The Duncan Banner

Local News

Related Photos

  • LaVonna Funkhouser, playing an usher, approaches Jennifer Martin, playing Emily, during “Here We Sit.” Derrick Miller/The Duncan Banner

    Here comes the usher
September 19, 2011

DLT delivers nice place to ‘sit’

Humor-filled play is delightful, revealing

Derrick Miller The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — I found myself laughing so hard Saturday night, I could hardly catch my breath. This doesn’t happen often, but laughter like that is a reward.

This time, the reward went to Duncan Little Theatre for its production of “Here We Sit.”

I watched some of the most humorous characters DLT has ever put on stage. I’m not just talking about the characters written into the script, but the characters given life by some of DLT’s acting veterans and newcomers.

While “Here We Sit” premiered to a nearly-sold-out crowd Friday, in the Marlow Opera House, I attended the Saturday performance. The crowd wasn’t large, but there were plenty of people in the audience.

The show, which was made possible through a grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council, was competing with the University of Oklahoma football and an Asleep at the Wheel concert and other Western Fall Festival activities in Duncan.

The DLT production pokes fun at theater, from noisy audience members to the antics of the play cast and crew members. Stage manager Ken Jones even introduced the play as making fun of the audience. For anyone who’s attended a DLT show or visits theater productions often, the subject material will be appreciated.

And there are stroke-of-genius moments throughout the production, which is broken down into a series of theater-related skits.

Tana Latham Ashford does a bit as an actress who’s had it with the audience and decides to tell them how she feels. A wide range of unusual characters are explored during an audience open forum, in which the characters portray different types of audience members.

I watched much of Act One during a rehearsal last week, and knew the show was going to touch on many theater stereotypes. I just didn’t know then how great the play was going to come together.

It’s a lot different to watch a show with the soundtrack and lighting, than it is to watch it completely unpolished, but even before “Here We Sit” fully came together, I was excited to see it.

And it wasn’t just humor. The show has a heart.

Two scenes give the audience something to think about. The first presents Darrell Ashford as a man who realizes he isn’t getting a callback for a role. But the way Ashford presents the character feels true to life.

In a scene from Act Two, Jennifer Martin plays a woman down on her luck, who finds a play based on her favorite book may be the only way to get her life heading in the right direction. In the scene, you feel the pain of Martin’s character. For a moment, you almost believe Martin is talking about herself.

As with DLT’s production of “Tuna Does Vegas,” I would like to see DLT do more productions like “Here We Sit.”

Luckily, people who missed opening weekend get an opportunity to see it at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Marlow Opera House. I’d recommend the trip to Marlow to watch it.

There will also be a performance of the play on Oct. 1, at the Asbury Complex in Comanche.

Text Only
Local News
  • Amanda Thomas has her teeth photographed by Missy Frye at Dr. Kent Hall’s office with the new 3D scanner. Dental scanner eases visits

    Anyone who’s had to have dental or orthodontic impressions made knows how unpleasant an experience it can be. The procedure isn’t comfortable for patients, and Dr. Kent Hall knows that’s the case.

    February 22, 2012 1 Photo

  • School election vote certified

    Following certification of results from the Feb. 14 school bond and board election on Friday, three school bond issue elections and results of three school board elections were finalized.

    February 22, 2012

  • Janet Barresi, Oklahoma state superintendent of public instruction, speaks during the Lincoln Day program Tuesday at the Duncan Golf and Tennis Club. Barresi geared up for transition year

    Dr. Janet Barresi came into a new school year realizing 2012 could become a controversial landscape, with a focus on school reform.

    February 22, 2012 1 Photo

  • County chiefs put day room on sideline

    A day room in the southwest corner of the Stephens County Jail may take on a new purpose, although the Stephens County Commissioners weren’t ready to make that reassignment Tuesday.

    February 22, 2012

  • Jeremy Boren and Kaylee Hartman put some of the finishing touches on Red River’s robot, which will soon be entered in FIRST competition. Robotic revelry

    For the second consecutive year, Red River Technology Center’s Robotics Team has entered the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics competition, which will be held Mar. 29-31, in Oklahoma City.

    February 22, 2012 2 Photos

  • Empire council to discuss annexation

    There will be another discussion of what action needs to be taken on the annexation plan, during the Town of Empire City’s regular meeting, at 6 p.m. tonight, at the Empire Community Building.

    February 21, 2012

  • Environmental efficiency has resulted in a national award for Duncan’s Sanford Children’s Clinic. Sandford Clinic receives award for ‘green’ efforts

    For a little over two years, Duncan’s Sanford Children’s Clinic has been working toward the goal of getting LEED certified and that goal has been met.

    February 21, 2012 1 Photo

  • National magazine names Gregston among state’s top elder care homes

    Caring for the elderly, especially those in need of constant medical attention, takes responsibility and attention to details. According to “U.S. News & World Report,” those are characteristics of Gregston Nursing Home Inc.

    February 21, 2012

  • Chamber serves up Legislative Coffee

    Duncan and Stephens County residents will have an opportunity to ask questions of their local, state and national government representatives, when the Duncan Chamber of Commerce & Industry holds its first Legislative coffee of the season Friday morning, at Cameron University-Duncan.

    February 21, 2012

  • Groundbreaking ceremony was conducted by Duncan Chamber of Commerce & Industry for the Patel family, owners of the Duncan Holiday Inn Express & Suites. From left, Teri Holmes, Billie Price Strutton, front row, Kanchan and Vasant Patel, Mitesh and Pratima Patel, Cindy Robertson, Randy Wilson, Jake Charnoch, Zac Pogue, Jack Barnes and Chris Deal. Back row, from left, Jenna Jeffords, Jackie Haines, Rick Guthrie, Stacy Heare, Susan Camp, Haljean Gilliespie and Susan Nubb. Shovel ready

    In July 2011, an old building on North U.S. Highway 81 was bulldozed to make room for Duncan to expand its hotel and residential base, with the addition of a Holiday Inn Express and a housing development.

    February 21, 2012 3 Photos