tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82800806194219861622024-02-08T09:33:30.235-08:00Now Playing......Ice House Theaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759437278764690042noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280080619421986162.post-53204056093757710302022-03-07T08:06:00.002-08:002022-03-07T13:13:28.273-08:00Legally Blonde, The Musical<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNum1iiJ0qQIUfovBn8peVxlqUB_hVn1f8ezwzfIFyWtLlLU77s3pFWwycLfeFkHAR7YXE593QIdSPx50EI5LhCW_O2tpKKsKtTu6Pb3rYxyR_0S5i48Ispul14eJmR4jpWYzQnPwKcfZjnD1adBQsGn-nmTVDxq55kC3B5IbZyMQbsZm8NMGwBDcuCw=s1378" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="1378" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNum1iiJ0qQIUfovBn8peVxlqUB_hVn1f8ezwzfIFyWtLlLU77s3pFWwycLfeFkHAR7YXE593QIdSPx50EI5LhCW_O2tpKKsKtTu6Pb3rYxyR_0S5i48Ispul14eJmR4jpWYzQnPwKcfZjnD1adBQsGn-nmTVDxq55kC3B5IbZyMQbsZm8NMGwBDcuCw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: white;">Legally Blonde,
the Musical <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Opens at the Ice
House Theatre<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">March 11, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;">Out of the throes of the pandemic, <i>Legally Blonde</i>,
rises like a beacon of light. Many of those involved in the show have been
waiting for it to come to fruition for months. The original auditions for the
show were held in the fall of 2020 for an opening in the spring of 2021. Now in
the spring of 2022, it is finally happening. Excitement and enthusiasm abound!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;">I am probably one of the few people who has never seen the
movie, and thus, I am intrigued by the delight shown by members of the cast and
crew to be involved with the production. Typical comments include: “fun show”,
“good for all ages”, “high energy”, and “positive experience.” What more could
one hope for in an evening of entertainment?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;">The plot line revolves around a jilted Elle Woods. Considered
“unserious” by her Harvard bound, blue-blood, boyfriend Warner, she follows him
to Harvard Law School where she makes a name for herself and proves she doesn’t
need him to be a worthwhile person.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;">Elle’s growth during the story is a character arc treasured
by her portrayer Becca Coffey-Godfrey. “She is a positive person, who sets out
to win back her man and prove herself. Her first act finale <i>So Much Better</i>
is a pivotal point when she realizes she is good enough. At the end of the
song, she is in a good place.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;">Coffey-Godfrey loves the big dance numbers choreographed by
Kaylee Hernandez. “They are intense and I love getting to dance. <i>What You
Want </i>and <i>Bend and Snap </i>are just a couple of the fun ones.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;">Warner is a role that Huston Hoellwarth relishes although he
came to the role through a rather unusual route. Hoellwarth’s day job is owning
a pest control company, despite his interest in anything to do with the arts.
One day while talking to a customer, she asked if he might be interested in
auditioning for the show. He went home, watched the movie, and thought that
Warner was the role for him. He claims that <i>Serious, </i>the number when he
breaks up with Elle, is a fun one, “I love playing the villain.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;">Jason Bionda, cast as Emmett, is a very busy young man. In
addition to his role in <i>Legally Blonde</i>, he is in Fresno State’s
production of <i>Rent, </i>which opens in May. Bionda is excited for <i>Legally
Blonde</i> to finally open. He has been involved with the production since the
initial auditions in the fall of 2020.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the meantime, he was in the Players’ production of <i>Bright Lights
of Broadway, </i>in which he had a number of roles, most notably “Ursula.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;">The cast lauds Kelly Ventura as a collaborative, creative
director, and he returns the compliments. “I love it when a cast comes together
to work on a scene or solve a problem. And that collaboration happens almost
every night during rehearsals. It’s great.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;"><i>Legally Blonde </i>requires a large cast and crew and
provides opportunities for over 25 individuals, both veteran actors and
technicians as well as new comers to enjoy the comradery of community theatre.
It is heartwarming to hear those involved with the production talk about the
fun they are having and the closeness they feel to other cast and crew members.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;">The purpose of the Visalia Players is, of course, to bring
entertainment to our community; the audience is our financial life-blood.
