evergreenplayers.org

Hallelujah House

A musical by Carolyn Evans Campbell

Directed by Marta Barnard. Music directed by Kathleen Davis.

Evergreen Players presents the world premiere of a musical based on Carolyn Evans Campbell's book, "Soiled Doves of Colorado and the West." Through a collage of poems, monologues, ballads and songs we glimpse the lives of the "lusty ladies," those disreputable, yet colorful women who helped tame the West.

An abridged version of this production will be the Evergreen Players' entry to the Colorado Community Theatre Coalition Festival in Aspen, June 9-June 13.

Stories that needed to be told

Some years ago Carolyn Evans Campbell set out to write the story of a woman's experience during America's Gold Rush. Along the way, as she puts it, "I kept bumping into western prostitutes. They touched me somehow. Their lives were that of sadness and survival."

She found their stories "expressed courage, strength, caring, kindness, sometimes cleverness, individuality, entrepreneurship, and adventure. Their stories needed to be told somehow."

Many of these stories first found their way into a book of monologues and ballads Campbell wrote and published in 1998 titled Soiled Doves of Colorado and the Old West. Campbell and friends, dubbed "The Lusty Ladies," gave dramatic readings from the book. Then a Denver theatrical school performed selections and encouraged her to write a play. So, she did, and she also wrote music and lyrics. The play is "Hallelujah House."

Campbell, a Colorado native whose grandmother moved from Maine to Georgetown in 1873, grew up with a passion for western history. As a girl, she remembers the stories her father told her as they walked along what was then the edge of the prairie near their home on 26th and Holly streets in Denver. "Once we came upon a child's grave dug open by coyotes. It revealed a dead child's toys, books and clothing." Experiences like that fueled an early interest in learning and writing about history.

A teacher, poet and author, Campbell lives in Evergreen. Her book of poetry, Tattooed Woman, won the 1998 Colorado Book Award. She published her novel, Fireweed: A Woman's Saga in Gold Rush America, in 2003.

"Hallelujah House" gives us a glimpse into the lives of "parlor women" and "lowly crib girls" who live in cottages at the back of the house of ill repute by the same name. The time: the 1880s. The setting: somewhere in the Gold Rush West. The characters are composites based on historical figures such as Baby Doe Tabor, Matty Silkes and Cattle Kate.

There's Addie, "arrogant, indifferent, resigned," who falls for a customer. Madam Cora, who runs the house, is "so cruel" yet she also has a heart. Faraway is a thief. Joyful escapes to be with her lover. Angel drowns herself. We learn some of the customers' stories as well – the men who come to Hallelujah House for their own reasons. As Campbell describes them, the characters "portray the irony of human struggle: love and hate, despair and hope... selfishness and giving."

Her favorite character is Madam Cora, whom she based on South Dakota's Deadwood Sal. "She expresses the complexity of the institution and, hopefully, of the various lives woven throughout the play."

Director's Notes

It has been said that prostitution is the world's oldest profession. This show is a glimpse of that profession in the late 1890s in the wild West. Prostitution is not over in Colorado, if you doubt it, drive down east Colfax some summer evening. You'll see the crib girls of 2004. Call an escort service and meet the present day parlor girls. Watch the news and see the faces of Johns who keep the world's oldest profession still profitable. Is Heidi Fleiss a modern Madam Cora?

The "crib girls" want to move on up to the big house and work in the parlor. The "parlor girls" dream of becoming a European courtesans - they all dream of being free. They entertain each other with poetry and songs and dances. The melodies from the parlor music box drift into the back alley where the "crib girls" do laundry and other chores at Madam Cora's command.

In Carolyn Evans Campbell's book, Soiled Doves of Colorado and the Old West, she notes that one of these doves put two daughters through the University of Colorado. At times these pioneer characters conjure up spirits that they aspire to be - the rich Baby Doe, or in the case of the men, women they'd like to be with. Entrepreneurs or victims - survivors or lost souls - it is your choice. I hope you will have compassion for the soiled doves of yesterday.

Hallelujah!

Cast

Marta Barnard Director

Marta has worked at the Denver Center, the Buell, Germinal Stage, Nomads and Backstage theaters as a director, choreographer and actor. She recently directed the performance art piece Cages and a traditional adaptation of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. She choreographed Zorba the Greek in Breckenridge and last summer's Road to Nirvana, in which she appeared in the title role. She works as a guest artist at the Arvada Center and does outreach for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival.

