2022 performances to open next week
By Donnie A. Lucas
With dress rehearsal and opening night for the 84th anniversary performances of the Fort Griffin Fandangle a week away, just about everyone involved in the annual outdoor production is rehearsing or preparing on a daily basis.
The show is set to open on Friday, June 17, with additional performances set June 18, June 24, and June 25.
Other local residents and businesses are also preparing to host, feed, or entertain the hundreds of visitors expected in Albany on each show date.
Artistic director Lorna Ayers is concentrating her efforts on weaving the show and storyline together after weeks of individual scene rehearsals, emphasizing the importance of the final week of practices.
“We are pulling the show together, and it’s going relatively smoothly,” she said. “But I need everyone to come to all rehearsals from this point on to perfect the timing and the details.”
Cast and crew members are scheduled to practice tonight, then have three full run-throughs on Monday through Wednesday next week, followed by a dress rehearsal on Thursday, June 16.
All remaining practices start at 7:30 p.m., and dress rehearsal will begin at 8:00 p.m.
The actual performances for the four summer shows will start at 8:30 p.m.
This year’s show will follow episodes in the life of pioneer rancher George Reynolds, a brother of Sallie Reynolds Matthews, author of the book Interwoven, which has provided many of the story lines for the Fandangle since its inception in 1938.
While the area had up to five inches of rain late last week, it has not interfered with the rehearsal schedule.
Ayers said that if any changes are made to the time of rehearsal, she will notify the cast and crew with the Remind app.
Ticket Sales
Ticket sales were good in May, slightly exceeding the same time period last year.
“Sales were good in May, but we still have a lot of tickets to sell, and the show is a little earlier in June this year,” office manager Jamie Parsons said. “We have more tickets available for the two Friday shows at this point, but there are still tickets for all shows.”
Reserved seats cost $15 each, with special group pricing available for groups of 20 or more, veterans, and active military.
Box seats cost $20 per seat and are only sold in complete boxes of $80, $120, or $160 per box.
VIP tables are also available again for the second year. Several tables seating eight people are available on the far left side of the theater for a cost of $160 each.
“There are no tables or boxed seats left for Saturday, June 18, but the other three performances still have some of those tickets,” Parsons said. “Anyone who hasn’t purchased tickets yet should do it as soon as possible.”
She noted that area radio and television advertising has started, which usually brings in a rush of orders.
Memberships in the Fandangle Association range from $25 to $5,000.
For more information about tickets and memberships, contact the ticket office at 325-762-3838 or go to the website.
