They will build it, you will laugh Posted On: Friday, Jun. 5 2009 05:17 AM By Iuliana Petre
Killeen Daily Herald

if you build it, they will come. But, if you build it, break it, accidentally bump someone and clown around in the process, they will laugh.

And such is the premise of the Salado Silver Spur Theater's latest vaudeville production and spring variety show "If You Build It, They Will Laugh."

"If You Build It" is a show within a show, about a production company about to begin a vaudeville show when they realize the host is missing. In the meantime, a construction crew arrives to work on the set of the next production. The team of vaudeville actors has to keep the show going.

"Hilarity ensues," said Grainger Esch, the executive director of the Silver Spur Theater.

"It is a variety show, but the basic concept is that of course the builders don't seem to be the most capable of builders. Things don't always go as planned. That adds a ton more humor. It leads to a lot of slapstick antics whether it is people getting hit with a board or falling down," said Tony Blackman, the theater's technical director who will also perform in "If You Build It."

Although the show opened May 22, performances will continue through June 20 and feature old-fashioned family entertainment, slapstick comedy, variety acts, classic silent cinema, an original score arranged by the theater's own accompanist, and guest performers such as Darren Collins – a comedian, magician and juggler from Waxahachie – who will be highlighted during this weekend's performance.

"It'll be a different show on different weekends because of varying guest artists from clowns to jugglers," Blackman said.

With "If You Build It," the Silver Spur Theater is returning to its roots as a vaudeville-silent cinema theater company.

"When we first started out, vaudeville was what we were all about," Esch said. "We recently started doing published plays. Our hearts are in old-fashioned family entertainment, slap-stick comedy variety acts. That's where our roots are; this is what we love. But we've branched out."

"If You Build It," is about two hours long and it's a show much like Jim Henson's Muppets in that there's always something going on back stage, Esch said.

Esch warns audiences that they will laugh and have a good time.

"We perform to the audience, not just in front of them. We try to make it a big party really. Everyone has fun," Esch said.

The costumes harken back to an era of entertainment that is early 20th century, with baggy, clown-like pants and large, comedy shoes.

"The two construction guys wear very clowny-type attire, not full circus clown attire, but a stage-clown look," Esch said.

Four of the six cast members of "If You Build It" are actually "clown trained," having graduated from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, which trained more than 1,200 clowns worldwide before it closed.

A resident of Salado and a graduate of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, performer Tom Rolls has been regularly featured in the Spur theater's vaudeville productions.

"I'm a staple at the theater," Rolls said.

In "If You Build It," Rolls plays one of the two construction workers, Chuck Dillwater of Dillwater Construction Company, and delivers laughs through acting.

"My whole career has been character acting, clowning and juggling," Rolls said.

"It doesn't matter how old you are or how young you are, this show will make you laugh. Everyone can relate to something in this show," Esch said.

"If they don't come, they're missing some big laughs," Blackman added.

Contact Iuliana Petre at ipetre@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7469.