Georgie Oaks opens at Sixth Street Theater

WALLACE –– The Sixth Street Melodrama and Theater is chugging right along during their 40th season of performing for the Silver Valley.

On the heels of their successful July show, “Into the Storybook,” the theater dug into their archives for a show that means just as much now as it did when it was originally written.

"Perils on the Georgie Oaks, or, Every Dog Has Its Day" was originally written and directed by Pat Grounds – Grounds was instrumental in the founding of the Sixth Street Theater and Melodrama.

This time around, Norma Douglas will be at the directorial helm of Georgie Oaks, something she hopes acts as a living tribute to the Grounds family, who laid the groundwork for what the theater still does today.

“They (Pat and Sherrill Grounds) worked to get our building and they founded Sixth Street Theater,” Douglas said. “We hope that our performance will honor them and we applaud them for giving us the opportunity that we have to perform.”

Douglas is a veteran of the Sixth Street stage, who has acted in, written, and directed several shows during her 31 years with the theater. She has also served on the theater board and as the theater board director.

The show follows a young woman who is about to lose her beloved Lake Coeur d’Alene steamship, the Georgie Oaks, to a dastardly villain. Thankfully, a hero and his lights-half-on sidekick hatch a plan to save the day.

The comedy of the play centers around the idea that neither side realizes that they’re playing the other – one side being much better at it while the hijinks ensue.

Douglas is bringing Grounds’ show to life with a relatively green cast, including several newcomers to the Sixth Street stage.

Jessica Gaither stars in the show as the heroine, and her chemistry with Alex Allred, who portrays the show’s villain, makes for one of the most entertaining duos in recent memory.

The show also features Jeremy Creed, Scott Gaither, Stacey Gaither, and Douglas herself in multiple roles – and yes, if you weren’t sure, all three Gaithers are related.

Accompanying them on the piano is Carl Rowe, who has quickly made a name for himself as both an actor and musician for the Sixth Street Theater.

Douglas would like to express her thanks to the community, which has supported the theater through thick and thin over the past four decades.

“We’re celebrating 40 years because we have really great sponsors here who support us. Businesses like Silver Valley Labs, Bank CDA, Dave Smith Motors, Jim’s Towing, and groups like the Morebeck Foundation – we really appreciate the support you have given us.”

The show opened earlier this week, but it will run through August 27, with shows Wednesday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday Matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.sixthstreetmelodrama.com.