Amelia lived and worked in Manhattan for over 25 years, as a Creative and Marketing Director in various corporations, and semi-retired to Tucson, Arizona where she met Jim Stroup.   Jim was Panama-bound, and Jim and Amelia arrived in Boquete as newlyweds in 2006. Almost immediately Amelia became involved with BCP. She was involved in the creation of the first theater location in Bantismo Bank Building (now HSBC) and made design contributions to our new BCP Theater & Events Center renovation project. She has been involved in numerous creative endeavors here in Boquete, from spearheading the 2008 Arte de Feria, to creating event branding, logos, sponsor ads, etc.

Boquete theater goers have recently been given a major gift of Amelia’s talents in the form of the Broadway Revue musical production, which was her latest brainchild, in which an amazing variety of song and dance numbers from award winning musical Broadway productions that had the audience going wild giving standing ovations to every number. THANK YOU, AMELIA….and thanks to all of your talented cast and crew!!!

Amelia has recently taken up painting, and is now retiring as our Art Director to pursue her new passion. Next time you see her, be sure to add your gratitude to ours, for all the hard work she’s done for BCP…..thanks so much, Amelia!

Wednesday, September 8th

Admission FREE for 1st Time Attendees

All Others Admission $2

Bob and Pam Hansel have the latest, greatest Karaoke numbers in their state of the art system, in both English and Spanish.

Join us at BCP’s Hexagon Room at 6:00 pm on the First Wednesday of every Month (with occasional exceptions for scheduled stage productions).

Bring a group of friends and sing-a-long for tons of fun!

One thing is for sure….someone you know is likely to be on stage since this production features over 40 of Boquete’s star performers.    The variety of numbers represented within the production assures that everyone will have something to set their toes a’tappin…..from Chicago, Annie Get Your Gun, A Chorus Line, Phantom of the Opera, Annie, Saturday Night Fever, Funny Girl or Annie.

And, be sure to get tickets for the Thursday night gala dinner at El Oasis, starting at 5:30, or Friday night’s BBQ, or Saturday night’s Martini Bar to add to  your enjoyment of the festivities.  Only the gala dinner requires advance ticket purchase ($15 on sale at MBE and El Oasis)

announce

The Cast for the award-winning play:

THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE

By Martin McDonagh

CAST:

Susan Thom as Mag Folan

Pam Pankratz as Maureen Folan

Julian Bonfiglio as Ray Dooley

Jim Hatch as Pato Dooley

Directed by Jim Hatch

PERFORMANCES WILL BE HELD SEPT. 23-24-25 AT THE

BOQUETE COMMUNITY PLAYERS (BCP) THEATRE 8 pm

TICKETS WILL GO ON SALE AT MAILBOXES ETC. SEPTEMBER 14

Set in the mountains of Connemara, County, Galway,  Ireland, The Beauty Queen of Leenane tells the darkly comic tale of Maureen Folan, a plain and lonely woman in her early forties, and Mag, her manipulative aging mother, whose interference in Maureen’s first and possibly final chance of a loving relationship sets in motion, a train of events that leads inexorably towards the play’s terrifying denouément.

Awards

• 1998 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play
• 1998 Drama League Award for Best Play
• 1998 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play
• 1998 Outer Critics Circle Award Best Broadway Play

Nominations

• 1998 Drama Critics’ Circle Award
• 1998 Tony Award for Best Play

August 17, 2010

President Dave Ross called the meeting to order at 1:10.   All council members were present except Susan Thoms who is away.  Functional managers Vicki Phelps and Nikki Steele were present.  Penny Ripple is away.  Also in attendance were Clare Edmonds and Jerry Gaspard.  Minutes from 7-14-10 and 8-1-10 were approved.

Erin Ross reported that we now have 284 members.  Nikki reported that we have a reservation for a Quincenera party on 9-18.  We also have a deposit of $100 from Jim Hatch for September 23-24-25 with rehearsal times of 3 – 5 pm for the week prior plus a few other days.

