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Show ; : . - ! ! vv- . , s ' VAL VERDA PRODUCTION i Poor Richard said, "Keep i your eyes wide open before ' marriage and half shut afterwards." after-wards." He says much more in Val Verda Stake's premier production of "Poor Richard," March 18, 19, and 20 at the Regional Center Vallev Music Hall). I BEGINNING at 7 p.m. a ' pre-show entertainment will J feature a Bicentennial dance group and a large children's chorus. J ; Directed by Carene Jordan, J j who did "Title of Liberty" for October Conference, and . "Music Man" for last June )' Conference, "Poor Richard" ; is a sparkling new Broad-; Broad-; way-style glimpse of Ben Franklin's life and times J' . and includes wit and wisdom 7 from his Poor Richard's al- I manac. i 1,2!, THE STORY revolves .. i around ben's political career Or and the conflicts it creates n ' within his own family. Ben Jl (Marvin Hanson) and his homespun wife Debby (Pat 1 Rathmann) try to keep their -f marriage afloat by corres- J pondence. J Ben's hard-headed son . j William (Randall Manning) rebels against the American . revolution and their daughter l Sally (JoAnn Cotham) con- ducts her own courtship with , . 'he man she was finally 'bequeathed," Rich Bache (Mike Alder) - all this while Ben plays "midwife" to the birth of the American nation. THOMAS Jefferson is there, too (Harry Gerlach), as well as some of the Franklin grandchildren, played by Jane Hanson, Mike Anderson, Kyle Pearce, and John Krac-zek, Krac-zek, Jr. Marv Hanson is excellent in the title role. A speech therapist with the University of Utah, his rich baritone voice and fine sense of comedy and drama combine to provide a convincing portrayal por-trayal of Ben Franklin. Pat Rathmann plays Debby to the fullest-both the sharp and not so sharp sides of her. Pat's fine alto voice sparkles in several solo numbers. THE ROMANTIC leads, JoAnn and Mike, are tuneful and engaging. Randy handles the "heavy" role, William, inventively. Dancers and chorus round out the cast of over 80 members. Adults, teens, and children are featured. fea-tured. Written by Bountiful's own John Kraczek and his composer com-poser brother Stan Kraczek, "Poor Richard" is Val Verda Stake's contribution to the Bicentennial - and 4th annual musical production. COSTUMES, SCENERY, special-effect lighting, and an orchestra all put the final focus on colonial America and one of our great founding fathers. The music and wswur ft'm - T -in iMiaWhaiiiiBwifiiiiiH'iii r imiiftiii) i ivt i n urninn iimna! Val Verda Stake has prepared "Poor Richard" for presentation this weekend at Valley Music Hall. Marv Hanson, above, takes the title roll of Ben Franklin. dialogue, in finest broadway style, will delight audiences of all ages. In addition to Carene Jordan Jor-dan as director, the production produc-tion staff features Julia Sharp as technical director, musical direction by Jay Pearce, and ' choreography by Kathy Squires-all are experienced directors. IN KEEPING with spirit of the Bountiful Bicentennial celebration, the show will be presented free of charge. Tickets are required, but everyone is welcome. Tickets are being handed out by Val . Verda Stake and will be : available at the Valley Music Hall on March 18, 19, 20 at 7 p.m. Be sure to see "Poor Richard." |
