Theatre Performances: Wizard of Oz at the Cheyenne Civic Center

I went to the Cheyenne Civic Center last night to see the touring production of The Wizard of Oz.

I seem to remember seeing the Wizard of Oz before...I think at the Minneapolis Children's Theater, and it was a regular play, not a musical. Or I may be confusing it with the Grinch, whcih I definitely saw there. Ah, sucks to get old and misplace your theater program collection.

Anyway, it was fun. It used most of the dialog and songs from the movie - including Over the Rainbow, but with a few additional lines and at least one scene - the Jitterbug scene that had been cut from the movie was done here.

Andrew Haserlat, who played the Scarecrow, didn't have the physical dexterity of Ray Bolger, but his physicality was okay and he had a good singing voice. Jesse Colman as Lion didn't try a Brooklynese accent a la Bert Lahr, but his Cowardly Lion did kind of make him stand out - excellent delivery of some comedic lines.

Pat Sibley as the Wicked Witch also did a good job.

We were far in the back and I hadn't brought opera glasses, so I didn't realize until today that the actress who played Aunt Em also did Gilda, and the actor who played Uncle Henry also played the Guard. As the guard, his vocalizations reminded me more of the guard from the movie Robots than from the movie - where Frank Morgan had played him, the Carriage Driver, the Doorman, and the Wizard of Oz.

Here, Robert John Biedermann played Professor Marvel and the Wizard of Oz. His best scene was of course the last scene where he is handing out the diploma, the testimonial, the medal, and so on.

Dorothy was played by Kate Bristol, Tinman by Beau Hutchings.

A projector had been set up that did the house rising and falling, Aunt Em calling for Dorothy changing into the Wicked Witch doing so, etc.

All in all, a very fun performance - all actors well up to the task, but those with the best lines of course standing out the most.

I checked out some reviews of the touring production and discovered that the actors who played the Munchkins were all locally recruited school kids. According to a letter written by a parent (3 years ago, for a New York production) - the local kids have to pay to be taught all the dance steps they are going to use in the performance - they are themselves not paid. Apparently they get a T-shirt and a line for their resume.

(Note the back of the program which says that the Munchkins had been trained by Lorraine Brown-Bassett and Andrea Rinne of EnAvant Dance Studio.

I also didn't realize that this was a one-night only show. I guess that's how they can be sure every performance will sell out, but gee, that's got to be hard on the actors, getting used to a new space every single day....

The Front Page at the Guthrie

Bruce Bohne, an actor I know whose name I don't remember, [Michael?] Tesla, Stephen Pelinski, and another actor whose name I don't remember.

The Front Page. Pelinski was the star, Hildy Johnston. The actor second from left was I believe the chief editor character.

Charles Janasz in The Man Who Came to Dinner

I loved Guthrie's version of The Man Who Came to Dinner. Richard Iglewski as Sheridan Whiteside, and Charles Janasz as the Noel Coward character, Beverly Carlton. At the far right, Brenda Wehle as Maggie Cutler.

Richard Iglewsi at the Guthrie

Many years ago, when I lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, I used to go to the Guthrie frequently. I've got a couple of notebooks full of programs from the Guthrie, as well as other Minneapolis/St.Paul theaters such as the Actor's Theater and Theater in the Round.

Those notebooks are packed away at the moment, but I've got photos of various actors (from the programs!) and I'm going to share them here. Then, when I track down all my theater programs, I'll put the photos into the appropriate plays and share cast lists and everything.

So, here's Richard Iglewski from various Guthrie Theater performances.


Iglewski in The Imaginary Invalid


Iglewski as Falstaff in Henry V. So much better than Robert Stephens' performance opposite Michael Maloney at Stratford Upon Avon that I saw, also many years ago.


Richard Iglewski and Sally Wingert in Henry V.




Iglewski in some 6 hour play, the name of which I can't remember at the moment.


A play that I don't think I saw - at least I don't recognize the costume. However, it might be him playing another role in the 6 hour play I mentioned above - the play has 3 levels - there was a gigantic net strung atop the top of the stage and actors who died were up there, then there was action taking place in "the world." I loved the music in it...but didn't care for the play at all, if I recall correctly.

