75°F
weather icon Windy

Chautauqua returns with ‘Humorists’

After a year filled with historic moments as the world dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, Boulder City Chautauqua is adding some much-needed humor into people’s lives.

After missing last year’s presentation, Chautauqua returns Oct. 22 and 23 with “Great American Humorists.”

The three performances will feature Doug Watson as Will Rogers, Karen Vuranch as Julia Child, Susan Marie Frontczak as Erma Bombeck and McAvoy Layne as Mark Twain.

“We are excited about them because we all need some humor at this point with everything going on in the world,” said program director Ihla Crowley. “I think people are ready, too.”

Crowley, who served as Boulder City Chautauqua’s first program director about 30 years ago, has stepped back into the role this year.

After working with Chautauqua for 10 years, she turned over the reins to another group, which ran the program for 20 years. Crowley said she was asked to come back this year as the organization regroups.

“We are trying to return to our roots.”

As the city continues to grapple with the coronavirus, the Chautauqua committee had to make a few changes to this year’s program, including the location. Crowley said though they would have preferred to remain at the historic Boulder Theatre, it wasn’t available this year.

The new site, Boulder Creek Pavilion, has a slightly smaller capacity — 350 vs. 398 — and is flat. To help ensure all spectators can see the Chautauqua scholars, a stage will be set up and the rows will be staggered, she said.

The Oct. 22 performance, set for 6 p.m., will be a double feature with Watson and Vuranch. Frontczak’s presentation is scheduled for 1 p.m. Oct. 23 and Layne will take the stage at 6 p.m. Oct. 23.

Crowley said Layne takes his appearances as Twain seriously and barely comes out of character “even for business.”

Each presentation will feature the scholar’s monologue, a question-and-answer session as the Chautauqua character and a question-and-answer session with the scholar.

Prior to each presentation, there will be entertainment provided by Bob Buetler, Steve Cottrell, Elaine Hardy and Sharon Resnikoff.

Performances will be held at the Boulder Creek Pavilion, 1501 Veterans’ Memorial Drive.

Tickets are $15 per person per performance. They are available at the Boulder Dam Hotel, 1305 Arizona St.; Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, 100 Nevada Way; and Ace Hardware, 541 Nevada Way. They can also be purchased online at www.bcchautauqua.org.

A meet-and-greet reception with the Chautauqua scholars is planned for Oct. 21. Tickets are $35 each.

For more information about Chautauqua, visit www.bcchatauqua.org or call 760-877-0425.

Hali Bernstein Saylor is editor of the Boulder City Review. She can be reached at hsaylor@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9523. Follow @HalisComment on Twitter.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Local business funds memorial bench at King

For over a year, the staff at Martha P. King has been working with the Giamanco family to create a memorial bench for their little girl, Emilee.

A river runs through it

To say that Kathleen Wood knows the portion of the Colorado River between Hoover Dam and Willow Beach like the back of her hand is definitely an understatement.

All for a good cause

For decades, the Injured Police Officer’s Fund has been there to help provide support to Southern Nevada officers in their time of need.

For Mills, it’s been a wild ride

In the 35 years since he got on his first BMX bike, Ryan Mills has seen his fair share of tail ships, crankflips and nac nacs.

March comes in like a lion

This past weekend, while completing my March Home Matters, I was interrupted by a CRASH, BOOM from the backyard.

Synergistic strategies emphasized at Mitchell Elementary School

For those of you who have read my monthly contribution to this column, you can tell by now that I am thrilled to be the principal of a Lighthouse School because of the empowerment that the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People provides to us in our classrooms and our community.

Pali Camp scholarships for King Elementary students

For the last decade, the Boulder City Chapter of the Republican Women’s organization has been donating to Martha P. King Elementary School.

Garrett Junior High excited to be adding two new sports

Spring sports are beginning soon, and Garrett Junior High School is excited to announce the addition of volleyball to its spring sports program, along with soccer.