UNDER CONSTRUCTION please contact if you have any ?'s ....MORE COMING SOON!!
stacey@virginiacityplayers.com

~This Site is Under Construction but feel free to browse and enjoy~

Call 1-800-829-2969 to Virginia City, Montana for 2008 reservations:

Pre-Season Ticket Sales HERE!

This year something new!!! 5 Shows 7 days a week! We will be bringing you 19 shows weekly, all in repertory fashion with more matinees and more of what you have asked for! Our small daytime matinee company will produce 2 MERRY MYSTERY MATINEES written and directed by veteran player Bruce Hurlbut! And of course our evenings and weekend matinees will be filled with our BIG SHOW AND VAUDEVILLE! Don't miss a minute! We look forward to seeing you in 2008!





~ Stacey Gordon ~
Once again, I have the best of the best directorial staff here in the mountains of Montana! Bruce Hurlbut is returning after a one year hiatus and I am so thrilled to have him at the helm of our new 'Merry Mystery Matinee' company. If you have never seen his one act musical comedies, you are in for a thrill! Bobby G. was my stage manager for two years before moving down the street to strut his comedy stuff at the Brewery Follies (he's still there by the way!!) but Bobby's real genius is directing, and I am thrilled he is taking the time to direct 'The Count of Monte Cristo' for me! Sean Abley is back! Sean and I were both actors with the Virginia City Players back in 1986. Ahem. Uhhhh.... we were mere children! At any rate he has agreed to write and direct another one of his wacky musical comedies, and I for one am looking forward to seeing how 'The Count of Darkenss' deals with teenage girls. Last but not least my dear friend Roger Hedden, Roger has Broadway, film, and writing credits that amaze me. His talent is endless and he is one of the funniest people I know. Who better to take on the legendary George Bernard Shaw? It's going to be a terrific season, and these people are the reason why you will thrilled from start to finish!
~ Bruce Hurlbut ~

Bruce  Hurlbut recently directed ‘The Canterville Ghost’ and ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ for the Virginia City Players.  A playwright, director and composer, his works have been produced on and off Broadway, and for regional theaters around the country.  He has a special affinity for creating theater in his native Montana.   He was Artistic Director of the Virginia City Players from 1980-87, and founded the Brewery Follies there in 1984.   In 2000 he founded a summer theater company at the Opera House in Philipsburg.  He’s written several interactive dinner theater events for the Vigilante Theater Co.  Bruce teaches and writes in Seattle, where his recent musicals ‘Moby Dick The Musical’ and ‘Edgar Allan Poe: Action Figure’ have been produced.  
~ Sean Abley ~

SEAN ABLEY was born and raised in Helena, MT, attended the University of Montana in the Drama program, and was a VC Player in 1986.  He returned to Virginia City 20 years later to write and direct THE RISE OF THE HOUSE OF USHER.  He spent half of those twenty years away in Chicago, where he founded The Factory Theater (still going strong after all these years) and wrote/directed/appeared in dozens of productions including ATTACK OF THE KILLER B'S, REEFER MADNESS, NUCLEAR FAMILY and SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS: THE MUSICAL.  He then moved to Los Angeles, where he has worked in television and film for the past decade. Most of his film work is in low budget horror films, but his TV work has mostly been family fare like SABRINA: THE ANIMATED SERIES, SO WEIRD and DIGIMON. He's thrilled to be back in Virginia City!
~ Roger Hedden ~

Roger Hedden's one-acts have been produced by theatres including Ensemble Studio Theatre, Naked Angels, and Manhattan Punch Line. His first full length play, "Been Taken" was produced by Ensemble Studio Theatre. It was later revived by the Atlantic Theatre Company. His second play, "Bodies, Rest, and Motion" premiered at Lincoln Center Theatre. His third play “As Sure As You Live” premiered at the Flight Theatre of Los Angeles. He adapted "Bodies, Rest, and Motion" for the screen, and co-produced the Fine Line film. A year later, as a producer, he gathered five writer friends and together co-wrote the screenplay "Sleep With Me" for the MGM film. He subsequently wrote and directed the Lions Gate release “Hi-Life”. His new play, “The Count”, recently premiered at Florida Stage. He is a graduate of Columbia University and was the recipient of an N.E.A. Playwrighting fellowship. He currently resides in Missoula Montana where he is the Playwright in Residence for The Montana Rep.

