Curtains Up Pagosa turns its profit back into the schools, community and kids of Pagosa in many ways. One of our “give-backs” is in the form of a dance scholarship called Cindy’s Dance, in memory of our dear sweet Cindy Gustafson, a lifetime supporter of the arts and our students. Our 2016 crop of students was taught by the talented Casey Crow, local dance teacher and choreographer, gifted writer, philanthropist, hero and volunteer. We are grateful to Casey for her service to our kids, the grace of her dance and the fullness of her heart.

• Dale Johnson
  CUP Artistic Director

photo courtesy Casey Crow
l-r
Marissa Medina, Averie Lynch, Casey Crow, Kayla Nasralla, Kaya Knox, Sydney Mitchell

Ryan Hazelbaker, Resident Director and Choreographer for Thingamajig Theater Company, takes time out from working dance numbers with PSHS actors in preparation for the high school musical, “Legally Blonde”! Directed by Dale Johnson, with Musical Direction by Dan Burch, the show opens March 29th and runs until April 2nd.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ryan Hazelbaker several years ago after he discovered Pagosa through Thingamajig Theater Company and Pagosa discovered him. Then I later was cast in “Les Miserables”, and was fortunate to be able to work with him on stage as a Director, an incredible experience. Ryan and I have talked many times about the possibility of he and I working together on one of the PSHS Musicals I have been directing and choreographing for 16 years.

Due to schedules and life, we were not able to make that connection; until now. Ryan and I are partnering on the choreography for our high school musical, “Legally Blonde”, opening March 29th. Ryan has choreographed three dance numbers for our show, and has given our young actors dance lessons, love, and a fantastic performance experience. They have received “Broadway” level classes from Ryan, as he shared his love of performance with them for a moment in time. Ryan was assisted by Samuel Damare and Taylor Marrs, also actors performing at Thingamajig. I am thankful and incredibly grateful to Ryan for sharing his heart and gifts with me and with our young actors.

-Dale Johnson

Last year, Curtains Up Pagosa created a scholarship program for Dance, called “Cindy’s Dance” in memory of our beloved Cindy Gustafson, a dedicated supporter of kids and the performing arts.  Since then, six local high schools students have been awarded the scholarship and opportunity to study dance:  Robert Neel, Johannah Laverty, Gus Palma, Carson McKee, Taylor Jones and Zoe Geraghty.  Each student receives ten one hour lessons.  CUP has been extremely fortunate to partner with Ryan Hazelbaker, director, performer and choreographer extraordinaire, currently in residence with Thingamajig Theater in Pagosa, as our dance teacher.  Our students are experiencing the opportunity of a lifetime in working with a Broadway level dancer.  We give our hearts, thanks and love to Ryan for sharing his love of dance and kids with us.

• Dale Johnson

Photo:

Some of Ryan’s students take a break from a PSHS “Legally Blonde” rehearsal. Clockwise from bottom: Zoe Geraghty, Carson McKee, Taylor Jones, Ryan Hazelbaker, Gus Palma

Curtains Up Pagosa! will ease you into the holiday season with a fun song and dance-filled Broadway review called “HollyDaze Too,” with shows opening next Thursday, November 19 at 7 pm at Pagosa Springs High School and continuing through to the Sunday, November 22, 2 pm matinee. Tickets will be sold at the door and are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (age 65+), and $10 for students. Children under 5 admitted free.

This evening of entertainment encompasses musical theater tunes from blockbuster hit shows such as “The King and I,” “The Sound of Music,” “Oklahoma,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Miss Saigon,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Wiz,” “Rent,” “Mama Mia,” “Jersey Boys,” “Children of Eden,” and much more. Interspersed will be songs such as “White Christmas” and “Feliz Navidad” performed by June Marquez, “The Christmas Song” sung by Gus Palma, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” sung by Doug Roberts, and songs from the new musical “A Christmas Story.”

Curtains Up Pagosa, a non-profit organization just completing its 26^th year in Pagosa Springs, has proven that community theater doesn’t have to be second rate. Their shows, directed by Dale Johnson and Sally Neel, provide a perfect showcase for the immense creative skill that resides right here in our community. From the very young to the not-so-very- young, there is an abundance of talent to choose from.

“There is no question that our little town has been gifted with more creative talent than most towns our size,” says Dale Johnson. “Curtains Up Pagosa provides a place for amateur actors, singers, and dancers to come together, develop their natural abilities, and give back to the community in a fun and entertaining way. And the best part is that we have such a great time working together and deepening our friendships in the process.”

There is a long list of CUP “veterans,” people who have performed in numerous productions, who will grace the stage in “HollyDaze Too.” Katrina Thomas will offer her lovely soprano voice singing “My Favorite Things” from “The Sound of Music,” and “Getting to Know You” and “I Have Dreamed” from “The King and I.”

