Rutherford Community Theatre and Director, Laura C. Thomas, announces its cast for the upcoming production of selections from Jeff Goode's "Your Swash is Unbuckled". These two rollicking romantic comedies filled with plenty of swashbuckling action will be the perfect way to start your Valentine's Day celebration.

The first selection, "Lewd Loves of a Lusty Laundress", features Molly McGregor, an overworked laundress who fills her lonely hours with romantic daydreams. The role is played by veteran actress and returning director, Laura C. Thomas, who directed "Death Trap" and "Dracula", and performed in numerous plays with RCT, including "Our Leading Lady", Sin in the South", and "Lost Highway".

Returning to the RCT stage in the role of Berthabella, one of Molly's horrid stepsisters, is S. Nicole Shaffer. Shaffer has been in several RCT and North Carolina Arts Council's productions, including "High School Musical" and "Aaron Slick from Punkin Crick." The second stepsister, Polynesia, is played by Rachel Brown, daughter of RCT actor Richard Brown. Brown returns to the RCT stage after her previous performance in "The Salvation of Iggy Scrooge".

And what tale would be complete without a wicked stepmother? Playing this role is returning actress, Victoria Ekelund, who has performed in RCT's productions, "Our Leading Lady", "Sin in the South", and "She Was a Lazy Witch".

Molly's daydreams come to life in the form of a dread pirate, a dashing prince, and a Scottish Lord. J. Patrick Moss returns to RCT in the role of the villainous pirate. Moss has been on stage since 1986, began directing in 2004, and recently started playwriting. New to RCT is Jamie Whisnant in the role of the brave prince. Whisnant has previously performed in "High School Musical". Veteran RCT actor, Richard Brown, is cast in the role of the mighty Scottish Lord. Brown has performed with Flat Rock, the North Carolina Arts Council, and in numerous RCT plays, including "Our Leading Lady" and "Sin in the South".

The second selection, "The Harlot and the Highwayman", features an unexpected encounter between an unlikely robber and a "professional" well-versed in the ways of the world which leads to sparks as words fly and swords clash. Making her debut in the role of Harriet Harlowe, the village harlot, is Heather Libera. Libera, a life-long dancer, is excited about exploring her new creative venture as an actress. J. Patrick Moss shows his acting versatility as he doubles in the role of Newberry, the unwilling highwayman who has the misfortune of waylaying Harriet in the forest.

These short, fun-filled comedies will be performed at the Green River Plantation Valentine's Dinner Theater on Friday, February 10th, and Saturday, February 11th. The Green River Plantation is located at 6333 Coxe Road, Rutherfordton, North Carolina. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., and the performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be $25 for the dinner and show. Reservations only. Please call for your tickets now, at (828) 286-1461, and enjoy a unique Valentine's Day celebration.

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The 2012 Spring One-Act Festival, featuring plays written, directed and designed by Oregon State University students, comes to the Withycombe main stage starting Thursday, May 17.

The festival, which runs May 17-19 beginning at 7:30 p.m. and May 20 at 2 p.m., features six original one-act plays including an eclectic mix of comedy and drama from playwriting students. Withycombe Hall is located at 30th and Campus Way on the OSU campus.

"Jolly Jack Junior," by Jeff Goode and directed by Sarah McKenney, is a swashbuckling farce complete with pirates, wenches, and sword-fights. The cast includes OSU students Sam Thompson and Alexa Johnston.

Christopher Durang's "The Actor's Nightmare," directed by Davey Kashuba, is a comedy about an actor thrust into a nightmare of a show. This play features students Megan Haverman, Nicole Snyder, Mason Atkin, Chris Peterman, Chris Omerod, and Sam Thompson. Corvallis community member Eric Leman is also featured.

In Crane Johnson's "Fear", directed by Megan Grassl, a young woman is terrorized by a charming young man. This play features community members Jamie Bilderback and Jonathan Thompson.

Lanford Wilson's drama "Your Everyday Ghost Story," directed by Abbey Pasquini, is a tale about the destruction and devastation of AIDS and features OSU students Andrew Toyer and Alexander Johnston.

"Get Out of Your Cage," by Mary Plowman and directed by Tucker Minnick, is a play dealing with the conflict between life's duties and the desire for adventure. It features OSU students Alycia Olivar, Maira Rodriguez, Kimberly Wilson, Emerson Hovenkamp, Deborah Shapiro, and Troy Toyama.

Romulus Linney's bittersweet comic drama "Paradise," directed by Rowan Wolff Russell, explores the dynamics of a family trying to find its footing in Florida. It features students Irene Drage, Caleb Lewis, Ciana Ginochio, and Pat Purdue. Community member Ariel Ginsburg also stars.

Tickets are $8 general, $6 seniors, $5 for student/youth and $4 for OSU students. Information: 541-737-2784 or http://oregonstate.edu/dept/theatre