Scar'd for Life

A new original play will be coming to the Ringgold Playhouse (TRP) stage for a “one night only” performance on Wednesday, April 12 as a fundraising launch for a film adaptation of the locally written story.

The one-act play, Scar’d for Life, was written late last year by local writer and current

TRP executive director Adam Cook. The show recently had its two-weekend world premiere at the Dalton Little Theatre in Dalton, Ga.

            Now, Cook says the cast will perform the play one more time as fundraiser for the film adaptation he and his team are currently working on.

            “Actor Timothy Shields, who is in the play, pitched me the idea a few weeks back of attempting an adaptation so we could encapsulate this great little story we’ve created on film,” Cook said. “At first I wasn’t sure it would be a good script to adapt, but after multiple discussions and hearing some of the ideas Tim and other cast members tossed around, we think this could really be a great next chapter for this little story of ours. We’re planning to finalize the script and raise the funds needed during the spring and summer so we can begin production on the film in the fall.”

            Cook added that the play was very well received in Dalton in mid-March and left audiences wanting more.

            “Audience members were raving about the story and the performances,” Cook said. “Almost everyone we talked to said they wished the play was a full-length effort instead of the 40-minute one-act because they were intrigued by the story and wanted to see more of those characters. That’s what we want to do with the film version. We want to give the audiences what they want and make a movie that’ll tell a more in-depth story.”

            Play synopsis

            The play follows the story of a middle-aged single mother named Scarlett (Sherry Dee Allen), who reflects on her life and death her fatal car accident, while her grown son, Jake (Timothy Shields), encounters two men (Greg Rambin, Sr. and Chris M. Cooper) at her funeral who could each be the father he’s never known. The cast is rounded out by Mary Beth Torgerson playing Jake’s supportive, mother-to-be fiancée.

            “It’s a strong story with relatable characters and great performances by the cast,” Cook opined. “I wasn’t interested in making a movie unless the entire cast wanted to do so. All five actors wanted to and are excited about reprising the roles they’ve originated, so that was the clincher for me. The one night fundraiser is a great way to start funding our film, and it’ll also give TRP audience members who might have missed the show in Dalton a chance to see it right here in Ringgold at the Depot.”

            The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night, April 12, with the house slated to open 30 minutes beforehand.

            Tickets for the show are $10 general admission and $8 for seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased in person at The Catoosa County News in Ringgold, over the phone at 423-227-9459, or at the door via cash or check.