Volume 13, Number 2 September, 2006
110, Our 101st, Continues on the Main Stage ...
110 in the Shade
Opens September 14
Anthony Bopp as Starbuck stirs the townspeople with his promise of rain.
Opening night for
the Main Stage Series of ACT I's twenty-seventh season was Thursday, September
14, when our 101st production, the musical 110 in the Shade, began its
eight performance run at the Palace Theatre in Vinton. After four very
successful performances during the past weekend, the show is once again at the
Palace for the final four performances beginning Thursday, September 21.
The play was written by N. Richard Nash, who adapted his play The Rainmaker
for the musical stage with music by Tom Jones and lyrics by Harvey
Schmidt. The cast of 32, (with a 68 year age span) plus musicians and stage crew, is directed by
Jill g. Lockard-Bopp, with musical direction by David Canaday. The pit
band is directed by Judy Trygstad. Assistant Director is Bunny
Feller. The choreographers are Darcy Feulling and Alisabeth Caraway.
The
production is sponsored by Farmers' Savings Bank and Trust. The pit band
is sponsored by John's Quik Stop.
110 in the Shade takes place in Texas in July, 1939 during a drought. A small town is suffering the effects of the long, hot dry spell. The story features the Curry family - rancher H. C. Curry and his three grown children, Noah, Jim, and Lizzie. The Curry ranch is run by Noah, the older son, whose practical, no nonsense approach to everything is often at odds with his father and his siblings. The family seems to be fighting a losing battle in their efforts to get Lizzie "married off," when to their town comes Starbuck, a con man who professes to be able to create rain. H. C. willingly takes Starbuck up on his offer to create rain within 24 hours for 100 dollars.
The play features the onstage talents of Sheila Monson in the central role of Lizzie Curry, Rick Maxwell as H. C. Curry, Doug Martens as Noah Curry, Kevin Bookmeier as Jim Curry, Mark Hancock as File, Alisabeth Caraway as Snookie Updagraff, and Anthony Bopp as the title character of Starbuck. Completing the ensemble is Diane Maxwell, Sherry Stout, Gina Lahue, Linda Merritt, Rachel Bonar, Brian Larkin, Ray Bookmeier, Bill Travis, Rick Primmer, Pam Primmer, Julie Canaday, Allie Canaday, Beth Canaday, Rachel Monson, Kaia Monson, Sydney Monson, Jane Martin, Jarrica Spiedel, Stephanie Lash, Jesse Bunge, Nick Stout, Aaron Mealhow, Trent McAtee, Jordan Yessak, and Katie Hancock.
The band includes Judy Trygstad, Judy Mitschelen, Barb Glime, David Law, Kelly Monahan, Aaron Pingenot, and Jan Roth.
The rehearsal accompanist was Julie Canaday. Suzy Westlund is in charge of properties and costumes. Costume construction is by Ida Higgins, Barb Bookmeier, Suzy Westlund, and Cheri Reitsma. Eric Upmeyer was in charge of lighting design. Set construction was supervised by Kevin Bookmeier, assisted by Ray Bookmeier, Barb Bookmeier, Chelsea Clark, Jordan Yessak. The Sound Recorder was Anthony Bopp, and the Lighting/Sound Board Operator is Bill Hawk. The stage crew is Keith Bonar, Walter Westlund. The publicity director was Sue Freet, assisted Anthony Bopp, Matthew Lash. Programs are by Mary Horst; poster design by Anthony Bopp, and the house manager is Brenda Hackbarth.
110 in the Shade opened October 24, 1963 in Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre. It ran for 330 performances. It opened in London in 1967. The play is scheduled to be revived on Broadway during the spring of 2007 with Audra McDonald at the Studio 54 Theatre.
Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, who created the music and lyrics for 110 in the Shade, also wrote the musicals Celebration and I Do! I Do!. However, they are best known as the creators of the Off Broadway musical The Fantasticks, the longest running musical in history and the longest running play in the history of the American theatre. The Fantastics opened in New York on May 3, 1960, and ran continuously for an unprecedented 17,162 performances before closing in January of 2002. (It failed to break the record of Agatha Christie's The Moustrap, which opened in London in 1952 and is still running.) The Fantastics was revived again Off Broadway in July of this year. Since it opened it has been produced more than 11,000 times in professional and amateur productions.
The Rainmaker opened in 1954. The play's author N. Richard Nash adapted his original work into 110 in the Shade. He died in 2000 at age 87.
Director Jill g. Lockard-Bopp directed the ACT I production of The Rainmaker in 1987, casting her future husband Anthony Bopp in the role of File. It was that production which sparked the romance that led to the Bopp's marriage a year later. 110 in the Shade is the sixth ACT I production directed by Jill, and her first in fifteen years.
