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Local theater profile: the Nevada Theatre and the Foothill Theatre Company |
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Written by Keith Sheffield/Tahoe World
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Monday, 09 April 2007 |
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One of the great things about theater is finding that one person who really gets into each character.
 Last Friday evening in the cozy confines of the Nevada Theatre’s balcony I found myself bringing my camera back to actress Jenni Stephenson — whether she was portraying Myra Menke, ZigZag, Mrs. Morengo, or the notorious Kissin’ Kate Barlow — in the Foothill Theatre Company’s production of “Holes.”
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In Tahoe, we know of the Foothill Theatre Company as the acting troupe behind the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor. But how many of us make the trip to Nevada City to see Foothill actors on their home turf?
My guess is not many … and we’re missing out.
Foothill Theatre Company wrapped up its production of “Holes” last weekend, but now the cast and crew turn around for “The Story of Opal.”
 Though Foothill turns in top-notch performances of Shakespeare plays at Sand Harbor, a trip to see its variety of productions at the Nevada Theatre is well worth the trip — if not just for the artistic entertainment, but also a chance to touch Sierra History.
The Nevada Theatre’s brick and mortar walls boast historical perfomances by Mark Twain, opera singer Emma Nevada, and Jack London.
Born out of the ashes of the Nevada City fire of 1863, The Nevada Theatre opened in 1865 and is the oldest running theater house in the state. It’s been a live performance theater, movie house, and now does much of both.
 Sections of the original walls are still a part of the Nevada Theatre — which holds an audience of more than 200 in seats that have been around for decades.
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My attention to actress Jenni Stephenson was drawn backstage where I met her as she was putting on her makeup. Backstage is actually under the stage, painted baby-blue, with a little room for actors at their makeup mirrors, one cozy sofa chair sits in the middle just in front of an ironing board, and all the costumes for “Holes.”
A stink bag sat at her make up table, next to one of her many wigs she wears on stage … a gag gift she threatens to use on anyone at any moment, according to fellow “Holes” actress Nancy Keith.
 With Keith outing her as the jokester behind the scenes, it became very clear very early Stephenson was the ham on stage.
Each character she portrayed more often than not had the best expressions this night — from the pre-teen troublemaker ZigZag, to the goofy gypsy maiden Myra Menke, to the supportive Mrs. Morengo, and the gun-totin’ Kissin’ Kate Barlow.
The audience seemed to agree during one of Stephenson’s comedic turns as ditsy Myra Menke. As soon as she was done getting the laughs as Myra, she disappeared backstage, and within moments returned onstage as ZigZag, adding yet another goofy expression and more comic relief during a typical night in a Gold Rush town.
More on the Nevada Theatre:
The Nevada Theatre
401 Broad Street
P.O. Box 1066
Nevada City, CA 95959
Phone: (530) 265-6161
 Nevada City’s devastating fire of 1863 completely destroyed the town’s theater and left the Bailey House at the corner of Broad and Bridge streets badly gutted. It was this building that the Nevada Theatre Association purchased in the fall of 1864 and used as a foundation for a new and better theater. Funds to defray construction and furnishings were raised by community effort. The Nevada Theatre opened the following year in 1865 heralded by a gala ball and midnight supper. Many performances followed: minstrels, musicals and drama of the day with appearances by such luminaries as Emma Nevada, Lotta Crabtree, Richard Jose and Mark Twain.
Theater performances were mixed with motion pictures as early as 1908 and soon films dominated in Nevada City as elsewhere. Silent films were initially one reelers and five or six were presented each evening. In 1915 the facility was modified from its original level configuration to a slanted floor and electric lights were added for better viewing and audience convenience. The theater continued as a movie house until the 1950s.
In the mid 1960’s the Nevada County Liberal Arts Commission was formed to purchase the property from United Artists. In July of 1965, the commission sponsored “Golden Days” — a highly successful “historical extravaganza and midnight supper” patterned after the gala put on a century earlier. The event raised $4,500 of the $55,00 needed to purchase and restore the theater. Additional fund raising and contributions from the community yielded the rest. Later the tin building behind the theater, once a part of the Nevada Foundry Iron Works, was donated by the Ghiddotti family. The red building at the rear of the property, formerly a sawdust packed ice storage facility of the Nevada Ice Company, has recently been restored and now serves as The Foothill Theatre Company office.
