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The Newcomer
(by Della Bacon - April 06, 2009)
Another confession from The Newcomer: “I am just as star-struck today, as I was in my youth, when I first stood on the corner of Hollywood & Vine, praying a movie star would appear.” That is correct; I chase stars for their autographs. I swoon when a handsome man serenades me. I sob real tears at the movies. I adore a good play and am really into it, when I recognize special talent. (I even jump for joy when invited to a sneak preview.)
The entire cast chosen for “DAMN YANKEES!” to be performed at Oroville’s State Theatre in April, are authentic artists in the true sense of real live people and performers.
Get your tickets early. The first weekend performances are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and a Sunday Matinee (April 17, 18, 19, the weekend after Easter). Take the entire family. This is a “must see” musical comedy spiced with mystery, double-deals, chorus, dancing, and not-so-funny lessons all athletes should learn early in life: “It just ain’t worth bargaining with the Devil.”
I promise you laughter, real tears, and surprises. Plus performances that will make you want to stomp your feet, clap your hands and feel the tension of not knowing what will happen next. (“Damn Yankees!” written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, Directed by Bill Falcon, and Winfred C. McDuffie. Frank Winter Choreography-Consultant, Kathy Ryan and Kyle McDuffie Choreographers, Ted Ryan Assistant Director, Wes Bayles and Karen Starkey-Holder Producers.)
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I will always believe that “Families that play together, stay together.” Confirming that opinion is the relationship between Ted and Katy Ryan. Ted Ryan is the Assistant Director and Set Designer/Builder for the “Damn Yankees” performance at The State Theatre. His charming wife of 30 years, Katy Ryan, will be playing the role of Lola, a seductive, petite, devilish, home-wrecker. Believe me, she was born to play the part, “What Lola Wants, Lola Gets.”
How does a contractor-husband, like Ted Ryan, keep up with “A Ball of Fire” like Katy? They work as a team. He designs and builds the sets, thus encouraging her to do her thing. (I watched Ted, as Katy practiced her role. His eyes sparkled, and he grinned a lot. Ted Ryan seems to be as fascinated by his wife of 30 years, as he was when they first married. Katy claims to be a late-bloomer to the stage. Her passion for acting caught fire in her first performance (2002), at the Birdcage Theatre. Of course you remember them? They took leading roles in the drama comedy “Fuddy Meers.”
Do you remember Bob Hope? Of course you do! He was in movies, on television and he became famous for taking large groups of talented actors and actresses to entertain military troops all over Europe and other foreign regions. In Oroville, there is a wonderful man who is magical with music, and had the opportunity to spend much of his 27 years in the United States Air Force, putting on many of those shows with Bob Hope.
This town is certainly blessed to have Winfred C. McDuffie living, loving, teaching and working with our own local talent. Duffie is the Musical Director in DAMN YANKEES, He’s not ‘good’; he is ‘one’ of the ‘greats’ (on stage and off)!
McDuffie’s grown, actor son is a natural, with his own style and purpose. He has rhythm, a huge smile, and a beautiful singing voice. (And he can ab-lib.) Kyle McDuffie, Actor, Choreographer, Director and son of the Master Musical Director. (It is in his genes.) Honest to goodness, you gotta see it to believe! All this talent and more have been working since December, 2008 to provide you with an evening of awesome entertainment at Oroville’s historic State Theatre.
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After seeing Kathy Neal’s Creative Arts Centre perform at the State Theatre last month, I feel like dancing. It’s a great form of exercise, and a nice way to meet people, who are firm and fit. When I first arrived in Oroville the dancing at Gold Country Casino intrigued me. (It still does.)
Since writing about dancers, I have learned there are weekly dances, dance lessons, get-togethers, and social events, somewhere every week. A few of such places are listed below:
Dance lessons: The Depot and Southside Community Center.
Senior Dances with live country-western band April 4th and 18th 6-9 p.m. at Southside Community Center ($5). Info, 534-0818. Also, April 8th 6-8:30 p.m. at Country Crest Retirement Center, Info, 533-7857.
If you are interested in ‘learning’ how to dance, let me know, and I will tell you more. If you know where more dances are, let me know. E Mail: della@diggernews.com
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