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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 2018)
Saturday, February 17, 2018 ENTERTAINMENT East Oregonian Page 3C PENDLETON Forget the sun, stars shine in local ‘Annie’ production College Community Theatre stages popular musical By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian America’s favorite orphan will be portrayed by two talented young ladies as College Community Theatre presents the Broadway musical “Annie.” Ashlee Zaugg and Jenna Welch will share the lead role, taking the stage in alternating performances. The two Pendleton High School students aren’t strangers to performing. While attending Wash- ington Elementary School, they were cast in the 2010 PHS produc- tion of “Les Miserables.” Doreen Matteson, who directs “Annie” with Margaret Mayer, sings their praises. “These girls are absolutely amazing,” Matteson said. “They sing, they dance, they act and they are just remarkable people.” In addition, the orphans ensemble features 20 children ranging in age from 6-16. With nearly 70 little girls vying for roles, Mayer said casting the orphans was an extremely difficult task. Photo contributed by Brenna Saldana Jenna Welch and Ashlee Zaugg are sharing the role of the title char- acter during College Community Theatre performances of “Annie.” The musical opens with a pay-what-you-can preview night Feb. 22 at Bob Clapp Theatre at BMCC in Pendleton. “There is so much talent in this town,” she said. Other cast members include Rick Pullen in the role of Daddy Warbucks, Sarah Pilch as Grace Farrell, Lezlee Flagg as Miss Hannigan, Robert Crane as Rooster Hannigan and Samantha Mahaffey as his dingy girlfriend, Lily St. Regis. Also part of the ensemble cast is Jonathan Wolotira, a 2017 PHS graduate, who played the title role in CCT’s 2017 production of “Joseph and the Amazing Techni- color Dreamcoat.” The show’s choreography includes the combined efforts of Debbie Kishpaugh, Samanatha Annie gets a two-week reprieve with a billionaire. After endearing herself to him, he offers to pony up some cash in an effort to help her find her parents. The heart-warming story is nearly derailed due to greed. But true to the musical’s most recogniz- able song, “The sun will come out tomorrow.” The musical opens with a pay-what-you-can preview night Thursday, Feb. 22 at Bob Clapp Theatre at Blue Mountain Commu- nity College, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave. Regular performances are Feb. 23-24 and March 1-3 at 7:30 p.m. and matinée shows Feb. 25 and March 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets, which are $20 for adults and $10 for students, are now on sale. CCT artistic director Craig McIntosh anticipates brisk ticket sales and encourages people to make early reservations. The Pioneer Hall box office is open Monday-Fridays from noon to 2 p.m. In addition, people can call 541-278-5953. ——— Contact Community Editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@ eastoregonian.com or 541-564- 4539 WHAT TO DO Pendleton librarian pens young adult novel Festivals T Red to Red XC MTB Race he setting: early 2000s northwestern Colorado suburbs. Very All-American. The plot, worthy of John Hughes: Recently dumped homecoming court nominee Erin hatches a revenge plot against her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend that involves using Peter, the nerdy theater kid. Everything is going according to plan until they start to fall for each other. That briefly summarized “Stage Kiss,” the most recent young adult (YA) fiction novel by Pendleton based J.D. author M.F. Lorson. Kindle Lorson is the nom Comment de plume of Jennifer Costley, assistant director for the Pendleton Public Library. Under the Lorson moniker she has previously written two YA novels, “Delinquent” and “The Hunter’s Daughter,” which takes place in contemporary Pendleton. Costley’s path to being a YA author was circuitous. She went to college pursuing a creative writing major with a goal of working in the publishing industry. She had a internship lined up with a publisher following graduation that was scuttled due to an administrative mishap. Discouraged, Costley turned to nannying before finally landing a publishing internship in Colorado. While there she learned that the publishing industry was in rapid decline — she was one of seven interns at a publisher that had only one paid employee. Determined to stake out a career in the world of literature, Costley returned to