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March 29, 2024 8:41 am
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MCT Brings Melodrama Magic

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

A burlesque dancing line performs to the music of Mustang Sally’s in the Mustang Sally Saloon in Lizard, Nevavda during the production of Dastardly Desert Desperados last weekend. The show continues with performances over the next two weekends. PHOTO BY BOBBIE GREEN/The Progress

If you are hankering for entertainment, just belly up to Mustang Salley’s Bar located in the Mesquite Community Theatre for this week-end. Dastardly Desert Desperados Melodrama, with its cast of thousands (well…18 to be exact) opened at the theatre on Friday night, March 17, and is set to continue for the next two weekends as well.

The stage is filled with cowboy humor, bank robbers, dance hall girls and a handsome ‘law & order’ sheriff with his deputy Chester. Saloon owner, the dazzling Miss Sally Forth, is in love with the sheriff. Need I say more?

The stage is set except it all takes place in the fictional town of Lizard, Nevada instead of Dodge City.
John Sadler portrays the tall handsome sheriff, Silverado, to a tee and he even sings! Rhett Durfee as Chester is unforgettable. He is more memorable as Chester than Dennis Weaver, and we can’t forget his noisy donkey played by Ron Miller.

Members of the cast from Virgin Valley Theatre Group obviously had a great time performing on the opening night of Dastardly Desert Desperados last week. And that enthusiasm spread to the audience as well. PHOTO BY BOBBIE GREEN/The Progress

Shelly Martsch as dance hall girl, Allota Fun, and her dancers lit up the theater with their rendition of Mustang Sally. A sight not to be missed.

Of course, this is a melodrama meaning lots of audience participation: booing, hissing and whistling at your favorite character; and there are many to choose from.

The bank robbers played by veteran comedy actress Joy Craig, as Robyn Banks, and her dastardly devious partner Race Johnson as Upton O. Good, were the outlaw villains. Craig is enormously funny in anything she portrays; a pure delight. Johnson did not come across quite as dastardly as one would expect. Was he too handsome looking or could it have been the mustache? It did not have the devious looking curls as other villains have sported.

At intermission the always energetic Lifelong Dancers entertained clogging to “Country Roads, Take me Home.”

Susan Kjellsen portrayed Sarah Heartburn, “Songbird of the West” sang a lovely version of “Desperado.”

Another songbird in the saloon was Nettie Stiner. She shined as Hope Anna, rescued by her bartender love interest Nathan Juarez. He had the audience rooting for him.

The entire play was delightfully entertaining. The Western theme was appreciated by the senior generation in the audience.

Audience member Mike Bainter and a group of his friends came from Las Vegas to see their friend Nathan Juarez in the play. Sitting near me I heard a lot of laughter from him.
“I am liking this a lot,” Bainter said. “My favorite characters are Robyn Banks and Upton O. Good.”

Paul and Christi Neff came to the theater production for the first time. “This is a wonderful experience!” Paul said. “We will come again.”

There were many clever nuances within the production, too many to point out here. You should go see for yourself. Each night there is a cameo roll played by a different local community member.

The Director was Nancy Arnold. Musical Director was Mitzi Bender. Stage Manager was Pam Sadler. Lights & Sound Crew included Virgil Mink, Jenny Good and Steve Bartolini. The great set design was by Mike Johnston.

There is still time to enjoy this hilarious production on the evenings of March 24, 25 and 31 at 7 pm; and afternoons of  Sunday, March 26 and Saturday, April 1 at 2 PM.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.mctnv.com or one hour before show time at the box office.

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1 thought on “MCT Brings Melodrama Magic”

  1. Thanks for the review. As you might know, we all worked hard to get it right and then we were able to make it even funnier with our ideas and perceptions.
    Steve Mowad (Lou Natic)

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