We discussed changing the contract for the party room to require events to end by midnight and return by a specified time the next day to clean.  We also need penalties for not obeying the terms of the contract.  We had severe problems with the DJ for the last party, and he is not allowed here again.  Vicki and Nikki will suggest penalties and Dave will redo the contracts in English and Spanish.

Rhody Edwards reported that we only made $37 on each of the last 2 events after the split with Anayansi.  He suggested that we need to go back to charging for table and chair rental.  He also wants the board to establish priorities for spending money.  He also requested that all board members read the by-laws and all contracts.

Antonio Singh wants to have a string quartet perform as a BCP production.  He filled out the proposal form, but we want him to come to the next meeting a give a verbal proposal and answer questions.  That meeting will be September 7 at 1:00 with the new council.  Nikki reiterated that only Vicki and Nikki can do contracts to avoid confusion and mistakes.  Nikki got board approval for purchase of a hose reel for the garden, a dolly for bar supplies, and more tablecloths.

Lane reported that we have about $3000 in checking and $4000 in savings.  Broadway Revue has used $1034 in expenses so far, and has brought in $660 in program sponsorships.  She handed out P&L reports.

We agreed that there would be no more use of the refrigerator by private parties due to the inconvenience of emptying our supplies.  Parties can use washtubs of ice.  Our contract specifies sink with cold water and a serving area, but no frig.

Bob reported that the AC remote is being fixed.  Requests for using Allen need to go through Bob per his e-mail.  Allen is currently not available.  Jerry Wager will pick up responsibility for maintenance when Bob is off the board.

Mary Lynah turned in her parking lot key.  All council members will have parking lot keys, Nikki put the new names on her list.

More party issues:  Renters wanted to leave their rental tables and chairs until Monday.  Kids were sitting on the bar, lights broken, other bad behavior.  ONLY BCP can run a cash bar.  Renters can have an open bar, but not sell drinks.

Vicki would like to assign recurring events to all council members to spread out the work.  Clare reported that potluck attendance is on the decline with only 11 people last month.  She suggested changing the frequency.  There was discussion on how to make this more appealing.  Jerry Gaspard will take on working with karaoke and Clare will work on spicing up the potluck, maybe with holiday themes.  Council approved silverware and napkins expenditures.

Bob says a group wants to rent space on our roof for advertising.  Mary pointed out that this might create a problem with our lease.  He will get more information.  Nikki says the light is off on the English side of our sign.

Meeting adjourned.

Mary Lynah, Secretary

Sunday, September 19, 2010

1:00 pm – gathering

2:00 pm – luncheon

Contact:  Potluck Committee

You will be given a food assignment and more information about this month’s event.    It’s casual and you are welcome to bring friends.

The monthly potluck began in 2002 when a few newly arrived ExPats decided to get together to discuss the challenges of living in a new country.   This eventually grew into the Tuesday Morning Meeting, and BCP has revived the original concept of a potluck gathering to keep the tradition going.  (To read more about the origins of this, see From Small Seeds Big Trees Grow.)

The hottest ticket in town goes on sale today at Mail Boxes Etc on Main Street Boquete, so drop in each to pick yours up right away!!  Play tickets are $10 per person.

In addition to play tickets, consider the Special Events that are scheduled before the play each night.   Tickets for the Gala Opening Night Dinner at El Oasis are on sale at MBE and at El Oasis for $15 per person.   Be sure to arrive at 5:30 so you can will have plenty of time to enjoy your meal and take the complimentary transportation over to the theater.   You will be asked to choose your entree when you purchase your dinner ticket.   The pre-play events on Friday and Saturday night require no advance ticket purchase.  On site cost for the Friday BBQ is $5 per person.   The Martini Bar is $3 to $4 per drink.

So….for a night of high quality mixing, mingling and theater, featuring music from the Broadway Musicals you know and love….join us at BCP!  Tickets on sale TODAY for $10 per person!

