February 28, 2005

As she cautiously took to the stage for the very first time during rehearsals, Katelyn Olsen was mesmerized by the spotlight as it adjusted to her three foot frame. Standing in the middle of the stage with the confidence of a 6 year old, she belted out her first song "Clementine". Katelyn is this years Sign Girl for the Sunol Repertory Theater's 2005 production of "Curses, Foiled Again! Or to Heiress is Human". Following a long standing tradition, a young girl is picked each year to carry the signs across the stage that read "Act I" or "Act II" between acts and intermission.

Although new to the Sunol Repertory Theater stage, this Sunol Glen School kindergartner has studied dance since she was 3 ½ and has performed in two dance recitals. Katelyn will perform a total of three songs during the play.

Katelyn makes her home in Fremont with parents Annalise and Chris and 3 year old brother William.

This melodrama is set in a silver mining town in California where we find the villain using a homeless shelter as a cover for a band of thieves and the hero this year is an undercover investigative reporter.

Opening night is Saturday and this wild, crazy and colorful cast is sure to keep you jumping in your seats and laughing hysterically all night long.

Sunol Glen teacher, Phil Mumford, plays the character of Diabolical Bill; SRT newcomer, Wells Twombly, plays Big Slim; a veteran of the Pleasanton Playhouse, Suzanne Diers, plays Tangerine Souffle; 21 year SRT veteran, Pat/Patti Balch, plays Otis Crummy; former SRT director, Lynn Kozma, plays Effie Frump; SRT veteran, Cliff Pepper, plays Goofus Birdsong; former SRT villainess, Sue Marshall, plays Ma Hubbard; former SRT director, Stephan/Stephanie Doyle, plays Sheriff Hilda; former SRT heroine, Lori Nielsen, plays Miz Kitchencupboard; 6 year SRT veteran, Paige Mendicino, plays Cheerful Goody2shoes; 4 year SRT veteran, Klay Kunkel, plays Lawyer Muggleworth; 2nd year veteran, Sandi Bohner, plays Mrs. Muchmoney, Foothill High student, Sarae Van Dyke, plays Calamity Mist and 7 year veteran, Derek Johnson, plays Foggy Haze.

First time Director, Diane Tiessen says, "It's going just beautifully, the cast is enthusiastic, costuming is coming along and the set is glorious. It's a lot of fun directing, this is my first time directing, if you don't count 33 years in the classroom." Retired for 10 years, Diane previously taught in the Milpitas Unified School District. She adds, "This is my next life".

The plays official dress rehearsal is on Friday. That evening's performance is not open to the public, but gives the cast an opportunity to invite special guests such as senior citizens from the local Masonic Home and the Pleasanton Senior Center. They also invite the staff of Sunol Glen School for this special preview.

"Everyone has a good time, it's a fun experience. We have the finest quality sets and costumes", said Diane.

Tickets for the play are still available at the Sunol Corners Store or you can get a mail-in order form online at www.sunol.net. Performance dates are March 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 & 26.

It's a crab feast! Yes, its all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab, salad, pasta, rolls, dessert, coffee and iced tea. The Little Brown Church is hosting a crab feed to raise funds for its youth and children's programs. The feast takes place on March 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Sunol Event Center.

Beautiful gift baskets will also be on display for a silent auction. Then after you have stuffed yourself with all that crab, burn some of those calories and kick your shoes off and enjoy an evening of live music by "Unleashed". The cost is $45.00 per person and tickets can be purchased by calling the church at 925-862-2004 or you can get a ticket order form at www.littlebrownchurch.com.