Today's Feature

"The Fantasticks" at Stone’s Throw.

A Long Running Broadway Musical Hit to Make Premiere In Carthage.

Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre is proud to announce that the long running Broadway Musical hit "The Fantasticks" will make its premiere at Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre Carthage MO.

Performances for the fall engagement will be Sept. 6 - 9 and 13-16 2007. Thursdays through Saturdays doors will open at 6:00 P.M. Dinner at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:00. On Sundays the doors open at 12:30 P.M. and Lunch at 1:00 and the show at 2:00. Price is $20.00 for adults, $19.00 for seniors, under 16 $17.00, and children under 5 free. Reservations can be made by calling Betty Bell at 417-358-7268 or the Theatre at 417-358-9665 or online at bbell23@ecarthage.com or stonestrowdinnertheatre.org.

A classic coming-of-age story, The Fantasticks features two meddling, matchmaking fathers who scheme to get their children together. But once the couple is united, the real drama begins. Featuring the beloved songs "Try to Remember" and "Soon It’s Gonna Rain," this is a celebration of love --- first love, lost love, and ultimately, true love. The Fantasticks has delighted audiences across the world --- including a record-shattering 17,162 performances at the Sullivan Street Playhouse, where it made its Off Broadway debut in 1960.

The "adventures" in rehearsals have been a JOY! The zany, quick-witted and laid-back team of directing staff (director, music director and choreographer) has provided this cast with non-stop fun and exhausting moments of hard work.

Talents from around the area have combined to create a funny, whimsical show with a "Happy Ending." It is being directed by Gary Roney, President of the Board of Directors at Joplin Little Theatre, with Clint Newby, Musical Director and Gerrie Ellen Johnson, Choreographer. The cast includes: Randy Aleshire (Joplin), Elisia Conrardy (Carthage), Rowland Geddie (Lamar), James Goff (Joplin), Cheyla Navarre (Joplin), Andrew Noel (Joplin), Joseph Vega (Neosho), and J. J. Winfrey (Joplin).

"The Fantasticks" is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance material are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019.) The book and Lyrics are by Tom Jones and Music by Harvey Schmidt.

"The Fantasticks" is also funded in part by Missouri Arts Council and Schmidt and Assoc.

What’s really aggravatin’ to me is to stand in long line just to find out you get to take a number, then wait some more till you’re called.. I suppose seein’ those long lines in front of a theater must mean folks think it’s worth the wait.

Those who camp out on the sidewalk just to get tickets to some event have always been a curiosity, I’ve done some campin,’ but usually out in the woods.

The universal rule of havin’ to go to the end of the line if ya cut in is taken seriously by those campers I’d guess.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

This Is A Hammer
By Samantha Mazzotta

Putty vs. Tape vs. String

Q: I’m about to start a project to replace my old kitchen faucet, and of course have been getting all sorts of advice about the best way to do it. I’m confused, though, when it comes to sealing the pipe connections. Some people tell me to use a product called plumber’s putty, others say use tape, and one retired plumber said string is the way to go. What kind of tape or string are they talking about? Which of the three is best to use? -- Terry Y., White Plains, N.Y.

A: Any one of these three products can be used at your discretion in plumbing repairs, as they accomplish pretty much the same thing. They are placed around the threads of screw-in connections to provide a seal against water leaks.

Plumber’s putty is a vegetable-based material that does not dry out and is easy to apply. It’s used in other applications besides sealing threads, because it can be rolled into a string or a ball or spread along a surface.

Plumber’s tape, more properly called Teflon tape, is wrapped tightly around pipe-stem threads before connections are screwed together, sealing the threads.

Packing string is an older type of sealing material that is often seen wrapped around the stems of older fixtures. It’s still a versatile and reliable product, resistant to heat and pressure, though perhaps a bit more frustrating to apply than the two products above.

None of these products is a replacement for proper-fitting hardware and gaskets. Follow the directions provided by either the sink manufacturer or included with the replacement or repair materials. If directions call for use of one of these sealants, use the recommended type: putty, tape or string.

HOME TIP: Manufacturer’s guidelines, replacement-part directions or DIY guides will tell you when, where and if to use supplemental sealants like putty, tape or string, so read directions first before following the advice of acquaintances.