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Suspense Lights Up the Warehouse Stage

Westside Players kicks off its 24^th season with Gaslight, a Victorian thriller by Patrick Hamilton.  Originally titled Angel Street, the 1941 play is a mix of whodunit, psychological thriller, and comedy that still pleases audiences as they watch a dapper, diabolical husband (Walter Mecham) slowly driving his lovely wife (Marni Montgomery-Blake) mad.  Aided by saucy serving maid Nancy (Gabrielle Joan), the evil Mr. Manningham believes he’s succeeding, but stalwart Inspector Rough (Bill Rasmussen) and faithful servant Elizabeth (Jana Bontrager) have their own plans.  Sean Kane and David Montgomery-Blake pop in for cameo appearances as police officers.  The famous final confrontation continues to tantalize fans with a not-to-be-missed bit of revenge.    Director Travis W. Hopkins brings 23 years of acting and directing experience to his staging of this oldie but goodie mystery set in London in the 1880s and Jackie Czerepinski supplies the period costumes.  Fans of the 1944 George Cukor film will remember Ingrid Bergman as the threatened wife, supported by Charles Boyer, Joseph Cotton, and eighteen-year-old Angela Lansbury in her film debut.

Dinner & Show $28.00        Show Only $15.00 (tax included)        ISU Students $5.00 Show Only

January 29, 30,  & February 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 2010   Cocktails 6:00  Dinner Served 7-7:30 Curtain 8:00 p.m.

The Warehouse  1009 S. 2^nd Pocatello, ID                  FOR RESERVATIONS CALL The Raven’s Nest at 232-2232

Dinner Satisfies Your Appetite

During the run of Gaslight, P.V’s will be serving: Sirloin Tips in Portobello Demi Glaze; Baked Chicken in Lemon  Herb Florentine; Red Potatoes in Parsley and Butter; Pasta Salad; Tossed Green Salad; Rolls; plus Cherry Cobbler and Milk Chocolate Cake for dessert.

Art Pleases Your Eye

Patrons will be treated to the photographs of Pocatellan Jesse C. Robison in our lobby gallery.   An attorney by profession, Robison learned his love of art from his oil painter father and has demonstrated it by working tirelessly as a member of the Pocatello Arts Council for the past decade.  He says of his art: “my enjoyment of photography as a passionate pursuit blossomed with the advent of the digital camera.”   Come and meet the artist and enjoy his work at the champagne reception on opening night at 6:00 p.m.  Our reception hostess Susan Lorenz is sure to have something delicious to welcome you and honor the artist.

Electronic Newsletters Save

We’re campaigning this season to build our electronic mailing list.  To have your Newsletter sent via email, sign up at the desk when you check in for Gaslight. We’ll save time, postage, and paper.

Patrons Win Prizes

Our 2009 raffle Grand Prize–four center stage season passes for 2010–went to Jeff Smith.  Jean Holdern was the lucky winner of the three-liter bottle of fine wine (generously donated by Bob and Chris Grayson).  Iris Flechsenhaar happily won the third prize—two Season Tickets for our 2010 shows.  Thanks to all who bought raffle tickets in 2009.  We couldn’t keep performing without your willingness to take a chance.  Also, we’re still saving for the next phase of our new roof and we would love to add your name to our galaxy.  Your star can shine beginning at $50.00.

Savings Benefit Your Budget

There’s still plenty of time to purchase a Season Ticket for all four 2010 productions.  With dinners, the cost is  $95.00—a savings of $17.00 over individual admissions.  Season Tickets can be purchased at the theatre on show nights or at The Raven’s Nest.  Pick up a 2010 brochure or bookmark and a business card to learn about the upcoming shows: Boeing, Boeing a light-hearted, romantic farce playing April 2 – 24; Sam Shepard’s gritty, serio-comic True West, July 9 – 31; and the sentimental favorite, On Golden Pond, October 8 – 30.

Visit us on the web at www.westsideplayers.org

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An Artful Thriller for Fall

Our 2009 Season closes with Art of Murder, a witty mystery by playwright Joe DiPietro whose Over the River and Through the Woods delighted Westside patrons a few seasons ago.  This time, DiPietro gives us Jack, portrayed by Glen Buck, a charismatic painter whose ego is every bit as big as his reputation.  His wife Annie, played by Lisa Hammond, is also a painter—younger and less famous than her controlling spouse but perhaps every bit as talented.  Kate, played by Tara Norman, is an attractive Irish immigrant who’s employed as the couple‘s maid but spends much of her time fielding Jack’s passes.  Vincent, played by Daniel Varas, is Jack’s agent.  He’s made a lot of money representing Jack but it may not be enough to offset his dislike of his famous client.   Everyone, including Jack, knows that a painter’s work is worth more if he’s dead.   Would killing Jack be worth the risk?  Would faking his death be even better?   Co-directors Diana Potter and Philip Shepherd keep the suspense taut; it’s impossible to know what will happen next or guess who’s fooling whom in this intriguing show.

