Fandangle Sampler set Saturday

Members of the Fort Griffin Fandangle Association will still be treated to a preview or sampler of the 2024 summer show on Saturday but not at Collins Creek Ranch as originally planned.

Because of the likelihood of rain on Saturday, artistic director Lorna Ayers said Wednesday morning that the show will be staged indoors at the Whitney Theatre.

A cast and crew of 80 or so local volunteer performers have been rehearsing for about a month in order to present a shortened version of the summer show to members of the association. Instead of moving rehearsals to Collins Creek, the cast will practice on the Whitney stage, Ayers said.

On Saturday, the doors will open at the Whitney at 5:00 p.m., with the show beginning at 6:00 p.m.

“We will still have a table set up at the entrance for members to check in,” said Jamie Parsons, the Fandangle’s office manager. “We’ll have a record of current members, or membershipscanbepurchased or renewed at the door.”

Members will also have the opportunity to purchase a steak dinner with all the trimmings including beverages of choice for $50 per person. The food and drinks are being catered by the Icehouse in Albany.

“It will not be too late to buy tickets for the dinner,” said Parsons. “The Icehouse is making plenty of food. We asked for reservations earlier, but that is not necessary now.”

Parsons did ask that payment for the meal or memberships will need to be made with cash or a check upon check-int.

“It is never too late to join us,” she said. “We have a lot of new members who have moved to town this year, and we really appreciate their support.”

Parsons said that the count earlierintheweekwasbetween 250 to 270 people including the cast and crew.

The Clear Fork Boys will perform after the dinner.

Sampler Rehearsals

There will be no practice Thursday (tonight), with Friday’s dress rehearsal starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Whitney.

“Obviously, there will be no horses or rolling stock on the Whitney stage, so we will make those adjustments on Friday,” Ayers said. “Rehearsals have been clicking right along and falling together. We are excited that this week has finally gotten here.”

She expressed appreciation to Betsy Parsons for letting the Fandangle use the Whitney on such short notice.

Initially, Ayers had planned to wait as long as possible before making a decision about cancelling or changing Saturday’s show. However, rain forecasts and colder temperatures seem to be fairly conclusive, as high as a 90% chance of rain.

Online Registration

The director is also urging parents of children planning to be in the summer show to go to the cast page online to register anyone under 18.

“The cast can also go to the new website to the cast page to see the summer rehearsal schedule, which starts May 13, and register any children online,” she said. “This includes high school ages too. We really need this done before they come to any rehearsals.”

Cast members need to scroll down to the bottom of the home page at www.fort griffinfandangle.com and click on the word “cast,” which is in green type.

Memberships, Tickets Memberships are available at the following levels: Pioneer $25, Longhorn $75, Patron $175, Bronze $250, Silver $500, Gold $1,000, Platinum $2,500, and Diamond $5,000.

Members are recognized in local newspaper advertising that the Fandangle places prior to the summer show, as well as in the program handed out at each performance.

Performance dates are June21-22andJune28-29.

Tickets for the shows are available online can be purchased in person or by calling the Fandangle office at 325-762-3838.