By Michael Behler
For The Fayette Tribune
FAYETTEVILLE — It’s not “Unforgiven,” “Gunsmoke,” nor even “Blazing Saddles,” but “Way Out West In A Dress, Or Life’s A Hurdle When Your Wearin' A Girdle” is, well, let’s just say a different kind of western about a big misunderstanding and a cover-up, but still with plenty of the standard “good triumphing over evil.”
As its always-popular spring musical, this year The Historic Fayette Theatre will feature this hilarious melodrama beginning Friday, March 12 at 8 p.m. The story centers around two fellows from back East. Clarence Rawlins, played by Artie Campbell, is a struggling young actor who learns that he has inherited an establishment in Nevada from his great aunt, Iva Fortune. Due to her poor handwriting, Clarence mistakenly believes that he has inherited the Lucky Lady “Saloon,” when in fact, and unbeknownst to him, he has inherited the Lucky Lady “Salon,” a beauty shop! Now, the fun begins!
Clarence spends all of his money to get himself and his acting troupe to Lucky Lady, Nev. It’s only then that he learns the truth. Flat broke and stranded in the Wild West, he decides to run the salon posing as a woman, Lady Claire Rawl. Clarence’s sidekick, Roger Gaines, played by Gary Reynolds, becomes Madame Rogaine, complete with a falsetto French accent — ooh, la, la!
While Clarence has indeed inherited the Lucky Lady Salon, there is, in fact, a Lucky Lady Saloon right next door, run by villain Colt Revolver Jr. (Keith Richardson), who wants to purchase the salon so that he and his gal, Jessica James (Heather Curnett), can rob the bank two doors down. Trouble ensues, as in all good melodramas — the heroine, Melody Plunkett (Shari Davis), the sweet, innocent piano player and church organist, is abducted; the villain and villainess behave dastardly — you get the idea!
Add imposters trying to be beauticians, cross-dressing “royalty” and a musical score as wild as the Old West itself, including wonderful songs and choreography, and, voila! — an uproarious farce that will keep you laughing right up to the end when Clarence discovers a sack of gold coins that Aunt Iva had hidden in the curtains of the salon, and everyone lives happily ever after, except for the villains, of course! So, welcome to Lucky Lady, pardners, where the whole family will have a rootin’-tootin’ good time!
In the tradition of past spring musicals at HFT, this is sure to be an unforgettable production. The sets were designed by renown local artist Paul Contin. Director Millie Petersen, musical director Millie Shelton, and accompanist Vicki Pachuta, plus all the actors and crew members, have worked hard and are enthusiastically looking forward to putting on a great show for you!
Performances are March 12-13, 19-20, and 26-27 at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees on March 21 and 28 at 2 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and children under 12. For reservations and tickets, the theatre is offering something new this year. You can conveniently order your tickets online with a credit card. Go to www.brownbagtickets.com to order and reserve your seat. There will be a 99-cent service charge and your tickets will be mailed to you or held at the box office. Tickets also may be purchased in advance with cash or check at the theatre.
The box office will be open Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. prior to the first performance. It is important to remember that phone reservations will no longer be taken. Tickets will also be available at the door. Doors open one hour before show time. If you have special needs, please give specifics at the time of your ticket purchase and reservation.
For more information, call 304-574-4655 or visit www.historicfayettetheatre.com.
