Players Post

December 2014
EntertainmentInspirationEducation
The Richland Players Theatre is committed to serving the MidColumbia region by
entertaining, inspiring and educating audiences and artists through the shared
experience of live theatre.

In this issue:

INSPECTING CAROL

a holiday comedy by Daniel J. Sullivan

Inspecting Carol

When Inspecting Carol by Daniel Sullivan and The Seattle Repertory Theatre
begins, The Soapbox Theater Company is rehearsing its annual production of A
Upcoming Auditions: The Christmas Carol, its cash cow. They have been doing the show every December
Sleeper
for 12 years. Last year's performance was a bit of a trial for the other actors as
without any warning the company's Scrooge played by Larry Vauxhall (Bill
Kaleidoscope
McMahon) said all of his lines in Spanish. Luther (Cory Huntington) has been
playing Tiny Tim for a few years too long and is no longer tiny, much to the
Introducing the
despair of Phil Hewlitt (Gary Cook) who has to carry him. M.J., the stage
70th Season
manager (Heidi Dagle), is doing her best to get rehearsals on schedule when the
company's bookkeeper, Kevin (Samantha Weakley) lets the director (Christy
GET THIS BY EMAIL! Batayola) know that the company is broke and that the NEA is withholding their
annual grant until after an inspection.
President's Pen
Corporate Sponsorship
Volunteer
Box Office News
General Membership
Meeting
Season Ticket &
Membership Form
Community Arts Calendar

The Soapbox Theater has been working really hard to please the NEA with
questionable results in the last few years. They hired Walter E. Parson (E.J.
Brewer) as their first black actor. They have done new plays that no one wanted to
see when the NEA was pushing new works. When an actor of questionable talent
Wayne (Nathan Petersen) shows up, they believe that he is the inspector trying to
infiltrate their company to see what it is like from the inside.
Larry and Wayne set to updating A Christmas Carol for a socially responsible
1980s audience with hilarious results. Well, hilarious to the audience. The other
actors Sidney (Chris Purvis), Dorothy (Dianne Hudson), and Bart (Ashley
Purvis) are not quite so amused.
Bill McMahon, Producer

Showtime is 8:00 p.m. on December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20 and 2:00 p.m. on December 14 & 21. Tickets are
$15 for Adults and $12 for Students, Military, Seniors 65 and over. Tickets can be purchased beginning
December 3 at the box office at 608 The Parkway, by going online to www.richlandplayers.org, or by
calling 5099431991 during boxoffice hours.

Upcoming Auditions
The Sleeper

A dark comedy by Catherine Butterfield

Auditions are Sun Dec 7 & Mon Dec 8 Performances: Feb. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, & 28 at 8:00 pm
at 7 pm
Matinees: Feb. 22 & Mar. 1 at 2:00 pm
Richland Players Theater
Scripts available for 3 day checkout at Richland Public Library
**********************************************************************
Directed by Emily Richman
Produced by Joanna Flaten

Character descriptions:

A suburban "security mom," shellshocked by the

new post 9/11 reality, finds herself irresistibly
drawn to her son's tutor, a handsome young man
with political leanings far different from her own.
Her "awakening" leads to a bizarre series of events
that blow the lid off her previously sheltered
existence and change the lives of all around her.
A dark and slightly zany comedy. Adult themes and
language within the play.
There are roles for 4 Men and 3 Women.
Questions? Contact Emily Richman at
esr1124@gmail.com

Gretchen: a wellmeaning, highstrung housewife

gamely trying to incorporate post9/11 anxiety into
her alreadystressful routine.
Bill: Gretchen's inattentive, careerminded, no
nonsense husband.
Vivian: Gretchen's sister. Wannabe screen star,
sexpot and all around selfabsorbed drama queen.
Matthew: Tutor to Gretchen's son. Attractive,
seductive and politically minded, educated and
careful in the new political environment.
Three ensemble characters who will play multiple
roles.

**********************************************************************

KALEIDOSCOPE
March 1 2-1 5, 201 5

Kaleidoscope is the Washington State community theatre festival held every two
years as part of the national AACTFest cycle. In addition to entering the festival, The
Richland Players will be hosting the festival at our theater March 12 15, 2015. The
festival committee has already started planning and is looking for volunteers to help
in many ways, including planning, hospitality, liaisons to the entering companies,
technical support, publicity and fundraising. If you are interested in helping out,
please contact the festival chair, Ted Miller at MillerTed@aol.com.

