Chris Raptoplous and part of the extraordinary set he built for Nunsense.
Rappy’s set design enhances the audience experience of “Nunsense”
Carrie Mataraza
No doubt about it. Chris “Rappy” Raptoplous is a true artist. Chris, who professionally designs and completes many home renovations and remodels in PebbleCreek, has also been a VVIP set designer and builder for ShowTime Productions. The extra V stands for volunteer which he does because he loves the challenge of inventing and building stage sets, an activity he began in high school. Here in PebbleCreek Chris enjoys being involved in theater because he likes the creative, out-of-the-box planning it takes to make a set look authentic. His goal is realism. “I prefer that to more whimsical staging. I want my sets to involve the audience, to make them feel part of the show,” he said.
Chris has designed and constructed the sets for Gypsy, Smokey Joe’s Café, Broadway Faves I and II and now for Nunsense. Some of the exacting details Chris has added to the Nunsense set are made from items he shopped for during a family vacation, going to garage sales, antique shops, even junk stores: old fashioned wall intercom phones and fire alarms, schoolroom clocks, old exit signs, wrought iron window features, furniture and more. He gets a kick out of the treasure hunt and gleefully shows off his bargains. And when he spots a prop or set piece selling at retail that will enhance the scenery, he’ll go to lengths to get it at a bargain, such as the soda fountain stools he bought with management’s blessing at 45% off at the At Home Store and the discounted building supplies he obtained from Lowe’s. “Local merchants are sometimes kind enough to discount when I tell them why I want the item,” Chris explained.
Sharing ideas with Director Judi Alonzo to perfect their vision of what the audience should experience, Chris built a soda fountain bar to look like a five and dime diner counter, a band platform and a raffle sales booth that will stand in the theater lobby and actually be used to sell raffle tickets as part of the audience interaction with the show. Another Rappy innovation is that the sections of the flats (the walls) are modular parts to make them easier to put together on stage, take down later and maybe even be reusable for another show. It is these special touches that form a Rappy-built set. “I strive to be as good at what I do as the actors are at their roles,” Chris said with a huge smile.
Be sure you don’t miss this wonderful theater experience that blends set design with the story, song and dance of Nunsense to create a special, fun-filled evening in our new Renaissance Theatre. Show dates are Monday, November 14 through Saturday, November 19. Some tickets may still be available at the Eagle’s Nest Kiosk on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to noon so if you don’t have yours yet, check out the kiosk supply ASAP.
Readers Theater presents Phillip Marlow Radio Mystery, “Red Wind”
K.T. Tanner
Frequent family picnics, homemade apple pie, folks gathered round to hear the latest radio drama—nostalgic memories of a time gone by. With our parents and grandparents, we sat poised to follow the latest adventures of our favorite cowboys, comedians, detectives and even soap opera stars. The familiar TV series Gunsmoke, along with other popular programs, was first heard on the radio. No multi-tasking during our favorite radio drama—focused listening.
First broadcast June 17, 1947 the mystery, Detective Philip Marlow’s Red Wind, comes alive through the skillful use of imagery. The story begins. “It was one of those hot dry Santa Ana’s that curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch.” This restless feeling grows as the plot develops and the wind becomes an evil force predicting events to come. Red Wind will be presented January 18, 19 and 20 at 5:00 p.m. in the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom. Tickets are $20 per person to include hors d’oeuvres and the performance. Tickets will be sold Saturday, December 3 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the Renaissance Theatre and the following Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Eagle’s Nest Kiosk.
Add to the drama live commercials, some music ditties, a Burns and Allen skit and the use of Foleys to create live sound effects during the drama. Experience the flurry and excitement as our own sound people use a variety of gadgets to produce the sound of wind, gunshots, bodies falling, doors and drawers opening and closing, footsteps, items dropping, beach sounds and seagulls. The timing must be right-on. All of this simultaneous action is directed by Sandra and David Hand, newcomers to PebbleCreek, with many years of theatrical and stage set expertise.
Tickets will be sold Saturday, December 3 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the Renaissance Theatre. This will be in an intimate setting with a limited number of seats available. Get your tickets early.
Save the date
Monday, November 14 through Saturday, November 19
ShowTime: Nunsense
Eagle’s Nest Kiosk sales are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. to noon until sold out.
