When? November 22nd & 23rd at 6:00 pm

Where? Matthews Opera House & Arts Center

614 North Main Street, Spearfish

Why? It’s not every day a gal turns 120!

Auditions are open to all community members. Roles are available for five men; two women; one flexible. Questions can be directed to Joanna Mechaley at stageblackproductions@gmail.com

Get ready for a night of nostalgia as Stage Black and Matthews community theater present Sentimental Journey. Both organizations are teaming up to celebrate the 120th birthday of the Matthews Opera House with a theatrical trip through the ages. Staged as a turn-of-the-century variety show, Sentimental Journey will feature “Three Trapped Thespians,” scenes from “Hamlet” and “Rip Van Winkle,” as well as rollicking live music.

In “Three Trapped Thespians,” a delightful one-act written by local playwright Paul Hibee, audiences will meet the men of the Matthews whose portraits have seen it all: Edwin Booth, William Shakespeare, and Joseph Jefferson. The three thespians share their triumphs, their heartbreaks, and the moments that led them to be forever memorialized above the Matthews stage.

Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, “Hamlet” remains one of Edwin Booth’s most memorable performances. Visit Hamlet as he delivers his famous speech pondering the pain of existence, the fear of death, and whether it is better to suffer or end one’s life. In a fit that vacillates between affection and rage, he condemns his lover, Ophelia–denying he ever loved her, insulting her, and famously telling her to “get thee to a nunnery.”

In “Rip Van Winkle,” written by Joseph Jefferson and Dion Boucicault, audiences encounter a drunken Rip, home after an unsuccessful night of hunting during which his prey turned out to be nothing more than the family cow. Rip’s long-suffering wife, Gretchen, calls him to task and tries (with dubious success) to urge him to live a less-disgraceful life.

Sentimental Journey is under the direction of Joanna Mechaley (Stage Black) and produced by The Matthews Opera House & Arts Center. Rehearsals begin December 1. Performances are scheduled for February 5 and 6 at 7 pm and February 7 at 2 pm.

Auditions are open to all community members. Roles are available for five men; two women; one flexible. Questions can be directed to Joanna Mechaley at stageblackproductions@gmail.com

Compere: The master of ceremonies. Suitable for a male or female actor. Engages with patrons, makes opening remarks, introduces the acts. Must be comfortable with improvisation. 

THREE TRAPPED THESPIANS:

Edwin Booth: A Shakespearean tragedian who was widely regarded as the greatest American actor of his era. Known for a natural, quiet, and internal style of acting rooted in artistic honesty.

William Shakespeare: An English playwright, poet, and actor. He is open, witty, and a dedicated observer of human nature.

Joseph Jefferson: Best known for his iconic stage adaptation and portrayal of Rip Van Winkle, he is dignified, easy-going, and warm-spirited. Historically, his physical traits include a flexible body, deeply malleable face, and expressive eyes.

HAMLET (Act 3, Scene 1):

Hamlet: An intellectual, brooding prince who struggles with moral doubt and existential despair.

Ophelia: As Hamlet’s potential wife, she is typically presented as demure and innocent, however Hamlet treats her with cruelty and rejects her.

RIP VAN WINKLE

Rip: A good-natured, if drunken, farmer who has frequent lapses of judgment and struggles to please his nagging wife.

Gretchen: Rip’s wife, commonly seen as sharp-tongued and nagging; she lectures Rip about his extreme laziness, neglect of their farm, and failure to provide for the family.