Category Archives: Melodrama

“Rustler’s Revenge” Opens July 29 — with a Preview on July 28

Posted on by

As the cast enters the final week of rehearsal, the Rustlers are preparing to exact their revenge in Brush Creek’s 2023 summer melodrama, The Rustler’s Revenge, by D. Chappelle. As always, there are villains, heroes, sidekicks and heroines! Come join the fun.

Brush Creek’s production, which is directed by Brush Creek stalwart Norman Gouveia, begins its three-weekend run on July 28, although the first Friday performance (July 28 at 7 pm) will be a “pay what you will” preview.

Performances will be at 7 pm Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays, with the final performance on Sunday, August 13.

As always, reserved seat tickets are available from our two ticket-selling partners:

Tickets: $10 ($8 for children, students & seniors)

Runaway Art & Craft Studio (cash or credit)
4675 Commercial St SE (Cherry City Center) in South Salem
(503)881-3001
(Closed Mondays)

Books-N-Time (cash only)
210 N. Water, Suite B in downtown Silverton
(503)874-4311
(Variable hours at present — probably open as normal, but you may want to call first)

Both these businesses support Brush Creek by providing these services at no cost. So thank them for their support — and feel free to check out their merchandise while you’re in the store!

Check the Tickets tab above for the seating chart and other information.

Remaining tickets (at least 10) available at the door beginning 30 minutes before each performance. 

Contact Michael Wood at (503)508-3682 for more information.

Tickets for “Rustlers of Red Rock” Go on Sale March 13

Posted on by

Brush Creek Players are back — with our 2022 melodrama!

Tickets go on sale Sunday, March 13 for The Rustlers of Red Rock, written by D. Chappelle and directed by Norman Gouveia.

We are confident we will have plenty of tickets at the door (even with reduced seating, but you can get tickets in advance at Runaway Art & Craft Studio at 4675 Commercial SE in Salem (a new South Salem location for our Salem ticket-selling partner) or at   Books-N-Time at 210 N. Water in Silverton (same location — but a new owner — for our Silverton partner).

The production will open Friday, March 18 and run for three weekends, to close on Sunday, April 3. Performances begin at 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays. If you decide to buy your tickets at the door, you should plan to be there at least 15 minutes early.

Evil Villain, Innocent Heroine, and a Dashing Hero!

All is not well at the Circle D Wagons Ranch. Sweet and innocent ranch owner Blossom White, her mother Lily and faithful ranch hand Quiet Harry are working hard to keep the ranch in the black, or at least out of the red.

Unfortunately, they are plagued by rustler Black Bart Bushwacker, who has wrangled a job as their “trusted” foreman, who is hard at work with his secret partner, Scarlett Vixen.

Will no one be able to stop these villains? The White family’s ooooooonlyyyyy hope appears to be Steve Dashing. Can he save the day!

Tickets are still just $10 (and only $8 for children, students & seniors)

Contact Michael Wood at (503)508-3682 for more information or if you want to make a group ticket purchase.

Melodrama “Little Nell” runs from May 10 through May 26

Posted on by

Brush Creek Playhouse is bringing back on of our favorite melodramas — after a hiatus of nearly 14 years! Tickets on sale now!

Be sure to get your tickets for Brush Creek’s annual melodrama, “Little Nell,” written by John Nash and directed by Norman Gouveia. This is one of our favorite melodramas, but it has been quite a while since we last performed it. We are happy to have Nell and her family “grace” our stage again.

All the beloved characters are present – the large awkward, wig-wearing heroine, Little Nell; the slinky mustachioed villain, Carlton Bainbridge; and the affable, lovable, but-oh-so-slow hero, Hector Skyscraper. Revolving around the classic plot of “Marry-me-or-I’ll-foreclose,” you’ll want to cry with the heroine, hiss the villain and applaud the hero! All in great fun!

The production opens on May 10 for a three-weekend run ending May 26. Performances are at 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with 2 pm matinees on all 3 Sundays. You can purchase your reserved-seat tickets for just $10 ($8 for children, seniors 60 and over, and students) at either of our two ticket-selling partners, Books N Time on downtown Silverton’s Water Street or Runaway Art and Craft Studio on downtown Salem’s NE Commercial.