Patrons are advised that the overture to the production begins five minutes before the secheduled curtain time so don't plan on getting to the theatre at a minute to seven! (*sigh* Some of us have that bad habit ....)
Performance Photographs
from
Opening week
For additional information about this production, including more photographs, go to the 110 in the Shade show page of this website at www.act1.org/110.htm.
The ACT I Ticket information line and Palace Theatre Box Office number is (319) 472-9957! Call today for Reservations for 110 in the Shade!
Events Series:
Midseason Performances Announced: Family Album and Heroes of Parlor Town
Plans for this season's
Events Series have been finalized. Both of the series' presentations will
be held at the Palace Theatre, which means that for the first time since the
facility's opening, our entire season will be performed at the Palace! Admission
to our Events Series productions is only $2.00 per person.
The series opens November 18 and 19 with two performances of Family Album, this season's edition of our Variety Show. (Please note that this is a date change from the original announcement of this production.) Directors Doug Martens and Michelle Bookmeier have planned the theme to make the show a family oriented production with an old fashioned flair. Family Album is sponsored by Clingman Pharmacy.
Auditions for Family Album will be October 8 from 12 - 4 pm at the Palace Theatre in Vinton!
For additional information about this production, go to the Family Album show page of this website at www.act1.org/album.htm.
The second production of our Events Series will be a special performance by guest artist and ragtime musicologist Brent Watkins of Cedar Rapids. Brent has been an enthusiast of the ragtime genre from the time he was a young teenager, and recently he has begun performing his program The Heroes of Parlor Town both in the Cedar Rapids area and far beyond. In Heroes of Parlor Town, Brent traces this uniquely American musical form from its African roots to its role in the development of Jazz. With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, Brent has also produced a short film on the history of ragtime narrated by the world famous African American opera star and Iowa native Simon Estes, which will be shown as part of his program. You won't want to miss this afternoon of lively piano music. Heroes of Parlor Town will have just one performance, at the Palace Theatre, February 4 at 3:00 pm. The program is sponsored by River City Graphics Specialties and Coon Creek Cable.
For additional information about this production, go to the Heroes of Parlor Town show page of this website at www.act1.org/parlor.htm.
Children's Theatre:
Calamity James Enjoys Successful Run
The final moments of Calamity James, which ran at the Palace Theatre in July
It received four very successful performances at the Palace Theatre in Vinton.
Calamity James was sponsored by the Kevin and April Ahrenholz family, John's Quik Stop, the Louise Gilchrist Charitable Trust, the Kirkland Trust, and the Vinton Community Foundation.
performance Photographs
For additional information about this production, including more photographs and other information, go to the Calamity James show page of this website at www.act1.org/james.htm. and www.act1.org/james2.htm.
Member Spotlight
Ida Higgins Honored for Contributions to National Weather Service Volunteer Program
Recognizing 26 years of service to America, NOAA’s National Weather Service recently named Ida Higgins a 2006 recipient of the agency’s John Campanius Holm Award for outstanding service in the Cooperative Weather Observer Program. Named for a Lutheran minister who was the first person known to have taken systematic weather observations in the American Colonies, the award is the agency’s second most prestigious. Only 25 out of approximately 11,700 volunteers receive the award each year.
Steve Kuhl, meteorologist in charge of NOAA’s Quad Cities office in Davenport presented the award at a ceremony on August 16 at the Iowa Braille School, where Ida works as a Paraeducator. Program manager Michael Zenner of the Quad Cities office nominated her for the award.
Ida has been a Cooperative Weather Observer in Vinton since May of 1980 and her observations serve as a source of weather data for media in Waterloo, Cedar Rapids and Oelwein.
General David Johnson, NWS Director in Washington D.C. states, “Cooperative Observers are the bedrock of weather data collection and analysis. Satellites, high speed computers, mathematical models and other technological breakthroughs have brought great benefits to the Nation in terms of better forecasts and warnings. But without the century-long accumulation of weather observations taken by volunteer observers, scientists could not begin to adequately describe the climate of the United States. We cannot thank Mrs. Higgins enough for her years of service to America.”
Ida has chaired and sewn numerous costumes for ACT I and is currently costuming 110 in the Shade.
On Our Stage
5 - 10 - 15 - 20 - 25 Years Ago
Ten years ago this month we said good-bye to the Old Creamery Theatre building in Garrison when we staged the final performances ever given in that space, our production of The Girls in 509, by Howard Teichmann. The professional company had already used the theatre for the last time when we gave our own farewell performances in the building. The political comedy is about two Republican women who sequestered themselves in their aging hotel apartment vowing not to come out again until a Republican president was in office again. When the building is scheduled to be demolished, the two women draw major media attention and are courted by the national chairmen of both political parties! (Both played, of course, by the same actor!)
