Posted by: thepinetree on 12/05/2013 08:09 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 12/05/2013 08:12 PM
Expires: 01/01/2018 12:00 AM
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Footlight Theatre Company presents 1st Annual Columbia Christmas Dinner and Melodrama: “Misdeeds at Mistletoe Mine, or… The Sanity Clause!”
Columbia, CA...It is with great enthusiasm and vision that a group of passionate theater professionals launches a new theatre company in the Sierra Foothills -- Footlight Theatre Co. based in Columbia. Artistic Director Anthony De Page, Executive Director Kendra Burlison and Administrative Director Diane Brown have formed a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to provide superior quality theatrical productions showcasing local talent while enhancing and stimulating cultural and artistic enrichment in the Mother Lode region. Founding board members include President Steve Kwasnicki, Vice President Megan Collier, Treasurer Doreen Kwasnicki and Secretary Tiffany Howard...
Footlight Theatre’s first performance will showcase the Christmas melodrama, “Misdeeds at Mistletoe Mine” or “The Sanity Clause!” “This inaugural show will be a Wild West Holiday celebration, complete with live music and plenty of audience participation,” Burlison exclaimed. “Audiences will be transported back to 1890 upon entering Angelo’s Hall into an evening with all the flavor of Columbia as it used to be – a night out complete with perilous action, tear-jerking drama, rip-roaring comedy and delightful singing.”
“Misdeeds at Mistletoe Mine” revolves around poor little Holly Hock (played by 12 year old actor Raen Kuykendall). Tragically orphaned after a mining accident took both her parents, she has inherited a gold mine with no gold and a hotel with no guests. Her aunt, Rose Bush, portrayed by Miss Emma Brown, has taken both her and the failing business under her wing. When handsome Redmond Wood (Aaron Michael Bennett) rides into town, the future suddenly looks promising for Rose and Holly, but the villainous Mayor William Z. Lucifer, feloniously acted by none other than Stephen Damien Daly, has other plans!
With the help of femme fatale Chiquita Rosarita Ricardo (Sara Garcia), Mayor Lucifer concocts a plan to drive Red out of town and take custody of Holly, thereby inheriting the hotel and gold mine. Will Rose lose custody of little Holly? Can “Red” Wood save the day?? Will Chiquita eat a banana?? ? Will Bill Z. Lucifer commit sinister evil all of Yule Falls!!?? Rounding out the cast are Diane Brown as Sheriff Tucson Tessie, Anthony De Page as Diogenes and Daniel Jorgensen as the evening’s Emcee and narrator – Stubby Nuggets! Live music will be provided by the talented Rick Moore of local band The Hot Dark!
The show will be held in Angelo’s Hall, 11209 State St, Columbia State Historic Park, Fridays and Saturdays Dec. 13, 14, 20 and 21 and Sunday Dec 22 at 6pm. Doors open at 5:45 with caroling. Each performance begins with a traditional four-course holiday dinner mastered by local caterers Lila and Sage, winners of 2012 “Cupcake Wars,” and will be accompanied by a variety show including short skits, musical olios and the wonderful Yule Falls Orphan Choir! Then, after dinner, enjoy an outrageously hilarious 1800s style Wild West Melodrama in which YOU are a part of the show! Boo, hiss and throw popcorn at the villain, Cheer on the courageous Hero and Sigh for the pure-as-the-driven-snow heroine!
“Some may ask, ‘Why start with melodrama?’” relayed Burlison. “The answer is simple: melodrama was a popular form of theatre in the 19th century Sierra Foothills, and in taking on the genre, we are looking to add to the true historical experience of the Mother Lode for visitors to Columbia State Historic Park. This will truly be a wonderful Christmas spectacular, an ideal family dinner theatre experience for all ages! We’ve also timed it to coincide with Columbia State Park’s annual Merry Merchants event so that families can make a full day of it.”
Cost of the show is $40 per adult and $35 per child. Ticket includes opening entertainment, a four-course Turkey dinner, one complimentary glass of wine or other beverage and the performance. Show only Tickets are $15 and are limited. All dinner tickets must be reserved 48 hours in advance and are available at www.footlighttheatre.org, in Sonora at Mountain Bookshop in The Junction, in Columbia at the Jack Douglas Saloon or by calling the Footlight box office at (209) 588-6441.
De Page has been involved in the performing arts on and off stage since he was 8 years old. He has acted, directed and stage managed more than 75 productions in theatres all over the state and beyond. Alongside his years of stage experience, he is also formally educated in Theatre Arts from CSU Stanislaus.
Burlison has had a love affair with theatre over the last 22 years and has expertise is melodrama, directing, marketing and graphic design. She has appeared in a number of plays including “No Mother to Guide Her,” “A Golden Fleecing,” “On the Night of January the 16th,” “Love, Sex and the IRS” and “White Sheep of the Family.”
Brown has been involved with theatre most of her adult life and earned a degree in Theater Arts from CSU Stanislaus. She performed in community theatre in Charleston, South Carolina and Misawa, Japan.
Footlight Theatre Co. is also seeking to build a collective pool of artists, including actors, painters, musicians, builders and designers, as well as office help. “The one thing I have always loved about theatre is the way it is all encompassing,” expressed Burlison. “No matter what your art form, there is a place for you. We look forward to including all who are interested.”
“The theme of our first season is the area’s striking history, and through suspenseful drama, classic comedy, musical melodrama, bone-chilling murder mysteries and historically accurate re-enactments in Columbia we hope to educate and enrich our community about our eventful past and lively traditions,” added De Page. “We are also planning two main stage productions in 2014,” De Page confirmed.
“Footlight is exciting because it is the fulfillment of dreams that both Anthony and I have had for years,” expressed Burlison. “Our goal is to produce quality stage productions that not only stimulate the physical senses, but the mind as well through plays with social and spiritual meaning.” Our mission is to provide our community with superior quality theatrical productions that showcase local talent while enhancing and stimulating community and social awareness. Through Fine Arts education and professional quality performances we aim to further the cultural and artistic enrichment of our local community.
For additional information, please call (209) 588-6441 or visit online at www.footlighttheatre.org.
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