Behind the scenes at Romantic Comedy

Photo by Pam Roman Actress Pat Werdin, center, admires the dress made for her by costume designers Joan Walters, left, and Eileen Adams, right.

Even before rehearsals began, a versatile crew of dedicated volunteers sprang into action building the set for the production of Romantic Comedy, opening March 28th at the Peacock Playhouse in Hayesville.

While their backgrounds vary- artist, painter, truck driver, chemist, real estate broker, lab technician, innkeeper, homemaker, caterer, teacher, business executive, attorney- this highpowered crew is bound together by a common thread, a love of theatre. Among those wielding hammer on the set was a youthful, white-haired retiree named Bob LeKites.

"When we moved to Hayesville, I was happily surprised to find the Peacock Playhouse and the Licklog Players," he said during a break, "and my wife and I became active as volunteers and performers."

He helped build the set for Miracle on 34thStreet, then studied lines for three roles on stage- Dr. Rodgers, Mr. Gimble and Jim, the Zoo Keeper.

Photo by Pam Roman Crew member Bob LeKites works on the set of Romantic Comedy, an upcoming production by the Licklog Players.

"Active" certainly describes this energetic man of many talents. The former long-distance truck driver, who at one time enjoyed a career as a lab technician while hosting guests as an innkeeper, also appeared in Witness for the Prosecution as Sir Wilfred Robart's chief clerk, Carter.

Another set construction worker was Jerome Laux, retired chemist, who also helped on sets for Harvey, Sound of Music and. Barefoot in the Park.

"I love to build things," was his reason for volunteering. While he's worked on more difficult projects elsewhere, he felt the angled ceiling in Barefoot in the Park was especially challenging.

Joining Laux on the set, as well as on the above three productions, was Steve Smith, substitute teacher at Murphy High School. A Georgia native, Smith was smitten by the theatre in high school when he was given a minor role in Our Town and asked to do a dramatic reading of the famous Letter to the Editor, "Yes, Virginia, there is Santa Claus."

One of America's first "Mr. Moms," he cared for their two sons to allow his wife to become a successful chemical engineer. One son was recently graduated from UNC at Chapel Hill where he majored in vocal music. His second son is following in his parents' footsteps as he, too, is Mr. Mom to their three-year old daughter while his wife, a former teacher, develops educational programs for children at the public library in Houston, Texas.

Smith got his start in theatre in Fernando Beach, FLworking both on and off stage in Lion in Winter and Of Mice and Men. While his work with the Licklog Players has been behind the scenes, hopefully we'll see him on stage soon.

Renzie Davidson is a certified contractor whose expertise is invaluable to the productions he oversees. Also assisting him were new-to-the area Jim Osterland and Pam Roman, the latter a retired caterer and noted photographer.

As the construction crew worked on the set, three women were up in the Costume Department designing, fitting, sewing and pressing clothes for the cast.

"I have been sewing all my life," said Eileen Adams, a retired real estate broker from Florida. When she moved to Warne several years go, she wanted to keep busy because she "has more energy than Carter has pills."

Romantic Comedy will be her seventh Licklog production as a volunteer. Others include Wizard of Oz, Death of a Salesman, Sound of Music, Bugsy Malone, and Pajama Game. She also painted toys for Kringle's Window at Murphy High School.

She and other volunteers made sixteen munchkin costumes for the Wizard of Oz and sixty children's outfits for the Sound of Music. In Bugsy Malone, they cut down men's suits to make little zoot suits for the boys, and created some of the flappers for the girls. The rest came from Janice Owl's Dancing School.

Joan Walters, another Florida transplant, is also threading the needle in this production. Before moving to Hayesville, Walters grew vegetables for a commercial farmer for shipment nationwide. "Like Mother, like son." Her son, John, also loved growing things and is now the horticulturist at the Daytona Speedway.

Beginning with Huckleberry Finn, Walters has been a Jill-of-all-trades in so many shows that she's lost count. In addition to making costumes, she works on all aspects of productions, including building and painting sets and handling emergencies during performances.

Why has this gentle, devoted mother given so much time and energy to community theatre? "Because I love it. I love the people I work with and the actors and actresses I meet. And, with a twinkle in her eye, she laughs, "and as my friends tell me, it keeps me off the streets."

Rhetta Gray has assisted with Licklog Players' costumes for more than 15 years. Although she's a true worker bee, she's reluctant to take credit for the many hours she spends at the sewing machine and ironing board.

The stage will soon be set, the house lights will dim and the curtain will rise on this light-hearted comedy. Make plans now to enjoy another fine performance by the Licklog Players.

Show dates for Romantic Comedy are March 28-30 and April 4-6. Tickets will be on sale at the Peacock Playhouse box office Mon-Fri, 10AM to 4 PM beginning March 17. Adults $13, Students and Children $8. Rated PG. For further information, telephone 828-389-8632 or toll free 1- 877-691-9906.