October 14, 2015 at 1:42 p.m.
Red Light Saloon production of 'Sweet Caroline' garners raves
Red Light Saloon production of 'Sweet Caroline' garners raves
By Submitted review-
"Sweet Caroline" starred the incredibly multi-talented Al Benson as Deacon, a ladies man turned preacher who lives at the Saloon and watches over his brother Whiskey Jack, the (mostly) reformed town drunk played to perfection by Jon Marsh. A train mishap allows Deacon to reconnect with Caroline Goodenough, the girl he left behind. Mary Benson gave an outstanding debut performance as Caroline.
Deacon quickly proposes, but Caroline turns him down since he cannot provide a proper home for her. In desperation, he decides to head to the Klondike, hoping to strike it rich. Equally desperate to keep Deacon in Townsend is his sister-in-law, the sassy Saloon Madam Cathouse Cate (Kathleen Marsh). Jack comes up with an idea: invite local business owners to sponsor a Church-a-Thon to raise money for a parsonage and a church.
An all-volunteer cast sang and played out the story with such amazing skill that everyone said it was the best Red Light Saloon ever: Shirley Ashbeck as silly dance hall girl LuLu; Beverly Gerndt as feisty saloon housekeeper Elvira; Lee Gerndt as her jokester husband and cook Flapjack; Cindy Jonet as Elvira's mother Hannah; Bruce Karow as railroad tycoon Charles Townsend, and Marilyn Karow as Charles's overly-generous wife MaryLynn.
Excellent in his first speaking role as a member of the RLS Troupe, Pat Lowery was cast opposite Annabel, Cate's new hooker, played with pizazz by Annette Neitzer. Bruce Resler made his debut as Bruno, a bashful saloon customer. Bruno had no lines but delighted the audience nevertheless with a humorous visit to his favorite Saloon bartender Cindy Lou, expertly portrayed by Cindy Resler. A highlight of the show was a memorable appearance by Gary (Baum) and the Gloom and Doom Girls (Shirley Ashbeck, Judi Fellows, Sandee Bodoh, Annette Neitzer, Cindy Resler, Cindy Jonet, and Kathleen Marsh).
Don Franzen enchanted the crowd once again as he sang the show's signature number, The Red Light Saloon. Gifted musicians and singers Gary Baum, Al Benson, Jerry Bodoh, Lee Gerndt, Marilyn Karow, Pat Lowery, Kris Vandervest and Scott Wycherley excelled as they starred in the wildly successful Church-a-Thon, which ended with the side-splitting comedy routine of Jon Marsh as a back-sliding Whiskey Jack. Of course, in the end Deacon gets his parsonage, his church, and his Sweet Caroline.
Jeff Mayer of Sound and Light Solutions helped make everyone look and sound superb. First-rate bartenders were Jean and Bruce Beno and Mary and Dick Fischer. Ticket sellers Barb Ouellette, Judi Fellows, Jean Fietzer and Vicky Vandervest handled their duties with superior efficiency. Special seating assistance was graciously provided by Mary Stehula.
All agreed it was another memorable afternoon/evening at the Red Light Saloon. Record proceeds of over $3,000 will be used for maintenance at the Holt & Balcom Logging Camp Museum off County Highway F in Lakewood. Next year's show, already under construction, will be entitled "Happy Endings". The last in the RLS series, it will be presented at the Townsend Town Hall on Oct. 8.
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