Fandangle rehearsals continue on Monday, renovations ongoing
By Donnie A. Lucas
A good-sized group of seasoned and new performers showed up at the first practice for the 2023 version of the Fort Griffin Fandangle on Monday, but director Lorna Ayers says there is still a need for more community members to attend.
The second general rehearsal for the Sampler of the summer show is set for Monday, March 6 at the Aztec Theater.
“The first rehearsal went really well, with a really good turnout,” Ayers said. “But we still need more people, and everyone is welcome.”
The group will take a week off for spring break during March 13-17.
“After spring break, we will have rehearsals on Mondays and Thursdays at the Prairie Theater,” Ayers said. “We need everyone who wants to be in the show to come to rehearsals – not just the singers.”
The cast and crew will perform a shortened version of the summer show next month just for the membership of the Fandangle Association.
“The membership Sampler will be at Reynolds Bend again this year,” she said. “That is a real treat to be able to use the actual homesite of one of the main pioneer families portrayed in the show.”
Last year was the first time in 20 years that the Sampler was held at Reynolds Bend on the historic Lambshead Ranch.
Rehearsals for the Sampler will continue into the second week in April. The event is set for Saturday, April 15, with the gate opening at 6:00 p.m.
Ayers stated she has finished writing the script for the 85th anniversary show and has selected scenes to feature at the Sampler to give the members a preview of the summer production.
“We really need everyone to start coming to rehearsals now so we can assign parts,” she said.
Tickets and Memberships
Tickets are already on sale to the public for the summer performances of the Fandangle set for June 16, 17, 23, and 24.
Letters were mailed in January to previous members of the association, and invitations to the Sampler are being mailed daily as new or renewal memberships are received.
Membership is available to anyone at the following donation levels: Pioneer $25, Longhorn $75, Patron $175, Bronze $250 Silver $500, Gold $1,000, Platinum $2,500, and Diamond $5,000.
Anyone interested in joining or renewing memberships for the 85th anniversary season can do so by going online at www.fortgriffinfandangle.org or by calling the Fandangle office at 325-762-3838.
Only members of the association are invited to attend the Sampler, dinner, and dance at Reynolds Bend.
“There was an RSVP card in the Sampler invitation to send back, along with a place to sign up for the meal which is $50 per person,” office manager Jamie Parsons said. “You can send back a check with the RSVP for the meal or call the office and we can do it over the phone.”
She emphasized that attending the Sampler and purchasing a meal is only available to members who have renewed their membership or purchased a new membership.
Tickets are also available to be purchased on the website or by calling the office.
This is the earliest that summer ticket sales have been opened to the public.
“The board opted to open up ticket sales to the public early since this is an anniversary year,” Parsons said. “However, box seat sections of four or six are reserved for members only to purchase.”
The anniversary show will be packed with crowd favorites from past shows, with historical events woven in between, according to Ayers.
The show was originally written by Albany playwright Robert Nail as a senior class play in 1938, but quickly was expanded to include members of the community. Nail called the production a true “People’s Theater” since it included non-professional and unpaid singers, dancers, and actors from all walks of life.
First produced at the football stadium, the show moved to its own outdoor theater in 1965. Nail died unexpectedly in 1968, but the community rallied to continue the show yearly since 1970, except for 2020 due to COVID-19.
Almost all of the music and song lyrics are original, written for particular show themes in the past.
The Prairie Theater is undergoing major renovations, including the entire seating area being reconstructed using limestone blocks to provide a more secure experience rather than the tiered rows supported by utility poles. The control tower and some prop areas are also receiving a facelift.
In addition, the sound system is being replaced for the 2023 show, a major upgrade over a 30-year-old system.
Through a capital improvement fundraising effort, several other major renovations are also in the works including the steam-powered calliope, rest rooms and walkways, and sets, props, and costumes.
For more information, contact the Fandangle office at 325-762-3838 or log on to the website: www.fortgriffinfandangle.org.
Anyone wanting to donate to the renovation work can contact the Fandangle office or board president Henry Musselman.
