Mission Valley Friends of the Arts
Footnotes from the Footlights 2005
MVFA Membership Form .pdf
Travel Montana Grant
MVFA President Speaks Out
Players Open and Close with a Pair of Simon Comedies
Lewis & Clark & the Little People
MVFA / Port Polson Players a Great Team
Project Upgrades
Celebrating 30th Season
Dubay Foundation Match
Summer Theatre 2005....Our 30th Season
Port Polson Players In the Schools
Look at what your MVFA Membership & The Travel Montana TIIP Grant has done!!!
Karen Lewing looks on as Smith Paving of
A dry rotting staircase and an uneven site
Travel Montana Safety/Accessibilty TIIP Polson turned the golf course 'cart path' into
finally gave way to weather and age during Grant funded a new staircase. The south exit
a 'car path'. Making the theatre handicap
a Players Kid's camp.
is now up to code.
accessible was funded by MVFA and the
Travel Montana TIIP Grant.
The $36,000 Travel Montana TIIP Grant has been spent on everything the MVFA Board of Directors out-lined for the award, according to
Karen and Neal Lewing, Administrative and Managing Directors for the Mission Valley Friends of the Arts.
The Lewings facilitated the grant and reported that “in keeping with the safety and accessibility requirements of Travel Montana, the last of
the TIIP money was spent, this past spring, on the golf course ‘cart path,’ adapting it into a ‘car path’ for handicapped patrons.” Larry
Smith of Smith Paving was hired to do the job.
“We are proud local contractors provided almost all of the updating for the John Dowdall Theatre,” commented Karen Lewing. “ These
are all folks that live here and support theatre programs.”
MVFA President Dennis Anderson reports: “through the generosity of the TIIP grant and matching MVFA Membership funding, the
following projects have been completed:”
1. Western States Scaffolding & Abatement Inc. was contracted to remove an outdated boiler and blowers, found to contain asbestos.
2. MCS Environmental Inc. tested before and after, to document a clean bill of health when the asbestos was removed.
3. Marquardt Co. of Polson poured new cement stairs, lakeside.
4. The Tractor Shop of Polson provided railings for all stairways.
5. A Security system was installed by Mission Valley Security, a Ronan firm.
6.Rowley Lighting of Polson provided theatre exit and safety lights, more outside lightening, work lights for the auditorium, interior
audience stair lighting and illumination for the east handicap exit.
7. Hugh’s Electric from Polson facilitated all wiring for additional indoor audience lighting and outdoor safety lights.
Victor Bjornberg, a State Representative from Travel Montana, will be present June 10th, (which is opening night for “ Lewis & Clark &
The Little People”) to celebrate the completion of the John Dowdall Theatre’s Accessibility and Safety Project.
Back to top of page
Karen Lewing MVFA Administrative
Director, Ron Marquardt and Dennis
Anderson, MVFA President, discuss the old
entry access stairway in 2001.
"Marquardt Co." of Polson installed the
new staircase. "The Tractor Shop", also a
Polson firm, provided the powder-coated
railings for safety.
MVFA dollars hired Northwest Log Home
Care of Helena to re-chink and stain the
theatre. The $25,000 job also served as one
of several projects used as matching funds
for the TIIP Grant.
President Dennis Anderson Comments on Who Does What for Local Theatre
Built in 1938, the City owned John Dowdall Theatre has been renovated and is maintained by the non- profit
organization, Mission Valley Friends of the Arts (MVFA.) Under a twenty-year lease with the City of Polson, the MVFA
has an agreement with the Port Polson Players, to serve as caretakers for the facility.
Neal and Karen Lewing, Managing and Artistic Directors for the Players, also serve as Secretarial and Administrative
Directors for the MVFA. All fundraising drives for MVFA, follow up, publicity, building maintenance, contracted
renovation, grant assistance, accountability and facilitation are conducted by the Lewings, on behalf “The Friends.”
MVFA doesn’t pay them for these services. They trade out use of the facility to produce theatre.
When you donate to the Mission Valley Friends of the Arts your tax-deductible contribution is put into the physical
building. To date close to $150,000.00 has been raised locally, including our $36,000 TIIP award. It’s all been applied to
the beautiful John Dowdall Theatre facility. When you buy a ticket to see a Port Polson Players production, that money goes towards
producing the play, including insurance, publicity, costumes, scenery, royalties, and summer theatre pay- roll.
Both organizations have one thing in common: to provide a performance site for a live theatre program in the Mission Valley. The John
Dowdall Theatre is that venue. Thanks on behalf of MVFA and the Port Polson Players for your support. As a result, the Players are
celebrating their 30th season and have been performing in this location for the past 20 years.
