Post 7-18-2014 Kenai, Triumverate Theatre

Guys and Dolls

What a beautiful day. Up around eight, coffee, breakfast and a drive from Capt Cook State Park where we spent a couple of days just laid back.  The park is virtually undiscovered by most tourist because it is at the end of a dead end road and has only a campground at the end of it and a picnic area. It will accommodate all RV’s and of course tent camping as well.  It offers a peaceful setting of forests, lakes, streams and a saltwater beach.  It’s 25 miles North of Kenai City.  It’s really lovely here. quiet, peaceful and no phone signals (or electricity, city water, etc. only water from a hand pump which recommends that you boil before drinking)

                    A steep path down to the beach.  We walked back up the trail the trucks use.

Boomer and I gathering rocks

The park is on the Cook Inlet side of the peninsula and it will experience up to 40 foot variance in tides which occur twice a day. The beach is glacier silt at low tide and I’m told it can be like quicksand. I wasn't brave enough to try it and no one else did either.  The tide can come in 4 times faster than you can run.  I’m sure if you were stuck in the silt, you’re done for. There were some fishermen camped there  and before we left the park was filled with them.  They fish for silver salmon and rainbow trout in Swanson river and for rainbows and arctic char in the lake.

Anita here, my two favorite memories from the park will be the welcome by the bald eagle as we first arrived (he flew over at treetop level), and about 11pm Thursday night our next camp neighbors conversation.  Well, it wasn't exactly a conversation but I heard a little (about 3 years old) girl's voice "Daddy, Daddy", then a question I couldn't make out.  Then a man's voice, couldn't hear his words.  No more than 15-20 seconds of silence, then "Daddy, Daddy"... same as first time.  This lasted about 15 minutes.  Her voice was soooo sweet.  Then about 6 the next morning, "Mommy, Mommy", Oh boy, here we go again.  LOL

We took the Interpretation trail and a pocket guide pointed out several of the trees, bushes, plant life and all of their uses by the Dena’ina Indians. It now becomes more evident where all of our “natural” medicines come from. The Indians had a cure for almost everything and It’s amazing how much better they work than manufactured medications. It’s obvious the pharmaceutical companies are killing Americans with their concoctions. And especially those that have not been approved by the FDA. (Niacin is no longer recommended for people needing heart protection-on the news) 

Following the nature trail

Across the inlet lie four “sleeping giants” called Mount Redoubt, Mount Spur, Mount Iliamna and Mount Augustine. All are volcano’s and are part of the Aleutian Mountain Range which extends into the Pacific Ocean and forming the Aleutian Islands. On a clear day, they are visible, but the norm is clouds that make them hazy. We saw them twice. They are active and have been known to spew lava ashes all over the peninsula and Anchorage. They are part of the “ring of fire” that starts in New Zealand, crosses the Pacific, through Alaska and down through North and South America.  The volcanoes are the other thing in Alaska (first is earthquakes) that we don’t want to experience.

barely visible are three of the four volcanos

Along a scenic road back to Kenai City, we passed by the Swanson River and picturesque Stormy  Lake. We drove through Nikiski where a large oil storage and refinery is located that serves oil platforms on Cook Inlet, and the large underground reserve in the central peninsula. Tesoro Oil Refinery is the 24th largest refinery in the world and  has been in operation since 1969 and produces 72,000 barrels of crude oil per day. They also produce diesel, jet fuel, heating fuel, asphalt and propane. Crude oil is shipped by sea.

With a visit to the visitors center, we watched a few interesting movies and learned of a dinner and play at the Triumverate Theatre titled “Guy’s and Doll’s. Some of you, (my age anyhow,) may remember the movie starring Marlon Brando, Vivian Blaine, Frank Sinatra and Jean Simmons. It’s been so long since I saw it, I had virtually forgotten just what it was about.

Having attended many, many shows in large theaters' such as Chrysler Hall, Kennedy Center and the Met, I was always amazed at how they changed the scenery each act. What really amazes and pleases me are the small theatres in local settings where the cast is young, fresh and struggling. It's always rewarding to watch each performer pour out their hearts putting forth their every effort to ensure a good and correct performance. The rapid stage resetting with a few minor mishaps were totally accepted by the audience. My heart goes out to all of them.

Triumvirate Theatre is run under the umbrella of thee Alaska Children's Institute for the Performing Arts (ACIPA), a non-profit organization founded in 1998 to bring the benefits of theatre to children. Joe Rizzo, the current President of the corporation has been in the business his entire life. He is a director, playwright and songwriter and producer. He has sucessfully put together yet another masterpiece with this play. "Bravo" to you Joe for such a wonderful entertaining evening and for what you contribute to our children. The world needs more people like you.

Beautiful Mural on the side of the Theatre.

                                                                  Joe Rizzo
The cast was assembled with young men and women who were in high school and some in college that were home for the summer. Most notable to us were Cole Aronson, Jayton Rizzo, Raleigh VanNetta; Chase Feagin; Mayzee  Potten; Hannah Halliday; Judy  Shields. Wow, what a sterling performance from all but especially those young performers I mentioned. We wish them ever opportunity for success. Under Joe's guidance , I'm sure you will succeed.

We had the utmost pleasure to meet and have a short conversation with Chase Feagin before the show. His demeanor was noteworthy. Amazing what talent these sixteen, seventeen and eighteen year old's have.

Joining us at our table was Terri and her granddaughter, Anya, a lovely young 12 year old lady.  We were excited to learn that she was selected from a large group of talented young people in all of Kenai Peninsula to attend a camp type seminar in Plant City FL for poise, modeling, acting and entering the world of entertainment. She has aspirations of performing on Broadway. We were extremely impressed with her demeanor and poise for one so young. We wish her all the very best in her desires. And Terri told us of other interesting things in the area, as she works at the Soldotna Visitor Center. Very enjoyable dinner companions.

                                                                     Anya

                                                                        Terri
PS. The dinner was excellent, very delicious. Thank you Joe for a wonderful evening. It seemed that we were the only “tourist” at the dinner show as the other patrons all seemed to know each other. Maybe a little more  advertising in restaurants and business establishments would help increase attendance. Having been in business for 22 years: advertise, advertise.

Now, it’s time to rein in the day and say “Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are”(Jimmy Durante), or as Red Skelton would say “May God bless”.