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Million Dollar Moments In a year that was anything but ordinary, the Ocala Civic Theatre managed to pull off an extraordinary season. // B Y K A R I N FA B R Y- C U S H E N B E R Y
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his season, the Ocala Civic Theatre pulled together a complete, sixproduction season, while other theaters across the country remained shuttered. As a matter of fact, in June, OCT was one of just five community theaters in the United States offering live programming for its audience, all in accordance with CDC recommendations, of course. And now, the staff, actors and volunteers are gearing up to close the season with a show that Artistic Director Katrina Ploof says will blow the roof off the building. “Million Dollar Quartet is inspired by a true event that took place on December 4, 1956,” says Katrina. “Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash spent an evening playing together at Sun Records in Memphis. They were all in their 20s and all poised on the edge of great careers.” The production will feature six actors portraying the four music legends, Elvis’ girlfriend at the time and the legendary Sam Phillips of Sun Records. The actors/musicians will treat the audience to more than 30 of the hits performed and recorded that night. “This is truly a remarkable play with music you will love,” says Katrina. “It’s a wonderful story about Sam Phillips and his relationship with these kids. We have had so much fun rehearsing it that everyone comes early and stays late. It promises to be a great night.” The Ocala Civic Theatre is the longest continuously running performing arts venue in North Central Florida, celebrating its 70th season. And as the 2020-2021 season comes to a close, Katrina and everyone else at OCT is already looking ahead to the theater’s 71st season. “We are going to open with Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” Katrina says. “A fun, crazy romp that’s based on a 1988 Steve Martin film. We are also thrilled to be hosting the world premiere of a new play called Paper Thin.” The production 14
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was written by TK Lee, a young American playwright and published poet who was named a Tennessee Williams Scholar in 2020. “Paper Thin is a dramatic comedy that takes place on the roof of a house in Mississippi,” says Katrina. The Christmas season will bring It’s A Wonderful Life’s radio play to the OCT. This sweet adaptation of the holiday classic is portrayed as a live 1940s radio broadcast. Another production, Around the World in 80 Days, will feature five actors portraying 68 roles. One play Katrina is especially excited about is Underneath the Lintil, a one-man show starring a librarian who discovers a book in an overnight drop-off bin that was turned in 113 years late. He sets off on a quest to find out the history behind the book. “This is a remarkable show,” Katrina says. “It’s 90 minutes of a magical production that
will take your breath away.” The 2021-2022 season will close out with Beauty and the Beast, a production that hasn’t been professionally staged in Ocala yet. You can sense the excitement in Katrina’s voice when she shares details about the current and upcoming performances at OCT, and she encourages everyone to come and experience the theater for themselves. “You have relied upon artists all year to entertain you while at home,” she says. “We understand how stories, artists and creative people can inspire us. Why not come out and experience some of that magic in person.” Katrina adds that the theater’s seats are brand-new, too! “It’s just as comfy as your couch,” she laughs. Ocala Civic Theatre // (352) 236-2274 // ocalacivictheatre.com
