Magic Circle Theatre The Early Years/title>

Magic Circle Players
Remembering the early years

by Carol McDermott
Special to the San Juan Silver Stage
Copyright San Juan Publishing, all rights reserved

MONTROSE, Colorado— "We're going to do a play," Bette Dustin Spiro told some friends in 1959, and she organized the Magic Circle Players. Since then, the Montrose community theatre troupe has performed over 200 plays, in a variety of venues, to thousands of people. Green Grow the Lilacs opened in August 1959 at the Colorado National Guard Armory. But it wasn't the first theatrical production in Montrose or the first to be performed at the old armory. In 1919, Annie Gray, one of the daughters of Judge John Gray, early Montrose pioneer having arrived in 1884, staged The Taming of the Shrew at the armory. (The armory is gone now, the and donated to the city and laetr turned into the city's first industrial park.)

"I did research and found myself enjoying it," said Gerree Nash, who helped with costumers and along with her husband, Vern, performed in many of the productions. "But sometimes it was embarrassing, like when Paul's (Dickerson) pantaloons came off during a dance number." Gerree and Vern owned a fabric shop and stored the costumes for the theater.

In the early years, many of the actors and directors came from the medical community, having enjoyed theater arts while in college. Such was the case with Tom Chamberlain, who toured big cities back east while a member of the Michigan University Opera Club. "We were a men's organization who staged plays, with women's roles portrayed by those of us who could dance," Tom said. "I was very nervous. But, you can hide in the chorus."

"Membership in the theatre has no boundaries, whether an usher, stage manager, wardrobe seamstress or as a thespian on stage," said Tammy Theis, currently marketing committee chair. In the early years, many of the actors and directors came from the medical community, having enjoyed theater arts while in college. Such was the case with Tom Chamberlain, who toured big cities back east while a member of the Michigan University Opera Club. "We were a men's organization who staged plays, with women's roles portrayed by those of us who could dance," Tom said. "I was very nervous. But, you can hide in the chorus."

Tom portrayed twins in The Best Laid Plans, 1977. Sue Clair was the lead and Tom remembered how he developed a role for her in My Fair Lady, 1986, to showcase her talents as a character actress. Tom's directorial debut came in 1984 with Most Happy Fella, an opera. "I like music with a very heavy story, like Man of La Mancha," he said. "We've never had problems with musical talent in the whole valley." Today, Magic Circle presents five plays a year, and two of them are usually musicals.

Tom's favorite role as an actor was that of Marvin Michaels in California Suite, 1983. As director his favorites are Little Shop of Horrors, Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Most Happy Fella, and Die Fledermaus.

"Magic Circle provides a theatre venue," he said. "So many other benefits are there, too. It develops people. They may be self-conscious or uncomfortable in crowds. In the theatre they grow as people. We are essentially a family. Magic Circle is a tremendous way to make close friends, and it's a terrific hobby."

Another actor active in the Magic Circle's first quarter century is Don Barnett. "What Magic Circle does is give people with the proclivity to display their talents as actors and actresses the outlet to do that," Don noted.

Gerree Nash agreed, "Every bit of it was just a hoot!"

Magic Circle is dedicated to the presentation of quality live theatre in the Montrose community, according to the group's mission statement. "Through the efforts of volunteers, the Magic Circle Players strives to entertain, educate, and involve the residents of the community, young and old, and to imbue in them a love and appreciation of the dramatic arts."

Even before the "Annie Gray Theatrical Company", plays were performed by Montrose County High School students, at least in 1911, according to a photo provided by Tammie Walker to the Montrose, Colorado Centennial book in 1982.

Gerree Nash, who performed in Green Grow the Lilacs, remembered shows and revues staged in Montrose during the 1950s by the American Legion and Auxiliary. Venues included a stage set up in the Rainbow Garage on North Townsend Avenue, the small stage at Western Colorado Power Company on Main Street, now the Children's Museum Park between Brown's Shoe Fit and Bank of the West, and the old Montrose High School gym, now a field on the Pomona Elementary School campus.

"We did Three Men on a Horse at the old Arcadia Ballroom, down by the river," Gerree said. That was in 1962. The Arcadia burned down in 1996.

Magic Circle Players Community Theatre moved into its location on South Twelfth Street in 1974, following an extensive campaign to raise funds. Magic Circle owns the building, and pays $1 per year rent on the land. The structure seats 220.

Twice, to allow more theater-goers the opportunity to attend, Magic Circle performed at the 602 seat Montrose Pavilion. for Die Fledermaus in 1996 and The Student Prince in 1991, both operas under the direction of Tom Chamberlain.

Magic Circle is a volunteer organization. The first actors provided their own costumes. "We did with what we had," said Gerree. Then Bette went to the City Council and received $50 for programs and costumes. "I got into costumes by accident," Gerree said. "In 1965 we were doing 'The King and I' and the woman in charge left on vacation. Costuming was extreme. I had to dress everybody, and it was fancy, with headdresses."

Magic Circle Theatre is currently in it's 49th Season. For information, or to purchase tickets, contact the Box Office at 970-249-7838.