Tuesday, November 29 through Saturday, December 3
PC Singers: Holiday Concert
First day of ticket sales is Saturday, November 5 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. currently scheduled to be in the Renaissance Theatre. We will have an update on the eGroup.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, January 18, 19 and 20
The Phillip Marlowe Radio Mystery Theater: Red Wind
Ticket sales start Saturday, December 3 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the Renaissance Theatre and at the Eagle’s Nest Kiosk the following Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Opportunity knocks
The PebbleCreek Singers is accepting applications for all voice parts for the spring concert. If you would like to apply, please call Nancy Gustafson at 623-215-3292 or Larry Eidt at 623-935-4688. Auditions will take place after the Christmas concert.
The PebbleCreek Musicians is looking for someone to handle publicity for the PebbleCreek Big Band and its annual Burst of Music show. This would involve writing emails for the PebbleCreek eGroup and articles for the PebbleCreek Post and other local publications. Most of this would take place in the months prior to our yearly March/April performances. Publicity duties can be tailored to the ability of the applicant.
Those interested, or if you simply need additional information, may reply via email to Bruce Birnel at [email protected]. Please include any past writing/publicity experience as well as any special skills that you may possess that would be useful in this position.
Instrumentalists for PebbleCreek Singers holiday concert, Celebrate the Joy, left to right: Bev Griggs, Jerry Drake, Mary Gangl, Chris Barlow, Nancy Gustafson and Norleen Shelton
PC Singers tickets available November 5
Donna Swagger
Deck the hall! Trim the tree! Light the lights! It’s time to Celebrate the Joy! Join with the PebbleCreek Singers as they usher in the holiday season with their annual Christmas concert. Performance dates are Tuesday, November 29 through Saturday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the Renaissance Theatre.
First day ticket sale is Saturday, November 5 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the Renaissance Theatre. Tickets are $15 each and there is a limit of eight tickets per person. Following the first day sales, any remaining tickets will be sold at the Eagle’s Nest Kiosk. Kiosk sales dates are Tuesday, November 8, Thursday, November 10 and Saturday, November 12 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. with continued sales on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, November 15, 17, 19, 22 and 26 or until sold out. There is no limit to the number of tickets purchased at the kiosk.
All of the magic of Christmas comes alive as the full chorus, small ensemble and soloists present the music of the holiday season. The concert opener, Come on, It’s Christmas, features a sparkling, fully-orchestrated medley of holiday favorites. The tenors, baritones and basses perform an oldie from 1963. They’ll have fun, fun, fun as they sing Little Saint Nick, the Beach Boys’ holiday pop classic. The sopranos and altos create a festive atmosphere with a newer Christmas number entitled A Festive Noel. From the opening Noel fanfare to the closing Gloria refrain, this energetic piece brings the brightness and joy of the holiday season to audiences. Concert-goers can also expect to hear a variety of holiday pop classics, novelty numbers, a fun a cappella tune, traditional carols, sacred selections and a Hanukkah song. The finale, Masters of this Hall, is a Mark Hayes interpretation of a wonderful French carol. Noel, Noel, Noel! will resound throughout the theater with this challenging and festive number.
Get into the holiday spirit and join the PebbleCreek Singers for an evening of wonderful seasonal music! Mark your calendar and be the first in line on Saturday, November 5, to purchase your tickets and get your reserved seat!
Part of the PebbleCreek Big Band in performance at last year’s Burst of Music IX
Are you a musician?
Are you a musician looking to join other musicians to make some music? After a sold out performance at our Burst of Music shows this past April, the PebbleCreek Musicians are looking for residents of PebbleCreek, who play a musical instrument, to consider joining the PebbleCreek Big Band. We do have a few openings but all applicants must be able to read music, have the time to devote to the group and show proficiency in their instrument. The experience can be very rewarding both personally and musically. We do it mainly for fun and to maintain and improve upon our varying levels of musicianship.
We are also looking to compile a listing of residents in PebbleCreek who play a musical instrument who presently do not have the time to devote to the PebbleCreek Big Band, but might want to establish musical groups of their own.
These groups could vary in size and get together on an informal basis as often as you like and rehearse just for fun. Eventually it could develop into something else similar to The PebbleCreek Big Band or a smaller group that could be featured in our Burst of Music shows. The type of music performed would depend on the instruments and experience of the people who sign up. We are looking for all instruments including pianists and keyboardists, guitarists and bass players as well as brass, reed and percussion players. If you are not available now, simply get your name, contact information and when you think you might be available, on our list and we will contact you as requests come in for musicians to form musical groups.
If you feel that you would like to get involved in a much rewarding experience, currently own your own instrument and can read music, then you are invited to join our list. For further information contact Bruce Birnel at 623-536-6660 or via email at [email protected].