Time for a li’l theater
Put down that jug of moonshine and head to Nestucca High School to see their musical adaptation of “Li’l Abner.” Many people might remember the long-running comic strip by Al Capp, set in the hillbilly town of Dogpatch, USA. And for those that don’t, you’ll still enjoy visiting the fictional town and its inhabitants in the comedy performed by Nestucca High students on Wednesday, May 18, Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22.
The play takes place in Dogpatch in the runup to Sadie Hawkins Day Race, in which any girl who catches her man gets to marry him. Daisy Mae, played by Tessa Thompson, hopes to catch Abner, played by Lionel Brown. Unfortunately, the Yokumberry tonic that Mammy Yokum, played by AJ Johns, makes Abner drink every day has made him strong but also apparently rather “neutral” when it comes to matters of the heart.
The show also stars Henry Cook as Marryin’ Sam, Alinna Mendoza as Pappy Yokum and Dennis Jaynes as Earthquake. Liz Chez and Yaky Gracia co-serve as stage managers.
Nestucca High School is well known for its tradition of putting on spring musicals. The first production in the Nestucca community was 60 years ago, with Mack Pimentel directing. Kathleen Serven, née Schenck, a former student of Pimentel, took over as director in 1997 when he retired. She and other drama directors have kept the musical tradition alive every spring, except for the past two years. Helping Serven this year is Heidi Trambley as assistant director and as piano accompanist, Kelli McMellon as drama director and Christal Winesburgh as Serven’s co-director in the orchestra pit.
Nestucca musicals feature a community orchestra with musicians from Waldport to Rockaway Beach and out to Hillsboro.
The Wednesday, May 18, performance starts at 11 am, with admission $5 for general seating. Senior citizens will be honored with special reserve seating at the general admission price in the front three rows for this performance on a first come, first serve basis. Light refreshments will be served.
The final two performances are at 7 pm on Saturday and 2 pm on Sunday. General admission is $8 for adults, and $5 for senior citizens and kids aged 10 and younger. A limited number of front row reserve seating tickets are available for $10. The musical will be performed in the gym of Nestucca High School, located at 34660 Parkway Drive in Cloverdale. For more information and tickets, call 503-392-3194 ext 230.