Scotland Road of the TITANIC

Theatre of mystery and madness SERIES continues

JOSHUA TREE, CA – Why does “Scotland Road,” the next show at the Hi-Desert Cultural Center start at 2:02 pm and 7:02 pm exactly on Saturday, November 21st?  Because it is a mystery of course!  The Theatre of Mystery and Madness Series continues with two shows by special engagement at the center’s Blak Box Theatre.  Originally commissioned by the City of Rancho Mirage, these performances are co-produced by the award-winning California Desert Regional Theatre and the Hi-Desert Cultural Center.

Set in the present, a young woman is rescued from the North Atlantic, floating on the ice,  in early 1900‘s clothing, barely alive and speaking only the word: "TITANIC."  She knows every last detail about the doomed ship, yet how could she have survived?  A surprise ending awaits us in this intriguing thriller of history, mystery, fraud and suspense!  

This production features several celebrated actors from the Low and Hi-Desert, starring Rocky Blumhagen, Yo Younger, Marty Neider and Deborah Harmon.  Directed by Scott Smith, this one is not to be missed.

From the author of the hit story “Three Viewings,” Jeffry Hatcher’s story is about how we think about the sinking; and why the Titanic has become a cultural obsession.  According to a recent article by Mr. Hatcher, the play's reason for being stems from having read a biography and a tabloid headline within days of each other. The biography was of how Mary Shelley's father, a respected writer and rationalist, became absorbed by a newspaper story about the frozen body of a man that had been recovered in the alps. When "defrosted" this man declared that he had been caught in an avalanche in 1660. Godwin tried to set up an interview with this 200-year-old ice man only to find the story that had shaken his rationalism was indeed a hoax.

The day after reading this book, Hatcher came across a headline in a tabloid which read "Titanic Survivor Found on Iceberg." His playwriting instinct immediately clicked into overdrive as his imagination strung together the elements that were to become “Scotland Road”, the central passageway that ran the length of the Titanic, allowing crew members to pass from First Class to steerage.  As Jeffery Hatcher’s sums it up: "A mysterious woman with a secret. A rational man desperate to believe. A shared obsession. A locked Room. Some twists, some turns. An iceberg. The Titanic."

“Scotland Road” runs by special engagement one day only on November 21st, 2009 at 2:02 pm and 7:02 pm at the newly renovated Blak Box Theatre, located directly behind the historical Hi-Desert Playhouse, recently renamed the Kaye Ballard Playhouse, at 61231 Hwy 62 in Joshua Tree, CA.  Tickets are $14 adults and $12 seniors, students and military.  Group discounts are available.  To order tickets, call the Kaye Ballard Box Office at 760-366-3777 to talk to a “live” person, hear a description of upcoming shows or community events and activities. Alternatively, order tickets online at http://www.hidesertculturalcenter.com using the new, easy to use Vendini ticketing system. 

The Story of Alice & Friends
Everyone's Favorite Dinner Theatre

Actress Alice Whytock

JOSHUA TREE, CA –  When Alice Whytock, a well-know local actor and Yucca Valley resident since 1987, discovered in her early eighties that there just weren’t that many parts for women her age, she didn’t let it get her down. She said, “Heck, I’ll just produce my own plays!” Exposed to theatre from an early age, Alice had long had a dream of bringing a sophisticated evening of dinner and theatre to the Morongo Basin. This seemed to be the perfect time. What she didn’t want were weeks of rehearsals, pages of lines to memorize, complicated set design and weeks tied up in performing. The answer: Reader’s Theatre – a nationally accepted form of theatre, performed mostly by and for senior citizens across the United States. Actors read their lines from scripts right in front of the audience. The staging is minimal to say the least and the viewer is asked to use their imagination to enjoy the play. Storytelling at its best! Alice chose to do one performance only. And she donates all proceeds to support the local theatres in our community. She doesn’t act for the money. She’ll tell you herself, she’s a ham who just loves to be on stage.

The very first production was called LOVE LETTERS, performed in the late 90’s at Wine & Roses, starring Alice and her dear friend, well-known local actor, Ken Lindsey of Morongo Valley. The play was followed by a buffet dinner. The second production, DRIVING MISS DAISY, followed within two years at the Yucca Valley Inn, known as Bruce’s Place, catered by Bruce Campbell. After that production, Alice became very busy acting in CINDERELLA, SUNSHINE GIRLS and all of the CLEMENTINE Summer Theatre productions at the Hi-Desert Cultural Center (now re-named the Kaye Ballard Theatre and the Blak Box Theatre) so Alice & Friends went on hiatus for a few years. Then back in 2004, it was born again at the Roadhouse Café with another performance of LOVE LETTERS, again starring Alice and Ken.

By popular demand, Alice & Friends has continued twice yearly. Past directors include Lisa Womack, Jeanette Lyons, Les Taylor and Judy Robertson, who has also served as Alice’s second banana in her Emcee since the third Alice & Friends production. New acts have been added, including a hilarious joke session with the ladies of the cast called GIRLY WISDOM, lovely vocals with Barb Miller, Ann Haught, Kay Meads and Alice herself. Great music has been provided by Chuck Miller and John Whytock. Alice is always looking for new skits and play material and has included many of the very popular Ethel and Albert comedy skits from the old radio days.

Huell Howser recently called Alice after seeing her picture and flyer at the Roadhouse Café, expressing an interest in Alice & Friends. So much interest that Alice hopes he’ll be in the audience at her next production: A MERRY CHRISTMAS CAPER, directed by Anne Haught, on Sunday, November 29th at 2pm, Blak Box Theatre, Joshua Tree, followed by a dinner catered by Bruce Campbell. The fabulous Kaye Ballard is also expected to attend. Remember, the shows are sellout. Reservations are a must. Call the Hi-Desert Cultural Center at 366-3777 or if you want to hang your own dream on a star, go ahead and call the lady herself, Alice Whytock at 365-7245.