“There is no such thing as a young Republican”
strong>Nostalgia is better than it used to be
by Christopher Key
One of the theatrical events that has quickly become a highlight of this season is the Mount Baker Theatre Summer Repertory series. I’m apparently not the only one who thinks so, since opening night played to a nearly full house at the Walton Theatre. That hasn’t been the case for the past two seasons, so it seems the Rep is getting a rep.
Western Washington University’s Mark Kuntz conceived the project three years ago and it’s gratifying to see his creativity and determination paying off. Kuntz brings in a handful of up-and-coming actors who are working professionally, puts them through a grueling eight-day rehearsal process, and puts on three very polished productions.
Opening the season this year is Butterflies Are Free, perhaps the quintessential sixties show. Leonard Gershe wrote the script, which ran for 1128 performances on Broadway before being made into a movie. Goldie Hawn gave an iconic performance in that film as the free-spirited hippie who helps a blind man cut his overprotective mother’s apron strings. It’s always an enormous challenge for an actor to play a role that is so identified with a particular performer.
Heather Dudenbostel is more than up to the challenge. She conveys all the ditzy charm of the character, Jill Tanner, while making it thoroughly her own. She comes by her chops honestly, having graduated from WWU and then getting her Master’s in musical theatre from New York University. Her career is going to be worth following, which you can do at www.heatherdudenbostel.com.
Photo courtesy Mount Baker Theatre.
Don Baker, the blind man, is played with enormous sensitivity by Zach Harrison. A sighted actor playing a blind person is another major theatrical challenge that Harrison makes look much easier than it is. He spent two years working off-Broadway after graduating from the University of Washington and is one of eight students selected for the MFA class of 2011 at the University of California – San Diego.
Photo courtesy Mount Baker Theatre.
Gretchen Krich brings a wealth of experience to the role of the blind man’s controlling mother, unintentionally described by another character as “…a tight-assed matron from Scarsdale.” This being the theatre, and not real life, Mrs. Baker learns to let go of her son. Krich handles that transition with enough grace and style to make you believe it really happens.
As a sleazy off-off-off-Broadway director, Jake Millgard is delightfully offensive in a brief role. He is another graduate of Western’s theatre program who has played professionally in several venues. I look forward to seeing him in a larger role tomorrow night.
The Walton Theatre is a perfect venue for this show and Aaron Jackson has designed a whimsical set that takes full advantage of the space. Golden Oldies are an essential part of this show and Sound Designer Brent Davis has compiled a collection that will make you both sigh and groan. DeLisle Merrill designed the perfect costumes and Brian Healy’s lighting does what it’s supposed to do: highlight the actors without being obvious about it.
Butterflies Are Free is a stroll down memory lane for some of us and a history lesson for others. Either way, it’s a total delight and, of course, it gave us one of the most quoted phrases in American theatre that furnished my headline. If opening night is any indication, get your tickets for all three Summer Rep plays immediately. Call the MBT box office at (360) 734-6080 and see www.mountbakertheatre.com for a complete schedule. At $18 per ticket, this is one of the biggest theatrical bargains anywhere.
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