However, beyond that, a community theatre is a place where people work and play
together. The Visalia Players have been that organization almost 65 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Legally Blonde </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">opens at the Ice House Theatre at Race and
Santa Fe in Visalia at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 11 and runs for five weekends
with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on 3/11, 3/12, 3/18, 3/19, 3/25, 3/26,
4/1, 4/2, 4/8, and 4/9, and matinees at 2:00 p.m. on 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, and
4/10.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white;">To purchase tickets, visit our website at <a href="http://www.visaliaplayers.org/">www.visaliaplayers.org</a>, visit our
Facebook page “Visalia Community Players”, or call 559-734-3900.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><b>If you have managed to read this far, you are entitled
to a reward!</b> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To purchase two
tickets for the price of one, enter </span>BLGLBL<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
in the Have a code? box on the Buy/Redeem Tickets Reservation page via the
Players website Ticketing information page, or mention the code when calling
our reservation line 559-734-3900, or purchasing your tickets at the theatre.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: white;">HOPE TO SEE YOU
THERE!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="color: white;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p></p></blockquote>Ice House Theaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759437278764690042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280080619421986162.post-49848785246579488852022-01-04T18:35:00.000-08:002022-01-04T18:35:15.946-08:00Murder at the Ice House Theater - Murder Mystery on January 15th<p><br /></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-9f18da74-7fff-797c-8197-2b89a8388b63"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A One Night Fundraiser</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">January 15, 2022</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NOTE: While there will be no two-for-one tickets available for </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Murder at the Ice House Theatre </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">because it is a fundraiser, it appears that at least a few people read to the end of my submission for </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hot Flashes.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> According to the reports in Arts People, 30 tickets were purchased using the two-for-one option. That’s GREAT! Continue to follow our blog because there will be other two-for-one opportunities in the future.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now to the business at hand: our murder mystery night written, directed, and produced by Visalia Players President Jen Masters. Kudos to Jen for taking on such an awesome task! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why a participative murder mystery? Because the genre has been entertaining folks since the early 1800’s and never fails to please! The evening can be a new experience for those who don’t normally “participate” when they go to the theatre, and can get the brain cells of all involved activated. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have you ever watched a murder mystery movie, TV show, or play where you didn’t try to figure out “who done it?” Now, you have the opportunity to put your intuition to work and make your guesses known.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not only that, but you have the option to “dress up” as well! </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Murder at the Ice House Theatre </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is set in the 1920s, and all participants are encouraged to dress in attire from the period. Thinking zoot suit and flapper may help set the era for you, but if not. Here are some ideas:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 253px; overflow: hidden; width: 197px;"><img height="253" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9d-cWNJwcLC03tWcl_W2-lZoQmB-tUWss5KYLo6nSEuqwDdfkYWxmYgL45N4fCXa6acllxl7DYdH6WYn9NTEPySezD6mul84P6hkDkAH6i3Bc7yV0h1u3_mVMRD5qFknDRCaVFao" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="197" /></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 279px; overflow: hidden; width: 157px;"><img height="279" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/alNfmjUPpm0LU5QVOJHhI33U2JycudDOv8ozlEwC_cCQ4RnWAZ5S535ih63Tv5fB5z56QxMSWRjaQihqrDYWvhRtMx04vL60E1wIdT3ephGyPMMdZeyz3CcRNlEE5IDeRLT-Aeef" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="157" /></span></span><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 299px; overflow: hidden; width: 199px;"><img height="299" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/PvKMaJ5i-vB4IDKOiv3sv-zsTWUmroJAu8ZguTAhNwNttYu64LXqka-QWjhv1YqfTBvp7_UkoyXW_Ib07Qt8MEOjcN-x0_A4YxVBqbBQ1sBSD6FhQGWUr16fFMvvItELuVonXHGA" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="199" /></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Opportunities for rental and purchase abound on the Internet. Googling “costume rentals” and “1920s fashion” will more than get you started. What could be more fun that getting to pretend that you are a part of the flapper era with its speakeasies and passwords for entering forbidden haunts? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Period attire is not required, but you might at least wear a head band with a feather! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now to the plot: A group of actors needing a permanent home decide to renovate an abandoned Ice House in to a theatrical venue. Does this sound familiar? OK, ignoring that, what comes next?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The theatre complete, the thespians pick an opening production to celebrate their hard work and accomplishment. Just as the curtain is going up, a horrifying discovery is made! One of the leading actors has been murdered! The “show must go on”, but it cannot go on without the murder being solved. Your help is needed. Clues abound, but nothing concrete has been revealed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How the evening will proceed: Hors d’oeuvres will be available from 6:30 p.m. Libations of your choice will be for sale as a start. You will greet your fellow participants, admire their attire, and muse about what participative, interactive, improv theatre will be like. By the way, the number of participants will be capped at 80 so you’ll want to make your reservations early.