Portia Benson Kate, Nettie, Faraway

Portia is getting her introduction to acting with her roles in Hallelujah House. She joined the Evergreen Players' cast in order to get more involved in the Evergreen community. Portia previously worked with Thunder River Theater Co. in Carbondale, Colo., where she was, for instance, assistant props mistress and on the set construction crew. Portia spends her free time hiking, reading and with friends. She currently resides in Evergreen with her husband.

Chad Branham Set Design

Chad has worked as an art director and prop master on over 16 feature films: from a greensman on Return to Lonesome Dove to a set dresser on The Ballad of Little Joe. He has a BA in Film and TV Production from Montana State University. He and Marta Barnard are MountainMagicArts.com.

Carolyn Evans Campbell Playwright

Teacher, writer, poet and artist, Caolyn has published five books of poetry, won the Colorado Book Award in 1998 and received the Top Hand Award five consecutive years from the Colorado Authors League. Fireweed, published summer 2003, received the national Hackney Literary Prize for a first novel. Carolyn has written small musicals and plays throughout her life; Hallelujah House is a return to her passion for theater. Her art appears at Evergreen's Millsap-Moore Gallery.

L.G. 'Gus' Chambers Guitarist

Gus has been playing music on and just off stage with the Evergreen Players since their 1982 collaboration with the Morrison Opera Company for Man of LaMancha. Since then he's also played for Oliver, Bye Bye Birdie, L'il Abner, Mame, Funny Girl, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and onstage as Johnny Casino in Grease. Last year he learned the entire score to play drums for a single performance of My Fair Lady.

Kristin Fuhrmann Clark Belle, Pancake Fan, Wife

Kristin is thrilled to be making her Evergreen Players debut. Thanks to workshop director Peter Hughes for his brilliance and for making her part of this amazing production. She was most recently seen as Pink Lady "Marty' in Grease at Longmont Theatre and continues to be a member of the traveling cast of Until Someone Wakes Up, which educates students and the general public about sexual assault and prevention. In the more distant past, she performed in numerous small productions in the Chicago area.

Kathleen Davis Music Director

Kathleen Davis is a writer and musician who has lived in Evergreen for 37 years. She and husband John have done every job known to theater, and her years acting and directing were rewarded with the Distinguished Merit Medal of the Colorado Community Theatre Coalition. For this production, she has worked with the playwright extensively, writing the notation and harmonies.

Amy Dinyse Sally, Sadie

Amy is excited about her first appearance with Evergreen Players. She is a Colorado native, returning to the state after spending most of her life in Oklahoma. She studied music at University of Oklahoma and the University of Colorado; and she holds a Master's in Humanities/Women's Studies from California State University. Since returning to Colorado, she divides her time between working as a youth counselor, studying to become a nurse, performing locally as a singer-songwriter, jazz vocalist and actress, and spending time with her two dogs and cockatiel. Recent roles include Moll in The Cradle Will Rock in Denver, Mary Jean Brodie in Scot-Free at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and multiple roles with Denver's 3 Story Stage ensemble. Amy would like to thank her amazing partner, Todd Grube, for all his encouragement and support.

Din Golden Molly, Moon

Din is excited to perform in this "world premiere" of Hallelujah House by local author Carolyn Campbell. Din was last seen in Evergreen Players' award-winning production of The Trip to Bountiful at the annual Colorado Community Theatre Coalition festival where she also won the Acting Competition. You may also remember her in Sorry, the Bridge is Out, Working, All in the Timing and Judevine. Din won Best Actress at American Association of Community Theatre's regional festival for her performance as Dawn in All in the Timing. When not on stage, Din works for Friendship Bridge in Evergreen. Din wants to thank her husband David and sons Isaac and Wyatt for their support and understanding.

Michelle Grimes Addie, First Wife

The Evergreen Players are a special group to Michelle. She's performed in Crimes of the Heart and Lost in Yonkers recently. This is her third show with the group, and she's honored to be working on a brand new project that will be taken to competition. Michelle currently teaches children's theater and is directing two other shows. At this time, she's working on completing her Master's in Arts in Education. She thanks all who support live theater. Enjoy the show!

