Actors portray actors in play at Oliver House

Matt Wikander, Matt Taylor, Madge Levinson, Julian Garcia, and Kristen bewley star in 'The Body in the Blizzard' to be presented Wednesdays through March 28 at the Oliver House.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This version corrects the day of the "Stuart Little" production at Owens.

A group of actors create havoc backstage when they fail to focus in The Body in the Blizzard presented this month by North Coast Theatre at the Oliver House.

This original work by director Christine Child is the third in her comedic trilogy that includes Murder at Little Wotting and Terror at Tea Time.

"It's about the personalities, the conflict between the personalities, and the conflict between what the actors are doing and what the director wants them to do... the things that go wrong when you're doing live theater," Child said.

She enjoys the challenge of writing, directing, and changing the script as rehearsals move along. "When you do a new play it gets developed while you encounter the actors. The actors reveal the strength and weaknesses in the script. When you work on a new script it's constantly changing. It's fascinating, it's fun. Everything is unexpected."

The actors portraying people portraying actors include Matt Wikander, Matt Taylor, Madge Levinson, Julian Garcia, and Kristen Bewley.

This comedy is appropriate for those 10 and older and will be performed in a cozy space with no stage or curtain that seats about 50 people "You're right there with the actors. It's kind of like theater-in-the-round," Child said.

"The Body in the Blizzard" will be presented at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through March 28 in the South Wing of the Oliver House, 27 Broadway St. Additional performances are at 8 p.m. March 30 and March 31. Tickets are $10. Information: 419-255-0416 or www.northcoasttheatre.com.

Big Red Dog

VAN WERT, Ohio -- Clifford the Big Red Dog Live! will be larger than life and on stage Sunday at Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert, Ohio.

Canine residents, Cleo, T-Bone, Mac, and Clifford and their human companions Jetta, Charley, and Emily Elizabeth learn to share, play fair, have respect, and help others through understanding, laughter, song, and dance.

"Clifford the Big Red Dog Live! will be performed at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio, 10700 State Rt. 118 S., Van Wert. Tickets are $20. Information: 419-238-6722 or www.npacvw.org.

Directors Needed

Waterville Playshop is seeking directors for its 2012-2013 season. Productions include The Wizard of Oz, Lend Me a Tenor, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Applicants should send a letter of intent and resume to Sam Macera at SMacera859@aol.com. Interviews will take place at 7 p.m. April 1 during the Playshop board meeting at Zion Lutheran Church, 22 N. Second St., Waterville.

Stuart Little

A little mouse takes on life in the human world when Stuart Little is presented Sunday at Owens Community College in a spoken and signed performance.

Stuart, born to human parents, professes size doesn't matter and bravely works to save his bird friend Margalo.

"What's unique about this company [Sign Stage on Tour] is the show is signed and spoken simultaneously from the stage. They all have to be fluent in American Sign. If a deaf actor is signing his lines, another actor turns his head and speaks the lines," said producer Paul Bartz. "Other than the National Theater for the Deaf, it's the only touring company comprised of hearing and deaf actors."

This production opens its three-month tour at Owens with the five-member cast, of which two are deaf and one is hearing impaired. The performers will travel to 31 cities coast to coast for 33 performances.

Speaking and signing simultaneously serves a two-fold purpose, said director Bill Morgan. "For the hearing audience it exposes them to the deaf culture and for the deaf children in the audience they will grow up and realize you can be working in the world of theater... A lot of them have that feeling they're limited."

"Stuart Little" will be performed at 3 p.m. Sunday at Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 30335 Oregon Rd., Perrysburg. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students. Information: 567-661-2787 or www.owens.edu/arts.

Please send theater items at least two weeks in advance to jnjaim@theblade.com.