“Nuncrackers” had its final performance this past Sunday amid an audience that laughed, applauded and cheered for the whole show. And well they should because the cast was perfect in their timing, their lyrics and deserved every applause they received. Sandra Clifton is to be congratulated for directing a formitable group of actors in this musical-comedy that was 75 percent musical and 90 percent comedy. We will all remember the performances of the Little Sisters of Hoboken (and Father Virgil) as they sang, danced and laughed their way into our hearts during the several hours we were exposed to them. Many thanks to the entire cast for their entertaining us for a short time.

Dan Holland will now move his cast of 50 to the big stage for rehearsals for “A Christmas Carol,” which will open on Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. Matthews Gifts and Jordan Shopping Center are the proud sponsors of this show which will feature Scrooge, various ghosts of Christmas and others we are familiar with based on the Charles Dickens classic.

Next Saturday November 24 at 10am Angela Martin will hold auditions for “Hairspray” with repeat auditions on Sunday Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. Angela plans on holding rehearsals during December when the theater is not being used and during January with opening night on Friday, Feb. 1.

The granite blocks under the theater’s marquee may be purchased as an honorarium, a memorial or to advertise your business. The blocks are cemented into the sidewalk and should be there into the next century or more. Contact us by calling 592-8653 and leave us a message for more information.

The Sampson Community Theater is on the website Facebook and you may read about some of our ongoing activities by going to the site.

Upcoming events:

A Christmas Carol” directed by Dan Holland. Rehearsals ongoing. Performances Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 2 and Dec. 7, 8, 9. Sponsored by Matthews Drugs and Jordan Shopping Center. A patron sponsor event.

“Hairspray” directed by Angela Martin. Auditions Saturday Nov. 24 at 10 a.m. and Sunday Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. Sponsored by Kosterman Chiropractic Clinic and a Grassroots Grant from the Sampson Arts Council. Performances Feb. 1-3 and 8-10, 2013. A patron sponsor event.

2013 Season(assuming we can obtain rights),

Hairspray: Feb. 1-3 and Feb. 8-10.

Crimes of the Heart: Oct. 4-6 and Oct. 11-13

Oklahoma: Aug. 23-25 and Aug. 30-Sept. 1

SCT Children’s Theater Workshop: TBA

The Wizard of Oz: June 20-23 and June 27-30

Lost on the Fourth of July: April 5-7 nd 12-14.

It’s a Wonderful Life: Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15.

Thoughts until next week:

He who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger.

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.

Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.