Minnesota Centennial Showboat: Dracula, adapted by Charles Nolte

(Click on each photo to bring up a large, readable version.)








For many, many years, the Minnesota Centennial Showboat was docked by the river below the hill on which was located the University of Minnesota. I well remember my early twenties, and the many plays that I and may family went to see aboard the Showboat. It was a summertime tradition.

Than, one year, the bright bulbs who owned the Showboat decided that it needed to be repaired, because it was no longer seaworthy - even though it was docked and never went anywhere. So, it was taken out of service...as repairs were being made. And then one day, the repair crew working on the Showboat, Union members all, I have no doubt, were using an acetylne torch or smoking or something. A spark hit something, and apparently they had no fire extinguishers..so the ship burnt to the water line.

Goodbye, Showboat.

Above are 8 pages of a brochure (as opposed to a program) that was sent to my house by the University of Minnesota, advertising the July 12 - September 1, 1991 performance of Dracula on board the Showboat.

At this late date I can't remember the names of the actors who appeared, although I believe one of them went on to national TV work, a woman actor whose last name was Richardson, and whom I'd liked in a couple of plays - who had a few roles on Law and Order at least. The male actor, who played Dracula, later would have another star turn in the hilarious Mystery of Irma Vep (a play I enjoyed so much that I think I went to see it six times or more!) Vaughn...somebody.

Anyway, here's the brochure. When I come across the actual program for the play, I'll share that here as well.

Cape Cod Businesses: Tribal Offerings

2000 Advertisement from Cape Cod Travel Guide:

I haven't been able to find out if Tribal Offerings is still in business or not. They are listed on a few Cape Cod websites, but as we've already seen that doesn't mean anything - they can be out of date, too. There's a website called tribalofferings.com (currently under reconstruction).

Nowhere on the site does it say where it's located, let alone if its in Provincetown, where this Tribal Offerings is supposed to be. (On the other hand, that website does offer a phone number with a 508 area code, and I've just checked and 508 is an area code for Massachusetts, so I think it is the same people.

Cape Cod Businesses: The Davis Gallery (closed 2006)

Advertisement from the Cape Cod Travel Guide 2000:

The Davis Gallery, Wellfleet

This Gallery is no longer open. It closed in 2006.

There is an entry on the web for it:
http://www.ohwy.com/ma/t/t0188494.htm, but this entry has been out of date for 5 years.

From the Zoning Board of appeals:
7:52 pm 06-23 Kevin Millet and Leonard D’Italice, 2766 Route 6, Map 15, Parcel 146: Application for a Special Permit under WZB 5.3.2: Change use of commercial area to include Retail, Wholesale and Gallery. The Board for this hearing was Trevor Pontbriand, Jeffrey Stewart, Robert Hankey, William Nicholson, and Sibel Asantugrul. Kevin Millet and Leonard D’Italice gave an overview of their former business in Salem. They are currently leasing the gallery space on the property where they are offering wholesale silk screening and banners, as well as artwork and souvenirs. There will be no alterations to the structure and no equipment will be permanently affixed. The sign for the business has been approved by the Building Inspector. The former tenant, Al Davis, stated he has discontinued his tax ID; therefore, the Davis Gallery is non-existent. Millett stated all materials used contain natural ingredients and are non-toxic. Pontbriand moved for Findings of Fact:
1. The existing structure is used as an antique shop / art gallery.
2. The proposed use will be for a retail trade business.
3. The proposed use will not be more intense than the previous use.
4. There are no objections from abutters.
5. There are no changes to the structure.
Pontbriand moved to approve the Findings of Fact; seconded by Stewart; passed 5-0.
Pontbriand moved to grant the Special Permit based on the Findings of Fact with the following conditions:
1. The hours of operation shall be 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, seven days per week.
2. The existing exterior lighting is to be maintained as is.
3. There shall be no outside display of merchandise.
seconded by Hankey; passed 5-0.