Picketwire Presents 'The Sneaky Citizens of Saddlesore City' – A Hilarious, Heartfelt Melodrama

Description: Performance dates for "Sneaky Citizens of Saddlesore City" are October 17th-19th at 7:30 PM and October 20th at 2:30 PM. To purchase tickets and for up-to-date theater information visit Picketwireplayers.org or call 719-384-8320.

By Ashley Jo Kelley

Picketwire Presents 'The Sneaky Citizens of Saddlesore City' – A Hilarious, Heartfelt Melodrama Set to Charm Audiences This Week

Theatergoers, it's time to get spiffed up and head on down to the Picketwire Center for Performing and Visual Arts for a rooting' tooting' good time! Marking the third show of the 2024 Season, the Picketwire presents a charming and humorous melodrama for its autumn offering in, “The Sneaky Citizens of Saddlesore City."

The play is set in a dusty frontier town called Saddlesore City. The heart of the town is the Carson Hotel, a favorite gathering place and watering hole for the local denizens. However, since the death of the owner it has turned into "just a sorry- eyed, sad-faced, ghost of a place." Heartbroken and overwhelmed, the young widow Henrietta has banned local gatherings at the hotel, much to the disappointment of the townsfolk and her two children Liza and Skeeter. Saddlesore City residents are hopeful that with time, Henrietta will welcome them back into her hotel (and heart). However, these hopes appeared dashed when Henrietta receives an offer from a wealthy city dweller who wants to purchase the hotel. Driven by her desire to provide her children with a peaceful and prosperous life, Henrietta decides to sell the hotel and move her family to live with her stern Aunt Matilda. The sale of the hotel would be a disaster for the young Carson's and the rest of the community. How can the Carson siblings leave their carefree life in Saddlesore City for a regimented life with Aunt Matilda? The much put upon hotel housekeeper Millie, has found herself bored and lonely with the current state of the hotel. If it sells, her prospects seem even gloomier. Without the hotel, where will Saddlesore folks be able to gather, dance and drink the best sassafras root beer in the west? Perhaps most importantly, Stinky Sal is about to be cut off from his free supply of black licorice that he routinely swipes from the hotel lobby. The townsfolk and young Carsons decide that they can't give up the hotel without a fight. Shenanigans ensue. This play boasts a case of not one, but two assumed identities, a few tiny little white lies and lots of sneaking around. While audience goers will find themselves rooting for the young Carsons and the townsfolk, thanks to Caroline Finkner's heartfelt portrayal of Henrietta, viewers will also find themselves hoping that she finds a happy ending too. This is not a "boo hiss" type of melodrama, meaning the conflict in this show does not hinge on the typical melodramatic villain archetype. Rather it invites the characters and audience to consider the power that a community has when people are willing to come together.

Director Natalie Summers has done a magnificent job of bringing "Saddlesore City" to life. Summers is truly offering a one of kind experience with "Saddlesore." She explained that the run time of the play was initially a bit short, so she reached out to the publisher and received permission to write some additional scenes for the show. Summers and cast execute these scenes so well, that they blend seamlessly.

Summer's skill as a director is evident in both the visual appeal of the set as well as the performance of her actors. Without a doubt, the heart of the show is the Carson family. The roles of Liza and Skeeter are masterfully played by young Picketwire Players Briley Mayhoffer and Skylar Finkner. This pair exudes tons of humor and charm as the sibling duo. Caroline Finkner provides a very heartfelt portrayal of the complex Henrietta. Finkner is able to bring a good balance of sweetness, pathos and determination to the role. Veteran Tom Seaba turns out a stellar performance as the well-intentioned, but bumbling Miner Joe. Veteran player Heather Pidcock-Reed gives a strong and engaging performance as the housekeeper Millie and is able to handle the show's exposition with ease. Janet Golding gives a very effective performance as the snobby Ms. Cecilia Walker. Matthew Snyder gives a masterclass in physical comedy in his role as Stinky Sal. His performance alone is worth a watch. However, audience goers will enjoy an array of humerus performances. Other noteworthy comedic performances are given by Cody Rogers as Vernon. Rogers shows off his comedic timing by delivering some of the plays best "one liners." Katie Merewether, Natalie Ridgwell, and Diane McElroy from the dynamic trio of the rough and tumble sisters Abby, Addy and Aggy Parker. The ever-adaptable Demian Ryder tackles multiple roles with ease. The show finds a strong and skillful ensemble in the performances of Zadock Collins, Ezra Collins, RaeAnn Waggoner, Lillian Seaba, Gideon Wallce and Briana Havens. Havens's live piano playing also adds a great deal to the atmosphere of the play. Watch for Julie Meiklejohn's character to make a fun and surprising appearance at the end of the show.

Performance dates for "Sneaky Citizens of Saddlesore City" are October 17th-19th at 7:30 PM and October 20th at 2:30 PM. To purchase tickets and for up-to-date theater information visit Picketwireplayers.org or call 719-384-8320.

Tickets can also be purchased at the box office, open from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM on show nights and 12:30 PM to showtime on Sunday. Audience members are also invited to take photos in the autumn photo display provided in the theater lobby.

Watch the Interview with the Director:

The Picketwire Theatre is Located at 802 San Juan Ave. in La Junta, Colorado

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