THE TAVERN Joins the Summer Repertory at The Melodrama, Runs Thru 9/19

This week The Great American Melodrama adds George M. Cohan's delightful mystery-comedy to its summer season of fun! "The Tavern," directed by Roger DeLaurier, takes place on a dark and stormy night, when a wild wind blows all sorts of oddball characters into the tavern run by Freeman (Alan Benson), his son, Zach (Jim McCaffrey) and their hired girl, Sally (Megan C.C. Walker). First to arrive is a whimsical vagabond (Chuck McLane), who delights in the theatrics of the events that unfold throughout the night, including the discovery of a woman asleep in the wood shed. She is Violet (Bree Murphy), a distraught lady with a mysterious past who has lost her way en route to the capitol to seek an audience with the Governor. Situations heat up when the Governor himself (Jim Shine) arrives, along with his daughter, Virginia (Katie Worley) and her fiancé, Tom (Andrew Beck), seeking shelter from the storm and on edge from having been robbed on the road. Suspicions abound until all is resolved with the arrival of the Sheriff (Aaron Lamb) and Stevens (Suzy Newman). One of the most popular plays written by one of America's greatest showmen, "The Tavern," offers up mystery and madcap fun!

Following the play the cast present a song, dance and comedy-filled look at the ups and downs of travel in the "Travel Time Vaudeville Revue." Directed by Eric Hoit with musical direction by Aaron Lamb, this revue takes a light-hearted look at the challenges of traveling, including planning a trip when your travel agent is Arnold Schwarzenegger, dealing with lost luggage and new airline safety rules, and the confusion that can result when you don't speak the local language. The terrific songs and hilarious sketches of this revue bring the evening to a rousing comic conclusion!

Now through Sept. 19, "The Tavern" and the "Travel Time Vaudeville Revue" alternate with the already running production of "The Crock of Gold" and "The Great Outdoors Vaudeville Revue."

At the center of "The Crock of Gold,"/ /written by Silas S. Steele, is the crock itself - a honey pot full of gold coins that is stolen from its hiding place by the despicable Simon Jennings (Jim Shine), only to be lost soon after. The crock then finds its way into the hands of Roger Acton (Chuck McLane), an honest but poor man who finds himself sorely tempted by this unexpected discovery. Will Roger heed the warnings of wife Molly and daughter Grace (Bree Murphy, Megan C.C. Walker) that possession of the crock will only bring sorrow? Will parlor maid Sarah Slack (Katie Worley) and her beau, the young fisherman Peter Perch (Jim McCaffrey), succeed in protecting Grace from Simon's villainous advances? And will the testimony of the poacher Ben Burke (Andrew Beck) be enough to save Roger when he is falsely accused of the murder of the crock's owner? Audiences will find out as they laugh, boo and cheer their way through this terrific blend of comedy and melodrama. The best and funniest parts of camping are celebrated in "The Great Outdoors Vaudeville Revue," including setting up camp, taking a nature walk, and telling scary stories around the campfire. Audiences won't want to miss the ‘behind the scenes' look at how forest animals really behave when the humans are not around! Written by Suzy Newman and JorDan Richardson, the revue is directed by Newman, with musical direction by Aaron Lamb and choreography by Michael Jenkinson and Katie Worley.

Performances at the Melodrama are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 pm, Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 4:30 and 8:30 pm, and Sundays at 6:00 pm. The Melodrama's in-house snack bar features great food and drinks served before the show and during intermissions. For more information or to make reservations, call the Melodrama Box Office at 805-489-2499. The Great
American Melodrama is located on Highway 1 in Oceano, just three miles south of Pismo Beach. The Melodrama has been providing professional family entertainment on the Central Coast since 1975. Find them online at www.americanmelodrama.com  

Photo Credit: Gary Adams

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