News : ACT 1\'s \'Picnic\' opens tonight

Alan Merchant works on the set before the final dress rehearsal for 'Picnic."

A few photos from the dress rehearsal Thursday...

Hal (Kyle Webb) poses so Millie (Katie Hancock) can draw his picture. 'Picnic' opens tonight.

ACT I of Benton County presents "Picnic" by William Inge beginning tonight, March 11, and continuing 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 at the Vinton Palace Theatre. Tickets are $7, and $5 for students/seniors.

The cast held dress rehearsals Wednesday and Thursday night, playing for a small audience Thursday. For some, it was their first time to learn how to apply stage make-up.

The Parade takes place on Labor Day weekend. In the shared back yards of two middle-aged women, the members of a small town find their lives suddenly turned in unexpected directions by the arrival of a young, handsome drifter. Flo Owens, who lives in one home with her two maturing daughters, Madge and Millie, and Rosemary, a boarder who identifies herself as an old-maid school teacher," seeks to protect her children from the real and imagined dangers an attractive stranger can present. Helen Potts, who lives with her elderly and invalid mother in the neighboring home, wants to recapture her youth and suffers from a lifeling hurt.

Into this female atmosphere comes a young man named Hal Carter, whose animal vitality seriously upsets the entire group. Hal, a child of parents who ignored or abused him, is self-conscious of his failings and his social status. Madge, bored with being seen by most as only a beauty with no depth, finds herself drawn to the excitement Hal promises, but is torn by her existing relationship with a wealthy and influential young man in the community. Her sister Millie, normally tomboyish and unconcerned about what others think of her, finds herself reexamining her attitudes as a result of the stranger's attention. Rosemary finds herself inspired to make an issue out of a dangling courtship and press for solid commitment.

Romance and tension build in an often hilarious play that is evocotave and tightly written. Many of the area's finest actors bring their best work to the stage in a show directed by Anthony Bopp and Allison Watkins.

Cast (in order of appearance):

Helen Potts: Sue Gates
Hal Carter: Kyle Webb
Millie Owens: Katie Hancock
Bomber: Trent McAtee
Madge Owens: Mandy Peterson
Flo Owens: Caroline Dick
Rosemary Sydney: Cathi Calderwood
Alan Seymour: Jeffery Seitz
Irma Kronkite: Bunny Fritch
Christine Schoenwalder: Rachel Kramer
Howard Bevans: Rich Hainstock

Director: Anthony Bopp
Assistant Director: Allison Watkins
Sound Design & Sound Board: David Canaday
Set Design and Construction: Allan Merchant
Light Design: Anthony Bopp
Costume Design and Construction: Gen Mealhouse, Sue Gates, Nancy Good
Promotions Director: Katie Hancock
Promotions Assistant: Doug Martens
Light Board Operator: Bill Hawk
Production Artists: Karla Isbell and Amy Sharar
Properties Master: David Gates
Photographic Assistance: Bryce Moore

Vinton Community Band
Flute-Lylene Svoboda
Clarinets- Barb Glime, Jodi Bierschenk
Alto Saxes- Judy Thurman, Connie McDonald
Trumpets- John Kelly, Jon Fuoto, Mike Grimm
Baritone- Jan Roth
Tuba- Barry Adams
Director/percussion- Judy Trygstad

For all actors, the destination is the same; the stage, a performance with a cheering audience. The thing that varies from actor to actor is the journey there.

For example, in the William Inge play Picnic, which will be presented by ACT I during the weekends of the 11th and 18th, the cast is experiencing just about the widest range of experience among the actors that ACT I has ever had to deal with.

Kyle Webb is one of three actors for whom Picnic shall start their acting career.

“I’m no stranger to the stage,” says Webb, “but every other time I’ve been on stage, I’ve just had to be me. This is the first time I’ll have to display fake emotions; I’m a little nervous!”

Rich Hainstock offers yet another variety of actor. Hainstock had a late start with his acting career, being in his first show when he was in his forties. He’s still considered by some a newcomer to ACT I, but he is not a newcomer to acting. Before becoming involved with ACT I, Hainstock was in four other plays in various theaters around the area. Picnic will be his second show with ACT I.

“What I’d say about my part is that it’s the closest role I’ve ever had to my real age!” Hainstock replied when asked about his role, Howard Bevans, in Picnic.

The show also includes many ACT I veterans. Bunny Fritch lists Picnic as her 18th show with ACT I.
“My character is only on stage for a very short time, but it’s been a lot of fun being able to flesh out the character myself,” says Fritch about her role, Irma Kronkite, best friend of Rosemary Sydney.

Though the range of experience differs amongst the cast, the talent does not. Picnic has been cast wonderfully and will be a great show. The newcomers have learned quickly and have gotten better each day. Let’s hope that this show turns out well and encourages these actors to pursue their ACT I careers!