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At 7:30, Jen Masters will welcome everyone, explain what has happened, and provide the rules for participating in solving the murder. You will then be ushered into the auditorium where the remainder of the action will occur. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The seating area and the stage will be available for investigation by participants, but the backstage area will be off limits. The members of the cast and crew of the stalled production will provide clues, but they are at a loss as to who could have perpetrated such a dastardly deed. YOUR insights will be critical to the successful resolution of the evening.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, yes, there will be a prize for the chief investigator who solves the mystery. Will that be you?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All tickets for the evening of participative entertainment will be $30 and the proceeds will go toward our upcoming ADA improvements. So . . . </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">COME TO THE ICE HOUSE, HAVE A GREAT EVENING, AND SUPPORT THE VISALIA PLAYERS.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><br /><br /></span>Ice House Theaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759437278764690042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280080619421986162.post-84386534602410436002021-10-30T16:06:00.004-07:002021-11-02T19:07:53.304-07:00Hot Flashes! By Nancy Holley<p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNzPzV32Tf7qzqKAFObqp8GSxu10TXsF0Qf_5yZwuCmIusBMVOLlW4FdX3ullUj21SPXgKcQ34Q49r5ru_TV9oCOeWDWI7saTHyXk03YTS6b4tKp9UHb-6MGzbWy0_U6NqtBfvaRllDWRGTVYl3dihurglWmLGatrfRz1eVylwYo1YRAqIeW9elfsq2w=s1680" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1680" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNzPzV32Tf7qzqKAFObqp8GSxu10TXsF0Qf_5yZwuCmIusBMVOLlW4FdX3ullUj21SPXgKcQ34Q49r5ru_TV9oCOeWDWI7saTHyXk03YTS6b4tKp9UHb-6MGzbWy0_U6NqtBfvaRllDWRGTVYl3dihurglWmLGatrfRz1eVylwYo1YRAqIeW9elfsq2w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFkp1ALecUapAzlb-T4D5nVJHnvq-k_UjNcbdXEL8y4lHHqa0LMCwFn-VvnNx-r1N7cyEOwiPpw4HlxrFttqJKNrfLqDPDQ9DGSGpkwWGvWNJwD72G5xD4Kd5nU8c8xxBswITtRTaLln3CeYiN8iyysqnsqu1uLt02tAABYcTMQCJSnHuAoO5sWFHx3w=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFkp1ALecUapAzlb-T4D5nVJHnvq-k_UjNcbdXEL8y4lHHqa0LMCwFn-VvnNx-r1N7cyEOwiPpw4HlxrFttqJKNrfLqDPDQ9DGSGpkwWGvWNJwD72G5xD4Kd5nU8c8xxBswITtRTaLln3CeYiN8iyysqnsqu1uLt02tAABYcTMQCJSnHuAoO5sWFHx3w=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Note: </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"></span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Writing a blog is a new adventure for me. So . . . I’m going to begin by writing an article about the Visalia Players upcoming production just as I would if I were writing for an on-line magazine. We will see if that “works” to promote our community theatre productions as intended!</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Here goes:</span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Following on the heels of the Visalia Players successful fund raiser, </span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.6px;">A Night in Vegas, </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">and </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">the </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">very popular cabaret, </span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.6px;">Copper Creek, </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">is the hilarious musical </span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.6px;">Hot Flashes. </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Ageless in popularity, </span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.6px;">Hot Flashes </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">focuses on the age-related condition of menopause in a very comical and entertaining fashion.</span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.6px;">Hot Flashes </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">was originally produced by the Visalia Players in 2010, directed by Gary Benjamin </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">and Sylvia Tejerian Garoian. Reprise Director Susan Mathews emphasizes the debt she owes to Benjamin and Garoian for their creativity and </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">success. “I decided to direct the show due to its original success.</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">”</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Mathews notes that c</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">oming out of the COVID pandemic, our </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">community</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">needs</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> entertainment and joy.</span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Mathews also credits Benjamin and Garoian with many of the ideas that shape and form the characters. The play’s authors provided flexibility for directors in determining the number of women to cast in the show. Benjamin and Garoian decided to use four women to depict the challenging and comical adventures of an all-women band as they age from 40-70. Mathews has followed suit.</span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Musical Director Marguerite Crownover has used her considerable talent to increase the vocal harmonies in the many familiar and original tunes that support the show. </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Please note that while the melodies of such favorites as </span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.6px;">I am Woman, Memories, </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">and </span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.6px;">In the Mood</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">will cause numerous audience members to reminisce, the lyrics are decidedly different and intended to amuse and delight.</span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Thanks to the talented women who compose the cast, the choreography of the production has been expanded. Karen Simpson (Kate), Debra Hansen (Marvella), Lori Pasion-Gonzales (Lori), and Susan Mathews (Sharon) have worked tirelessly to create a show full of movement as well as soaring melodies.