You also can purchase tickets at the door beginning 30 minutes before each performance. For group sales or questions call Michael Wood at (503)508-3682.

“Little Nell” Auditions March 25 & 26

Posted on by

BRUSH CREEK IS HOLDING OPEN AUDITIONS FOR OUR NEXT SHOW, THE SUMMER MELODRAMA!

Auditions: 6 pm, Monday, March 25 & 6 pm, Tuesday, March 26

Production will run in May

Auditions held at the playhouse, 11535 Silverton Road (Brush Creek & Silverton) No preparation necessary; we use cold readings from the script – cast requires 14 actors, including males and females of varying ages. A great opportunity for those with experience and for those hoping to give it a try!

Contact Director Norman Gouveia at (503)897-7320 for information.

 

Annual Melodrama at Brush Creek Playhouse Opens Friday, July 29

Posted on by

Love In the Cucumber Patch or The Pickled Road to Romance opens at Brush Creek Playhouse on Friday, July 29 for a three-weekend run. This lighthearted melodrama, written by Janet Carter with additional dialogue by Shannon Copeland and Sonya Heard, presents an opportunity for cast and audience alike to boo the villain, cheer the hero, and root for the heroine. Norman Gouveia brings a blend of Brush Creek veterans, experienced actors from other venues, and newcomers to the stage to his cast this year.

In Cucumber Patch, Kimberly Strong plays the lovely and innocent Purity Harthome, who joins her mother, played by Anna Koffler, in seeking to successfully harvest their crop of cucumbers and strawberries.

Unfortunately, F. Farthingay Foulweather, played with a delightfully sinister touch by Tyler Diaz, has a different plan in mind for Purity . . . and for her cucumber patch.

Can Ron Drake’s Hercules Strong save the day?

Will there be love in the cucumber patch?

Or will the road to romance be well and truly pickled?

The Cucumber Patch cast also includes Richard Stimson, Garrett Campbell, Shannon Copeland, Karyl Carlson, and Christine Stimson.

The show runs from July 29 through August 14, with evening shows at 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and a 2 pm matinee on Sundays. The playhouse is located at 11535 Silverton Road (the intersection of Silverton and Brush Creek Roads, between Salem and Silverton).

Brush Creek tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for students with ID, children under 12 and seniors 60 and over. Tickets can be purchased at the door beginning 30 minutes before each performance and are also available in advance at Brush Creek’s two ticket outlets: Books-N-Time, in downtown Silverton at 210 N. Water St. Suite B (503-874-4311), and Runaway Arts & Craft Studio, in downtown Salem at 311 NE Commercial (503-881-6270). More information is also available by contacting Michael Wood at 503-508-3682.

“Prunella” runs through August 24

Posted on by

Brush Creek’s annual summer melodrama, Prunella in the Springs, continues to serve up the wild doings at the Marquam Saloon and Gamboling House through Sunday August 24.

Performances are 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 pm on Sundays. Tickets are $10 each ($8 for seniors 60 and over, children under 12, and students with ID) and can be purchased in advance at Runaway Art & Craft Studio on Commercial Street in downtown Salem or at Books-N-Time on Water Street in downtown Silverton. They also are available at the door beginning 30 minutes before each performance.

And hey, Brush Creek now has A/C! Come check it out!

Contact Michael Wood at 503-508-3682 for more information.

Further Auditions for Melodrama “Prunella” — June 28 and 29

Posted on by

Brush Creek is casting our annual melodrama — further auditions for “Prunella of the Springs” will be held at the theater on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29. Auditions begin both days at 1 pm.

Rehearsals begin will begin Monday, July 14 and the show will open on Friday August 8 and run for three weekends (with performances Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons).

This is an original melodrama, written by Shannon Copeland and & Janet Carter. Director Norman Gouveia gives us the following “lowdown” on the show:

“Eeeevvvelll Slick Slimeball wants to get his hands on the mineral springs that belongs to Mrs Purity Goodheart & her lovely, innocent daughter, Prunella. He has a plan to turn Hubbard into the Mecca of the Mid-Willamette Valley. He has a dupe, Poindexter & a secret wife in Scarlet Bareall, the proprietress of the Marquam Saloon & Gamboling House. Helping Prunella is our hero, Chester A. Bighunk, who is loyal and kind and good. Will Slick’s plan fail? Will he get the Springs? Only the piano player, Willamette Willy, who has a secret past, knows—–or DOES he????”

