Ready for the stage in Wallace
WALLACE - The stage of the Sixth Street Melodrama will be alive this summer as two melodramas and a historical presentation are performed throughout the summer.
Opening on Wednesday is "Suds in the River, or ... Snakes Afloat," a melodrama written by theater founder Pat Grounds, set in 1894 at the Enaville Resort, better known as the Snake Pit, located up the river from Kingston.
The action centers around the evil bootlegging villain, Hires J. McFadden, played by Franklin Stout, his equally evil henchman Carl, portrayed by Ryan Griffin, and Mrs. McFadden,
Hires' even more evil mother, played by Mariah Schlepp, who are devising a scheme to take the washing machine from Snake Pit owners Rose Marie Summit and Joe Summit, played by Racine Walbrun and Jesse Duncan. The Summits get a helping hand from their helpers Old Charlie and Clarabelle, portrayed by Griffin and Kaytlin Shelton.
After a short intermission, the cast returns to the stage to perform "Kelly's Alley Revue," a musical revue with lots of singing, comedy and fun entertainment. This production is directed by Vern Hanson and Ellen Sauer.
Melodrama is a fun, interactive form of theater where audience members are encouraged to boo the villain, and cheer the hero. For more than 25 years, the Sixth Street Melodrama has been providing live melodrama in the city of Wallace throughout the summer months.
In August, the theater will have two shows performing, with the themes centering around the town's 1910 Fire Anniversary.
Opening Aug. 4 is "Rustler's at the Ranch, or ... How Swift Can the Taylors Run?"
This is an original play written and directed by Sixth Street player Paul Roberts, loosely based on the birth of his grandfather, Paul Taylor, who was born Aug. 20, 1910, the day the fire began.
This action centers on the Taylor family ranch in Kellogg. Wes and Mamie are awaiting the arrival of their new baby, but Wes has been injured while fighting some of the local fires.
They think help has arrived when Simon Scowell and Deke come on the scene to help out, but these scoundrels have other devious intentions on their mind.
Granny Cavanaugh and Dr. Quinn help keep the villains at bay. And the question that is finally answered at the end is this ... what came first, the fire or the baby?
Wes and Mamie Taylor are portrayed by Matt Peyton and Phletha Wynne. Villains Simon Scowell and Deke are played by David Carey and Tony Underdahl. Granny Cavanaugh is portrayed by Molly Roberts (a real life descendant of the original "Granny Cavanaugh"), and Dr. Quinn is played by Erin Nansel.
This show is also followed by "Kelly's Alley Revue." The August revue, directed by Carol Roberts, will have a special tribute to firefighters.
Shows run Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7 p.m., which is a new time this summer.
Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. "Suds in the River, or ... Snakes Afloat" runs July 7 through Aug. 1. "Rustlers at the Ranch, or ... How Swift Can the Taylors Run?" opens Aug. 4 and runs through Aug. 29.
Ticket prices are $15 for adults, and students and seniors are $13. The family rate is $30 for a family of two adults and two children, with each additional child $5. For the Wednesday and Thursday performances, all tickets are $10. Opening Sunday, Aug. 8 is a unique historical presentation based on the first account stories from the 1910 fire. Paul and Carol Roberts have written, and are performing, "Voice of the Big Burn," a presentation that shares different stories from this pivotal point in the Silver Valley's history. These shows are Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights at 7 p.m., and all tickets are $10. This show runs Aug. 8 through Aug. 31.
The theater is located in Wallace at 212 Sixth St.
Reservations can be made by phone by calling the theater box office at 752-8871, or toll free at (877) SIXTHST.
More information can be found at www.sixthstreetmelodrama.com.