I hope you didn”t miss the New Year”s Eve celebration at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre. The event was magical, with local talent, good friends, great food and dancing all night long.
My grandmother used to have a saying, “My feet don”t hurt when I”m dancing,” and while I”ve found that this is true, the next day is another story.
The schedule for the theater this month includes the incredible Bill Noteman and the Rockets for Third Friday Live on Friday starting at 7 p.m.
“Lake County Live” is a live audience broadcast that will take place on stage at 6 p.m. Jan. 29 and will be broadcast on KPFZ 88.1 FM. I invite you to join the audience and become part of the live broadcast.
This month”s Lakeport Theatre story comes from Patti Reese (Gernert), daughter of Bob and Margaret Reese, who owned the theater for many years. She has several stories. The following is one of her recollections:
“There is so much to remember … Sandbagging when Main Street flooded; the Greyhound bus driving through town carrying the next night”s film, which needed to be picked up at the depot on Main Street; the Christmas party every year for the kids; the movies after prom; private showings of “Romeo and Juliet,” “Flowers for Algernon,” etc. to the schools; CLHS Pep Squad slumber parties before the Kelseyville game; the very popular Hispanic movies on Wednesday nights, then later on Sunday afternoons; and Senior Matinees, sponsored by the bank.
“I remember selling tickets on the weekend, watching everyone cruise Main Street. People stopped by on a regular basis just to buy popcorn (with REAL butter) or to chat with dad about hunting, fishing, motorcycles, Rotary Club, or a community issue. Former employees stopped in just to say ?hi.”
“Every patron was greeted at the door and tourists often became friends. My dad was the face of the theater while my mom was doing much of the work behind the scenes.
“I never had a date take me to a movie in Lakeport (imagine that!). I never got kicked out for talking, but a few times I was sent to sit in the office for the night. I ate so much candy, it”s a wonder I have teeth and I saw almost every movie made before 1974.
“I knew who everyone was in town and I developed a great appreciation for the community of Lake County through my connection to the theater. I hope the facility that helped nurture that appreciation remains and thrives as a key social hub in Lake County.”
Tickets for events at the theater are now available at the Travel Center in the Shoreline Shopping Center in Lakeport, open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets can also be purchased at the theater box office, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday at 275 S. Main St. in Lakeport.
For all the latest in information, tickets and more go to www.soperreesetheatre.com and we”ll see you at the theater.
Mike Adams is executive director of the Soper-Reese Community Theatre.