Dinner & Show $28.00

Show Only $15.00 (tax included)

ISU Students $5.00 Show Only

October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31, 2009

Cocktails 6:00 p.m.    Dinner Served 7-7:30 p.m.    Curtain 8:00 p.m.

The Warehouse  1009 S. 2^nd Pocatello, ID

FOR RESERVATIONS CALL The Raven’s Nest at 232-2232

A Delicious Meal

For the October show, P. V.’s Pasta and Vino will be serving: Roast Baron of Beef with Au jus; Roast Pork Loin with Honey Dijon Cream; Creamed Peas and Potatoes; Tossed Green Salad; Waldorf Salad; Dinner Rolls; and the perfect fall dessert, Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream.

Thrilling Art for the Lobby

Patrons will be treated to the work of Helen Livingston during the run of Art of Murder.  A graduate of SMU, Livingston came to Pocatello after she retired and then went right to work on a Master’s degree in Fine Arts at ISU, graduating in 2007. Although she began doing representational work, she now uses nature as the inspiration for abstraction. Livingston says of her paintings: “Abstraction means reduction and simplification.  I reduce nature’s shapes to please my own, personal fantasies.”  Come and meet the artist at the champagne reception on opening night at 6:00 p.m.  Our reception hostess Susan Lorenz is sure to have something delicious to welcome you and honor the artist.

Creative Costume Contest

You may have noticed that our closing night is Halloween.  In the spirit of the holiday, we’re inviting you to come to the theatre in costume on October 31.  The house staff will act as judges and we’ll award prizes for the best costumes we see.  Join in the fun whether you choose to dress up or not.

A Promising Season for 2010

Our 2010 Season opens January 29 – February 20 with Gaslight, Patrick Hamilton’s classic, creepy mystery set in 1880’s London. From April 2 – 24 we’re brightening the theatre with Marc Camoletti’s Boeing, Boeing a light-hearted, romantic farce.  July 9 – 31 you can see Sam Shepard’s gritty True West.  Our season closes with Ernest Thompson’s sentimental favorite, On Golden Pond, October 8 – 30.  A Season Ticket for all four shows with dinner is $95.00—a savings of $17.00 over individual admissions.  Season Tickets are now on sale at the theatre on show nights or at The Raven’s Nest.  Pick up a 2010 brochure or bookmark and a business card when you attend Art of Murder.

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PSA: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31, 2009

at The Warehouse 1009 S. 2^nd Pocatello, ID

Jack may be a charismatic and renowned artist but his wife, Annie, is fed up with his cruelty.  And weary of him making passes at their maid, Kate, who doesn’t really enjoy Jack’s attentions. Although Vincent has made a fortune selling Jack’s paintings, he doesn’t like him much either.  Everyone, including Jack, knows that an artist’s work is worth more when he’s dead; would killing Jack be worth the risk?  Enjoy the witty characters in a plot full of suspense and surprises.

Cocktails 6:00 p.m.           Dinner served 7:00-7:30 p.m.          Curtain 8:00 p.m.

Dinner & Show $28   –   Show Only $15 (tax included)  -  ISU Students $5  Show Only

For Reservations call The Raven’s Nest at 232-2232

*Westside Players is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization

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Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feelin’ So Sad

Son Jonathan may be sad. Audiences, on the other hand, have been very glad about Arthur Kopit’s absurd and quirky serio-comic play.    After the death of her high-living, womanizing husband, the rich Mrs. Rospettle, played by Diana Potter, travels with her chronologically grown-up son (Joseph Tornabene-Zalas) and his stamp collection. Madame’s entourage also includes Dad, who’s stuffed and travels in his coffin; a cat-eating piranha, Rosalinda, played by Tara Norman; and some very special, very hungry plants, controlled by puppeteer Dale Spencer. While in a Caribbean port, waited on by supporting cast Glenn Buck, Raya Doyle, Dawn Lattin, and Shane Stewart, Madame is attracted to an elderly millionaire sailor, played by Skip Taft, who owns an impressive multi-million dollar yacht.  They begin a romance, while a nymphet nanny, played by Whitney Munns, reaches out to the socially awkward son.  Director Philip Shepherd, who shared directing duties on last summer’s Who Am I this Time? has assembled a stand-out cast for this uniquely offbeat play about a seriously whackadoodle, dysfunctional family.  Come spend a Friday or Saturday evening with us in air conditioned comfort.  Hooligan’s will have plenty of tiny umbrellas on hand for your tropical drinks.  Oh Dad . . .  runs from July 10 to August 1.

