Coaster’s Summer Season Offers Two Productions

By Gregory Zschomler

Cannon Beach Gazette

Cannon Beach visitors and residents alike have some entertainment options this summer as, for the second year in a row, the Coaster Theatre offers two simultaneously running productions. The first opened June 12, the second opens this weekend and thereafter they trade off nights leapfrog-style.

Patrons may see either the British caper “It Could Be Anyone of Us” where they get to pick the ending, or may experience the deviously delicious out-of-this-world musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” or both. And, according to the theater’s executive director Patrick Lathrop, many do just that.

Lathrop said that running two shows makes good sense. Visitors, in town for a short time, might see one of the productions on a whim, but so love it they’ll buy a ticket for the second show as well. Lathrop adds “it’s a challenge for the actors, directors and tech people,” who must also rehearse over the same period, and nightly set changes add additional trials for the crew, but these are nothing that can’t be overcome by a little ingenuity in scheduling and design.

“It Could be Anyone of Us,” by Alan Ayckbourn and directed by Ryan Hull, is a mystery from across the pond. The adventure takes place in a windswept country house where a family of artistic failures wrangles over a will. Characters include a detective who has never solved a case, a writer whose works have never been published, an artist who’s never shown a painting, a composer whose compositions have never been performed, and a dysfunctional teenager.

These are the beginnings for a comedic murder mystery, but there’s more. The victim is not who it should be, and the murderer’s identity, by patron vote taken at intermission, changes overnight. Throw in some tongue-in-cheek humor and the play’s comedic thrills and you’re bound to be entertained.

The cast includes Stewart Martin as Mortimer Chalke, Ann Bronson as Jocelyn Polegate, Cedar Braasch as Brinton Chalke, Gretchen Hoekstre as Amy Polegate, Frank Jagodnik as Norris Honeywell, and Ellen Jensen as Wendy Windwood.

Opening June 19, “Little Shop of Horrors,” with book and lyrics by American playwright Howard Ashman, who died in 1991, and music by Alan Menken, is directed by the theater’s executive director, Patrick Lathrop, assisted by Joseph Oyala. Musical direction is provided by Chris Engbretson.

In this extremely popular, award-winning musical, the meek floral assistant, Seymour Krelborn, stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed carnivorous flower promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it blood. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and her intent on global domination.

The musical is based on the low-budget 1960 black comedy film directed by Roger Corman. The music, composed by Menken is in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown.

The cast includes Cameron Lira as Audrey, Todd Payne as Seymour Krelborn, Cindy Karr as Crystal, Amanda Payne as Ronnette, Aly Hanson as Chiffon, David Sweeney as Mr. Mushnik, and Richard Bowman in numerous roles.

The theater endeavors to honor family sensitivity. Though the musical contains some “adult language” Lathrop assures that “the negative thing isn’t reinforced,” isn’t condoned, “but reprimanded” thereby teaching, contrasting “good and bad.”

Lathrop said that many factors go into choosing shows to produce. A committee—made up from members of the Coaster board as well as supporters—takes into account the salability of a show as well as it’s prospective for artist expression, the potential production budget, cast size, and, of course, entertainment value.

“These two shows are fairly light in content,” said Lathrop acknowledging that theater often has a message. “People will laugh and be entertained.”

“It Could Be Anyone of Us” runs June 21, 27; July 2, 8, 10, 16, 19, 22, 24, 30; Aug. 1, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, 20, 22, 26, 28 and 30 ; Sept 3 and 5. Tickets are $15 or $20. “Little Shop of Horrors” runs June 20, 26; July 3, 9, 11, 15, 17, 23, 25, 29, 31; Aug. 5, 7, 9, 13, 15,19, 21, 23, 27, 29; September 2, 4, 6 . Tickets are $18 or $23.

The box office (503) 436-1242, is open 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, on performance days from 1 p.m. to curtain, and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information see coastertheatre.com, call or email marketing@coastertheatre.com.