. Theresa Bishop is stage managing.

We are celebrating our 20th anniversary season and we've got quite a line-up for the rest of the year, including Oklahoma, Steel Magnolias, The Rainmaker, An O. Henry Christmas and The Hobbit as the summer musical. Our membership drive is in full swing, so it's a great time to introduce someone new to the theatre. Regular memberships are $75 for a single (1 ticket to each production) and $150 for a couple (2 tickets to each production). This is a savings of $30 and $50 respectively over the regular ticket prices. Contributing memberships are also a great way to support the theatre (bronze $300), (silver $500), (gold $750) and (platinum $1000).

The show opens on Thursday, September 30th, with a spectacular pre-show gala (starts at 6:45) and runs for nine performances through Sunday, October 10. Curtain is at 8:00 pm nightly (Wednesday - Saturday) and 2:15 pm for the two Sunday matinee performances. Adult tickets are $25 for the opening night gala and $15 for all other performances. Children's tickets (12 and under) are $17 for the gala and $7 for all other performances. The box office opens weekdays and Saturdays from noon until 4:00 pm, beginning, September 20, for patrons and Thursday, September 23 for the general public. Information and group reservations can be obtained by calling 830-798-8944 or using the www.hcct.org website. Additional ticket locations are at the Century 21 office on Hwy281 in Marble Falls and the Franklin Bank (previously Highland Lakes Bank) on Hwy. 1431 in Kingsland. HCCT is located at 4003 W. FM 2147 in Cottonwood Shores, between Marble Falls and Horseshoe Bay.