New theater company debuts at Tennessee Valley Theatre

A new theatrical company is launching this weekend with the dual purpose of presenting quality entertainment to the public while raising funds for area nonprofits.

Actors for a Cause is the project of Bailey Hufstetler, a rising sophomore at Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn. Hufstetler is directing "Fools," the debut production of Actors for a Cause in three performances Friday-Sunday, Aug. 4-6, at Tennessee Valley Theatre in Spring City, Tenn.

His goal is that the troupe travel Southeast Tennessee presenting shows, with a portion of proceeds from each production donated to a local nonprofit. For example, funds raised this weekend will be donated to Tennessee Valley Theatre, the Rhea County community theater that is currently raising money for needed maintenance repairs.

Hufstetler said he chose "Fools" for Actors' inaugural production because he was just in a production of that Neil Simon comedy in January at Bryan.

"It's a fabulous show. 'Fools' is a simple show set-wise and acting-wise, so it's an easy show to put together in a short amount of time. But it's hilarious, so it's a fun show to do. It has a really good love story that a lot of people will relate to," says Hufstetler.

He adds, "Neil Simon is one of my favorite playwrights. My goal is to direct all of his shows."

The cast of "Fools" is a mix of Bryan College students and actors from Tennessee Valley Theatre.

"Fools" is a comic fable set in the village of Kulyenchikov, Ukraine, in the late 19th century.

Leon Steponovich Tolchinsky, a schoolteacher, takes a job educating Sophia, the daughter of Dr. Nikolai Zubritsky and his wife, Lenya.

Leon learns a 200-year-old curse of stupidity has been cast on the village, which he sets out to break. But complications ensue when Leon falls in love with his pupil.

"Fools" will be the second production Hufstetler has directed at the theater.

And he's already making plans for Actors for a Cause's next production, "It's a Wonderful Life." That Christmas tour will launch Nov. 17, he says, with performances being scheduled in multiple locations around this region.

Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.