Nothing 'Odd' about Ott acting

If you follow Cobb politics, then you know that when it comes to business of the county, District 2 Commissioner Bob Ott doesn’t play around. But that hasn’t stopped Ott from channeling his inner thespian this month.

“Don’t ask me why, but I have been asked to appear in a play at The Strand,’’ Ott told attendees at a Vinings Business Association luncheon this week. “I’m the only one in the cast who’s never been in a play and I actually have a speaking part.’’

Ott is part of cast of community leaders who are set to bring a story of mismatched roommates and a lot of humor to the Earl Smith Strand Theatre beginning next week with Neil Simon's The Odd Couple.

This comedy classic pits the uptight neat-freak Felix against the broody laze of Oscar in a dangerous arena: living together as newly-singled roommates. The Odd Couple is a 1965 Broadway play that has spawned various successful film and television series, as well as other spin-offs and derivative works.

Members of this cast have graciously donated their time and energy to this show, to help The Strand kick off 2012 fundaraising. The two main characters will be played by Van Pearlberg, deputy chief assistant district attorney at Cobb Judicial Court, and Bert Reeves, attorney at Turner, Bachman & Garrett LLC.

The cast also includes Ott; Kim Gresh, president of SA White Oil Co.; Cassandra Buckalew, owner of The Historic Marietta Trolley; Steve Imler, retired businessman; Murray Sarkin, a local actor: and Andrew Cole, Strand's events and bar manager.

Last year, The Strand-produced performance of The Sunshine Boys was a great success, and the play was performed to a packed house on both nights. Once again Earl Reece, the executive director of The Strand, will direct the performance.

"Anytime one can become involved in a project that benefits the community as well as raises funds for a worthwhile organization is a great civic opportunity," Pearlberg said in a press release.

The show times will be: Friday, January 13 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, January 15 at 2 p.m.; Friday, January 20 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, January 21 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, January 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 and for more information, tickets, or to join The Strand's email list, visit www.EarlSmithStrand.org or call the box office at 770-293-0080. The box office is located at 117 North Park Square, Marietta, and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and two hours before the show.

Nominations sought for Leadership Cobb

Leadership Cobb, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s premier leadership development program, is seeking nominations for members of the 2012-2013 class.

Class members will be selected from business, industry, education, government and other professions, as well as from volunteer, civic and religious organizations. Leadership Cobb develops leadership skills and promotes professional and personal growth through experiential learning sessions.

Class members are introduced to a variety of viewpoints, illustrating the array of economic, political, educational and social factors at work in Cobb County. Leadership Cobb program days combine lectures and dialogue with speakers, as well as class member interaction with leaders representing all facets of the Cobb community.

Nominees should be able to assume increased community responsibilities, as the program demands significant time and effort for 10 consecutive months.

Attendance is mandatory for all regularly scheduled events, which usually are held one day per month, plus two-day retreats in the fall and spring and periodic evening sessions. The program begins fall 2012 and runs through spring 2013.

The program, which is in its 29th year, provides a learning environment that enhances personal and professional growth to benefit the community and the region.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, Feb. 24. Fill out a nomination form online at www.cobbchamber.org or fax the nominee’s name, title, employer, mailing address, email address and business or mobile telephone number to Leadership Programs Manager Michele Bickerstaff at 770-763-4295.

Steve Byrne of Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC and Cheryl Musial of the MopDog Creative + Strategy will be co-chairs for the 2012-2013 program year.

For more information on the Leadership Cobb nomination and selection process, contact Michele Bickerstaff at 770-859-2345 or mbickerstaff@cobbchamber.org.