~ Robert Gutierrez ~
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Bobby earned a BFA in acting from UM in 1998. He has served as the Artistic Director for the Fort Peck Summer Theatre, as the Company Manager for the Illustrious Virginia City Players, and a company member of the Brewery Follies. Bobby has toured three times with the Montana Repertory Theatre's educational outreach tour and been involved with seven of the Montana Rep's national tours. His directing credits include The Proposal, The Cripple of Innishmann, Parallel Lives, Suicide in B Flat, as well as Betty's Summer Vacation, Bug, Pillowman, and Stones in His Pockets for Montana Rep Missoula. He also directed the critically acclaimed world premiere of Roger Hedden's play As Sure as You Live in Los Angeles.
~ Virginia City Players ~
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As acting director/producer of the Virginia City Players it gives me great pleasure to introduce you this this season's cast. They have come from all over the U.S. and as is the tradition with the 'Players' they are the most talented of the talented! 60 Years ago this summer a man named Larry Barsness put together a little performance for a mining convention taking place in Virginia City and thus was planted the seed for the Virginia City Players. Coming up on our 60th year in the 'Old Stone Barn' is awe inspiring and such an honor! Look closely, you never know when you will see the likes of someone here who 'makes it' in the business! This theatre has seen the likes of Ronnie Claire Edwards who played Corabeth Walton Godsey on The Walton and Elmarie Wendel who played neighbor Mamie Dubcek on 'Third Rock From the Sun', Jayne Atkinson who most rcently starred as Karen Hayes in '24', and most recently Jason Earles who plays Jackson Stewart on 'Hannah Montana'. I'd like to think everyone who works this stage is a 'star'. They work hard, they have to be multi-talented, and they have to be (in the words of my hero Ben Tone) 'CLEVER'. 'You must be clever'. So enjoy these extremely clever, talented and above all.... NICE people! Stacey Gordon

18 Jamie Parnell
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Jamie Parnell is in his fourth year with the Virginia City Players.  A native of Hamilton, MT, Jamie has spent most of his formative years on MT stages.  He has recently been seen in Urinetown, as Bobby Strong, Bat Boy: The Musical as Dr. Parker, and The Marriage of Figaro as Figaro.  He has trained in Vienna, Austria and Oklahoma City University, as well as having taken classes at both the Kodaly Institute in Hungary and the Orff Institute in Austria.  He has spent the past year in New York City and as always, he is grateful beyond words for having such a supportive family and being back in Montana. 

22 Nora Gustuson
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Nora is enthused to be back for a third season at the Virginia City Opera House and is thrilled to be joining the Merry Mystery Matinees in it's inaugural season. Nora spent her past year living on the road with The Montana Repertory Theatre in their educational outreach state tour of Frankenstein (Elizabeth) and their national tour of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (Trixie the No-neck monster). Other favorite roles include Annelle in Steel Magnolias, Judy in A Chorus Line, Teddy in The Debutante Ball, Belle in A Christmas Carol, and the numerous women in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Whether it is a singing bee, a cross-eyed turtle or a tap dancing skeleton, Nora has loved all her roles here at the Opera House and wants to thank her family, friends and the community of Virginia City in helping her live her dreams everyday.
23 Rhonda Smith
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Rhonda Smith grew up surrounded by wheat fields on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation near Poplar, MT. That was thirty-some years ago-and she has since: earned her MFA from The Hillberry Repertory at Wayne State University in Detroit; co-founded the Vigilante Theatre Company; tour managed Montana Shakespeare in the Parks; acted at the Kennedy Center and has performed at the Virginia City Opera House off and on since...... Rhonda's voice on Imagine That! has been heard weekly over the radio for public universities statewide. Her current and constant companion, Pepper, "The Wonder Dog" came from the Bozeman Humane Society. Many thanks to them.

14 Deena Badr
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Deena, a New York native, is thrilled to be back in Montana as a second year Virginia City Player.  Deena graduated with a B.A. in Musical Theatre from The State University of New York at Cortland in 2004.  Her favorite credits include Mama Morton in Chicago, Muriel and Norma in  Plaza Suite, Mazeppa in Gypsy, Robin in Godspell, and the Princess Puffer in The Mystery of Edwin Drood.  She will be remembered last year as that 'gal in the audience' in the vaudeville show and as the wine guzzling diva in 'Rise of the House of Usher'. 

21 Kyle Cassady
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Kyle is a 22 year old musical theatre major at Western Illinois University. He is thrilled to be working at The Virginia City Players for the first time! Originally from the farm community of Ancona, Illinois, he has been acting practically since he could walk. He has recently been seen as Mr. Bungee in "A New Brain". Some of his favorite roles he has played have been: Bill Sykes in "Oliver!", Riff Raff in "The Rocky Horror Show", Harold in "Communicating Doors", Kinickie in "Grease" and Marcellus in "The Music Man". Also, he is looking forward to working with his colleges C.J. Langdon and Drew Hampton this summer as well! He would like to thank his parents and Bill Kincaid for being so supportive!
Heather Capello
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Heather Capello is excited to be spending the summer in Virginia City, a far cry from her noisy home in New York. She recently received her BFA from Texas State University graduating Cum Laude. Some of her favorite credits include Cinderella in Into the Woods, Sally in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Viola in Twelfth Night, and Star to Be in Annie. Heather loves hiking and wants to save the world. Anyone know some good hiking spots? She sends love to the family way back home in Texas, and to her Daddy overseas.

