Opening with a bang: Super Summer Theatre prepares for season

Rehearsal spaces at the Super Summer Theatre Studios for the Performing Arts, 4340 S. Valley View Blvd., were buzzing two weeks out from the June 10 opening for the 40th anniversary season’s first full-run show.

In one studio, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” director Phil Shelbourn and assistant director Shawn Martin put muscle into the rehearsal by pushing the wonder car through its paces, with cast members Gail Bennett (a local Actors’ Equity member playing Truly Scrumptious), Shaun Parry (a New York-based Actors’ Equity member in the role of Caratacus Potts), Christopher Convery (as Jeremy Potts) and Lily Wolfe (playing Jemima Potts) perched atop of it, blocking dialogue and singing the title song.

“This is probably one of the most fun challenges we’ve had in a while,” said the show’s stage manager, Kevin Britton.

Britton said once it’s completed, the car will bob and lift and move about the stage for audiences June 10-27 at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, 6375 state Route 159.

The PS Productions crew is crafting two cars. One is a realistic car that will look like it is destined for a scrap heap. The other is a fantasy car with wings and a propeller befitting a James Bond movie, which makes sense since the book on which the musical is based is by Bond author Ian Fleming.

And where will the crew keep sets, props and two giant steel-frame cars in the snug backstage quarters at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park?

“We’re building a garage out back to store the cars,” Britton said.

In the other large rehearsal space at Super Summer Theatre Studios, “Bye Bye Birdie” director Troy Heard was perched backward on a chair watching Cory Benway (as songwriter Albert Peterson) belt out “Put on a Happy Face” while surrounded by a line of dancers. The 40-member cast is set to take the stage July 8-25 and includes Amanda Kraft as Rose Alvarez, 2014 Miss Nevada Ellie Smith playing Kim MacAfee, Andee Gibbs as Mae Peterson and Kady Heard playing Gloria Rasputin.

Heard, known for controversial shows at the Onyx Theatre, such as Anton Chekov’s “Cherry Orchard of the Living Dead,” said “Bye Bye Birdie” hasn’t always been the quaint chestnut of a classic it seems to be now.

“The thing they gloss over is it’s a show about overheated libido,” Heard said. “You have an Elvis character roll into town, and the kids are feeling feelings they’ve never felt before.”

He said parents and grandparents will relate to the show because they’ll enjoy the ’50s nostalgia, while younger people will be able to see a bit of Conrad Birdie in today’s stars.

“His modern-day equivalent would be Justin Bieber or the boys of One Direction,” Heard said.

Heard’s unique spin on this version of “Bye Bye Birdie” includes a set ripped from the Archie comics, with points of color pixelating the walls and furniture in black and white.

But as Heard explains it, the show is only part of the fun.

“The great thing about Super Summer is the whole experience; the show is just the dessert,” he said. “The experience is taking the family out to the field and having dinner, and then you’re lucky enough to see a fantastic show at the end of it … it’s something you have to do if you live in Las Vegas.”

Ghostlight Productions, led by Brandon and Kelly Albright and Steve and Sandra Huntsman, launched this year’s historic Super Summer Theatre season with a special two-night opening revue, “Keepin’ It Country,” May 15 and 16. Brandon Albright said the venue holds a place in his family’s heart.

“Kelly and I both grew up going to shows at the Ranch every summer,” he said. “We both love the venue and have many great childhood and adult memories of our time there — both on stage and as audience members.”

The Huntsmans aren’t done yet this summer as their production company, Huntsman Entertainment, is set to take the stage Aug. 12-29 with “Tarzan The Stage Musical Based on the Disney Film.”

“Casting went great,” said Sandra Huntsman, production manger on the show. “It’s an incredibly technical show, and it’s definitely going to be a challenge.”

Audiences can expect to see Tarzan (played by Cory Lloyd) swinging through trees alongside Jane (played by Kirstin Maki).

The season is slated to conclude with “Lend Me A Tenor,” planned Sept. 10-26, to be put on by British National Theatre of America/United Production Works, producers of last year’s “Arsenic and Old Lace.”

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is about 10 miles west of the 215 Beltway. Parking opens at 5 p.m., and meadow seating opens at 6 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or rent a chair in general admission grass seating. Picnics are welcome, and concessions are sold. “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Tarzan” are set to start at 8:05 p.m. “Lend Me a Tenor” is scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m.

Tickets are $12 in advance and are available at showtix4u.com. A limited number of tickets may be available at the gate for $20. For more information, visit supersummertheatre.org.

To reach View contributing reporter Ginger Meurer, email gmeurer@viewnews.com. Find her on Twitter: @gingermmm.