The Unshorn Thread, part one of the Tales Misforgotten trilogy, is a tale of Merlin and his charge Arthur, the boy who would be king. Though their tale may seem familiar, The Unshorn Thread guides us quickly down unmarked paths and into new surroundings. This is a world in which gods and mortals meet. It is a place in which Faerie Stories and Tall Tales are true. It is a place where every god ever prayed to spoke back, and every demon ever feared stalked through the darkness, creeping ever closer to their unwitting victims. Even Arthur, as he drifts off to sleep, can feel the swirling, black eyes of something sinister looking back at him from the darkness of his bedchamber.

Through the lens of Merlin and Arthur, we are told stories which span millennia — from Ancient Greece to the Steampunk future of American Reconstruction in the 1870s. Though separated by vast amounts of time, these tales nonetheless feel connected, as if they are trying to speak to one another across the years. Merlin and Arthur begin to listen to these hints and whispers, even going so far as to act upon the knowledge they have gleaned. But will this discovered knowledge help them as they live out their own tale, or will it bring even the legend of King Arthur crashing down?

Well, when I am a bit down, need a pick-me-up, or just want to relax into my own true soul, I watch “Moonstruck.” The movie. So, I asked myself, “What are the blessings for me of the story?” Here are the blessings I receive:

• the blessing of family members being secure in their mutual love and acceptance even when they don’t understand one another or accept one another’s actions
• the blessing of everyone knowing they are a part of their community
• the blessing of knowing that life goes on, regardless
• the blessing of knowing that love is always just around the corner
• the knowledge that everything can shift in the blink of an eye
• knowing the importance of the moon
• the blessing that old folks are welcome to live with their families as long as they need or want
• experiencing that romance doesn’t end with youth, and finally,
• that for every line written, there is an actor who can embody it perfectly!

To what story do you turn again and again for nurture? What blessings does it impart?

Okay, I know he’s my son, but The Unshorn Thread is one of the best books I’ve ever read! Truly. Having worked with Colin as his editor for just about 4 years, I have just completed the final stage of rereading the whole book for anything we’ve missed. For example, when writing the post-Civil-War dialogue has Colin spelled is that as i’zat; he had as he’da; could’a, should’a, and would’a the same way each time? Picky things. I’m also looking to see that everything is perfectly clear. There’s not much to catch. This book is extraordinarily well-written!

On September 20th, I’m heading off to Orange, CA, for a bunch of reasons, the original one to very sadly attend the memorial service for Marvin Meyer, a dear man, a fabulous professor, a renowned Biblical scholar, and my primary resource for my play, Discovery: The Lost Gospel of Judas. It just so happens that Chapman University is also, the same weekend, hosting The Big Orange Book Festival (BOB), at which I have the opportunity to present Colin’s novel to the public. When I get the schedule, I’ll post when I’ll be speaking about the trilogy and Colin’s Kickstarter campaign and I’ll be reading excerpts from The Unshorn Thread. If you are in Orange, please come!

The Audience and Critics Respond to Fred and Mary’s World Premiere…

The reviews are coming in and they are lovely! Here’s one from Kathy Weir who traveled from Tucson to Prescott to see the play: “Since Fred and Mary never met in their lifetimes, we weren’t sure how their story would be told. Micki Shelton created an incredible play to bring the two together. As you listen to Mary Colter’s dialog you can actually see and feel her vision for the buildings she created. It was my husband’s first play and he loved it. When we left the Elk Theater we were ready to head to the Grand Canyon to revisit the story of Mary Colter.”

They are also fair and balanced. Theatre Critic, Kerry Lengel, came up from Phoenix to see the show. Here are a few excerpts from his review. “In the John Wayne view of history, the West was won by steely-eyed heroes who faced down outlaws and “Injuns” and made the frontier safe for civilization. A rather different vision is expounded in “Fred and Mary: An Unconventional Romance,” a new historical drama by Arizona playwright Micki Shelton. It premiered Saturday, July 7, at the newly renovated Elks Opera House in Prescott….History says the two never met, but in this play they do, because, as narrator “Old Mary” (Gail Mangham) puts it, “I’ve always invented histories for my buildings, so why not tell my story however I want?”…Channeling a 30-something Katharine Hepburn, Cecily Overman creates a compelling portrait of Mary as an indomitable woman with an acerbic wit who more than held her own in an era ruled by men. Under the direction of Kate Hawkes, the actress gets strong support from Colin McFadden and Ben Gorman as company men Ford F. Harvey and J.F. Huckel, as well as from Andréa Morales as Minnie Huckel, Fred Harvey’s daughter and Mary’s ally in the good-natured battle of the sexes that plays out charmingly, though somewhat repetitively, throughout the play’s two acts.”
Read the whole review at: http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/stage/articles/20120709fred-mary-review-elks-opera-house-prescott.html#ixzz20WDGxrAc

Late June Progress

It’s been a busy week as cast and crew gear up for Preview Night on July 6th (That’s this Friday folks!!) and Opening Night on July 7th. Here’s what we’ve  been doing:

♦ On Saturday, June 23rd, four cast members and I went up to Grand Canyon to see Mary Colter’s buildings, including the 3rd floor of Hopi House, which is not open to the public, and then over to Cameron for Navajo Tacos.

