The show will go on

When the local Lions Club learned that the Hood River Middle School auditorium would not be available this year for their 31st annual production, they began looking for an alternate space. The auditorium sustained significant damage due to a broken water pipe in January.

Mike Schend, community education director, worked closely with Follies producers Bev Bridgewater, Trudy Tallman and Andy Streich to select a site that would be large enough to hold the 2000 folks that annually attend the show. Many sites were considered, but the Westside School gym most closely matches the needs of the Follies cast and crew.

Tallman said, "We will need seating for at least 700 and, by bringing in chairs and pulling out the bleachers, Westside fits that requirement."

Streich has been working with lighting and sound technicians. All equipment will be brought in and set up a week ahead of the show and remain in place to the end of the show.

Westside School is a very busy school with a large number of students and activities. By moving the show dates to coincide with spring break, the follies will have full use of Westside gym for the week ahead of the show and not impact the students and instructors at the school.

Bridgewater, who is directing this year's show, said, "Westside is a perfect location for our production of "Cheers." It will provide a warm setting and our audience will feel as if they are truly part of the 'live studio audience' that viewed the filming of Cheers each week.

She added, "There will be less singing and dancing than usual. We will rely on the comedy of Cheers to carry the performance."

Hood River Lions members are strongly supporting the move. It is their main fundraiser for the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation, as well as an entertainment staple in the valley.

Roger Nelson, Upper Valley Lions member said, "The Lions have an obligation to the sponsors, the audience, and the benefactors of the Follies."

For this reason, the show will go on and it will be at Westside gym.

Tickets go on sale March 5. They are available at Waucoma Bookstore, Columbia River Bank, U.S. Bank, Windmaster Market, Down Manor, Key Bank, Bellberries and Studio 10.

Pre-sale cost is $7 for adults and $5 for senior over 65 and children under 12.

For more information contact Tallman, (541) 386-2763.