school to obtain a degree in library science. While in library school Costley was required to read some YA fiction and instantly fell in love with it. Now it is all that she reads (aside from what she is assigned to read at work). As she puts it: “For the most part if I got to choose I would only read teen fiction.” As a genre, YA is relatively ... young. Although there have been proto-YA novels for close to a century (“The Outsiders” being a standout), publishers and retailers didn’t feel to need to delineate a new market segment until the “Twilight” series became a megahit. The genre typically revolves around characters in the age range of high school (13-18) and their coming-of-age travails. Popular sub-genres include contemporary romance, dystopian future (i.e. “Hunger Games”), and paranormal romance (“Twilight”). Most interesting is the fact that a large portion of YA’s readership are older than the characters it portrays. From what Costley has gathered, the majority of her audience falls between 25 and 45. As both a producer and consumer of YA fiction, Costley totally understands. “I just love reading about that age group,” says Costley. “I especially like anything in a boarding school setting because I didn’t get to go to one. There’s something fun about first love and that’s always featured in YA books. I could read that over and over again.” Beyond focusing on young love, the early 2000s retro-ism of “Stage Kiss” adds another layer of nostalgia to the mix. (We’re about on schedule for the obligatory two-decade retro- mania to fall on the 2000s, right?) “When I was a teenager books like this didn’t exist set in my time period. They didn’t get to read about being a teenager as a teenager. I read a ton as a Mahaffey, Colin Taber and Zaugg. Providing accompaniment is a large pit orchestra. Mayer is giddy with excitement and is especially impressed with the cast’s commit- ment. “It really speaks not only to the talent in our community, but to the interest on the part of many, many young people,” she said. “Our rehearsals are full of enthusiasm and life.” It’s been a decade since Mayer and Matteson worked together on “Bye Bye, Birdie.” Also, Mayer is taking on a dual role as a stage mom — her pooch, Polly, was cast as Sandy the dog. The production, Matteson said, is laced with endearing tunes, wonderful dancing, adorable chil- dren, more than a few laughs and characters that you’ll love — and some that you’ll love to hate. Set during the Great Depression in New York City, it chronicles the life of Annie, who was left on the steps of the municipal shelter for orphans. To escape the angry spinster who owns the orphanage, Annie runs away — only to be returned in handcuffs. The tale takes a twist when A Wee Bit O’Ireland •March 16-18 •Heppner No cover. The celebration includes lots of food, fun events, great entertain- ment and a chance to win a pot o’gold. •Saturday, March 17; noon-3 p.m. •Sno Road Winery, 111 W. Main St., Echo No cover. Downtown vendors, food and fun for the whole family. Race in- formation to be announced. Prestige Wrestling 4: Do or Die • Friday, March 30; 7-11 p.m. www.ticketfly.com •Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 Airport Road, Hermiston $20-$50. Features the best inde- pendent talent in the Pacific Northwest as well as former WWE superstars. Matches include Filthy Tom Lawlor vs MV Young, Mike Santiago vs Julian Whyt, Sonico vs Kaine Jaiden, Guer- rero De Neón vs León Negro and more matches to be announced. Art, Museums & Authors teenager but not about my age group. There were a lot of teen romcom movies instead.” Those romcom movies figure prominently in “Stage Kiss,” where references to late-’90s/ early-’00s heartthrob Freddie Prinze Jr. abound. “Stage Kiss” is the first installment of a six-book series titled Mountain Creek Drive, with said eponymous thoroughfare being the neighborhood that six semi-connected protagonists live in. The series is a collaboration between Costley and two other YA authors — Daphne James Huff and Kayla Tirrell — whom she met through the online forum Young Adult Authors Alliance. The three held a series of meetings to outline the world that their characters inhabit, the general arc of the series, and divided up who was responsible for writing each entry. Costley was tasked with penning the first and fourth books. Part of the motivation for collaborating is business strategy. In the world of self-publishing there is the common practice of rapid release, whereupon