Possibly the perfect antidote to Valentine's Day, Big Dawg presents four short plays about the difficult (and sometimes comical) search for love.

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Plays:

FIXING UP MOM- Written by Kathryn Martin, directed by Michele Seidman. Cast: Suzanne Nystrom, Katie Allen and Tom Huff

SHIPS- Written by Jay D. Hanagan, directed by Michele Seidman. Cast: Jana Allen, Kevin Wilson, Katie Allen and Ken Cressman

THE MARRIAGE PROPOSAL- Written by Anton Chekhov, directed by Pam Grier. Cast: Kevin Wilson, Randall Lucas and Jana Allen

NOT SINCE BALTIMORE- Written and Directed by Bert Sherman. Cast: Randall Lucas and Jon Peterson

See WECT's "First Act" video feature.

Before beloved local playwright Virginia Davis passed away last October, she served on the Big Dawg Board of Directors for many years and was instrumental in helping to create the New Play Festival, which guides emerging playwrights to find their voice and improve their writing. As a tribute to her amazing legacy, this year we will be featuring new plays along with some of the best from past festivals.

This year's festival will feature new plays by Emily Milkes and Madison Godfrey, two young playwrights who benefited from Ms. Davis' guidance. We will also present encore productions of "Love Raft" by Lily Radack and the award-winning "When Will The Violence End" by Katie Shucavage. Wrapping up the evening is "The Takeover," a past favorite written by Virginia Davis herself. You won't want to miss this extraordinary showcase of the best plays by local writers.

Shows are March 19, 20, 26 & 27 at 8:00pm and March 21 & 28 at 3:00pm at the Cape Fear Playhouse, 613 Castle Street. Tickets $15 adults, $10 students and are available at the Newcastle Antiques Center at 606 Castle Street, by calling 910-341-7228, or Click here to order online.

Charlie was a cad and a womanizer with a taste for booze and other men's wives. When he's killed by a jealous husband he comes back to life as a woman, and gets a second chance at life and love. Will he get it right this time?

• Arlene Morris.....Rhoda Jane Gary
• Greg Shriber.....Kewas Campbelloff
• Franny Saltzman.....Pam Grier
• Rusty Mayerling.....Amy Church-Holcomb
• George Tracy.....Tony Moore
• Charlie Sorel.....Melissa Stanley

Is it possible to find true love twice in one lifetime?

Comedy and pathos mingle brilliantly in Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical portrait of widowed New York novelist George Schneider, who is encouraged by his brother to start dating again. After a series of bad matches, George believes he will never love again. But when George meets Jennie Malone, it looks like he may have found another perfect mate. But it's a bumpy trip for these not-so-young lovers. George and Jennie stumble on, striving to overcome her reservations and his emotional neediness. Will their relationship survive, when conventional wisdom tells them it's all just happening too soon, and too quickly?

CHAPTER TWO is produced with the generous support of Chords for a Cause, bringing you Sister Hazel with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra on October 23rd at Kenan Auditorium.

• Faye Medwick.....Julie Horner
• Jennie Malone.....Christy Grantham
• Leo Schneider.....Gray Hawks
• George Schneider.....Rick Forrester

An extraordinary love story, Shadowlands is based on the life of Chronicles of Narnia author C.S. Lewis. Lifelong bachelor “Jack” Lewis is comfortable in his convictions about God and His plan, but when he meets American divorcee Joy Gresham, he finds himself re-examining his notions of life, love, faith and his place in the world.

Presented at the Cape Fear Playhouse, 613 Castle Street , September 2-5, 9-12, 16-19, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 8:00PM, Sundays at 3:00PM.

Tickets available at the Newcastle Antique Center , 606 Castle Street, or call 910-341-7228 for reservations. **Note: The Antique Center hours of operation are 10AM to 5PM Monday-Saturday.**

Ticket are $18 for General Public, $15 for Students, Seniors and Military. Thursday performances are $10 for all.

• Joy Gresham.....Katherine Vernon
• Warnie Lewis.....Bill Piper
• Jack Lewis.....Steve Vernon
• Douglas Gresham.....Lily Zuckerman
• Dr. Maurice Oakley/Doctor/.....Daniel Marks
• Harry Harrington.....Lee Lowrimore
• Christopher Riley.....Steve Coley
• Alan Gregg/Priest.....Langley McCarol
• Woman/Registrar/Nurse.....Alisa Harris

A drama about a high school basketball team reunited 20 years after the most important year of their lives.