Lakeport >> This weekend will bring to an end a series of performances of the musical classic “South Pacific” by Rogers and Hammerstein.
“We have survived numerous struggles and rain storms that were more like monsoons, but full houses and happy faces have been the story of every performance so far,” director Suna Flores said.
Play participants were not sure if they would be able to say that when they started putting the show together, “but we are thrilled with the wonderful audience reaction, so far” choral director Cathy O’Connell said.
The weather was not the only difficulty that Lake County Theatre Company (LCTC) experienced on the way to success. The Valley Fire almost cancelled the production while it was in the planning stage. Members of the initial production team lost their homes, their businesses and even their friends.
Many available spaces which might have been used for rehearsal space or set construction were pressed into service for the victims of the fire. LCTC does not own its own facilities, so for a time garages were the only spaces that were available for a cast and crew of more than 30 individuals.
“In a short time, however, LCTC began to rally, much like Lake County, itself,” Flores said. “Our first break was rehearsal space, generously offered by the Lake County art gallery on Main Street. That was followed by rehearsal and set construction space provided by Skycatch Gymnastics. Without those two spaces, we couldn’t have put this show together at all. We are very grateful to them both.”
LCTC’s last bit of good fortune was the company’s ability to rehearse on a regular basis in February at the Lake County Fairgrounds, itself.
“Without the creativity and generosity of the folks at the fairgrounds, we would have been sunk,” producer Sue Garrett said. “Putting up a sound and light system and letting the cast rehearse in their actual performance space was a real blessing. I think the show reflects that.”
Final shows will be tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds’ Little Theatre. A few tickets are still available for the last weekend at Soap Shack, Baby in Lakeport, The Game Hub in Lower Lake and online at brownpapertickets.com.
“This cast has been determined to make Rogers and Hammerstein, award winning authors of South Pacific, proud in spite of everything,” Flores said. “And now, after everything the cast has been through, the audiences seem to think they have achieved their goal. Happy, cheering crowds are their reward. I think they will be sad to see it end. So will I.”
The Lake County Fairgrounds are located at 401 Martin St. in Lakeport. For additional information, call 350-2520.
