Final shows set this weekend, tickets available
The final two performances of the 2018 Fort Griffin Fandangle will take place this weekend, wrapping up the 80th 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.
“The stands were full Saturday and we are anticipating a lot of ticket sales this week,” said artistic director Lorna Ayers.
Review
The first Saturday night of the show had to compete with a threatening thunderstorm that caused the typically short intermission to be cancelled altogether. But the storm did pause just far enough away for the second half of the Fandangle to safely take the stage and proceed uninterrupted to the finale.
“It was pretty amazing how the storm approached rapidly and them suddenly stalled 10 miles away from us,” said Ayers. “There is quite a team in place to handle the threat of inclement weather, which includes a sophisticated lightning strike app so everyone was being well protected from any threat. I am so grateful we were able to complete the show for such a wonderful audience.”
Ayers said she was pleased with the first two presentations.
“I am so proud of every single person involved in the show, especially Saturday night,” said Ayers. “They pressed through without a worry and gave the crowd a great show!”
Ayers recently told a reporter that one of the most stressful things about directing the Fandangle is the livestock, and last week a couple of the horses illustrated just how unpredictable they can be.
One of the mounts left the Fandangle grounds unexpectedly on Friday, and a substitute horse was quickly unsaddled and pressed into double duty as an Indian pony. And a team of horses managed to tangle themselves in their harness shortly before they were due on stage, and required quick action by several of the cowboys working with the rolling stock to get them straightened out.
Final Performances
The final two shows of the 2018 season are set for Friday and Saturday, June 29 and 30, 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 their costumes at the Prairie Theater after Saturday’s show.
“All of the Fandangle owned costumes and props need to be left Saturday night,” Ayers said. “We need the props left in the prop room and costumes left in the dressing rooms. Please make sure you have something you can wear home.”
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 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on showdays, including Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
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.
“Walk ups are welcome, and we will have plenty of tickets available,” said Robison.
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.
