December 15, 2010 • Vol. 09, No. 5
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Spoof of Christmas Carol raises funds for North Valley youth programs MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
Crowds at the Black Box Theater at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center are being introduced to a Scrooge and a Tiny Tim unlike they’ve ever seen before. Desert Foothills Theater’s production of “Inspecting Carol,” is the story of a financially teetering theater company preparing to perform their crown jewel “A Christmas Carol”. Only the crown jewel might not be such a gem under further inspection. With an unstable artistic
director, a leading actor who wants to perform the entire role of Scrooge in Spanish, a kid who has played Tiny Tim so long that Bob Cratchit can’t lift him anymore, a militant black actor an assortment of eccentric players asked to play a white ghost, the theater troupe finds itself entangled in a mounting series of disasters. “I saw the show in Pittsburgh several years ago and I thought it was perhaps the funniest I had ever seen,” Meribeth Reeves, Desert Foothills Theater Managing Director said. “We have an amazing
cast of veteran actors with a lot of experience. They’re a very creative, talented bunch.” Lead actress Heidi Carpenter plays the director of the theater in the play. She said the early reviews from the first weekend were positive. “We had great audiences,” she said. “There was a meet and greet after each show where the audience and cast get to talk. If the audience uses the word fun a lot that’s always a good sign. If they say the show is good, that’s nice, but when they say they had Christmas Carol production continued on page 8
Submitted photo
Inspecting Carol,” a lampoon of the beloved holiday staple, “A Christmas Carol,” is the Desert Foothills Theater’s latest production. The show, which debuted Dec. 10 has tickets remaining for its final three performances, 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and both 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. All shows are at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center. Proceeds benefit the Desert Foothills Community Education “Artists in Residency” programs.
Cactus Shadows gives heads up to rest of 4A ranks MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
Cactus Shadows coach Jeff Vittorio’s team graduated nine seniors from last year’s state semifinal squad, but anyone hoping the Falcons won’t be a factor when the 4A Div-I girls soccer state tournament gets under way in February might want to take notice of the 2010 Huskies’ Tournament of Champions. “I’ve never had a better attacking group offensively,” said the seventh year coach. “We’re constantly pressuring the other team. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’ve got a lot of talent to work with.” On Saturday the Falcons suffered their first loss of the season in a 3-0 defeat at the
hands of 5A Div-II Pinnacle, but the defeat only put a slight damper on the squad from Cave Creek’s run to the title game of the 20-team event. “This tournament was really the first time we’ve played together against top caliber competition,” senior midfielder Lauren Lazo said. “The biggest thing we need to do is learn to communicate better.” In going 4-1 during the event, to improve to 6-1 on the season, the Falcons avenged last year’s state semifinal defeat to Prescott, beating the Badgers 6-1 in pool play. After going 3-0 in pool play by beating Prescott, Seton Catholic (7-0), and Westview (3-0) on Thursday, Cactus Shadows earned a berth in the tournament’s semifinals. There
SPORTS:
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Marc Buckhout/The Foothills Focus
Cactus Shadows senior Taryn McClendon jumps into the air for a header attempt. The Falcons forward scored two goals in her team’s 3-0 win over Westview Thursday. Coming off a 4A Div-I state semifinal appearance last year the Falcons have high aspirations this season. The team is off to a 6-1 start, coming off a second place finish in the 20-team 2010 Huskies’ Tournament of Champions.
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they faced defending 4A Div-I state champion Catalina Foothills on Friday. Prior to the game Vittorio had said the game would be a good measuring stick. “The girls are looking forward to facing top competition,” he said. “We’re going to find out how we stack up.” The answer was quite well. After battling to a 0-0 tie through regulation and overtime the game went to a shootout. Despite missing their first two attempts in the shootout the Falcons rallied back to win the match 4-3 when their sixth shooter, sophomore Katelyn Mardeusz, found the back of the net to advance her team to the finals. girls soccer continued on page 7
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