The Clearwater Cast of Characters put on quite a show last weekend at Eagle Trace Event Center. The group of actors performed Here Come the Brides, a comedy written by William Fisher and directed by Suesan Betzler in her directorial debut.

 

Friday’s opening night crowd was 117, a record for any opening night in the dinner theatre’s 10-year history.

 

“It’s amazing. I’m so proud of them,” said Betzler after Friday’s performance. 

 

There were plenty of laughs throughout the evening as audience members were taken through twists and turns, trying to figure out how the story would develop.

 

In the play, the main character Jimmy Took needs to find a wife in a hurry in order to continue receiving a monthly check from his rich uncle.

 

All throughout the show, different characters surface who may or may not end up as his wife - hence the title, Here Come the Brides.

 

There were a few times during the play when the crowd didn’t know whether someone forgot their line, ad-libbed or was purposely pausing for emphasis. Even when it became clear a line was skipped or changed, the audience enjoyed the look on the actors’ faces as they held back a laugh.

 

“There were some challenges, some hiccups, but it’s a talented group,” said Betzler. “We worked through them. Everybody else laughed.”

 

In the end, the crowd gave everyone a standing ovation at curtain call. The actors included John George, Dave Berg, Pat Schmidt, Amanda Spry, Gary Phelps, Donna Stai, Erin Phelps, Liz Berg, Micaela Wester, Deb Cole, and Sandy Ernst. Trevor Ericksen was the understudy. Wanda Phelps was assistant director. Sara Tellers was sound person. Randy Maanum was stage manager. Carol Midas and Brandi Badial did makeup. Amy Spry worked backstage and Bill Hoeft was sound technician.

 

The evening began with songs from Betzler and Angie Hoeft following the theme of love and marriage.

 

After the performance, Betzler said the cast was sticking around for awhile.

 

“We’re going to hang out here and talk about tonight, have a drink and get ready for tomorrow.”

 

Dinner theatre continues this weekend, March 31 & April 1. The play wraps up next weekend, April 7 & 8.