Play set to run in barn

Fort Frances Theatre will present its second performance of the year this coming Thursday through Saturday (June 15-17) beginning at 7:30 p.m.
But unlike the upscale dinner theatre that was staged at La Place Rendez-Vous back in April, this play—entitled “Breaker Calling Cinderella”—will take place in a big red barn, complete with cowboy hats, boots, and country accents.
“Kim [Cornell] had been bugging me to do something at their farm,” noted director Cathy Richards, saying concerts and barn dances had been held there in the past, but no theatre.
When she saw the barn for the first time, she agreed to try to put a show together.
“It’s a great setting, but it had to be the right kind of play,” she conceded.
Richards said she had the script for “Breaker Calling Cinderella” and thought it would be perfect.
“It used to be taught in high school English so people should be familiar with the story,” she added.
The comedy, written by William Gleason, is described as a “good, old-fashioned CB love story.”
“It’s a modern-day Cinderella story with a twist—it’s all country,” Richards explained, noting the play is set in the 1970s in Upshaw, Tex.
“And there’s a barn dance instead of the ball.”
She indicated there is some CB radio lingo in the play which may be hard to follow, so a “newspaper,” or rather a program, will offer some help. And the performance will be interactive, with audience members being picked out to go on stage.
“We have a great bunch of people and it’s going to be really good,” Richards enthused, though adding this is the troupe’s first show in more than five years that incorporates several actors in their teens and early 20s.
“It was a little tricky because the high school musical was going on when we started auditions, but we got it cast and everything is going well,” she noted, adding the 10-person cast has been working on the show for the past few months.
The show also will highlight dancing by the local Pairs ’n Squares, fiddle music by Shannon Darby, and some line dancing by cast members.
Richards said audience members are invited to bring blankets to sit on the hay bales. Refreshments, such as coffee, water, and pop, will be available.
“It’s a great show for the whole family,” she stressed. “It’s not really a kid’s story, but the kids will definitely appreciate it.”
Tickets can be purchased at Dev-Lynne’s in Devlin, Northwoods Gallery & Gifts in Fort Frances, and the Backus Auditorium in International Falls for $12 each.
They also will be available at the door for $15.
The Cornell farm is located on La Vallee Road North in La Vallee a kilometre or two from Highway 11/71.
“Just look for the big red barn,” Richards said. “You won’t miss it.”