Grease Paint Online - August, 2007

I took my husband and my mother to the Amana Colonies Friday night to see The Old Creamery's presentation of Greater Tuna. I went into

this experience with the knowledge that this was a two-man show that lacked any sort of "plot", and it revolved around the very small town of Tuna, Texas. Tuna, for your information has a population of 42. This changes during the play and Tuna is reduced to only 41 lively, very real and very different "characters". What I can also tell you about Greater Tuna is that I and my family loved it. For an hour and a half, we were transported directly from that small depot theater right into the heart of Texas 25 years ago. We forgot about everything else except how wonderfully funny and eccentric small-town life can be and is still today. Greater Tuna tells the story of Texas' fictitious third smallest town where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. This satire on life in rural America is entertaining from start to finish, mostly due to the two performers that depict all inhabitants of Tuna-men, women, children, and even animals. My favorite character is a tie between a crazy, grey-haired woman named Pearl, her nephew straight out of reform school Stanley, and the town's Baptist minister.

Greater Tuna is coming to the Palace stage September 21, 22 and 23. It is a show that I know will please audiences of all ages, and my husband loved it as much as I did! I hope you will take time to see this fun and very entertaining show...it's worth it!

You can see this Old Creamery Theatre production in Vinton at ACT I prices! Tickets for the special ACT I run of Greater Tuna will be $7.00 for adults or $5.00 for students and seniors. Curtain times are 7:00 pm on September 21 and 22, and 2:00 pm on Sunday, September 23. Sponsoring the Old Creamery's appearance for ACT I at the Palace with Greater Tuna is Palace Productions, Brian Larkin and Pam's Storage, Pam and Rick Primmer.

The ACT I Ticket information line and Palace Theatre Box Office number is (319) 472-9957!
Call today for Reservations for Greater Tuna! Tickets are on sale now!

Season 2007 - 2008 Children's Theatre Concludes ...

Second Stage Triumphs With

ACT I's Children's Theatre Series concluded at the Benton Community Schools Auditorium in Van Horne on June 29, 30, and July 1 with Flying Colors by Claire and Monte Montgomery, with music and lyrics by Monte Montgomery. The cast of nearly 50 young performers was directed by Mary Horst. Sponsors for the production are the Benton County State Bank and the Coon Creek Telephone Company.

For additional information about this Flying Colors, go to the Flying Colors show page of this website at www.act1.org/colors.htm.

Auditions for the Events Series production of Ledge, Ledger, Legend by Paul Elliott will be September 10 and 11 at 7:00 pm at the ACT I Studio above Clingman Pharmacy. Directors Mary Horst and Alex Vasquez are looking for three men to fill the cast. Performance dates for the dinner theatre production at the Vinton Country Club will be November 9th and 10th at 7:00 pm. The meal will be served by Robin Martin and the staff of the Vinton Country Club.

This play begins dramatically when Peter crawls out onto a ledge prepared to jump. While contemplating his next move, he meets J.M., a professional suicide counselor who will make sure that Peter goes out in style. J.M. guides Peter through all the problems of a successful suicide—how to obtain a crowd, how to hold the audience, how to build tension, how to obtain television coverage and, finally, when and how to jump. When a rival suicide counselor appears and reveals that J.M. has a lousy record of success in his field, Peter asserts himself and the play ends with a humorous reversal.

Ledge, Ledger, Legend is produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, IL.

Members of the Month

ACT I Wishes
the Canaday Women Farewell

by Anthony Bopp

Greasepaint would like to take a moment to recognize the tremendous contribution made to ACT I over the years by Julie Canaday, as well as her daughters Allie and Beth. Julie has accepted a teaching position in Ottumwa and has moved out of her Shellsburg home this month.

Julie seemed to delight in characters that were a little off balance. In the 2003 production of "The Reluctant Dragon," she made her ACT I debut playing Buellah, a hysterical townsperson, and proved just as adept taking on a role with more depth as the mentally challenged Bella in "Lost In Yonkers." She continued expanding her acting credentials in a dual role for "The Sound Of Music," performing as both a nun and and elderly lady.

Julie Canaday (left) as Bella in Lost in Yonkers, with Linda Merritt

Perhaps Julie's most memorable role occurred in the 2005 production of "You Can't Take It With You," when she played Essie, a free spirit sort of young woman with a penchant for ballet and a somewhat off-kilter perspective on life and happiness. Julie brought a silliness that worked well for the role, but provided a touch of depth as well, as fit the slightly off-balance comedy.

Julie Canaday (center) in You Can't Take it With You

In addition to her on stage work, Julie's contributions off-stage have been every bit as impressive. Her musical talents have shown themselves in many ACT I productions. In "The Sound of Music," besides acting two roles on stage, she was also co-music director and rehearsal accompanist. She was also rehearsal accomanist for "The Music Man" and last year's production of "110 In The Shade." She also worked as stage manager for " Blythe Spirit," and sound operator for "The Cemetery Club."

You'd think that would be enough to keep anyone busy, but Julie also help guide and direct ACT I in other ways as well, such as serving on the board of directors and the play reading committee for two years. Further, she's helped to guide her daughters Allie and Beth in her footsteps. Allie was in her tap shoes as a baby star in "American Hysterical" for ACT I Stage, and as a baby mouse in "The Adventures of Beatrix Potter." Beth made her debut, alongside her mother and sister, as a chorus member in "110 In The Shade."

Alli Canaday (center) in rehearsal for The Sound of Music

Julie says that she looks back on her involvement with ACT I with great fondness. "I was new to acting when I debuted in "The Reluctant Dragon," she says. "I have loved the ACT I organization for its creative opportunities, strong community camaraderie and love of creating art for the Vinton community. I will miss the many friends that I have made."

We will miss you too, Julie, and thank you for the many great memories and your significant contribution to elevating the quality of our productions.

From the first phone call I made to Steve Arnold on August 1st, 2005 I was welcomed into ACT I. Since then, it has been nothing but fun! Hello, my name is Rachel Kramer. I live in Vinton and am excited to announce I will be assisting in writing for ACT I's monthly newsletter, Grease Paint Online. We all wear different hats in life. I have worn the hat of actor and stagehand through ACT I, and I am ready to take on the challenge of the "writer's hat". It is a pleasure to re-introduce this hat to my wardrobe, as I haven't had it out since high-school. For your information, I am now 28...and always learning. I love the theater! I'm hooked! I know somehow you are attached to our community theater in your own way also. I look forward to helping keep you informed and excited about what ACT I has to offer our community. Thank-you, I'll see you here next month.

Anthony Bopp started on stage with ACT I in 1986 as Paul in the production of My Three Angels. He took stage again in a few other shows over the next year or two before taking an unintended leave of absence of 17 years. Unable to stay away any longer, he returned for a small role in the 2005 production of You Can't Take it With You, and after that there was apparently no stopping him. He appeared in several shows in quick succession, including Blithe Spirit, The Music Man, Lend Me a Tenor, and 110 in the Shade. Finally, he took on an even greater plunge; serving as David Canaday's assistant director in Moon Over Buffalo.

Anyone attending a movie on the weekend is likely to find him popping popcorn at the Palace, and you might even catch him running the projector. He's currently working on his own play and is looking forward to assisting n with Grease Paint as he can.