PLAYHOUSE: It's a big anniversary

I have never written a letter to the editor, but the article about the Lake City Playhouse season's opening production, "Evita" inspired me.

Although it was a fine offering and heartening that the Playhouse is receiving some well-deserved attention, I was disappointed that there was little mention of this season being the Theatre's 50th.

It is not surprising the new administration, being non-local, would have scant interest in the history of the organization and would tend to downplay this landmark. Having worked with The Coeur d'Alene Community Theatre/Lake City Playhouse since 1971 and being a veteran actor/technician of well over fifty productions, as well as serving three terms on the Board of Directors, I feel compelled to honor those who envisioned a local live theatre and those whose talent and dedication has sustained it over these many years.

Those that I mention, to the best of my knowledge, are still living in the area, like me, are not currently active with the group, and who have had a significant and long term impact. There are of course many more who have offered their time and talent upon occasion and they, too, deserve thanks.

Since I rely solely upon memory, this is likely to be an incomplete list. If I have left anyone out, I truly apologize.

First and foremost is Pauline Whitley Adams. Without Pauline and her late husband, Joe Whitley, there would be no Theatre!, Neil Hanson, Bob and Lenny McLeod, Danna Harris, Buck and Joy Fitzpatrick, Sandy and Holliday Sanderson, Dennis Craig, Judy Crow, Ernie Hawks, Jack and Marcie Horner Green, Bob Brown, Bob Haakenson, Lyle and Mary Raffety, Tom Nash, Kathy Hattcher, Dan and Julie Powell, Mary Lou Dion, Nancy Di Giamarco, Karen (Moe) Welch, Dan Gookin, Sandy Clemmons, Tina Denning, Tim and Linda Durkin, Tracy Vaughn, Dan Stillman, John and Debra Coppernall.

Again, I apologize if I have excluded anyone.

All of you who are afforded the privilege of working with Lake City Playhouse owe these individuals a sincere debt of gratitude.

JULIE (CRAIG) NASH

Coeur d'Alene