"Gross Indecency" in Kingwood

The public is invited to join theatrical players from Lone Star College-Kingwood’s Drama Department for the upcoming stage production of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, opening Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the SFA Performing Arts Theatre.

Oscar Wilde was one of the most successful playwrights of his time and considered a celebrity in Victorian era London. But even as "An Ideal Husband" and "The Importance of Being Earnest" were being celebrated on stage every night, during the day Wilde was being viciously attacked in the courtrooms of England. He suffered a dramatic disgrace and was imprisoned for two years’ hard labor after being convicted of “gross indecency.”

Using trial transcripts, personal correspondence, interviews and other source materials, nine men tell the story of the downfall of a great man of letters whose artistic genius has long been overshadowed by the scandal surrounding his imprisonment.

“We are thrilled to be producing this exciting piece,” said Eric Skiles, LSC-Kingwood’s artistic director of theater. “It is not your average theatre story…it is really more like visual storytelling or a documentary-style presentation. It is fascinating to watch history come alive as this play unfolds.”

Gross Indecency is written by Moises Kaufman & the Tectonic Theatre Project. The LSC-Kingwood production is directed by J. Stewert Hawley and will be the college’s entry for the 2009 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

The cast includes: Mark Strzepek as Oscar Wilde, Eric Kosecki as Lord Alfred Douglas, Anthony Buckley as Lord Queensbury, Jeff Logan, Ryan Williams, Jeremy White, Lucas Farr, De’Andre Goins, and Chris Jacobsen.

This production is suitable for theatre patrons 16 years of age and older.

Performances will be held Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 1-3 and Oct. 8-10, at 7:30 p.m. in the Student and Fine Arts Building, Performing Arts Theatre. There will also be a matinee performance on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for seniors (55+) and $5 for students. All tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information, call 281.312.1532.

Register for credit classes in one of three ways: phone, online or on campus. Classes are offered days, evenings, or weekends in traditional, Internet, video, TV and independent study formats. Current students can register by telephone at 281-519-6625. Former and current students can register online at LoneStar.edu/registration.

For general information about Lone Star College-Kingwood, call 281-312-1600 or visit our Web site at LoneStar.edu/kingwood..

Actor Patrick Swayze Dies; Houston Native Had Battled Cancer

LOS ANGELES (September 14, 2009)—“Dirty Dancing” actor Patrick Swayze, 57, has lost his yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer.

Swayze died Monday with his family at his side, his publicist Annett Wolf said.

In March 2008, it was disclosed that the Houston native had been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

Despite the grim prognosis, Swayze continued to work on the A&E series “The Beast,” in which he starred, although he said the cancer put him “through hell.”

Swayze became a star in 1987 with his performance in the coming-of-age classic “Dirty Dancing.”

Three years later, his role in “Ghost” made him a big screen favorite.

Patrick Swayze was born on August 18, 1952 in Houston, Texas, the eldest child of Patsy Yvonne Helen (née Karnes; b. 1927), a choreographer, dance instructor, and dancer, and Jessie Wayne Swayze (1925-1982), an engineering draftsman.[6][7] He had two younger brothers, actor Don (born 1958) and Sean Kyle (born 1962), and two sisters, Vicky Lynn (1949-1994) and Bambi, who were adopted into the family.[8] His surname originated with an English immigrant ancestor named "Swasey".[7]
Until the age of 20,

Swayze lived in the Oak Forest neighborhood of Houston, where he attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, Oak Forest Elementary School,[9] Black Middle School,[9][10] and Waltrip High School.[9] During this time, he also pursued multiple artistic and athletic skills, such as ice skating, classical ballet, and acting in school plays. He studied gymnastics at nearby San Jacinto College for two years.

Patrick Swayze on Wkipedia.