</span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Yes, that right, Mathews has not only taken on the responsibility of directing </span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.6px;">Hot Flashes, </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">but is also reprising her role of Sharon from the original production. This has been a particularly arduous task as the current production of </span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.6px;">Hot Flashes </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">was initially scheduled for </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">2020 and had to be </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">rescheduled</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> due to COVID. </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Keeping the cast/musicians/crew intact and supplemented as necessary has been </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">difficul</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">t</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">.</span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Mathews has taken it all in stride. “I’m very fortunate to have Marguerite as my second set of </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">eye</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">s while I’m on stage. The cast has been very supportive and easy to direct.” Simpson was also a member of the original cast and noted the challenges of reprising </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">her role</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">. “I’m familiar with Kate, but the addition of harmonies and choreography have had the effect of </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">creating</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> a new experience. It’s a very different </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">production</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">.</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">”</span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Hansen and Pasion-Gonzales are new to the show and having a wonderful time. Hansen relishes Marvella as an aging rock and roll chick who “wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” Pasion-Gonzales </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">has a great time with new lyrics to </span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.6px;">I am Woman, </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">but identifies her favorite number as the Country Western, </span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.6px;">Break Up Break Down.</span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">The supporting instrumentation includes Crownover on keyboard, Chris Haberman on bass, Susi Youngs on drums, and Sandy Manes on piano. As if being musical director and playing keyboard weren’t enough, Crownover also has a minor role as Jeannie. </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Reprising his original duties from the 2010 production, Haberman is the announcer and Father O’Weissberg</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">, as well as a musician</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">.</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> Haberman expressed sadness and joy at being a part of </span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.6px;">Hot Flashes.</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> “It’s sad because in the original show Gary was our drummer, and it’s joyful because the show is just as hilarious today as it was then. It’s just what everyone needs.”</span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">No show is complete without a backstage crew</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">,</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> and </span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.6px;">Hot Flashes </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">is no exception. Supporting the production are Brent Iden, sound design, Alyson Cook, sound technician, Keith Lindersmith, lighting design, and Jeff Smith, set design. Mathews gives credit for costume design and construction to Barbara Cooke (the designer in 2010), Mary Anne Smith, and all the cast members. “They really pitched in and helped everything come together.”</span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 21.6px;">Hot Flashes </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">opened at the Ice House Theat</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">r</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">e</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> at Race and Santa Fe in Visalia on Friday,</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> October 29 </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">and will run the next three</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">weekends with eveni</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">ng performances at 7:30 p.m. on 11/5, 11/6, 11/12, 11/13, 11/19, and 11/20, </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">and matinees at 2:00 p.m. on</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> 11/7, 11/14, and 11/21.</span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">To</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> purchase tickets, visit our website at </span><a href="http://www.visaliaplayers.org/"><span class="s5" style="color: #0563c1; line-height: 21.6px;">www.visaliaplayers.org</span></a><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">, visit our Facebook page “Visalia Community Players”, or call </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">559-</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">734-3900.</span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 21.6px;">If you have managed to read this far, you are entitled to a reward</span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 21.6px;">!</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">To purchase two tickets for the price of </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">one, enter </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">BLGHFL</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> in the Have a code? box on the Buy/Redeem Tickets Reservation page via the Players</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> website </span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">Ticketing information page</span><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">, or mention the code when calling our reservation line 559-734-3900, or purchasing your tickets at the theatre.</span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!</span></p><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;" /></p>Ice House Theaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10759437278764690042noreply@blogger.com0