Elma Theater Schedule of 2000 events

Kingsley Hall, owner of the Elma Theater and artistic director of the Elma Children's Theater Assn is a veteran of over 2,500 performances of mostly musical theater performed mostly as directed by Dennis Hart at the Auburn Dinner Theater. Only had lead role in productions of Fiddler on The Roof, Man of La Mancha & Scrooge. Did one month each as Kringelin in Gypsy, Andrew Carnes in Oklahoma, Ogre in Puss In Boots (play), Gryphon in Alice In Wonderland (musical) three different roles in three different productions in Carousel etc., Four performances in King & Pierce Counties and one on his own stage of Pooh Ba in The Mikado. For seventeen years he sang Barbershop in Kirkland, WA with the Lake Washington Skippers (in 1966 they took a ninth place in national competition in Chicago) Later sang with The Strait Men of Port Angeles, WA He currently directs about four productions a year at the Elma Theater (some of which he takes on the road) which he is trying to retire from. He spends one month a year on a North America Rail pass scouting in US & Canada for shows to book in to his theater. His dream is to direct and or produce Die Fledermous and Carousel on his own stage soon. He is still trying to buy a certain private railway car for his acting troupe & a certain local piece of property that has a railway spur.

Reserved Seat Tickets Available for $10 (Buy two get one free) By Calling 360-482-4810 or at Box Office 10 AM to 6 PM

Dr Verne Munro Eke, Pianist/Organist/Conductor/Co-producer this show was a Co-Founder of Harlequin productions. He's one of the founders of CAAPA (the organization which started the Washington State Center for Performing Arts Bldg project, Director of the Contemporary Arts Festival all in Olympia, Washington. He has also served as General Director of Idaho Opera. .In these capacities, among others, he has conducted more shows than we can mention and performed in even more. Verne presently serves as; State Organ Chair for the Washington State Music Teachers Assn., a member of The Board of Directors of Arts Ballard, and as a judge for the piano auditions sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs. He is very active in the Alumni Associations of both the University of Southern California (where he was faculty for many years) and the University of Washington. He is an activist to help theaters and churches needing aid in keeping their organs & pianos going and available. He helped find both the grand piano and a donor to pay for it that's used by the Washington State Center for Performing Arts in Olympia. Also, he sponsored & helped organize fund raisers to restore the pipe organ (Hastings one of oldest pipe organs in W.State) in the Plymouth Congregational Church in Seattle. And of course he was here for a previous show to help restore our antique keyboards. He is here now to help us raise funds to rent scaffolding to restore our ceiling art

Reiff Mel Olsen, baritone soloist, is very active in the music program of Fremont Baptist Church and has performed in a variety of too many venues to mention in Seattle, Olympia, Buckley and Puyallup Last summer took part in The Seattle Mahler Festival and in the world wide production of Mozart's Requiem on September 11. His vast repertoire includes Frank Sinatra favorites, operatic areas, show tunes and numerous abstract art songs on many subjects.

Wonderful Girls Medley; Steppin' Out with My Baby from Easter Parade( Irving Berlin) There's Nothing Like a Dame from South Pacific (Rodgers & Hammerstein)

Gosh I'm a Lucky Guy ( Patrick Jeffries, who is a trombonist/arranger/conductor that resides in Olympia)

Medley from Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Stephen Sondheim); Impossible (Duet?), Everybody Ought to have a Maid

A Song Cycle (Milton Schafer for Danny Kay); Mommy, Give Me a Drinka Water, Crazy Barbara, The New Baby

Michael Budd, the leader of our magic act quartet recently put together and directed a great all magic show at the Washington State Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia. His contributions to this classical art is well recognized by his professional peers having won several competitive awards. See additional information under Michael Budd Magic Quartet Troupe below.

