2014 DURANGO MELODRAMA & VAUDEVILLE: The Dame of Durango
By Writer and Director Jenny Fitts Reynolds
June 27 – August 30, 2014
Durango, CO – New Strater Hotel Corporation is proud to present its 2014 Durango Melodrama &Vaudeville season-to be performed at the Henry Strater Theatre, June 27 – August 30 (closed Mondays). This season’s feature performance is The Dame of Durango by Director Jenny Fitts Reynolds.
SHOW SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to the humble mining town of Durango, Colorado. Our story takes place shortly after the town’s founding as we learn that the masked ‘Dame’ is not who or what she seems. Blackmail, disguise, and intrigue abound as our heroine, Miss Jenna Rossity, tries to salvage her family name and restore peace to the town but is up against the villainous Judge Lou Natick. Can our hero, Will E. Duett, save the day? And what of the young lovers, Sadie and Avery? Will they forever remain apart or thwart the evil villain and join hearts and hands in marriage? Join us for an evening of melodramatic fun and help cheer our hero so he can win the lady and save the day!
MELODRAMA HISTORY:
The Victorian Stage Melodrama featured six stock characters: the hero, the villain, the heroine, an aged parent, a sidekick, and a servant of the aged parent, all engaged in an exaggerated plot with themes of love and murder. Often the good, but not very clever, hero is tricked by a scheming villain who has eyes on the damsel in distress until fate intercedes to guarantee the triumph of good over evil. Orchestral music or song is used to accompany the action adding drama to the scenes.
VAUDEVILLE HISTORY:
Vaudeville is made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill. It originated from a variety of sources including the concert saloon, minstrelsy, dime museums, and literary burlesque. The different acts include dancers, comedians, and acrobats, to name a few. Referred to as “the heart of American show business,” vaudeville was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in North America.
SHOW TIMES AND TICKETS:
Doors open at 7:15 p.m. with shows starting at 7:45 p.m., Tuesday thru Sunday. Tickets are available online at HenryStraterTheatre.com and DurangoMelodrama.com, the Henry Strater Theatre Box Office at 970.375.7160, and Durango Welcome Center Community Concert Hall Ticket Office in Downtown Durango. Ticket prices range from $18 – $30. Dinner & A Show packages available. Families welcomed.
