HAMILTON – The Palace Players, Hamilton’s new community theater, present their first production, “The Palace Briefs, 6 One-Acts-Original and Not-So-Original.” The show is Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. The plays are light, comedic and entertaining. Tickets are $6 for students and seniors (60+) and $9 for adults.
“The Palace Theater is a great venue for professionals as well as aspiring playwrights, directors and actors,” said Jim McDowell, author of Very Badly Killed. His son, Mason, who is directing that show says, “The Palace kicks local theater up a notch with the national acts, and we are so lucky to have its resources in Hamilton so we can work toward fulfilling our goals and dreams as well.”
Four of the one-acts are original plays. Very Badly Killed, written by Jim McDowell, Hamilton, is a comedy. Did Engleburt’s husband, Charles, really step in front of the 9:05 to Windham? Or was it suicide? And what about all that steamy junk mail from Ed McMahon?  It’s Lieutenant John Peterson’s toughest case yet, but, with the help of longtime partner Sergeant Morelli, it just might be impossible.
Richard Enders portrays Mark Twain, one of the all-time great American authors, sharing Twain’s thoughts and anecdotes in “Mark Twain on Stage!” (f/k/a ”Mark Twain Live!”). The Coming of Pan, written by James Alan Millbower, Utica, is a tale about a traveling troubadour introducing ill-mannered people in an ill-mannered town featuring: betrayal, greed, corruption and goodness. Served with a generous “potion” of doom and a dash of hope!
“The Music Room,” written by Hugh Humphreys, is a humorous and poignant fictional account of a teenage boy involuntarily sent to Utica. He lives with his aunt during the Depression and through some twists and turns, ends up eavesdropping on a couple of budding opera singers in the next door apartment, when he discovers he actually “likes the stuff.”
“DMV Tyrant,” directed by Alessandro Trinca, Oneida, and written by Christopher Durang, is a comedy depicting an employee of the Department of Motor Vehicle “compassionately helping the victim” (customer): just another day at the DMV. Adam Kane, Sherrill, directing False Compare, has selected eight sonnets by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare's famous sonnets focus on three themes: longing for a lover, rejection by a lover, and advice for the young lover.
Local performers do an amazing job giving life to all of the characters: Adger Williams, Alessandro Trinca, Ariel Eliaz, Bruce Ward, Jan Taubman, Jeff Taylor, Jen Larcher, Lauren Mettler, Larry Baker, Mason McDowell, Meena Nair, Richard Enders, Samantha Millbower, Sarah Davies Hasegawa, Steve Spiller and Rosemary Jaytaine, as the piano accompanist.
“There is so much talent in and around our community,” says Patricia von Mechow, director of the Palace Theater and co-founder of The Palace Players. “Jim McDowell’s Very Badly Killed is hysterical and Hugh Humphreys’ operetta features the incredible voices of Jen Larcher and Sarah Davies Hasegawa.”
The third season of ONStage features live musicals, dramas, comedies, and dinner theater. Excitement kicks off October 3 with Beatlemania Again, a national touring Beatles tribute stage show; The Song From the Sea (Oct. 10); The Water Coolers (Nov. 21); Babes In Toyland (Dec. 12); The Jackie Robinson Story (Feb. 21); Westside High School Reunion-Interactive Dinner Theater (March 13); Foolz (April 10); and Simple Gifts (May 1).
The Palace Theater is located at 19 Utica Street, in historic downtown Hamilton within easy walking distance of free parking, boutiques and casual dining. The performing arts center is an intimate environment to enjoy a great show and taste delicious locally baked desserts in our café. Tickets are non refundable. Seating is general admission. Visit www.palacetheater.org or phone (315)824-1420 for more information or to order tickets for The Palace Briefs and other shows.