Matt M

“And now for something completely different…” The famous quote by Monty Python is a perfect description of Friday night’s “Chautauqua Radio Companion” at the Florida Chautauqua Theater on Baldwin Avenue at 7:00pm. The show is an updated version of an old-fashioned radio show, with music and comedy taking center stage.

“We are so fortunate to have Dread Clampitt on board as the house band for the show”, said Carol Puckett, who co-authored the script with her husband, Chuck. “They are an amazing group of musicians with a huge following locally and nationally. How lucky is it that Balder (lead member of Dread Clampitt) and Jennifer Steele-Saunders live right here in DeFuniak and have both been so supportive and willing to add whatever we’ve needed to make this a truly unforgettable show?”

They will be joined by special guests Walton County’s Matt Miller, everyone’s favorite fiddling prodigy, and Ruthie Puckett, who sings with her North Alabama band, Bimini Road.
Jennifer Steele-Saunders has assembled some of the best talent from the Seaside Repertory Theater to form the Chautauqua Radio Players of the Air. They will delight the audience with a huge range (over thirty) of characters- from George Bush to Bill Clinton, as well as spokesmen for Haggis Cat Food (“when you don’t want fat cats on your doormat”) and the Mullet Advisory board. These are just a few of the satirical sketches and commercials that will keep the audience in stitches between musical numbers.

Local and national media personality Sonny Yates will lend his talents as the show's announcer. “Sonny has added the perfect tone to the production, pulling everything together with his considerable expertise at the microphone as well as his unbounded knowledge of Walton County and the people of Walton County over the years,” said Puckett.

“This is a show you will not want to miss”, said Chuck Puckett (who is also serving as a member of the Radio Players). “It’s one people will be talking about for a long time.”


Tickets are $15.00 and will be available at the Hall of Brotherhood during the Assembly. For more information, you may call the Chautauqua office at 892-3696 or order online at:

Jennifer Steele Saunders

We are really happy to be involved with the show. The Florida Chautauqua Theatre is a great space; if you haven't been to a show there, this is a good time to get a look at the theatre.

The theatre used to be the movie house, and the Thursday night film festival will be the first time movies will be shown in a very long time.

Get tickets!
www.floridachautauqua.org

aleonard

I'm looking forward to this. Thanks

Matt M

We practiced for this on Sunday and it's going to be a great show. The script is very well written--smart and funny. Add in the opportunity to listen to some Dread Clampitt and you've got a must-see show! And as Steeleing1 said, if you haven't seen the restored Chautauqua Theater in DeFuniak, you'll appreciate that too.

SoWalSally

This looks like a lot of fun!

John R

The theatre is such a great room. I was up there yesterday. They also have a huge costume and props shop. From the sounds of things up in DFS, this is going to be an awesome show.

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kurt

How many seats?

John R

Not sure, 175-200.

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aleonard

220.........got to listen in on a little of rehersal last night. It's gonna be great.

Jennifer Steele Saunders

I LOVE that stage and room. Can't wait for tonight. Starts at 7pm.

Oh yeah, did I mention that "Hop" will be on stage? Hearing some of his character voices alone is worth the drive. Then when you combine all the other talent, it is not to be missed.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door at the
Florida Chautauqua Theatre in downtown DeFuniak Springs on Baldwin Avenue.

aleonard

Will someone be shooting this for video tonight? It would be great advertising for the future and you could upload it to share. I'll be there to take pics.

Pumpkin-22

Caught Dread Clampitt (electric version w/drums) last night... better than ever, and with Matt lending his immense talents, look out.

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nowgirl

I was really looking forward to this, any chance it will be rescheduled due to the weather?

kurt

Why do you think it would be rescheduled?

Kase626

I wish I could go, but I'm not allowed to drive all the way up there in this psycho weather! I hope everyone breaks some legs!!

nowgirl

just hoping, due to the psycho weather!

aleonard

Just got in and this was AWESOME What a grayt group of talented people and it was the perfect use for the space.

But, I must admit, the Macbush/Macbeth sketch made me cackle way too loud

Thanks and kudos to everyone involved for a real community night of fun, theater and music!

Tootsie

Chautaqua Home Companion radio show was awesome!!! Dread was so great - and sitting on the very front row I really enjoyed watching them in a theater setting for a full appreciation of the talents these guys offer up! the hank williams songs were my fave... and Matt the fiddler was such a wonderful addition to the stage, as well as ms. Puckett - such a great singer...

our own Steeling1 and Hop were two of the 4 radio actors playing a range of voices and personalities. top notch actors every one!!! the Mullet couple cracked me up the most!!!