♦ Our first costume fitting with the cast went smoothly on Monday, June 25th. Thank you, Martha Clarke and Arizona Broadway Theatre!

♦ We have now moved rehearsals from our rehearsal space to the stage of The Elks Opera House. Thank you Colette!

♦ Barry Barbe paid for another 2,500 bookmarks this week, and Margo Christiansen took handfuls down to Phoenix, including to the clubhouse at Sun City. Thank you Barry and Margo!

♦ Because Spring Hill Suites is full for some of the nights during the show, Residence Inn is now offering a 10% discount. Just ask for the “Fred and Mary” discount when making your reservation.

♦ Kerry Lengel, the theatre critic for the Arizona Republic, is coming up to see the show Opening Night! Thank you Kerry!

♦ Early this week, we pulled in just over $600 in ads and donations. Keep them coming, those of you who are able. $25 or $500 will help us to meet all our financial obligations. Thank you to Spring Hill Suites, especially, for their donation!

♦ Karen Despain is working on an article about the show that will come out in The Daily Courier before the show opens. We are also on page 54 of the July AAA magazine in the Calendar of Arizona Events, as well as on the cover of Frontier Gazette! Thank you Karen and Elisabeth!

♦ Matt Lehrman featured us on Channel 3/Phoenix, offering a glowing report about Fred and Mary, along with an invitation to drive up from the Valley for the show! Thank you Matt, Jennifer, and all!

♦ Both Tom Agostino and Barry Barbe interviewed me for their KJZZ radio network programs, both airing June 30th!  Thank you, Tom and Barry!

♦ Finally, on Friday, June 29th, several members of the cast (Mary, the Harvey family, and our two Santa Fe RR officials) drove to Flagstaff and performed a short preview of the play outdoors at Heritage Square. Afterwards, Flag’s own “The Pizza Guy” restaurant provided the cast members with much-needed (not to mention, delicious) sustenance. Thank you Mike!

♦ And now, this just in: the set is loaded and assembled, and the spiral staircase is in place! Thank you David, Michael, Rick, Brenden, Ben, Jessica, Becca, and Kate!

Get your tickets now at: www.elksoperahouse.com.

Early June Thoughts

This week, I am rereading books the I used as part of my research for Fred and Mary and once again watching the two wonderful videos about Mary Jane Colter and her work with the company founded by Fred Harvey–partly in preparation for writing three new monologues for “Old Mary” for Act II of the play. As I engage in my studies of her life and reflect on my many visits to Grand Canyon, I am thinking: Imagine going to the South Rim and not seeing any Mary Colter buildings because they aren’t there–not the Lookout Studio, not the Watchtower, not even El Tovar, a Fred Harvey building designed by Charles F. Whittlesey. Imagine only seeing Thunderbird Lodge, Maswik, Shrine of the Ages, and even the stunning new Visitor Center at Mather Point. How would your experience be different? And then ask yourself about the legacy of the Fred Harvey company and of those in the late 19th and early 20th centuries’ Arts and Craft Movement who initiated the style that came to be known as National Park Rustic. I believe Fred Harvey, Mary Jane Colter, and the whole Harvey company have given us an incredible gift.

A May Update…

July 7^th, Opening Night, is only 40 days away, and we have been active! Here’s what’s been happening for the past month, as we prepare for the World Premiere of Fred and Mary.

Cast

• Hopefully, you noticed the announcement of our cast a week or so ago. If you missed it, click on Meet the Cast to see the fabulous cast we have assembled.

• One final cast member rounds out our cast. Toney Largo, who is creating an original native dance for the show, joined the cast just this week. We will post his headshot and bio on as soon as it becomes available.

Your Chance to Meet these Fabulous Actors!

Thanks to Julie Gorman, you will soon have a chance to meet the cast in person in the place where it all began!!! In June of 2008, an early cast presented the first public reading of Fred and Mary to an overflow audience of 75+ at Wild Iris Coffeehouse in downtown Prescott. We are now coming full circle. On Friday Night, June 15^th, from 5 to 8 pm, Wild Iris is hosting a gathering at which you may meet the AZ Centennial cast, a few of whom were in that initial reading four years ago. A silent auction will feature beautiful art objects, including handmade pottery by David Hutchens, a Paulo Soleri Windbell, three Navajo necklaces from Canyon de Chelly, artwork by Filmer Kewanyama, a native flute by Michael Goodluck, and more! No charge to attend. Please come and support the production by bidding on these amazing treasures, all created by Arizona artists! (And please thank Julie by ordering a coffee, tea, or yummy goody to enjoy as you chat with cast members.) http://www.wildiriscoffee.com/Site/Wild_Iris_Coffeehouse.html

Design Elements Set

Two major aspects of any staged production are the costumes and the set.

