IT! Box Office takes a Faircation

It’s that time of year again—graduation, Father’s Day, and the El Dorado County Fair. This year’s theme is “Faircation” which runs June 17-20. Because the theater is used for the fair, the last day the box office will be open is May 14. Although the box office will be closed, tickets can still be purchased online for Diary of Anne Frank, Dracula, and Grease. The box office will re-open June 22.

Imagination Theater has a Fan Page

Just a note to let you know that Imagination Theater! now has a fan page on Facebook which can be found here. Theater updates can be found on this page (though we are keeping our group page too).

Dracula Tickets Coming Soon

Don't miss this new and innovative experience of the multimedia production of Bram Stoker’s terrifying novel, Dracula. It encompasses breathtaking special effects both in film and on stage. This provoking experience is far reaching of Dracula’s exquisite panorama achievable through film and rich with the breadth of characterization possible only on the stage. Tickets will be available online May 1st. All seats are $15 for now. . .

The Fabric of the Community is Sewn into Quilters

No sooner did the call go out for material to construct the king-size Legacy Quilt for the upcoming production of Quilters than the folks of the community responded. Yes, the response was immediate: “We’ve received generous amounts of yardage in all colors which will be used somewhere, somehow in this production,” notes Chrissie Addison, director of Quilters. “The pieces of lives in this community will be represented in either one of the 16 blocks introducing the scenes or the massive Legacy Quilt which will be raffled off at the show’s closing,” Addison adds. “The response is greatly appreciated and enables the process of quilt construction to be more historical and traditional.”

Just like the pioneer days, the quilts in Quilters will be made up of small pieces from local lives, not cut out of large pieces of new fabric – as most modern quilts are. The stories that have come with the material have been amazing too. “This has become an odyssey of discovery for me. Both the history of the material as well as the history of the quilters’ families that have been shared is rich and historical. This show is a true community endeavor,” notes Audrey Keebler, the quilting coordinator.

One local, Allyn Burke, donated 45 squares her mother and great-grandmother sewed in the Log Cabin pattern somewhere back between 100 and 120 years ago. “The fabric is soft, delicately faded and the stitches straight and true. You can see remnants of old shirting material, flour sacks and the like. And in the middle of each 12" square is a tiny square of turkey red! They loved that red even then,” notes Addison. Red will play an important color throughout the Quilters musical Addison will direct for a March 2011 opening.

Keebler is working with Mary Cory, an administrator at the El Dorado County Historical Museum on the Fairgrounds to best determine what textiles restoration specialist can help with advice on restoring these precious squares donated by Burke. The squares can hopefully be assembled or restored and displayed at a local museum.

Old tablecloths, pieces of fabric, yardage, used curtains and even sleepwear have been donated as well. Material has been dropped at the boxes located at The Mountain Democrat office on Broadway and Imagination Theater’s office. Some of it was untagged, but much of it was tagged with names from the community including: Allyn Burke, Audrey Keebler, Mindy Jackson (civil war repro fabric), Elizabeth Zangari, Paula Beck, Terri Thomas, Chrissie Addison, Hilda Miller, and Lorrene Addison.

More period fabric (mostly calico) in deep reds, burgandys, and earth tones is needed by Cyndy Salmon and the Gold Bug Quilting Guild who will be preparing the new quilts in Quilters. Also needed is unbleached muslin and colored muslin for backing the quilt.

If you wish to donate, please visit one of the drop boxes. Have questions? Please contact Audrey Keebler at (530) 620-6844 or akeebler@comcast.net

It's a wrap! Dracula filming completed.

Imagination Theater! and Porter Media Group had a successful shoot of the film side of Dracula this weekend. The filming is finished! It is going to editing and music underscore. We appreciate the tremendous support by volunteers, actors, and technicians. Tickets go on sale online May 1 for this multi-media presentation, which runs October 8 through October 31.

Sincerely, Lanny Langston, Peter Wolfe, Josh Porter, and Peter Nicknig

The Diary of Anne Frank, July 9-24, 2010

It's a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can't build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery, and death. I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness, I hear the ever approaching thunder, which will destroy us too, I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquillity will return again. (15 July 1944)

Come see Anne's words come to life on stage. Tickets are on sale now. All tickets for all shows are $10.

The Diary of Anne Frank, the play adapted from Anne Frank’s famous diary, made its theater debut in 1956. Since then, it has been reproduced countless times on stages across the country and abroad. Collaborators Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, longtime Hollywood writers, had little experience with such a story as that of the Frank family. Previous scripts included sophisticated comedies such as The Thin Man or lively musicals such as Easter Parade.

However, Goodrich and Hackett researched the play meticulously, drawing not only on Anne’s diary but also on the experience of visiting Otto Frank and the attic hideout. As Evelyn Ehrlich noted in Dictionary of Literary Biography, Hackett in 1956 said, ‘‘We all felt we were working for a cause, not just a play.’’ The Diary of Anne Frank was an immediate critical and popular success, with reviewers particularly enthusiastic about Anne’s spirit, optimism, and nobility. The play represented the pinnacle of Goodrich and Hackett’s career. (from enotes.com)

Going, going, gone!

Bye bye! Today is your last chance to see The Foreigner. Don't miss seeing this hilarious comedy. The Box Office opens at 1:30 p.m. We'd love to have a full crowd for the closing show. Get your tickets online (til around noon), by phone (leave a message so we'll be ready when you get here), or at the door.

(The bad guys are no match for "The Foreigner.")

It's not what you say, it's how you don't say it!

