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closeTheater faces obstacles but continues to put on a happy face
ManeStage Theatre Company operates from a church and high school, relies on volunteers and hopes for more donors
Roxanne Cooke
Running a theater company is full of challenges, but Brenda and Jay Henson are happy to work around the kinks to provide fun, family-oriented productions.
The Hensons head up ManeStage Theatre Company, based in Sumner. The company will perform its third musical, “Bye Bye Birdie,” this weekend and next weekend at the Sumner High School Performing Arts Center.
Purchasing the rights to the popular 1950s musical comedy is costly, but the costumes will be easy to find at thrift stores and relatives’ closets, the two said. The cost balances out, though. Their last two plays, “The Wizard of Oz” and “Cinderella” were not the well-known Disney versions, so the rights were not as expensive. But for “Cinderella,” the Renaissance-era costumes were mostly handmade — and pricey.
“One show pays for the next show,” Jay Henson said.
ManeStage is still new to town, so spreading the word has mainly consisted of passing flyers around to local businesses. Also, the Sumner Arts Commission will help pay for banners to advertise the community theater’s plays.
With two shows in the bag, the Hensons said they’re doing well so far. At least 100 people have attended each performance and the couple has garnered plenty of support from the community.
“It’s been very well received,” Brenda Henson said.
The couple moved to Sumner two years ago from Los Angeles and debuted their first performance, “The Wizard of Oz,” in February. Both have years of experience in theater. They plan to produce six or seven plays each year, with the majority being musicals. All of their plays are family-oriented — upcoming productions include “Romeo and Juliet,” “Tom Sawyer” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Even their cast is full of families, including some teens who have persuaded their parents to audition. Other parents have convinced their children to try out.
“I love that aspect of it,” Jay Henson said. “They’re hanging out and having a good time.”
In “Bye Bye Birdie,” fictional rock-and-roll superstar Conrad Birdie, whose character is based on that of Elvis Presley, finds himself drafted into the U.S. Army. As a publicity stunt before the rock star is sent overseas, Birdie’s manager and his manager’s girlfriend come up with a plan to release a new single and give one fan “one last kiss.”
“It’s very popular,” Brenda Henson said. “It’s a classic. It’s very high energy.”
Fitting along with other plays ManeStage has performed, “Bye Bye Birdie” appeals to a variety of ages and is full of upbeat dance numbers and humor that both adults and children can appreciate.
“It’s a good, feel good show,” Jay Henson said.
ManeStage continues to conduct rehearsals at a local church, but faces challenges in storing and transporting costumes, sets and other props. Coordinating with school events is another challenge, but Jay Henson’s position as Sumner High School PAC coordinator makes it easier for him to know what’s going on and how to plan around concerts and other events.
It’s the couple’s long-term goal to have a permanent home for their theater company, but for now they’ll rent the PAC for set building, dress rehearsals and performances.
“It’s a chore, but it’s not like anyone’s complaining about it,” Jay Henson said. “We’re here to serve, not be served.”
They hope to earn the support of donors to help back their company. Ticket sales cover approximately 60 percent of a production, and ManeStage relies entirely on volunteers and donations.
“As long as the community’s behind it, it’ll keep going,” Jay Henson said. “Tickets don’t cover everything.”
“That’s just the nature of theater,” Brenda Henson added.
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MANESTAGE THEATRE PRESENTS “BYE BYE BIRDIE” at the Sumner Performing arts Center
ManeStage Theatre Company presents the classic 1950s musical comedy “Bye Bye Birdie” in August at the Sumner High School Performing Arts Center, located at 1707 Main St.
Tickets are $10 and early reservations are recommended.
For more information, call 253-447-7645 or visit www.manestagetheatre.com.
Performance dates and times include:
> Friday, Aug. 1: 7 p.m.
> Saturday, Aug. 2: 7 p.m.
> Sunday, Aug. 3: 2 p.m.
> Friday, Aug. 8: 7 p.m.
> Saturday, Aug. 9: 7 p.m.
> Sunday, Aug. 10: 2 p.m.