TOTS starts community choir

Theatre Off the Square is looking for stars.

Choral Stars, that is.

The popular theatre group has started a community choir named, well, The Choral Stars. They will present their first live concert on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. in the theatre located at 114 Denton St. in Weatherford.

And it is absolutely free to come and see history.

“We have wanted to start the community choir for a while, but finding someone with the knowledge to lead one has been holding us back. During our production of ‘Something Rotten’ we got to know Katie Everhart, who mentioned in conversation her passion for chorale music and desire to start a community choir,” TOTS Board Member Clara Moltz said. “Katie has been tremendously involved and her passion has fueled the choir.”

The choir currently has a dozen members (three men, nine women). It is open to adults ages 18 and up. Experience is not required and there are no auditions.

Rehearsals are Sunday evenings at Theatre Off The Square.

There is no cost to join the choir, but members will be asked to purchase a choir t-shirt. However, private arrangements can be made if this is cost prohibitive. Sheet music and notebooks will be provided.

“So if anyone has a passion or curiosity for singing, please come be a part of it,” Moltz said. “At this time the choir is open to anyone who would be interested in joining. No previous experience is required and no auditions.”

Moltz believes it is important for communities to have a variety of art and entertainment opportunities. Hence, the choir is a good addition.

“We recognize that staged productions are not the only way for art to add value to the lives of the community,” she said. “The choir provides an alternate way for others to participate who may be uncomfortable in a play or musical.

“Not every person can commit to a full rehearsal schedule that a staged production requires, but a choir where you are one of many may be just the right opportunity for some.”

So look for more concerts on the horizon.

“We would love to continue finding opportunities for the choir, in our theatre home or outside of it,” Moltz said.

If interested in joining, email choralstars@theatreoffthesquare.org for more information.

Holiday show

Meanwhile, the TOTS holiday stage production is “Dear Jack, Dear Louise.” It will run Dec. 5-21.

On Fridays and Saturdays the shows will start at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

The show is based on the true love story of author Ken Ludwig’s parents. It is set in the 1940s during World War II and follows the courtship of Jack and Louise through letters.

U.S. Army Captain Jack Ludwig, a military doctor stationed in Oregon, begins writing to Louise Rabiner, an aspiring actress and dancer in New York City, hoping to meet her someday if the war will allow. But as the war continues, it threatens to end their relationship before it even starts.

Ken Ludwig is a Tony Award-winning playwright whose other works include “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” and “Lend Me a Tenor.”

“It is like watching a hallmark movie come to life on stage,” Moltz said of the upcoming production.