The Gold Fever Follies – a desperate mayor, a crooked cop, and a crusading pastor
By Sara Golling
The Gold Fever Follies – in the newly air conditioned Miners Union Hall! — are here again to entertain and delight.
This year’s story, Casino Rossland, is built around real events and real people in Rossland’s history – beginning with the City’s long-ago financial problems in the years around 1900, and a dubious scheme to fix them. Co-written by Rossland-born-and-raised Landon LaFond and director Lucas Myers, who have both acted in earlier Follies productions, this year’s Follies include the tensions between financial strategies and morality, truth and political expedience, plus a touch of romance, a lot of humour, and – of course! — the can-can. And more.
The first occupant of the stage is West Kootenays native Kevin Wasilenkoff, playing piano, then delightfully acting the role of newly-elected Mayor John Clute as he faces, and attempts to deal with, some dire City debt. His mobile features speak volumes.
Mrs. Allan of the Hotel Allan (built in 1895) is played by the lovely and sweet-voiced Maya Mccobbina as she also faces the prospect of financial ruin, revealed to her by JJ — a somewhat non-conforming whiz with figures (“numbers!”) played by Acacia Sproule.
The huge talent of Charlottte Greaves is on display as she acts and powerfully sings the roles of both Lizzie, an employee of the Hotel Allan with a passion for dance, and the wife of Pastor Morgan, with whom she aims to wipe out the immorality they both feel is rampant in Rossland.
Landon LaFond plays both John Ingram, the police chief, and Pastor Morgan, earning laughs in both roles. As police chief, he clashes with wanna-be investigative reporter Laurel, played with convincing dedication and determination by Rhythm Storm, a Nelson local who has appeared in two earlier Follies productions.
Rounding out the cast are Rossland native Freya Dixon-Reusz as Clara, an employee of Mrs. Allan, and Miller J. Mason as Arnie, Pastor Morgan’s son, and Noah Kaulbach as the somewhat feckless Hal, who becomes Arnie’s best friend.
The Gold Fever Follies have long encouraged and employed young performers, and it is worth noting that some members of the current cast are only 18 and 19 years old, a fact belied by their mature performances.
Now that readers have been briefly introduced to members of the cast, all should cast aside their cares for an afternoon or an evening – at least once! — and enjoy becoming better acquainted with their talents. Life in today’s world is stressful, and it’s a well-known fact that laughter is the best medicine.
Shows play twice a day from Tuesdays through Saturdays, at 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Tickets at the door, or purchase online here.
Admission: free for ages under-five and over 95; for seniors (65 +) admission is $13; for children 12 and under, $10; for everyone else, $15.00.
According to this reviewer, that’s very good value.
Comments