Camille Gavin: Rustle up some melodrama merriment with 'Revenge'
| Monday, Jan 19 2009 08:11 PM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 01:40 PM
'RUSTLERS REVENGE'
When:7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Gaslight Melodrama Theatre, 12748 Jomani Drive
Admission: $9 to $20
Information: 587-3377
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'PAINTING SPOTS' ARTISTS' WORKSHOP
When: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: Gallery of Art, East Hills Mall
Fee:$50
Information: 348-4717
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POETRY READING WTIH JULIANA SPAHR
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Stiern Library, Cal State Bakersfield, 9001 Stockdale Highway
Admission:free
Information: 654-6503
Images
Jennifer Prince as Mabel Millstone (Photo courtesy of Michael Prince)
Greg Ramsdell as Black Bart Bushwacker and Jennifer Prince as Mabel Millstone (Photo courtesy of Michael Prince)
Greg Ramsdell as Black Bart Bushwacker (Photo courtesy of Michael Prince)
No one had to tell me “Rustlers Revenge” is an honest-to-goodness old-fashioned melodrama — with plenty of opportunities to boo, hiss and cheer. I knew that the moment I read a list of the characters’ names.
Black Bart Bushwacker, for instance, has to be the villain in the piece. And a character named Felicity Friendly. What else could she be but a damsel in distress? Then there’s Mabel Millstone, a combination cook and housekeeper who’s got a questionable past.
As the title indicates, the plot involves a gang of rustlers who are seeking revenge on a man called Quiet Harry who is hiding out on the Friendly Fruit Farm. Director Michael Prince describes the play by veteran writer D. Chapelle as “part John Wayne, part Clint Eastwood (and) part ‘Blazing Saddles.’”
Those playing lead roles in “Rustlers Revenge” are Greg Ramsdell, Jay Stodder, Coryn McBride, Scott Hillberry, Katie Metz and Jennifer Prince. The show, which includes “Junk Food Junkies,” a vaudeville revue, continues through Feb. 21.
Prince confirmed my supposition that Gaslight is the only professional theater in town and has been since it began. “Every actor that has ever graced our stage has been paid,” he said. “Actors who work with us on a one-show basis are paid an ample stipend, then we have an exclusive company of actors who earn a salary and are contracted to work exclusively with us.”
PAINTING WORKSHOP
Phyllis Oliver, who has been a painter for more than 30 years, will lead an all-day workshop at the Bakersfield Art Association’s Gallery of Art on Saturday. It’s called “Painting Spots,” with the subtitle, “The Way to Freedom — or Making Your Strokes Count.”
Some artists prefer to paint the large images first, then go back later and fill in the details; others do it in reverse, Oliver explained. She will demonstrate how to combine the two approaches to create a painting that is stronger overall.
“People who come must bring their own materials,” she said, “and they can work in any medium because it’s about organizing how people think.”
Oliver moved here about 18 months ago and has lived in many parts of the world, including more than five years in Greece.
“But we lived in Lemoore for several years when my husband was in the Navy,” she added, “so we’re used to valley living.”
POETRY READING
Juliana Spahr will give a poetry reading on Tuesday in the Dezember Room of the Walter Stiern Library at Cal State Bakersfield. Her appearance is part of the California Writers Series and is sponsored by CSUB’s English honors society and the Associated Students organization.
Sparh, who teaches at Mills College in Oakland, represents a younger generation of poets who favor experimental poetry, a style that takes a radical approach to syntax and grammar, said Marit MacArthur, an assistant English professor who coordinates the series.
The poet has published several books in the past few years, including one called “Thisconnectionofeveryonewithlungs.” Spahr, who got her doctorate from the University of Buffalo, also has edited and authored essay collections, works of criticism and literary anthologies.
OPERA
Don’t delay if you’re planning to attend the opening night reception for this year’s CSUB Opera Theatre. The party is scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 30 but the deadline for reservations is Friday. Cost is $50, which includes the performance. Call 654-2136.
The reception will be held in the Albertson Room of the Dore Theater at Cal State Bakersfield. It is a fundraiser for the university’s fine arts programs and is sponsored by the CSUB Foundation.
Tickets for the performance only are $18. There will be a second performance at 8 p.m. on Jan. 31. This will be preceded at 7:15 p.m. by a free preview by Joel Haney.
Two one-act operas by Puccini will be performed each evening — “Sister Angelica” and “Gianni Schicchi.” Both are performed by an ensemble cast made up of CSUB students and alumni directed by Peggy Sears. Gordon Mehling will conduct the orchestra.
