The final US performance of the Pulse Opera House's production of THE FANTASTICKS will be held Friday, November 19 at 8:00 p.m. Admission is a freewill donation covering royalties and the cast's trip to the international musical theatre festival in Germany. Director Cynthia Smyth-Wartzok promises never-before-seen surprises in this performance, although the sets and costumes are already in Germany waiting for them.

Audience members are invited to join the cast and crew at Warren's new restaurant, Natalie Jean's. Chef Michael & Helen come to Warren from a 5-star restaurant in Florida. Call 260-375-7017 for additional information.

The Pulse's first international performance was DAMES AT SEA in 2000.

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Tad Atkinson continues to find gainful employment as a Hollywood background actor. His latest TV appearance was the UPN series "All of Us." He was reportedly visible in several shots, but he himself missed his own appearance due to his filming for the HBO series "Carnivale."

Look for him in the upcoming maggot-related "CSI" episode "What's Eating Gil Grissom?" Atkinson mentioned to actor William L. Peterson, who plays Grissom, that his father had once told him that he had learned in Navy survival training that maggots roasted over a fire taste just like shrimp. "He wants to figure out a way to work that into an episode one day," jokes Atkinson.

He was also cast as the lead in an independent film.

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Charles Dickens' classic A CHRISTMAS CAROL with score by Alan Menken (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and ALADDIN) and Lynn Ahrens (RAGTIME and SEUSSICAL), brings the full Broadway treatment to the Civic Theatre stage for three weekends beginning Friday, November 5.

During the entire run of the production, the first 1,000 who bring in a non-perishable food item to the theatre when purchasing tickets or attending a show will receive a coupon for $2 off their next purchase at Ritters Frozen Custard.

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One of the most successful collaborations between the IPFW Department of Theatre and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic was their presentation of WEST SIDE STORY at the Embassy Theatre in 1996. Both groups anticipate the same excitement when they collaborate again on Rodgers and Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA! November 19 and 20 at 8:00 p.m. at the Embassy Theatre.

Director and choreographer Larry L. Life plans to bring a fresh and unique interpretation to this time honored classic, while Philharmonic music director Edvard Tchivzhel will conduct the orchestra. Senior theatre major Jake Stackhouse will play the role of Curly and Mindy Cox, a Fort Wayne community actress, steps in as Laurey, after Elizabeth Piercy signed a performance contract with the Disney Corporation.

Scenic and Lighting Designer for OKLAHOMA!, assistant theatre professor Mark Ridgeway, traveled to Oklahoma over the summer to do some photographic and historical research of that region of the country. His photographic research has been incorporated in the visual elements of the scenic design.

OKLAHMOA! will be presented at the Embassy Theatre on November 19 and 20 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available through the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Box Office at 260-456-2224. Admission is $19, $30, $40, $50 and $60. You can also order on-line, and avoid any service charges by visiting www.fortwaynephilharmonic.com.