It was well worth the trip to DeFUNiak in the rain. I hope we get to see more radio shows in the future - most of the material was all about walton county - and it was a riot.

oh, and so happy to meet aleanord tonight!!!

aleonard

It's not often someone walks up to you and says. "I have two words for you, 'cat butt.' " Great to meet you guys too!!!!!!

jdarg

Perfect- I am so glad y'all met each other!

What a lineup- Dread, Matt Miller, Steeling1 and Hop!! That couldn't be anything but awesome!

I saw in a schedule somewhere that Carlton Ward is speaking today- he is an environmentalist and photographer and was at the 2006 Mountain Film. If anybody is going to be in DeFuniak today, don't miss him. (I have a little crush on him)

kurt

It was a great show! The music was top notch, as good as you'll find anywhere on the planet. The acting and writing were excellent. John R did a masterful job on sound and lights. I demand repeat performances.

Nancy L

Wish I could've been there! Pics?? Video's?? Recordings???

kurt

John R was recording audio and I forgot to ask him if he was planning to broadcast on 30A Radio or make copies available.

I called yesterday to get permission to take some pics but I didn't get a call back, but there was someone taking pics which will probably end up on their website.

Tootsie

JohnR IS the balcony man. thanks for the tour...

spidey was in awe of the entire production.

aleonard

The director had a photographer covering it. He's getting the film developed today. I'm sure some will be scanned in for the website as well as the newspaper, for next weeks issue.

John R.........rocks the tech booth

Tootsie

John R - will the audio be available on the radio, or on cd? now that we've seen it, what funn it would be to listen to it on the radio, huh?

kurt

Film? You're kidding right?

aleonard

Nope..........I was going to shoot digi last night but needed a flash on my little camera. He said he could shoot it without the flash, but uses film. Old school

WaterCourseWay

It was a great show, hopefully the first of many! Kudos to all involved...

A recording?! Would make a fantastic broadcast for 30A radio...

I didn't realize there were so many sowallers there, I would've introduced myself! So strange, not knowing what anybody looks like, but feel like I "know" the folks on here... Maybe I need to get a sowal button or something

aleonard

We need a secret handshake

kurt

aleonard

Then you'd have crazy women like me running up to you and flashing their butt

jdarg

Well, you could say cat butt while you were flashing.

aleonard

Jennifer Steele Saunders

It's not too late to experience the Chautauqua. There are porch parties all around the Lake today from 1:30 - 4:30. I've listed them below. It's a beautiful day to walk around the Lake and be a part of this special weekend.


836 Circle Drive
Dave's Music
Teachers and students from the popular Dave's Music on Baldwin Avenue perform instrumentals and and vocal selections. Dave's Music is a music store that offers lessons for a variety of instruments.

772 Circle Drive
Painting Demonstration
Local artist Helen "Skippy" Hoffman offers a painting demonstration and invites the audience to join her bringing life to canvas.

702 Circle Drive
Handmade Musical Instruments
Billy Carroll demonstrates handmade guitars, mandolin, strumming sticks, and African thumb piano.

650 Circle Drive
Grit & Grace Road Show
Walton County's official folk-life production springs from the histories of Walton County pioneers renowned for their perseverance, courage, faith, grit and tenacity. Grit and Grace celebrates in song our great shared legacy.

620 Circle Drive
The Making of Pottery
Gayla Edwards demonstrates how to create a piece of pottery, from clay to finished form.

550 Circle Drive
Walton Middle School Girls Ensemble
Cecile Lindegrin directs a talented group of young ladies in lovely vocal presentations.

534 Circle Drive
Early American Toys
Local retired attorney, storyteller and actor Jim Moore brings to life cherished toys from bygone days. Learn the challenge of the famous gee-haw whimmy diddle, puzzles and other early American toys.

404 Circle Drive
Blues and Folk Music
Chuck Puckett and daughter Ruthie are members of the folk rock band Bimini Road, as well as experienced stage actors. They will play and sing folk and blues songs.

294 Circle Drive
Muscogee Indian Demonstration
Storyteller Margie Gatti, Director of the Cultural Program Committee of the Muscogee Nation of Florida, presents the Muscogee legend, "How the Stars Came to Be."

CHOB
Panama City Pipes and Drums
A spectacular and stirring performance by this outstanding pipe and drum corps ends the afternoon. The group will follow their porch performance at the Hall of Brotherhood with a parade around the lake and into the First Methodist Sanctuary for the Assembly's closing ceremony.