LAKEPORT — Clear Lake High School in Lakeport is in final preparation for its production of “You”re a Good Man Charlie Brown” but this joy-filled production has not been easy to put together. CLHS has been missing the “main man” for its set designing, set-building, light constructing and sound engineering, Wink Winkler. In February, Wink had a stroke.
Who is Wink Winkler? He”s a 61-year-old genius who can build and repair anything from elevators that go up and down (on stage!) to motorcycles and computers. He”s an ex-airforce guy who has lived all over the world, tried nearly everything once and has had a major part in over 158 theatrical productions including radio, TV, movies and live theater.
Around Lake and Mendocino counties, however, Wink is the guy that the theater companies call when they need to have a set for their next play … or lights … or sound … or just about anything.
Pam Bradley, the drama teacher of Clearlake High and director of “Charlie Brown,” was stunned when she heard that Wink had had a stroke. “I had no idea what to do without him,” she recalled. “All the plans for the set were in his head. He has always been here for me and the kids every year. We just couldn”t imagine doing ?Charlie Brown” without him.”
According to Stella Winkler, Wink”s wife of 30 years, worries about “Charlie Brown” were among the first things on Wink”s mind in his hospital bed. When he first realized what had happened to him, he got a hold of Mike Ernst and Linda Sauer, two other staunch members of the CLHS volunteer brigade, and began drawing out plans and getting the hospital to fax them to his volunteer partners. “It was amazing,” said Mike Ernst. “There he was in the hospital. His left arm wasn”t working, but he was drawing up set design plans with his right hand and sending them to me. I couldn”t believe it. Only Wink would do that.”
But that is vintage Wink. In a phone interview, he cheerfully announced that he was coming home from the Napa rehab center on March 19 so that he could really start working on his own recovery plan. “There”s too much ?down time” here,” he grumbled. “I need to get home where I can work on getting the use of my arm back faster. That”s my clutch hand and I need to get back on my motorcycle. I also need to see ?You”re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.””
When asked about publishing this article, Wink replied modestly, “Only if it will help sell tickets to the show.” That”s Wink. He is truly our “Good Man.”
Clear Lake High School Drama Department presents “You”re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” 7 p.m. Thursday, March 27, Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29, at the Marge Alakszay Center, CLHS in Lakeport.
Tickets are on sale at CLHS front office, both reserved and general seating (262-3010) and at the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce at 875 Lakeport Blvd, Lakeport, general seating only (263-5092).
Reserved tickets are $10, general admission is $7 and admission for students and seniors is $5. For more information, feel free to call 279-2595.
