Hill Country Bed and Breakfast

We are excited that Playhouse Smithville is having Saturday Morning Children’s Theatre. The Theatre is one block from our B and B, on our historic Main Street, here in Smithville, Texas.  See the announcement:

 Auditions for Young Actors: Cereal Thrillers, Playhouse Smithville, September 18     

Snap, Crackle and Pop (TM Kellogg’s Cereals)

 (www.playhousesmithville.com)

 PlayhouseSmithville.com announces auditions for

 Cereal Thrillers

 Saturday Morning Children’s Theatre

 Playhouse Smithville is putting out a call to young actors of any age over six.  Cereal Thrillers, written and directed by the Playhouse Artistic Director john daniels, jr. (sic), needs Snap, Crackle, Pop, Count Chocula, Frankenberry, Boo Berry, Sugar Bear, Trix and Silly Rabbit, L. C. Leprechaun, Crunch Berry Beast, SeaDog, Jean LaFoote and of course the Cap’n.

 Come be in a silly, serial-cereal play, a “who or what done it.”  Adults, children and families welcome to audition.  Cereal Thrillers begins Playhouse Smithville’s Saturday Morning Children’s Theatre.  The show will play Friday evenings October 15 and 22, Saturday mornings October 16, 23, and 30 and one special Sunday October 31 matinee which will include a costume contest before audience and cast members go out trick-or-treating.

 Cereal Thrillers auditions Saturday, September 18 at 2:00 PM.  Come dressed to play and have fun. Playhouse Smithville, 110 Main Street.   For more information or to purchase pre-sale tickets visit www.playhousesmithville.com or call 512 360-7397.

Here is an interview with Ernie Hudson, a star that stayed here at the Katy House Bed and Breakfast,  in Smithville, during the filming of “Doonby”.

The interview was from:   www.bigshinyrobot.com/reviews

  INTERVIEW: Ernie Hudson

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 at 3:41 pm  

Recently we got the chance to interview the great Ernie Hudson. Being the huge Ghostbusters nut I am, naturally the interview got pushed on me. Currently Mr. Hudson is involved with a film titled Doonby:

Sam Doonby, a mysterious, handsome drifter gets off a Greyhound bus in a small Texas town and finds work at Leroy’s Country Blues Bar where his great musical talents make him very popular, especially with Laura, the beautiful but spoiled daughter of successful doctor Cyrus Reaper. Sam always seems to be in the right place at the right time to avert disasters befalling the town and its people until suspicion and jealousy drive folks to ask who he is and where he comes from.  Even Laura starts to question him so now he disappears as quickly as he came and things start to go badly wrong. His rejection results in terrible shocks for the whole town, not least for the doctor and his family as Cyrus’ past comes back to haunt him.

Below is the conversation Ernie and I had about Doonby, as well as a few other things:

BSR!: What’s new in your life right now?

Ernie Hudson: Right now things are going well, obviously the film Doonby that John Schneider and me that we did in Texas. That’s the that’s happening most relevant right now. I also do have a reoccurring on the Secret Life of a Teenager, and you know, just staying busy doing Law & Order last season. I didn’t get picked up this season. And I’m always looking for something fun and exciting to be a part of.

Sure, so you play Leroy in this upcoming Doonby movie, correct?

Right, yah. He’s a blues musician who decided to settle down and runs a night club. I hire Jon’s character and it’s about friendship and the music. To me he’s an interesting character because he’s a guy just trying to reconcile that thing of which you love to do and how do you make peace with the woman that you love. And how do you hold things together but still be who you are. And somehow be responsible for all these people who surround your life. I really liked the character a lot, it was a great character.

That’s wonderful. How soon does this movie come out?

I think they are looking at the Fall. They haven’t given me any exact dates. I think they are shooting for a Fall release, I’m told. I’m not totally sure yet.

The production crew filming “Doonby”, with John Schneider, Ernie Hudson, Will Wallace, and Robert Davi,  has now left Smithville.  But, word is, two more smaller production crews are coming soon. You can become a “fan” of Doonby and the Smithville Film and Music Commision,  on Facebook.com  We still are waiting for “The Tree of Life”, with Brad Pitt,  to open. I think it’s getting close to being in the theaters! I will keep you posted if we hear a date.

Smithville has a busy weekend coming up. The new Playhouse Smithville will have its opening and first performance on Friday, July 23rd, 2010.  The opening show is  “LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.”  The show will run from July 23 to August 7, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30.  Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased at www.playhousesmithville.com.  Seating is limited and tickets are selling fast.

Bruce and I already have our season tickets.  Playhouse Smithville,  110 Main Street,  Smithville, TX 78957,  512-360-7397  playhousesmithville@yahoo.com

On Saturday, July 24^th, the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring Casino Night.  It’s a really fun night. Here is more infor on this annual event:

We hope to see you there!

 Smithville Music & Film Commission

 512/216-2645

 SM & FC Offers June Educational Series

 As Smithville continues to reap the benefits and thrill of the movie-making process with the on-going filming of “Doonby,” the Smithville Music & Film Commission announces its latest in a free monthly series of industry-related educational programs on Sunday, June 6^th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

 “Film Making 102” will be presented by Danny Cameron and Miranda Smith, who under their production company, Zobest Pictures, haelted Smithville as their filming location for “Under the Western Sun” in October 2010. Their extensive knowledge and skills in the process of film making is shared with enthusiasm and a straight-forward approach that will provide knowledge to those interested in creating their own films. Whether it’s a short or feature, or the family reunion this summer, this is a great opportunity to hone better film skills.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity, made possible by the Smithville Music & Film Commission in cooperation with 1^st ACT! Academy, where the workshop will again be held. Seating is limited, so call 512/216-2645 and leave your name to ensure space is available.