Introducing the Richland Players' 70th Season

2014-2015 Productions

**************************************************************************
Once Upon a Mattress (Musical Comedy)
August 8, 9, 15, 16, (17), 22, 23, (24)
by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer & Dean Fuller
Directed by Barbara Wilson & Karen Walley
********************************************
The Turn of the Screw (Ghost Story)
October 3, 4, 10, 11, (12), 17, 18, (19)
by Jeffrey Hatcher
Directed by Robert Hanson
********************************************
Inspecting Carol (Holiday Comedy)
December 5, 6, 12, 13, (14), 19, 20, (21)
by Daniel J. Sullivan
Directed by Renee McMahon
********************************************
The Sleeper (Dark Comedy)
February 13, 14, 20, 21, (22), 27, 28, (March 1)
by Catherine Butterfield
Directed by Emily Richman
********************************************
Barefoot in the Park (Romantic Comedy)
May 1, 2, 8, 9, (10), 15, 16, (17)
by Neil Simon
Directed by Carolyn Parker
********************************************
Dates in parentheses are Sunday matinees.
Evening performances 8:00 p.m. curtain. Matinees 2:00 p.m. curtain.

In honor of our 70th season, the Richland Players

will be giving away a gift basket to one lucky ticket
holder on Opening Night of Inspecting Carol!
Get your tickets December 3!

SAVE THE TREES!

To get this newsletter via email -- send us your

email address! Send an email to
newsletter@richlandplayers.org with " RP email list"
in the subject line. Please include your name, address, and the email
address at which you'd like to receive the newsletter as an attachment.

President's Pen

The Holidays are fast approaching, just like our next production, Inspecting Carol. This
holiday comedy about a community theater putting on a show of A Christmas Carol will be a
great way to unwind during these busy times and enjoy a truly funny show. I hope everyone
has a chance to come out and see it.
In other news, we want to welcome Mark Humann back as our Box Office Attendant. Mark
will be working the box office for the next few productions and is excited to be back at the
theater and working in this capacity. We are making great progress at the theater in getting
ourselves organized. Recently weve brought back in house a cache of some archival
photos and programs of the Players fabulous 70-year history. Were excited to get these
items organized and to share with our patrons both new and old.
In December (tentatively the 21st) we will have our fall season General Membership
Meeting. All members are encouraged to attend and help the board make plans for the New
Year. At the meeting this year there will some by-law changes being introduced, as well as
new committee structures. Please watch your mail and email for special meeting
announcements about the General Meeting.
Id also like to take this opportunity to tell you about a change concerning the Sponsored
Seats that the theater has. Over the past few years, people could purchase a sponsored
seat. This put their name on the back of the seat they chose, and also gave them access to
the box office an hour earlier than other patrons, if they wanted to buy tickets in their seats
for a particular production. This was a great fundraiser for the players and we know our
patrons enjoyed it as well. A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who participated. Moving
forward, we will be discontinuing the earlier purchase option for sponsored seat owners. We
found that this was underutilized and restraining us from ticket sales prior to the box office
opening. The sponsored seats will continue to show the names of the generous patrons that
gave for this endeavor. If anyone has questions about this, please dont hesitate to contact
me directly.
Most Thursday evenings starting at 6pm, one of the board members will be at the theater.
We will be using this opportunity to do a little bit of house cleaning and organizing, as well as
discussions about how to improve the theater. We welcome anyone and everyone to stop on
by and see whats happening. Contact me or Michael Wutzke for more information
(president@richlandplayers.org, vp_facilities@richlandplayers.org). And dont forget to
check us out on Facebook and Twitter.
Please consider how YOU can get involved. Questions, concerns or just want to say "hi"? We
welcome your input at any time.

