Fandangle wraps up 2022 season with 2 sell-out shows

By Donnie A. Lucas

That’s a wrap, as they say.

The props, costumes and paraphernalia for the 84th anniversary edition of the Fort Griffin Fandangle have been packed up and stored away, marking the end of another successful season, according organizers.

Both Saturday night performances of the historic show have been reported as being sold out, although the final button hasn’t been pushed to tally all ticket sales.

“With both Saturday night performances being sold out this year and none last year, we feel that ticket sales will certainly be up for the four shows this year,” office manager Jamie Parsons said. “We have gotten a lot of positive comments about the show in the ticket office. People are saying it is one of the best yet.”

Artistic director Lorna Ayers has also received many positive comments.

“This is my favorite season yet,” she said. “We have had so many great comments about the historical aspect of this show centering around the life of George Reynolds. I can’t tell you many local people have said they learned things they didn’t know prior to the show about our history and the way men like Reynolds literally came to the frontier and tamed it.”

Ayers said that working with the cast and crew this season was so enjoyable.

“There was just an atmosphere of cooperation,” she said. “The cast, many of them new, were all so excited and invested in the show. Everyone did a fantastic job, and it showed through to the audiences.”

Ayers said that the props and sets were all packed away on Sunday.

“Everything is put away until next year,” she said. “It is amazing that it can be done in a single day, but we have great teamwork and got it done quickly and efficiently.”

Ayers said that she is already planning next year’s show, which will mark the 85th anniversary of the production.

“We are going to be doing it up big next year,” she said, “not just in how the show itself is done, but in other events marking this milestone.”

Costume Returns

Cast members were asked to leave all costumes belonging to the Fandangle in the dressing rooms after the final show.

“Anyone who still has a costume is asked to drop it by Myra Hise’s house and leave it on her back porch,” she said. “Most of the costumes have been sent to the cleaners to be ready for next year, but we can still send off more as they come in.”

She added that small props or any other items that someone has other than clothing can be returned to the Fandangle office.

DVDs and Souvenirs

The Fandangle office still has a limited number of souvenir items for sale, and orders are being taken for DVDs of the show.

“People can call the office to order DVDs,” Parsons said. “Ryder Peacock is putting together the DVD and making copies. Just call us to order one.”

She said that there are still a few Fandangle t-shirts available, along with mugs and candles. The Fandangle caps have been sold out.

Parsons added that this was the smoothest year in the office that she has experienced so far.

“We had a great team working in the office, and everything went well,” she said.