‘Perry’s Hatter Is Up the Creek’ – 4^th Annual

Melodrama at Salado Silver Spur Theater

Wacky Spuradicals, Townfolks in Play + Chase Film, July 4-Aug. 23

SALADO, TEXAS (June 23, 2008) – It has been a strange spring for this historic stage stop cum Interstate 35 tourist destination: Jenna Bush’s wedding activities, a damaging thunderstorm, the Class 2A high school state baseball championship. 

And now heroes, gorillas, villains and ordinary townsfolk have been seen chasing through the historic village and along the bucolic creek!

Not to worry. It’s the Salado Silver Spur Theater’s annual melodrama, “Perry's Hatter Is Up the Creek,” by Gary Askins. Subtitle for the melodrama-silent cinema summer hijinks is “The Deathly Secret Half-blood Prisoner's Phoenix Stone Goblet,” since it is a bit of a spoof on the Harry Potter books, with generous helpings of political satire and slapstick comedy.

Performances are weekends in July through Aug. 23, with the July 4 show at 5 p.m. to turn-out in time for city fireworks. Typically, shows are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights with 2 p.m Saturday matinees. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens (65 and over) and military personnel, and $10 for children (12 and under); and $12, $10 and $8, respectively for matinees. For group prices, reservations or more information, call 254-947-3456 or visit www.saladosilverspur.com.

“This is the fourth melodrama from Gary 's pen, and I think it's his best script yet,” says Grainger Esch, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Spur. The150-seat proscenium theater was developed in 2003 in the historic Sanford & Guest Granary and Feed Store (at 108 Royal St. ) in downtown Salado a few blocks off IH-35 between Temple and Georgetown .

And what would a melodrama be without welcome hisses, taunts and plenty of popcorn for audience members to throw at the villain?

“Come prepared to boo the villain and to cheer the heroes as they attempt to save damsels in distress and to protect innocent villagers from the evil clutches of rampaging gorillas and Snidely H. Whiplash,” advises, Askins. The playwright and retired master teacher of theatre at Salado High School is an original member of the Spuradical Players.

“As always, the show will include – on our screen – our own 20-minute silent movie chase sequence through the streets and businesses of Salado ,” Askins explained. “The cinematic sequence is a contemporary take on the classic beginnings of modern movie making,  a ‘Keystone Cops’ meet Buster Keaton and the ‘Perils of Pauline.’

“We had the able assistance, both enthusiastic and reluctant, of several of Salado ’s most famous and infamous citizens, including members of the championship baseball team,” he noted. “Of course, the film is complemented by the live musical accompaniment arranged and performed by pianist Nelda Milligan of Harker Heights .”

Many in the “cast of characters” are melodrama regulars and unless noted, local Salado actors. Kevin C. Carr of Round Rock is Snidely H. Whiplash, the Villain. Tony Blackman portrays Snidely’s dim-witted sidekick, Billy Bob McMuggle. Rebekah Grayson is Miss Goody Goody, the Heroine, and Melissa Kemp of Woodway ( Waco ) plays her Guardian, Bertha Bovine.

The angora-chaps-wearing hero, Ranger Sam Houston " Tex " Grainger, is played by Esch, with Douglas Mackie as his sidekick, Deputy Justin Nicholas Time. The role of Miss Katrina Love, proprietress of Miss Kitty's Passion Palace , is played by Karen Ewton, and the playwright himself is Tonkawa Tom, Chief of the Lost Tribe.

“Audience reaction and participation has grown each year,” Esch noted, “The Spuradical Players, under Gary ’s direction, turn their comedic powers of observation upon contemporary life and culture here in the Village of Salado . But there are scenarios that both urban dwellers and country folks will find to be filled with laughs and side-splitting silliness.”

The Silver Spur Theater strives to revive a bygone era of family entertainment, offering a trademark blend of live vaudeville acts, live music, stage plays and classic cinema. Weddings, reunions, business conferences ,concerts, field trips, dances, even customized private shows also are held at the venue, with catering available from the renowned Stagecoach Inn nearby and other area restaurants.

Grainger Esch of Salado as Ranger Sam Houston " Tex " Grainger corrals villain Snidely H. Whiplash, portrayed by Kevin C. Carr of Round Rock in the Salado Silver Spur Theater's 4th Annual Melodrama, "Perry's Hatter Is Up the Creek."

Villain Snidely H. Whiplash, portrayed by Kevin C. Carr of Round Rock, chides his dim-witted sidekick,  Billy Bob McMuggle, portrayed by Tony Blackman of Salado.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS:

Grainger Esch, Co-founder &Executive Director, Salado Silver Spur Theater, 254-947-3456; Cell: 254-493-7960; Grainger@SaladoSilverSpur.com

Benjamin Milligan, House Manager, Group Sales Director, 254-698-1761; silverbearscave@yahoo.com

Gary Askins, Director, Salado , 254-947-9066, askins60@embarqmail.com

Preston F. Kirk, APR, Kirk Public Relations, Austin ( Spicewood) TX , 830-693-4447; kirk@tstar.net