Page 43 - Flathead Beacon // 2.25.15

FLATHEADBEACON.C&OM FEBRUARY 25, 2015 | 43 ARTS
STARTING RUMORS IN BIGFORK
ENTERTAINMENT
The Bigfork Community Players take the stage this weekend to perform Neil Simon’s classic dark comedy
By JUSTIN FRANZ of the Beacon
After weeks of memorizing lines and practicing, the Bigfork Commu- nity Players are ready to perform Neil Simon’s classic dark comedy “Rumors.” The troupe has four performances be- tween Feb. 27 and March 1 at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts.
First time director David Vale, who owns the Pocketstone Café in downtown Bigfork, is heading up the performance. Vale said the community players have
been focusing on comedies this year and the group is performing three pieces by Simon, including “The Odd Couple,” “Jake’s Women” and “Rumors.” Vale said he wanted a story that engaged the audi- ence and keeps them on the edge of their seats.
“The story moves quickly and it’s full of sharp writing,” Vale said. “Even though it’s a comedy, it’s a story about how normal people can be involved in a real crime.”
The story follows four New York City couples that are attending the deputy mayor’s anniversary party. But as the festivities get underway, something goes wrong and some of the guests find the politician covered in blood, in a drunken stupor and holding a recently fired gun. Over the next two acts, rumors of what happen spread as the couples try to fig- ure out the truth.
Kalispell attorney Tim Wenz plays Glenn Cooper, an up-and-coming poli- tician caught in the middle of the situa- tion. Wenz said the last time he acted be- fore an audience was as King Balthazar in a play about the Nativity in first grade.
He said as a lawyer he often has to speak before a jury but performing before an audience is a much different experience. Besides having to remember lines, Wenz has to remember where to stand and how to convey the emotion of each scene. His wife, Ashley Wenz, is also in the play and is one of the primary reasons he de-
“Even though it’s a comedy, it’s a story about how normal people can be involved in a real crime.”
David Vale
cided to take another shot at acting.
“I wanted to branch out and try something different,” Wenz said. “It was
sort of a bucket list thing.”
Michele Shapero, who is on the com-
munity players’ board of directors, is Rumors’ set designer and plays Claire Ganz in the show. She became involved
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Michele Shapero and Scott Roskam learn from Duane Herriges of a possible suicide attempt.
Scott Roskam submits to the enchantment of Ashley Wenz.
Don McAdam is treated for his burn by Michele Shapero. PHOTOS COURTESY DAVID VALE
with the players about three years ago and has been hooked ever since.
“Bigfork is a theater town and so this is our outlet to play with our creative juices,” Shapero said.
Vale agreed and said he got involved last year as a way to become more ac- quainted with the town’s theater com- munity. He said he had not acted since high school but has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to hone in his acting, and now directing, skills.
“I had heard that directing was a lot of work, almost as much work as open- ing up your own restaurant, and they’re right,” Vale said.
Rumors opens on Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and $5 for children under 12, although organizers warn at- tendees that the show does include ma- ture language. Tickets can be purchased at Pocketstone Café, the Kalispell Grand Hotel and at the box office the night of the show. For more information visit www.bigforkcommunityplayers.com.
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