| 'American
Operetta in Revue' set for Winchester
Dim the lights. Open the curtain. Get ready for an evening filled with musical fun, entertainment and a touch of romance. "American Operetta in Revue" is playing June 28 and 29 at 7:00 pm in the Winchester Community Theater. Admission is $7.00. Let these smooth, lighthearted and sometimes humorous sounds of the early American Musical take you back to a nostalgic place and time. 
Tunes performed are songs with lyrics written by the great Oscar Hammerstein II and composed by Victor Herbert and Sigmund Romberg, among other notables during the first half of the 1900's. Many of these songs were made famous by the wonderful singing duo of Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald. This revue will include a number of songs from the early days of musicals, called operettas at the time, such productions as: "The Desert Song", "The New Moon", "Naughty Marietta", "Babes in Toyland", "Rose Marie" and more. Collected to perform these lovely tunes are some of the best female voices on the Camas Prairie. Kimberly Thompson from Nezperce who comes to the Prairie by way of Off-Broadway. She has extensive musical theater experience and has been cast in some very notable productions including: "Phantom of the Opera", "Chicago", "Les Miserables", "Little Shop of Horrors", "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum" and many other well known musicals. Kimberly is an incredible addition to the cast with a very versatile voice. Karen Coombes currently of Winchester and formerly of Nezperce and Craigmont via Ohio has been a frequent performer with the Lewiston Civic Theater and formerly with the East Cleveland Community Theater as well as numerous musical groups in the Cleveland area. She currently sings for the Winchester Community Church Choir. Karen has taken the reins of being the producer for "American Operetta in Revue". Cheryl Walsh, from Nezperce, has been a frequent participant in productions with the Standing Room Only Players from Nezperce and has performed with a local folk trio and in her church choir. Cheryl's positive attitude and energy a great addition to the show. Deanna Benton, who is the director for this production, originally hails from northwest Montana. She has traveled the Pacific Northwest and been involved in numerous theater groups, dance troupes and choirs. Deanna is a professional dancer and choreographer and has directed, choreographed, sang and danced for many community theaters and children's theaters. Some of her performance credits are: "Jerry's Girls", (a revue of songs from Jerry Herman's great musicals Hello Dolly, La Cage aux Folles, Mame and Mack & Mable); "A Tribute to American Operetta", the grand opera "The Other Wise Man", "Robin Hood and the White Arrow", "Peter Pan", "Sleeping Beauty" among others. She was also a frequent soprano soloist in the "Messiah" by George Frideric Handel. Three dancers will be adding a bit of spice and color to the show. Performing an authentic Moroccan dance for a section of this production attributed to the show "The Desert Song" will be Yasmin. Yasmin recently relocated to Winchester and comes to us from the Seattle area. Yasmin is a professional Mid-eastern dancer and percussionist. She has performed across the U.S. and in Morocco, which just happens to be the setting for "The Desert Song". She played percussion for and danced with professional bands, Hejira and Ek Balaam. You can also hear Yasmin playing castanets in the movie "Crocodile Tears". She will be adding her percussionist talents to this production also. Dancers Sienna Benton and Beth Behler round out the cast. Recently Sienna has added her special skills to the Highland High School Dance Team, which placed in three events in the state championships in 2006 and Prairie High School Dance Team which earned third in Kickline at state in 2007. She is also the District II Solo dance champion three years running. Her theater credits include "How to Eat Like a Child", "Pale Pink Dragon", "Robin Hood and the White Arrow", "Jerry's Girls" and "The Other Wise Man". Dance theater credits include "Wizard of Oz", "Alice in Wonderland", "Peter Pan", "Sleeping Beauty" and "101 Dalmatians". Beth Behler was also a member of the Highland High School Dance team which had such a successful year in 2006. Beth has previously had training with Melanie Riggers Dance Studio in Nezperce. Beth always adds a smile and positive attitude to the performances. Two wonderful pianists are adding their talents to "American Operetta in Revue", they are Connie Burgess of Craigmont and JoAnne Schetzle from Culdesac. "American Operetta in Revue" is a community fundraiser connected with Winchester Days. The proceeds from this event will help with projects for the Winchester Library Friends and the Museum of Winchester History. Many volunteers from these two groups are helping with set construction and design, lighting and sound, and decorating of the Winchester Community Center. Advanced tickets can be purchased at the Winchester Community Library, Culdesac Community Library, Craigmont Community Library and Nezperce Community Library. For more information on "American Operetta in Review" call the Winchester Community Library on Tuesdays or Thursdays at 208-924-5164 or email at winval@camasnet.com. |
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