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Final shows set this weekend

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By Kathy Thomson

The final two performances of the 2019 Fort Griffin Fandangle will take place this weekend, wrapping up the 81st anniversary edition of the show.

Good seats are still available for both of the final two shows, including a very limited number of box seats as of Monday evening.

First Week Review

The first weekend of the show went well, according to board president Lanham Martin.

“It went smooth, especially on Saturday,” said Martin. “Everyone was where they were supposed to be, and there weren’t any glitches.”

Dress rehearsal had not gone quite as smoothly, with a couple of riders unseated on the muddy stage, several of the cowboys slightly late for one scene because they had been attending to a minor cut on a horse backstage, and the last minute substitution of another team and wagon for the injured horse.

The stage was in good shape by Friday, the horse was back in harness, and the artistic director Lorna Ayers was happy with the show.

“Last week’s performances were outstanding!” Ayers said. “The cast and crew worked together to produce a crowd-pleasing historical tribute to the founding families. It was wonderful seeing members of the Matthews family surround our century old ‘Old Timer’ in the finale.”

Rehearsal

The final rehearsal will be a walk-through tonight, Thursday, June 27, starting at 7:30 p.m. 

“Cast members don’t need to dress in costumes for this rehearsal,” Ayers said. “It is just to kind of refresh ourselves before the next performances.”

Final Performances

The final two shows of the 2019 season are set for Friday and Saturday, June 28 and 29, at the outdoor theater located one-half mile northwest of Albany on FM 1084. 

The gates will open at 7:00 p.m., with performances starting at 8:30 p.m. both evenings.

Return Costumes

Ayers reminded cast members to be prepared to leave Fandangle-owned costumes at the Prairie Theater after Saturday’s show.

“Costumes need to be left in the dressing rooms after the show Saturday night,” Ayers said. “Be sure to bring a change of clothes with you so you can leave the costumes there. You do not want to take them home with you.”

Fandangle Tickets

Fandangle tickets are $15 for general reserved seating, and $20 per seat, sold only in box sets of four, six, or eight for the few remaining boxes. 

Tickets can be purchased online at fort griffinfandangle.org or by contacting the Fandangle office in person at the Depot, by phone at 325-762-3838, or by fax at 325-762-3125. 

The office at the Depot is open 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. 

The ticket office will open at the theater at 7:00 p.m. each night of the show, the same time that the gates open.

Ticket refunds will be issued only when tickets are turned back to the office at least 24 hours prior to the day of the performance, and providing that they are able to be resold. No refunds will be given for tickets turned back in at the Prairie Theater.

A calliope concert will be given prior to the start of each show by former Fandangle music director Louann George, starting around 8:00 p.m. 

Fandangle programs and parking are included at no extra charge for ticket holders. A concession stand is available, along with seat cushions and souvenirs.

Persons who require handicap access are asked to arrive early if they need to use the handicap vehicle entrance to unload passengers. The entrance cannot be used after the show begins.

Fandangle T-shirts

Fandangle T-shirts are available at the Depot for $20 for adult sizes, $15 for child sizes, or $25 for tank tops.

“Our new shipment of shirts has three styles,” said Fandangle office worker Sidney Key. “They have either a train, pink lady, or longhorn on the front, and a quote from a Fandangle song on the back.”

Another shipment of shirts is expected to arrive this week.