We are so very lucky to have the support and expertise of some pretty cool theatre folk on these.

• The costume connect goes way back to when our Director Kate Hawkes first moved to the USA and began directing at Linfield College in Oregon. There, she met undergraduate Martha J. Clarke. More than 20 years later, Kate moves to AZ and Lo and Behold! Martha is the founding and current costumer of the amazing Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria. Martha and ABT are making a generous part in-kind contribution to costuming this show. Martha will travel up to Prescott several times to ensure that we have the right costumes, the right fits, and then be here to get the play into Tech week and opening. This is made possible by the generous financial contribution of our newly dubbed ‘Costume Angel’ Marilyn J. Henze.

• The set while open, simple, and expansive in many ways, includes a series of platforms, curves, and a spiral staircase with an oval platform on top. Local Artist Rick Hartner is donating time, materials, and talent to create the combination of the spiral case and platform (from which Old Mary will recount and survey her story). The staircase will be brought in, in sections, and reassembled inside the Elks Opera House a week before we open.

• Meanwhile, Phoenix area Set & Costume Designer/Builder/Technician Dave Castellano, who has a connection with the Opera House from the past, will build and load-in the raked staging with (coverable) center circle, regular flat platforming, and 2 rolling platforms. These will become the property of the Elks Opera House Foundation and be available for future productions in a variety of possible figurations on the EOH stage.

• Watch for updates on the lighting, sound, and projection!

Your Chance to Learn About the Play’s Development

Are you planning to attend the Phippen Museum’s 38th Annual Western Art Show and Sale on Monday, May 28^th of Memorial Day Weekend? Stop in at ‘Tis Art Gallery at noon; go up to the third floor, and you will hear Micki and Kate tell you all about the play—its key figures, themes, development, and production design. You’ll even get to hear three of the actors read small parts of the script. Don’t know where ‘Tis is? Here you go: http://www.tisartgallery.com/ Then, hang out and hear cast member Fil Kewanyama’s lecture, “The Hopi Way.” Fil’s lecture begins at 2pm.

Financials

• As I write this, we have nearly $16,000 in the bank, and we have no outstanding bills.

• Four generous donors have decided to “Join the Journey to Opening Night” by donating $230 to help us get closer to our fundraising goal. Check out what they get to do (and consider joining them!) by clicking on Join the Journey.

• We need about $15,000 more to be sure that we can pay all these fabulous people. To read about other ways you can help (and see the rewards you will get) see: Supporting Fred and Mary.

 Most Important

• Buy your tickets now while you can still get primo seats! Excellent seats are available for all performances at The Elks Opera House http://www.elksoperahouse.com/ Opening Night: July 7, 2012 with a meet and greet the cast after the show. Preview Night: July 6th, plus evening or matinee performances July 8, 13, 14, and 15.

• And don’t forget: Let your out-of-town friends know that Springhill Suites offers a 10% discount to folks coming to Prescott for the show. Just tell your friends to ask for the “Fred and Mary discount.”

We are still fundraising. If you can help, again or for the first time, please make your check out to:
“The Elks Opera House Foundation/Fred & Mary” and mail it to:
The Elks Opera House Foundation/Fred & Mary
P.O. Box 3692, Prescott, Arizona 86302

 Sincerely,

Kate Hawkes and Micki Shelton
(and Fred and Mary)

GINA D’ALESSANDRO

Gina is 14 years old and was born and grew up in Prescott, AZ. She got involved in acting when she was 5 years old with her first role as a flower in a production with the Missoula Children’s Theatre, and has been acting ever since. In her spare time she rides horses and plays softball.

BEN GORMAN (JF Huckel)

Ben Gorman, actor, director, and designer, happily returns to Prescott having last performed here in Arizona Classical Theatre’s 2006 production of Julius Caesar as Cassius. Other roles performed in AZ include Rick Steadman (The Nerd), Charlie Baker (The Foreigner), and Rosencrantz (Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead). Ben has called Columbus, Ohio, home since 2008, where he has worked with several theatre companies, playing Hamlet, Torvald Helmer in A Doll’s House, Tobias in A Delicate Balance, John Worthing in The Importance of Being Earnest, Antonio in The Tempest, Buckingham and Brakenbury in Richard III, Dr. Miller in Inventing van Gogh, and, most recently, Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps with CATCO/Phoenix. Ben directed the premiere of his adaptation of A Christmas Carol last year. Ben is a poet, advocate of sustainable living systems, and loves a good basil pesto.

