Presenting the Pearl!
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| Carolyn Testa, right, tells Rotary member and county treasurer Jenny Fessler a little about the work underway to ready the Pearl Theater for its official opening October 21. |
"A comfortably sized, eclectic venue that will draw musicians and theatrical performers from around the country to Bonners Ferry," Colet Allen wrote in this month's Chamber bulletin about the Chamber's newest member. "Our little theater will showcase local talent by providing a professional setting for quality entertainment that our community can look forward to on a regular basis."
Said the brain, fiancier and much of the brawn behind the on-going renovation of what was a simple Community Church on Ash Street, Carolyn Testa said, "our goal is to foster youth leadership and small business development by providing opportunities to the school as well as individuals interested in all aspects of the entertainment industry and the performing arts."
"As you have heard from the buzz (not just the sound of saws in the little church ...)" Colet wrote, "no pun intended ... the excitement created around the opening of the Pearl ... will encourage more live theater in Boundary County."
Even while renovation is underway, rehearsals for the first "official" Pearl presentation, "No Cure For Love: An Electric Romance," are going on, a play of two acts written and directed by Boundary County resident and artist Paul Rawlings, set to debut October 21 for a six show run.
The play features 25 actors, a live band and half a dozen original songs, featuring local actors and musicians.
But promotions for that play, particularly the black and white flyer all over town, have also stirred a bit of unfounded controversy.
"Looking at the flyer," said KBFI personality JoJo Baker, "it looks like two guys kissing! Is this a Gay Electric Romance? I've had several people asking."
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| "Miss Hathaway," Nancy Culp (right), with Jethro Bodine (Max Baer, left) in "The Beverly Hillbillies." |
"It's a girl," she said of the woman in the forefront of the photo. "Vintage silent screen from the 1920s. She's the girl who was voted 'Best Personality,' not Marilyn Monroe!"
A more modern but still aged example might be Miss Hathaway of the classic Beverly Hillbillies ... someone many readers may no longer remember, but she was assuredly a girl.
On October 11, Carolyn gave members of the Rotary a tour of the Pearl, most of them still licking their lips for the last crumb of the great pizza they enyoyed at Mugsy's. The tour came less than a year after she first spoke to the club about her dream November 23, 2010.
"Upon entering the new theater," Rotarian Bill McClintock wrote, "it was obvious from those who had been there for church services that many changes had occurred and a lot of manual labor had been accomplished."
As she's done nearly every day since launching the project, Carolyn wiped another smudge off her face and said, "thanks!"
Tickets for the premier event that will launch the Pearl Theater are on sale now, and those who line up to buy are going to be well-treated for jumping on the bandwagon early ... and seating is limited to 165 people.
For a mere $12, you'll not only see a great show ... you'll likely get some great deals from the many business owners who are wishing Carolyn well.
You can find out more by calling (208) 267-PEARL.
Yep ... one number too many, but it's an "art" thing. The phone will start ringing right before you hit the final "L," hopefully. That's a hard number to plug into speed dial, however.
Carolyn assures that it was just another foruitous coincidence.
Try (208) 267-7327, and call often to keep up with the Pearl Theater.