Dinner & Show $28.00        Show Only $15.00 (tax included)        ISU Students $5.00 Show Only

July 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, August 1, 2009        Cocktails 6:00 p.m.   Dinner Served 7-7:30 p.m.   Curtain 8:00 p.m.

The Warehouse  1009 S. 2^nd Pocatello, ID                  FOR RESERVATIONS CALL The Raven’s Nest at 232-2232

Oh Dinner, Rich Dinner

During the run of Oh, Dad . . . , P. V.’s Pasta and Vino will be serving: Smokehouse Pulled Pork; Grilled Rosemary Chicken; Balsamic Coleslaw; Potato Salad; Mixed Green Salad; Fresh Fruit Medley; Dinner Rolls; and for dessert,  Peach Cobbler or Milk Chocolate Cake—a perfect meal for summer.

We’ve Hung Art in Our Lobby

Lori Reeves is the featured artist in our lobby gallery this summer.  Recently from North Carolina, where she taught as well as painted, Lori and her husband have just opened Vinyl Perk in Old Town Pocatello.  Of her painting, Lori says: “my paintings are created by my inner self in a variety of forms.  The energy I place in watercolor and water soluble oil painting comes from the beauty I see around me.  My work has a sensual flow of florals, and mountains stemming from my home studio locations.”  Come see the art and meet the artist at a champagne reception on opening night beginning at 6:00 p.m. Susan Lorenz, our reception hostess, is planning something delicious.

And We’re Looking for Actors

Joe Di Pietro’s witty thriller The Art of Murder closes our 2009 season October 9 – 31.  Director Diana Potter will be holding auditions on Tuesday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m. The cast includes two women 30 – 40 and two men 35 – 50.  Actors should prepare a 30-second contemporary comic monologue.  There will also be materials available for cold reading. If you’d like to be part of the fun back stage rather than appearing in front of the audience, come to auditions and sign up to help.  If you have questions call Diana at 232-5705.

Newsletter in PDF

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Auditions for Kopit’s dark comedy, “Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mom’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feeling So Sad” will be May 29, 30 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. He’s asking for a 30-second Absurdist monologue and can be reached at (801) 918-3387 or phil@timelabs.com.

The offbeat, dysfunctional characters (four men, two women) and the play itself, an engaging spoof of everything from Tennessee Williams’s /Rose Tattoo/ to Freudian psychology, will make this a delicious summer escape for cast, crew and fans.

Production dates:

Fridays and Saturdays, July 11-August 2. At the Warehouse, 1009 S. 2nd, Pocatello, ID.

If you’d rather participate backstage than on stage, come to auditions and sign up to help.

2 male leads
Jonathan should be between 20 and 30
Commodore Roseabove should be between 40 and 60

2 female leads
Madame Rosepettle shoule be between 40 and 60
Rosalie, the babysitter, should be between 20 and 30

Plus:
Bellhops (4-6) can be any gender and any age
Puppetteers (2) for the venus flytraps (don’t need to be experienced)
and
Rosalinda, the Pirhanna Fish (can be any gender and any age)

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Delectable Dinner

During the run of Relatively Speaking, P. V.’s Pasta and Vino will be serving: Pineapple Glazed Ham; Cranberry Cream Cheese; Turkey Breast; Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Brown Butter; Green Bean Casserole; Green Salad;  Potato Salad; Rolls; and for dessert, Carrot Cake and  Chocolate Chip Cannolis.

Acting Auditions

Arthur Kopit’s absurd and quirky serio-comic play, Oh, Dad, Poor Dad, Mama’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feeling so Sad is 2009’s summer show.   Director Phillip Shepherd is holding auditions on Friday, May 29 and Saturday May 30 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Actors should prepare a 30-second Absurdist monologue.  There will also be materials available for cold reading. If you’d like to be part of the fun back stage rather than appearing in front of the audience, come to auditions and sign up to help. For additional information contact Shepherd at (801) 918-3387 or phil@timelabs.com.  Performance dates are July 10 – August 1. 

Amazing Art

In our lobby gallery this spring you’ll find the work of Pat Bingham who says of herself: “My first love was photography but I found it lacking.  You can only capture what reality dishes up.  I’d want herds of hippos and find only pigeons.  When I wanted happy, flying pigeons, I’d find somber, sluggish ones.  So I turned to painting to reconcile this disappointment. The ideas for my paintings bubble up like cherry Kool-Aid from an unknown source.  I suspect it’s that 5-year-old who refused to grow up who gleefully flings these images at me. I capture them with watercolors and pastels and hang them out there for all the other 5-year-olds masquerading as grown-ups.”  Wow!  Join us at a champagne reception for the artist on opening night beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Susan Lorenz, our reception hostess, is planning something delicious.

