Thompson Falls Players return to stage after absence

THOMPSON FALLS – After two years of absence from the stage, the Thompson Falls Players banded together to present the community a theatrical performance of “Maid to Order.”

Due to the lack of willing cast members in previous years, the Thompson Falls Players were unable to come up with a cast. However, this year ten experienced actors came together to bring the play into reality.

“We’ve had the largest audiences that we’ve ever had in the nine years we’ve been putting on plays,” said Director Ray Schaefer to the crowd. The first night the play opened, 93 people flooded the Rex Theater, the second night the number rose to 100 and although a count for Sunday’s performance was unavailable, Schaefer said it was looking pretty good.

“This is a great way to end our show. We thank you for coming,” said Schaefer.

Before the lights dimmed and the actors took to the stage, Schaefer pointed out to the crowd of people two things he wanted them to notice.

First were the color schemes present throughout the play.

“The set, just like any other set, just like any movie or like any television show you watch, every aspect is color coordinated,” explained Schaefer. “From the clothes to what’s on the walls to the cars in the distance. It’s usually three colors with varying hues in that spectrum.”

The second thing Schaefer called the audience to focus on was the technique of blocking, otherwise known as stage movement.

“This play is like a dance. You will see characters moving and moving in opposite directions to keep a perfectly balanced picture on stage,” said Schaefer. “This doesn’t happen by accident.”

After another big thank you to the crowd in attendance, Schaefer exited the stage and the play began.

“Maid to Order” was a quick paced comedy, which took place in New York City at a New York elite’s house – Mrs. Marcy Malliger (played by Valerie Lanzoni.)

Malliger was expecting a guest, a guest she was very fond of and took a liking to. After explaining to her son Gerald Malliger (played by Dave Oliver), that it was time for his widowed mother to move on and get into a relationship, the play kicked off rapidly.

Two maids, Sarah and Bethany (played by Deb Achatz and Juanita Triplett respectively), were responsible for getting the house in tip-top condition for Mrs. Malliger’s guest. As they were scurrying around preparing the house for company, Sarah’s brother James (played by Noah Bronner) appeared at the front door of the house.

James begged Sarah to let him stay in the large house for a day as he explained the trouble he had gotten into with one of New York’s gangsters Charles Cambin.

Sarah agreed to let James stay as long as he stayed out of sight and hidden from everyone, a task that would prove more difficult than originally thought.

As the maids and Mrs. Malliger’s assistant Janice (played by P.J. Johnson) put the finishing touches on the house, the much-awaited guest arrived – Charles Cambin (played by Bill Eckloff), just the person who James was attempting to hide from.

Throughout the story, James hides through numerous chaotic events until Mrs. Malliger spots him and phones the police, citing a home invasion.

Once the police arrive (played by Erika Jaeger and Chloe Klaus), the chaos of the evening continues as they come to the conclusion that Mrs. Malliger’s son, Gerald, was the home invader.

Gerald who was chased by Cambin’s half-witted daughter Winnie (played by Elizabeth Babcock) manages to dash past the police several times and the chase continues throughout the maze of a house.

Towards the end of the show, everyone makes it into the same room where Cambin and James meet face to face. Luckily with all the added commotion and the police officers present, James is uninjured by the loan shark who wants his money.

A story begins to unwind, a story based on fiction, and after a long period of explaining, the cops deem there is no problem and leave the home, casting off all the problems.

Since James helped Cambin go unrecognized by the police, his loan was forgiven and everyone was able to go on living their somewhat chaotic lives.

The Thompson Falls Players hope to continue their theater productions as long as there are enough willing cast members to participate.

The proceeds of the production were split up to different organizations. One dollar of every ticket went to help restore the Rex Theater while another dollar was donated to the organization of the ticket holder’s choice. The options were the Clark Fork Valley Elks scholarship fund, PetNet or the Sanders County Food Bank of one’s choice.

“This presentation is the first of our renewed and continuing journey,” wrote Schaefer in the program. “We need more actors willing to accept the challenge. Our goal is to present two productions a year. We need you to support our endeavor.”