The Merry Widow

April 23-25 & 29-May 1, 2004

Obsidian Opera Company

Pinckney Arts Center, Central Oregon Community College

Bend, Oregon

Cast - Orchestra - Production Staff - Photos - Company Webpage

This was the first show that I officially worked on, outside of my high school career. Although I wasn't involved in multiple aspects of production like I have been in the past, it was really nice to get back behind the console at a proper show. And, I learned a few important lessons about working in theatre. Mostly, don't eat Wendy's Chili before a show (long story, bad ending). But everyone was pretty tolerant of my greenness... Mostly because I was under the employ of the college (not the company itself) and my word was law!

Seriously, though. They were good people, and it was a good show. I was a little disappointed at the audience numbers, though. I heard the last show this company did (HMS Pinafore) was to a full house. The local radio stations (courtesy of Horizon Broadcasting Group) saturated the airwaves with promises of a great show at ":one of the most popular operettas of all time." Chris (the stage manager) believes that people are afraid of the term "operetta," and think of the fat lady, foreign language kind of thing. Fools!

Cast

Viscount Cascada, a Parisian noble: James W. Knox
Raoul de St. Brioche, a noble Parisian: Rick Johnson
Baron Mirko Zeta, Pontevedrian Ambassador to France: Jon Pleuard
Bogdonovitch, Pontevedrian Military Attaché: Alexander Rosan
Kromov, Pontevadrian Special Envoy: Michael Gates
Pritzl, Pontevedrian Consul: Don Stewart
Camille de Rosillon, a young Parisian: Andrew Brock*
Valencienne, wife of Baron Zeta: Anne McKee Reed*
Njegus, Embassy Attaché: Michael Coffman
Hanna Glavari, the merry widow: Nancy Engebreston Stein
Count Danilo Danilovitch, Undersecretary to the Pontevadrian Embassy: Erik Hundtoft*
Grisettes of Maxim's: Kesh Donohue-White (Lolo), Kate Gilroy (Dodo), Jessica Runner (Froufrou), TeriAnn Mason (Margot), Ashely Lanier (Joujou), Maggie Canby (Cloclo)

* Guest Artist appearing courtesy of Oregon Hot Springs Spa

The Dancers**

Maggie Canby
Katie Coil
Anna Connolly
Sara Morris
Casey Tharp
Megan Van Horn
Dave Hakanson
Alex Mann
Richard Steffensen

** Dancers appear courtesy of The Central Oregon School of Ballet, Zygmunt and Sarah Sawiel, owners and directors.

Chorus of Suitors and Ladies

Virlene Arnold
Kesh Donohue-White
Michael Gates
Kate Gilroy
Ashley Lanier
TeriAnn Mason
Shelley Maurice-Maier
Pete Purdy
Tom Robbins
Alexander Rosan
Bevalle Runner
Jessica Runner
Steve Runner
Don Stewart
Dave Thomas
Jan Tuckerman

Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Gesme

Violoin I: Carol Kirkman, Diane Allen, Leslie Bahn
Violin II: Marion Johnson, LaDonna Moore, Alice Long
Viola: Leslie Knight, Resa Ersoff
Cello: Virginia Riggs, Janet Gesme
Bass: John Allen
Flute: Pamela Hughes, Lynn Lakin
Oboe: Jeff Stormont
Clarinet: Ketih Anderson, Gayle Hoagland
Bassoon: Wendy Bloom
Horn: JoAnn Anderson, Scott Peterson
Trumpet: Bob Shimek, Dennis Senff
Harp: Laura Leighton

Production Staff
and volunteers

Artistic Director: Sharon Goodmonson
Music Director: Jean Shrader
Operations Manager: Calli Roberts
Conductor: Michael Gesme
Stage Director: Brenda Nuckton
Stage Manager: Chris Yotter-Brown
Set Designer: Jack O'Brien, Oregon Episcopal School
Lighting Designer: Benjamin Edwards
Set Construction: Chriss Yotter-Brown (crew chief), Jack O'Brien (Oregon Episcopal School), Brenda Nuckton, Pete Purdy, Don Stewart, Kate Gilroy, Dave Thomas, Michael Gates, Steve Runner, Jerry Beebe, Marianne Fellner, Jan Tuckerman, John Tuckerman, Fred Chaimson, Ron Coffman, Cara Bridge-Caine, Rick Miller
Stage Crew: Chris Yotter-Brown, crew chief
Costumes: Brenda Nuckton, Bevalee Runner, Virlene Arnold, Marshall Herron
Properties: Virlene Arnold, Sharon Goodmonson, Brenda Nuckton, Awbrey Glen Restaurant, Gary Bowne, Bend Golf and Country Club, Mission Linen
Lighting: Greg Bennett
Publicity: Shelley Maurice-Maier, Dave Thomas, Jan Tuckerman, Kate Gilroy, Elaine Redman LeRoy, Tom Robbins, Calli Roberts
Poster Design: Pamela McGrew

Special Thanks:

John Dotson for publicity photos of Merry Widow cast, Central Oregon Community College and Ben Edwards for production support, Gary Browne (Bend Theatre for Young People), Scott Wegner (Display Dynamics), Carole Nuckton, Fred Chaimson, Jack O'Brien (Oregon Episcopal School), Ruth Dobson (Portland State University), Marianne Cox, Julie Mosier (COCC Campus Services), Juli Labhart (Display Dynamics), Nan Loveland (Educational Outreach Coordinator)

Photos

Click on each picture for a 800 x 600 version.