BILL HAAS (Nickerson)

Following ten years involvement in theater in the Grand Junction, Colorado area, Bill jumped right into the local theater scene when he moved here in 2005.  Most recently, he has appeared in Pajama Game, The Elephant Man, The Heidi Chronicles, The 1940’s Radio Hour and Inherit the Wind. Bill is delighted to be part of this terrific original production and a member of such a great cast.

FILMER (FIL) YOIMASA KEWANYAMA (Fred Kabotie)

Fil is a Native American of the Hopi tribe and grew up on the Hopi Reservation. During high school, along with all the other kids, he was sent to a boarding school in Riverside, California. Upon retiring after 21 years from the Army at the rank of Master Sergeant in 1997, Fil attended Yavapai College receiving an AAS degree in Graphic Design. As an intern, he managed the Yavapai College Art Gallery for two years. Fil is a member of and on the board of Mountain Artist’s Guild. He is also on the Board of ‘Tis Art Gallery and the Board of Trustees of the Smoki Museum. He is also very active in Veterans Affairs related activities. Fil was first involved with Fred and Mary in earlier readings and is pleased to be a part of the premier production on the Elks Stage. Fil has a direct connection to the character Fred Kabotie since he and Fred Kabotie are from the same village on Second Mesa. Fil and his father knew the artist personally and worked with him at the Hopi Cooperative Guild.

ZACK LAREZ (Fred Kabotie)

Zack trained at the Zaki Gordon Institute in Sedona and is an eligible member of the Screen Actors Guild. He made his stage debut as lead in the PCA production of Beau Jest and recently appeared as ‘Todd the mechanic’ in Sedona: The Motion Picture. Having moved to Prescott three years ago from Orlando, Florida, he intends to relocate to Los Angeles to continue his film career. Zack enjoys reading, drawing, martial arts, and is of partial Native American ancestry.

TONEY LARGO (Dancer)

Toney Largo is a member of the Navajo-Dineh tribe, a father, grandfather, and married 20 years to Jan Little. A Vietnam-era veteran, he served with the 82nd Airborne Div., Fort Bragg, N.C. He worked for 20 years with the Tuba City Indian Health Service and since retiring to Prescott 4 years ago is a member of the Northern Arizona All Airborne Chapter Prescott Valley, current President of the Granite Creek Gourd Society, and VP of the Prescott Pow-Wow Committee. He dances in the Southern straight style of the Plains Indigenous People.

GAIL MANGHAM (Old Mary)

Gail is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Artist’s Path and holds a Master of Fine Arts in Drama. She is delighted to see Fred and Mary take wings and soar forth from the creative mind of playwright Micki Shelton, urged upward by the inspired direction of Kate Hawkes. “What fun to join my colleagues in the sand box of creative play, and I’m counting on Mary Elisabeth Jane Colter to hold her own in any dust ups, 80 something notwithstanding.” Watch for Red Hot Patriot featuring Gail as Molly Ivins, the kick-ass journalist who dared to challenge the movers and shakers of Texas politics–coming to Prescott in April 2013. President George W. Bush upon hearing of her death in 2007 said, “She was a Texas original.”

COLIN MCFADDEN (Ford Harvey)

Colin is delighted to reprise the role of Ford Harvey, which he previously performed during Fred and Mary’s Arizona staged reading tour. Some of his other stage credits include: Joey in The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Actors Theatre, Phoenix), The Man in Eris, Officer O’Hara in Arsenic and Old Lace, Garth in Cheap Food and Sex, and Bergamin in The Romancers. Colin is a proud graduate of Chapman University’s College of Performing Arts and currently lives in Astoria, New York where he is writing the first novel of a proposed trilogy.

ANDREA MORALES (Minnie Huckel nee Harvey)

Andréa is delighted to be a part of this project! She is originally from Arizona, and currently resides between Phoenix and Chicago, Illinois. Recent credits include Childsplay’s World Premiere Production of The Sun Serpent, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot and The Sparrow with Stray Cat Theatre, Naked Eye and The Blue Room with Nearly Naked Theatre, Assassination Games with Chicago Dramatists and Not Your Generic Latina with Teatro Luna. Andréa was recently named “Best Actor” in the Arizona Republic & azcentral.com’s 2012 “Best Of” edition. Mucho amor to my wonderful family and friends for the love and encouragement!

