Sci-Fi Triple Feature: A Night of One-Act Plays
“Atomic Lobsters From the Center of the Earth” by Derek Olson, “Richard Nixon Saves the Earth” by Monte Amende & “Terror at Rock Roll Beach” by Derek Olson and music by Monte Amende
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VenueBF Rec Center Auditorium
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DatesSeptember 23 & 24 at 7pm
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DurationApprox 120 Minutes (Incl 2 15 Min Intermissions)
So a tradition begins…
Community Theater in Belle Fourche has really become known for a few things, two of which are original shows and night of one-acts. Both of those things started all the way back in our second season. Born out of an initial desire to save some money, writing original shows made financial sense, but it also gave us an opportunity to try some different types of shows. After our successful first show in 2010 it was also apparent that we had a lot of people interested in being on stage, so a night of one-acts was a great way to get a large group of actors involved. Two of our original members, Derek Olson and Monte Amende are also great aficionados of old 1950’s sci-fi “B” movies and what better opportunity to get to produce your own version of those great stories than community theater.
Thus the Sci-Fi Triple Feature was born and a great tradition followed. The first year was a riot for everyone involved and if you ask a great many people involved in this production they would tell you this was their favorite production to be involved in. The shows were fast-paced, fun, silly and the right kind of absurd and when else can you say you got killed on stage by a giant lobster claw or a singing swamp monster.
We need to track down an industrial sized tub of butter. We have a lobster dinner out there waiting for us!
A Blast from the way past
Atomic Lobsters From the Center of the Earth is a throwback play meant to invoke the giant animal movies of the 1950’s, where large mutated monsters wreak havoc on military bases as manly scientists find ways of stopping them. Of course, this show throws a bit of a winking twist on the formula where at least one character realizes how ridiculous the premise is. An arctic research base is under siege and only the brilliant Dr. Felix Tanner can save the day, with his friend Doug and two young nieces. Well, unless you talk to the actually brilliant and not insane Dr. Elise Savage who can’t stand his antics or his crazy and dangerous ideas.
Richard Nixon Saves the Earth reimagines the original JFK/Nixon debate as a backdrop as a possible alien invasion and the only person who can save the Earth is Richard Nixon, so of course the Earth is in a lot of trouble. This hilarious tale had a lot to say about the power of the press, the power of perception, and of course a karate-chopping Frank Sinatra. The important things of course.
Lastly there was the one-act musical, Terror at Rock and Roll Beach, a send-up of the beach musicals and creature features of the era. A group of teens have to survive a dangerous gang of Leather Stallions, a military cover-up of an experiment gone wrong, and parents just not understanding about the power of rock and roll. This ridiculous show had beach parties, gang fights, monster kills and songs, and the number one hit, Pulled a Hammy! This show was a fun capper to a hilarious night of absurd comedies.
Sci-Fi Triple Feature: A Night of One-Act Plays Cast
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Atomic Lobsters From the Center of the Earth
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General StrongJake Queen
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Colonel MurtzAria Olson
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Dr. Felix TannerPaul Stillson
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Dr. Doug JonesKelsey Gronlund
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Dr. Flo SavageMichelle Deyo Amende
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Dr. Elise SavageMolly McMahan
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SuzieNatalie Pope
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SallyAllie Juso Verry
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Terror at Rock and Roll Beach
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Mr. MonroeIsaac Otterman
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Mrs. MonroeToi Lyn Flick
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Jim EversNathan Schreier
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Marina MonroeNatalie Pope
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Bobby DervisPaul Stillson
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DaveJake Queen
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StacyKelsey Gronlund
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PhilAria Olson
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NataliAllie Juso Verry
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SteveTyler Petit
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AliceMichelle Deyo Amende
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TammyKathy Olson
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Colonel RockMonte Amende
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HoboJeff Otterman
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MonsterMolly McMahan
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Bobby’s Gang, Soldiers, The CroonersDerek Olson, Matt Pittman & Derek Flick
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Richard Nixon Saves the Earth
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Richard NixonJake Queen
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TedNathan Schreier
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HCLMatt Pittman
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LeinovJesse Schanzenbach
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DonDerek Olson
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StuartAria Olson
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SanderTyler Petit
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NinaMichelle Deyo Amende
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VeronicaAllie Juso Verry
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BetaMolly McMahan
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JackieNatalie Pope
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The MasterMiles Amende
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JFKPaul Stillson
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SinatraGeno Pesicka
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DeanMonte Amende
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Agent #1Derek Flick
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Agent #2Isaac Otterman
Sci-Fi Triple Feature: A Night of One-Act Plays Creative
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Atomic Lobsters From the Center of the Earth and Terror at Rock Roll Beach DirectorDerek Olson
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Richard Nixon Saves the Earth Director & Terror at Rock and Roll Beach Musical DIrectorMonte Amende
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ProducerMichelle Amende
