Gary Wilson as Ben Franklin, left, explains to Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Chadwick Lewis, the folly of not returning to his own time during rehearsals in Sampson Community Theatre's upcoming production of Rick Harlowe's 'Lost on the 4th of July.' Directed by Tom Wilbur, and sponsored by Clinton Appliance & Furniture Company, this comedy is bound to start you thinking about what's happened to the country since the Declaration of Independence was formed and how the founding father's would see us today. Performance dates are April 5, 6, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. with matinees April 7 and 14 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for senior citizens and youngsters.

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In just two weeks, the curtains will part at the Sampson Community Theatre to the mature comedy-fantasy “Lost On The 4th Of July” which has a cast composed of stage veterans like Aaron Batts(“Fame”, “Harvey”, “Hairspray”, “Putnam County Spelling Bee”, etc,), Chad Lewis(“A Christmas Carol”, “Hairspray”), Gary Wilson (at least 10-20 shows at SCT), Gary Melvin(at least 30 shows at SCT), Lila Maxwel l(“The Carol Burnett Show”, “Hairspray”), Hannah Holland (“Come Blow Your Horn”, “A Christmas Carol”, etc,), Betti Williams and Sue Blanchard (“Carol Burnett Show”, “A Christmas Carol”).

Indeed it takes a talented cast to do “Lost” because one of the fantasy elements has to do with teleportation which is a term that most folks were not familiar with until the Star Trek TV shows of the 1960’s where a teleporter figured in the origin of the popular term “Beam Me Up, Scotty.”

The cast and directors (Tom Wilbur and his assistant Dan Holland) have been very busy with set building, prop finding, and costume purchasing all the while trying to get the comedic timing down to perfection. Hope you make your plans to be with us on some of the shows dates which are April 5, 6, 12, 13 at 8 p.m. and April 7 and 14 at 3 p.m.

Many thanks to Dwight Horne at Clinton Appliance and Furniture for sponsoring and providing the set furniture for “Lost On The 4th Of July.”

Congraulations to Catherine Smith for attaining the runnerup role in the recent Young Miss Sampson County Pageant. Catherine was Kanga in “Winnie The Pooh” and performed as the Ghost of Christmas Past in “A Christmas Carol,” giving superlative effort in each one of the shows. You go girl!!!!

Although “Lost On The 4th Of July” is the second show of our 2013 season, there is still time to obtain a Patron Sponsor ticket which entitles you to two tickets for the remaining shows in 2013 and a listing of your name or business in all future programs this year.

The Sampson Community Theatre is on the website Facebook and you may read about some of our ongoing activities by going to www.facebook.com/SampsonCommunityTheatre and becoming our friend or at least ‘like’ us

2013 Season

(assuming we can obtain rights),

Lost on the Fourth of July: Performances April 5-7 and 12-14, Sponsored by Clinton Appliance and Furniture.

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

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

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

Thoughts until

next week

•The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our lives, the clearer we should see through it.

• A person should never be ashamed to own they have been in the wrong, which is but saying they are wiser today than they were yesterday.

• The human mind treats a new idea the same way the body treats a strange protein; It rejects it.