CECILY OVERMAN (Mary)
Cecily is thrilled to be a part of this production of Fred and Mary. She is a recent transplant to the Southwest from the Pacific Northwest where she was very active in the theatre scene for over 10 years. Some of Cecily’s favorite roles include: Witch #1/Porter in Macbeth, Lilith in Love Song for J. Robert Oppenheimer, Aunt Spiker in James and the Giant Peach, and Psyche in Cupid and Psyche. Cecily holds a bachelor’s degree from Whitman College in both psychology and theatre. She is passionate about the use of theatre for transformational change.

DINO PALAZZI (Morse / Byron Harvey)

Dino has been involved in the performing arts since childhood, with professional credits ranging from musical theater and opera to television, film, and voiceover. Memorable roles include The Mikado, South Pacific, Guys & Dolls, The Fantasticks, Sugar, A Chorus Line, and Little Shop of Horrors. Locally, he has had lead roles in PCA’s Sweeney Todd and Carousel. Other Prescott appearances include leading roles in the Elks Theatre production of Doubt and in The Artist’s Path production of The Guys. An avid playwright & composer, Dino has written & directed four short musicals for young audiences. Outside of theater, Dino enjoys a wide variety of creative pursuits, and is the happy, lucky father of four.

JONATHAN PERPICH (Fred Harvey)

“JP” majored in theater and film arts at UCLA. JP’s television credits include Dynasty, The Golden Girls, and the lead in Steven Cannell’s The Last Precinct. He and his beloved fiancée Beth moved to Prescott in 2003. JP played Bottom in Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sir Toby Belch in 12th Night, Brutus in Julius Caesar and directed Hamlet for Arizona Classical Theatre. Locally, JP has played Barney in The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Chief Bromden in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Michael in Backwards in High Heels, and Drummond in Inherit the Wind; he has also directed 37 Postcards and The Shadowbox. JP now works at the West Yavapai Guidance Clinic helping people in recovery as well as clients who are struggling with mental illness.

MIKE SHEPARD (Albert)

Mike Shepard is a native Prescottonian who has spent most of his life as a speaker and musical entertainer in the non-profit sector. His acting includes stints include Grand Hotel, Inspecting Carol, The Key, and the historical production, Stanton.

HERB VOSS (Schweizer)

Herb Voss is a lifelong theatre artist and teacher. He is pleased to appear on the Elk’s stage, especially when helping to bring an original play into production. Herb also serves as Technical Advisor for this world premiere production.

We hope you’ll be a part of this celebration.

“Even if you’ve known Mary Colter only by her buildings, it was obvious there was a unique person and creative vision behind them. This play brings Colter alive, her personality, her vision, her struggles. And it turns our that Fred Harvey, who is often merely a face on a shopping bag, also has an interesting story behind him.”
~ Don Lago, Grand Canyon Historian
[read more]

Sparkling with fire and wit, Micki Shelton’s play re-imagines the relationship between ground-breaking architect Mary Jane Colter and pioneering hotelier Fred Harvey who has been credited with “civilizing” the West. Straddling the border between historical and alternate realities, their story is interwoven with the beauty and culture of the indigenous people of the Southwest. [read more]

When: July 7, 13, & 14, 2012 at 7:30 p.m., July 8 & 15, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.

Where: The Elks Opera House, 117 E. Gurley Street, Prescott, AZ.

 Buy tickets online by clicking here or by calling our the Elks Opera House Box Office at 928.777.1370  Tuesday – Friday from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Buy tickets for the PREVIEW on July 6th by clicking here.

Meet the Arizona Centennial cast of Fred and Mary here.

For further information contact Production Manager/Director, Kate Hawkes at: kate or by calling 503-351-3331.

Supporting the Full Stage Production

The premier production of Fred and Mary, produced by the Elks Opera House Foundation with the Elks Opera House will take place on the Elks Opera House stage as a part of Arizona’s Centennial Celebration in July 2012. Director Kate Hawkes will be holding auditions in January, 2012.

Already proven an audience pleaser through stage readings throughout northern Arizona, Fred and Mary transports Arizonans back in time to our state’s pioneering past. Elks Opera House audiences will encounter some of the historic figures who made Arizona what it is today.

A production like this requires significant community support — yours!

When you become a Fred and Mary Centennial Contributor, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have helped support the 2012 Arizona Centennial Celebration. In addition, you will receive well-deserved recognition.* You may choose from the following circles of support. OR Click here to Join the Journey to Opening, a special opportunity offered to only 20 people.

Click here to view our circles of support!

Okay, I know he’s my son, but The Unshorn Thread is one of the best books I’ve ever read! Truly. Having worked with Colin as his editor for just about 4 years, I am now in the final stage of rereading the whole book for anything we’ve missed. For example, when writing the post-Civil-War dialogue has Colin spelled is that as i’zat, he had as he’da, could’a, should’a, and would’a the same way each time? Picky things. I’m also looking to see that everything is perfectly clear. There’s not much to catch. This book is extraordinarily well-written! More later! Gotta run…

Reading. Editing. Sometimes, they are one and the same for me. Or sometimes, I do them in tandem. This summer, I’m rereading The Fellowship of the Ring, as fodder and inspiration for editing The Unshorn Thread, Book One in the Tales Misforgotten Trilogy by none other than my son, Colin P. Druce-McFadden. But, as I’m editing, I’m of course also reading it, or rather re-reading it.

