The FOA celebrates 40 years on Saipan!

It’s hard to believe that the 2014 season is the 40th year anniversary of the Friends of the Arts! Since 1974, the FOA has had the privilege of showcasing some of the best talent Saipan has to offer and this year is no exception! This year’s events will once again show that the FOA is committed to bringing the best, brightest, and most versatile shows to the stage for all to see.

The 2014 FOA season presents:

• Nov. 21-23—I’m Not Rappaport: a collection of shorts from American vaudeville and British music hall. Some of the most talented American and British actors and actresses took part in vaudeville and music hall performances in the earlier part of the 20th century. The FOA will highlight some of the more memorable pieces. Auditions will be held today, Nov. 10, between 5pm and 7pm.

• Dec. 12-14: FOA presents A Glee-full Christmas Review. The FOA continue to be a major supporter of the Marianas High School Glee Club by again including them in our 40th anniversary program year. Come and be dazzled by the extraordinary talent these young people have!

• Feb. 13-16: Let’s Fall In Love, Again! A Valentines Day Musical Variety Show. Here the FOA reprises our celebrated 2009 Valentine’s Day show with a fresh new set of love songs from your favorite musicals!

• March: Roman Rudnytsky. Once again, the FOA brings world-renown pianist Ramon Rudnytsky back to Saipan! Rudnytsky breathtaking mastery of the piano is a sight to behold! These performances are not to be missed!

• May: Café Murder by Nathan Hartswick/Three Doors to Death by Keith Jackson. This performance is actually two for the price of one, as the audience becomes a major contributor to the fun and mayhem! These performances will chance every night based on the audience’s input!

This ambitious 2014 season ensures that the 40th anniversary of the FOA on Saipan will set a new benchmark for the arts in the CMNI!

To help initiate this exciting new season, the FOA will have a general membership meeting on Nov. 12, 2014, from 6:30pm to 9pm, at the Canton Chinese Restaurant, across from the Mobil/McDonald’s in Garapan. Canton always presents us with a delicious Chinese buffet. The meeting will also include musical and thespian entertainment.

Please join us for what promises to be our best year yet! Season tickets are ready for members to purchase at $40 each. Season tickets provide reserved seats for each program at an average cost of $10 per show compared to the member rate of $12 per show. Season ticket holders have the benefit of inviting one additional guest to each show at no additional cost! Please order your season tickets through Frank Gibson by email at flgibson@yahoo.com. Season tickets will also be available at the general membership meeting. (Leo F. Goode Jr./Special to the Saipan Tribune)