July 9, 2014
Contacts:
Susan Goes, Executive Director, 541-942-8001
Original Melodrama premieres at Cottage Theatre during Bohemia Mining Days
Cottage Grove, OR — Cottage Theatre's 8th annual Bohemia Mining Days melodrama will feature another world premiere written especially for the theatre by local playwright Keith Kessler. Swindlers, Scoundrels, Liars, and Cheats . . . OR Oil's Well That Ends Well will run for three performances on July 18, 19, and 20 at Cottage Theatre.
Rev. Olson and the Oil Can-Can Girls arrive in Oil City, Oregon full of bold claims: "Guess what? Thar's Oil under Mt. David." They erect an oil derrick and start selling shares in their new venture. Meanwhile, the local Sherriff is mighty suspicious and asks the Mustache Gang to keep an eye on Rev. Olson.
Swindlers, Scoundrels, Liars, and Cheats . . . OR Oil's Well That Ends Well features 25 youth actors (ages 9 - 14) from Cottage Theatre's summer melodrama camp.This family-friendly show is appropriate for all ages and includes plenty of audience participation (in the form of booing and hissing and cheering) as well as an old-fashioned sing-along. "Olios" (short skits and corny jokes which have nothing to do with the story) will also be performed, in keeping with classic melodrama tradition. There will also be a pre-show performance showcasing some of the music and dance techniques taught during the two-week summer camp.
Swindlers, Scoundrels, Liars, and Cheats . . . OR Oil's Well That Ends Well is directed by Janet Rust, with music direction by Catricia Mayhue. The cast includes Austin Arthur, Megan Browning, Kira Carver, Kenady Conforth, AJ Earlywine, Cedar Earlywine, Ireland Ellis, Kate Fairbairn, Rhea Florez, Connor Gill, Cormac Gill, Jenna Hovet, Owen Hovet, Calvin Johnson, Aislyn Morrill, Ariel Neves, Samuel Pearson, Eliana Piltz, Darcy Rust, Catelyn St. Clair, Sarah Sisson, Isabel Thompson, Noe Valley, Maia Wilhour, and Piper Youngmayr.
Performances are Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19 beginning at 7:00 pm and Sunday, July 20 at 2:30 pm. Tickets are available online at www.cottagetheatre.org, by phone at 541-942-8001, or in person at the Cottage Theatre Box Office, 700 Village Drive, Cottage Grove. Box Office hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10 am to 2 pm, and one hour before performances. Tickets (reserved seating) are $5 for all ages.
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