You Can Take the Girl Out of West Virginia… Jennifer Garner Returns Home to Help and Inspire!

By Susan J. Yeager

A small crowd of event ticket holders gathered outside of the Charleston Civic Center Little Theater, hoping to catch the first glimpse of the evening’s guest of honor. “Do you think she’ll be in a limo?” I wonder aloud to the nice lady standing next to me with whom I had been chatting. “Of course,” she replied. Isn’t that how all movie stars travel we guessed? We should have known better. Jennifer Garner just doesn’t roll that way. When a non-descript, mid-size, four door pulled up, hardly anyone looked twice. Until, that is, West Virginia’s most famous movie star stepped out of the front seat.

Jennifer grew up in Charleston and spent many hours working on Charleston Light Opera Guild productions like “Gypsy” and “Barnum.” She has remained close friends with her director and mentor Nina Denton Pasinetti. She told reporters that Nina was too sweet to ask for help, so she called when she realized she would be making a trip home and offered to host a benefit for the Guild. She said she realized that she sprung the news a little late, giving the guild only about 4 weeks to put together the whole event. “I’m sure that they would have liked at least six months” she reasoned. Luckily, the guild would be launching the run of their latest production, “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” around the same time Garner would be coming home.

"It's great to be home, be able to help out the Guild. Theater is so important in every community,” she tells local news station WCHS. She encouraged people to get involved with local theater, volunteer, buy season tickets, and try out for shows.

Jennifer walked a red carpet into the Little Theater, stopping to visit with well wishers and greet old friends, teachers and former cast mates. “I was hoping to see your faces!” she exclaimed to one older couple as she hugged them and kissed their cheeks. The most time given was reserved for the young children who were enthralled with the actress, hanging on her every word. She found common ground with one youngster, having both shared the same role (“Baby June” in Gypsy) and the same instructor. Jennifer recalled a life lesson learned with the aspiring actress, telling her of one rehearsal she will never forget.

Apparently, the instructor did not go easy on those who were late, making anyone five minutes late or over, sit and watch the rehearsal instead of taking part. Jennifer, who wanted to sit this one out (“I wanted to do ballet or something,” she tells her wide-eyed listener) she arrived six minutes late to practice and then indeed, sat and watched the rehearsal. However, once the cast was done, they pulled out all the costumes and “got to play dress up” Jennifer recounts. She had to sit and watch the others play. “I was never late again,” she says.

The actress introduced the evening’s performance of “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” and took in the show. She then mingled with guests at a reception and posed for photos with ticket holders. Money raised from the benefit will go to help the guild continue to produce stellar productions in the area and continue to nurture the love of the arts.

With Jennifer Garner, what you see is really what you get. Had you been living under a rock and not known the woman before you was a successful actress in both film and television, she would have seemed like the girl next door visiting with neighbors who share her same interests. Maybe that’s because, that’s exactly what was happening.

You can catch a performance of “Thoroughly Modern Millie” at the Civic Center Little Theater on June 24, 25 and 26th.

For more on the Guild, visit: http://www.charlestonlightoperaguild.org/

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Charleston, West Virginia is “Thoroughly” Excited to Welcome Jennifer Garner Home! Accomplished Actress Returns to Give Back to the Place That Started it All!

By Susan J. Yeager

The Charleston Light Opera Guild is not only known for its stellar productions that feature the best performers the area has to offer. It’s also known for launching the career of a native named Jennifer Garner. The actress, who starred in the hit television show “Alias” and several feature films, returns home on Saturday, June 18 to help the organization that honed her acting skills while she was a high school student.

Garner will walk the red carpet of the theater company’s latest production, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and introduce the show. Following the performance, she will then host a gala for ticket holders. Tickets for Saturday’s evening show and gala are $120. For $200, you can attend the show and gala, plus have a photo taken with Jennifer. The proceeds go to help the theater company continue its top quality productions in an economy where entertainment is usually the first thing to be cut out of tight budgets.

Hoping to follow in Garner’s footsteps, in terms of a successful acting career is 19 - year old, Liz Falstreau, a Knoxville, TN native who moved to the Charleston area a few years ago. She attended George Washington High School (Garner’s alum) where Light Opera Guild director Nina Denton Pasinetti teaches. Falstreau is excited to have landed the lead of “Millie Dillmount” in this current production. Check out our Q&A with this rising star below!