Barbara L. Puckett MEZZO SOPRANO, has been affiliated with theatre groups in Olympia, Washington, studying singing with private teachers as well as college professors and with one that attended Julliard. She graduated from Olympia High School, went on to be the Capitol Music Club President, endeavored until she obtained a Grant to put on "My Fair Lady" at the Abbey Theater at St Martin’s College. She also sang and performed in "Carry Nation" and several other musicals. She performed arias for several concerts that were held monthly at the Capitol Museum, she performed as "Magda" in the Consul by Menotti with Verne Eke in Olympia, Washington. She has sung in numerous other musicals as well as the Rainier Choir in Seattle. She performed in several concerts in the Olympia area, singing many different types of art songs by many different composers, using a theme for each concert. She attended Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Olympia, singing solos for them and sang with the choir there. She put on a concert there at Gloria Dei, organizing Scriptural Sacred Songs into "The Life of Jesus". Later, she went on to graduate with a BA in Education at Puget Sound University in Seattle. Barbara has continued to do some solo work in churches, and performed with the Grays Harbor College Christmas Choir most recently.

Les Rhinehart BASS, At one time played trumpet in a US Navy Band. Many of us from Olympia remember his virtuosity but he hasn't played the trumpet for quite a few years. On the other side of the footlights he is now well known for his participation for about 18 years as a performer in The Carmel (Calif.) Bach Festival and for about 10 years in the Honolulu Symphony Chorus and in the Hawaii Opera Theater Chorus for twenty one seasons.

Jed K. Omori TENOR, until recently (just moved to Elma area) has been performing with the chorus of The Hawaii Opera Theatre in Honolulu, HI. Previously respected for his works singing in two shows after master classes by soprano Sharon Spinetti in Hawaii. Also spent over five years singing with Honolulu Symphony Chorus and the Oahu Choral Society. Sang solos for the Waipahu United Church of Christ and with their choir. Somewhat recently was accompanist for the Boys from Syracuse musical at Leeward Community College

Rev. Lou Ann Houle ALTO, Holds a Master's of Religion in Sacred Music from Warner Pacific College, as well as a B.A. in Music Education from W.W.U. She has sung in numerous musicals as well as the Portland Opera Chorus and the Bellingham Symphonic Choir. She has led Sweet Adelines Choruses in both Portland and Aberdeen, as well as conducted several church and oratorio choirs. Currently, She serves as senior pastor of the Elma Church of God, and has been a licensed minister since 1983 and an ordained minister since 1999. If our program needs help we are confident she knows where to find it.

Natalia V Colson PIANO graduated from P. I. Tchaikovsky Musical College in Ekaterinburg (Russia) as a teacher of theory of music and then graduated from Institute of Culture in St.-Petersburg (Russia). Worked as accompanist for ballet classes. Came to USA in 1998. Played for Johansen Ballet School in Olympia, WA. Now she is rehearsing as Duchess in Elma Children's Theater Association in production of "Alice in Wonderland". This will be the first time for Natalia to play on stage in USA. We have a copy of a playbill advertising her playing in The Okhta Humanitarian And Aesthetic Education Exhibition for the ballet portion of the program at The State Academic Capella St Petersburg (i.e. Theater or Concert Hall)

This quartet has been and is still very well respected among their Northwest flute-playing peers (such as members of The Olympia Flute Choir) even though over the years the membership has changed. . It is not really clear who was in the original quartet when it was formed. One of the last members to leave was Cindy Corrie, a good friend of the Elma Theater, who at that time left to live in the Cayman Islands. Their newest member (joined about 2 years ago) Dee Broussard was Principle Flute for five years in The Bulgarian National Orchestra touring through Spain, Greece, Italy etc. This is the second time we have booked this quartet on the stage of The Elma Theater. Connie Bevington, Laura Fairbanks and Bob Esperanza have also appeared on our stage before with other groups. Connie has been in the High Flutin' Quartet for about five years and Laura Almost as long. Bob Esperanza (also in the Intrusions that performed on our stage 9/29/2001) is the quartet member with the most seniority. This quartet plays all musical art forms from the stiffest baroque classics to the coolest jazz

Songburst is a well recognized Sweet Adelines Quartet that is a part of a larger Chorus that we hope to book in for a future show soon. Their names are: Lead, Melanie McGuire, Baritone, Mary Neff, Tenor: Shelly Bray-Mark, and Bass: Sue Johnson. They will be a great addition to the program.

