By George Watson
ALLENSPARK
The Old Gallery and 15 Allenspark, Estes Park, Lafayette and Longmont performers aged 6-60 present Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein for two weekends in July. “Meet The Cast,” “Pre-Show Talks” and a special sing-along are also planned.

According to Director Danielle Hermon Wood, when audiences were asked what they wanted to see in the future, most of their answers were Rodgers & Hammerstein shows. This year’s musical fits the bill as it features favorite songs from Carousel, The King and I, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, South Pacific and many more.

“I would love to do a full scale musical production in the future, but the beautiful space of The Old Gallery does not lend itself to big set changes and a lot of people dancing on stage” Wood said. “Some Enchanted Evening allows me to cast and feature local talent and concentrate on the beautiful music written by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Our set, designed by Bill Dyas, will be simple, but exciting because we are using rear projection as a backdrop for the first time.

Cast members include Wood, Beth Anderson, John Boggs, Fianna Brady, Mark Brady, Rachael Anne Brady, Christy Pratt Florence, Joan Harrold, Glenn Patterson, Margie Patterson, Larry Pierce, Deborah Bow Webb, Brandon Wood and Sydney Wood. Performances take place on July 22-23 and 29-30 at 7:30 p.m. while 2:30 p.m. matinees are July 23-24 and 30-31.

Prior to the performances, a special speaker and sing-along is planned, July 10 at 2 p.m. University of Colorado at Boulder Director of American Music Dr. Tom Riis will talk about the life and career of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Following the talk, a sing-along will feature performers from the summer musical leading the audience in favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein songs. The event is free, but donations to help off-set the cost of producing the musical are appreciated.

“Meet The Cast” events are planned for each Saturday performance at 1:30 p.m. “This is where audience members can get to know the performers and ask questions about our backgrounds and the rehearsal process,” Wood said. “Audience members enjoy this because they get to make a personal connection with the performers before the show begins.”

Additionally, “Pre-Show Talks” are planned before Sunday shows at 1 p.m. “These talks center around the history of Rodgers and Hammerstein and their musical journey together,’ Wood said.

Tickets are on sale now online and at Distant Harbors Gift Shop and The Old Gallery in Allenspark, and Macdonald Book Shop in Estes Park. A GoFundMe page has also been set up at http://www.gofundme.com/27d9j24 to pay back a recent “loan” from a volunteer to purchase a “desperately needed” portable stage.

The Old Gallery has hosted a summer musical production annually since 2011 to provide theater opportunities for residents and visitors to the Allenspark, Estes Park and greater Peak to Peak area.

The Old Gallery is located at 14683 Hwy. 7 in Allenspark. Visit http://www.the
oldgallery.com an http://www.facebook.com/AllensparkPerformingArtsCompany for information and http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2503407 for tickets.

Originally published in the July 2016 issue of the MMAC Monthly