Local dignitaries gathered recently to officially open the Cobb County Superior Courthouse. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held, and the public was able to tour the facility. This almost $63 million project was completely funded by the Special Local Option Sales Tax and the design is reminiscent of the old courthouse, complete with a clock tower. The 229,000 square foot building contains 11 courtrooms and a seventh floor for future growth. All of the county’s court services will be combined on one campus and Juvenile Court will be able to move to downtown Marietta.

The new building provides state-of-the-art security and a larger jury assembly room. The “green” courthouse was constructed according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification standards and will save energy and operational costs.

Theatre in the Square is thrilled to be bringing back two holiday favorites this year. A Tuna Christmas will be on the Alley Stage for the second time November 16, 2010 – January 2, 2011. Sanders Family Christmas will be on the Main Stage for the 12th time November 23, 2010- January 2, 2011. Tickets are available at the Box Office by calling 770-422-8369.

A Tuna Christmas, by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard, and directed by Ed Howard, is a remount of last season’s holiday hit. William S. Murphey, who starred in last season’s A Tuna Christmas, is joined by Bryan Mercer this year. Both starred in the comedy Greater Tuna this summer at Theatre in the Square. Murphey and Mercer play over 20 characters between them and each plays their roles with loving care and hilarious effectiveness as they try to sort through the mystery of the Christmas Phantom.

Sanders Family Christmas, by Connie Ray, Alan Bailey, John Foley, and Gary Fagin, directed by Karen Howell & Alan Kilpatrick with music direction by Michael Monroe features the ever-loving, sunny-voiced Sanders clan once again and celebrates the joyous season with some of the best loved music around. It is exciting that the entire cast and production team for Sanders Family Christmas is the same this year as last, with the exception of the new stage manager Libby Mickle. Mickle will have some big shoes to fill as she is coming in to this position after the unfortunate passing of longtime stage manager Bob Wright. Many of the actors have expressed their joy for coming back this season, but realize that there will be a void without Bob steering the ship.

Sanders Family Christmas features some of the greatest holiday songs ever, such as: “Angels We Have Heard On High”, “Joy to the World” and “Go, Tell It On The Mountain”. One audience member said, “We have made this show our Christmas Family tradition… It just gets better every year.” Sanders Family Christmas is the perfect way to get the entire family in the Christmas spirit.

Tickets range from $25-$35 and are available at the Theatre in the Square Box Office by calling 770-422-8369. Discount rates for are available for groups of 12 or more by calling 770-422-8369 x29. Theatre in the Square is located off of the historic Marietta Square at 11 Whitlock Ave.

Tuna On the Stage Bios:

Bryan Mercer (Arles, Didi, Petey, Jody, Helen, et al) has performed in Theatre in the Square’s Greater Tuna, Room Service, Incorruptible, Master Class, and Death of a Salesman. Bryan also directed the recent incarnation of Library Dragon and musical directed How I Became a Pirate this fall. Watch for him later this season in The 39 Steps. Many thanks to Jessica Phelps West, Palmer, Ed Howard, and of course, Clint.

William S. Murphey (Thurston, Bertha, Pearl, Joe Bob, et al) is happy to spend another Christmas in Tuna, Texas, and glad to share the stage with Mr. Mercer, having worked together at T-Square on Greater Tuna this summer. Recently, William appeared with True Colors Theatre in Our Town and in a staged reading of A Soldier’s Play. He most recently appeared in Tom Key’s world premiere of A Confederacy of Dunces at Theatrical Outfit. Thanks for making us part of your holiday season, and for supporting live theatre.

Tuna Behind the Scenes Bios:

Ed Howard (Director) is the co-author with Jaston Williams and Joe Sears of Greater Tuna; A Tuna Christmas; Red, White and Tuna; and Tuna Does Vegas. He directs Sears and Williams in the national tours of the Tuna tetralogy. Off-Broadway, he directed Greater Tuna and on Broadway A Tuna Christmas, which was selected as one of the ten best plays of 1995 and garnered Mr. Sears a Tony nomination. Also Off-Broadway, he directed Laughing Stock, which was selected by TIME magazine as one of the top ten plays of 1984.

Tristan Ludden (Stage Manager) is happy to be back in Tuna this Christmas, after stage managing last year’s production. Other favorite shows that Tristan has stage managed: I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me By a Young Lady From Rwanda (T-Square); Broadway Bound and Leading Ladies (Stage Door Players); And Then They Came For Me… as well as several of Georgia Ensemble Theatre’s Youth productions. Much thanks to our great cast, hard-working crew and Ed for the opportunity!