20 Justin Fatz
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Justin Fatz has been performing on various stages since he was 7 yrs of age.
His past theatre credits include "The Nerd", "little Shop of Horrors", Anything Goes", "La Cage Aux Folles" and "Rocky Horror Show.  He worked on Spirit Cruise Lines for 2 yrs as a performer  in Seattle, WA.  His productions have been in states such as LA, Portland, Seattle, Fargo, Minneapolis and Waikiki.  Justin has been involved in all aspects of the arts throughout his adult life and does not plan to slow down anytime soon.  He is very glad to be back home in Montana and is thrilled to be spending his summer with Virginia City.
15 Drew Hampton
325

Drew originally hails for Dallas/Fort-Worth, Texas.  In August, he’ll be in his final year of the MFA Acting program at Western Illinois University.  Favorite roles include Versati/THE UNDERPANTS, Howie/RABBIT HOLE, and Man #2/I LOVE YOU…NOW CHANGE!!!  He’s also proud to have performed with Shakespeare Dallas and the ‘Un-Rehearsed Shakespeare’ project with Bill Kincaid.  Drew is a member of the Actor’s Equity Candidacy program.  (When Drew was in 3rd grade he lied about visiting his grandfather’s ranch in Montana in order to represent his class at Western Day.  Yes – Western Day.  Though that ranch has never existed, he’s glad he can, 15 years later, make that a slightly smaller lie.)
24Sarah Ittner
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A recent graduate of Central Michigan University, Sarah is happy to be in Montana this summer with the Virginia City Players. Sarah come to the Players with a BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in dance. Some of her favorite roles are Amy in ‘Little Women’, Kafka in ‘Words, Words, Words’ and Lily St Regis in ‘Annie’.
13 C.J. Langdon
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CJ Langdon- is excited to be spending this summer with the Virginia City
Players! CJ is currently a senior pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre from
Western Illinois University. Some of CJ's favorite roles include; Katurian in
The Pillowman, Mr. Martin in The Bald Soprano, Buff in Suburbia, and Rick
Steadman in The Nerd. CJ would like to thank Mom,Dad,Jennifer,Robi,and Tur-tur
for all of their constant love and support.
19 Jimmy Moore
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Jimmy Moore- Originally hailing from San Antonio TX, Jimmy is an '07 graduate of Texas State University with his BFA in Theater Production and Performance. In addition to directing and costume design, some of his favorite stage roles have included Danny in Grease, Matt in The Fantasticks, Richie in A Chorus Line,  and Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest. Jimmy now lives in New York, and is happily spending his summer in Virginia City.
16 Heather Schmidt
254

This is Heather’s first summer with Virginia City Players. Originally from St. Louis, Heather recently graduated with a BFA in acting from Wright State University.  Some of her favorite past roles include Alice in Closer, Celia in As You Like It, and Susan Kerner in Veronica’s Room.
~ Myles Nardinger ~

Myles will be spending his first year at the Opera House as Musical Director and Accompanist and Cremona-ist for the the Virginia CIty Players 'Big Show and Vaudeville'. He is a 2007 graduate of Coe College in Iowa with a BM in Piano Performance and a BA in mathematics. He worked as assistant musical director for Coe's productions of Batboy: the Musical and Gypsy and directed the orchestra for the Great Falls production of The Secret Garden in 2007. He is currently at the University of Montana working on his MM in piano performance before pursuing an advanced degree in conducting.

 

 

 

~ Lizzie Web ~
Lizzie Webb is a recent graduate of the University of Montana, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a minor in Music Performance.  Her theater career began in 2004 when Fort Peck Summer Theater called her five days before their production of The King and I, frantically needing an accompanist.  She dropped everything she was doing for the summer and traveled across the state to play the show.  The theater bug bit her and she couldn't stay away after that.  Since that fateful summer, she has played for 9 shows around the state of Montana; her favorites have been Little Shop of Horrors, Forever Plaid and Gypsy, which she also musical directed.  She has also acted in productions of Big River, Sweet Charity and played the role of the tap dancing Jennyanydots in Cats.  Lizzie has worked in Missoula for the last two years teaching tap and music at On Center Performing Arts and as a server at Mackenzie River Pizza.  She hopes to go back to school to earn a second Bachelors Degree in Musical Theater and become a musical director someday.  
 