Okay, I know he’s my son, but The Unshorn Thread is one of the best books I’ve ever read! Truly. Having worked with Colin as his editor for just about 4 years, I have just completed the final stage of rereading the whole book for anything we’ve missed. For example, when writing the post-Civil-War dialogue has Colin spelled is that as i’zat; he had as he’da; could’a, should’a, and would’a the same way each time? Picky things. I’m also looking to see that everything is perfectly clear. There’s not much to catch. This book is extraordinarily well-written!

On September 20th, I’m heading off to Orange, CA, for a bunch of reasons, the original one to very sadly attend the memorial service for Marvin Meyer, a dear man, a fabulous professor, a renowned Biblical scholar, and my primary resource for my play, Discovery: The Lost Gospel of Judas. It just so happens that Chapman University is also, the same weekend, hosting The Big Orange Book Festival (BOB), at which I have the opportunity to present Colin’s novel to the public. When I get the schedule, I’ll post when I’ll be speaking about the trilogy and Colin’s Kickstarter campaign and I’ll be reading excerpts from The Unshorn Thread. If you are in Orange, please come!

The Audience and Critics Respond to Fred and Mary’s World Premiere…

The reviews are coming in and they are lovely! Here’s one from Kathy Weir who traveled from Tucson to Prescott to see the play: “Since Fred and Mary never met in their lifetimes, we weren’t sure how their story would be told. Micki Shelton created an incredible play to bring the two together. As you listen to Mary Colter’s dialog you can actually see and feel her vision for the buildings she created. It was my husband’s first play and he loved it. When we left the Elk Theater we were ready to head to the Grand Canyon to revisit the story of Mary Colter.”

They are also fair and balanced. Theatre Critic, Kerry Lengel, came up from Phoenix to see the show. Here are a few excerpts from his review. “In the John Wayne view of history, the West was won by steely-eyed heroes who faced down outlaws and “Injuns” and made the frontier safe for civilization. A rather different vision is expounded in “Fred and Mary: An Unconventional Romance,” a new historical drama by Arizona playwright Micki Shelton. It premiered Saturday, July 7, at the newly renovated Elks Opera House in Prescott….History says the two never met, but in this play they do, because, as narrator “Old Mary” (Gail Mangham) puts it, “I’ve always invented histories for my buildings, so why not tell my story however I want?”…Channeling a 30-something Katharine Hepburn, Cecily Overman creates a compelling portrait of Mary as an indomitable woman with an acerbic wit who more than held her own in an era ruled by men. Under the direction of Kate Hawkes, the actress gets strong support from Colin McFadden and Ben Gorman as company men Ford F. Harvey and J.F. Huckel, as well as from Andréa Morales as Minnie Huckel, Fred Harvey’s daughter and Mary’s ally in the good-natured battle of the sexes that plays out charmingly, though somewhat repetitively, throughout the play’s two acts.”
Read the whole review at: http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/stage/articles/20120709fred-mary-review-elks-opera-house-prescott.html#ixzz20WDGxrAc

Late June Progress

Minnie (Andrea Morales) tries to convince husband JF Huckel (Ben Gorman) and brother Ford Harvey (Colin McFadden) to hire Mary Colter.

It’s been a busy week as cast and crew gear up for Preview Night on July 6th (That’s this Friday folks!!) and Opening Night on July 7th. Here’s what we’ve  been doing:

♦ On Saturday, June 23rd, four cast members and I went up to Grand Canyon to see Mary Colter’s buildings, including the 3rd floor of Hopi House, which is not open to the public, and then over to Cameron for Navajo Tacos.

♦ Our first costume fitting with the cast went smoothly on Monday, June 25th. Thank you, Martha Clarke and Arizona Broadway Theatre!

♦ We have now moved rehearsals from our rehearsal space to the stage of The Elks Opera House. Thank you Colette!

♦ Barry Barbe paid for another 2,500 bookmarks this week, and Margo Christiansen took handfuls down to Phoenix, including to the clubhouse at Sun City. Thank you Barry and Margo!

♦ Because Spring Hill Suites is full for some of the nights during the show, Residence Inn is now offering a 10% discount. Just ask for the “Fred and Mary” discount when making your reservation.

♦ Kerry Lengel, the theatre critic for the Arizona Republic, is coming up to see the show Opening Night! Thank you Kerry!