finishing an e-book readers are presented with the option of pre-ordering the next book in a series. Spreading the load of writing each entry ensures that there will always be a new work in the pipeline for voracious readers. In a world with an overabundance of content vying for our attention, the rapid release model helps to ensure that an author will stay on readers’ radars consistently. Aside from the fourth entry in the Mountain Creek Drive series, which is to be published in June, Costley is working on another series to be released in January 2019. In the meantime she is stealthily observing reception to her work at the Pendleton Library. “I love it when a patron checks out one of my books without realizing I wrote it. When someone checks out my books at the library I hope that their other checkouts are authors I consider my work comparable to. If I were to notice a pattern where my book was always checked out with mysteries, I would be wary that I had chosen the wrong cover. The other day a girl checked out ‘The Hunter’s Daughter’ and then the next week she came back and checked out ‘Delin- quent.’ That was pretty exciting.” M.F. Lorson reads at the Pendleton Public Library on February 22 and at the Hermiston Public Library on March 7. ■ James Dean Kindle is a Pendleton musician and executive director of the Oregon East Symphony. Contact him at jamesdeankindle@gmail.com. Wilderness & Sublimity: Pho- tography and the Conservation of Hells Canyon •Tuesday-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturdays, noon-4 p.m. •Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. www.pendletonarts.org Free. Photographer Kendrick Mo- holt organized two collections of pho- tos (late 1960s-early 1970s and 2016) for a the exhibit that showcases the beauty of Hells Canyon. Runs through Feb. 24. 2018 ArtWORKz Junior Art Show & Competition •Jan. 27-March 17; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. •Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, near Wildhorse Resort & Casino. www.tamastslikt.org $10/adults, $9/senior citizens, $6/ youths. View exhibit featuring youth artists from the region. Runs through March 17. Photography Club Exhibit •Monday-Thursdays; 11 a.m-7 p.m., •Friday-Saturdays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. •Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave. www.hermistonlibrary.us Free. The work of Photography Club members is on display. Runs through Feb. 28. Sweet Exhibit •Tuesday-Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. •Peterson’s Gallery and Chocolati- er, 1925 Main St., Baker City www.petersonsgallery.net Free. Features the work of region- al artists. Also, check out the artisan chocolates just in time for Valentine’s Day. Runs through Feb. 28. Watercolor Society of Oregon •Monday-Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. •Betty Feves Memorial Gallery, Blue Mountain Community College, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton. Free. The traveling show features 20 award-winning paintings from the society’s bi-annual juried exhibition by noted artist/juror Paul Jackson. Gallery also open by appointment by calling 541-278-5952. Runs through Feb. 15. Kids + Art = Fun! •Saturday, Feb. 24; 1-4 p.m. •Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, near Wildhorse Resort & Casino. www.tamastslikt.org Free. Pepsi Primetime @ the Mu- seum offers a family art project. The event is held in conjunction with the current exhibit, 2018 ArtWORKz Junior Art Show & Competition. Music Groove City •Saturday, Feb. 17; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mis- sion. Cory Peterson Band •Saturday, Feb. 17; 9 p.m. •The Pheasant Blue Collar Bar & Grill, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston No cover. The CPB returns to help people party away the post-Valentine’s Day blues with country and rock tunes. Stompin’ Ground •Saturday, Feb. 17, 9 p.m. No cover •Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla Tylor & the Train Robbers •Monday, Feb. 19; 7-9 p.m. •Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton No cover. All ages. Former He- lix resident Tylor Bushman Ketchum hardly needs an introduction. He’s Contributed photo With a theme of Global Celebrations, Eastern Oregon Uni- versity students will perform during the International Dinner and Show. The 31st annual event is Feb. 23 at school’s La Grande campus. Dinner event features international flavor LA GRANDE — People attending the International