The Maranatha Players will be on stage for the Central Interior Zone Drama Festival next week with the melodrama The Snake in the Grass, written by Tim Kelly.
“The players are very excited to be taking part in the Central Interior Zone Festival for the first time,” says director Becky Strickland.
The group of 20 students, ranging from grades eight to 12 first prepared this show for their annual dinner theatre, where they raised funds towards their trip to Europe trip in 2017, Strickland said.
“When offered the chance to perform their play again, and experience being in festival, the actors jumped at it,” Strickland said.
The Maranatha Players will be the first show in the festival on, Wednesday May 18 at 8 p.m.
The Snake in the Grass takes place in the town of Buffalo Bend, in the Dakota Territory. The lovely Dakota Melody runs a popular hotel, where the folks of the town often gather to hear the latest news and play a few hands of cards.
One fateful day Silias Snakebreath slithers in to town with his Medicine Show.
Soon Dakota Melody becomes entangled in his villainous plans, while also trying to deal with her rival, Wild Prairie Rose.
Knowing the town is in need of a sturdy hero, Sheriff Billy Bold steps forward to fight these forces and their dastardly deeds.
This comedy will have the audience hitched to their seats as they watch a speeding train race towards our powerless heroine, bound to a railway track.
Only one man can rescue her and bring justice to a booming region.
“This zany play has been a new experience for the actors, as melodrama is a different type of theatre, with actors speaking directly to the audience, crazy over the top things happening, and all around high energy,” Strickland said.
There are many young people who are on stage in this show including: Stephanie Dunlop as Dakota Melody, Garrett Shephard as Silias Snakebreath, Spencer Blois as Sheriff Billy Bold, and Shelby McCauley as Wild Prairie Rose.
“The players hope you will all come out and enjoy an evening of entertainment, and help kick off The Central Interior Zone Festival,” Strickland said.
Snake in the Grass kicks off the festival at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18.
The Studio Theatre’s production of Death Defying Acts finishes its regular run Friday, May, 13 and Saturday, May 14 at 8 p.m. each evening and will be on stage during the festival Thursday, May 19 at 8 p.m.
The Studio Theatre’s production of Anonymous is on stage for its regular run, Monday, May 16 and Tuesday, May 17 at 8 p.m. and during the festival on Friday, May 20 at 8 p.m.
The Prince George Pocket Theatre’s production of Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike is on stage during the festival Saturday, May 21 for a 2 p.m. matinee.
Tickets for the plays are available at The Open Book and Kit and Kaboodle.