Many Tri-Citians enjoy attending dramatic presentations on local stages and there are two groups of different levels that offer quality entertainment, live on stage. At the high school level, the Hanford High Drama program continually wows the audiences and on the adult platform, the Richland Players offer a fabulous community program.
HHS Drama
Over the past decade, Hanford High productions, under the tutelage of Matt Leggett, have soared in popularity. State awards for the dramatic arts are presented annually in Seattle at the 5th Avenue Awards where Hanford High is a well-known winner of many awards, some for best play in the state, some for best actors/actresses, best choir, and BEST at most every possible category. Last year Mr. Leggett passed the directing responsibilities to Erin Dickey, a former Hanford thespian. In just a couple of weeks, you can see The Mystery of Edwin Drood – a musical whodunnit! Presentations will be May 13, 14, 18, 20, and 21. Hanford’s plays are so popular with the public that they often need to offer encore shows.
While many of Hanford’s drama students continue their love of stage at college, some return to the community stage and perform with another talented organization…The Richland Players. This stage has been alive for 77 years and presents its performances in one of Richland’s few historic buildings at 608 The Parkway, tucked behind Casa Mia. Of course, the Players present much loved titles like To Kill a Mockingbird and Death of a Salesman, but they also frequently bring new and varied scripts to shine on the stage.
Current Performances
Presently, tickets are on sale for These Shining Lives, directed by Christy Valle and presented by special arraignment with New York’s Dramatists Play Service. Melanie Marnich’s script details the lives of several women who found work making respectable money but exposing them to radium through their work. The true story of their strength and resilience will be presented at The Richland Players Theatre on May 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15 (some afternoon and some evening performances). Tickets are $20.00 for adults with discounts for seniors/military/students.
In June the actors will be presenting Fools by Neil Simon. The setting of this comic fable is a small village in Ukraine, making the time and place relevant to today. This play has also been adapted more than once as a stage musical at Harvard University and in San Jose, California. The Richland Players will open the summer season with this popular play.
With the old Village Theater nestled in the historic Parkway of Richland, play goers have excellent choices of pre- and post-performance food and drink. There are several new venues within a short walk on a summer evening where theater goers can unwind and debrief the performance.
