Theatre History
The Henry Strater Theatre
Rod Barker, chief producer
Welcome to the Durango Melodrama & Vaudeville at the Henry Strater Theatre! We are very pleased to have Melodrama and Vaudeville back at the "HST" after a 3 year hiatus. Melodrama began, in this theater, in the summer of 1962 under the direction of Orvis Grout and the Diamond Circle Melodrama Company which included my Grandmother, Marion Jarvis; Father Earl Barker; Mother, Jentra Barker; with local and regional business pioneers: Mahlon T. "Butch" White, Robert Beers and Mort McGinley. It was a big gamble to produce such a show in a town that was only beginning its entry in to the world of tourism. It ran uninterrupted, for a span of 45 years, including a period of approximately 18 years under the direction of my sister, Jeannie Wheeldon. Jeannie's flare for drama is well known in this community and we intend to carry on her tradition of quality and finesse at the HST.
When done correctly, Melodrama is a wonderful combination of superb acting and dramatic overtones that uses subtly accentuated movements with musical accompaniment, to emphasize the drama of the scene. The Tavern, by George M. Cohen, has been played here many times including the very first play in 1962. We felt it appropriate to bring this play back, because we're at a new beginning at the Henry Strater Theatre and because it is an uncomplicated play featuring some very complicated characters.
The Vaudeville routines, at the end of the show, are an expression of pure unadulterated fun and farce with both modern and historical overtones. They provide an opportunity for our cast and directors to showcase their personal creativity, humor and wit.
As always, your participation in the form of hisses, cheers and lilting ahhhh's is a part of the dynamic and fun we form with this collaboration.
All of us that have worked so hard to produce this show thank you for being a part of our rebirth and for your support of this wonderful tradition of Melodrama at the Henry Strater Theatre. Please come back again and again.
Or book your tickets by phone: (970) 375-7160
