Susan Barr
Kern Valley Sun

Last Saturday evening’s performance of “The Masked Canary,” Sierra Performing Arts’ (SPA) latest theatrical offering, was held at Kernville Elementary School and to no one’s surprise, it drew a packed house. Extra seating was hurriedly put out to accommodate the large crowd. The SPA melodrama always coincides with the annual Whiskey Flat Days celebration and as such, the performers have the added benefit of playing to an audience already eager and well-primed for anything to do with the Old West.

This year’s production, written by well known melodrama playwright, Tim Kelly, saw many familiar faces returning to the Kernville stage, along with some enthusiastic newcomers. The cast of comical characters find themselves in the rough-and-ready mining town of Whiskey Flat in the 1880s. As they make their way through the inevitable intrigues and the ensuing mayhem, a bevy of strong-minded and strong-willed ladies interact with predictable outcomes. Amanda Goodsort, played cleverly by Jessi Campbell, shined as the town’s dignified leading lady hiding a scandalous secret beneath her respectable exterior. Goodsort’s delightful French maid, Fifi was played charmingly by Sandy Hughes, who possessed many redeeming qualities, the least of which was “Ooh! La! Lah!” Flora Cortland, the town meddling know-it-all, was played skillfully by Valerie Cassity and last but not least, the lovely and calculating Peachy Jam, was played by Allison Stutsman. Her performance as the sultry showgirl would have made even Mae West proud. Making his SPA acting debut was Tony Cassity, playing the role of the dashing young cavalry hero, Lt. Pete Bogg. And of course, no melodrama would be complete without its dastardly villain; in this case Judge Mortimer Harshly, played by veteran SPA performer Chuck Smith, who brought his heinous character to life deftly with his sinister sneer, evil chuckle and a great deal of flamboyant cape swishing and swaying.

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This particular melodrama featured some 12 catchy songs, with most entertaining being not surprisingly, “Ooh La La” performed by Hughes. Also noteworthy was the, “Don’t go on the stage” number featuring the musical talents of Cassity and the other society ladies. Finally, “I wouldn’t think of marrying you,” a humorous duet performed by Chuck Smith and Stutsman inspired non-stop chuckles from the audience.

Becky Smith, who made her debut with SPA years many ago as a child performer, joined the local group of performers again, but this time in a different capacity. She took on the combined responsibility of set production and costume design. Separately, each is no small feat, but the talented young woman delivered capably on both counts. The sets though simple, were effective in that they easily accommodated all of the energetic comings and goings that melodrama is so well known for. The costumes were colorful and creative and definitely added to each of the flamboyant characters’ personas. The only disappointment was that Smith’s acting role in this year’s offering was all too brief. Her short sojourn onto the stage was a treat to witness and definitely left the audience wanting more.

Helen Smoot, acting as co-director and instrumental musical director, contributed greatly to the success of the evening’s production. Her seemingly effortless accompaniment on the piano proved yet again, that music is one of the most essential components of the melodrama experience.

The director of this year’s production, Mary Hanawalt, said that the troupe of amateur performers have worked hard for the last several months to bring the Masked Canary to the stage. “With this year’s production, we’ve taken it up a notch. We have a great team of actors and they have a lot of experience between them,” Hanawalt said. As for the audience she added, “I believe that the community can really benefit from the humor and out and out silliness that melodramas provide, especially in trying times such as these.”

Hanawalt was right on the mark with her predictions. Saturday night’s audience was moved to laughter time and time again. Between the ooohs and aahhhs and between the boos and the hisses, they clearly had a great time. Youngsters like Jacob Patino, thoroughly enjoyed the sneaky antics of Judge Mortimer and especially appreciated the comical chase sequence when the entire cast ventured off the stage into the audience for a few hilarious moments. Barbara Twombley declared, “It was exciting and exhilarating and was well worth coming out on a cold night.” Surely, the cast of the Masked Canary couldn’t have asked for a better compliment better than that. For more information on Sierra Performing Arts and their upcoming activities, please visit their site at www.sierraarts.net.