Aunt Hettie was played by Nancy Beckman, and her niece Mimsy was played by Stacy Bruemmer. Old Jim the elevator operator was played by Darran Sellers, and Aubrey McKittridge was played by Austin Karr. Jim Hilliard portrayed the two party chairmen, and Pusey was played by Greg Killberger. The reporters were played by Dan Adix, Linda Lane, Amy Severstgaard, and Kevin Bookmeier.
For an extra bit of fun, ushers for the production included volunteers representing both the Benton County Republicans and the Benton County Democrats. (Try pulling that off NOW!)
The show was directed by Faith Brown, assisted by Mary Phillips, who was assisted by Matt Salgar. It was performed September 11 - 15, 1996.
For additional information about this production, go to the Girls in 509 show page of this website at www.act1.org/girls.htm.
20
Twenty years ago next month ACT I presented - wait for it - The Girls in 509! Our first production of this play was staged at the Old Creamery Theatre on October 30 - November 2, 1986, and was directed by Richard Paulus.
Aunt Hettie was created by Becky Mossman, and Mimsy was played by Jill g. Lockard-Bopp. Anthony Bopp was Old Jim, and Aubrey McKittridge was Ron Baldwin. David J. Nolte portrayed the two party chairmen, and Pusey was played by Tom Noonan. The reporters were Nancy Beckman, Dorothy Bliss (Albert), Bob Fischer, and Brenda Witt (Hackbarth).
Brenda Hackbarth was also the assistant director and Jim Hilliard served as stage manager.
For additional information about this production, including more photographs, go to the Girls in 509 show page of this website at www.act1.org/509.htm.
Wanted! Video Camera!
Do you have a good quality, unneeded video camera lying around? Would you consider donating it to ACT I? The camera we use in the Palace Theatre is nearing the end of its life cycle and needs to be replaced. The camera is mounted in the balcony during performances for the purpose of sending the onstage image to monitors backstage. This is vitally important for musicals so that our orchestra, always positioned out of sight behind the actors, can view the show and keep coordinated with the performers onstage. It is also needed for actors to be able to watch the show from the green room in order to make entrances at the proper time. A new camera is needed for the long term, so if anyone is able and interested in donating this item, this contribution would be highly appreciated by our performers.
Volunteers, Anyone?
If anyone is interested in helping with our annual "tidy up" at the ACT I Studio above Clingman's, please contact a board member or show up at the studio on September 30 at 1:00 pm. After a year, this is always a vitally needed activity!
ACT I TRIVIA QUIZ
The Music Man / 110 in the Shade
A traveling con man visits
a small town and takes up with a young local spinster. Sound
familiar? That's the basis for the plot of both this year's musical 110
in the Shade and last year's The Music Man.
This month's quiz is a single essay question. How many other similarities can you think of between these two shows?
Submit answers to: act1ofBC@aol.com or mail to:
ACT
I of Benton County Trivia
Quiz
Box 222, Vinton, Iowa 52349
REMEMBER:
You do NOT need to have all the answers in order to submit an entry!
Go West, Young Man!
ACT I's twenty-seventh
season opens with a pair of shows with Western settings! What other past
ACT I shows can you name which have had either western or frontier settings?
1. This past ACT I show was set in the Alaska gold rush. Klondike Kalamity
2.
Another gold rush show, this early ACT I show featured the character of Calamity
JANE.
Deadeye Dick
3.
Like 110 in the Shade and The Rainmaker, the past ACT I comedy was
also set in Texas.
Daddy's Dyin,
Who's Got the Will?
4.
A portion of this ACT I show chronicled the Lewis and Clark western expedition.
American
Hysterical
Message
from
the Editor
110 - No Excuse!
This motivational catch phrase used this fall by the Vinton-Shellsburg High School athletic department should also apply this Homecoming weekend to ACT I patrons as well! 110 in the Shade is a must see show! Be prepared to enjoy one of ACT I's finest musical performances ever. If you love good musical theatre, this production will not disappoint.
At this point in my life, it's not often that I see an unfamiliar musical. Although I know The Rainmaker well, our current production is my first exposure to the beautiful musical score of 110 in the Shade. In January of 2000, ACT I guest artist Kathleen Berger performed the number "Old Maid" from this show in her Broadway recital, but aside from that, all the music was new to me. And what a treat this score is! Numbers like "The Poker Polka," "The Rain Song," "A Man and a Woman," "Old Maid," "Everything Beautiful Happens at Night," and the brilliant show stopping "Little Red Hat" will have you dancing in your seat! Having now watched all of the first four performances of this lovely show, it amazes me that it has not been more popular through the years. Hopefully this season's Broadway revival will bring it back into the public eye and it will earn the attention it deserves. In any event, this is one of the strongest ACT I productions I have ever attended.