When not playing for shows, working or going to school, Lizzie loves to cook, look at real estate, watch HGTV and play with her two adorable cats, Katie and Boo. 

~ Dave Calendine 'Feature Organist' ~
Dave Calendine, an Ohio native, started his musical career with the player piano at the age of 3. By age 5, he was playing some of the music without the aid of the player mechanism. By age 9, he was playing at his church, where he also started to teach himself the organ at age 15. When at age 16, Dave first heard the magnificent sound of the theatre organ, he was instantly hooked and determined to play the theatre organ at whatever the cost. His wish came true when, one night after a movie, the management of the Akron Civic Theatre let him play. Shortly after that, he was hired as one of the house organist at the 2,678-seat movie palace. The youngest person to ever hold the position, he entertained audiences there for over 3 years. After leaving the Akron Civic Theatre, he continued on, playing at several restaurants featuring theatre pipe organs, such as the Organ Grinder (Toronto, Canada), and Shady Nook (Cincinnati, Ohio). Dave has also played most major theatre pipe organs throughout the United States and Canada. In 2000, he went on his first overseas solo concert tour through Germany and Switzerland, playing to packed houses. Dave currently holds the position of Staff Organist for Detroit's fabulous Fox Theatre, holding that position for 15 years now. He has also played nine years for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, featuring the world-famous Rockettes. Dave's enthusiasm for the theatre and theatre pipe organ had him serving on the Board of Directors of the Motor City Theatre Organ Society, which owns and operates the Redford Theatre in Detroit. He was also the President of the Flint Theatre Organ Club, an auxiliary support group for the Flint Institute of Music. He currently is on the Board of Directors and Corporate Secretary of the Detroit Theatre Organ Society, which owns and operates the Senate Theatre and the large Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ installed there. His love of mechanical musical instruments also has him very active with chapters of the the Musical Box Society, International. For his regular employment, Dave is the Technical Director and Stage Manager of the City Theatre in Detroit. He also works in the Operations Department of Olympia Entertainment, one of the nations premier presenters of sports and live entertainment, operating several venues in Detroit, including the Fox Theatre, Cobo Arena, Masonic Temple Complex Theatres, Joe Louis Arena and Comerica Park. Currently 36 years old, Dave resides in Westland,
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~ Tickets for 2008! ~

Yes! You can now order your tickets to see the Virginia City Players right here! So, why wait for us to call you back or try and catch someone on the box office phone (we get soooo busy!) .. order here via Paypal (you do not need an account)... it's secure and safe and easy! We will hold your tickets at the box office for you! Order today!

The 'See All Five' Pre-Season Ticket Special

See any 3 Big Show and Vaudevilles and any 2 Merry Mystery Matinees (this includes the Monday and Tuesday Evening shows too)

Order now and we will hold a punch ticket for all five shows in your name at our box office! Makes a great gift!


~ ADULT PRE-SEASON TICKET $58 ~


~ CHILD (12 and under) PRE-SEASON TICKET $29 ~


Regular Big Show and Vaudeville Adult Ticket Wednesday Through Sunday Evening 7PM, Saturday and Sunday Matinees 2PM May 23rd - August 31st

~ Adult Tickets $15 ~
Ticket Date ( 00/00/00 )
Matinee or Evening
Child Ticket (Under 12) - Regular Big Show and Vaudeville Child Ticket Wednesday Through Sunday Evening 7PM, Saturday and Sunday Matinees 2PM May 23rd - August 31st

~ Child Ticket $8 ~
Ticket Date ( 00/00/00 )
Matinee or Evening
The ALL NEW Merry Mystery Matinees!!

All Seats General Admission Monday through Friday at 3PM, Monday and Tuesday Evenings at 7PM

~ Adults $10 ~

~ Children (12 and under) $5 ~

VIEW CART

PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION ~ please enjoy what is available

THE BREWERY FOLLIES in Virginia City, Montana

THE MONTANA HERITAGE COMMISSION

THE VIRGINIA CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CURTAIN RISING links to theatres all over the USA!

PORT POLSON PLAYERS in Polson, Montana

VENTURE THEATRE COMPANY in Billings, Montana

THE GRANDSTREET THEATRE in Helena, Montana

OPERA HOUSE THEATRE COMPANY in Philipsburg, Montana

THE FORT PECK THEATRE in Fort Peck, Montana

THE HAMILTON PLAYERS in Hamilton, Montana

THE ALPINE THEATRE PROJECT in Whitefish, Montana

BIGFORK SUMMER PLAYHOUSE in Bigfork, Montana