The Longmont Theatre Company’s production of “Solid Gold Cadillac,” opening this Friday, March 9, marks the 50th anniversary of one of Colorado’s most venerable community theater groups. The staging is a revival of the company’s first production from 1957.
“A 50th anniversary of any theater company should be noteworthy, don’t you think? Especially given the standard one- to three-year lifespan of most of them,” said the company’s Peter Johnson.
“Solid Gold Cadillac” is the classic story of David and Goliath…with a Wall Street twist. It’s about a high-powered corporation and the sweet little old lady who turns it upside down. As a 10-share stockholder in the company, Mrs. Laura Partridge has read every page of the annual report and points out some dirty dealings involving upper management. To shut her up, they offer her a phony job which she takes very seriously. Soon she becomes a liaison for the other minority stockholders, setting up a final confrontation with the wicked board of directors.
The comedy, written by George S. Kaufmann and Howard Teichman; was a smash on Broadway in 1953, running for more than a year. It was turned into a film in 1956, winning an Academy Award for best costumes.
The Longmont production is directed by Ricky Lee Landrum and Bek Aves; plays at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays through March 24. The theater is loacted at 513 Main St., Longmont. Call 303-772-5200 or .
The following is a history of the Longmont Theatre Company, as provided to The Denver Post:
“In 1957, with the building of the new Longmont United Hospital, the auxiliary that was formed wanted some new, fun methods of raising money to help furnish the rooms and service areas. Some of the people in the auxiliary had some experience putting on plays and thought that might just be a terrific way to raise the funds. Longmont Theatre Company was (appropriately) born in a hospital.
“After a few years of putting on some shows in various locations – basements, community rooms, just about anywhere – the auxiliary realized that the work involved was more than they could manage on a continual basis and found other, more profitable, less demanding ways of raising money. However, those who were involved in the shows didn’t want to stop performing. Without a real name or organization, the group continued putting on shows wherever and whenever they could, sometimes dismantling a set after a performance, only to re-erect it the following day for another performance. Some of those early participants are still involved with the Company. Leona Heimbecher still costumes many of our shows. Tom Kitely and Vivian Fausset are more peripherally involved, but still see just about every show. Marian Bennett pops up just about every season, putting her unmistakable brand on each production she’s in.
“During the 1960s, the name Potpourri Players was adopted. That served us well for many years. The company grew and formalized its organizational structure, developed by-laws, and filed for nonprofit status. The seasons became more consistent and we needed a permanent home. The board at that time made a proposal to the school district to rehabilitate the theater at the old Longmont High School – by now closed and derelict. In an exchange, the company got to use the theater at a lease rate of $1 per year, and the school district got rid of the rats and mice, the filthy theater was cleaned, and the company provided a means of providing adult education in theater.
“The relationship with the school district was good for both parties, but with the growth of Longmont, the old high school was reopened as Main Street Elementary School. By the late ’80s, increasing school district needs required us to look at other possibilities. The Board determined that the purchase and renovation of the old Trojan Theatre on Main Street was the most economic, smartest choice. In an effort to further formalize our organization preparatory to entering into major fundraising mode the Board of Directors decided a name change was needed. While Potpourri Players was catchy, it really didn’t explain who we are or what we do. Several names were proposed, and after a rather vociferous “discussion” at our annual picnic and member meeting, a vote was taken and the name “Longmont Theatre Company” was adopted.
“Few community theatres survive beyond seven years; fewer are around to see their 20th season. We, however, continue to grow, attracting talented new members with each production, while holding onto our cherished veteran members. Our audience numbers increase each year, necessitating the extension of our mainstage season to five shows and increasing the run of each production to nine to 12 performances. We have developed a fine reputation for our productions throughout the front range and attract actors and technicians from a wide area.”