Lindsay Paris (Costume Designer) is happy to celebrate the season in the town of Tuna, Texas! She earned her MFA in Costume Design from UGA in 2008. Recent design credits include: Greater Tuna (Theatre in the Square), Hairspray (Atlanta Lyric Theatre), and The Andrews Brothers (Highlands Playhouse). Lindsey’s makeup & wardrobe work can also be seen in the Zac Brown Band videos “Highway 20 Ride” and “As She’s Walkin’ Away – feat Alan Jackson”. Merry Christmas to all!

John Thigpen (Scenic Designer) has 28 years experience in set design for film, television and theatrical productions. His designs have appeared on many professional and educational stages in the Atlanta area. Favorite designs for Theatre in the Square include Turned Funny (Jenny Award 2007), Of Mice and Men, The Diviners and Take Me Out. Mr. Thigpen was recently commissioned to produce a public art sculpture on the newly renovated City of Stone Mountain Main Street. http://onthescene_jt.home.comcast.net.

Mary Parker (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to share the holidays at her home here at T-Square. Over the years that Mary has called Atlanta home, she has designed for almost every professional theatre company in town. Recent favorites include: Night Blooms and Shakin’ The Mess Outta Misery at Horizon Theatre Company; What I Did Last Summer at Georgia Ensemble Theatre; Tradin’ Paint and His Eye is on the Sparrow at T-Square. Prayers and love to the folks back home.

Susan McCluskey (Original Props Designer) is missing Christmas in Tuna, TX this year but is enjoying her new home at The Lovett School, where she plays with students and shares her passion for Technical Theatre. She enjoys designing props and Stage Managing in some wonderful places and spaces in and around Atlanta. Much thanks and love to her friends at Theatre in the Square, the Tuna team, and her family. Merry Christmas y’all.

Tracy Thomas (Dresser) is a graduate of Georgia State University. She is thrilled to return to Tuna, Texas and to Theatre In the Square. Her previous work includes Stealing Dixie, Greater Tuna, His Eye is on the Sparrow, and A Tuna Christmas.

Tyler Hayes (Dresser) is currently a freshman at KSU studying Theatre & Performance Studies and plans on focusing on acting and directing. He graduated from Marietta High School in 2010 and got involved in theatre thanks to his drama teacher, Shelly McCook. This is his first experience working with Theatre in the Square. I am excited for this experience, since I will be able to see first hand how a professional production is put on.

Ellen M. Gaydos (Dresser) is happy to return to T-Square. She recently stage managed How I Became A Pirate. Past credits include Caught in the Net (ASM), Secrets of a Soccer Mom (ASM), The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs (ASM). Upcoming productions are The 39 Steps and The Little Foxes. Ellen moved to Atlanta to attend Emory University. She spent a year in Dublin and a year in Boston where she worked on many great productions.

Sanders Family Cast Bios:

Jennifer Akin (June) has been a member of the Actor’s Equity since 2002. Previous productions include: Suzi Award-winning Mount Pleasant Homecoming (June), Smoke on the Mountain (June), A Piece of My Heart (Martha), Sanders Family Christmas (June) and Mary Stuart (Mary), all at T-Square. Other work: Shiloh Rules (Meg), at Theatrical Outfit, Steel Magnolias (Annelle) at Georgia Ensemble, and Glass Menagerie (Laura) at Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern. Thank you friends and family for their love and support. Thank you everyone at T-Square.

Scott DePoy (Stanley) is delighted to be back. Scott has performed at pretty much every theatre in town. He was last seen here as Ross in the world premiere of Stealing Dixie. Favorite roles include Stanley in the Smoke on the Mountain series, Ule in Poetry of Pizza at Theatre in the Square and Dizzily Dreadful in The Ghastly Dreadfuls at The Center for Puppetry Arts. To Jeannette, my brightest angel, I will always love you!

Laura Floyd (Denise) is thrilled to be back with the Sanders Family! Recent credits: A Confederacy of Dunces (world premiere/ Theatrical Outfit); A Catered Affair (regional premiere/ Aurora Theatre). She has also previously worked with Theatre in the Square, Atlanta Lyric, Georgia Ensemble, and has appeared twice as a guest soloist with the Atlanta Symphony. Laura holds a degree in Theatre and Music from Shorter College and a Master’s in Music Performance from Mercer University. For Bob.

Karen Howell (Director/Vera) is always delighted to be back at Theatre in the Square, especially with the Sanders Family. For Karen, the Sanders Family journey began back in 1992, with the first T-Square production of “Smoke on the Mountain”, and she has loved every minute of it! Huge thanks to you, our audience, for continuing to support this enduring show. Karen is a proud member of Actors’ Equity. In loving memory of my precious Dad, “T” Drury.

