Ben Soars in 'Go Fly a Kite'

JTL Productions' Acting Out Series scores again with "Go Fly a Kite: The Wit and Wisdom of Benjamin Franklin." Starring venerated IE actor Mel Chadwick, the one-man play is the first comedic outing of the edutainment series.

In Mel's words, a one man play is a "daunting task" — even when it's the shortest play in the series at an hour and change. Having no one to cue you, no interchanges with other characters. Only you, the audience, and a few notes when the going gets fuzzy. He tackles the task with panache and affability. Just the way you imagine the real Ben would be, were you aware that he was the proud antithesis of a stuffy-shirted politician — incessantly donning a beaverskin hat, especially when it was socially "impolite."

'Producers' Far From a Sham

Yes. It's easier to stay home and watch a film version of a play from the countless outlets that offer such material.

And, yes, (unfortunately) you'd be doing yourself a favor by refusing to leave your favorite spot for a locally produced play. After all, the professional productions are not just professional, more often than not they're more entertaining as well.

Such is not the case with Center Stages' latest offering of The Producers, a highly-charged, raving success of a musical production.