♦ Early this week, we pulled in just over $600 in ads and donations. Keep them coming, those of you who are able. $25 or $500 will help us to meet all our financial obligations. Thank you to Spring Hill Suites, especially, for their donation!

♦ Karen Despain is working on an article about the show that will come out in The Daily Courier before the show opens. We are also on page 54 of the July AAA magazine in the Calendar of Arizona Events, as well as on the cover of Frontier Gazette! Thank you Karen and Elisabeth!

♦ Matt Lehrman featured us on Channel 3/Phoenix, offering a glowing report about Fred and Mary, along with an invitation to drive up from the Valley for the show! Thank you Matt, Jennifer, and all!

♦ Both Tom Agostino and Barry Barbe interviewed me for their KJZZ radio network programs, both airing June 30th!  Thank you, Tom and Barry!

♦ Finally, on Friday, June 29th, several members of the cast (Mary, the Harvey family, and our two Santa Fe RR officials) drove to Flagstaff and performed a short preview of the play outdoors at Heritage Square. Afterwards, Flag’s own “The Pizza Guy” restaurant provided the cast members with much-needed (not to mention, delicious) sustenance. Thank you Mike!

♦ And now, this just in: the set is loaded and assembled, and the spiral staircase is in place! Thank you David, Michael, Rick, Brenden, Ben, Jessica, Becca, and Kate!

Get your tickets now at: www.elksoperahouse.com.

Early June Thoughts

This week, I am rereading books the I used as part of my research for Fred and Mary and once again watching the two wonderful videos about Mary Jane Colter and her work with the company founded by Fred Harvey–partly in preparation for writing three new monologues for “Old Mary” for Act II of the play. As I engage in my studies of her life and reflect on my many visits to Grand Canyon, I am thinking: Imagine going to the South Rim and not seeing any Mary Colter buildings because they aren’t there–not the Lookout Studio, not the Watchtower, not even El Tovar, a Fred Harvey building designed by Charles F. Whittlesey. Imagine only seeing Thunderbird Lodge, Maswik, Shrine of the Ages, and even the stunning new Visitor Center at Mather Point. How would your experience be different? And then ask yourself about the legacy of the Fred Harvey company and of those in the late 19th and early 20th centuries’ Arts and Craft Movement who initiated the style that came to be known as National Park Rustic. I believe Fred Harvey, Mary Jane Colter, and the whole Harvey company have given us an incredible gift.

A May Update…

July 7^th, Opening Night, is only 40 days away, and we have been active! Here’s what’s been happening for the past month, as we prepare for the World Premiere of Fred and Mary.

Cast

• Hopefully, you noticed the announcement of our cast a week or so ago. If you missed it, click on Meet the Cast to see the fabulous cast we have assembled.

• One final cast member rounds out our cast. Toney Largo, who is creating an original native dance for the show, joined the cast just this week. We will post his headshot and bio on as soon as it becomes available.

Your Chance to Meet these Fabulous Actors!

Thanks to Julie Gorman, you will soon have a chance to meet the cast in person in the place where it all began!!! In June of 2008, an early cast presented the first public reading of Fred and Mary to an overflow audience of 75+ at Wild Iris Coffeehouse in downtown Prescott. We are now coming full circle. On Friday Night, June 15^th, from 5 to 8 pm, Wild Iris is hosting a gathering at which you may meet the AZ Centennial cast, a few of whom were in that initial reading four years ago. A silent auction will feature beautiful art objects, including handmade pottery by David Hutchens, a Paulo Soleri Windbell, three Navajo necklaces from Canyon de Chelly, artwork by Filmer Kewanyama, a native flute by Michael Goodluck, and more! No charge to attend. Please come and support the production by bidding on these amazing treasures, all created by Arizona artists! (And please thank Julie by ordering a coffee, tea, or yummy goody to enjoy as you chat with cast members.) http://www.wildiriscoffee.com/Site/Wild_Iris_Coffeehouse.html

Design Elements Set

Two major aspects of any staged production are the costumes and the set.

We are so very lucky to have the support and expertise of some pretty cool theatre folk on these.

• The costume connect goes way back to when our Director Kate Hawkes first moved to the USA and began directing at Linfield College in Oregon. There, she met undergraduate Martha J. Clarke. More than 20 years later, Kate moves to AZ and Lo and Behold! Martha is the founding and current costumer of the amazing Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria. Martha and ABT are making a generous part in-kind contribution to costuming this show. Martha will travel up to Prescott several times to ensure that we have the right costumes, the right fits, and then be here to get the play into Tech week and opening. This is made possible by the generous financial contribution of our newly dubbed ‘Costume Angel’ Marilyn J. Henze.

