Dinner Theatre Arrives Back again to Salina
Supper comes with a aspect of mayhem, murder and slapstick.
Murder-thriller dinner theatre has returned to Salina with the formation of the Vagabond Players, which is filling a market vacant that opened when Kansas Wesleyan University grads Invoice and Debbie Weaver temporarily moved out of state.
“We didn’t realize it was going to be so well-known,” producer Dorothy Gallagher ’88 mentioned about the initial manufacturing, “A Murderous Reunion,” in August 2021.
A lot more than 100 persons attended that 1st exhibit. It was just far too crowded, she reported, so they’ve had to limit the range of tickets offered.
The third clearly show, “Deck the Hall with Components of Charlie,” will be offered Aug. 5, 6, 12 and 13 at Tumblweed on Aged Freeway 40. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and murder à la manner will commence at 7:30.
The Players experienced planned to do this exhibit in January, but that wasn’t feasible with COVID-19, Gallagher said. She questioned the subscribers if they would like a Xmas show in the summer season, and they advised her they considered it would be enjoyable. In preserving with the concept, the food will be a total-class Xmas evening meal, turkey on the table as effectively as ham on the stage.
“It is campy,” Gallagher stated. “We explain to the viewers it is corny.”
Sodexo of KWU is catering the supper.
Vagabond Gamers have quite a few other connections to KWU. Alex Lankhorst ’87 is directing “Parts of Charlie.” KWU college student Saria Taylor is serving as choreographer for this creation. Brianna Anderson ’19 had a lead part in “Murderous Matrimony.” KWU university student Tammy Houston had a guide part in “Murderous Reunion.” Patsy Stockham ’94, KWU job products and services coordinator, is the technical director and operates the audio board. She and her husband, Steve, both equally serve on the board and he functions. While not formally an alumnus, he performs with the KWU Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble.
Karen Babcock Brassea, KWU associate professor of theatre arts, director and choreographer, serves as marketing consultant. Gary Demuth ’98 directed “Murderous Matrimony” and acted in “A Murderous Reunion.”
The show was published by the Weavers, who had made it as aspect of their DreamWeaver’s meal theatre many years ago. It is suggested for mature audiences.
The very first two shows, “A Murderous Reunion” and “Murderous Matrimony,” presented in Might, had been premieres, also prepared by the Weavers.
The Weavers had just moved again to Kansas when a person of Gallagher’s pals considered about commencing a unique variety of acting group. The friend ultimately dropped out, but Gallagher named a couple of people, which includes Demuth, who is properly-regarded in the area’s theatre community. Demuth identified as a few individuals, and the subsequent detail they understood, they experienced an acting troupe, “just a entire bunch of people from the neighborhood theatre who were fascinated in carrying out some thing new,” Gallagher said.
They hope to do 3 reveals a 12 months, Gallagher explained, but scheduling is a dilemma. Five place faculties and Salina Theatre also have theatre productions.
“We want to be a lover in the arts local community,” she explained. “We really do not want to be in competitors with any individual.”
For that cause, they keep auditions and productions after anyone else is by, she said.
And whilst they do have seasoned theatre people in the troupe, they welcome newcomers.
“One of the goals for us is to really encourage folks who perhaps wrote a enjoy,” Gallagher mentioned. “It’s pretty essential for us to welcome new men and women and have any person appear and attempt something else. If you really like theatre or are curious about theatre, we would adore to have you. You do not have to have knowledge.”
And you do not have to act. Several volunteers uncover props, build sets, produce costumes, Gallagher claimed. Despite her rigorous love of theatre spanning much more than 30 decades, she hardly ever seems on stage, but she enjoys the backstage routines.
Vagabond Gamers is staffed entirely by volunteers, Gallagher explained. No 1, like her as producer, is getting paid. The team not too long ago picked up its to start with sponsor — Kansas Wesleyan.
This was a organic suit due to the fact of all the KWU connections, claimed Brad Salois, director of marketing and communications at KWU.
“We normally check out to support the main arts corporations in Salina, but to be capable to assistance a get started-up is specifically crucial,” Salois explained. “Anything that offers new, additional chances for our college students, we want to stimulate.”
As the Players get their efforts rolling, the emphasis remains on having entertaining.
“Here’s the major thing we inform them as actors: ‘Have exciting,’” Gallagher claimed. “ ‘If you’re not having exciting, we’re not carrying out a fantastic work.’
“We’re there as a group of volunteers to have a excellent time and to entertain. If our audience does not have exciting, if our actors don’t have fun, we have failed.”
For much more data, go to salinavagabondplayers.com.