Dinner and Show will be treated to a virtual trip around the world highlighting a variety of holidays and special events celebrated in different countries. Eastern Oregon University students representing more than a dozen countries will share dances, songs and performances during the 31st annual event. The public is invited to Global Celebrations, which is Friday, Feb. 23 at the university’s La Grande campus. Authentic dishes will be served at 5:30 p.m. in Hoke Union Building, followed by an evening of international entertainment starting at 7 p.m. in Loso Hall. General admission tickets are $12 or $10 for students. Tickets are available at the EOU Bookstore or Multicultural Center, and Looking Glass Books, 1118 Adams Ave., La Grande. Members of EOU’s International Student Association collaborate on the event, which features clothing, music and recipes from a variety of cultures. The on-campus cultural club also hosts events during International Education Week and Homecoming. “We are honored to share our different cultures and experiences to bring unique diversity here to Eastern Oregon University and La Grande,” said Jorge Chavez Vazquez, the club’s president from Mexico. For more information, contact Janet Camp at 541-805-5874 or jcamp@eou.edu or visit www.eou.edu/csi/international-student- association. bringing his Boise-based band to town to perform their unique blend of outlaw honky tonk. Tylor Brooks •Thursday, Feb. 22; 7 p.m. •40 Taps, 337 S.W. Emigrant Ave., Pendleton No cover during Live Music Thurs- day. 24/7 •Friday, Feb. 23; Saturday, Feb. 24; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mis- sion. “Carnival of the Animals’” •Saturday, Feb. 24; 4 p.m. • Columbia Basin College, 2600 N. 20th Ave., Pasco www.inlandnorthwestmusicians. com Free, donations accepted. The In- land Northwest Orchestra, an ensem- ble of the Inland Northwest Musicians, performs Camille Saint-Saens’ “Carni- val of the Animals” and “Grand Canyon Suite” by Ferde Grofe. rights. (541-612-8559). Theater, stage, film & lectures “Peter Rabbit” •Saturday, Feb. 17; 10:30 a.m. •Hermiston Stadium 8 Cinema, 355 W. Theater Lane www.www.facebook.com/arcofu- matillacounty $5. In conjunction with The Arc Umatilla County, sensory-friendly screenings with lights up a little and volume down. Doors open at 10 a.m. “Seussical the Musical” •Saturday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m.; Sun- day, Feb. 18, 2 p.m. •Hermiston High School auditori- um, 600 S. First St. $10/adults, $8/senior citizens, $5/ students. Hermiston High School dra- ma and music students present the Dr. Seuss musical. “The Fantasticks” •Feb. 17 & 22-24; 7:30 p.m. •Saturday, Feb. 17 & 24; 2:30 p.m. •Elgin Opera House, 104 N. Eighth Acousta Noir •Saturday, Feb. 24; 9 p.m. •Hamley Steakhouse & Saloon, 8 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton No cover. Features Joshua Ester- line with his unique brand of folk, Amer- icana and stomp rock music St. Yaquina Bay “Annie” •Friday, March 2; 8-10 p.m. •Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton No cover. All ages. Features the country music warrior who carries his guitar like a sword. Night life Zwickelmania •Saturday, Feb. 24.; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. •Ordnance Brewing, 405 N. Olson Road, Boardman No cover. Beer tours, tastings and meet brewer and team. Also, 250 spe- cial collectors pint glasses available. Trivia 80s •Wednesday, Feb. 21 8 p.m. No cover •40 Taps, 337 S.W. Emigrant Ave., Pendleton No cover. Don your neon clothes and brush up on ’80s trivia for a chance to win drinks and bragging www.elginoperahouse.com Reserved $17/$8. The long-run- ning Off-Broadway musical shares a fable of love that grows with the sea- sons. •Feb. 22-24 & March 1-3; 7:30 p.m. •Feb. 25 & March 4; 2 p.m. •BMCC Bob Clapp Theatre, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton Feb. 22 is pay-what-you-can pre- view night; other performances, $20/ adults, $10/students. College Com- munity Theatre presents the popular musical. Early reservations are en- couraged as ticket sales are expected to be high. (541-278-5953). International Dinner and Show •Friday, Feb. 23 5:30 p.m. •Hoke Student Building & Loso Hall •Eastern Oregon University, La Grande www.eou.edu/csi/international-stu- dent-association $12/adults, $10/students. Present- ed by the International Student Asso- ciation, event features an authentic dinner and entertainment featuring different cultures and countries from around the world.
