CSTOCK Live Community Theater in Kitsap
County WA has a rich and longstanding tradition for
producing shows that appeal to family audiences.
So it’s not surprising to discover that many of the shows
performed by CSTOCK in their theater at the
Silverdale Community Center are comprised of cast
members which contain entire families.
Such is the case with the recent popular run of CSTOCK’s ‘Music
Man,’ the well-known Meredith Wilson hit musical of how ‘Trouble’
comes to a small Midwest town in Iowa in the form of a pool table
and a musical instrument peddling flim-flam man named Harold
Hill.
An hour before curtain, the ‘Green Room’ (otherwise known
as the Poplar Room) is a flurry of pre-show activity. The Beddoe
Family (consisting of Dad Dave, Mom Deb, and children Katharine,
Calvin, George, and Henry) are busily applying make-up and doing
last minute hair touch-up. George is the lone non-acting hold-out,
simply content to watch his family perform and consume his fair
share of cast refreshments. Henry is the show scene stealer and
obvious choice for ‘Most Adorable Actor’ when he struts out on
stage towards the end of the show, wearing his ‘Boy’s Band’ uniform
and carrying a snare drum almost as big as he is!
The Gray Clan is an equally invested tribe, beginning with Dad
Rod who serves on the CSTOCK Board of Directors
and lends his vocal/acting skills as one of the four
credential-chasing school board quartet members. As one of two
Stage Managers, wife Maria keeps the production flowing smoothly
each night as she skillfully coordinates nearly 50 cast members and
navigates the hard-working stage crew through a myriad of
challenging set changes. Their daughters Jenny and Kimberly
skillfully portray Amaryllis, the wannabe piano player turned lisp
lover, and “Ye Gads” spouting Zaneeta Shin, respectively.
This show signals the 3rd directorial outing for Chris Borer
(Damn Yankees and 1940’s Radio Hour). He is the son of veteran
C-STOCK legends Dale and Karen Borer. In this production, Karen
lends her usual expertise in the light booth, along with younger
brother Matthew, while Father Dale skillfully provides light design
and performs onstage as River City’s town ‘boob.’
Additional families include father & son, Bill and Billy Buhl;
husband & wife Joe and Sharon Martinelli; brother & sister Caitlyn
and Cameron McConnell; husband & wife Bob and Clarice Nash; father
& son Cameron and Wallace Ross; mother & daughter Maddie and Palmer
Scheutzow; husband & wife Jess and Ann Sveen, and daughter Sarah;
father & daughter Al and Alli Verhofstadt; father & son Carrey and
Rand Wiseman.
It normally begins rather innocently when one
member of the family gets bitten by the acting bug. A son or
daughter tags along with a friend from school and auditions for a
show. Next thing you know, “they’re playing for money in a pinch
back suit”…(opps, sorry, just habit!) Then Dad is at the theater on
the weekends, helping build sets, and Moms selling refreshments
during the performances.
A great example of this during Music Man was Raoul and Rebecca
Dominguiano, parents of Abigail (Wa Tan Ye girl) who attended
nearly every rehearsal and performance, providing valued
supervision of the show’s younger performers. No doubt Abigail’s
two younger brothers will find their way up on stage in the near
future!
While not everyone involved in a CSTOCK production is related,
by the end of the show everyone certainly feels like one big
family.
And such is the bittersweet ending to a wonderfully enjoyable
and rewarding experience. For two months, you spend nearly 3 hours
every weekday in rehearsals with these people. Many weekends you’re
either practicing dance steps with the choreographer or building
sets. Then a full week of run-through dress rehearsals, followed by
opening weekend and 12 performances. You actually end up spending
more time with these folks than you do your own ‘real’ family!
Then, suddenly, the show is over. The sense of loss and
emptiness is pronounced, almost palpable. It feels as though a
small piece of your creative heart and soul has been ripped out,
joining together to become part of a larger, cherished collective
memory.
And, like a moth to the flame, you audition for the next show,
and start the entire process all over!
CSTOCK’s Vision
Statement
To be the premier Theatrical Performing Arts Organization in the
West Puget Sound.
CSTOCK’s Mission
Statement
Provide educational opportunities
for all ages.
Provide a significant positive
cultural influence.
Provide quality community-oriented
entertainment.
