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Elkader Opera House reopens for first performance in over a year

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Director and actress Joeann Tesar and actors Dave Beck and Jay Moser rehearse for the upcoming “Four Weddings and An Elvis,” which premieres Friday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m., at the Elkader Opera House. It will be the first performance at the theater in over a year.

Pictured are actors Jay Moser, Avalon Dziak, Mike McCoy, Diane Fisk, Mary Beth Specht, Mark Yackel-Juleen, Justin Rork, Joeann Tesar and Dave Beck at rehearsal for “Four Weddings and An Elvis.” During the show, “a series of memorable weddings take place in a Las Vegas chapel with an Elvis impersonator as the minister.”

Diane Fisk and Cary Kann work on their lines for the upcoming show, “Four Weddings and An Elvis.”

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

 

The “plug was pulled” two weeks before the scheduled performance of “Four Weddings and An Elvis” last April, when COVID-19 shutdowns turned the Elkader Opera House stage dark and sent the performers, the aptly named Opera House Players, into a temporary quarantine. 

 

The cancellation of events over the past year is only the second time in the group’s history, which dates to 1966, that a show needed to be cancelled. The last was due to lack of available cast members in 1991—not quite as serious as a global pandemic. 

 

“To say we were disappointed to have had to make that necessary and safe decision is an understatement,” said the show’s director, Joeann Tesar. 

 

But now, the show must go on—and Elvis is back in the building! The Opera House Players will be back on stage in April, bringing to life the play they had to shutter so many months ago. 

 

Choosing the previously cancelled “Four Weddings” production was an obvious choice, according to producer Kay Moser. 

 

“We had nearly completed the set, and when we cancelled the show last year, we did not take it down. The fact that this is a comedy makes it even better,” she said. “People need to be able to laugh after the past year.”

 

Tesar replied similarly, stating, “As most of us have availed ourselves of the vaccines in conjunction with other standard precautions, we all feel quite confident in bringing this show to the stage. With the personal feedback we have received, it sounds like people are very excited and ready to have us back.”  

 

The opening of the Elkader Opera House and the return to live shows is what actor Avalon Dziak termed a “step toward normalcy.” 

 

While most believe pulling off the show after a year away would come with a mountain of challenges, the cast and crew were undeterred. Or, perhaps, the challenges are overstated in the face of dedication. 

 

As Dziak said, “Honestly, it’s been pretty smooth transitioning back to the stage.” 

 

Actor Mark Yackel-Juleen agreed, suggesting the only real challenge was whether or not the entire cast would return. 

 

And some did not. Two actors, for reasons unrelated to COVID-19, were unable to return. 

 

Performer David Beck was even more adamant regarding the minimal challenges, as he focused his energies on other projects and family time. For Beck, the one challenge that existed was “getting refocused.” 

 

However, for others, like actor Cary Kann, the time away from the stage “left a hole” in his life. 

 

Perhaps the lack of challenges or the holes that were left reside in the camaraderie of the performers and stage actors alike. After all, “performing is a family affair,” as Beck said. 

 

Likewise, Dziak remarked on the “source of socialization, source of connection and emotional and creative safe space” the theater and performing provides. 

 

It is equally a place to “expand your horizons,” in the words of Yackel-Juleen, and a place “for a distraction from unpleasant situations in life, like an escape,” said Kann. 

 

Then there is actor Justin Rork, who will make his stage debut. He is using the theater to cross things off his bucket list, and the challenges were less production related, than personal. It’s the stage that mitigates them all—the friendships, the shared experiences, the necessary social outlet. 

 

“It’s like taking a journey with a group of old and new friends…and the special unexpected memories that will last a lifetime,” actress Mary Beth Specht said. 

 

The theater and stage provide it all. It’s part of its importance. An importance that, for Opera House Players President Jon Banse, cannot be overstated. 

 

“Live theater is important to our community because it provides us a human-to-human experience, which is long missed with the recent pandemic experience. It is an experience which allows us to share a special place,” Banse said. “It’s like attending a sporting event for the heart and soul.”

 

Longtime Opera House Players regular Cheri Moser commented on how she had not stepped foot in the building in over a year. Now, it’s all systems go, as she helps plan a children’s theatre show for the summer and producing “Matilda,” another COVID-19 cancellation, this fall. 

 

“I’m so happy to see the arts starting to blossom again,” Cheri Moser said.  

 

Of course, as with anything in a pandemic world, there is still the need for caution. It’s why Kay Moser was adamant the public is aware of the social distancing guidelines, which will be followed. The Opera House was also granted rare permission to live stream two performances of the “Four Weddings” show, for which tickets can be purchased online. Buyers will be given a special access code to log in. 

 

This sense of caution and adherence to safety was pivotal in the show returning. As Banse stated, “It’s a good time to bring back live theater because many of our community members are engaging in the vaccination effort or have become more comfortable with the current situation and confident in their ability to engage in positive and safe ways by requiring masks. It’s time to share a laugh with those we love.”

 

The return takes something that was “disappointing” for Specht, and suddenly it re-emerges as a revival of sorts. It’s a chance to “revive the characters and the sense of normalcy [and] an opportunity to enjoy the grandeur of the Opera House theater,” she said. “Opening these doors, to me, is a symbol of not only hope, but victory.”

 


 

Four Weddings and An Elvis to be performed April 9-11, 16-18

Director Joeann Tesar described “Four Weddings and An Elvis” as a well-written comedy by Nancy Frick about a few couples wanting to tie the knot at a Las Vegas wedding chapel.

 

“There are some surprises in how some of these relationships end up and what new ones are created,” she said.

Why is Elvis in the title?  

 

“Well, you can't have a Las Vegas-style wedding without a Las Vegas-style Elvis impersonator/minister showing up at some point, right?” according to Tesar. “Whether you love Elvis or not, you will definitely enjoy this show. I can honestly say that, after two years of rehearsals, I still laugh at the jokes!”

 

Some Elkader Opera House favorites will be on stage to welcome the audience back: David Beck (Bryce), Cary Kann (Stan), Diane Fisk (Bev), Mary Beth Specht (Fiona), Jay Moser (Lou), Mark Yackel-Juleen (Marvin) and Joeann Tesar (Vanessa). Returning to this stage are Avalon Dziak (Sandy), Jim Specht (Producer/Cameraman) and John Bickel (Ken). Performers debuting are Mike McCoy (Elvis/John) and, for the first time on any stage, Justin Rork (Fist).

 

“Four Weddings and An Elvis” is slated to play on April 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees on April 11 and 18, at 2 p.m.

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