Back to top of page
Players Open and Close with a Pair of Simon Comedies
The “Rumors” cast featured Shellie
Joyce Shima, Mike Lozar, Scott Gramer,
Winebrenner, Colin Timm, Karen Lewing, Laura Waters, Neal Lewing and Ron Grogan
Carmine Mowbray, Steve Lozar, Cathy
comprised the cast of “Broadway Bound.”
Gillhouse, Mike Lozar, Neal Lewing, Cynthia
Rochin and Scott Gramer.
The last play in a trilogy that includes
“Brighton Beach Memoirs” and “Biloxy
Blues,” it’s said the character of Eugene
(who was played by Scott Gramer) is the
alter ego of Neil Simon.
Neil Simon’s “ Rumors” and “ Broadway Bound” closed and then opened the John Dowdall Theatre, respectively,
celebrating the Port Polson Players 30th season. “Rumors” played to sell out crowds in November before the theatre was winterized. Bittersweet “Broadway Bound” was lauded as one of his best-written works. Neil Simon is America’s most prolific contemporary playwright.
Out of his 27 published full length plays, the Port Polson Players have produced 13.
Back to top of page
Lewis & Clark & the Little People
Hannah Lashe, Tessa Nunlist & Dylan Noyes,
appearing as Little People, join John
Glueckert as Pat Gass.
The show is funded by the National
Endowment for the Arts & National Forest
Service and is produced by the Players &
MVFA.
Cathy Gillhouse, Acorn Lonnie, Christa
Solomon and Dominique Charlton are
some of the folks from Ronan who perform
in “Lewis & Clark & The Little People.”
Ronan’s Diane Torres plays piano for the
show.
Thanks in part to a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the US Forest Service, which is administered through the Mission
Valley Friends of the Arts, Port Polson Players Managing Director Neal Lewing has brought a long-standing dream to fruition.
The Lewis and Clark expedition is seen in flashbacks through the eyes of Pat Gass, the longest-lived member of the Corps of Discovery.
Gass lived to be almost 99, even outliving his wife (whom he married at age 60 when she was 17) by 22 years.
Clark’s and Gass’s journals each mention their encounter with the Little People near what is now Vermillion, South Dakota, in August
of 1804. Spirit Mound is now a State Historical Site. The Little People, according to the Mandan Indians, were 18 inches high with large
heads and armed with arrows and accustomed to killing all who ventured too near. In Lewing’s show, Pat Gass, a colorful Irishman,
actually meets the Little People and charms them with songs and stories of Leprechauns.
“They let him live and gave him a special gift,” says Neal Lewing. “His long life was to be used as a model to teach others.” For
instance, Gass, a staunch conservationist, was taken with the natural beauty of the environment. “One stipulation from the Forest Service
included some conservation themes in the show, so Gass sings God Save the Mountains to exemplify his position.”
Lewing wrote the book, lyrics and music, which was scored for orchestra by Chris Stark, with additional piano arrangements by Karla
Gallatin. The orchestra is conducted by PHS Music Department’s Bob Mazurek, with Ronan’s Cathy Gillhouse helping coach the vocal
music. Sponsors for the show include First Citizens Bank, Super 1 Foods and First Interstate Bank. It’s produced by the Port Polson Players
in association with the Mission Valley Friends of the Arts.
Back to top of page
MVFA / Port Polson Players a Great Team
According to sources at Travel Montanan, MVFA was chosen to receive a 2004 TIIP (Tourism Infastructure
Improvement Program) grant for a variety of reasons.
The $36,000 grant is for "bricks and mortar" projects to address safety and accessibility issues and to improve
viable tourism attractions.
Mainly, the grant review committee was impressed with the long track record of the MVFA and it's association
with the Port Polson Players.
The players have provided a three part program of performing arts in the Mission Valley for two decades.
While their award-winning Children's Theatre programs and Community Theatre provide activities that attract
patrons from as far as Kalispell and Missoula, it's the Players Summer Theatre that brings audience members
from across the region.
In fact according to directors Karen and Neal Lewing, nearly 70% of summer patrons are from out of town and
many stay over at least one extra day , patronizing other area businesses.
With the Players reputation of providing quality education and entertainment projects, many involving the
classics and works that are not available in other theatre markets, the Travel Montana panel provided
substantial support to the value of Polson performing arts as an economic development tool in western Montana.
Photo - Larry & Pat Barsness and Marie & John Dowdall started the Port Polson Players 30 years ago. Neal & Karen Lewing have been
with the players for 25 seasons.
New Light System and Other Project Upgrades
After spending a lot of grant money on safety and accessibility last year, MVFA will address interior operational issues in 2005.
