A rootin’ tootin’ good time!
Tim Lee as Deke (left) takes a verbal lashing from villain Simon (played by Garyk McGillivray) during a scene from the Sixth Street Melodrama’s production of “Rustlers at the Ranch — or — How Swift the Taylors Run.”
Photo by Josh McDonald
Sixth Street Melodrama opens July production — with precautions
WALLACE — Come one, come all to the Sixth Street Melodrama and Theater’s July production "Rustlers at the Ranch — or — How Swift the Taylors Run.”
Written by local theater legend Paul Roberts and directed by first-time director Drake Duce, the hilarious story plays on real local history with a solid blend of humor, heart, and story.
Set near Kellogg in 1910 during the time of the Great Fire, the story revolves around a struggling family and crooked con man.
Watch as they rustle chickens, regularly run into walls (due to temporary blindness), and gradually begin to respect one another.
Starring Christian Carlson, Garyk McGillivray, Harley Duce, Daighla Williams, Tim Lee, and Joslyn McGregor, along with accompanist Tamara Lindroos, the young cast is full of energy and eager to draw laughs.
“With this being my first time directing, I wanted a younger cast because I wanted to be able to relate to them,” Duce said. “It was a lot of fun to direct.”
Duce has extensive acting credits to his name, including starring in the Kellogg High School production of this very same play under the direction of Roberts.
“I played Deke in high school,” Duce said with a laugh. “I tend to gravitate toward the roles of henchman or comedic relief.”
The unsung star of the show however is Daighla Williams as Granny Cavanaugh, constantly bossing characters around, Bible in hand, and a tongue that’s sharper than steel.
Due to concerns over the coronavirus, Sixth Street is taking extra steps to ensure viewer and actor safety by asking ticket buyers to wear a mask to the show and the theater will only allow 50 percent capacity (44 seats per show).
They are also sanitizing the theater and restrooms regularly.
The box office opens two hours before the show, but seating won’t begin until 30 minutes before the show to help with social distancing.
In addition, all staff and cast will be temperature checked before they enter the building.
Shows are scheduled throughout July, Wednesday through Saturday at 7 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.
For more information call 208-752-8871 or visit www.sixthstreetmelodrama.com.