Valley Centre Theatre Notes First Year, Anticipates Success in Future Productions

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VALLEY CENTRE THEATRE celebrated one year of operation in October. Mr. Keith Renstrom, left, co-owner of the theater with his wife Jody, is shown at the entrance of the theater with Cynthia Brown and LeRoy C. Wilcox. Miss Brown will direct "A Christmas Carol" during November and December. and Mr. Wilcox will play the part of Scrooge in this holiday production.

The Valley Centre Theatre, (VCT) 60 N. Third W., Provo, is celebrating its first anniversary of operation this month. The theatre presents live drama Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at a p.m. and is owned an operated by Mr. and Mrs. Keith Renstrom, Orem.

The Renstroms were anxious to bring this type of entertainment to Utah Valley. While residents of California, the Renstroms and their children enjoyed many performances at the Glendale Centre Theatre (owned by Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Hale).

Though Utah Valley is rich in cultural offerings, participation in live theatre is limited for the actor and audience. Here is where community theatre fills the gap.

Plays at the Valley Centre Theatre are geared for family members of all ages. The plays are carefully screened by the Renstroms to insure that plays with high standards are used.

VCT is a theater-in-the-round which lends itself to an intimate atmosphere. One man and his wife, who have attended every play since the theatre opened, stated, "It's just like looking through the wall and watching life go by."

From Scratch

Establishing a theater front scratch is no small accomplishment. They began by acquiring nearly 200 theatre- type folding chairs from the LDS Church Office Building. Front there came the task of locating a building, which they did, coincidentally, on the day the chairs arrived. Many people have donated props, sound equipment. furniture and costumes; and often, the Renstrums have found items left on their doorstep in Orem or at the theater's location.

Both Keith and Jody Renstrom feel there are three things winch describe their first years of operation first, a desire for it to succeed: second, faith in its success; and third, support from many friends and acquaintances.

They are appreciative of the directors and actors who have performed for them throughout their first year. The theater began with "Star Spangled Girl" directed by Ray B. Jones. Also presented have been "Rented Christmas" (directed by Donna Stout); "Suzie the Siren" (with Audra Moss directing); "Barefoot in the Park" (under the direction of Lynn Frost); "High Days and Holidays', (an original musical play written by Cone Sprague and directed by Mike Evenden); "Triple Combination," directed by Cynthia Brown. Other plays include "Five on a Honeymoon," "Clouds of Glory", and The Educated Heart."

Behind the scenes have been volunteers who have assisted in painting, carpentry, making props, decorating the theatre and distributing flyers. "Special thanks must go to Roberta Seno, Springville and Kent Gilbert, Orem, for endless amounts of volunteer work they've contirubted to the theater," commented Mr. Renstrom.

Perhaps the most difficult job for the Renstroms is getting the word out and letting the residents in the County know they are here and see what they have to offer.

Clouds of Glory

The play currently running at VCT is "Clouds of Glory," written by Huth and Nathan Hale. It is a touching story of two lovers, Celeste and Noel, who net in the pre-existence and vow to meet again on the earth. They do meet, but Celeste is engaged to Noel's best friend. The story ends in the hereafter.

Playing Celeste is Tayva Patch, veteran actress and mother of two !rum Springville. Danny Duncan. Pleasant Grove, portrayed Noel. He is locally employed and has two children, LeRoy Wilcox, Provo, takes a significant part of the grandfather and Sharon Koster, Provo, mother of six, easily portrays the mother.

This play will run through Nov. 20. It was very successful during the summer and had several requests for repeat performances. The Renstronts are still pleased with the audiences.

The performers are enthusiastic about the theater and have surprised the audience from time to time. Kent Gilbert, who is the back-up lead in "Clouds of Glory", came with a date
one evening to view the play. He was summoned on a telephone call. Instead of answering the phone, he changed into the costume for the play and was on stage for the opening scene. His date spent several confused minutes
thinking he looked amazingly like her date, and, as the scene progressed, and as Kent did not return to hs seat, she realized the lead and Kent were the same person.

"Christmas Carol"

"Christmas Carol" opens on Thanksgiving night, Nov 25. and will have Thursday. Friday and Saturday performances through Christmas eve.

Tickets are available at Good Earth in the Continental Plaza in Provo or Merle Norman Cosmetics in Orem's University Mall and at the box office beginning at 7 p.m. on performance nights.

"Christmas Carol" will be directed by Cynthia Brown who has a vast amount of experience. She has studied at Brigham Young University and has studied and performed on New York stages. Phyllis Shaffer is assistant director.

LeRoy Wilcox is taking the part of Scrooge. He attended the University of Utah and majored in speech and dramatics. He received his master's degree from the U. of U. He taught high school six years in Idaho and directed plays for the school and community. Ile has read "A Christmas Carol" for audiences in England, Japan and throughout the United States. Since his retirement (after 20 years) from the U.S. Air Force, he has completed the requirements for a doctorate in educational psychology at Brigham Young University.

Ray B Jones, drama director at Provo High School, will take the part of Jacob Morley's ghost.