By Oregon Coast TODAY
To celebrate 50 years of bringing live entertainment to the central Oregon coast, Theatre West in Lincoln City is presenting retrospective of past-produced plays, beginning with the classic “Angel Street” that’s running now through Nov. 16.
The play tells the story of the Manninghams, who live on Angel Street in 19th-Century London. As the curtain rises, all appears to be the essence of Victorian tranquility. It is soon apparent, however, that Mr. Manningham, a suavely handsome man, is slowly driving his gentle, devoted wife, Bella, to the brink of insanity with an insinuating kindness that masks more sinister motives.
The play made it to the big screen in 1944 under the title “Gaslight,” starring Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman, and featuring Angela Lansbury of “Murder She Wrote” in her first major role.
The production is directed by Bonnie Ross, with help behind the scenes during rehearsals from Wes Ryan, who directed the play in 1990 assisted by his niece, and now occasional Theatre West director, Danielle Ryan.
“Danielle was my assistant director,” said Ryan. “I think she was 12 at the time. I’m so happy she’s stuck around.”
When Ryan first became involved with Theatre West, the troupe was essentially busking. Beginning in 1975 with a production of “An Evening of One Act Plays” they performed wherever they could find a space.
“We were all around town at first,” said Ryan. “We played at clubs and schools and also at places like Surftides and the Inn at Spanish Head.”
Finally, in 1986, Jack Coyne offered the troupe a space in the building where he operated an antique store. The first play in the new space was “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Theatre,” a prophetic name for a production in the new space.
When Coyne died, the shop closed and the theater expanded into its place. The new stage was named the “Jack Coyne Stage,” and Theatre West has had a home ever since.
Experienced actors
The current production of “Angel Street” stars Jan Coloccia as Bella Manningham.
“It’s a fabulous role for an actress,” Coloccia said. “She gets to rage, cry — almost every emotion goes through this person. Playing a proper Victorian woman who went through this is very interesting.”
Coloccia has many years of experience in community theater; writing, directing, acting and producing. She has run a repertory acting troupe and served as vice president of a non-profit children’s theater company, as well as teaching theater for young people.
Mr. Manningham is played by T. Sean Prescott, who stepped in for another player who had to withdraw after rehearsals had begun.
“Bonnie sent me a desperate email,” he said. “Once I read through the role and came in for the first rehearsal, I realized it’s a fantastic part. I’m having fun being bad.”
Now performing in his sixth play at Theatre West, Prescott will be directing “Arsenic and Old Lace” later in Theatre West’s 50th season.
The cast is filled out by Scott Christianson as Sergeant Rough, Naomi Fast as Elizabeth, Suzanne Gagnon as Nancy, Erick Roorda as Policeman/backstage crew and Andrew Schmitz as Policeman/backstage crew. Dave Jones is backing up Ross as assistant director.
For people who know either the movie or other productions of the play, they might notice a change that will make it easier on those who have trouble sitting still for long periods.
“We’ve shortened it quite a bit,” Ross said. “We had just come off of a two-hour show and we didn’t want to do that again right away.”
Ross, who came to Lincoln City via Colorado Springs and Carson City, has a history of both acting and directing and was excited to direct “Angel Street.”
“I’ve been dying to direct a period piece,” she said. “It’s a different type of acting. You can’t paraphrase the language. I just wanted to do something different.”
The set was designed by the very talented Jack Baird.
“We want the audience to feel like they have dropped into the Victorian era,” Ross said. “The whole point of the set, the costumes and the acting is to take you there.”
- “Angel Street” runs through Saturday, Nov. 16, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and a 4 p.m. matinée Sunday, Nov. 10. Tickets are $20 for adults; $18 for seniors aged 60 and older and active and veteran military personnel; $18 for students aged 12 through 18; and $15 for kids aged 11 and younger.
- Theatre West is located at 3536 S.E. Hwy. 101 in Lincoln City. For more information, go to www.theatrewest.com or call 541-994-5663.
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