 The Nevada Theatre Commission was formed to continue the efforts of The Nevada County Liberal Arts Commission in preserving The Nevada Theatre as an historic landmark. This non-profit corporation owns, operates, restores and utilizes The Nevada Theatre as a center of the performing arts for the people of Nevada County. Today the theater is in use almost every day, every month of the year. The Foothill Theatre Company and the Nevada Theatre Film Series each make approximately 100 presentations annually. The Nevada Theatre Commission, thus, is the steward of a valuable and important asset to patrons of the arts and California history. The work of the commission is carried out by its Board of Directors who are selected for their interests in this important mission.
— From www.nevadatheatre.com
Foothill Theatre Co.’s 2007 line up:
THE STORY OF OPAL
April 26-May 27
(The Journal of an Understanding Heart)
by Gale Fury Childs
As a little girl in an Oregon logging camp, Opal Whiteley kept a journal which celebrates the mystical wonderment of childhood in a voice so perceptive, so openhearted, so original, that it stands alone as a classic of American letters. This unique and utterly beguiling play recreates Opal’s world — not necessarily as it was, but as it appeared to her.
CORPSE!
June 14-Aug. 5
A comic thriller by Gerald Moon
This wild, high-camp comedy thriller is a twisting tale of twin brothers, one of whom plots to murder the other in the most bizarre circumstances. Evelyn, a down-and-out unemployed actor, engages an assassin to do away with his suave, sophisticated, much wealthier twin brother. Once the dirty deed is done, Evelyn will assume the identity of the Corpse! — and his much swankier lifestyle. It’s a foolproof plan! But as with most foolproof plans, things do not go as they should, and people are not what they seem. Suitable for ages 14 and older.
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival
July 12-Aug. 19
The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival stage at Sand Harbor in Incline Village is one of the most beautiful outdoor theatres in the U.S., nestled between the dunes and the lake. Make sure to treat yourself to fine food and wine while enjoying some of the best theatre in the West. For more information visit www.tahoebard.com.
EVERMORE: Selected Works of Edgar Allan Poe
Sept. 27-Oct. 28
Adapted by Gary Wright
Tales of the macabre are brought to life in this innovative staging of Poe’s finest work, including “The Raven,” “A Telltale Heart” and “The Cask of Amontillado.” His death at 40, more than 150 years ago, was reported by bitter enemy, Rufus Wilmot Griswold: “Edgar Allan Poe is dead … this announcement will startle many, but few will be grieved by it … he had few or no friends; and the regrets for his death will be principally that in him, literary art has lost one of its most brilliant, but erratic, stars. Suitable for ages 10 and up.
NEW VOICES
November 1-4, 8-11
Staged readings of two new plays:
Another Day in Baghdad
By David Tucker
A U.S. Army Major writes of his experiences during an 18-month tour of duty in Iraq.
Max Understood
Music by Michael Rasbury
book by Nancy Carlin
A musical look at the world from the point of view of the composer’s autistic son, Max.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A Live Radio Play
Nov. 15-Dec. 30
By Joe Landry
Bring the whole family to see the heartwarming story of George Bailey, the lovable Everyman from Bedford Falls. Christmas Eve finds George in despair because his business has failed and financial ruin seems imminent. He’s standing on a bridge, ready to end it all, when his guardian angel descends from Heaven and reminds him — by showing him what Bedford Falls would be like without him — that his is truly a Wonderful Life. This innovative adaptation of the Christmas classic includes a live radio sound effects artist onstage.
— Source: www.foothilltheatre.org
The Foothill Theatre Company
P.O. Box 1812, Nevada City, CA 95959
Business Office
404 Spring Street, Nevada City CA 95945
Voice: (530) 265-9320 Fax: (530) 265-9325
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Box Office
401 Broad Street, Nevada City CA 95945
(530) 265-8587 or toll Free 1-888-730-8587
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Be sure to check out these other theater profiles:
The Brüka Theatre in Reno
The Brewery Arts Center in Carson City
All photos by Keith Sheffield/Tahoe World from the Foothill theatre Company's production of "Holes."
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 10 April 2007 )
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