Welcome to The Barnstable Comedy Club’s 88th season! When I was recently given the responsibility of historian and began to update the files, I realized that many titles were repeated once or even twice. Of course, when a theater has been around as long as The BCC, this is inevitable. In fact, this season two productions, Once Upon a Mattress and Arsenic and Old Lace, have been staged before at our theater. So, this year I thought I would research a few of these productions and give our patrons a few facts about their similarities, differences, and backgrounds.
Starting with the one production performed more than any other at our theatre, The Fantasticks was staged at the BCC four times, in 1969, 1982, 1988, and this past season in 2009. Considering it is the longest running musical in the world it is only fitting that it would show up here more than once. An interesting note is that the 1982 version is the only production of The Fantasticks that was not performed in the usual November slot. It is also the only version to be staged “cabaret” style with the audience seated at tables and the actors performing in the middle of the theatre. Also, well known BCC director John Watters (slated to direct “Proof” here in March) played “Bellomy” in the 1982 version and directed the 1988 version.
Not surprisingly repeated was Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, Our Town. In 1940 a new comer to the BCC stage, Martha Bartlett, played the lead role of Emily. The local paper sited her theater experience at Barnstable High School. Reverend Truman Hayes played the stage manager, which was perfect casting considering the stage manager actual acts as a virtual minister in the wedding scene between characters George and Emily. In 1969, “Our Town” was truly a ‘family affair’, as many of the cast and crew members were related to each other. For example, Denise Hall who portrayed Emily Webb was the daughter of Dorothea Hall who played her stage mother, Mrs. Webb. George Blanchard, who played Si Crowell, was the son of Barbara Blanchard, who played Mrs. Gibbs.
In 1971, the first appearance of Mary, Mary at the BCC brought forth rave reviews from local newspapers. A then-new comer to the Barnstable Comedy Club, Carmel Devine, who played the title character, was described as ‘marvelous’ and ‘delightful.’ More recently with the 2003 edition, which featured Kerry Sullivan and Cleo Zani, also got the same ‘delightful’ response from reviewers.
Both productions of Harvey by Mary Chase have interesting backgrounds. The 1959 had double casted the role of Elwood P. Dowd, who imagines he is chums with a six-foot tall rabbit, with William Campbell and Louis Cary. The 2007 production was a long time dream for director Marti Baker, who had originally planned to direct it in 2003. However, she was unable to secure the production rights and replaced it with Same Time, Next Year.
In many cases some of our veteran BCC’ers have been involved with the multiple productions of the same show. Bettina Dinsmore, well known for her work in almost all capacities at the theater, was producer for the 1962 version of Solid Gold Cadillac and acted in the 1991 production. Edward Souza played one of three men in the 1954 version of You Can’t Take it With You, and played “Henderson” in 1975. Our resident producer Henry Morlock appeared in Brigadoon twice; he played “Mr. McLaren” in 1981 and was in the chorus in 1993.
Among other shows that have been produced more than once at The BCC are Hay Fever (1950, 1972, 1996), Little Foxes (1950, 1980), The Glass Menagerie (1963, 1994), Cactus Flower (1979, 2006), On Golden Pond (1982, 2006), Kiss Me Kate (1983, 1996), Chapter Two (1984, 2007), and Anything Goes (1985, 2002).
Many of our patrons have been lucky enough to attend more than one version of these productions. For those of you who had the chance to see our other productions of Once Upon a Mattress and Arsenic and Old Lace, I invite you to attend this Season’s versions and make your own observations (but don’t forget to catch First Night and Proof as well!) Enjoy the season!
Rachael Kenneally, Club Historian