Despite weather, some shows will still go on

Patti Rasmussen · November 15, 1997

Sometimes weather gets in the way of productions. Take, for example, the many exciting events that were planned for the Santa Clarita Valley Country Fair that was to be held this weekend. As one of many committee members who has been working on this fair since last November, I can tell you that Mother Nature is one element that was never taken lightly.

One couldn't have asked for better Southern California fall weather at Newhall Park during November of 1996. Once the reports of El Niño started to saturate the weather newscasts, the thought of rain in November took on an extremely high priority.

Fortunately, the Country Fair committee had a rain plan: Put rain cancellation clauses in every contract. Unfortunately, the clouds, rain and forecasts that greeted us on Monday set those cancellations in motion.

The decision to postpone the fair was painfully made on Wednesday. A new date for the fair will be determined over the next couple of months. If you saw the layout in Thursday's Signal, you would have noticed that the planning is in place. You would have also noted the many performers who were lined up to entertain the crowd on Saturday and Sunday. Testament, I believe, to the importance and need for community theatre need in our valley.

The Santa Clarita Valley Country Fair will be held next year. Please watch for the dates in The Signal and at the Country Fair web site.

There are some wonderful cultural arts events coming up in the next few weeks and months that you will still be able to enjoy. As featured a few weeks ago in this column, Valencia High and Saugus High have their performances in place and are waiting to entertain you.

Donna Manfredi, drama teacher at Valencia High, announced the upcoming Wild West spoof, "The Saga of the Prospector's Daughter" (aka "She was Only A Miner's Minor") to be held on December 3, 4, 5 and 6 at the Valencia High auditorium.

Manfredi reports that this is your typical melodrama, complete with a villain and heroine who cannot pay the mortgage. Starring Cullen Hoback, Amanda Ohly, Kenny Janeski, Nathan Caswell and Nicole Mitchell, the audience will be able to participate by booing and cheering.

Valencia High, in its fifth year, boasts a modern, 300-seat auditorium that has been a real boon to the community. Show times for "Prospector's Daughter" are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $5.00 and reservations can be made by calling the Valencia High drama department at 805-294-1188.

Across town at Saugus High, Mr. Trevor Best starts his 22nd year as drama teacher with the production of "See How They Run," a British farce in which a case of mistaken identity turns into a case of mass confusion for all characters.

The nine-member cast carries equal weight for the show and includes Amy Hann as Penelope and Dan Farnsworth as Corporal Clive Winson, an American solider stationed in England. With the war raging, Corp. Winson is unable to be seen in uniform. The confusion begins when he borrows Penelope's husband's clothes. Jason Goldberg stars as Penelope's husband, the vicar. Other cast members are Mary Everts, Angela Lingross, Nate Makaryk, Sara Yassaman, Steve Shepard and Kevin Lieberman. Back stage sound effects are also credited to Lieberman and Makaryk.

"See How They Run" will be performed on January 8, 12, 14, 16 and 17, 1998. Tickets are $6.00 in advance and $7.00 at the door. Reservations may be made by calling Saugus High at 805-297-3900.

Vicki Kennedy, president of Placerita Junior High's Parent Advisory Committee, would like extend an invitation to the community to attend the third annual Holiday Craft Fair to be held on the school grounds on Saturday, November 22. The theatre arts and music department, as well as "Teams," will each sponsor a children's game booth.

The craft fair will take place rain or shine between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Come hungry as many food items will be available.

Speaking of Placerita, the theatre arts department will be performing "The Wizard of Oz" under the direction of drama teacher Brent Christensen. Performance dates are December 9, 10 and 11 starting at 7 p.m. With a cast of 75, the $3.00 ticket price will be well worth it.

Kennedy added that Placerita is fortunate to have a place to perform. They are, however, attempting to replace stage lights and curtains that are over 30 years old. Monies raised will go to this effort.

Kennedy believes that theatre is a wonderful experience for students and should be open to everyone. I couldn't agree more! See you at the theatre.