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Sapphire Level Emerald Level

Performance Dates

• Sep 23, 24, 30 and Oct 1 (all 7:30 pm)
• Sep 25 and Oct 2 (both 2:00 pm)

Auditon, Rehearsal and Performance Location

J. Philip Gibbs, Jr. Centre for the Performing Arts
(Old Town Theatre), 1023 12th St., Huntsville, TX

For tickets or more information call 936-291-7933

Synopsis

Comedy. Suppose you're an attractive high school girl and you're not only a member of a large and unique family but your father is, in fact, one of the great pioneers of industrial efficiency. Then suppose he decides, for no apparent reason, to apply his unorthodox methods to you and to the rest of your big family. The results are terribly embarrassing, funny and—it must be admitted—extremely effective! To Anne, however, the chief effect seems to be that of making them seem ridiculous to everyone else at school—especially to the boys! Dad pushes ahead with better organization for his large and delightful family. He puts up a chart for the young people to initial after completing each household task, uses a rung as an imaginary bathtub to demonstrate how to take a really efficient bath and appoints a utilities officer to levy fines on wasters of electricity. While the situations are often uproarious, there's a serious reason. Dad has a heart condition, which he's keeping secret. The children don't understand them. Anne, the oldest, rebels. Both Dad and she are miserable at the lack of understanding between them. Then in a deft and moving scene, Dad becomes aware of how much Anne has grown up.

Character Descriptions

• Mr. Gilbreth (Dad): Late 40's to mid 50's. Carries himself with self-assurance of a successful man who is proud of his wife and family as well as his business accomplishments. Very much a disciplinarian.
• Mrs. Gilbreth (Mother): Late 40's to mid 50's. A gracious, attractive women. She is also a psychologist. In her own way she is often able to get better results with her large family more so than her disciplinarian husband.
• Anne: about 17. Attractive, sweet natured, but stands up to her father.
• Ernestine: about 15. Also the Co-Narrator.
• Martha: about 14. Speaks some German.
• Frank: about 16. Also the Co-Narrator.
• Bill, Lillian, Fred, Dan, Jackie: The younger children.
• Mrs. Fitzgerald: The housekeeper- a kind woman who is completely devoted to the family. Sometimes her patience is tried by the ongoing chaos of the large family.
• Dr. Burton: The family doctor- a plain spoken man.
• Joe Scales: Anne’s age- a very short, cocky cheerleader.
• Miss Brill: A teacher who has no love for the children and they have none for her.
• Larry: Anne’s age, nice-looking, clean cut boy.

About the Cast

9m., 7 w.

About the Authors

FRANK B. GILBRETH, JR., with his sister ERNESTINE GILBRETH CAREY, wrote in the 1940s and 1950s the best-sellers Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on Their Toes. Both were made into major motion pictures: Cheaper by the Dozen starring Clifton Webb in 1950 and Belles on Their Toes starring Myrna Loy in 1952. Dramatic Publishing Company published the acting editions in those same years. In 2003 and 2005, the motion pictures Cheaper by the Dozen and Cheaper by the Dozen II starring Steve Martin were released. Gilbreth's other books include I'm a Lucky Guy, Held's Angels, Innside Nantucket, Of Whales and Women, How to Be a Father, Lobolly, He's My Boy and Time Out for Happiness.

His lifelong career was in journalism, mostly at The Post and Courier in Charleston, S.C., where he retired in 2001 as assistant publisher and vice president. His daily column, "Doing the Charleston," written under the pen name of Ashley Cooper, was a Charleston staple for 50 years. Gilbreth graduated from the University of Michigan and served in the Navy during World War II, earning a Bronze Star. Gilbreth died in 2001 at age 79, in Charleston, where his widow and three children reside. His sister, Ernestine, died on November 4, 2006.

About the Director

Lori “Belle” Carter (Director) is a member of the HCT Board of Directors.  She has directed Rumors, Poetic License, Miss Firecracker Contest and Selfish Giant at HCT.  Other shows include:  Cheaper by the Dozen, Anne of Green Gables, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, The Fourth Wiseman and Barefoot in the Park.  Some of her acting credits include:  Little Shop of Horrors, Jesus the Miracle, The Glory & the Fire and The Rapture.  Lori would like to thank Pastor's Jeff and Eileen Hackleman, Family Faith Church and her family for their inspiration and support.

 

Tickets

Tickets may be reserved online. Ticket prices and purchase arrangements may be found on the Tickets page.

Box Office Hours

HCT’s Box Office opens one hour before the start time of each production.

• 7:30 PM Productions – Box Office opens at 6:30 PM
• 2:00 PM Matinee – Box Office opens at 1:00 PM

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