‘Miracles’ on stage at River City Playhouse

Published 9:00 am Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Play director Rita Smith wants to offer a gift to the community.

Because the pandemic kept people home for so long, she wants to offer an opportunity for a night out.

“It is a great musical for everything that everyone has been through. It’s uplifting!” Smith said. The show is “A Bag Full of Miracles” at the River City Playhouse in Ilwaco, Washington, and features a cast from Peninsula Players.

“We are happy to be back,” said Smith. “We feel like we have been doing this musical for three years,” she added. The production was set to open in March 2020 when the pandemic caused the cancellation of many live events. ”We had to cancel three days before we opened,” said Smith. “It was a sad day. It was going to be final dress rehearsal. Instead, it was ‘pack it away,’” she added.

The change did offer one positive decision, however. The theater had been looking to switch from having to rely on long-time accompanist Barbara Bate, instead staging a production with recorded music. Theater board members had purchased what Smith calls a “production in a packet.”

Unlike traditional restrictive theater contracts, it came with a one time fee, unlimited scripts, suggested rehearsal schedule, costume specifics, instrumental music and recorded vocal demonstrations of the songs. “We were very fortunate that way,” said Smith. “We didn’t have too many out-of-pocket expenses because it was already paid for,” she added.

During the past two years, the Peninsula Players have raised money for better heating inside parts of the theater. As rehearsals resumed, some roles had to be recast because actors had left the community. “We got new people on board and they are just great — they just jumped right in,” Smith said.

But these changes presented challenges for Smith, who is directing her 14th musical. In “Miracles,” Bette Lu Krause plays a widow desperate for income after a lawyer has swindled her. She teams up with a retired teacher, played by Smith. Barry Sears plays a crooked attorney and Nancy McAllister plays a woman targeted as his next victim.

Sears, a fixture of community theater on both sides of the Columbia, was Smith’s choice for her replacement male lead. That posed one obstacle. “Barry doesn’t sing. He’s just a joy, but has no sense of rhythm,” Smith said. “He has one song, but he is a hard worker, and he is up there alone with his song, and he doesn’t want to embarrass,” she added.

After the departure of another cast member, actor Kevin Perry took on a second role in the play. Smith laughed when asked about directing him. “It has been a challenge, because they are completely different characters. I told him to play one like Charlie Chaplin, but it’s community theater. It works,” Smith said.

David Immel and Robert Scherrer, who teamed as Royal Navy officers in the troupe’s “H.M.S. Pinafore” a few years ago, each play significant roles. Ed Ahlers, who has directed for the Peninsula Players, portrays a forgetful radio preacher, and Rose Power, another stalwart, plays a loud woman who catches his eye. Sue Skinner plays the radio man’s helper.

Completing the cast are Deborah Perry, Aarin Hygaard, Pepper Weldon, Skyler Asher, Natasha Beals, Michele Gutierrez, Gretchen Goodson and Suzanne Knutzen.

Scherrer, the play’s assistant director, is delighted that the troupe is back. “There is always excitement and anticipation when making a selection of a play, casting, rehearsals and the actual performances,” Scherrer said. ”When we have new people express interest in joining the group, whether it be someone with experience or never having been on the stage, these levels are increased tremendously. It’s hard to describe the exhilaration I feel when watching a new person beam with enjoyment when hearing the audience’s reaction to what they are doing,” he added.

Scherrer is eager for opening night. “We are always hoping by involving so many people, on or off the stage, that we are enriching their lives. The COVID break definitely caused a void in many of us. We are certainly excited to replace that void now that we are reopening our theater,” he said.

A three act musical comedy by the Peninsula Players.

Saturday and Sunday, as well as April 1 and 2, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. Matinees on Sunday, April 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. at River City Playhouse.

Admission is $15. To purchase tickets, visit Okie’s Thriftway in Ocean Park, Stormin’ Norman in Long Beach and the Olde Towne Café in Ilwaco. Tickets can also be reserved through Rita Smith at 360-244-3517 or at raskimball@gmail.com. A gala reception will follow opening night on Friday.