‘Hillbillies’ charm Fort Frances

The Clampetts paid a visit to Fort Frances last week, and the town welcomed them with open arms.
Muskie Theatre’s production of “The Beverly Hillbillies” drew large crowds—and produced roars of laughter—during its four-night run at the Townshend Theatre.
“The show was a great success,” said Fort High drama teacher and director Willa Kunkel. “We were nearly sold out Friday and Saturday night.”
Kunkel added even opening night last Wednesday, which usually sees the lowest turnout, saw about 300 people show up.
No doubt part of the reason was the fact that opening night was made into a preview performance, with tickets going for half-price.
“Then you get word-of-mouth out about the show,” Kunkel noted.
There were 27 actors in the play and six crew, including lights and sound, all from different grade levels.
“I try to find a script that has 15-25 kids. They’re hard to find,” Kunkel explained.
There was also a “hillbilly” band (Jim Avis, Rob Roy Donaldson, Jim Newman, and Bill Shine), attired in hillbilly costumes, who volunteered their time to perform at the show every night.
The four performed “The Beverly Hillbillies” theme song, also known as “The Ballad of Jed Clampett,” as well as other bluegrass favourites.
“This show was really well-received. Everywhere I went, people said they loved it,” Kunkel enthused.
The cast also enjoyed themselves
“It was a lot of fun. We put a lot of work into it, so it was nice to see such a good turnout,” said Julia Florek, who played Granny.
“Usually it’s the musicals that get all the audiences,” she added.
In the role of Granny, Florek not only had to master the southern drawl of the Clampetts, she also had to walk with a stoop and wear Granny’s pinched expression on her face.
She also had to fight off mild stage fright on occasion.
“I had a procedure I went through every night with the curtain girl, Amy [Saunders],” she explained.
Florek said every night she would ask Saunders how many people were in the audience, and would get nervous. So the two would dance to the opening music of the hillbilly band.
“Then everything was OK,” Florek said.
Kunkel said she had been encouraging Florek to participate in the school productions for some time. “I’ve been after her for three years now,” she laughed.
Florek did play the character of Albertine in her 60s in last spring’s production of “Albertine in Five Times.”
Florek, who is in her final year at Fort High, said the experience was great and plans to audition for the spring production, as well.