Terry Herron Mr Jinks, Actor, First Customer, Willy

Terry is enjoying his first production with the Evergreen Players. He has acted and directed for several Denver area companies, including Main Street Players, the Denver Victorian and Community Artists. Favorite roles include John Adams in 1776, Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady and Harold Hill in The Music Man. Having performed five seasons of melodrama in Cripple Creek, Terry is well acquainted with the Old Homestead and the story of Madame Pearl DeVere.

Kiwi Manobla Cuddles

Kiwi Manobla is only one and a half years old and is excited to be making her debut with the Evergreen Players. When not on stage, Kiwi enjoys a good bone, treats, digging holes under fences, BBQs, and long walks on the beach. Like all Hallelujah House women, Kiwi is looking for a good husband and hopes to be raising a family within the next year.

Carol Meredith Madame Cora, Baby Doe

Carol is a third-generation Denver native whose first performance came at the age of 8. Although she "retired" from the theatre in 1981 to raise sons Ryan and Alex, Carol has since played Freddie in The Club, Frinta/Christine in Heavens! A Nude Beach and Ann in Judevine (the latter two for Evergreen Players). Favorite roles include Desiree Armfeldt in A Little Night Music, Mona Kent in Dames At Sea, Lily Bull-Domingo in Ferril Etc. and Joann in Company.

John Meredith Blue, Rough Man, Gold Miner

John retired from "show bidness" in 1983 following an 18-year career as an actor-singer-dancer-designer-Producer-director in Colorado and California. Among the 112 productions on which he worked, John lists Victor Prynne in Private Lives, Fredrik Egerman in A Little Night Music, King Henry II in A Lion In Winter, El Gallo in The Fantasticks, Milo Tindle in Sleuth and Admiral Sir Joseph Porter in H. M. S. Pinafore among his favorite roles.

Stephanie Ann Schmidt Angel, Lily, Prostitute

Stephanie is excited to return to the stage after a year and a half hiatus. A Colorado native, she holds a BA in Theatre from the University of Colorado and is thrilled to be performing such a beautifully written piece for the very first time. Stephanie happily spends her days being a full-time mommy to her beautiful son, Caleb. Past roles include Lepidus in Julius Caesar and Mrs. Zero in The Adding Machine.

Emily Faith Smith Joyful, Indian, Elsie

Emily is very excited to be performing with Evergreen Players for the first time. She was most recently seen as an ensemble member in Damn Yankees and as Bet in Oliver with Performance Now Theatre Co. at Lakewood Cultural Center. During the day Emily works for American Family Insurance. She also works with the wonderful youth at Mississippi Ave. Baptist Church. Emily would like to thank her family and friends for all their love, support and encouragement. Emily would also like to say congratulations to her brother Donnie and his fiancé Julie. Best wishes for a wonderful future together!

Donna Worley Rosita, Eilley Orrum, Pancake Fan's Mother

Donna has appeared in numerous productions, many with Evergreen Players. Recent credits include Mrs. Krebs in Inherit the Wind and Aida in Over the River and Through the Woods. She recently was seen as Crystal in Evergreen Chorale's Little Shop of Horrors. She thanks her Lord for her second chance to learn.

Production Crew

Images from Hallelujah House

Photography by Ellen Nelson and other volunteers.

Molly (Din Manobla) watches as Madame Cora (Carol Meredith) greets Mr Jinks (Terry Herron); "Maybe you'd like to play a game of cards with Big Thigh Thelma. She likes little men"

Sally (Amy Dinyse), Molly (Din Manobla) and Joyful (Emily Smith) comfort Angel (Stephanie Schmidt); "You'll fly away... where the winter bird sings"

Lily (Stephanie Schmidt) and Indian (Emily Smith); "Charlie is a beau of mine. He loves me, you know"

Madame Cora (Carol Meredith) interviews Faraway (Portia Benson); "You don't have no dog, do you? I keep smellin' a wet dog around here"

Wives (Kristin Fuhrmann Clark and Michelle Grimes) take tea with Eilley Orrum (Donna Worley); "It looks like you are going to run off with an old man, very rich... with gout and consumption... or is it constipation"

Sally (Amy Dinyse) and Molly (Din Manobla) compare dresses; "It's a good thing we don't move in the same circles"

Marta Barnard directing a rehearsal.