From the Lake County Record-Bee”s booth at the recent Kelseyville Pear Festival, I had a front-row view of the parade that made its way down Main Street.
One of the floats, accompanied by walkers, was filled with familiar people wearing a variety of costumes — some of our local theatrical performers. Enthusiastically I waved to the group as it made its way down the street.
As the float went by, however, I was surprised to see an unfamiliar name on the back: “Lake County Theater Company.”
For several years, Lake County has been home to two local companies: Lake County Repertory Theater and Lakeport Community Players. Over the years, I”ve attended several shows put on by the various companies.
LCRT staged several performances on the Weaver Auditorium stage in Lower Lake. Who can forget the quick-change antics of Eric Patrick and Bill Fredriksson, portraying the entire cast of the comedy “Greater Tuna”? A handful of props ? and the actors” talents ? were all that served to distinguish the characters.
The American farce of Michael Parker came hilariously alive in productions by LCP: “The Amorous Ambassador” and “Whose Wives Are They Anyway?” Non-stop pratfalls, near misses and coincidence are the stock-in-trade of this contemporary playwright. Everyone involved in these performances seemed to have a great time.
About a year or so ago, the two companies began to collaborate on projects; the highly-successful “Fiddler on the Roof” comes most prevalently to my mind. The cast and crew”s love of this timeless musical was evident in every aspect of the local production. It was easily among the best work by either Lakeport Community Players or Lake County Repertory Theater.
So, who or what was this “Lake County Theater Company?”
A short while later, I had my explanation as publicity began to circulate for an upcoming production of “Cinderella” as well as for other projects.
In addition to the visible collaborations that were taking place on stage, the two companies” governing boards were collaborating together. The two companies have formally merged into the “Lake County Theater Company.” The name recently appeared formally in print for the second time (since it appeared first on the back of a float) in publicity for a casting call.
As an avid theater-goer, I can appreciate the wisdom of this course. Many of the same people had already been involved in the two groups” activities at varying times. And the jointly-staged performances that I had seen thus far drew upon a much larger pool of resources. I think we will continue to enjoy enhanced theater experiences with formation of this new group.
LCTC is already up and running with several projects on the boards. Among upcoming productions:
* “Cinderella” will be performed during the first two weekends in December at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre. This musical-comedy performance is being produced with the Mendocino College Drama Department. Tickets are $20 reserved seating and $15 general admission. The Soper-Reese box office is open from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays; call 263-0577. Information and and a seating chart can be found at www.soper reesetheatre.com.
* Another upcoming performance is called “Christmas Belles.” It features the ladies of Fayro, Texas, as they attempt to present their annual Christmas Pageant. Performances will take place at the end of November.
* The theater company recently held auditions for “Gramercy Ghost,” which is taking place in February. This world-famous play features a love-sick ghost.
* LCTC has begun accepting scripts for “Dreamcatcher,” a Northern California playwrights” contest. The group is asking that the entries have not been previously performed or published professionally. Deadline to enter the contest is March 15, 2009. For rules and application forms, call 279-2595 or visit http://lctc.home.mchsi.com.
Contact Cynthia Parkhill at cparkhill@clearlakeobserver.com.
Don”t forget to write!
The Clear Lake Observer*American welcomes letters responding to articles and opinions that have appeared in this newspaper, as well as on topics of general interest. Letters can be sent to letters@clearlakeobserver.com or mailed to PO Box 6200, Clearlake, CA 95422. Please include complete name, address and telephone number. Anonymous submissions will be discarded.
