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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 21, 2021)
SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021 | 7A SHOW from page 1A Members of the LRP board met with Michael Fal- ter, who, along with his wife Susan Tive, owns City Lights Cinemas, about using the stage in the cinemas’ Chap- lin Theater for a small-scale production. The movie theater has fol- lowed all COVID-19 safety guidelines to reopen, adapt- ing both the interior and its schedule to allow for maxi- mum physical distance be- tween people. Masks must be worn at all times, and capac- ity was limited depending on the county’s COVID-19 risk designation. “They had already done everything right to promote their movies, so it was a done deal for us,” Wellington said. “People were using the the- ater and comfortable with it. And there was no question — City Lights was following all the guidelines.” In addition, renting the space for an event and selling concessions would allow the theater to bring in additional money beyond the films it is showing. LRP made the decision to perform at City Lights when they realized the community goes to pay for play royalties, can do this’ only to have to most flexibility. But a change benefits. According to LRP found- props, costumes and event cut it again. … It has been a in designation would limit real exercise in seeing what is the audience capacity too ing member Annie Schmidt, space. LRP has performed shows possible. We were looking at much. “We said, ‘We want to sup- port you. We will do any- at several venues around going from a 40-person mu- “We didn’t mind the thing to help you keep this town, but its largest events sical to a two-person musi- 30-member audience; that theater going.’ That was are always held at the Flor- cal, and still needing to have was fine, that would have when we decided that if we ence Events Center. In fact, it be something that A) grabs worked. But when we get could do a show there, we the event center is consid- you enough that you want to down to a 15-member au- would.” dience …” Wellington It was a way to sup- said. “As an audience port Falter and Tive, member, you want a “Like the whole town, the Last Resort Players are ready certain critical mass who have used the to come roaring back — as soon as roaring back is movie theater to host before you feel com- events for clubs and fortable as a group to practical and allowed.” nonprofits, as well react and respond and — LRP President Jim Wellington as creating events take it all in.” around films. The Schmidt continued, pair are also active “And of course, the community members and ered the “Home of the Last do it and B) you think it’s go- actors want that energy even have volunteered on regional Resort Players.” ing to grab an audience.” more than the audience.” committees. For LRP, it was important “We’ve always done a large After more than a year of “Michael and Susan have fall show there to involve as to keep community theater not being able to perform a reached out to this com- many people as possible,” as a real experience. stage production, the theater munity just left, right and Wellington said. “We were never, ever in- community is ready to come center in every possible way Casts in the fall musical terested in virtual theater,” back, once it is safe to do so. they could,” Wellington said. are regularly more than 40 Schmidt said. The LRP Board of Directors Wellington added, “Last has met throughout the pan- “We didn’t expect to make actors, musicians and stage anything off of this, and the crew. Participants have year about this time, when demic, including over virtual movie theater didn’t really ranged from 5 to more than things started going south, meeting platforms. Many of either. We were doing this to 80 years old in one show we investigated all kinds of the greater LRP community have something for the com- alone. things and venues. We in- — cast members, stage crew, The past year has been a vestigated the idea of having musicians — are “waiting in munity.” Schmidt added it was practice in refining expecta- people drive in and be able to the wings” for the next op- more important for LRP to tions. tune into the audio on their portunity to come together “COVID hit, and we radios, doing it at the air- and create for the stage again. have a theater performance again than for the theater thought, ‘OK, well, there’s port or Miller Park. We did LRP also stepped in last group to make tons of mon- a nice little musical with 12 contingency plan after con- year to sponsor an event, ey. Any money made by LRP people, we could do that.’ tingency plan, and our plans Schmidt said, since it would And then COVID hit even just got whittled down to a be hosted outside, on the harder … so I ended up toothpick. That’s what we’re streets of Historic Old Town finding a lovely two person left with.” Florence and at the Siu- musical,” Wellington said. Eventually the group de- slaw Pioneer Museum. LRP “To take one vision and then cided that the structure of helped with the costumes, cut it in half and say, ‘We BOATS would allow the banners, sashes and mono- logues for August’s Women’s Suffrage Parade. In addition, the board is preparing to hold auditions for an event scheduled for June at City Lights Cinemas. Wellington will direct “The Vagina Monologues” for four showings at the cin- ema — if COVID conditions permit. “Just the thought of hold- NOTICE We’re buying used cars, trucks and SUV’s. Any make or model, paid for or not. Please call today for quote. All quotes by appointment only. Johnston Motor Company Since 1939 ing auditions again — I’m jazzed and excited,” he said. “We want to do this. But we have to do it safely.” Depending on how au- ditions go, the cast could include four to ten actors. Blocking on the stage will allow for space between per- formers. “There is some group work, but because it is built around monologues, we can still rehearse individually and safely and then bring the group together only when we need to,” Wellington said. “Plus, BOATS is pretty much ready to go,” Schmidt added. The pair hope that by the time June rolls around, events will be possible. Not only will it give residents something to do — it could potentially attract tourists and therefore help businesses around town. “It really does give you some empathy for all the oth- er business owners around here that have had to be do- ing this, too,” Wellington said. LRP is also looking at its plans for a fall show, and might shift to holding a win- ter show, again depending on conditions. “Like the whole town, we are ready to come roaring back — as soon as roaring back is practical and al- lowed,” Wellington said. For more information about LRP, visit www.las- tresortplayers.com and www. facebook.com/Lastresort players. Editor’s Note: This story is a companion piece to “The Show Must (Not) Go On,” which ran in the May 30, 2020, edition of the Siuslaw News. Read the article at thesiuslawnews.com/article/ the-show-must-not-go-on. Prepare for unexpected power outages with a Generac home standby generator REQUEST A FREE QUOTE! 877-557-1912 FREE 7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value! Off er valid February 15 - June 6, 2021 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 Special Financing Available Subject to Credit Approval *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. 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