By LISA G. CURRIE

By LISA G. CURRIE

Rappahannock News Staff Writer

There’s a whole new production in Washington.

Not only has the old Gay Street Theater, located on the come]?of Jett and Gay Streets , undergone a dramatic renovation including new exterior siding, new interior paint and paper and a new roof, it has a new name and a new company performing under its new lights.

Sheree and Frank Kren are bringing an entirely different theater idea to Rappahannock — one fresh from the stages of New York City and Los Angeles.

Using professionally instructed student actors and actress, supporting roles read by professional actors and actresses in the lead, the couple raises the curtains on their first local production March 1. Tickets for this event are $12 and can be purchased by calling the troupe at (703)675-1157.

“There are no volunteers in these productions,” Sheree said of the upcoming stage productions performed by the Olde Towne Theatre group. “Everyone gets paid,” hence, the increase in ticket price from $8 to $12. “We would like to start slow and build our reputation,” she said, adding only “by taking the first step” will the couple encourage people “to come see what we are doing here.”

A great deal of acting, directing and producing is what it’s all about.

“We’ve hopes for four major productions a year,” Sheree said, adding the couple hopes for “variety as much as possible.”

While Sheree finds social commentaries or contemporay issues to her liking for direction, Frank prefers the „ classic.

Either way, from drama to musical, from mystery to comedy, the Krens plan a wide variety of productions.

And even though well-known pieces by playrights such as Tennesse Williams, George Bernard Shaw and Arthur Miller are part of the “bookcase of plays” available, the couple hopes to produce original work, as well, on the well-known Rappahannock stage.

Directing and producing requires full-time work. After acting in the first production, the Krens plan to invite other professionals to carry the lead roles while they direct their energies toward production and direction.

“We will bring professional actors and actresses from New York City or Washington, D.C. for the lead roles,” Mrs. Kren said, sitting in the darkened studio on a cold afternoon. “Supporting roles will be performed by qualified local talent and everyone who helps with these productions are compensated,” she said, adding through the couple’s acting class offered each Tuesday night in the theater, fine local talent is coached, perfected and directed.

“There is genuine talent here,” she said with a smile, adding the class — with students from Prince William, Fauquier, Culpeper and Rapppahannock counties — is ongoing and hopefully will produce a resident acting company.

The first production calls for the Krens to use many of their talents. Besides acting in the lead roles in “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s,” a comedy by Ron Clark and Sam Bodrick, Sheree will direct and Frank will produce the play, which will run for four performances, Friday and Saturday, March 1, 2, 8 and 9.

Their varied theater backgrounds come into play, now.

Both Krens studied theater and acting in California with acclaimed teachers including Lee Strasborg, Milton Katselas and Frederick Combs, as well as acting with several groups on the West Coast.

“This is the first time we’ve been in a show together since we met in 198V’ Frank Kren said, offering their young son Ryan a cracker. After acting in a few first pro