Jazz Came Up the River
Herman and Sally
The Very Thought of You

Second Appearance

Dolly Smith, Linda Saylor-Bright, Val (Smith) Hannah, Susan Saylor, Eric Lee, piano

Dolly Smith, a finalist in the San Francisco Opera Auditions, is a Puyallup native who began performing at the age of four in a traveling Christmas show. Her classical career was launched in the title role of Harlequin Productions’ The Ballad of Baby Doe, where she also sang a leading role in Carrie Nation. While at the West Bay Opera Company of Palo Alto, Dolly sang a leading role in Elixir of Love, as well as that of Mimi in La Boehme. Her extensive musical theatre career includes leading roles in Little Mary Sunshine, Three Penny Opera, Damn Yankees, 110 in the Shade, and Take Me Along at The Centurion Playhouse, and Phantom of the Opera at the Auburn Dinner Theatre. Dolly currently coaches voice in Puyallup.

Val (Smith) Hannah, originally hit the stage as a dancer, but quickly added singing and acting to her resume! Her numerous credits include Three Penny Opera, Take Me Along, and Bye Bye Birdie at the Centurion Playhouse as well as Dames at Sea at The Chinook Centre for the Performing Arts. Val sang in Harlequin Productions’ The Ballad of Baby Doe and Carrie Nation and performed a leading role in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum at The Orting Theater

Linda Saylor-Bright, Last seen as Ma Bailey in Capital Playhouse’s It’s a Wonderful Life, Linda began her musical theatre career at Fort Lewis’ Centurion Playhouse – along with some of her fellow performers on stage tonight! She has performed with Olympia’s Harlequin Productions and was cast in Seattle Opera’s Northwest premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass. After stage managing a European touring company of 1776, Linda returned to work with Tacoma’s Actors Guild, Tacoma Little Theatre, and Lakewood Players. Linda received national awards for her portrayals of Dolly Tate in Annie Get Your Gun and Mrs. Anderssen in A Little Night Music at the Chinook Centre for the Performing Arts, where she also directed You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. After several years away, Linda returned to the Pacific Northwest where she’s enjoyed working at Annie Wright’s Kemper Theatre, Pilgrim Congregational Church, Pierce College, Capital Playhouse, and with Porchlight Concerts and Abbey Players.

Susan Saylor, An Administrative Assistant at South Bay Elementary School in Olympia, Susie’s music and theatre career began when she was a mere six years old! She was seen in The Mikado at Tacoma Little Theatre, Parted On Her Wedding Morn, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Mikado at the Centurion Playhouse, and Annie Get Your Gun at the Chinook Centre for the Performing Arts. Since all of these roles occurred BEFORE her twelfth birthday, Susie most recently celebrated her debut as an adult performer at Pierce College as Minnie in the original musical Market Place Blues.

Eric Lee, accompanist. He has been a musical /vocal director for many of the major theatre organizations in Pierce and Thurston counties, having worked with the Centurion and Chinook Theatres at Fort Lewis, the Lakewood Players, Tacoma Little Theatre The Tacoma Actors Guild and Abbey Players in Olympia. His work in youth theater includes 10 years as musical director/ accompanist for Creative Theatre Experience in Olympia and 6 years at Tumwater and River Ridge High Schools in Thurston County where he played for their musicals. He is currently the accompanist for Masterworks Choral Ensemble in Olympia which includes the quartet Steppin' Out featured below.

First Set:
Sisters (Quartet)
Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (Linda)
I Could Have danced All Night (Dolly)

Second Set:
What's the Use of Wondrin' (Linda)
Till There Was You (Dolly)
Music Alone Shall Live (Quartet)

The Mason Lake Piano Quartet is a group of neighbors who get together every week for the pure joy of playing music together. The original four have welcomed others who have joined in the fun of these music sessions, one of whom is Patty Nutt who will perform with us tonight.

