Folks living in Edmonds might think that we have a pretty lively little city when it comes to the goings on at city hall and our track record with the railroad’s schedule and freight loads.

However, there’s a town that does Edmonds one better in the liveliness and backstory department – Reuton, New York, which lies at the base of Baldpate Mountain. Reuton and Baldpate Mountain are the mythical locales of playwright George Cohan’s 1913 play, “Seven Keys to Baldpate”.

Driftwood Players Theatre, which begins an historic 57^th season, chose Cohan’s play as this year’s inaugural production.

On opening night “Artfully Edmonds” and five friends took the Driftwood Players up on their invitation to join the troupe as the stage lights dimmed and patrons were transported to 1913 Reuton, NY where public graft and personal greed lurks in the shadows and midnight mischief takes center stage at Baldpate Inn.

Although Cohan’s play had a faltering and misunderstood Opening Night, it has since gone on to great success. It has become one of Cohan’s most popular works.

A lot of Cohan’s ultimate success with “Baldpate” goes to the ridiculously overplayed parody melodrama of the farce – and the shocking conclusion!

For its rendition of “Baldpate” Driftwood Players has called on the talents of the ever-popular thespian couple Annie St. John and Aza Sholdez who play Mary Norton (the female reporter) and John Bland (The Millionaire’s right hand man).

St. John and Sholdez are joined by a large (and experienced) cast, which includes in part Sean Roddy, Justin Tinsley, Rob Gaston, Nicholas Horiatis, Boyd Morrison, Edwin Scheibner, Caitlin Gilman; all of whom turn in performances of superb skill and timing.

As the play opens we hear the shrill howl of the wind at the top of Baldpate Mountain where Baldpate Inn is located. The blue cast of winter light shines through the windowpanes of the inn as the audience listens to the approach of Mr. & Mrs. Quimby, caretakers of the inn; played by Edwin Scheibner and Danette Meline.  The couple approach and struggle in the bitter cold with opening the front door with what they believe is the only key to Baldpate. We literally feel the chilling effect of the winter storm that they are enduring in their task of opening the inn for a midnight-arriving guest.

Authenticity is the descriptive most befitting the caretaker portrayals of Scheibner and Meline.  who play dual roles: Scheibner as both the caretaker and The Millionaire owner of Baldpate Inn, and Meline playing both the part of Mrs. Quimby as well as Mrs. Rhodes, the fiancé whose trust is betrayed by the Mayor.  Both actors manage their dual roles with precision and depth.

In an interview many years ago Joanne Woodward said that her 1958 Oscar win for portraying multiple characters in “The Three Faces of Eve” was attributed to advice she had received from Martha Graham.  Graham had coached Woodward in using separate and distinctly original gaits and postures for each of Eve’s personae’s.  Woodward earned her Oscar by being able to convincingly change not only the voice pattern of each of Eve’s personalities; but also the slink, stumble, and falter of each character.

Driftwood’s Meline possesses this same ability as she portrays Mrs. Quimby.  When she shudders at the cold and stomps her boots as she enters the lobby of the inn I felt the painful and merciless cold of northern New York.  When Mrs. Quimby rubbed her stiffened fingers and hugged herself as she shuffled toward the fireplace for warmth, I was convinced.

Meline personified the 1913 thick-heeled and overly-practical Mrs. Quimby on every level.

The “Tony” for this show goes to Danette Meline for the successful duality of her roles.  The manner in which Meline handles her dual roles provides strong backbone to a professional grade production.

Brava, Danette!

Want more of Danette Meline? Here she plays the part of a Twin Peaks restaurant waitress in “Cherry Pie”:  https://youtu.be/k7NTxwH_jwE.

That said, the further success of “Baldpate” rides on the ability of the characters to over-vamp their parts.  It’s a farce, after all. The outrageous vamping honors go to Rob Gaston, playing the Peters the Hermit. For his part, Gaston couldn’t stop the laughter of the audience.  His performance was masterful; laugh out loud funny. The crowd cheered at Gaston’s depiction of a man who has ever reason to be as mean and rotten as his character demands.

An A+ season opener for Driftwood Players – and away we go!

– – –

“7 Keys of Baldpate”
by George M. Cohan
directed by Gianni Truzzi
Driftwood Players
Wade James Theatre
950 Main St.

Production Run: Through Sunday matinee, Sept. 27

Driftwood Players Theatre has opened its 57th Season with George M. Cohan’s “Seven Keys to Baldpate”.

Don’t miss it!

Tickets are available at Driftwood Players online box office or by calling 425-774-9600.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Art Walk Edmonds 
Plus! Art + Wine Walk

Time flies for AWE – Art Walk Edmonds!

Art Walk Edmonds – the third Thursday gallery phenomenon which had its inception 13 years ago – has really grown up.

AWE’s third Thursday of each month gallery walk is always free and open to the public.

AWE organizers present the second in the series “Art + Wine Walk” for gallery visitors with an upscale appreciation for the finest in wine selections.

Pre-sale tickets for the “Art + Wine Walk” component of Art Walk Edmodns are available for $25. Your pre-purchased tokens will be available at Will Call, Coldwell Banker Bain, 108 5th Ave. S. from 1:30 – 7 p.m.

Or purchase your wristband, 10 tasting tokens and a map the-day-of at Coldwell Banker Bain for $30.

Please bring your ID and your own wine glass if you wish.

Participants in “Art + Wine Walk” must be 21 and over to participate.[

Wines selected for “Art + Wine Walk” can be purchased at Arista Wine Cellars at 10-percent savings.

As always – value wines, bistro snacks and chocolates are available on a complimentary basis from participating gallery spaces throughout the Art Walk Edmonds evening.

