Community Theater

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Bill Morgan came to The Old Opera House Theatre Company in 1996. The manager and artistic director of the 336-seat North George Street playhouse grew up in Mississippi and graduated from Lambuth College in Tennessee where he studied business and drama. "I wish I had gotten a degree in plumbing and maintenance," he quips, referring to his work in the nearly 100-year-old downtown theater that has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978.

'Finian's Rainbow' coming to Apollo Civic Theatre "Finian's Rainbow" Fridays, Feb. 23 and March 2, and Saturdays, Feb. 24 and March 3, 8 p.m.; Sundays, Feb. 25 and March 4, 2 p.m. Apollo Civic Theatre 128 E. Martin St. Martinsburg, W.Va. Tickets cost $12 for Friday and Saturday shows, $8 for Sunday shows. For information, call 1-304-263-6766 or go to www.apollo-theatre.org on the Web. MARTINSBURG, W.Va.

Playmakers The stage in the Hagerstown Women's Club auditorium is small. "Everyone swears you can't do theater where we are," says Dick Hershey. That "we" is Potomac Playmakers, and the nonprofit volunteer community organization has been "doing theater" on that stage since 1926. Tomorrow night's opening of Agatha Christie's "Witness for the Prosecution" will mark the third play in the drama club's 72nd season. In the earlier days of Potomac Playmakers, directors were paid for their services.

Community theater like family to thespians By CLYDE FORD Staff Writer, Charles Town CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Susie Miller pointed to the spot where she wanted one of the trees to stand, but she had to wait for the trees to stop giggling before she could get their attention. As director of the Old Opera House's production of "The Wizard of Oz," she's dealing with the community theater's version of flying monkeys, singing trees, a dancing scarecrow and a little dog, Toto, too. "Lori, can you start at 'Apples?