Performances of the show are held at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theater and will be presented June 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26, 2011. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. except June 19 and 26, which begin at 5:00 p.m. For additional information, please visit: http://www.charlestonlightoperaguild.org

Meet Liz Falstreau Who Brings “Millie” to Life!

When did you realize that you wanted to be an actress?

Well, I have always sung, and a big part of singing is acting. It is hard to say I love one more than the other so I like to say that “Performing” is my passion. There was no distinct moment of revelation, I have always been goofy and I like to get laughs out of people. So I think my love for it stemmed from the fact that I came into this world a ham. There is something about the stage; it is like a playground for me. It is filled with an endless amount of possibilities.

How did you get involved with the Light Opera Guild?

I moved to Charleston from Knoxville, TN the summer before my sophomore year. The move was hard for me because of it happening in the middle of high school, so, my Dad went to all of the local community theater shows and deemed the Guild his favorite for how legitimately they pulled off the performances. They were having auditions for Cinderella that fall and I tried out. I was called back for the role of Cinderella, but ended up in the chorus, which was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I met so many wonderful people and knew that I would not be able to stay away from them. I did five shows in a row that year, as well as George Washington’s drama productions. Busiest and best time of my life, the move was worth it.

What’s the best part of playing “Millie?” Singing.

Oh, I just love it. The feeling of bringing the character to life in song is so fulfilling to me. Also, she is the ingénue, but she also gets to be quite comedic, which is nice. I just love doing both!

Can you comment on what it’s like working with Nina Denton Pasinetti?

She pushes you to perfection and lets you know when you aren’t, which I actually like. I like it because I know that every detail, note, criticism, and praise she gives serves a purpose to make the show better. She wants nothing but the best for her performers, so she expects nothing less than the best out of her performers. I have learned so much from her in the years I have worked with the guild. I can’t even begin to describe how fortunate I was to have found her.

How do feel about Jennifer Garner attending the show?

Thrilled, excited, nervous. Not only because she is a big name out in the world, but because she is a big name here in Charleston. I cannot wait to meet the sincere, down-to-earth person all of my friends at the guild have described to me. She is doing so much in throwing a benefit and I aspire to one day have just half of her talent, career, and beauty. I hope she enjoys the show!

How would you describe the show?

The show centers around Millie, who has come from a small town in Kansas to the big city that is New York in the 1920’s. She has plans to marry rich and live however she wants, and discovers in the process that love means more than any money would.

Meanwhile, the manager of the hotel she lives in, Mrs. Meers, is at the forefront of the white slave trade, preying on orphans. Basically I would describe it as a Brand New Good Old Fashioned Musical, and a lot of good fun! Definitely a family show!

I would now like to take the time to mention some of the fabulous performers in the show, Chris Williams (Jimmy Smith), Cary Lantz Brown (Dorothy Brown), Adam Campbell (Trevor Graydon), Shefica Heylinger (Muzzy), Linda Reynolds (Mrs. Meers.), Bob Mcarty (Ching Ho), Michael Harris (Bun Foo), Jeannie Matris (Miss. Flannery), Toni Pilato (Ruth), Heather Warren (Gloria), and Kerri Templeton (Alice). I wish I could put every character, because that is how good this cast is. So much talent up there.

What are your plans for the future?

Gosh, I am going to Florida State University for Vocal Performance, and in three years when I have finished my degree, who knows? Broadway, Europe, more school? All I know is that I am going to keep doing what I have always loved; performing.

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Jennifer Garner Returns Home to Benefit Local Theater!

Charleston’s Favorite Daughter, Jennifer Garner, to host benefit for the Charleston Light Opera Guild during FestivALL Charleston 2011.

Actress and former Charleston Light Opera Guild veteran, Jennifer Garner, will host a red carpet benefit for the Charleston Light Opera Guild on June 18, during FestivALL Charleston 2011, when the Light Opera Guild presents Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre. Attendees of the June 18th benefit performance will be invited to attend a gala reception at the Civic Center following the show. Benefit price for the show and the party are $200 for premium reserved seating and a photo with Ms. Garner. Benefit price for the show and the party with reserved seating are $120. All tickets will go on sale June 1st at the Civic Center Little Theatre Box Office. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

For additional information, please visit the Guild's official site