– – – –

Joan E. Archer one of Edmonds’ grande dames of art is Art Walk Edmonds featured artist this month.

Participating “Art + Wine Walk” gallery spaces where special pours are taking place include:

* Cole Gallery

Cole Gallery is pouring Latour Winery of France for ‘Art + Wine Walk’ ticket holders.

Andy Eccleshall, local master of the landscape, is the guest artist at Cole Gallery this month. Eccleshall explores intriguing lighting and atmospheric effects in his new show “Afterglow”.

Cole Gallery offers this perspective of Eccleshall in this interview.

– – –

* Cline Jewelers

“Jewelers in Action” is the title we are giving to Cline Jewelers this month – Sounds exciting doesn’t it? Bad Boys Wines of France has been selected as the premier wine for this location.

– – –

* Edmonds Bookshop is on the “Art + Wine Walk” route, and it’s where Holly Huges and MarkRozema will be reciting their recently published poetry. The popular bookstore will be featuring Zenato Winery of Italy.

– – –

Windermere Real Estate is where you will fine the multi-media art of Alexandria Espinosa. Mark Ryan Winery will be presented.

– – – –

J. Rankin Jewelers is featuring Januik Cellars of Woodinville for Art +Wine Walk patrons. Arturo Torres, artists and photographer has many fans of his work in the Edmonds area gathered from his Saturday Market days.

– – – –

Gallery North has been paired with Michael Florention Cellars of Woodinville for September’s showing of Anne Prather’s Transcendence.

– – – –

Zinc Art + Interiors will have an Italian zing this month as they feature Boen Winery of Italy and the art of London based illustrator and animator Liam Brazier. Brazier brings a show of strong female super heroes depicted by energy driven geometric shapes and modern pops of color. (showing until Oct. 12)

– – – –

Aria Studio Gallery will present new works by the ever-popular Joan E. Archer and Leah Goodwin. Visitors to Aria Studio Gallery wearing the “Art + Wine Walk” wrist band will be enjoying Underground Wine Project: Sustain Wines of Washington State.

– – – –

Ombu Salon & Spa will treat “Art + Wine Walk” participants with wines from Barrage Cellars of Woodinville as they present an outdoor showing of works by Jolyn Wells-Moran.

– – – –

Slate Salon in all its hip-ness has been paired with Silver Palms Winery of California for its showing of Cecelia Fisher.

– – – –

This week we also received a “Please come see us!” message from

Edmonds Library
700 Main St.
Local Artist and Poet Shirley Fjoslien

Edmonds Arts Commission (EAC) invites us to view a selection of the works of local artist Shirley Fjoslien. Fjoslien will be showing at Edmonds Library now through October 29th .

This special exhibit features her landscapes with accompanying poetry reflecting the beauty and community of Anderson Island. Anderson Island is at the southernmost island in Puget Sound.

Edmonds Library hours are Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m..

For additional information on showings at the Edmonds Library, contact Laurie Rose, Edmonds Arts Commission, 425-771-1228.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Saturday/Sunday
Sept. 19/20
10 – 5 p.m.
Free!

Edmonds artists are eager to show you the studios where all of their fine creations come to life.

Each year, hundreds of art enthusiasts traverse Edmonds going from studio space to studio space meeting – in their own working environment – the artists who are making “Edmonds – An Arts Destination!” on the map.

Sponsors for this event include the Edmonds Arts Commission, and Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation (EAFF), as well as many other generous supporters from our community.

This free self-guided tour is a once-a-year opportunity to visit 25 private studios displaying the work of 42 local artists in the scenic Edmonds area.

You can purchase finished work, see new art being created, or just visit and ask questions.

Everyone is welcome! To access the Studio Tour map go online to https://www.edmondsartstudiotour.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Love. Coming Soon!
Saturday, Oct. 3
9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
ArtWorks
At Dayton St. and 2nd Ave. S.
Previously Loved Art Sale
Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation

The 12th annual “Previously Loved Art Sale” will take place at ArtWorks in downtown Edmonds.

Make this one of the first penciled dates on your October calendar and stop by ArtWorks for art bargains!

This art sale is a very popular event and presents a great opportunity to view – all at one location – paintings, drawings, sculpture, art posters, crafts, art books and periodicals, in addition to art supplies.

There is always a wide variety of art at the sale and because the sale relies on donations, it is different every year!

Also, it’s not too late to donate your own previously loved art for the sale. Bring your donations to ArtWorks. You can drop them off any Monday, Thursday or Friday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. or call 425-774-6049 to make an appointment for drop off. (Note: ArtWorks is no longer accepting frames.) Donations are tax-deductible. You can donate your previously loved art any time up to and including the day of the “Previously Loved Art Sale”.

Artworks

ArtWorks is a gathering place for artists offering classes, workshops and exhibit space and is supported by the Edmonds Arts Festival (EAF) and the Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation (EAFF). The annual Edmonds Arts Festival held on Father’s Day weekend is the main support of the EAFF, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enriching the arts through the cultural and educational growth of our community. In addition to ArtWorks, the EAFF also supports community and educational grants, scholarships and the EAF Museum at the Frances Anderson Center in Edmonds.

For more information about this annual event, contact Meredith Arnold at ArtWorks at 425-774-6049.

— By Emily Hill

Emily Hill is the author of two novels and a short story collection. She also writes the “Lynnwood Lifestyle” column for Lynnwood Today. Emily is retired from a career in public information and news media relations. If you would like your event listed, or featured, in Artfully Edmonds, Emily invites you to contact her at arts@myedmondsnews.com.