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Leonard Andrenacci, Brenda Flory, Josh Flory - photo Sue Novell

SCT Play Features Hijinks And History Of Madera County

Dave Novell, Al Flory and Gail Sims

NORTH FORK – History will be made – or rather recreated – at this year’s Spring Fling as the Squirrel Cage Theatre Co. (SCT) presents the story of how Madera became a county.

This year, SCT is celebrating the 125th anniversary of Madera County with an original play written by long-time local thespian, LaRetta Roope, presented at the North Fork Town Hall on Friday and Saturday, Apr. 27 and 28.

The play, “The Birth of a County,” details the clever, and sneaky way in which the Maderans accomplished the vote establishing Madera as its own independent county.

Sophia Wigginton, Dan Rosenberg and Elva Gurule

Set in 1893 in Fresno’s Kutner Hall, the play revisits a mass meeting to vote for separating from Fresno County and becoming Madera County. The local newspaper, The Expositor, described the meeting as “the wildest, most tumultuous body of men ever assembled in this city!”

District 5 Supervisor Chief of Staff Brittany Dyer, who serves as the chairperson for the Madera County 125th Anniversary Committee, is the perfect person to serve as emcee for the show.

The cast includes Chuck Thrapp as the leader of the pro-divisionists and David Novell as the leader of the anti-divisionists. Other cast members are Al Flory, Josh Flory, Jeff Gurule, Ken Wood, Leonard Andrenacci, Gail Sims and Brenda Flory.

Jeff Gurule and Dave Novell

This is a fun and historical play that encourages audience participation, say co-directors Robyn Flory and Sue Novell.

Closing the show will be the Whiskey Creek Band – Paul Vind, Martin Wallace, Jeff Gurule, David Novell and Ken Wood.

Join the fun on Friday and Saturday, Apr. 27 and 28, at the North Fork Town Hall. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m, and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets for dinner and the show are $15 for adults, seniors over 65 are $12, children under 12 are just $10.

The dinner menu includes baked chicken, baked potatoes, green salad and a roll. The Boosters will have a no-host bar.

Also this weekend, tickets also go on sale for SCT’s second annual “Dinner Party ” drawing. You can win a catered 3-course dinner for 8 people and entertainment by Sugar Pine. Tickets are just $2 each or 6 for $10, and the drawing will be held at the Songs of the Season concert on Dec. 1. You need not be present to win.

For more information call Sue Novell at 559-877-2129.

(Photos by Sue Novell)

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