Amy Harbison Crook returns to the CUP stage in fine voice as she serenades us with “How Could I Ever Know” from “A Secret Garden” and singing with tenor, Jeremy Medina in “Sun and Moon” from “Miss Saigon.” Medina will entertain us with “Miracle of Miracles” from “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Everything’s up to Date in Kansas City,” from “Oklahoma,” and “Close Every Door” from “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.”

CUP also welcomes back lyric tenor Jarret Heber who will pair up with Katrina Thomas in singing “I Have Dreamed” and with Chrissy Ferguson singing “In Whatever Time We Have” from “Children of Eden.” He will also sing “One Song Glory” from “Rent.” Ferguson, who gave a powerful performance as Mary in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” will perform “Home” from “The Wiz.”

Rarely seen in solo capacity will be our own director, Dale Johnson, performing the beautiful and touching, “A Change in Me” from “Beauty and the Beast.” CUP welcomes back Riley Searles, last seen in his starring role in the PSHS production of “Les Miserables.” He has rejoined CUP after an extensive mission trip and will be a featured soloist in several production numbers.

These soloists will be joined by a stellar cast of 35 singers and dancers who will most certainly assure your holidays are kicked off with the best entertainment around. Mark your calendars and plan to enjoy an evening of great music, dancing, and holiday cheer.

Cast members of Curtains Up Pagosa’s summer production of “Shrek the Musical” are working towards perfecting the dance steps, blocking, singing, and acting as they head towards their opening night on Thursday, June 25.

CUP is well known in our community and beyond for their excellent summer musical productions, having been compared to some of the best of Broadway. With a starring cast featuring Jeremy Medina as Shrek, Johannah Laverty as Fiona, and Eli Velasquez as the hilarious donkey sidekick, audiences are in for another wonderful treat!

“Shrek the Musical” runs June 25, 26, 27 and July 2, 3, and 5 at the Pagosa Springs High School auditorium. Evening performances are at 7 pm and the July 5th Sunday matinee is at 2 pm. Tickets are $15 (adults), $12 (seniors age 65 and up), and $10 for students. Children age 10 and under will be admitted free at the Sunday matinee if wearing a fairytale costume. Tickets will go on sale at the Chamber of Commerce office on June 17.

“Shrek the Musical” is based on the 2001 movie, “Shrek,” with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. The popular Broadway musical won twelve Drama Desk awards and eight Tony Awards including Best Musical.

The play begins with Mama and Papa Ogre leaving young Shrek alone in the forest to fend for himself. The world is too dangerous for this unfortunate freak of nature and he is encouraged to stay hidden. At the same time, the lovely Princess Fiona is taken to a tower in the forest by her parents to live a protected but lonely life and await rescue by her “Prince Charming.”

Shrek lives by himself for many years and has adjusted to a bitter life of solitude until he is suddenly invaded by a large host of fairytale creatures, evicted from their home in the kingdom of Duloc because they too are “freaks.” Not wanting his privacy invaded, Shrek agrees to go to Duloc and persuade Farquaad, the king-wanna-be to allow them back onto their land.

Shrek sets out for Duloc and along the way rescues a very needy donkey from Farquaad’s guards. The donkey gratefully latches on to the very antisocial Shrek, promising to be his trusty steed and show him the way to Duloc. Try as he might, Shrek is not able to get rid of the talkative donkey and resigns himself to this annoying but loveable new companion.

The adventure continues as Farquaad tells Shrek that he can have the deed to his swamp only if he first goes to fetch Princess Fiona from the tower to be his bride. Shrek must first overcome a fire breathing dragon in order to reach the fair princess.

Princess Fiona, who has read stories of princesses being rescued by handsome princes, mistakes Shrek, who is wearing a helmet over his ogre face, for her knight in shining armor. A funny, and seemingly unlikely love story ensues until Fiona finally reveals a secret of her own.

This endearing story is full of delightful surprises, great comedy, and a toe-tapping musical score that will leave you wishing you could adopt an ogre of your own. Mark your calendars and plan to bring your friends to enjoy another outstanding Curtains Up Pagosa production.

Curtains Up Pagosa is proud to announce our latest CUP scholar, and recipient of the John Graves Memorial Scholarship given for students pursuing advanced college degrees in the performing arts. Trace Gross.  Trace started acting at seven years old, joining the cast of 1001 Arabian Nights produced by the Pagosa Pretenders and has been hooked ever since. At age 16 he was cast in Oliver! his first Curtains Up Pagosa Production, still known as Music Boosters at the time, as Noah Claypool. Since then he has been in numerous High School and Curtains Up Pagosa Productions including West Side Story, The Crucible, Les Miserables, The Audition and Cinderella. However acting isn’t Trace’s only skill in theatre; as well as acting Trace is also interested in both costume design and directing. For the last two years Trace has been the creative director for the acting troupe in Pagosa known as the Gypsy Players as well as costume designing for many High School and Curtains Up Pagosa Productions including the upcoming summer production Shrek. Trace is currently going to Adam State University studying those three fields of theatre as well as working on a creative writing degree.