Here is a blog that one of the actors wrote about the movie Doonby.  They used our parlor as a “green room’, so we visited with the cute group for a few days.  This was written by Jolyn Janis.

ON SET: Doonby

Film: Doonby

Location: Smithville, TX

 

Synopsis: Sam Doonby, is a happy-go-lucky drifter who takes up residence in a small Texas town but seems suspiciously immune to the misfortunes that beset the other townsfolk.

 

I have a supporting role in a feature film called Doonby, shooting this month.  The film was written and is being directed by Peter Mackenzie. The cast is an amazing group of actors - John Schneider, Robert Davi, Will Wallace, Jenn Gotzon, Joe Estevez and, of course, many others talents!

Here is a photo from our last “crowded bar scene” and Ernie Hudson’s last day on set.

Doonby Castorama! From left: Myself, Tom Lagleder, Dwayne, Lizabeth Waters, John Schneider, Jenn Gotzon, Ernie Hudson, Brandi Blevins 

Below is the Katy House, run by Sallie and Bruce, the most generous couple one could hope to find wandering on location.  Sallie hosted the principal cast at the house so we didnt need to wait in trailers or tents the whole day.  It was good to have a ‘home front’ to camp out for most of the day.  Thanks again, Sallie and Bruce!

Katy House 

Katy House owner: Sallie (with a friends on the porch) 

Katy House: Living Room “Home” for three days of shooting 

In the film, I play a swinger who is intrigued with Sam Doonby’s charisma as well as integrity.  Below is myself and my on-screen hubby, Tom Lagleder in full costume.

Swingers on set 

Sallie always gets pictures with the cast of films that come through her house.  This is our token “fireplace mantel” shot with her

Myself, Sallie and Tom 

There’s a lot of meandering and waiting to shoot on any set.  Smithville has a particularly interesting vibe, a small town chill that can only be felt, not described. I’m quite happy to slow down and wait around in Smithville, TX.

Smithvillery 

Waiting in my trailer, I often took off my red heels, which then became interesting subject matter.

Red Hells, i mean Heels 

And this is the woman who put me in those shoes

Wardrobe department (extraordinaire) 

I found out at the end of the day why people were asking Scotti (below) for guitar picks while we chat.  He is co-guitarist for Skid Row (and an awesome dude as well!)

Scotti Hill, co-guitarist for Skid Row 

Skid Row (Scottie on left) 

After the bar scene wrap, there was a small afterparty at the Tamble’s House, the location where I’ll shoot my next scenes May 31, June 1.  Im ready to go back to Smithville and see everyone again!

Afterparty! From left: Chris Armstrong, Jenn Gotzon, Tom Lagleder (who got shafted by a mystery shadow) and Myself 

Look for the film early 2011!

May 1, 2010 is the date for this year’s annual Railroad Reunion. That is the first Saturday in May and the location this year is the Smithville Recreation Center.  Smithville, Texas is just 43 miles east of Austin.

Prior to the reunion there will be a dedication of the Texas Star located at the Railroad Park.  The Star dedication is at 10:30 AM, and the doors of the Rec Center open at 11:00 AM.  Lunch will be served at noon.  All rail fans are invited to attend, especially those that love the M-K-T RR and the U P.   The Katy House Bed and Breakfast was named after the Katy Railroad (M-K-T).  The house is full of antiques and railroad memorabilia.   The Railroad Park is at the end of our historic Main Street, just next to the Chamber of Commerce office.  Please visit the Railroad Museum while in town.

Our 6th Annual  Fly-In & Pancake Breakfast is Saturday, May 8th, 2010.  The Fly-In is at Smithville Municipal Airport  84R . Located at Highway 71 and Hw 95,  it is Bastrop County’s only airport. Pancakes will be served from 9:00 AM to Noon.  For more information call the Smithville Chamber of Commerce at (512) 237-2313 or see the web site at www.smithvilletx.org .    Downtown Smithville is a treat, and there will be transportation available to go visit Main Street for a few hours. Plan to spend the night at the Katy House and we will pick you up at the Airport.  Katy House Bed and Breakfast phone is (512) 237-4262

Smithville’s Mary Nichols Art Center presents

Pamela P. Latham, LPC, a member of Lost Pines Artisans Alliance.

Join her in learning ” Sand Mandalas” Saturday, March 27th, 2010 from 2-5PM, at 301 Burleson Road, Smithville, Tx.

 For more information see the Lone Pines Artisans Alliance web site, www.lostpinesartisansalliance.org  or (512) 360-4608

See the web site for upcoming Workshops!  Lost Pines Artisans is a proud member of the Smithville Chamber of Commerce.

The cost is $30.00

 March 19,20, and 21st is the Fourth Annual Biker Rally, Thunder on the Colorado, at our beautiful RiverBend Park. Presented by the Smithville Chamber of Commerce.Sponsored by TrustTexas Bank. The park is 2 miles from our Bed and Breakfast, the Katy House. Rooms are still available. Ask for the 10% biker discount!   (512) 237-4262

 for more information see the web site. www.thunderonthecolorado.com