And, don’t forget there are also pre-play special events on Friday and Saturday night also……no advance ticket purchase is required…just be at the BCP Theater at 5:30 pm.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Council in attendance: Dave Ross, Bob Johnson, Lane Suarez, Sandi Stephens and Erin Ross.

Meeting began at 1pm.

Dave Ross covered the meeting rules and announced candidates for the 2010/2011 Council.

Election: Bob Johnson discussed the process that will be followed for the election.

The candidates, if available, gave a brief speech. Bob stated that the votes will be counted by 2pm.

Previous meeting minutes were approved.

Membership: Erin Ross stated our membership is at 274 members at this time. She thanked the 30+ people who showed up today for this meeting.

Building Maintenance: Bob Johnson stated Allan Lewis has completed many of the little items that needed completing. He’s added a new security door off of the lobby for wheelchair access and Anayansi’s catering access. He’s also repaired several roof leaks and powerwashed the stairs leading from the parking lot. Allan is quick and knowledgeable and Bob highly recommends him. Our punchlist is long overdue. We still need to install counter tops in the dressing area, good mirrors and lighting. The stage requires an electric floor socket. We intend to turn ‘Sabino’s room’, the room behind the stage, into a costume room, including adding shelving and hanging racks.

Bookings: Vicki Phelps mentioned Penny Ripple’s proposal for BCP to hold an Art Fair to be held January 14-16, 2011. Antonio Singh has not reserved time at BCP for his Art Fair which was held in October last year. Penny is working with Chris McCall, of Boquete Arts, to organize the artists. These dates are to coincide with Boquete’s Feria.

Discussion ensued. Suggestions thrown about on how to manage the parking lot during this hectic time. Much support for a BCP Art Fair was exhibited, however, it was strongly suggested that the dates be moved to a time when the Fairgrounds aren’t packed.  Perhaps February.

Wednesday, September 15^th will be a Members Only ‘Meet your Council’ Party. This would include a champagne toast, cash bar and music. It was requested that our members step up to help put this party together.

August has 2 private parties booked. August 7^th is the Rhythm & Blues dance and Hospice has reserved three days for a training session/orientation.

September will include the potluck from 1-4 on the 15^th. Jim Hatch, of Chiriqui Players, has requested the 23^rd through the 26^th for a production, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, although we have yet to receive the deposit for confirmation. Auditions will be held on August 4^th.

Antonio Singh has mentioned bringing in a string Quintet, though this isn’t a solid booking.

Leara Clausing has submitted a proposal for the Female Odd Couple to be presented November 18^th through the 20^th.

The Panamonte Hotel has reserved December 12^th for their employee Christmas Party for the second year in a row.

Leara has submitted a proposal for Steel Magnolias to be presented February 18^th through the 20^th, 2011. The audience appeared to be quite receptive to this production. It was noted that with the two directors, Leara Clausing and Jim Hatch, we should be able to create a season of solid productions.

Finances: Lane Suarez handed out Profit & Loss statements, balance sheets and rental sheets. These are available to anyone here today on the lobby bar.  Lane stated that during the time period January to August, our income was twice the amount this year than it was last year during the same time period. We’ve generated almost $11,000 in rentals, which covers our monthly expenses. This includes the Tuesday Market, Rotary and hospice, which Jerry Hedrick initiated.

We still have a $3,000 loan to be repaid, though the loaner isn’t pressuring the re-payment.

Licensing of vendors at the Tuesday Market was mentioned. After discussions with the BCP lawyer, it was determined that each vendor is responsible for their own licensing. This information was passed to the vendors.

Keys: Dave Ross stated that three lockboxes have been installed and are ready for use. The lockbox to the right of the green door is for Council use and includes the Green Door key, the Hex room key and the Bar key.

The lockbox to the left of the green door is for the Directors and Contractors. The code will change when the current production ends. We will also request the return of the parking lot key from the Directors.

There is also a lockbox located across from the sound/light booth.

We have an inventory list for keys/their location/who has keys out. This list needs continual updating, as do the instructions for opening and closing the BCP facility.

