Golden Chain Theatre in Oakhurst Presents 'A Fastidious Finagling Fiasco Fixing Fresno Flats'
If you're talking about history, you have the facts and then you have what appears on stage, screen, TV and in books. With that in mind, playwright Roger Clugston indulged in some fantastic flights of fancy when he decided to create "A Fastidious Finagling Fiasco Fixing Fresno Flats," a Golden Chain Theatre mini-melodrama celebrating the 100th anniversary of the renaming of Fresno Flats to Oakhurst.
The facts involve a stage robber, a disgraced man who high-tails it to Oregon and comes back with a wife who is sick of hearing about the Fresno Flats stage robbery story, and her sneaky way of getting the United States Post Office to change the official name of the town -- without much of the town knowing about it. That change was recorded Feb. 28, 1912.
There will be a year-long celebration of the anniversary, with events supported by the Sierra Historic Sites Association, which runs the
"It's fantastic that the community comes together like this for an occasion of such historical importance," said Mary Lou Finley, vice president of the theatre's board of directors and a co-director of the mini-melodrama.
"We are pleased to be a part of the celebration. I think everyone will enjoy the show; it's got a lot of laughs." said Ed Moore, co-director of the show.
"Fastidious Finagling" will have its first performance Feb. 28, 2012. This special showing will include dancers directed by Patti Law Poggi. The theatre is at 42130 Highway 49 in Oakhurst. Cocktails will be at 6 p.m. and the show at 7 p.m. Prices begin at $12 for general admission, with discounts for seniors, students, active military and children. For reservations and information, call (559) 683-7112.
Here's the way Clugston imagined the town's name transformation:
When Al Wahnee, Esq. (Mykael Mitchell) came into Fresno Flats, the town was pretty happy with the way things were -- including the name, which they found suitably descriptive: "
The unscrupulous Wahnee had been a partner of the Oakhurst Trust and Deed Co. in
They wanted a new town in the name of the late partner to secure matching federal funds for the township property and create a haven for criminals. Wahnee, ever the villain, plans tell the townsfolk the water is poisoned -- arsenic or uranium anyone? -- and when they leave, buy up all their property. Then, he'll circulate a rumor that there's gold in them thar flats and sell the land to new folks with gold fever. When they all go broke trying to find the gold, he'll foreclose, putting all the land back into his Oakhurst Deed and Trust, change Fresno Flats' name, and put the whole place under his thumb.
But he's not done yet. He'll buy the old folks home and kick the old folks out, open a toothpick factory run by all his crooked cronies and force the townspeople to work for pennies. He'll get rid of Sheriff Dead Wood (J.R. Romero), who, despite his name and reputation, may not be as dumb as he looks.
Not so fast, says Postmaster Sue Kell (Devin Faucettel). He's a guy with a nose for nastiness. And his pal, school teacher Mary Posa (Shanna Strange), is no slouch either, once she gets her dander up.
When it comes time to put the name change to a vote, villainy will triumph or be trampled, honesty will be celebrated or chagrined.
The performance will be repeated March 3 as a benefit for the Cadet Corps of
Upcoming shows are "Expose', Holiday Celebrities Tell All," by Bryan Starchman, May 11 through 20; "Treacherous Trepidations at Phossilwaite's Find," by Roger Clugston, June 16 through July 29; "The Shame of Tombstone," by Tim Kelly, Aug. 11 through Sept. 23; "I Can't Believe That Didn't Win a Tony," a musical revue, Oct. 6 through 21; "It Was a Dark and Stormy Night," by Tim Kelly, Nov. 3 through 18 and the annual Christmas show, Dec. 7 through 9.
Most auditions are about 30 days before each play opens (the fall musical review has a different schedule). Scripts will be available to study in the theatre's office Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., phone (559) 683-7742 during those hours for information.
Golden Chain Theatre is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, community theatre now in its 45th season. It presents melodramas as well as family-friendly plays and musical events.
Golden Chain Theatre, 42130 Highway 41 (opposite Hounds Tooth Inn sign), Oakhurst.
Shows are Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Doors open one hour before show times.
Website : www.goldenchaintheatre.org or on Facebook.
Reservation and information phone: (559) 683-7112.
Prices: adults, $12; seniors, $10; students (13-18) and active military, $8; children, $6. Season tickets (spring show, two melodramas, musical revue, fall mystery, Christmas show) start at $60 for adults. Gift certificates and group rates available. Seating is at tables of eight. The theatre's Grub Gulch Saloon is fully licensed, serving wine, beer and mixed drinks as well as soft drinks, coffee, tea, movie-theater-type snacks and free popcorn.