AND CHECK OUT THE STORY ABOUT RICHLAND PLAYERS IN THE NOVEMBER TRICITIES BUSINESS JOURNAL!
Kristin Lerch, president@richlandplayers.org
**********************************************************************

The Richland Players, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, is the longest running community
theater in our state. Help us continue this long tradition in the arts by sponsoring one of our
shows. Contact corresponding_secretary@richlandplayers.org

Corporate Sponsorship Packages

Production
Sponsorship

Cost

In The
Spotlight

Curtains Up The Show Will

Go On

$1,500

$750

30 Season
Vouchers

15 Season
Vouchers

6 Vouchers for
sponsored show

1/2 Page
Back Cover

1/4 Page
Interior

Business Card
Size Interior

$3,000

Sponsor will recei ve:

Tickets
Logo on Print
Materials
Logo on
Marquee
Program Ad
Ticket Imprint
Sponsorship
Plaque
Reception
Invitation

Volunteer!
SIGN UP ONLINE at http://bit.ly/RPsignup
We are looking for several committee chairs. Next June, we'll be voting in several board
members including a Treasurer, VP of Facilities and Corresponding Secretary (this one!). If
you're interested or know someone who might be, contact president@richlandplayers.org, any
of the board members here: http://richlandplayers.org/staff.php.

Box Office News

Ticket Exchange Policy
Will Call

All phone order tickets will be held at will call. All tickets must be paid for at the time of
order.
Those purchasing tickets online will have the option of printing their tickets at home or letting
the box office print their tickets and have them available at will call. Patrons are asked to bring
receipts from online purchases showing the transaction number in the event of ticketing issues,

Exchanges

If unable to attend the show for which tickets were purchased, an exchange may be requested
from the Box Office, subject to the following:
Exchanges will only be for the same production and are subject to seat availability
You must turn in the original physical tickets to exchange for another date
All sales are final. There are no refunds. We will only offer refunds if we must cancel a
performance due to unforeseen circumstances.

Box Office Hours

in weeks when shows are running

WEDNESDAY and
THURSDAY

12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m.

during week of performance

FRIDAY

12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m.

on the day of performance

SATURDAY

4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

on the day of performance

SUNDAY

12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

on the day of performance

608 The Parkway, Richland. To reserve your seats call (509) 9431991.
For tickets purchased online, credit card statements will indicate TIX Event Services.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

All members are invited to the semiannual meeting. Members include voting memberships
and season ticket holders.

DECEMBER 28, 2014

Richland Players Theater
608 The Parkway
Richland, WA 99352

1 p.m.

http://richlandplayers.org/
**********************************************************************

2014-2015 Season Tickets & Membership Form

Season ticket purchase includes voting membership in the Richland Players and five
The Richland Players
seats to any production of the year. Or you can become a voting member sans the tickets
P.O. Box 603
for $10. Season tickets and memberships can be purchased at the box, online, or by
Richland, WA 99352
mailing the bottom half of this page (with your check made out to Richland Players) to:
For questions or more information, call Ingrid Gosselin, 5097833866.

20142015 Richland Players Membership Subscription (please print)

___ New Membership
______ Adult Season Tickets at $60/ea
___ Renewal
______ Student/Senior/Military Season Tickets $48/ea
___ Address Change
______ Voting Memberships at $10/ea
___ Please send newsletter by email
______ Additional Donation
______ Amount Enclosed
Email
(make checks payable to The Richland Players)
__________________________________

Name _________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________
City ___________________________________________________________
State/Zip _____________________________ Phone ________________________________

The Richland Players

P.O. Box 603
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 9431991
http://www.richlandplayers.org

December 2014 Newsletter

NON-PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT 205
RICHLAND, WA

Address Service Requested

Richland Players
Board of Directors
201 42015

Other Upcoming Performing Arts Events

A Broadway Christmas
The Reach & Mid-Columbia Musical Theatre
Kristin Lerch
December 20, 2014

President
Bob Watrous
1st Vice President
Albania Davis A Christimas Story
Treasurer
Michael
Wutzke
Vice President/Facilities
Academy of Children's Theater
Rex Olsen December 5, 6, 12, 13 at 7pm & Dec 6, 13 at 3pm
Vice President/Operations
Bill McMahon
Recording Secretary
Mary Beckman The Rented Christmas
Corresponding Secretary
Amy
Lynne Darling
Members-at-Large
Valley Theatre Company
Open
November 28 & 29, 2014
Bonnie George
PLAYERS BOARD MEETINGS
Board of Directors meeting are held the third
Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm at the theater.
The public is invited. Please contact the president
Kristin Lerch (president@richlandplayers.org) if
you have items for the agenda.

Got something for the Players Post? An address change or

name correction? Please contact Mary Beckman, 509-3751019 or newsletter@richlandplayers.org.
For information about Other Upcoming Performing Arts
Events, please contact the performance group listed
directly.