Health Department: Dave Ross stated that we have passed our inspection by the Health Department. However, we were warned that standing water on our property must be removed or we will be fined upon the next inspection. The plastic water catchers on the bottom of our plants were removed. We should be in compliance now.

Lane mentioned our  3 fire extinguishers and their locations ~ in the kitchen, opposite the sound/light booth and offstage right in the theatre. Lane suggested another be purchased for use in the theatre seating area.

It was mentioned that the sliders in the theatre must be unlocked during a performance or Tuesday Meeting or whenever many people are in the theatre. These keys are located in the Bar closet.

Baby Grand Piano: Dave brought up the Baby Grand from LEAF that we were asked to consider housing in our lobby. We were awaiting a response from the Hogar Trisker folks as to what sort of schedule we could anticipate from the children receiving instruction on the piano. In the interim, an agreement was made with Cultura’s Restaurant and the piano was moved to that location. Upon discovering this, Antonio Singh has stated that this isn’t the end of BCP’s possibly housing the piano. The Council is still split on this issue, though it was decided we will re-address when/if the matter is brought to us again.

Jerry Gaspard, Bar Manager, will be gone for the month of September. He wishes to continue at least monthly Happy Hours and needs the members’ input as to what a good draw would be in conjunction with the Happy Hours since Susan Thoms has taken the comedy troupe Lunatic Fringe with her to Tammy’s Restaurant.

Rhody Edwards appealed to the audience in hopes of gathering the funds needed for a curtain for the entire front of the stage. He would like to see this curtain in place for the Broadway Revue at the first of September.

It was suggested we have a BCP Birthday Party and apply fundraising to the festivities.  Our ‘birth date’ is November 22^nd.  It would be a good opportunity to be reminded of how far we have come since our inception and to illustrate what else remains to be done.

Bob Johnson announced our new council members for the term Sept.2010/2011.

They are: Dave Ross, President; Jerry Wager, Vice President; Sandi Stephens, Secretary; Vicki Phelps, Operations Director; Jerry Gaspard, Treasurer; Penny Ripple, Marketing Director; and Learing Clausing, Creative Director.

It was mentioned that we need at least one other Theatre Manager, in addition to Nikki Steele, since Vicki is now the Operations Director.

Meeting adjourned at 2:50pm.

Here is just a taste of what you’ll be seeing (and hearing)!

Annie Get Your Gun

This fictionalized version of the life of wild west sharp shooter Annie Oakley was written especially for Ethel Merman and opened at the Imperial Theater in 1946.   The New York production ran for 1,147 performances and was the biggest hit of Merman’s career.   A movie version starring Betty Hutton as Annie, with Howard Keel as her leading man, screened in 1950, taking Annie Get Your Gun to a massive audience that today can still sing the rousing songs from the hit musical film.   In 1999 the play was revived, with Bernadette Peters in the starring role.   Sandi Stephens stars as Annie Oakley and Tom Werder plays Frank….her leading man.

Annie

Popular comic strip Little Orphan Annie is the foundation of the broadway musical, with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin.    This crowd pleaser ran for nearly six years on Broadway, setting a record for the Alvin Theater (now the Neil Simon Theater), and spawned many versions performed in several countries as well as national tours.    Annie won the Tony Award for Best Musical, and it will return to Broadway in 2012.   Ana Elisa will star as Annie, singing You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Song and the award winning favorite, Tomorrow.

A Chorus Line

This wildly popular musical opened in 1975 on Broadway at the Shubert Theater and ran for 6,137 performances, holding the record as the longest running musical in history, for many years.   While all shows are a collaboration, A Chorus Line particularly owed its success to its true creator, Michael Bennett, who was the most dominate director-choreographer to ever stage a show.   He knew that it would have commercial audience appeal, and he wanted the show to spotlight the life of chorus dancers (“gypsies” in theatrical terms)….he wanted to honor a dancer’s life and this he did with flair and originality!   Boquete favorite, Dana Applegate will perform Hope I Get It and Dance 10, Look 3.