• The set while open, simple, and expansive in many ways, includes a series of platforms, curves, and a spiral staircase with an oval platform on top. Local Artist Rick Hartner is donating time, materials, and talent to create the combination of the spiral case and platform (from which Old Mary will recount and survey her story). The staircase will be brought in, in sections, and reassembled inside the Elks Opera House a week before we open.

• Meanwhile, Phoenix area Set & Costume Designer/Builder/Technician Dave Castellano, who has a connection with the Opera House from the past, will build and load-in the raked staging with (coverable) center circle, regular flat platforming, and 2 rolling platforms. These will become the property of the Elks Opera House Foundation and be available for future productions in a variety of possible figurations on the EOH stage.

• Watch for updates on the lighting, sound, and projection!

Your Chance to Learn About the Play’s Development

Are you planning to attend the Phippen Museum’s 38th Annual Western Art Show and Sale on Monday, May 28^th of Memorial Day Weekend? Stop in at ‘Tis Art Gallery at noon; go up to the third floor, and you will hear Micki and Kate tell you all about the play—its key figures, themes, development, and production design. You’ll even get to hear three of the actors read small parts of the script. Don’t know where ‘Tis is? Here you go: http://www.tisartgallery.com/ Then, hang out and hear cast member Fil Kewanyama’s lecture, “The Hopi Way.” Fil’s lecture begins at 2pm.

Financials

• As I write this, we have nearly $16,000 in the bank, and we have no outstanding bills.

• Four generous donors have decided to “Join the Journey to Opening Night” by donating $230 to help us get closer to our fundraising goal. Check out what they get to do (and consider joining them!) by clicking on Join the Journey.

• We need about $15,000 more to be sure that we can pay all these fabulous people. To read about other ways you can help (and see the rewards you will get) see: Supporting Fred and Mary.

 Most Important

• Buy your tickets now while you can still get primo seats! Excellent seats are available for all performances at The Elks Opera House http://www.elksoperahouse.com/ Opening Night: July 7, 2012 with a meet and greet the cast after the show. Preview Night: July 6th, plus evening or matinee performances July 8, 13, 14, and 15.

• And don’t forget: Let your out-of-town friends know that Springhill Suites offers a 10% discount to folks coming to Prescott for the show. Just tell your friends to ask for the “Fred and Mary discount.”

We are still fundraising. If you can help, again or for the first time, please make your check out to:
“The Elks Opera House Foundation/Fred & Mary” and mail it to:
The Elks Opera House Foundation/Fred & Mary
P.O. Box 3692, Prescott, Arizona 86302

 Sincerely,

Kate Hawkes and Micki Shelton
(and Fred and Mary)

“Even if you’ve known Mary Colter only by her buildings, it was obvious there was a unique person and creative vision behind them. This play brings Colter alive, her personality, her vision, her struggles. And it turns our that Fred Harvey, who is often merely a face on a shopping bag, also has an interesting story behind him.”
~ Don Lago, Grand Canyon Historian

“I LOVED Fred and Mary—the play, the actors, the setting. Thanks for bringing such wonderful live theater to Winslow!”
~ Allan Affeldt, Owner, La Posada Hotel

“Playwright Micki Shelton and director Ellen Bailey worked their magic with strong talents and a great cast in Fred and Mary. The curtains of time were parted and the audience was swept into the lives of historic Fred Harvey and Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter and their friends and contemporaries—J.F. and Minnie Harvey Huckel, Herman Schweizer, Fred Kabotie, Ford and Byron Harvey, and Albert, the foreman. Delightful entertainment and a must see!”
~ Marie LaMar, Winslow Harvey Girl

“I loved the sensitivity and respect the playwright showed to the Native American culture. Well done! Brava!
~ PFAA reading, Prescott, October 5, 2008.

“After seeing the play, I couldn’t wait to go back to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim to see Mary Colter’s buildings. I had not realized their historical significance. Now I look at the South Rim completely differently.”
~ Phyllis Brzozowska, Wild Iris reading, Prescott, June 25, 2008

Supporting Fred and Mary Has Its Rewards!

 When you become a Fred and Mary Contributor, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have helped support the arts in Prescott and helped to preserve Arizona’s heritage. In addition, you will receive well-deserved recognition.* You may choose from the following circles of support:

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Production Manager Kate Hawkes at 503-351-3331. Or email her at: kate.

Make your check out to: “The Elks Opera House Foundation, Performing Arts Fund” and mail it to Micki Shelton, 1124 E. Timber Ridge Rd., Prescott, AZ, 86303.

* Contributions to support the production of Fred and Mary: An Unconventional Romance are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. If you accept one of the benefits stated above, the tax-deductible portion of your gift is your donation less the retail value of the items received. Dollar values are currently being determined and will be posted on this web page soon. (Should extraordinary and unexpected circumstances so require, we reserve the right to replace stated benefits with benefits of equal value.) All benefits must be used by December 31, 2012.