‘Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam and Eve’ is set for May 16-18 at the Emmett Hook Center.

The Emmett Hook Center will present a short-run offering in its reader’s theater series May 16-18.

This year’s offering is “Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam and Eve,” directed by Richard Folmer. The production will be staged in the Couch Chapel of First United Methodist Church immediately adjacent to the theater.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. May 16 and 17 and 3 p.m. May 18.

The show is an often humorous, sometimes sober look at the first couple as they learn about Eden, God’s rules and the consequences of human action.

This script was adapted by award-winning actor/director David Birney. He developed the script for presentation on the PBS series American Playhouse, and has directed the piece for regional theaters such as the Hartford Stage Company, the Barter Theatre and on tour on both the east and west coasts. Birney’s television career has included starring roles in “Live Shot,” “The Adams Chronicles,” “Glitter,” “St. Elsewhere,” “Serpico” and “Bridget Loves Bernie.”

Birney has taken the biblical narrative and put it into a more modern vernacular without shifting the timeframe. There are modern, for Twain’s lifetime, references about events that happened at the dawn of human existence. There are also typical Twain elements evident throughout the show, and his wry wit and humor are evident, as well.

Starring in the production are Cara Johnston and Alex Dafnis, both of whom are familiar to local audiences. Johnston was just recently seen as Aggie Wheeler in the Shreveport Little Theatre production of “The Game’s Afoot.” Dafnis was last seen on the local stage as one of the students in the summer musical, “Les Misérables.”

The reader’s series offers audiences an opportunity to see a production that is immediately followed by a discussion of the work. This production should afford believers and non-believers in the biblical creation story an opportunity to discuss their views, according to several members of the board of directors.

All tickets are $10 general admission for the production, and tickets and more information can be obtained by calling 429- 6887 or online at emmetthookcenter.tix.com. 

Texas community theater group 

Jefferson Texas’ community theater group, The Opera House Theatre Players will produce the musical “Cheaper by the Dozen” on July 3-5 at the Transportation/Tourist building in downtown Jefferson. Rehearsals will begin in June and are to be held at the same location, Director Marcia Thomas said.

The plot revolves around a pioneer in the study of motion in industrial settings. Motion studies involve a process of analyzing workflow in order to determine the most cost-efficient motions for performing tasks. Motion study was developed principally through the efforts of Frederick W. Taylor and Frank and Lillian Gilbreth. This play is based on Frank Gilbreth.

He’s the patriarch of a large family who suddenly decides that his motion theories and the smooth functioning of his family life are a natural fit. He begins to apply his business theories to his home life with often-comic results. The major drawback for teenage daughter, Anne, is the effect of making the family seem ridiculous to everyone else at her school – especially to the boys. Some of his methods include appointing a utility “czar” to monitor usage and issue fines for waste. He has a good reason for his plan and the result is a show that even today’s families will relate to and enjoy, according to the publisher.

Remaining audition times are at 2 p.m. May 17, 18, 24 and 25 at the Living Room Theatre, 112 Vale St. in Jefferson. To schedule a different audition time or for more information, call Thomas at 903-665-2310. Additional information is also available at www.JeffersonOperaHouseTheatrePlayers.com.