The Nibroc Trilogy -Westlake's Clague Playhouse Awesome

By Mary Levtzow

On Friday, January 9, the thrilling 85th Season of Westlake’s Clague Playhouse,

1371 Clague Road, hosted the Opening Night of Gulf View Drive written by Arlene Hutton and  developed at The New Harmony Project 2006. The Clague Playhouse Production is brilliantly directed by Robert Gibb, who has directed all three episodes of this memorable World War II Nibroc Trilogy couple May and Raleigh over the past three Januarys.

This production is a delightful story of the complications that develop in 1953 and 1954 as our deeply in love May and Raleigh grow together in a small island community on the Gulf coast of Florida. The challenges of family and society create a tense, comical and memorable production for this very special and dedicated couple. Bobby Coyne as Raleigh takes all in stride as he and Debbie Lenarz as wife May work to handle the challenges of in-laws and supporting their dreams. Bernadette Hisey as Mrs. Brummett and Bette Prendergast as Mrs. Gill dynamically and dramatically remind one of life’s many challenges with in-laws of deceased spouses. Treva acted by Jacqueline Scheufler, Heidelberg University and Bay High School graduate, presents the unifying conflict to make this beautiful play memorable and a majestic tribute to Author Hutton and Director Gibb. Although the set, sounds, and costumes are set in the 1950s, the problems and life issues are found in today’s society and makes the play meaningful as well as relevant.

The outstanding production crew includes Production Manager Gig Giauque, Assistant to the Director/Stage Manager and Costume Designer Candace Lipton, Lighting Designer Kristen Buchs, Sound Designer Tom Linsenmeier, Set Designer Ron Newell, Light/Sound Manager “Al” Archambault, Light/Sound Technician Mary Kahelin, Set Construction Crew of Becky Beil, Lyn Daberkow, Earl Hamilton, Donna Hughes, Ron Newell, Bill Nordgren and Richard Walz, Costume Shop Manager Candace Lipton, Costumes Crew Mary Lou Meyers and Marillyn Hamilton, Props Manager and Prop Shop Manager Gig Giauque, Props Procurement Crew of Gig Giauque, Margy Haas, and Donna Nordgren, Bookholder Margy Haas, Program and Publicity Pam Kilpatrick, Printing by Adkins and Company, Audition Secretaries “Al” Archambault and Karen Biddulph-Hazey, Photography by Jim Ely and the Klague Lights Ushers headed by Toni Becker.

The Clague Playhouse Lobby Gallery Artists are a father-daughter team: watercolor painter Dr. William Wilder and photographer Carolyn Wilder Rose. When Dr. Wilder retired from his over 40 year medical career as an internist in 2000, he joined the Aquarelle Watercolor Society that meets at the Rocky River Public Library and his passion for watercolors developed. He loves painting landscapes and beach scenes. One of his beach scene paintings is part of the Gulf View Drive set. Daughter Carolyn’s love for photography developed accidentally. When snapping digital pictures of her three-year old daughter in an angel outfit, a Christmas card was designed. After additional fun pictures, Carolyn traded up her camera and got involved in contests. Her favorite pictures deal with wildlife in nature. The lobby gallery show features beautiful views of a Piebald deer, fawn, fox, bee, butterfly, and more.

 One can also visit the lobby gallery during Box Office hours, Wednesday through Saturday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Remember to call the Clague Playhouse Box Office, 440-331-0403 during Box Office hours to purchase tickets for this phenomenal production. Cash, Check, MasterCard, Visa and Discover are accepted, and the parking is always free. Special $10 seats for students are available on Saturdays.

(Pictures taken by Mary Levtzow)

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Actress Debbie Lenarz as May and actor Bobby Coyne as Raleigh create a memorable and delightful performance in the Clague Playhouse production of Gulf View Drive showing through Sunday, February 3.

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Clague Playhouse Board of Directors President Lillian M. Boehmer and Costume Designer Candace Lipton greeted audience members at the Gulf View Drive Opening Night Reception