Come join the fun!

 

Annual Melodrama at Brush Creek Playhouse Opens Friday, September 27

Posted on by

The  School Marm’s Inn Trouble opens at Brush Creek Playhouse on Friday, September 27 for a three-weekend run.  This lighthearted melodrama, written by D. Chappelle, presents an opportunity  for cast and audience alike to boo the villain, cheer the hero, and root for  heroine Molly Dewdrop as she seeks to make her way in the  world.

The  melodrama is the prequel to Brush Creek’s 2012 offerings, but Brush Creek  veteran director Norman Gouveia, Jr. brings several new and surprising touches  to this year’s production.

The  show runs from September 27 through October 13, with evening shows at 7 pm on  Fridays and Saturdays and a 2 pm matinee on Sundays. The playhouse is located at  11535 Silverton Road (the intersection of Silverton and Brush Creek Roads,  between Salem and Silverton).

Brush  Creek tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for students with ID, and $7 for  children under 12 and seniors 60 and over. Tickets can be purchased at the door  beginning 30 minutes before each production and are also available in advance at  Brush Creek’s two ticket outlets: Books-N-Time, in downtown Silverton at 210 N.  Water St. Suite B (503-874-4311), and Runaway Arts and Craft Studio, in downtown  Salem at 311 NE Commercial (503-881-6270). More information is also available by  contacting Michael Wood at 503-508-3682.

The  School Marm is  Brush Creek’s second-to-last show of the 2013 season, with the annual teen/young  adult show, The Time Traveler, set to  run in November.

Schoolmarm’s Inn Trouble opens September 27th

Posted on by

Performances Sept. 27 – Oct 13
Friday & Saturday evenings at 7PM
Sunday afternoon matinees at 2 PM

Into the small western town of Frittergulch comes Gentle, Young schoolmarm Molly Dewdrop. She finds herself at the Frittergulch Inn, owned and operated by lovable Betty Baxter and Betty’s brother, handsome hero Biff. All is idyllic until Molly wins the British Isles Sweepstakes. With the money, she intends to build the finest school the prairie has ever seen. She fears the sudden fortune will force her dark secret into the light. Enter, from the darkest corner of Molly’s past, the villainous Blacky LaRoach.

Will Blacky ruin Molly’s chance for happiness with Biff? Or will he destroy the dreams of the people of Frittergulch, who only desire to have the finest school in the territory? Or, will Biff be able to stop him before it’s too late? Because the “School Marm’s Inn Trouble”!!!

Cast of Characters
Molly Dewdrop                        Kassandra Perkins
Biff Baxter                               Cody Worley
Betty Baxter                             Cynthia Evans
Hyram Slugabed                      Karyl Carlson, David Stockman, & Alex Asher
Blacky LaRoach                       Alex Asher
Mysterious Persons                 Karyl Carlson & David Stockman
Telegram Man                          David Stockman

Auditions for Schoolmarm’s Inn Danger: 8/4 at 1pm and 8/5 at 6:30pm

Posted on by

BRUSH CREEK PLAYERS will be holding open auditions for the annual melodrama, Schoolmarm’s Inn Danger.

The Production runs September 27 – October 13, 2013

Directed by Norman Gouveia

Auditions will be on Sunday August 4th at 1 PM and Monday August 5th at 6:30 PM.

Into the small western town of Frittergulch comes gentle, young schoolmarm Molly Dewdrop. She finds herself at the Frittergulch Inn, owned and operated by lovable Betty Baxter and Betty’s brother, handsome hero Biff. All is idyllic until Molly wins the British Isles Sweepstakes. With the money, she intends to build the finest school the prairie has ever seen. She fears the sudden fortune will force her dark secret into the light. Enter, from the darkest corner of Molly’s past, the villainous Blacky LaRoach. Will Blacky ruin Molly’s chance for happiness with Biff? Or will he destroy the dreams of the people of Frittergulch, who only desire to have the finest school in the territory? Or will Biff be able to stop him before it’s too late? Because the “School Marm’s Inn Trouble”!!!     The cast calls for 2 women & 3 men.  Ages – women, between late teens & middle 40’s (or so), men, the same.