Sierra Rep heads to nostalgic ‘State Fair’

Like any real trip to the fair, Sierra Repertory Theatre’s new production promises a heap of family fun with a side of nostalgia.

The foothills theater company presents the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II show “State Fair” starting Friday, June 17, at the Fallon House Theatre in Columbia. The feel-good musical began in 1945 as a feature film by the same name. Then, in the reverse of the legendary Broadway duo’s other more famous works such as “Oklahoma” and “Carousel,” the piece was adapted back for the stage later.

As one of the less well-known works by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Sierra Rep Artistic Director Scott Viets said, it will give audiences a fresh look at some old favorites.

“People don’t know it like they know ‘Oklahoma’ and ‘The King and I.’ I think they’ll be surprised by the humor and sweetness of it. And it has all these big numbers,” said Viets, who is directing the show. “People love Rodgers and Hammerstein, but don’t know this as well. So it will be a nice surprise and introduction to a show they might fall in love with.”

The show’s story is a simple one – the Frake family prepares for its annual visit to the Iowa State Fair. Parents Abel and Melissa Frake (played by Bay Area veteran Gary S. Martinez and Modesto performer Shelly Bort) are hoping to take home blue ribbons for their prize pig and mincemeat recipe, respectively. Meanwhile, their college-age children Margy and Wayne (played by New York-based actress Hallie Brevetti and Southern California-based actor Taylor Simmons) are looking for adventure and maybe love on the midway.

Some of its more famous songs include “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” and “It Might as Well Be Spring.” The production will feature a cast of 25 and include about 15 song-and-dance numbers.

Brevetti, making her Sierra Rep debut as Margy, said as a Rodgers and Hammerstein fan she was excited to be part of the show that packs plenty of heart.

“I think a few of the other big Rodgers and Hammerstein shows have these kind of darker, heavy elements to them, and ‘State Fair’ does not have that. It’s very light-hearted and pure. I think that’s what makes it great,” she said.

The show also reminds some of the performers of their own fair and festival experiences in the past. New York-based performer Melissa WolfKlain, who grew up in the Bay Area, plays singer Emily Arden, one of the entertainment acts at the fair. Like her character, WolfKlain is no stranger to singing at public gatherings like the fair. She got her own start at the Foster City Art & Wine Festival when she was younger.

“That’s how I got my first foray into performing. Of course, ‘State Fair’ is set in the ’40s, so there’s a lot of nostalgia,” she said. “But there are scenes that resonate today, for sure. Like Margy trying to figure out her path as a woman and not wanting to go the traditional route. And my character doing her own thing. It is kind of a feminist, in a good way.”

The show also stirs up history in Viets, who came to Sierra Rep 16 years ago to choreograph a production of “State Fair” at the East Sonora theater. That 2000 presentation was the last time the company presented the show. Viets said revisiting the show, this time as director, has been a fun experience.

“I’m a choreographer at heart, so I always love to be able to do big dance shows. But I also love directing shows that aren’t that well-known. As much fun as ‘Fiddler and on the Roof’ and ‘Hello, Dolly’ are, there’s always a certain expectation because they know the movie or show so well already,” he said. “What I love about ‘State Fair’ is it is lesser known so you have the freedom to create that world and have some surprises.”

Sacramento artist Jerry Lee, who returns to the company after playing Adolpho in last season’s “The Drowsy Chaperone,” plays big-city newspaperman Pat Gilbert, one of the show’s only somewhat cynical characters. But after meeting Margy, he might have a change of heart.

“What I love so much as I’m watching the show in rehearsal for the scenes I’m not in is the family dynamic is really lovely. The story of the mother and father and son and daughter is really very lovely. I hope that families come to see this – young families with younger kids and maybe some older parents who bring their older kids and grandkids,” Lee said. “It’s really very charming.”

This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 8:12 PM with the headline "Sierra Rep heads to nostalgic ‘State Fair’."