Phantom Of The Opera

Everybody loves Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical version of The Phantom Of The Opera, which holds the prestigious record as the most successful piece of entertainment of all time, produced in any media.   Stage plays, movies and millions of copies of the amazing score have been enjoyed by people the world over for many years.    Phantom opened at Her Majesty’s Theater in London, England on September 27, 1986, and is in its 24th year on the same stage.   In January of 1988 Phantom opened at the Majestic Theater in New York City.   It is the longest running show in theater history and is the only Broadway production to ever reach its 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st and this January, it’s 22nd birthday on Broadway.    It is estimated that Phantom has been seen by more than 100 million people in 149 cities in 25 countries, in no fewer than 14 different languages, around the world.  BCP will thrill to Bob Moyle singing the wildly popular Music Of The Night and Shawn Pope will perform Believe In Me, and Rachel & Katherine Olsen will perform Angels of Music.

Chicago

Prohibition era Chicago is the setting for this Bob Fosse choreographed hit that first appeared on Broadway in 1975, and ran for 936 performances.   Based on actual criminals and crimes of this historic era, the play was revived in 1996 and holds the record for the longest running musical revival on Broadway.   in 2002, Hollywood released the film version, which received numerous Academy Awards, and starred Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere and Queen Latifah.   Our stage will present Lane Suarez & Dana Applegate performing All That Jazz and Nowadays.   The show’s hit song Cell Block Tango, is directed by BCP’s Membership Manager Erin Ross, has a huge cast, featuring Leara Clausing, Yella Werder and Sandi Stephens.

Saturday Night Fever

Who can forget John Travolta’s heart stopping dance in his snow white three piece suit and black open collared shirt?    This musical featured songs by The Bee Gees that keeps people on their feet even today, 23 years after it appeared on screen.   Inspired and adapted by many, based on a book by Nan Knighton, and New York Magazine’s 1975 article “Tribal Rights of the New Saturday Night” by Nik Cohn, Norman Wexler’s 1977 screenplay focuses on Tony Manero, a Brooklyn youth whose weekend is spent at the local Disco.   He’s admirerd by the crowd and adored by Stephanie Mangano, his dance partner.  On Saturday Night Tony can forget his dead-end job at the paint store and his gang of dead-beat friends to become King….of the Disco!   Directed by Arlene Phillips, the stage adaptation premiered at West End’s London Palladium in 1998.   The award winning musical was supported by a cast album released by Polydor Records.    The BCP stage proudly presents Calixto Moreno as Tony and features Mary & Vern Lloyd in a solo disco dance.

Funny Girl

Funny Girl holds its place in the hearts of millions, with a tremendous musical component.   Based on a book by Isobel Lennert with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill, the semi-biographical plot is set in and around New York City just prior to and following WWI.  It follows the life of Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice, who is awaiting the return of her husband, Nick Arnstein, from prison.   The story is told as a flashback and reflects on their life together.  Its original title was My Man.  The musical was produced by Ray Stark, who was Brice’s son-in-law via his marriage to Brice’s daughter, Frances.   The original Broadway production starred Barbra Streisand, and was nominated for 8 Tony Awards.   It faced strong competition from Hello, Dolly! starring Carol Channing, so it failed to win in any of the categories for which it was nominated.    Yella Werder directs and performs the favorite number from the musical, Don’t Rain On My Parade.

Snoopy!!! The Musical

Based on the Charles Schultz much-loved cartoon character Snoopy, this musical premiered in 1975 in San Francisco and was directed by Arthur Whitelaw.   In 1982 it was produced Off-Broadway, and in 1983 in London’s West End Dutchess Theatre.   It was revived in 2003 in London and was the basis of a prime-time animated TV special which aired on CBS in 1988.   This number is special, because it gives Boquete kids a chance to perform….and perform they do!!!   Director of this piece Yella Werder now knows what it’s like to herd cats!   You’re gonna love this one!