First up is a long-overdue stage lighting upgrade, consisting of new power boosters and control console. Since 1986, aging Port Polson
Players equipment has been used. According to Neal Lewing, who designs lights for the shows, “A lot of power was running through our
small old dimmer boards. It was definitely time for an upgrade.” Lewing also constructed a new light control booth, so whoever is running
lights for a production can see the stage action. Hugh’s Electric installed additional wiring for the project.
Recently, a new wrought iron cage was installed to protect the tree in the grassy teardrop, which was vandalized last fall.
Later, the building is due for power wash and bug control treatment. Also, the issue of low hanging tree limbs will be dealt with. MVFA
membership money is continually enhancing The beautiful John Dowdall Theatre.
Back to top of page
Celebrating Their 30th Season
Out of all the communities in the State of Montana, only nine have live theatre’s that operate year ‘round! The Port Polson Players in
association with Mission Valley Friends of the Arts are The Port Polson Players produce an average of 10 shows a year. Working through
the Polson Schools, they provide an annual children’s show for over 150 participants K-8. In addition, they produce two Polson High
productions , focusing on Shakespeare or other theatre classics. Both of these performing opportunities are available to the public and are
showcased for classmates in the Players “Peers Performing for Peers” program. A Children’s Theatre Camp is available in the summer.
Four Community Theatre opportunities involving dramas, musicals, and comedies educate and provide a platform for local talent. Summer
Theatre spearheads tourism,
using the best Mission Valley talent and guest artists from outside the area.
SUMMER THEATRE HELPS FINANCE CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY THEATRE
Back to top of page
Dubay Foundation Match
Last year the Louis Dubay Estate awarded MVFA a sizeable donation based on their association with the Port Polson Players. The Player’s
fine work in the schools and community is in keeping with the vision Louis Dubay had for the arts, education and children. The
MVFA/Players team impacts the area with performance opportunities & a building to perform in.
Consequently, the Dubay Foundation met with MVFA representatives last year to set up an endowment fund.
According to MVFA President Dennis Anderson “ to keep renovation and maintenance funding available for the John Dowdall Theatre,
this organization needs to look to the future and establish an endowment.”
On page 7 of this newsletter you’ll find a membership form where you can indicate your interest in a matching endowment program with
your tax-deductible contribution.
Back to top of page
Summer Theatre 2005....Our 30th Season
“Grace and Glorie” - Heartwarming comedy
by Tom Zeigler Starring Amy Knutson and
Joyce Shima
Tom Ziegler (“Home Games” - 2003)
offers this charmer set in the Blue Ridge
Mountains. Grace, a feisty 90-year-old cancer
patient, has checked herself out of the hospital
and returned to her beloved homestead
cottage to face her fate alone. Glorie, a
volunteer Hospice worker assigned to deliver
“Over the River and Through the Woods”
–Hysteria by Joe DiPietro Guest artists
Elizabeth Torgerson (“Onikel” – 2002) and
her husband Don are featured in Joe
DiPietro’s hilarious comedy that the StarLedger calls “Loaded with laughs every step
of the way.” Nick, a single Italian-American
from New Jersey, gets a dream job in Seattle.
How could he betray his family’s love,
wonder his doting grandparents, who then try
“The Drawer Boy” new comic drama by
Canadian playwright Michael Healey
Starring Michael Taylor and Neal Lewing
Canadian playwright Michael Healy’s
masterful saga of Morgan and Angus, two
farmers who rely on each other for
everything, has something for everyone.
When Miles, a young actor researching
farm life for a new play he’s writing,
moves in with the two old cronies, things
Grace’s medicine, comes with some personal
baggage of her own. As she attempts to care
for the cantankerous rustic, this sophisticated
urbanite gains new perspectives on life’s
values in a crowd-pleaser the New York
Times says is “…dripping with a steady flow
of easy laughs.”
every trick in the book to get him to stay –
with them.
get dicey in a hurry. Angus’s war injury
left him mentally challenged, and between
his wild antics and Morgan’s practical
jokes, young Miles gets the education of
his life. NOW calls the show “a
magnificent work.”
Back to top of page
Port Polson Players In the Schools
Little Women, Polson High
School’s holiday gift to the community in
December was directed & adapted by Karen
Lewing. Civil- War costumes were made by
cast mothers.
Back to top of page
Babes on Broadway, featured 130 Polson K-8 Romeo and Juliet, was adapted & directed
students, with elementary school principals
by Karen Lewing for the Polson High
Elaine Meeks & Steve York. This original
stage and featured Madrigal Choir
musical was written and directed by Neal and
costumes designed & constructed by
Karen Lewing and was the 21st children’s
Tillie Marshall & Choir Moms. All 3
show produced in collaboration with School
shows were viewed by respective K-12
Dist. #23.
peers.