SALADO, TX (Nov. 12, 2009) – The Silver Spur Theater (108 Royal St.) in historic Salado takes audiences back to the "Golden Age of Television" this Yule season with a sleigh-full of holiday hilarity in "Do You See What I See," an original comedy running Nov. 27 through Dec. 19in the renovated Sanford and Guest Granary & Feed Co., a first class, 150-seat proscenium venue between Temple and Georgetown, just off Interstate 35.
Theater patrons will be right in "the studio audience" for the music, the merriment and the memorable, mirthful staging of an "on-the-air" variety show. This seasonal scenario was conceived, written, and performed by a cast of veteran performers, continuing the Spur's tradition of homespun, heartfelt, original family entertainment.
On Christmas Eve at the small broadcast facilities of WSPR-TV, the production crew and maintenance staff are busily preparing for a live holiday simulcast with network affiliates in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Unexpected technical difficulties place the show’s success squarely on their shoulders, tasking them to present an excerpt from “The Nutcracker,” as well as the Canadian Brass performance.
Frivolity ensues as they try to save the day and discover their own hidden talents that will bring holiday cheer for the audience and viewers. Song, satire, sentiment and slapstick are among the gifts from the Spur-radical players’ bag of goodies.
“Do You See What I See?” runs weekends only beginning Saturday, Nov. 28, with a special sneak preview .Friday-Saturday performance continue through Saturday, Dec. 20, with show times at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Evening shows are $15 for adults; $12 for senior citizens, military personnel and students with ID; and $8 for children aged 12 and under. For matinees, admission is $12, $10 and $8, respectively. Group rates also are available. For reservations, call the Silver Spur box office at 254-947-3456. For more info, visit http://www.saladosilverspur.com/.
“The situation for “Do You See..." is similar to last year’s highly successful “Jingle Bell Broadcast,” says Grainger Esch, a former Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus clown who co-founded the Spur. “But it’s a completely different show, with different songs, different acts and different hijinks, but with the same goal of good old-fashioned family fun."
The cast includes Saladoans Esch as station manager Slim Chance; the Spur's own Technical Director, tuneful troubadour Tony Blackman as the station's tech director and jingle singer; Karen Ewton as secretary Trudy; Mary Bentley as the advertising manager and a jingle singer; and Tom Rolls as maintenance man Earl Duke.
Rounding out the entertaining ensemble is Kevin C. Carr, who will portray WSPR-TV owner Mr. Bigg. He will make remote broadcast appearances from New Jersey. Longtime musical accompanist
Nelda Milligan of Harker Heights will serve up a palette of seasonal notes on the theater's century-old piano, with live sound effects performed on authentic, vaudeville-age instruments.
Throughout the run of the show, special guest variety artists also will grace the Spur stage.
"The holidays are typically filled with planning, pandemonium and presents," Esch observed. "Every member of the family should consider taking a break from the decorating, cooking, shopping, wrapping, endless football games and greeting cards and treat themselves to hearty laughter and the enjoyment of live entertainment. It is certainly a present to themselves and another great form of seasonal togetherness."
About the Cast
Blackman has appeared in more than 50 productions. Favorites include roles in "The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)," "The Foreigner," "The Skin of Our Teeth" and "H.M.S. Pinafore," and as Nicky in the recent "Bell, Book& Candle." He's also directed such plays as "Steel Magnolias," "Love Letters," "LUV" and "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," in many of which Esch has had leading roles.
Ewton and Bentley were both in recent Spur productions of “Steel Magnolias,” and "Bell, Book and Candle." Ewton began as Bertha Bovine in the Spur's inaugural melodrama, “The Salado Springs Truth Tonic and Elixir Medicine Show.” She has been Miss Katrina Love in subsequent melodramas; as the WSPR secretary in previous Spur's holiday shows; as Mrs. Claus, and even as a Gorilla Girl. She also contributes to the scripting of the Spur's original productions.
Bentley earned a degree in English and Drama from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and her M.A. in Literature and Technical Writing from Texas State University San Marcos. She is a Salado High School English teacher who has acted in and directed more than 20 shows, including “I Do! I Do!” “Can-Can,” “A Few Good Men,” “Mame” and “Side By Side By Sondheim.”
Rolls, a Clown College alumnus and a former juggling instructor, has appeared on NBC TV's “Friday Night Lights,” and had a break-out role at the Spur as the nasty county property inspector (and racist) Owen Musser in “The Foreigner," and again recently as the suave publisher in "Bell, Book and Candle." He was Tonkawa Tom in the annual melodrama and has performed widely in major Las Vegas venues.
Van Cleave, another Clown Alley veteran, is an all-purpose entertainer -- a Maryland native who was California-raised and Texas-inspired. Kelly, who is taking leave from the Kinoshita Circus in Japan, has toured Europe with the American Circus, performed at Circus-Circus in Las Vegas and appeared in the Spur's summer production, "Gone To The Dogs."
ABOUT THE SILVER SPURTHEATER:
Now in its sixth year, the Silver Spur revives a bygone era of family entertainment, offering its trademark blend of live vaudeville acts, live music, plays and classic cinema. Weddings, reunions, business conferences, concerts, field trips, dances, even customized private shows are held in the historical venue, with catering available from the Stagecoach Inn and nearby restaurants.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ORINTERVIEWS:
Grainger Esch, Executive Dir., Salado Silver Spur Theater, 254-947-3456;Grainger@SaladoSilverSpur.com Make Reservations Now
Preston F. Kirk, APR, Kirk Public Relations, Austin, TX, 830-693-4447;Kirk@tstar.net
For preview, go to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGLZfR0MPmc