Curtain Call Theatre presents
A Holiday Variety Show!
A little drama, a little humor, a lot of music, and a continuing tradition will mark the Monte Rio Holiday Variety Show that opens Thursday, December 12 for four performances by the Curtain Call Theatre group at the Russian River Hall.
This year’s directors, Kathleen and Dave Hardy, will continue the River Family Christmas story of the past two years, while retaining some of the elfish whimsy of the series of shows produced by Steve Fowler and Andrea Van Dyke in prior years.
“We wanted to bring some closure” to the problem posed by the untimely death of actress Dee Buechy in the middle of rehearsals for last year’s River Family Christmas written and directed by Kit Mariah. The short prologue, written by Kathleen Hardy, is intended to resolve that story while setting the scene for the variety show to follow. This prologue will feature Natasha and Johnny Gutierrez, Lisa Posternak, and many of the musical performers.
The heart of the holiday show will be musical appearances by local performers, including the Pocket Canyon Ramblers (including Darcy and Oak Reinier), Kit Mariah (host of the Open No-Mic at Guerneville’s Main Street Station restaurant), Megan Hope, Noel Yates, Lois Pearlman, Sadie Damascus (the “Laughing Lady” on KGGV-FM radio), Bill Young, Santa Claus (impersonating George Shult), Fred Wicknick and friends, Timothy David Dixon, Gretchen Belgrave, and Michael Tabib. Theater goers can expect a combination of traditional holiday songs along with some more light-hearted and contemporary fare to capture the diverse spectrum of holiday spirits.
Directing this holiday show is a first time effort for the Hardys, who have a diverse range of performing experiences. Dave Hardy, a retired supervising planner for Sonoma County, has performed in Monte Rio holiday shows since 2006, and performs locally with the Pocket Canyon Ramblers. A yoga instructor, Kathleen Hardy has directed award-winning performances at the Sonoma State University Halloween luncheon for faculty and staff. “So, we wanted to keep things simple and straightforward, and give the performers a chance to do the songs they really enjoy,” said Dave Hardy.
The Russian River Hall is located at 20347 Hwy 116 in Monte Rio, across from Fern’s Market. Showtimes are at 8 p.m. for the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night performances, and at 2 pm for the matinee that closes the show on Sunday, December 15. Reservations can be made by calling 707/524-8739.