What Will We See?

If you’re wondering what the upcoming shows are all about, you can read about them in our 2009 Season Brochure.  Pick one up when you’re here and grab a handy business card to remind you of our schedule.

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presents . . .

Relatively Speaking

by Alan Ayckbourn

April 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 2009

at The Warehouse 1009 S. 2^nd Pocatello, ID

Even though it’s 1968, Greg wants to do the conventional thing and ask Ginny’s parents for her hand in marriage.  But the man he believes is Ginny’s father is actually her philandering boss Philip whose wife, Sheila, has secrets of her own.  When they get together, the laughter increases exponentially as the confusions multiply. This witty British comedy in which relationships and people are not what they seem will delight you.

*Westside Players is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization

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 AUDITIONS

for

a witty British comedy in which relationships and people are not what they seem

Monday & Tuesday, February 16, 17, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

at The Warehouse 1009 S. 2^nd Pocatello, ID

Needed: two women, two men to explore and bring to life the characters of two couples in the late 1960’s: young Londoners, girlfriend/boyfriend and a middle-aged married couple (old enough to be their parents) who live comfortably in a lovely home in the country. 

Those who audition should have a one-minute contemporary comic monologue and be prepared for improvisation. Cold reading material will be available as well.

Production dates: April 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 2009

For additional information call Director Leslie Leek at 233-7338

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Great Food

The delicious menu from Pasta Vino’s during Leading Ladies includes:   Italian Sausage Lasagna; Baked Chicken in Lemon Herb Florentine; Cashew Wild Rice Pilaf; House Salad;  Pasta Salad; Bread; and for dessert, Cherry Cobbler with whipped topping and Milk Chocolate Cake.

Talented Artist

While local artist Anne Merkley has been known for more than 20 years for figure drawings and bronze sculptures, she has concentrated over the last five years on portrait paintings, especially of women. This exhibit is a celebration of the feminine, with Anne feeling that all of her subjects are in a sense “leading ladies” — regardless of age, ethnic group, or walks of life.  Since receiving B.A. and  M.F.A. degrees from ISU, Anne has taught art on all levels. Her work has been shown and has received numerous awards in local, statewide and national competitions, and is found in collections both private and public, in the U.S. and abroad.  Join us to toast Anne’s show at a champagne reception on opening night beginning at 6:00 p.m.

 Season Savings

Our 2009 season has everything–comedy, romance, suspense, and a little madness. Season Tickets represent a substantial savings over single admissions and are available through February 21 at the Raven’s Nest or at the theatre. Relatively Speaking, a comedy about young, and not-so-young, love by Alan Ayckbourn, plays April 3 – 25.  From July 10 – August 1 you can see Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feeling So Sad, Arthur Kopit’s absurd and very funny look at family relations.   The Art of Murder, a witty mystery by Joe DiPietro, plays October 9 – 31.  Pick up a 2009 Season Brochure and a handy business card schedule at the theatre.

Lucky Winners

We’re pleased to congratulate the winners of our 2008 Grand Prize drawing.  The lucky patrons are : Bill Purnell, Four Dinner and Show Season Tickets for 2009 plus the T-shirt for each production; Laurie Carston, the two-liter bottle of Mondavi Cabernet-Sauvignon (generously donated by Bob and Chris Grayson); and  Jeff Ticknor, Two Dinner and Show Season Tickets for 2009.  Proceeds from the nightly raffles pay our mortgage and enable us to maintain The Warehouse.  2009 will (hopefully) be the year of the new roof.   Take a chance when you attend this season’s shows and 2009’s winner could be you!  

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AUDITIONS

for

Leading Ladies

by Ken Ludwig

7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 3, 2008

at The Warehouse 1009 S. 2^nd Ave.  Pocatello, ID

Set in 1955, Leading Ladies offers a little bit of Shakespeare, a healthy helping of Tootsie, and a whole lot of laughs 

Roles for 3 women and 5 men of various ages  

The characters are:  Meg, early 30s and a charmer

                  Duncan, a 40-something minister engaged to Meg

                  Leo, a 40-ish British Shakespearean actor

                  Jack, Leo’s 30-something acting partner, also British

                  Doc, 50ish, a lovable curmudgeon

                  Butch, early-20s, Doc’s son

                  Audrey, early 20s, energetic and cute

                  Florence, 60+, Meg’s wealthy, ailing aunt 

Please prepare a one-minute contemporary comic monologue and a one-minute monologue from Shakespeare.  Cold readings will also be provided. 

Production dates: Jan. 30, 31, Feb. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 2009 

For further information call director Jackie Czerepinski at 234-7621

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