Michael Bishop, a talented veteran actor, conveys much of his character through body language and facial expression. See Charlie as "The Foreigner" this weekend before it is too late.

The bees come down. . .to the theater this Friday

Blit, we aren't making honey at the theater. We're providing great live theater in El Dorado County. No need to drive down the hill. Located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Imagination Theater celebrates our tenth anniversary. Come see the comedy, The Foreigner, tonight!

Cast List for Grease

Thank you to all who auditioned.

Role
Danny - Joe Foley
Kenickie - Adam Turnbull
Sonny Lattieri - Nik Schram
Roger "Rump"/Teen Angel - Bradley Cameron
Dooty - Zachary Bredeson
Eugene - Steve Esling
Sandy - Shelby Wulfert
Rizzo - Krista Unverferth
Jan - Michelle Mansour
Marty - Danielle Badger
Frenchie - Kristine Miranda
Patty Simcox - Emily Barker
Cha Cha - Allison Luckenscheider
Miss Lynch - Christine Miner
Coach - Brian Goetz
Vince Fontaine - Grant Stellflug
Annoying Younger Sister - Caffrey Lynch

Chorus (Athletes, Prom Dancers, Students)
Angie Verzello
Selena Jimerson
Savannah Whiteley
Rachel Bluhm
Haley Clark
Beth Campbell
Elizabeth Herzog
Tim Murphy
Jeff Mosbacher

Cheerleaders and Chorus
Marissa Fuller
Sloane Martin
Katelyn Pecorilla

Do Wop Girls
Sarah Bennett
Sarah Erickson
Isabella Mini
Gwen Lacher

Band Chorus
Zacharie Button
Holly Salvestrin
Elizabeth Zangari

Tax Relief!

Now that your taxes are done. . .come out to see The Foreigner. It all adds up that this is a great ensemble and show! Tickets available online, by phone, or at the door.

Language Lessons

Learning a foreign language will never be the same after you meet The Foreigner. Sign up for your "lesson" this Friday, Saturday, or Sunday!

Come see what people are talking about. . .

(Charlie, "The Foreigner," discovers all is not what it seems at the lodge)

"I loved the show. It was well directed and put together by Lanny Langston. The cast was balanced, tight and played off of each other with grace and humor. It is a 'go to' show. Opening night jitters were not visible... the timing was perfect." --Lorrene

“So much fun to go on the thursday "student" nights and ask questions after the show! You don't leave the theater with the "how did they's" or who was that's.” --Carolyn

“It's a REALLY great production with a GREAT cast!! A Very funny show and a definite MUST SEE!!!!” --Jamie

“I saw this tonight -- it is WONDERFUL and I encourage EVERYONE to go see it! VERY well done, incredible acting and an amazing set! Would make a great date night!”
-- Debbie

“Thank you, thank you!! What an excellent performance this afternoon! Fine work from everyone, especially "Charlie," "Ellard," and "Owen," who we love to boo. And a really exemplary set! One of your best, I think. Very funny, and dealing with important issues, too.” --Ruthie

Tickets available online (www.it-tickets.org), by phone 530-642-0404, or at the door.

April 16-18 Final Weekend for The Foreigner

Click on image to make larger.

Discount Tickets for The Foreigner (4/10 show only)

On April 10, Imagination Theater is offering buy 1 get 1 free tickets for the 2:00 p.m. show of The Foreigner. This discount is only for that day only.

Make a date with The Foreigner

Tickets are available for all shows and can be ordered online, by phone, or at the door.

It's a REALLY great production with a GREAT cast!! A Very funny show and a definite MUST SEE!!!! -- Jamie E.

(Owen Musser shares his own opinions about foreigners)

Did you miss Student Night?

If you are a student and you missed the $10 night last Thursday, we wanted to remind you that tickets for students are always $10. What a deal! Come out and see the show these next two weekends and invite your friends. Tickets available online, by phone, or at the door.

Groups Tickets for The Foreigner

Charlie, The Foreigner, listens as Owen and David talk openly, not realizing he speaks English.

Interested in a social outing for your group this month? Imagination Theater has two more weekends of The Foreigner. This comedic farce runs through April 18. Friday shows are at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday performances are at 2:00 p.m. Save off the regular ticket price and form a group (groups start at just 10 people). The savings are $4 to $5 off an adult ticket depending on the size of the group. Regular ticket prices are $17 adults, $14 seniors, and $10 children/students. The Foreigner is suggested for teens through adults.

Group tickets must be purchased by calling our box office at (530) 642-0404. If you do not have a group, but would still like to see the show, we have online ticketing available at http://www.imagination-theater.org/ or http://www.it-tickets.org/

Located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Imagination Theater celebrates its' 10th Anniversary bringing quality, live community theater to Placerville and El Dorado County .

Only Two More Weekends of The Foreigner

I saw this tonight -- it is WONDERFUL and I encourage EVERYONE to go see it! VERY well done, incredible acting and an amazing set! Would make a great date night! -- Debbie

Ellard (Jouni Kirjola) and Catherine (Jessicah Neufeld) looking for David.

Great seats available for this Friday and Saturday

" I loved the show. It was well directed and put together by Lanny Langston. The cast was balanced, tight and played off of each other with grace and humor. It is a 'go to' show. Opening night jitters were not visible... the timing was perfect."

Lorrene Baum-Davis


Get your tickets now at www.it-tickets.org Order online for convenience and see seating chart for each show. Great seats are still available Friday, April 2 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 3 at 2:00 p.m.