Heartiest congratulations go first of all to Jill g. Lockard-Bopp, who selected the play and has directed the production so superbly and sensitively. Jill, thank you for giving us this show. Yours has been a sure and steady directing hand - demanding to be sure, but the result is amazing. I hope it's not another 15 years before you are back at the directing helm again! Jill's assistant and Stage Manager Bunny Feller also deserves a great deal of credit for the show's success. Next, congratulations to music director David Canaday, who has coached the vocalists so well. And finally, to all of the cast and musicians and technical people, this is an amazing ensemble effort, and the cast is 100% solid down to the smallest role.
Special congratulations to Bill Travis. Bill and Judy are long time patrons and supporters of ACT I who have attended faithfully for years, but have never been able to participate onstage because of running their store. Now that they have retired (I hate like everything not being able to run down to Travis Hardware when I need some odd item!) they are able to enjoy being involved in ACT I in a new way. As is often the case, many ACT I adults have been preceded on stage by their children, but in Bill's case you can add grandchildren to that as well. So we are very pleased to have our long time friend finally make his debut with us, joined among our first time performers by his daughter and son-in-law, Rick and Pam Primmer. To Bill, Rick, Pam, and all our other first time performers appearing in this show, welcome!
Doug Martens thus far has been seen in only two past shows - as the Master of Ceremonies of On Broadway last season and later as the most unusual looking clergyman to ever walk our stage, in Love, Sex, and the IRS. Doug now bursts forth with a strong and well crafted characterization as Noah Curry, managing to give this largely unlikable character just enough humanity that the audience can see both sides of his complex character. Sheila Monson as Lizzie reveals an ever deepening sophistication as a leading musical actress, in her second such role in two years. She is a thoroughly believable and lovable Lizzie. Rick Maxwell, playing a sensible, mild mannered patriarch for the second time on our stage, provides just the right philosophical balance to the more flamboyant characters with his warm, even tempered characterization.
Although Mark Hancock has performed with ACT I twice before, this is his first major role. His performance as File is a revelation. This a fully developed, three dimensional character, skillfully sung and movingly acted. It's always a thrill for our local audience to see a fresh face in a major role, especially when the performance is of this quality. Another completely fresh face for us is Alisabeth Caraway. (She will be familiar to those of you who attend Theatre Cedar Rapids or the Cedar Rapids Follies regularly.) In The Rainmaker, Snookie is a character who never appears but is only talked about. But in the musical version she grabs hold with some hearty comic relief to the more serious main plot. A first class performance in a relatively small supporting role!
Anthony Bopp re-arrived on the ACT I scene less than two years ago, graduating from the supporting roles he played for us in the late eighties to leading roles in Blithe Spirit, The Music Man, and Lend Me a Tenor. With each role we have seen new dimensions in him as an actor and his interpretation of Starbuck is no exception. He is smooth and sensitive without being slick, and there is a strong chemistry with the other actors. Yes, it's great to see new faces, but it's also wonderful to see old friends grow to new levels as performers. Another old friend to our audience is Kevin Bookmeier, who first performed for us twelve years ago as a seventh grader. Talk about growing to new levels as a performer - Kevin's performance will wow you from beginning to end. The characterization is complete and delightful, the singing first rate, and when he and Alisabeth Caraway sing "Little Red Hat," they bring down the house.
Another notable element this show has that its predecessor lacks is the chorus. The adaptation of The Rainmaker into a musical has added a rich dimension to the story with the inclusion of the townspeople. And this chorus is first rate. It includes performers who have shined here previously in major roles - Brian Larkin, Diane Maxwell, Ray Bookmeier, Linda Merritt, Rachel (Kramer) Bonar, Jesse Bunge, Julie Canaday, Sherry Stout, Katie Hancock, Allie Canaday, Rachel Monson, and Nicholas Stout. Talk about a strong ensemble! Add to this other familiar and new faces to our stage - Bethany Canaday, Gina Lahue, Suzy Westlund, Stephanie Lash, Jane Martin, Aaron Mealhow, Kaia Monson, Sydney Monson, and Jordan Yessak, Trent MacAtee, Jarrica Spiedel, Rick and Pam Primmer, Bill Travis, and you have an ensemble with a 68 year age span that delivers a first rate musical performance. (And they can dance, too!) Add our first rate band and skillful backstage technicians, and you have a memorable show that future ACT I productions will be measured against for years to come. This is not a production to miss if you love musical theatre. Jill, cast, crew... thank you all for bringing this show to life for the community to enjoy.
Steve
That's Grease Paint for September, 2006!
To look back at previous online issues, visit our Grease Paint Archives page by clicking here!
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