Checking into the 'Hotel Minden'

by Sharlene Irete

People Editor

Spoiler Alert: Don't read any further if you don't want to know the plot of the Douglas County Historical Society's melodrama, "Hotel Minden."

The play takes place about 100 years ago in a small Western town. There's a hero who saves the damsel in distress from the villain, character actors provide comedy relief and everyone lives happily ever after. Sound familiar?

No melodrama is complete without a piano player. Linda Sandstrom sets the tone of coming scenes with the appropriate heroic or villainous themes. Boos, hisses, cheers and whistles are encouraged.

The 15 cast members are familiar Carson Valley faces playing familiar characters from movies and plays.

"We have a wonderful cast for 'Hotel Minden and most are Douglas County Historical Society members," said the play's director Sue Smith.

Smith said she got the job of director because she's married to the melodrama's playwright, John Smith.

"I guess it's also because I have a lot of experience " about 60 years in community theater," Sue Smith said. "I started acting at 14 in Lansing, Mich., I've directed about 20 melodramas here and Calaveras County in 20 years."

Stage manager Maggie Allen is proud of the group's efforts to raise money for the historical society.

"Everybody volunteers their time so we can get money for the museum. For costumes we raided the thrift stores or the bottom of Sue's closet," Allen said.

All of last year's performances of the play sold out last year so early ticket sales are encouraged. The historical society presents the "Hotel Minden" melodrama as an annual fundraiser at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville.

Lasagna dinner shows and between-show entertainment are 6 p.m. Feb. 6 and 7. Cost is $20. The 1 p.m. Feb. 8 show features a hot dog lunch with all the trimmings and between-show entertainment for $15. Information and tickets available at the museum, 1477 Highway 395, Gardnerville or 782-2555.