The Dakota Organization, a Carson Valley theater group, will present its first production, Bernard Slade's "Same Time, Next Year," Feb. 24, 25 and March 4 and 5 at the CVIC Hall in Minden.
The group was organized last year by Genoa resident Teri Lynn, whose dream was to start her own theater group in Carson Valley. Lynn had been an actor in Western Nevada Community College productions, where she met others who wanted to help her realize this dream.
"People who are involved in this have a love and passion for this, for doing it in Carson Valley," said Lynn.
Lynn chose "Same Time, Next Year," also made into a film that starred Alan Alda, because it was manageable for a new production company, but also because of its draw.
"There were a variety of reasons we chose this play," said Lynn. "It was the quality of the play, the writing and how much fun the characters really are."
"People calling to get tickets are very excited to see it. It's been very positive so far."
The romantic comedy is about a man and a woman, both married to other people, who meet at a romantic Pacific coast inn in the 1950s and continue to meet every year at the same time, same place. Lynn and actor Jody Paslov play opposite each other as the woman and man.
Show times are 7 p.m. with a matinee performance on the final Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15, $10 for seniors and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer's Association.
The Dakota Organization hopes to attract other theater professionals to join and expand their theatrical base, and will be holding open auditions in the future. There are six productions scheduled in 2006-2007, with the second production, "Lips Together, Teeth Apart," written by Terrence McNally, to be performed in July.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 790-1628.
n Jo Rafferty can be reached at jrafferty@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 210.
