Playhouse Merced, an amazing local success story

As we sat watching "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," the latest performance at Playhouse Merced, we thought what is really amazing is the success story of this little theatre group that could — against all odds — continue to perform so well.

It is a tribute to the hard work and volunteer efforts of so many through the years.

Playhouse Merced, with no federal funds, no state funds, but the sheer will to exist, has remained in tact, preforming week after week, some of the best theatre performances we have ever seen.

This performace of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last Thursday night was put on specially for the Merced Theatre Foundation members and supporters. It Involved dozens of performers and even more back up people. The show was a theatre-goer's masterpiece, with more changes than a newborn baby.

The vocals, both individual and by the chorus, were superb, as were the stage effects and scenery.

The cast, lead by narrator Dianne Kocher and Joseph Keaton Williams, and director Corey Stauss have all got a lot to be proud of.

This performance had everything.

What a joy!

We have been a supporter, not in as much money as we could have, but in the pages of the Times, which continue to make our local readers aware of the fine job this group of people have done.

Still it has its band of local loyal followers, and we can almost name them because they are also supporters of other fine things in our community.

Playhouse Merced is made up of a cross section of our community. If inspected closely, it would represent our heart and what makes us tick.

When our people are unemployed and we have problems with those who have no homes or have lost their homes to foreclosure; when our city and county budgets are slashed because of loss of taxes, and our schools are overloaded while teachers are laid off, we can look at this little theatre as a jewel in our town which continues to sing out "We are still here."

This is what makes our town special.

In one word.

We say BRAVO!

Keep on doing your Amazing technicolor work.

For tickets and show times call 725-8587.