JP Peterson (Costume Designer/Burl) is a proud member of Actors’ Equity. He has appeared at T-Square as Burl since the 1996 production of Smoke…, originating the same role in 1999’s Sanders Family Christmas and 2007’s Suzi-winning Mount Pleasant Homecoming. He also appeared in T-Square’s Out of Order. JP has designed costumes for Smoke, Mt. Pleasant, & Sanders as well as the acclaimed Eula Mae’s Beauty, Bait and Tackle off-Broadway.

Alan Kilpatrick (Director/Mervin) is pleased to return to the pulpit for the holidays. He recently appeared in The Music Man and Hairspray at Atlanta Lyric Theatre. He also directed A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and appeared in The Will Rogers Follies, also at the Lyric. Alan recently directed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Master Class at Stage Door Players, and appeared in The Beaux’ Stratagem at Gainesville Theatre Alliance.

Jeremy Wood (Dennis) is happy to return to Mt. Pleasant to play and sing with the family. Jeremy is a graduate of Shorter College holding a BFA in Music and Theatre and has toured nationally and internationally with Broadway shows like Ring of Fire and Grease. Jeremy is the winner of two New Hampshire Theatre Awards and the Special Achievement Award in Fight Choreography from the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Many thanks to T-Square for a wonderful Christmas!

Sanders Behind the Scenes Bios:

Libby Mickle* (Stage Manager) is returning to Marietta after two months in Little Rock for an exciting run of Evita at Arkansas Repertory Theatre! She is happy to be back at Theatre in the Square for her fifth show. Thanks to all of you for supporting live theatre! Rest in peace, Bob Wright; you are loved and missed. “He will not refuse one who is so blithe to go to Him.”

Michael Monroe (Music Director) has done all of the T-Square Sanders shows, being recently honored with a Suzi. Michael is a full-time Atlanta-area voice teacher with a twenty-year track record of success, is thankful to be blessed with this truly superb cast, and dedicates this season’s show to all of those people who have contributed their considerable talents to bring these delightfully crazy Sanders folks to you, for nearly twenty years, now – especially Bob.

Mary Parker (Lighting Designer) is thrilled share the holidays at her home here at T-Square. Over the years that Mary has called Atlanta home, she has designed for almost every professional theatre company in town. Recent favorites include: Night Blooms and Shakin’ The Mess Outta Misery at Horizon Theatre Company; What I Did Last Summer at Georgia Ensemble Theatre; Tradin’ Paint and Eye Of The Sparrow at T-Square. Prayers and love to the folks back home.

J. Montgomery Schuth (Wig Stylist) has been designing hair for most of the theatres and arts organizations in the metro Atlanta area for many years. His designs have been seen for several seasons at Alliance Theatre, Theatre in the Square, Georgia Shakespeare, Atlanta Shakespeare, Horizon Theatre, and Actor’s Express.

USTA Georgia has named Harrison Tennis Center as USTA Georgia’s ‘Member Organization of the Year’ for 2010. This award recognizes the outstanding services rendered to a USTA member organization in Georgia. Selection is made on the basis of service to the tennis community, service to the organization’s members and service to the game of tennis. The Harrison staff received this award at the awards luncheon held Saturday, October 23, 2010 at the USTA Georgia Community Development Workshop held at the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center Hotel.

Harrison Tennis Center, located in northeast Cobb on Shallowford Road, is Cobb’s largest public tennis facility with 22 courts. It is also one of the busiest tennis facilities in the state, with numerous instructional programs, tournaments and league play. Harrison hosts more league teams than any other facility in the Atlanta area, has been the focal point in the new elementary school league, has an active Special Populations tennis program, and has been a leader in QuickStart Tennis, with the only permanent 36′ tennis courts in the area. Harrison also hosts 7 USTA sanctioned tournaments, including the USTA National 16’s Open and two state championships.

This makes the fourth time in the past 9 years that a Cobb tennis facility has received this award and the third time for Harrison Tennis Center. Harrison received this award in 2002 and 2007, and Lost Mountain Tennis Center received this award in 2004. Harrison also was awarded the USTA ‘Outstanding Tennis Facility Award’ in 2004.

As the Georgia recipient of this award, Harrison Tennis Center will be the Georgia representative for the southern and national ‘Member Organization of the Year’ awards. Congratulations to facility manager, Steve Lottinger and his staff for maintaining the highest of standards in providing services to the community!!!!!