Actress Katie Norbie said she thinks a melodrama is just the right thing to kick off the Evergreen Playhouse’s return to live theater.
“After a year and a half of no theater, it’s fun to be silly and make people laugh,” said Norbie, who will portray Hazel Hoochater in this weekend’s performance of “Shootout at Sadie’s Saloon.”
The Old West melodrama by John Burkhart will play Friday, Saturday and Sunday on an outdoor stage at the Evergreen Playhouse. Director Danielle Kays explained the show is what they are calling a “pop-up show” meaning it required minimal rehearsals and staging.
The playhouse originally planned more shows of that nature over the summer, but was not able to move forward with those because of ongoing difficulties related to COVID-19.
The stage instead hosted Theatre of Arts Discipline (TOAD) productions of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Seussical, Jr.” and TOAD also produced “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.” on the playhouse’s inside stage.
“Shootout at Sadie’s Saloon” will be the first Evergreen Playhouse production since its stage went dark in March 2020.
“I know they are just thrilled to be back and because this is a melodrama, they are just bringing it,” Kays said of her cast.
“Shootout at Sadie’s Saloon” tells the story of sisters Sadie Spencer (portrayed by Michelle Koenen) and her sister Sally (portrayed by Isabel Nixon Klein) whose saloon is on the rocks.
Between constant haranguing to sell the business to Dirk Devious (portrayed by Rich Garrett) and harassment from temperance movement zealots Hazel Hoochater (portrayed by Norbie) and Prudence Purewater (portrayed by Lizzie Connor), the sisters don’t know where to turn.
Luckily, good guy and Sadie’s love interest Clint Cactus (portrayed by Matthew Michael) and Sheriff Jake (portrayed by Jeff Kingsbury) are determined to help the sisters save their late father’s beloved business.
“It’s so rich and funny. It’d be impossible not to love it,” said Kingsbury of the story.
In true melodrama format, “Shootout at Sadie’s Saloon” encourages full audience participation. A saloon girl (portrayed by Alene Stewart) and bar man (portrayed by Izzy Hazlett) roam the audience and hold up signs prompting audience members to boo for the bad guys, cheer for the good guys and say “aww” for the romance.
Attendees are also encouraged to throw popcorn at the stage. Front row tickets include a bag of popcorn or general admission ticketholders can purchase it at the concession stand. And expect the unexpected as actors and actresses might just end up in the audience themselves.
“It’ll be a very immersive experience,” Kays said.
“Shootout at Sadie’s Saloon” is also a family friendly experience. Kays explained there will be no gunshot noises, and the story contains no foul language, violence or nudity.
All actors at “Shootout at Sadie’s Saloon” are vaccinated against COVID-19 and will be unmasked at the performance.
All audience members are required to be masked except vaccinated individuals who show proof of vaccination. Kays said the Evergreen Playhouse board recently made the decision that this year, all actors and actresses older than 12 must be vaccinated to be cast in shows there.
Season tickets to the Evergreen Playhouse’s upcoming season will also be on sale during all showings of “Shootout at Sadie’s Saloon”. The season kicks off Oct. 15 with “The Hound of the Baskervilles” directed by Jordan Baker.
General auditions for remaining open roles in upcoming shows at the Evergreen Playhouse will be held for those 16 and older from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 30-31 at the playhouse.
Come with a monologue or a song if you are auditioning for a musical. For more information, go to evergreenplayhouse.com.
