LAKEPORT — The warm and endearing classic, “Little Women,” is scheduled to open on Friday, Aug. 8, at the Soper-Reese Community Theater. The lush costumes and fabulous “revolving set” are almost completed while the background music plays sweetly and light cues are timed to perfection.
As the play opens on Friday evening, the stars will shine, but few will know of another “little woman” who will not be on the stage but is as important to this production as any of the stars. Her name is Hope Nowak.
Hope is a 17-year-old beauty who has been the driving force behind the production of “Little Women” in Lake County. She (and most of the Nowak family) debuted in “Fiddler on the Roof” in the fall of 2007 and fell in love with community theater. Actually they had loved performing for years due to many church-based productions but “Fiddler” was a whole new world. It was during “Fiddler” that Hope began lobbying for “Little Women” and by spring 2008, both Lake County Repertory Theater and Lakeport Community Players had agreed to support the show jointly.
Hope”s proposal was to act as director for the show and this she has done, with the support of some more experienced adult staff from the two companies. As co-director, Hope has been everywhere. She was the tough coach of the younger members of the cast, called tirelessly to remind all cast members of schedule times and locations, painted on the beautiful set and has become the “property mistress” with her sister, Grace. Speaking of family, along with Hope and Grace, father Chris, brother Andy, mother Lisa and littlest sister Joy are all part of this huge production…talk about family unity!
Hope is a very modest person. She would want to be sure that other amazing “behind the scenes stars” are recognized for their unbelievable hours of time and talent. Such miracle workers are Karen Bento with the rich and gorgeous costumes for 30 performers; Michael Earnst Sr., Randy Hare and Rod Levendusky with their stunning “revolving set;” the luscious sound track assembled by Bert Hutt and Randy Hare and the complex ligting scheme intricately designed and operated by Wink Winkler and Susan Yeagan. The resulting show will be a magnificent and touching portrait of Civil War times and is sure to be the highlight of the summer in Lake County. Don”t miss it!
Performances are scheduled to take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, Saturday, Aug. 9, Friday, Aug 15 and Saturday, Aug 16. and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug.9, Sunday, Aug.10, Saturday, Aug. 16, and Sunday, Aug.17. Reserved and general tickets are now on sale at Catfish Books in Lakeport (263-4454).
General seating tickets can be purchased at Shannon Ridge Tasting Room in Clearlake Oaks (998-9656), Lake County Arts Council in Lakeport (263-6658) and Wild About Books in Clearlake (994-9453).
The cost of reserved seating is $14 and general seating is $12. The price for LCP/LCRT members, seniors and students is $2 less in each category. Special rates are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, please feel free to call 279-2595.