April Cassell: Graduate of WSU. Retired public accountant.
Enjoys kayaking, rowing, hiking at Mason Lake.

Iris Little:                    Taught for many years at Montesano High
                                      Has three children, four grandchildren, and soon
                                      to have #5.

Mary Beth Morris:   Having grown up in Hoquiam and visited
                                      grandparents in Elma, she is very much at
                                      home here. Taught music in Texas and
                                      California schools and private piano
                                       instruction. Is Music Director at
                                      North Mason United Methodist Church.

Lilis Nogler: Retired elementary school teacher and church or
organist. Mother of four, grandmother of six.

Patty Nutt:                   A fifteen year member of Sweet Adelines chorus.
                                       Arranges music for, and sings in, a barbershop
                                       quartet. Has taught piano and is an organist at
                                       St. Edwards Church in Shelton.

Overture to The Magic Flute.................................Mozart (Arranged by Keller)
                       Iris, Lilis, April, Mary Beth

Polka Brilliante.....................................................Carl Bohm
                        Iris, Patty, Lilis, Mary Beth

Andante from Symphony #104..............................Haydn (Arranged by Kerchner)
                        Mary Beth, April, Iris, Lilis

Presto from the London Symphony #102...............Haydn (Kirchner)
                        Lilis, April, Iris, Mary Beth

This quartet is an Olympia-based group of singers who for the past 2 years have enjoyed performing in and around the Olympia community. From left to right are Bob Livingston, Sharon Wallace, Vicki Anderson, and Bruce Hanchett with Eric Lee as accompanist (at piano). They are all current members of Olympia-based Masterwork's Choral Ensemble, who discovered their unique blend of voices during a competition for a spot as a small ensemble performance at the Washington Center back in 2001.

Steppin' Out decided to stay together as a group, developing an extensive repertoire of songs from the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's. They regularly perform with Masterworks at the Washington Center, and continue to thrill audiences in and around Olympia and Seattle at an increasing number of independent venues and community service events with their unique quality sound.

First Appearance in the Program

Don't Get Around Much Anymore
      Words by Bob Russell
      Music by Duke Ellington
      Arranged by Jay Althouse
When I Fall In Love
      Words by Edward Heyman
      Music by Victor Young
      Arranged by Mark Brymer
They Can't Take That Away From Me
      Music and Lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin
      Arranged by Carl Strommen

Second Appearance in the Program

Sincerely
      Music and Lyrics by Allan Freed and Harvey Fuqua
      Arranged by Jeff Funk
Danny Boy
      Old Irish Air
      Words by Fred Weatherly
      Arranged by Mark Hayes
      Flute Obligato, Connie Bevington
String Of Pearls
      Words by Eddie DeLange
      Music by Jerry Gray
      Arranged by Anita Kerr

Michael Budd has been doing magic now for about 6 years. His unique style combines humor and interaction in an upbeat fashion. In January 2002 he was invited to compete in the World Magic Seminar's Teen Stage Competition hosted and put on by Lance Burton. Only 15 teens in the U.S. were chosen to go. He placed 5th. Earlier this year the Olympian did a segment on 21st Century Leaders. Michael was nominated and chosen as the Entertainer of the 21st Century. He has high hopes of making this his full time job and eventually become like David Copperfield and travel the world.

Katie Burns is a graduate from Olympia High School and is now attending SPSCC. Katie and Michael have been together for almost two years Katie just recently became an assistant in the show and is loving it! She likes performing on stage and would also love to travel and perform with Michael. She is currently working at Fred Meyer and wants to get back into teaching Gymnastics.

Jesse Neumeyer and Rand Whipple are the behind the scenes men (who also help on stage). With Jesse on the sound and Rand on the lights, our show is complete. These two have been working in the show ever since it started and have proven superior skills in their area. Rand is currently attending Capitol High School and spscc and Jesse is working at Olympia Supply in downtown Olympia.

One of three of our 12'x30' backdrops for this show. This one painted by Connie Bevington