The Sampson Community Theater presented the final two shows of “Little Women ” this past Friday and Saturday to very receptive audiences and an inspired cast.

Although the show was beautiful with its colorful costumes and outstanding music, the weather was again ugly with high winds and below freezing temperatures resulting in some of the audience going out to their cars to pick up a coat. Applause for the singers was frequent and loud as it should have been because the singers gave their all for this historical musical.

One of the highlights of the show was when the patriarch (Mac Maxwell) showed up to announce he was “home from the war” with his Union cap on his head. The bottom line of this show revealed that what began as a house of girls became a house of little women. Many thanks to the sponsors, Performance Dodge and a Grassroots Grant from the N.C. Arts Council.

Already in rehearsals is a Neil Simon comedy from 1980 directed by Tom Wilbur and scheduled to open April 8. Cast are some of our veteran stage comedians sponsored by The Florist and Antiques of Warsaw. Neil Simon has written more stage comedies that deal with ordinary people than any living playwright so you will not want to miss this show.

Patron Sponsor tickets are available by calling Brenda Martin at 990-4510. These tickets allow two people to attend every show we produce and get their names included in every program at a reduced rate .

Upcoming events

I Ought to be in Pictures — Directed by Tom Wilbur. Sponsored by The Florist and Antiques of Warsaw. April 8, 9, 10 and April 15, 16, 17.

Cats — June 16, 17, 18, 19 and June 23, 24, 25, 26.

In the Heights — Date To Be Determined

How to Succeed Without Really Trying — Date to be determined.

Elf, Jr. — Dec. 2, 3, 4 and Dec. 9, 10, 11

Thought until next week:

People are often unreasonable and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind people may accuse you of ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you.

Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.

… Mother Teresa

By Bruce Caldwell

Contributing columnist

https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Dr.-Bruce-Caldwell-3.jpg